Chapter 1436
I will not become a Buddha until the underworld is empty!
Chapter 1436 I will not become a Buddha until the underworld is empty!
As soon as he finished speaking, the World Honored One's aura began to spread. At this moment, everyone was inside the Purple Cloud Palace, which was the immortal hub of the ancient Divine Continent.
Here, one can offer sacrifices to all living beings.
Similarly, it can also help all sentient beings!
In an instant, the entire ancient land of Shenzhou was filled with the pure fragrance of flowers, and the voice of the World Honored One echoed throughout the entire land of Shenzhou, centered on Zixiao Palace.
In an instant, all living beings, under the Dao Lord, regardless of gender, cultivation level, personality, or past karma, felt something, raised their heads, and saw a majestic holy statue with eighteen arms and twenty-four heads, draped in boundless precious light.
The saint's lips parted slightly, and the resounding Dharma voice boomed forth:
"If, when I attain Buddhahood, there are hells, hungry ghosts, or animals in the country, I will not attain perfect enlightenment."
"If, when I attain Buddhahood, any heavenly beings or humans in my land, after their lives have ended, are reborn in the three evil realms, I will not attain perfect enlightenment."
"Suppose I attain Buddhahood."
The World Honored One, this enlightened being whose cultivation was insignificant among the Dao Ancestors, now appeared solemn and dignified, and one great vow after another was transmitted into the void.
The sound grew louder and louder, reaching ever higher into the distance.
In the end, he even transcended the present, tracing back to cause and effect, expanding towards the past and the future, echoing throughout the entire torrent of time.
At first, some people might not understand what his voice meant, but gradually, more and more people seemed to be moved by it, and a sense of awe arose in their hearts. They involuntarily put their hands together and worshipped. The various expressions were gradually integrated into one.
"What kind of tactic is this?"
In an instant, the patriarchs of the Ming and Xiang sects in Zixiao Palace raised their heads, frowned at the scene before them, and felt that something was amiss.
What is he doing?
"It is because everyone is of one mind."
On the other side, Cang Hao and Wan Fa responded at the same time, but they were also somewhat puzzled: "It's just a trivial skill, and it can only be used on cultivators below the Dao Lord level."
"It's nothing more than turning all living beings into 'me'."
"What are you planning to do with it at this time?"
"Even if he saves all sentient beings, he cannot escape this great sacrifice. The final result will not change. It will all be in vain."
"etc."
Cang Hao and Wan Fa didn't take it seriously, but the founders of the Ming and Xiang sects could see the clues. They recognized the familiar yet weak aura on the World Honored One's body.
"To transform all living beings into [me]?"
"What kind of evil technique is this? Doesn't he want to cultivate his primordial spirit? The primordial spirit requires absolute purity and cleanliness, but he doesn't cultivate it that way. Instead, he's embracing all living beings?"
"This is bad."
The patriarch of the Ming sect's expression changed slightly: "That's not the point. The point is, after he [transforms all beings into himself], can he take all beings with him to be reborn?"
"They've already been reincarnated, so what's the point of our rituals?"
As if in response to his words, at this moment, the unity of all people under the World Honored One actually passed through the Zixiao Palace and completed the coverage of the ancient divine land.
In an instant, all living beings suddenly understood.
Among them were humans, beasts, plants, and spirits—all beings possessing self-awareness—who were now sitting cross-legged, hands clasped together, saying:
"Alas! I never imagined that I was an incarnation of the World-Honored One!"
Trillions of voices shook the universe, and endless thoughts and divine light rose from the ground, resembling a vast galaxy, surging towards the World Honored One!
The joys, sorrows, griefs, and fears of all living beings flowed into the Buddha's mind along with the impact of the united will of all, making his primordial spirit even more radiant and majestic. However, this magnificence did not give the feeling of the primordial spirit being detached from the world.
Or even the exact opposite.
Looking around, one sees that the majestic Buddha statue is not standing in the sky, but rather in the mortal world, with a compassionate and peaceful smile on its face.
This is the secret to the Buddha's human appearance.
With everyone united, while he was saving sentient beings, sentient beings were also saving him, keeping him in the mortal world and not changing him from a higher perspective.
But if we do that...
Am I still myself?
The Buddha examined his own conscience, then smiled wryly:
Without a doubt, he is no longer the same. Compared to the original Wanbao Peak Master, he has undergone tremendous changes in both personality and style.
Why choose this path?
It's very simple. The moment he cultivated his primordial spirit, he keenly noticed the changes it brought to himself—and he had no power to resist them.
After all, the feeling of being the only one sober in a world of drunks was something he couldn't resist. At that moment, he even felt that Dao Tianqi, the one who mended the heavens, and the one who refined the heavens, and the junior brothers he once valued, were nothing more than illusions that he could resurrect at any time by changing the cause and effect.
Its existence itself is meaningless.
Can someone like that even be considered a person?
The moment this thought arose in his mind, the World Honored One was startled by himself. His memories had not changed at all, and he still remembered the bond between his fellow disciples.
But he just didn't care.
'I cultivated my primordial spirit and painstakingly plotted to become a Dao Lord, all to give them a chance to survive. But after succeeding, I no longer care about them?'
How could this be!
Thus, the concept of "Pure Land" came into being.
The initial unity of all people was merely a tool used by the Buddha to attain enlightenment, and this tool should have been discarded after reaching the other shore.
However, he retrieved it.
Even when he was united with everyone, even when he was no longer the "me" he once was, he was still happy to do so, because he left behind the most important part of himself.
So what if things are no longer the same?
"I'd rather be myself!"
The Buddha closed his eyes, and his entire body suddenly burst forth with boundless light, like a lotus flower blooming, illuminating an immeasurable pure land, the Land of Ultimate Bliss.
At the same time, throughout the entire Divine Continent, everyone below the Dao Lord clasped their hands together and underwent corpse dissolution amidst chanting Buddhist mantras. Only their empty physical shells remained in place, while their souls and consciousnesses floated up, manifesting one golden Buddha after another, rushing towards the direction where the World Honored One was!
They are all [World Honored Ones].
The World-Honored One is [them]!
However, this was not the end. In the center of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, on the boundless Pure Land, the World-Honored One formed a mudra with his hands and slowly lifted a palace into his palm.
Underworld!
Immediately afterwards, the golden Buddha, symbolizing the souls of trillions of beings, floated towards the underworld and transformed in an instant, becoming part of the underworld.
As the Underworld expanded on a large scale, the World Honored One's aura also began to rise. Previously, he could be described as the weakest among all the Dao Ancestors, even inferior to the up-and-coming [Angxiao]. However, at this moment, he has surpassed them, and his status has skyrocketed along with the rise of the Underworld!
"Click!"
During this process, the Underworld seemed to be overwhelmed, and cracks suddenly appeared in the once perfect palace, causing him to frown slightly.
But the next second, his brows relaxed again.
Just then, a young man walked over with a smile on his face, his eyes brimming with wisdom, his smile filled with both gratitude and determination.
"Senior brother, I'm here to help you!"
After speaking, Dao Tianqi began to help the World Honored One stabilize the Underworld. As the creator of the Underworld, only he could make minor adjustments to it as needed.
Upon seeing this, the Buddha smiled.
To be honest, he wasn't really interested in the so-called masses of people; the only people he truly cared about were his fellow disciples.
'But you're a demon tamer, what can you do when you're such a fool?'
"Mending the Heavenly Flaw and Refining the Heavenly Gauntlet, they're not much better off."
His fellow disciples care about all living beings.
Since that's the case, as their senior brother, he doesn't mind doing his part for the benefit of all beings and making his junior brothers happy; it's also his duty as a senior brother.
Thanks to Dao Tianqi's efforts, although the Underworld was teetering on the brink of collapse, it ultimately maintained its stability and successfully integrated trillions of beings from the Divine Continent into it. Under their support, the World Honored One, as the current ruler of the Underworld, finally underwent a qualitative change in his status.
"Are you kidding me?"
Upon witnessing this scene, Cang Hao and Wan Fa, who were most familiar with the World Honored One, couldn't help but narrow their eyes, and their [Supreme Forgetfulness] state was almost broken.
After all, they are different from the First Saint.
The First Sage had completely severed his mortal desires, but they had not. Therefore, under such a tremendous shock, they could not help but reveal their astonishment.
"The fifth level of the Other Shore surpasses us!?"
This is the advantage of relying on external resources. As long as the external conditions are met, you don't care whether you are moving steadily or not, or whether there are hidden dangers. At least you are moving fast enough!
Upon seeing this, the World-Honored One nodded as well. Then, the majestic Buddha statue he had transformed into suddenly swelled up. The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss beneath his feet, the immeasurable Pure Land, and even the Buddha light symbolizing trillions of living beings were all condensed into a ring and hung behind his head, demonstrating his own path.
At the same time, he also uttered his final grand ambition:
"If I attain Buddhahood, all beings in my land, including gods and humans, will be able to cross the final kalpa, using the underworld as a vessel to travel to the future and enjoy great freedom!"
"I will not become a Buddha until the underworld is emptied!"
As soon as the words fell, the Buddha's light suddenly collapsed. Tracing back to cause and effect, it then flashed and took trillions of beings with it, disappearing directly at that moment!
"amazing"
Upon seeing this, Si Chong was the first to react, his eyes filled with admiration: "Saving all living beings, this is the true meaning of saving all living beings, it's truly remarkable."
Almost simultaneously, the voice of the founder of the Famous Sect also rang out:
"Stop him!"
The timing chosen by the Buddha was absolutely brilliant!
Admittedly, with the arrival of the God of the End of Calamity in this world and the great sacrifice of all living beings taking place, the destruction of the Divine Land is unstoppable. However, this is also an opportunity!
"Because the Dao God of the Final Calamity has arrived, the future is now empty. Since the Primordial Saint can use this to travel to the future, we can certainly use this to travel to the future too!"
Originally, the World Honored One was supposed to guide sentient beings according to the plan of returning to the source, and then lead them to reincarnation. Although it was an attempt to avoid the final tribulation, it was still inevitable that they would clash with it. Whether they would succeed in the end was still uncertain. But now, the final tribulation Dao God has vacated the future, and the success rate is 100%!
So how will the God of the Final Tribulation react to this?
"He can't do anything!" Shi Weixiong breathed a sigh of relief.
"After all, his purpose is different from others. He just wants to live. It is impossible for him to return to the future in order to pursue the so-called living beings."
The former mortal enemies suddenly had no more grudges.
At this moment, the others finally realized what was happening and immediately shouted, "Follow them! As long as we can save the people, we can eventually come back and get the land."
For a moment, everyone was filled with emotion.
'Dwelling in the Immortal Abode, the True Cottage, knowing one's destiny—even I, many Dao Ancestors, have failed to achieve this. Now, it seems the plan to return to one's destiny has the best chance.'
At the same time, Shi Weixiong also made a decision.
'This isn't over yet.'
"The Name, the Prime Minister, the Primordial Immortal, and that First Saint—they are the greatest obstacles. If necessary, I must find a way to stop them."
We must not let the hope we have finally seen be shattered.
Just then, the Daoist Master suddenly sensed something and looked up. He seemed to see a magnificent net connecting the past, present, and future, in which a majestic Buddha statue was trekking. However, above his head, there was a gaping abyss from which an endless torrent of time poured out.
"Boom!"
In an instant, the Buddha's resounding vow, which echoed throughout all cause and effect and time, ceased abruptly, and was replaced by an even grander and more sublime voice:
"It's you again, Wanbao."
At the source of the torrent, the First Saint stood with his hands behind his back, his calm gaze indifferently looking at the majestic Buddha statue, with a hint of surprise in his eyes, but more so contempt.
Immediately afterwards, fragments of time appeared in his eyes, tracing back to the past, and he quickly saw the connection between the World Honored One and the plan of reincarnation.
Then, the sage came to the following conclusion:
"Not worth mentioning."
With Taiyuan Xian present, he already knew everything.
He knew that in several previous lifetimes, the World-Honored One had stepped forward at some point, revealing various trump cards to try and create trouble for him.
His perseverance was somewhat incomprehensible to him.
But it doesn't matter anymore.
After all, as far as he knew, all of the World Honored One's trump cards were meaningless to him, and no matter how much he struggled, the final outcome would only be failure.
[In previous lives], this life will be no exception!
The next second, following the thought of the First Saint, the power of the ninth level of the Other Shore immediately crashed down, about to directly shatter the World Honored One and the Underworld in his hand!
In an instant, the magnificent paradise and the underworld Buddhist kingdom appeared like candlelight flickering in the wind, sometimes bright and sometimes dim. Although they were struggling, it was to no avail. As time passed, the candlelight was getting closer and closer to its limit, and it seemed that its already limited resources were about to be exhausted.
"stop!"
Upon seeing this scene, Si Chong stepped forward without hesitation, standing in front of the World Honored One and confronting the torrent of time head-on.
"The spirit medium."
Upon seeing this, Chu Sheng lowered his eyes, shook his head, and said, "I originally had high hopes for you, fellow Daoist, and thought you were someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with me."
This is a lie.
Admittedly, Chu Sheng valued Si Chong highly and considered him his greatest enemy, but he would never have any idea that Si Chong was worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with him.
This is just an alternative.
'If I am unable to transcend in the future, I must first attain deity status, and then cultivate the next deity to achieve transcendence. Therefore, the person in charge of spirits is the most perfect candidate.'
For this reason, the First Saint did not intend to kill Si Chong. Of course, given Si Chong's [false transcendence] nature, even the final tribulation could not shake him, and he did not have the ability to kill him. However, in the end, Si Chong's power was insufficient now, and he was no longer the same as before, so it was still possible to make him leave the stage.
"Fellow Daoist, please forgive me for not seeing you off further."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Sheng waved his hand, and the torrent of time swept down, landing on Si Chong and making his figure quickly become illusory.
He was sent to the [future].
Although maintaining this spacetime exile for a long time is a considerable drain on the initial saint, in the initial saint's view, it is all worthwhile.
'It's just a pity.'
'In my initial plan, [The Other Shore] should have had a greater impact, but now the conditions aren't met, so I have to stop here for now.'
Chu Sheng was thinking rationally.
The grand sacrifice to all living beings was merely his first choice for "transcendence," a kind of "try it out since it's free" approach; he also had alternative plans.
【The Other Shore Ascension Project】.
This was a plan that should have been abandoned, but now that we've reached the ninth level, the "Other Shore," it has undoubtedly become feasible again.
And this time he doesn't need to plan.
Now he stands on the ninth level of the Other Shore. With just one leap, one ascension with enough accumulated strength, he can reach his former goal!
Of course, looking back now, the plan from back then also had its flaws.
'After all, my understanding of the Sea of Light was insufficient back then. I mistakenly believed that after ascension, my rank would naturally rise to the level of a Nascent Soul cultivator, and I would transcend worldly limitations.'
'In fact, according to the message within the Seed of the Great Dao, the so-called Sea of Light is merely the future observed by [Jun], and the system of positions was also created by [Jun]. Therefore, the final result of [Ascension to the Other Shore] is that I break free from [Jun]'s observation and achieve a kind of pseudo-transcendence.'
'Achieving godhood is impossible.'
From beginning to end, the only way to achieve the Divine Transformation stage is through the Seed of the Great Dao. On the contrary, transcendence, as a state, is another method.
But that's enough.
'Once you break through to the Nascent Soul stage, even false transcendence will become true transcendence; there's no difference.'
With this thought in mind, the First Saint made his decision: he wanted both the primary and backup plans! A two-pronged approach was the only way to ensure absolute success!
Thinking of this, he felt even more powerful.
'First, kill Wanbao, send back the beings of Shenzhou he took away, continue the grand sacrifice, and at the same time, shatter the Underworld to fill the foundation of [The Other Shore].'
The former can sustain the grand sacrifice for all living beings.
The latter can complete the ascension to the other shore.
In a daze, the World-Honored One seemed to foresee this ending as well, just as fate would have it, and saw that insignificant figure high above speaking plainly to him:
"From the very beginning, you were the person I chose."
“Shi Tianyi, Di Muni, you are a smart man. You vaguely discovered the problem with the name, so you changed your name, but it was all in vain.”
To contribute to my success.
This is your ending!
Meanwhile, in the ancient land of China.
Following Si Chong's action, the other Dao Ancestors also set off, tracing back along the time passage opened by the World Honored One, hoping to help stop the First Saint.
However, they lacked the strength.
At this moment, the First Saint had already stood on the ninth level of the Other Shore, the highest realm, and was the number one in the battle of the Sea of Light, so he was not afraid of the combined forces of the Dao Ancestors.
"No, we have to let Shi Weixiong come."
"What about others?"
"Still in China, haven't come over yet."
"Why!?"
Just as the Dao Ancestors were puzzled, in the ancient Divine Continent, Shi Weixiong stood still, looking at the figure walking towards him with a hint of understanding.
"Great Fortune is Coming"
Shi Weixiong said calmly, "Who did you choose? You see the changing times better than we do. I'll just ask you one question: can we still win?"
Da Yunlai shook his head upon hearing this, then pointed.
In an instant, the once clear world became blurred, and many secrets of heaven and cause and effect, as well as the passage of time, seemed to be isolated from it and no longer noticed.
This is also a method of "operation and repair".
【Yunxiu】Observes the times and fortunes, but does not become part of them. This 【observer's perspective】allows 【Yunxiu】to remain unaffected by external factors.
Immediately afterwards, Dayunlai turned to the side.
"Ok?"
Upon seeing this, Shi Weixiong raised an eyebrow, then looked at the young man in black robes who walked out from behind Dayunlai, and a knowing smile appeared on his face.
"Good, very good. I knew it. A disciple of the Daoist Master wouldn't die so easily."
"And that nascent saint instigated the final calamity god to kill you first, which shows that he is wary of you, and that you have something in your possession that can pose a threat to him?"
Lü Yang nodded slightly.
"Since things have come to this, I'll just say it straight."
Even though the First Saint had already reached the ninth level of the Other Shore, with the Seed of the Great Dao in his hand, the young man in the black robe still spoke with certainty and composure:
"I have a sure way to win this battle."
(End of this chapter)