Looking at the silent Golden Cicada, Zhao Feng sneered, "What's the matter? Do you have nothing to say? Deep down, do you also think that by exterminating these Heavenly Soldiers of the Celestial Court, I am upholding justice for the common people?"
"Perhaps what you say is not wrong," Golden Cicada replied, "but these Heavenly Soldiers are not at fault either."
"They were merely following orders, yet you have destroyed their souls, leaving them with no chance for reincarnation."
"This is a grave evil."
Golden Cicada pressed his palms together, his face filled with sorrow.
"Monk," Zhao Feng looked at him with a peculiar expression.
"Are you truly ignorant, or are you just pretending to be?"
"What do you mean?" Golden Cicada frowned.
"Do you know where these Heavenly Soldiers came from?" Zhao Feng asked with a faint smile.
The monk before him harbored hostility but not murderous intent. Unlike the other celestial gods who attacked on sight, he seemed different, so Zhao Feng decided to engage him in conversation.
"They ascended to the celestial realm and were granted the position of Heavenly Soldiers," Golden Cicada replied immediately.
Hearing this, Zhao Feng didn't waste any more words.
With a mere thought
Several freshly collected Heavenly Soldier corpses floated before Golden Cicada.
Under the monk's puzzled gaze
Zhao Feng waved his hand.
A sword aura instantly slashed forward, splitting into hundreds of smaller sword auras, directly cleaving open the armor of the corpses before them.
As the armor was split apart
A few extremely weak souls drifted out, but the moment they detached from the armor, they could not survive in the world and instantly dissipated.
"This"
Golden Cicada was utterly shocked, completely unable to comprehend what he was seeing.
"These are the so-called 'ascended' Heavenly Soldiers you spoke of."
"They are nothing more than souls taken from the underworld, sealed within armor, bound for eternity."
"They are forged with golden water, never to attain true freedom."
"The moment their souls leave the armor, they cease to exist entirely."
"They are mere war tools of the Celestial Court. Once they become Heavenly Soldiers, unless their soul energy is completely depleted and they vanish into oblivion, they can never be freed."
"Killing them is granting them release, sparing them from an eternity of ceaseless warfare." Zhao Feng spoke solemnly.
"How… how could this be?" Golden Cicada was utterly stunned.
Clearly
He had been unaware of this truth.
Seeing Golden Cicada's reaction, Zhao Feng chuckled.
"This monk's Buddhist aura is pure, devoid of any resentment or malevolent energy, and he isn't deliberately masking it with his Buddhist light."
"Could it be that he, like Maitreya Buddha, is one of the few true monks within Buddhism?"
Zhao Feng mused internally.
"Let me tell you something."
"In the Celestial Court, at least 80% of the Heavenly Soldiers are nothing more than imprisoned souls, sealed within armor crafted from spiritual essence."
"And not just the Celestial Court the Buddhist sects' warrior monks are no different." Zhao Feng exposed the truth without hesitation.
"No"
"That's impossible."
"The warrior monks of Buddhism are living, flesh-and-blood people."
"They do not wear such armor," Golden Cicada argued.
"Your Buddhist sect specializes in the power of conversion. Do you truly not understand?"
"Your so-called warrior monks have all likely been 'converted.'"
"Then, using spiritual essence as a medium, they were elevated to the same level as Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. This should not be difficult for Buddhism to achieve."
"After being converted, do they still have their thoughts?" Zhao Feng smiled faintly.
Hearing this
Golden Cicada fell silent once again.
At this moment, his mind was in turmoil. He had always upheld the Buddhist teachings, believing in equality for all beings. But in the end, it seemed that the common people were merely livestock in the eyes of the powerful.
"I see no bloodlust in you, nor any aura of resentment."
"Among the celestial gods and Buddhas of this immortal realm, that is rare. That is why I chose to speak with you."
"Otherwise, I would have already killed you."
Zhao Feng smiled.
Looking at the monk before him, Zhao Feng was certain this man was no ordinary figure.
Golden Cicada remained silent.
"What is your name?" Zhao Feng asked.
"Golden Cicada."
Golden Cicada responded in a daze as if trapped in some kind of mental turmoil from which he could not escape.
A crisis of faith.
A clash against his understanding of Buddhist doctrine.
Perhaps even a fundamental challenge to the path he had upheld.
"Golden Cicada, huh?"
Hearing this name, Zhao Feng's expression turned peculiar.
With just this name alone, he immediately knew who this monk was.
Tang Monk.
Tang Sanzang.
"This guy just learned the truth about the Heavenly Soldiers and Buddhist warrior monks… and he's about to fall into demonic obsession."
At that moment
Observing the change in Golden Cicada's aura, Zhao Feng sensed something was amiss.
Amidst the monk's pure Buddhist light, a wisp of demonic energy had begun to emerge.
Where Taoism wanes, demonic energy rises. Where demonic energy weakens, Taoism prospers.
This principle applied not only to Daoist cultivators but also to Buddhist practitioners.
In the Past
Buddhism was originally the Dao.
They all came from Zixiao.
Heart demons, heavenly demons
They are everywhere.
"He is a stubborn man. Just a few words, and he's already about to fall into demonic obsession?"
"Is this what happens when one's faith is shaken?" Zhao Feng immediately saw through the change in Golden Cicada.
"Golden Cicada."
"In your heart, what is Buddha?" Zhao Feng suddenly asked.
Golden Cicada stared at Zhao Feng, lost in thought.
"Do you want to see the true teachings of Buddhism? The true path of the Buddha?" Zhao Feng continued.
"What do you mean?"
Golden Cicada looked at Zhao Feng in confusion.
"If you truly wish to know, then come with me."
"Let's see if you have the courage."
"However"
"You must suppress your cultivation below the Taiyi level." Zhao Feng smiled.
Golden Cicada glanced at Zhao Feng. Without any doubt or hesitation, he directly suppressed his cultivation below the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm.
At this moment
If Zhao Feng wanted to kill him, Golden Cicada wouldn't even have the strength to resist.
"Golden Cicada… Tang Monk."
"So even as Golden Cicada, he was a sincere and upright person."
Seeing this, Zhao Feng became even more pleased with Golden Cicada.
His actions left no doubt he was a true Buddha, a monk with the true Dharma in his heart.
However, he lacked an official Buddha status within the Buddhist sect.
Taking out his Space Mirror, an artifact capable of traversing dimensions
With a single thought, Zhao Feng connected to a space within the mortal realm.
Immediately activating the mirror, he opened a spatial portal.
"Please."
Zhao Feng gestured toward the portal.
Golden Cicada did not hesitate. Without a second thought, he stepped inside.
Zhao Feng followed right after.
Now that all his attributes had significantly increased, opening a spatial portal had become much easier.
As the two departed
Not long after
Numerous golden Buddhist lights shone across the sky.
"Golden Cicada and that demon's presence has vanished."
"Search immediately!"
"With Golden Cicada's strength, he should be able to subdue the demon. If there's any sign of battle, we will intervene with full force."
"Understood!"
…
As various divine thoughts intertwined, golden lights flickered, and the void trembled.
Meanwhile, in the Celestial Court
Inside the Lingxiao Palace, Li Jing, alongside numerous celestial generals and deities who had barely escaped, stood with their heads lowered in silence.
Every single one of them wore an expression of unease.
"One hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals deployed for the siege."
"Nearly ten Great Luo Immortals participated in the battle."
"Yet, they suffered a crushing defeat."
"One hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals… completely wiped out."
"Li Jing."
"Is this the battle result you bring before me?" Haotian's gaze was cold as he stared at Li Jing.
"Your Majesty,"
"I have failed."
"That demon's power has grown even stronger in just half a year."
"Even the Four Heavenly Kings, using their great dharma bodies, were no match for him."
"Furthermore, he, too, possesses the ability to manifest a dharma body. He must have a powerful master behind him." Li Jing hurriedly explained.
"Your Majesty,"
"The demon is immensely powerful and has an even greater understanding of the Dharma Body technique than we do."
"He must have been taught by a great master there must be a Quasi-Saint supporting him!"
Mo Liqing immediately spoke up.
At this moment
Having been revived through the Fengshen List, their divine power was greatly weakened, requiring time to recover.
"A Quasi-Saint backing him?"
Haotian's expression darkened.
He began pondering who could it be.
The Dharma Body Technique was a great divine ability created by the Saints.
The Western Buddhist Sect possessed this technique, but the Eastern Daoist Sect had an even deeper mastery of it.
"Your Majesty."
"Could it be Zhenyuanzi?"
"Or perhaps someone from Western Kunlun? Maybe even Li Shan Laomu?"
Li Jing cautiously suggested.
Haotian shot him a cold glance before asking the gathered immortals, "What do you all propose? How should we deal with this demon?"
"If he is not eradicated, the Celestial Court will never know peace."
"If he is not eradicated, the plague will not end."
At that moment, Taibai Jinxing stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the plague affects not only the Celestial Court but also the Buddhist Sect. This matter could be discussed with the Buddha."
"Are you suggesting that, after suffering such losses, we turn to others for help and let the world laugh at us?" Haotian coldly retorted.
In truth
He was already convinced that Zhao Feng must have a powerful backer.
Otherwise, how could Zhao Feng have grown to such an extent?
But Who Exactly Stands Behind Him?
Even Haotian couldn't be certain.
Zhenyuanzi was a possibility.
The Queen Mother of the West was a possibility.
Even the River of Blood's Minghe was a possibility.
At this moment
Haotian made up his mind. He had to capture Zhao Feng.
Regardless of who was backing him, just the plague he had unleashed alone was an immensely powerful weapon a strategic bargaining chip.
If Haotian could seize control of this plague, the Celestial Court would gain the upper hand not only against the Buddhist sect but also against countless other factions in the Immortal Realm.
What seemed like a disaster if controlled would become an invaluable treasure.
How could Haotian fail to see this?
"Your Majesty,"
"Perhaps only True Lord Erlang can take down this demon now."
Li Jing deliberated for a moment before speaking.
"Indeed,"
"Aside from True Lord Erlang, my son Nezha can also join the battle. With the two of them working together, they will surely capture this demon." Li Jing quickly added.
He had no choice but to propose a plan.
Otherwise, he was bound to face punishment for this failure.
At the mention of Yang Jian, Haotian's brows furrowed slightly.
Then, without hesitation, he issued his orders.
"Taibai Jinxing, go to Guanjiangkou and deliver my decree: Yang Jian is to capture this demon. Also, summon the Three Holy Mothers of Mount Hua and have her accompany her brother in this mission."
"Your Majesty,"
"Nezha can assist as well," Li Jing urged again.
"Nezha will remain at his post, guarding the borders of the two continents."
"This task falls to Yang Jian and his sister," Haotian said in a deep voice.
Then, turning his gaze toward Li Jing and the assembled celestial generals, he continued.
"As for all of you"
Haotian's sharp eyes swept over them.
"Since you were unaware of the demon's true strength, I will not punish you this time. Dismissed."
With that
Haotian left the Lingxiao Palace and, in an instant, arrived outside Tusita Palace.
However, this time
Haotian did not bother with formalities. Instead, he strode directly into the palace.
"Old Lord,"
"So much time has passed have you still not found a cure for this plague?"
There was a trace of anger in Haotian's voice as he stepped inside.
Hearing this, the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord turned his head his expression utterly calm.
"This plague was not artificially created but naturally birthed by Heaven and Earth."
"I have already refined a detoxification pill, but it can only cure mild infections."
"If too many mortals are slaughtered, and their spiritual essence and blood consumed by the plague, then it cannot be cured."
"Here is the formula."
"You may have others refine it."
With a wave of his hand, the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord sent a jade slip flying toward Haotian, followed by a gourd filled with pills.
Seeing this
Haotian's expression eased slightly.
"Is there truly no way to completely purge the plague from mortals?" Haotian asked, his tone laced with doubt.
"To extract spiritual essence and refine flesh and blood"
"Such acts go against the natural order. This plague, birthed by Heaven and Earth, is a warning from the cosmos itself."
"For mortals, the plague is of little consequence. The only solution is for Your Majesty to decree that they must not be slaughtered."
"As for cultivators"
"If they absorb spiritual energy and cultivate beyond the Returning Spirit to Emptiness stage, they can use the Yellow Court Scripture to cleanse themselves."
"However, if they do not step onto the path of cultivation, then the plague cannot be purified."
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord spoke slowly.
"We have already located the demon spreading this plague."
"He ascended from the mortal realm and is intentionally spreading the plague throughout the heavens."
"Old Lord, do you have any knowledge of this?" Haotian's tone suddenly grew heavy.
It was clear
Haotian even suspected that the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord himself might be the one backing Zhao Feng.
"This humble Daoist has been in seclusion within my palace, uninvolved in worldly matters."
"Your Majesty, as the ruler of the Celestial Court, should handle this matter carefully."
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord replied, his tone as calm as ever.
"This man ascended just a few short years ago, yet he already possesses the strength to slay Great Luo Golden Immortals."
"He must have a powerful benefactor supporting him." Haotian's voice was grim.
"Could it be that Your Majesty suspects me?" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord gave Haotian a placid glance.
"The Old Lord has always resided in the Celestial Court, never leaving."
"Naturally, I would not doubt you."
"However"
"This man not only wields the plague, but he has also replicated the legendary Execution Sword Formation of the Grandmaster of Heaven."
"Its power is enough to threaten Great Luo Golden Immortals."
"Execution Sword Formation."
"Surely the Old Lord is not unfamiliar with it?"
Haotian gave the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord a deep, meaningful look.
"The Execution Sword Formation vanished along with the Saints into the Great Desolation."
"As for a replica who knows who created it?"
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord replied evenly.
No matter how furious Haotian was, no matter how much he tried to suppress his rage
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord remained utterly composed.
Looking at him
Haotian couldn't shake the feeling that he was facing the strongest Saint of the past, seated right before him.
"This matter"
"I will get to the bottom of it."
"No matter who stands behind that demon, I will make them pay."
"As for the plague please continue researching a cure."
"The Celestial Court cannot afford to lose its spiritual essence."
With those words, Haotian turned and left Tusita Palace.
As he watched Haotian's departing figure
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord sighed inwardly.
"The world… has truly changed."
"Indeed."
"The Saints have disappeared."
"The once-supreme rulers of Heaven and Earth…."
"Nothing remains unchanged forever."
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord pondered to himself, staring into the distance, lost in thought.
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