Becoming a god starts from planting a Bodhi tree.

Chapter 520 The Other Shore, the Height of the True Spirit

"the other side……"

Almost an endless number of versions of himself from different timelines appeared in Ji Jingqiu's eyes.

At this moment, a ripple seemed to be stirred in Ji Jingqiu's heart. She did not stop it, letting the ripple spread. In a daze, it was as if she had a long dream.

In his dream, his cognition and memories underwent varying degrees of change. He was no longer Ji Jingqiu, no longer the World Honored One, no longer the Buddha, but just an ordinary office worker.

Something seemed to explode in his mind, and a flood of information overwhelmed him, giving him a splitting headache.

He struggled to get up from his workstation, and amidst the surprised gazes of his colleagues, he went to the floor-to-ceiling window. There, he saw his middle-aged self reflected in the window, and he saw the tall buildings outside...

Is this you?

In a daze, a series of memories surfaced. These were memories belonging to this person, without martial arts or spiritual cultivation, just the mundane life of an ordinary person.

The next moment, the world outside the French windows suddenly collapsed, turning into a vast ocean. He smashed the glass and plunged into the icy seawater. His body twisted and transformed into a giant fish, struggling to rise from the dark seabed and leap out of the water.

The azure sky came into view, along with harpoons shooting from the side.

In that split second between life and death, Ji Jingqiu mobilized every muscle in his body, forcibly twisting in mid-air to dodge the harpoon in a way that defied common sense.

Under the watchful eyes of a group of wide-eyed fishermen, he re-entered the seawater and then slowly rose to the surface, as if seeing the world that had given him birth for the first time.

The next moment, it was as if he had grown wings, soaring through the sky and surveying the unfamiliar world below.

As he folded his wings, he stepped into a conference room. His clothes were disheveled, his suit was wrinkled, and he was slightly hunched over. But in the next second, his spine straightened up like a spear, and an invisible spiritual power and the majesty he had honed over the years emanated from him, overwhelming the entire room!
Looking at the clear bewilderment and unfamiliarity on those faces, Ji Jingqiu, who had experienced countless changes, gradually came to a realization.

Deep within the mind, a glimmer of light shines ever brighter, illuminating the truth.

All the countless encounters before were "me" within infinite time and space.

Even though he lost his martial arts cultivation and Buddhahood, he still retained some spiritual cultivation, and his true spirit remained high, not covered by the self-awareness of another self.

The ups and downs of life, the cycles of all realms, all seem like a grand dream.

It's hard to tell whether Zhuangzi dreamt he was a butterfly, or the butterfly dreamt he was Zhuangzi.

Only my spirit is eternal, and will never perish.

As thoughts flowed, Ji Jingqiu held fast to this clear self-awareness, experiencing the "self" under different times and fates, controlling everything with spiritual cultivation, remaining true to herself and never sinking into depravity.

In this seemingly endless transformation, countless selves begin to flow and converge, ultimately returning to oneness with their true spirit and nature, stepping into another mysterious and profound innate realm.

When the endless changes came to an end, Ji Jingqiu raised his head.

His soul slowly sank at this moment, passing through layers of hazy mist and interlacing light and shadow, crossing the boundary between this shore and the other shore.

The surrounding scenery solidified, as if returning to the battlefield where we defied our nature in the past.

Ahead, a thick, inky black mist was seeping in along the edge of the world, like a devastating downpour—

That was the wicked curse power of the Four Demons, wildly twisting and eroding the essence of this mental world, drowning everything in the ominous sound of falling rain.

This time, however, there was no Hercules.

Ji Jingqiu calmly looked up and glanced at it.

The terrifying curse that had once forced him to struggle and nearly brought him to his doom vanished in an instant, like snow meeting the sun, quietly dissipating into nothingness.

And this seems to be the end of all those myriad changes.

But this seems to be the final change.

He no longer changes; what changes is the world he inhabits.

Heaven and earth froze, falling into a deep, dark, eternal silence.

Nothing changes here anymore; time stands still, fate vanishes, all wonders dissipate, and everything returns to its origin.

Ji Jingqiu slowly raised her head.

Above was deep water, and a ray of sunlight shone into the water, illuminating the face of the young man who had sunk into the water.

That was me in my past life, after graduating from university and falling into the water while trying to save someone.

He reached out his hand, his gaze compassionate and peaceful, as if he were trying to lift himself out of the water.

This is also the time.

wake up.

When the dream ends, the spring water leaves no trace.

On the True Spirit Heavenly Staircase, Ji Jingqiu opened his eyes.

His eyes held a superior, all-encompassing perspective, revealing a profound and insightful understanding.

In those eyes that seemed to contain the deepest wisdom and compassion in the universe, there was no arrogance or indifference, only peace.

“At the end of all the ancestors, heaven and earth return to oneness,” Ji Jingqiu murmured to himself. “And at the end of the Way of the Original Self, it is ‘to see the true self and be the only one’s own,’ the Great Way truly leads to the same destination through different paths.”

He lowered his head and looked down at the creatures and beings trying to cross the river, finally understanding what they sought.

Migration, refuge, pioneering, seeking truth, distinguishing falsehood, seeking enlightenment...

The purposes of all beings are varied, but they all follow the same direction, tracing back to the source within the True Spirit Heavenly Realm, seeking the origin and asking "me".

Only by reaching the highest point can one obtain the answers to all questions.

His gaze continued downwards, infinitely downwards, until it finally anchored at the location of his domain in the deepest depths, and he remained silent.

So this is what Doumu meant that she never explicitly said—

The realm they inhabit was born at the very depths of the True Spirit Heavenly Realm, as if they were born at the bottom of a well.

Therefore, it is difficult for sentient beings to see the full picture of the other shore. Even those who have transcended and the ancestors of the Great Dao cannot truly transcend this well and see the boundless world outside the well.

So how did Master Mu and Master He reach the other side?

In a dark and deep world that seemed devoid of light, he spotted a rugged and nearly vanished path, seemingly bearing the footprints of those who had come before.

However, the historical traces on this road are too ancient, unlike those of the Mushi and Heshi eras.

Is this the path that the Lord of the Underworld once walked?

Ji Jingqiu gazed silently for a long time before withdrawing his gaze, as if questioning himself, or perhaps inquiring about the great Dao:
Is this the other shore?

The next moment, he moved slightly and leaped away, deliberately leaving this lofty realm and re-entering the vast True Spirit Heavenly Rank, letting himself fall endlessly into the deepest primordial realm.

In the Boundary Sea, countless "Ji Jingqiu" figures, traversing the realms under the Heavenly Court's rule, simultaneously raised their heads, some singing loudly, others murmuring softly:
"Seeing the true nature of reality, all phenomena are empty, one instantly attains enlightenment and becomes a Tathagata."

In the center of the Buddhist kingdom, Ji Jingqiu returned to his original form, his gaze piercing through the endless void, and once again saw the "One Path" that spanned the sea of ​​boundaries and nourished all living beings.

It is illusory and ethereal, omnipresent and all-encompassing, resembling the mother of all things, a river that nurtures all living beings.

—The Mother River of Fate and Time.

The Great Dao of this world, the origin of all things and all spirits.

He saw the mother river again, but no longer needed the power of the Investiture of the Gods. With only his own clear and perfect heart, he clearly grasped the direction of the mighty river.

It contains the principles and laws of Tao, which are ineffable and indescribable, yet they are real and true, beyond illusion and form, as if they encompass all laws in the world, and are a kind of convergence of the true nature of all beings.

Ji Jingqiu sat cross-legged, having seen through the illusions of all phenomena, realized the truth of the Tathagata, and was subdued by the Great Dao. At this moment, his spiritual realm completely transcended the state of forgetting oneself and surpassed the level of the Eight Realms.

However, he knew perfectly well that he was still missing something crucial to reach the true other shore of perfection.

Perhaps it was a certain understanding, or perhaps it was a deep-seated understanding, that made it impossible for him to clearly describe the full picture of the "other shore" he saw.

This is also why he took the initiative to leap back into the True Spirit Heavenly Realm.

Therefore, Ji Jingqiu entered a deep period of seclusion.

During this time, Ji Jingqiu ignored all the inquiries from the Heavenly Court regarding incense offerings.

Until this day.

Sitting upright in the center of the Buddhist kingdom, Ji Jingqiu, who was still comprehending the mysteries of the other shore, slowly awoke from his deepest meditative state and sensed the turmoil in the sea of ​​suffering.

He looked up, his gaze piercing through the endless void, but not towards the Netherworld; instead, he looked towards the Heavenly Court. The Bitter Sea wouldn't erupt without reason, and the current upheaval in the Bitter Sea was not yet ready to unfold. The person behind it all was undoubtedly Di Yi and his group.

Internal strife has begun in Heaven.

Ji Jingqiu did not rush to the Heavenly Court.

Why be so proactive in helping Doumu?

Furthermore, Doumu cannot rely on him alone; he might be able to force out more of her hidden cards...

He gazed into the distance and saw the Heavenly Court now locked in a state of war.

……

heaven.

Golden arch bridge.

The auspicious clouds that had shrouded the distant land for countless years were now torn apart by a violent force, revealing the majestic sacred mountains, magnificent palaces, and the various celestial deities displayed within them.

The leader, clad in black armor and exuding divine might, was none other than the most powerful person in the Heavenly Court besides Doumu—the Lord of Taiwei Star!
He personally led his old troops, advancing with unstoppable momentum, and forcefully broke through the layers of protective formations surrounding the arch bridge, his forces heading straight for that forbidden area considered to be exclusively reserved for the Heavenly Emperor.

This was a meticulously planned betrayal and a surprise attack. Taiwei was certain that Doumu was currently in deep seclusion, and the power of the Investiture of the Gods was pouring into the world where Doumu was.

In the end, he still chose to join forces with Di Yi.

The biggest variable in this rebellion is not the various gods of the Heavenly Court, or even Doumu who has already entered seclusion, but the World Honored One who has ascended to the position of Buddha and enjoys the incense offerings of the entire world!

With the offerings of numerous incense sticks, this person is undoubtedly the strongest in the current world, second only to Doumu!
Since Emperor Yi never obtained the power to Investiture of the Gods, he would never set foot in the Heavenly Court. This time, he was responsible for restraining the World Honored One who might make a move.

"Gentlemen, this battle is the same as it was back then. You don't need to participate. Just continue to remain neutral, just like you were back then."

Taiwei led his former subordinates deep into the Heavenly Court, his voice shaking the universe. He led his powerful warriors straight ahead, his cold gaze sweeping over the Heavenly Court deities who attempted to stop him.
His speed was incredible, living up to his reputation as a surprise attacker. He arrived at the golden arch bridge in the shortest time and saw Doumu Yuanjun standing on the golden arch bridge with her back to them!
"You didn't go into seclusion?" Taiwei's expression changed drastically. "Impossible! The power unleashed by the Investiture of the Gods is far beyond what you can suppress in your normal state!"

The Taiwei Star Lord's stern shout echoed beneath the golden arched bridge, filled with disbelief and astonishment.

The powerful figures behind him also paused, their attacks slowing down instantly, as they looked at the figure on the bridge with surprise and uncertainty.

On the golden arched bridge, Doumu Yuanjun slowly turned around, her gaze cold and indifferent, like the Heavenly Emperor looking down upon treacherous officials. Her voice was flat and even, without the slightest inflection.
"Taiwei, do you know your crime?"

The Lord of Taiwei Star suddenly sneered:

"You forcibly suppressed the power of the Investiture of the Gods, which is why you didn't immediately go into seclusion. But how much power do you still have available?"

"Confess your guilt? I merely did what you did back then, what crime have I committed?"

"Of course you can choose to betray me, but you shouldn't choose to join forces with Di Yi." Dou Mu spoke again, her voice still calm and without any ripples. "I am different from Di Yi. I allow you to challenge me, but you shouldn't join forces with Di Yi. This is my bottom line, and I have already told you that."

Taiwei remained expressionless: "I'm a little curious, when did you realize I was planning to betray you?"

Doumu glanced behind Taiwei, where a figure stepped out, bowed slightly to the star lord, and then smiled at Doumu Yuanjun:

"Your Majesty, I have brought the traitor to you."

“Luo Xuan.” Taiwei said, emphasizing each word.

"I'm sorry, Lord Star Lord." Luo Xuan had already left Taiwei's camp, and said apologetically, "In the end, I still think that His Majesty's side is in a better position."

"Enough with the nonsense," Taiwei snapped. "Let's see who's the best!"

Taiwei stood in mid-air, his arms slowly spreading out as if the entire world was in his embrace. Ten thousand golden rays shone from behind him, like endless incense power supporting his divine position in his quest for a place on the Investiture of the Gods!
Luo Xuan, who had already hidden behind Doumu Yuanjun, looked regretful.

This man had indeed been plotting for a long time, accumulating a terrifying amount of offerings, and had chosen the right time. However, he still underestimated the arrangements that this Yuanjun had made within the Heavenly Court over the years...

"Om-!"

The void trembled violently as Taiwei drew upon the incense offerings of his former subordinates, shaking the Investiture of the Gods and causing it to unleash an even more powerful force. This further restrained Doumu's power. Then, he slammed his palm down on the golden arch bridge.

An overwhelming and domineering will took the lead, forcefully tearing through layers of barriers, leaving no obstacles in front.

"Taiwei, this is not a place for you to act presumptuously," Doumu said calmly.

The moment the words were spoken, the golden arch bridge shone brightly!

The entire Heavenly Court seemed to awaken at this moment, and countless ancient divine runes emerged from the void, intertwining into a net. A vast and unparalleled power that suppressed all ages suddenly erupted!

Taiwei snorted coldly, having been prepared. Behind him, his old followers formed an array and took their seats in various parts of the Heavenly Court, using their authority to suppress the rioting Heavenly Court.

"Di Yi, why aren't you making a move?!"

Taiwei suddenly shouted.

Although his former superior repeatedly emphasized that he would never set foot in the Heavenly Court without the authority to issue the Investiture of the Gods, Taiwei knew even better that this was Di Yi's only chance, and he would never give it up so easily!
A clear sound of footsteps reached everyone's ears, approaching the place step by step, shaking the Heavenly Court.

A colossal figure, so imposing that all the celestial deities trembled and dared not look directly at him, stood at an infinite height, stepping onto the golden arch bridge. The overwhelming sense of oppression made everyone feel powerless against him!
The once legitimate Heavenly Emperor has made his move.

His understanding of the Heavenly Court far surpasses that of anyone else, even regarding this golden arch bridge!

At the same time, Taiwei, combining the power of the gods, once again unleashed his full power, his divine power crashing against the shore like a tidal wave, causing this world to show signs of destruction!
Even if Doumu is strong now, she still hasn't reached the transcendent level. Especially since she is currently stuck at a critical moment of breakthrough, if she wants to make a move, she must suppress the blessing power of the falling Investiture of the Gods. How much power will she have left when she finally makes a move?
With him joining forces with Di Yi, and without that World Honored One making a move, their chances of winning are over 80%!
Not to mention……

Several figures suddenly leaped out from behind Taiwei. Although they were in the Heavenly Court, their auras were only slightly weaker than Taiwei's, who was blessed by the Investiture of the Gods.

These powerful figures are the pillars that have enabled various sects to fight against the snowballing Heavenly Court all these years!
They each unleashed their ultimate techniques, tearing apart the fundamental rules of this place!
Each of the three parties had its own agenda, but at this moment they chose to join forces tacitly to remove their common obstacle!

"Taiwei, Diyi, Jiehaimenting..."

"It's actually a three-way collaboration."

"Fellow Daoist Ji, who do you think will win?"

A strange, even bizarre, scene unfolded.

When the three parties join forces, their supernatural powers and skills arrive in an instant.

But at this moment, a tall woman dressed in white and wearing golden armor slowly walked down from the golden arched bridge, smiling as she asked the void beside her.

She stood alone, her figure indistinct and vague to others, as if deliberately concealed, but in Ji Jingqiu's eyes, she was a sign of being so strong that she was about to leave this world.

She resides here, like the North Star, with the cosmos revolving around her, displaying an unparalleled aura that dominates the vast universe and is revered throughout history!
"Even without my intervention, I wouldn't be surprised if you won this battle, but I didn't expect you to win so easily."

Ji Jingqiu's calm voice came through.

"Have you already achieved transcendence?"

Just as they were talking, everything in the world froze in the instant before Doumu stepped out.

All those deadly techniques, no matter how powerful they were, capable of severing several universes and realms, were frozen in the riverbed of the Mother River.

And the one who accomplished all of this was none other than Doumu Yuanjun, who had recently hoped that Ji Jingqiu would protect her!
"Our spiritual cultivation has not yet reached the realm of transcendence. But what truly makes us powerful has never been our spiritual cultivation, but rather the height of our true spirit."

After answering Ji Jingqiu's question, Doumu Yuanjun suddenly fixed her gaze on Ji Jingqiu for a long time before her expression brightened with delight, even more so than when she had captured Taiwei and Di Yi in one fell swoop.
"Fellow Daoist Ji, you have finally regained the height of your true spirit, and are now qualified to be called fellow Daoist with me!"

"Please wait a moment while I tidy up the bed."

Beneath the majestic and dazzling starlight flowing around Doumu Yuanjun, there exists a shadow that is infinitely stretched and distorted.

At that moment, the shadow suddenly expanded and swallowed Taiwei, who was in a frozen state, and all the old gods in one gulp!
Ji Jingqiu noticed that after doing all this, Doumu's eyes grew even colder.

Is this a further convergence of the divine essence of Heaven...?

Doumu suddenly frowned and shook her head slightly, saying, "Di Yi is still as cunning as a rabbit with three burrows. This time, what came was still just an avatar."

"That's all."

"There will always be a chance to expose him in the future."

"Fellow Daoist Ji, shall we take a seat?" Doumu greeted Ji Jingqiu with a smile.

"Not even a single word for Taiwei?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

This star lord who raised the banner of rebellion met an extremely hasty end in front of this Yuanjun!
He was somewhat unsure what the Yuanjun was thinking at that moment.

"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. There's nothing more to say to Taiwei."

Doumu Yuanjun replied to him with Ji Jingqiu's words, her expression smiling, but her eyes were filled with an extremely rich gold, symbolizing the purest divinity in the world, and the underlying color in her eyes was only indifference.

(End of this chapter)