As his voice faded, the World Honored One's aura immediately began to diffuse. At this moment, everyone was inside the Zixiao Palace, and the Zixiao Palace was the Immortal Nexus of the Pre-Ancient Divine Land.
Here, one could perform a great sacrifice of sentient beings.
By the same logic, one could also guide sentient beings!
In an instant, a pure floral fragrance drifted throughout the entire Pre-Ancient Divine Land. Centered on the Zixiao Palace, the World Honored One's voice echoed inside and outside the entire Divine Land.
For a moment, the myriad living beings—anyone below the realm of a Dao Lord—whether male or female, regardless of their cultivation level, regardless of their personality, and regardless of what evil karma or good life they possessed, all felt a resonance in their hearts. Raising their heads, they saw a towering holy image standing tall, possessing eighteen arms and twenty-four heads, draped in infinite precious light.
The holy image's lips parted slightly, and a rumbling Dharma voice resounded:
"If, upon my attainment of Buddhahood, there yet exist in my land the realms of hell, hungry ghosts, or beasts, then may I be denied perfect enlightenment."
"If, upon my attainment of Buddhahood, the humans and devas in my land, after death, should once more fall into the three evil realms, then may I be denied perfect enlightenment."
"If, upon my attainment of Buddhahood…"
The World Honored One, an attained Daoist whose cultivation was utterly inconspicuous among the Dao Ancestors, currently possessed a solemn and dignified appearance. One great vow after another was transmitted into the void.
This voice grew increasingly grand, increasingly lofty.
In the end, it even transcended the [Present], tracing back causes and effects, diffusing toward the [Past] and the [Future], echoing throughout the entire torrent of time.
Wherever his voice passed, perhaps initially some people didn't understand what was happening. But gradually, more and more people seemed to be inspired by it. A feeling of reverence arose in their hearts, and they involuntarily pressed their palms together and worshipped. The originally diverse expressions also gradually integrated and unified.
"What method is this?"
For a time, inside the Zixiao Palace, the Ancestors of the Name and Form schools looked up one after another, frowning at this scene, only feeling that something seemed amiss.
"What is he doing?"
"It's 'One Mind'."
On the other side, Cang Hao and Myriad Laws responded simultaneously, though they were also somewhat puzzled: "A petty trick. It can only be used on cultivators below the realm of a Dao Lord."
"It is nothing more than transforming sentient beings into [Me]."
"Using it at this moment... what is he trying to do?"
"Even if he guides all sentient beings, he cannot possibly escape this Great Sacrifice. The final result will not change; it is merely futile effort."
"Wait..."
Cang Hao and Myriad Laws didn't care, but the Ancestors of the Name and Form schools could see a clue. They recognized the familiar yet weak aura on the World Honored One.
"Transforming sentient beings into [Me]?"
"What kind of evil art is this? Does he not want to cultivate the Primordial Spirit? The Primordial Spirit requires extreme purity and cleanliness. He doesn't cultivate it that way, but does the opposite and accommodates sentient beings?"
"Not good..."
The Name school Ancestor's face changed slightly: "That's not the main point. The main point is, after [Transforming Sentient Beings into Me], can he take the sentient beings with him to reincarnate?"
"If they all reincarnate, what are we supposed to sacrifice?"
As if responding to his words, at this moment, the World Honored One's "One Mind" had completed its coverage of the Pre-Ancient Divine Land ahead of time through the Zixiao Palace.
In an instant, the myriad living beings consecutively experienced enlightenment.
Among them were humans, beasts, plants, and immortal spirits. Every entity possessing self-awareness sat cross-legged, pressed their palms together, and said:
"Alas! To think that I am an incarnation of the World Honored One!"
Trillions of voices shook the universe. Infinite divine light of thought rose from the ground, resembling a vast galaxy, surging toward the direction of the World Honored One!
The joy, sorrow, grief, bitterness, fear, and shock of the myriad living beings all flowed into the World Honored One's circulating thoughts along with the impact of "One Mind."
This also caused his Primordial Spirit to become increasingly resplendent with golden light, increasingly solemn and grand. Yet this grandeur did not carry the feeling of a Primordial Spirit transcending the secular world.
In fact, it was the exact opposite.
Looking closely, the towering Buddha image did not stand in the heavens, but rather amidst the mortal dust, carrying a compassionate and peaceful smile on its face.
This was the secret of the World Honored One acting like a human.
With "One Mind," while he enlightened sentient beings, the sentient beings were enlightening him as well, keeping him forever rooted in the mortal dust, un-altered by a higher perspective.
But in that case.
'Am I still [Me]?'
The World Honored One asked himself, then smiled self-deprecatingly.
Undoubtedly, he hadn't been for a long time. Compared to the original Master of Myriad Treasure Peak, his personality and style had both undergone massive changes today.
Why choose this path?
It was very simple. The moment he forged his Primordial Spirit, he acutely noticed the changes the Primordial Spirit brought upon himself—and he had no ability to resist them.
After all, that feeling of "everyone in the world is drunk, and I alone am sober" was simply not something he could contend with. At that moment, he even felt that his junior brothers—Dao Tianqi, Bu Tianque, and Lian Tiandou, whom he had once valued so highly—were nothing much. They were merely bubbles he could resurrect at any time by altering causes and changing effects.
Its existence inherently had no meaning.
Could someone like that still be considered human?
—The instant this thought arose, the World Honored One was terrified by himself. His memories clearly hadn't changed at all; he clearly still remembered the camaraderie between fellow disciples.
Yet he simply didn't care anymore.
'I cultivated the Primordial Spirit and painstakingly schemed to become a Dao Lord, precisely to fight for a sliver of hope for their survival. Yet after succeeding, I no longer care about them?'
How could such a thing be allowed!
And so came the [Pure Land].
The initial "One Mind" was merely a tool the World Honored One used to attain his Dao. After ascending to the [Paramita], this tool originally should have been discarded.
Yet he picked it back up.
Even though it meant "Myriad Hearts United as One," even though he became no longer the original [Me], he remained glad to endure hardship, because he had retained the most important aspect.
So what if he couldn't return to the past?
"I would rather be [Me]!"
The World Honored One closed his eyes. His entire body abruptly erupted with boundless light, opening like a lotus flower, reflecting an immeasurable Pure Land, the World of Ultimate Bliss.
At the same time, across the entire Divine Land, all beings below the realm of a Dao Lord pressed their palms together and performed "corpse liberation" amidst continuous chanting of the Buddha's name.
Only their empty physical shells remained in place, while their souls and consciousness fluttered upward, manifesting into one golden-bodied Buddha after another, speeding toward the direction of the World Honored One!
They were all the [World Honored One].
The World Honored One was [Them]!
However, this was not the end. In the center of the World of Ultimate Bliss, above the immeasurable Pure Land, the World Honored One formed a seal with his hands and slowly lifted a grand hall into his palm.
The Netherworld!
Immediately after, the golden-bodied Buddhas symbolizing the souls of trillions of sentient beings fluttered toward the Netherworld, transforming in an instant, all becoming a part of the Netherworld.
And with the massive expansion of the Netherworld, the World Honored One's aura also began to rise. Previously, he could completely be described as the weakest among the Dao Ancestors, even inferior to the latecomer [Sky-Shrouding]. However, at this moment, he caught up from behind, his stature skyrocketing along with the elevation of the Netherworld!
"Crack!"
During this process, the Netherworld seemed somewhat unable to bear the burden. The originally perfect grand hall developed cracks, causing him to frown slightly.
But in the next second, his brow relaxed again.
Because right at this moment, a smiling youth walked over, his eyes brimming with "wisdom light," his smile containing both nostalgia and firmness.
"Senior Brother, I have come to help you!"
With that, Dao Tianqi began to help the World Honored One stabilize the Netherworld. As the creator of the Netherworld, only he could fine-tune it according to the situation.
Seeing this scene, the World Honored One smiled warmly.
To be honest, he had no interest in the so-called myriad living beings. The ones he truly cared about were only his few junior brothers.
'It's just that, Beast Taming, who told you to be such a fool.'
'Bu Tianque and Lian Tiandou, they aren't much better either.'
His junior brothers cared about the myriad living beings.
Since that was the case, as their senior brother, he didn't mind exerting a little effort for the sentient beings to make his junior brothers happy. This was also a senior brother's duty.
And under Dao Tianqi's efforts, although the Netherworld was tottering, it maintained its stability, successfully integrating all the trillions of sentient beings of the Divine Land.
And supported by them, the stature of the World Honored One, as the current Lord of the Netherworld, finally completed a qualitative change.
"Are you kidding me..."
Seeing this scene, Cang Hao and Myriad Laws, who were most familiar with the World Honored One, couldn't help but narrow their eyes. Their state of [Supreme Forgotten Emotions] was nearly broken.
After all, they were different from the Primordial Saint.
The Primordial Saint had completely severed his mortal heart, but they had not. Therefore, under the impact of a sufficiently massive reality, they still couldn't help but reveal their shock.
"The fifth layer of the [Paramita]... He surpassed us!?"
This was the advantage of relying on external objects. As long as the external conditions could be met, regardless of whether the path was steady or if there were hidden dangers, at least it was fast enough!
Seeing this scene, the World Honored One also nodded. Then the towering Buddha image he had transformed into abruptly expanded. The World of Ultimate Bliss beneath his feet, the immeasurable Pure Land, and even the Buddha light symbolizing trillions of living creatures, were all condensed by him into a single halo, suspended behind his head, manifesting his own Dao.
At the same time, he also spoke his final great vow:
"If, upon my attainment of Buddhahood, the devas and humans in my land—together with all sentient beings and all phenomena—are unable to cross the Final Tribulation, to take the Netherworld as their vessel, journey toward the future, and attain great freedom, then may I be denied perfect enlightenment."
"If the Netherworld is not emptied, I shall not become a Buddha."
As the words fell, the Buddha light abruptly collapsed, tracing back karma. Then, with a flicker, he disappeared from the current time point directly, taking trillions of sentient beings with him!
"Incredible..."
Seeing this scene, Sisui was the first to react, his eyes full of admiration: "Enlightening all sentient beings, this is truly enlightening all sentient beings; it's truly incredible."
Almost simultaneously, the voice of the Name school Ancestor also drifted over:
"Stop him!"
The time point the World Honored One chose could not have been more exquisite!
Granted, at this moment, the Final Tribulation Dao God had descended upon this world, and the great sacrifice of sentient beings was underway. The destruction of the Divine Land was already unstoppable, but at the same time, this was also an opportunity!
"Because the Final Tribulation Dao God came over, the future is now empty... Since the Primordial Saint can use this to head to the future, we can naturally use this to head to the future as well!"
Originally, according to Guiming's plan, the World Honored One would guiding sentient beings and then take them all to reincarnate together. Although it was evasion, it would ultimately still collide with the Final Tribulation. Whether it would succeed in the end was very hard to say. But now... the Final Tribulation Dao God had vacated the future, making the success rate one hundred percent!
Then, how would the Final Tribulation Dao God react to this?
"He won't do anything!"
Shi Weixiong exhaled a long breath:
"After all, his goal is different from the others. He just wants to survive. It's impossible for him to return to the future just to pursue the so-called sentient beings."
The former mortal enemies suddenly had no grudges.
At this moment, the others finally reacted as well, their voices immediately vibrating: "Follow him... As long as the people are saved, the land can eventually be retaken."
For a time, everyone felt somewhat emotional.
'Zhu Liuxian, Zhen Qulu, Zhi Tianming... even including me, many Dao Ancestors failed to succeed. Now it's Guiming's plan that holds the most hope.'
At the same time, Shi Weixiong also made a decision.
'This isn't over yet.'
'Name, Form, Taiyuan Xian, and that Primordial Saint—they are the biggest obstacles. If necessary, I must find a way to stop them.'
Having finally seen hope, it must not be allowed to shatter.
Just then, the various Dao Lords suddenly felt a resonance. Looking up, it was as if they saw a magnificent, grand net connecting the past, present, and future. Within it, a towering Buddha image was trudging forward, yet above its head, a heavenly abyss had opened, from which a boundless torrent of time poured forth.
"RUMBLE!"
In an instant, the World Honored One's voice, which had resonated through all Karma and space-time with his great vows, came to an abrupt halt. A more magnificent, loftier voice took its place:
"You again, Myriad Treasure."
At the source of the torrent, the Primordial Saint stood with hands behind his back. His calm gaze looked indifferently at the towering Buddha image. There was a hint of surprise in the depths of his eyes, but mostly contempt.
Immediately after, fragments of time surfaced in the depths of his eyes. Tracing back the past, he quickly took in the connection between the World Honored One and Guiming, as well as the reincarnation plan.
Then, the Primordial Saint reached a conclusion:
"...Not worth mentioning."
With Taiyuan Xian present, he already knew everything.
He knew that in [several previous lifetimes], the World Honored One had stepped forward at a certain moment, producing all sorts of trump cards and trying to cause trouble for him.
Such perseverance was somewhat difficult for him to understand.
But it didn't matter anymore.
After all, as far as he knew, all the World Honored One's trump cards were meaningless against him. No matter how he struggled, the final outcome would only be failure.
It was so in [the previous lifetimes]... and this lifetime would be no exception!
In the next second, following the Primordial Saint's thought, the majesty of the ninth layer of the [Paramita] immediately crashed down, intending to directly pulverize the World Honored One and the Netherworld in his hands!
The magnificent World of Ultimate Bliss and the Netherworld Buddha Kingdom flickered like a candle swaying in the wind, oscillating between brightness and darkness.
Although struggling with all their might, it was useless. As time passed, the candle flame drew closer and closer to its limit; its already meager foundation seemed about to be exhausted.
"Stop!"
Seeing this scene, Sisui stepped forward without almost any hesitation, standing right in front of the World Honored One to clash head-on with the torrent of time.
"Sisui..."
The Primordial Saint lowered his eyes and shook his head, saying: "I originally had high hopes for you, Fellow Daoist, believing you were the person capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me."
—This was a lie.
The Primordial Saint valued Sisui very highly, determining him to be his great enemy. However, he did not entertain any thoughts of Sisui being capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
This was merely a backup option.
'If I cannot transcend in the future and must attain Deity Transformation first, then cultivate the next Deity Transformation to transcend—Sisui is the most perfect material.'
Out of this consideration, the Primordial Saint did not intend to kill Sisui. Of course, given the essence of Sisui's [False Transcendence], which not even the Final Tribulation could shake, he didn't have the ability to kill him anyway.
However, at the end of the day, Sisui's current majesty was insufficient, while he himself was no longer the same as in the past. Forcing Sisui to exit the stage was still possible.
"Fellow Daoist, forgive me for not seeing you off."
As the words fell, the Primordial Saint waved his hand. The torrent of time instantly washed down, landing on Sisui, causing his silhouette to rapidly become illusory.
He was sent to the [Future].
Although maintaining such space-time banishment for a long time was also no small toll on the Primordial Saint, in his view, it was all worth it.
'It's just a pity.'
'In my initial expectations, the [Paramita] should have exerted a greater effect. But now the conditions cannot be met, so it can only halt here temporarily.'
The Primordial Saint thought rationally in his heart.
The great sacrifice of sentient beings was merely his primary plan for [Transcendence]—the "it costs nothing anyway, might as well try" type. He still had a backup plan.
[The Paramita Ascension Plan].
This was a plan that should have been abandoned. However, now that the [Paramita] had reached the ninth layer, it undoubtedly made this plan viable once more.
And this time, he didn't need to scheme.
Now standing at the ninth layer of the [Paramita], he only needed one leap, one ascension having accumulated enough foundation, to reach his past goal!
'Of course, looking at it now, the plan from back then also had flaws.'
'After all, my understanding of the Light Sea was insufficient back then. I mistakenly believed that after ascending, my stature would naturally elevate to Deity Transformation, and I would simultaneously transcend.'
'In fact, according to the information within the Seed of the Great Dao, the so-called Light Sea is nothing more than the future observed by [Jun], and the stature system was also created by [Jun]. Therefore, the final result of [Paramita Ascension] is merely me jumping out of [Jun]'s observation, achieving a sort of False Transcendence in a sense.'
'Deity Transformation is impossible.'
From beginning to end, to achieve Deity Transformation, the Seed of the Great Dao was the only path. Conversely, transcendence, as a state, had other methods.
However—this was enough.
'As long as I break through to Deity Transformation, False Transcendence will also become true transcendence; there is no difference.'
At this thought, he had made a decision: primary plan and backup plan, he wanted them all! A two-pronged approach, this was the only way to ensure nothing could go wrong!
Thinking of this, he added a bit more majesty.
'Kill Myriad Treasure first, send the sentient beings of the Divine Land he took away back, and continue the Great Sacrifice. At the same time, smash the Netherworld to fill the foundation of the Paramita.'
The former could sustain the great sacrifice of sentient beings.
The latter could complete the Paramita Ascension.
In a daze, the World Honored One seemed to also see such an ending. Like an [Inevitable Fate], he saw that lofty, tiny figure speaking plainly to him:
"From the very beginning, you were the material I selected."
"Shi Tianyi, Di Muni, you are a smart person. You faintly noticed the problem with your names, so you changed it. Yet it was a futile effort."
Adding bricks and tiles to my success.
This is your [Ending]!
Meanwhile, in the Pre-Ancient Divine Land.
With Sisui making a move, the other Dao Ancestors also set off, tracing the space-time channel opened by the World Honored One, wanting to help stop the Primordial Saint.
However, their strength was insufficient.
At this moment, the Primordial Saint already stood at the ninth layer of the [Paramita], with the highest realm, and was himself the number one in combat in the Light Sea. He didnt afraid of joint attack from the Dao Ancestors.
"It's no use; we need Shi Weixiong."
"Where is he?"
"Still in the Divine Land, he hasn't come over."
"Why!?"
And just as the Dao Ancestors were puzzled, in the Pre-Ancient Divine Land, Shi Weixiong stood exactly where he was, looking with a hint of understanding at the pacing figure approaching.
"Da Yunlai..."
Shi Weixiong's tone was calm: "Who did you choose? You see the changes in the luck of the times more clearly than we do. I only ask you one thing—can we still win?"
Da Yunlai shook his head upon hearing this, then pointed a finger.
In an instant, the originally clear world became blurred. Numerous heavenly secrets, karma, time, and years seemed to be isolated on the outside, no longer perceivable.
This was also a method of [Fortune] cultivation.
[Fortune] cultivators observe the luck of the times but do not enter it, relying precisely on this [Observer's Perspective], which allows them to remain unaffected by external factors.
Immediately after, Da Yunlai stepped aside.
"Hmm?"
Seeing this, Shi Weixiong raised an eyebrow. Then, looking at the dark-robed young man pacing out from behind Da Yunlai, a look of realization dawned on his face.
"Good, very good... I knew it. How could the Dao Venerable's personal disciple die so easily."
"And that Primordial Saint, urging the Final Tribulation Dao God to strike and kill you first, shows he is wary of you. Do you have something in your hands that can threaten him?"
Lu Yang nodded slightly.
"Since things have come to this, I will speak plainly."
Even though the current Primordial Saint already stood at the ninth layer of the [Paramita], with the Seed of the Great Dao in hand, the dark-robed young man's tone remained firm and indifferent:
"In this battle, I have a method of certain victory."