Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

Just then, the surface of the East China Sea suddenly churned violently, and a golden vortex with a diameter of a hundred feet appeared out of thin air, its depths unfathomable, as if it led straight to the deepest hell.

"This is."

Lin Zhu narrowed his eyes and quietly put away the jade slip in his hand.

The Western Buddhists were overjoyed at the sight, and the Buddha of Dipankara exclaimed, "It is the golden light of Ksitigarbha's lineage that is guiding us! We are saved!"

The two princesses of the Styx River suddenly changed their expressions.

Su Lengyu sheathed her scythe and stood back-to-back with Liu Man, watching warily as the golden vortex grew larger and larger.

"Sister, she's Ksitigarbha's lackey!"

Liu Man gritted her teeth, her blood-red longsword trembling slightly, not from fear, but from rage.

Su Lengyu said in a deep voice, "Be careful, the Ksitigarbha lineage is specifically designed to counter my Styx Technique."

Lin Zhu's eyes flickered as he quickly made a mental calculation.

The Ksitigarbha lineage? Not the Western religion? It seems things are more complicated than he imagined.

A Bodhisattva slowly rose from within the vortex of golden light.

She wore a Vairocana crown and a golden robe, held a Vajra banner in her left hand, and formed the Abhaya Mudra with her right hand. Her face was as indifferent as ice, and she exuded a suffocating aura.

"Vajrabhairava Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva!" Venerable Kasyapa was overjoyed and quickly bowed in reverence.

The Bodhisattva's gaze swept over the crowd, lingered on the two princesses of the Styx River for a moment, and finally landed on Lin Zhu.

The gaze was so intense that Lin Zhu felt a tightness run through his body, as if he had been seen through.

"Second Princess of the Styx, Su Lengyu; Thirteenth Princess, Liu Man." The Bodhisattva's voice was cold and devoid of emotion.

"You have entered the mortal realm without permission and disrupted order; your crimes are unforgivable. Today, I, by the decree of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, will take you back to the Western Paradise for trial, to cleanse your sins, and to make you take refuge in the Buddha."

Su Lengyu sneered: "What arrogance! When did it become your place to interfere with the people of the Styx River?"

The Bodhisattva remained unmoved and turned his gaze to Lin Zhu: "Lin Zhu, you have committed the most heinous crime: killing an Arhat, slandering the Dharma, harming a Dharma Master, and seizing the pure property of the Sangha. You deserve to be executed."

Lin Zhu frowned, alarm bells ringing in his mind. These charges seemed reasonable, but were actually far-fetched.

Killing an Arhat? He did kill several Western disciples, but when did he become an Arhat? Slandering the Dharma is utter nonsense.

“Bodhisattva, you are mistaken.” Lin Zhu cupped his hands, his tone respectful but not humble.

"I am but a rogue cultivator. How could I have committed such a heinous crime? I'm afraid someone has framed me."

The Bodhisattva remained expressionless: "The evidence is irrefutable, and there is no room for sophistry."

Liu Man retorted angrily, "Nonsense! My husband is an upright and honest man; how could he do such despicable things! It's clearly a frame-up by your Western Religion!"

"Thirteen!" Su Lengyu called out in a low voice, signaling her to be careful with her words. A verbal confrontation with the Dizang lineage would only worsen the situation.

Lin Zhu's heart stirred.

The appearance of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was too coincidental, and he immediately targeted him and the two princesses of the Styx River.

If it were merely a personal grudge of the Buddha, there would be no need to mobilize the Ksitigarbha lineage. Unless...
He suddenly thought of a possibility, and his heart began to race.

"Bodhisattva," Lin Zhu tentatively asked.

"May I ask, was this operation carried out by the decree of the Buddha, or by the personal order of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?"

The Bodhisattva's eyes held a strange light, which, though fleeting, was keenly noticed by Lin Zhu.

"How dare you!" Venerable Kasyapa shouted.

"How dare you interfere in the actions of a Bodhisattva!"

The Bodhisattva raised his hand to stop Kasyapa and said calmly, "I have my reasons for doing this. Your sins are grave, and you must submit to the law today."

Having said that, she gently shook the Vajra Banner in her hand, and immediately a great golden light shone forth. Countless Sanskrit characters flew out from the banner, transforming into golden chains that wrapped around the three of them.

Su Lengyu let out a sharp cry, and the Asura Netherworld Scythe unleashed a sky full of bloody light, colliding with the golden chains and producing a piercing friction sound.

Not to be outdone, Liu Man transformed her blood-red longsword into a blood dragon, roaring as she charged toward the Bodhisattva.

However, a shocking scene happened.

The moment the blood light and blood dragon came into contact with the golden chains, they melted away as quickly as ice and snow meeting fire.

"What?!" Su Lengyu's expression changed drastically. "Our Asura power has been suppressed!"

The Bodhisattva said indifferently, "The Ksitigarbha lineage is specifically designed to counter the Styx technique. You should all just surrender."

Seeing this, Lin Zhu knew she couldn't wait any longer.

He formed hand seals and chanted incantations. A beam of azure light burst forth from his body, transforming into an azure barrier that temporarily blocked the golden chains.

"Ladies, step back!" Lin Zhu said in a deep voice. "This Bodhisattva technique is special, specifically designed to counter your Styx lineage. Let me handle it!"

Su Lengyu and Liu Man exchanged a glance. Although they were unwilling, they knew that Lin Zhu's words were true, so they had no choice but to retreat behind him.

The Bodhisattva looked on with surprise: "You actually managed to block my Vajra Lock? Interesting."

Lin Zhu's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and the green barrier teetered on the brink of collapse under the impact of the golden lock.

He forced himself to say, "Why is the Bodhisattva so aggressive? I have only met the two princesses of the Styx River by chance. If the Bodhisattva wants to take people, come at me."

"Husband!" Liu Man stamped her feet anxiously. "What are you saying!"

Su Lengyu also said anxiously, "Lin Zhu, don't be reckless!"

The Bodhisattva sneered, "You are indeed deeply affectionate. Unfortunately, none of you will escape today."

With a change in her right hand's abhaya mudra, the Vajra Banner shone even brighter, the golden chains suddenly doubled in thickness, and cracks began to appear on the blue barrier.

Lin Zhu gritted his teeth and persevered, but his mind was racing.

This Vajra Banner Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was clearly targeting him; the two princesses of the Styx River were just incidental.

But he had no connection with the Ksitigarbha lineage, so why would he?
"Boom!" The last bolt of chaotic divine lightning struck down, and Lin Zhu, covered in blood, stood proudly upright.

He roared to the sky, and the three flowers and five energies within his body erupted like a volcano, condensing in the void into three dazzling golden lotuses and five streams of mysterious yellow energy.

"It's done!" A look of delight flashed in the beautiful eyes of the Holy Mother of Wudang. "This lad..."

The two princesses of the Styx Ancestor also showed expressions of shock.

The four members of the Western Sect looked extremely grim.

Venerable Kasyapa's eyes flashed with ruthlessness: "Impossible! How could he have emerged unscathed from the Chaos Divine Lightning Tribulation?!"

Just then, a crisp notification sound from the system rang in Lin Zhu's mind.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the "Transcending the Chaotic Divine Thunder Tribulation" mission!]

[Rewards are being distributed]

[Cultivation level has increased to the mid-stage of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm!]

[Gain access to daily check-in, guaranteed to accumulate at least a million years of cultivation!]

[Gained the Great Divine Power - Void Wind!]

[Achieved the Great Divine Power: Chaotic Divine Thunder!]

[The system detected that the host absorbed a large amount of lightning tribulation and ethereal wind, which has been automatically converted into supernatural ability proficiency.]

Lin Zhu felt his internal magical power surge like a river, increasing more than tenfold in an instant.

With a thought, he brought up his personal panel.

[Host: Lin Zhu]

[Realm Level: Mid-stage Great Luo Golden Immortal]

[Cultivation Techniques: Shangqing Immortal Technique (Great Completion), Nine Revolutions Profound Technique (Sixth Revolution)]

[Magic Treasures: Qingping Sword (Imitation), Twelve-Petaled Pure White Lotus (Fragment)]

[Supernatural Abilities: Chaotic Divine Thunder (Minor Success), Void Wind (Minor Success), Five Elements Great Escape]

"Is this the power of a Great Luo Golden Immortal?"

Lin Zhu clenched his fists, feeling as if he were standing in the highest heavens, looking down on all living beings as ants.

"Lin Zhu, watch out!"

Suddenly, the cry of the Holy Mother of Wudang came.

Lin Zhu suddenly came to his senses and saw that Venerable Kasyapa's face was ferocious, and the Immortal Slaughtering Sword in his hand was absorbing his Buddha blood, emitting a chilling killing aura.

"You wicked creature! Even if it costs me my life, I will kill you here!" Venerable Kasyapa roared, his Buddhist light turning blood red.

[Ding! Western heretical Buddha detected sneak attack!]

[Mission issued. An eye for an eye!]

The more Western Cult Grand Luo Golden Immortals you kill, the richer the rewards!

[Rewards include: Godslayer Spear Tassel, Nine-Nine Red Cloud Scattering Gourd, Chaos Clay, Ancestral Dragon Pearl]

A cold glint flashed in Lin Zhu's eyes.

"Just in time!"

"Die!"

Venerable Kasyapa had already arrived before him, and the blood-red Immortal-Slaying Sword slashed down with earth-shattering power.

At the critical moment, Lin Zhu's lips curled into a cold smile.

He raised his right hand slightly, and a flash of lightning appeared at the tip of his finger.

"Chaos God Thunder!"

"Boom."

A gray lightning bolt appeared out of nowhere and collided violently with the blood-red sword light.

To everyone's surprise, that seemingly weak wisp of lightning completely devoured the killing sword energy of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword!
"what?!"

Venerable Kasyapa's pupils suddenly contracted.

Lin Zhu flashed and appeared behind Venerable Kasyapa.

He gently waved his left hand, and an invisible breeze quietly blew by.

"Void and windy."

"what!"

Venerable Kasyapa let out a miserable cry as the protective Buddhist light around him shattered like paper, and his golden body began to weather and disintegrate!
"This...this is the Void Wind that can erode the foundation of a Golden Immortal?!"

The Medicine Buddha turned pale with fright.

Lin Zhu stood with his hands behind his back and said coldly, "The Western Sect is quite arrogant, launching a sneak attack while I am undergoing my tribulation? Today I will show you what true supernatural power is!"

Blood splattered into the sky, and the Immortal Slayer Sword emitted a piercing hum, as if yearning for the nourishment of blood.

Venerable Kasyapa's face was contorted with rage, his eyes gleaming with madness. Wherever his sword pointed, space itself was torn open with a dark rift.

"Lin Zhu! Today is your death day!"

Venerable Kasyapa roared, pouring all his magical power into the sword. The blood-red sword light surged to a hundred feet, like a ferocious beast ready to devour its prey.

The Holy Mother Wudang's expression changed drastically, and she cried out, "Not good! It's the Immortal Slaying Sword at full power! Fellow Daoist Lin, retreat quickly!"

Qiongxiao, one of the Three Immortal Maidens of the Clouds, was so anxious that her eyes reddened: "Brother Lin, be careful! This sword once killed the Twelve Golden Immortals!"

On the other side of the battlefield, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva of Vajra Banner clasped his hands together, his eyes filled with reluctance, but in the end he did not intervene.

The three great bodhisattvas of the Western Sect, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Avalokiteshvara, showed joy on their faces, as if they could already see the scene of Lin Zhu being beheaded.

The crimson sword light arrived in an instant, but Lin Zhu remained completely still.

"court death!"

Venerable Kasyapa grinned maliciously, his sword tip only three inches from Lin Zhu's brow.

At this critical moment, Lin Zhu slowly raised his right hand, put his index and middle fingers together, and casually pinched forward.

"Ding"

The crisp sound of metal clashing echoed across the battlefield. The earth-shattering crimson sword light was actually clamped between two fingers, unable to advance even an inch further!

"what?!"

Venerable Kasyapa's pupils contracted sharply, and the crazed expression on his face froze instantly.

The entire battlefield seemed to be paused, and everyone stared wide-eyed at the scene in disbelief.

The Immortal Slayer Sword trembled violently between Lin Zhu's fingers, but it was like a venomous snake nailed to the void, twisting its body in vain.

Lin Zhu's lips curled slightly, his eyes filled with mockery: "Kasyapa, is this all you've got?"

"impossible!"

Venerable Kasyapa's forehead veins bulged as he frantically channeled his magical power: "This Immortal-Slaying Sword can even kill a Great Luo Golden Immortal, how could you possibly..."

Before he finished speaking, Lin Zhu gently twisted his two fingers.

"Crack!"

With a crisp cracking sound, the crimson light on the Immortal Slayer Sword shattered like glass, and the sword emitted a painful wail.

Venerable Kasyapa was struck as if by lightning, spitting out a mouthful of blood that stained his robe red.

"Mid-stage of the Great Luo Dynasty."

Vajra Banner Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva murmured in disbelief, "He has actually reached the mid-stage of the Great Luo realm!"

The Holy Mother of Wudang's beautiful eyes gleamed with wonder: "No wonder he was able to pass the tribulation unscathed; he directly stepped into the mid-stage realm!"

Lin Zhu's eyes grew cold as images of Xiao Qiong being humiliated by Jia Ye flashed through his mind. On that day, Xiao Qiong was in seclusion to protect him when Jia Ye beat him with a vajra, leaving him covered in wounds. If Yun Xiao hadn't arrived in time, he would have almost died.

"Kasyapa".

Lin Zhu's voice was icy cold: "When you bullied Xiao Qiong back then, did you ever think about today?"

Venerable Kasyapa's face turned pale. Suddenly, he launched an attack, his left hand forming a mudra, his right hand abandoning his sword and transforming it into a palm strike, aiming straight for Lin Zhutian's spirit with the "Vajra Subduing Demon Seal".

"go to hell!"

Lin Zhu neither dodged nor avoided, but gently raised his left hand, and a rotating Tai Chi diagram appeared in his palm.

The mighty Vajra Subduing Demon Seal struck the Taiji diagram, but it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, not even causing a ripple.

"It's my turn."

Lin Zhu said coldly.

He released the Immortal-Slaying Sword with his right hand, changed his fingers into a palm, and gently pressed it on Kasyapa's chest.

The seemingly light palm strike felt as if Venerable Kasyapa were being crushed by a mountain, his protective golden light shattered instantly, and his sternum emitted a teeth-grinding cracking sound.

"puff"

Kasyapa spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with fragments of internal organs, and his body flew backward like a kite with a broken string.

Lin Zhu flashed forward, chasing after the falling Immortal Slaughtering Sword in mid-air, and thrusting it out without hesitation!
"No!"

Manjushri Bodhisattva cried out in alarm, but it was too late to save him.

Blood flowers bloom.

The Immortal-Slaying Sword pierced Venerable Kasyapa's heart with pinpoint accuracy, its tip emerging from his back, drawing out a spray of golden blood.

Kasyapa stared wide-eyed at the hilt of the sword in front of his chest in disbelief, his lips trembling but unable to utter a word.

"This sword strike is for Xiao Qiong."

Lin Zhu leaned close to Kasyapa's ear, his voice as cold as the ice of the deepest hell.

The light in Kasyapa's eyes quickly faded, but at the last moment, a strange smile suddenly appeared: "You too will fall into the Asura realm."

Lin Zhu snorted coldly, suddenly drew his Immortal Slayer Sword, and at the same time, with a flick of his left hand, a jet-black treasure sword wrapped in purple lightning appeared in his hand. It was the legendary "Immortal Slayer and God-Slaying Treasure Sword"!
"Want to be reincarnated and start over?"

Lin Zhu sneered: "Did you ask my knife?"

As the precious sword fell, purple lightning transformed into countless fine threads that pierced into Kasyapa's body.

Kasyapa's body convulsed violently, his face contorted in pain, and wisps of black smoke billowed from his seven orifices. It was a sign that his true spirit was being torn apart.

"I saw."

Kasyapa's voice suddenly became calm: "The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss... is doomed."

Before he could finish speaking, his body crumbled like a sand sculpture, turning into specks of yellow earth that drifted into the air.

A gust of wind blew by, and even the last speck of dust vanished without a trace.

The first Great Luo Golden Immortal to fall since the Investiture of the Gods, his body and soul were destroyed!
A deathly silence fell over the battlefield. (End of Chapter)