Karma of the Buddhist Path

The Marquis of Jiujiang's residence.

Marquis Chen Xuance of Jiujiang and his wife Wu Zhao gazed at the abundant Water Essence energy in the sky, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

"Madam, I recall that this person only entered the fourth rank of the Divine Path a few years ago, how could he have achieved the third rank of the Divine Path so quickly?"

"Was the legacy left behind by that Nine-Mighty River Dragon Lord really this rich?"

Wu Zhao was also surprised, but she still smiled and said:

"My lord, you are unaware of this."

"Ten years ago, when I was returning home on Huangtian Heavenly Dao, I encountered an old demon blocking my way at Qingyu River."

"At that time, this deity was only at the fifth rank of cultivation, yet he killed that demon with the Black Water Divine Thunder."

"To have mastered supernatural powers at the fifth rank of the Divine Path demonstrates his exceptional talent; he is truly a prodigy."

"Speaking of which, I still owe him a debt of karma."

Chen Xuance held Wu Zhao's delicate hand and chuckled softly:

"It's alright."

"I will repay this favor on behalf of my wife."

Wu Zhao laughed:

"Oh?!"

"How does Your Excellency intend to repay this favor for me?"

Chen Xuance did not directly answer Wu Zhao's question.

He twirled the jade thumb ring in his hand and instead asked:

"Does Madam know the origins of the Nine Mighty River Dragon Lord, who perished and whose Dao vanished?"

Wu Zhao's expression flickered.

As a true disciple of Huang Heavenly Dao, she was naturally familiar with some knowledge and information in the cultivation world.

This realm was born from the legacy of the [Creator Phoenix]. Dao Ancestor opened up paths of cultivation, and to this day, six major paths—gods, immortals, Buddhas, demons, Confucians, and martial artists—rule the world, becoming the masters of the universe and occupying countless Worldly Heaven beyond.

But in ancient times, there were more than just these Six Manifest Dao in this world.

Let's not even mention the Ghost Path, which opened up the underworld and sought to create the Six Paths of Reincarnation, only to be destroyed by the Ghost Dao.

This Dragon Lord also comes from a distinguished lineage.

"It is said that this Dragon Lord is a direct descendant of a [demon cultivator] who survived from Pre-ancient Era."

"They are direct descendants of the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea."

"It's a pity that the Four Seas Dragon Lords, along with the Demon Clan Dragon Court, were wiped out by several Great Dao lineages in ancient times. Otherwise, we would have to address this person as Your Highness."

Chen Xuance nodded slightly:

"Madam is right."

"This dragon god is indeed a figure from ancient times."

"In ancient times, the [demonic path] sought to seize power over heaven and earth from the Human Race. Naturally, our Human Race ancestors did not allow it, which led to the [demonic path] bringing about a catastrophe that threatened the very heavens."

"In that battle, quite a few Great Demons and Demon Kings perished."

"Logically speaking, as a descendant of the Eastern Sea Dragon Lord, Jiuwei Jianglongjun should not be alive in this world."

"But he survived, madam. Do you know why?"

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Zhao thought of the Jingang Temple on the upper reaches of the Jiuwei River, and a flash of inspiration seemed to appear in her mind.

With her red lips slightly parted, Wu Zhao asked in surprise:

"Kongo Temple?"

"Could this be the work of [Buddhism] or Daoism?"

Chen Xuance glanced at her in surprise, his admiration growing stronger.

It was precisely because he came from a prominent family that he was able to know so many secrets of Jiangbei Road.

Unexpectedly, Wu Zhao was able to see the whole picture from a small part and hit the nail on the head.

Chen Xuance couldn't help but clap his hands in praise:

"Madam is truly exceptionally intelligent."

"That's right, it was done by [Buddhism and Daoism]."

"This [Nine Mighty River] Dragon Lord is the fruit of merit nurtured by a great Bodhisattva in Buddhism."

Buddhist and Daoist practices emphasize the importance of karmic merits and consequences.

The great Bodhisattvas of Buddhism and Daoism are only one step away from stepping out of the universe, attaining the Buddhahood, and truly becoming immortal and indestructible Daluo Golden Immortals.

"That [Brahma-voiced Dragon-Subduing Bodhisattva] was only one step away from attaining Buddhahood in the past."

"But this one step has held him back for countless years."

"I heard that he paid a great price to personally travel to the Buddhist realm and pay homage to the World-Honored One in the Pure Land in order to obtain this method of cultivating merit."

The so-called meritorious fruit is that after the Nine-Legged River Dragon Lord commits evil deeds, he personally takes action to subdue the person, thereby gaining Great Merit in the world, and thus ascending to the position of Buddha and attaining supreme enlightenment.

"In the past, the Dragon Lord of the [Nine Mighty Rivers] ascended to the second rank of the Divine Path and wished to challenge the position of Emperor. Therefore, he used the body of a true dragon to move with the power of water, causing the vast ocean to submerge both banks and three places, traversing the north and south banks of the river."

"At that time, trillions of lives perished in this flood unleashed by Great Divine Ability User."

"There are enough living beings waiting to die; heaven and earth will naturally unleash boundless karmic retribution."

Chen Xuance said calmly:

"And as long as this evil dragon is subdued, one will naturally gain merit from heaven and earth."

"And [the Bodhisattva Who Subdues Dragons with Brahma Sound] will naturally be able to ascend to heaven in one step, becoming one of the most virtuous and respected figures in the universe, a Buddha residing in this world."

At this point, Chen Xuance chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of schadenfreude.

He had no liking for the dragon god who stirred up trouble.

However, my impression of the senior monks who came from the Pure Land of Buddhism was also just so-so.

"What a pity."

"This great Bodhisattva schemed and plotted, but forgot that although the [demonic path] has declined and the demons have retreated to the Worldly Heavens, it is still a manifest lineage from ancient times."

"Although that dragon lord's attempt to escape by flood failed."

"But by harnessing the power of the flood, they summoned the [Demon Cult's] supreme treasure, the [Nine Dragons Water Crown], and at the last moment released boundless Weak Water, taking the [Brahma-Sound Subduing Dragon Bodhisattva] with them to annihilation."

"For this reason, the [Divine Path] and the [Buddhist Path] even fought a battle over the ownership of the [Nine Dragons Flowing Water Crown]."

"In the end, it was only through the personal intervention of the two Dao Lords that the war was brought to an end."

"And set the rules."

"The story of subduing the dragon will repeat itself in the future."

"If the current deity of the [Divine Path] inherits the divine position of the [Nine Mighty Rivers] Dragon Lord, then this [Nine Dragons Evolving Water Crown] will naturally be inherited by the new deity."

"Of course, if this person loses to the [Buddhist/Daoist] master, then the [Nine Dragons Water Crown] must be handed over to [Buddhist/Daoist]."

"At the same time, the two patriarchs each used their Great Magic Powers to conceal the [Nine Dragons Evolving Water Crown] along with the [Nine Mighty Rivers] Dragon Lord's water palace within the Grand Void of the universe, making it unattainable for anyone but those with the right destiny."

"This is to ensure fairness."

Chen Xuance laughed:

"Madam, this benefactor is indeed the one destined for us."

Wu Zhao frowned and said:

"The Jingang Temple is located upstream of the Jiuwei River."

"With the Vajra Arhat presiding over this place, it can ensure that [Nine Mighty River] will not be occupied by a new divine ruler, thus enabling him to achieve the second-rank divine position."

"And Qingyu Jiang Shen achieved the third rank..."

Thinking of this, Wu Zhao raised a brow and said coldly:

"[Buddhism and Daoism] wish to retrace the ancient deeds of subduing the dragon?"

But the God of the Qingyu River, out of compassion for the people, would certainly not be involved in matters of water. So what are they planning to do?

Chen Xuance laughed:

"Don't rush, don't rush."

"This Qingyu River God is your benefactor, Phoenix."

"This Marquis will naturally not sit idly by and do nothing about it."

"Although Buddhism and Daoism have some ulterior motives."

"But with my strength in Jiujiang Prefecture, I am more than capable of protecting this Divine Lord."

Wu Zhao nodded and said:

"Since this deity has some good karma with me, I naturally need to lend him a hand."

"If this deity can be recommended to become the Lord of the [Nine Mighty Rivers] Water."

"Then the Jiangnan and Jiangbei regions can be pacified within a day or two."

Unexpectedly, Chen Xuance's expression turned serious, and he slowly shook his head, saying:

"Preserving his divine position is probably the best I can do."

"If we want it to go further, I'm afraid..."

"Unless an uncle from the clan personally goes there, or the supreme leader of the Yellow Heavenly Dao intervenes."

"Otherwise, it will be very difficult!"

Wu Zhao was startled.

The supreme leader of Heavenly Dao is a great figure at the level of a half-step Dao Lord. In this era where Dao Lords no longer tread on the mortal world, he is almost invincible in the universe.

And Uncle Chen, who could be on par with Supreme Huang Heavenly Dao, must also be such a person of extravagance.

What kind of problem could possibly require these two to personally intervene?

"The Arhat Baoxiang of [Buddhism and Daoism] has personally descended upon this place."

So it was him?

Wu Zhao was initially surprised, then suddenly realized.

This Arhat Baoxiang is a disciple of the Bodhisattva Shuiyue Baohua, the abbot of the Buddhist and Daoist Suspended Mountain, who is also a half-step Dao Lord.

"[Baoxiang] Arhat wishes to subdue and even kill the God of the Azure Jade River, thereby settling the karmic ties between the lineage of [Brahma-sound Subduing Dragon Bodhisattva] and the Dragon Lord of the [Nine Mighty River], and to obtain the Pure Land fortune left behind by [Brahma-sound Subduing Dragon Bodhisattva] at the time of his passing."

"Thus, one can instantly enter the realm of a great Bodhisattva."

"This is a chess piece that the Hanging Mountain placed after the Azure Jade River God received the legacy of the [Nine Mighty River] Dragon Lord."

"This is to ensure that the next generation of successors of the Suspended Mountain can attain the Bodhisattva fruit."

Chen Xuance sighed:

"I'm afraid the [Precious Elephant] Arhat we're talking about has already been meditating and practicing Zen at the Vajra Temple for quite some time now."

Those bald monks from the Buddhist and Daoist sects are the most difficult to mess with.

The principles of cause and effect are mysterious; they are playing the same game as the patriarchs of the Daoist school.

It was very dirty.

"[Baoxiang] Arhat has attained Arhatship for a long time, and his Immeasurable Divine Abilities, far beyond the ability of Qingyujiang God, a god who has just stepped into immortality, to resist."

Fortunately, this Arhat didn't necessarily want to kill the God of the Azure Jade River.

"Suppression and subjugation are the same."

"If my family goes to plead on our behalf, we can surely preserve the River God's divine position and life."

However, from now on, the God of the Azure Jade River will be at the beck and call of the Chen family and Chen Xuance, and will never be free again.

'But compared to one's life and destiny, and the path of enlightenment, what is mere freedom?'

Wu Zhao pondered to himself.

'If the God of the Azure Jade River truly were to be sent to Jiujiang Prefecture.'

'Perhaps we can bring him into Huang Heavenly Dao's lineage.'

It's important to know that there are quite a few forces secretly investing in Chen Xuance's bid for the dragon throne.

The true teachings of several Great Dao Daoist lineages have all descended from the mountain.

She naturally wanted to gain her support.

Chen Xuance naturally had no idea what Wu Zhao was thinking, or rather, even if he did know, he wouldn't care.

He clapped his hands, causing ripples to spread through the Grand Void.

In the blink of an eye, a tall, imposing man clad in black armor, exuding an aura of immense power, appeared before Chen Xuance.

This burly man was clad in armor, and his brows exuded a fierce and arrogant aura.

But when he saw Chen Xuance, he knelt down as if a mountain of gold had been pushed aside or a jade pillar had been toppled, and said respectfully:

"This humble general, Zhou Hong, pays his respects to my lord and mistress."

Seeing this, Chen Xuance quickly stepped forward, helped Zhou Hong up, and said with a smile:

"General Zhou, there's no need for such formalities."

"I have summoned you here today because I have an important matter to discuss with you."

Zhou Hong respectfully said:

"Please give your orders, my lord."

"Today, I observe that the Qingyu River is filled with mist and abundant spiritual energy, which suggests that the water god of the Qingyu River has attained immortality."

"This deity has a past relationship with my wife."

"But he still faces a calamity today."

Chen Xuance laughed:

"We still need the general's help."

"They averted a bloody disaster for this divine ruler."

"And to preserve a revered and virtuous deity for our Jiujiang Prefecture."

Wu Zhao also bowed gracefully and said softly:

"Please take good care of me, General."

"The divine ruler has been kind to me."

"We have no choice but to report this."

Zhou Hong raised an eyebrow. As a master who had reached the Immortal Dharma Aspect realm in martial arts cultivation, he naturally knew about Qingyujiang's divine proof of position.

But what about bloodshed?

And where did it come from?

After a moment's thought, Zhou Hong nodded and said:

"My lord and mistress, rest assured."

"Zhou Hong is here."

"We will certainly not allow anyone to harm the Divine Lord's life."

Having said that, he bowed respectfully, and blood-red light appeared beneath his feet as he tore through the void and flew towards the Azure Jade River.

After they left.

Chen Xuance then led Wu Zhao into the room:

"[Martial arts] are best at combat."

"Although Zhou Hong's supernatural powers are mediocre, his fighting skills are such that even Golden Immortal True Monarch would not gain any advantage against him."

"With his assistance, the God of Qingyu River can be saved."

Moreover, everyone in Jiangbei knows who Zhou Hong is working for.

We should at least give him, the nominal head of Jiangbei Road, some face.

After all, your Suspended Mountain is far away in Shuzhou Road.

However, the Jingang Temple has been operating in this area for many years, and while the monks may run away, the temple itself cannot.

If that [Precious Elephant] Arhat truly doesn't give me face...

A cold glint flashed in Chen Xuance's eyes.

Then don't blame me for turning ruthless.

At that time, even if the Bodhisattva from the Hanging Mountain personally comes to our door, we will have a way to explain ourselves.

This is a good opportunity to purge the Buddhist and Daoist forces in Jiangbei.

Qingyu River.

Inside the underwater palace.

Zhao Wushang toyed with the [Nine Dragons Evolving Water Crown] in his hand, a smile in his eyes.

"I never expected to find myself in such a different world."

"These bald monks in Buddhism are still so cunning."

This body only possesses the strength of Immortal Golden Immortal.

However, its actual status is ultimately high.

The moment he achieved the third-rank godhood, Zhao Wushang suddenly sensed malice emanating from the Grand Void.

After some calculation, the cause and effect became clear.

"Kongo Temple?"

"Jiuwei River?"

"The Innate Spiritual Treasure [Nine Dragons Water Crown]?"

Zhao Wushang's eyes were deep and unfathomable.

Perhaps our family could truly become a dragon's offspring?

Although the Demonic Path has fallen on hard times, it is not universally hated. Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; it still has some influence.

Besides, I am a descendant of the Shinto sect.

Once I advance to the second-rank Great God, surely those emperors from beyond the universe won't just stand by and watch me get killed?

As long as they can block the Buddha from beyond the heavens.

Within this land of China, there is no need to worry about protecting oneself.

Thus, by taking advantage of Jiuwei Jianglongjun's footsteps, he can quickly break through again.

Zhao Wushang was not afraid of the Dao Lord from beyond the universe.

He feared that the founders of all paths would survey the universe and discover his anomaly, leading to the destruction of his incarnation and an unpleasant outcome.

Moreover, it is still unknown whether the creator god of this world is alive or dead.

"Therefore, it's best to play it safe."

Put on the [Nine Dragons Spreading Water Crown].

Zhao Wushang took out a drop of [True Dragon Blood], and divine light flashed in his eyes.

Supernatural powers.

[Magpie Occupies Nest!]