Baidi’s Objective

【SEVEN: What could the Buddha possibly want? He can’t seriously turn up and beat you, can he?】

Trying to change the subject? What a clumsy attempt… Li Lingsu sneered inwardly, unmoved, and sent a message:

【Let’s continue talking about your marriage to Princess Lin’an. I’ve met her before, and wow, she’s a real beauty. Frankly, even more stunning than Miaozhen and Princess Huaiqing.】

As revenge for the public humiliation he suffered at the Jianzhou Wulin Alliance, the Holy Son was willing to risk mutual destruction with Xu Qi’an.

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society were not very interested in information “concerning the Buddha”. Matters relating to the beyond-rank were simply too far removed from them, and Xu Qi’an’s attempt to change the subject was all too obvious.

It was clear he was trying to use the Buddha as a distraction to fob off the matter of the imperial marriage.

【THREE: Last time I said that we went to the Southern Marches to break the seal on Shenshu. Don’t you find it odd? What connection is there between Shenshu and the Yao clans? Why did the Buddhist sect want to seal Shenshu?】

There isn’t much point in bringing up old matters again… Li Lingsu curled his lips, just about to play peacemaker, when his junior sister Li Miaozhen unexpectedly sent a message:

【Can Shenshu’s story be made public now? Can you reveal it to us?】

What do you mean mean? Junior sister really seems to care about this Shenshu… Li Lingsu was taken aback.

【FOUR: Actually, when you said you fought al-Asura and broke Shenshu’s seal, I wanted to ask then.】

They knew of Shenshu’s existence, Xu Qi’an had already confessed to the Earth Book members about the sealed being beneath Sangpo now inhabiting his own body.

No one had asked before because it involved Xu Qi’an’s private secrets and the secrets of the Yao. Unless it concerned them directly or they were involved, it was considered too sensitive and unwise to ask.

The Heaven and Earth Society’s members were at least that savvy.

【THREE: Before that, I must correct something. Back then, what Lina said: the half-step Martial God that appeared during the sixty year extermination of the Yao was not the Yao Queen, the nine-tailed celestial fox, but Shenshu.】

To this day, he had recalled the details of that old conversation.

Lina had only said that there had been the action of a half-step Martial God during the sixty year extermination of the Yao; the conclusion that the nine-tailed celestial fox was that Martial God was something he and the others had invented in their heads.

【ONE: The thing sealed beneath Sangpo, that Shenshu, the half-step Martial God is actually him?】

Even Huaiqing, who always liked lurking, couldn’t help but jump in, which showed just how shocked the others were.

After a dozen seconds, Hengyuan sighed:

【A half-step Martial God… He was that close to me, once.】

Because of his junior brother Henghui, he’d become involved in the case and had nearly been killed by Shenshu’s right arm.

【TWO: Lina scammed me.】

Once the shock had passed, Li Miaozhen reflexively sent a message expressing her feelings. She too, like Xu Qi’an, had automatically assumed that the nine-tailed celestial fox was the half-step Martial God.

【FOUR: The half-step Martial God during the sixty year extermination of the Yao was actually Shenshu? He was sealed by the Buddhist sect? And he was one of theirs, yet fought on the same side as the Yao during the Yao-slaying? Hiss… the more I think about it, the more terrifying it gets…】

Chu Yuanzhen had taken his time to digest the news before writing at length, thus being the last to respond.

【SEVEN: May I ask, who is Shenshu? There’s actually a half-step Martial God in this world? I thought the limit of a martial artist was first rank? Throughout history, a Martial God has never actually appeared.】

Due to being ‘offline’ for half a year, Li Lingsu knew little about recent events.

Whilst he possessed fragment seven, both the third and ninth fragments had been managed by Daoist Jinlian.

Nobody responded to Li Lingsu. Instead, Huaiqing messaged:

【But what does this have to do with the Buddha?】

The Eldest Princess knew how to focus on the key point, not letting herself be so shocked by news of the half-step Martial God as to forget the topic.

【THREE: During the first battle to help the Yao clan restore their nation, Shenshu’s broken body also acted. Because of a targeted technique by Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Shenshu went berserk. After we finally subdued him, he said he remembered the past, remembered his true identity.】

After Xu Qi’an sent that message, he deliberately left them hanging.

【TWO: His true identity? Hurry up, what are you dithering for?】

After several minutes with no follow-up, Li Miaozhen became furious.

The others said nothing, but all of them inwardly cursed Xu Qi’an.

【THREE: He said, he remembered who he truly was. He was… the Buddha!】

The Earth Book chat group instantly fell into dead silence.

Xu Qi’an basked in the sun, idly picked up his waterskin, took a hefty swig, and patiently waited.

Just at that moment, Mu Nanzhi caught a big fish. The Flower God happily pulled at the rod, leaning forward so far that Xu Qi’an worried her voluptious chest would drag the rest of her into the sea.

“Baiji, quick, help out!”

Mu Nanzhi called.

Baiji, who was doggy-paddling around the little boat, squealed obligingly, dived underwater, and helped Mu Nanzhi catch the fish.

The sea’s surface was churned violently; it seemed Baiji and the fish were struggling beneath.

A few seconds later, Baiji popped up, covering her cheek with a paw, and cried:

“It slapped me…”

Mu Nanzhi snapped impatiently,

“Useless thing, aren’t you an elder of the Wanyao Nation?”

After another round of tugging, the fish escaped the hook. Mu Nanzhi was both frustrated and regretful, then eagerly set about casting her line again.

Only then did Xu Qi’an receive that familiar lurch in his heart; finally, someone had replied.

【TWO: I just dropped the Earth Book on the ground…】

On hearing the news, she felt as if electricity surged through her whole body, she lost the ability to think or even breathe.

【FOUR: Unbelievable, simply unbelievable. I almost regret hearing this now.】

Chu Yuanzhen was the second to reply.

【SEVEN: This poor Daoist is covered in goosebumps.】

Li Lingsu had to admit that the news Xu Qi’an had dropped was truly astonishing. Let alone Princess Lin’an’s marriage, even if the news were about the Emperor marrying Xu Qi’an, it would have been enough to change the subject instantly.

【SIX: Are you serious…?】

Master Hengyuan offered no comment, but only pressed the point.

Xu Qi’an sighed, as though he could see Master Hengyuan’s dazed look and pale face.

【THREE: Absolutely true. Also, it’s best to keep this to ourselves, don’t spread it around lest it bring disaster.】

He had no duty to keep the Buddha’s secret, so he shared it with this trusted circle, but as it concerned a beyond-rank, it was still worth reminding the others to be cautious.

【SIX: Thank you, Sir Xu, for letting us know, thank you…】

【FOUR: Thank you for sharing.】

This news was too terrifying, and of too high a level. No reward could buy such information, this was not a matter of money, but a matter of status.

How could a mere mortal have the right to know the affairs of immortals and gods?

【ONE: What does Silver Gong Xu think is the truth behind all this?】

Huaiqing’s words made the members of the Heaven and Earth Society fall silent. They focused all their attention on the mirrored surface of the Earth Book fragment, unable to tear their eyes away, no matter what happened.

Why did the Buddha become “Shenshu”? Who sealed him? What was the truth behind the events of the Jiazi Subjugation of the Yao?

Though they might mock themselves as mortals, unworthy of such news, they could not deny the overwhelming allure of the truth behind it all. No one could resist their curiosity.

Since Xu Qi’an had been involved in this matter and knew some of the truth behind the scenes, of course they were happy to “get it for free”.

This is the benefit of being a Heaven and Earth Society member… Li Lingsu sighed sincerely.

【THREE: This is a long story. First, we have to start with Shenshu’s bodily identity…】

He took a quarter of an hour to describe, in detail, the process of Shenshu’s transformation from Asura King to Buddha, and shared his two speculations with the members of the Heaven and Earth Society.

He did this in order to hear their analysis as well.

Mainly Huaiqing and Chu Yuanzhen, he could selectively consider the thoughts of the Heaven Sect’s Crouching Dragon and Fledgling Phoenix.

【FOUR: You have already listed all the possibilities. What you lack is verification. If you had a way to contact al-Asura or Du’e, if you could write to them privately, you could ask.】

【ONE: No, they might not be able to investigate the truth. The level involved likely exceeds the limits that those at second rank can touch. Forcing an investigation might endanger their lives.】

Chu Yuanzhen continued via earth book: 【Only a Beyond-rank can suppress a Beyond-rank. If it’s the first possibility, then by counting the Beyond-rank beings throughout history, we can make some guesses.】

【ONE: The Daoist Venerable? Of all the Beyond-ranks, the Daoist Venerable is the most mysterious.】

At the mention of the Daoist Venerable, Li Lingsu and Li Miaozhen’s spirits lifted.

Li Lingsu refuted via earth book:

【What reason would the Daoist Venerable have to usurp the Buddha’s position? When he attained the Dao, he was already invincible in the world. If he wanted anything, he could have simply taken it directly. Whether it’s fortune or founding a sect, his foundation was deeper than the Buddha’s.】

For a while, no one objected.

The Holy Son was right. The Daoist Venerable attained the Dao before the Buddha, and the Heaven, Earth, and Human Sects he founded were much older.

If it was the Daoist Venerable who usurped the Buddha’s position, then the Buddha must have had something he wanted. Yet neither cultivation, status, incense, nor fortune, were compelling reasons.

【FOUR: Then it must be the second possibility.】

The second possibility was that Shenshu and the Buddha were the same person, just different aspects, who parted ways due to their disagreement over the Southern Yao.

【ONE: We also believe that the second possibility is very likely. But we also have another guess, from the perspective of usurpation, if someone wanted to replace the Buddha and seize the incense and fortune of Buddhism, they would have to be inferior to him.】

This logic made sense. The Daoist Venerable was “wealthier” than the Buddha and had no reason to usurp him.

But what if it was someone looking to rise in status?

Huaiqing continued:【We only know that there are five Beyond-rank beings, but what about those above first rank, those half a step into Beyond-rank? We know nothing about them.】

That is a line of thought, but if you put it that way, the case would be hard to investigate… Xu Qi’an stroked his chin and decided to end the group chat.

At this moment, Lina sent a transmission:

【FIVE: Xu Ningyan, when you marry the princess, can you bring Lingyin and me back to the capital? I don’t want your wedding wine, I just want to give you my blessing.】

“……” Xu Qi’an’s mouth twitched.

I’m going to beat the shit out of you… He hurriedly put away the Earth Book fragment, choosing to ignore Li Lingsu’s sarcasm as well as Li Miaozhen’s mockery.

…

Mount Jing City.

Desolate mountain ranges rolled in succession, and in the distance, the surface of the sea reflected sunlight, yet seemed lifeless.

During the battle at Mount Jing City that day, Sarun Agu drained this land of all its spiritual energy, leaving it so that crops could no longer grow, fish and shrimp could no longer be raised in the sea, and the mountains would never recover.

It would take at least a decade for anything within dozens of miles of Mount Jing City to recover its vitality.

Sarun Agu, clad in a coarse linen robe, stood atop a barren peak, holding a lamb in his arms.

Suddenly, he turned his gaze to the sky, looking above the sea of clouds.

A few seconds later, the sea of clouds suddenly parted, and a massive head, as vast as a mountain, thrust out.

With a nose like an ox, lips like a crocodile, a lion’s mane, and a pair of horns on its brow, its eyes were beautiful yet demonic azure vertical pupils.

The moment this strange beast appeared, the lifeless sea suddenly surged with waves, water energy gathering madly and restoring vitality.

It became once again a sea where fish and shrimp could be farmed.

“I hate lifeless seas.”

Baidi’s voice was low and calm, as if he had done something utterly insignificant.

“I didn’t expect that in this day and age, one could still see a descendant of gods and demons in Jiuzhou.” Sarun Agu smiled and said, “Come down and let’s talk.”

The giant beast’s head vanished. A beam of white light descended from the sky and coalesced in the air before Sarun Agu.

Sarun Agu examined the strange beast before him and said,

“Baidi!”

Baidi gazed at the Great Warlock with his azure eyes and spoke in a deep voice:

“First rank of the Warlock system, you know me?”

As he spoke, the scales on both sides of his cheeks opened and closed, revealing fresh red gills.

An amphibious creature.

Sarun Agu nodded slightly:

“The Church of the Warlock God has been infiltrating Yunzhou for years, how could we not know of the famous Baidi?”

Baidi was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly and said,

“Back then, I returned to Jiuzhou to test the Daoist Venerable’s reaction. The result was surprising, the Daoist Venerable, who drove us out in ancient times, showed no response to my probing.

“I gradually sensed something was amiss. I left means of contact in Yunzhou, until more than ten years ago, a man named Xu Pingfeng used Arcanist techniques to break my contact barrier and got in touch with me.

“From him, I learned the history of Jiuzhou after the Daoist Venerable, and realised that he had long since disappeared.”

Sarun Agu listened patiently and asked,

“What is your objective in returning to Jiuzhou and coming to Mount Jing City to find me?”

Baidi’s Objective

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