The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 201 The Prefect Decides Life and Death

The Weaver Girl struggled frantically, while the monk Kongkong closed his eyes. His tone was filled with deep regret, for he felt that asking his friend to kill him was an extremely excessive act.

Zhou Yan remained silent, knowing that this was not the time to be rigid.

The Lord of Mount Tai is merely a newly created deity.

However, at this moment, here, only he possessed this ability. The young Taoist, holding the Earth Soul Heaven-Shattering Staff, slowly rose and suddenly asked:
Will we meet again? Is there such a thing as reincarnation?

The monk Kongkong said, "Of course, the soul is subject to reincarnation. However, it is just like a river turning into clouds, clouds bringing rain, and rain turning into a river. It is a natural thing of heaven and earth. When consciousness perishes, the soul returns to the water like rain vapor, and occasionally has the opportunity to be reborn."

"No one interfered with this."

"In this process, all sorts of soul auras will inevitably be mixed in. The final soul that is combined will definitely not be the original person. However, whether it is matter or soul, it is just a transformation."

The monk smiled and said:
"So, if that's the case, then it's possible that countless fragments of souls, after going through countless cycles, will eventually combine to form an individual like the current monk Kongkong, and Manjushri, whom you know."

"Then, at that time, it would be like we were reunited."

The monk said softly, "Even if it's such a tiny possibility, even if it's impossible, it's not entirely hopeless."

"Then, after traversing a vast, infinite timeframe and countless eons of calamity, we will eventually meet again. At that time, let's greet the me of that time."

Zhou Yan remained silent and said, "Okay."

He was like that solemn man, expressing his attitude in a calm and simple way. The monk Kongkong, also known as Manjushri Bodhisattva, smiled, put his hands together, and chanted Buddhist mantras. As a result, the scrolls took flight.

The supreme teachings of Buddhism—

The Garbhadhatu Mandala Array is thus activated.

The womb represents compassion and reason. It is the equal nurturing of a fetus in the mother's womb. Thus, with supreme compassion, the Buddha-nature of all living beings is nurtured, which is the womb, the fundamental enlightenment. The Buddha-nature of all living beings is inherently hidden in their own womb.

The boundary is the domain, while the mandala represents the fundamental achievement.

Manjushri Bodhisattva closed his eyes and chanted, "Great Compassion."

"The fundamental principle".

"The cause of attaining Buddhahood."

hum ---

Golden Buddhist light rapidly changed and spread around the monk's feet, revealing an eight-petaled lotus in the center. Above the lotus, in the central position, stood Vairocana Buddha, and on the eight petals stood Ratnaketu Buddha, King of the Blooming Flower Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Thunderous Drum Buddha.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva.

Thus, the secrets that Buddhism kept hidden were fully revealed to Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan knew that this was both to make him understand the logic of this top-level Buddhist supernatural power so that Zhou Yan would not lose his composure when he took action later; it was also the monk's final gift, an apology for needing his friend to kill him personally.

This is the cause of karma in Buddhism, corresponding to the Vajradhatu Mandala.

Zhou Yan rolled up his sleeves, and at that moment, the immortal artifact was fully revealed.

He raised his hand and took out a sleeve from his cuff. On it was a painting of the Supreme Patriarch of Taoism. Zhou Yan swept it with his fingers, and the painting that Li Zhiwei had drawn with the sleeve as paper and blood as ink was burned, strengthening his connection with the Taoist Grand Ritual.

Zhou Yan inserted the Earth Soul Heaven-Shattering Technique into the massive, ominous heart of the Daoist sect. As the light dissipated, the Daoist sect's 2,400-cycle Grand Ritual patterns rapidly spread beneath his feet, and pure energy surged forth, causing the young Daoist's hair to flutter.

[Within and beyond the six directions, all things, great and small, are governed. All that possesses form and energy are subject to its rule.]

[A list of officials responsible for recording merits and demerits was compiled, and officials were appointed to oversee life and death.]

[Overall encompassing both the living and the dead, governing all things and people]

"In the name of the Lord of Mount Tai, the power of life and death is determined."

"The greatest power lies in the earth's veins."

"The second greatest power is imperial decree."

"third--"

"life and death."

The two array powers, representing the highest levels of Buddhism and Taoism, surged and rose here. Cyan-purple lightning crackled around Zhou Yan's body, while outside, everyone noticed that the fallen giant spider was beginning to change.

"Sky, the sky!"

"Look in the sky!"

Xiweizi suddenly looked up and saw that the heavy clouds that had been pressing down suddenly stopped, and then the vast sky cleared up, so clean and clear that it made people feel the immensity and even fear. Purple qi suddenly gathered in the sky.

That immense calamity raised its head and howled.

Boundless Buddhist light soared into the sky, while a massive calamity slowly swirled in the air. Spider legs retracted one by one, transforming into the shape of Bodhi Prajna. Demonic energy and Buddhist light coexisted in perfect harmony. In the end, the Buddhist nature of this calamity condensed, and the bizarre existence born from the cocoon of light was enough to terrify anyone.

A colossal entity, as large as Mount Emei, sat cross-legged between heaven and earth.

Spider legs transformed into eight golden arms behind him, while his hands formed a Buddha mudra in front of him.

The enormous face itself was as huge as the gate of Louguan Taoist Temple. Its skin was fair and delicate like white jade, and its eyes were soft, gentle, compassionate, and beautiful. However, the other half was the face of a spider, with unfathomable madness in its numerous eyes. Its mouth was split open to the ears, with fangs protruding and turning bluish-purple.

Half of it is a demonic spider, like the evil spirits of all living beings, driven by insane desires and resentment.

Half of it is the Bodhisattva's lowered gaze, which proves that the Buddha's heart and Buddha-nature of all living beings come from the womb.

The next moment, with this Bodhisattva demon as the core foundation, wisps of golden light spread out in all directions, transforming into the root of the eight-petaled Bodhi lotus, and then evolving into the twelve courtyards.

The Vajrapani, Vidyadhara, Shakyamuni, Avalokiteshvara, Vajrapani, Akasagarbha, Susiddhi, Manjushri, Ksitigarbha, Sarvanivaranaviskambhin, and the outer Vajra courts.

Thus, in this place where terrifying Buddhist teachings were everywhere, became the sacred site of Manjushri Bodhisattva.

Gods and immortals have appeared in the world!

The terrifying power and its aftershocks spread throughout the world. In the distant land of Xiyue, the True Lord of Xiyue, Jin Tianwang, was holding his divine weapon, the spear, and staring intently at the Zhongnan Mountain area. Although he had severed his connection with the earth's veins in the Zhongnan Mountain area, he did not immediately retreat.

He was still preparing to make his move only when Louguandao could fight this great demon to the extreme. But at this moment, he sensed a terrifying aura. Even standing on the top of Mount Hua, looking towards Louguandao, he could see a huge Bodhisattva statue.

The expression on the face of the True Lord of the Western Peak gradually grew solemn.

"!!!"

"A true top-tier rank? No, rank two, or perhaps..."

King Jin retreated completely.

The responsibility of guarding the western ley lines of the human race in the Western Mountains was directly abandoned. That was an existence from the original mythology. The surging aura and ancient divine intent emanating from it made Jin Tianwang realize that even if he himself reached the third rank in Mount Hua, he was no match for it.

Ancient dragon species, a regret spanning thousands of years, a plan laid out over two millennia, and a thousand miles of earth veins.

The existence that emerges from this convergence, even if it cannot last long, is terrifying enough.

Layers of primordial energy spread outwards. The Nine Elders of Mount Emei, Si Chen, froze as he stroked his beard, muttering, "True immortals, not just those of the rank of immortal, such beings, weren't they supposed to have completely ended with the extinction of the divine era? How could this be..."

At the foot of Mount Li, the Qin soldiers' God-Slaying Crossbows finally proved ineffective against beings of this level. The Old Mother of Mount Li watched all this unfold, and at that moment, the roar of the Azure Dragon rose up. Ao Xuantao soared into the sky, the pressure from the ancient dragon species making it difficult for him to breathe.

But it still desperately pushed itself up an inch!
Amidst the roar of the dragon, the Jinghe Dragon King fell. The hopes that Lushan Qingnang, Tianmenshan Zhenyin Zhenwang, and Emeishan Sichen had held were extinguished. Even the Jinghe Dragon King, a dragon clan capable of controlling water mist, could not get close?

Who else can fight...?

But at that very moment, as Ao Xuantao fell, a figure was sent flying. While all the gods retreated, there was still one person left who possessed an unyielding fighting spirit.

Crimson flames rose up, transforming into battle spirits clad in mountain-patterned armor.

"Taishanwei!"

The man's roar snapped Shi Xuanxing out of his fear and dread. Shi Xuanxing gritted his teeth and said, "The Lord is still here, we will not lose!" The remaining Taishan Guards, still fighting, stepped forward in unison.

The final force has gathered.

The surge of energy flowed to Shen Cangming, who raised his hands, gripped the Mo Dao with both hands, and unleashed a powerful slash. The massive Mo Dao battle spirit, burning with flames, struck the golden statue of the Bodhisattva.

Shen Cangming, wielding the Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword), charged across the golden form of the Bodhisattva. The blade's sharpness shattered the Buddhist chants. Despite the vast difference in their strength, he still possessed the will to fight to the death. Xiweizi began his incantation:

"Taoist disciples, begin the ritual!"

Even when facing a mythical being, there is still a reason to take action.

The pure energy of the Taoist Grand Ceremony shone brightly, and the power of the altar rose again, transforming into chains that tightly bound the Bodhisattva's true form. Blood trickled from the corner of Xiweizi's mouth. He swept it away with his whisk, and with a solemn voice, he chanted the mantra.

Faced with this calamity, the True Lord retreated, and the Mountain God was terrified.

Only this human body can remain unchanged.

Shen Cangming galloped to the head of the Bodhisattva's true form and leaped into the air, but his war bow was broken. He stared at the perilous state of Buddha and demon in one state, but at this moment, he heard a soft sigh in his ear.

The next moment, a bow appeared in front of him.

It is engraved with Qin seal script.

It was the war bow that flew out when the Qin Emperor's mausoleum was opened. It was the bow that the Qin Emperor used to kill the Kunpeng. With her limited power, the Old Mother of Lishan delivered this bow to Shen Cangming, who was the best archer.

Without hesitation, Shen Cangming grabbed the war bow and drew it in mid-air.

On this war bow, the baleful energy transformed into crimson lightning that surged across its surface. As it was slowly drawn back, Shen Cangming's aura began to gather. This bow was a creation that used qi to create arrows.

Shen Cangming possessed only an unparalleled and intense aura of bloodlust.

The altar is transformed into chains, and the Taoist gate is used to suppress Bodhi.

And there, the ultimate killing of military strategists and generals was transformed into a blood-red arrow. Shen Cangming's gaze was icy as he stared at the brow of this great calamity. He released his fingers, and with a roar like that of a million legions, the bowstring twanged.

boom! ! !
A beam of light almost pierced through the forehead of the half-Buddha, half-demon being.

It shot out from the back of his head.

Having recovered to his full strength, Shen Cangming wielded the bow and successfully broke through the 'Bodhisattva's' defenses. This scene left the mountain gods, including Zhenyin Zhenwang, speechless. In the end, Qingnang could only sigh, "What a pity."

Yes, it's a pity.

Opposite him was a Bodhisattva. The arrows formed from the malevolent energy broke through his defenses, but the Bodhisattva represented a realm that was neither born nor dies. The arrow mark between his brows slowly healed. Shen Cangming's eyes were cold as he fell from the sky.

Si Chen of the Nine Old Peaks of Emei sighed, "After all, it is the fruit of a Bodhisattva."

hum-

A hand rose up and caught Shen Cangming as he fell.

In the sky, pure energy rises and purple energy falls, finally condensing into a figure. After a thousand years, in this place of Taishang Louguan, surging purple energy has finally returned, spreading out in a mighty and majestic manner.

The monk Kongkong's voice was peaceful and serene in Zhou Yan's ears.

"The position of Prefect cannot be easily granted. Then, I wonder—"

"Taking the shattering of the four great Bodhisattvas of Buddhism as an opportunity, could the scattered vital energy allow you to transform into your true form as the Lord of the Underworld?"

"enough."

Xiyue Zhenjun gripped his weapon tightly, while Duanlong Shi murmured, "Just as I thought, just as I thought..." Shi Xuanxing laughed loudly, while the Daoist disciples watched as the pure energy of the Grand Ceremony dispersed and the being that appeared here.

His body was tall, as if formed from the boundless purple aura of the sky. He had a wooden hairpin on his head and black hair hanging down. He put Shen Cangming down, raised his hand to brush away the clouds, his five fingers like white jade peaks. When his sleeves fluttered, they brought up a fierce wind that made the Jing River surge.

“This, this is!!!”

The white jade lion cat almost felt its scalp tingle, then turned back to look at the benevolent Lishan Old Mother, and stammered, exclaiming in surprise:
"Isn't he a fake?!"

is fake.

However, if this is a false body, then the immortal and indestructible Bodhisattva must be severed.

So, who can determine whether it's true or false?

The past was false, but what comes after is true.

Mount Hua was affected by the gale, but the storm did not harm any living beings. However, the True Lord of Mount Hua stared intently at the enormous true form, sensing its height, which was the same as Mount Tai. Finally, his expression changed drastically, and he murmured:

"Lord of Mount Tai, the true form of the Eastern Peak..."

"The laws of heaven and earth?"

The immense malevolent force gazed upon the young lord in his true form, its expression simultaneously displaying compassion and ferocity. With its hands clasped together, and accompanied by a crisp sound, the Bodhisattva's status shattered completely, signifying the final agreement.

Zhou Yan stretched out his right hand, reached into his sleeve, gripped it tightly, and slowly pulled it out.

The power of life and death, the power of the earth's veins, converge on the [Earth Soul and Heavenly Inclination]. When it is drawn out, layers of flowing light converge and transform into a long sword. This sword has eight sides, imitating the eight directions. Its sword sound is deep and solemn, representing Yin and Yang.

'It's up to you, my friend.'

"Shili Bodhi, disguised as a demon, harms all living beings."

Zhou Yan recalled the time he spent with the monk Kongkong. Last year at the Wofo Temple, they fought their opponents together. He remembered his memories before they were awakened, his impression of Manjushri, and his request for help from Gao Shi. They went to dig for treasures together, and his daily life at Yin Zichuan's house.

The young Taoist closed his eyes, but the true form of the Lord of the Prefecture had deep, dark eyes.

He knew that Zhou Yan was just a wandering knight from Chang'an, but the Lord of Mount Tai, the Lord of Mount Tai who carried the legend, could not be sad or upset. He gripped his sword tightly, and the voice of the Lord of Mount Tai was vast and peaceful.

“Sever the Bodhi fruit, and discard the immortal body.”

"Conviction——"

"life and death!"

The voice was like a pronouncement from heaven and earth; the sword in the hand of the Lord of Mount Tai sank heavily for a moment, and then—

Cut him down!

(End of this chapter)