Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 332: I’m Going to Go Crush Noobs

"Tribulation Wave!"

Almost instantly, Lü Yang’s true self, all the way back in Hidden Sword Manor, unleashed the Tribulation Wave. He frantically cast Dongming upon himself as well.

A good while later, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

’Thankfully, my true self should be fine, at least...’

’What was that all about?’

’Why did the thought, ’Have I forgotten something?’ just appear out of thin air? Do I have some kind of PTSD from the Veil of the Trees, making me suspect it everywhere?’

’These Perfected Lords are so shameless! All they like to do is bully the weak...’

Lü Yang took a deep breath, regaining his composure. He was still alive, at least, and that was the best proof that his true self hadn’t been exposed. He couldn’t afford to lose his cool.

’Logically, I should be immune to the Veil of the Trees since I’m using the Puppet technique to control an avatar and observing as an outsider... No, that’s too optimistic. A figure like Ang Xiao... even Summon himself was toyed with until he was half-dead. The Puppet technique isn’t necessarily foolproof.’

Still, no matter what, at least his true self hadn’t been captured.

’I’ll counter all their moves by staying put! As long as my true self is safe, the worst that can happen is my avatar has to suffer a bit. There’s still room to maneuver; I won’t have to completely start over.’

With this in mind, Lü Yang activated his Puppet technique again and turned his attention to his avatar.

Meanwhile, the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected took out several blank Jade Scrolls. He first inscribed them with his Divine Sense, then distributed them to everyone present.

"This is...?"

Lü Yang swept it with his Divine Sense and saw that the Jade Scroll contained a cultivation technique called the *Scripture of Profound Mystery and Spiritual Response*. Its contents seemed vaguely familiar.

But he quickly realized what it was.

’This is a Second-Grade Cultivation Skill!’

’A Second-Grade Cultivation Skill meant for the Profound Spirit Realm!’

Then, the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected explained, "This was jointly devised by their excellencies. It is simple and easy to understand; everyone should be able to master it quickly."

The Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s tone was calm, even a little detached. "Regarding the Profound Spirit Realm, their excellencies have reached an agreement. The Celestial Court will be quartered, and each house will send people to perform Qi Collection. Mutual interference is permitted. In the end, this Dao Fruit will be divided up based on the amount of Qi collected..."

Whoever collected the most Qi would get the largest piece of the Dao Fruit.

’Such a hassle?’

Lü Yang was intrigued but didn’t speak himself. Instead, he used his Puppet technique to make Master Xiuxin ask, "Why are we needed for such a momentous task?"

’The Perfected Lords have already joined forces. What could possibly stand in their way?’

’More importantly, this is tantamount to conceding profits to Foundation-Stage Cultivators. Given the Perfected Lords’ usual high-and-mighty attitude, why would they ever concede profits to mere Foundation-Stage Cultivators?’

The corner of the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s mouth twitched at the question. "It is a necessary evil," he said.

"Although their excellencies have sent the Supreme Venerable of the Profound Spirit Realm into the cycle of reincarnation, a Dao Fruit is still a Dao Fruit. How could it not put up any resistance when cornered?"

"A Perfected Lord could, of course, suppress it by force."

"However, doing so would cause the Profound Spirit Realm’s Dao Fruit to resist to the death. In the end, even if we were to win, we would only be left with a shattered Dao Fruit."

"The prize wouldn’t be worth the price."

"That is why we need all of you to go and perform Qi Collection, to slowly chip away at the Profound Spirit Realm’s Dao Fruit until it has completely lost the power to resist. Only then will it be carved up."

If the original plan was a gluttonous feast...

...then this was the slow, careful savoring.

This was the only way to maximize their gains and eat their fill. As for the scraps left on the table, the Perfected Lords didn’t mind tossing them to the Foundation-Stage Cultivators under their command.

"So, you’ll be entering as well, Senior?"

"I cannot."

The Demon-Vanquishing Perfected shook his head. "Not only me, but any Great Trueman at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment has already made initial contact with a Dao Fruit. They, too, would provoke the hostility of the Profound Spirit Realm."

"Therefore, only those at the Mid-phase and Early Stage of Foundation Establishment will be able to enter."

’...Is that true?’

Lü Yang stroked his chin. ’Does someone like me count as a Great Trueman? I shouldn’t think so. Strictly speaking, I’m still in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment!’

’The Divine Effect of my Empowerment goes without saying; if I don’t use it, it’s as if it doesn’t exist. The same goes for my Void Divine Technique, which doesn’t even take up one of my Ability slots. Heaven knows how the Profound Spirit Realm will judge me. If a Great Trueman provokes hostility because they’ve made contact with a Dao Fruit...’

’...then what about my Myriad-Soul Banner?’

’In this life, the basis for my ability to pose as a Great Trueman is the inexplicable Mighty Power within the Myriad-Soul Banner, which seems to be the prototype for No Heaven. It’s not a Dao Fruit.’

’Will the Profound Spirit Realm accept that?’

’No, wait. I washed the Myriad-Soul Banner with the Centome long ago, erasing its cause and effect. It’s not even certain the Profound Spirit Realm will be able to detect it!’

’If it can’t be detected...’

’That means that even inside the Celestial Court Fragment formed from the Profound Spirit Realm, I can still pose as a Great Trueman without worrying about it going berserk!’

Lü Yang was ecstatic.

’Does this mean I can challenge cultivators at a higher level?’

’Even if I can only be a Great Trueman for one minute, dealing with cultivators at the Mid-phase and Early Stage of Foundation Establishment will be a piece of cake. One palm strike, one kill. I’ll be a tiger loose in a flock of sheep!’

’And if what the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected said is true, then power at the True Monarch Level shouldn’t be able to enter the Celestial Court Fragment. Any forced entry would inevitably trigger a violent reaction from the Profound Spirit Realm’s Dao Fruit, which I would then discover—unless it’s some kind of extremely special True Monarch’s Mighty Power that’s skilled at concealment...’

’...I think I have a shot here.’

At this thought, Lü Yang’s mind began to race. If his assumptions were correct, this so-called Celestial Court Fragment was a golden opportunity!

’I’ll go on a killing spree and plunder everything in sight!’

’I’ll be ruthless. It’s not like this body is going to live anyway.’

’When the time comes, I’ll destroy this body to eliminate all traces. Then, I’ll have the Ancestor of the Yun Family and Master Xiuxin, both under my control, go out and announce that the Sword Pavilion was victorious.’

’As for the details, the Ancestor of the Yun Family and Master Xiuxin are both my Puppets. I can make them say whatever I want. I’ll say that ’I’ sacrificed my life to turn the tide, taking the enemy down with me and protecting the honor of the Sword Pavilion. I could even use that heroic deed to join the Sword Pavilion...’

’A flawless plan!’

"Fellow Daoist Yu Shao, we will be relying on you this time."

As he spoke, Lü Yang followed the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s gaze to the Human Immortal, Yu Shao. He had been gravely wounded by a single blow from Cheng Xian, and his face was still ashen.

’Since they were exploring the Celestial Court Fragment, what could be better than an insider to lead the way?’

However, Yu Shao just gave a bitter smile. "I was merely a minor official in the Celestial Court, with no rank or authority. I’m not sure how much help I can be to you, fellow Daoist."

"It’s better than nothing."

The Demon-Vanquishing Perfected added solemnly, "But act within your means. Your own safety is what matters most."

Meanwhile, Lü Yang’s eyes narrowed.

’I just didn’t want him to go to waste, but it looks like there’s an unexpected bonus...’

At this thought, Lü Yang immediately sank his Divine Sense into the Myriad-Soul Banner, focusing on a Banner Spirit currently being nurtured within—it was none other than the Human Immortal, Cheng Xian!

’Compared to Yu Shao, Cheng Xian’s status as the direct disciple of the Profound Spirit Realm’s Supreme Venerable was undoubtedly much higher. His knowledge of the Celestial Court must be far more complete!’

At this thought, Lü Yang began to feel a stir of anticipation.

’It’s just as I thought. The likes of the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected, Perfected Chong Guang, Ang Xiao, and Fei Xue... they’re either at Foundation Establishment Perfection or are actual Perfected Lords. That’s no place for me.’

’The high-level games are too hard.’

’I’m going to go crush some newbies!’