Chapter 359: The World Honored One and the Shizun Sit and Discuss Dao

Chapter 359: The World Honored One and the Shizun Sit and Discuss Dao

Yang Qingshan’s fighting spirit was intense as he took the lead, slashing his blade toward the Crimson-haired and Blood-cloaked cultivator!

“Are you all using my hands to scatter your Dao?”

The Crimson-haired and Blood-cloaked cultivator’s eyes were cold and piercing, seeing through some fundamental truths. Enraged, he laughed sarcastically,

“Clever move! First, scatter your Dao, then merge it! Even if it means no rebirth, eternal imprisonment, you’re willing to fight me?!”

“Come, I want to see just how capable these four pseudo-saints are. Even if they were true saints, I wouldn’t have spared them!”

With his keen eye, he immediately recognized the special circumstances of these four individuals.

Calling them True Saints was a stretch; they were merely pseudo-saints, borrowing the power of the Greater Universe to attain the status of True Saints.

The essence of being a True Saint lies not in the “saint” part, but in the “true” part.

Seeking one’s true self and achieving an indestructible Dao fruit.

The further one progresses on this path, the more one must focus on balancing cause and effect, converging one’s timeline and destiny, gradually reducing one’s entanglements with the Greater Universe, and ultimately achieving transcendence.

The freer and more unencumbered one becomes, the more unbound and free one is.

These four, however, took the opposite approach. Using the favorable conditions of their arrival in the Greater Universe, they gained the favor and support of the Greater Universe’s intent.

After this battle, they would not only perish and their Dao disintegrate, but they would also be completely “imprisoned” by the Greater Universe’s intent, becoming a part of it.

“Even if you are four True Saints who have used special means to reach the Saint realm, I will slay all of you today!”

The Crimson-haired and Blood-cloaked cultivator roared, the four Slayer Swords around him humming and vibrating, emitting boundless light of the Kill Dao, as if carrying out the celestial punishment!

The four Divine Lords did not say much.

A heavenly blade shot out from the Federation, and Qin Tianfeng raised his blade and slashed, simple and direct. The blade light was brilliant like the sun, sweeping across the heavens and earth, making the star rivers pale in comparison, and directly confronting the Crimson-haired and Blood-cloaked cultivator’s Slayer Swords!

“Raid weapon?!”

The battle situation changed abruptly, and the various saints were caught off guard.

It was evident that the previously half-dead Federation members had now burst forth with the aura of True Saints. The four of them united, confronting the Crimson-haired and Blood-cloaked cultivator head-on.

Among them, Qin Tianfeng’s blade was not just a weapon; it was a Dao weapon that suppressed fate and destiny!

At this moment, not only had Qin Tianfeng merged with the Greater Universe’s intent, but the blade itself had also been elevated. The blade light was countless and eternal, illuminating the hearts of countless beings, reflecting myriad scenes.

Even when colliding with the Crimson-haired and Blood-cloaked cultivator’s Slayer Swords, it did not fall behind, becoming the main force in this battle!

Swish—

Seeing the four of them actually manage to hold back the Crimson-haired and Blood-cloaked cultivator’s full attack, the supreme beings of all realms were shaken.

The Crimson-haired and Blood-cloaked cultivator then unleashed his full power, his killing force reaching new heights, making even the saints feel intimidated, none daring to confront him head-on.

Even their holy weapons, if they dared to clash, would likely suffer significant damage within a few rounds.

But what was most shocking was the dark golden figure seated at the pinnacle of the heavens and earth!

It seemed that wherever He sat, it was the center of the pure land of the boundless universe.

His Dao cultivation was so high, and His Dharmakaya so solemn, that even the Heavenly Demon True Body of Wuzhou appeared as insignificant as a speck of dust before Him.

“That’s… Mu Shitian?!”

A supreme being was shaken to the core.

Among the Seven of Federation, the most mysterious to them was this person.

The only one among the True Saints of all realms who had ever interacted with him was Dao One from the Ten Thousand Calamities Mountain.

“Where is Dao One? Is this person really Mu Shitian?!” someone shouted, but could not find Dao One’s true form.

Xuan Zhongyang’s brows were furrowed, still trying to contact Dao One, but to no avail.

The great calamity had already begun, yet Dao One had not appeared for some unknown reason.

At this moment.

Countless beings and the strong of all realms witnessed a shocking scene—

The towering Buddha, who seemed to hold the entire Greater Universe in the palm of His hand, slowly closed His palm, effortlessly crushing the immense Dharmakaya within it!

It was as if a “return gift.”

Repaying Wuzhou for shattering the stone statue with a single palm not long ago.

The impact of this scene left countless people in a daze, their minds blank, the world seeming somewhat unreal.

“Wuzhou… Wuzhou’s True Body was destroyed like that?!” someone murmured.

“It’s true, that is indeed the Heavenly Demon True Body. Even if Wuzhou has some hidden plans, the current body undoubtedly represents his Heavenly Demon Dao’s True Body!”

Others confirmed it, finding it hard to believe.

The Heavenly Demon, who roamed unchecked, looked down on everything, and even True Saints were not in his eyes, had died like that?!

The True Saints of all realms despised the Four Devils, but that did not mean they dared to underestimate them.

At least among the True Saints of all realms, no one dared to claim they could single-handedly contend with any of the Four Devils.

Only the former Five Pillars, with the advantage of their home ground, could single-handedly repel the Four Devils.

And after so many years, the Four Devils had not remained stagnant. For example, the Death Devil’s display of the Three-Thousand Kill Dao Diagrams just now was proof of His further advancement, almost reaching the brink of transcendence.

In this situation, the various saints estimated that even if the five great pillars returned, it would be difficult to repel them, at best maintaining a stalemate.

But now, this Heavenly Demon, representing "invincibility," had fallen so easily in the palm of that towering Buddha.

There was no reformation of the Dharmakaya.

It was a true and complete annihilation!

"Is Wuzhou really dead?"

One of the Supreme Beings could not help but ask, "Could Wuzhou be a mere paper tiger, all bark and no bite?"

"Where is the Lord of Myriad Phenomena? Wasn't it rumored that he was still battling Wuzhou?"

"Instead of questioning Wuzhou, you should suspect Mu Shitian!"

"Could this person have already found the path to transcendence and walked far along it? But he has only been cultivating for a few years?!"

A saint from Wu De Palace asked in a solemn voice, his tone filled with disbelief and even reluctance.

"How else could he so easily subdue Wuzhou?" Another saint, carrying a longbow, suppressed the ripples in his heart and sighed.

At the level of True Saint, to continue advancing, one must use the Flow of Time as a whetstone, summarizing their own timeline.

But this path does not directly lead to transcendence.

Finding the path to transcendence makes a significant difference for True Saints, determining whether they remain stagnant or approach transcendence infinitely.

Mu Shitian has lived for only ten thousand years, yet he has not only reached the level of True Saint but also found the path to transcendence and walked a greater distance than Wuzhou?

Such "good fortune" would make anyone here envious and jealous.

At this moment, a young figure holding a war spear appeared among the saints, his face calm.

"Dao Yi!"

"Friend Dao Yi, why did you take so long?"

Dao Yi's aura was deep and heavy, like a volcano about to erupt, his gaze cold as he looked in the direction of the Four Guardian Stars, saying coldly, "At least one of Mu Shitian and He Donghuang is still alive!"

The saints exchanged glances, speechless.

"Friend, you are late," someone said tactfully, indicating that Mu Shitian of the Yanhuan Federation had already effortlessly killed Wuzhou during his journey.

From the current situation, it seemed that the Crimson-haired and Blood-cloaked cultivator would not last much longer, depending only on Mu Shitian's will!

Dao Yi's gaze suddenly fixed on the golden Buddha who had the Greater Universe in his palm.

"Mu Shitian!"

Upon hearing the others, Dao Yi said decisively, even with a hint of ridicule, "If Mu Shitian truly had such power, he could have acted earlier. Why wait for the Death Devil to scatter the paths of Ke Qingxiu and the others, and then tie up the Death Devil?"

"Wuzhou could not have died so easily!"

"Besides, have you all forgotten the key point today is the Four Guardian Stars? The Yanhuan Federation invited the Four Devils in, and the Death Devil acted without restraint, directly severing the complete universe created by the Four Guardian Stars!"

Someone in the crowd, realizing this later, looked grave. The point about the Four Guardian Stars indeed raised significant doubts.

Dao Yi scanned the area but did not see the guardian of Tian Sheng Lake or the old peacock from Wu De Palace.

Among the ancient beings present today, besides him, only the Yin-Yang Daozun and Xuan Zhongyang from the Heavenly Mystic Gate were here.

As the various Supreme Beings began to doubt due to Dao Yi's words, the great Buddha who had crushed Wuzhou's Heavenly Demon True Body lowered his head and said calmly, "To come and not return is impolite. Friend Wuzhou, why don't you show yourself?"

The majestic voice echoed through the realms.

In the void, someone smiled and asked, "How did you guess, Friend Shitian?"

The great Buddha replied with only eight words, "The Heavenly Demon is dead, where is the Venerable Shitian?"

Wuzhou laughed, "You know me well, Friend Shitian! May I ask, where have you hidden the real Four Guardian Stars?"

The great Buddha said calmly, "Would you believe me if I told you?"

"Friend, please speak. I will make my own judgment. Also, this trap is too crude. It must not have been set by you," Wuzhou teased.

"I knew you were cautious and suspicious, but I didn't expect you to 'send' Friend Yan into it, and the latter actually accepted, seemingly without any guard against you."

Mu Shitian sighed inwardly.

To encircle and kill a Heavenly Demon like Wuzhou, who had roamed through countless calamities, was no less difficult than achieving transcendence.

Especially since Wuzhou's Great Dao was based on transforming one into many. No one knew when he was his true self or a clone, and the transformation between the two happened in an instant, making him a hundred times more troublesome than an undying being.

To encircle and kill Wuzhou, in a sense, one had to step into transcendence, using their realm to overpower him and then crush him without any doubt.

Or...

Trap him in a situation where there is no escape.

Stepping into transcendence was not an option for them.

Fortunately, the Federation had the conditions to achieve the second option.

They learned from Hela that the initial reason the Four Devils targeted the Yanhuan Federation was Wuzhou.

Wuzhou could sense in the void that the Federation had something that matched his Great Dao, but he did not know what it was.

If he knew, he would never set foot in the Federal Territories.

Because that is the —— Sea of Suffering of All Worlds!

The Sea of Suffering of All Worlds indeed allows one to merge with the You Hai and transcend smoothly, but it is absolutely unsuitable for the path of Wu Zhou.

Wu Zhou’s perception stems from the “wave-riding and tide-boosting” of the You Hai.

Given this premise, they naturally chose to set up a scheme using the Four Guardian Stars.

However, this brute is cautious and suspicious. Without figuring out the secrets hidden within the Four Guardian Stars, he would never take the risk.

Even if they openly displayed the Four Guardian Stars, Wu Zhou would not enter with his true body.

What just happened was a test.

Where is enlightenment?

It is naturally with “Shi Zun.”

Ten thousand years ago, Wu Zhou had already reached an agreement with two other Dao companions to exchange the throne of Helara.

And 01 and Yan agreed because this move could prevent Helara’s return.

“It’s fine,” Wu Zhou said with a smile, “Yan Brother has long been accustomed to being ‘sold’ by us. After all, Yan Brother is bold and skillful, with a killing power that shocks the world. How could he care about these things? Even when the five great pillars surrounded and attacked him, Yan Brother had the confidence to carve out a bloody path.”

Mu Shitian said calmly:

“Today, we have each won one round. Can we skip the extra probing?”

“I wish to discuss Dao with you again, to see if it is ‘One’ or ‘Ten Thousand.’”

“Oh?”

Wu Zhou’s voice echoed, but compared to before, it was clearly more serious due to the Dao dispute,

“Last time, we discussed Dao for ten thousand years in the Flow of Time, and neither of us lost. Now, after only ten thousand years in the present world, do you have the confidence to surpass me?”

“It’s not about surpassing you,” Mu Shitian said coolly, “it’s about guiding you out of the Sea of Suffering.”

After a moment of silence, Wu Zhou laughed lightly, “With such a tone, you either have absolute confidence in victory or are preparing to destroy everything. How can I agree to that?”

“You’re right,” Mu Shitian said quite “frankly,” “I do have absolute confidence. Last time, neither of us won, which is laughable. Clearly, you were just being stubborn.”

Wu Zhou smiled, “Being stubborn is also a skill, proving that your words are not without flaws. You keep talking about discussing Dao, but where is your true body?”

In the void, lotus flowers bloomed and withered without end, each flower’s center containing a pure land and a universe.

Then, a withered and flourishing bodhi tree took root in the You Hai, scattering boundless pure and clear light, illuminating all the pure lands and the deep, dark waters of the You Hai.

In each of the countless pure lands, a golden Buddha sat, raising their eyes with a smile that revealed the profound truth of the world.

All the sentient beings who saw this smile felt as if they had received a sudden enlightenment, experiencing a mysterious sense of the true meaning of Zen.

It seemed that everything was empty, the world was illusory, and only by seeing through it could one let go and transcend the Sea of Suffering.

Among the supreme beings of the various worlds who saw Mu Shitian for the first time, whether they were Tian Zun or Dao Zu, all felt a compelling urge to be called, cleanse their hearts, and enter the monastic life.

“Dao Friend Shitian, you have great skills,” Wu Zhou sighed sincerely, “The best decision I made in the past ten thousand years was to join forces with the true saints of various worlds to sabotage your Federation’s foundation and cut off its Dao path ten thousand years ago.”

Upon hearing this, among the supreme beings of the various worlds, those who were already against the Federation clearly had a deeper gaze.

Ten thousand years ago, He Donghuang attempted to achieve enlightenment and break through, but was obstructed by the powerful figures of various worlds.

Changing the subject, Wu Zhou said coolly,

“The four pseudo-saints, with fruit positions but no matching Dao power, could actually fight to this extent with Brother Yan, showing how profound their Dao is.”

“I won’t hide it from Dao Friend Shitian. This time, Brother Yan refined the Kill 3000 Dao Tu, originally intending to use the blood of at least ten true saints from this world to refine the Dao Tu, attempting to advance further and push this world to its end, carrying out the slaughter and achieving enlightenment and transcendence.”

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere among the various world’s powerful figures clearly turned cold, and the killing intent began to rise.

However, Wu Zhou never glanced at them, sighing,

“Fortunately, I acted decisively. Otherwise, with your Yanhuang Federation having six saints, or even seven, who in this world could stand in your way?”

“Dao Friend Shitian, how do you plan to discuss Dao with me?”

Mu Shitian showed no emotional fluctuation in response to Wu Zhou’s provocation.

Just a bit of psychological warfare.

He lifted his chin and exhaled lightly. In an instant, a vast and brilliant star river appeared.

Mu Shitian sat down and said calmly:

"The past is dead, the future is illusory, only the self-nature remains unscathed."

"Today, I will discuss 'self-nature' with you, Dao friend."

This time, the supreme beings of the various realms were the first to change their expressions. Discuss self-nature with a Heavenly Demon who can transform into countless forms?!

Wu Zhou, however, had no doubt about Mu Shitian’s qualifications. He mused:

"Is that all?"

Indeed, Mu Shitian did have the qualifications. In Wu Zhou’s view, Mu Shitian was like another version of himself, one who had taken a completely different path.

"Do you think it's not enough, Dao friend Wu Zhou?"

Mu Shitian smiled and said,

"Then let me add one more condition. You mentioned earlier that you had anticipated my Federation’s Reverse-all-Life Array. I will wager on maintaining the array while you try to break it."

"Today, no matter what means you use, whether you resort to violence or deceit, as long as you can break the array, it will be your skill."

"As for the stakes..."

"I will wager my true name."

The last two words were spoken.

Wu Zhou’s voice suddenly deepened: "Dao friend, are you forcing me to reveal my true body?"

What did true name mean to them?

The World Honored One.

The Shi Zun.

"Wu Zhou, you jest. How can you discuss the Dao with me if you don't reveal your true body? Are you going to admit defeat directly?" Mu Shitian said coolly.

"Ha... my words have caused laughter." Wu Zhou chuckled, "What a formidable Mu Shitian. How can He Donghuang compare to your arrogance?"

A figure clad in a monk’s robe and wearing a dark heaven Dao crown slowly appeared in the world.

Seeing this figure, the strong of the various realms all had deep, contemplative gazes. Given the recent precedent, who could say this was Wu Zhou’s true body?

"The four demons’ methods are unpredictable," someone sighed in admiration. "This Yanhuang Lianhe, regardless of other aspects, just in terms of spirit, daring to set up an array to ambush the four demons far surpasses us."

Others remained silent or had cold expressions.

But there was no longer the previous disdain and contempt.

Even the presence of a Heavenly Demon’s true body was just a part of this game. The struggle between these two had already surpassed the vision of most present.

Even figures like Xuan Zhongyang had ripples in their hearts that were hard to calm. If they were in the same situation, they might not be able to discern the true nature of Wu Zhou.

"However, the stakes are still too small," Wu Zhou smiled. "Why don't you add a bit more?"

Mu Shitian nodded and pointed. In an instant, a star quietly hung in the universe at the original position of the Sishou Xing.

"If you, Dao friend Wu Zhou, can break the Reverse-all-Life Array, you can enter and explore it."

Wu Zhou squinted and examined for a long time, discovering that Mu Shitian had indeed placed the Sishou Xing before him.

The most unforgeable aspect was Hela’s aura.

Hela had been suppressed on the Sishou Xing for ten thousand years, her aura permeating the star and creating a special zone that provided convenience for the Federation’s young generation to forge their bodies.

In a sense, this star could almost be considered Hela’s half Dao field.

On the condition that Hela could break the seal.

He had taken Hela’s divine throne and was intimately familiar with her aura and divine rights, able to discern the truth.

Precisely because of this, he was even more suspicious.

What was Mu Shitian’s true plan?

Was there another trap waiting for him inside the Sishou Xing?

Was it the real Hela, who had reached an agreement with the Federation, or the suspected surviving He Donghuang?

If it was just these two points, there was no need to worry, and he could take the risk.

Wu Zhou’s thoughts turned, but he still couldn’t make up his mind.

He was afraid that the Federation had other unexpected moves.

In the great Dao struggle, a tiny mistake could lead to a huge error.

He couldn’t afford the slightest carelessness.

Just before entering the game, Wu Zhou suddenly asked:

"What is your aim this time, Dao friend?"

"Wu Zhou seeks life, I seek Wu Zhou’s death," Mu Shitian answered.

【Shi Zun】 Wu Zhou laughed wildly again: "You know me, Yanhuang Shitian!"

Immediately after.

In the eyes of the world, countless identical... Wu Zhou appeared one by one!

Each Wu Zhou entered the pure land worlds within the blooming lotuses, sitting opposite the golden Buddha statues to discuss the Dao.

In front of each dark golden Buddha statue, a Wu Zhou could be found.

In an instant.

Countless lotuses withered and withered, and when the flowers fell, all things became silent. In the withered places, a black lotus slowly bloomed!

At the same time, more golden lotuses bloomed in the void.

Before the discussion began, Mu Shitian suddenly asked:

"I heard that you have already lost two times to my unworthy disciple?"

"Three strikes and you're out. I hope you won’t be defeated by my disciple again."

This was also a psychological tactic.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end