Chapter 861 - 856: Supreme Dao Transformation, Activate!
Indeed, the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] was severely damaged. His mana was depleted, his Golden Body was shattered, and his overall Qi trace had plummeted. He was far from as powerful as when he first appeared.
But what about Lü Yang?
He had first activated the Strategic Level Dao Weapon, the [Sun-Shooting Bow], then forcefully withstood a streak of Buddha Light, and now he had completely exhausted his mana to trigger the [Nine-Nine Celestial Tribulation].
His current condition was actually no different from that of the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata]—perhaps even worse. After all, in his plan, the [Nine-Nine Celestial Tribulation] just now was meant to kill the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] directly. Unfortunately, he had fallen short at the final hurdle.
That was why the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] was so confident.
After all, he was only heavily injured, whereas Lü Yang, apart from his injuries, had exhausted more than half of his mana and nearly used up the enhancement from the Profound Spirit Realm. How could he possibly lose? Victory was assured!
On the other hand, although Lü Yang was equally exhausted and drained, he did not panic. Instead, he simply frowned, staring blankly at the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata].
A streak of Divine Light abruptly erupted from the skull of this Titled Tathagata, the Enlightened Body of the Bhagavat. It burned fiercely like a torch, completely unstoppable. From that Divine Light, he could sense the [Centome]’s drooling greed... like a vicious wolf that had spotted its prey.
"What is that?"
Lü Yang raised his eyebrows slightly. Aside from the [Centome]’s restless stirring, he also sensed a familiar Qi trace within that Divine Light, which made his heart race with temptation.
"Is it... a Gold Attribute? It isn’t just one Gold Attribute, but three. Though independent of each other, they are seamlessly linked together. Despite having different properties, they merge perfectly.
"I get it! It’s the Gold Attribute of this [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata]! I almost forgot that the Enlightened Body of the Bhagavat also possesses a Gold Attribute, just like the Buddha’s Son from before. However, his Gold Attribute is clearly different. Because he is a Titled Tathagata enlightened through the foundation of the Three Pure Land Bodhisattvas, his Gold Attribute has also fused with theirs? In that case, devouring this single one is equivalent to devouring all three at once?"
Lü Yang’s eyes lit up brightly.
To be honest, with things having escalated to the point where the Bhagavat had personally intervened, Lü Yang no longer expected to succeed in refining the Venerable Victory Treasure Pestle Bodhisattva into a Life Form Body. Therefore, he planned to change his strategy for seizing the [Fruit of Pine-Cedar Wood].
"I’ll swallow the Gold Attribute of this [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata], then find a way to completely annihilate the Venerable Victory Treasure Pestle Bodhisattva, and finally attain the [Fruit of Pine-Cedar Wood] myself! In the end, one has to rely on oneself!"
Of course, the prerequisite was that he had to win—and do so with absolute superiority. Otherwise, seizing the Gold Attribute would be practically impossible.
Yet, he couldn’t use his full strength right now. Even though he possessed the Profound Mysterious of the Four Dao Fruit Positions, he didn’t dare to use a single one. It was truly frustrating and suffocating.
"Sigh... forget it."
Lü Yang let out a long breath, finally giving up on his fantasies. Instead, he opened the [Centome] interface and focused his gaze on a golden Talent Skill.
"You forced my hand. [Supreme Dao Transformation], activate!"
As the golden radiance rippled across the [Centome], the depths of Lü Yang’s eyes gradually returned to tranquility. All his emotions dissolved into calmness and indifference.
"Hmm?"
The [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] immediately noticed Lü Yang’s change. He frowned slightly, a flash of indescribable surprise passing through his eyes. For in his vision just a moment ago, a burst of dazzling Wisdom Light had suddenly erupted from above Lü Yang’s head. It was so radiant that it was almost blinding, instantly surpassing his own. Such terrifying Wisdom Light was something he had only ever seen on the true body of the Bhagavat in his memories.
"What happened? This isn’t right. Shouldn’t this person be the type to hide his great wisdom under the guise of foolishness? I couldn’t see any Wisdom Light on him before, so how did it suddenly erupt like this? Could it be that he’s been hiding it all along? Or perhaps his usual ’great wisdom appearing foolish’ was just him intentionally restraining his Wisdom Light and suppressing his nature, only to unleash it when necessary in exchange for higher Enlightenment?"
Not giving the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] any more time to think, Lü Yang, having entered the state of [Supreme Dao Transformation], took a weightless step forward.
"First, I need to recover my mana."
He was extremely calm. With a single glance, he tore open the [Sea of Suffering], then drew out its endless waters of imagery. He extracted the portion symbolizing "mana" and began to swallow it wildly.
In no time at all, his mana began to recover at a breakneck pace.
The [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] was dumbfounded by the sight. Such a maneuver was possible?
His thoughts spun rapidly as he said in a deep voice, "A Secret Technique to erupt your Enlightenment? I’m growing more and more interested in you, benefactor. You are absolutely no Ordinary Outer Dao."
However, Lü Yang ignored him completely. Let alone responding, he didn’t even want to spare him a glance. When his gaze occasionally swept over the Tathagata, it involuntarily revealed a bizarre look.
It was as if he were... looking at a monkey?
At this thought, the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] furrowed his brows instantly. He immediately used the [Divine Foot Technique] to close the distance once more, intending to deal Lü Yang a vicious blow.
And then, he found himself being grabbed by the throat.
The process was extremely eerie. Lü Yang had merely extended his hand and casually grasped at the empty air—and right at that exact moment, the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] appeared precisely there. It was as though he had actively thrown himself onto the hand to commit suicide.
Of course, the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] knew he had no such intention. Yet, because of that, he felt a creeping, bone-chilling horror.
"Just what in the world... happened to this person?"
Before he could sort out his thoughts, Lü Yang’s other hand was already pressing against the space between his eyebrows. Following that, a streak of Sword Light abruptly materialized at Lü Yang’s fingertips.
CLANG!
With a flash of the Sword Light, one streak of the Divine Light erupting from the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata]’s skull was instantly severed! It fluttered down into Lü Yang’s palm!
The movement was fluid, completed in a mere instant. Since time was limited, Lü Yang did not want to waste it. After slashing away the Gold Attribute, he casually tossed the struggling [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] out of the Profound Spirit Realm.
After doing all this, he frowned once more. Looking back on his recent grand battle against the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata], the entire Combat process made him feel as if he had just witnessed a pile of feces.
"What a brute. That’s not how you use the [Fruit of Divine-Empyrean Thunder]. Did I really just treat it as a simple Fruit Position for summoning lightning before? What an absolute waste of a heavenly treasure."
Lü Yang once again mentally distanced himself from his past self before using the [Supreme Dao Transformation].
"Actually, if possible, the Dao of Arcane Body is indeed a bit more suitable for me... Whatever, time is limited. I will take over the operation from here, and I need to carefully memorize the process."
Having said that to himself, he looked at the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] outside the Profound Spirit Realm, pondering, "This thing is different from the [Vajra Realm Unmoving Tathagata] I saw before. His existential foundation is the unification of the Three Pure Land Bodhisattvas. It’s actually quite fragile, and clashing with him head-on is the most foolish approach.
"Dealing with him is actually quite simple. By finding the connection between the Three Pure Land Bodhisattvas and slashing it apart, I can naturally destroy this thing’s existential foundation, making it collapse without a fight. Just like this."
Lü Yang raised his hand and gently made a slashing motion toward the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata].
SQUELCH!
In the next second, the [Vajra Realm Treasure-Born Tathagata] froze in place. His mouth parted slightly, and he took a step back as the Buddha Light permeating his body rapidly dimmed.
Immediately after, there was a sharp "CRACK!" Like a shattered illusion, this Enlightened Body of the Bhagavat, the Titled Tathagata, quietly broke apart. From within the boiling Buddha Light, three figures tumbled out miserably. Lü Yang instantly locked onto one of them, his large hand snatching it firmly into his palm.
The Venerable Victory Treasure Pestle Bodhisattva, who had just been separated, wore a look of utter bewilderment. He didn’t even have time to scream.
CRUNCH!
As his five fingers closed, this Bodhisattva at the Early Stage of Pure Land Golden Core was crushed to death alive in Lü Yang’s palm. His blood transformed into streaming fire, splashing in all directions!