Chapter 137: Laying a Trap to Plot Against Fulong
In the end, Su Nu and the Insect King still unanimously decided to let the spawned Qi-Devouring Insects enter the valley to scout the way, since their numbers were vast and there was no need to worry about casualties.
However, very soon, both of them were stunned.
Because the moment the Qi-Devouring Insects swarmed into the valley, a wisp of smoke fell upon them, bypassing their mouths and noses, and swept over them in one stroke—
Yet, nothing happened.
Not only were Su Nu and the Insect King dumbfounded, but even that wisp of smoke seemed a little unresponsive.
It swept down again, but the result was still the same—nothing happened.
“It targets the soul.”
Outside of Gourd Island, Lü Yang noticed something unusual: “The spawn of the Qi-Devouring Insects have no souls, only instinct. The consciousness of the entire Qi-Devouring Insect swarm is actually concentrated in the Insect King. This smoke is ineffective against the Qi-Devouring Insects, meaning it does no harm to the physical body, but mainly targets the soul?”
At this moment, a voice suddenly rang out:
“You, you shameless True Person!”
The voice came from the center of Gourd Island, crisp and pleasant, carrying a hint of childishness. Though it sounded angry, it came off more like coquettish whining.
Immediately after, a loud explosion was heard.
Within the valley of Gourd Island, the red light split in two, revealing the true appearance of the valley—it was actually an altar, upon which lay a blood-red broken sword.
The red light that filled the valley was the radiance of the sun and moon falling upon the sword, reflecting off it. Just lying across that altar, it exuded boundless killing intent, as if there was nothing in the world it could not cut down.
The sword’s body was even engraved with a scene of a hellish landscape.
In the next second, the red light on the sword condensed into a stream of Qi.
A girl, about seven or eight years old, wearing a red cotton-padded jacket with a high ponytail, leapt out from the long sword on the altar, skipping and bouncing.
“I'm talking to you! Bad True Person!”
The little girl stood with her hands on her hips, tilting her small head as she loudly spoke toward Lü Yang outside of Gourd Island: “Since you’ve come, don’t you know the rules here?”
“If you have no intention, why bother seeking me out?”
“Hoh.”
Lü Yang raised his eyebrows slightly and found that with the appearance of the little girl, the previously unfathomable heavenly secrets had become clear, and he immediately understood.
“So that’s how it is. There really are rules.”
The little girl—or rather, that blood-red broken sword on the altar, and even the entire Gourd Island—were all spirit treasures left behind by a great True Person of the Primordial Saint Sect.
Named Gourd Island, it was actually a gourd that contained a wisp of 【Soul-Scattering Spirit-Seizing Smoke】. Even a True Person would lose their senses if caught by this smoke.
As for the blood-red broken sword, it was once the companion sword of that great True Person, nurtured with innate divine abilities over many years until it transformed into a spirit treasure.
At this thought, Lü Yang could not help but marvel in his heart:
“Two spirit treasures. Although neither has reached the superior grade of possessing 【Divine Marvel】 like the Ultimate Heaven Instrument, they are still significant aids for someone at the Foundation Establishment Realm.”
But if that were the case, why had no one claimed them?
Instead of feeling pleased, Lü Yang grew even more cautious. After all, this was the Saint Sect, and every opportunity here had a hidden pitfall!
Soon, Lü Yang figured out the answer.
“The great True Person who left behind Gourd Island was seriously injured and near death, about to reincarnate. So while leaving the spirit treasures behind, he also left a great karmic bond.”
“Whoever claims Gourd Island must also guide his reincarnated self back.”
Such karma from a great True Person often involved their position and was unimaginably heavy.
Even other great True Persons would avoid getting entangled, fearing being dragged down with it.
“However... it’s actually perfect for me!”
Lü Yang’s eyes lit up instantly. What a joke! Wasn’t Ancestor Nether Wishper once a great True Person? He dared to take on that karma, so taking on another one didn’t matter.
What’s one more debt when you’re already drowning in them?
Thinking of this, Lü Yang laughed loudly: “Why would you think that way, Daoist Friend? Since I’ve come here, naturally, I intend to ask for your assistance.”
As soon as these words fell, the little girl was momentarily stunned.
“Really? You actually want me?”
In an instant, the little girl’s anger disappeared. She showed a look of hope mixed with worry, fearing she was being deceived: “You’re not lying to me? You’re truly not afraid of taking on my karma?”
“Of course!”
Lü Yang replied decisively.
Before his words even fell, he felt a vast and overwhelming karmic force suddenly emerge, crashing down upon him.
Even though it wasn’t physical, it still made him feel somewhat heavy-hearted. However, he quickly relaxed.
Karmic debt? I’m an expert at dodging it!
Immediately, the little girl in the valley let out a cheer and then disappeared, replaced by a sword cry that pierced through the clouds!
“Li——!”
The sword cry shattered stone and split gold.
The entire Gourd Island disintegrated with that sound, shrinking down, spitting out Su Nu and the Qi-Devouring Insect King, and revealing two spirit treasures in their true forms.
As he channeled his mana, Lü Yang instantly became aware of the names of the two spirit treasures.
【Abi Sword】
【Thirty-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd】
Lü Yang reached out and caught both of them, feeling extremely satisfied. He casually hung the gourd on his waist while the broken sword turned into light and was stored within his sleeve.
Just then, two streaks of escape light suddenly flew in from the distance.
When they approached Lü Yang, the escape lights stopped and parted, revealing two figures—both old acquaintances of Lü Yang.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Yinshan.”
Lü Yang first cupped his hands toward the first arrival, Yinshan True Person, then turned to the person beside him with the same friendly smile:
“Greetings, Peak Master of Mending Heaven Peak.”
Facing Lü Yang’s salute, the Peak Master of Mending Heaven Peak responded enthusiastically: “Yuan Tu, you’re too distant. Didn’t you first join the Saint Sect at my Mending Heaven Peak?”
“You must come visit my Mending Heaven Peak more often in the future.”
At this point, the Peak Master’s expression turned a bit mischievous: “To be honest, my daughter Shuqian has been rehearsing the Heavenly Demon Dance of Ultimate Bliss recently. If you have time, you should come and enjoy the performance. I guarantee it will be worth your while. After all, cultivation should be balanced with relaxation!”
Old fox, who do you think I am?
“Definitely! Definitely!”
For a moment, Lü Yang and the Peak Master of Mending Heaven Peak chatted like old friends, until several more escape lights flew in, bringing the conversation to a halt.
However, the later arrivals soon expressed their disdain aloud:
“I wondered what spirit treasure was being born. So it’s just Gourd Island.”
“Someone actually dared to take on that karma?”
“It’s the newly advanced Yuan Tu. Quite impressive.”
“The last person who took on this karma is still reincarnating. How many years do you think this one has left before dying suddenly? I bet one hundred years, wagering a Foundation Establishment treasure.”
“Fifty years.”
They made no effort to hide their discussions, but Lü Yang remained completely unfazed, which only made these provocateurs feel bored.
Soon, everyone dispersed once more.
Lü Yang had reason to suspect that if it weren’t for the overwhelming karma of Gourd Island, these beasts might have tried to rob him of the spirit treasures!
“Yuan Tu, you’ve been a bit reckless this time.”
Seeing everyone leave, Yinshan True Person finally approached with a frown and said, “The karma behind Gourd Island is enormous. It will definitely slow down your cultivation.”
However, Lü Yang shook his head and replied: “Senior Brother, you are mistaken.”
“Delaying cultivation is a matter for the future. The fruit position corresponding to my Dao Foundation lies in the Pure Land. Even if I cultivate quickly, it will still be difficult to attain the Golden Core in the future.”
“And if I want to achieve the Golden Core, I must wait for Uncle-Master Chong Guang to succeed first, and then he can support me. Since that is the case, why should I be fixated on cultivation progress? I should instead give my all to complete the tasks arranged by Uncle-Master, at any cost, to help him ascend smoothly and strive for the Golden Core!”
After saying this, Lü Yang even cupped his hands in the direction of Sacred Fire Cliff.
In simpler terms—loyalty!
After hearing this, Yinshan True Person fell silent for a moment, then patted Lü Yang’s shoulder and sighed: “Junior Brother, you are truly capable of great things.”
Almost at the same time, the voice of Chong Guang True Person also came from Sacred Fire Cliff:
“This time, the task of eradicating the Divine Martial Sect will be entrusted to Yuan Tu.”
“If you have any needs, feel free to ask.”
——This was exactly what Lü Yang wanted to hear.
A mere Divine Martial Sect could not satisfy Lü Yang’s appetite.
Now that he had obtained Chong Guang True Person’s approval, Lü Yang even had the authority to mobilize other Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Saint Sect.
Of course, he had to make the most of such an advantage.
“By my calculation, Senior Brother Zhao should be preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment soon, right?”
“In this lifetime, I originally planned to have him take a calamity on my behalf, but I didn’t end up using him. Such a rare talent must not be wasted.”
Lü Yang’s plan was very simple:
He would use Zhao Xuhe to bait out Fulong Arhat, and then leverage the power of the Saint Sect to eliminate him in one fell swoop!