Deterrence by Force

As Wu Yazi's aura emanated, a chilling atmosphere seemed to permeate the Heaven and Earth. Even the sunlight felt extremely cold on the skin. Everyone present felt uneasy, as if some terrible natural disaster was about to occur.

Having reached the pinnacle of cultivation, Wu Yazi's will could even merge with the Heaven's Will, causing a surge of killing intent within him, to the point that even Heavenly Dao itself carried a murderous aura...

However, at that very moment, a sinister and terrifying ghostly aura appeared between heaven and Heaven and Earth. If Wu Yazi's murderous intent permeated the Heaven and Earth like an omnipresent wind, then the appearance of this terrifying ghostly aura was like a raging Netherworld Ghostfire...

The appearance of this ghostly aura caused Zhuge Xiang and Wu Yazi to look in the direction of the aura. A malevolent Evil Ghost approached from afar, quickly arriving above the Great Tang Imperial Palace. Its enormous belly meant that even Evil Ghost waist was not visible, but the imposing aura it exuded was no less than that of Wu Yazi...

"The Great Belly Ghost King!?" Upon seeing the appearing Evil Ghost, the three Imperial Preceptor were slightly startled and exclaimed.

The Great Belly Ghost King, thousands of years ago, was already Cultivator at the Tribulation Crossing Stage and one of the Thirty-Six Ghost Kings of the Hungry Ghost Path. Now, it has reappeared, and its aura is not much weaker than Wu Yazi's, and even surpasses that of Liu Wugu.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuge! It's been a long time. Your strength is truly astonishing..." The Great Belly Ghost King, though exuding an extremely sinister ghostly aura and possessing a ferocious appearance, also possessed a dignified and solemn air. He clasped his hands together, bowing like Buddhist Sect monk, and spoke.

"Ghost King? What brings you here?" Upon seeing the Great Belly Ghost King appear, Zhuge Xiang returned the greeting and then asked in surprise. Wasn't he living in seclusion in the Southern Bright Volcano with the Fire Control Tribe's Ming Yan?

"I have a special connection with Fellow Daoist Zhuge. Today, Fellow Daoist needs someone to help, so I have come," said the Great Belly Ghost King, his appearance solemn and dignified.

It turns out that this Great Belly Ghost King actually came to help Zhuge Xiang. In the Great Belly Ghost King's view, Zhuge Xiang had converted him with the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound that day, and he felt that he owed Zhuge Xiang a favor.

"In that case, thank you very much, Ghost King!" Zhuge Xiang was surprised to hear that the Ghost King had come to his aid, but he was mostly happy. He looked closely at the Great Belly Ghost King and Data Eye that its cultivation level had actually reached the Ninth Layer of the Great Accomplishment Stage Realm.

"Congratulations, Ghost King! Your cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds. Reaching the Ghost Emperor realm is just around the corner..." After learning about the strength of the Great Belly Ghost King, Zhuge Xiang offered his congratulations.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuge Xiang, you speak recklessly. I have already entered the Empty Gate. Even if the Great Dao is attainable, I will not enter the Ghost Realm to become Ghost Immortal, but rather enter the Buddhist Realm to attain the Bodhisattva status," the Great Belly Ghost King shook his head and corrected Zhuge Xiang.

Although the paths of cultivation lead to the same goal, they are ultimately different. If we were to say which path of cultivation is the most open, it would be Buddhist Sect. In Primordial Era times, the Buddha said, "Put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot." The meaning of this is that no matter if you are Yaomo Ghosts and Monsters, monster, Zombie, or Vengeful Spirits, as long as you can have an epiphany, you can Buddhist Sect.

Therefore, although the Great Belly Ghost King was born as Evil Ghost, if he were truly capable of ascending to the Empty Gate, he should indeed ascend to the Buddhist Realm.

"In that case, I misspoke. I hope the Ghost King will not take offense," Zhuge Xiang nodded, frankly admitting that he had just misspoke.

"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. I owe my current status, Buddha-Ghost Dual Cultivation, to your guidance back then," the Great Belly Ghost King said humbly, his hands clasped together.

Wu Yazi frowned slightly as he looked at Zhuge Xiang and the Great Belly Ghost King. Although the Great Belly Ghost King's strength was somewhat inferior to his, as one of the Thirty-Six Ghost Kings of the Hungry Ghost Path, his cultivation had recently advanced by leaps and bounds. Even Wu Yazi dared not underestimate the Great Belly Ghost King's strength.

Moreover, there's Zhuge Xiang. Although we haven't been able to accurately gauge Zhuge Xiang's strength, judging from how easily he defeated Liu Wugu Zhuge Xiang now, Zhuge Xiang's strength is clearly no less than that of the Great Belly Ghost King. If the two of them were to join forces and really fight, the Great Tang Imperial Palace could be almost destroyed.

"Well, Wu Yazi Daoist Master? Do you want to fight me here in the Great Tang Imperial Palace?" Zhuge Xiang asked, displaying his Hundred Zhang- tall Demon Body and carrying the Sea Calming Divine Needle on his shoulder like a pillar of heaven.

As Zhuge Xiang displayed his power, the Great Belly Ghost King murmured a Buddhist chant and revealed his true form as Hundred Zhang- tall Evil Ghost, with a ferocious face and a huge belly. Legend has it that he could swallow an entire city in one breath. This is the Great Belly Ghost King.

On the left and right, the Demon Body and the true form of the Evil Ghost, both Hundred Zhang tall, truly resembled two small mountains. Looking at Zhuge Xiang and the Great Belly Ghost King, Wu Yazi was in a great dilemma. If they were to fight here, the Great Tang Imperial Palace would be destroyed. At this level, every move they made had the power to shatter mountains and rivers.

In Chang'an City, everyone looked up at the true form of the Evil Ghost and its Demon Body that had appeared in the Great Tang Imperial Palace, discussing it animatedly. Ordinary people screamed in terror; judging from their appearance, the Evil Ghost spirit and its Demon Body were no ordinary beings. How could they be so enormous? If they went berserk, perhaps they could destroy the entire Chang'an City?

"You all leave..." From his elevated position, before he even set off, the Chang'an City was already gripped by fear. If a real conflict broke out, the people would likely riot and even flee Chang'an, which would be a disgrace to the nation. Therefore, after a moment of silent contemplation, Wu Yazi waved his hand helplessly and said.

"In that case, we shall take our leave..." Zhuge Xiang had no intention of staying to fight. Hearing Wu Yazi's words, he withdrew his Demon Body and left the Great Tang Imperial Palace with Mo Lingna and the Great Belly Ghost King.

Zhuge Xiang didn't believe he could escape once a fight broke out. The Great Qin Empire only had Nine Great Sects, while the Great Tang Dynasty boasted thirteen Major Sect and a far longer history. Could the Great Tang's foundation be weaker than the Great Qin's? Zhuge Xiang didn't believe it. He was confident that once a fight started, powerful cultivators at the Great Accomplishment Stage would appear one after another...

With Mo Lingna in tow, Zhuge Xiang and the Great Belly Ghost King left together, successfully rescuing Mo Lingna through force. This action deeply shocked the entire Great Tang Dynasty.

Zhuge Xiang's name was already renowned throughout the entire Great Tang Dynasty. With his cultivation at the Deity Transformation stage, he was able to convert the Great Belly Ghost King, one of the Thirty-Six Ghost Kings of the Hungry Ghost Path. This strength and this impressive record deeply shocked the entire Great Tang Empire at the time.

However, in the hearts of the powerful figures of the Great Tang Dynasty, Zhuge Xiang was only able to become a revered figure of the Great Tang Dynasty because of his special ability, the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound.

However, today, Zhuge Xiang easily defeated Liu Wugu. The Hundred Zhang- tall Demon Body deeply shocked everyone and made it clear that Zhuge Xiang's strength was not solely due to the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound.

In the Great Tang Imperial Palace, the Great Tang Emperor sat regally on his Imperial Throne. Civil and Military Officials and military officials stood with their hands at their sides, not daring to utter a sound. Serving the emperor was like serving a tiger; therefore, those who wished to remain by his side had to learn to read the emperor's mind. Now, they knew that His Your Majesty was extremely angry...

Civil and Military Officials stood on both sides. In the very center of the Great Hall, the three Imperial Preceptor, Liu Wugu and Wu Yazi, stood. The Great Tang Emperor remained calm, neither sad nor happy, but his eyes were cold. "Gentlemen," he said, "I want to know what exactly happened? Why couldn't the five of you defeat Zhuge Xiang even when you joined forces?"

"We are ashamed..." Upon hearing His Your Majesty's words, the three Imperial Preceptor lowered their heads and said.

"Where is the Pavilion Master?" After glancing at the three Imperial Preceptor, the Great Tang Emperor did not rush to punish them. Instead, he turned his gaze to Wu Yazi, the Elder Pavilion Master, and asked, "Pavilion Master, why did you personally go to the scene but fail to capture Zhuge Xiang?"

"Your Majesty, Zhuge Xiang's strength has reached a very high level. His Demon Body is Hundred Zhang tall, like a true Dharma body. Moreover, a Great Belly Ghost King appeared along the way. If the two of them join forces, even I cannot guarantee the safety of the Imperial Palace," Daoist Master Wu Yazi replied, neither humble nor arrogant in front of the Great Tang Emperor.

"Just because of this, you let Zhuge Xiang go?" Upon hearing this reason, the emperor spoke with deep displeasure.

The Great Tang Emperor wished Zhuge Xiang dead immediately. Now, rumors were circulating in the Great Tang that he was an imposter. Ironically, such rumors hit the emperor's weak spot, making him feel guilty.

Ying Qianshan also said that Zhuge Xiang found the body of his Twin Brother, who was also the true emperor of the Great Tang, in the Great Qin. Therefore, the current emperor couldn't wait to kill Zhuge Xiang to silence him.

The Elder Pavilion is aloof and detached from worldly affairs in the Great Tang. Even the Great Tang Emperor does not have the authority to completely command the Elder Pavilion; otherwise, wouldn't the Great Tang Emperor need many Great Accomplishment Stage Cultivator to protect him?

However, just because Daoist Master Wu Yazi let Zhuge Xiang go, His Your Majesty was so dissatisfied and blamed him. This made the Civil and Military Officials in the Great Hall look at each other in surprise, secretly astonished by His Your Majesty's strong reaction.

Wu Yazi had told Zhuge Xiang that if he agreed to enter the Elder Pavilion, he could pardon him before the Emperor. This showed Wu Yazi's confidence. However, despite his consideration for the safety of the Imperial Palace, he received such an attitude from the Your Majesty. Wu Yazi frowned slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

"This matter was indeed due to my oversight, and it is also my fault for being inadequate. From this day forward, I will go into seclusion to cultivate and take my leave. Perhaps I will not have the opportunity to share Your Majesty's burdens again..." Wu Yazi said, flicking his sleeves. After saying this, he turned and left without waiting for the emperor's reply.

Wu Yazi's meaning was simple: since you say I handled things poorly, then from now on, don't come to me for anything. (To be continued...)