Chapter 514: Yield First, Talk Later
Now, sword energy was sweeping across the sky, and the energy fluctuations radiated across a ten-thousand-mile radius. Ye Tian's strength was truly formidable and not to be underestimated. At this point, even Tathāgata was struggling to cope.
"Such powerful sword energy… I must avoid it at all costs!"
Tathāgata leapt straight toward the west—toward the familiar Western Heaven he hailed from. How he longed to return! In the Western Heaven, he was the revered and exalted Tathāgata Buddha. Yet right now, in front of Ye Tian, he felt utterly inferior.
Whether in terms of power or presence, he had lost. He knew he was no match for Ye Tian and had no idea when he'd ever be able to defeat him. Ye Tian felt like an invincible wall.
"What the…?"
At that moment, Ye Tian noticed Tathāgata fleeing westward. He couldn't help but chuckle. Really? At a time like this, you're trying to run away?
"Tathāgata, don't tell me you're actually trying to run. If you are, then don't blame me for looking down on you."
"Hmph. So what if I want to run? I know I'm no match for you. Besides, there's no one around to see me running away. If I can survive today, that's all that matters."
"Oh? How shameless. The moment your life's in danger, you flee. What happened to defending your dignity?"
Ye Tian laughed.
"If you were willing to fight me to the death, I'd at least respect you a little. But like this? You're honestly too pathetic to even look at. This is the so-called Tathāgata Buddha from the Western Heaven? Pathetic."
"You…!"
Tathāgata was so furious he could barely speak. Though Ye Tian's words were harsh, deep down Tathāgata knew they were true. If he were in Ye Tian's position and had faced a weaker opponent, he would have mocked them just the same. So now, he really had nothing to say.
"What's wrong, Tathāgata? Cat got your tongue?"
"So what if it has? Ye Tian, I didn't expect your strength to be this overwhelming. So I'm leaving. When I've improved, I'll come back to deal with you!"
With that, he turned to flee. But would Ye Tian let him go so easily?
"You're not going anywhere!"
As soon as he saw Tathāgata trying to escape, Ye Tian moved to give chase. Naturally, Tathāgata panicked. Ye Tian, do you really have to come after me now? Can't you just let it go?
"You—!"
"What? Feeling desperate now?" Ye Tian sneered.
"If you're feeling hopeless, that's perfect. That means you fear me. And that fear might just save your life. Because if you act arrogant in front of me, there's no way you'll survive."
"You're… you're going to kill me?"
Tathāgata was truly terrified now. If Ye Tian really intended to kill him, how could he possibly escape?
Even if he managed to survive today, he couldn't run forever.
"Ye Tian, stop chasing me. You're hounding me like death itself—I really can't take it anymore!"
"Heh. Are you afraid?"
"Fine, yes! I'm afraid! Ye Tian, please stop chasing me—my heart can't take it!"
Hearing this, Ye Tian responded,
"Alright, since you've yielded, I'll stop. It's rare to see you bow your head."
Ye Tian knew that killing Tathāgata today would be meaningless. No matter what, Tathāgata was still one of the few opponents Ye Tian deemed worthy. If he killed him now, who would be left to challenge him?
Everyone needs worthy rivals. Tathāgata was one of Ye Tian's. Since he had surrendered, Ye Tian let him go. It was only natural.
Watching Tathāgata flee, Ye Tian thought to himself that it was time to return as well.
Upon returning, Ye Tian was in high spirits. He began to cultivate again in earnest.
He had previously acquired the technique Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage. Now, he had to continue cultivating it. If he could master this technique to its peak, his strength would advance even further.
---
While Ye Tian was cultivating, Tathāgata returned to the Western Heaven in a huff. His visibly angry demeanor startled Guanyin Bodhisattva.
She hadn't expected Tathāgata to return in such a state and asked,
"Tathāgata Buddha, what happened? Who made you so angry?"
"Who else but that bastard Ye Tian? He's the one who drove me to this!"
"Ye Tian, huh…"
Hearing Ye Tian's name, Guanyin immediately understood. So Tathāgata had run into Ye Tian. For an ordinary person, it would be nearly impossible to provoke Tathāgata to this extent.
"Tathāgata Buddha, for Ye Tian to rile you up this much, he must truly be something."
"What's that supposed to mean, Guanyin? Are you mocking me?"
"No, of course not. I wouldn't dare mock you!"
Though Guanyin denied it, Tathāgata still sensed an unmistakable tone of sarcasm in her voice.
"Guanyin Bodhisattva, tell me—how can I defeat Ye Tian?"
"Defeating Ye Tian isn't that simple. Don't you remember? His strength is extraordinary. Even if the two of us teamed up, we wouldn't be his match."
"No matter what, I must defeat him. Guanyin Bodhisattva, help me think of a way. I can't wait any longer—I'm at my limit!"
"This…"
Seeing the desperate expression on his face, Guanyin realized something: Tathāgata would likely never surpass Ye Tian.
Ye Tian had a calm and steady mindset, while Tathāgata was becoming increasingly unstable.
Before, no one had ever surpassed him, and that's why he had remained composed and carefree. But now that Ye Tian had overtaken him, he was growing more anxious by the minute—his mood was in total disarray.
With such a mindset, there was no way he could continue cultivating effectively. At Tathāgata's level, a stable mentality was absolutely essential.