Chapter 575 - 32: Haotian Joins the Fold, Bound for Guan Du, Daluo Deathmatch

Chapter 575: Chapter 32: Haotian Joins the Fold, Bound for Guan Du, Daluo Deathmatch

"Buddha..."

On Spirit Mountain, Sakyamuni Buddha’s face was filled with compassion. An Infinite Grandeur ebbed and flowed around him as he softly chanted a Buddha’s name, and lotus flowers bloomed one after another.

The vast fortune of the Buddhist Path converged on Spirit Mountain, then poured separately into the three patriarchs of the mountain.

From Lamp of the past, to Shakyamuni of the present, and then to the Buddha Mother of the future.

The infusion of fortune was most potent for Shakyamuni. The Dao Rhyme on his brilliant golden body grew ever thicker, surging explosively at every moment.

Through an imperceptible connection, it was then transmitted to his many other selves.

"If Buddha is life, then the Nine Nether is the end."

The Nine Nether Child, who had replaced Ksitigarbha King, wore a solemn expression. Birth and Death cycled around him, woven with dense truths;

"The Buddhist Sect teaches that in one grain of sand, in one pebble, there is a world. Within worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, there are living beings as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. In each world, hundreds of millions of the Human Race can receive my Dharma."

Atop a Divine Mountain in Western Shu, Supreme Profound Clarity connected to the Buddhist Sect’s infinite worlds. He absorbed the Thoughts of All Living Beings from the infinite Human Race within those infinite worlds, and a phantasmal Sanqing Temple appeared above his head, growing ever larger.

"The Earth bears all living things, and the Six Paths turn for all sentient beings. The Buddhist Path speaks of Reincarnation, of seeking Enlightenment in the next life. For me, one Instant is a lifetime, and in each lifetime, I gain one Skill."

In Eastern Wu, the Profound Yellow Emperor wore a faint smile. He revealed his True Fighting Form, the Six Paths Plate slowly turning behind him. He was being reborn every moment; this Instant was the "next life" of the previous Instant.

And with every "next life," he gained one Skill, one grain of Bodhi, one scoop of wisdom...

There are sixty-five Instants in a second and 86,400 seconds in a day, for a total of five million Instants.

Thus, every day, the Profound Yellow Emperor Venerable gained five million Skills, five million grains of Bodhi, five million scoops of wisdom...

Day and night, it was always so.

"The Dao is the foundation, and Buddha is its derivative. Buddha began from the Dao, but the Dao does not end with Buddha. It is like the duality of the two primogenitors, the distinction between Yin and Yang. Now that I have gained the fortune of Buddha, my path of the Dao has also grown."

In the Purple Cloud Palace, Profound Origin Fusheng sat upright, his expression solemn. He quietly accepted the infusion from the Buddhist Path. The Bodhi Tree behind him grew ever more magnificent, dropping fruits of great wisdom, great light, and great purity.

He opened his eyes, and his gaze pierced through the Purple Cloud Palace, crossed the boundless Chaos, and landed upon the Dao Fruit Chessboard. As he observed the future trends of the world, he actually saw his own true fruition within it.

"Daoism and Buddhism have contended since The Beginning of Ancient Times, but at their core, all paths lead to the same destination. For me to comprehend Buddha is to comprehend the Dao. For me to become Buddha is to become a Celestial Venerable."

A faint Buddhist radiance appeared on Profound Origin Fusheng’s skin, yet it was intermingled with Dao Rhyme. He shouldered the fortune of the Daoist Sect while also bearing the fortune of the Buddhist Sect.

He himself was gradually reaching Perfection, gradually achieving Yuanrong...

「Late Han Dynasty. Luoyang. The Imperial Palace.」

Hongjun Daoist sat cross-legged as Lu Xuan’s main consciousness descended into this body.

Lu Xuan let out a soft breath and adjusted the Azure Heaven Crown on his head, muttering to himself,

’The surge in the fortune of the Buddhist Path is this beneficial to me? A pity that my Shakyamuni body is only the patriarch of Spirit Mountain. If only he were also the patriarch of all Buddhas...’

He felt a tinge of regret, but his eyes shone brightly as he whispered with a smile,

’My Dao becomes ever clearer. Supreme Profound Clarity is the heavens, Profound Yellow is the Earth, the Nine Nether Child holds the Nine Nether, Profound Origin Fusheng commands the Dao, Sakyamuni Buddha maintains Buddha, and Hongjun acts as the fulcrum, balancing them all...’

’When the Celestial Realm is changed to the Profound Heaven, Profound Yellow transforms into the Earth, the Nine Nether Child Form merges with the Nine Nether, Profound Origin Fusheng merges with the Daoist Sect, and Sakyamuni Buddha merges with the Buddhist Sect...’

’Then, when all my selves merge back into one—when I shed Supreme Profound Clarity, slay Profound Yellow, abandon the Nine Nether, kill Shakyamuni, and eliminate Hongjun, leaving only Lu Xuan—that will perhaps be my...’

Lu Xuan, in the guise of Hongjun Daoist, looked up and said calmly to himself,

"’The time when Only I Am Venerable.’"

After quietly absorbing the many benefits, Lu Xuan stretched. The Purple Cloud Palace materialized from the void before him. A Daoist Child approached, and the Purple Cloud Palace dissipated once more.

"Master," Xiaohuo’Er said cheerfully.

"You, you’re still too lazy with your cultivation."

Lu Xuan chuckled. He wasn’t worried that having Xiaohuo’Er follow Hongjun would expose anything. Not even Enlightened Ones could remember Xiaohuo’Er...

He lightly tapped the Little Daoist Child on the head and said with a chiding smile,

"Have you finished cultivating the Three Celestial Books I gave you?"

Xiaohuo’Er scratched his head in frustration.

"Master, Celestial Book Volume One explains Cultivation Skills, the middle volume teaches Divine Techniques, and the final volume expounds upon the Truths of Heaven and Earth. The first two volumes are manageable, but the last one is too profound..."

"You’re just too lazy!"

Lu Xuan’s eyes widened. Then, as if sensing something, he glanced to the side. In the empty hall, the void rippled, and a familiar figure stepped out.

"Elder Haotian." Lu Xuan politely bowed. Haotian, however, waved his hand with a smile. "Between you and me, is there any need for such formalities?"

He walked forward and studied Xiaohuo’Er for a moment with a curious and uncertain gaze.

"This Daoist Child..."

Haotian was taken aback. The Daoist Child was clearly right in front of him, yet he couldn’t form a mental image of his face. It was bizarre.

Lu Xuan just smiled without offering an explanation. He simply asked,

"Elder Haotian, you’ve come here to...?"

Haotian’s expression turned slightly grave, and he subconsciously ignored Xiaohuo’Er. He said in a low voice,

"Three matters. First, I found Fu Xi again and fought him. This time I captured him, but he died."

"Died?" Lu Xuan’s voice rose a few degrees in astonishment.

But Haotian shook his head.

"He died, but he didn’t. I clearly watched him die before me, yet in the next moment, he appeared on the horizon, smiling at me. It’s very strange. I suspect it’s one of his Transcendent Traits."

"Undying and Immortal? What kind of Transcendent Trait is that?"

Lu Xuan frowned slightly.

"That girl Xiaonian has that ability, and hers is even better—’Incorruptible’ and ’Unending’..."

A wry smile appeared on Haotian’s face.

"Of course, it’s not simple immortality. I couldn’t see it clearly. When the new Fu Xi smiled at me, the corpse of the original Fu Xi was still in my hand... Here."

He held out his hand, and a Daluo corpse materialized—it was Fu Xi.

Lu Xuan stared at the Daluo corpse, his brow tightly furrowed.

"This is indeed Fu Xi, and he’s truly dead. But a new one just appeared... Was it a Fu Xi from another time and space?"

"No. I held back and didn’t erase Fu Xi’s historical imprint, but he absolutely, truly died."

Haotian said, vexed,

"The man definitely activated one of his innate Transcendent Traits... According to Wa Huang—though who knows if she was telling the truth—Fu Xi is her ’Merit.’ What exactly is this trait?"

Lu Xuan had no ideas either. He shook his head, frowning in thought for a long moment before asking,

"Let’s put Fu Xi aside for now. What were the other two matters you came here for, Elder?"

"The second matter..."

Haotian hesitated for a moment, but asked anyway,

"Profound Origin Fusheng... is that you?"

Lu Xuan nodded frankly.

"It is."

Haotian fell silent, somewhat lost in thought.

After a long pause, he sighed.

"To sit on the Dao Fruit Chessboard with only a Daluo Body... You, you really are something else..."

Shaking his head, Haotian’s expression was complicated. He held out his hand again.

"The third matter is this. It might be of use to you."

An ethereal, brilliant gold scroll materialized. Lu Xuan was startled. As he examined it closely, he sensed the aura of the Dao Fruit Level flowing from it!

"This is?"

"The Investiture of the Gods."

Haotian said grimly,

"I have already relinquished the throne of the Celestial Emperor. This item is useless to me, but it may be of great use to you."

Lu Xuan’s expression shifted. He took The Investiture of the Gods, and its Profound Mysteries flooded his mind. He understood.

The Investiture of the Gods was forged by All Daoist Fruits. It possessed the ability to bestow celestial and terrestrial statuses. At the same time, it was a calamity-response artifact!

A so-called calamity-response artifact was something that, when a great calamity erupted, could act as a vessel to record all the living beings who died in the calamity.

After the calamity, for a certain price, those living beings could be returned to existence without having to enter the Six Paths of Reincarnation...

Lu Xuan was surprised.

"It can record all living beings who die in the calamity? I thought it could only record those destined to face the tribulation..."

"In a great calamity of heaven and earth, who isn’t facing the tribulation?"

Haotian smiled and continued,

"I’m giving this to you, so just take it. But let’s be clear: when you’ve accomplished what you set out to do, I expect a piece of the pie."

He was very frank, not mincing words at all. Lu Xuan decisively bowed and said with great solemnity,

"First the Azure Heaven Crown, and now The Investiture of the Gods. I am deeply indebted to you, Elder. It is only right and proper."

He described his plan, and Haotian’s expression flickered with emotion as he remarked,

"To sunder the heavens and damage the earth, to have Amitabha and the Buddha Mother bear the wrath of the great will, and to establish an unparalleled great dynasty for yourself, appointing the Three Dukes of Heaven, Earth, and Man to rule over the firmament, the Human World, and the Nine Nether..."

He paused, then said gravely,

"If this dynasty is established, it will surely surpass the former Celestial Court... You could enter the Dao Fruit realm with this!"

Lu Xuan shook his head.

"I have no desire to prove my Dao Fruit this way. It is ultimately an illusion. If the great dynasty is destroyed, everything will turn to nothing. What’s the point?"

"You see things clearly," Haotian sighed. "If I had been like you back then, not so attached to the throne of the Celestial Emperor..."

He shook his head, changing the subject.

"In that case, I really must enter the fray... I will return from death to life and help you personally. In exchange, after you succeed, can I have the position of the Duke of Heaven?"

"It would be my honor!"

A smile spread across Lu Xuan’s face. He bowed slightly. With an Ancient One entering the field to help him, his original seventy percent confidence had just risen to eighty percent!

He clapped his hands and laughed, his expression invigorated.

"Since you’re personally entering the fray, Elder, many plans can be moved forward... Xiaohuo’Er!"

"Master, I’m here."

"Go and summon Emperor Wu!"

"Yes, Master."

Liu Xie had abdicated, marking the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Cao Cao had ascended the throne as Emperor Wu. The world was now divided into four.

Before long, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed. Cao Mengde, dressed in an Emperor’s Robe, strode in. Without a glance at the Daoist-robed Haotian, he bowed to Lu Xuan.

"National Preceptor, please give your orders."

Lu Xuan descended from his great seat and stood shoulder to shoulder with Haotian, his expression solemn.

"Great Wei, how much territory does it have left?"

"One city and two passes."

Cao Cao sighed.

"The entire North has been occupied by First Brother. From the East to the southeast, and from the West to the southwest, those areas are controlled by Third Brother and Fourth Brother. Before the Eastern Han fell, we were already left with only Luoyang, Tongguan Pass, and Hulao Pass."

"What is the state of the war?"

"The three sides are fighting around Guan Du. The Northern Emperor’s forces are powerful and are pressing down on them. Third Brother and Fourth Brother have built a great pass and are barely holding on."

"Dispatch your generals and soldiers. Prepare to enter the field."

"Hm?" Cao Cao was stunned for a moment, then he bowed and replied, "Yes, National Preceptor!"

He was confused but kept his doubts to himself as he slowly withdrew.

Lu Xuan hadn’t let Cao Mengde enter the fray before because Yuan Shao used Buddhas as generals and Bodhisattvas and Arhats as soldiers,

Sun Jian used True Dragons and countless immortals as his vanguard, and Liu Bei had endless Ghost Soldiers charging at the fore.

Only Cao Cao’s side consisted purely of Human Race soldiers.

Unlike Immortals, Buddhas, Gods, and Ghosts, whose bodies could be reformed as long as their souls were not destroyed, when a member of the Human Race died, they truly died and went straight into Reincarnation...

But now it was different. With The Investiture of the Gods in hand, death and injury would only be temporary.

Haotian watched Lu Xuan swap his Daoist Robe for Immortal Armor and asked in a low voice,

"You’re going to enter the battle yourself?"

"Of course."

Lu Xuan smiled.

"Amitabha Buddha has entered the world. The Buddha Mother and Taiyi are about to make their move. If I don’t take the field, I’m afraid everything will be swept away in a matter of days."

Haotian seemed thoughtful, then asked again,

"What do you intend to do?"

"Daluo."

Lu Xuan’s expression was grave.

"Right there at Guan Du, I will slaughter all the Daluos of the Buddhist Sect, force Taiyi and the Buddha Mother to take the field, and then force Amitabha Buddha to intervene."

"Amitabha Buddha..." Haotian’s brow furrowed. "He is an Enlightened One, after all. If something unexpected happens..."

"Rest assured, Elder. I have my own plans."

"But..." Haotian was still hesitant. "Shouldn’t we reconsider? If Taiyi and the Buddha Mother join forces, I may not be their match."

Lu Xuan conjured a letter, which floated off into the distance. He said with a smile,

"You’re not the only Ancient One we have on our side."

He paused, then continued,

"Elder, you can see how immense the positions of the Three Dukes will be if I establish my great dynasty. Others can naturally see it as well."

(More to come later)