Chapter 567 - 27: Confronting Amitabha Buddha, Entering the Dao Fruit Chess Game

Chapter 567: Chapter 27: Confronting Amitabha Buddha, Entering the Dao Fruit Chess Game

"The Purple Cloud Palace Master has entered the fray..."

In the depths of Chaos, several Dao Fruits watched in silence. The Ancient Bodhi Buddha spoke gravely:

"I seem to have seen the faint light of Yuqing and the startling thunder of Shangqing. The Shangqing True Intent, in particular, was incredibly profound!"

After a pause, he spoke with a hint of disbelief.

"When the Purple Cloud Palace Master took that step, I clearly saw signs of the end of an Era... But even if he is, as fate suggests, of Primordial’s Direct Lineage, why is his Shangqing True Intent so dense? It makes no sense."

The Demon Ancestor smoothed the hair at her temples and said thoughtfully:

"That’s two more techniques we’ve never seen before. He also seems to be shrouded in the aura of ten thousand Daos. This man’s secrets run truly deep."

She paused, her gaze profound. "I fear he truly has power comparable to an Enlightened One. He must be a hidden gambit of The Three Pristine Ones, cultivated for countless years."

"Weren’t you all curious about what has been refining inside the Supreme Eight Trigrams Furnace all this time? My guess is, it might just be this very Purple Cloud Palace Master."

"Reasonable," Amitabha Buddha sighed softly. "Fortunately, he has not interfered in the affairs of the Late Han Dynasty... But delays can breed complications. The matter of the Late Han must be settled quickly."

"No problem. With the Purple Cloud Palace Master having shown himself, we can ignore the Chaos Battlefield. Leave it to him. We’ll send all the Daluo to the Late Han Dynasty and settle things once and for all."

The Demon Ancestor slammed her hand on the table, making a final decision.

"Supreme is on the verge of falling. I can try to hold him back. Once Amitabha Buddha recovers, he and Bodhi can restrain Primordial and Spirit Treasure. At that time, Taiyi, you can do what you must and eliminate the variables."

"Of course," Taiyi said with a smile, slowly stepping into the era of the Late Han Dynasty. The Buddha Mother followed close behind.

Two Dao Fruits had descended.

...

「Late Han Dynasty.」

In the twentieth year of Emperor Xian’s reign, Shu Capital.

"Uncle Zhong, Luoyang remains quiet, with no movements to report."

Liu Bei spoke with a steady voice:

"We have forged an alliance with the Wu Kingdom to strike the north together. Our fifth brother has conquered seven cities in a matter of days. My big brother can’t hold out much longer."

"We must remain cautious."

Zhuge Liang said softly:

"Although the Northern Emperor, Yuan Shao, is your big brother, and you have always been benevolent, now is not the time for mercy. You must press the advantage and flatten the Northern Lands."

Liu Bei nodded grimly and sighed softly before changing the subject:

"Uncle Zhong, what are your thoughts on the matter I discussed with you before?"

Zhuge Kongming gently waved his Feather Fan and smiled.

"Are you referring to what you saw and heard in Purple Cloud Palace? About that future version of me?"

He shook his head and said calmly, "The future is determined by the present. Now that Purple Cloud Palace has emerged out of nowhere, much of history has changed. That version of me may no longer come to be. Your Majesty, please be at ease."

Liu Bei nodded heavily. He was about to say more when a soldier rushed in to report:

"Urgent report from the front lines!"

"Present it!"

Liu Bei’s expression turned grave. He took the war report, and after glancing at it, his face drained of color, and he stumbled back several steps.

"What news is so shocking?"

Zhuge Kongming frowned, reached out for the report, and examined it for a moment, his expression hardening.

The report stated that in the Northern Lands, the White Lotus Sect had performed a grand ritual, and the Mother of Non-Birth and the Innocent Ancient Buddha had both descended, utterly routing the allied forces of Shu and Wu!

’So the Daluo have personally entered the fray...’

Zhuge Kongming’s brow was tightly furrowed. He turned his head and said:

"Have General Yan go and request instructions from the one on the mountain..."

The words had barely left his lips when Zhang Jiao strode in, carrying a brilliant golden Decree with the powerful stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger.

"Lu Zi has sent down a Decree!"

"Read it, quickly."

Zhang Jiao unrolled the Decree and recited in a deep voice:

"By this Decree, communicate with the Nine Nether and command the Underworld Department: a million Shadow Soldiers shall be the vanguard, the Ten Halls Yama shall command the main army, and the old Emperor Fengdu shall carry the Great Banner!"

As he recited, outside the hall, the Ghost Gate descended from the sky and boomed open. Ghost Soldiers marched out in unison.

Black and White Impermanence, Ox Head and Horse Face, the Eight Directions Judges, and the Ten Halls Yama followed. A Great Emperor even strode forth, a stunningly beautiful young woman at his side!

"By the Profound Clarity Decree."

Emperor Fengdu spoke with great authority:

"We shall commit the full power of the Underworld Department to aid the master of the New Han."

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang bowed deeply in unison.

「Meanwhile, in the East.」

The Golden Spirit Saint Mother stood atop the city wall, gazing north, and spoke calmly:

"Two Daluo have descended..."

Beside her, Sun Jian wore a worried expression. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Zhang Daoling arrive, treading on air and holding a great decree.

"Announcing the Profound Yellow Emperor’s Decree!"

Sun Jian’s expression changed. He bowed in reverence, and the myriad Immortals also rose into the air in a posture of respect.

"The Northern Lands are in turmoil, and the world is in upheaval. It is hereby decreed that the Ancestral Dragon shall lead the Four Seas Dragon Race into the Human World. It is decreed that the Five Peaks Mountain Gods and the Earth Deities of the world shall reconvene. Join with Western Shu and strike down the Northern Yuan!"

As he recited the decree, a True Dragon of boundless size appeared, stretching across the sky, accompanied by the long cries of countless other True Dragons.

Furthermore, the Five Directions Divine Mountains, led by Taishan, smashed through the void. The Five Mountains Emperor led countless Earth Gods, Mountain Gods, River Gods, and City Gods as they descended!

"We obey the Profound Yellow Emperor’s Decree!"

The countless True Dragons and Earth Deities declared in unison:

"We shall commit the power of the Four Seas and all mountains and rivers to aid the master of Eastern Wu!"

Sun Jian bowed deeply once more.

The Four Seas Dragon Race and the world’s Earth Deities descended upon Eastern Wu, while Emperor Fengdu and his infinite Shadow Soldiers descended upon Western Shu.

Meanwhile, in the North, along with the personal arrival of two Daluo, scores of Esoteric Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajras also descended.

With the exception of the Central Dynasty, which made no move, and Luoyang, which remained peaceful and quiet, turmoil erupted in all eight directions of the world!

High in the Celestial Vault, within the Celestial Court, the Jade Emperor peeked at the extraordinary scene in the Human World and couldn’t help but shrink back.

He sighed softly.

"The number of Immortal Gods on earth... I fear it surpasses that of this Celestial Court."

The Nine Venerable Ones to his side were silent, and the countless Immortal Officials and Divine Officials below said nothing. Ancient Immortals like The Matchmaker and Li Jing were in a complete daze.

Before they knew it, chaos had erupted in the Human World and the grand order was in flux, yet the Celestial Court no longer even had the right to intervene...

An Ancient Immortal shook his head and sighed softly.

"The Celestial Court has lost its former glory."

...

「Current World, the Chaos beyond the realm.」

Immortal skeletons lay strewn about, divine corpses piled into mountains, and Buddha Blood pooled into rivers. Yet the battles that had raged for thirty thousand years now fell silent; not even the clash of weapons could be heard.

Only a single Supreme-level Daluo was silently and slowly crumbling.

A Daluo had fallen.

And one of the very highest tier, at that.

Under countless gazes of utter horror, the Daoist in the Feather Robe slowly retracted his right leg and smiled faintly.

"So, where is Senior Brother Guangcheng?"

Dead silence.

The Great Sun Buddha’s mind trembled violently. Yang Jian, Nezha, and the others were all dumbfounded. A Daluo of the Supreme Level...

...had been crushed to death by a single step, just like an ant?

As countless Immortal Gods and soldiers reeled in shock,

Lu Xuan scanned his surroundings. He saw many familiar beings and frowned slightly. ’I’ve made such a great change to the past,’

’but in the end, this period where reality and illusion collide still presents the same situation.’

’Based on what I just heard, Profound Clarity and Profound Yellow are still dead or have fallen in this spacetime of truth and falsehood?’

He fell into deep thought while covertly healing, calming the excruciating pain from the backlash in his right leg.

’The illusory history woven by my two masters was exploited by several Dao Fruits. Does that mean my own plans in the Late Han Dynasty are still proceeding along a ’failed’ trajectory?’

’Even with all the Cultivation taught by Purple Cloud Palace, the past hasn’t changed?’

’That makes no sense.’

As a thousand thoughts raced through his mind, Lu Xuan looked at Taiyi True Master beside him and asked again:

"Where is Senior Brother Guangcheng?"

Taiyi True Master snapped out of his daze, his face a mask of confusion and suspicion. He stammered:

"Senior Brother... he was ambushed by the Unmoving Fearless Buddha. His whereabouts are unknown, and he has been missing for many years..."

Lu Xuan’s expression turned cold. He asked again:

"Who is the Unmoving Fearless Buddha?"

He glanced to the side, a murderous glint flashing in his open left eye. The Great Sun Buddha, the Great Virtuous Buddha, and the others felt as if they had been plunged into an icy cellar.

Merely being watched by that Primordial Left Eye caused the excruciating pain of their skin cracking, and then their bodies actually began to fracture and bleed!

’We can’t even withstand a simple gaze?’ the four Supreme Daluo thought in horror.

At that moment, Taiyi True Master stammered again:

"Senior, the Unmoving Fearless Buddha... you just crushed him to death."

Lu Xuan froze for a second, then realization dawned on him. He gave a derisive laugh.

"A villain, indeed. No wonder he tried to flee the moment he saw me. Heh..."

As he spoke, his expression sharpened. He once again forcibly activated Shangqing’s Right Leg, locked onto the four Supreme Daluo with the Primordial Left Eye, and raised his foot to stomp down!

"Fellow Daoist, please wait."

A clear, calm voice came from a great distance. A magnificent Great Buddha slowly approached, holding a Pure Land on the verge of collapse in his hand, and surrounded by the infinite Past Adornment Kalpa.

With a single step, the Great Buddha crossed the entire Chaos and arrived!

Amitabha Buddha.

Yang Jian, Taiyi True Master, and the other beings Similar to Daluo were forced to bow their heads. Even Duobao could not look directly at the magnificent Buddha and lowered his head, his expression filled with alarm!

An Enlightened One had arrived in person!

Lu Xuan’s heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged. He simply retracted his right leg slowly.

Secretly, however, he pushed the Creation Jade Disc, the Primordial Left Eye, and Shangqing’s Right Leg to their absolute limits.

His Feather Robe of Ten Thousand Daos whipped in the wind, and an aura that seemed no less powerful than Amitabha Buddha’s emanated from him, with magnificent phenomena rising and falling around him!

He maintained an outward majesty that appeared to rival an Enlightened One’s and said coolly:

"Amitabha Buddha... instead of tending to your Western Pure Land, you’ve come before me. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

After a pause, Lu Xuan spoke forcefully:

"What, does Fellow Daoist wish to have a bout with me? Very well. I was just wondering if shattering that Pure Land would be enough to make you fall from your station..."

As he spoke, the light in Lu Xuan’s left eye flared. He seemed to be seated at an infinite height, connecting all cause and all effect.

His right leg also began to glow, reflecting the apocalyptic scenery of an Era’s end, as if he would strike to kill at any moment!

Duobao sucked in a sharp breath. ’This Purple Cloud Palace Master is truly tyrannical! At the slightest disagreement... no, even before any disagreement, he’s ready to declare war on an Enlightened One?’

Amitabha Buddha’s expression also grew serious. He quickly waved his hands.

"Fellow Daoist jests. There is no enmity between us. Why should we fight?"

"Is that so?"

Lu Xuan’s heart hammered in his chest, but the murderous intent around him only intensified. He maintained a cold and indifferent tone:

"Then for what purpose have you come, Fellow Daoist?"

Amitabha Buddha grew solemn, a thought nagging at him. ’This Purple Cloud Palace Master not only knows about my current predicament, but his confidence is also far too excessive!’

’He seems... confident that he can make me fall?’

As a thousand thoughts raced through his mind, Amitabha Buddha’s face took on a compassionate expression.

"These disciples of mine have angered you, Fellow Daoist. I have come to apologize on their behalf."

"Is that so?"

Lu Xuan maintained his forceful posture.

"Fellow Daoist should know that I am the thirteenth Immortal of Jade Void. Guangcheng Zi is my senior brother, yet he was ambushed. Tell me, Fellow Daoist, what should I do?"

’Jade Void... thirteenth Immortal?’

Taiyi True Master swallowed, still bewildered. He had clearly never heard this title before.

Nearby, Yang Jian, Nezha, and even Zhu Bajie exchanged glances.

’The thirteenth Immortal of Jade Void... wasn’t that Profound Origin Fusheng? Wasn’t that him?’

They hadn’t entered Purple Cloud Palace to listen to the Dao sermons and had been fighting constantly on this battlefield of chaotic history and time. They had no idea that the Purple Cloud Palace Master was, in fact, Profound Origin Fusheng.

Meanwhile,

Amitabha Buddha was silent for a moment before saying in a deep voice:

"Although Guangcheng Zi’s present self has died, his past selves are unharmed. For beings like us, he can still be considered to exist eternally."

After a pause, the Buddha Lord continued:

"I will take these four unworthy disciples away. As compensation... how about you, Fellow Daoist, enter the Dao Fruit Chess Game, reconstruct the Divine Enthronement scenario, and allow that Guangcheng Zi to attain Daluo?"

’The Dao Fruit Chess Game?’

A flicker of movement crossed Lu Xuan’s face. He thought of the Heaven and Earth Chessboard. He had placed a piece on it once, and many more pieces had been born since, but he had yet to place them.

He had never understood what this Dao Fruit Chess Game was...

’Join the Dao Fruit Chess Game?’

’Wouldn’t that mean I could sit at the same table as my three masters?’

Seeing his silence, Amitabha Buddha added:

"Fellow Daoist Houtu has fallen. Of the six seats in the Dao Fruit Chess Game, one has just become vacant. With your power, Fellow Daoist, you are worthy to sit among us. Will this suffice as an exchange?"

A cool, indifferent smile appeared on Lu Xuan’s face. Suppressing the storm raging in his heart, he gave a lazy nod.

"Acceptable."

"Then please follow me, Fellow Daoist."

*(More to come later.)*