Chapter 395.2: Do You Still Need a Buddha?

The former City of No Return had become a dilapidated wasteland.

A tall and sturdy man stood there, his eyes filled with nostalgia. "I once dreamed of returning home in glory, but where are the people waiting for me now?"

Seven thousand years ago, he broke through the Fifth Realm and entered the Sixth Realm, ascending to the upper world. After spending a thousand years there, he had achieved moderate success. Upon hearing that the Land of Buddha’s conflict centered around his homeland, he returned without hesitation.

The Flowing Wind World was too small to withstand the turmoil of the Land of Buddha. He feared catastrophe would follow. Hence, he returned to protect old friends. Yet after coming back, he discovered how weak he truly was. He couldn’t even defeat a random Half-Buddha.

Chen Huan felt disappointed and helpless. Life had been much better following the Blood Master. There had been no worries then. After all, the Blood Master always created miracles. All Chen Huan ever had to do was manage the suona band.

Unable to help himself, Chen Huan forlornly recited a poem, "The old friends have all gone eastward, and the crimson-robed suona troupe of yesteryear has vanished from sight."

Beside him, the little old man, Daoist Kunxia, smiled. "This Blood Master fellow sure is interesting. He’s fated with fortune."

After descending to the lower world, Daoist Kunxia had lain low. Since he couldn't openly gather information, he had deliberately befriended Chen Huan as well.

Chen Huan’s gaze overflowed with regret. "To be completely honest, if the Blood Master would accept me as his godson, I'd immediately drop to my knees and call him Father!"

Unfortunately, he had failed to seize the opportunity back then. Along the way, he had told Daoist Kunxia some stories about the Blood Master, though he concealed certain details.

Suddenly, Chen Huan's expression changed as he looked toward a desolate tavern. "What did you just say?"

A powerful aura swept through the tavern, causing the cultivators inside to change expression.

"Senior, we were saying... the Blood Master has reappeared in the world..."

"The world grows more chaotic by the day. Even antiques like the Blood Master are showing up again."

"Indeed. Sadly, this is no longer his era."

The tavern cultivators sighed, lamenting the decline of a former hero.

Chen Huan felt no such sentiment. Instead, he excitedly asked, "Where is the Blood Master now?!"

Back then, the Blood Master had departed carrying the Source of World Destruction. No one believed he could survive. Now that the Blood Master was alive, how could Chen Huan not be thrilled? Even if it were a false rumor, he had to see for himself!

"The Blood Master has no fixed residence. He once stated that he would attend the Myriad Buddhas Assembly three months from now."

Chen Huan was overjoyed. "Fellow Daoist, let us part ways here. I'm going to the Myriad Buddhas Assembly to meet the Blood Master!"

He really wanted to show off his divine aperture before the Blood Master. Of course, what thrilled him even more was that the Blood Master had not died.

Daoist Kunxia narrowed his eyes. "I am also quite interested in the Blood Master. How about we travel together and take a look at this legendary figure of the past? We can also attend the Myriad Buddhas Assembly."

His thoughts were simple. Although he was hiding in the lower world, he could neither live as a proper grandson, nor act recklessly and establish a power of his own. Otherwise, he’d just be drawing attention to his location if people from the Taihuang Palace came looking for him. The best method was to replace an existing local power.

However, he remained extremely cautious. He dared not touch any faction connected to the Land of Buddha. In that case, wouldn't the Blood Palace and Blood Master make the perfect targets? Besides strength and reputation, they also had veterans. When the time came, he would use a few tricks to turn the Blood Master into a puppet. Problem solved.

As for Chen Huan, Daoist Kunxia could not touch him yet. After all, Chen Huan came from the upper world and still maintained some connections there. His disappearance could cause some issues.

Daoist Kunxia smiled warmly, his eyes full of amusement. His journey into the lower world was going smoothly. Destiny was on his side!

***

Certainly, the Blood Master's reappearance was akin to a grain of sand falling into the lake, barely causing any ripples. In today's Flowing Wind World, Buddhism reigned supreme. As for the Blood Palace and the Blood Master, aside from a few interested individuals, nobody paid attention anymore.

In fact, Qi Yuan was the one who had spread the news of the Blood Master's return. That way, if any old acquaintances wished to see him, they could come to the Myriad Buddhas Assembly. He couldn't care less about everyone else.

At the moment, he was still wandering around, accompanying Canary and Ning Tao. Together, they traveled roads they had never walked before. Of course, he never stopped looking for the gate that had mischievously run away from home. He had heard of people leaving their hometowns, but this was the first time Qi Yuan had ever heard of a gate leaving its hometown.

***

Ling Yayi wailed miserably, his expression moving enough to bring tears, "Aaah, I can’t anymore! I’d rather just die! I don't want to become a bald donkey! I still want to marry a wife!"

Unlight Buddhist Son stared at him calmly. "It's been ten thousand years and you still haven't found a wife. Can you really find one? Whether you marry or not seems to make little difference to you. You might as well join Buddhism."

Ling Yayi's mouth twitched. His expression froze. What Unlight had said actually made some sense. Whether he abstained from women or not seemed irrelevant. After all, in over ten thousand years, he had never taken a fancy to anyone. Perhaps the problem was that the women of the world all appeared too strange and simply weren't to his taste? Maybe he should just cut it off.

A complicated expression flashed through Unlight's eyes. "By the way, there's a piece of news I should tell you."

"What news?"

"A True Buddha has obtained information that the Blood Master has the Great Sun Golden Lotus."

Even Unlight had only just received the news. Ultimately, the events within the Myriad Demon Gate had failed to remain hidden, and some True Buddhas had learned the truth.

Ling Yayi showed no fear. "So what? Surely you can't find him?"

His master had swallowed the Source of World Destruction and left. The best possible outcome would have been dying with a few pieces left intact. What were these Buddhas going to do? Find his master's corpse and summon back his soul?

"According to the latest news, the Blood Master has reappeared and intends to attend the Myriad Buddhas Assembly. Perhaps he wishes to meet old acquaintances through this gathering."

"WHAT?!!" Ling Yayi was completely stunned. He trembled as immense joy surged through him, but it was soon replaced by terror. "If Master appears, what will those True Buddhas do to him?"

If his master was truly alive and deeply fused with the Great Sun Golden Lotus... He could not imagine what would happen.

Unlight shook his head, his expression complicated. "I do not know."

The meaning was obvious. The Great Sun Golden Lotus could not remain inside the Blood Master. Once it was removed, the Blood Master's fate would be no different from death.

Ling Yayi's expression shifted repeatedly. After a long silence, he finally asked, "If I become the Holy Buddhist Son, can I save Master's life?"

"Yes."

"Unlight, shave my head. Quickly! And bring me some real beauties, ten times as many as before! Today, I'm going to challenge my limits!"