"Buddhism is facing tribulation?"
"What kind of tribulation could Buddhism possibly face?"
Zhao Feng was still confused.
The words of the Grand Supreme Elder Lord were too profound and esoteric, filled with the kind of mystique that could only be grasped through intuition, not explanation.
"Buddhism was born from the Dao."
"When the Dao declines, demons rise."
"It's something that can only be understood, not spoken."
"One day, you might come to understand it," the Elder Lord said with a faint smile.
"Then what tribulation does the Heavenly Court face?" Zhao Feng asked again.
"In the past, I might not have known what tribulation the Heavenly Court faced," the Elder Lord said, deeply scrutinizing Zhao Feng. "But now that I've seen you... perhaps you are that tribulation."
"If I am the Heavenly Court's tribulation, then so be it," Zhao Feng smiled, quite at ease with this idea.
The existence of Great Qin...
Was meant to replace the Heavenly Court.
To reshape this entire world.
"From this avatar of yours, I can see you possess strength at the peak Da Luo level. With the treasures on you, you might even hold your own against an early-stage Quasi-Saint."
"But once you face a mid-tier Quasi-Saint or stronger, you won't be able to contend."
"Entering the Heavenly Court with just an avatar and not your true self was the right choice."
"Don't underestimate the Heavenly Court. Aside from Hao Tian, there are quite a few who could defeat you."
"Among the Six Royals, both the Longevity Emperor and the Azure Emperor possess strength beyond Quasi-Saint."
"Moreover, among the Eight Divisions, there are many Quasi-Saints as well. Though during the ancient Investiture of the Gods, many Jie Sect disciples were listed and thus bound by fate, with the disappearance of the Saints, that restraint no longer applies," the Elder Lord explained.
"I understand what you mean, Elder Lord," Zhao Feng nodded.
"Back when the Saints still existed, Hao Tian had to be cautious of the Saints behind those listed deities. But with the Saints gone, he has no reason to hesitate."
"With the Investiture Scroll, he can control those divine beings."
"As long as you understand," the Elder Lord nodded.
"Hao Tian do not underestimate him."
"May I ask, Elder Lord," Zhao Feng continued, "how many forces in the Earthly Immortal Realm oppose the Heavenly Court?"
From this conversation, Zhao Feng could already sense something
The Grand Supreme Elder Lord held no hostility toward him, at least not for now. On the contrary, he seemed to have a favorable view of him.
Zhao Feng naturally took the chance to gather more intel about the Earthly Immortal Realm.
"Wuzhuang Temple, Western Kunlun, the Blood Sea, Mount Li... These are no secrets. Once you enter the Earthly Immortal Realm, you'll be able to learn of them," the Elder Lord smiled.
"Elder Lord," Zhao Feng asked again, "with your insight, do you think the Heavenly Court has any hope of dissolving the Immortal-Mortal Plague?"
"Not anytime soon," the Elder Lord replied.
"But the Heavenly Court is full of talent, many of whom are highly knowledgeable in alchemy and the art of plague. Given time, they'll be able to resolve it." He smiled.
...
As their conversation continued, time slowly passed.
Eventually, Zhao Feng asked the question he was most curious about perhaps the very question countless people across the vast realm of the Primordial World and Earthly Immortal Realm longed to know:
"Elder Lord."
"It's said you are the incarnation of the ancient Grand Pure Saint. Is this true?" Zhao Feng asked cautiously.
"Yes... and no."
The Elder Lord smiled again.
Zhao Feng's face turned strange
That answer was as good as no answer.
"Well then, kid," the Elder Lord said suddenly, "since you're here today, and I find you rather agreeable, I might as well give you a little something."
He waved his hand
A pill gourd appeared, along with a scroll, both flying directly into Zhao Feng's hands.
"What is this?" Zhao Feng asked cautiously as he received them.
"One Nine-Turn Golden Pill."
"Ten Six-Turn Golden Pills."
"One hundred Four-Turn Golden Pills."
"And this scroll contains the divine ability One Qi Becomes Three Pure Ones, along with my insights into the technique. It may help you master it more deeply," the Elder Lord said with a smile.
Zhao Feng's eyes lit up. He immediately cupped his hands and bowed deeply.
"Junior thanks Elder Lord for your great kindness."
"But tell me," the Elder Lord smiled, "aren't the Banana Fan and the Diamond Bracelets in your possession?"
"Ah?"
Zhao Feng froze, staring at the Elder Lord in disbelief.
He had never taken those treasures out after obtaining them.
Even when facing the Heavenly Court, Zhao Feng had only used his weapons one at a time.
After all, each treasure was one of his trump cards
A potential finishing move in a dire situation.
The Diamond Bracelets and the Banana Fan were far from ordinary.
"Those two treasures were always stored in my Palace of Dou Shuai. I've no idea how you got them."
"But since they've come to you, then you are now their master."
"I hope you use them well and use them to fulfill your role as the Heavenly Court's tribulation."
"Go now."
"I look forward to seeing how you'll change this world," the Elder Lord said with a mysterious smile.
With a lift of his hand
A force beyond resistance surged across Zhao Feng's body, instantly throwing him out of the Palace of Dou Shuai.
Before he could even react
The palace gates shut tightly behind him.
"What an interesting young man," the Elder Lord murmured to himself.
"Neither a Daoist nor an Immortal, but walking a completely different path."
"This world is cloaked in tribulation, and yet its beings are unaware. If it continues like this, destruction is inevitable."
"The Heavenly Court's tribulation… Let's hope he is the one."
"Let him replace it."
"If this world does not change, it is doomed."
Outside the Palace of Doushuai
Staring at the tightly shut gates, then looking down at the gourd of pills and the "One Qi Becomes Three Pure Ones" divine ability scroll in his hands, Zhao Feng felt as if he were dreaming.
"From what I've seen, the Grand Supreme Elder Lord seems to be someone who truly cares for the people."
"But…"
"There's no way out of Heaven this time."
"This incarnation of mine still needs to serve its purpose."
Zhao Feng stored the treasures given to him by the Elder Lord.
Then
He unleashed his divine sense, locking directly onto the location of the Southern Heavenly Gate.
After concealing his aura, he stealthily made his way over.
As he neared the gate, thousands of heavenly soldiers were stationed there, along with the Four Heavenly Kings and numerous celestial stars.
"Detonating here would be ideal."
"Might as well spread the Mortal-Immortal Miasma into Heaven again."
"After all, Haotian isn't going to let me walk out of here."
Zhao Feng let out a cold laugh.
In secret, he activated a portion of the Mortal-Immortal Miasma, fully infusing it into the true essence of this incarnation.
Once preparations were complete
Zhao Feng shot up into the skies above the Southern Heavenly Gate.
"There he is!"
Mo Lishou shouted.
But in the next moment
"Everyone…"
"I'll be sending you off myself!"
Zhao Feng burst out laughing.
He unleashed all the power of space within him and detonated on the spot.
BOOM!
An overwhelming wave of Time Law erupted, mixing with a terrifying tide of true essence that engulfed the entire area around the Southern Heavenly Gate.
Wherever the shockwaves spread, the celestial soldiers and generals stationed there didn't even have time to react they were instantly consumed by the explosion and turned to ashes.
Even the Four Heavenly Kings, each possessing Golden Immortal strength, were instantly swallowed by the energy flood. Their protective divine powers only lasted a brief moment before being completely overwhelmed.
It was like a nuclear explosion.
In an instant, the Southern Heavenly Gate suffered catastrophic damage. The gate was shattered, its radiance dimmed.
By the time Haotian rushed to the scene at top speed
What met his eyes was utter devastation far worse than the destruction Zhao Feng caused in the Pill Hall and the Artifact Hall.
"Outrageous!"
Seeing the scene before him, Haotian was enraged beyond measure, yet also helpless.
This was his domain the Heavenly Court and Zhao Feng had stirred it into chaos right under his nose.
What's more, he hadn't even located Zhao Feng's true body.
"Haotian Mirror!"
In a fury, Haotian suppressed his monstrous rage and summoned his divine treasure the Haotian Mirror.
Using it to probe the heavens and earth, he began searching for Zhao Feng.
Within the mirror, scenes of the Earth Immortal Realm unfolded, but after a long search, not a trace of Zhao Feng could be found.
Even when Haotian poured immense divine power into the mirror, the final image merely froze on the Southern Jambu Continent.
"Why?"
"I am the Emperor of Heaven, ruler of all realms."
"The Haotian Mirror oversees all beings. How can it not find this person?"
"Could he possess some treasure that conceals his fate from the heavens?"
"But what kind of item could block even the Haotian Mirror?"
Haotian's expression grew darker.
At that moment
Venus Taibai Jinxing and a group of immortals arrived from the sky.
"Your Majesty,"
"The losses in the Pill Hall and Artifact Hall have been tallied."
"Over fifty thousand alchemists were killed by that fiend nearly forty percent of our total."
"The Artifact Hall's refiners and smiths suffered even heavier losses." Taibai Jinxing reported anxiously.
"Damn it!"
Haotian cursed inwardly.
Unlike the celestial soldiers and generals, who could be mass-produced using spiritual essence and souls, alchemists, refiners, and smiths were the core of the Heavenly Court.
Such losses would deeply impact Heaven's capabilities.
"Any alchemists, refiners, or smiths whose souls remain use spiritual essence to rebuild their bodies," Haotian said in a low voice.
"Your Majesty…"
"That fiend was extremely ruthless. Every immortal and god he killed was utterly annihilated body and soul destroyed. Only those whose true spirits were on the Investiture of the Gods survived."
"And not just that"
"All of the stored spiritual essence in the Pill Hall was destroyed by him." Taibai Jinxing added cautiously.
Upon hearing this
Haotian's expression grew even darker.
"The Four Celestial Masters."
"Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King."
"Twenty-Eight Celestial Mansions."
"Departments of Thunder, Battle, Water, and Fire."
"Search for that fiend with all your might."
"I want him to suffer eternal torment, never to reincarnate!" Haotian roared.
As the Emperor of Heaven
The highest authority under the heavens since the sages disappeared
This time
Haotian had completely lost his composure.
"We obey the Heavenly Emperor's command!"
All the gods responded in unison.
But
Among the celestial ranks, a few couldn't help but sneer inwardly, schadenfreude flickering in their eyes.
Mortal Realm - Guanjingkou
"Hahahaha!"
"Second Brother!"
"Did you hear?"
"Something huge happened in Heaven!"
"This time, the Heavenly Emperor swallowed a bitter pill!"
Nezha arrived at Guanjingkou, and with no outsiders around, couldn't stop himself from bursting into laughter.
"Brother, seeing you this happy what happened now?"
Yang Jian asked with a smile.
"Do you remember Zhao Feng?" Nezha asked, still laughing.
"Of course I do."
"Isn't Heaven going all-out to hunt him down?"
"They even sent someone to deliver an imperial decree asking me to take action," Yang Jian replied with a chuckle.
"They sent a decree to you too?" Nezha's face changed slightly.
"Don't worry."
"I haven't agreed. And even if I do, I made some conditions. Even if they meet them, at most I'll go through the motions without actually helping." Yang Jian gave a faint smile, clearly unconcerned.
Hearing that
Nezha finally relaxed and nodded. "Good. If you had made a move, I'd honestly be worried Zhao Feng wouldn't stand a chance."
"You said something big happened in Heaven does it have to do with him again?" Yang Jian asked curiously.
"Hahaha!"
"Pill Hall, Artifact Hall, Celestial Armory, Southern Heavenly Gate"
"All got destroyed by this guy."
"The number of alchemists, blacksmiths, and artificers he killed is probably over 100,000."
"He slaughtered 30-40,000 celestial soldiers and generals at the Southern Gate, and the Four Heavenly Kings had to go back to the Investiture of the Gods to rebuild their divine bodies."
"Too bad Li Jing wasn't at the gate if he'd died too, that would've been perfect." Nezha laughed gleefully.
"He attacked Heaven itself?!"
Yang Jian stared at him in shock.
"Yep." Nezha nodded, grinning ear to ear.
"How did he even get in?"
"Each of the four heavenly gates is guarded by at least a Golden Immortal, some even by quasi-saints."
"He shouldn't have been able to sneak through."
"And even if he did get in how could he destroy so many places at once?" Yang Jian asked in disbelief.
Though he didn't go to Heaven often, he had a general idea of the level of power up there.
Even he wouldn't be able to cause that much destruction.
And his uncle wasn't just a symbolic emperor he was the real deal, a terrifying powerhouse.
He remembered
When his mother, Yaoji, was suppressed by his uncle, it only took a flick of a peach imbued with countless laws of power to crush his peak Golden Immortal mother instantly.
That was the day Yang Jian realized just how powerful his uncle truly was.
"I only know what my friends in Heaven told me."
"Zhao Feng didn't show up in person at all he entered Heaven through multiple avatars."
"He launched attacks from several fronts at once."
"His avatars completely diverted the Heavenly Emperor's attention."
"And none of those avatars intended to escape they self-destructed on the spot."
"He destroyed the Pill Hall, then the Artifact Hall then looted the Celestial Armory, and finally blew himself up at the Southern Heavenly Gate."
"That guy is truly ruthless."
"This time, Heaven took a major hit," Nezha said with a wicked grin.
From his smug expression, it looked like he might've even helped out if he had been there.
Hearing the full story
Yang Jian was silent for a moment, then finally let out a sigh of admiration.
"This man is not only ruthless he's extremely cautious, and has great strategic insight."
"For Second Brother to praise him like that if Zhao Feng heard it, I'm sure he'd be pleased." Nezha laughed.
"Honestly, back then, I wasn't sure whether to believe in what he told me."
"But now… maybe it's possible."
Hope flickered in Nezha's eyes.
When he first met Zhao Feng
The reason he agreed to cooperate wasn't just because he didn't want to serve Heaven.
He also held a sliver of hope.
Back then, whether or not he fought Zhao Feng didn't matter to him.
But now, things were different.
Now he could truly see a path to revenge.
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