Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

"The city lord's mansion still commands an army of 20,000, all of whom are outstanding in martial arts."

Twenty thousand, a large army.

Given Zhou Wang's suspicion of Gucheng Buwei, the fact that he allowed him to command an army of 20,000 is probably only because of the demons and monsters in Nili Senyu.

Clearly, besides the city walls, the criminals exiled here were the main force resisting foreign enemies. Once faced with a life-threatening situation, the criminals' resistance was no less than that of any soldier.

This reminded Rahu of another famous wall, and the Night's Watch on it.

The north wind howls year-round, and winter blankets the northern lands. The Night's Watch still patrols the city walls, gazing upon the distant land of eternal winter, day after day, for millennia.

Here, the luxurious city lord's mansion and the comfortable Xiaoyao Residence are nothing more than compromises made after a power struggle.

To the city lord and Lord Spirit Hunter, Nili Forest Prison was as distant as another world.

Just as the three were chatting, Emperor Tathagata arrived as promised.

Upon seeing Rahu, Emperor Rulai was greatly surprised: "Martial Lord, what brings you here?"

"I have come to draw upon the primordial energy."

"But what about the three paths and beginnings of the Five Swords of the Buddhist Land?"

"No, what I took was the Hidden Mystic Stone."

The five swords corresponding to the five chaotic elements are: the Vedas of the Buddha of Heaven, the Yao Ying Sword transformed from the Demon Ying Feng Guang, the Twin Swords of Ji Xia Shang, the Three Paths of Beginning and End from the Intermediate Yin Realm, and the Azure Blood Long Wind of Jian Tong Hui.

When the Heavenly Ferocity was sealed, the Mysterious Veda and the Three Paths of Beginning and End each pinned one of the Heavenly Ferocity's feet to the boulder, where it remains at this moment.

What Luo Hou wanted was not the sword, but the sword energy; the Hidden Profound Soul Stone was enough.

Although Emperor Tathagata did not know why Rahu had taken the primordial energy, he did not ask further. Instead, he spoke of the suffering realm:

"The Heavenly Fierce, sealed by the Endless Heavenly Peak, was broken by the thunder and fire power of Jing Bao'er and the Fire Fierce, and appeared in the martial world as half of the King's Relic. In addition, the Desire King of the Five Aspects of the Buddha and the Thousand Sands of Samantabhadra both died in battle at the half of the King's Relic."

"Ok?"

The Buddha said with a sense of self-reproach: "I was led away by the mountain demon and the giant turtle, and I was unable to rescue him. I am ashamed before the Buddha."

Luo Hou hadn't expected the Heavenly Buddha to die so quickly. It seemed he needed to gather the Five Swords' Qi as soon as possible.

Upon hearing what Emperor Rulai said, Duan Junheng frowned and asked, "May I ask, Buddha, what kind of race is the Li Clan, and how could they possess such extreme power?"

"Amitabha! In the beginning of chaos, in the Mirage Sea deep within the earth's veins, the three primordial races of demons, monsters, and fierce beasts were born. The details are as follows..."

Afterwards, the Heavenly Fiend split his power to create the Fiend Clan, and the Fiend Clan began to be born.

Unexpectedly, Tian Zhi Li mysteriously disappeared at this time. It wasn't until a thousand years later that Tian Zhi Li returned, unified the Mirage Sea Underworld, the demon race fled, and the demon race was brought to the brink of extinction.

The Li Clan then left the Underworld and wreaked havoc on the human world.

To stop the Li Clan from engaging in a fierce battle with the Buddha, the Li Clan sealed away the Heavenly Li, greatly weakening their strength. This is why they went into hiding, posing as humans.

(Seeking monthly votes, baby!)

Chapter 175 The Truth Behind the Wall of Sin, The True Face of Buddha

The Tathagata Buddha possessed the pass given to the Buddha by the King of the Universe, which allowed him to travel freely in and out of the intermediate state. Therefore, he entered the intermediate state late, but arrived at the Abode of Leisure before and after Rahu.

After he finished explaining the origins of the Li Clan, everyone became wary.

The same applies to Luo Hou. The Li Clan possesses the incredible ability to change skins at any time. If they were to infiltrate Tiandu... the damage they would suffer would be unbearable.

"First, let the Heavenly Fiend be unsealed, then completely eradicate the Fiend Clan. Please ask the Buddha to convey to the Buddha that I am willing to lend a helping hand."

Emperor Tathagata was overjoyed: "With the help of the Martial Lord, this evil spirit will surely be punished."

Unsealing and eradicating the Heavenly Fiend also aligns with Duan Junheng's demands, and he immediately agreed: "If the Fiend Clan escapes into the Underworld, I will personally extract their souls."

"Thank you, Spirit Hunter."

The next step is to search for the Demon Emperor's remnant soul.

Suddenly, Duan Junheng waved his hand, and the Demon Seal Staff of the Heavenly Yama Demon Clan appeared in the room.

The scepter had already been buried in the Demon Emperor's Mausoleum along with Huatachanti, but it was taken out by Jhanaja and given to Duan Junheng.

"This item was once held by the Demon Emperor for many years and is imbued with his aura. I will use this item as a medium to cast a spell to search for the Demon Emperor's remaining consciousness within it."

"let's start."

Emperor Tathagata sat cross-legged, calmed his mind and nature, and immediately chanted softly, and the Buddha's light shone brightly, with lotus flowers illuminating the entire room.

"All things are manifestations of the mind; mind and matter are one; time and space are but a thought; one can freely observe the past and present. I wonder if the Master can fully believe me?"

"Believe it."

"This matter is of utmost importance, and we are grateful for the assistance of the Martial Lord and the Venerable Emperor."

Luo Hou nodded.

Duan Junheng then used a secret technique, sending a beam of spiritual light into the Buddhist energy: "Search Soul and Locate Traces, Imperial Decree!"

In an instant, Emperor Tathagata's spiritual consciousness, along with Duan Junheng, traveled back to a distant past—

Time replays the great war between the Holy and the Demonic, a fierce battle between good and evil, with calamity spreading across thousands of miles of land.

In a battle that would decide life or death, both commanders personally took to the field, fighting with their lives on the line, refusing to yield.

One of them, dressed in a white robe, wearing a jeweled crown, and holding a withered Zen wheel, was none other than Yun Guo Di Hun, the leader of the Holy One.

The other side, dressed in a dark purple battle robe and wielding a demonic scepter, is likely the Demon Emperor.

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, the Holy One suddenly launched a sneak attack, catching the Demon Emperor off guard and severely injuring him.

Yun Guo Di Hun turned around and exclaimed in surprise: "Cultivator Wu Chen!"

Because the Demon Emperor was injured, at the suggestion of the Holy One, the Demon Emperor had no choice but to sign a peace treaty and leave the Heavenly Craftsmanship Bay Spring as a means for future wars to begin and cease.

After signing the cessation of war treaty, the Demon Emperor dragged himself back to the Demon Emperor's Mausoleum and handed the scepter in his hand to the young He Hua Chan Ti.

"The future of the demon race is entrusted to you."

"Devil Father!"

"Don't be sad. If that person hadn't attacked me, I wouldn't have discovered that the Holy Clan actually possessed the Eight Fiends of the Primordial Clan. The Fiend Clan is ruthless and cunning. You must be careful in the future."

He carefully remembered the words of the Demon Father.

"My demonic body is about to perish. I will seal my last power here. This power will leave a glimmer of hope for the demon race, but to activate it, the most cruel sacrifice is required. I only hope that you will never have to use it."

“I will surely carry on the legacy of my Demon Father and restore the glory of our people.”

"My son, do you know? The world after death is dark, but it's not just cold. But my soul can never return to that place, and there's still the promise I made to that person... Ah!"

As the Demon Emperor vanished into nothingness, the illusion suddenly became unstable, and a demonic manifestation arose, threatening the two.

"Spirit Hunter, you?"

Duan Junheng's face showed sorrow: "Buddha, I was so worried about my son that I lost my composure. Now my body is suffering from the backlash of the magic. All I have left is to send you out."

"How could Emperor Tathagata leave you here alone? Drink!"

Emperor Tathagata once again used his profound Buddhist teachings, expending his own true essence, to forcibly infuse the spiritual consciousness of Duan Junheng.

With this help, Duan Junheng seized the opportunity to use the Resurrection Technique: "Return from Reality to Emptiness!"

The two returned indoors, and Duan Junheng thanked Emperor Rulai: "In that perilous time, the Buddha did not hesitate at all, and I am deeply grateful for his virtue of sacrificing himself to protect life."

"It's my duty. How is your injury, sir?"

"It's alright, the Demon Emperor's soul has completely dissipated, and the Buddha Head can now return to the Heavenly Buddha's Original Land."

"Thank you for your help, sir."

Emperor Rulai stood up, about to bid farewell to Duan Junheng, when Black Nineteen entered the room.

"Wait a minute!"

Duan Junheng had already finished handling the matter when he suddenly heard Nineteen speak up, and he became very anxious: "Nineteen, you must not be rude in front of our distinguished guest!"

"Hmph, you're saying that person's soul has been scattered? He can't come back, so I, Nineteen, will seek justice for him!"

Emperor Rulai was bewildered, but knew there must be something fishy about it, so he said with a gentle smile, "Young Master Nineteen, please speak frankly."

Nineteen reached out defiantly: "Buddha, now that you've seen how that person was reduced to ashes, do you dare to see how I escaped death?"

Emperor Tathagata stretched out his hand and firmly grasped Nineteen: "Neither born nor dying, neither empty nor existent, beyond name and form, without inside or outside, only one truth. Please, young master."

Duan Junheng could not dissuade him in time and let out a long sigh.

Luo Hou knew how tragic Nineteen's background was, and couldn't help but worry about his dear friend. How would he face such an outcome?

Only the Emperor was puzzled, but the current atmosphere added a touch of tension to his expression.

Emperor Tathagata entered the depths of Black Nineteen's memories, a time long ago—

Within the realm of suffering, in a tranquil village, the evening smoke rises from cooking fires.

The infant Hei Shijiu was held in a woman's arms as the family happily ate dinner.

Suddenly, water flowed like rain, lava surged from the ground, and a calamity befell the Tear Stone Forest.

The entire village scattered and fled:

"earthquake!"

"The volcano has erupted!"

"Heavenly Father, save me!"

The woman, holding her baby, ran swiftly alongside her husband. Just then, a gigantic golden Buddha image appeared in the sky above the village.

The Buddha-like figure suddenly roared: "Purity arises from defilement, redemption from sin. You have failed my merits, by the decree of Heaven and Earth, shout!"

He then activated the extreme technique, accelerating its rebellious nature and sucking everyone in the village into the sandstorm.

The woman's tightly clasped hands with her husband were also pulled away: "Husband! Husband!"

"Yanran, take your son and leave quickly!"

Just as her husband was swept away, the Buddhist practitioner once again unleashed his magic: "Earth, water, fire, and wind, all four elements are empty, return to your original form, defy fate and temper Yang!"

As the incantation began, the Tear Stone Forest instantly transformed into a purgatory. Blood and flesh flew everywhere in the sandstorm, screams filled the air, and the men exploded and died one after another. Their blood, flesh, and broken bones solidified into foundation stones, forming a wall of despair.

"My husband!"