Hmm?
Behind Tai Li, five beams of light—red, cyan, yellow, white, and black—rose and rippled, revealing his inner unrest, as if he hadn’t expected the human Celestial concealing his aura to be “Yuan Huang” Su Meng.
The little fox Qingqiu seemed to have not discussed this with him beforehand.
Within Meng Qi’s eyes, primordial chaos spiraled inversely, while a hidden Milky Way stirred, scattering tiny star fragments that deflected Tai Li’s gaze effortlessly and calmly.
Tai Li’s aura fluctuated, his mind stunned—not only surprised by Meng Qi’s appearance but also shocked by the immeasurable depth of the other’s cultivation realm.
Only in such a short time, and he had truly begun to resemble a legend!
“Tai Li?” Hui Guang, the “Phoenix Demon God,” glanced over, puzzled by Tai Li’s momentary distraction. Had he noticed something wrong?
Tai Li withdrew his gaze, looked deeply at Qingqiu, the disciple-heir of the Demon Sage, and slowly said, “It’s only been a few years, yet you’ve already reached such a level.”
Regarding the three demon gods’ cultivation realms, he had some expectations, using this to cover his momentary fluster.
“Communicating with ‘Other Selves’ eventually becomes a matter of time. As long as there’s sufficient time, accumulation will naturally be enough, and what we lack least is time.” Fei Xiang, the “Kunpeng Demon God,” chuckled, ostensibly modest but actually brimming with pride.
The hardest part of communicating with “Other Selves” lies in the early stages—cultivating the mind and enhancing spiritual consciousness to sense the subtle connections, locating the “Other Selves” amid infinite worlds, a major obstacle that many Celestials fail to overcome, often relying on divine pills like the “Taiyi Mind-Splitting Pill” for aid. Once one can sense a few “Other Selves,” communication requires enduring the impact of their experiences, personalities, and emotions on one’s consciousness. A moment’s carelessness could lead to memory confusion or spiritual deviation, a challenge even surpassing the mental demands of the Xuan Nu’s manifestation trial.
Once one adapts and gains experience, what remains is merely the gradual accumulation of quantity, depending solely on whether time is sufficient.
Hui Guang nodded slightly: “What matters most is realizing ‘What Makes Me Me.'”
All three demon gods had already accumulated their “Other Selves” to the brink of qualitative transformation. Once they pierced through the concept of “Self,” they could push open the gates of legend.
Within the multiverse manifested by the Dinghai Pearl, was it easier to sense the “Other Selves,” akin to consuming the Taiyi Mind-Splitting Pill? Meng Qi mused with a smile while listening.
The multiverse manifested by the Dinghai Pearl was only slightly inferior to the Ninth Heaven, transcending myriad worlds, inherently possessing legendary qualities that seemingly made sensing “Other Selves” a natural advantage. Of course, in the Real World, the Fengshen World, and the Journey to the West World, due to Yuanshi Tianzun and Daode Tianzun’s deliberate isolation, the multiverse manifested by the Dinghai Pearl could not cover all realms as comprehensively as the Ninth Heaven, being limited to a single world until the Demon Emperor Palace’s seal was lifted, allowing inter-world travel, marking their true entry into the End Times.
Did Zhonggu’s Holy Prodigies like Xin Sheng realize “What Makes Me Me” before sensing their “Other Selves”?
As Meng Qi’s thoughts wandered, the little fox Qingqiu, seeing all four demon gods assembled, spoke solemnly: “Lingshan has been devastated by Ananda’s reversal of the Ten Thousand Buddha Formation, now resembling the Nine Netherworlds, fraught with peril at every turn. All of you must proceed with utmost caution.”
She had once entered Lingshan before, while completing a reincarnation task, but only stayed at the periphery without venturing deep. After a moment’s contemplation, based on the Demon Sage’s legacy, she half-deduced, half-guessed: “Inside, there’s a high possibility of encountering legendary or even Creation-level lingering wills or remnants, such as Jia She, Wenshu, Puxian, Fudong Mingwang, Bianzhao Jingang, Akshobhya Tathagata, Ratnaketu Tathagata, ancient Buddhas like Shibian and Juliusun, and even deceased Great Sages.”
“With the fall of ten thousand Buddhas, the existence of legendary or Creation-level remnants is normal. However, without manipulation, relying solely on lingering wills, even with strong golden bodies, they cannot match their prime. They certainly won’t reach legendary levels. What is there to fear?” Lu Jia, the “Kirin Demon God,” calmly stated.
The Demon Origin Heaven had a long heritage, and the matter of Lingshan wasn’t unfamiliar. Similarly, the Demon Sage left behind scattered words.
Hui Guang also remained calm: “Such remnants, unless they revive from absolute death and regain consciousness, are at most dangerous due to their legendary or Creation-level characteristics, which might affect external reflection techniques.”
As supreme demon gods only a step away from legend, they harbored no fear toward these remnants, each displaying familiarity and subtly competing for overall leadership.
Meng Qi, who had entered Lingshan before and faced the remnants of Jia She and Wenshu, listened with amusement, feeling like he was watching them show off.
It’s just your luck. If the Demon Buddha hadn’t had his claws severed by me, allowing even a bit of power to seep through, the remnants of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Great Arhats under his control wouldn’t be so easily dealt with?
I even had to abandon my Yellow Spring corpse to bypass Jia She!
Moreover, the current Lingshan possesses characteristics of Jiuyou, greatly enhancing vengeful spirits, evil ghosts, zombies, and remains. Last time, due to the Demon Buddha’s manipulation, I couldn’t fully perceive these traits. This time, upon returning, I might experience its true danger.
Seeing Demon Gods like Lu Jia and Hui Guang confident and disdainful toward the remnants, Qingqiu pondered and then said: “Even after countless eons, a place where ten thousand Buddhas fell must still harbor dangerous zones. All of you must remain cautious.”
The four demon gods had no objections to this statement. Despite their arrogance, they dared not underestimate Lingshan, a place where many Great Sages had perished.
Finally, Qingqiu emphasized: “Atop Lingshan’s peak, a terrifying evil fiend is sealed, far surpassing the power of mere remnants. When we retrieve the Golden-Hooped Rod and rescue the surviving Great Sages, we absolutely must not disturb the seal on the other side.”
Hearing Qingqiu’s solemn words, Hui Guang and Fei Xiang exchanged glances, frowning slightly: “What evil fiend?”
“The demon-converted A-nan.” Tai Li said gravely.
“The demon-converted A-nan?” Hui Guang’s expression shifted, a mix of shock, fear, and gritted teeth. The Demon Sage’s hatred was etched into their bloodline.
Fei Xiang and Lu Jia’s expressions turned serious. The A-nan who nearly annihilated the Buddha-Demon Race back then was still alive, sealed right here at Lingshan!
Back in ancient times, he already possessed Creation-level power. If accidentally released now, it would spell disaster for the demon race!
At this moment, Qingqiu added: “After A-nan descended into demonhood, he reached the shore of transcendence and was sealed by the Buddha at Lingshan.”
This? Each revelation more shocking than the last, causing the three demon gods to pale. A-nan had crossed the Sea of Suffering, becoming a Buddha, and the Buddha, who vanished after attaining the Dao, had personally sealed him?
Remaining composed, Meng Qi noticed the little fox Qingqiu’s lips slightly curling, a hint of smugness in her smile, appreciating her subtle maneuver.
You three demon gods think too highly of yourselves, don’t you? You all want to wield the Demon Sage Spear?
Then let me shock you with the news of the Demon Buddha A-nan, to humble your pride a bit!
After these simple introductions, the atmosphere within the Demon Emperor Palace subtly shifted. The three demon gods grew wary, no longer covertly competing or coveting the Demon Sage Spear, cautiously discussing the journey to Lingshan and how to retrieve the Golden-Hooped Rod.
Actually, you needn’t worry about the Demon Buddha; my very presence here indicates he’s in no position to threaten anyone… Meng Qi muttered inwardly, smiling as he listened, discovering they had mastered the technique to shrink the Golden-Hooped Rod—“tiny tiny tiny.”
After finalizing their plans, Qingqiu and Tai Li, having secured leadership, took the lead, followed by the three demon gods and Meng Qi, passing through the Demon Emperor Palace and arriving at the South Sea of the Journey to the West World, then flying toward the former location of Lingshan in the Western Ox-Heaven Continent.
Throughout the journey, each demon god was lost in thought, paying little attention to Meng Qi, the seemingly ordinary human Celestial.
After landing at the ruins of the temple where Meng Qi had once obtained the plaque of the “Great Thunderclap Temple,” the little fox Qingqiu glanced up at the sky, waiting for the opportune moment and the shifting of the stars’ alignment.
After an unknown duration, she suddenly extended her hands, revealing nine fiery fox tails behind her back, forming countless Buddhist seals, each transformation profound and echoing with deep chants.
“With a tranquil heart, the Lingtai Mountain exists!” After completing the seals, she spoke with a thunderous voice.
Where is Lingshan? It lies within the heart!
A golden light flashed, revealing a hazy, illusory gate ahead. Its glazed essence swirled, drawing in the demon gods and Meng Qi, transporting them once more to the familiar realm of Lingshan.
With each step spanning dozens of miles, the rolling Lingyun Ford appeared before them. The demon gods, with their keen vision, already saw ahead—the towering Golden-Hooped Rod stretching to the heavens, lotuses blooming and fading, lightning flashing, each flower a world, each bolt a universe.
As they marveled at this scene, Meng Qi stared at the Lingyun Ford, now several dozen miles wide, entertaining a strange thought.
Since the Golden Emperor suspected something wrong with Tang Sanzang, where had his discarded mortal body drifted after shedding it?
Could it still be found?
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