NOVGO.NET Chapter 591 - Chapter 591: Chapter 361: Making Plans_2
Chapter 591: Chapter 361: Making Plans_2
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“But it is said that for the sake of the Underworld’s Tao Lineage, the Emperor of Fengdu once refined ten replicas of the ledger and handed them over to the Ten Yama Kings for management, and that Yin Heavenly Lord once served as a cultivator for the Underworld, even hoping to take the position of one of the Ten Yama Kings.”
“Therefore, it’s not surprising that he stole one of the ledgers and fled to South Observation to become a demon.”
“So that’s how it is!”
Hearing True Person Ziyang’s analysis, everyone finally understood, “So you’re saying that the Book of Life and Death in the hands of Yin Heavenly Lord is a copy of a copy?”
“Exactly!”
True Person Ziyang nodded and then looked at Xu Yang, “Although it is a copy of a copy, its origin is an Immortal Treasure. Even after repeated replication, it is feared it might still possess the quality of a middle-grade, or even a superior Immortal Implement. Brother Dao must not underestimate it.”
“What the True Person said is very true!”
Pure Jun Sword Lord also agreed, “It is said that the Emperor of Fengdu is a prodigy heaven-sent, a figure no less than Taihuang Emperor Venerable. Not only has his cultivation reached the level of a True Immortal, but he is also proficient in the Method of Artifact Refinement. Among the Three Books of Heaven, Earth, and Man, the Book of Life and Death is the only one to be replicated and refined, which shows the superb skill of his Artifact Skills.”
“The replicated Book of Life and Death is rumored to be a Supreme Immortal Artifact!”
“A copy of a copy still may rank amongst the middle-grade, or even the superior-grade ones.”
“When the King of Hell says you are to die at the third watch, who dares to keep you until the fifth watch. This Book of Life and Death has the power to fix life and death, involving the great Dao of reincarnation. Once someone’s name is written down, their life and death are determined, and their Divine Soul has to leave the body and enter the cycle of reincarnation. It is a form of killing that is invisible and more formidable than Curse Spells or Divine Powers.”
“With Yin Heavenly Lord having mastered the Nailhead Seven Arrow Dharma Body, and combined with this double-replicated Book of Life and Death, it’s no wonder that many of our seniors were secretly harmed by him, completely defenseless and showing no opposition.”
The crowd’s conversation was filled with gravity, and their eyes revealed a sense of seriousness.
The Great Roc King looked towards Xu Yang, “Do you have the confidence to deal with it, Elder Brother?”
Xu Yang shook his head and smiled without saying a word.
The Great Roc King didn’t understand his intention, and the Peony Fairy, feeling helpless, could only look to True Person Ziyang, “Does the True Person have a solution?”
“This…”
True Person Ziyang twirled his beard, hesitated for a long while before speaking, “That Nailhead Seven Arrow, to speak nothing of it, is a divine power within the Dharma Body, but with Zhen Yuan here, blocking its curse to kill is not a difficult thing. What I’m afraid of is that Book of Life and Death.”
“The Earth Book determines life and death, the treasure that involves the Dao of reincarnation. If it beckons the living and fixes death, capturing souls, it’s truly indefensible, and ordinary measures are fundamentally unable to resist.”
“For now…”
True Person Ziyang pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Xu Yang, “There are only three ways to solve this.”
“Which three ways?”
Xu Yang had not yet spoken when Peony Fairy quickly asked.
“The first method is in Heavenly Court!”
True Person Ziyang said gravely, “The lord of Heavenly Court, Heavenly Venerate Taihuang, attained the Dao with the Investiture of the Gods and established Heavenly Court’s foundation with this method. With the Heavenly Decree and Investiture technique, as long as Brother Dao ascends to Heaven and gains an Investiture from Heavenly Court, you will not fear the summoning and claiming of souls by the Book of Life and Death.”
“Heavenly Court?”
Peony Fairy’s brow furrowed, and she looked at Xu Yang, then shifted her gaze, “And the second method…?”
“The second method lies in the Heavenly Secret Realm.”
True Person Ziyang shook his head, “If you cannot be decreed by the Heavenly Order, then you can only seek protection from the Earth Book, but so far, no one has fully grasped the Earth Book’s principles to attain the Ninth Calamity True Immortal and secure the Longevity Dao Fruit. Therefore, if you want the protection of the Earth Book, you must go to the Heavenly Secret Realm and see if you can find an opportunity.”
“The Heavenly Secret Realm?”
The Great Roc King’s eyes narrowed, “Where is it?”
“Above the Nine Heavens!”
True Person Ziyang still shook his head, “It’s accessible from the Four States and the two domains above the Nine Heavens, but the Heavenly Secret Realm opens only once in ten thousand years, and it isn’t time yet. Even if you go now, it would be difficult to enter, so…”
True Person Ziyang looked at Xu Yang, “Are you prepared to practice the third method?”
Xu Yang nodded and said with a light smile, “Indeed!”
“The third method?”
Seeing the tacit understanding between them, Peony Fairy was somewhat puzzled, “What is this third method?”
“To take action and forcefully kill!”
True Person Ziyang stated calmly, “Assault Ghostly Spirit Ridge, take down White Bone Mountain, eliminate Yin Heavenly Lord first, and then destroy the Book of Life and Death. In this way, with no one left to cast the Nailhead Seven Arrows, and without a vessel to carry the Book of Life and Death, the crisis will resolve itself.”
“Excellent!”
The Great Roc King stood up and firmly declared, “Then we shall use this method to attack Ghostly Soul White Bone Mountain and turn that old ghost to dust and ash!”
Peony Fairy remained silent, looking to Xu Yang to decide.
The fight was inevitable.
Of the three methods, the Earth Book was out of reach, and the Heavenly Book required petitioning Heavenly Court for an Investiture.
Although Heavenly Court had come twice before, wishing to recruit her elder brother, times have changed.
Twice invited, twice refused. In addition to the Southern Sea Dragon Palace affair and the changes over the past two hundred years, considering that Wuzhuang Temple now stood as the unspoken leader of South Observation’s Righteous Path, Heavenly Court would likely be reluctant to grant an Investiture easily; at the very least, it would demand a measure of retribution.
With her brother’s proud nature, how could he lower himself to them?
So, the fight was the only solution, and everyone knew it well.
But how to fight, and in what way?
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True Person Ziyang shook his head, “That Yin Heavenly Lord is a sinister demon who practices four kinds of evil paths, possessing longevity that nearly grants him immortality. He has lived for more than eighty thousand years, with deep accumulation of power, no easy adversary.”
Pure Jun Sword Lord also expressed admiration, “It is said that he has become an Array Formation Immortal Master. Relying on the Ghostly Spirit Ridge and White Bone Mountain, he arranged a life-bound Great Array, a complete Seventh-Order Array Position. It is also his biggest support for advancing to the Tribulation Realm and resisting the Heavenly Tribulation in the future, not at all comparable to the likes of Blood Crow or Ghost Child. We must join forces to conquer this enemy.”
“Sword Lord, rest assured!”
As the voice fell, a person stood up, it was the new Mahayana Lord Chu Shan: “Brother Zhen Yuan has defended the Dao and exterminated demons for our South Observation, sacrificing life and death. Now he has been cursed by a villain, we have an unquestionable responsibility. Even if it costs me my life, I must break through that Ghostly Soul White Bone Mountain.”
Having said that, his gaze swept around, looking at those nearby: “My fellow cultivators, would you agree or not?”
“This…”
“What Lord Chu Shan says is indeed true!”
“Brother Dao, sit behind to fend off the curse, while we join forces and head forth to exterminate the demon!”
“In previous brutal battles, it was all thanks to Brother Dao. Now, it is time for us to bravely contribute!”
Some people hesitated at Lord Chu Shan’s words, while others spoke with gallant generosity.
The latter was to be expected, as for the former…
Within the South Observation Righteous Alliance, there are three kinds of ecological structures.
The first consists of individuals like the Great Roc King and Peony Fairy, who have sworn brotherhood, would live and die together, and move forward or retreat in unison with the Wuzhuang Temple, having the closest relationship.
The second includes True Person Ziyang, Pure Jun Sword Lord, and also the newly supported Lord Chu Shan and others. Although they have a close relationship with Wuzhuang Temple and are classified as close friends, due to their allegiance to their Tao lineage, they have reservations, making their commitment slightly lesser.
The third kind is comprised of opportunists, those who seek a share of the spoils.
At such a critical juncture, the former willingly strive to help, while the latter inevitably hesitate.
Such is human nature, quite unsurprising.
Therefore, Lord Chu Shan made such forceful statements, intending to act as the bad guy and compel these opportunists with righteousness.
Yet unexpectedly…
“I will go to this battle alone!”
This statement cut through the deadlock, leaving everyone stunned.
“Elder brother?”
“Fellow Daoist?”
“Senior!”
Hearing this, the Peony Fairy, True Person Ziyang, and others all changed their expressions, turning around to look at Xu Yang.
Xu Yang stood up and calmly said, “This matter involves the Underworld, and may result in a great disaster. If my fellow cultivators get involved and fall victim, how could my conscience be at peace? Therefore, I alone will make this journey.”
“This…”
“Elder brother!”
The crowd was visibly shocked, and the Peony Fairy even more so, indignantly questioning, “Elder brother, with such words, where do you place our sworn friendship?”
“Exactly!”
The Great Roc King also declared loudly, “What of the Underworld? Live without fear, fight until death; let’s talk after the battle!”
“Your noble righteousness!”
True Person Ziyang shook his head, “Yet you also put us in a position that goes against righteousness; I truly cannot bear this!”
“What True Person Ziyang says is absolutely right!”
Lord Chu Shan also said, “Justice resides in the hearts of people; how can we be so greedy for life and fearful of death, betraying trust and deserting righteousness?”
“Attack Ghostly Spirit Ridge!”
“Destroy White Bone Mountain!”
“Turn that old ghost to dust and scatter his bones!”
“As for the Underworld, let’s deal with it when it comes!”
Immediately, the crowd’s emotions surged, drowning out any voices of hesitation.
Seeing this, Xu Yang shook his head, “My fellow cultivators, please hold your anger. I am concerned that Yin Heavenly Lord might flee to the Underworld, and if we chase him there, it could cause unrest in the Netherworld and alarm Yanluo, even to the point of alerting the Fengdu Emperor. I have a way out, but what about my fellow cultivators…”
“This…”
The crowd was taken aback upon hearing this.
“Therefore, let me go alone this time.”
Xu Yang smiled and calmly said, “You all just await news here.”
Upon hearing this, True Person Ziyang frowned, “Fellow Daoist…”
“True Person, be assured!”
Before he could finish speaking, Xu Yang interrupted him, speaking levelly, “Having already stirred the Dragon Palace, I can surely set foot in the Underworld. With Qiankun’s righteous energy and my flourishing Dao, how can evil demons have an advantage?”
After speaking, he swept his horsetail whisk and rode up on a cloud, soaring into the high heavens.