Chapter 691: Sometimes, That’s Just How It Is; Life is Unpredictable

Chapter 691: Chapter 691: Sometimes, That’s Just How It Is; Life is Unpredictable

Zhang Ziyang’s aura had indeed climbed to the peak of Foundation Establishment Perfection. It even carried a faint, almost imperceptible divine pressure. Clearly, over the past ten years, he had made swift progress by leveraging the local faith.

Xu Yunfan hesitated no longer, taking a step off Divine Sky Mountain.

Space folded beneath his feet, allowing him to instantly tear open the boundary wall of the Taihua Spirit Ruins Realm. In a flash, he appeared at the edge of the Aitila Great Realm’s Boundary Sea.

The illusory shadow of the Thunder Dharma Aspect that had been stationed there instantly solidified. Its colossal, purple-gold body stood tall, spanning heaven and earth. Three-headed and six-armed, its divine might was awe-inspiring, and the Thunder Dragon Crown coiling around it grew even more substantial.

On his Attribute Panel, the value of 2,000 Daoist Cultivation transformed into a boundless aura that was unleashed without reservation, churning the roiling Chaos Birth and Death Profound Light of the Boundary Sea.

At almost the exact same instant Xu Yunfan’s Dharma Aspect solidified, a brilliant platinum-glaze light erupted from the center of the nearby region of permanently solidified Profound Light Crystal Stone.

It was as if it had sensed Xu Yunfan’s actions.

The Dharma Aspect of the Eternal Celestial Light True Monarch likewise solidified from its illusory form. Its entire body seemed to be forged from pure glaze, and the Celestial Light Dao Seal at the center of its brow spun slowly, emitting a timeless essence that seemed to freeze space and time.

A solidified Sword Intent was held in check, yet it had already locked firmly onto Xu Yunfan, filled with vigilance.

Xu Yunfan had manifested his true form at this moment, his aura even greater than it was ten years ago. The True Monarch had no choice but to be on guard.

At the same time, he was secretly shocked. ’To a True Monarch, ten years is but the blink of an eye, a period that can pass unnoticed during a brief seclusion. I can’t believe that in just ten years, Xu Yunfan’s Daoist Cultivation has advanced to such a degree. I can’t help but feel wary.’

’This man must be killed!’

Xu Yunfan completely ignored the Celestial Light True Monarch’s vigilance. The finger of his right arm, the Ice Desert Aspect, pointed into the void. The Star Spirit Banner unfurled from nothingness, expanding in the wind until it instantly transformed into a profound Star Map that blotted out the sky.

On the banner’s surface, three hundred and sixty-five Main Stars suddenly lit up, corresponding to the Origin projections of the Taihua Spirit Ruins Realm’s Stars of the Celestial Sphere from the unseen world.

"Stars of the Celestial Sphere, heed my command! Binding Realm!"

The central form of Xu Yunfan’s Dharma Aspect issued the decree, its voice like thunder from the ninth heaven.

The Star Spirit Banner whipped about wildly. Led by the three great Golden Core Banner Spirits, the light from the three hundred and sixty-five Main Stars on its surface flared, and each star projected a starlight chain condensed to the absolute limit.

These were not physical chains, but were instead formed from a fusion of pure Star Law and Xu Yunfan’s Divine Sky Destruction Dao Rhyme. They ignored the distance of space, instantly crossing the Boundary Sea to precisely nail into the weak nodes of the Aitila Boundary Wall.

HISS!

HISS!

HISS!

Hundreds of millions of Starlight Chains, like living creatures, burrowed deep into the scorched-black boundary wall, emitting a grating, tearing sound that set one’s teeth on edge.

The entire Aitila Great Realm seemed to have been caught in a giant net woven from starlight, and it began to tremble violently.

The realm’s surviving Laws, its shattered mountains and rivers, and the pervasive, deathly resentment all let out an anguished cry as if unable to bear the strain of the Star Chains’ binding.

Seeing this, Xu Yunfan delayed no further. The six arms of his colossal Dharma Aspect spread wide, muscles knotting as if drawing a giant bow of unimaginable weight. He was using his supreme power to drag the entire Aitila Great Realm toward the Taihua Spirit Ruins Realm.

"Xu Yunfan!"

The Celestial Light True Monarch’s cold, furious voice rang out. The light of his Platinum Glaze Dharma Aspect intensified as he attempted to use his Celestial Light Dao Seal to freeze the Starlight Chains.

"You are far too greedy! My Wansheng Sword Sect also has a claim to this realm’s Origin, yet you want to devour all the Merit for yourself? With such crude manners, aren’t you afraid you’ll choke?!"

He had instantly seen through Xu Yunfan’s intentions. This wasn’t a simple fight for resources; it was a clear attempt to take control of the entire sacrificial process for the Aitila Realm and hoard the largest share of the world’s Merit.

It was like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.

The Anger Aspect of Xu Yunfan’s left arm let out a heaven-shaking roar. The sonic wave, wrapped in Thunderbolt and Red Sun True Flame, blasted away the Celestial Light Power that was trying to freeze the Star Chains.

"Fellow Daoist Tianguang, stop with the hypocrisy. Dongming and I were the first to find this realm’s coordinates. You lot are just hyenas drawn by the stench of blood. You want Merit? Fine!"

His voice became calm as the gaze of his right arm, the Ice Desert Aspect, swept over the Celestial Light True Monarch. ’I know that with him here, it’s impossible for me to pull Aitira on my own. In that case, I’ll just have to change my approach. The Boundary Sea is endless, and World Heavens are constantly being born and destroyed. There are plenty of other opportunities.’

"Pulling this realm by myself will be a massive drain. If you want a piece of the pie, then lend me your strength. We can pull it together.

As for the Merit we gain, how about we divide it according to how much power each of us contributes?"

He paused, then gave the Star Spirit Banner a fierce shake. More Star Chains nailed themselves into the boundary wall, dragging the Aitira Realm another fraction closer to the Taihua Spirit Ruins Realm.

"Are the scraps your little minions are scrounging for inside that realm even enough to pick your teeth with? If you just sit back and watch me take all this massive Merit for myself, what will become of the Wansheng Sword Sect’s reputation?"

The Celestial Light True Monarch’s Dharma Aspect fell silent, its platinum-glaze light flickering erratically.

Xu Yunfan’s words had hit home.

Xu Yunfan couldn’t possibly devour it all himself, but the True Monarch wasn’t confident he could stop the man, whose momentum was currently unstoppable.

Trying to stop him would be too costly, and it might just let the Puchen Pure Land reap the benefits.

But just watching would mean seeing Xu Yunfan obtain a massive amount of Merit, wash away his blacklisted status, and advance his Cultivation even further, while the Wansheng Sword Sect’s reputation would be dragged through the mud.

Weighing the pros and cons, cooperation seemed to be the only option.

With such immense Merit on the line, it seemed all previous grudges could be temporarily set aside.

Just as the Celestial Light True Monarch was moved to act, the light of his Platinum Glaze Dharma Aspect flowing smoothly as a smile appeared on his face, ready to respond...

"Amitabha!"

A compassionate and vast Buddha’s Name, as if rising from the hearts of all living beings, instantly pierced the turbulent Boundary Sea.

Space rippled like water, and a massive Eight-Treasure Lotus Platform materialized out of thin air.

Seated upon the lotus platform was a Bodhisattva clad in a Golden Kasaya, his face compassionate and solemn, holding an Eight-Treasure Glazed Tower.

It was none other than Miaodi Bodhisattva of the Puchen Pure Land.

Infinite Buddha Light radiated from his body, gently attempting to soothe the violent turmoil caused by the Star Chains from the Star Spirit Banner that were nailed into the Aitila Realm.

"Divine Sky True Monarch, stay your hand!"

Miaodi Bodhisattva’s gaze was full of pity, and his voice, carrying a power that could pierce the soul, was directed straight at Xu Yunfan.

"Though the Aitila Realm is shattered, there are still hundreds of millions of living beings clinging to life within it. And the creatures in the countless Small Thousand Worlds that depend on this realm for their existence are even more innumerable.

For you to uproot and devour this realm for your own selfish Merit is no different from severing the last thread of hope for these countless beings.

How can Merit possibly offset such monstrous slaughter?

Stop this at once and give the beings of this realm a chance to survive. My Buddha is merciful; we can still guide their souls to the afterlife and find them a Pure Land of tranquil rest!"

The appearance of Miaodi Bodhisattva instantly made the situation even more delicate and complex.

The Puchen Pure Land was finally done watching from the sidelines. Under the banner of saving all living beings, they intended to intervene and get a piece of the pie. They might even want to stop the devouring process altogether to monopolize the realm’s remaining Faith Desire Force.

The eyes of the central form of Xu Yunfan’s Dharma Aspect opened and closed. A flash of Purple Gold Thunder Light pierced the Buddha Light as he looked toward Miaodi Bodhisattva, the corner of his mouth curling into an undisguised sneer.

"What a heavy accusation of slaughter you’ve thrown at me. I’d like to ask, when the Celestial Realm of this Aitira Realm collapsed, when the countless billions of mortal lives dependent on it were turned to dust along with the innumerable Small Thousand Worlds... where was the mercy of your Buddhist Sect then?"