Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Yin Curse

Rumble!

A keening wail surged through the air, spiritual Qi roaring and crackling across the sky. Ouyang Haize’s eyes were scarlet with rage, veins bulging beneath his skin.

Seeing this, the other two Late-phase Qi Refinement cultivators of the Divine Martial Sect — Wu Zhichong and Duanmu Yuan — could no longer stay idle.

”Senior Brother Ouyang!”

Wu Zhichong hurried forward. Confronted with Ouyang Haize’s disheveled appearance, he hesitated before lowering his voice: ”The Heaven Mirror is crucial after all...”

”I understand.”

Ouyang Haize cast him a sideways glance. The fury in his bloodshot eyes rapidly cooled, replaced by chilling clarity. ”But that demon inside the array matters far more. So young, yet already a master of arrays — his cultivation is no weak thing either. If he reaches the Final-phase of Qi Refining, he may very well step into Foundation Establishment.”

”If we can eliminate a Stain Sect disciple with Foundation Establishment potential today, then even sacrificing the Heaven Mirror would be worth the price!”

Buzz—

Above them, the Heaven Mirror vibrated violently, as if fiercely objecting.

Ouyang Haize, however, ignored it entirely. A sentient artifact was just that — revered only when it proved useful. Once it failed that purpose... what did its opinion matter?

Seeing he could not persuade him, Wu Zhichong only sighed inwardly. Ouyang Haize was the one leading this operation — if he insisted on marching toward disaster, then the consequences would be his alone to shoulder.

Meanwhile, within the market—

Lü Yang stored away the battered Blood Sun Sword Pill, gripping the Primal Qi Myriad-Soul Banner as he stared at Ouyang Haize outside the array, his expression unreadable.

”Junior Brother Lü... you’re alive?”

Fairy Feixia and Lu Yuanchun rushed over — one openly astonished, the other looking as though he feared Lü Yang more now than the enemy.

”Brother Lü’s strength runs deep indeed!”

Lu Yuanchun declared loudly, overflowing with newfound admiration. ”With Ouyang Haize repelled, the market is safe for the moment — we’ll surely hold until the Stain Sect sends reinforcements!”

”Repelled? Not quite.”

Lü Yang shook his head.

”Judging from his appearance, his vitality is nearly drained dry — not merely repelled, but gravely injured and thoroughly chastised!” Fairy Feixia laughed, clapping her hands with relief.

Lu Yuanchun quickly echoed her.

But Lü Yang only smirked, his words a thunderclap:

”Mere repulsion won’t ensure our survival. Leaving hidden threats behind does not appeal to me.”

”Better to kill — cleanly and completely.”

”Kill... kill who?”

Ouyang Haize?

The thought alone stunned Fairy Feixia and Lu Yuanchun into silence. This was even beyond their wildest imagination.

That was a Final-phase Qi Refiner. A direct disciple of the Divine Martial Sect. Who could possibly kill him? And how?

Lü Yang retrieved the ’Lunar Goddess Jade’ that Lu Yuanchun had returned earlier. Spiritual light flowed beneath his fingers as the jade liquefied into a bright, moon-like orb — a translucent mirror of white radiance.

Shifting scenes flickered within it — only Lü Yang could perceive them: the lingering Qi traces of those who had fought here...

Fairy Feixia. Lu Yuanchun. Ouyang Haize. Wu Zhichong. Duanmu Yuan...

”This is the Yin Curse...”

The second ability of the ’Lunar Shedding Technique.’ With the aid of an external medium, Lü Yang had grasped it with ease.

”Let’s see how sharp its fangs are.”

He focused — swiftly seizing upon Ouyang Haize’s Qi imprint.

”Trace”

The orb swallowed that strand of Qi — and Ouyang Haize’s figure surfaced within its luminescence.

”and Kill!”

Lü Yang’s two fingers sliced down.

Crack!

The moonlit orb split apart — and within it, Ouyang Haize’s jade projection was carved clean through, head to toe.

Yes, Lü Yang cut vertically.

At that very moment — outside the market...

Ouyang Haize had just prepared to hurl the Heaven Mirror into the array. Though the treasure trembled violently in protest, he remained steadfast — intent on detonating it.

Then—

His movements froze.

A thin line appeared atop his skull.

Slicing downward.Fast.Final.

Blood spurted skyward.

His body split into two.

The corpse fell from mid-air — only half a face remained intact, frozen in bewilderment, as though death arrived before the mind could grasp what had occurred.

”What...happened... I... died?”

That final thought scattered into nothingness.

The Heaven Mirror — freed from its master — fell silent once more. Lü Yang beckoned casually, and the treasure flew obediently into his hand.

......

Divine Martial Sect, Main Hall.

Within the radiant Soul Lamp Hall — the sanctuary where the soul lamps of sect elders and true disciples glimmered in eternal brilliance.

The Divine Martial Sect ruled the Northern Border for a thousand years.The fall of a true disciple was nearly unheard of.

Thus, the attending disciple routinely conducted his inspection — lazily, carelessly.

Lamp lit.Lit.Lit.Lit—Extinguished.Lit.Lit...

...Huh?

He blinked.Rubbed his eyes.

His expression cracked from dullness into pure horror.

”Extinguished... extinguished... Senior Brother Ouyang’s soul lamp is extinguished!?”

The alarm blasted like thunder.

In the next heartbeat — a middle-aged Taoist materialized in the hall, face hard as iron, gaze locked on the darkened lamp.

How many years had it been since a true disciple of the sect had fallen?

”Ouyang... Skull Mountain!?”

His complexion turned ghastly. He seized the soul lamp — igniting it with overwhelming power.

One cannot resurrect the dead — this flame could only restore Ouyang Haize’s final sight.

A scene flickered to life.

Skull Mountain’s market. A handsome youth, sharp gaze fixed upon the heavens.

Him.That boy had slain Ouyang Haize.

The Taoist’s eyes brimmed with bottomless hatred.

Ouyang was not only a true disciple — but the brightest future of the Ouyang family. A chosen successor in whom he invested his hopes.

This enmity —etched in blood.Unforgettable until death.

......

”Hm?”

Back inside Skull Mountain’s market — having just stored the now docile Heaven Mirror — Lü Yang suddenly froze. Ice crawled beneath his skin.

That feeling...he knew it too well.

The threads of his karmawere being plucked by a distant hand.

Just like in his past life — when the master of Heaven Mending Peak reached across fate to meddle with his destiny.

So then...

Could it be...

Yet another Foundation Establishment cultivator was now reaching for his life?