I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality-Chapter 937 - 450_2

"The divine light has descended upon the ruins of repairing the heavens, surely it is the Goddess coming to the rescue. You need not worry; the current priority is to investigate the cause behind the destruction of the heavenly road and to determine who caused the Three Paths River to flood backward."

At this point, the Great Celestial Venerable’s gaze swept toward the elder in white leading the ranks of civil officials.

The elder looked around, seeing no one to take his place, reluctantly stepped forward and submitted: "Your Majesty, it is indeed important to determine the root cause of the chaos, but managing the flood from the Three Paths is crucial. Looking across the three realms, aside from the True Monarch Yisheng, only the Pure Altar Messenger of the Buddhist Kingdom is left..."

"..."

The Celestial Emperor’s face darkened, and great frustration filled his heart.

In the past, when the Pure Altar Messenger was still serving in the heavenly court, this matter was easier to handle, just a matter of issuing an imperial edict.

But now, the Pure Altar Messenger has left his position, gone to the Buddha’s land, and he harbors old grudges against him. If he wants to ask for the messenger’s help, who knows how much ridicule he would have to endure.

The dignity of the Celestial Emperor must not be violated, nor tolerate mockery. Thus he could only cast his gaze once more upon the elder in white.

The elder in white, understanding the emperor’s mind, immediately volunteered: "I am willing to go to request the help of the Pure Altar Messenger, but for this task, I need Your Majesty to grant some celestial dew or Flat Peach Immortal Fruits to go in the name of the Pure Altar."

"Permission granted."

The Celestial Emperor immediately ordered the Jade Maiden to go to the Yaochi to fetch the celestial delicacies. Below, the elder in white continued: "Once the Pure Altar Messenger descends, I shall accompany him to the lower realm to investigate the origins of this matter, providing Your Majesty with a thorough explanation."

The gods observed silently, nose to heart. All the immortals and gods who understood the relationship between the Netherworld law corpses and the heavenly gods knew the reason behind this matter. This so-called explanation is merely a step for the Celestial Emperor. As for what follows...

No one could speculate.

However, someone must take responsibility for this matter; others may escape unscathed, but anyone in the lower realm connected to the destruction of the heavenly road is likely to face severe punishment.

...

Meanwhile, in the Netherworld.

The Nine Netherworlds Dharma Master, having already refined most of the authority of the Yin Mountain, suddenly stopped his seclusion.

Previously, many attempts were made to eradicate the Yin River’s gates, yet he remained unmoved. But the anomaly at the Zhuoshui Dojo completely disrupted his plan.

Ancient Buddha evil corpses, Jade Pure True Monarch, Earth Treasury King Bodhisattva, among other law corpses, all displayed their divine aspects.

In the Fengdu Ten Palace City, everywhere there were pillar scriptures and flying eaves, numerous towering figures emerged, Yin Corpse Bodhisattvas sat cross-legged, Red Palace Immortals stood on black lotus platforms, Earth Treasury King Bodhisattva’s law corpse revealed both appearances, occasionally flashing red thunder, and the ghostly flames shrouded the entire underworld.

The Nine Netherworlds Dharma Master gazed far away and slowly regained composure from the shock of the heavenly road’s destruction.

He looked at the gathered ministers and asked: "Do you know of the changes in the Yin River?"

The law corpses exchanged glances, and Dharma Master’s gaze fell on Earth Treasury King Bodhisattva.

At this moment, Earth Treasury King Bodhisattva had achieved a rare strategic alignment with his true form and law corpse.

Riding on Ti Listen, Earth Treasury’s true form was clad in a plain neri robe, draped with a marvelous kasaya, holding in his left hand a string of Mani Buddha Beads, within which souls floated, exuding a profound feeling of rescuing countless individuals.

Besides the Mani Beads for rescuing, Earth Treasury’s right hand held a nine-ringed staff, seated on a nine-tiered red karmic fire lotus platform.

Beside him, Earth Treasury’s law corpse wore a vermilion robe, its Mani Buddha Beads held impure souls, only grievances and ghost spirits floated, seated on a nine-tiered black flame lotus platform.

Feeling the master’s gaze, Earth Treasury King Bodhisattva chanted: "Yin River Zhuoshui has been lost, the General’s follower Kong Ren, for unknown reasons, struck the heavenly road, causing the Three Paths River to flood backward. Now the heavenly gate stands open, the three realms have become interconnected."

Sitting on the black lotus platform, Earth Treasury’s law corpse followed: "I had Ti Listen investigate Zhuoshui, found the General, Kong Ren, and the gatekeepers were eliminated by the ancient rival Drought Fiend. This Drought Fiend had minions assisting her; though their cultivation is not as profound as the female Drought Fiend, they aided her in defeating the General."

The Nine Netherworlds Dharma Master coldly replied: "How dare the female Drought Fiend and her companions target my troops, ruining my grand plan?"

"..."

The law corpses observed silently, wishing not to respond.

Now, they were the maligned bodies excised by immortals and gods, cast outsiders viewed merely as demons and evil spirits!

When humans suppress demons, must they report to the underworld?

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva patiently said, "The Drought Fiend has virtues bestowed upon all living beings and possesses a heart to save the world. Eliminating the General might just be to remove the root cause of worldly conflicts and calamities."

"In my humble view, those who want to defy the Dharma Master and stand against us are instead the Drought Fiend’s companions, that person who claims to be the Great Luo Sect Leader."

"The head of the Ancient Yin River Dao possesses extraordinary divine techniques, unparalleled in the mortal world. Yet now it seems that only this person has the ability to defeat the Dao’s leader." Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s eyes lowered as he said, "Today, though he accuses the General of allowing troops to destroy the celestial road, and raises arms against the General, it’s hard to ensure he didn’t already have the intent to kill the General and thwart the Dharma Master’s plans."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva discusses acts without judging intent, indifferent to how Xu Qing and the General argue eloquently during their confrontation.

He only sees Xu Qing’s ’ambition like a wolf.’

Suddenly, the Nine Netherworlds Dharma Master recalls when he sent his avatar to Yin River, attempting to discover the true culprit behind the extermination of Green and Red Impermanence, yet fiercely blocked by the Celestial Maiden, Cyan Dragon Divine Monarch, and that Mirage Ship Master.

"Indeed, that Celestial Maiden once stopped me from pursuing those who exterminated Impermanence, and now the Great Luo Sect Leader is colluding with the Celestial Maiden to disrupt my plans. It seems she was definitely protecting him at that time."

Nearby, Di Listening, who is accustomed to eavesdropping and likes to learn outside information, suddenly mutters a few words to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva furrowed his brows slightly, choosing not to respond.

Instead, Ksitigarbha’s Dharma Corpse chuckled and said, "The Dharma Master might not know, but the Celestial Maiden and the Great Luo Sect Leader seem to have some private affair. The Celestial Maiden is wearing a phoenix crown and wedding robe, while the Great Luo Sect Leader is dressed in the Celestial Maiden’s garments, showing that both have stirred earthly desires and become Daoist companions."

"..."

The Nine Netherworlds Dharma Master wasn’t concerned with these romantic matters. What mattered to him was his grand plan!

"Since the celestial road is damaged, I cannot easily go to Zhuoshui, but the matter must be reported to the upper realm Celestial Venerable to clarify that the incident with Kong Ren wasn’t orchestrated by me. Moreover, the Celestial Maiden leaving Chishui without permission, alongside the Great Luo Sect Leader to disrupt my arrangements, must be severely punished!"

The Nine Netherworlds Dharma Master glanced at Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, his intentions clear.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva surveyed the surroundings, where the other Dharma Corpses all stayed detached, none willing to go to Yin River to negotiate with the upper realm Immortals and Gods.

They themselves are Dharma Corpses cleaved from upper realm Gods and Buddhas. If they went to Yin River and met their original selves from the lower realm, how awkward would that be?

Unlike Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, whose original form and Dharma Corpse share the same goals, even if they are incompatible, at least they wouldn’t undermine each other and expose their dark history, then become embarrassed and enraged, killing each other...

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva reluctantly accepted the decree. When the celestial road was impassable, perhaps the Dharma Master and Celestial Emperor could personally visit Yin River, but now that the path is clear, both must avoid involvement to prevent suspicion and unnecessary disputes.

"Do not worry, Dharma Master, I shall correct the Great Luo Sect Leader, buying you more time."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva never mentioned the matter of killing the Drought Fiend, as the Drought Fiend is, after all, a Celestial Maiden, with a background far beyond the likes of the Great Luo Sect Leader.

Furthermore, the Drought Fiend is neither dead nor perishable; even if Buddha came, it would be futile. Even if he desired to eliminate the Drought Fiend, he must have the capability!

...

The Ancient Yin River Dao, where the celestial road lies.

Once connecting heaven and earth, the long jade bridge reappeared in the world.

"The heavenly gate is open; the matter cannot be concealed from the upper realm, but you need not fear."

The Drought Fiend stepped forward, blocking Xu Qing, looking up directly at the heavenly vault and said, "With me here, no one can take you away!"

Xu Qing shook his head and said, "The Celestial Maiden leaving Chishui without permission has already violated taboos. If one were to defy the heavenly laws further..."

"It probably won’t end well."

Xu Qing does not fear the upper realm Immortals and Gods; after all, he now has someone with backing. As long as the Drought Fiend leaves, he can plead under the name of the Nine Heavens Profound Lady or seek refuge with the Little Water Curtain Grotto Heaven Master.

At worst, the Judicial Heavenly God still owes him a treasure yet to be returned...

The Drought Fiend laughed softly and said, "Do not underestimate me; being banished to Chishui was my own choice. Apart from those beyond the Three Realms, do you really think anyone would come forward to stop me?"

The Celestial Maiden has compassion for the world, so the Gods and Buddhas do not fear her, nor do they worry about whether her presence would bring disaster to the world.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing felt an increasingly peculiar sensation growing in his heart.