Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 356: Buddha’s Son Guang Ming?

Above the celestial vault, the Cloud Sea surged.

This was a place untouched by the four seasons, yet a strange frost and snow now drifted down. As far as the eye could see, a dim gloom descended, and even the sound of the wind had ceased.

A great stillness.

In the center of the Cloud Sea, a young man in ornate robes sat cross-legged. His hands formed a seal, holding up a bright, clear moon that refracted slivers of cold light.

This moon was the very center of the world’s frost and wind. The cold light coiled around him like an illusory mist, its drifting currents giving birth to images of cassia trees, jade discs, and ice toads. Yet, they vanished in a flash, all of it flowing back to make the moon even brighter, illuminating a silent face.

’[Su Xuan Frost]!’

This was Lü Yang’s third Ability, following [Master of Weapons] and [Wan Jin Gong]. It belonged to the category of [Xin Metal] and was formed through [Empowerment].

At this moment, it rested in Lü Yang’s palm.

Without any deliberate effort, streams of moonlight flowed out, resonating with Heaven and Earth, and pressed down steadily upon a young, robed Monk below.

"Which Daoist from the Saint Sect are you?!"

Arhat Fulong raised his head and let out a shrill roar. He had never imagined that while laying a trap to fish for a Qi Refining cultivator, he himself would be the one getting caught!

His opponent’s Cultivation was clearly a level above his own.

And they even bothered to set up a trap and launch a sneak attack! That, combined with their location in the North—Arhat Fulong didn’t even have to think to know this had to be the work of a Saint Sect Zhenren!

What was worse, this person’s Ability was his perfect counter!

’Xin Metal becomes frost, bringing chilling death to the world, making grass and trees wither and decay... Thankfully, my [Fire Dragon] is Jia Wood. Otherwise, I’d probably be dead by now!’

At this thought, Arhat Fulong dared not slack off for even a moment. He continuously spat out roaring flames that transformed into dragons to resist the descending curtain of profound frost. Alas, his fire was like a small bonfire in the dead of winter; though warm, it was bound to be extinguished eventually.

"Fellow Daoist! Senior! Is there some grudge between us?"

"If this is the Saint Sect’s routine shakedown, you could have just said so! Why resort to violence?"

Arhat Fulong’s cries grew more wretched, his pleas for mercy tinged with frustration. After all, he had always been on good terms with others and had lived to this day without making a single enemy.

’Where did this guy even come from?’

However, Lü Yang paid him no mind, merely studying him quietly for a moment before a sharp, knowing smile appeared in his eyes.

Before, his Cultivation was too shallow, so he hadn’t noticed the clues.

Looking again now, however, he could see that beneath Arhat Fulong’s seemingly impressive Arhat exterior, he was all bark and no bite, completely lacking in substance.

The reason was simple.

"Your first Innate Divine Technique was actually [Jia Wood]!"

Arhat Fulong cultivates the *Ninefold Dragon Metamorphosis*, so his Dao Foundation points directly to the [Fruit of Rampart Earth]. His first Innate Divine Technique should have been [Earth of Wu] to match its nature.

Why would it be [Jia Wood]?

Lü Yang’s thoughts turned, and he instantly understood the cause and effect. "A Loose Cultivator, through and through. Greedy for immediate progress, you swallowed it whole without a second thought, and in doing so, severed your own path forward!"

If Lü Yang’s guess was correct, Arhat Fulong had likely stumbled upon a [Jia Wood] source by accident back when he was still a Loose Cultivator. Without a second thought, he devoured it. It was lucky for him that [Jia Wood] and [Yin Wood] were similar in nature, allowing his Dao Foundation to accommodate it. That was the only reason he hadn’t exploded on the spot.

However, while he was lucky enough to survive, his path forward was severed.

’No wonder the Pure Land didn’t react at all when I killed him in my previous life. Arhat Fulong was clearly a Monk, yet the Pure Land ended up caring more about me...’

From the very beginning, Arhat Fulong was a pawn meant to be sacrificed!

If that weren’t the case, since the Pure Land wants to manifest the [Fruit of Rampart Earth], why would they completely ignore Arhat Fulong, leaving his Cultivation at only the Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment?

Having figured it all out, Lü Yang suddenly laughed.

"Fellow Daoist Fulong, it seems no one will be coming to save you today. In fact, some people might even be hoping for your death so they can prop up someone else to take your place!"

As his voice fell, the profound frost filled Heaven and Earth, creating a scene of desolate slaughter. Wherever it passed, space was sealed, Spiritual Qi withered, and the Ten Thousand Laws decayed. It was truly a vision of the End of Dharma. Arhat Fulong roused his Mana several times, trying to break through the layer of frost, but only ended up bloody and battered from the effort.

"What is it that you want, Senior?!"

At this point, Arhat Fulong no longer held onto any false hope. He said frankly, "Whatever this humble Monk can do, I will do. I only beg you to spare my life, Senior!"

"Heh heh..."

Hearing this, Lü Yang lowered his gaze, his voice drifting out eerily. "I hear there is a source of [Xin Metal] within the [Su Heng Palace], a Marvel of the North. Is this true?"

"Yes, yes, there is!"

Arhat Fulong didn’t hesitate for a second, rushing to say, "That is a Marvel established by the Bhumba Bodhisattva, and it does indeed contain a source of [Xin Metal]!"

After saying this, he glanced at Lü Yang again, a flicker of confusion in his heart. From his perspective, Lü Yang’s [Su Xuan Frost] was clearly already a [Xin Metal] Ability. If so, why would he need another source of [Xin Metal]? ’Is he planning to refine a Spiritual Treasure that complements his Ability?’

Naturally, Lü Yang revealed nothing, his expression calm as he asked, "Can you retrieve it for me?"

"Yes, yes, I can!"

Arhat Fulong didn’t dare hesitate, because the surrounding frost had completely suppressed the flames around him and was now tearing at his Dharma Body like a thousand cuts from a razor’s edge.

However, he had another plan in mind.

’First, I just need to get through this crisis. As long as I can escape, I’ll just hide in the Pure Land. No matter how formidable this vicious man is, what can he do to me then?’

Even so, Lü Yang seemed to have guessed his thoughts. "Fellow Daoist, your words alone are not enough. It’s hard for me to trust you."

"This humble Monk can form a Magic Contract!" Arhat Fulong said quickly.

Lü Yang shook his head. "Everyone in the world knows that you people from the Pure Land love to bully the weak, and that you’re the least afraid of restrictive measures like these."

"But... right now, aren’t you the one bullying the weak, Fellow Daoist...?"

The corner of Arhat Fulong’s mouth twitched. This man’s Cultivation was clearly higher than his own, yet he resorted to ambushes and sneak attacks. How could he have the gall to talk about others bullying the weak?

"How is that the same?!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Yang shook his head decisively and said with righteous indignation, "You and I are both in the Mid-phase of Foundation Establishment, Fellow Daoist. Strictly speaking, we are of the same Realm."

"I just happen to have one more Ability than you. How can you call that bullying the weak?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Arhat Fulong’s expression turned strange.

’This feeling... something isn’t right.’

After a moment of silence, he looked at Lü Yang tentatively and whispered, "...Sword Pavilion?"

Lü Yang: "..."

"Enough nonsense!"

Lü Yang didn’t drag it out any longer. "It seems you haven’t thought it through, Fellow Daoist. In that case, you are of no more use to me. I might as well send you on your way to reincarnation..."

"I have a way! I have a way!"

Arhat Fulong hurriedly said, "This humble Monk has a disciple! He is clever and quick-witted. I can have him retrieve the [Xin Metal] and then deliver it to you, Senior!"

"...A disciple?" Lü Yang was taken aback.

Arhat Fulong thought Lü Yang didn’t believe him and quickly explained, "His Dharma name is Guang Ming. You must have heard of him, Fellow Daoist. He is the newly descended Buddha’s Son of our Pure Land! I was his master, and he listens to me the most. With his status, obtaining a source of [Xin Metal] would be effortless..."

Listening to Arhat Fulong’s description, Lü Yang’s brows gradually furrowed.

’...Guang Ming.’

Of course, Lü Yang wouldn’t forget that name. In his previous life, his fate had been quite intertwined with this person. He was a cunning Monk with a great Talent Skill and a good deal of Fortune.

’But... a Buddha’s Son?’

Given his psychological trauma regarding the Pure Land, countless conspiracy theories instantly sprouted in Lü Yang’s mind, and his suspicions even fell upon the Pure Land’s Bhagavat.

In the next second, however, his expression became composed again.

BOOM!

Without any hesitation, Lü Yang gathered his [Su Xuan Frost], completely suppressing Arhat Fulong. He then tucked him into his sleeve and turned to look to his side.

There, a figure had appeared out of thin air.

It was a middle-aged man with a face as if chiseled by a blade, his expression severe. His eyes, flickering between light and shadow like a pair of lanterns, stared intently at Lü Yang.

Great Undertaking.

Lü Yang was not surprised to see him. He was already cloaked in the outer shell of the Hongyun Gold Attribute. He had sensed the anomaly the moment Great Undertaking drew near.

In the next second, Lü Yang smiled faintly. "What’s wrong? You don’t recognize me?"

Before his words had faded, he released the Qi trace of the Hongyun Gold Attribute. Sensing this aura, Great Undertaking’s brow immediately relaxed, and he bowed low.

"Great Undertaking greets you, My Lord!"

Seeing this, however, Lü Yang’s smile gradually faded.

’...Something’s wrong.’

Although Great Undertaking’s words and actions were extremely respectful, Lü Yang, relying on his perception through the Hongyun Gold Attribute, still keenly detected something amiss.

’His heart is filled with doubt, his thoughts are unsettled... Is he suspecting me?’