Chapter 90: Refining the Dharma Protector Deity

Chusheng Sect, Senior Butian Peak.

The moment Xiao Shiye drew the colored merit fish and began refining it, Yu Suzhen moved; she activated the Heaven-Stealing Mechanism, and Xiao Shiye was instantly drained to death.

Naturally, the immense cultivation base and karmic fortune possessed by the colored merit fish, capable of allowing a mortal to reach the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation overnight, were all calmly accepted by Yu Suzhen with a smile.

In an instant, Yu Suzhen's cultivation base soared!

Everything happened too quickly; even Yu Suzhen herself had not reacted yet, but this did not hinder her ecstasy—could this be her opportunity?

"Am I about to ascend in a single step?"

The second this thought arose in Yu Suzhen's mind, a familiar sensation suddenly spread from her dantian and rapidly engulfed her entire body.

This is the Heaven-Stealing Mechanism!?

For a moment, Yu Suzhen's delicate features changed drastically; she sensed with disbelief that her qi mechanism, which should have broken through to the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation, began to recede at an even faster speed.

She knew this feeling all too well; during this period, she had surpassed countless disciples and created countless human cauldrons, yet only now did she discover that she herself was actually someone else's human cauldron! But when? Who had acted upon her without her even knowing?

Soon, a sense of weakness emerged in her heart.

Extreme joy begets sorrow; terror replaced ecstasy, and this sensation of being slowly drained to death caused Yu Suzhen's pretty face to twist as she could not help but shout loudly:

"Wait, wait a moment..."

Before her voice even faded, the suction force suddenly doubled.

The next second, Yu Suzhen's qi mechanism plummeted to the bottom; her entire true qi, cultivation base, karmic fortune, and even her soul were emptied out, flowing away beyond the Holy Sect.

Almost simultaneously, two fissures suddenly appeared within Yu Suzhen's cave dwelling.

Immediately after, two figures were seen stepping out from the fissures, one after the other, their gazes landing on Yu Suzhen's corpse the very first moment.

"One step too late..." Daoist Hong Yun's expression was calm, yet only those bone-chillingly cold eyes revealed just how furious he truly was; the next second, he turned his head, his gaze locking straight onto the master of Senior Butian Peak: "Chen Tianhe, do you wish to fight me?"

Throughout the entire Holy Sect, everyone knew his condition.

Whoever dared to snatch the bait he used to fish for karmic fortune was effectively cutting short his lifespan and would inevitably face his most ferocious retaliation.

Therefore, on this point, even Master Master Chongguang, who had the greatest conflict with him, would not dare to make a move.

After all, his status was far too high.

Even though he was no longer what he used to be, he was still not comparable to an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.

However, Daoist Hong Yun never expected that the master of Senior Butian Peak, with whom he had only minor verbal disputes, would actually obscure karma and commit such a massive act!

"Daoist Hong Yun, please calm yourself."

Compared to the enraged Hong Yun, the master of Senior Butian Peak appeared quite composed: "The person who acted is that junior who previously took the karmic fortune of the Coiled Dragon inheritance."

"Following this thread of qi mechanism, if we pursue together, we might still catch up to that colored merit fish; although it will inevitably suffer some loss, it is still better than having nothing at all... Of course, if you, Daoist, insist on fighting me, I do not mind witnessing the style of a former True Person."

The master of Senior Butian Peak similarly had no intention of thoroughly offending Daoist Hong Yun.

After all, he merely wished to do Master Master Chongguang a favor, so as long as he reduced Daoist Hong Yun's gains, there was no need to leave him with absolutely nothing.

In this way, he would not be regarded by Daoist Hong Yun as a thorn in the eye or a splinter in the flesh.

At worst, relations between the two sides would deteriorate, but since they were never good to begin with, and with Master Master Chongguang as a major enemy ahead, it was actually no big deal.

Everything was within his plan.

The master of Senior Butian Peak smiled indifferently, then calculated with his fingers; he quickly located Lu Yang's direction and immediately took a step forward, crossing the void to give chase.

Seeing this, Daoist Hong Yun gritted his teeth slightly but could only follow closely behind.

At the same time, within the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm.

As a streak of light traversed the void and arrived, Lu Yang suddenly opened his eyes; revealing a look of joy, he also cast a grave glance in the direction of Chusheng Sect.

"You old thing... indeed you plotted against me!"

Lu Yang exhaled a breath but did not panic; that the master of Senior Butian Peak and Daoist Hong Yun would pursue him was within his expectations, or rather, it was exactly what he wanted!

Thinking of this, Lu Yang looked at the Primordial Chaos Unity Divine Talisman in his arms.

The next second, he removed this supreme treasure capable of obscuring karma, voluntarily detached himself from its protection, and instead cast it into the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm!

"At this point, there is no meaning in concealing my karma any longer; rather, the karma of the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm needs to be hidden—once the master of Senior Butian Peak arrives and fails to calculate that this is the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm, if he rashly opens it, the Golden Core sword qi inside can give him a severe blow..."

Thinking of this, a trace of ruthlessness flashed in Lu Yang's eyes.

"Although the Holy Sect's foundation is far beyond what the Witch-Ghost Path can compare to, and the master of Senior Butian Peak is the master of a peak, he might even possess life-preserving items at the Golden Core level in his hands."

"But after taking a strike from a Golden Core sword qi, it is impossible for him to remain unscathed."

"At that time, if I can successfully refine a Foundation Establishment Dharma Protector, I can precisely beat a dog while it is in the water, washing away the shame of being pressed to death by a single finger of his in the life before last."

Thinking of this, Lu Yang dared not delay.

"Begin refining the Dharma Protector immediately!"

The Heaven-Stealing Mechanism activated; the flowing light in his hand scattered, revealing Yu Suzhen's bewildered soul, along with the immense cultivation base and karmic fortune belonging to the colored merit fish.

The next second, Lu Yang unfurled the Myriad Souls Banner; dark light shimmered on the banner, and myriad witches and ghosts roared in unison, including the eight red-robed ghosts required to cultivate the 【Nether Nether Lord's Soul-Seizing Position】; as the banner flag waved, the 【Yanmo Hall】 once displayed by Patriarch Tingyou reappeared.

"Great Avatar Universal Divine Art!"

Lu Yang formed hand seals, his movements unceasing; his vast spiritual sense transformed into a giant hand that wrapped around Yu Suzhen's soul, seized it, and refined it in an instant.

"Ah—!"

Yu Suzhen's wail immediately rang out, yet it quickly weakened, subsequently transforming into a mass of spiritual light that recondensed into a new soul.

This brand new soul was identical to Yu Suzhen, yet inside and out it had been completely reforged by Lu Yang; at this moment, it looked at Lu Yang with lifeless eyes.

Soon, the soul gradually solidified.

The originally naked delicate body was finally covered by thin gauze; snow-white robes bloomed like a lotus, and a pair of small, exquisite bare feet hung suspended in mid-air.

Originally, reaching this step meant the Dharma Protector was considered refined.

However, Lu Yang was still not reassured; after all, he intended for her to falsely hold Foundation Establishment, but if she became too strong and escaped his control, what then?

Such matters must be guarded against.

After all, he did not want to one day hear the phrase, "What a fine Yu Suzhen, truly there are countless heroes in this world," for that would indeed be a huge joke.

Therefore, he did not stop but shook the Myriad Souls Banner, drawing the Dharma Protector back into the banner, while simultaneously inscribing a large number of self-destruct prohibitions onto Yu Suzhen's soul; with triple insurance, the moment she harbored any thought of betrayal, she would immediately face eternal damnation, ensuring Lu Yang would not suffer backlash.

Just like this, another moment passed.

As Lu Yang formed hand seals, Yu Suzhen's bewildered eyes suddenly brightened; like adding pupils to a painted dragon, her stagnant thoughts resumed operation at this moment.

The next second, she looked toward Lu Yang.

Her plump delicate body slowly knelt down, her fair forehead pressing tightly against the ground, her crisp and melodious voice filled with obedience: "This servant greets Master."

Seeing this, Lu Yang nodded with satisfaction: "You are no longer the soul of the past; from now on, your name shall be Su Nu."

As a Dharma Protector, with both the Myriad Souls Banner and self-destruct prohibitions in place, Su Nu's life and death were now at Lu Yang's whim; there was no need to worry about her stabbing him in the back during battle.

"... eturn to your position."

With a thought from Lu Yang, Su Nu, who had already been refined into a Dharma Protector, floated up lightly and fell into the 【Yanmo Hall】, taking her seat in the main position.

Immediately after, Lu Yang also投 (invested) the karmic fortune of the colored merit fish into the 【Yanmo Hall】.

只见 (One saw) the karmic fortune like fire, as if tempering fine iron, causing the 【Yanmo Hall】, which was originally merely a simple assembly, to gradually be forged into a single whole.

However, just at this moment—

"Boom!"

Only hearing a loud crash, Lu Yang suddenly raised his head; his gaze pierced through the Witch-Ghost Secret Realm, seeing that above Skeleton Mountain, a void fissure suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

The master of Senior Butian Peak and Daoist Hong Yun stepped out.

A great enemy has arrived!

(End of Chapter)