Chapter 856: Buddha Begs for Mercy

At this moment, the Buddha is trapped inside the Demon Cocoon.

Attempting to break free from within the Demon Cocoon is an impossibility.

What’s more, the Buddha was already preparing to self-destruct due to grave injuries when he became trapped in the Demon Cocoon.

The Buddha’s current situation renders any attempt to save himself a mere fantasy.

If he wishes to escape, he can only seek help from someone outside to break open the cocoon from the outside.

Inside the cocoon, everything is pitch black for the Buddha; he sees nothing.

He can even feel the wet cocoon dripping water droplets with a steady “drip, drip” downward.

If the Buddha were able to see, he would realize that his lower body is already soaked in a liquid as dark as ink.

This very liquid is restraining the Buddha’s mana, rendering him powerless within the cocoon.

In fact, once this liquid completely submerges the Buddha, he will fall unconscious, and without external intervention, he will never awaken.

Inside the cocoon, with a heavy and dizzy head, just when the Buddha is preparing to resign himself to death, he vaguely hears voices outside—Lin Yuan and Yang Jing.

Hence, he urgently uses all his remaining strength to plead for aid from Lin Yuan.

The Buddha and Lin Yuan harbor enmity against each other, so whether Lin Yuan will rescue him remains uncertain for the Buddha.

But, given the circumstances, besides appealing to Lin Yuan for help, the Buddha has no other solution.

Around the cocoon, besides Lin Yuan and Yang Jing, there is no one else present!

As for seeking help from Yang Jing, that is even more unlikely.

Yang Jing adheres entirely to Lin Yuan’s commands; he would only assist if Lin Yuan decides to do so.

Lin Yuan’s refusal would mean Yang Jing absolutely won’t aid him.

The Buddha realizes that asking Yang Jing for help would be futile.

Fallen to this lowly state, in the face of Lin Yuan’s taunts, the Buddha can’t dare to be less than honest.

“Lin Yuan, thank you for reaching out to rescue me!”

“Can you… can you let me out? I can… I can help you deal with the Demon Lord!” The Buddha’s weak voice resonates once more from within the cocoon.

Even though temporarily staying inside the cocoon won’t bring about the Buddha’s demise,

being stuck inside renders him wholly passive.

Here within, the Buddha’s injuries cannot heal, nor can he perceive the external situation.

While inside, he cannot project his divine sense outward.

Unable to perceive the outside, he remains clueless of what is transpiring beyond.

This all-knowing void is exceedingly distressing for the Buddha.

Upon hearing the Buddha’s words, Lin Yuan hesitates slightly.

After all, the Buddha is a Tier One Powerhouse, who, even though not able to match the Chaos Star Beast state of the Demon Lord individually,

fought with the Demon Lord for an extended period before being forced to self-destruct.

Now, with the Yin Celestial Son and the Heavenly Emperor of Returning Ruins joining forces, they are only evenly matched with the Demon Lord in his Chaos Star Beast form.

Lin Yuan deliberates and finds the Buddha still useful.

In case the combined force of the Yin Celestial Son and the Heavenly Emperor of Returning Ruins still falls short against the Demon Lord in his Chaos Star Beast state, Lin Yuan can release the Buddha to join the battle.

Turning a two-on-one into a three-on-one could potentially reverse the situation abruptly.

However, such actions hold significant risk.

Foremost, the Buddha is an unreliable individual and is deeply calculating.

Despite his earlier fierce battle with the Demon Lord, almost forced to self-destruct,

it cannot be ruled out that he might collude with the Demon Lord to retaliate against the Yin Celestial Son and the Heavenly Emperor of Returning Ruins.

Of course, this possibility is extremely minimal.

Ultimately, the Buddha, Yin Celestial Son, and the Heavenly Emperor of Returning Ruins are primarily involved in a struggle over the Void’s interests.

And the Buddha and the Demon Lord have already become irreconcilable mortal enemies.

Lin Yuan touches his chin, sensing the Buddha might be usable but pondering how to do so correctly.

The Buddha is akin to a double-edged sword; wielding it properly can damage foes, mishandling it can backfire.

Yang Jing, on the sidelines, perceives Lin Yuan’s contemplation, realizing Lin Yuan is pondering whether to release the Buddha.

Thus, Yang Jing prompts, “The Buddha is deeply calculating, considering only his own interests, prone to betrayal in crucial moments.”

“In my view, avoid using him unless absolutely necessary, when there’s no other choice.”

What constitutes absolutely necessary, when there’s no other choice?

Obviously, when the combined forces of the Yin Celestial Son and the Heavenly Emperor of Returning Ruins can’t restrain the Demon Lord.

Once their alliance fails to stem the Demon Lord,

it’s undoubtedly impossible to preserve the cocoon confining the Buddha.

If it appears the Demon Lord will capture the Buddha’s body to sacrifice it to the Chaos Star Beast, fostering a new Tier One Chaos Star Beast,

then releasing the Buddha for a gamble might as well be worthwhile.

The Buddha, inside the cocoon, hears Yang Jing advising Lin Yuan.

“Daoist Ancestor, I ***”

“Daoist Ancestor, we’ve been friends for countless years, and if you’re choosing not to help me, then so be it, but why must you speak against me!”

“Daoist Ancestor, your heart is cold and unkind, disregarding our past friendship.” The Buddha’s lamenting voice projects from the cocoon.

The Buddha’s true qi cries for help!

He reflects that, as of the four Innate beings alongside the Daoist Ancestor over many years, the bond they’ve shared should have some weight.

If plea is unheeded, so be it, but why break things down further?

“Hmph!” Yang Jing snorts and states coldly, “I am Yang Jing, not the Daoist Ancestor.”

“It’s the Daoist Ancestor who has a bond with you, but why should I, Yang Jing, care for past sentiments?”

Truly, the Buddha feels nearly faint with anger from Yang Jing’s words, finding no choice but to turn again to Lin Yuan.

Deep down, the Buddha knows Lin Yuan holds the true authority.

Forget Yang Jing, not even the Yin Celestial Son and the Heavenly Emperor of Returning Ruins, these two Tier One Powerhouses, can act against Lin Yuan’s will.

The words from Yang Jing are, at most, suggestions.

The ultimate decision rests with Lin Yuan alone.

“Lin Yuan, you have to believe me!”

“I won’t ever join forces with the Demon Lord against you!”

“Earlier, you saw how I was nearly forced to self-destruct… how could I ally with him?”

“Lin Yuan…” The Buddha prattles on, pleading desperately for Lin Yuan to help him emerge from the cocoon.

But Lin Yuan is profoundly decisive, resistant to being swayed by the Buddha.

Should Lin Yuan intend to release him, he would do so without any plea; otherwise, no amount of persuasion would move him.

The Buddha, a Tier One Powerhouse, if released, may prove too much for Lin Yuan and Yang Jing to handle.

“Buddha, cease your babbling!”

“I will release you when your involvement becomes useful!”

“If you persist in yapping, I’ll let you stay in this cocoon for eternity.” After scolding sharply, Lin Yuan no longer attends to the Buddha but resumes watching alongside Yang Jing.

Having faced Lin Yuan’s rebuke, the Buddha dares not utter another word.

Forced into submission, under the shadow of authority.

Angering Lin Yuan would almost certainly mean permanent imprisonment.

Fortunately, Lin Yuan’s words didn’t extinguish hope entirely, offering the Buddha a glimmer of chance.

The Buddha deduces that only in dire straits, where Lin Yuan holds a complete disadvantage, would he be released for battle.