Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

Now that we've chosen the right path, things will be much easier.

"My act of helping you obtain fire today is an act of kindness. Whether you reignite the Heavenly Flame or revive Jing Wuhuan, you will encounter tremendous resistance, but I can help you."

Upon hearing this, Ren Yunzong realized something: "What are the conditions for Martial Lord's help?"

"Join Tiandu, serve me for twenty years, and I will set you free after twenty years."

"Twenty years is not a long time."

"Then remember the direction of Tiandu."

Twenty years is indeed not a long time, but it is enough to resolve the issue of the Holy War and preserve the lives of Ren Yunzong and Jing Wuhuan.

As for whether the two will stay in Tiandu twenty years from now, Luo Hou is very confident.

If you can't win someone over in twenty years, you can only blame yourself for not being handsome enough.

Leaving the snow-capped peaks of Xishan, Luohou headed towards Yungu Leifeng.

Outside the gate of Saochan Mountain, fallen leaves piled up on the ground, and the sweeping monk was nowhere to be seen.

Luo Hou went up the steps.

Soon, two monks appeared and blocked Rahu's path:

"Stop, benefactor!"

“The Heavenly Capital Rahu has come to pay homage to the Buddha’s head and requests that a monk convey his message.”

The two monks were greatly surprised:

"It's Tian Du Luo Hou!"

"Please wait a moment, Lord Wu."

Luo Hou stopped and waited, looking up at the grand hall atop the peak.

In order to deal with the Demon Prince and Hao Tianqiong, several wars have been fought, causing considerable losses to Yun Gu Lei Feng. In addition, the barrier has been damaged and the mountain path has become deserted. The once solemn Buddhist holy site is now showing signs of decline.

What caught Luo Hou's attention even more was the faint demonic energy deep within the main hall, which seemed to echo the Dengdao Shore and the Tianyan Demon City, forming a triangle.

Having absorbed Shao Hao's divine essence and the Buddha Emperor's Buddhist essence, Luo Hou became even more sensitive to demonic energy. He sensed that this wisp of demonic energy was incredibly tenacious and even had the power to counterattack despite being suppressed by the holy energy of the monks.

A thousand sins were sacrificed in blood, and the Buddha transgressed against Tathagata; the power of karma is indeed extraordinary.

While deep in thought, the martial monk conveyed the Buddha's decree: "Please invite Martial Lord to the Hall of Wise Calamity for a meeting."

They quickly arrived at the Hall of Blessed Ones, where the Buddha was already waiting.

Upon seeing Luo Hou, he smiled and bowed: "Martial Lord has come from afar, and Emperor Ru has not had time to greet you. Please forgive me, Martial Lord."

"No need for formalities. I have come on important business and need to meet with the Buddha alone."

"Oh?"

Upon seeing Rahu's robes, mask, and battle attire, Emperor Tathagata hurriedly dismissed the monks, saying, "You may all leave now."

Once the hall was empty, Rahu said, "Buddha, I have come to cleanse my sins with the rhinoceros horn."

"Wu Jun, what does this mean?"

"You, I, and Hao Tianqiong all know the origin of the Purifying Rhinoceros Horn. Once Hao Tianqiong breaks out of his coffin, the Purifying Rhinoceros Horn will be his target."

"The Purifying Rhinoceros Horn is suppressed with the sacred energy of Buddhist meditation; Lord Wu can rest assured."

Luo Hou sneered: "If the Buddha's Punishment Zen and the Purifying Rhinoceros Horn clash, they will break at the same time. Is the Buddha reluctant to part with this sacred artifact for suppressing evil, or is he reluctant to part with this demonic blade?"

"The Buddha's Punishment and Zen Technique was a gift from the Holy Monk of the Original Buddha Village long ago. It was an empty knife that was transformed into a sacred artifact, symbolizing the path of Emperor Tathagata's cultivation. I really do not want it to be destroyed."

“Buddha, is this truly your reason? Or is the cleansing rhinoceros horn more important to you?”

Luo Hou spoke with anger. At this moment, Emperor Tathagata was affected by the Purifying Rhinoceros Horn and showed signs of demonic possession. If a decisive action was not taken, the Holy Infant Master might not be able to arrive in time.

Seeing Luo Hou's anger, Emperor Rulai also hardened his stance: "This is a matter between Yun Gu Lei Feng and Emperor Rulai, and I dare not trouble Martial Lord."

"Slaying the demon is Rahu's business."

Suddenly, Luo Hou raised both palms, and a surge of powerful holy energy shot into the sky, reaching straight to the heavens.

Then, the holy energy transformed, forming twelve enormous holy statues that enveloped the entire Cloud Drum Thunder Peak.

The chanting of Buddhist hymns was like rain, and heavenly flowers rained down in profusion.

The holy light of the lotus illuminates the entire world.

All the monks at Yun Gu Lei Feng were alarmed and began to shout:

"It is the Buddha Emperor!"

"They are the Buddha Emperor's twelve guardian deities!"

"Amitabha! The Buddha's physical body has returned to Yun Gu Lei Feng! Excellent!"

Amidst the monks' prostrations and worship, the illusory image of Buddha Jade Flying appeared in the world, nodding and smiling at Emperor Tathagata.

The boundless holy energy instantly suppressed the influence of the Cleansing Rhinoceros Horn, clearing Emperor Tathagata's mind.

"Fellow Buddhist, it's been a long time."

The phantom of the Buddha Emperor only smiled and did not answer.

"It is Emperor Tathagata who is attached to it. The cleansing rhinoceros horn and the Buddha's punishment meditation are like two parts of my life. The cause creates the effect, and the effect rewrites the cause. I have long since laid down my butcher's knife. There is no knife in my heart, so why should I hold a knife in my hand again?"

Seeing that Emperor Tathagata was relieved, Rahu withdrew his ultimate essence, and the Buddha Emperor's illusory image gradually disappeared. The holy energy transformed into a rain of flowers, which scattered and nourished Cloud Drum Thunder Peak.

The ancient temple was cleansed of its demonic atmosphere, and the sacred Buddhist light was restored.

Emperor Tathagata stood up and led Rahu toward the Shedao Rock.

The eight shackles of ceremonial punishment tightly bound the Zhenjie Treasure Blade, and beneath the red treasure blade, the Purifying Rhinoceros Horn was also suppressed.

"Wu Jun, I will first take away the Buddha's Punishment and Zen, and then I ask you to take out the Purifying Rhinoceros Horn."

"That is why I have come."

"Drink~"

Emperor Tathagata circulated his true essence, and his supreme Buddhist power was instantly activated. The Buddha's Punishment Meditation slowly rose into the sky from the sword rack, circling endlessly.

Just after Buddha Xingchan left his seat, the ground beneath Shedao Rock trembled instantly, and demonic energy burst forth, rushing straight towards Emperor Tathagata as if seeking a host.

"furious!"

With a shout, Luo Hou unleashed the Sun-Eroding Palm with one hand and reached into the ground with the other, grabbing the Purifying Rhinoceros Horn.

With its turquoise blade, blood-red gemstones, black curse lines, and demonic horns, this weapon that has committed countless evil deeds has reappeared in the mortal world.

As if sensing that its destiny was about to end, the immense demonic energy contained within the Cleansing Rhinoceros Horn rushed towards Rahu, but was blocked by the Dark Magic Battle Robe.

"Martial Lord, forgive me, Zen Sea Thunder Sound!"

"Wait a minute."

"Ok?"

Rahu feared that Emperor Tathagata was weak and that his precious sword would be destroyed before the rhinoceros horn was broken, so he decided to fight Emperor Tathagata on his home turf.

“Buddha, to prevent alarming the monks and damaging the temple gate, let’s go open the sect’s scrolls and fight.”

Emperor Tathagata immediately understood Rahu's concerns: "Within the Founding Scriptures, Emperor Tathagata is always victorious, Martial Lord, be careful."

"Haha, it is my honor to have a good fight with the Buddha Head."

Emperor Tathagata held the Buddha's Punishment Meditation in his hand, and a holy light shone. The barrier opened, and the two were teleported into the Founding Scroll.

The three thousand Dharmas exist, and the Mahayana is boundless.

Everything is clear in black and white on paper.

The boundless scriptures manifested as the supreme martial arts arena of Buddhism, filled with the power of the Buddha's vows of arduous cultivation.

"Emperor Tathagata has come to pay his respects."

"Please advise."

In an instant, the scriptures lit up, shining brightly.

"Drink~"

"what!"

A red monk's knife and a green rhinoceros horn, the opposing blades of Buddha and demon, symbolize the sins and redemption of the Buddha, and they engage in a fierce battle.

Although the sword in Luo Hou's hand was not Ji Du, it still possessed a powerful aura that could shatter the Five Sacred Mountains, open up the universe, and cause the barrier to tremble.

Similarly, Emperor Tathagata, having fully unleashed his inner energy, displayed the innate Buddhist style, his sword gleaming with a power that shook the ages.

"Thunderous Sound of the Zen Sea!"

"Sun-Shattering Slash!"

Boom!

Their ultimate techniques clashed, their weapons clanged, shaking the entire foundation of the sect.

Luo Hou channeled seventy percent of his power, and the demonic energy within his body surged, unexpectedly unleashing the full evil power of the Cleansing Rhinoceros Horn.

In the blink of an eye, within the opening chapter, demonic energy exploded four times, further enhancing the martial lord's power.

Although Emperor Tathagata did not know why Rahu could command the Purifying Rhinoceros Horn, seeing the overwhelming demonic power, he opened his palm seal again beyond the sword light.

"The Buddha's Illuminating Seal!"

The lamplight cast shadows, and the scriptures on the wall transformed into either a compassionate Bodhisattva or an angry Vajra, solemnly attempting to tame the Buddha and subdue evil spirits.

Seeing this, Luo Hou exclaimed with delight: "It's been a long time since we've had a proper battle! Buddha Head, pay attention! Use the Wolf-Slaying and Earth-Burning Technique!"

Immediately, the sword intent burst forth from his body, cleaving the heavens and splitting the earth, sweeping across thousands of miles.

The Buddha, through the power of the scriptures, poured all his blessings into the Buddha's meditation, and heavenly light shone upon the Buddha, while chanting echoed.

After several rounds of fierce fighting, it came down to the final move.

"May the Buddha's compassion guide all beings, may all hearts be as one, Vajrasattva's swastika lotus repentance, chuckle!"

Suddenly, the hundred-foot-tall Buddhist wall closed like a sutra scroll, turning and swirling a thousand times, revealing the image of the World-Honored One, Tathagata.

The Buddha's Punishment and Zen Holy Qi in Emperor Tathagata's hand reached its peak, and with the force of repelling all demons and annihilating all evil, it slashed at the Purifying Rhinoceros Horn.