Chapter 537: The Heavenly Court's Immortals, Immortal Life
Chapter 537: The Heavenly Court's Immortals, Immortal Life
In a valley, a sandstorm raged, turning the sky yellow. Not a blade of grass grew within, and at its center lay a small crimson lake. The surrounding cliffs were neatly carved, making the valley resemble a giant pit. A layer of yellow sand formed a canopy over the valley.
Within the crimson lake, Zhang Bu Ku sat cross-legged with his upper body bare. Blood-red water coiled around his body like snakes, constantly writhing.
The Divine Anomaly Sovereign meditated by the lake, his appearance drastically different from two thousand years ago. He was now emaciated, his eyes devoid of spirit, resembling a white skeleton slumped there, motionless.
Looking around, one could see numerous corpses, all belonging to the Divine Anomaly Demon King. Each one bore a tragic death, their faces twisted in horror.
A yellow wind descended from the sky, forming a skull above the blood lake. It was the head of a Buddha statue, ancient and worn.
It was the head of the Buddha Immortal!
The Buddha Immortal looked down at Zhang Bu Ku with a strange smile on his face.
Zhang Bu Ku seemed to sense something and opened his eyes. He looked up and saw the Buddha Immortal, but he wasn't nervous; his expression remained indifferent. He asked, "What? Can't you bear to make a move against me?"
The Buddha Immortal sneered, "You are now my disciple. How dare you speak to your master like that?"
Zhang Bu Ku merely glanced at him, unconcerned.
Having endured two thousand years of torment here, his mind had been tempered by countless trials. Even in the face of death, he remained unshaken.
"Not bad. I like the look in your eyes. You are far superior to these useless ones." The Buddha Immortal spoke with contempt.
The Divine Anomaly Sovereign trembled slightly on the lakeshore but couldn't bring himself to look up.
Zhang Bu Ku merely glanced at his movement, unbothered.
He knew that words of concern wouldn't help the Divine Anomaly Sovereign.
"Do you know why I chose you?" The Buddha Immortal suddenly asked.
Zhang Bu Ku looked at him, awaiting his answer.
The Buddha Immortal didn't mind Zhang Bu Ku's attitude and smiled, "You were meant to die, but with the help of others, your fate changed. There are many like you, known as Life-Changers. The greater the change in fate, the more complex your cause and effect becomes. In other words, the higher your cultivation, the more you become an anomaly to the Heavenly Dao, and even the Great Dao. Life-Changers are destined for a life of hardship, and their cultivation path is more challenging than others, but they also encounter opportunities more easily."
Meant to die? Zhang Bu Ku immediately thought of his senior, Gu An.
If not for Gu An's rescue, he would have perished long ago.
"So, with this kind of cause and effect, you chose me. Aren't you afraid of the trouble it might bring?" Zhang Bu Ku stared at the Buddha Immortal and asked.
The Buddha Immortal wore a cryptic smile and said, "Kid, do you want to become an Immortal Deity? Your fate is well-suited for the Heavenly Court."
"The Heavenly Court?"
"Yes, it's a power belonging to Immortal Deities. They are the true Immortals, protected by the Heavenly Dao's fortune. As long as the Heavenly Dao stands, they will not perish. They hold supreme authority, ruling over all the Great Thousand Worlds. The existence of Immortal Deities in the mortal realm is also because of them, but mortals cannot see their true forms, and they disdain to reveal themselves to mere mortals."
The Buddha Immortal's words were persuasive, and the allure of immortal life was immense, even stirring the transformed Zhang Bu Ku's heart.
The pursuit of immortality is the essence of cultivation, isn't it? Power doesn't always come from cultivation; it can come from lineage or sect affiliation. But immortality can only be achieved through one's efforts.
Even after traversing countless realms, Zhang Bu Ku had never heard of anyone achieving immortality.
"I once belonged to the Heavenly Court, but immortality became a shackle to me, so I wanted to leave. However, the Heavenly Throne cannot be left vacant, or the Heavenly Court would never let me go. That's why I chose you as my replacement."
The Buddha Immortal gazed at Zhang Bu Ku, speaking earnestly, his voice devoid of its previous mirth.
"Is it that easy to replace?" Zhang Bu Ku asked.
"The Heavenly Court is not what you imagine it to be. Immortal Deities are not freely visible to each other. Many Immortal Deities are confined to a single location for their entire existence, never setting foot in the Heavenly Court and never meeting other Immortal Deities. To be able to perceive the Heavenly Laws is already a great fortune in one's life." The Buddha Immortal explained.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Bu Ku finally understood.
The Buddha Immortal's status in the Heavenly Court was likely very low, so low that few paid him any attention.
This realization filled Zhang Bu Ku with bitterness. Even the lowest beings in the Heavenly Court could bring him endless despair. Such a terrifying place, he felt, would bring him nothing but trouble if he stepped into it.
From the Buddha Immortal's words, it seemed that the Heavenly Dao Immortal Rank granted immortality, but at the cost of one's freedom.
Perhaps the Buddha Immortal could only guard this realm.
The thought of spending eternity in this sandstorm-filled world was unbearable for Zhang Bu Ku.
Seeing Zhang Bu Ku's despair, the Buddha Immortal continued, "Only by accepting the Heavenly Dao Immortal Rank will I spare that fellow a chance at life. He won't last much longer."
At these words, Zhang Bu Ku turned to look at the Divine Anomaly Sovereign, his brows furrowing slightly.
The Buddha Immortal flew upwards, his voice drifting down, "Becoming an Immortal Deity means losing freedom, but you will still have hope. If you die, there will be no hope left."
His voice gradually faded as his figure disappeared into the sandstorm.
Zhang Bu Ku stared at the Divine Anomaly Sovereign, his heart filled with torment.
The gratitude he owed the Divine Anomaly Sovereign weighed heavily on him.
But if he lost his freedom, he would never see Master Gu or Li Ya again.
How long could non-Immortal Deity like Master Gu and Li Ya live?
Zhang Bu Ku felt torn and agonized by the decision.
At that moment, within the sandstorm, the Buddha Immortal continued to observe Zhang Bu Ku's reaction, a bizarre and chilling smile on his face. He whispered to himself, "Wanting to become an Immortal? Are you worthy? If I don't crush your Dao Heart, how can I possess your body..."
Suddenly, he felt a palm pressing down on his head, his eyes widening in shock. He realized, in terror, that he couldn't move, not even able to project his Divine Sense.
In this moment, his senses failed him; he couldn't see what was happening above him, nor could he mobilize the spiritual power within his body.
"Who...?" The Buddha Immortal asked through gritted teeth, struggling to contain his fear.
He could sense an incredibly powerful Cause and Effect Power surrounding him, isolating him. Even if he screamed at the top of his lungs, Zhang Bu Ku wouldn't hear him, nor could he see him.
Numerous speculations flashed through the Buddha Immortal's mind. Whoever was suppressing him must be above the Primordial Golden Immortal Realm.
There wasn't a single being above the Primordial Golden Immortal Realm that he could afford to offend.
"Since you know he's a Life-Changer, why don't you consider who changed his fate?" A hoarse voice asked, causing the Buddha Immortal's head to tremble.
It was for Zhang Bu Ku!
How could this youth have such a powerful background?
The Buddha Immortal immediately replied, "Senior, it's my fault. I was blind. I couldn't fathom this Cause and Effect. I'm willing to let him go."
"Just let him go?"
"I..."
"Pass on all your skills to him."
"Yes! No problem!"
The Buddha Immortal agreed without hesitation, feeling that any hesitation would lead to his instant annihilation.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
