Chapter 139

Finally, the Su Maiden and the Insect King unanimously decided to send the derived Qi-Eating Insects into the valley to scout the path; after all, there were so many of them that casualties were no concern.

However, very soon, both the human and the insect were stunned.

For the very second the Qi-Eating Insects surged into the valley, a wisp of smoke landed upon them; it could not be blocked by mouth or nose, and it swept directly at them—

Nothing happened.

Not only did the Su Maiden and the Insect King stand dumbfounded, but even that wisp of smoke seemed taken aback; it swept down again, yet the result remained the same: nothing occurred.

"It is the soul."

Outside the Gourd Island, Lu Yang saw through the trick: "The offspring of the Qi-Eating Insects possess no soul, only instinct; the consciousness of the entire swarm is actually concentrated in the Insect King. That the smoke has no effect on the Qi-Eating Insects indicates it causes no great harm to the physical body, but acts primarily on the soul?"

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out:

"You True Person, how shameless!"

The voice came from the center of Gourd Island; it was clear and pleasant, yet carried a hint of childishness. Though it contained anger, it sounded as if she were merely pouting when spoken.

Immediately following, a loud explosion was heard.

Inside the valley of Gourd Island, the red light split in two, revealing the valley's form: it was an altar, upon which rested a scarlet, blood-like broken sword.

The red light filling the valley was the reflection of the essence of the sun and moon falling upon the sword; merely lying horizontally across that altar, it radiated boundless killing intent, as if nothing under heaven could escape its blade. Furthermore, a depiction of the underworld was engraved upon the sword's body.

The next second, the red light on the sword condensed into a single breath of Qi.

A young girl, wearing a red cotton jacket with her hair tied in a sky-high braid, appearing to be about seven or eight years old, leaped out of the long sword on the altar, hopping and skipping.

"I'm calling you! Bad True Person!"

The girl placed her hands on her hips, tilted her small head up, and shouted loudly at Lu Yang outside the Gourd Island: "Since you have come, do you not know the rules here?"

"If you have no intention, why come to seek me?"

"Ho!"

Lu Yang's eyebrows lifted slightly, but he discovered that as the girl revealed her form, the previously unfathomable Heavenly Dao had become clear; he instantly understood it in his heart.

"So that is how it is... there truly are rules."

The girl, or rather the scarlet broken sword upon the valley altar, and indeed the entire Gourd Island, were a spiritual treasure left behind by a Great True Person of the Initial Saint Sect.

Named Gourd Island, it was in truth actually a gourd, containing within it a 【Soul-Dissolving, Spirit-Stealing, God-Plucking Smoke】; even a True Person struck by this smoke would have their soul and spirit thrown into disarray. As for the scarlet broken sword, it was the personal sword of that Great True Person from days past, refined into a spiritual treasure through years of nurturing with his innate divine ability.

With this thought, Lu Yang could not help but sigh in his heart:

"Two spiritual treasures; although neither reached the supreme grade of possessing 【Divine Wonders】 like the Heaven-Seeking Instrument, they would still be a significant aid for one at the Foundation Establishment stage..."

Yet if this were so, why had no one sought them?

Lu Yang felt no secret joy; instead, he grew even more vigilant. After all, this was the Saint Sect; every opportunity within the Saint Sect, without exception, surely hid a trap behind it!

Very soon, Lu Yang calculated the answer.

"The Great True Person who left behind this Gourd Island was severely injured and beyond healing, about to be reborn; thus, while leaving the spiritual treasure, he also left behind a great karmic debt."

"Whoever takes this Gourd Island must guide his reincarnated body back."

Such karmic debts of a Great True Person often involved spiritual seats and were unimaginably heavy; even other Great True Persons did not wish to get involved, fearing they would be dragged down by it.

"However... it happens to suit me perfectly!"

Lu Yang's eyes instantly brightened. As if joking, he thought: Did the Venerable You not also become a Great True Person in the past? He dared to accept karmic debts anyway; what did it matter if there was one more?

Many debts do not crush the body!

Thinking thus, Lu Yang suddenly let out a loud laugh: "Fellow Daoist, why think this way? Since I have come here, naturally I intend to ask for your assistance."

Upon hearing these words, the girl was instantly stunned.

"Really? You intend to take me?"

In an instant, the girl's anger vanished, replaced by an expression of hope mixed with fear of being deceived: "You are not deceiving me? You truly do not fear accepting my karmic debt?"

"Naturally!"

Lu Yang spoke with absolute conviction. Before his words had fully faded, he felt a vast, mountain-like karmic debt suddenly manifest, crashing down upon him with a boom. Even though it was not a physical object, it made him feel a heaviness in his heart, but very soon he relaxed his mind.

Karmic debt? I am a deadbeat!

Immediately, the girl in the valley suddenly let out a cheer; her figure then vanished, replaced by a sword cry that pierced straight to the clouds!

"Shriee—!"

The sword cry split metal and cracked stone; the entire Gourd Island disintegrated and shrank amidst the sound, shaking out the Su Maiden and the Insect King of the Qi-Eating Insects, and revealing the true forms of the two spiritual treasures.

As magic power was circulated, Lu Yang also came to know the names of the two spiritual treasures in his mind.

【A-Bi Sword】

【Three-Nine Soul-Dissolving Gourd】

Lu Yang reached out and caught both; he felt immensely satisfied. He casually hung the gourd at his waist and condensed the broken sword into light, storing it within his sleeve.

Just then, two beams of escape light suddenly flew in from the distance.

Only after approaching Lu Yang did the escape lights finally halt, separating one by one; then two figures walked out from within, both of whom were actually old acquaintances of Lu Yang.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Yinshan."

Lu Yang first bowed to the first to arrive, True Person Yinshan, and only then looked at the person beside him, his face bearing a similarly kind smile:

"... Greetings, Peak Lord of Senior Butian."

Facing Lu Yang's bow, the Peak Lord of Senior Butian responded with equal enthusiasm: "Duanmu Yuan Tu is too formal; in the past, when you entered the Saint Sect, it was at my Senior Butian Peak."

"In the future, you may come to my Senior Butian Peak to sit and chat more often."

Speaking thus, the Peak Lord of Senior Butian's expression suddenly became somewhat mischievous: "To be honest, my daughter Chen Shuqian is currently rehearsing a piece called the Extreme Bliss Heavenly Demon Dance. If Fellow Daoist has time, you may come to appreciate it; I guarantee Fellow Daoist will not waste the trip. Cultivation should also balance work and rest!"

Old thing, what does he take me for?

"Certainly! Certainly!"

For a moment, Lu Yang and the Peak Lord of Senior Butian chatted freely as if they were old friends, only stopping when several more beams of escape light flew in.

However, very soon, the True Persons who arrived later emitted sounds of disdain:

"I thought some spiritual treasure had just emerged, but it's just Huludao."

"Who dares take on this karmic debt?"

"It's the newly promoted Duanmu Yuan Tu. A promising youth indeed."

"The last person who took on this karmic debt is still in reincarnation. How many years do you think this one will die suddenly? I bet a hundred years—wager a Foundation Establishment rarity."

"Fifty years."

The crowd did not hide their murmurs, yet Lu Yang remained calm and composed, making these malicious beasts feel bored.

Soon, the crowd dispersed one by one.

For this, Lu Yang had reason to suspect: if not for the immense karmic debt of Huludao, these beasts might have tried to seize his spiritual treasure by force!

"Yuan Tu, you've been reckless this time."

As the crowd departed, True Person Yinshan stepped forward, frowning: "The karmic debt behind Huludao is immense—it will inevitably slow your cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yang shook his head: "Brother, you're mistaken."

"Slowing cultivation is a future concern. My Dao foundation's corresponding position has fallen upon the Pure Land; even if I cultivate quickly, I'll find it hard to attain a Jin Dan in the future."

"To attain a Jin Dan, I must wait for Master Chongguang to succeed first, then receive his support. If that's the case, why cling to rapid progress? I ought to devote every effort to completing Master Chongguang's assigned task, at any cost, to help him ascend smoothly and seek the Jin Dan!"

After speaking, Lu Yang specifically bowed toward Shenghuo Cliff.

In short, it's just two words: Loyalty!

After hearing this, True Person Yinshan fell silent for a moment, then patted Lu Yang's shoulder and sighed: "Brother, you are destined for great things."

Almost simultaneously, Master Chongguang's voice echoed from Shenghuo Cliff:

"This time, exterminating Shenwu Men is entrusted to Duanmu Yuan Tu."

"Any demands, state them at any time."

—Lu Yang was waiting for exactly this.

A single Shenwu Men could not satisfy Lu Yang's appetite.

With Master Chongguang's approval, Lu Yang now had the authority to mobilize other Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Holy Sect—such a vast advantage, he would certainly exploit it well.

"Counting the days, Brother Zhao should be preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment, right?"

"Originally, I planned for him to take this calamity for me, but it wasn't needed. Still, he's rare talent—I can't waste him."

Lu Yang's plan was simple:

He would use Zhao Xuhe to lure out Arhat Fu Long Luo Han, then eliminate him entirely with the Holy Sect's power.

(End of Chapter)