Arc 17The Asura Rebellion
As Tathagata and the Asuras maneuvered to seize control of Great Tang, Li Longji drove the realm into war and An Lushan launched a rebellion. Yang Jian revealed the plot to Huoyun Cave and demanded concessions from the Human Dao in exchange for the Jade Emperor’s support.
- Black Gold Tathagata destroyed the Evil Lord, while the Taiqing Saint King learned that the Evil Lord and Buddha Burning Lamp shared the name Randeng and began studying a Great Dao artifact.
- An Lushan swore he was not a Heavenly Court or Western Teachings pawn, and Li Longji appointed him military governor of Pinglu, Fanyang, and Hedong.
- Tathagata returned to Spirit Mountain, but the Evil Lord seized Saint Randeng and transformed him into Evil Buddha Randeng, who corrupted the Twenty-Four Buddhist Kingdoms.
- The Jade Emperor planned to inflame Great Tang’s ambition to unify the Mortal Realm and set it against the Western Teachings, while Du Fu urged Li Longji to end the wars and spare the people.
- An Lushan and Shi Kefa revealed their Asura allegiance and planned to place the reincarnated Shiva, Li Heng, on the throne, while Li Longji named him Crown Prince and ordered a campaign against Western Niuhe Continent.
- Great Tang’s invasion faltered as Tathagata mobilized the Western Teachings, and Yang Yuhuan dismissed Old Bai and Old Jin’s warning that Asuras had infiltrated the realm.
- An Lushan used Li Linfu’s lavish meals to stir the soldiers into rebellion, then accepted a yellow robe, killed Li Linfu, and marched on Chang’an as Asuras attacked across the continents.
- Yang Jian told Huoyun Cave that An Lushan, Shi Siming, Yang Yuhuan, and Li Heng were reincarnated Asura figures, then offered the Investiture of the Immortals List and demanded one-third of Human Dao authority for the Jade Emperor.