Chapter 545

Chapter 545: Kṣitigarbha Vow Sword

At this moment, Bai Lian Chan Master suddenly said, "Through private inquiries, I discovered Fang Lie will devote the next few years to closed-door training, aiming to make a dramatic breakthrough during the Celestial Platform Competition. Our only legitimate chance to eliminate him openly lies in that event!"

The Celestial Platform Competition wasn’t peaceful sparring but bloody warfare. This contest for the foundation of the Dao permitted any means necessary under its rules!

Both righteous and demonic cultivators participated alongside neutral sects and family clans, making it the grandest martial gathering under heaven.

Every participant represented their sect’s core strength, including chief disciples. Nearly all of the world’s outstanding talents would be present.

The Celestial Platform’s immortal secret methods restricted participants to using self-refined treasures and tamed demon beasts. Disposable treasures or skills bestowed by elders remained unusable, preventing chaotic displays of semi-immortal power and reducing casualties.

Yet the battles’ ferocity defied description. Typically only half survived, with at least half of survivors sustaining permanent injuries while others suffered heavy wounds.

Though revival methods weren’t forbidden, only Xuan Sect’s supreme resurrection caused no damage. Other sects’ techniques harmed users’ potential – particularly devastating for these Heavenly Dao favored children.

Still, participants flocked endlessly.

The wisp of Immortal Energy upon the platform proved too precious, granting the Dao’s foundation and near-certain Semi-Immortal advancement to its holder. For this sliver of opportunity, prodigies risked everything.

Master Tianlong snorted upon hearing Bai Lian’s report. "Fang Lie’s barely started cultivating! Mere years ago he was Mo Sect’s lowliest Qi Sea disciple. Now he dares covet Immortal Energy? Ridiculous overreach!"

"His undying nature likely makes him reckless," Bai Lian suggested. "Death means nothing when he revives instantly."

"Foolishness!" Tianlong countered. "Every revival technique has flaws. Execute him with karmic divine skills, and no resurrection will save him!"

"But Senior Uncle," Bai Lian frowned, "karmic skills require semi-immortal cultivation. The competition only permits Qi Sea cultivators without external aids. How could we…?"

"Behold!" Tianlong revealed a foot-long golden blade radiating Buddhist light, its surface covered in swastika patterns with eerie black mist seeping between them.

Gasps filled the chamber as Bai Lian recognized it. "The Kṣitigarbha Vow Sword?!"

"Indeed!" Tianlong declared. "This ancient Chongming Ancient Temple treasure, said to be Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s personal gift! What ghost or god could withstand it? Fang Lie stands no chance!"

"But using this…" A monk protested, "Victims become Kṣitigarbha’s disciples in afterlife! Stealing Tao Sect members risks sect conflict! Moreover, misusing a conversion tool for killing disrespects the Bodhisattva!"

The sword originally let Chongming monks bypass failed ascensions by entering Kṣitigarbha’s Buddha kingdom through ritual suicide. Its popularity drained other temples’ members, leading to Chongming’s isolation and eventual ruin.

Tianlong waved off concerns. "Fang Lie’s humiliation of Great Thunder Sound Temple demands exemplary punishment. A mere Qi Sea disciple’s death won’t spark sect war. As for the Bodhisattva…" He smiled. "I’ll apologize personally through astral projection and offer to guide our monks to his realm afterward."

Excited murmurs arose. Most present faced bleak reincarnation prospects. Entering Kṣitigarbha’s domain seemed far preferable.

"Patience," Tianlong calmed them. "First, we inform Mo Sect properly to avoid accusations of bullying juniors. Bai Lian – tell Mo Qianxun we’ll settle all grudges during the competition, regardless of Fang Lie’s survival."

Days later, Mo Qianxun summoned Fang Lie, presenting three third-tier treasures: a violet-gold shield, black orb, and chopstick-sized serpent. "Lose these and I’ll beat you to death myself."

Fang Lie chuckled, storing the treasures. "I’ll guard them with my life!"

"One more thing." Mo Qianxun relayed the message.

"Heh," Fang Lie grinned. "Those bald devils finally learned reason."