On Skull Mountain, the atmosphere remained tense, with swords drawn. Luo Wuya, Ouyang Feng, and Yun Zhiqiu, three cultivators at the Perfection of the Qi Refining Realm, were in a standoff, none willing to back down. Just then, an escaping light suddenly flew in from the horizon.
When it drew near, the escaping light retracted, and from within walked an old monk clad in a kasaya and holding a Zen Staff. He cupped his fist in a salute to Yun Zhiqiu.
“This poor monk is Ming Chan. Greetings, Benefactor Yun.”
Yun Zhiqiu nodded at the sight and said calmly, “Demon-Subduing Zen Master, Ming Chan. I have heard of you. It seems you had a karmic connection with my uncle for several years.”
“Benefactor has a discerning eye.”
Ming Chan smiled slightly.
“In years past, when Senior Yun was searching for Killing Qi in the East Sea, he stopped to rest 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 motley crew. With a Foundation Establishment opportunity at stake, besides the Divine Martial Sect, the Primordial Saint Sect, and the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion, some famous Rogue Cultivators had also been drawn by the news.
The Demon-Subduing Zen Master, Ming Chan, was a standout among them, a rare Rogue Cultivator who had reached the Perfection of the Qi Refining Realm. However, it was clear that he was more amicable toward the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion. Seeing this, Luo Wuya, confident that he had Daoist Master Yinshan to fall back on, remained relatively calm.
Ouyang Feng, on the other hand, could not help but frown. After all, from what he knew, this Ming Chan was no simple character. He was originally a mortal, but he had worshiped the Buddha for three lifetimes with unwavering determination.
Thus, he had formed a karmic connection with the Buddhist Sect and, in this lifetime, had received the mantle of an eminent Buddhist monk. Relying on his three lifetimes of Buddhist karma, his progress in Buddhist cultivation was extremely fast. The inheritance he received was the most unyielding and domineering “Demon-Subduing Zen” of the Buddhist Sect.
As a result, he often fought with Demons and had extremely rich combat experience. At the very least, if he, Ouyang Feng, were to face him, he had no confidence in a certain victory.
“Calculating the time, Miaozhen should be back soon.”
Yun Zhiqiu pinched his fingers to calculate, then glanced at Yun Miaoqing, who had been split in two beside him, and shook his head.
“It’s a pity Miaozhen ultimately could not escape her tribulation.”
“Amitabha Buddha.”
Hearing this, Ming Chan also put his palms together, a worried look on his face.
“I hope Benefactor Miaozhen is alright.”
“Daoist friend, you worry too much.”
Yun Zhiqiu let out a light laugh.
“It cannot be denied that the Blood-Robed Pavilion Master has some skill. He must have cultivated the Profound Yin Form-Seizing Great Art of the Demonic Sect.”
“But since Miaoqing is dead, Miaozhen should be fine.”
“Speaking of which, this is also the work of karma. Miaoqing followed that Demon, yet was never sullied by him. That 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 had not come over simply to get friendly. More importantly, he wanted to use this opportunity to latch onto the great backer that was the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.
After all, if one could join a famous great sect, who would want to be a Rogue Cultivator? Just then, a loud bang suddenly erupted from within the market. Seeing this, Yun Zhiqiu laughed heartily.
“It must be that junior sister has succeeded and returned victorious!”
Before his voice had even faded, the Heaven Evasion Sword began to vibrate violently. Sword light erupted from it once more, piercing through the void, and a figure then strode out from within.
“…Hmm?”
In an instant, Yun Zhiqiu’s laughter came to an abrupt halt. On the other side, Ouyang Feng also wore a look of shock and uncertainty. Even Luo Wuya’s pupils contracted, his face filled with disbelief as he stared at the figure in mid-air.
“…Lu Yang! He survived?”
“Where is Fairy Miaozhen?”
Completely ignoring the commotion around him, Lu Yang stood proudly in the air. With a beckoning gesture, the masterless Heaven Evasion Sword immediately flew into his hand. This was a good treasure, and it was fated to be his.
The next second, Yun Zhiqiu transformed into a streak of sword light and arrived directly at the edge of the market. He gave Lu Yang a deep look and said in a low voice, “I underestimated you.” Lu Yang glanced at him sideways.
“…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 be reincarnated.”
Lu Yang paused upon hearing this, then suddenly smiled.
“Daoist friend, you may not know this, but I am a disciple of the Saint Sect.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Yun Zhiqiu’s expression changed drastically.
“What did you do to her!?”
Lu Yang, however, paid him no mind and laughed loudly.
“Daoist friend Miaozhen is a person of talent and appearance. What else could I do? Naturally, I interrogated her a bit!”
Yun Zhiqiu’s brows shot up, and an angry expression finally appeared on his face.
“You dare to covet my Sword Pavilion’s divine abilities?”
Lu Yang was completely unconcerned, meeting his gaze calmly.
“What can you do to me?”
At these words, a chilling killing intent shot from Yun Zhiqiu’s eyes. But Lu Yang had no mind to pay him any attention, merely lifting his head to gaze at the boundless sky.
‘Lie low… Damn it! There’s no way to lie low!’
The moment he killed Yun Miaozhen, Lu Yang knew what situation he was about to face—he would be attacked by everyone, with no room for retreat! More importantly, he clearly felt that after Yun Miaozhen’s death, an formless fortune had suddenly been bestowed upon him, making his thoughts clearer and greatly increasing his comprehension.
Even the bottleneck at the ninth level of Qi Refining, which had been unmoving for so long, had loosened considerably! Lu Yang knew in his heart that he had to kill Yun Miaozhen.
‘Truly, my tribulation was inescapable… That Daoist Master did it on purpose! He deliberately sent Yun Miaozhen to find me, with the intention of either having her kill me, or me kill her!’
This was clearly forcing a duck onto a perch! Either Yun Miaozhen killed him and was used by that Foundation Establishment Daoist Master behind the scenes, or he killed Yun Miaozhen and took her place. There was no second path.
A Foundation Establishment Daoist Master, how utterly tyrannical!? It was because he had figured this out that Lu Yang had little interest in Yun Zhiqiu’s threat. He knew that no matter what happened next, it would be impossible to lie low.
Because what that Daoist Master needed was probably a great battle, a battle of life and death! Since that was the case, he might as well be more unrestrained! Lu Yang sighed and looked at Yun Zhiqiu again, his mentality adjusted.
Looking on the bright side, at least this could be considered being valued by a Daoist Master.
‘It’s not your weakness that’s scary, but your lack of value…’
After several lifetimes of cultivation, Lu Yang couldn't be clearer on this point: in the Saint Sect, you only have the right to live if you show that you have value! Just then, a figure suddenly walked up to him. It was Ming Chan.
“Amitabha Buddha.”
He strode forward and said in a clear voice, “Benefactor Lu, you must be aware that you cannot escape this tribulation. However, this poor monk has a method that can save you from this sea of suffering.”
“Oh? Save me?”
Lu Yang glanced at the man and sneered, “Then I thank you for your kind intentions, Master. I just wonder what method you speak of?” Ming Chan put his palms together and said calmly, “Although Daoist friend has fallen into the demonic path in this life and is beyond redemption, you still possess a kind heart.
This poor monk is willing to personally send you into the cycle of reincarnation. When you return in your next life after this tribulation, I will take you as a disciple. At that time, Daoist friend may still have a hope of achieving a righteous fruit…”
Lu Yang was instantly speechless.
“Personally send me into the cycle of reincarnation… Master, you want to kill me too?”
“Not kill you, Benefactor, but form a karmic connection with you.”
Ming Chan had a solemn expression, his aged face full of compassion.
“When you are reincarnated, Benefactor, this poor monk will have you serve as a servant in the Sword Pavilion for thirty years.”
“In this way, your karma can be cleansed, and you will be able to cultivate the righteous path in the future.”
“To hell with your righteous path!”
Lu Yang laughed loudly.
“A thousand words are not as good as a direct fight… 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, and Lu Yang’s aura instantly returned to its peak.
Then, without another word, he drove his sword forward to strike