Chapter 782: The Matter of the Buddha Clan Ends

Deep within the Pagoda Realm, a towering black giant tower—stretching hundreds of thousands of zhang high and piercing into the clouds—radiated an ancient, indestructible aura.

But at this moment, a colossal cauldron was unleashing a torrential sea of Azure Lotus Flame, flooding the area around the black giant tower and turning the place into a sea of burning hellfire.

The tower trembled violently, shattering layers of space as if trying to break free from the flames, yet the Azure Lotus Flame could even burn space itself.

A massive figure, tens of thousands of zhang tall, stood firmly within the flames. Draped in a robe of living azure flame, the giant raised a fist and struck again and again.

Azure Lotus Undying Body—A physique approaching a Primordial Celestial Body.

Each punch made the tower quake violently. The sheer force of the collisions collapsed space into a bottomless black abyss, devouring everything nearby. Even a Heavenly Sovereign who approached would be pulled in and torn apart in an instant.

With both the Azure Lotus Cauldron and the Azure Lotus Undying Body unleashed, Liu Xi fully suppressed the ancestral tower. Even with its miraculous, sky-reaching power, it had no room to resist.

Suddenly, a vortex appeared on the tower's surface, spinning open like a portal to some distant ancient realm. An aged, archaic aura surged outward.

Waves of power swept through the world, strong enough to tilt even the blazing Azure Lotus Flame outward—yet instead of weakening, the flame roared higher.

A black-robed figure rushed out from the vortex, froze in midair, and stared blankly at the blazing world and the colossal figure towering above all.

His body trembled uncontrollably.

He remembered that flame—it had burned him before.

He remembered that giant—he had been beaten by it before.

He remembered the power—Liu Xi had shattered his Sovereign Sea, and even now he was only a late Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign.

"Qing Lian… he survived… he really came back alive…"

Futu Xuan whispered, his eyes empty, all will to resist completely collapsed. With no fighting spirit left, even the ancestral tower's power could not be exerted.

A moment later, another figure shot out—a graceful silhouette. The moment she saw the blazing skies and trembling tower, her delicate hand covered her lips, eyes reddening instantly.

When Qing Yanjing appeared, Liu Xi sensed her immediately. Emerging from the flame, he descended from above, landing gently in the air before her.

A warm smile spread across his face.

He opened his arms.

"I'm here to take you home."

The raging Azure Lotus Flame split to both sides, forming a brilliant burning path—an emperor's procession of fire, opening the way between them.

Qing Yanjing flew directly into his embrace like a bird returning to its nest. Holding him tightly, she trembled with excitement—laughing and crying at once.

"You're so late…"

Holding her close, Liu Xi felt a rare moment of softness. Even after being lost in the Abyss Domain, so many people were still waiting for him—worrying for him.

What more could he ask for?

"I am late. So let's go home now—together. I've missed you."

"…Mm."

"Hmph."

"Hmph."

Zi Yan and Qing Lin both clicked their tongues loudly—pretending to be annoyed, but their eyes were glowing with envy.

Liu Xi wrapped an arm around Qing Yanjing's slender waist and turned to leave. With her found, there was no reason to keep pounding the tower.

"Wait!"

A sharp old voice rang out—only to shrink into a softer tone a moment later.

"You… you cannot leave yet…"

Liu Xi frowned. The one speaking was Futu Xuan. This stubborn old man still dared raise his voice?

If he wished to die, Liu Xi was more than happy to oblige.

He always enjoyed helping people achieve their wishes.

Qing Yanjing hugged him tighter, glaring at Futu Xuan. Her voice was cold and firm.

"Grand Elder, my husband has returned. You have no right to stop me from leaving the Buddha Clan now!"

Ignored repeatedly, Futu Xuan stared blankly at the pair—his expression hollow, tinged with a desolate sense of loss.

"I know you're emotional right now. But look around—feel the current state of the Buddha Clan."

Puzzled, Qing Yanjing spread her Spiritual Sense.

She gasped.

Then turned to Liu Xi, staring in astonishment.

"The… the Pagoda Clan's guardian array… You broke it?! And half the Heavenly Sovereigns… their auras are gone…"

Liu Xi held her waist casually.

"They didn't welcome me, so I came in myself. I only tore down the guardian array and killed those pests from the Xuan Lineage and Mo Lineage. Nothing else."

Qing Yanjing stared at him speechlessly.

This was "nothing else"?

The guardian array alone was enough to suppress a Saint. It was one of the Buddha Clan's foundations.

As for the Xuan and Mo Lineages… She despised them too, but they made up half of the clan's Heavenly Sovereigns.

Now half were gone.

The Great Elder was crippled.

The guardian array was gone.

The once-mighty Buddha Clan—one of the Five Ancient Clans—had fallen to the level of a second-rate faction.

Qing Yanjing bit her lip, eyes complicated. She disliked the Buddha Clan deeply… but it was still the place that raised her.

Seeing it collapse stirred a faint ache in her heart.

After thinking a moment, she realized—

Only one person could help the Buddha Clan rise again.

She looked up at Liu Xi, lips trembling slightly, eyes pleading and soft.

'…I want to leave with you, but…'

Liu Xi sighed and looked away.

"Don't look at me like that. Everyone here hates me. Even if I wanted to help, they don't want my protection."

But Futu Xuan suddenly bent at the waist, bowing deeply.

"The Qing Lineage's Qing Yanjing—the most pure-hearted and most gifted of our clan—shall become the new Clan Leader. As for me… I am old and weak. I shall remain within the Ancestral Pagoda, never leaving without the Clan Leader's order. Please… allow this."

Qing Yanjing looked at Liu Xi. After a moment of thinking, he nodded.

He didn't care about the Buddha Clan—but he cared about her.

Seeing Liu Xi agree, Qing Yanjing turned to Futu Xuan.

"Since you are sincere, I will take up the mantle of Clan Leader. I will restore the Buddha Clan's glory. Please watch over the Ancestral Pagoda."

Then she kissed Liu Xi lightly on the cheek, leaning close to whisper into his ear.

His eyes lit up instantly.

"You said it—no take-backs."

Her cheeks flushed.

"…Mm."

"Return soon," she murmured. "Or I'll come drag you back myself… to fulfill that promise."

Liu Xi smiled, lowered his head, and kissed her deeply.

Futu Xuan had originally relaxed—but after seeing that scene, his face instantly darkened.

"In broad daylight… utterly shameless…" he muttered before fleeing back into the Ancestral Pagoda like a startled beast.

(End of Chapter)

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