The Demon King, reborn in Japan as a monk

Instantly, boundless thunderbolts bombarded him, and even transformed into various powerful enemies, or figures from Ishihara's mind, coming to strike Ishihara on various levels...

However, they posed no threat whatsoever, and before long, they completely lost their function as lightning tribulations, turning into mere lightning.

After all, Ishihara Sho himself was a primordial spirit body, a characteristic of the eighth tribulation in the Yang God World. He just hadn't shown this aspect before, but that didn't mean his primordial spirit body was fake. So, under the bombardment of the eighth round of thunder, the power and wonder of Ishihara Sho's primordial spirit body finally revealed itself completely!

The result was that the energy expenditure for the eighth tribulation was less than that for his first tribulation; he barely consumed any energy and smoothly entered the ninth tribulation.

This time, Ishihara Sho had no advantages or foundation left, and could only rely on his own abilities and accumulated experience to confront the bombardment of the lightning tribulation head-on.

……

Fortunately, his accumulation was deep enough, and he fused with the original sin ancient demon to achieve the body of a true demon. His primordial spirit contained the cultivation manuals of various sects and schools throughout the Great Thousand World and the Nine Abyss Divine Realm. Although he could not understand all the profound meanings contained therein, he had a deep enough understanding of the Great Dao to withstand the bombardment of the nine layers of lightning tribulation.

Therefore, although many thoughts have been dispelled, when it comes to weakness...

I didn't really notice it in Ishihara Sho.

Or perhaps, it's because of his primordial spirit body?

Anyway, after completing the ninth tribulation, Ishihara Sho didn't feel any difference.

"It seems that the problem with my Heavenly Soul ultimately affected my Yang God's achievements." Standing at the center of the lightning tribulation domain, feeling the feedback from the lightning strikes and the condition of his own primordial spirit, he couldn't help but mutter with some regret.

Although his primordial spirit has already reached 99% Yang transformation, that last bit cannot be Yangened no matter how much the lightning tribulation bombards it, preventing him from reaching the peak of the Ninth Tribulation...

Of course, he needs to replenish his divine soul and thoughts afterward to reach his true peak, but he is still not a Yang God. He can only return to reality to find his Heavenly Soul, or go to the Origin Purpose to use the thoughts of other Yang Gods to help himself.

After Chapter 550

Heavenly Demon, Reborn as a Monk in Japan

Although the tribulation couldn't help Ishihara Sho achieve complete Yang God status, he wasn't prepared to give up.

After all, the method he's using now isn't the one the local natives take to achieve Yang Godhood—that is, after nine tribulations, they rely on the blood and qi of a human immortal body to complete the final leap through the mysteries of Yin and Yang.

In other words, Ishihara Takashi still has a chance.

So without hesitation, after confirming that the lightning tribulation was useless against him, Ishihara Sho put away the magic weapon that had been almost completely refined by the lightning tribulation, and directly separated it from the core area, returning to the ground.

"Luckily, I'm not Hong Yi. The name of the Chosen One is known throughout the world, attracting everyone's attention. Even when I'm undergoing a tribulation, it's fraught with danger, with enemies all around. As long as I ensure that the tribulation goes smoothly, basically no one will be so bored as to bother me. Of course, if I happen to run into someone else trying to take advantage of the situation, that's a different story..." Shi Yuanzhang, back on the ground, looked up at the sky, waiting for Qin Mengyao and the others to return, and muttered to himself with a relaxed air.

Not long after, the fairy's figure appeared in the sky, and she leaped down to Ishihara Sho's side.

"How many tribulations have you survived?" Ishihara Akira asked with a smile.

“The fifth tribulation,” the fairy said, stopping in her tracks.

"Why not cross more?" Ishihara Akira asked casually.

“There will be a period of weakness, and I’m not used to entrusting my safety to uncertain luck,” the fairy replied.

In other words, she is now not only a fifth-level expert, but also has no period of weakness. She can fight immediately after completing her tribulation and can fully exert her strength. This state is countless times stronger than the state of being weak, only able to exert about half of the corresponding level's power, and having significant deficiencies in endurance.

In this crisis-ridden world of cultivation, this state of perfection is indeed more important than so-called realms.

“Then let’s cultivate together and activate the power of true qi. That way, when the autumn thunder arrives, you should be able to pass the sixth tribulation.” Ishihara Sho thought for a moment and said.

That's right. Although Ishihara Sho had modified the consciousness of the fairy and her mother, Otoko, with his strength, he had not yet engaged in dual cultivation with the fairy. Therefore, the fairy's state was not her complete state. Otherwise, given the enhancement brought by the activation of true qi in the original work, even if the fairy could not become a creator in one go, she would still have no problem passing through the six tribulations without being weakened.

"My lord, you can't wait any longer?" the fairy said meaningfully.

“Yes, I can’t wait.” Ishihara Akira said with a meaningful smile.

The fairy remained silent, gazing at the sky without speaking.

Shortly afterward, the Heavenly Serpent King Xingmou also descended from the sky, appearing as a Fourth Tribulation Ghost Immortal.

Next was Yin Yunzi, who also successfully became the Creator.

Then came Xin Yuxian, Qin Mengyao, Zhao Feirong, and Huang Yanyan.

At this point, everyone had survived the tribulation and become the so-called Tribulation Ghost Immortals. Shi Yuanzhang no longer hesitated and sent Qin Mengyao, Zhao Feirong, Huang Yanyan, Xin Yuxian, Yin Yunzi, and the fairy mother and daughter back to the Womb Realm. He then followed the Heavenly Serpent King Xingmou back to his room.

Neither of them spoke, each processing what they had gained from their tribulations and the various changes that came with it.

Ishihara Sho digested the information quickly, and soon grasped his own state. Then, with a thought, he released the human immortal clone that had evolved from the divine stone spirit embryo in the Chaos Bell. Without hesitation, he completely immersed himself in the human immortal clone that had already opened up acupoints.

The cultivation technique of the Essence Temple transformed the power of the human immortal avatar into the power of the divine soul, thus completing the final step of his transformation.

Unfortunately, whether it was because the product was not as advertised, or because it wasn't Ishihara Sho's original body, or because the Divine Stone Spirit Embryo clone was lacking something, although there was no problem converting blood and qi into divine soul energy, it still couldn't create an opportunity for creation, allowing the last trace of yin residue on Ishihara Sho's body to transform and achieve the Yang God body.

Left with no other choice, Shi Yuanzhang had to return his vital energy and power, shed his mortal body, and fly out of his immortal clone. He then put away the clone and allowed it to continue to open its acupoints and improve its strength under the influence of his thoughts, while he pondered his future path.

"It seems I have to make a trip to the Origin Land and the Tomb of the Philosophers. But before that, I should take care of Yang Pan and Hong Xuanji first... Oh right, I also need to go to the Divine Wind Kingdom and get my hands on the Immortal Monument there. Since I can't achieve Yang God status for the time being, I can only rely on my Human Immortal clone for my own safety..."

After all, there are old schemers at the level of Yang God in the Hundred Schools of Thought and the Land of Origin. Even if I, a Nine Tribulation Ghost Immortal, have the Chaos Bell, which is at the level of the King of Divine Artifacts, I am not necessarily safe enough to go there. I need a power that can be used as a trump card to protect myself.

Fortunately, he possessed both a Human Immortal Avatar and the Dao Fruit of Longevity. As long as everything went smoothly, it was almost a certainty that he could elevate the Human Immortal Avatar to the Thousand Transformations Realm. At that time, after digesting the Immortal Monument and the Primordial God King inside, he would be close to achieving the Shattering of the Vacuum, which would be enough to ensure that he could roam freely in the Origin Land.

"Oh right, I remember there are Origin Seeds that can give birth to great worlds in the Origin Land. If I could get enough of them..." Ishihara Sho thought to himself.

……

Afterwards, Shi Yuanzhang stayed at Xuantian Pavilion for two more days, taking the opportunity to cultivate with the fairy and recover from the damage of his tribulation. Only after confirming that he could not find Yuwen Mu's whereabouts did he decide to leave and head to Daqian to cause trouble for Yang Pan and Hong Xuanji.

However, before that, he felt it was necessary to see Hong Yi, the original protagonist destined to be the protagonist, again.

Yes, Hong Yi is also in Yujing City now, and he has been transferred back from the Jinghai Army for quite some time. However, he spends most of his time as a staff member for Prince Yu, and secondly as a minor official in the Ministry of Rites to gain experience and seniority. As for the rest of his time, he naturally studies hard and prepares for the exam.

So finding him wasn't too difficult. With a little effort, Ishihara Sho met Hong Yi, who had matured considerably and become more stable, at his current residence—the Green Willow Manor given to him by Prince Yu in the original story.

"Brother Shi, it's been a long time." Although he had matured, he still greeted Ishihara Akane, who had helped him a great deal during his most difficult time, with great enthusiasm.

"It has indeed been a long time. Looking at you, you seem to be doing well lately?" Ishihara Akira placed his hands on Hong Yi's arms, looked Hong Yi up and down, and chuckled.

"It's nothing special." Then, the two sat down next to each other and began to talk about their recent events and experiences.

"By the way, I wonder what brings you here this time, Brother Shi..." After the basic pleasantries, Hong Yi asked about the purpose of Shi Yuanzhang's visit.

After all, every time Ishihara Sho appeared, he brought something different to him, so it's no wonder that he would overthink things and think that Ishihara Sho must have something he needed this time.

(

Chapter 551 Facing Yang Pan Directly

Heavenly Demon, Reborn as a Monk in Japan

“We’re brothers, so I won’t hide it from you. I came to Yujing this time to kill someone.” Shi Yuanzhang looked at Hong Yi in front of him and chuckled softly, his expression carrying a strange meaning.

"Murder? Who did you kill? Do you need Hong Yi's help?" Hong Yi was taken aback for a moment. Without asking why Shi Yuanzhang killed someone or what the reason for the person's death was, he directly asked if he needed help.

It is clear that in Hong Yi's mind, anyone who could be targeted by Ishihara Akira was definitely not a good person.

Otherwise, given his gentlemanly character in the original work, he wouldn't have offered to help so easily.

“Emperor Qian, Yang Pan, and your father, Hong Xuanji,” Shi Yuanzhang said with a smile.

"What?!" Hong Yi exclaimed in surprise, standing up from his chair.

"Why?" Hong Yi asked, puzzled.

“I killed Yang Pan because I needed the Creation Ship he possessed, and Yang Pan obviously wouldn’t easily hand over the core of his plan and the artifact for achieving enlightenment to me. Therefore, there was no possibility of reconciliation between the two of us, nor was there any way to make a deal. The battle to the death was an inevitable outcome. As for your father, Hong Xuanji, I needed the essence of the Wheel of Life and Death in his mind. It’s not a cultivation technique, but something that was shaped deep within his mind through long-term cultivation of the Wheel of Life and Death. The Wheel of Life and Death! I need it to complete a certain plan of mine, so…” Shi Yuanzhang said, spreading his hands with a helpless expression at the end.

"...Brother Shi, can I ask you for a favor?" After a long silence, Hong Yi said to Shi Yuanzhang with a serious expression.

"What?" Ishihara Sho asked back.

"If possible, I hope you can spare Hong Xuanji's life," Hong Yi said earnestly.

"Why?" Ishihara Sho asked curiously.

“Because I swore an oath to make him kneel before my mother and repent for his sins, and I have been working towards this goal all along. If he dies like this, it will make all my previous efforts seem meaningless! So I hope that Brother Shi can spare Hong Xuanji’s life at the last moment and give me the chance to fulfill my oath.” Hong Yi said solemnly.

“Alright, if there’s a chance, I’ll spare his life.” Ishihara Sho also put away his nonchalant expression and answered with a serious face.

"Thank you!" Hong Yi said, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect.

"However, I'm curious. As a scholar, a citizen of the Great Qian Dynasty, and an official, you should also have a loyal and patriotic side in your heart. Why didn't you stop me from killing Yang Pan?" Shi Yuanzhang asked curiously.

“As Brother Shi said, as a court official and scholar, I should indeed stop you. Even now, a hidden voice in my heart keeps reminding me to stop you. However, I know that although you seem very easy to talk to, once you've made up your mind, you won't be easily dissuaded. In addition, I have now sided with Prince Yu and participated in the struggle for the throne. Although Yang Pan's death will bring considerable changes to my plans, forcing us to mobilize some forces ahead of schedule, it also gives Prince Yu a better chance to get closer to that position. So, from the perspective of loyalty to the monarch, Yang Pan's death is also very beneficial to both me and Prince Yu.” After a pause, Hong Yi continued, “As for the turmoil caused by Yang Pan's death and Hong Xuanji's incident… with the current strength of the Great Qian Dynasty, it is still possible to suppress it and bring everything back to normal.”

"That's why I didn't stop you from killing Yang Pan, Brother Shi," Hong Yi concluded.

“Since you put it that way, then I’ll give that Prince Yu behind you another gift, out of respect for you.” Ishihara Akira looked at him, stood up and smiled.

"A gift?" Hong Yi asked, puzzled.

"You'll find out when the time comes." After saying that, Ishihara Akira's figure gradually faded away, disappearing into the air like a mirage.

Hong Yi stood there frowning for a while before straightening his appearance, leaving Green Willow Manor, and heading towards Prince Yu's residence.

Now that he already knew that Yang Pan would die, Hong Xuan would run into trouble, Yujing would be in turmoil, and the Great Qian would be in turmoil, he naturally had no reason to let go of this opportunity and miss the chance for Prince Yu to show his abilities and compete for the throne.

Moreover, before leaving, Ishihara Akira had mentioned that he would give Prince Tamaki a gift.

Although he didn't know exactly what it would be, Hong Yi figured it would be related to the throne.

So, what kind of gift can make Prince Yu stand out and become the final winner?

Putting aside all the other miscellaneous things, it seems like the only thing left to do is get rid of Crown Prince Yang Yuan as well...

With the designated successor missing, all of Yang Pan's descendants and princes have the opportunity to compete for the throne. As long as figures like Prince He, who could potentially become obstacles, are suppressed, Hong Yi feels that Prince Yu has an 80% chance of becoming the final winner and inheriting the throne!

At that point, it would be possible to either ask for an imperial decree for the mother or force Hong Xuanji to kowtow and apologize at the mother's grave.

……

And that is indeed the case.

After leaving Hong Yi's Green Willow Manor, Shi Yuanzhang went to the residence of Crown Prince Yang Yuan and hid in a room...

After all, it's broad daylight now, not the time to sneak into the palace to assassinate Yang Pan.

As for Yang Yuan?

He's not in the mansion right now; he's probably out on some business. We'll have to wait, or we might not see him until tonight.

However, Shi Yuanzhang was not in a hurry. He sat down cross-legged and patiently waited for Yang Yuan's return while continuing to use his immortal clone to digest the life essence in the Longevity Dao Fruit and the lineage inheritance belonging to the Longevity Daoist.

And this wait lasted from daytime until night, even late at night, before Yang Yuan returned from outside, reeking of alcohol, and began to tell people to wash up, change clothes, and prepare to rest.