Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Although True Monarch Gangxing retreated decisively, making this challenge feel rather anticlimactic, Lü Yang did not underestimate him for it.

In fact, he was even a little disappointed.

If True Monarch Gangxing had truly been reckless enough to start the fight, Lü Yang would have given him a nasty surprise. With a bit of luck, he might have even managed to slay him!

However, his opponent was too cautious.

His decisive retreat was clearly because he had determined he lacked an overwhelming advantage. This withdrawal was merely preparation for the next assault.

’He’s probably gone to win over the Pure Land and the Dao Court.’

Lü Yang’s eyes narrowed. In a situation like this, the Pure Land and the Dao Court certainly wouldn’t choose to stand by and watch. It was clear his own time to prepare was running out.

........

Soon, like a stone tossed into a lake, the news of the challenge and subsequent standoff between the Sword Pavilion and the Stain Sect sent ripples through the Immortal Pivot, causing a massive uproar.

For a time, everyone felt a sense of imminent danger.

After all, everyone knew the saying: when Immortals fight, mortals suffer. This was especially true when Perfected Lords made a move. Under the influence of their Dao Fruits, vast numbers of Qi Refining Disciples would often perish.

And if all the Perfected Lords in the world started an all-out war, fighting with true killing intent, it wouldn’t just be the Qi Refining Disciples at risk. Even some Foundation-Stage Cultivators with weaker cultivation could be affected and lose their lives. Those with stronger cultivation were even more worried about being slain by an enemy Perfected Lord from a higher realm.

Of course, some forces wished for nothing more than chaos.

After all, a great war would inevitably lead to a redistribution of power and resources. In such a situation, choosing the right side was crucial, and everyone was trying to assess the state of affairs.

In the end, most people reached the same conclusion:

In this war, the Stain Sect was at a disadvantage!

After all, no matter how you looked at it, this war would see the Sword Pavilion, the Dao Court, and the Pure Land joining forces. The Stain Sect could not stand alone against them. Three against one—the advantage lay with the Righteous Dao!

........

「South, on Zenith Cliff.」

True Monarch Gangxing closed his eyes and withdrew his spiritual perception from the North. Then, with a mere thought, he took a communication Jade Scroll from within his robes.

Soon, the Jade Scroll was activated.

Buddha Light emerged, finally coalescing into a graceful, enchanting figure. Her bewitching, fox-like eyes were as gentle as water, and her expression was so exquisitely pitiful it could move any heart. She met the gaze of True Monarch Gangxing.

It was none other than Bao Lian Hidden Buddha of the Pure Land.

”Have you made your decision, fellow Daoist?”

Bao Lian Hidden Buddha let out a light laugh that tugged at the heart. ”If you have made up your mind, I am willing to personally travel to Zenith Cliff to discuss the Dao with you.”

”Then come.”

True Monarch Gangxing did not haggle further. Instead, he said directly, ”I can lend you the Eternal Sword to help you break through to the Late Stage of Golden Core.”

At these words, a smile bloomed on Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s face. She immediately replied, ”Rest assured, fellow Daoist. The Bhagavat is not fond of the Fruit of Celestial Fire. This time, my Pure Land will certainly stand on the same front as the Sword Pavilion. As long as the Sword Pavilion helps me break through to the Late Stage of Golden Core, I will be sure to return the favor!”

Only then did True Monarch Gangxing nod.

Of the two Great Saints from the Overseas Demon Race, the Bright Pearl Great Saint had pledged allegiance to the Stain Sect. The Profound Turtle Great Saint, having no other choice, had naturally sided with the Pure Land.

And Bao Lian Hidden Buddha had readily accepted him.

However, this gave rise to another problem.

Namely, Bao Lian Hidden Buddha’s Fruit of Hairpin-Brace Metal and the Profound Turtle Great Saint’s Fruit of Thunderbolt Fire were not actually compatible, making it extremely difficult to harmonize them.

There was no helping it. After all, not just any Dao Fruits could be matched. Whether one’s cultivation was profound enough to perceive this incompatibility was, in itself, the great chasm one had to cross to reach the Late Stage of Golden Core. However, given the current situation, Bao Lian Hidden Buddha couldn’t worry about such things. She had no choice but to opt for a more forceful method.

—A forced pairing.

This was not impossible. Although the Fruit of Hairpin-Brace Metal was incompatible with the Fruit of Thunderbolt Fire, the Pure Land’s other two Dao Fruits did not have this problem.

Her situation was the same as True Monarch Gangxing’s.

That was why Bao Lian Hidden Buddha had made this request. She wanted to emulate True Monarch Gangxing—worry about the future consequences later. The priority was to break through now!

This played right into True Monarch Gangxing’s hands.

’Fortunately, Bao Lian has a favor to ask, which is the only way I can pull the Pure Land to our side... Otherwise, given the Pure Land’s usual style, they might very well have allied with the Stain Sect.’

Everyone knew that the Pure Land and the Stain Sect had connections.

After all, back in the day, the Pure Land had been called an Evil Sect. They were clearly cut from the same cloth as the Stain Sect; birds of a feather, neither of them was up to any good.

The Dao Court, by contrast, was much less of a concern.

After all, for countless years, the Sword Pavilion and the Dao Court had allied to resist the Stain Sect. Compared to the Pure Land, the Dao Court was undoubtedly more trustworthy.

........

「East, in the Celestial Wu Hall.」

”A message from the Sword Pavilion? They want our help against the Stain Sect?”

In the magnificent, resplendent hall, Emperor Jia You stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Flanking him were the Three Ministers of the Dao Court. The four Perfected Lords were all gathered.

The difference, however, was that Emperor Jia You, once a cultivator in the Middle Stage of Golden Core, had now undergone a qualitative transformation. His Qi trace was faintly connected to those of the Grand Protector and Grandmaster among the Three Ministers. One of them wielded Gold Platinum, the other the Fruit of Level-Ground Wood, and together with Emperor Jia You’s Fruit of Roadside Earth, they happened to form the Three Elements!

Late Stage of Golden Core—a Great Perfected Lord!

Clearly, constrained by external pressures, the Dao Court had reached an internal consensus. The emperor and his ministers had joined hands, putting an end to their infighting, which had allowed Emperor Jia You to achieve his breakthrough.

”My dear ministers, what are your thoughts?”

Emperor Jia You chuckled. ”After all, our Dao Court and the Sword Pavilion have been allies for generations. We have joined forces many times in the past. It is only right and proper that we lend our aid.”

Hearing this, the Three Ministers exchanged glances.

Emperor Jia You’s words were pleasant, but he had clearly omitted the ”however.” The reason was simple: since when had the Dao Court and the Sword Pavilion been allies for generations?

That was the previous dynasty! It was the Dao Court under the rule of the Zouyu Royal Family that had been allies with the Sword Pavilion for generations. And what was the result? When the Zouyu Royal Family was being destroyed, the Sword Pavilion stood by and did nothing.

Although the Celestial Wu Royal Family had ultimately profited from it, that didn’t mean they weren’t wary. In fact, they were deeply suspicious.

After all, the Celestial Wu Royal Family was hardly on close terms with the Sword Pavilion.

The Zouyu Royal Family had such an ironclad relationship with the Sword Pavilion, yet the Pavilion ignored their plight. So what about their Celestial Wu Royal Family? Wouldn’t they be even more likely to be abandoned?

This was where True Monarch Gangxing was mistaken.

He saw the ”Dao Court” as a monolithic entity.

In reality, the Dao Court was the most unique of the Four Great Forces. Under the will of the Daoist Court Daoist Lord, the so-called ”Dao Court” was nothing more than a facade.

It was a facade that was constantly being worn by someone, giving the impression that the Dao Court itself never changed.

But what was the reality? The Celestial Wu Royal Family and the Zouyu Royal Family were two completely different factions. The friendship that True Monarch Gangxing perceived simply did not exist in Emperor Jia You’s eyes.

’Besides, this is the Immortal Pivot. In the Immortal Pivot, you want to talk to me about friendship? You send a messenger with a single sentence asking me to join you against the Stain Sect? Where are the benefits? What’s in it for me? Are you trying to get something for nothing?’

This was one of the things Emperor Jia You privately resented about the Sword Pavilion.

They just ordered people around without offering any rewards, and they had the damn nerve to act like it was only natural, as if helping them was the greatest reward in itself.

They were even worse than the Stain Sect!

At least the Stain Sect talked about mutual interests and offered rewards.

Of course, more importantly... as the Daoist Court Emperor, he had received no mysterious revelation concerning the cooperation proposed by the Sword Pavilion.

In other words, the Daoist Court Daoist Lord had not expressed an opinion on the matter.

’That which is not forbidden is permitted. Since he has not expressed an opinion, it means I am free to do as I please... or rather, it means the Master of Dao himself wishes for me to act this way!’

At this thought, Emperor Jia You made his decision.

Just then, he suddenly felt something. Performing a quick divination with his fingers, he immediately discerned a secret message being sent through the Great Net of Karma Links.

’The Demon from the North... no, wait, someone from the Stain Sect wants to see me?’

Emperor Jia You’s eyes lit up. He immediately manipulated the karmic links to send a reply, expressing his willingness to meet.

As for the Sword Pavilion? A shame, but he was no longer interested.