First Immortal of the Sword - Chapter 2403 - Two Birds, One Stone
Chapter 2403 – Two Birds, One Stone
Settle things? Su Yi laughed. “If he cannot possibly defeat me, what need is there to settle things?”
“You aren’t going to kill him?” Demon Ancestor Treasure Leaf exclaimed.
“I didn’t kill him in my past life, so why must I kill him in this one?” Su Yi said calmly. “I’m at least capable of that degree of tolerance.”
He then turned, faced the three ancient divine wraiths, and clasped his fist. “Thank you, you three.”
Madam Mei and the others hurriedly returned the greeting.
Su Yi pondered briefly, then said, “If you aren’t opposed, you’re welcome to continue your cultivation on Sunset Perch Island until the Dark Days of Legend arrive.”
Madam Mei and the others were briefly stunned, then overcome with delight. If they could cultivate under Su Yi’s protection, what need would they have to fear divine punishment?
“That goes for you too.’ Su Yi glanced at Mu Bai. “Lie low for a while. You can point your saber at the heavens later.”
Mu Bai was initially averse to the idea, but in the end, when he considered what had happened to him today, he nodded.
“Let’s go. First, let’s get out of here.” Su Yi took out a treasure ship. Once everyone was on board, they flew off.
“Li Fuyou, do you really plan to visit the Boundless Battlefiled?” Zang Wushu couldn’t help but ask.
He’d always addressed Su Yi like that, using his past incarnation’s full name. In Zang Wushu’s eyes, that was a sign of respect between likeminded individuals.
In truth, all of Su Yi’s old friends from his past lives referred to him differently. Some called him Brother Fuyou, others, Old Devil Yi, or Brother Daoxuan…
Su Yi had long since grown accustomed to it.
“I’m going,” said Su Yi. “I’ll head there as soon as I’ve finished preparing.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Zang Wushu.
Su Yi instantly felt warm. Zang Wushu was cold and aloof, but Su Yi knew better than anyone that there was warmth beneath his cold exterior and a strong sense of duty. It was just that he only showed it to his friends.
Nonetheless, Su Yi smiled and refused. “If you really want to help me, take up temporary residence on Sunset Perch Island and help me look after the place. That’ll prevent my enemies from taking advantage of my absence to raid my home base.”
Zang Wushu’s brow furrowed. “I can say with certainty that the Boundless Battlefield is dangerous enough to present a lethal threat to your life. You’re not even a Master God yet. Going there alone would be far too dangerous!”
Demon Ancestor Treasure Leaf nodded, too.
The Angler had gone to great lengths to lure Su Yi into the Boundless Battlefield. It was obvious that he wouldn’t have done such a thing unless he was convinced that Su Yi would never return!
“I’m not a Master God yet, but I will be soon,” said Su Yi, his eyes shining with anticipation. “I’ve spent the past three years in seclusion in Sunset Perch Island. All I need now is an opportunity to prove my Dao, reach the Undying Realm, and become a Master God.
“And it seems to me that the Boundless Battlefield is as good a place as any to break through.”
Everyone was flabbergasted. All of them knew that the Boundless Battlefield was incomparably dangerous. Who could have imagined that Su Yi would plan on breaking through there?
“This time, I’ll be going alone,” said Su Yi. “It’s settled.”
When they realized that they couldn’t out-argue Su Yi, they made no further attempts to dissuade him.
Before long, Su Yi slipped a talisman out of his sleeves, examined it briefly, then burst into laughter. “Ol’ Wan just sent word that the Angler’s Divine Court of Providence has been flattened!”
Everyone exchanged glances. They couldn’t help but smile. All of them felt deeply satisfied.
……
Meanwhile, in the shadow of a barren stretch of mountains, the Angler shattered a blue-green, jadelike bodhi leaf. Misty light rose, then condensed into a curtain.
The light shifted, reflecting the Dipankara Buddha seated beneath a Bodhi tree.
“Did you succeed?” The Dipankara Buddha slowly opened his eyes and asked calmly.
The Angler glowered. “Do you have the old hunchback’s remnant soul?”
“I do,” said the Dipankara Buddha, admitting it directly.
The Angler forced his rage back down. “Then why didn’t you warn me that the old hunchback had leaked the location of the Divine Court of Providence?”
The Dipankara Budhda’s eyelids twitched. “Su Yi attacked the Divine Court of Providence?”
The Angler glared at him. “Answer my question first!”
The Dipankara Buddha fell briefly silent. “After Su Yi captured the old hunchback, he revealed numerous secrets to save himself. I just never considered that Su Yi would dare to attack the Divine Court of Providence at this juncture. That is, unless…”
The Dipankara Buddha looked at the Angler. “That is, unless you weren’t in attendance, and had chosen to leave the sect to attack him somewhere else.”
The Angler’s expression was unsightly, but he couldn’t argue. If he hadn’t come here in person today, his sect would never have met with disaster.
When the Dipankara Buddha saw him sink into silence, he realized that he’d guessed right. The old man really did choose to leave and act in person!
The Dipankara Buddha sighed. “I told you to find an opportunity to send someone else to deliver information about the Boundless Battlefield and the Sky-Stealing Hook to Su Yi, but you obviously didn’t listen to me.”
The Angler’s face was ashen. “If I’d done that, how could I have kept it from Di E? Do you really want Di E to realize our intentions?”
The Dipankara Buddha shook his head. “I’m to blame for not warning you. Even if Di E finds out that we lured Su Yi into the Boundless Battlefield, it won’t ruin my plans.”
“…” The Angler glowered, so angry that he almost coughed up blood. “Old baldy, this goes beyond just ‘not warning me.’ Do you have any idea what your negligence has cost me? I’ve lost my physical body, and my cultivation base is badly damaged. I no longer have any hope of proving my Dao and achieving Eternity!
“And do you realize that the Divine Court of Providence has already been destroyed? Do you have any idea what kind of disaster you’ve caused?”
The Dipankara Buddha could tell that Su Yi had indeed dealt the Angler a massive blow. The old man was beside himself with fury.
There was no sign of his typical calm clear-headedness, or his usual air of a master strategist.
“I’ll make it up to you,” said the Dipankara Buddha. “And I’ll help you repair your physical body, and even guarantee you an opportunity to cross the threshold of the River of Destiny!”
The Angler was stunned. “Truly?”
“We’ve known each other a long, long time,” said the Dipankara Buddha. “So I’ll just ask you this. Have I ever gone back on my word?”
The Angler’s expression filled with uncertainty. In the end, he said, “Very well! For now, I’ll trust you just this once!”
Bang!
He waved his sleeve, shattering the curtain of light.
Meanwhile, in the distant Western Paradise Spirit Mountains, in the shade of a bodhi tree, the Dipankara Buddha shook his head. “When you play mental games, they’re sure to take their toll on you in turn. The Angler’s really fallen flat on his face this time.”
“Did you anticipate this?” asked Gu Huaxian, silently appearing beside him.
“All I can say is, I had a feeling things would turn out this way,” said the Dipankara Buddha. “His mental games might work on other people, but against Su Yi… he was doomed to failure.”
“Then why didn’t you tell him about the secrets the old hunch back leaked?” asked Gu Huaxian.
After a moment’s silence, the Dipankara Buddha said calmly, “When interacting with my fellows, I’ve always abided by a certain principle.”
“What principle?” Gu Huaxian couldn’t help but be curious.
“Tell the truth,” said the Dipankara Buddha, “But not the full truth.”
Gu Huaxian pondered briefly, then laughed coldly. “Your schemes run far too deep!”
“You don’t understand,” said the Dipankara Buddha. “Lies just risk ruining your reputation. My allies trust me entirely because they know I don’t say anything I don’t mean.”
He sighed. “Look at Su Yi. Both in this life and in his past lives, he’s always been a man of his word. Everyone in the God Domain knows that his promises are worth a mountain of gold!
“This is the power of a promise. It might seem intangible, but see for yourself. How many old-timers have stepped out into the open to help Su Yi over the course of the last few battles?
“Even old-timers with little bond with him are eager to step forth, wracking their brains and doing their utmost to aid him, all in hopes of establishing a positive karmic connection.
“Their ranks include even people like the old man of Clear Breeze Daoist Temple and Xu Zuizhen of Purple Mist Grotto.
“Why? Ultimately, it comes down to Su Yi’s flawless reputation!”
Gu Huaxian fell silent. She couldn’t deny this, either.
Back in the Bamboo Mountain Hidden Grove, Su Yi had agreed to take Yan Chizhen and let her and Yu Xun go. She’d never once suspected that he’d renege on his agreement.
This was because she knew that Su Yi was a man of his word!
Even his enemies had full faith in his promises, so who in the God Domain could possibly have poked holes in Su Yi’s reputation?
“The Angler has suffered badly this time, but from my perspective, this is actually good news,” the Dipankara Buddha said suddenly. “Going forward, he’s sure to do as I say. He won’t dare to feign compliance while secretly going against my orders and suggestions ever again.”
Gu Huaxian’s heart shook. She was suddenly suspicious. “Is that why you didn’t tell him about the secrets the old hunchback revealed?”
“It’s only after learning a brutal lesson that people will really learn how they ought to behave,” said the Dipankara Buddha. “I’ve already promised to help the Angler rebuild his body, and I’ve guaranteed him a chance at Eternity. I’m sure he’ll know what he ought to do next in light of that.”
The Dipankara Buddha sat tranquilly in the shade. Gu Huaxian listened in a daze. For some inexplicable reason, a chill coursed down her spine.
Only she knew that the Angler had launched this operation on the Dipankara Buddha’s behest. Their goal was to lure Su Yi into the Boundless Battlefield.
She just hadn’t realized that the Dipankara Buddha was actually plotting against the Angler, too. He was using this operation to lure Su Yi into the Boundless Battlefield to force the Angler to submit.
He’d just killed two birds with one stone!
After a moment’s silence, Gu Huaxian said, “Aside from the Tribulation of the Five Witherings, how exactly has the Boundless Battlefield changed?”
But she’d only just said this when she shook her head. “Forget it. No need to tell me. Even if you told me, I wouldn’t be able to guess how many of your intentions you were hiding.”
The Dipankara Buddha said calmly, “Just stay calm and wait for the show to begin.”
With that, he slowly closed his eyes.
……
The night was fast approaching. Daylight would soon be upon them.
The Angler was trudging through the mountains and rivers.
He’d thought long and hard about his recent defeat, and he’d understood a lot, too.
Even knowing that the Dipankara Buddha would help him rebuild his body and arrange an opportunity for him to reach the River of Destiny… he knew that all of this was contingent on his attitude toward the Dipankara Buddha!
If he wanted to gain something, he’d have to pay the corresponding price.
The Angler understood that full well. That was why he felt so stifled and displeased.
Suddenly, a voice resounded out of nowhere.
“Fellow Daoist, would you like to become an eternal, undying existence within the Book of Legends? If so, I can help you.”
The Angler stiffened, then whipped his head up.
He wasn’t sure when, but a young man had appeared out of nowhere. He hovered beneath the distant dome of heaven, smiling at the Angler.
