Boom!
As Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon vanished, a pillar of light pierced through the heavens and the earth, shooting straight into the clouds. It bathed the entire Jiangxi region in a magnificent golden radiance.
"Amitabha..."
Inside the Mahavira Hall, a Buddhist chant resonated. The face of the majestic [Supreme Truth Enlightenment Tuoluo Heaven Manifestation] revealed a look of distinct urgency.
[City Rampart Earth] had lost control.
The Pure Land's state of one mind had been broken. Consequently, the seal used to suppress [City Rampart Earth] wavered. The Supreme Dao Fruit was about to fly out of the Pure Land!
Things have come to this... the only choice is to seek victory amidst danger.
With this thought, [Supreme Truth Enlightenment Tuoluo Heaven Manifestation] simply stopped wasting energy trying to suppress the rampage of [City Rampart Earth]. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Perfected One Warding-Evil beside him. With a shift of his will, a strand of Buddhist destiny fell upon the Sword Pavilion Perfected One, who already looked half-dead.
Emergency measures; there is no other way.
Almost simultaneously, King Zhen Nan, Wu Taian from the Dao Court, appeared beside him. Including Perfected One Warding-Evil, two disciples had now returned to their positions.
Forcefully open the [Buddha Kingdom on Earth]!
Even if [City Rampart Earth] is out of control, it doesn't matter. As long as I, a Buddhist Cultivator, am the one to ultimately attain [City Rampart Earth], the result will not change!
What is the [Buddha Kingdom on Earth]?
As the name suggests, it is essentially using the earth element supreme fruit, [City Rampart Earth], as a foundation to open up a [Buddha Kingdom] similar in nature to the [Netherworld].
The reason the ritual required accepting four disciples was to have them seek Golden Core and pull in the other four Dao Fruits to complete the five elements for the [Buddha Kingdom]. Then, with the Buddhist Cultivator as the primary lead, they would control the [Buddha Kingdom], supplemented by the secret method passed down by the World Honored One, thereby achieving the effect of a "False Dao Lord Stature."
Originally, the plan was perfect.
Under the state of one mind, only a Buddhist Cultivator could control [City Rampart Earth], and only through [City Rampart Earth] could one control the final attained [Buddha Kingdom].
However, things were different now.
[City Rampart Earth] was out of control, and the [Buddha Kingdom] was ownerless. Infinite variables immediately sprang up. One slip up, and the Pure Land might end up doing all the work just to pave the way for someone else!
Meanwhile, in Jiangnan, at the Sword Pavilion.
"Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, what do you think?"
[Sky-shrouding] withdrew his gaze and chuckled softly, "I told you long ago, the so-called [Sword Dao Fruit] is nothing but the moon in the water, a flower in the mirror."
Despite his words, his face was filled with admiration. He had guessed that Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon surely had a backup plan, but the final setup still amazed him. "With only Foundation Establishment cultivation, this man has achieved the ultimate. He has practically pushed the Sword Pavilion and the Pure Land to opposite sides and become Dao enemy."
"Now there's going to be a good show to watch."
Speaking of this, [Sky-shrouding] looked intrigued. "What 'righteous path'? In the end, aren't they just like my Saint Sect, dogs eating dogs for profit?"
He saw the Pure Land's intentions clearly.
Forcefully starting the [Buddha Kingdom on Earth] ritual was a gamble to produce a Perfected Lord, who would then uproot the [Sword Dao Fruit] and turn the tide.
And the Sword Pavilion clearly had the same idea...
Boom!
The next second, Lu Yang looked up at the sky. He saw [Wall-Top Earth], which had previously dimmed, shining brightly once more, staring straight down.
Unlike the Sword Pavilion, the Pure Land at least had the [Buddha Kingdom on Earth] ritual to gamble with, to attempt seek the Golden Core. The Sword Pavilion, however, had no Golden Core seeds left. There was no one who could seek a Golden Core and ascend to the position. Therefore, the only ones who could act were the Perfected Lords currently in seclusion!
[Sky-shrouding] saw this and laughed immediately. "They're anxious!"
That's right, the Sword Pavilion was anxious!
After all, if the Pure Land really managed to uproot the [Sword Dao Fruit], the Sword Pavilion's planning over so many years would be ruined. They would have to start from scratch.
How could they allow that?
Seeing this scene, Lu Yang couldn't help but marvel inwardly at how beautifully Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon had calculated this. He had practically factored everyone into his scheme.
Saving people is secondary!
Given the current situation of the Sword Pavilion's Perfected Lords, if they really have to send a Perfected Lord to force their way into the lower realm at the cost of burning their Grotto-Heaven, there is likely only one candidate...
[Perfected Lord Chengtian Zhengde]!
Because this Perfected Lord was already approaching his limit and had the lowest cultivation. Now that a sacrifice was needed for the great cause of the Sword Pavilion, if not him, then who?
And as long as [Perfected Lord Chengtian Zhengde] forced his way down, regardless of the outcome, his days would be numbered. It was equivalent to Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon using this layer of calculation to indirectly kill the Perfected Lord who had once blocked his path! He even managed to make the Pure Land hold a grudge against him from now on!
A trap within a trap!
Even better, regardless of whether the Pure Land won or the Sword Pavilion won, Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon wouldn't lose. At the very least, he would achieve part of his goal.
If the Pure Land won and the [Sword Dao Fruit] was destroyed, he would have avenged the grudge of the Sword Pavilion manipulating half his life.
If the Sword Pavilion won and the Pure Land lost its state of one mind forever, he would have saved countless Buddhist Cultivators, which also fulfilled his goal from when he was alive.
In this situation, unless a Dao Lord intervenes... there is no solution!
Thinking of this, Lu Yang looked up at the sky, revealing a hint of expectation.
The one mind is the foundation of the Pure Land, and the [Sword Dao Fruit] is something the Sword Pavilion is determined to obtain. Logically speaking, neither of the two Dao Lords should ignore this...
Would a Dao Lord make a move?
If they really did, then dying would be worth the price of admission!
"Fellow Daoist, it's better not to overthink it."
On the other side, [Sky-shrouding] clearly guessed Lu Yang's thoughts and laughed. "This matter is not small, but it hasn't touched the Dao Lord's bottom line yet."
This still hadn't?
Facing Lu Yang's questioning gaze, [Sky-shrouding] shook his head. "Indeed, it hasn't. For the Dao Lords, their only bottom line is this heaven and earth..."
Speaking of this, [Sky-shrouding] was clearly secretive and decisively changed the topic. "With the situation developing to this stage, where do you plan to go, Fellow Daoist? Do you still want to wade into this muddy water? Why not follow me into the [Netherworld]? I can find a Dao Fruit for you to settle in there..."
Lu Yang heard this and immediately looked tempted. "Is that true?"
[Sky-shrouding] nodded with a smile. "It is true."
Bullshit!
You think I don't know? In my past life, you painted the same pie for me and the Dragon Race. In reality, what Dao Fruit in the [Netherworld] do you have to give to anyone?
Recruiting is fake; conning someone into being a thug is the truth!
With this thought, Lu Yang instantly gave up the idea of continuing to communicate with [Sky-shrouding] to fish for information... And at this point, it was no longer necessary.
Lu Yang flicked his sleeves and stood up.
"Hmm?"
With just this one action, [Sky-shrouding] immediately noticed something was wrong. He frowned subconsciously, feeling a subtle change in Lu Yang's aura.
What is he doing?
[Sky-shrouding] subconsciously assessed the current situation.
[City Rampart Earth] was out of control, the Pure Land was forcing the [Buddha Kingdom on Earth] ritual, and all the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivators in the world with hopes of seeking Golden Core would inevitably catch wind of this and gather in Jiangxi.
At the same time, the Sword Pavilion would likely force a Perfected Lord to manifest.
In this situation, what did he want to do?
What could he do?
In this moment, countless guesses spawned in [Sky-shrouding]'s heart, only to be denied by him one by one. Little did he know that Lu Yang's thought at this moment was extremely simple—
If the Dao Lord really won't act, then what do I have to fear?
[City Rampart Earth] and the [Sword Dao Fruit] are worth a gamble. Grabbing one is a profit; grabbing two means I can just restart this life immediately...
The time has come!
With method to falsely Holding Golden Stature—I'll take them all!