As the Bhagavat’s voice faded, a dead silence fell. Even the [Immortal Dao Law] paused for a brief moment as a gentle Buddha Light filled Heaven and Earth.

In a daze, Lü Yang seemed to see the vast West within the Buddha Light. He saw a boundless Zen Forest, ancient temples, and countless Arhats and Monastics gathered together, kowtowing to him. Their mouths solemnly chanted the same honorary title: "Praise to the Great Sun Buddha of All-Illuminating Light!"

DONG—!

A resounding bell toll followed, causing Lü Yang to raise his eyebrows. His gaze fell upon the dilapidated Buddha Statue, then on the Five Dharma Appearances guarding it.

They weren’t lying.

With the [Immortal Dao Law] watching over, if what they said wasn’t true, Lü Yang would have surely received a warning. His own Mysterious Divine Power would have sensed it as well.

’They’re serious...’

No deception, no concealment. They genuinely wanted him to take charge of the Pure Land and command its millions of Monks. If he agreed, a glorious future was guaranteed.

There would be no manipulation, no traps.

As long as he accepted the Five Dharma Appearances’ request, he could immediately take control of the West, becoming the "one" in their "Unity," the most special one of all.

He would rule the West, but not as an incarnation of the Bhagavat.

How many Cultivators toiled for such an opportunity, only to fail? If word of this got out, forget Foundation Establishment cultivators—even Perfected Lords would likely fight to the death for it.

Even the Daoist Court Daoist Lord showed no sign of objecting.

At this moment, the [Immortal Dao Law] simply hovered in the air, quietly awaiting Lü Yang’s response. This silence made him understand the implicit meaning:

’Of course, why would the Daoist Court Daoist Lord be unwilling? If I take command of the West, the Dao Court also benefits. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement... Truly worthy of the Bhagavat. His methods are always so flawless, always seeking mutual benefit, never forcing someone into a dead end.’

Lü Yang had to admit: he was tempted.

After all, this was a golden opportunity to ascend to the heavens in a single step. With just a nod, the Jiangxi Shixiu would submit to him, and he could immediately attempt the Seeking Gold Ascension Position!

He would be in command of the Dao Court, with the Pure Land at his back.

Two Masters of Dao would vouch for him. That, plus the might of the Emperor Fruit, meant that even as an Early Stage Golden Core cultivator, he would become a major figure at the very peak!

"Benefactor, what other concerns could you possibly have?"

The Five Dharma Appearances spoke again, their faces full of sincerity. "We speak no falsehoods, and the Bhagavat is also sincere. Please, Benefactor, take charge of the Pure Land. We are willing to be at your beck and call!"

CLANG!

The response was the clear ring of a sword. It was none other than Demon-Vanquishing Perfected, holding the [Non-Killing Sword], his expression grim and solemn.

Unlike in his Previous Life, the Demon-Vanquishing Perfected of this life had revealed his [All Slash] Sword Intent ahead of time. At this moment, the two Sword Intents intertwined around him like the balance of Yin and Yang or the merging of fire and water, constantly elevating his qi trace. His movements were slow, yet no one could react.

Time itself seemed to stop at that moment. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Everyone present could only watch as Demon-Vanquishing Perfected strode forward, raised his sword, slashed down, and passed between the Five Dharma Appearances with utter composure.

The Sword Light sliced through the body of each Dharma Appearance equally.

The next second, the illusion of stopped time shattered, and everything flowed once more. The Five Dharma Appearances had been simultaneously sliced in half at the waist, looks of shock and fury on their faces!

"Insolence!"

In an instant, the Buddha Light surged. The severed halves of the Five Dharma Appearances reconnected, restoring them to their original state in a flash. Then, they opened their mouths in unison:

"Prajna Paramita!"

The Five Dharma Appearances chanted this together, instantly summoning myriad rays of golden light that changed the color of Heaven and Earth. All things in existence began to collapse to their extreme.

In the scriptures of the Earth of Shixiu, *prajna* represents "wisdom," *param* points to the "Other Shore," and *ita* means "to arrive." Thus, the full phrase means "the wisdom to reach the Other Shore." It is the supreme Great Spell of the Pure Land. Now, chanted by the Five Dharma Appearances, it instantly manifested a strange phenomenon.

This change did not involve Mana, nor did it interfere with Abilities.

Instead, it targeted "Position"!

At this moment, only the Position of the Five Dharma Appearances was steadily climbing, while the Position of everything else was plummeting. As one side waxed and the other waned, it seemed to interpret the phrase—

"In the heavens above and the earth below, I alone am the honored one!"

The gap in Position became absolute. Before this disparity, even Demon-Vanquishing Perfected seemed insignificant, no longer posing the slightest threat.

Yet, upon seeing this, Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s expression remained as tranquil as a still well. He calmly took a step forward.

[The Karma-Slaying Sword of Dao and Righteousness]!

An icy Sword Light appeared, carrying an extreme sharpness and an extreme killing intent. It was so potent that it instantly dyed Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s once-clean robes crimson.

[All Slash]!

Beneath this sword, there was nothing that could not be severed. Its peerless edge instantly crushed the "Prajna Paramita" Spell jointly cast by the Five Dharma Appearances.

The Sword Light flashed. The distorted, collapsing phenomenon returned to calm, and the chasm-like gap in Position was erased... In the end, it wasn’t true Position, but an artificial construct created through Daoist Skill. Since it wasn’t a perfect, natural creation, it had flaws. And if it had flaws, [All Slash] could sever it!

And yet, despite this, the Five Dharma Appearances laughed.

"Amitabha... Benefactor Dangmo, give up. You cannot kill us!"

Demon-Vanquishing Perfected said nothing, merely raising his sword once more.

Seeing this, the expressions of the Five Dharma Appearances changed slightly. After a pause, they changed their tune. "Even if you do kill us, what can you change?"

"The final decision rests with Benefactor Huanming."

They had already seen through Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s intentions: clearly, he did not want Lü Yang to take charge of the Pure Land, which was why he was trying to destroy the Five Dharma Appearances!

"The Pure Land..."

Demon-Vanquishing Perfected stood with his sword and said in a low voice, "To use one person’s heart to seize the hearts of all under heaven, to seek the one Bhagavat’s great liberation at the cost of the East’s myriad people’s discomfort... When it comes to Demons, the North is secondary. The West is the true number one! To throw yourself into the Pure Land, even if you become a Perfected Lord, what meaning is there in that?"

He wasn’t speaking to the Five Dharma Appearances.

Although Demon-Vanquishing Perfected didn’t turn around as he spoke, Lü Yang knew clearly that the words were meant for him. They were words from the bottom of Demon-Vanquishing Perfected’s heart.

However, the Five Dharma Appearances were not flustered in the slightest. Instead, they laughed.

"What Demon... Benefactor Dangmo, you are attached to appearances."

"Mortals? Qi Refining cultivators? They are nothing but illusory bubbles. While Foundation Establishment cultivators can be considered people, what is killing a few of them in the pursuit of a great cause?"

"Besides, that is the [Fruit of Celestial Fire], the Emperor Fruit of a Perfected Lord! Benefactor Dangmo, do you know that a Perfected Lord who achieves this has a chance of reaching the Nascent Soul realm!"

The next second, Lü Yang’s voice drifted over.

"Senior, I agree completely with what you said..."

"Truly!?"

At these words, the Five Dharma Appearances were overcome with ecstatic joy. Without another word, they immediately dropped to one knee, then prostrated themselves fully before Lü Yang in a grand ceremony of worship.

Seeing this, Demon-Vanquishing Perfected sighed in his heart. He knew he was an outlier. Just as the Five Dharma Appearances had said, mortals, Qi Refining cultivators—if they died, they died. Their Souls would reincarnate and be born anew, just like leeks in a field: cut down one batch, and another grows back.

Who would really care?

’In this day and age, am I the only one who refuses to compromise over these illusory bubbles?... So be it. It just means one more powerful enemy in the future.’

At this thought, Demon-Vanquishing Perfected took the initiative and retracted his Sword Light.

Those whose paths diverge cannot walk together.

Besides, in the future, when he had accumulated power to the extreme and was ready to attain the [Fruit of Sword Dao], if Lü Yang had already taken charge of the Pure Land, they would be enemies then anyway.

At this moment, Demon-Vanquishing Perfected suddenly felt a sense of helplessness.

It was the helplessness of being all alone in a vast world, without a single like-minded Daoist... But he was a Sword Cultivator. Once the sword is drawn, there is no turning back.

Thinking this, Demon-Vanquishing Perfected prepared to turn and leave.

But in the next second, he heard Lü Yang’s voice continue, each word ringing with power:

"...But I refuse!"

Demon-Vanquishing Perfected froze. He turned his head and saw Lü Yang smiling at him, a brilliant smile. Then, Lü Yang raised his hand and pointed at the Five Dharma Appearances.

"Daoist, what are you waiting for?"

"Let’s slaughter them!"