Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect-Chapter 137: Setting a Trap for Fulong

In the end, Su Nu and the Insect King unanimously decided to have the derivative Qi-eating Insects scout the valley. There were plenty of them, so casualties were not a concern.

Soon enough, however, both the woman and the insect were stunned.

The moment the Qi-eating Insects swarmed into the valley, a wisp of smoke descended upon them. It was impossible to block, even by covering their mouths and noses, and it swept right over them—

Nothing happened.

Not only were Su Nu and the Insect King dumbfounded, but even the smoke itself seemed to falter for a moment before sweeping down again. The result, however, was still the same.

"...It’s the soul."

Outside Gourd Island, Lü Yang saw what was happening. ’The lesser Qi-eating Insects have no souls, only instinct. The consciousness of the entire Qi-Eating Insect Swarm is actually concentrated within the Insect King... The smoke has no effect on the Qi-eating Insects, which means it doesn’t harm the physical body. Does it primarily affect the soul?’

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out.

"You, Perfected Person! How shameless!"

The voice came from the center of Gourd Island. It was crisp and pleasant, yet held a hint of childishness. Though filled with anger, it sounded almost like a playful pout.

Immediately after, a loud BANG was heard.

Inside the Gourd Island valley, the red light parted, revealing the valley’s true appearance. A Magic Altar stood there, and resting upon it was a broken sword, as scarlet as blood.

The red glow that had filled the valley was the light of the sun and moon falling upon the sword and reflecting outward. Merely lying on the Magic Altar, it exuded a boundless killing intent, as if there was nothing in the world it could not slay. An image of a hellish landscape was even etched upon its blade.

The next moment, the red light on the sword condensed into One Qi.

A little girl, about seven or eight years old, dressed in a red cotton-padded jacket with her hair in pigtails that stuck straight up, leaped cheerfully from the longsword on the Magic Altar.

"I’m talking to you! You bad Perfected Person!"

The girl planted her hands on her hips, tilted her little head up, and shouted at Lü Yang outside Gourd Island, "You’re already here. Don’t you know the rules?"

"If you have no intention of taking me, why did you come looking for me?"

"Oh...?"

Lü Yang’s eyebrows rose slightly. He found that as the girl appeared, the previously inscrutable Karma Links had become clear, and understanding dawned on him.

’So that’s how it is... There really are rules.’

The little girl—or rather, the scarlet broken sword on the Magic Altar in the valley, and indeed the entire Gourd Island—was a Sentient Artifact left behind by a Great Perfected of the Stain Sect.

It was named Gourd Island, but it was actually a gourd. It contained a wisp of Soul-Devouring Smoke; even a Perfected Person caught in this smoke would have their Divine Soul thrown into chaos. As for the scarlet broken sword, it was the former personal weapon of that Great Perfected, nourished over many years with his Innate Ability until it transformed into a Sentient Artifact.

At this thought, Lü Yang couldn’t help but marvel.

’Two Sentient Artifacts. Although neither has reached the Upper Grade of the Prophetic Orrery, which possesses a Divine Effect, they are still a considerable boon for someone at the Foundation Establishment stage...’

But if that was the case, why had no one claimed them?

Lü Yang felt no secret joy, only growing vigilance. ’After all, this is the Stain Sect. Every single opportunity in the Stain Sect comes with a hidden catch!’

Soon, Lü Yang divined the answer.

’The Great Perfected who left this Gourd Island was gravely injured and close to reincarnation. So, when he left behind the Sentient Artifacts, he also left behind a massive karmic link.’

’Whoever takes Gourd Island must guide his reincarnated self back to the sect.’

The karmic links of a Great Perfected often involve their Fruit of Attainment and are unbelievably heavy. Even other Great Truemen would not want to get involved, fearing they would be dragged down as well.

’However... this is perfect for me!’

Lü Yang’s eyes instantly lit up. It was a joke! Wasn’t Progenitor Tingyou also a Great Perfected in his day? He’d dared to accept that karmic link, so one more wouldn’t make a difference.

’In for a penny, in for a pound!’

Thinking this, Lü Yang let out a clear laugh. "Daoist, why would you think that? Since I have come here, it is naturally my intention to ask for your assistance."

The girl was stunned by his words.

"Really? You intend to take me?"

In an instant, the anger vanished from the girl’s face, replaced by a look of hope mixed with fear of being deceived. "You’re not lying? You’re really not afraid of accepting my karmic links?"

"Of course!"

Lü Yang spoke with utter conviction. Before his voice had even faded, he felt an immense, mountain-like karmic link emerge and press down on him with a crash. Though it was not a physical entity, it made his heart feel heavy. But he quickly put his mind at ease.

’Karmic debt? I’m a deadbeat!’

Immediately, the girl in the valley let out a cheer. Her figure then vanished, replaced by the sound of a sword’s cry that pierced the heavens!

SHRIEK—!

The sword’s cry could shatter metal and stone. Amidst the sound, the entire Gourd Island disintegrated and shrank, shaking out Su Nu and the Qi-Eating Insect King before revealing the true forms of two Sentient Artifacts.

As he circulated his Mana, the names of the two Sentient Artifacts became clear in Lü Yang’s mind.

[Abi Sword]

[Soul-Devouring Gourd]

Lü Yang reached out and caught both items, feeling greatly satisfied. He casually hung the gourd from his waist while the broken sword transformed into a streak of light and vanished into his sleeve.

Just then, two beams of Flying Light suddenly shot over from the distance.

Only when they drew near Lü Yang did the Flying Lights finally halt and part, revealing two figures. They were both old acquaintances of Lü Yang.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Yin Shan."

Lü Yang first cupped his hands in greeting to Perfected Yin Shan, who had arrived first. Then he turned to the person beside him, an equally friendly smile on his face.

"...Greetings, Master of Heaven Mending Peak."

In response to Lü Yang’s salute, the Master of Heaven Mending Peak replied with equal enthusiasm. "Yuan Tu, don’t be a stranger! When you first joined the Stain Sect, it was on my Heaven Mending Peak."

"You should come visit my Heaven Mending Peak more often in the future."

At this, the Master of Heaven Mending Peak’s expression suddenly turned mischievous. "To be honest with you, my daughter, Shu Qian, has recently been practicing the Blissful Demon Dance... If you have the time, Daoist, you should come and enjoy the performance. I guarantee it will be worth your while. A cultivator should balance work and rest, after all!"

’This old coot, what kind of person does he take me for?’

"Definitely! Definitely!"

For a moment, Lü Yang and the Master of Heaven Mending Peak chatted away like old friends, only stopping when several more beams of Flying Light arrived.

Soon, however, the Perfected Persons who arrived later began to speak with disdain.

"I was wondering which Sentient Artifact’s birth was causing such a phenomenon. Turns out it’s just Gourd Island."

"Someone actually dared to accept its karmic links?"

"It’s the newly promoted Yuan Tu... Impressive for a junior."

"The last person who accepted these karmic links is still in the process of reincarnating. How many years do you think it’ll be before this one dies violently? I bet a hundred years. I’ll wager a Foundation Establishment Helper on it."

"Fifty years..."

The crowd didn’t bother to hide their discussions, but Lü Yang remained perfectly calm and composed. This, in turn, made these bastards who were deliberately trying to intimidate him feel that it was all rather boring.

Soon, everyone dispersed one by one.

Lü Yang had reason to suspect that if not for the immense karmic links attached to Gourd Island, this pack of bastards might have actually tried to rob him of his Sentient Artifacts!

"Yuan Tu, you were a bit reckless this time."

Seeing the crowd leave, Perfected Yin Shan finally stepped closer and said with a frown, "The karmic links behind Gourd Island are immense... They will inevitably slow your cultivation."

Lü Yang, however, shook his head. "Senior Brother, you’re mistaken."

"Slowing my cultivation is a problem for the future. The Fruit of my Dao Foundation has fallen into the Pure Land. Even if I cultivate quickly, it will be very difficult for me to attain a Golden Core in the future."

"And if I want to attain a Golden Core, my only path is to wait for Master Chong Guang to achieve his breakthrough first, and then have him support me... That being the case, why should I be obsessed with the progress of my own cultivation?

I should first do everything in my power to complete the tasks Master has assigned me and help him successfully ascend and Seek Gold, no matter the cost!"

After speaking, Lü Yang even made a point of cupping his hands toward Holy Fire Cliff.

To put it plainly, it came down to one word: loyalty!

After hearing this speech, Perfected Yin Shan was silent for a moment. Then he clapped Lü Yang on the shoulder and said with emotion, "Junior Brother, you are destined for great things."

Almost simultaneously, Perfected Chong Guang’s voice traveled from Holy Fire Cliff.

"The task of annihilating the Divine Martial Sect will be left to Yuan Tu."

"If you have any needs, just ask."

—This was the exact sentence Lü Yang had been waiting for.

The mere Divine Martial Sect alone was not enough to satisfy Lü Yang’s appetite.

Having received Perfected Chong Guang’s approval, Lü Yang now even had the authority to command other Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Stain Sect. He would certainly make good use of such a huge advantage.

’Calculating the time, Senior Brother Zhao should be attempting his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment soon, right?’

’In this life, I originally planned for him to take a fatal blow for me, but it turned out I didn’t need him... Still, he’s a rare talent. I can’t let him go to waste.’

Lü Yang’s plan was simple:

He would use Zhao Xuhe as bait to lure out Arhat Fulong, and then, borrowing the power of the Stain Sect, eliminate him in one fell swoop!