https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-719-Share-the-True-Deity-s-Burden-/13465997/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-721-Today-I-Shall-Ferry-the-Divine-Lord/13466001/
Chapter 720: Return to Ba Ji Valley
Chapter 720: Return to Ba Ji Valley
"Venerable, how is it going?"
Outside Mount Sumeru, the young monk had been waiting for a long time.
Compared to when they first met in the Divine Dynasty, Zhi Kong's appearance had hardly changed. For an ascetic, the passage of time left little mark, except that the youthful innocence in his eyes from back then had quietly faded away.
Shen Yi had mastered the insights left by the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva, and resolving the Transformation of Beasts was a piece of cake for him.
As a Bodhisattva, it was quite normal to have someone help with mundane tasks. However, while other Bodhisattvas usually brought Arhats, it was somewhat rare for him to have a Sixth Grade Ascetic as a companion, but it could be explained away.
They agreed to refer to each other as Venerable when outside to avoid raising suspicion.
"Hardly."
Shen Yi adjusted his breathing, his expression gradually becoming solemn.
This was his first time encountering a Second Grade Ascetic, and just standing in front of the Bodhisattva of Pure World Liberation, he could feel an inexplicable pressure, even without any fluctuation in his emotions.
Those fair and beautiful hands seemed capable of tearing apart his Dao Order-constructed Bodhisattva form with just a light touch.
In the presence of such an entity, Shen Yi felt he had already performed to the best of his ability.
Even so, the other party neither trusted nor distrusted him, mostly remaining indifferent.
In the end, what truly convinced the Bodhisattva of Pure World Liberation was the six-armed shadow form he displayed, proving his deep connection to the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva.
"At least I'm involved now."
Shen Yi gazed into the distance, and even though he had anticipated it to some extent, the immense pressure still surged when he learned that the Three Teachings' leadership planned to intervene in mundane affairs.
Without considering Imperial Qi,
the Divine Dynasty was essentially just a larger mortal force. The entire Great Southern Continent could only boast three Southern Guard Generals.
As for those military formations, even with enhancements, they could still stand up in direct confrontation, but when it came to battling these powerful old foxes, they would likely be wiped out before they could even be seen.
On the other hand, the Three Teachings,
still in the territory of the Great Southern Continent, had lost a Third Grade Bodhisattva, yet it seemed as if their foundation remained unshaken. Just from what Shen Yi knew, there were at least Jin Chan and Seven Treasures, and on the other side, there were the Tian Wu Elder Ancestor and the Yu Chi Old Ancestor.
Add to that the Bodhisattva of Pure World Liberation's statement that there would be a Bodhisattva to guide him from the mountain... the two sides were on entirely different levels of strength.
Previously, there were constraints from the Celestial Court. If they were to truly unleash their full power, the outcome would likely be a one-sided slaughter.
As for why the Three Teachings were still holding back,
it was probably a matter of the hearts of the people.
These gods and Buddhas still cherished the Imperial Qi of the mortal world. They were unwilling and dare not stand against the mundane realm. Before taking action, they must first tarnish the reputation of the human emperor to justify their actions as carrying out the will of heaven, and then the "Celestial Emperor" could logically replace the human emperor.
"..."
Shen Yi thought about the dissolute appearance of the human emperor, realizing that there was no need for anyone to slander him.
A quick analysis of the situation showed that anyone with a brain could see that the Divine Dynasty's downfall was inevitable, a matter of time.
Reflecting on this, Shen Yi exhaled softly.
To be honest, although he hadn't stayed for long, the Great Southern Continent truly was the most prosperous and peaceful place he had ever seen.
The people here were far more at ease compared to those in Hongze.
His friends had finally left Hongze and witnessed the true mortal world as described by the East Dragon King. In just a few years, they would face a much harsher world.
If the Great Southern Continent were to be lost, it would be a pity.
"Venerable..."
Zhi Kong noticed Shen Yi's troubled expression and called out softly.
"It's nothing."
Shen Yi shook his head. The situation he faced now was entirely different from before.
Whether it was in Baiyun County or the entire Nanyang, and even later in Hongze, it seemed he had always played the role of a savior, but in essence, saving the world was about saving himself.
The Moon Howling Demon King's rebellion in Qingzhou made it difficult for a Demon Suppression General to escape death.
The Thousand Demons Cave guarding Nanyang meant the temple keeper of the Martial Temple would never gain freedom in his lifetime.
Not to mention, the Nanyang Sect was a thorn in the side of the other three Dragon Palaces, except for the East Dragon King.
But this time, it was truly different.
Shen Yi suddenly found himself with many choices. No matter which path he chose, he was confident he could secure a high position and eventually become one of the rulers of the world.
Except for choosing the Divine Dynasty.
After all, the young man who woke up one day to find himself mysteriously turned into a wicked official only wished for a life free of disasters and illnesses, to live comfortably for a few more years.
Returning to the Divine Dynasty would be like betraying his original intentions.
"Tsk."
Shen Yi suddenly remembered the night he arrived, when he inexplicably extended his hand to stop the dog demon.
What his original intention truly was, even he couldn't quite explain.
Following his heart was probably the right thing to do.
With this thought, he slightly lowered his gaze and looked at his palm.
The promise of immortality was indeed tempting, but nothing could compare to the joy of a clear and unburdened mind.
"Please wait a moment."
Shen Yi sat cross-legged, and the Six-Wing Soul Bug, exhausted, landed in the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons.
Even the old ancestor who had long roamed the Grand Emptiness couldn't withstand the continuous thousand calamities. After all, it had only lived for a little over a thousand calamities in its life.
It even felt a bit terrified.
Because the master before it, despite the long years, managed to maintain a calm that was truly astonishing.
Indeed, even with the help of the Old Ancestor of Shen Xu, Shen Yi still failed to truly attain the Tier 3 Dao Fruit.
According to the old ancestor, it was because of his heavy obsessions and too many thoughts, which prevented him from comprehending the Nothingness Power.
As for a solution... the Old Ancestor of Shen Xu didn't know, as it had ascended to the rank of Da Luo Xianzun thanks to its origins as a demon, and the Six-Wing Soul Bug was naturally suited for practicing the Void Dao.
But the change in Shen Yi's thoughts just now seemed to align with the spirit of freedom and ease.
Seizing this insight, he decisively channeled the Vast Beastly Lifespan.
The more than eight thousand calamities of Beastly Lifespan he had gained from slaying the Old Ancestor of Shen Xu, now reduced to about five thousand, combined with the Liuqian Jie force inherent in his Jindan, instantly converged into a Gray Mist.
Shen Yi closed his eyes, his divine soul wandering leisurely through the Gray Mist, casually plucking transparent threads that fell like crystalline silk, gradually weaving into shape under the guidance of his soul.
At the center was the Grand Emptiness Jindan, with a transparent figure embracing the origin and sitting still.
Just as it became complete, it slowly dispersed like a pile of sand, transforming into a vast, ethereal wind that merged into the Gray Mist.
The Six-Wing Soul Bug was still amazed by Shen Yi's sudden enlightenment and paid no attention to this change.
After all, it had walked this path before.
The soul roamed the Grand Emptiness, and only then did it form the Void Dao Fruit, ascending to the rank of Da Luo Xianzun!
But then, the whistling wind returned, swirling around the Bodhisattva of the Dao.
"Wind can have form?!"
The Six-Wing Soul Bug widened its eyes.
It was in this state of perpetual silence not by choice, but because of the special nature of the Void Dao Fruit.
Once the soul merged with the Tai Xu Zhi Jing, it was incredibly difficult to withdraw.
"Freedom does not mean losing oneself."
"Recognizing one's true heart and being obsessed with clearing obsessions is itself a form of obsession."
Shen Yi slowly opened his eyes. Like now, he didn't necessarily have to hide from the world to avoid calamities and entanglements. Living freely, doing what he wanted, staying where he wished, was also a form of freedom and ease.
"Let's go."
He stood up and moved forward.
Zhi Kong Monk, however, stood motionless in the mountains, looking around. The once calm peaks now resembled a celestial realm, with divine light shimmering throughout, and even the mountain streams exuded a rich, sweet fragrance.
This was... a place of enlightenment!
Lord Shen had become a Da Luo Xianzun in the time it took to sit and stand!
...
In the depths of Ba Ji Valley.
Clouds gathered, thick as an unbreakable white river.
Countless figures, not quite human but devoid of demonic aura, gathered here, each carrying an inexplicable aura of dignity.
Strictly speaking, they were not living beings but embodiments of the Heavenly Dao.
Even the gods, Buddhas, and immortals revered by mortals ranked below them.
"Have you all investigated thoroughly?"
At the forefront were two towering figures, their faces like painted wood. One of them rubbed his knuckles, clearly the Deity General Qifeng.
The entire Ba Ji Valley was guarded by two Third Grade Deity Generals.
Gathering the gods now was to completely take control of the valley and eliminate any future threats.
The one being questioned by General Qifeng was not one of the many True Deities but a Celestial General who had mingled among them.
Though the terms "immortal" and "deity" were often used interchangeably, they referred to two distinctly different beings.
However, in the Eight-Peak Valley, these True Deities did not cast any odd glances at the golden-bodied Celestial General.
Celestial General Qingfeng, ranked Fourth Grade, held the Leopard Seal and had, through his actions over these past days, successfully earned the recognition of the True Deities.
After all, there might not be a second being in the entire Celestial Court as brave and fearless as him, even among those who possessed the ability to regenerate from a single drop of blood.
Moreover, his rapid ascension had long become a marvel in the heavens.
"Reporting to the Divine Lord, everything has been investigated."
Qinghua respectfully clasped her hands, a hint of joy welling up inside her.
She had not offered any Beastly Lifespan to her master for a long time and hoped that her luck would be better this time, allowing her to slay a few more great demons.
"If this battle goes smoothly, your position might climb even higher when you return to the heavens."
After becoming familiar, Qifeng no longer maintained the sternness he once had, teasing her in front of the other deities: "To prevent those in the Celestial Court from thinking we held you back."
"The Divine Lord jests", Qinghua responded calmly, retreating into the crowd with neither arrogance nor humility.
She knew very well how she had earned her current position and had no grounds for pride.
It was precisely this attitude that earned her a higher regard from the nearby True Deities.
Just then, the silent Divine Lord beside Qifeng lifted his gaze, looking at him with a frown. "I've been feeling restless lately, and my state seems off."
"Missing this place after staying too long?" Qifeng glanced at his colleague, still joking, not taking it seriously.
True Deities were born from the Heavenly Dao, with lifespans as long as the heavens and no need for cultivation. How could they experience any abnormalities?
"Perhaps I'm overthinking it."
Divine Lord Haochuan laughed helplessly, lightly rubbing his temples.
He must have been stationed in the Eight-Peak Valley for too many years. Once the great demons were dealt with, it would be time to return to the Celestial Court for a period of rest.
He turned and walked down the mountain.
No one noticed the dense golden lines that faintly appeared on his sturdy back, forming a face that looked stern and dignified yet carried a hint of eeriness.
The golden lines vanished quickly, merging back into his divine body.
"By the way, before we part, I have a word of advice for you."
Qifeng did not leave immediately but walked over to Qinghua, earnestly looking at the Celestial General. "I know that no matter how far one cultivates, everyone has a few old friends."
"But you are a virtuous Celestial General with a bright future. There's no need for you to get involved in these murky waters."
"You know who I'm talking about."
Earlier in Hongze, Qifeng had witnessed the cultivator from Shen Xu Mountain slay the Qing Luan of Tian Wu.
He did not think Shen Yi was in the wrong.
Even if the young man hadn't acted, he would have captured Qing Luan and taken her to Tian Wu Mountain to face justice.
But this was not about right or wrong.
Since the young man had become involved in the affairs of these cultivators, it would be difficult for him to extricate himself, no matter what he thought.
The Three Teachings and the Bodhi Sect had become increasingly restless, their intentions clear.
Qifeng did not want this Celestial General, whom he greatly admired, to be dragged into trouble because of family and friends.
"..."
Qinghua remained silent.
She knew the Divine Lord meant well, but how could he understand her relationship with her master?
Seeing this, a hint of helplessness appeared in Qifeng's eyes.
He shook his head.
Never mind, being loyal and righteous was part of her good character.
True Deities did not involve themselves in mortal or cultivation matters. He could only warn her so much. The choice was up to Qingfeng.
"Go. Earn as much merit as you can in the battle three days from now. I'll have others assist you, in recognition of your hard work these past days."
Qifeng waved his hand and left the area.
But even in such a tightly controlled environment, he, as a Divine Lord, did not notice the few unfamiliar figures that had entered the Eight-Peak Valley.
Somewhere in the valley.
Shen Yi followed the aura and landed without informing Qinghua.
The once-feared lady of Qingzhou was still too inexperienced in the presence of divine beings and buddhas, as evident from the incident with Purple Lotus. She was easily seen through by powerful beings.
The Bodhi Sect's actions this time were suspicious from start to finish.
Helping True Deities.
It sounded reasonable, but timing was crucial.
They had just conducted the Transmission of Teachings, with a large number of Arhats falling, and the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva perishing.
Even if the losses were not severe, they should at least be anxious.
In such a situation, sending a Bodhisattva from the sect to deal with True Deities' trivial matters?
"..."
Shen Yi looked up, seeing an old monk seated on a tree branch, as if he had been waiting for him for a long time.
The monk was like a withered stone, emitting no aura whatsoever.
Stealthily entering, this did not seem like the behavior of someone coming to assist True Deities.
(End of Chapter)
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