Chapter 53: Forcing a Duck onto a Perch

Skeleton Mountain, the atmosphere remained tense as drawn bows and unsheathed swords; Luo Wuya, Ouyang Feng, and Yun Zhiqiu, three experts at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, faced off, none willing to yield an inch.

Just then, a trail of遁 light suddenly flew in from the horizon.

As it approached, the遁 light converged, revealing an old monk draped in a kasaya and holding a Zen staff, who bowed with clasped hands to Yun Zhiqiu:

"This humble monk is Ming Chan; greetings, Benefactor Yun."

Seeing this, Yun Zhiqiu nodded slightly and said indifferently, "'Demon-Subduing Zen Master' Ming Chan; I have heard of you. It seems you shared some karmic ties with my uncle for several years."

"Benefactor sees clearly."

Ming Chan smiled faintly: "In years past, when Senior Yun sought deadly qi in the Eastern Sea, he once rested at my temple; this humble monk received his guidance, which led to my achievements today."

At this moment, Skeleton Mountain was a mix of dragons and snakes; with the opportunity for Foundation Establishment at stake, besides the Shenwu Sect, Chusheng Sect, and Yushujiange, several famous rogue cultivators had also come attracted by its reputation, and 'Demon-Subduing Zen Master' Ming Chan was among the outstanding ones, also one of the extremely rare Qi Refining Great Perfection experts among rogue cultivators.

However, it was quite obvious that he felt more affinity toward Yushujiange.

Witnessing this scene, Luo Wuya, reckoning that True Person Yinshan would back him up, remained relatively calm, yet Ouyang Feng on the other side could not help but furrow his brows.

After all, as far as he knew, this Ming Chan was no simple character.

Originally a mortal, he had devoted himself to Buddhism for three lifetimes with unswerving determination; thus, he formed karmic ties with the Shi Sect, and in this life, he inherited the mantle of a high monk from the Shi Sect.

Relying on his karmic ties across three lifetimes, his cultivation within the Shi Sect progressed extremely rapidly, and the inheritance he received was the most fierce and domineering technique in the Shi Sect, 'Demon-Subduing Zen'; therefore, he frequently clashed with demonic heads, accumulating extremely rich combat experience—at the very least, if he, Ouyang Feng, were to face him, he had no certainty of victory.

"Calculating the time, Yun Miaozhen should be returning soon."

Yun Zhiqiu counted on his fingers, then glanced at Yun Miaoqing beside him, who had already split in two, and shook his head: "It is a pity that Miaoqing ultimately could not escape her fate."

"Amitabha." Upon hearing this, Ming Chan also pressed his palms together, his face showing worry: "I hope Benefactor Yun Miaozhen is unharmed."

"Fellow Daoist worries too much."

Yun Zhiqiu chuckled lightly: "It cannot be denied that the 'Blood-Robed Pavilion Master' indeed possesses some methods; he has likely cultivated the Profound Yin Form-Seizing Art of the Mo Sect."

"However, since Miaoqing is dead, Yun Miaozhen should be unharmed."

"Speaking of which, this is also the result of karma; Miaoqing stayed by that demonic head's side yet was never defiled by him, which is precisely why she was slain by that demonic head today."

Hearing this, Ming Chan also nodded, then looked again toward the market city, his mind racing; he had not come merely to curry favor, but more importantly sought to use this opportunity to climb onto the high branches of Yushujiange, for if one could join a prestigious sect, who would wish to remain a rogue cultivator?

Just then, a sudden explosion rang out from within the market city.

Seeing this, Yun Zhiqiu immediately burst into laughter: "It must be my junior sister achieving great success and returning victorious!"

Before his voice had faded, the Heaven-Dodging Sword vibrated violently, sword light gushing forth once more, tearing open the void, and then a figure stepped out from within.

"Hmm!?"

In an instant, Yun Zhiqiu's laughter cut off abruptly.

On the other side, Ouyang Feng likewise wore a face of shock and uncertainty, while even Luo Wuya's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief as he stared at the figure in midair.

"Lu Yang! He survived?"

"Where is Immortal Yun Miaozhen?"

Paying no heed to the surrounding clamor, Lu Yang stood proudly in the sky, reached out with one hand, and the Heaven-Dodging Sword, now lacking its original master, immediately fell into his grasp.

This was a fine treasure; it shared karmic ties with him.

The next second, Yun Zhiqiu transformed into sword light, arriving directly at the edge of the market city; he looked deeply at Lu Yang and said in a low voice, "I underestimated you."

Lu Yang glanced sideways: "You are?"

"Yun Zhiqiu, Yun Miaozhen's senior brother." Yun Zhiqiu's face remained calm: "Immortal Yun Miaozhen's path of cultivation is not yet ended; give me her true spirit, and I will send her to reincarnate."

Hearing this, Lu Yang paused momentarily, then suddenly laughed: "Fellow Daoist does not know; I am a disciple of Senior Butian Peak from the Holy Sect."

At these words, Yun Zhiqiu's expression changed drastically: "What did you do to her!?"

Lu Yang paid no heed and laughed loudly: "Fellow Daoist Yun Miaozhen possessed heavenly beauty and outstanding talent; what else could I do? Naturally, I violated her first, then killed her!"

Yun Zhiqiu's eyebrows twitched, finally revealing his anger: "You dare covet the divine abilities of my Jiange?"

Lu Yang remained utterly unconcerned, meeting his gaze calmly: "What can you do to me?"

At these words, a chilling killing intent suddenly shot from Yun Zhiqiu's eyes, yet Lu Yang had no mind to pay it any heed, simply raising his head to gaze at the boundless sky.

'Damn it... fuck! I can't keep a low profile anymore!'

The moment he killed Yun Miaoqing, Lu Yang knew what situation he was about to face: attacked by all, with no room for maneuver whatsoever!

More importantly, he clearly felt that after Yun Miaoqing's death, an invisible fortune suddenly descended upon him, making his thoughts clearer, greatly enhancing his comprehension, and even causing the bottleneck at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, which had remained immovable all along, to loosen considerably!

Lu Yang knew clearly in his heart: he had to kill Yun Miaoqing.

'Truly an inescapable fate... that True Person did it on purpose! He deliberately sent Yun Miaoqing to find me, with the original intent that either she kill me, or I kill her!'

This was clearly forcing a duck onto a perch!

Either Yun Miaoqing killed him, to be used by that Foundation Establishment True Person behind the scenes, or he killed Yun Miaoqing and took her place; there was no second path.

A Foundation Establishment True Person—how domineering!

Precisely because he had figured this out, Lu Yang felt little interest in Yun Zhiqiu's threats, for he knew that no matter what happened next, keeping a low profile was impossible.

Because what that True Person likely desired was a great battle, a life-and-death war!

If that was the case, he might as well act with boldness and joy!

Lu Yang sighed, looked again at Yun Zhiqiu, and then adjusted his mindset—thinking in a positive direction, at least this counted as the True Person valuing him.

'They do not fear your weakness; they fear your lack of value...'

After cultivating through several lifetimes, Lu Yang understood this all too clearly: in the Holy Sect, only by demonstrating your value to survive do you earn the right to survive!

Just then, a figure suddenly walked close; it was Ming Chan.

"Amitabha..."

Seeing him step forward, he spoke loudly: "Benefactor Lu, you surely understand that you cannot escape this calamity; however, this humble monk has a method that can save you from the sea of bitterness."

"Oh? Save me?"

Hearing this, Lu Yang glanced at the other party and sneered: "Then many thanks for the Great Master's kindness; I just wonder what method the Great Master speaks of?"

Ming Chan pressed his palms together and said calmly: "Although in this life, Fellow Daoist has fallen into the demonic path with burdens too heavy to reverse, you still harbor a kind heart; this humble monk is willing to personally send you into reincarnation, and when you return in your next life after undergoing tribulation, I will then take you as my disciple; at that time, Fellow Daoist may still have hope of attaining a fruit of the righteous path."

Hearing this, Lu Yang immediately wore a speechless expression: "Personally send me into reincarnation... Great Master also wants to kill me?"

"Not killing Benefactor, but forming karmic ties with Benefactor."

Ming Chan's face turned solemn, his aged countenance full of compassion: "After Benefactor reincarnates, this humble monk will have Benefactor serve as a miscellaneous laborer in Jiange for thirty years."

"Only thus can karma be cleansed, allowing cultivation of the righteous path in days to come."

"Righteous path my ass!"

Lu Yang laughed loudly: "Say a thousand words, speak ten thousand sentences; none compare to simply fighting a battle... in my Holy Sect, broken bones are the best argument!"

As his voice fell, a talisman appeared in his hand.

The Whirling Wind Returning Fire Talisman!

The next second, the talisman shattered; Lu Yang's qi presence instantly returned to its peak, and without another word, he drove his sword and struck!

Chapter 52 is under review; please wait~

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(End of Chapter)