Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

Chapter 527: But I Refuse!

As the World-Honored Oneʼs voice fell, all was silent. Even the 【Laws of the Immortal Kingdom】 fell into a brief halt, as a radiant Buddhist light suffused the heavens and earth.

In a daze, Lu Yang seemed to see, within that Buddha light, the vast expanse of Jiangxi — boundless forests of meditation, ancient temples and monasteries, countless arhats and monks gathering together to prostrate before him, solemnly chanting a single title: “Praise be to the Great Sun Tathāgata, whose Radiance Illuminates All!”

“Dang——.”

A melodious bell sounded, prompting Lu Yang to raise his brows. His gaze landed on that broken Buddha statue and the five Dharma Forms guarding it.

They had not lied.

With the 【Laws of the Immortal Kingdom】 overhead, had they spoken falsehoods, Lu Yang would certainly have been warned, and his own mystical senses would have given rise to reaction.

‘They are sincere.’

No deception, no concealment — a genuine desire for him to take command of the Pure Land, to lead billions of Buddhist cultivators. If he agreed, a glorious future awaited him.

No manipulation. No trap.

If he agreed to the request of the five Dharma Forms, he could instantly become the ruler of Jiangxi, become that “One” whom the multitudes revered — the most unique existence.

He would wield authority over Jiangxi, yet not as the incarnation of the World-Honored One.

This was an opportunity countless cultivators had desperately sought but never attained. If word got out, even True Lords, let alone Foundation Establishment cultivators, would scramble for it.

Even the Dao Court Dao Lord offered no objection.

At this moment, the 【Laws of the Immortal Kingdom】 hovered silently in midair, quietly awaiting Lu Yang’s response, and also making the underlying implication clear:

‘Of course. Why would the Dao Court Dao Lord oppose this? If I lead Jiangxi, the Dao Court benefits as well. This is a win-win situation. As expected of the World-Honored One — his actions are impeccable, always mutually beneficial, never pushing matters to a dead end.’

Lu Yang had to admit: he was somewhat tempted.

After all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. One nod from him, and the Buddhist cultivators of Jiangxi would immediately submit. He could then attempt the Ascension to Gold Position!

At that point, he would possess the Dao Court and be backed by the Pure Land.

Two Dao Lords supporting him — and with the might of the Supreme Fruit Position — even if he were merely at early Golden Core, he could still stand at the summit of power!

“Lay practitioner, what hesitation still troubles you?”

The five Dharma Forms spoke again, faces full of sincerity. “We speak no falsehood. The World-Honored One is also sincere in inviting you to govern the Pure Land. We shall obey your every command!”

“Clang! Clang!”

Their answer was a crisp sword cry. It was the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing. He stood solemnly, holding the 【No-Kill Sword】 in hand.

Unlike the previous life, this time the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing revealed the intent of 【Merciless Severance】 early on. At this moment, dual sword intents intertwined within him — Yin and Yang balanced, Water and Fire merged — causing his aura to rise steadily. His movements were slow, yet no one reacted in time.

Time itself seemed to stop.

Everyone present could only watch as the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing stepped forward, drew his sword, and slashed, walking calmly through the five Dharma Forms.

The sword light passed equally through each of the Dharma Forms.

In the next moment, the illusion of frozen time shattered, flow resumed, and the five Dharma Forms were cleanly cut in half at the waist, faces twisted in shock and fury!

“Insolence!”

In an instant, Buddha light surged, and the severed Dharma Forms fused top and bottom, restoring themselves in a blink. Then, they opened their mouths in unison:

“Prajñā Pāramitā!”

Each of the five Dharma Forms spoke one word, instantly summoning endless golden light, changing the colors of heaven and earth, collapsing all things.

In the scriptures of the Buddhist Land, “Prajñā” represents “Wisdom,” “Pāramitā” signifies “the Other Shore,” and “Mita” means “Attainment.” Thus, together they form “The Wisdom to Reach the Other Shore” — the supreme mantra of the Pure Land. Spoken now by the five Dharma Forms, it instantly manifested extraordinary phenomena.

This change involved no magic power, nor divine abilities.

It directly targeted “Position”!

At this moment, only the positions of the five Dharma Forms rose endlessly, while all other things diminished. One rose, the other fell, as if proclaiming—

“In all heaven and earth, I alone am supreme!”

An absolute gulf in position was created. Even the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing appeared minuscule under this disparity, no longer posing any threat.

Yet the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing remained calm as still water, stepping forward again.

【Sword of Righteousness and Duty, Severing Karma】!

A cold sword light appeared — incomparably sharp, filled with killing intent. It instantly stained his formerly clean robes red.

【Merciless Severance】!

Under this sword, nothing could remain uncut. Its matchless edge instantly shattered the combined “Prajñā Pāramitā” spell conjured by the five Dharma Forms.

The flash of sword light restored the distorted, collapsing vision to tranquility. The immense gap in “Position” was forcibly erased. In the end, it was not a true position, but one fabricated through Daoist arts. Since it was not innate, it had flaws — and where there were flaws, 【Merciless Severance】 could cleave through!

Yet even so, the five Dharma Forms laughed:

“Amitābha. Lay practitioner of Demon-Cleansing, give it up. You cannot kill us!”

The Real Person of Demon-Cleansing said nothing, raising his sword once more.

At this, the five Dharma Forms’ expressions shifted slightly. They paused, then changed their tone: “Even if you did manage to kill us, what would it change?”

“All decisions lie with Lay Practitioner Huanming.”

They had seen through the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing’s thoughts: clearly, he wished to stop Lu Yang from taking over the Pure Land — hence his attempt to sever the five Dharma Forms!

“Pure Land.”

The Real Person of Demon-Cleansing stood with sword in hand, and said quietly, “With one manʼs heart, seizing the hearts of all. Seeking the Great Liberation of the World-Honored One through the disquiet of the people of Jiangdong. If we speak of demons, Jiangbei is secondary — Jiangxi is first! Even if one attains True Lord within the Pure Land, what meaning is there?”

These words were not for the Dharma Forms.

Though he had not looked back, Lu Yang understood that these were spoken to him — the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing’s heartfelt words.

Yet the five Dharma Forms showed no panic. On the contrary, they smiled:

“What demons? Lay practitioner, you are attached.”

“Mortal? Qi Refining? Mere illusions. Even Foundation Establishment, though barely human, must sometimes kill to achieve greatness.”

“Not to mention, that is 【Heavenly Fire】, a Supreme Position True Lord! Lay practitioner, do you know? A True Lord forged by such means has hopes of reaching Nascent Soul!”

In the next instant, Lu Yang’s voice softly echoed:

“Senior’s words, this junior wholeheartedly agrees.”

“Truly!?”

At these words, the five Dharma Forms were overjoyed. Without hesitation, they dropped to one knee and kowtowed deeply in Lu Yang’s direction.

Seeing this, the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing sighed inwardly. He knew he was an anomaly. As the Dharma Forms said, what are mortals, what is Qi Refining? Death is death — the soul reincarnates anew, like chives in a field: harvest one crop, another sprouts.

Who truly cares?

‘In this world today, am I the only one who refuses to compromise for such illusions? So be it. At worst, one more powerful enemy in the future.’

With this thought, the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing sheathed his sword.

Different paths, irreconcilable aims.

And when he one day reached the pinnacle and attained the 【Sword Dao Fruit Position】, if Lu Yang had already taken over the Pure Land, then they would still be enemies.

In that moment, a sense of helplessness overcame him.

A vast world — and yet he stood utterly alone, without a single Dao companion. But he was a sword cultivator. Once the sword was drawn, there was no turning back.

With that, the Real Person of Demon-Cleansing turned to leave.

But then, he heard Lu Yang’s voice continue, clear and resolute:

“.But I refuse!”

The Real Person of Demon-Cleansing froze. Turning back, he saw Lu Yang smiling at him — brilliantly — and then pointing at the five Dharma Forms:

“Daoist friend, why are you standing there?”

“Let’s cut them down!”