Chapter 279: If You See the True Face of the Bodhisattva, May You Fall Into a Thousand Cycles of Hell

Moreover, Jiang Jian knew well.

When entering the Breakthrough Palace.

His sister’s bloodline would very likely be detected.

Precisely because of this.

Jiang Jian had raised the priority of crafting a dimensional space in his cultivation plan, placing it only after soul restoration.

Only a dimensional space could be relatively safe.

Though a Spirit Platform Realm true lord could employ methods to locate wonderlands.

Yet the dimensional space Jiang Jian forged using the spatial core far surpassed Earth’s technological level.

Its secrecy and mystery far exceeded that of any wonderland.

Once hidden within it,

Even a Spirit Platform Realm true lord would have no way to reach it.

“The Earth’s territory truly needs the Book of Life and Death.”

Lu Qingqing looked at Jiang Jian and spoke calmly, “If sending your sister to the Earth-Moon Academy is still not enough,”

“Tell me what you need—I’ll find a way to get it for you.”

Hearing this,

Jiang Jian paused briefly, then said, “I can help with this favor.”

He walked up the steps of the Earth Store Hall and spoke softly, “But I have one question for you.”

Lu Qingqing said, “Ask.”

Jiang Jian asked, “If the Book of Life and Death is so important, why didn’t the Jingcheng Central Authority contact me through official channels, but instead sent you privately to ask for my help?”

Lu Qingqing raised an eyebrow and said, “You actually figured it out.”

Jiang Jian’s expression remained blank. “The moment I saw you, I knew you came to Yinshan to retrieve the Book of Life and Death on someone’s orders—not your own idea.”

Lu Qingqing fell silent for a moment, then said, “You’re right.”

“I was commissioned by another to negotiate with you.”

“According to Xu Suan’s true lord’s estimation,”

“The Yinshan wonderland holds great utility for Earth’s territory.”

She paused, then continued, “The Book of Life and Death is one such attempt.”

“If it proves as useful as anticipated,”

“Then later, officials from the Jingcheng Central Authority will personally contact you to discuss further exchanges.”

Speaking of which.

Lu Qingqing lifted her wrist, revealing her identity device.

“Sending your sister to the Earth-Moon Academy is merely a token of goodwill.”

“This resource list, along with these cultivation opportunities, are prepared for you and your sister.”

A holographic screen appeared.

A list of spiritual resources materialized upon it.

Jiang Jian glanced over it.

After a brief estimation, he was slightly startled.

These resources were almost all essential hard currency for Spirit Palace cultivators.

Among them, even Earth’s core resources were included!

Their combined value, though less than the treasures of “transmuting void into substance,” still exceeded that of a single spiritual essence treasure.

Most importantly,

Many of these items were urgently needed by Spirit Palace cultivators.

Whether on official forums or various trading platforms,

The items on this list were nearly impossible to obtain—rarely available even at high prices.

“Compared to Yinshan’s resources, these spiritual items suit me far better.”

As he pondered,

Jiang Jian nodded and said, “I’ll do my best regarding the Book of Life and Death.”

Lu Qingqing shut off her identity device and said, “If you obtain the Book of Life and Death, the Jingcheng side will offer additional compensation.”

Jiang Jian said, “Good.”

The next moment, he seemed to recall something and added, “However, sending Jiang Zhao to the Earth-Moon Academy can wait for now.”

“Since childhood, she has had little interest in cultivation.”

“Whether she goes or not must ultimately be her own decision.”

Saying this,

Jiang Jian said no more and turned toward the Earth Store Hall.

Behind him,

Lu Qingqing lowered her gaze, studying her Yama King robe, her expression complex.

In truth,

She did not wish to withdraw from the struggle for Yinshan.

Yet,

As a member of the Lu family, a descendant of the Spirit Platform Realm,

Lu Qingqing had no other choice.

Though her family and even the Jingcheng Central Authority had generously granted her many compensations,

Deep within her heart, she still felt reluctant.

As her thoughts churned,

Lu Qingqing suddenly recalled the words spoken by her family’s ancestral elder just days ago.

“Under normal circumstances, the authorities would not interfere much with the emergence of a wonderland.”

“But now, during wartime, all internal conflicts must be avoided as much as possible.”

“Even without Jiang Jian,”

“The struggle for Yinshan wonderland would have been forcibly halted by the Jingcheng Central Authority, ending without battle, with the prize going to one person by decree.”

“It was merely that Jiang Jian, by following Shen Xi, had earned merit for the surface world.”

“So the authorities took the opportunity to reward his achievements, using various means to dissuade other contenders.”

Thinking of this,

Lu Qingqing set aside her thoughts and turned to gaze at the slender, beautiful youth before the Earth Store Hall, clad in the Wheel King’s robe.

For some reason,

As she watched Jiang Jian’s back,

A hard-to-articulate hope stirred deep within her heart.

Yinshan wonderland, the Earth Store Throne.

His talent and innate constitution were extraordinarily rare.

Combined, these factors made it not unimaginable for him to achieve the exceedingly rare supreme Spirit Palace.

At this moment,

Jiang Jian reached the hall’s entrance, staring at the black-and-white vortex before him, his expression grave.

Only he knew clearly,

The Yinshan wonderland possessed three opportunities for “transmuting void into substance.”

He had already used one upon entering Yinshan.

The Earth Store Scepter was the reward of that “choice.”

In the legend of the “Sutra of the Ten Wheels of Earth Store,”

The Wheel King fulfilled his duties faithfully,

And received the “Earth Store Scepter” as a gift from Heaven.

This treasure, transmuted from void into substance, had been brought out by him.

As another wonderland,

The Dragon Palace of Lihai was small, possessing only one opportunity.

Its transmuted treasure was called the Water-Controlling Treasure.

Li Hen.

But Yinshan held three opportunities.

The Earth Store Scepter consumed one.

If the Book of Life and Death consumed another,

Then he would have only one left!

“Just now, the Yama King abandoned his claim and left Yinshan.”

The Guide Messenger appeared, his expression filled with awe. “I never expected you’d truly secured the Lord of Yinshan’s position without a single drop of blood spilled.”

Jiang Jian glanced at it and said nothing.

Instead, he stepped forward and walked straight into the black-and-white vortex!

At the entrance to the Earth Store Hall.

As the massive vortex spun, it suddenly shuddered!

The next moment.

Its rotation accelerated further until it became completely transparent and vanished before the door.

All around, silence reigned.

The Guide Messenger stood alone, his body twisted into an unnatural posture.

He lifted his head, gazing at the scene within the hall, his eyes brimming with coldness.

“Closer and closer to freedom.”

With the vortex gone.

The full sight of the Earth Store Hall emerged.

Upon the stone platform in the hall.

Rested a black-gold statue.

Dressed in dark Buddhist robes, it sat silently, gazing down upon the Ten Halls of Yinshan, its face expressionless.

…

…

…

“Your Majesty!”

A voice tinged with urgency reached his ears.

Jiang Jian opened his eyes and looked around.

The scene here was deeply familiar.

It was the Tenth Hall of Yinshan—the Wheel Turn Hall.

But unlike the wonderland,

this Wheel Turn Hall stood ten thousand zhang tall, its peak invisible!

Countless ox-headed and horse-faced demons, yakshas, and ghosts crowded thickly, like a forest of figures!

Each of these beings emitted an aura of terrifying power, enough to make space tremble!

To the left of the hall lay the gate to the underworld.

Crimson and eerie, too dreadful to gaze upon directly.

To the right of the throne stood the Underworld Judge, the White and Black Impermanence.

At this moment,

the Underworld Judge, his face lined with worry, spoke again: “Your Majesty, only a stick of incense remains before the Bodhisattva’s sermon. Shall we depart?”

Upon the throne,

Jiang Jian steadied his spirit, the detailed rules of the Yinshan Throne Contest flooding clearly into his mind.

By imperial decree from Heaven,

the Earth Store Bodhisattva of Yinshan shall deliver a sermon on Yinshan.

Whether the Ten Kings of Hell, the Impermanence and Yakshas, or even the tormented evil spirits of the Eighteen Hells, all are eligible to attend.

At the same time,

Jiang Jian also sensed

that he wore the Robe of the Wheel Turn King, crowned with the Crown of the Hall of Kings, his spiritual essence immeasurably profound—when stirred even slightly, it carried the terrifying power to rend space!

“Wheel Turn King.”

A cold voice echoed.

In the empty air of the hall, golden lotuses bloomed.

A black-robed child stood upon the lotus, gazing down upon Jiang Jian from above.

“The Bodhisattva’s sermon is imminent. Quickly gather your Hall’s retinue and proceed to the rear of Yinshan to listen!”

As these words fell,

he turned away at once, stepped forward, and dissolved into golden light.

Jiang Jian paid no mind to his contemptuous attitude.

Instead, following the Contest Rules, he attempted to activate the terrifying, utterly alien power within himself.

A few seconds later,

“Move.”

Jiang Jian spoke in a low tone, his sleeve brushing lightly.

Boom!

Blazing golden light roared forth!

The golden radiance was blinding, illuminating the Wheel Turn Hall and engulfing every being within it!

Instantly, the space of the hall twisted violently!

All the ox-headed and horse-faced demons, the Impermanence and Judges, the yaksha patrols,

and countless tormented evil spirits from the Wheel Turn Hell—all were wrapped in golden light and vanished from their places!

When he opened his eyes again,

Jiang Jian and the Tenth Hall’s retinue stood at the rear of Yinshan.

Looking out,

Yinshan rose majestically, piercing the heavens.

Above the mountain,

stood a slender human form.

Dressed in dark Buddhist robes, seated cross-legged upon the ground.

Behind him loomed a colossal Bodhisattva manifestation, stretching from earth to sky!

Floating behind the manifestation were ten rings of karmic light, illuminating Yinshan!

Below Yinshan,

countless beings gazed upward at the Bodhisattva with reverence and devotion.

Suddenly,

the Bodhisattva’s gaze turned toward Jiang Jian.

“Of the Ten Kings of Hell, only you have come.”

His voice was soft, yet it resonated directly within the spirit, crystal clear.

Jiang Jian lifted his head and met his gaze.

In that instant,

his spirit trembled violently!

At that moment,

Jiang Jian seemed to forget this was merely a phantom illusion forged from divine aura.

For the being upon the throne—

the gaze he cast was far too real.

Compassion, indifference, naturalness.

For such a being,

no words of this world could capture even a fraction of its essence.

“Bodhisattva Master.”

Jiang Jian replied, his voice hoarse.

The Bodhisattva nodded and said: “Since you alone have come, you may freely choose one of the trials originally meant for the Ten Kings of Hell.”

Without any visible motion,

ten distinct pieces of information quietly appeared in his mind.

“Travel to the Northern Continent of Jambudvīpa and spread the Dharma widely.”

“Descend into the Hell of Yama, recite sutras, and liberate the evil spirits.”

“Go to the Tide-Sound Gorge of the South Sea, listen beneath Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and cultivate the Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra.”

“Proceed to Luofu and cultivate the Earth Store Sutra.”

(End of Chapter)