Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Time flew by in a flash.

In just a few short days, the banks of the Great Dragon River, the dividing line between the North and the South, had become a forbidden zone for cultivators, utterly devoid of their presence.

Only ignorant mortals remained.

Otherwise, nearly every cultivator had chosen to leave. Even the Immortal Races and Sects that had resided here for generations had evacuated.

Conversely, this region was now locked down by the arrays of countless sects, large and small, which monitored it day and night. They projected images of every major and minor event, keeping it under constant surveillance. To put it bluntly, nearly every Immortal Dao influence in the entire Immortal Pivot had its eyes fixed on this area.

All eyes were on it.

It was like a powder keg. Calm on the surface, but with turbulent undercurrents, no one knew when it would finally explode.

Then came the tenth day.

The moment the first Sword Light flared up from the South, igniting the battle for the Dao, the emotions of countless cultivators were pushed to their absolute peak.

"It's starting!"

In the Sea of Clouds, the True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven took a deep breath. Even with all his experience, this was the first time he had witnessed a war between True Monarchs that engulfed the entire Immortal Pivot.

'Will we win?'

He glanced worriedly toward Feixue Palace. Though he and World Purger Fei Xue had never gotten along, their stances on this matter were aligned.

Whether they could defeat the Sword Pavilion and slay True Monarch Gangxing would directly determine if he had any hope of attaining the Great True Monarch Position in the future. It would decide if he could become a mover and shaker in the millennial calamity, rather than just another piece of cannon fodder... At this thought, he felt a tension he had not experienced in a long time.

Soon, a Flying Light descended. From it emerged a dignified and graceful woman—True Monarch Zeng Cai Qiluo, an old acquaintance of the True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven.

"Qi Luo..."

The True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven gave her a deep look and said suddenly, "If we lose this battle and Fei Xue dies, come and join me."

True Monarch Zeng Cai Qiluo was the Daoist he had originally chosen to help him break through to the Great True Monarch level, but World Purger Fei Xue had intercepted her. He had held a grudge about it for years.

"Alright."

Hearing this, True Monarch Zeng Cai Qiluo glanced at him and nodded decisively, but then she smiled. "However, we won't lose. You're overthinking things."

"Won't lose?"

The True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven shook his head. "There is no one in this world who cannot be defeated, and no sect that cannot fall... Besides, my Stain Sect has been at a disadvantage for years."

RUMBLE!

Just then, from the direction of Holy Fire Cliff, a shimmering aquatic light suddenly rose. In an instant, it encompassed the universe, its ends connecting to form a vast Celestial River.

Almost simultaneously, clouds and mist billowed up from the South, obscuring the sun and moon and seeming to swallow the very stars. The two forces collided thunderously above the Great Dragon River. Under the impact of their Mighty Power, one Fruit Position Star after another lit up, like oil being thrown onto a raging fire, filling the entire Immortal Pivot with a bloody aura.

For a moment, countless people were discussing it in private.

"So it is Ang Xiao."

"They say it's the Sword Pavilion versus the Stain Sect, but whether it's Ang Xiao or Fei Xue, both are ultimately from the Stain Sect... It's truly frustrating."

"Don't be hasty. This is just the beginning."

"If this is all there is, then it's no different from the last standoff. Neither side has the confidence for a decisive victory... There must be a new variable this time!"

"Don't forget, the Pure Land and the Dao Court haven't joined the fight yet."

Almost at the same time, another Qi trace rose from the West. In an instant, Buddha Light illuminated all, and meditative chants rang through the heavens, followed by the projection of a towering figure.

It was Bao Lian Hidden Buddha!

And it wasn't just her. The other two of the Three Pure Land Bodhisattvas, Bhumba Bodhisattva and Venerable Victory Treasure Pestle Bodhisattva, also revealed their Golden Body Dharma Appearances.

However, what made many True Monarchs gasp was the sight of Bao Lian Hidden Buddha at the forefront. Above her head shone hundreds of millions of rays of Buddha Light. Within the light, a Twelfth Grade Lotus blossomed, and within the flower, Fruit Positions rose and fell, monastics kowtowed, and novice monks chanted sutras. As far as the eye could see, it resembled a vast Buddha Country.

Late Stage of Golden Core, a Great Perfected Lord!

"How is this possible... Where did the Pure Land get a Three Elements Fruit Position?"

It was common knowledge that the Fruit Positions of the Three Pure Land Bodhisattvas were the Fruit of Hairpin-Brace Metal, the Fruit of Willow-Poplar Wood, and the Fruit of Pine-Cedar Wood. These could not be combined to achieve a Three Elements Fruit Position breakthrough.

But now, Bao Lian Hidden Buddha had broken through!

For a moment, many True Monarchs cast their gazes over, calculating the karmic links, and finally saw a shadowy figure deliberately concealed beneath the resplendent Buddha Light.

"Profound Turtle!"

In the South, the Old Dragon Monarch gritted his teeth at this sight. He then glanced at World Purger Fei Xue, the bitterness in his heart nearly overflowing.

Bright Pearl Great Saint, Profound Turtle Great Saint.

They were originally his!

But because of one major defeat, both Great Saints had chosen to abandon him. He himself had been forced to live under another's roof, reduced to such a state.

The next second, the Pure Land Bodhisattvas, led by Bao Lian Hidden Buddha, took a firm stand on the side of the South.

Seeing this, the True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven was instantly on high alert, as if facing a great enemy.

"This is not good."

The True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven's expression was grave. "The Pure Land actually chose the Sword Pavilion, and Bao Lian broke through to Great Perfected Lord... This shouldn't be. How did she break through?"

Before he could figure it out, another earth-shattering BANG echoed as the stars in the firmament brightened.

Immediately after, in the direction of the East, Emperor Jia You also raised his Dharma Appearance, his Great True Monarch Position on full display. He, too, came to stand on the side of the South.

Another one!

In an instant, the Pure Land, the Sword Pavilion, and the Dao Court seemed to have joined forces. An overwhelming pressure, almost tangible, crashed down upon the North.

"Hahaha!"

On the Sword Pavilion's Zenith Cliff, True Monarch Gangxing roared with laughter at the sight. "Fei Xue, give up! Evil can never triumph over good. This is the ultimate principle of Heaven and Earth!"

So what if you're a good fighter? Being a good fighter is useless!

When you're out making a name for yourself, it's all about influence and backing! Look at my side—we have two extra Great Perfected Lords. No matter how you slice it, the advantage is mine!

Meanwhile, in the Sea of Clouds.

The expression on the True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven had become extremely solemn, his brow tightly furrowed. He clearly had not expected the situation in this great war to develop this way.

He wasn't surprised that the Dao Court and the Sword Pavilion were standing together. But in most cases, whenever the Sword Pavilion and the Dao Court joined forces, the Pure Land would certainly lean toward the Stain Sect in secret, thereby achieving a dynamic equilibrium between the four powers... Who would have thought that the Pure Land would now stand so firmly with the Sword Pavilion!

What should I do?

At this thought, the True Monarch of Contained Light and Floating Heaven already felt an inkling of retreat. He wanted to win, but he wouldn't engage in Combat against an enemy he had no chance of defeating.

'Gangxing and Ang Xiao's goal is none other than that Nameless True Monarch.'

'If things truly become impossible, we can just sell out that Daoist. Then we can rely on the power of our Array to hold our ground. Even if we can't advance, we'll have more than enough power to protect ourselves.'

At the same time, many others came to the same conclusion.

"Isn't this a guaranteed loss?"

"The Pure Land and the Dao Court have both chosen to help the Sword Pavilion. No matter how powerful the Demon Sect is, a single pillar cannot support a falling house. According to Demon Sect tradition, this is when they should sell out their Daoist."

"That Nameless True Monarch is pretty unlucky."

"Well, who told him to stir up so much trouble before? He made a mortal enemy of Ang Xiao and somehow got targeted by Gangxing. You can only say he brought this upon himself..."

For a time, the world was abuzz with discussion.

Countless people had already handed the Stain Sect a death sentence in their minds. Even though the great war had not officially begun, everyone was convinced that the Stain Sect's defeat was a foregone conclusion.

CLANG! CLANG!

Under these circumstances, True Monarch Gangxing finally made his move. In his eyes, he already had a ninety percent chance of victory, so it was the perfect time to come out and beat a dog in the water.

A Sword Light flared into existence, aimed directly at Holy Fire Cliff.

"Daoist, come out and face me in a fair fight!"

The voice of True Monarch Gangxing echoed through Heaven and Earth, yet everyone knew that this so-called fair fight was a sham. This was simply using superior force to crush an opponent!

It looked like a one-on-one duel.

However, True Monarch Gangxing's side had three Great Perfected Lords holding the line. If he were to fall into even the slightest disadvantage, would they just stand by and watch? Of course they would intervene!

Challenging across ranks is practically an Immortal Pivot tradition, after all.

"We're going to win!"

Seeing this, Ang Xiao also broke into a grin. How could they possibly lose? In this situation, as long as that bastard came out, he would be walking to his own doom!