Chapter 442: Reclaiming the True Body, Falsely Holding the Golden Position!

Jiangxi, Pure Land.

Buddha light filled the skies as the towering 【Manifestation of the Heaven of Victory and Enlightened Illumination】 rose from the earth, palms pressed together in prayer. The sound of chanting reverberated through more than half of Jiangxi.

Behind this grand Dharma manifestation stood two disciples who had already returned to their positions — the Dao Court’s King of Southern Suppression, Wu Taian, and the Evil-Banishing True Person — both bursting forth with their own surging qi auras. The Evil-Banishing True Person’s fruit position pointed toward 【White Wax Gold】, while King Wu Taian’s pointed toward 【Mountain Peak Fire】.

Above the firmament, the stars shimmered into sight.

That said, the goal was not truly for the Evil-Banishing True Person or Wu Taian to successfully attain the golden core, but rather that they could manifest their fruit positions — that alone would suffice.

‘If the fruit positions manifest, they can be drawn into the 【Buddha Kingdom】.’

‘Once I attain 【City Wall Earth】, I can take command of the 【Buddha Kingdom】’s supreme authority, thereby indirectly controlling the other fruit positions drawn into it.’

Unfortunately, times were no longer as they once were.

In the past, 【City Wall Earth】 had been sealed by the Pure Land through the unity of all beings; none but a Buddhist cultivator could attain it, ensuring that the 【Buddha Kingdom】 would never fall into outsider hands.

Now, however, if the Pure Land failed to attain 【City Wall Earth】 the moment the 【Buddha Kingdom】 manifested, and instead any of the other four elemental fruit positions successfully reached the golden stage, then that person could immediately seize the advantage through the might of a True Lord—reversing host and guest—and turn the Pure Land’s 【Buddha Kingdom on Earth】 into a mere wedding gown prepared for their own benefit!

What was this?

From Jiangxi, through his sword-path incarnation, Lü Yang watched the scene unfold before his eyes and suddenly comprehended:

‘This is a fateful chance—an opportunity to ascend in a single step! The 【Buddha Kingdom】 possesses the complete Five Elements along with one supreme fruit position. This is a configuration fit only for an 【Angxiao】!’

In other words—whoever ultimately grasped control of the 【Buddha Kingdom on Earth】...

...would have the hope of becoming the next 【Angxiao】!

“Boom!”

At that instant, a thunderous explosion erupted. Two more qi auras shot toward the heavens, drawing divine radiance down as two fruit-position constellations took form in the sky.

【Pomegranate Wood】!

【Spring Well Water】!

In Jiangnan, the earth split open as surging earth veins gathered around a stone-bodied figure stepping forth—it was none other than Lü Yang’s former immortal spirit body!

On the other side, within the Sword Pavilion, another figure walked out—

【Xiangye】.

This last remaining Great Foundation-Completion True Person of the Saint Sect had clearly gained immensely within the Sword Pavilion; the manifestation of the fruit position 【Spring Well Water】 was thanks to him.

Both men bore karmic ties to Buddhism. Seeing the opportunity of the 【Buddha Kingdom on Earth】, with their level of cultivation, it was impossible for them not to perceive the underlying cause and effect. Thus, they no longer resisted, even actively emerging to aid in the manifestation of the 【Buddha Kingdom on Earth】—each vying for that heaven-ascending opportunity!

At this moment, every faction was ready.

Though the Pure Land had suffered heavy losses, it was not without its hidden cards. After all, the long-sealed 【City Wall Earth】 surely had some countermeasures in place.

Xiangye, too, had his own plans.

As for the immortal spirit Shang Zhang, there was even less to say—he had Heaven’s aid, and his fate’s blessing made his rising qi momentum the swiftest among all.

“At such a time… an immortal spirit emerges!”

The world shook; countless discussions erupted.

Many Foundation-Establishment True Persons fixed their gaze upon the immortal spirit Shang Zhang—for an immortal spirit of Great Completion had long been thought a mere legend.

Those of high standing among the great sects knew well the taboos surrounding immortal spirits.

Originally, it should have been the four Foundation-Completion True Persons contending for the True Lord’s seat. Yet now, there appeared an inborn, naturally nurtured Great Completion immortal spirit—

Could he truly pluck the fruit of victory from their hands?

At this moment, many cultivators of the Foundation-Establishment realm had the same thought—and even Shang Zhang himself could not help but think so.

After all, aside from himself, who were the rest but rabble?

The Pure Land’s 【Manifestation of the Heaven of Victory and Enlightened Illumination】 had lost its anchor, Guang Ming, and its power was vastly reduced; the Evil-Banishing True Person was half-dead; Xiangye had been through countless battles and carried lingering injuries; Wu Taian hailed from the Dao Court—

“This battle—victory is mine!”

The immortal spirit Shang Zhang let out a triumphant roar, brimming with confidence, preparing to soar toward the Pure Land.

But in the very next instant—his vision suddenly dimmed.

“…Eh?”

A hand.

A long, slender, flawless hand appeared out of thin air, cutting off his path. It hung between heaven and earth, casting a vast shadow down upon him.

“Who goes there!?”

Instinctively, Shang Zhang erupted with his full qi might—five divine abilities emerged in succession, raising spiritual tides that swept across ten thousand li.

Yet, even such an overwhelming tide—its collisions of spirit producing earth, water, wind, and fire, with lightning exploding through the heavens—all of it was absorbed effortlessly into that hand. The blazing spiritual flames struck it, but could not even scorch the skin, as its five fingers slowly closed.

‘Impossible… impossible!’

This was no Foundation Establishment!

Shang Zhang knew his own strength—there was no way any Foundation-Establishment True Person in the world could counter his divine powers like this!

Even the Demon-Suppressing True Person could not—unless he drew his sword!

Yet this hand had not mobilized a single shred of spiritual power—it simply manifested and grasped him from the void!

Such power could only belong to—

‘A True Lord!? Impossible!’

Shang Zhang raised his head toward the heavens—【Wall Earth】 still shone, its light ever brighter, but not yet strong enough to sustain the descent of a True Lord.

Where could a True Lord come from!?

‘Heavenly Lord… save me!’

Shang Zhang cried out in desperation—but the familiar divine concern of Heaven’s will that he had always felt… was suddenly and utterly gone.

In the next second, the immortal spirit Shang Zhang’s grand ambitions and infinite aspirations shattered like illusions. The giant hand seized him, the world spun—and when he looked up again, he saw a face more familiar than any other.

“…It’s you!?”

Shang Zhang froze. Lü Yang no longer hid his presence; his qi surged as he gazed calmly upon him, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

“So, the day has finally come?”

Decades ago, he had been nothing more than a toy in Shang Zhang’s palm—unable even to die by his own will. Yet now, their positions had reversed completely.

With a single thought, a black hall materialized upon Lü Yang’s palm—shrunken countless times, it was the 【Yama Palace】. But now, it brimmed with dense incense energy, and a blazing golden attribute burned within, raising Lü Yang’s divine rank ever higher.

【Yama Palace】!

“Impossible…”

Elsewhere, the 【Angxiao】 possessing the Yun Family Ancestor lost composure for the first time, staring wide-eyed at Lü Yang’s calm expression.

“There’s nothing impossible.”

Lü Yang smirked and, with a flick of his wrist, cast the immortal spirit Shang Zhang into the 【Yama Palace】. At the same time, a natural talent took effect upon that immortal spirit.

【Seizing the Nest of Another】!

‘What was once mine… shall return to me!’

The immortal spirit’s true body, soul, and the divine abilities linked to 【Pomegranate Wood】 were all reclaimed by Lü Yang under the effect of 【Seizing the Nest of Another】!

Meanwhile, his qi grew ever more intense—

Until, at last, he broke through an invisible threshold.

“Boom!”

Lü Yang’s eyes snapped open.

At some unknown point, his pupils had turned golden—like two flames burning in their depths. The world he now saw was utterly transformed.

【Overturning Lamp Fire】—illuminating what the sun and moon cannot, revealing what lies unseen between heaven and earth.

The next moment, Lü Yang lowered his gaze toward 【Angxiao】.

“Daoist Friend, where do you think you’re going?”

“…” 【Angxiao】 fell silent.

He seemed to wish to hide himself using the 【Obstruction of Knowledge and View】, but this time—his invincible technique failed before Lü Yang’s eyes.

This outcome alone made clear a truth that no one could deny:

“In today’s world, with no True Lords manifest… none may stand against this man!”