Upon hearing Nezha's words, a hint of surprise flickered across Yang Jian's brows.
But in the end, all the thoughts in his mind converged into a single sentence.
"Brother."
"I don't want to say much about Li Jing."
"But if that day truly comes, I will do everything in my power to assist you." Yang Jian spoke with a solemn expression.
Hearing this, warmth spread across Nezha's face.
"Second Brother."
"Thank you." Nezha sincerely expressed his gratitude.
"There's no need for such words between us."
"Li Jing's actions make him unworthy of being a father." Yang Jian's tone was icy.
At the mention of Li Jing, Nezha's eyes were filled with the same hatred and resentment.
"Enough, let's not talk about him anymore."
"You just mentioned that the person spreading the plague ascended from the mortal realm?" Yang Jian asked.
"Yes."
Nezha nodded, "That was the order issued by the Heavenly Court."
"And before this, the Heavenly Court had dispatched multiple armies to the mortal realm, only for them to be annihilated."
"All of it was this man's doing."
Yang Jian chuckled, "It's been many years since the Heavenly Court suffered such a crushing defeat."
"Second Brother."
"Do you know about the eastward spread of Buddhism?" Nezha suddenly asked.
"Didn't Haotian already decree it?"
"He allowed Buddhism to spread eastward."
"If the Saints of old were still present, they would have immediately stripped Haotian of his authority." Yang Jian sneered.
"According to rumors..."
"The reason the Heavenly Emperor approved Buddhism's eastward expansion was due to something in the mortal realm."
"And it is directly tied to this man," Nezha explained.
"Brother."
"When you encountered him, did you not fight with everything you had?"
"Did he say something to you?" Yang Jian guessed, smiling.
"Second Brother."
"This man said he could help me take my revenge." Nezha's gaze flashed with killing intent.
"He said that, and you believed him?" Yang Jian was slightly surprised.
"I don't think he was lying, and honestly, he has no reason to lie."
"To be honest..."
"I couldn't stop him."
Nezha replied seriously.
"For someone as formidable as the Third Prince of the Eastern Seas to treat him so seriously, I must admit I am quite curious." Yang Jian smiled, a trace of intrigue appearing in his eyes.
"However."
"This man has great ambitions or rather, ambitions that seem utterly impossible," Nezha said with a strange expression.
"He's targeting the Immortals and Buddhas by spreading this plague."
"His ambition doesn't come as a surprise." Yang Jian smirked.
"He wants to overthrow the Heavenly Court and take its place," Nezha said in a deep voice.
Yang Jian's expression changed, his eyes widening.
Even for him fearless and refusing to heed orders from the Heavenly Court the idea of overthrowing it and taking its place was too audacious to voice.
In the past, he had rebelled against the Heavens, and that was during the era of the Saints. Even back then, he had seen firsthand the immense power of the Heavenly Court.
Rebellion?
Taking over the Heavenly Court?
It was nearly impossible.
"This man is truly fearless, like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers."
"If replacing the Heavenly Court were that easy, it wouldn't still exist today."
"Besides, don't you think his sudden appearance seems deliberate?" Yang Jian asked with a knowing smile.
"It does seem intentional."
"If he wanted to remain hidden, no one could find him."
"He was only discovered because he slaughtered countless immortals who received the Heavenly Court's decree. That's what led to his name being reported to the Heavenly Emperor."
"And it was only through the Heavenly Emperor's supreme treasure that his location was pinpointed," Nezha explained.
"Now that you put it that way..."
"I'm even more curious about him."
"He wouldn't expose himself for no reason. There must be something behind this move, something deliberate." Yang Jian's curiosity grew stronger.
"I've already given him my communication jade slip. If we meet again, I'll bring you along, Second Brother." Nezha said immediately.
"Alright." Yang Jian nodded.
Southern Continent!
Near the Western Continent, within the Lion Camel Kingdom!
"Lion Camel Kingdom, Lion Camel Ridge."
"This country is still flourishing today, its people devoutly following Buddhism. But in the future, it will fall into ruin, overrun by demons and monsters."
"Immortals and Buddhas... acting on selfish desires without restraint."
Standing within the borders of the Lion Camel Kingdom, Zhao Feng spread his divine sense, taking in everything before him.
The eastern region of the Southern Continent was under the influence of the Heavenly Court, while the western region was dominated by Buddhism.
Now that he had arrived, Zhao Feng had his plans.
But before that
He needed to complete his full attribute enhancement.
Finding a secluded valley, Zhao Feng set up an array to conceal his aura and sat down cross-legged.
"The time has come."
Feeling the massive surge in his attributes, Zhao Feng's expression was one of pure exhilaration.
This single breakthrough had granted him greater progress than a full decade of cultivation.
"Claim all attribute bonuses." Zhao Feng commanded.
Instantly
All the power he had gained from slaying the Heavenly Court's celestial soldiers and generals surged into him.
Slaying the Martial Virtue Star Lord alone had already pushed all his attributes up by two tiers. After months of annihilating immortal sects and eradicating a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers and generals, everything had fallen perfectly into place.
"Host's total attribute points have exceeded ten billion, triggering attribute transformation."
A notification appeared on his system panel.
The next moment
An overwhelming sensation of transformation swept over Zhao Feng's entire body, far more profound than simply leveling up an attribute.
His entire being became enveloped in radiant golden light.
A complete metamorphosis was underway.
Just as Zhao Feng had speculated, reaching ten billion attribute points was indeed the key to triggering the fourth transformation of his attribute system.
Time flowed steadily.
Zhao Feng had now fully immersed himself in this divine transformation.
....
Xiniu Hezhou!
Ling Mountain, Great Thunderclap Monastery!
"World-Honored One,"
"We have received news from the Heavenly Court."
"The one spreading the plague has been found."
"He has now entered Nanzhan Buzhou."
"Moreover, this person ascended from the mortal world. The Heavenly Court has already dispatched a great army to hunt him down."
A Buddha stepped forward and respectfully reported to Duobao Tathagata.
"He ascended from the mortal world, yet the Heavenly Court has not captured him?" Duobao Tathagata's face showed a hint of surprise.
"World-Honored One,"
"This person is highly skilled and possesses the power of a Great Luo. Even Heavenly Court's Martial Virtue Star-Lord was slain by him. Furthermore, he carries many supreme treasures, including a Nine-Rank Golden Lotus from our Buddhist sect."
Upon hearing this, Duobao Tathagata's face revealed a trace of astonishment.
The Golden Lotus...
In the era of the Saints, it was an exclusive treasure of the Buddhist sect.
In the past, the Buddhist Saints were granted a Twelve-Rank Golden Lotus by the Dao Ancestor. The lotus seeds it bore could be cultivated into Nine-Rank and Six-Rank Golden Lotuses.
For countless ages, Golden Lotuses had never been found outside the Buddhist sect.
"Not just the Golden Lotus,"
"According to the Heavenly Court's intelligence, this person has also obtained a replica of the Execution Sword Formation, once wielded by the Sage Tongtian. It is an incredibly powerful array. It was with this formation that he managed to slaughter one hundred thousand celestial troops and generals."
A Buddha continued his report.
"World-Honored One,"
"This man is extraordinary. Not only has he spread a plague across the Earthly Immortal Realm, but he also possesses numerous spiritual treasures. Someone must be backing him, and he surely holds great secrets."
"We must capture him to uncover these secrets."
Another Buddha stepped forward.
"Hmm..."
Duobao Tathagata nodded slowly.
"This child has ascended from the mortal world, yet instead of relieving the suffering of sentient beings, he spreads plague and disrupts the balance of Heaven and Earth. He must be captured and brought back to our Buddhist sect for enlightenment."
"Jin Chanzi."
Duobao Tathagata called out.
"Master."
A Buddha stepped forward, treading upon a lotus platform.
"Capture this heretic and bring him back to Ling Mountain."
Duobao Tathagata commanded.
"Master,"
"Buddhism preaches salvation, to relieve the suffering of all beings."
"However,"
"The world is changing, and the lifespan of Buddhas is not eternal. This is the natural law of Heaven and Earth. To sustain their lives, they extract the spiritual essence and refine the blood of the human race. This is an evil act, not the true doctrine of Buddhism."
"Disciple believes that the plague in the Earthly Immortal Realm is a good thing."
Jin Chanzi spoke slowly.
As soon as these words fell,
Countless Buddhas in the Great Thunderclap Monastery turned their gazes toward him, filled with both disdain and anger.
Just like the Heavenly Court,
The Buddhist sect also required an endless supply of spiritual essence.
Immortals had tribulations, and so did Buddhas.
Perhaps those at the highest levels, like Duobao Tathagata and other Great Luo Buddhas, did not need spiritual essence, but below them, the entire Buddhist sect relied on an immense amount of it.
Jin Chanzi's words had offended more than half of the monks in the Great Thunderclap Monastery.
"Life in the mortal world is full of suffering."
"But for mortals, suffering in this life does not mean suffering in the next."
"The spiritual essence of mortals is needed by immortals and Buddhas. If they offer their spiritual essence in this life, they will gain wealth and prosperity in their next life."
"This is the natural order."
"Jin Chanzi."
"You must not speak such nonsense again."
Duobao Tathagata rebuked him with a slightly stern tone.
"But…"
Jin Chanzi's expression changed as he tried to argue further.
"Obey my decree and capture this heretic."
"Go now."
With a wave of his hand, Duobao Tathagata sent an irresistible force that directly expelled Jin Chanzi from the Great Thunderclap Monastery.
Seeing this, many Buddhas showed great satisfaction.
"World-Honored One,"
"Jin Chanzi has already shown signs of falling into demonic ways."
"He must be strictly disciplined."
A Bodhisattva stepped forward and spoke solemnly.
"The Buddhist path has many interpretations."
Duobao Tathagata merely responded with this sentence and said no more.
"World-Honored One,"
"The Heavenly Emperor has already decreed that Buddhism is permitted to spread eastward."
"Should our Buddhist sect begin preparations?"
A Buddha inquired.
"For this matter,"
"Wenshu, Puxian,"
"You two shall handle it."
Duobao Tathagata looked at two Bodhisattvas in the hall.
"We humbly follow the decree of the World-Honored One."
The two immediately responded.
After giving his instructions, the two Buddhas left the Great Thunderclap Monastery.
Soon after,
The entire monastery was once again filled with the sound of sacred Buddhist chants.
It was incomparably divine this was the Western Paradise, the land of ultimate bliss, sought after by countless beings.
...
Time Flies!
In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed!
Since Zhao Feng's appearance in Nanzhan Buzhou, he had completely drawn the attention of both the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist sect.
The matters concerning the plague and the mysterious forces backing Zhao Feng had further intensified their focus on him.
All the great powers had their eyes on Zhao Feng.
Dongsheng Shenzhou!
The Great Qin Empire continued its expansion.
Following the strategy set by Zhao Feng, Great Qin advanced westward, expanding its territory.
Mortal kingdoms stood no chance against the might of Qin's armies. Whenever Great Qin displayed their divine abilities, the mortals who instinctively revered celestial beings did not dare to resist. Or rather, even if they wished to resist, they were powerless before the overwhelming force.
In Dongsheng Shenzhou, which was effectively a dominion of the Heavenly Court, immortals and deities were regarded as supreme.
To the west of Dongsheng Shenzhou lay the Changsheng Immortal Sect.
Much like the Kunlun Immortal Sect, which had been destroyed by Great Qin in the past, the Changsheng Immortal Sect was one of the most powerful sects in the region, ruling over the fate of billions of human beings.
Today, the sect seemed no different from usual.
Yet in the unseen realms, an ominous presence loomed.
Above the once peaceful sky
Suddenly, killing intent surged.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Lightning crackled through the heavens not the natural thunder of the elements, but an unnatural force summoned by unknown hands.
It was like a rapid succession of streaking flashes breaking through the void, manifesting as lightning bolts.
"Master!"
"The void surrounding our sect is teeming with an ominous presence! A terrifying killing intent!"
"Please, Master, make a decision!"
Within the grand hall of the sect, disciples were in a state of panic.
"Activate the protective sect formation!"
"Summon all disciples and prepare for battle!"
The Sect Master of Changsheng gave a decisive command.
Though he was unsure of the enemy's identity, he instinctively recognized the grave threat and took no chances.
At This Moment!
Beyond the void
Amid the rumbling thunder, an overwhelming presence materialized.
A vast army clad in black armor suddenly emerged.
Two hundred thousand warriors, each donned in tiger-faced black armor, their entire bodies concealed within their battle gear the Xuanjia Army had arrived.
Each soldier radiated an aura surpassing that of martial experts, their sheer presence causing the air itself to tremble.
The Changsheng Immortal Sect was surrounded.
Among them were many warriors who had already reached the Martial Dao Grandmaster Realm, their immense power distorting the very fabric of space.
"Heavenly Soldiers and Generals?"
"No… No, that's not right!"
"They don't have the aura of celestial energy!"
When the disciples of the Changsheng Immortal Sect saw the approaching forces, their faces turned deathly pale in shock.
"Feng! Feng! Feng!"
A thunderous chant erupted from the 200,000-strong Xuanjia Army, shaking the heavens.
In the next moment
"I decree!"
"This thousand-mile void shall be sealed no being shall escape, no breath shall leak, no soul shall flee, no message shall be transmitted!"
A voice, majestic and imposing, echoed across the entire Changsheng Immortal Sect.
Then
A mysterious power, akin to an unbreakable law, descended and instantly sealed the entire thousand-mile void around the sect.
"Army Soul Battle Formation!"
"Activate!"
Meng Tian, wielding his mighty saber, gave a resounding order.
"Army Soul Battle Formation!"
"Merge!"
The entire Xuanjia Army roared in unison, their blood and energy surging wildly into Meng Tian's body.
Without any unnecessary words
Meng Tian unleashed a single strike upon the Changsheng Immortal Sect.
Boom!
Space shattered.
The overwhelming power caused the void to collapse within a radius of thousands of miles. The sect's protective formation crumbled instantly.
Immediately after
A colossal imperial seal, spanning hundreds of thousands of feet, suddenly descended from the void, crashing down upon the sect.
"No!"
"This is the power of a Great Luo Golden Immortal!"
"Defend with all your might!"
The Sect Master of Changsheng turned pale with horror.
He hastily summoned his treasures to counter the attack.
Countless disciples of the sect also mustered their strength, unleashing their divine abilities to resist the falling imperial seal.
But before such absolute power, their efforts were meaningless.
Boom!
The massive imperial seal crashed down.
It carried an endless wave of imperial destiny and the laws of the human realm.
In an instant, every expert at the Golden Immortal Realm and above within the Changsheng Immortal Sect, along with tens of thousands of disciples, were completely obliterated.
Once the devastation was complete
That same majestic and merciless voice rang out once more:
"Leave none alive."
"By the decree of the Emperor!"
"Xuanjia Army!"
"Kill!"
With an earth-shaking roar, the Great Qin Xuanjia Army charged forward, descending upon the remnants of the Changsheng Immortal Sect like a raging storm of destruction.
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