Becoming a god starts from planting a Bodhi tree.

Chapter 491 All are caught in the game, making moves without reason

Netherland.

A pale blue, mirror-like sea of ​​light lay silently across the dark realm, refracting a dazzling array of colors.

It is as omnipresent as time and fate, as if it has been integrated into the very foundation of this world. As long as one is in the Netherworld, no matter where one is, one can see that pale blue sea of ​​light, which enters the heart and illuminates one's true nature.

"The sacred land of the Nether Sea from back then..."

Luo Xuan spoke softly, his expression somewhat dazed.

He hadn't seen such a scene for many years. Memories flooded back, and he couldn't help but recall the days when he followed his elder brother in his early years of cultivation.

When the Lord of the Netherworld opened up the Great Path of the Mind, the Netherworld Sea was once hailed as a pure land of all worlds and a sacred place of the boundary sea. It had no thresholds and embraced all living beings, depending only on fate and talent.

At that time, he even entered the Nether Sea of ​​the Holy Land before his brother, traveling with all the heavenly beings and enjoying his pride in front of his brother for a long time...

Ah, the past is like smoke.

Luo Xuan collected his thoughts and glanced at the remnants of the Netherworld.

Sure enough, some of them were already prostrating themselves in worship with devout expressions.

The leaders, though their gazes were intense, did not make any outrageous moves, leaving one wondering what they were plotting.

"World Honored One..."

Luo Xuan felt as if a fire was burning in his heart.

Although my elder brother never met this person back then, based on the descriptions of the other saints, he gave him a very high evaluation, believing that this person's "position" at his peak might be even higher than that of the four of them!
If the opponent is at their peak, Luo Xuan will naturally take a detour and will not dare to appear in front of them.

But now, this reincarnated cultivator, who is merely a Celestial Venerable, dares to show himself...

"I was initially hesitant to make a move against her because of Honglian, but I never expected her to come to me on her own initiative." Luo Xuan muttered to himself, "My brother once said, 'If you don't take what Heaven offers, you will suffer the consequences.'"

By swallowing the World Honored One, he would most likely no longer need to wait for Taiyi's advancement and could directly ascend to heaven in one step, completing everything!
At that time, he will be the newly promoted Great Dao Ancestor in the Boundary Sea, and the only one at present!

Then, the unity of heaven and earth, transcendence and transcendence, are all within a single thought!
……

Zhang Tiancheng gazed at the sea of ​​light, lost in thought for a long time.

When he became a disciple of Master You, the Nether Sea had not yet been corrupted by sentient beings. At that time, many people in the Nether Palace opposed the Nether Lord's decision to continue opening the Nether Sea to sentient beings.

They believe that beings who only know how to take and not how to be grateful will only push the Netherworld to another extreme, until it is doomed to eternal damnation!

The Lord of the Underworld raised his hand and summoned him, a newcomer to the sect, to his presence. In front of many disciples, he asked him how he viewed the matter.

Will it remain buried in the deep sea, or will it be shared with the world?
At that time, he was unaware of the dangers involved, and he came from a humble background. The reason he was able to join the Netherworld was entirely due to the existence of the Nether Sea.

If the Netherworld had not been opened to all worlds, Zhang Tiancheng would have remained a cowherd for his entire life, with no chance of ever entering the Netherworld Palace!

If this passage is closed, wouldn't that cut off the path for everyone in the world?!

Therefore, Zhang Tiancheng did not hesitate to oppose the suggestion of sealing off the Nether Sea. He even spoke frankly and openly in the main hall, which won the favor of the Nether Lord, who took him under his wing and made him his personal disciple!
That was the most glorious moment of his life.

But then...

Zhang Tiancheng finally realized that he was wrong!

After witnessing the Nether Sea transform from a clear and sacred place into a filthy and perilous wasteland, and after seeing disciples perish in its quest to "cleanse" the Nether Sea...

Zhang Tiancheng finally understood the source of the disappointed and even angry looks from his disciples that day!

He still remembers that day very clearly.

The Nether Sea was utterly corrupted, with ominous clouds rolling and fiery waves surging. The strange phenomena in the minds of all living beings materialized into dangerous places, turning what were once pure lands of the worlds into forbidden zones!
Countless disciples of the Netherworld rushed to try to "put out the fire," but all their efforts were in vain.

On that day, the Netherworld Master stood alone in the void, overlooking the Netherworld Sea, which had been destroyed by all living beings and was no longer a benefit to him but a burden. He summoned him alone and asked him a question:
"Tiancheng, do you think we were wrong?"

He had never seen such a horrific scene before; it was as if he were trapped in a nightmare, and he remained in a daze for a long time.

In his dream, he seemed to see the hem of the Netherworld Master's white robe submerged in turbid waves, and countless Netherworld disciples perishing and disappearing...

Finally, he knelt before Master You, weeping bitterly, filled with remorse, and said:

"Master You...it was my fault...it was my fault!"

He was wrong!

He shouldn't have obstructed the suggestions of so many disciples that day!
As it turns out, the Dark Ocean cannot satisfy the ambition and greed of humankind!

If people are allowed to act recklessly, it will only drag the Netherworld from its peak to its decline!
At that moment, Zhang Tiancheng stumbled and almost fell to the ground. Countless evil flames seemed to rush towards him, and the scorching heat ignited his hair and set him ablaze.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed him.

That is the heart's essence.

"The past cannot be undone." Xin Zun clearly guessed what he was thinking and said in a very calm tone, "But the present and the future can be grasped. Atone for your past choices."

Zhang Tiancheng gradually regained his composure, his gaze becoming increasingly profound.

"I've always been curious," Xin Zun suddenly asked, "after you said you were wrong back then, what did the Patriarch say to you?"

In a daze, Zhang Tiancheng seemed to return to that day—

Master You personally helped him up from his kneeling position. His voice rang out calmly, yet it was like a thunderclap in silence, stirring up waves beneath a calm lake:

“Tiancheng, I summoned you here to tell you that you are not wrong, and neither am I. The ones who are wrong are never those ignorant and naive people who are simply driven by the instinct to live better lives.”

"There is no need to be discouraged by today's failures. Everything is just beginning. As immortals, we have plenty of time to discover and solve all the problems."

"Soon, I will be heading towards my true self..."

The words of Master You from the past still echo in my ears.

But whether it was then or now, Zhang Tiancheng could only manage a bitter smile.

Master You, if they are not wrong, and the world is not wrong either, then who is really wrong?
Is this the state of the world?
Master You, the decline of Youfu, the sinking of Youhai—the fault lies not only with the world, but also with those of us who naively trusted the world…

"What are your thoughts on the reappearance of the Nether Sea in its former glory?"

Luo Xuan's words suddenly rang out, echoing like a secluded valley, rippling through the hearts of Xin Zun, Zhang Tiancheng, and the others.

Zhang Tiancheng composed himself, looked ahead, and slowly said:

"Ji Jingqiu's innate supernatural powers, as well as some of the supernatural powers of the World Honored One's lineage, seem to have a restraining effect on the current Youhai, but this is just a temporary fix and cannot save Youhai."

"Soon, the Dark Sea will return to its original state."

"Oh?"

Dao patterns flowed in Luo Xuan's eyes, his gaze piercing through the endless void, penetrating to the depths of the Nether Sea where turbid waves and undercurrents had resurfaced, and the filth, like a malignant sore, was quietly spreading.

He nodded in agreement.

"Back then, my Netherworld Palace exhausted all its resources, and countless disciples followed one after another, trying every possible method, but we could only delay the defilement of the Netherworld Sea."

Zhang Tiancheng's sleeves fluttered even without wind, and he said coldly.
"The turbidity of the Nether Sea is now a foregone conclusion. Where was their lineage of the World Honored One back then? At best, they can only briefly recreate their former appearance; they cannot reverse the overall situation."

Who can change the hearts of all living beings?

"How can supernatural powers cleanse the defilements of sentient beings' hearts?!"

Zhang Tiancheng's voice was hoarse, "Even Master You couldn't achieve this through his own heart, so what makes Ji Jingqiu think he can?"

"Even Master You couldn't do it back then, and none of the ancestors could. What makes them, the lineage of the World Honored One, so capable?!"

Zhang Tiancheng harbored a certain... anger towards the seven from the Federation, a kind of resentment at their overestimation of their abilities!
In his view, those seven people from the Federation were all incredibly ambitious, especially those from the World Honored One's lineage!
One who hasn't even transcended suffering dares to attempt to solve the sea of ​​suffering that even the Venerable Master would have to risk his life to fill.

There's another one, who is trying to rebuild the Netherworld Sea, which even countless disciples of their Netherworld Mansion couldn't save!

I just don’t know what it means!
If they had cooperated, the Netherworld might have been able to save Master You ten thousand years ago!
Upon hearing Zhang Tiancheng's words, Luo Xuan nodded thoughtfully.

The reason why the Lord of the Underworld abandoned the Underworld Sea was because the Underworld Sea had long been "abandoned".

But... is it really necessary to abandon the Nether Sea and choose the Bitter Sea?
Luo Xuan suddenly frowned.

No, after the Nether Sea "deteriorated", its power and aggression were significantly greater than before. If one could merge with the Nether Sea, it would be a top-notch weapon even for a transcendent being. Why would one give it up?
Could it be because it has become a burden on some kind of great path?
Luo Xuan shook his head slightly; he would probably have to ask the Lord of the Netherworld about that.

"From what I've observed, this fellow Daoist seems to have a strong aversion to that World Honored One?"

Luo Xuan tucked his hands into his sleeves and looked at him with a smile. Even though he himself chose to address him by his honorific title rather than by his name, this person kept calling him Ji Jingqiu.

Xin Zun frowned slightly. This Xuan Zu was cunning and treacherous, and was definitely not someone easy to get along with.

This time, the Netherworld has mobilized two Daoist lineages; it remains to be seen whether they will ultimately gain any advantage from this person.

Zhang Tiancheng was equally wary of Luo Xuan's conversation. He had long been aware of the unpredictable thoughts of Taiyi and Wu Zhou, who called himself the Master of the Four Demons.

Although these two are not detached from the world, they are still limited by the constraints of the universe. In terms of scheming and controlling people's hearts, both of them are at the top level.

This person, who can manipulate them, may have the advantage of high rank and advanced cultivation, but in other aspects, they are probably not much worse than them, and may even be stronger.

“I fear the Ancestor may not know,” Zhang Tiancheng said calmly. “The lineage of the World Honored One has only existed for ten thousand years. The original founder, Mu Shitian, was merely a fragment of You Shi’s soul.”

"Only ten thousand years?" Luo Xuan smiled, not taking it to heart, but he became more interested in the second half of Zhang Tiancheng's statement.

The successor of the World Honored One's lineage ten thousand years ago was one of the reincarnations of that Lord of the Underworld.

This is where things get interesting.

Could it be that the Lord of the Underworld reached some kind of tacit understanding with this World Honored One, or even signed a covenant?

For example, could the Buddha take over the matter by using the Dark Ocean as a bargaining chip?
I wonder if this matter is related to the place of returning to one's true nature...

It seems the reason why the Lord of the Underworld abandoned the Underworld Sea back then is becoming increasingly worthy of consideration.

As for Zhang Tiancheng's other evaluations of the World Honored One's lineage, Luo Xuan didn't care at all.

He had heard similar things from Honglian long ago.

Honglian locked onto this World Honored One long before he revealed his identity.

It is utterly absurd and laughable that a mere Celestial Venerable, who has not even reached the pinnacle, dares to so easily comment on the World Venerable who surpasses all ancestors.

In the vast Boundary Sea and the boundless world, it is impossible for a being to emerge after only a hundred years of existence and yet be able to overpower all the ancestors on the path to returning to the true self.

If such a person truly exists in this world, then he should rightfully become the supreme ruler of our time!
"Ancestor, when will the Crimson Lotus Realm Lord arrive?" The Heart Venerable changed the subject, not giving Luo Xuan any more opportunities to communicate with Zhang Tiancheng.

"She arrived a long time ago; she should be choosing the moment she deems most opportune to make her move—"

Luo Xuan paused, his eyes showing apprehension, and said...
"This guy is usually quite patient and can endure a lot, especially after he has his eye on his prey."

"It can be said that the World Honored One's early exposure to the Red Lotus is his calamity."

Xin Zun's expression was solemn; he hadn't expected that even this person would be so wary of the Red Lotus Realm Lord.

Slowly exhaling, Xin Zun whispered, "Ancestor, it would be best if we didn't follow."

"What do you mean, fellow Daoist?" Luo Xuan looked over.

Xin Zun looked at the rift where Ji Jingqiu, the Holy King, and all the other saints had disappeared, his face showing fear as he said:
"This is the birthplace of the Netherworld Lord of the Netherworld lineage, and also the remains of the Netherworld created by our ancestor. Our ancestor once said, 'Those who have transcended the realm of immortality must not enter!'"

"Oh?"

Luo Xuan stood in the void, his hands tucked into his sleeves. He was smiling, yet he exuded a chilling aura.

"Then we should definitely go in and take a look."

He spoke through gritted teeth, enunciating each word clearly:

"This time I made a special trip back to retrieve the artifacts left behind by my elder brother. I want to see just how murky the waters of this Netherworld really are!"

Suddenly.

Luo Xuan glanced back at the distant area, his eyes gleaming with surprise. His eldest disciple had finally shown himself; was he about to lose his composure?
What choice does he have?

Is it to devour the World Honored One, or to devour Taiyi?

"A long-lost happy trouble," Luo Xuan sighed. "Could this be considered a turn of good fortune? I suffered in the Netherworld, but now I'm finally reaping the rewards—"

……

Yanhuang Federation.

The sealed land of the Death Demon.

Qinglian carefully communicated with the dark sea in front of her.

How can it be so "clear"?!

Its clear color even bears a resemblance to the sea of ​​suffering.

Qinglian couldn't help but look up at the "Four Guardian Stars" suppressing this place.

With Mu Shitian's help, Qinglian once tried to enter the Sea of ​​Bitterness, and there was even a magnificent scene of a blue lotus emerging from the Sea of ​​Bitterness.

For some reason, his innate nature made him extremely resistant to the sea of ​​suffering. The sea of ​​suffering that ordinary true saints would never dare to touch was within his recoverable range as long as the time was short, and he was not entangled in subsequent causes and effects.

This is also the reason why Mu Shitian helped him back then; he wants to find out the reason...

Looking back now, it might have been related to his elder brother, whom he had never met.

Qinglian sighed softly.

Although the waters of the Bitter Sea are said to be able to cause all things to sink and fall into the abyss, at a glance they are actually exceptionally clear, even invisible and colorless, and the seabed can be seen at a glance.

Only after it merges with the karma of all living beings will it reveal its true form, like a rain of blood.

The appearance of the Nether Sea at this moment is somewhat similar to that of the original Bitter Sea!

Perhaps, there really is a connection between the Nether Sea and the Sea of ​​Bitterness...

Qinglian suddenly stood up, and with a wave of his hand, the Qinglian Dao pattern spanned the heavens and earth, and the Dao charm soared to the sky, but it was swallowed by a layer of darkness. This darkness appeared around him at some unknown time, as still as a deep pool and as deep as the Netherworld, and it also cut off his connection with the four guardian stars above!

"Fellow Daoist Qinglian, it's been a long time."

A sigh that was anything but familiar rang out—

"Too, one!"

Qinglian spoke slowly and deliberately.

Before him stood Taiyi, who was at the head, and Ji Tianxing, who was right behind him!

"Back then, I only guessed that your background was probably no less than that of the five great gods. I didn't expect that my vision was too narrow." Taiyi sighed. "The younger brother of the Qingming Heaven Ancestor, this identity is truly something we envy."

"Ji Tianxing, this is the Federation, and the Eye of Bitter Sea is right above us. What exactly do you want to do?!"

Qinglian ignored Taiyi, glared angrily at Ji Tianxing, and demanded an explanation.

Ji Tianxing smiled and said, "I have met Fellow Daoist Qinglian. Fellow Daoist, there is no need to worry. It will not harm the Federation in the slightest. Fellow Daoist Taiyi also does not have the courage to touch the Sea of ​​Bitterness."

Taiyi nodded with pleasure and said, "I do indeed respect him as much as a tiger, so Fellow Daoist Qinglian need not worry. I have come here only for Yama."

Taiyi wants to rescue Yan?!

Qinglian looked shocked and angry, about to speak, when Yan, who was guarding the ground below, suddenly spoke, his voice indifferent:

"Taiyi, you've finally arrived."

Taiyi bowed solemnly and said, "Fellow Daoist, the promise we made back then must be fulfilled today. Now that the 'World Honored One' has appeared, he has attracted the attention of all parties, and even that person has been drawn to his attention."

Yan coldly replied, "You want to devour my true form, why should I cooperate with you?"

"In this life I have attained enlightenment, in the next life I will guide you across the river," Taiyi said with unprecedented solemnity and deep voice.

Yan, who was guarding the underground, fell silent. The name Taiyi was very familiar to them, so how could they trust him so easily?
Qinglian's expression grew increasingly surprised and suspicious. Taiyi was about to devour Yan's true form.

What on earth is Ji Tianxing doing now, letting a wolf into the house?!
He tried to contact Ji Tianxing, but the latter invited him to come over for a chat.

After gritting her teeth for a moment, Qinglian finally agreed.

He has no chance of winning against Taiyi alone!
Once they were aside, Ji Tianxing's words turned out to be nothing but nonsense. Qinglian impatiently responded and used telepathy to ask him what he was trying to do.

But Ji Tianxing only ever said one thing:

Fellow Daoist, rest assured, everything is under control.

Qinglian was not at all relieved by this; on the contrary, she was furious.

That bastard! Cooperating with Taiyi is like asking a tiger for its skin; there's no way we can have complete control over the situation!

Do you really think Ji Tianxing's computing power is unmatched in the world?!

……

Ji Tianxing pulled Qinglian away, as if to give Taiyi and Yan a place to talk.

"Judging from that man's words, the spiritual paths you and I have laid under his guidance are both destined to lead to enlightenment and transcendence," Yan suddenly said in a deep voice. "They are all... dead ends!"

“I already knew that,” Taiyi said calmly. “But a desperate situation doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no way out.”

Yan Shiran said, "That's right. You're the smartest among us. You must have started planning this a long time ago. What path did you find?"

"I have found my other shore."

"where?"

"It cannot be spoken of, nor can it be explained."

After another long silence.

The only response Taiyi received from the underground was a single word, uttered with extreme indifference and tranquility.

"it is good."

After hearing this, Qinglian turned around in fright.

What did he hear?!

Among the four demons, Yan, who has the highest killing power, was actually willing to let Taiyi devour him.

Did he mishear, or has the world gone mad?!
Taiyi said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I have already kept your wish in mind. After you attain enlightenment, everything will be as you wish!"

Yan said calmly, "I hope so."

Before Qinglian's incredulous gaze, Taiyi made a move and seized the entire town's fiefdom with a single hand!

Such power is virtually invincible in the realm of true saints!

On this day, Taiyi swallowed Yama.

Qinglian was filled with shock and anger. He tried to make a move, but Ji Tianxing stopped him.

In Ji Tianxing's eyes, countless crisscrossing lines seemed to form a chessboard, encompassing everything.

At this moment, the chessboard is covered with chess pieces.

"What are you thinking?!" Qinglian shouted angrily.

If the Federation allows Taiyi to devour Yan and he truly gains enlightenment, will they truly benefit? Or has Taiyi already formed an alliance with Ji Tianxing, and will they no longer have anything to do with each other?
"At this point in time, is the harm caused by the Four Demons really still important?" Ji Tianxing asked rhetorically. "In this world, there are no eternal enemies."

He reached out his hand forward, as if reaching into the omnipresent ocean of the soul, about to say something, when suddenly, on a whim, his gaze shifted and looked at a certain empty space.

From this direction, it seemed as if someone was watching him expressionlessly from across endless time and space.

"...Donghuang".

Ji Tianxing sighed softly, answering in his heart that he knew that guy could definitely hear him.

"The Federation needs a transcendent being of its own to deal with the various calamities to come."

"And this person won't be you, won't be Shitian, and won't be me, it can only be..."

"Ji Linyuan!"

Throughout his life, Ji Tianxing's greatest love was playing chess.

In chess, there is a type of move that completely defies the principles of chess and cannot withstand scrutiny, called the "unreasonable move." Essentially, it is a reckless move that does not conform to normal chess reasoning.

This step is often similar to "gaining more harm than good", "making a fool of oneself", or "taking a risky approach".

What Ji Tianxing loved most in his life was not the innate genius of a move, but precisely this so-called "unreasonable move," which seemed to disregard all principles of chess and took an unorthodox approach, yet it was something beyond the rules of chess, beyond all "correctness"...

A glimmer of hope?
At this moment, all the questions seemed to be answered. In Ji Tianxing's game of chess, the person he chose from beginning to end was never himself, nor was it Ji Jingqiu.

Just like his move in this game of chess...

[Unreasonable Hands]

However, someone was not satisfied with this answer.

In the void, someone laughed silently, a mocking expression on their face, as if asking:

Is it Ji Linyuan who was devoured by Taiyi?

Ji Tianxing said calmly:

"From beginning to end, they were the same person."

"It's just a matter of being both a god and a human."

"Therefore, their competition is not subject to the limitations of realm or power. And the day Taiyi attains enlightenment is the day Taiyi dies."

"Where does my confidence come from?"

"Because Ji Linyuan had already seen where the other shore was!"

"From Ji Jingqiu!"

"He is the third being in this world, after you and Shitian, to see the other shore! Only he could break through the limitations of heaven and earth and achieve transcendence in this era!"

"And Ji Jingqiu?"

Upon hearing the name uttered, Ji Tianxing seemed to suddenly fall silent. After a long silence, he finally murmured softly:
"...He will never see the other side."

In the dark void, something flowed, breaking through the barrier of darkness and reaching the four guardian stars above.

It's like hearing a hilarious joke from a friend and wanting to share it with your other close friends.

then.

Someone clasped their hands together, their face showing compassion, and the Buddha chanted:
Bah, bad luck!

Ji Tianxing smiled bitterly and slowly closed his eyes.

I know you've all wanted to ask me one question: where did Ji Jingqiu come from?

All living beings in this world
All must cross from this shore to the other shore.

But unfortunately...

Some people cross from the other side to this side.

(End of this chapter)