Chapter 53: Driving a Duck onto a Perch

At Skull Mountain, the atmosphere remained tense with swords drawn and bows bent. The three Great Perfection of Qi Refining cultivators—Luo Wuya, Ouyang Feng, and Yun Zhiqiu—stood in confrontation, none willing to yield an inch.

Just then, a streak of escape light suddenly flew in from the horizon.

As it approached and the light faded, an old monk wearing a kāṣāya and holding a monk’s staff walked out. He bowed with hands clasped to Yun Zhiqiu: “This poor monk is Ming Chan. Greetings, Benefactor Yun.”

Yun Zhiqiu nodded upon seeing him and said indifferently: “‘Demon-Subduing Zen Master’ Ming Chan. I have heard of you; it seems you had some karmic ties with my uncle for a few years.”

“Benefactor sees clearly.”

Ming Chan smiled faintly: “Years ago, when Senior Yun was seeking baleful Qi in the East Sea, he rested at this poor monk’s temple. This poor monk received his guidance, which led to today’s achievements.”

At this moment, Skull Mountain was a mix of dragons and snakes. Since the matter concerned a Foundation Establishment opportunity, aside from the Divine Martial Sect, Primordial Saint Sect, and Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, some famous rogue cultivators had also come attracted by the reputation. ‘Demon-Subduing Zen Master’ Ming Chan was an outstanding figure among them, a rare Great Perfection of Qi Refining cultivator among rogue practitioners.

However, it was obvious he was more friendly toward the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.

Seeing this scene, Luo Wuya remained relatively calm, confident in Perfected One Yin Shan backing him. On the other side, however, Ouyang Feng couldn’t help but frown.

After all, according to what he knew, this Ming Chan was no simple character.

He was originally a mortal but had devoted himself to Buddha for three lifetimes without wavering. Thus, he formed a karmic bond with the Buddhist Sect, allowing him to inherit the mantle of a high monk in this life.

Relying on the karmic ties of three lifetimes, his cultivation in the Buddhist arts was extremely fast. Moreover, the inheritance he received was the “Demon-Subduing Zen,” the most fierce and domineering art within the Buddhist Sect. Consequently, he often fought with demons and possessed extremely rich combat experience. At the very least, Ouyang Feng had no certainty of victory if he were to face him.

“Calculating the time, Miaozhen should be back by now.”

Yun Zhiqiu pinched his fingers to calculate, then glanced at Yun Miaoqing, who had already split into two halves nearby, and shook his head: “It is a pity that Miaoqing ultimately could not escape her tribulation.”

“Amitabha.” Ming Chan also clasped his hands together upon hearing this, a look of worry on his face: “I hope Benefactor Miaozhen is alright.”

“Fellow Daoist worries too much.”

Yun Zhiqiu chuckled lightly: “It cannot be denied that the ‘Blood-Clad Tower Lord’ indeed has some means; he likely cultivated the Demon Sect’s Mystic Yin Seizing Form Great Art.”

“However, since Miaoqing is dead, Miaozhen should be unharmed.”

“Come to speak of it, this is also the result of karma. Miaoqing stayed by that demon’s side but did not suffer his insults, which is why she was slain by that demon today.”

Ming Chan nodded upon hearing this, then looked toward the market again, his thoughts racing. He hadn’t come purely to network; more importantly, he wanted to use this opportunity to climb the high branch of the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion. After all, if one could join a renowned great sect, who would be willing to remain a rogue cultivator?

Just then, a loud explosion suddenly erupted from within the market.

Seeing this, Yun Zhiqiu immediately laughed loudly: “It must be Junior Sister accomplishing the great deed and returning in victory!”

Before his voice could fade, the Heaven-Escaping Sword shook violently. Sword light spewed forth once more, piercing through the void, and then a human figure paced out from within.

“…Hm…?”

Instantly, Yun Zhiqiu’s laughter came to an abrupt halt.

On the other side, Ouyang Feng looked equally bewildered and uncertain. Even Luo Wuya’s pupils shrank abruptly as he stared at the figure in mid-air with a face full of disbelief.

“…Lu Yang! He survived?”

“Where is Fairy Miaozhen?”

Completely ignoring the clamor around him, Lu Yang stood proudly in the air. He reached out and beckoned, and the Heaven-Escaping Sword, now ownerless, immediately fell into his hand.

This was a good treasure; it was fated with him.

In the next second, Yun Zhiqiu transformed into sword light and arrived directly at the edge of the market. He looked deeply at Lu Yang and whispered: “I underestimated you.”

Lu Yang gave a sideways glance: “…And you are?”

“Yun Zhiqiu, Miaozhen’s Senior Brother.” Yun Zhiqiu’s face was calm: “Miaozhen’s immortal path is not yet severed. Give me her True Spirit; I want to send her to reincarnation.”

Lu Yang paused upon hearing this, then suddenly smiled: “Fellow Daoist may not know, but I am a disciple of the Saint Sect.”

As soon as these words came out, Yun Zhiqiu’s expression changed drastically: “What did you do to her!?”

Lu Yang disregarded him and laughed loudly: “Fellow Daoist Miaozhen was a person of fine appearance. What else could I do? Naturally, I interrogated her!”

Yun Zhiqiu’s brow raised, finally revealing anger: “You dare spy on my Sword Pavilion’s divine abilities?”

Lu Yang didn’t care in the slightest, meeting his gaze calmly: “What can you do to me?”

At these words, a chilling killing intent suddenly shot from Yun Zhiqiu’s eyes. However, Lu Yang had no mind to pay attention to him; instead, he looked up at the boundless sky.

‘Lay low, lay low… Fuck! I can’t fucking lay low!’

The moment he killed Yun Miaozhen, Lu Yang knew exactly what situation he was about to face—attacked by all, with no room for maneuver!

More importantly, he clearly felt that after Yun Miaozhen died, an invisible Qi destiny suddenly blessed his body. It made his thinking clearer and his comprehension significantly improved. Even the bottleneck of the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, which had remained immovable for so long, had loosened considerably!

Lu Yang knew perfectly well that he had to kill Yun Miaozhen.

‘Truly, tribulation cannot be escaped… That Perfected One did it on purpose! Intentionally sending Yun Miaozhen to find me—the intention was for her to kill me, or for me to kill her!’

This was clearly forcing him to do something beyond his ability!

Either Yun Miaozhen killed him and became useful to the Foundation Establishment Perfected One behind the scenes, or he killed Yun Miaozhen and replaced her. There was no second path.

How domineering is a Foundation Establishment Perfected One!?

Precisely because he figured this out, Lu Yang had little interest in Yun Zhiqiu’s threats. He knew that no matter what happened next, it was impossible to lay low.

Because what that Perfected One needed was likely a great battle, a life-and-death battle!

Since that was the case, he might as well be unrestrained!

Lu Yang sighed, looked at Yun Zhiqiu again, and adjusted his mindset… Thinking on the bright side, at least this counted as the Perfected One valuing him.

‘They don’t fear you being weak; they fear you have no value…’

After several lifetimes of cultivation, Lu Yang understood this all too well— In the Saint Sect, only by demonstrating the value of your survival do you have the right to survive!

Just then, a figure suddenly walked up to the front. It was Ming Chan.

“Amitabha…”

He paced forward and spoke loudly: “Benefactor Lu, presumably you also know that you cannot escape this calamity. However, this poor monk has a method that can save you from the sea of bitterness.”

“Oh? Save me?”

Lu Yang glanced at the other party and sneered: “Then many thanks for Grandmaster’s kindness. I just wonder what method Grandmaster speaks of?”

Ming Chan clasped his hands together and said indifferently: “Although Fellow Daoist has fallen deep into the Demonic Path in this life and old habits are hard to break, you still harbor a benevolent heart. This poor monk is willing to personally send you into reincarnation. When you return after your tribulation in the next life, I will go and accept Fellow Daoist as a disciple. At that time, Fellow Daoist may still have hope of obtaining an Orthodox Path…”

Lu Yang was instantly speechless upon hearing this: “Personally send me into reincarnation… Grandmaster also wants to kill me?”

“Not killing Benefactor, but forming a karmic tie with Benefactor.”

Ming Chan looked solemn, his aged face full of compassion: “Wait until Benefactor reincarnates; this poor monk will then order Benefactor to go to the Sword Pavilion and serve as a laborer for thirty years.”

“In this way, you can cleanse your karma and cultivate the Orthodox Path in the future.”

“Orthodox my ass!”

Lu Yang laughed loudly: “Saying a thousand words or ten thousand is not as good as simply fighting a battle of arts… In my Saint Sect, broken bones are the best argument!”

As his voice fell, a talisman appeared in his hand.

Wind-Returning Fire-Reverting Talisman!

The next second, the talisman shattered. Lu Yang’s Qi instantly returned to its peak. Then, without another word, he drove his sword and slashed!

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