Chapter 573

A myriad of flowers bloom.

Zhunti gazed at that flower, silent yet suddenly enlightened.

"All are the Heavenly Emperor attaining the Dao through Pangu—how boring!" Jieyin smiled faintly, "This is orthodox, no doubt, but heterodox paths… I think they can also exist."

Don't follow the usual path!

"In this regard, I've been thinking that the Daoist sect is actually no different from me."

Jieyin said carefreely, "So you don't need to worry too much about me—I'm not fighting alone."

"Speaking of which, in the Sea of Blood I could still see my colleagues… we cooperate, cover for each other, and secretly have tacit understandings."

"A little pit with Hongjun and Nüwa once—what big deal is that?"

Jieyin indicated—just small matters, stay calm, stay calm!

When everyone is a clear-headed actor, with tacit understanding in silence… the two peak powerhouses still kept in the dark are actually nothing to fear.

Worth a bet!

"Since Senior Brother has a plan in mind, I won't say more." Zhunti took a deep breath, stopped advising, and instead gave his heartfelt blessing: "May Senior Brother's wishes be fulfilled, and may this journey be smooth and safe."

"Hahaha!" Jieyin laughed, flicked a finger, a Buddha light flashed beneath his feet, using Godly Foot Travel to roam the three realms and six paths, tread past, present, and future—"This is inevitable!"

The ancient Buddha departed.

His departure was carefree, his walk relaxed, as if this trip was not at all a dangerous tightrope act performed under the noses of two of the current era's foremost peak powerhouses playing tricks, but rather going to enjoy flowers with friends, discuss Zen, and chat happily.

One cannot help but admit.

Jieyin the Ancient Buddha, although he sells insurance, promotes grand‑vow loans, takes a cut of procedures, and has a flexible mind, yet he does not do many good deeds; claiming to establish the Buddhist gate and guide people toward goodness, the voluntary labor he can actually do is really few, and he simply cannot be compared to those who, after the Heavenly Court and the Wu Clan opened the people's wisdom, voluntarily engage in unpaid social contribution, hoping for a better era.

——In comparison, these lovely people are the Buddhas walking the human world, while those Buddhist disciples permanently residing in temples are like demons wearing kasaya.

But!

Whenever a major event occurs, he always bears an aura of holding a wisdom pearl, capable of bearing infinite weight, forging his own realm on his own!

The peak bearing of the ancient god great sage is displayed in him to the fullest.

Once, the oldest and strongest batch of divinities waged war across the eight wastes, built the universe, even the crafting of the Heavenly Dao came from their hands... What a legend!

Even if the ages pass, charm is always blown away by wind and rain; the Heavenly Court overwhelms the world, some divinities fall silent, restraining their own radiance, as if vanishing among the multitude, appearing mundane.

But when the situation calls for it... they will instantly burst forth with unprecedented brilliance, carving out their own realm!

Yuanshi Tianzun had just set foot on the Sea of Blood when Jieyin the Ancient Buddha arrived at the same spot.

The two shared a moment, exchanging a subtle glance full of meaning, then quickly averted their eyes.

But that glance was enough.

All that they wanted to convey was understood in the instant their eyes met.

This is the tacit understanding between top-tier actors!

No need for voice transmission.

No need to pass little notes.

Any information that could expose that we are accomplices will not exist in the slightest; we rely entirely on the 'heart' to coordinate!

This is the high‑end game, the world of veteran actors.

After they reached an understanding in that instant, they put on smiles that looked blatantly fake to outsiders, exchanged greetings and asked after each other's well‑being, then, as if mutually disgusted, shifted their gazes toward the Sea of Blood, toward the land of reincarnation.

Through the sky‑filling blood waves, their gazes clashed with the River of the Underworld, causing heaven, earth, sun and moon to grow dim.

Through the land of reincarnation, they scrutinized the Netherworld ghost realm with the most indifferent, critical gaze, their expressions showing the pickiness and coldness only a professional nitpicker would have.

——Critique in preparation!

Such Yuanshi and Jieyin left Nüwa astonished and the River of the Underworld bewildered.

——Brothers, aren't we our own people?

——What are you guys making a fuss about?

——Was there such a scene in the script we had arranged beforehand?

Nüwa, who was awaiting a five‑star review for the Human Dao, raised her eyebrows and felt that the matter was far from simple.

——There is cat sticky!

Nüwa thought thus.

She did not immediately flare into rage; the indiscriminate exposure and the reincarnation alliance between Yuanshi Tianzun and Jieyin the Ancient Buddha—she narrowed her eyes, countless spiritual lights flickered in the depths, various thoughts rose in her mind, she weighed and considered all possibilities, so as to make an appropriate response later.

However.

Before Nüwa could show any reaction.

In the River of the Underworld, it was already 'taking the initiative to strike'.

The master of the Sea of Blood is actually not simple.

The authority he holds is also destined not to be simple.

Slaughter!

To govern slaughter in Honghuang, he possesses the most legitimate right of slaughter... the Human Dao's rewards and punishments involve merit and karma; merit is not spoken of, but karma belongs to the Sea of Blood...

How could such a person possibly be simple!

Mental acuity and scheming are also a top tier among divinities.

Moreover, there is also an information asymmetry at this moment!

——The Five Yun Dao Lords' conspiracy, this is an organization far more reliable than the Wu Clan's Twelve Ancestral Witches' 'loving family'!

We are originally partners, knowing too many of each other's rehearsed scripts.

Although this cannot be spoken of now, relying on pure tacit understanding... everything can be accomplished.

Just like now.

The Underworld River's demon ancestor merely felt a moment of surprise in his heart, and already roughly understood the behind‑the‑scenes cause of the 'evil guest's visit'—who exactly is pulling the strings? What goal does he seek to achieve?

And as for oneself, how should one act, how should one cooperate?

The Demon Ancestor's face was ice-cold, so cold it seemed bits would fall off, yet a flicker of smile flashed in the depths of his eyes.

In the next moment, he let out a great roar that shook the Sea of Blood into towering waves, his murderous aura boundless, sweeping across heaven and earth.

Ha!

The Demon Ancestor roared, snatching up two trembling‑all‑beings slaughter swords, one called Primordial Slaughter, the other Avīci, waving them so that sword qi pierced the star sea, who knows how many stars were slain!

Blood waves surged, karmic flames blazed, and one after another scarlet lotus bloomed across the Sea of Blood, alluring yet holy, destructive yet giving rise to new life.

Minghe stepped over the long bridge formed by the scarlet lotuses, grasping his twin swords, his killing intent filling myriad ages, his divine might overshadowing countless autumns.

Peerless sharpness met the two Heavenly Venerables and Buddhist Patriarchs who brazenly probed the Sea of Blood and probed reincarnation, causing their expressions to shift slightly.

Minghe was acting, yet he wasn't fully acting.

That strength, that killing intent, are genuinely real!

Speaking of single combat and great slaughter techniques, in the Honghuang world hardly anyone can surpass the Demon Ancestor Minghe… at this moment Yuanshi Tianzun cannot, Jieyin cannot either!

So, when this great demon rose with murderous aura boiling, adopting the posture of 'You lot illegally intrude my mansion; I'd be justified in cutting you down,' the two Saints naturally became solemn, no longer flashing their 24K dog eyes and looking around wildly as before.

'What brings you two, fellow Daoists?' the Demon Ancestor said coldly, his stance clear, though he was alone, he blocked the road to the realm of reincarnation, 'You didn't even greet me before suddenly appearing in the Sea of Blood, making it hard for me to fully fulfill my host's courtesy.'

'That's not good.' Minghe said in a deep tone, his killing intent terrifying, 'The Sea of Blood is not a place to barge into recklessly; it is half a forbidden zone of Honghuang.'

'Could I consider… that you harbor sinister intentions, plotting to release the imprisoned remnants of the world‑destroying Rahu Demon Ancestor? Or perhaps to destroy the realm of reincarnation, plunging the Honghuang world into the most perilous calamity?'

Minghe raised the Primordial Slaughter sword, pointing it at the two Heavenly Venerables and Ancient Buddhas.

When a gloomy light flashed across the sword tip, a fierce aura of slaughtering heaven and overturning the Dao surged forth, moving Yuanshi to emotion and causing Jieyin to frown.

They are acting.

But not entirely acting.

True and false, life is like a play.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, Jieyin Ancient Buddha gently exhaled a breath, unfurling and rolling, transforming into a treasure banner that hung down endless golden Buddha light, thread upon thread, dense and thick, stretched before him, dividing eternity, cleaving apart a distinctly different world.

He stands on this shore, Minghe on the opposite shore; they gaze at each other yet cannot reach.

Myriad laws cannot invade, myriad calamities cannot overturn!

After employing such means, Jieyin Ancient Buddha then pressed his palms together, smiling warmly as he spoke to the Demon Ancestor.

Demon Ancestor Minghe, you have misunderstood.

Jieyin Ancient Buddha's body burst forth with boundless wisdom light, shining across heaven and earth, golden radiance splendid, his appearance trustworthy, at first glance the image of an unparalleled good person, a pillar of the righteous path, very approachable, granting an innate +5 favorability toward humanity and all beings—countless facts prove that in the end, looks rule, and the potential members of the Beauty Association endure forever, never fading.

Just like saving a person.

Being handsome means offering oneself.

Being ugly means repaying in the next life.

The same goes for how one conducts oneself and handles affairs.

Having an honest and sincere appearance is surely more trustworthy than that of a fierce and evil demon, right?

Jieyin Ancient Buddha, at this moment, projects his own image into the hearts of all beings, displaying his appearance.

——Ah!

——That golden radiance!

——That solemn and dignified appearance!

——If this isn't a good person, who is?

——And can the words of a good person be false?

First impressions can sometimes be a very dangerous thing.

'I came here not to bring calamity to heaven and earth, collude with the demonic path, or destroy reincarnation.' Jieyin Ancient Buddha, full of righteous vigor, said, 'It is purely because of the great deed of Houtu, which moved heaven and earth, that I deeply admire and have come here of my own accord to observe and pay respects.'

'Likewise,' said Yuanshi Tianzun, as he brushed beside him the Pangu banner, the long banner fluttering fiercely, revealing the most terrifying Chaos sword qi faintly, which canceled out the Demon Ancestor Minghe's boundless killing intent.

'The great goddess Houtu, reforming reincarnation, is truly a shocking feat.' The Heavenly Venerable adopted a solemn tone, 'Such conduct fully displays her impartial and selfless virtue, her noble integrity of putting all beings before herself, her pure goodness of selfless giving without seeking return… As I watched from Kunlun Mountain, I could not help but feel ashamed of my own inadequacy.'

…… Minghe listened, fell silent, not knowing how to reply.

This, this, this…… is this about Nüwa?!

Minghe gave it a brief thought, feeling that it was somewhat subtly strange.

Let's deny it; it seems to disregard facts—yet we must admit that among the innate divinities, Nüwa truly is the paragon of virtue.

But to say yes…… it also feels a bit against conscience?

I won't speak of other things.

Nüwa holds such a vast amount of merit from creating heaven; it certainly can't be said she just picked it up!

Even if we use the word 'picked up' to make excuses.

Whose did she pick up, how did she pick it up… everyone who understands, understands.

Even now, the victims still occasionally curse and grumble in the Phoenix Nest Mountain!

As for the question of whether Nüwa is kind, surely Fuxi could give a different answer.

However, this has nothing to do with Minghe.

After all, Houtu is now right in the realm of reincarnation, not far from the Sea of Blood at all.

Such a close distance.

Such a public occasion—who knows how many Great Luo are watching, broadcasting live.

Spouting nonsense as truth…… how dare one do that!

So, Minghe can only stay silent, merely silent, watching Yuanshi Tianzun's performance.

'Houtu's merit is unmatched in the world.' Yuanshi Tianzun laughed, 'It makes me want to learn from her.'

There are too many things; I can't do them.

But some simple things... I can still manage.

Therefore, I did not hesitate to travel across the vast mountains and rivers, coming here especially, not for anything else, only to protect the Dao friend Houtu, safeguard her completely, so that her contributions to all the peoples of Honghuang are not affected.

Yuanshi Tianzun exhaled and opened his voice, his voice grand, shaking the myriad Dao of heaven and earth, 'This is also what Houtu deserves... After all, her deeds transformed the cycle of rebirth, opened up the netherworld; in this era, it is akin to opening heaven and earth, as great as the primordial god Pangu!'

Being able to safeguard such a person of great virtue is my honor!

We Saints, who exalt righteous spirit and teach all beings, shouldn't we start from such details?

Promoting great sacrifice and great contribution... not desecrating, ignoring her achievements, only then can we be worthy of Lady Houtu's efforts, letting her, like the primordial god Pangu, even if dead, be able to chant eternally in spirit, immortal through the ages!

Yuanshi Tianzun's voice rose passionately, shaking the ten directions.

Nüwa in the netherworld, however, felt something was off no matter how she listened.

——What does it mean to be like the primordial god Pangu?

——What does it mean that even if dead, one can chant eternally in spirit, immortal through the ages?

——Isn't this damn cursing her?!

She's living just fine!

Wrong!

Nüwa suddenly felt a shiver of shock, realized something, and her expression changed slightly.

She suddenly turned, thrusting a hand into the void, grasping the constant principle of heaven and earth's operation, as if touching something solid, clearly perceiving and understanding it.

Heaven and earth, human Dao... some subtle oddities, she now perceives.

Hongjun!

Nüwa let out an angry shout, about to launch a counterattack.

But...

Too late!

Suddenly, time and space twisted, heaven and earth became bewildering.

Blood rain fell from the sky; ages were cut and altered.

Past and present blurred, time and space fell into chaos.

Using the Saint as a basis, the Heavenly Dao... has intervened!

Moreover, the Saint is not the only one!

……

He's anxious! He's anxious!

In the Heavenly Court, Xihuang clapped happily, 'Hongjun is anxious!'

I'm not wrong, am I?

Compared to us, there are people who are even more anxious about Nüwa's reforging of the cycle of rebirth, coming up with ideas.

Indeed!

Under the Heavenly Emperor, many demon gods nodded.

Just as the heavens began to rain, streams of divine thoughts gently reached their hearts—this is the Dao Ancestor's decree arrangement!

The Dao Ancestor needs to undertake a great matter, requiring the full cooperation of the Heavenly Court.

"Marvelous! Marvelous!" Di Jun savored, then said, "The Dao Ancestor is no pushover... I see this plan is thorough, sufficiently hitting the key point, for the Dao friend Wa Huang's precise grasp of reforging the cycle of rebirth, a strike will directly hit the vital point..."

"Dao Ancestor, you're not behaving!"

"But not behaving is good..." Di Jun changed to a smile, "At least, things are fine now."

"Everyone!" He suddenly rose, "Let us shift the clan's fortune, twist fate, please 'Houtu' for the sake of all beings, to make some small sacrifices!"

"Yes!" The great demon gods shouted in unison!

Just a moment.

The Demon Race changed its demeanor.

Without concealment, and needing none, a sharpness emerged, cutting into the human Dao, making a minor 'alteration' to the prior agreement between the human Dao and Nüwa.

(End of chapter)