Becoming a god starts from planting a Bodhi tree.

Chapter 494 Mortals fear the consequences, gods fear the causes.

Ordinary void magic, which is all-encompassing, is useless against this God-Slaying Platform. It is like something that sits high in the void, impossible to lock onto, yet omnipresent.

The three thousand sword lights seemed to have completely enraged and awakened the divine sword. The boundless Daoist aura surged and rolled, and the sword momentum was domineering and unparalleled. Every wisp of sword energy contained the birth and death of the universe.

The next moment, sword energy rolled down like rain, and the sky full of sword energy evolved into a universe composed of pure sword energy, cutting down everything.

This scene made all the saints' hearts leap into their throats, and they began to consider retreating.

Ji Jingqiu withstood the endless torrent of sword light, drawing it all into the Nether Sea.

Before the Nether Sea completely sank, he found the key to enter the God-Slaying Platform, stepped inside, and grabbed the sword hilt!

The divine sword's consciousness was enraged and struggled violently, but it failed to escape immediately and was thrown into the Nether Sea by Ji Jingqiu, almost banished!
After the divine sword disappeared, the God-Slaying Platform beneath his feet instantly lost all its mystical power and plummeted from an infinite height.

"You threw it into the Nether Sea?" the Moon-Slaying Sword Light asked in surprise. "This thing clearly has a bad temper. Are you sure you can get away with it safely?"

"The more chaotic the Nether Sea is now, the better," Ji Jingqiu replied, throwing the divine sword into the deepest part of the Nether Sea, in the direction of the true phoenix.

"You want to use it to control the beings at the bottom of the Nether Sea?" Wu Zhou instantly guessed Ji Jingqiu's thoughts and shook his head, "Aren't you afraid they're in cahoots?"

“It doesn’t matter then,” Ji Jingqiu said. “A divine sword is no obstacle to our safe return. Besides… they might not be in cahoots.”

"I previously suspected that the Phoenix King was related to the being in the Burial Sea, and that being in the Burial Sea was a member of the Heavenly Court, the Great Dao Ancestor from back then—"

"But now that I think about it, if the other party really is the Great Dao Ancestor, then he is a bit too open about his emotions, and his methods are also a bit crude."

Ji Jingqiu said slowly.

This person intervened when he first attempted to merge with the Dao and reach the Nether Sea, clearly showing signs of impatience and anger, even trying to give him a treat after delivering a blow—

Finally, it even disguised itself with an aura similar to that of Wan Qianqiu, making it indistinguishable even from the initial sword light...

These methods were not problematic, but in Ji Jingqiu's view, they were completely unlike what a Great Dao Ancestor would do.

What is the Great Ancestor?
The one who opens the way to all realms is the ancestor of the Great Dao of the world.

Those who can accomplish such great feats are undoubtedly invincible in the vast ocean of realms, and are worthy of looking down upon all the ancestral masters!
Such people possess the magnanimity and breadth of mind to sweep away all obstacles and look down upon all heroes, disregarding any danger, because they have already sailed through countless trials!
The one in the Burial Sea was more like a gutter rat clinging to life, desperate to survive at any cost, and could never compare to the Great Dao Ancestors in Ji Jingqiu's eyes.

But if it wasn't the Great Dao Ancestor who was suspected to be the ruler of the Heavenly Court, then who was the other party?
Phoenix King?

Ji Jingqiu did not ponder for long.

He glanced at the execution platform, not missing a single detail, and finally saw that the ground was covered in a dark crimson.

"Those slain on the Execution Platform are all gods. And the blood of gods is red?"

Ji Jingqiu took a deep look at the place.

They turned back to the procession of saints and fell from infinite heights.

At this moment, all the saints looked up in awe.

"Keep going," Ji Jingqiu said calmly, not giving the saints a chance to ask questions. After confirming the approximate location of Ksitigarbha, he continued to lead the way.

"How much of the Dao has been achieved in the Nether Sea?" the Holy King asked privately via telepathy.

"There's not much left," Ji Jingqiu said. "We'll have to rely on you from now on."

"If it were that kind of unpredictable method, I might not have been able to stop it either," the Holy King sighed. "No wonder Cang Qing and the others have been trapped here for so long without any response."

Ji Jingqiu frowned: "With your strength, you shouldn't have been unable to stop that sword light just now."

The Holy King remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"After entering this world, my core divine power was suppressed by an invisible force, and my overall level dropped by half a level."

“I can feel that the longer I stay here, the greater the suppression of my divine power core will be. This is some kind of suppression by the Great Dao.”

Ji Jingqiu's expression was serious. Could it really be the ancestral land of the divine path? Otherwise, how could the Great Dao suppress the Saint King?

"Try fusing a wisp of my heart's lamp with yours," Ji Jingqiu replied after thinking for a moment.

The Holy King shook his head: "When Mu Shitian created the Boundless Wisdom Light, he referenced my Heavenly Divine Light, but it was basically useless."

"Try it."

Ji Jingqiu raised his hand and a lamp of the heart shone into the body of the Holy King.

This scene made the True Saints behind them quite envious, wondering how to ask this person for a wisp of it, which might save their lives at a crucial moment during this trip!
Some True Saints have begun to hesitate. They have only just entered this world and have already encountered such a strange and unpredictable divine sword with extraordinary supernatural powers. How dangerous will the journey ahead be?

The Holy King easily refined the Heart Lamp, infusing it with divine light to nourish the wick.

He was not unfamiliar with the immeasurable wisdom light of the Buddha's lineage, but at this moment, he let out a soft exclamation of surprise.

Ji Jingqiu, this lamp of the heart...

It has far surpassed the boundless wisdom light of Mu Shitian!

The two can only be said to have similar foundations, but the final results they developed are on completely different levels!
"It actually works."

The Holy King's expression was more solemn than ever before. With the Heart Lamp as the foundation, the Heavenly Source continuously poured into it, making the Heart Lamp shine as brightly as the sun in a short time, and dispelling the invisible suppression that shrouded his divine power core!
"This is……"

Suddenly, the Holy King had a thought and realized where this suppression came from. It was the innate suppression of those below by a higher-ranking deity!

But why is Ji Jingqiu's Heart Lamp effective?
After an unknown amount of time, the Holy King murmured, "Mortals fear the consequences, gods fear the causes..."

"What?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

The Holy King spoke slowly and deliberately: "Do you know what this lamp of your heart truly contains?"

What does the heart lamp encompass?
Ji Jingqiu recounted the boundless light of wisdom, the clear light of crystal, and the light of the moon in her heart…

"The thoughts of all living beings." The Holy King revealed the answer, solemnly saying, "The heart lamp contained a strong sense of the thoughts of all living beings, which helped me dispel this invisible suppression of the Great Dao!"

The thoughts of all beings...

Ji Jingqiu immediately thought of his Heart Moon Light.

boom--

With the disappearance of the God-Slaying Sword, the God-Slaying Platform collapsed with a crash!

In the void ahead, the Daoist aura was vast and boundless, intertwining and surging with the chaotic lightning tribulation.

The heavens and earth shook violently, as if they were about to collapse on the spot.

A true saint attempted to leave this realm, only to find that he could no longer find the way he came!

Boom, boom...

Heavy and awe-inspiring footsteps came from the shattered void ahead, like heavy drumbeats that shook the very fabric of space.

The True Saints behind Ji Jingqiu felt a strange sense of unease. The sound of footsteps made their scalps tingle and their hearts tremble!

I had felt a similar sensation with the previous Yin Fire Dharma Image.

"What kind of power is this that can exert an innate advantage over us?"

Kukai noticed the abnormality of this power, frowned, and turned to look at Fengming and Yin'an.

Feng Ming's expression was grim: "Don't look at me. Ever since I entered this land, I have felt an invisible suppression of the Great Dao, which seems to be because of my innate identity as a being."

"Primordial beings?" Mieyu asked solemnly from the side. "All primordial beings are considered half-primordial gods. Could this place really be the Daoist temple of that ancestor of the divine path? Even the residual Daoist aura in the world is enough to suppress us?"

At that moment, heavy footsteps interrupted their conversation. A terrifying aura and energy rapidly expanded, enveloping them like an endless fog.

What was most alarming was that their primordial spirits began to tremble with the sound of the other's footsteps, causing many True Saints, whose origins were innate beings, to feel extremely uncomfortable!
Even those who weren't born as beings sensed a potentially deadly threat!

"Is this a threat from beyond the physical realm?" Takumi hissed. "They shouldn't have come in!"

Mieyu kept glancing at Ji Jingqiu, and only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing him take action.

Ji Jingqiu did not hesitate. The dark sea around him surged, carrying the last of its power, and he slashed out with his sword!

In an instant, centered on him, it was as if a mythical ocean crashed against the other shore, pouring into the void ahead and triggering a low, hissing roar.

The approaching footsteps receded at that moment, seemingly wary of the power of the Nether Sea, and changed their course.

While the saints breathed a sigh of relief, their hearts remained uneasy.

What kind of hell is this place?!
Despite the presence of all the saints, they were repeatedly put on the defensive, each time by high-level threats that threatened their lives!

After this attack, Ji Jingqiu could feel that the power of the Nether Sea had completely dissipated.

He remained expressionless and began to speak:

"Even if there is extraordinary power in this place, it is nothing but a phantom. Don't be scared out of your wits. With your combined strength, you can dominate this place."

Having said that, he waved his hand and scattered a series of heart lamps, which he then bestowed upon the saints.

After the Heart Lamp was integrated, many sages breathed a sigh of relief. Although they did not know the function of the Heart Lamp, since it was given by this person, it must be useful!

"My strength is limited. Next, I will pinpoint the location. You will follow my command and attack with all your might. Do not hold back."

Ji Jingqiu instructed that Kongming and Mieyu take the lead and accept the task on behalf of the saints.

Ji Jingqiu exchanged a glance with the Holy King, then continued walking towards the shattered void ahead.

Soon, they encountered another strange occurrence: a woman's mournful song drifted from the void ahead, beautiful yet melancholic, filled with a despair beyond words...

Without saying a word, Ji Jingqiu pointed ahead.

The saints were already on edge. Now, with the World Honored One's guidance, most of them showed no mercy and went all out, starting with deadly techniques!
In an instant, dozens of supreme divine abilities erupted simultaneously. Some wielded giant axes to create something that could split the heavens and earth; others unleashed a vast expanse of purple energy that engulfed everything; still others transformed everything into chaotic energy, controlling the energy of the world!

The Daoist aura of the saints illuminated the vast and boundless void, like a magnificent scene sweeping across the horizon!
In an instant, the void shattered completely, leaving not a trace. The mournful and beautiful female song also vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed at all.

Seeing this, the saints felt a little relieved. The World Honored One was right. Even if there were remnants of transcendence, they were nothing more than illusions and could not withstand their combined attack!
As the group continued forward, someone detected some lingering Daoist energy in the world. It did not belong to them; it must have been left behind by the song from before.

"This is……"

He caught a glimpse of this Daoist charm and gasped in surprise, but then quickly realized what he was doing and stopped making a sound.

The saints looked over and pressed him to tell them what he had discovered, but he just shook his head and said it was nothing.

The saints stared at each other, some cursing and swearing about why he was still hiding something at this time, but the one in question remained silent.

The less he spoke of it, the more excited the saints became, for this was an absolutely extraordinary discovery.

Is this place not only dangerous, but also holds a hidden opportunity?
Ji Jingqiu turned around and glanced at the True Saint.

The latter's expression immediately became conflicted, wondering whether he should hand it over.

"Just tell me what you've discovered."

Upon hearing the Buddha's voice, the person breathed a sigh of relief and replied telepathically without concealing anything.

"Returning to the true essence..."

Ji Jingqiu's expression was solemn. After inquiring about the sword light that cleaved the moon, he learned that it was actually the immortal Dao charm that had spread throughout the world after the death of the Daoist who had returned to the true path.

Was that thing really something transcendent or something left behind?

Soon, someone else detected the lingering Daoist essence in the world, and this time the news spread rapidly among the saints.

"Returning to the true essence?!"

"A True Immortal once perished here?!"

A group of ancient beings, whose ages were unknown, suddenly went berserk. Their previous fear and hesitation vanished, replaced by eager anticipation. They urged the World Honored One to continue, joining forces to purify the resentful spirits and obsessions in this world...

Ji Jingqiu was too lazy to expose them.

He was pleased to see the saints take such initiative.

Along the way, they encountered another strange being. Under Ji Jingqiu's command, the saints, like a pack of wolves, rushed forward with burning eyes. They first launched a joint attack, and then each used their own methods to divide up the True Essence of Returning to Truth.

The Holy King caught a wisp of true essence, and after carefully comprehending it, his expression was somewhat moved. He did not accept it, but instead gifted it to Ji Jingqiu, transmitting his voice:
"This item seems to be able to help the True Saint advance further."

A true saint takes another step forward? Wouldn't that mean transcendence?
Ji Jingqiu's expression hardened. Without refusing, he accepted the wisp of true essence and began to attempt to analyze it.

Soon, under Ji Jingqiu's guidance, the group entered another world once again.

The first thing that catches the eye is a golden staircase leading to a sacred and pure land, seemingly suspended high above the heavens.

Above, the celestial palace is vast, with undulating celestial palaces stretching as far as the eye can see, resembling a celestial court, where all sorts of rare and precious treasures can be seen everywhere.

If Ji Jingqiu hadn't remained still, the saints would have already lost their composure.

"Is this really the Heavenly Court?"

Ji Jingqiu muttered to himself.

Suddenly, all the saints looked in one direction at the same time, where footsteps were heard again. Unlike the previous heavy footsteps, this time they were noticeably lighter and faster.

A true saint began to prepare, developing the most powerful killing technique.

"Hahaha! Hard work pays off! I'm the first to reach the sixteenth heaven!"

A loud laugh came from the side, indicating that the person seemed to be in a very good mood and was quite excited.

An elderly man with white hair and beard, exuding a profound aura, rushed out quickly. Upon seeing the golden steps ahead, his gaze burned with fervor, and he charged forward without hesitation.

Ji Jingqiu watched him quietly.

All the saints behind them were also quietly watching this true saintly old man who had come from who-knows-where.

A few quick-witted True Saints frowned and began to dispel the life-killing spells they had been cultivating.

The other party was clearly not the strange creatures ahead, but rather beings from the outside world like themselves.

Suddenly, the old man, who was in high spirits and laughing as he rushed up the golden steps, realized something and turned around instantly, his eyes fierce as he locked onto the direction of Ji Jingqiu and the others.

"Who?! Daring to spy on this old man, I don't expect..."

The words stopped abruptly.

When the old man saw Ji Jingqiu's lineup, he was stunned, somewhat bewildered and unusually at a loss. He even rubbed his eyes, and his ruthless gaze turned harmless...

What kind of lineup is this?
A Celestial Venerable leading a group of True Saints?
Unprecedented in history.

The old man felt lost and confused.

"Have you laughed enough?" Ji Jingqiu raised his hand and beckoned, saying, "If you've laughed enough, come over and tell me where you come from and what this place means to you."

Behind him, the saints coldly locked their gazes on the old man.

(End of this chapter)