When immortals clash

Bai Di's azure vertical pupils scrutinized Xu Qi'an for a long time before he slowly shook his head:

"The Daoist Master has long since perished. Even if he were still alive, you could never be him."

As expected, only the topic of Dao Venerable could make this descendant of Gods and Devils take it seriously and effectively buy time. Xu Qi'an was not embarrassed by being exposed and smiled:

"Too confident, Bai Di!"

"The schemes of a top-tier individual are beyond your imagination. The seeds of that scheme were sown when I drove you all out of the Nine Provinces Continent."

The White Emperor remained silent for a moment, then sighed:

"You even know this? If I weren't so sure you weren't Him, I might have actually been deceived by you."

Suddenly, from the churning dark clouds, a bolt of lightning as thick as a bowl struck down, veering and twisting as it hurtled toward Luo Yuheng.

The Golden Core Tribulation has begun.

A brilliant Golden Core shot out from above Luo Yuheng's head, its radiance illuminating all directions. This immortal Golden Core took the initiative to meet the lightning tribulation, enduring tempering and baptism.

In the western sky, streaks of Buddhist light shone forth, and the figure of the Bodhisattva of the Gara Tree coalesced in the air, gazing towards the White Emperor, and said:

"Take action, don't let him stall for time."

Lightning flashed between the horns of the White Emperor.

Xu Qi'an shouted:

"I know far more than you imagine. I also know that the Supreme One is plotting to become the Gatekeeper, and you are plotting to become the Gatekeeper too, but you have absolutely no idea how far the Dao Venerable has gone."

The speed at which lightning gathered on the White Emperor's horns slowed down.

It knew that Xu Qi'an was stalling for time to create an opportunity for Luo Yuheng to overcome the Golden Core Tribulation.

The Daoist School Heavenly Tribulation is divided into two stages: the Golden Core Tribulation and the Four Symbols Tribulation.

The two stages are not consecutive. After the Golden Core Tribulation is completed, there will be a short period of rest to allow the person undergoing the tribulation to consolidate their "indestructible body."

However, the information about the Daoist Master is indeed quite tempting to the White Emperor, and many mysteries remain unsolved to this day.

Fortunately, it wouldn't take too long, so I might as well listen. As soon as this kid utters any nonsense, I'll immediately take action. In my mind's eye, it slowed down the speed at which the lightning ball condensed.

It knows many ancient secrets and can easily distinguish whether Xu Qi'an is making things up or truly knows some secrets about the Daoist Master.

Xu Qi'an asked in a testing tone, "Have you ever heard of the way of incense and deities?"

"I know a little about it. It's a cultivation system that emerged after the era of Gods and Devils ended. However, in the early stages of the development of the incense-based divine path, the descendants of Gods and Devils were driven out of the Nine Provinces by the Dao Venerable."

The White Emperor said.

Xu Qi'an:

"The path of incense and deity is a method of cultivation. It involves refining the essence of mountains and rivers into divine seals, then building temples to gather the fortune and blessings of incense offerings. In this way, the cultivator who wields the corresponding divine seal can become 'invincible' in their own territory."

"How about it, does it look familiar?"

A light shone in Bai Di's azure eyes, and he blurted out:

"Warlock System!"

He immediately recalled his conversation with Salen Agu that day, in which the great wizard expressed deep confusion and bewilderment about his disciple's creation of the Warlock System.

The truth has come out!

The Warlock System is related to the ancient incense and deity system. The first supervisor inherited the incense and deity system and used it as a foundation to create the Warlock System.

A look of sudden realization flashed across the White Emperor's eyes, resolving a mystery. It became more proactive and asked:

"But what does this have to do with the Daoist Master?"

As they were speaking, another bolt of lightning struck down fiercely, hitting the Golden Core core.

The Golden Core Tribulation has eighty-one stages; delaying each one is a bonus, and every stage is a gain. Xu Qi'an's smile widened as he answered the White Emperor's question:

"What if I told you that the Daoist Master extinguished the incense and divine path!"

"What if I told you that the Daoist Master gathered all the divine seals and used his own body as material to forge a Law Treasure called the 'Earth Book'?"

The White Emperor looked shocked. Its eyes were fixed, and it remained silent for a long time, pondering the information given by Xu Qi'an.

After a long while, the White Emperor seemed to be talking to himself, yet also asking a question, and said:

"The incense offerings and the gatekeepers were connected. The Daoist master saw through this secret, so he destroyed the incense offerings and the gatekeepers and took the divine seal for himself."

"The Daoist Master was not wrong; he was right, because countless years later, the current Supervisor of the First Rank of the Warlock System is indeed the gatekeeper."

"But why did the Daoist Master fail?"

If Dao Zun had succeeded back then, none of these things would have happened, and the Warlock System would not have existed.

In addition, Bai Di solved another mystery from Xu Qi'an: why the current supervisor was the gatekeeper.

The Warlock System did not appear out of nowhere; the fact that the contemporary warlock has become the gatekeeper can all be traced back to its roots.

"I can tell you the reason, but what will you give in exchange?" Xu Qi'an said with a smile.

"Listening to you is the greatest reward I can give you," the White Emperor said calmly.

These words sound arrogant and domineering, like a strong person pitying a weak person and giving them time as a handout.

Xu Qi'an immediately changed the subject and asked again in a testing tone:

"Now that we've discussed the Earth Sect's clones, let's talk about the Heaven Sect. Do you know why the Heaven Sect's clones mysteriously disappeared?"

He told Bai Di all this not only to buy Luo Yuheng time to overcome his tribulation, but also because he wanted to get some benefits from Bai Di.

This descendant of Gods and Devils, who has lived from ancient times to the present, must know many secrets. It won't tell others, especially enemies, without due knowledge. But what if this enemy also knows a great deal of ancient secrets, and their "knowledge" reserves are on the same level?

Then the White Emperor would recount the secrets in a discussion-based manner.

Xu Qi'an openly discussed the relationship between incense-burning deities and the Warlock System, as well as the Daoist Venerable's act of creating the Earth Book through his avatar, all in order to cultivate this kind of persona for himself.

The White Emperor's eyes were cold, and his tone was devoid of emotion as he said:

"I already know this, so there's no need for you to say more. The Heavenly Sect's clone has already merged into the Heavenly Dao."

"The leaders of the Heavenly Sect have mysteriously disappeared throughout history. This is because they cultivated the ' Celestial Person and man.' As the name suggests, when one reaches the peak of cultivation, the boundary between man and heaven becomes infinitely blurred. Man is heaven, and heaven is man."

"But humans will always be humans, and can never become the heavens, so the only outcome is to merge into the Heavenly Dao and become a part of the rules."

Holy crap, so that's how it is. This secret had a profound impact on Xu Qi'an, resolving his long-standing confusion.

It turns out that the Heavenly Sect's "Celestial Person" is not just lip service, but a real practice of achieving Celestial Person. This is the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of successive Heavenly Venerables.

Then Dao Zun's Heavenly Sect clone had already become part of the rules, which was equivalent to "falling".

I think I understand why there is a "Conflict between Celestial Person and Man" between the Celestial Person and Human Schools. If the Heavenly Venerable does not discuss the Dao with the leader of the Human School, he will mysteriously disappear. Based on this, we can infer that the discussion would not have disappeared.

At its core, it is to leave a lingering obsession in the heart of the Celestial Venerable, an obsession with winning and losing, in order to resist being assimilated by the rules.

Because "Heaven" has no feelings, but when it has a competitive spirit and obsessions, it develops feelings.

It's truly tragic. On one hand, they pursue Celestial Person, and on the other hand, they have to gravitate towards "humanity," otherwise they will be assimilated by the Way of Heavenly Dao. The three sects of Daoist School are indeed a trap. Xu Qi'an sighed silently.

Furthermore, if it's merely a matter of winning or losing, it doesn't necessarily have to be the leader of the Human Sect. Winning or losing might only be one aspect; another is that the three sects of "Heaven, Earth, and Man" are fundamentally one, with an inexplicable connection. Therefore, is it only the leader of the Human Sect who can help the Celestial Venerable stabilize his mindset?

"Boom!"

The world turned a blinding white as another bolt of lightning, as thick as an arm, struck Luo Yuheng's Golden Core core.

The lightning tribulation is intensifying.

This is the fourth tribulation of lightning. Luo Yuheng escaped without any danger, gaining four tribulations for nothing.

On the other side, the Bodhisattva of the Gara Tree gave Xu Qi'an no further chance to stall for time, and the "Immovable King Dharma Image" and the "Vajra Dharma Image" appeared above his head.

The former clasped his hands together, lowered his eyes, his divine aura concealed, and did not display any extraordinary abilities.

The latter took the lead, brandishing twelve arms and gathering energy in an attempt to attack Luo Yuheng from a distance.

Gara Tree did not recklessly trespass into the range of the Heavenly Tribulation. Although he was already a first-rank cultivator, he was not afraid of the Heavenly Tribulation. However, not being afraid did not mean that he could ignore the Heavenly Tribulation.

The Heavenly Tribulation is like a powerful enemy; there's no need to provoke it.

At this moment, three figures appeared in front of the Gara tree. The one in the lead was completely black, like a charcoal figure, with a blazing ring of fire burning behind its head.

He was no shorter than Gara Tree, and he also had the same muscular, tough-guy image.

On the left is an elderly Daoist priest with gray hair and a ruddy complexion, his robes fluttering, exuding an air of otherworldly grace.

On the right is a scholar dressed in a Confucian robe, with gray hair, wearing a Confucian hat, and holding an ancient carving knife in his hand.

The Vajra form is extremely masculine and powerful, symbolizing strength and killing. It is the most powerful offensive method in Buddhist School, second only to the Vairocana Buddha form.

Under normal circumstances, even a peak second-grade Asura would be somewhat suppressed when facing such a terrifying Dharma form.

Therefore, he activated the Asura bloodline ahead of time. The Asura race is a warlike race. The stronger the enemy, the higher their fighting spirit. They are naturally fearless.

Asura reached behind his head with his left hand and grabbed the ring of fire in his palm.

He then reached behind his head with his right hand and grabbed the dazzling halo in his palm.

Then, a blazing flame rose from the left hand, and a dazzling light shone from the right.

He let out a deep roar, and with a sudden jerk of his arms, flames and dazzling light surged up his arms and converged at his chest.

Based on the Asura race's battle body, it carries the power of the Vajra Divine Skill and the rank of Slaying Thieves.

This is the strongest power Asura can currently unleash.

He was like a lone hero, facing off against the most powerful warrior in Buddhist School, the Gara tree.

The two collided with a loud bang, their four palms pressed against each other, their backs bent low, as if they were wrestling.

The resulting energy surge transformed into a hurricane, sweeping in all directions.

"You're so arrogant!"

Gara Tree's expression was serious as he spoke softly.

His arm muscles tensed, and he slowly bent Asuro's hands.

Behind him, the twelve arms of the Vajra Dharma Image slowly closed, like the fangs of a Venus flytrap, ready to devour Asura.

Veins bulged on his forehead as Asura heard the sound of his finger bones breaking and caught a glimpse of the Dharma arms closing in from all directions.

Whether in terms of strength or aura, Gara Tree is far superior to him.

But it's alright, he has two helpers.

Zhao Shou lightly flicked his scholar's cap with his fingers and said in a deep voice:

"One man can hold the pass against ten thousand!"

A beam of clear light shot out and merged into Asura's body.

In an instant, his confidence soared, his fighting spirit soared, and he firmly believed that he was invincible and could single-handedly stand against the world's greatest enemy.

This was not an illusion; his energy, physical strength, and power had all increased by an incredible amount.

The bent hand gradually regained its advantage, while the twelve pairs of Dharma arms around the body, which were slowly closing together, seemed to be stuck and unable to close.

Gara Tree snorted coldly, and the ring of fire behind his head exploded with a "boom," sending up a raging inferno.

The aura of the Vajra Dharma Image surged dramatically.

Puff!

Asuro's arms were ripped off.

The twelve arms suddenly came together, and twelve forces were about to be poured onto Asura.

Not far away, the Golden Lotus Daoist priest, who was chanting incantations, opened his eyes. The image of the Gara tree was reflected in his eyes, and a flash of seven-colored light disappeared in his eyes.

"Boom!"

The mineball slammed violently into the Vajra image, unleashing large arcs of electricity and dissipating golden light.

The Vajra Dharma Image suddenly leaned back, causing the Gara Tree to stagger uncontrollably backward.

The mines were released by Bai Di, but their target was Xu Qi'an.

Xu Qi'an dodged the water mineball by sidestepping, and right behind him was the Garuda tree, so the Garuda tree suffered an undeserved disaster.

This seems like a coincidence.

This is indeed a coincidence, but it was deliberate.

Master Jinlian weakened the fortune of the Garuda tree, causing it to fall into a period of bad luck.

P. S.: Typos will be corrected later.