Chapter 418: Returning to the Saint Sect

Overseas, the waves surged, the tides rolled like a thousand mountains.

"Finally, it is over."

As Bodhisattva Guangming’s avatar shattered, 【Buddha-Kingdom on Earth】 dimmed. In the distance, Hong Ju and Xiang Ye finally let out a breath, feeling greatly relieved.

After all, the oppressive might of Bodhisattva Guangming was far too overwhelming. Not only because of the background of the Pure Land World-Honored One, but his own strength was equally terrifying. In this era, perhaps only one person could surpass him. Thus, even though Guangming had shown them no interest, they still felt like thorns pierced their backs.

Especially Hong Ju, who exhaled a long turbid breath.

As for Xiang Ye, it was different. He had long cultivated a Blessed Land. Although he had not yet refined his Metallic Nature, he at least had the capital to contend with Guangming.

But Hong Ju was not the same.

His entire life was completely dependent on Hong Yun’s Metallic Nature. His fate was sealed. He himself possessed no Metallic Nature, nor could he possibly refine a Blessed Land of his own.

Thus, even at the Great Circle of Foundation Establishment, he was merely a blank slate. With profound methods and techniques, he might surpass the Heavenly Jiao by a hair’s breadth—but that was all. Nothing more. If he had been the one to face Guangming just now, he would likely already be gravely injured, fleeing in a pitiful state.

"Let us go. We should meet that Fellow Daoist Lü."

Xiang Ye drew in a deep breath, putting aside any pretense. Just as he stepped forward, however, the heavens suddenly resounded with a deafening roar of surging waters.

"Rumble—!"

The source of the sound was none other than Lü Yang, seated upon the firmament. His entire being was enveloped by the boundless radiance emanating from the 【Xuandu Blessed Land】.

‘He is injured too?’

Xiang Ye was doubtful, secretly pondering:

‘No, he must be injured. That was a Bodhisattva. Even if it was only an avatar, to slay it without injury? Impossible. If it had been Dàng Mo, perhaps it would be believable.’

His guess, however, was not precise. Lü Yang indeed bore no wounds—not because his strength exceeded Guangming’s, but because he had been cunning. He had used the 【Jade Gui of Union and Separation】, obtained from the Dragon Palace Treasury, to endure Bodhisattva Guangming’s strike. At this moment, he was still working to dissolve the Buddhist radiance and Dharma power sealed within the Gui.

‘A Bodhisattva… truly has some tricks.’

Lü Yang sat cross-legged, hands forming the lotus-holding mudra. Endless streams of mana surged into the 【Jade Gui of Union and Separation】—yet it was like pouring a cup of water into a cartload of firewood, utterly insufficient.

In the faintness, he seemed to glimpse a colossal palm.

The palm print was full and round, its five fingers lustrous, exuding an air of jade-like "Perfection". In a daze, Lü Yang could even hear the sound of scripture chanting emanating from it.

At the sight, his eyes narrowed.

‘If this palm had truly struck me directly, even if I did not die, I would be half-crippled. The outcome would not have been a grand victory, but mutual destruction.’

With that thought, his gaze brightened:

‘Once I refine this palm, I can store it within the 【Jade Gui of Union and Separation】. When the time is right, I will unleash it to strike my enemies.’

Using the opponent’s Dao against them!

That was the true marvel of the 【Jade Gui of Union and Separation】. Otherwise, if it had been merely a tribulation-diverting treasure, it would never have been qualified to be stored in the Dragon Palace Treasury.

As Lü Yang pondered, his brows lifted slightly.

From the distance, two streams of light descended softly. They did not rashly approach, but instead halted at a respectful distance and bowed formally:

"Xiang Ye of the Saint Sect."

"Hong Ju of the Saint Sect."

"We greet Fellow Daoist!"

The two paid homage together, making Suohuan, who stood behind Lü Yang, reveal a complicated expression.

They were all cultivators from Beyond the Heavens. So why such disparity in treatment?

He had lived overseas for centuries, yet was always addressed as nothing more than a "Heavenly Rogue Cultivator". The four great powers discarded him like worn shoes. But Lü Yang had been here less than a single day, and already the Saint Sect’s True Persons had come forward, addressing him as "Fellow Daoist".

"We greet the two Fellow Daoists."

Lü Yang did not posture. He rose and returned the courtesy. Yet, his gaze lingered with slight surprise upon Xiang Ye, whose appearance was utterly different from his memory.

He had aged.

In Lü Yang’s impression, Xiang Ye was a youthful Daoist. Yet now, Xiang Ye appeared as an elderly man with kind brows, white hair, and childlike complexion.

His vitality was waning. Why?

Perhaps sensing Lü Yang’s doubt, Xiang Ye smiled:

"Forgive me for letting Fellow Daoist laugh. I too battled against that one from the Pure Land earlier."

"Only some minor aftereffects remain."

Though he spoke lightly, Lü Yang—gazing with his 【Exquisite Heart】—saw clearly. At most, Xiang Ye had thirty years of lifespan left. His great limit was near.

In the next moment, Xiang Ye cut to the point:

"Fellow Daoist, may you reveal the truth? Which True Person of my Saint Sect are you the reincarnation of?"

Lü Yang: "…"

Who are you calling Saint Sect?!

"Fellow Daoist misunderstands." Lü Yang smiled faintly. "I am but a cultivator from Beyond the Heavens, with no relation whatsoever to the Saint Sect you speak of."

"Truly?"

I don’t believe it!

Xiang Ye’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Lü Yang. Lü Yang remained calm, meeting his gaze evenly. After a long, tense silence, it was Xiang Ye who broke it first:

"Since Fellow Daoist is unwilling to speak, then so be it. However… you have now thoroughly offended the one from the Pure Land. If you continue to wander overseas, danger lurks everywhere. Why not come as a guest of my Saint Sect? To be frank, I too have been planted with a Buddhist Fate Seed by him."

"Then I shall accept rather than decline."

Lü Yang did not resist the invitation. After all, the overseas domain had already been swept clean by him. At the Sword Pavilion, he already had a clone in place.

He had no connections within the Dao Court, and the Pure Land was forbidden.

Thus, all considered, returning to the Saint Sect was the most cost-effective choice.

But then again—

"Fellow Daoists need not worry about that one from the Pure Land for now." Lü Yang’s tone was calm. "For roughly one year, he will not be able to emerge."

Pure Land, Shengyi Shengming Temple.

Its former name was 【Fulong Temple】.

Ever since Bodhisattva Guangming was born here, the temple had changed its name. Its scale expanded daily, and the number of monks multiplied beyond count.

But at this moment, Shengyi Shengming Temple was in turmoil.

Countless monks were either furious, fearful, or aghast as they stared at the towering Buddha statue within the main hall. The flawless Buddha-radiance that once covered it had now collapsed in one corner, dispersing part of its divine power.

"How could this be? How could this be!"

A monk trembled violently, nearly unable to stabilize his Dharma body, sweating profusely—until the young novice beneath the statue opened his eyes, calming him somewhat.

"The Bodhisattva!"

At once, he cried out hoarsely. The monks who had panicked now regained composure, their expressions steadying.

After all, the one slain overseas had only been an avatar.

Now that the Bodhisattva’s true body had awakened and emerged from seclusion, if he went forth immediately—who could possibly resist?

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Bodhisattva Guangming did not hesitate. He simply declared:

"I will enter seclusion for one year. From today, all cultivators of the Pure Land shall follow me into retreat."

"Ah?"

The monks were dumbstruck. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Just like that? Accepting it? His avatar was destroyed, and he had no intention of reclaiming face?

In an instant, several sharper monks held their breath. Thinking of the change in the Buddha statue, suspicion arose in their hearts—

Could it be that the Bodhisattva lost more than just an avatar…?

But that opponent was merely a rogue cultivator from Beyond the Heavens.

How could he have achieved it?

Bodhisattva Guangming ignored their shifting expressions. He closed his eyes once more, gazing inward. Soon, he sank into deep contemplation.

‘What a vicious technique of life-reduction.’

‘Not only was the 【Past Body】 destroyed, even its lifespan was utterly stripped away. At least one year of recovery will be required.’

At that thought, his brows furrowed.

‘And that Immortal Spirit remains without a trace. At this rate, gathering all four disciples will be an endless endeavor… At this point, I must find another path.’