Chapter 3100 - Reneging on an Agreement

That day, Su Yi left the Southern Sea with the Threelives Buddha and Hong Ling under the protection of the two River Ancestors.

Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan left too, but he was headed back to the Eternal Heavens Domain.

First, he needed to show his face at the Taiwu Sect and tell the world that he was still alive—and that they could target the Taiwu Sect at their own risk.

Second, he needed to lead the Aberrants and cultivators of the Heart-Tempering Sword House to the location he and Su Yi had agreed on.

Not far into their journey, Hong Ling asked about the two River Ancestors. “Are the two of them coming with us?”

“No,” said Su Yi. “They’ll turn around when we reach the River of Destiny."

They were all seated on the Threelives Buddha’s lotus platform, shuttling through time and space. It covered tens of thousands of miles in an instant.

Hong Ling’s eyes flashed. “You’re all alone, Fellow Daoist. Are you really comfortable traveling with us?”

That was exactly what the two River Ancestors were worried about.

But before Su Yi could respond, the Threelives Buddha chuckled. “Don’t underestimate Fellow Daoist Su, Fellow Daoist Hong Ling. He’s not just the Master of the Four Seas. He’s also Destiny’s Chosen. Here in the River of Destiny, who but the Destiny Demons would disobey his orders?”

“Oh,” said Hong Ling. She asked no further questions.

The Abyss of Endless Tribulations had always floated in the River of Destiny's current. That was common knowledge.

As Destiny’s Chosen, Su Yi really did have an advantage here, and he had access to all manner of wondrous abilities.

But Hong Ling wasn’t afraid of any of that.

The Threelives Buddha sat cross-legged atop the lotus platform, looking utterly relaxed. “Fellow Daoist Su, opportunities to travel with you are rare indeed. It’s like... reuniting with an old friend. I can’t help but feel gratified.”

Su Yi stood at the head of the lotus platform, robes billowing around him. He didn’t even look back. “I’d be even happier if you died.”

The Threelives Buddha couldn’t help but laugh. “The part that makes me happiest is that you’ve always disdained to hide your hatred and murderous intent for me. You aren’t like those hypocritical snakes who link arms and celebrate with me on the surface, all the while hiding bellies full of malice. They’re far too shameless and far too fake.”

Su Yi turned to smile faintly at him. “Don’t insult yourself like that. It’s enough that we understand each other; no need to say it all out loud.”

The Threelives Buddha didn’t know what to say.

Hong Ling’s gaze was strange. This Su Yi person is rather interesting!

Not long ago, Chu Shanke, the master of the Grassy Hut of Morning, told her that the Threelives Buddha’s background was special and that she shouldn’t look down on him.

Hong Ling took the warning seriously. She dared not be negligent.

She would never have guessed that an Immeasurable Realm sword cultivator like Su Yi would dare disregard the Threelives Buddha like this!

The Threelives Buddha sighed. “Fellow Daoist Su, in my eyes, even though we’re irreconcilable foes, you’re someone I can bare my heart to, someone who truly understands me. I didn’t realize your bias against me ran this deep.”

Su Yi took out his wicker chair, lay down, then said languidly, “Let’s set all talk of ‘bias’ aside. Tell me this: Were you the one who acquired the Eternal Throne lost in the Sea of Fate, ‘Spring and Autumn’?”

Even Hong Ling looked at the Threelives Buddha in astonishment this time.

After a moment’s silence, an exasperated look appeared on the Threelives Buddha’s face. “I knew this would arouse your suspicions.

He was effectively admitting it!

Su Yi’s words were barbed. “You’re really quite impressive. It seems Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court will soon have two Heavenly Sovereigns. What faction in the Eternal Heavens Domain will be able to compete?”

But the Threelives Buddha sighed. “Great upheaval shall soon descend upon this world. All I’m doing is repairing my house before the rains arrive. I’m preparing as best I can in order to survive. I’ve never even considered rising to the pinnacle of this world or reigning supreme over all.”

He paused, then looked at Hong Ling. “Besides, the Primordial Divine Court shall soon re-enter this world. With Sovereign Venerate Yi around, how could Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court possibly reign supreme?”

Su Yi couldn’t help but fall silent. The Threelives Buddha’s words weren’t at all unfounded.

In the past, a second Heavenly Sovereign would have placed Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court above all other Heavenly Sovereign factions. They’d have been the mightiest faction around.

But things were different now. Even disregarding the brewing storm, chaos would descend from the Void and arise from the depths of the River of Destiny!

The Outsider Celestial Demons, the Negative Karma Destiny Demons, and the Primordial Divine Court would all soon re-enter the world.

When the time came, Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court could forget about ruling the world, even with another Heavenly Sovereign!

“But that’s not the part I’m most concerned about,” said the Threelives Buddha, gazing at the blue-robed man sprawled out in a wicker chair. “I’m more worried about you.”

Hong Ling’s brow furrowed. In the monk’s eyes, the Primordial Divine Court is less of a threat than Su Yi?

Before Su Yi could respond, the Threelives Buddha continued, “You have no shortage of backers, nor of connections, but even without them, you’re already strong enough to clash with Heavenly Sovereigns.

“And that’s before even considering reincarnation, the Epoch Spark, and your collection of wondrous treasures: the Book of Destiny, the Cauldron of Fate, and so on. How could I dare to underestimate you?”

His voice was full of indescribable ruefulness. He meant every word, too.

Hong Ling fell silent. She couldn’t deny that the Threelives Buddha had a point.

Moreover, the founder of her sect, Sovereign Venerate Yi, had already deemed Su Yi an interesting foe in his pursuit of the Grand Dao!

If for no other reason than that, Hong Ling dared not look down on Su Yi.

Still, “refusing to look down on him” didn’t mean she was afraidof him.

Su Yi said casually, “If you’re that afraid of me, how about I generously offer you an opportunity to submit to me?”

The Threelives Buddha didn’t lose his temper. He just laughed. “If Buddhism vanished from this world, perhaps... I’d at least consider it.”

Su Yi couldn’t be bothered to continue. He just drank on his own.

There was no telling what the Threelives Buddha was thinking, as he just sat there, sinking deep into silence.

Hong Ling looked at Su Yi, then back at the Threelives Buddha. Neither of them is at all comparable to your typical Heavenly Sovereign. It’s no wonder Chu Shanke attached such importance to the Threelives Buddha. And it’s no wonder the founder sees Su Yi as a true enemy in his pursuit of the Grand Dao.

Those two River Ancestors stand by his side, never participating in the conversation, but in their hearts, they respect Destiny’s Chosen enough to prostrate before him.

Both Su Yi and the Threelives Buddha are incredible, and they’re irreconcilable enemies, yet here they are, traveling together!

What other Immeasurable Realm cultivator would dare travel with a hostile Heavenly Sovereign like this? Who could match his courage? I suspect not even most Heavenly Sovereigns would be so bold!

The atmosphere died down. No one spoke any further.

It was only several hours later that Su Yi said suddenly, “Threelives, if you don’t kill me this time, you won’t get another chance.”

The declaration seemed inexplicable, but the Threelives Buddha understood.

Few in this world knew it, but he and Su Yi had been fighting both openly and in secret for a long, long time now.

Even before Su Yi was born, the Threelives Buddha and his schemes had been directly involved in the deaths of some of his past lives.

Their enmity had gone on for far, far too long.

But now, Su Yi seemed certain that this trip to the Abyss of Endless Tribulations was the Threelives Buddha’s last chance. He wouldn’t get another!

The Threelives Buddha’s profound gaze surged with inscrutable light. He smiled faintly. “This clash of the Grand Dao must ultimately end in victory and defeat—and life and death. I hope we can end things between us sooner rather than later.”

Su Yi had nothing else to say.

......

A day later, they reached the River of Destiny, and the two River Ancestors bade Su Yi farewell.

Su Yi, the Threelives Buddha, and Hong Ling then sailed onto the River of Destiny atop the lotus platform.

Hong Ling held the Mirror of Mysteries, as the Abyss of Endless Tribulations had no fixed location. Its entrance shifted constantly.

It was thus very rare for any cultivator to ever truly lay eyes on it, and even when they did, it vanished in a flash, gone as soon as it appeared.

“There’s no need to go to such trouble, Fellow Daoist. With Fellow Daoist Su here, we’ll be able to find the Abyss of Endless Tribulations easily,” transmitted the Threelives Buddha.

Hong Ling transmitted back, “But what if he leads us into some kind of trap?”

The Threelives Buddha shook his head slightly. “He wants to save the Monarch of Endless Tribulations and the Buddha of Non-Existence, too. He wouldn't do something so stupid.”

Hong Ling frowned. “Why does it feel like you’re constantly sticking up for him? According to your earlier plan, shouldn’t...”

She’d only just said this when the Threelives Buddha glanced coolly at her. “Please mind your tongue, Fellow Daoist.”

Hong Ling disregarded him. “The moment he agreed to travel with us, he fell into our trap. He’s like a fish on the chopping block. Once we’ve achieved our aims, we can slaughter him as we see fit. What need is there for such caution? Unless...”

She glanced at the Threelives Buddha. “Unless you have other plans you haven’t told me about.”

Chu Shanke’s introduction meant she trusted the Threelives Buddha, but only up to a point. After all, they’d never interacted previously. It was only natural she’d still have a few reservations.

Moreover, the more she got to know him, the more she realized how shrewd and unreadable he was. She was already on guard against him.

The Threelives Buddha sensed her thoughts, and his brow furrowed imperceptibly.

In the end, he said patiently, “I won’t try anything stupid with Chu Shanke and Sovereign Venerate Yi around.”

Hong Ling’s expression mellowed. “I hope so, for both our sakes.”

The Threelives Buddha said nothing.

But then, Su Yi, who’d been dozing in his wicker chair, suddenly spoke. “Are you two done chatting?”

Hong Ling couldn’t help but feel surprised. Wait, did he sense my conversation with the Threelives Buddha?

But before she could say anything, the Threelives Buddha smiled. “We’re done talking. Do you have any guidance for us, Fellow Daoist?”

“I wouldn’t call it that. I just look down on all your sneaking and secrecy,” said Su Yi. He spoke casually, but without the slightest politeness.

With that, he rose, put away his wicker chair, and walked to the head of the lotus platform. There, he gazed into the distance.

Meanwhile, the entrance to the Abyss of Endless Tribulations appeared in Hong Ling’s Mirror of Mysteries.

She, too, rose. Her eyes shone with anticipation.

The Abyss of Endless Tribulations was close! It was right up ahead, beneath the River of Destiny!

The Threelives Buddha rose, too, then smiled at Su Yi. “We’ll need you to guide us the rest of the way, Fellow Daoist.”

Su Yi took out a jug of wine, had a sip, then said airily, “Tell me, what would you do if I changed my mind now?”

Hong Ling’s gaze focused, while the Threelives Buddha’s smile vanished. The atmosphere atop the lotus platform was instantly as tense as could be.

The only sound was the coursing current of the River of Destiny.