Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 727: Chapter 722: We’re the Best in the World

「Star Palace, Cyan Dragon Star.」

The Patriarch of the Zhu Xuan Clan was inspecting the clan’s treasury when a streak of rainbow light flew toward him. It was a Fei Xin. He caught it and glanced at its contents.

He froze, his expression one of disbelief.

In that instant, the star where the Zhu Xuan Clan resided began to tremble. A vast tide of Mana, like a monstrous wave, threatened to erupt forth.

But just as quickly, all the phenomena subsided.

The Patriarch of the Zhu Xuan Clan took a deep breath. He extended his spiritual perception toward the Horned Wood Jiao and saw that its corresponding Star Map had dimmed as well.

At this point, he understood the news was correct. Both Zhu Xuanhao, the most precious bloodline of the Zhu Xuan Clan’s current generation, and the Star Monarch of Qinghe had perished completely. They had clearly died together inside the Celestial Human Residual Consciousness, which meant something was definitely wrong.

”This matter must be reported to the Star Palace!”

With this thought, the Patriarch of the Zhu Xuan Clan shot to his feet. But just as he was about to leave, he abruptly stopped. His mind turned, and he realized something far more important.

’The Star Monarch of Qinghe is dead, leaving the Horned Wood Jiao unguarded.’

’In that case, with the Horned Wood Jiao unprotected, isn’t this the perfect opportunity for my Zhu Xuan Clan to move in and bring it completely under our control?’

’From that perspective, their deaths are a blessing!’

Two Star Monarchs might seem important to others, but to him, they were nothing special. They could be replaced at any time.

Even with Zhu Xuanhao, while there was no one to replace him in this generation, the Zhu Xuan Clan was vast. If the scion of one generation died, they could just wait for the next. One of the most valuable lessons they had learned from that wretched place, the Immortal Pivot, was that people were always the cheapest commodity.

Besides, they were only Star Monarchs!

’Star Monarchs... The name itself is a step down from the titles of old. They are unworthy of being called Perfected Lords. The difference in name signifies a chasm as wide as heaven and earth!’

With that, the Patriarch of the Zhu Xuan Clan sprang into action.

”Men! Follow me to the Horned Wood Jiao!”

’The Star Monarch of Qinghe used to come to me for his cut. Now he can’t blame me for devouring his entire legacy. This is how the game is played in the Star Palace!’

...

「Celestial Human Residual Consciousness, Taihuang Realm.」

Lü Yang opened his eyes, and for a moment, it seemed as if lightning crackled within them. He gazed far out into the void Beyond the Heavens and broke into a grin. ’That old beast actually ran far away this time...’

Ultimately, he had come out on top this time.

Otherwise, given the power gap between him and Ang Xiao, Ang Xiao would have certainly taken the lion’s share of the spoils, leaving him with the scraps—if he got anything at all.

But in the end, they had split everything evenly. Ang Xiao had even translated four Ancient Scriptures for him. Now, injured by the Tribulation Evil Profound Light, Ang Xiao wouldn’t be recovering anytime soon. He didn’t dare remain in the same place as Lü Yang and had chosen to flee far Beyond the Heavens to hide. It was a voluntary retreat.

’Plus, I managed to stash away a little treasure for myself.’

Lü Yang gave his sleeve a little shake. He circulated his spiritual perception to examine a piece of jade hidden within. After a quick divination, he swiftly determined the item’s specific use.

’A Jiaomu Celestial Gate Star Core?’

Lü Yang rubbed his chin. Since he had decided to keep the item for himself, he had of course already used the Immortal Core Survival Guide to check it.

The result came back: ’No Pit’.

If it had been otherwise, he would have passed it off to Ang Xiao under the guise of a trade. Why would he keep something that would only cause him trouble?

’This is the embryo for an Upper Grade Dharma Body.’

’It’s perfect for refining a Life Form Body. The only drawback is that it has to be nurtured from scratch and sent into the mortal world to be tempered, a process that could easily take several hundred years.’

Of course, there was a simpler way to use it.

’The Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal!’

’I’ve inherited the Dao Foundation and Abilities of Demon Subduing Zhenren. If I use this as a base, perhaps I can manage to bring forth another Life Form Body through Enlightenment.’

Lü Yang considered his current predicament. He definitely couldn’t leave the Celestial Human Residual Consciousness. Under these circumstances, a new Life Form Body would be extremely useful. What’s more, it would cultivate an Emperor Fruit. If he could use it to swallow the Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal, the gains would be far greater than with the Fruit of Lamp-Cover Fire!

’But... no need to rush.’

He mulled it over for a moment, then with a flick of his finger, produced the four Jade Scrolls that Ang Xiao had just translated for him. They were all Ancient Scriptures from the Star Palace’s collection.

On this point, the Star Monarch of Qinghe had been rather cunning.

He hadn’t brought any Ancient Techniques involving the Star Palace’s secrets. None of the four Jade Scrolls contained Ancient Techniques for cultivating Mana; instead, they were all filled with Magic.

’Magic... one of the Three Foundations of a cultivator.’

’These four Jade Scrolls all contain magic once used by the Ancient Law True Monarchs... Before the rise of the Pocket World Technique, this was how Ancient Law True Monarchs engaged in combat.’

A True Monarch of Cave Heaven Technique relies on their Fruit Position for combat.

They use either their Fruit Position Imagery or the Fruit Position Profound Mysterious. Any magic they might have is typically crude, and they rarely possess truly powerful Abilities.

Ancient Law True Monarchs, however, were a different matter.

’Those who followed the Ancient Technique would swallow a Fruit and make its power their own. They didn’t rely on the Power of Fruit Position; instead, they made the Fruit serve their own Abilities.’

As Lü Yang read on, he quickly began to understand.

’So, this so-called magic is a type of ability created by refining external items—like Rare Treasures, Qi Pills, or even souls—using extraordinary methods.’

’Refining this magic requires a Perfected Lord to risk their very life, using numerous external materials over a vast amount of time. But once completed, its power is immense. If refined to a high enough level, it can even be used to kill another Perfected Lord of the same rank!’

At first, Lü Yang was quite pleased.

After all, if this magic could truly kill a Perfected Lord of the same rank, it would be a tremendous help to him.

But his brow soon furrowed as he understood why the Star Monarch of Qinghe had been willing to offer up such powerful magic.

’The required external materials are missing, making refinement impossible...’

The four types of magic in the Jade Scrolls from the Star Monarch of Qinghe were all secret techniques of the Star Palace. The materials required for their refinement could only be found within the Star Palace itself.

In the end, only one of the four types of magic was usable.

’Great Mighty Spirit Qi.’

’Refining this magic requires the soul of someone who held a True Monarch Position as the primary material. It takes a full forty-nine years to achieve the initial stage of refinement.’

Lü Yang pondered this and summoned the Righteous Banner.

Soon, amidst roiling purple qi, two souls emerged: the Star Monarch of Qinghe and Zhu Xuanhao. Lü Yang had conveniently refined them earlier.

But as he looked at them, Lü Yang’s brow furrowed.

’...Their Position has actually fallen.’

Unlike an Immortal Pivot True Monarch, who possesses the Gold Attribute, cultivators from other factions like the Celestial Mansion or the Star Palace would have their soul’s Position drop after they died and lost their connection to their Fruit.

’Looks like the Star Palace’s cultivation methods have some major pitfalls too!’

Thinking of this, Lü Yang found the situation absurd. From this perspective, it seemed the Pocket World Technique and the methods of the Immortal Pivot True Monarchs were actually of the highest quality!

’So the Saint Sect’s Ancestral Master was actually a good guy?’

”Haha!”

Lü Yang couldn’t help but laugh.

But he quickly sobered. Without a true True Monarch’s Soul, he couldn’t refine the magic. This put him in a difficult position.

However, just as Lü Yang was scowling in frustration...

...a streak of light suddenly shot in from outside the Taihuang Realm. It transformed into a jade box and landed before Lü Yang, a seal shimmering on its surface.

Then, Ang Xiao’s voice echoed out.

”I suspect, fellow Daoist, that you are in need of this very item. If you want it, trade me all the Sun and Moon Profound Juice you have.”

”Oh?”

Lü Yang’s eyebrows shot up. He was in the prime of his youth, so a life-extending treasure like the Sun and Moon Profound Juice was useless to him. He didn’t mind trading it away.

The question was, what was Ang Xiao offering in return?

With that thought, he fixed his sharp gaze on the jade box. Soon, an image of its contents appeared before him. It was a soul.

The soul of the Dragon and Snake Coiling Shadow Bodhisattva!

A living one!

’Holy shit...’

Lü Yang was floored. ’He recaptured the Dragon and Snake Coiling Shadow Bodhisattva? No wonder he’s been hiding out in the Celestial Human Residual Consciousness this whole time!’

But a second later, Lü Yang cast his concerns aside.

’He might be an Outer Dao True Monarch, but he’s still a True Monarch... The soul is usable!’

”Deal!”

Lü Yang immediately took out the two drops of Sun and Moon Profound Juice. With a flick of his wrist, he sent them flying Beyond the Heavens in a streak of spirit light, then quickly tucked the jade box away.

This True Monarch’s Soul was the perfect solution to his pressing problem.

He had to admit, while he always had to be wary of Ang Xiao turning on him, he was quite a reliable partner when their interests didn’t conflict.

’Our previous alliance may have fallen apart, but that’s all in the past. Right now, we’re the best of friends again!’

’Don’t you worry. As soon as I finish refining this Great Mighty Spirit Qi, you’ll be the first one I test it on!’