Becoming a god starts from planting a Bodhi tree.

Chapter 492 Heavenly Court, The Legacy of Returning to Truth

"Shitian, Donghuang, trust me one last time!"

Ji Tianxing said in a deep voice,

“All of this shouldn’t have happened so early. Ji Linyuan could have continued to grow for a while longer. With Ji Jingqiu attracting attention outside, no one would have noticed him. But Ji Jingqiu shouldn’t have entered the Underworld at this moment!”

"Once he enters the underworld, given his personality, which resembles the combination of the two of you, I have less than a 10% chance of him making it out!"

this moment.

In Ji Tianxing's mental world, a phantom figure intruded and manifested, none other than Mu Shitian.

He spoke slowly:
"I'm very curious, Tianxing, what exactly did you see back then that made you so determined to abandon everything and even ally with Taiyi?"

"What is it in the underworld that you fear so much?"

"...It is the Heavenly Court."

Ji Tianxing took a deep look at the current "Mu Shitian".

The fact that it could enter his inner world silently meant that the other party had already devoured Wu Zhou's Dao body. He suppressed his thoughts and continued to utter a shocking rumor.
"The Netherworld not only originated from the remnants of the Netherworld Palace, but also has some areas that originated from the Heavenly Court, an ancient force that perished long before the rise of the Netherworld Palace."

"Back then, the Lord of the Netherworld collected the remnants of all realms and created the Netherworld, which included the remnants of the Heavenly Court."

"I told you back then to tell that Lord of the Underworld that he could never make it across that path, because the Underworld is connected to a part of the remnants of the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Emperor, who has awakened from his slumber, will not allow him to succeed!"

"The Heavenly Emperor?" Mu Shitian's gaze sharpened. "Was that person the 'Heavenly Emperor' back then?"

When he went against the current in the past, he visited the five great gods one by one. He even had doubts about the origins of the seven of them and traced the origin of this world. He unexpectedly witnessed a figure standing in front of the five great gods.

"The Netherworld of the Netherworld lineage originated from the old Heavenly Court? So, the Burial Sea is also one?"

Mu Shitian asked, then shook his head.
"But so what? What does that have to do with Jingqiu not being able to get out? Even if there are dangers lurking inside, he still has the Holy King by his side, and Cangqing and the Lord of the Underworld in the Underworld."

“With the protection of three divine lords, unless one possesses power beyond their level, who can do anything to them? Even if all the saints were to attack them, those three would be more than capable of protecting themselves.”

"It's precisely because it's those three that they were useless!" Ji Tianxing said decisively. "The five great gods' roots are not in the Netherworld, but in the Heavenly Court! They are manifestations of the Heavenly Court's divine positions, and they have no power to fight back against that person. That person was just deliberately hiding his abilities before, and never took it seriously!"

Mu Shitian said thoughtfully, "Are you talking about the one buried in the sea?"

Ji Tianxing nodded and said, "This person is the most hidden 'big shot' in the Netherworld, the root of all evil in the Netherworld! The death of the Lord of the Netherworld in battle back then was also related to him. The reason I cooperated with Taiyi is to deal with this person."

Mu Shitian nodded slightly, his expression revealing no change whatsoever. He suddenly said:
"Actually, Donghuang and I are more curious about something else—why are you so certain that Ji Jingqiu will never see the other side again?"

Ji Tianxing remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"He was born with knowledge, and before he was born, he was already on the other shore. After he was born into this world, he fell from the other shore. This is also the reason why Ji Linyuan can see the other shore in him."

Mu Shitian's expression was solemn:

"really?"

Ji Tianxing nodded. Now that things had come to this, there was no need to hide anything anymore.

Reaching the other shore is already incredibly difficult.

Let alone actively stepping out from the other side and then going back?

The sea of ​​suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore.

But there is no turning back from the other side.

Mu Shitian suddenly looked relieved. Some of the questions that had been bothering him were now answered, and he murmured to himself:
"So this is the current Buddha."

Just as Ji Tianxing was about to reiterate how troublesome the one from Zanghai was, Mu Shitian's figure gradually disappeared.

Unconsciously, He Donghuang's mind had also disappeared, as if returning to its original position, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his words, nor caring at all.

Ji Tianxing fell silent.

The reason for cooperating with Taiyi is that Taiyi's path of omniscience allows him to know everything related to himself and also to block out relevant information.

Even those who transcend the void find it difficult to trace their origins back to nothingness.

He kept this secret about the Burial Sea and the Heavenly Court hidden from everyone for ten thousand years, and spent ten thousand years laying the groundwork. Today, he finally revealed it, but the reactions of both Shi Tian and Dong Huang exceeded his expectations.

"You... still don't believe me?" Ji Tianxing sighed softly.

The only response he received was a Buddhist chant.

Namo Amitabha Buddha

Ji Tianxing had thoroughly studied the Federal Taoist Canon and was well-versed in both Buddhist and Taoist teachings. He knew that this verse was a praise of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, and the eternal wisdom and life.

I take refuge in Amitabha Buddha.

May they be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Mu Shitian's words drifted down:

"Tianxing, we have always trusted you unconditionally."

"But there's one thing you might never understand."

"What we pursue has never been the other shore, and Jingqiu is no different from us."

"As for the one buried at sea..."

Hearing only half of it, Ji Tianxing slowly raised his head, his heart trembling.

What does it mean that what we seek is never the other shore?

Mu Shitian's last words came:

"We are prepared."

……

……

Hades.

Since setting foot on this land, the saints have gradually seen things that even they found difficult to understand.

A strangely shaped ferryboat swept past, seemingly crossing the Milky Way; there were also many arrays they couldn't understand, sometimes working and sometimes not, which nearly caused a curious True Saint to perish; in addition, there were some indistinct orbs of light, like a divine embryo, giving birth to something extremely terrifying.

Compared to these unknown things, those things that they could immediately identify were, while troublesome, still within an acceptable range.

"Is that the Flower of the Food Saint who escaped from the Myriad Flowers Pavilion back then?"

Kongming's expression was solemn as he reminded the saints not to approach the star field on the right.

There, an ancient vine pierces through the starry sky, its massive trunk seemingly capable of supporting a universe, each vein of its leaves flowing with the brilliance of a galaxy, its dark jade-like leaves swaying gently.

It seemed to be rooted in the abyss, its vines, cast from jet-black gold, winding and coiling in the void, needing no support, vast and magnificent.
The enormous flower buds, like black gold, have a faint luster and exude a captivating fragrance.

"This thing does not possess a clear, advanced will, but its strength is terrifying. It was left behind by the Myriad Transformation Ancestor of the Myriad Flower Pavilion. It is said that this ancestor fed it with his own blood, to the point that even a True Saint can swallow and digest it."

"Back then, someone breached the Myriad Flowers Pavilion, and this item escaped from there. How could it have ended up here..."

Everyone looked extremely solemn. Along the way, the Food Saint Flower could only be considered to be of moderate danger.

Along the way, these old folks from all walks of life gathered here, as if they had entered a "Grand View Garden," their eyes opened wide.

Their gazes fell on Ji Jingqiu ahead, and only after confirming that he hadn't disappeared as he walked did their hearts ease a little.

"Where exactly is this place? How could so many dangerous creatures be hiding here?"

Fengming couldn't help but whisper, "The journey has been like a long journey, dreamlike and fraught with danger."

"Have the three of you made contact with that person yet?" Mieyu asked with concern, urging the three of them to contact the World Honored One as soon as possible, wanting to find out exactly where this place was.

Fengming and the other two exchanged glances. They had already contacted Ji Jingqiu, who told them to stay in the back as much as possible and to run away if they were in doubt, as this place probably involved power beyond the human realm.

But how can I say such things to my fellow Daoist who is free from desires?
I could only give a vague answer.

After all, Ji Jingqiu still needs the help of the sages to keep things under control.

The saints followed behind the World-Honored One, feeling that with the World-Honored One leading the way, they would be safe.

As for Ji Jingqiu, with the saints following behind to support him, he immediately felt at ease.

This is probably what mutual trust between the two parties means.

In front.

Ji Jingqiu resisted the urge to turn around.

Re-entering the Underworld made him somewhat...unrecognizable.

He had once visited the underworld, where he found it lifeless and filled with countless wronged souls. But the world he had arrived at was not exactly magnificent, but it could be described as grand.

Along the way, I've seen too many bizarre sights.

He has repeatedly confirmed with the Holy King whether this place is the underworld.

"The Netherworld is vast and boundless, and our exploration is limited. However, the area we have explored before the Netherworld is already comparable to the Netherworld. It's just a pity that this place is all wasteland. Even the Great Dao is barren. There is no environment for life to live and reproduce, let alone the conditions for cultivation."

The Holy King led the way, with countless golden lights spreading out from beneath his feet like branches and leaves, resembling dazzling galaxies, swaying gracefully.

The Holy King said, "We must first find Ming and Cangqing."

"How much have you explored about the Underworld?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

“Not many.” The Holy King shook his head. “We will not covet the core of the other four’s Dao, as that would cause unnecessary conflict.”

Ji Jingqiu nodded, acknowledging that the five great gods had been able to remain "safe and sound" until now, thanks in no small part to this.

"The Azure lineage is the World Tree, the Underworld Lord is the Underworld, what are the foundations of the Great Dao for the other three lineages?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

"This question is a bit presumptuous." The Holy King glanced at Ji Jingqiu, but still answered, "The Void Emperor is a primordial dragon, a manifestation of the 'dragon veins' of the Netherworld; Taiyou is my adversary, and our relationship is similar to that of the Crimson Firefly and the Moon Goddess."

The Holy King and Taiyou are like the sun and the moon to each other.
Ji Jingqiu muttered to himself, "This guy is quite cautious. He revealed the fundamental principles of the other three, leaving only himself and Taiyou."

"Has the Lord of Taiyou not returned yet?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

The Holy King was silent for a moment, then said, "We can't contact Taiyou anymore. After being severely injured by Ji Tianxing, his return was delayed by a hundred years. A few years ago, because of the calamity in the Netherworld, and considering that the time was about right, I wanted to help him return ahead of schedule, but I found that he had disappeared."

Ji Jingqiu's gaze sharpened; the whereabouts of the Taiyou God Lord were unknown.

“I remember someone once vaguely mentioned to me that there might be a traitor within the Five Great Gods.”

Ji Jingqiu seemed to be talking to himself.

The Holy King said calmly, "Since it's an internal traitor, then whose internal traitor is it? Are they all from different sects?"

Ji Jingqiu calmly said, "Bury the sea."

The Holy King immediately fell silent.

“The Holy King should know the origin of the Netherworld,” Ji Jingqiu said. “Seven of our Federation’s predecessors were related to that Netherworld Lord. The current confrontation between time and fate is related to the Netherworld Lord’s arrangements.”

"But what about burial at sea?"

"There are rumors outside the realm that the creature in the Burial Sea is Wan Qianqiu, one of the Great Dao Ancestors."

Ji Jingqiu shook his head.
"But I'm 70% sure that this person has no connection with Wan Qianqiu and is just using his identity as a cover."

"The reason," the Holy King said in a deep voice.

Ji Jingqiu said calmly:

"Just now I merged with the Dao of the Nether Sea and saw something dwelling in the deepest part of the Nether Sea, which was absorbing the five poisons and five impurities of all living beings."

"The one in the Burial Sea repeatedly prevented me from merging with the Nether Sea, and the reason is now quite obvious—"

After a long silence, the Holy King suddenly said, "In fact, we had long suspected his identity."

"Oh?" Ji Jingqiu narrowed his eyes. "You mean the one I mentioned before, the one who first preached the Dao and called himself the 'Ancestor of the Great Dao'?"

"You're very perceptive."

The Holy King took a deep breath, and with each exhale, a dazzling galaxy appeared in the void, only to vanish in an instant. He spoke slowly.
"This person is hiding his true intentions too well; he must be someone with ulterior motives."

The Holy King suddenly turned his head and looked to his right front.

A wisp of yin fire drifted between heaven and earth, transforming into a humanoid Dharma image. Its Taoist robes fluttered, its face was blurred, but the divine markings between its brows were exceptionally clear. It exuded an imposing aura without anger, concealing a fierce intent, and its voice was low and hoarse.

"Retreat immediately! This place is not fit for your kind!"

Its sound was not loud, but it was like a muffled thunderclap, resounding directly in everyone's hearts, causing them to instinctively feel a sense of fear, and the Dao light surrounding them rippled.

"The accumulated imperial aura explains its overwhelming power," the Holy King said slowly. "Interesting. What exactly happened in the Netherworld that caused such a dramatic change? No wonder Cang Qing is gone forever."

Ji Jingqiu raised his hand, and Feng Ming behind him understood immediately, as they had already communicated beforehand.

"Who dares to block my way!" Feng Ming's figure suddenly rose up, his Daoist aura surging like a tide, and he instantly appeared in front of the Yin Fire Dharma Image.

The Holy King paused, his hand about to be raised, and glanced at Ji Jingqiu.

The assembled saints stared wide-eyed, cursing the man inwardly. He hadn't even spoken a word to them, so why was he being so obsequious?
Even Kong Ming, who supported the World Honored One, couldn't help but open his mouth slightly. It wasn't until he learned about Feng Ming's identity and his relationship with Ji Jingqiu from the people around him that he suddenly realized what was going on.

Seeing Feng Ming charge at him, the Yin Fire Dharma Image roared in fury:

"court death!"

A divine cauldron manifested in the heavens and earth, descending upon Fengming's head to suppress his fortune and diminish his merits!
Even though Fengming was a divine bird born with innate merit, he was still somewhat overwhelmed by a moment of carelessness. Merit poured into the void like a flood, causing Fengming's expression to change slightly.

He had seen the supernatural powers and techniques of the path of merit before, but he had never seen such supernatural powers and techniques before. The cauldron fell and the void was imprisoned, making it difficult for him to escape for a time.

Most of the True Saints behind them frowned, trying to recall if such methods had ever appeared in history.

"The methods of the divine path." The Holy King suddenly spoke, taking a step forward and coldly saying, "Cutting away merits, severing fortune, and ultimately falling into the five signs of decay of heaven and man, the calamity of slaughter obscured. It's been a long time since I've seen this."

Golden light soared into the sky. As the Holy King threw a punch, divine light enveloped the heavens and earth, reaching the extreme of dominance, directly clashing with the divine artifact cauldron that the opponent had manifested.

This punch shook the heavens and earth, caused the opponent's Yin Fire to flicker, and made the cauldron tremble, almost collapsing.

With a loud phoenix cry, a murderous phoenix flapped its wings and soared into the sky before swooping down to kill!

The Dharma image formed by the Yin Fire instantly collapsed into the world.

The opponent has perished, but Fengming's malevolent aura remains.

at this time.

Ji Jingqiu appeared behind Feng Ming, pointed a finger at his brow, and boundless wisdom light took root there, sweeping away the drowsiness and confusion, allowing Feng Ming to return to normal.

At this moment, Fengming exclaimed in shock, "What kind of bizarre method is this? How could it so easily invade my primordial spirit and affect my true self and spiritual light!"

Ji Jingqiu remained silent, looking ahead.

As they ventured deeper, for an unknown period of time, they came to see ripples of water ahead, shimmering with gold, and wreathed in eerie flames, vaguely taking shape and outlining a hazy realm.

"May I ask, Your Majesty?" Kongming stepped closer and respectfully inquired, "Is this place a legacy of the Guizhen calamity?"

(End of this chapter)