With a flick of his sleeve, blood-tinged yellow water surged forth like the Milky Way cascading downward, sweeping toward the remains of Kasyapa, forcing him to join his hands in a mudra and emit boundless light to barely resist.
Seizing this opportunity, Meng Qi dashed forward, riding the wind through the air, crossing the broken cliff. Though appearing extremely fast, he always managed to avoid the gaping spatial rifts with perfect timing.
Luojia, Huiguang, and other demon deities exchanged glances, seeing mutual surprise and caution in each other’s eyes. Without further words, they followed Meng Qi across the cliff, just managing to vanish at the end of the dark mountain path, where the howling Samadhi Divine Wind roared, before Kasyapa’s remains could unleash a palm strike that contained emptiness and repelled the Yellow Spring.
Their escape was swift. Along the way, all the corpses and remains had been absorbed by the Yellow Spring, leaving the path eerily deserted. Before long, they felt their minds ease, no longer sensing the chilling connection with Kasyapa’s remains and the blood-yellow river, as they had left them far behind.
Slowing their pace slightly, the demonic deities became increasingly wary of the increasingly oppressive surroundings. The closer they drew to the summit of Vulture Peak, the higher the likelihood of encountering the remains of Buddhas, Great Bodhisattvas, and Arhats. Previously, they had faced Kasyapa and a possible evil deity resembling the Nine Nether Yellow Spring; next, it might be Bodhisattva Manjusri, Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, Buddha Akshobhya, Buddha Sikhin, or Buddha Candana Kumaratirtha.
More importantly, although these remains were dangerous, previously, the demon deities had been confident in facing them together, unafraid, viewing them as potential gains. However, now strange changes were occurring at Vulture Peak, and the remains were beginning to develop faint consciousness, significantly increasing the danger. They were now equivalent to top-tier Celestial Immortals with legendary or transformative traits, perhaps even stronger. One-on-one, the demon deities might not necessarily win. And on the path to or at the summit of Vulture Peak, how many such awakened remains could there be—five, ten, or more?
Things would never go too smoothly, especially since this was an act of freeing the remaining Great Sages and altering the balance of the myriad worlds. There were certainly certain existences that would interfere and attempt to stop them!
As these thoughts passed through Luojia’s mind, he glanced sideways at Meng Qi ahead. He saw him in his azure robe, striding through auspicious clouds, exuding the grace of an ancient true immortal. Luojia nodded slightly and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for rescuing me just now.”
“Since we are exploring Vulture Peak together, how could I sit idly by?” Meng Qi replied with a smile.
“May I ask for Your Majesty’s honorable name?” Only at this point, after witnessing the “Pouch of Heaven and Earth,” did Feixiang, the Kunpeng Demon God, recall that he didn’t know the other’s name.
For Daoist cultivators at the Celestial Immortal level, the title “Zhenjun” (True Lord) is often used, just as those at the Legendary level are called “Xianzun” (Immortal Venerable), and those at the Transformative or Transcendent level are generally referred to as “Tianzun” (Heavenly Venerable). However, these are conventional titles and do not strictly correspond. Some powerful beings continue to use their original names without change. Thus, those called Tianzun or Xianzun are certainly extremely powerful, but those called Zhenjun are not necessarily only Celestial Immortals.
Qingqiu, the heir of the Demon Sage, interjected, “He is Master Su Meng of the Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun.”
“Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun?” Feixiang, Huiguang, and others swept their gazes over Meng Qi, eyes flickering with surprise.
Reputation precedes a person, just as a tree’s shadow precedes it. In ancient times, the Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun was a sacred Daoist site, renowned across myriad worlds. Even though millennia have passed, due to the protection and continuous transmission brought by the Calming Sea Pearl, the three supreme demon deities had still heard of it and knew it to be the abode of Yuanshi Tianzun, one of the Three Pure Ones. And who was Yuanshi Tianzun? He was the oldest and mightiest Transcendent being!
To bear the name of the Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun and to be its Grandmaster meant that this Su Meng was no ordinary figure!
—If an unrelated person were to use the name of the Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun without sufficient power, it would be a minor matter, like a child’s game. But if someone with a certain level of influence were to do so, they would invite great karmic retribution and meet a tragic end.
Just the display of the “Pouch of Heaven and Earth” was enough to command respect. No wonder Qingqiu had invited him to assist… Huiguang inwardly nodded, beginning to regard Meng Qi as an opponent of equal standing, like Feixiang and Luojia, someone whose power could not be easily overcome, and who could counterbalance him.
Luojia, who had always been proud and reserved, subtly shifted his expression, as if suddenly understanding.
So it was the legacy of the Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun!
Regardless of where he had learned the Pouch of Heaven and Earth, it could not be equated with his overall strength. He certainly had many other Yuqing divine techniques yet to be displayed.
Tai Li with the Five-colored Divine Light and Su Meng with the Pouch of Heaven and Earth were equally formidable “teammates,” ones who could easily ensnare others if one were not careful.
Feixiang, the Kunpeng Demon God, chuckled, “I had always believed that the demon race, with the Journey to the West World and the Naihe Heaven, possessed an unbroken lineage far surpassing that of humanity. Never did I expect to encounter someone like Master Su, who is in no way inferior to us.”
Indeed, Su Meng was extraordinary and deserved attention, but Feixiang himself was no slouch either. Below the Legendary level, who could claim superiority?
They were on the same level.
“As the Final Calamity draws near, ancient legacies are emerging one after another. Humanity will not be left behind,” Meng Qi said with a faint smile, appearing humble and open-minded.
As they flew forward, Huiguang, the Phoenix Demon God, suddenly spoke gravely, “The Spirit Mountain has undergone strange changes. What should we do next?”
She turned her gaze to Meng Qi, beginning to value his opinion.
“If the remains within the Ten Thousand Buddha Formation at the summit have all undergone the same transformation as Venerable Kasyapa, we stand no chance of breaking through by force. The best course of action would be to split into two teams: one to lure the remains away from the summit, and the other to seize the Golden Cudgel while the path is clear,” Meng Qi said confidently.
Tai Li nodded, “Good plan. Who will lure, and who will seize?”
Qingqiu glanced at Meng Qi and said, “Master Su, Demon God Tai Li, and Demon God Huiguang each possess the Pouch of Heaven and Earth, the Five-colored Divine Light, and the Five Virtues Treasure respectively. The three of you are best suited to act as decoys, as you won’t be easily surrounded. I, along with Demon Gods Luojia and Feixiang, will seize the Golden Cudgel and break the seal.”
Huiguang pondered for a moment, then nodded, “Fine!”
Su Meng’s strength was formidable, and as a human, he needed to be watched to prevent him from sabotaging the plan to rescue the remaining Great Sages. Having him distract the remains was appropriate. Meanwhile, she and Tai Li each had their own strengths and were not overly fearful of the Pouch of Heaven and Earth. Teaming with him would help suppress any hidden intentions he might have.
Qingqiu was still sharp-witted, knowing how to guard against the human race. Such a division of teams was reasonable.
Seeing Huiguang’s approval, Tai Li agreed without objection. Luojia and Feixiang understood the underlying intentions and raised no objections.
Once the remaining Great Sages were rescued, no amount of unexpected danger would be a problem!
Seeing this, Meng Qi smiled and said, “That works well.”
With the plan settled, Qingqiu, Feixiang, and the others felt a great weight lifted from their shoulders and quickened their pace forward.
After they had departed the region, a blood-tinged yellow mist abruptly began to unfurl within the darkness. Emerging slowly from the pitch-black void was a colossal, horrifying corpse. Within its dark and profound form surged a vibrant whiteness, its bone spines piercing into the void, linking to myriad locations. Encircling it drifted the spectral forms of death gods from countless worlds. It was the Yellow Spring skeleton, still bearing Meng Qi’s mark!
He gazed in the direction Qingqiu and Huiguang had departed, letting out a low growl that sounded almost like Meng Qi himself, as if mocking. Blood-yellow light flickered within his eye sockets.
…
Stepping into the rear of Vulture Peak, Meng Qi felt as if he had instantly lost all his senses, his mind descending into chaos. After a moment, he gradually adapted and discerned his surroundings.
Here, the darkness rivaled even the summit of Vulture Peak. The waters of Lingyun Crossing flowed slowly upward, while massive spatial rifts loomed, their eerie winds capable of tearing apart a Dharmakaya attempting to pass through.
After walking along the river for some time, the soil near the bank suddenly began to churn, and one grotesque corpse after another crawled out. It appeared these were originally creatures that had once lived here, twisted into demonic fiends under the influence of the Fall of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
Some had three heads and six arms, others had chaotic, featureless faces. Their auras were cold and filthy, even stronger than the remains of Bodhisattvas. They surged forward in dense waves, attempting to drag Meng Qi into the depths, obscuring the distant view.
Monk Meng Qi in white robes sighed, transforming into a compassionate golden Buddha body. He extended his right hand as if bestowing blessings, then golden light erupted like willow branches sprinkling nectar, droplets scattering outward.
The cold, filthy demons instantly dissolved upon contact with this golden light, as if freed from their shackles and granted liberation. In a short moment, the path ahead was completely cleared.
The Buddha has great vows, vowing to save all sentient beings!
With the path cleared, Meng Qi advanced, lotus flowers blooming beneath his feet. After walking for a while, the scene deep within the darkness came into view:
The Lingyun Crossing ended here, becoming a gently bubbling spring. Floating within it was a giant golden cicada!
A golden cicada? The Golden Cicada Child? Had the mortal body of the monk Xuanzang finally reversed its transformation, returning to its original form as the Golden Cicada? Meng Qi’s thoughts grew solemn. With glass-like eyes, he gazed intently and saw that the cicada’s back was split open, revealing an empty interior!
A cicada shedding its shell?
Meng Qi was startled and alarmed.
…
With the path cleared of corpses and remains, Meng Qi’s group quickly approached the summit of Ling Mountain.
They gazed into the distance, where the terrain stretched wide and open. The Golden Cudgel, towering between heaven and earth, seemed to have already appeared before their eyes. Flowers bloomed and withered, thunder roared and faded. Beside it stood the Five-Finger Mountain, with a radiant Bodhi branch embedded within, emanating profound purity, freedom, bliss, and wisdom.
Everything was exactly as Meng Qi had seen it before, unchanged.
However, the surrounding golden Buddha statues, standing like a stone forest, had disappeared. The Ten Thousand Buddha Formation, composed of countless remains, had vanished without a trace.
Gone!
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