Chapter 438: Hong Yun, it’s you, isn’t it!

Jiangxi.

As the commoners kowtowed in unison, melodious chimes instantly echoed from the heavens. Wherever the sound passed, golden radiance surged forth like a fountain, with various wondrous phenomena manifesting in succession.

From the distant horizon, countless auspicious clouds gathered densely. Amidst the clouds, a vast and majestic temple as grand as a mountain emerged, within which countless monks moved to and fro, chanting sutras and discussing the Dao.

The melodious Buddhist hymns and the tolling bells fell upon Lü Yang’s ears—upon the side of the Demon-Suppressing True Person.

“Boom!”

The bell chimed a total of eighty-one times. Each strike was like a resounding wake-up call, striking into Lü Yang’s ears, even causing him to involuntarily birth a strange thought:

‘Amitabha, I transcend.’

“Clang! Clang!”

The next moment, 【Sword Intent】 revived on its own, dispersing the Buddhist hymns echoing in his mind and jolting Lü Yang awake. Cold sweat immediately poured down his back.

‘What an evil thing!’

If it had been a Foundation Establishment True Person with weaker cultivation standing here, they would probably have already joyfully converted to the Pure Land and become a guardian Arhat.

And this—wasn’t even the full might of the Buddhist sound. Nearly ninety percent of the terrifying "salvation" mystique had been poured upon the Demon-Suppressing True Person.

Yet even so, when Lü Yang glanced sideways, he saw that the expression of the Demon-Suppressing True Person remained utterly tranquil—like a still lake—revealing not a trace of change.

At this moment, the elderly monk leading the crowd in their kowtow also shakily stood up.

With palms joined respectfully, he said, “【Wei Tuo Heaven Demon-Suppressing Arhat】, the Buddha Child has long awaited your arrival. Please, follow this little monk into the Mahāvīra Hall.”

“Lead the way.”

The Demon-Suppressing True Person gave a slight nod. Lü Yang closely followed behind.

The three of them thus walked into the Pure Land.

Along the path they passed, scenes of a peaceful and prosperous age unfolded.

Everyone observed etiquette and self-discipline; every household had its own land and home.

Monks discussed the law, novices talked sutras—all were harmonious and happy. There were no disputes among them. All lived in ease and joy, without worrying about daily survival.

Such a sight was unthinkable elsewhere. After all, mortals were mortals, and cultivators were cultivators. The two had always been like herdsmen and swine—how could they ever be treated as equals?

Yet within the Pure Land, all were equal.

Even Arhats would discuss Buddhist doctrines with a commoner from the marketplace.

“Amitabha!”

Finally, at the center of Jiangxi, a majestic divine mountain rose from the earth.

Here, the Buddhist light intensified severalfold, truly illuminating all ten directions with radiant brightness.

At the summit of the divine mountain stood an ancient temple.

【Shengyi Shengming Temple】!

“Dong——!”

A leisurely bell tolled from within the temple, radiating peace.

Beyond the grandly opened doors stood a vast and magnificent main hall, within which a golden Buddha statue towered upright.

On either side of the Buddha were numerous Arhats of the Pure Land.

Lü Yang even recognized several familiar faces among them.

These Arhats all bore solemn, dignified expressions, standing guard around the golden Buddha statue. Buddhist light shone from behind their heads. Countless eyes stared straight at the Demon-Suppressing True Person.

Beneath the golden Buddha statue...

The Buddha Child Guang Ming, who bore the appearance of a novice monk with red lips and white teeth, stood with palms joined and a gentle smile on his face, overlooking the Demon-Suppressing True Person as if peering into a cooking pot of meat and fish.

“Splendid, splendid indeed.”

Buddha Child Guang Ming lightly nodded.

“Since 【Wei Tuo Heaven Demon-Suppressing Arhat】 has come in person, he must have realized past karma. Today, he ought to return to his rightful place and attain the true fruition of Arhatship.”

“.”

The Demon-Suppressing True Person gave no reply.

Instead, he looked to the side of Buddha Child Guang Ming—there stood a handsome, refined youth with a composed demeanor.

It was none other than the mortal friend who had once passed on to him the【Sword of No Killing】.

At this moment, the youth also revealed a nostalgic smile, nodding slightly toward him.

His eyes brimmed with comfort, appreciation, and closeness.

Yet upon seeing this, the Demon-Suppressing True Person let out a quiet sigh.

“Why do you sigh, benefactor?”

Buddha Child Guang Ming smiled as he asked. “Could it be that resentment still lingers within your heart? No matter. You may vent it freely. Today, the assembled Arhats are here for just that purpose.”

He did not care in the slightest about the Demon-Suppressing True Person’s attitude.

The Demon-Suppressing True Person was now a bowstring pulled taut—an arrow ready to fire.

His path to achieving the【Sword Dao Fruitional Rank】by offering himself as a sword sacrifice was set in stone.

The only difference was how he would attain it.

If he gave up resisting—

Then all would be well.

The Pure Land would gain a new【Wei Tuo Heaven Demon-Suppressing Arhat】, and would also reap a【No Killing Sword Intent】honed to its utmost limit.

Given time, they might even cultivate their own Fruitional Sword Dao.

If the Demon-Suppressing True Person instead used this chance to unleash a massacre—

He would be even more delighted.

‘I have three thousand monks and countless followers!’

‘All are prepared for you—to kill!’

‘The more you kill, the more savage your slaughter, the more thoroughly your killing intent is purged. The【No Killing Sword Intent】retrieved afterward will be all the purer! The higher its quality!’

From the beginning, the Demon-Suppressing True Person had no choice.

Even whether he came to the Pure Land or not—

Made no difference.

If he came, the Pure Land would sit back and benefit.

If he did not, the Pure Land would take the initiative and draw him in.

No matter how he chose—he was wrong.

“Amitabha!”

Buddha Child Guang Ming once again recited the Buddha’s name, eyes flashing with fervor.

‘Demon-Suppressing... such talent, and with Sword Intent—he’s even more suitable than that Celestial Spirit!’

At that thought, he turned his gaze toward the nearby Evil-Banishing True Person.

“.”

This Foundation Establishment stage cultivator from the Sword Pavilion had now completely lost his sanity—thoroughly entranced by【Obstruction of Knowledge and View】and nearly reduced to a puppet.

Buddha Child Guang Ming mused:

‘To perform the【Buddha Kingdom on Earth】ritual, I need four disciples. I’m still short three. If I can take Demon-Suppressing, the clone of【Ang Xiao】, and that Celestial Spirit Shang Zhang as my disciples... the final ritual shall certainly be of the highest caliber!’

This was his true plan.

As for enlisting【Ang Xiao】to fight Demon-Suppressing earlier?

That was pure deception.

After all, he couldn’t possibly count on a True Lord from the Saint Sect.

From start to finish, what he wanted—was【Ang Xiao】himself.

Helping【Ang Xiao】obtain【White Wax Gold】was a lie.

Tempting him to descend with a clone and then converting him into a disciple—was the real goal!

‘Demon-Suppressing has fallen into the trap.

Without him, the Sword Pavilion is half-crippled. That Celestial Spirit Shang Zhang will never escape my grasp...

Only【Ang Xiao】remains.’

“Senior【Ang Xiao】, the time has come.”

Buddha Child Guang Ming softly called, per their prior arrangement.

Just waiting for【Ang Xiao】to take the bait—

And fall into his trap.

Yet as time passed——

“.”

——nothing happened.

The Evil-Banishing True Person remained standing dazedly where he was, making no move whatsoever.

【Ang Xiao】showed no sign of seizing【White Wax Gold】through him.

“...Hmm?”

Buddha Child Guang Ming slowly furrowed his brows.

“Senior【Ang Xiao】?”

“.”

Still no response.

In an instant, Buddha Child Guang Ming’s expression changed.

Behind him, the Buddhist light of the【Victory-Willed Radiant Tathāgata Manifestation】flared brightly, illuminating a clear thought:

‘What have I forgotten?’

Jiangnan, core region of the Sword Pavilion.

On a chaotic battlefield, an old man strolled leisurely, hands behind his back, smiling with relaxed ease.

He wandered as though unopposed, reaching the Ye family’s ancestral grounds.

“Decades have passed, yet you remain as graceful as ever, my friend.”

The old man entered the Ye residence, glanced at the mountain of corpses and river of blood, his expression unchanged.

He looked straight at Lü Yang’s true body, who was surrounded by countless Banner Spirits.

Lü Yang, however, was on full alert.

‘Yun Family Patriarch!’

This—

Was the one whom Buddha Child Guang Ming had forgotten.

The Evil-Banishing True Person was merely a smokescreen tossed out by【Ang Xiao】.

The Yun Family Patriarch—was his true target!

‘...As expected!’

Lü Yang lowered his gaze.

Earlier, he had spied on the conversation between【Ang Xiao】and Buddha Child Guang Ming through the Yun Family Patriarch—

Yet did nothing afterward.

Because he had suddenly recalled something—something he had nearly forgotten:

Back in the Xuanling Realm, at the【Southern Heavenly Gate】,【Ang Xiao】had already seen the Yun Family Patriarch!

At that time, he was right by Lü Yang’s side and had personally witnessed him controlling the Patriarch!

‘He knows I’m connected to the Yun Family Patriarch!’

‘So his partnership with Buddha Child Guang Ming...

Was a ruse to lure in the Evil-Banishing True Person and seize【White Wax Gold】...

But the true target—was probably me!’

Thinking this, Lü Yang exhaled a deep breath.

Still, he remained unflustered.

This was no longer the past—

He now had the confidence to speak with【Ang Xiao】as an equal.

“A nameless nobody greets the Senior.”

Lü Yang cupped his fists and saluted voluntarily.

However, to his surprise, the【Ang Xiao】who had borrowed the body of the Yun Family Patriarch frowned slightly—

Then let out a light chuckle.

“At this point, why bother with false civility, my friend?”

“Hong Yun! It’s you, isn’t it!”

Lü Yang: “...?”