Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 595 The Pagoda is about to be completed, and a calamity is about to begin; ten deities descend to suppress the Western Regions (Seeking donations and subscriptions!)

The Western Paradise, the Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli.

The sky was neither blue nor green, but rather flowed with soft golden Buddhist light. Auspicious clouds transformed into the shapes of golden lotuses, treasure vases, and conch shells. The sound of chanting lingered in the void, not heard by the ears, but felt by the heart, cleansing the dust from the soul.

The earth is neither soil nor stone, but is paved with warm white jade, upon which flows the water of the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, clear to the bottom, nourishing the wondrous tree, and as the branches and leaves sway, specks of wisdom dust are scattered.

Countless devout Buddhists sat cross-legged there, chanting mantras, their chanting forming a vast and inexhaustible torrent of aspiration that surged toward the center of this realm.

That central location is the very place where this calamity has converged, and it is also the culmination of tens of thousands of years of effort by Xiji Zen Temple: the Ten-Tier Buddhist Artifact, the Eight Heavenly Dragon Pagoda!
Just as the divine light of the golden pagoda was spreading most intensely throughout the world, ten figures silently appeared on the lotus platform at the edge of the Buddhist kingdom:
Leading the group was none other than Master Lu Cheng, the head of the Taiqing Sect. He wore a simple Daoist robe, his aura was harmonious and restrained, subtly blending with the heavens and earth, and his Mahayana majesty was evident without being overtly displayed.

Half a step behind, the three elders of the Taiqing Sect stood solemnly. The aura of the Mingque Daojun was contained and unrevealed, like a deep pool and a towering mountain; the aura of the Minghe Daojun was deep and mysterious, carrying a trace of cold and murderous aura; and the Xuanzhen Daojun had natural sword energy and profound eyes.

Then, the Jade Purity Sect's Qingyang Daoist Lord wore an ancient and simple robe, with a cold and stern expression; the Upper Purity Sect's Wangchen Daoist Lord possessed an ethereal aura and carried a sheathed sword on his back.

The Myriad Manifestations of the Myriad Wonders of the Demon Mother in the Hall of Myriad Manifestations has a figure that changes from real to illusory. If you look closely, you will sometimes see a charming young girl, and sometimes an old woman with wrinkled skin and white hair, her face covered with layers of wrinkles, and she is incredibly kind.
The Seven Sword Masters of the Absolute Heaven Sword Sect, carrying an ancient sword box, possessed a restrained sharpness that commanded respect. The last two were the rogue cultivators, the Mahayana couple Long Zhang and Feng Tu, their auras intertwined like a dragon and phoenix in harmony, exuding an aura of their own.

Ten Mahayana cultivators!

Such a lineup, even in the entire Immortal Realm, is a terrifying force capable of sweeping across a region and overthrowing a powerful clan.

They gathered here solely to help Xiji Zen Temple overcome the calamity of the completion of the pagoda.

Master Lianshan had been waiting for a long time.

The old monk was emaciated and weak, except for his clear, bright eyes. He clasped his hands together and bowed deeply.
"Amitabha! Fellow practitioners have come from afar to offer their great assistance. This old monk and all the staff of Xiji Zen Temple are deeply grateful!"

Lu Cheng returned the greeting with a serious expression and calm demeanor: "Master, you flatter me. The completion of the pagoda is also related to the fate of the human race, and we will do our best."

Master Lianshan knew in his heart that the fact that so many Mahayana cultivators could be mobilized this time, especially the almost 100% of the Three Pure Ones Daoist Sect, was largely due to the efforts of Master Lu Cheng of the Taiqing Sect.

The Taiqing Sect likely paid a heavy price to bring this to fruition, and the trip was almost entirely unprofitable. He was grateful and knew that he needed to treat them with sincerity to truly gain the support of this hard-won alliance.

Besides Master Lianshan, the Xiji Zen Temple also welcomed the ten Mahayana practitioners, including the two wrathful deities Vajra and Prajna, Zen Master Xiaoyue, and the eminent monks Fashan and Fade, who were renowned for their mastery of Buddhist teachings. However, although Fashan and Fade were originally at the peak of the Integration Realm, they had now reached the Mahayana Realm. Yet, the aura of Buddha surrounding them made them appear somewhat restless and unstable.

'These two must be Mahayana Buddhist cultivators forcibly cultivated by the Western Great Zen Temple to prepare for the great calamity, at the cost of the sect's resources. Such an act not only severely depletes the sect's resources but also diminishes the potential of the two cultivators themselves. Overall, it's a losing proposition. It seems the Western Great Zen Temple is truly going to great lengths for this tenth-tier Buddhist artifact.'

Lu Cheng used the Samadhi True Fire to refine his eyes, cultivating the art of Fiery Eyes of Truth, which allowed him to naturally see the state of the two eminent monks, Fa Shan and Fa De.

Back then, the Taiqing Sect had not had a Mahayana cultivator for ten thousand years, and it actually had the ability to do this, but it simply chose not to, because the calamity in the Earthly Immortal Realm had not yet begun, and there was no need to pay such a price.

Just then, Master Lianshan stepped aside to lead the way and said:
"Fellow Daoists, if you are interested, you may follow this old monk to tour the Buddhist Kingdom and witness the culmination of tens of thousands of years of hard work in our temple."

With Master Lianshan leading the way, the group of practitioners proceeded slowly.

The Buddhist realm is a wondrous and solemn place, which needs no further description.

As you approach the center, you will see a golden tower, like a golden sacred mountain. This tower stands majestically, reaching straight to the end of the Buddhist sky.

The tower is made of neither gold nor jade, but is forged from the power of countless beings' wishes and their karmic resentment, giving it a chaotic yet sacred dark golden color.

The pagoda has nine levels, each with a vast space containing the rudiments of a Buddhist kingdom, where one can vaguely see the figures of the eight classes of beings: dragons, yakshas, ​​gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, and mahoragas.

At the top of the tower, there is not an ordinary finial, but a slowly rotating, all-encompassing phantom of the Six Paths of Reincarnation!

As the Dharma wheel turns, the overwhelming resentment and boundless karmic obstacles absorbed by the pagoda are transformed and stripped away layer by layer by the incredible power of Buddhism. The malevolent energy is transformed into peace and harmony, and the fierce energy into compassion. Ultimately, they are integrated into the pagoda, making its foundation more and more stable and its divine light more and more brilliant.

This is no ordinary method of crafting magical artifacts; it is a method of building an eternal and indestructible Buddhist kingdom in the void, based on a tower!

Furthermore, it combines two ninth-tier Buddhist artifacts with tenth-tier potential into one, complementing each other and doubling their power.

"Breaking the cycle of Yin and Yang from the very foundation of law!?"

Even the Myriad Wonders Ghost Mother of the Myriad Manifestations Palace was seeing such a spiritual treasure for the first time. In addition, due to the nature of her cultivation technique, she was overwhelmed by its magical power and couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

“Indeed, the Ghost Mother has eyes that can see through anything. After this tower is completed, I will abandon this wretched body and take up residence in the Buddhist kingdom.”

From this day forward, all my disciples will be free from the suffering of reincarnation, and will enjoy blessings in this Buddha-land beyond this world, where all their thoughts and desires will be fulfilled.

The matter had progressed to this point, and it could no longer be concealed. Master Lianshan then explained the profound meaning of this treasure to everyone:

On the day the ten-tiered Buddhist artifact, the Eight Heavenly Dragon Pagoda, is completed, immeasurable Buddhist light will shine upon the Western Pure Land, suppressing all heretics.

Of the ten Mahayana cultivators present, at least four were proficient in Daoist flying sword combat techniques.

However, under the boundless Buddha light, it is only a small part of the Eight Heavenly Dragon Pagoda's power to retain half of its killing force.

The true purpose of this magical treasure is to open up the Dharma Realm and break the cycle of Yin and Yang through the power of Buddhism!
The world is like a sea of ​​suffering, and the human body is like a raft to cross it. However, the sea of ​​suffering is boundless, and the raft will eventually decay. The Eight Heavenly Dragon Pagoda is an island built in the sea of ​​suffering. Even if the raft decays, the island will not sink. It can guide all sentient beings into the Eight Heavenly Dragon Pagoda, where they can receive incense offerings from millions of Buddhist followers and attain immortality.

Therefore, the monk Lianshan said, "After this pagoda is completed, I will abandon this stinking body and sit in the Buddha Kingdom." He wanted to become the central Buddha and save all people.

Once this tower is truly completed, after a short period of time, the foundation of the Western Great Zen Temple will surge, enough to rank it among the top in the Earthly Immortal Realm, truly deserving the title of boundless magical power.

Just then, Master Lianshan stopped. His gaze swept over the ten Mahayana cultivators behind him, finally settling on True Person Lu Cheng, and he solemnly said:
"Sect Leader Lu, fellow Daoists, this old monk knows that you have come here for a righteous cause, not for personal gain. However, my Xiji Great Zen Temple is not an ungrateful wretch either."

After speaking, he opened his withered palm, and Buddhist light gathered in his palm. A golden lotus platform, purely formed from Buddhist essence and vow power, slowly emerged.

The lotus platform is not a physical object, but rather a surface covered with countless fine golden Sanskrit characters that emanate a vast and profound Buddhist essence.

"This is the 'Golden Lotus Treasury,' which records many core scriptures and esoteric insights of our Xiji Zen Temple since its founding patriarch," Master Lianshan said solemnly.

"Today, on behalf of Xiji Zen Temple, this old monk presents this secret treasure to Master Lu Cheng of the Taiqing Sect!"

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in the eyes of all the Mahayana cultivators present, except for Lu Cheng. The core inheritance of the Western Great Zen Temple was of immeasurable value!
Master Lianshan's actions are tantamount to handing over a part of the temple's foundation!

This was not only a reward for the Taiqing Sect and for Lu Cheng personally, but also a demonstration in front of all Mahayana cultivators that the Western Great Zen Temple would never treat its allies poorly.

Lu Cheng's expression shifted slightly, but he did not refuse and solemnly accepted the golden lotus with both hands. As soon as the golden lotus entered his hand, it transformed into a warm, flowing light, merging into his palm and swaying gently.

"I am deeply grateful for the generous gift from the master."

"That's not all. You have a bright future and a broad path ahead. You have also cultivated the immortal body and indestructible body of Taoism. However, things are unpredictable. If you ever cross over to the West, our Western Buddhist Kingdom is willing to reward you with the position of Vice Leader."

All the Dao Lords present today are like this; if one day their divine essence were to cross westward, our Western Buddhist Kingdom would certainly not stand idly by. All of you fellow Daoists, you have all received the rewards of your sect's rank.”

Upon hearing this, all the cultivators present looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

Logically speaking, most of them are Mahayana cultivators of the Daoist sect, with a Daoist heart as firm as iron and stone. However, it is precisely because they are Mahayana cultivators that they know how terrifying the Heavenly Punishment is and how difficult it is to become an immortal.

The Great Way simply exists objectively.

It will not rejoice if you delight in it, nor will it be angry if you loathe it; it is there whether you love or hate it.

A cultivator becomes powerful because of their own understanding and comprehension, rather than because of their likes or dislikes of it.

Moreover, even disregarding the tribulations of becoming an immortal, the number of calamities in this world is countless, and who can guarantee that they will never have a time when they are short of life and their fortunes are low?
When faced with calamity, when the physical body collapses and the primordial spirit is severely damaged, there was originally no choice, but now there is another choice:

Entering the Pure Land of Buddhism in the Western Paradise introduces yet another variable.

Although the vast majority of those present were Mahayana Taoist practitioners, the thought of abandoning Taoism for Buddhism should not even have arisen.

However, if one were to cultivate both Buddhism and Taoism in the future, or even abandon Buddhism and enter Taoism again, there would always be another possibility, which is better than dying and disappearing on the spot.

Those present who were tempted remained silent, and even those with firm resolve simply suppressed their thoughts, leaving the scene in a moment of silence.

"Alright, fellow Daoists, you have come from afar. The temple has prepared comfortable rooms for you all. Please rest well."

Master Lianshan naturally knew the stance of the Mahayana Daoists present, and that none of them would respond. Therefore, after stating his position, he immediately asked all the cultivators to rest first and said no more.

The night in the Pure Land of the Western Paradise is not the usual pitch black, but rather flows with a faint golden halo formed by the devout vows of countless believers, like liquid Buddha light, gently enveloping the hermitage.

Originally, it wasn't like this. The Western Buddhist Kingdom's influence covered an area with hundreds of millions of believers, and although their faith was profound, it wasn't this strong.

In recent years, however, the money from the Buddhist ritual implements has been distributed by Xiji Zen Temple to support believers. The power of vows in guiding the practice has also become more domineering, and some believers have even died while praying day and night.

This state is difficult to maintain for long, but with the resources of Xiji Zen Temple, it is enough to support this major event.

Inside the Buddhist hermitage, Lu Cheng sat cross-legged on a futon, his simple Taoist robe exuding a restrained Taoist charm in the dim light.

Opposite him, the three Mahayana elders of the sect, Mingque Daojun, Minghe Daojun, and Xuanzhen Daojun, sat on three sides, their auras deep and concentrated, blending in with the atmosphere of this Buddhist holy land yet subtly forming their own world.

The towering Eight Heavenly Dragon Pagoda, almost reaching the sky and the earth, stood like a mountain. The immense power of the countless believers who gathered there, along with Master Lianshan's vision of "establishing the Dharma realm and breaking the cycle of Yin and Yang; using the vastness of Buddhism to establish a Buddhist kingdom on earth," still lingered in the minds of the practitioners, bringing them awe and prompting deeper reflection.

"To break free from the limitations of heaven and earth, to seek the path to transcendence... this is what we cultivators seek throughout our lives. However, throughout history, those who have truly taken that step are few and far between. Therefore, among the three thousand Great Daos, there are inevitably eight hundred unorthodox paths. The number of those who seek the unorthodox path far exceeds the number of cultivators who seek the orthodox path." Lu Cheng paused here, the tragic scene of the destruction of the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace flashing through his mind, as well as the once brilliant Mo Yanxing.

"The former Palace Master Mo's soul-shifting technique inherited the will of the puppet masters of the past. He stole the creation of heaven and earth and seized the life force of all living beings, attempting to graft his own body with unorthodox methods to avoid reincarnation. In the end, however, he ended up with the collapse of the Heavenly Palace and his death and the dissipation of his soul."

The requirements of this earthly Buddhist Dharma are even greater. All elders should be extremely careful, advancing when necessary and retreating when appropriate, with self-preservation being the top priority.

The inland city of the hermitage said this, admonishing his fellow disciples.

Daoist Mingque then interjected:
"Looking at these eight Heavenly Dragon Pagodas today, the aura of the secret realm and the spirit world of the Earthly Immortals is intertwined. Their lofty intentions, magnificent scale, and dignified methods are truly incomparable to Mo Yanxing's evil soul-shifting techniques. It's not a trick, but rather a construction of a Buddhist world unbound by reincarnation, based on extremely high Buddhist teachings and boundless vows. In terms of its fundamental principles alone, it surpasses the former by far." "However," Ming Que Daoist's tone shifted, a barely perceptible hint of gravity in his voice, "the difficulty of this path is likely even greater than that evil soul-shifting technique. The soul-shifting technique, if it fails, results in death and the destruction of one's path; while this pagoda, if successful, will certainly elevate the Western Great Zen Temple to the top of the Earthly Immortals realm, but if it fails…"

He didn't continue speaking, but the air in the study seemed to solidify even more.

If they fail, it will likely mean more than just the destruction of Xiji Zen Temple.

The calamity of the tower's formation, the encirclement of external demons, and the loss of control over the treasure—Master Lianshan had already stated that once it was out of control, the terrifying power that had gathered the resentment and karmic burdens of countless living beings would erupt, enough to overturn the Western Pole. At that time, whether it was the Three Pure Ones of Taoism, the Nine Sects of Humanity, or even the billions of mortals in the Western Pole, all would be caught in this calamity, only differing in the degree of impact they would suffer.

"What the Sect Leader and Senior Brother say is absolutely right," Minghe Daojun said slowly after pondering for a long time.
"Although this tower's intentions are righteous and its foundation is solid, its actions ultimately defy the heavens and alter fate. 'By establishing the legal realm and breaking the cycle of yin and yang,' these eight characters weigh more than ten thousand jin, carrying not only the ambition of the Western Buddhist sect but also a confrontation with the laws of the entire world. The illusory image of the Six Paths of Reincarnation seems to be transforming resentment and karmic obstacles to stabilize the tower, but in reality, it is forcibly altering the laws governing the operation of the world. How can the Heavenly Dao tolerate such a heaven-defying act? Therefore, the gathering of tribulations and the surrounding presence of external demons are inevitable. This path, seemingly grand, is actually a path leading to the abyss at every step. Compared to the evil art of soul transfer, it is only fifty steps and a hundred steps apart, and in the end, it will probably not be able to escape the backlash brought by the word 'defying the heavens.'"

Xuanzhen Daojun, on the other hand, focuses more on practical matters:

"Master Lianshan's offer of the Golden Lotus Secret and the attainment of Buddhahood in the Western Paradise is a testament to his sincerity. However, such a promise comes with great expectations. While our Taiqing Sect may gain temporary benefits by assisting him in his tribulation, such as occupying spiritual land resources and obtaining Buddhist scriptures, if this tribulation is indeed as the Sect Leader and Senior Brother Mingque predicted, extremely dangerous and even potentially self-destructive, then the resources and wealth we acquire may not be enough to offset the price our sect might have to pay."

Moreover, the shadow of the Spirit Venerable Society has not yet dissipated, and many doubts surround the affairs of the Eastern Pole. Is it wise to place the sect's elite forces in such a dangerous place at this time?

Lu Cheng listened quietly to the three elders' insights, his expression unchanged.

From his perspective, although Buddhism is a heterodox sect, it is ultimately an important force for humanity and also a benevolent religion.

Although the human race in the Immortal Realm is on the rise, their position is not secure. At this time, he should try to gain all the power he can. Of course, if things are hopeless, he will choose to retreat with everyone.

Time flows by quietly, like water.

Since Lu Cheng, the leader of the Taiqing Sect, led ten Mahayana cultivators of the human race to settle in the Western Buddhist Kingdom, several decades have passed in the blink of an eye.

These past few decades have witnessed an unprecedented phenomenon in the entire Western Buddhist Land.

Its grandeur, its ever-changing nature, its immense cost, and its far-reaching influence are enough to be recorded in the annals of the immortal realm and become a significant chapter in the legends of later generations.

May your vows be as vast as the sea, and may the Buddha's light shine upon all.

With Xiji Zen Temple at its core, the vast and boundless golden power of vows, like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea, surges forth from every corner of the Western Buddhist Land and from the depths of the hearts of countless devout believers.

During the day, the sky is no longer azure, but covered by layers upon layers of dense, impenetrable golden clouds of wishful energy.

This sea of ​​clouds is not static, but rather slowly rotates and flows as if imbued with a spirit, with the Eight Heavenly Dragon Pagoda at its center.

The tower's body resembles a bottomless pit or a giant furnace, swallowing up this boundless power of aspiration.

As each wisp of aspiration merges into the pagoda, a soft and sacred golden halo emanates from it, and the eight heavenly dragons, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas carved on the pagoda walls seem to come alive, radiating compassion and majesty.

As night fell, the clouds of aspiration did not dissipate; instead, under the reflection of the illusory image of the Wheel of Reincarnation of the Six Paths atop the pagoda, they refracted into countless brilliant stars, illuminating the entire temple gate as bright as day. The chanting of sutras continued throughout the night, echoing between heaven and earth, cleansing every inch of space.

Karmic obstacles are transformed into lotus flowers, and the cycle of reincarnation is initially established.

Along with the immense power of aspiration, there also came the intangible yet incredibly heavy karmic burden of resentment and hatred.

These negative forces, originating from the death, strife, and obsession of living beings, are attracted and captured by the slowly rotating phantom of the Wheel of Reincarnation at the top of the pagoda when they approach it.

As the Falun turns, it emits a mysterious and unpredictable power of reincarnation, dissolving and transforming the dark resentment, the scarlet malevolence, and the twisted karma as if peeling away layers of silk.

Amazingly, these defiled forces were not simply dispelled or annihilated. Instead, under the combined effect of the divine light of the Falun and the Buddha power of the pagoda, they were refined and purified, eventually transforming into crystal-clear "pure red lotuses" with faint karmic flames burning at their edges!
The red lotus petals fell and merged into the base of the pagoda. Far from polluting the Buddhist soil, they provided the pagoda with another kind of strange and stabilizing power.

Within the nine stories of the pagoda, the hazy outline of the Buddhist kingdom gradually becomes clearer with the ceaseless infusion of vows and the transformation of karmic obstacles. The phantoms of mountains, rivers, cities, and temples appear and disappear, and one can even hear faint chanting and bells emanating from within. A Buddhist world independent of the external cycle of reincarnation has already taken shape.

The creation of such a heaven-defying artifact cannot be accomplished solely through external resources and willpower. The resources of Xiji Zen Temple have been exhausted to the extreme over the past few decades.

Led by Master Lianshan, and assisted by the two wrathful deities Vajra and Prajna, all the highly accomplished Arhats and Bodhisattvas in the temple took turns pouring their pure Buddhist essence into the key points of the pagoda day and night.

Their golden statues sit cross-legged on specific lotus pedestals around the pagoda, their appearance solemn and dignified, chanting mantras, their bodies radiating a golden light that connects with the pagoda, like golden veins.

Each time Buddhist energy was injected, the golden light of their bodies dimmed slightly, but they paid no attention to it, their eyes fixed only on their unwavering belief in the perfect vision of the Buddhist kingdom.

The ten Mahayana cultivators of the human race did not directly participate in the refining process, but they stood guard in all directions like pillars of stability.

They were scattered on ten lotus platforms at the edge of the Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli, each closing their eyes and regulating their breathing, their auras resonating faintly with this world.

Above Lu Cheng Dao Ren's head, the phantom of the Blood River Flag appeared and disappeared, its blood-red light restrained, yet it exuded a chilling aura that suppressed all evil; beside Ming He Dao Jun, the Xuan Yin Demon-Controlling Corpse-Suppressing Rope coiled like a serpent, the Netherworld energy and Buddhist light forming a delicate balance.

Daoist Qingyang, Daoist Wangchen, and others either concealed their sword energy or emitted spiritual light from their magical treasures. Their very existence formed an invisible barrier, deterring any external demons that might attack from the depths of the void, while at the same time silently comprehending the Buddhist laws and celestial phenomena revealed during the forging of this supreme Buddhist treasure.

Ten Mahayana energies intertwined, each with different attributes, yet together maintaining the relative stability of this Dharma domain under the impact of violent energy.

Decades have passed in the daily flow of aspirations, the transformation of karmic obstacles, the burning of the golden body, and the protection of Mahayana.

The aura of the Eight Heavenly Dragon Pagoda grew stronger day by day. The pagoda's body gradually transformed from its initial golden color into a glazed gold that contained endless Buddhist principles and immortal divinity. Its light was contained within, yet it seemed to be able to illuminate all realms.

The illusory image of the Six Paths of Reincarnation at the top of the tower rotated more and more smoothly and naturally, emitting a more and more immense power of reincarnation, and even began to subtly influence the laws of life and death in a small area outside the tower.

The grand refining process is nearing its end, and the embryonic form of the Buddhist kingdom is becoming more stable.

However, the backlash brought about by the "defying the heavens" nature pointed out by the cultivators during their nightly discussions in the retreat was also quietly accumulating beneath this ultimate brilliance.

The tower's ability to absorb and transform resentment and karmic obstacles seemed to be starting to fall behind the negative torrents that were being drawn in from all directions, and possibly even from all the heavens and myriad worlds.

Extremely fine, almost imperceptible black cracks began to spread along the edges of the "pure karma red lotus" petals at the base of the pagoda, which were transformed from karmic obstacles. Master Lianshan's already nearly extinguished vitality had been further diminished by decades of presiding over the refining process, leaving him like a candle flickering in the wind. The faces of the Vajra and Prajna Vidyarajas also revealed an undisguised weariness.

A heavy pressure, like the impending storm, began to replace the previous magnificent scene, silently permeating the entire Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli.

On this day, Master Lianshan's face was gaunt, but his eyes shone like stars. He clasped his hands together, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of weariness and resolve:
"Fellow Daoists, the Floating Pagoda is nearing completion."

Before he finished speaking, a sudden change occurred!
The day that Xiji Zen Temple forges such a heaven-defying Buddhist treasure will be the day when its fortunes are at their lowest.

Outside the gates of the Buddhist temple, the once peaceful void suddenly boiled over!

What first descended was not a vast army, but an indescribable "silence".

This silence is not stillness, but a terrifying law that devours and annihilates all sound, light, and even space itself!
A profound and utterly deep "nothingness" spread across the Buddhist sky like ink dripping into clear water.

In this desolate place, the Buddha's light dimmed, the chanting of sutras ceased, and even space itself seemed to have been gnawed open with huge, irregular gaps.

From that abyss of nothingness, countless tiny figures surged forth like a tide.

They resemble ants and insects, their bodies are pitch black, and their carapaces shimmer with a dark aura that devours all light. With each opening and closing of their mouthparts, they gnaw and digest even fragments of laws!
"It's the Devouring Realm Ant Clan!" Daoist Qingyang's pupils contracted slightly, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity: "Fellow Daoists, this is the seventh-ranked ferocious clan in the Spirit Realm! Although the individuals in the clan are weak, when billions of them gather, they can devour worlds and stars, and are impervious to all laws! They are the first to arrive!"
This race includes an Insect King and an Insect Queen. If they can be found and defeated, the billions of insect swarms can be dispersed.

The appearance of the eroding ant swarm seemed to sound the call to attack. Immediately following, the sky was ripped apart!

"Boom!"

A massive rift that stretched across the sky suddenly opened up. Inside the rift, instead of chaos, flowed a viscous, filthy, and endlessly foul-smelling crimson river of blood!
The river of blood churned, and countless twisted, demonic figures made of pure, foul blood rose and fell and roared within it.

An intense, pervasive aura of filth, decadence, and the corrosive power of nature wafted through the air, clashing violently with the peaceful golden light of the Buddhist realm and producing a hissing, corrosive sound.

At the source of the Blood River, a colossal demonic figure, towering between heaven and earth, looms in and out of sight. It has nine ferocious heads, each representing an extreme negative emotion and a source of filth.

"The Nine-Headed Blood River Demon Lord!" The voice of the Myriad Wonders Ghost Mother carried a hint of fear: "This is a ninth-tier demon from the Bloodstained Abyss, ranked nineteenth in the Spirit Realm! His Filthy Blood River can corrupt magical treasures, erode one's Dao foundation, and corrupt one's soul; it is incredibly powerful!"

This is not over yet!

"Wow!"

A piercing shriek, capable of splitting gold and shattering rocks, tore through the sky!

A shadow covering half the sky swept in rapidly, and within the shadow were countless ferocious birds with wingspans that blotted out the sky!
They resemble giant eagles, but have dragon heads, and their bodies are covered with dark golden scales and feathers. When they flap their wings, they stir up destructive gales that tear through the void!

The leading ferocious bird was much larger than its kind, with a wingspan of several thousand miles. It had a dark golden horn on its head, which was surrounded by lightning that could destroy all laws!
"The Dragon-Peng Clan!" A clear, melodious sword cry emanated from the sword casket held by the Seventh Sword Master, seemingly responding to the overwhelming, ferocious power:
"Ranked forty-second among the Spirit Realm races! Their innate talent allows them to tear through the void, control destructive gales and annihilating divine lightning, and dominate the Spirit Realm with their speed!"

Immediately afterwards, the earth roared!
The solid earth of the Buddhist kingdom undulated and cracked violently like waves! Giant trees, as thick as mountains and entwined with dark green poisonous vines, burst from the ground, growing wildly and instantly transforming into a poisonous demonic forest that blotted out the sky!

Within the Demon Forest, countless enormous tree-men, composed of ancient trees, vines, and poisonous flowers, slowly rose to their feet. Their movements appeared slow, yet they contained a terrifying power that could shake the earth. Every step they took caused the Buddhist kingdom to tremble.

The highly poisonous spores drifted like green snowflakes, and wherever they landed, even the Buddha's light dimmed, leaving behind spots of corrosion.

"The Ancient Forest of Ten Thousand Poisons!" Elder Xuanzhen said in a deep voice, his body shimmering with earth-yellow light, stabilizing the ground beneath his feet: "Ranked fifteenth among the races of the Spirit Realm! Their poison can corrode immortals and Buddhas, and their strength can uproot mountains!"

This is just the beginning!
In the void, light and shadow distorted, and several more incomparably powerful auras descended:
A strange entity that constantly changes form, sometimes like liquid metal, sometimes like an energy storm, exuding an aura that devours and assimilates all things. This is the Thousand-Change Fusion Spirit Clan, ranked eleventh in the Spirit Realm.

A dazzling nebula composed of pure starlight, constantly being born and destroyed, within which countless stars seem to be born and destroyed, releasing terrifying stellar tidal power. This is the Starbone Tide Clan, ranked thirty-third in the Spirit Realm.

A gigantic, deathly city suspended in the air, built from countless skeletons, filled with the aura of death and the wailing of countless vengeful spirits, forming a tangible domain of death. This is the Eternal Bone City, ranked forty-eighth in the spirit world.

In a short time, nearly ten allied forces from the top fifty powerful clans of the Spirit Realm descended upon the Western Buddhist Kingdom! The Erosion Ant Clan, the Sky-Splitting Dragon Roc Clan, the Nine-Headed Blood River Demon Lord, the Myriad Poison Ancient Forest Clan, the Thousand Transformations Fusion Spirit Clan, the Starbone Tide Clan, the Eternal Silence Bone City… each of them represents the terrifying power of a hegemon in the Spirit Realm. At this moment, in order to prevent the birth of this tenth-order Buddhist artifact that could change the landscape of the Spirit Realm, they temporarily put aside their past grievances and came together!

These racial rankings are all published by the Spirit Race, the strongest race in the Immortal Realm. The rankings are reset every five thousand years to allow each race to understand its own strength and reduce unnecessary fighting and killing. In recent years, the human race's ranking has improved, but it is still difficult to deal with such a terrifying allied army of races.

(End of this chapter)