Chapter 608 Seeking Death, A Sincere Invitation
Four giant sword phantoms stood in the sky like pillars supporting the heavens, their surfaces shimmering with cyan and gray runes. The wind stopped, the clouds stagnated, and even time seemed to stand still. The sky dimmed, and Sha Qi filled the air.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor would never mistake it, or rather, every cultivator would recognize these four terrifying immortal Immortal Sword — the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation, a supreme treasure left behind by Venerable Tianhe, an unparalleled formation that dominated an entire era.
How did the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation end up in the hands of the Nine Mountains Sect?
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor emerged from the sea, carefully examined the Four Immortal-Slayer Swords, and then said with a puzzled expression.
Everyone was naturally clueless, but the Azure Abyss Dragon King realized something. " The Creation Devil Ancestor has been tricked! The Nine Mountains Sect had hidden the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation all along, just waiting for him to walk in?"
Golden light shone in the eyes of the Glazed Buddha Ancestor as he looked towards the Nine Mountains Realm, seemingly probing the true nature of the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation. After a moment, he nodded and said, "The Nine Mountains Sect uses low-level cultivators to set up the formation. If this Creation Daoist hadn't been so reckless, he wouldn't have fallen into the formation."
He immediately saw the biggest problem with the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation —its short legs.
With Yan Wushuang and his companions' speed, catching up with Golden Immortal like the Creation Daoist was simply a pipe dream.
But things are different now.
For the sake of the Primordial Purple Qi, the Creation Daoist charged headlong into the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation!
"So, the Creation Daoist has fallen for their trap?" the Azure Abyss Dragon King asked in surprise. "Does that mean the Nine Mountains Sect is going to win?"
"No!" But the Glazed Buddha Ancestor sneered, "They've already dug their own grave by taking out the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation."
After saying that, he raised his hand and shot a golden Communication Talisman towards the southeast, seemingly communicating with someone.
The Azure Abyss Dragon King was puzzled but dared not ask. Instead, a Bodhisattva who had come from the east with the Glazed Buddha Ancestor asked, "Why did the Buddha Ancestor say they were courting death?"
" The Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation, the Nine Nether Emperor, the failure of the Dao Fruit Iron Law," the Glazed Buddha Ancestor sneered. "Can the Nine Mountains Sect bear the consequences of this?"
The Azure Abyss Dragon King was greatly shaken upon hearing this, then suddenly realized. "What the Buddha Ancestor said is absolutely right!"
"That Nine Nether Emperor established the Reincarnation of Reincarnation, severing our path to immortality and making him an enemy of Dao Fruit Dao Fruit the world," the Glazed Buddha Ancestor continued. "Yet, he resides in the Underworld and possesses the cultivation of the Grand Unity realm, making him impossible for us to defeat. Yet, who doesn't hate him to the core?"
The Azure Abyss Dragon King nodded repeatedly.
The faces of the other Bodhisattva Arhat also showed resentment.
Since the Nine Nether Emperor attained enlightenment, his Dao Fruit has been in danger of dying, and who hasn't lived in constant fear?
In other words, the Nine Nether Emperor was too powerful, and they had no way to deal with him.
If I can't defeat the Nine Nether Emperor, surely I can defeat your Nine Mountains Sect?
"But now that the Nine Mountains Sect has brought out the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation, it reveals their connection with the Nine Nether Emperor and Venerable Tianhe," the Azure Abyss Dragon King couldn't help but add. "If they weren't extremely close to the Nine Nether Emperor, how could they have obtained the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation?"
"That's not all," the Glazed Buddha Ancestor recalled. "Back then, the Nine Nether Emperor set up the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation at the Tianhe Sect. The Great Vehicle Buddha Ancestor entered the formation with his Dharma Aspect, and was about to achieve the Grand Luo realm, but his Dharma Aspect was destroyed by a single sword strike, and all his efforts were in vain."
" The Great Vehicle Buddha Ancestor once said that a mysterious person was helping the Nine Nether Emperor within the formation. If this person had not repeatedly intervened, the Nine Nether Emperor would not have been able to attain enlightenment!"
Upon hearing this, the Azure Abyss Dragon King became even more terrified. "Venerable One, are you saying that person is Zheng Fa?"
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor looked up at the four giant swords in the sky and sneered, "Besides him, who else can control the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation? You are the Nine Nether Emperor, would you just hand over the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation to anyone?"
The Azure Abyss Dragon King nodded repeatedly.
"If Zheng Fa hadn't made such a great contribution, how could such a treasure have remained in the Nine Mountains Realm?"
"Even if it wasn't him, the only one who could be wielding the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation is him!"
Although what the Glazed Buddha Ancestor said was a conjecture, everyone found it believable. Just then, a white talisman came from afar and landed in the Glazed Buddha Ancestor's hand.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor took the talisman, glanced at it, and laughed, "Now, even the Supreme Dao has abandoned the Nine Mountains Sect!"
The Azure Abyss Dragon King Sea was greatly encouraged, only then realizing that the Glazed Buddha Ancestor had just been sending a message to the Supreme Dao.
This is likely referring to the relationship between Zheng Fa and the Nine Nether Emperor.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor, holding the talisman between his fingers, chuckled, " Zheng Fa has gotten involved in this matter, offending almost all the Dao Fruit. How could those Supreme Dao not be furious?"
" Xuan Chengzi sent me a message saying that the ownership of the purple qi can be discussed again, but they will not take action."
"They won't intervene?" The Azure Abyss Dragon King's expression brightened as he understood. "They mean they won't rescue the Nine Mountains Sect, but they don't want us to take the Primordial Purple Qi?"
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor chuckled, "These people of the Supreme Dao are truly hypocritical! But as long as they don't interfere, what do I have to fear!"
Having said that, he turned and flew towards the Nine Mountains Realm in the southeast.
The Azure Abyss Dragon King and the others followed closely behind, their hearts filled with excitement. They knew that what the Glazed Buddha Ancestor was worried about was only the Supreme Dao. Now that the Supreme Dao was standing by and watching, seemingly neither side was helping, but in reality, they had already made their choice.
The Buddha Ancestor, naturally, had no more reservations.
In this way, as long as the Nine Mountains Sect is destroyed, the Dragon Lord Shuyu will lose his support and will naturally be no match for him!
The group moved extremely fast, arriving at the Xuanwei Sea in just four or five breaths.
Here, Xie Qingxue is leading the Divine Firmament Fleet, stubbornly resisting a dozen or so Dao Fruit cultivators.
The beams of light wove a net across the sea, and the Divine Firmament Fleet, following behind the Green Duckweed Sword, defended without attacking, managing to hold off the five True Immortal.
Even with the slightest oversight, there was still the Dragon Lord Shuyu, whose strength surpassed that of ordinary True Immortal in the Sea Region. With the combined efforts of both, they managed to keep the enemy outside the Eastern Continent.
However, the Divine Firmament Fleet disciples did not look well. A prolonged defense would inevitably lead to defeat, and their cultivation levels were low, so the prolonged battle would result in enormous depletion of their resources.
They faced numerous enemies and immense psychological pressure, leaving them with no choice but to grit their teeth and endure, even as they teetered on the brink of collapse.
As the fleet commander, Xie Qingxue bore a heavy responsibility. Her spiritual energy gradually dried up, her arms trembled, and her vision blurred.
She saw a True Immortal rushing towards a warship, but she still let out a soft shout, mustered her last bit of Law Power, and stood in front of the opponent.
But she was already at her last gasp.
The Green Duckweed Sword flew backward, Xie Qingxue's body went limp, almost falling into the sea.
"Thank you, Elder!"
Seeing the Green Duckweed Sword out, the disciples on the warship behind her cried out in alarm, their hearts filled with anxiety, knowing that it would be too late to come to their rescue.
The True Immortal was already upon her. Xie Qingxue felt the immortal power surging towards her like a tidal wave, accompanied by a howling wind. She seemed to smell the scent of death in that wind.
Xie Qingxue closed her eyes.
But death did not come for a long time.
Xie Qingxue opened her eyes and saw that the five True Immortal who had been attacking like a tidal wave were, for some reason, far away from them, looking warily towards the northwest.
Xie Qingxue looked in that direction.
Golden light bathed the sea, and a group of people flew in from the north; it was none other than the Glazed Buddha Ancestor and his entourage.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor glanced at the two sides in the battle, but before he could speak, the True Immortal who had almost caused Xie Qingxue's death lowered his head, trembling with fear, and even dared not look directly at the Glazed Buddha Ancestor.
Xie Qingxue was startled. Her cultivation level was low, so she couldn't tell a person's cultivation level, but judging from the situation, she had a clue.
The Dragon Lord Shuyu emerged from the sea, his face pale, and respectfully said, "Greetings, Glazed Buddha Ancestor."
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor nodded slightly, but did not return the greeting. Only the Azure Abyss Dragon King standing behind him grinned and smiled at the Dragon Lord Shuyu.
Upon hearing the title " Dragon Lord Shuyu," Xie Qingxue realized the young monk's identity. Of course, she wouldn't doubt Dragon Lord Shuyu —not to mention that he was the closest ally of the Nine Mountains Sect, Dragon Lord Shuyu's background was special, and his familiarity with the high-ranking members of the Four Sects was quite reasonable.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor didn't even utter a word, yet none of the Dao Fruit cultivators present dared to make a move.
Dragon Lord Shuyu continued, "May I ask what brings the Buddha Ancestor from the East?"
"Why ask when you already know the answer?" The Glazed Buddha Ancestor chuckled lightly. "I wish to go to the Nine Mountains Realm."
Dragon Lord Shuyu's face turned even paler.
"Now that the Supreme Dao has abandoned the Nine Mountains Sect, will you still remain stubborn and die with the Nine Mountains Sect?"
Dragon Lord Shuyu remained silent.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor let out a very soft chuckle, ignoring her completely, and lifted his foot to head towards the Nine Mountains Realm.
A figure blocked his way.
Xie Qingxue held the Green Duckweed Sword in her hand, her face still pale, her spine straight, her gaze calm, and she remained silent.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor stopped in his tracks, seemingly quite surprised.
The True Immortal who had just fought Xie Qingxue Xie Qingxue the death looked at her with a complex mix of mockery and lingering emotion.
"You want to stop me?" The Glazed Buddha Ancestor's tone was full of surprise.
"It is my duty." Xie Qingxue's voice was soft, as if she hadn't fully recovered, trembling slightly, whether from weakness or fear, it was hard to tell. Yet her gaze did not waver, but remained fixed on the Glazed Buddha Ancestor. "Without permission, no cultivator may set foot within the territory of the Hundred Immortals Alliance."
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor glanced at the Green Duckweed Sword, as if recognizing it, and asked in surprise, "You don't seem to be from the Nine Mountains Sect? You're from the Tianhe Sect?"
"This disciple is the apprentice of the former Tianhe Sect Leader, and is now an elder of the Nine Mountains Sect."
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to ask something, but seeing Xie Qingxue's expression, he seemed to understand, and only sneered, " The Nine Mountains Sect actually sent someone from the Tianhe Sect to their death."
Tiny points of light shone from the sea surface, their purplish-blue hue making the water appear even darker.
The Divine Firmament Fleet floated behind Xie Qingxue, and thousands of fleet disciples remained silent. The light from the warships enveloped Xie Qingxue, making them indistinguishable from one another.
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor gently pursed his lips, while the Dragon Lord Shuyu sighed softly and stood beside Xie Qingxue.
"Even the Dragon Lord is so unwise?"
" The Dragon Ancestor Pact is above all, and my descendants reside throughout the Nine Mountains Realm." The Dragon Lord Shuyu's expression held a mixture of bitterness and relief. "Please forgive me, Buddha Ancestor."
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor remained silent for a long while, then suddenly chuckled, "A member of the Tianhe Sect and an Ancient Dragon Clan, both willing to die for the Nine Mountains Sect..."
He spoke softly, but those around him felt a surge of emotions within them.
"That Zheng Fa..." The Glazed Buddha Ancestor's tone turned cold, filled with murderous intent intent, "Such a skill in bewitching people's hearts, he is indeed a great threat."
Xie Qingxue seemed not to hear this, holding the Green Duckweed Sword horizontally in front of her chest, and said loudly, "Please explain your purpose, Buddha Ancestor, so that I may convey your message; otherwise, please stop Buddha Ancestor."
Just as the Glazed Buddha Ancestor was about to laugh upon hearing this, he suddenly looked up at the sky.
A gray phantom leaped out from the Nine Mountains Realm, seemingly fleeing for its life; it was none other than the Creation Daoist.
From within the Nine Mountains Realm, a unified shout rang out, "Slay!"
The immortal Immortal Sword hanging high in the eastern sky suddenly shone brightly upon hearing the decree, and slashed straight down at the Creation Daoist.
The figure of the Daoist of Creation Daoist seemed to freeze, time stood still, and everything remained still. Only the sword shadow slashed through the sky and landed on the fleshy ball.
The Creation Daoist's flesh ball suddenly exploded, shooting out in all directions. Although his aura was faint, everyone could see that he still had some vitality.
The fleshy ball dispersed into countless tiny, spore-like particles, invisible to the naked eye, as if trying to escape on the wind.
"Trap!"
The second decree sounded, and the Immortal Sword in the south trembled, spun in the void, and transformed into a black hole.
From the depths of the black hole, only a mournful, desperate roar could be heard.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
The four giant swords in the sky slowly dissipated, and the Creation Daoist also disappeared without a trace; it was all like a dream.
From within the Nine Mountains Realm, hundreds of cultivators carrying swords flew out, with the Sword Dao Body in front and the four Sword Masters behind. Xie Qingxue's eyes searched through the crowd, and seeing that Yan Wushuang was safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, someone spoke up.
"Two sword strikes?" the Azure Abyss Dragon King murmured. "Two sword strikes killed a Golden Immortal? Is the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation really that powerful?"
No one answered, because everyone had the answer, and he knew in his heart that the previous Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation was definitely not this powerful!
Even including the time it took for the Creation Daoist to enter the Nine Mountains Realm, it would not exceed the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn!
A Golden Immortal, a Golden Immortal who was highly respected even by the Five Sects, just died like that?
If the Nine Nether Emperor's Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation had this power back then, the Four Sects wouldn't have needed to fight at all!
Can...
The Azure Abyss Dragon King found it hard to understand why the Nine Mountains Sect's Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation could leave even a Golden Immortal like the Creation Daoist with no chance to escape!
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor said that the Nine Mountains Sect was courting death by using the Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation, but if this sword formation could kill Golden Immortal as easily as killing chickens, then who would send them on their way?
He glanced at the Glazed Buddha Ancestor and saw that the Glazed Buddha Ancestor's eyes were still fixed on the direction of the Nine Mountains Realm, shining with golden light, as if searching for the whereabouts of the Creation Daoist.
The Azure Abyss Dragon King understood; the Buddha Ancestor not only hadn't expected it, but he didn't even want to believe it.
After a full half-incense stick's time, they heard the Glazed Buddha Ancestor speak again, "This humble monk has come at the command of the Great Vehicle Buddha Ancestor to invite Zheng Fa Nine Mountains Sect to participate in the Great Luo Dharma Assembly."
His tone was polite, and his expression was sincere.
The Azure Abyss Dragon King and all the Bodhisattva Arhat behind him lowered their heads, as if they had forgotten what the Buddha Ancestor had said before he came.
Please pass on the message.
Xie Qingxue pursed her lips, her face stern, and took out the Zizhi Comprehensive Mirror (a historical text). She sent a message into the room, and after a long while, she hesitated before speaking with an apologetic expression:
Please wait a moment, Buddha Ancestor.
Even though the Glazed Buddha Ancestor was usually impervious to criticism, he couldn't help but feel a hint of anger at this moment. Seeing his expression, Xie Qingxue quickly explained, "The war within our sect has not yet ended, and we really cannot spare the time to receive you, Buddha Ancestor."
Is the war still raging?
Wasn't the Creation Daoist dead?
What war is there left?
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor looked up and saw the Sword Dao Body leading his Sword Dao disciples, rushing eastward.
Look at their target— Vast Sun Mountain?
(End of this chapter)