Chapter 3098 - The Threelives Buddha Reappears

Su Yi met up with River Ancestors Luo Yu and Hu Chan, and the three set off.

“After I’ve met with Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan at Crimson Kite Daoist Court, I’ll leave the Southern Sea,” said Su Yi. “You’ll be free, then.”

River Ancestor Luo Yu said hurriedly, “Don’t say such things, Chosen. We served you, but we never lost our freedom. How could you speak of restoring it?”

River Ancestor Hu Chan nodded repeatedly. “Even after we part ways, all you have to do is call, and we’ll rush to your service. We won’t refuse even in the face of ten thousand deaths!”

Su Yi just laughed and said nothing, but he had the rough outline of a plan.

When he reunited with the disciples of the Heart-Tempering Sword House, he’d establish a new home base for the sect here in the Southern Sea. Here, they could both attack and defend. Moreover, with the River Ancestors’ support, what Heavenly Sovereign faction would dare to provoke them?

Of course, his plan was still rough and undeveloped.

Moreover, should the opportunity arise, Su Yi would rip the hostile Heavenly Sovereign factions up by the roots!

Su Yi thought briefly, then offered them each a pie in the sky. “Should the opportunity arise, I’ll help you two achieve a few further breakthroughs.”

As ridiculous as it sounded, he dared say with certainty that he had hope of making good on this offer.

Both River Ancestors froze. Inwardly, they went mad with delight!

As River Ancestors, they were in the same position as Heavenly Sovereigns. Any further breakthroughs meant sloughing off the shackles of destiny and stepping onto a higher path.

They most certainly hadn’t forgotten that Heavenly Sovereign Qingyi had received Dao Ancestor Ruo Su’s favor on account of her relationship with Su Yi. That was a one-in-a-million opportunity!

What River Ancestor or Heavenly Sovereign didn’t long to step onto the Far Shore and strive for greater heights?

But throughout the ages, how many had succeeded? Such opportunities were far, far too rare!

It wasn’t at all unusual for River Ancestors to live without ever finding such an opportunity, but both Hu Chan and Luo Yu were already convinced that it was within Su Yi’s power to offer them one.

Both practically wept tears of gratitude. “Thank you, Your Excellency!”

But then, a voice full of compassion arose out of nowhere.

“To think you’d have two River Ancestors so indebted to you. You’re indeed worthy of controlling the Book of Destiny, Fellow Daoist!”

Su Yi and company gazed into the distance. They’d just left the Sea of Fate, and they were rushing to Crimson Kite Daoist Court.

There, on the distant surface of the ocean, they saw a white-robed monk. He looked young, with the countenance of a temple statue, and he stood atop a lotus platform.

This was none other than the Threelives Buddha!

He smiled faintly, then clasped his palms together and bowed in greeting. “It hasn’t been long since we parted ways in the Divine Wandering Continent, but your majesty is even greater than before. How joyous! How grand!”

Su Yi looked at him, his heart welling with an indescribable mix of murderous intent, admiration, and loathing.

There were far too many grudges between them, and they’d been at odds for far too long. Even when Su Yi was still cultivating in the Human Realm, he’d clashed with the monk’s avatar.

And the Dark and Gold Star Realm had been hidden away, in part, because of the threat of the Buddha of the Future’s avatar!

Even if Su Yi didn’t want to admit it, the monk was his long-established foe, a rival in their pursuit of the Grand Dao.

“What are you up to this time?” Su Yi laughed, lifted a jug of wine, and walked over to the Threelives Buddha. The two River Ancestors hurried after him.

The Threelives Buddha smiled and shook his head. “Please, hide your murderous intent. I came here to discuss business of the utmost importance.”

“Oh? Let’s hear it,” said Su Yi. He didn’t stop his approach. His qi silently coursed through him, his cultivation base rising like a river.

He made no attempt to disguise his murderous intent. It shook the entire stretch of water.

The two River Ancestors readied themselves for battle. They were prepared to fight with Su Yi at a moment’s notice.

The Threelives Buddha’s robes swayed around him, his eyes as tranquil as the waters of an ancient well. He said softly, “I’ve come because of recent developments in the Abyss of Endless Tribulations.”

Su Yi’s eyebrows rose. In truth, he wasn’t as calm as he looked.

He’d changed his mind and decided to head for the Abyss of Endless Tribulations next because something unexpected had happened to both the Monarch of Endless Tribulations and the Buddha of Non-Existence.

But he would never have anticipated that the Threelives Buddha would come looking for him to discuss this.

“Also, as you can see, this is just an avatar of will. Destroying it will do you no good,” said the Threelives Buddha. “So why not chat with me first?”

Su Yi’s brow furrowed, but his steps came to a halt. He’d already realized that this was just an avatar.

River Ancestor Luo Yu’s gaze was strange. He thought back to the Sea of Fate, where his avatar had led the Heavenly Sovereigns around by the nose on Su Yi’s orders.

Now, the Threelives Buddha was obviously planning to use his avatar in much the same way—except against Su Yi!

But it was then that Su Yi attacked, with his avatar appearing out of nowhere right in front of the Threelives Buddha and seizing him by the throat. A tidal wave of power emanated from his palm and fingers.

Boom!

The avatar cracked like dropped porcelain. It looked as if it were on the verge of shattering.

Even the lotus platform beneath his feet split, dissolving into a dazzling rain of light.

But against all expectations, the Threelives Buddha remained as calm as ever. He just sighed, “Fellow Daoist, you’ve already ignited your Natal Heart Lamp, yet your heart is still this prone to agitation. You should really work on that.”

“Don’t you Buddhists say that a man ought to have both the compassion of a bodhisattva and the ferocity of a golden vajra?” said Su Yi. “Why should I hide my murderous intent for you, you bald donkey?”

The Threelives Buddha blinked in surprise, then applauded. “I would never have guessed you’d understand these wondrous truths of Buddhism, Fellow Daoist. Extraordinary!”

Su Yi was holding him aloft by the throat, and he dangled there like a little chicken, his body covered in cracks, yet he acted as if everything were perfectly normal. He was still laughing and chatting with carefree ease.

The two River Ancestors couldn’t help but find this surprising.

“Want to chat? Very well. Bring your true body. I’ll be waiting for you at Crimson Kite Daoist Court. If you aren't here by this time tomorrow, we’ll have to try again later,” said Su Yi.

Before his voice had even finished echoing through the air, he crushed the Threelives Buddha’s avatar, scattering a rain of light.

The two River Ancestors hurried up to him. “Your Excellency, should we set a trap and destroy the bald donkey outside Crimson Kite Daoist Court?”

Su Yi shook his head. “If he’s bold enough to show up, he’ll come thoroughly prepared. He won’t give me any opportunity to exploit him. Come on, let’s go.”

Su Yi drank a mouthful of wine, then led the two River Ancestors away.

But there was a new shadow over his heart. Su Yi hadn’t forgotten the battle in the Divine Wandering Continent, where the Threelives Buddha had come looking for him, hoping to visit the Abyss of Endless Tribulations together.

Even now, Su Yi had no idea what the Threelives Buddha planned to do in the Abyss of Endless Tribulations. He’d assumed that incident was over.

But now, something unexpected had happened, affecting the true bodies of both the Monarch of Endless Tribulations and the Buddha of Non-Existence. Immediately afterward, the Threelives Buddha had come looking for him.

How could that possibly be a coincidence?

Su Yi couldn’t help but suspect that the Threelives Buddha was involved in whatever had happened in the Abyss of Endless Tribulations!

Even if he doesn’t show up tomorrow, I have to visit the Abyss of Endless Tribulations as soon as possible, Su Yi thought.

That very day, he arrived at Crimson Kite Daoist Court and met with Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan and Fei Yunzi.

When he told them about his encounter with the Threelives Buddha, Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan frowned. “Little Brother, whatever you do, don’t underestimate Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court.

“During the Devastation, they were the mightiest orthodoxy in all of the Eternal Heavens Domain. Buddhism flourished throughout the world, and the Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court had disciples scattered throughout the world. You could hear the chanting of sutras anywhere cultivators gathered!

“When the Devastation ended, it dealt a heavy blow to Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court’s reputation. They’re not what they once were, but they’re still widely acknowledged as a Heavenly Sovereign faction.

“Moreover, old-timers like me know that a progenitor-level Buddhist faction of the Far Shore stands behind them.

“It’s much like how the Lower Court is Three Purities Temple’s outpost in the River of Destiny. Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court is actually that Buddhist faction’s local base.

“And the Threelives Buddha’s origins are highly suspicious. Even now, no one knows how he joined Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court or proved his Dao. He’s completely shrouded in mystery.

“In other words, when it comes to him, no amount of caution is excessive.”

Su Yi couldn’t help but find this surprising.

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan wasn’t afraid of anything between heaven and earth, but now, it seemed he feared the Threelives Buddha!

All Su Yi had to say was, “He’s visited me twice now, each time of his own accord. I’m sure there’s a reason, and I strongly suspect he’ll show up tomorrow.”

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan offered to help trap him, just like the River Ancestors. “Shall we set a trap to ensure he never leaves?”

“No need for that,” said Su Yi, refusing yet again.

When he awakened from his meditation the following day, he’d reached the very pinnacle of the Immeasurable Realm.

Naturally, he’d made this progress by refining a Heavenly Fate Elixir.

“Little Brother, the bald donkey’s here.” Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan rushed over. “He’s bolder than I thought!”

Su Yi rose. “Come on, let’s go.”

Meanwhile, the Threelives Buddha stood alone, hovering over waves and watching Crimson Kite Daoist Court from afar.

He’d arrived a full six hours ahead of schedule.

“You’re here so soon?” asked Su Yi.

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan and the two River Ancestors stood behind him. All of them could tell at a glance that this was the Threelives Buddha’s true body, not an avatar of will.

They couldn’t help but find this surprising. Where does the bald donkey get the confidence to come here alone?

“I rushed over as a modest expression of my sincerity,” said the Threelives Buddha, clasping his palms.

Su Yi scanned the area. “I know you, and you’d never endanger yourself like this. Have you perhaps brought others with you?”

Strange light shone in the Threelives Buddha’s eyes. He sighed. “Indeed, no one in this world understands me as you do!”

He turned to the side and said, “Fellow Daoist Su won’t tolerate dishonesty. If we want to talk business with him, we have to treat him with sincerity. Please come out into the open, Fellow Daoist.”

Before his voice had even finished echoing through the air, another figure appeared beside him, seemingly out of nowhere.