An ill-fated fall into Pansi Cave (37)

But then the gods turned against them.

In an instant, the Heaven and Earth changed.

Ao Tu sat high on Fifth-Grade Black Lotus, enveloped in Auspicious Light, his Treasure Appearance solemn and dignified.

Surrounded by stars, there are the Eastern Dipper stars to the east, the Western Dipper stars to the west, the Southern Dipper stars to the south, the Northern Dipper stars to the north, and the Central Dipper stars beside me.

Above are the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stems Stars, and below are the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends Stars.

Surrounding him are four stars: Jupiter (Chonghua), Mars (Fire), Venus (Metal), and Saturn (Earth).

Above the Eastern Lands is the Sun Star Lord, who travels around the south.

Above the Western Heaven is the Taiyin Star Lord, who travels around the north.

Ahead are the Azure Dragon White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise — the Twenty-Eight Mansions constellations—serving as the Vanguard.

Behind them are the twenty-four Heavenly Lords and Divine Thunder Generals of the Twenty-Four Heavenly Lords of the Thunder Department, who should be the rear guard.

A Heavenly River runs through the middle, with the Host of Stars River of Heaven Milky Way and the Host of Stars of the universe coming together to help.

Furthermore, the gods of Lightning God, Wind God Fire God, and Rain God spread throughout the four directions, with Auspicious Light emanating from them, purple mist swirling around Ethereal, lightning flashing, and wind and clouds gathering around them.

It was truly awe-inspiring divine power, causing even immortals and Buddhas to bow in reverence.

When Mahakala Bodhisattva and Mahasthamaprapta appeared, they were shocked by what they saw. They looked behind them, Bodhisattva there was no one there.

Fortunately, the Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun did not defect; he still had several Thunder God and Thunder Generals by his side.

The two hurried to the side of the old Celestial Worthy, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva asked:

"Old Celestial Worthy, why is the Demon Dragon so powerful while the gods and Buddhas are so weak? Why is the Demon Dragon numerous while we are few in number?"

The Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun replied:

"East Victory Divine Continent is a sacred land, ruled by all sages; Southern Jambudvipa is inhabited by Mortal, ruled by heavenly gods; Northern Utarakuru is teeming with evil spirits, ruled by Zhenwu; Western Ox Continent is the land where Buddhism flourishes, ruled by the Buddhist Sect. Why has such a great demon appeared now, to the point that even the Buddhist sect cannot subdue it?"

Mahasthamaprapta hearing this, the Bodhisattva was unable to answer and could only plead:

"Old Celestial Worthy, His Jade Emperor has summoned you to Subduing Demons to the Lower Realm to subdue the demons. The Demon Dragon dragons are numerous and wreak havoc on the Three Realms. You, Old Celestial Worthy, cannot stand idly by!"

The Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun replied:

"I command the Thunder Department, summoning clouds and rain, from which all things rely for growth and development. I punish the wicked and eliminate the treacherous, determining Good and Evil and evil according to their fate. This is my duty, and I will strive to uphold it without the slightest negligence."

The Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva said joyfully, "Thank you, Celestial Worthy."

The Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun said, "Acting impartially, Bodhisattva, there is no need for thanks." After speaking, he held up a jade talisman and showed it to Nine Heavens. The Nine Heavens shone brightly, thunder roared, and lightning flashed down. It was Divine Thunder, which transformed into an endless river.

Thirty-five bolts of Nine-Heavens Divine Thunder poured down from behind, scattering across the Heavenly Cycle. All things fell silent as the heavenly lightning annihilated everything.

Upon seeing this, Ao Tu took out the Zhou Tian Star Array diagram and unfolded it. In an instant, the stars shifted, the ancient stars shone brightly, the clouds dispersed, and the sun and moon shone together, illuminating the mountains and rivers and the nine netherworlds.

The Stars Grand Formation rotates, as if Ancient Times have reversed, and time flashes by.

All the Host of Stars were affected and returned to the formation.

Those deities unrelated to the Stars have a weaker connection to them.

Ao Tu divided the Formation Flag into 489 portions according to the gods and immortals on the list, and distributed them one by one. Many Immortal and immortals who were not on the list also came to help, so Ao Tu divided them into another 200 portions and distributed them as well. There were also many Star Deities with weak divine power who were not on the list and were not strong enough to carry a flag by themselves, but they also came to help. So three or five people carried one flag, and ten or so people carried one flag, and they entered the formation.

In an instant, the great formation rose up, and the gods transformed into countless Stars in the Milky Way, disappearing into the formation.

The thirty-six Nine-Heavens Divine Thunder fell into the Great Formation of Stars of the Celestial Cycle, just like a torch burning in broad daylight, or a tiny stone piled up on Kunlun Mountain. Their forms and traces vanished, leaving no trace.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva and Mahakala Bodhisattva saw this formation, they were greatly shocked. They saw that within the formation, there was a sense of turbulence and emptiness, but no Dao energy was generated, the vastness was invisible, and the universe was unknown, nor was the turbidity or purity discernible.

There are changes in Yin and Yang and Stars, but the Yin and Yang Mercury Star cannot be understood.

There are distinctions between water, fire, sun, and moon, yet one cannot observe water, fire, sun, or moon.

When Mount Buzhou collapsed, the sky tilted to the northwest, and the sun, moon, Stars shifted.

Now that this formation has been activated, the heavens have returned to the Ancient Times times, and the sun, moon, Stars have reversed their course.

The sky is round, and the earth is square. Now we see the earth but not the sky, we see turbidity but not clarity. The spirit of Heavenly Dao, wind, rain, thunder, frost, cold, rain and dew, cannot be seen.

Those with feathers are birds that fly; those with shells and scales are birds that hibernate. In spring, all beasts shed their wings; in autumn, all plants wither. When the moon is waning, fish brains diminish; when the moon dies, snails and clams shrivel.

Now, none of the Four Seasons can be observed.

The Laws have changed drastically, and the Heavenly Dao has been altered. It is as if the common people, unaware of the Law, live in constant fear; and the merchants, unable to discern the king's decrees, tremble with apprehension.

Neither Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva nor Mahakala Bodhisattva dared to set foot there easily.

The Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva said, "How dangerous! How dangerous! This formation is unprecedented! Look at that formation; it appears calm and peaceful, with no killing intent, but in reality, it is a transformation of the Heavenly Dao. Killing intent has turned into life force, wrong into right, inferior into superior, turbid into clear, and darkness into light. Danger! Danger! Danger! The World-Honored One One's prediction is correct; this place is not safe to stay long. We should leave quickly!"

Mahakala Bodhisattva, upon hearing this, was unwilling to return just like that.

If he were to return to Spirit Mountain like this, wouldn't it be tantamount to admitting that Shakyamuni's words were correct? Not only would his own prestige be greatly damaged, but his foundation would also be destroyed along with the Eastern Migration of Buddhism.

He was able to enter the Great Luo because of the Incense Offerings on the banks of the Western Sacred River, and also because he devoted himself to the Buddhist Sect, using Buddhism and Daoism Transcendent Dao Attainment.

If he were to move Eastern Lands, where in the Eastern Lands would anyone still believe in him? Therefore, this matter is a struggle over the orthodox tradition, and there is absolutely no room for compromise.

In contrast, although Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva also primarily preaches in the Western Heaven, and would suffer heavy Eastern Migration if he moved eastward, it would not have the same direct impact on the fundamental situation as Mahakala Bodhisattva. Therefore, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva only showed reluctance after seeing the Great Formation of Stars of the Celestial Cycle.

Mahakala Bodhisattva was unwilling to back down. After thinking for a moment, he recalled that when he and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva joined forces before, they had also forced the Demon Dragon to retreat. This showed that the Demon Dragon's own power was not actually that strong; it was just that the Formation was powerful. So he looked at the Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun and said:

"Celestial Worthy, I observe that although that Demon Dragon possesses power, it is not invincible. However, this Formation is formidable, its formation relying on the gods of the Heavenly Realm. Could you summon the gods back and break the Formation?"

Upon hearing this, the Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun spoke, "The gods are bound by the Black Lotus, and I cannot recall them."

Mahakala Bodhisattva questioned, "I'm afraid the Celestial Worthy Venerable's words won't convince the masses. How could the Demon Dragon possibly control so many gods? Moreover, the mystery of this Formation is unprecedented. If the gods were controlled by it, they would be like puppets. How could such Formation be created?"

Upon hearing this Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun glanced indifferently at the Mahakala Bodhisattva and ignored him.

Mahakala Bodhisattva said to Earthly Way, "I have a method to test the truth. When I insult the Four Departments of Thunder, Dipper, Water, and Fire, if those four deities become angry and show themselves, it shows that they still have some sense; if they do not show themselves, it means they have been controlled by the Demon Dragon."

The Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun remained unmoved.

Mahakala Bodhisattva, seeing this, assumed that they had tacitly agreed, and thus loudly insulted the four classes.

Upon hearing this, the Four Departments of Thunder, Dipper, Water, and Fire revealed their True Form in the formation one by one, and retorted to Mahakala Bodhisattva that he was a barbarian from the Western Heaven and a bald monk from the Buddhist Realm.

Seeing that his plan had worked, Mahakala Bodhisattva smiled and said triumphantly to the Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun:

"Celestial Worthy, how is it? Just as I expected! Some deities were not controlled by the Demon Dragon Demon Dragon, but were bribed by it to aid and abet its evil deeds. I implore the Celestial Worthy Venerable to handle this matter impartially, recall these rebellious gods, and bring them back to the Heavenly Realm for punishment!"

The Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun glanced indifferently at the Mahakala Bodhisattva and said coldly:

"We are the gods of the Heavenly Realm, and our rights and wrongs are none of your business!"

Mahakala Bodhisattva didn't react for a moment and asked, "What did you say!"

The Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun said, "I say it's none of your business, you barbarian in animal skins, to interfere!"

Mahakala Bodhisattva was furious upon hearing this and said:

"How dare you! You, a mere Thunder Ancestor, show such contempt for me! When I Attainment of the Dao in the Western Sacred River, you had not yet achieved it!"

The Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun observed this coldly and paid it no heed.

Mahakala Bodhisattva became even angrier.

Fearing that the two would fight and the Demon Dragon would gain another powerful ally, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva quickly stopped Mahakala Bodhisattva, saying:

"Mahakala Bodhisattva, do not be angry. The Demon Dragon is difficult to subdue now. Let us return and discuss this further!"

Mahakala Bodhisattva, fearing ridicule from Tathagata his return, was reluctant to leave. After observing the Formation for a while, he said to Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva:

"I observe that the dark side of that Formation is a weak point, and that Demon Dragon isn't particularly powerful. Let's storm the formation, capture the Demon Dragon first, or at least take a few other Demon. That way, we'll have something to report back to. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, the Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva dared not agree.

Mahakala Bodhisattva only saw him wound the Demon Dragon with a single sword strike, but he didn't see how a single drop of blood from the Demon Dragon shattered the blade of his Precious Sword. Now, with only the two of them present, and not knowing the location or layout of the Formation, rushing into it rashly would be tantamount to suicide.

Just as Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was thinking about how to persuade Mahakala Bodhisattva to go back, he saw the Demon Dragon take out a flag and throw it onto Pansi Ridge behind Yellow Flower Temple.

Gale howled, Black Fog filled the air, Dark Clouds Four Harmonies, and smoke shrouded the sky.

The flag grew tall amidst the wind, mist, and smoke, sweeping across the sky and stretching for countless miles.

Having prepared for years, the Blood Sea King saw the Demon-Gathering Banner and gave an order. The demons assembled, starting with a group of powerful demons, including Tiger Vanguard, White Bone Spirit Scorpion Demon, Scorpion Crab Spirit, Mountain Goat Spirit Red Boy, Toad Spirit, Crow Spirit, Mastiff Spirit, and Fox Spirit. They all stepped onto the Treasure Banner, and with a flick of the flag, they arrived at Pansi Ridge in no time.

The group of Demon Immortal and immortals, along with 30,000 Little Demon, followed one after another onto the Treasure Banner, with the Great Sun Demon King protecting them from behind. In a short while, they also arrived at Pansi Ridge.

Ao Tu distributed the Formation Flag.

The Great Formation of Stars of the Celestial Cycle is divided into three sets of Formation Flag: the Sun, the Moon, Stars.

The Sun and Moon Banners need no further explanation. The Stars Banner was divided into Three Thousand portions by Ao Tu. Of these, the gods of Heavenly Court took control of 500-600 portions, while the remaining Three Thousand- plus portions were handed over to the demons.

Although the number of demons was large, they were far less powerful than the gods of Heavenly Court. Even after obtaining the Formation Flag, they could not enter the array as quickly as the gods, leaving many openings.

But no matter what, the Formation was eventually completed, albeit with difficulty.

Holding the Hetu Luoshu, Ao Tu stood at the center of the Formation. With the help of the Great Formation of Stars of the Celestial Cycle, he had a feeling of controlling the destiny of the Heavenly Dao. Of course, it was not the complete Heavenly Dao, but only half of it.

Of the two, Heaven and Earth, he can only control Heaven and not Earth.

In the past, the demon and witch races fought for supremacy. The demons ruled the heavens, and the Demon Clan ruled the earth. The demons used the Zhou Tian Great Formation of Stars of the Celestial Cycle, while the Wu Clan used the Du Tian Capital-Heaven Divine Fiend Grand Formation. This was the first major battle between Heaven and Earth. In the end, it ended with both races suffering heavy losses.

Now, Ao Tu has mastered the Great Formation of Stars of the Celestial Cycle. Unfortunately, the Capital-Heaven Divine Fiend Grand Formation is also in his hands, so the spectacular scene of Heaven and Earth clashing can no longer occur.

If given the opportunity in the Future, he might be able to use both methods simultaneously, turning the Heaven and Earth into a millstone to grind away the enemy. Of course, that would require an even greater power to control, which is beyond what Ao Tu can currently do.

With the help of the Formation, Ao Tu opened his Divine Eye and glanced at the Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva and Mahakala Bodhisattva outside, seeing through their true nature. Ao Tu was confident that within the Formation, he could temporarily seize their Great Luo Cultivation Realm.

The principle is quite simple. Neither Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva nor Mahakala Bodhisattva possessed their own path; rather, they attained Attainment of the Dao through the Buddhist Sect the Path. To be more specific, they followed the the Path established by Amitabha Buddha.

Many Buddhist Sect Daluo Golden Immortal or Great Enlightened Golden Immortal Attainment of the Dao in this way. After all, it is too difficult to open up a new the Path out of thin air, and one does not know whether the path ahead Right and Wrong. However, there is no such worry when following the path opened up by predecessors, and one's strength is not necessarily weaker than that of the former.

But other people's the Path are ultimately their own.

Now, with the help of the Great Formation of Stars of the Celestial Cycle, Ao Tu can temporarily control half of the fortune of Heaven and Earth, which is half of the Laws Heaven and Earth. He can use this power to temporarily sever the Buddhist Sect the Path on the two of them.

As a result, without their own Great Dao, the two were forced to fall in the Cultivation Realm.

Of course, the essence of the Great Luo will not change. But the weakening of his combat power is a real fact.

Outside, the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta and Mahakala Bodhisattva, for some unknown reason, suddenly sensed a tremendous crisis.

Mahakala Bodhisattva turned and left.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva carefully observed the Formation and advised Mahakala Bodhisattva, "Look, the Demon Dragon Formation is complete and fraught with danger. A slight misstep could lead to annihilation. Let's return to Spirit Mountain for now and discuss our next move. What do you say, Mahakala Bodhisattva?"

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva uttered two prayers, but received no response. Turning his head, he saw that Mahakala Bodhisattva had vanished, startling him so much that he nearly fell off his Divine Cloud. He hurriedly asked the Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun:

"Old Celestial Worthy, when was Mahakala Bodhisattva abducted by the Formation? I was right next to him, yet I couldn't sense it at all?"

The Nine Heavens Responding Origin Thunderclap Puhua Tianzun laughed and said, "Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva Mahakala Bodhisattva have long since retreated to Spirit Mountain. On the contrary, if you stay any longer, you may be captured by the Formation."

Upon hearing this, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was somewhat skeptical, but he hurried towards Spirit Mountain. Sure enough, he found Mahakala Bodhisattva outside the Spirit Mountain, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva angrily questioned him:

"Mahakala Bodhisattva, why did you abandon me without even a word?"

Mahakala Bodhisattva retorted, "Didn't you, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, repeatedly advise me to return to Spirit Mountain? Everything I've done has been in accordance with your advice; I thought you had already returned long ago."

Upon hearing this, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva was somewhat annoyed by Mahakala Bodhisattva's sophistry, but unable to refute it, he could only say:

"Very well, let's leave that matter aside for now. Now that we've returned, the Demon Dragon has not yet subdued. How can we explain this to the World-Honored One and the the Monks?"

Mahakala Bodhisattva said, "Since ancient times, victory and defeat have been commonplace and cannot be considered a sin. That Demon Dragon is numerous, followed by gods, with thousands of Demon Immortal and immortals, and tens of thousands of Demon Soldier, protected by Formation. It is only natural that you and I, being outnumbered and outmatched, cannot capture it. Let us explain to the the Monks and gather all the Bodhisattva, Arhat, Bhikkhu, Sangharama to jointly annihilate the Demon Dragon. The Demon Dragon has tens of thousands of Demon Soldier, while we in the Western Heaven have trillions of Buddhist Soldiers. How can we fear it?"