Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Lü Yang knew it was time for him to make a choice.

He wasn’t anxious. In fact, he had anticipated this situation. After all, the [Skill of Perfect Vitality] was a secret to Perfected Lords.

But what about to a Master of Dao?

Back then, Si Chou was killed by the Saint Sect Ancestral Master. How could the other Masters of Dao not have lent a hand? The [Skill of Perfect Vitality] could hardly be kept a secret from them.

In other words:

’The fact that both Demon Subduing Zhenren and Yuan Tu are my Life Form Bodies has most likely been exposed. At best, Si Chou’s involvement with Yuan Tu might remain hidden, since he’s a Master of Dao’s residual thought. As for Dragon Map, that mere True Monarch’s Residual Thought was probably twisted into the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord’s own shape long ago.’

Then came the question.

Knowing that Demon Subduing Zhenren was a Life Form Body, what exactly had the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord done for the [Immortal Core Survival Guide] to consider it a huge trap?

Possession?

’Unlikely. In this life, I have Dao Heart Perfection. Never mind the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord trying to possess me; even if the Bhagavat himself came, I’d dare to clash with him a little...’

In any case, it was definitely impossible to control his consciousness by altering his Dao Heart. The Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord should have realized this. Besides, to truly gain control, one didn’t need to win over his mind; seizing his body would also work.

After all, if you can’t alter a consciousness, you can always suppress it.

The Bhagavat could grant Enlightenment to a Buddha’s Son or a Tathagata. The Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord could likely do the same. Wasn’t Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s origin the result of a Sword Spirit receiving Enlightenment?

’First, he’ll seize my body.’

’Then, he’ll suppress my consciousness and grant Enlightenment to a new True Spirit to take over... That way, no matter what I achieve, it will all be for someone else’s benefit in the end.’

Lü Yang sorted out his thoughts.

Ultimately, the probability of the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord killing him outright was not high. After all, within not just the Immortal Pivot, but the entire Void Sea of Light...

...he was something of a significant figure now.

Even in the eyes of a Master of Dao, he should be considered high-quality talent—the type that could be used, but not carelessly. The type to be used sparingly.

Therefore, controlling him was more logical than killing him, especially given the Sword Pavilion’s current tragic state. Besides the fall of True Monarch Gangxing, the Grotto Heavens of the other two Perfected Lords were also beginning to collapse. If they couldn’t find a new host before their Grotto Heavens completely shattered, they would inevitably be buried along with them.

Only True Monarch Chengtian Zhengde was in no real danger.

But that was to be expected. The person he’d latched onto was [Ang Xiao]. Being a pure freeloader had actually allowed him to survive. It just goes to show that weakness has its advantages.

’In any case, it’s unlikely he’ll kill me outright.’

Lü Yang’s thoughts grew clearer, and a look of determination gradually appeared in his eyes.

’Thinking about it now, Dao Heart Perfection was my greatest gain from my previous life. It’s what gives me the power to truly make my own choices despite the interference of a Master of Dao’s will.’

’Otherwise, why would the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord bother with all this trouble? He could just alter my Dao Heart, twist my consciousness, and I’d be left a drooling idiot... No wonder Dao Heart Cultivation Techniques have all but vanished from the Void Sea of Light. Damn it, these Masters of Dao pull up the ladder after they’ve climbed it. They’ve long been planning to bully us lower cultivators!’

These many thoughts flashed through Lü Yang’s mind.

The temptation to swallow an Emperor Fruit, quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, caused his chaotic thoughts to fall into a brief silence.

But in the end, he made his decision.

Trust the [Centome].

’The [Immortal Core Survival Guide]’s judgment of a ”trap” is based on my current strength. Since it’s judged this to be a ”huge trap,” it means I definitely have no way to resist.’

’...I have to give up.’

Change of plans: give up on the [Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal]!

A man whose heart is not content is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Since he didn’t know what trap he would fall into by swallowing the [Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal], it was best not to step into it deliberately.

Otherwise, if it led to a situation where he couldn’t start over, he would be completely finished.

’I lost the gamble...’

Lü Yang sighed inwardly. Before the battle began, he had told Progenitor Tingyou that he had a forty percent chance of success and that it was worth the risk. Unfortunately, the heavens did not grant his wish.

He had underestimated how much the Masters of Dao valued the Emperor Fruit.

Snatching food from a tiger’s mouth was still too difficult for him right now. This world was far from gentle enough to reward his every attempt with success.

At this thought, Lü Yang took a deep breath and turned to look at the Daoist Court Grand Tutor on the other side.

In comparison, this one was far more reliable. The tip from the [Immortal Core Survival Guide] was: [A small trap, but someone as battle-hardened as you can power through it.]

The Daoist Court Daoist Lord is an honest man!

Almost simultaneously, he decisively summoned the [Fruit of Celestial Fire], moved toward the Daoist Court Grand Tutor, and shouted, ”Fulfill the deal now!”

Before the words had even left his mouth, Heaven and Earth—already frozen by the gaze of a Supreme Power and seemingly crushed beneath countless mountains—trembled once more. At that very moment, a second gaze shot over, repelling the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord’s and clashing with it in the unseen void!

The Daoist Court Daoist Lord!

The next second, Lü Yang felt the [Eternal Sword] in his hand slip from his control. The face of Demon Subduing Zhenren, who had been completely obedient, now twisted with malice.

’Looking at him now, he might have really been granted Enlightenment by the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord!’

Lü Yang was horrified, but though the other man’s face was full of malice, he was powerless to act. With the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord occupied, he was no match for Lü Yang on his own.

Then, Lü Yang noticed a strange change in the [Immortal Dao Law] that had been binding the [Fruit of Post-Road Earth] on the Daoist Court Grand Tutor.

The [Immortal Dao Law] had been unlocked.

The invisible chains released the [Fruit of Post-Road Earth] and moved to bind the [Fruit of Celestial Fire] instead, simultaneously delivering the [Fruit of Post-Road Earth] directly to Lü Yang’s mouth.

What else was there to say?

In a flash, Lü Yang’s eyes turned ice-cold. Standing in the gap between the two Masters of Dao’s formless clash, he completed his move in an instant.

The [Fruit of Celestial Fire]? He didn’t want it!

The karmic links of an Emperor Fruit were too great, making it too easy for the Masters of Dao to see him as a thorn in their side. It was better to toss it to the Dao Court in exchange for greater benefits.

He snatched it and began Refining it in an instant!

Lü Yang moved with divine speed, directly beginning to swallow the [Fruit of Post-Road Earth]. Almost at the same time, a third gaze shot over, brazenly joining the chaotic fray!

The Pure Land’s Bhagavat!

The Mighty Powers of the three Masters of Dao collided and churned in the void, yet they no longer affected the Current World. Instead, their clash caused the once-stagnant Heaven and Earth to resume its motion.

The Masters of Dao’s blockade was broken! ℴℴ𝘮

’The Bhagavat... he actually intervened too? Right. With the Sword Dao now rooted in the Pure Land, it’s actually a bargaining chip the Bhagavat uses to profit from the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord.’

’Of course he wouldn’t want the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord to screw me over!’

’After all, if the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord succeeded, trapped me, and took control of the [Fruit of Celestial Fire], he would have a way to save the Sword Dao on his own, without needing to ask the Bhagavat for help.’

’Three Masters of Dao clashing... No, not necessarily. There might be four. What about that old bastard from the Saint Sect? His attitude is probably the same as the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord’s—he wants to screw me over too. Regardless, I’ll assume he’s also in the game. With all the Masters of Dao interfering, a new balance has formed instead!’

Every Master of Dao was absolutely self-serving.

Factions, alliances, promises—none of these things mattered to the Masters of Dao. Between them, only interest was truly eternal.

’This is... my chance!’

Suddenly, Lü Yang’s heart pounded. The clash between the gazes of the Masters of Dao had unexpectedly restored the Current World, which they had previously controlled, to its original state.

To be honest, before this, Lü Yang had thought all was lost. He was planning to give up the [Fruit of Blade-Edge Metal], abandon all his plans, and run away with the [Fruit of Post-Road Earth] as a consolation prize... But now, he saw another chance—a great opportunity to turn the tables and settle for the next best thing!

Thinking of this, Lü Yang immediately activated a Talent Skill he hadn’t used in a very long time.

[Puppet]!

The next second, in Jiangnan, two puppets he controlled with his Puppet skill exploded violently. Their Souls drifted away, floating into the Netherworld.