Chapter 840: I, One of the Twelve Golden Immortals?

Whether the Bodhisattva of Great Freedom or the Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortal, all had understood the meaning of the Joyful True Buddha.

Among the junior disciples, Shen Yi had emerged as an anomaly, ascending to the Second Rank and manifesting as the True Person of the Jade Void Cosmos, rendering this Dharma Debate utterly meaningless.

If we now declare the Three Immortal Teachings victorious, Shen Yi would immediately ascend to the Throne of Immortal Emperor—Bodhi Teachings would surely resent it; if they wish to continue, only the Great Freedom Bodhisattvas, also of the Second Rank, may enter the arena.

But if we do this, the very meaning of the Great Calamity would be utterly transformed.

For the junior disciples, the Throne of Immortal Emperor is something they must fight desperately for; but for these immortal elders, it may not be a blessing at all.

“…”

The Eastern Pole Emperor slightly furrowed his brow.

He had intervened to protect Shen Yi because the young disciple was the most likely to seize the Throne of Immortal Emperor—but if we follow the Joyful True Buddha’s suggestion and have all Second Rank beings enter the Calamity, this young disciple who had just reached Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortal would lose every advantage.

“This doesn’t seem appropriate,” the Eastern Pole Emperor hesitated, then shook his head. “The Three Immortal Teachings hold a clear advantage now; there’s no need to restart the debate.”

“Is it appropriate to let a Golden Immortal crush both sects?” The Joyful True Buddha had grown firm, refusing to yield an inch: “You’re right—he is a junior. But since he has transcended both realms, he may no longer participate in the Dharma Debate.”

The Bodhi Teachings’ stance was now clear.

Either everyone enters the arena, or the juniors continue competing—but Shen Yi is excluded, and all prior results are nullified, as punishment for his concealment of cultivation.

Logically, even the latter option would be acceptable to the Three Immortal Teachings.

Though Shen Yi fought only seven matches, each of the seven he killed was a master of the Nine-Nine Transformations, among the strongest of the Bodhi Teachings’ younger generation—his toll was devastating.

But on the Three Immortal Teachings’ side, the three prodigies once expected to claim the top spot now stand only as Li Shan; You Yao perished at Tian Tower Mountain, and Qi Xian has vanished without a trace.

If we exclude Shen Yi… Li Shan, facing the gazes of countless elders, could only grimace. Even before, his chances of victory were slim—now, with these monks radiating furious resentment, it was impossible.

They couldn’t defeat Grand Void Senior, but they still had the strength to cut him down in righteous rage.

Li Shan wasn’t afraid of death—but with the Throne of Immortal Emperor at stake, and the future control of incense offerings hanging in the balance, under such immense pressure, he dared not nod.

“Huh.”

Xuanwei Zi withdrew his gaze, not blaming his disciple. Not every cultivator could be like Jade Cosmos True Person—such cases were rare. To hold juniors to that standard was absurd; first ask yourselves, old ones, who among you had half Shen Yi’s brilliance in your youth.

Moreover, to exclude Shen Yi, we must first ask whether our fellow disciples are willing.

His act of concealing his cultivation, risking the wrath of True Buddhas to defend Chi Yun Cave, had moved many Golden Immortals.

Chi Yun Zi’s posture, as if ready to clash with the True Buddha, was absurd—but it perfectly reflected the Three Immortal Teachings’ current stance.

“We humbly beg the Emperor and True Buddha to grant us a few days to consult our Sect Master and Teacher.”

Thinking thus, Xuanwei Zi stepped forward and bowed to the four majestic peaks.

After the bow, he turned and led the Golden Immortals and disciples, escorting Shen Yi straight out of Eastern Sumeru.

“…”

The Eastern Pole Emperor, still hesitating, darkened at these words.

Even though he had come personally to preside over the Great Calamity, when real decisions were needed, he still could not match the three “Sect Masters and Teachers.”

Ha. The Three Pure Ones and Five Emperors.

All had reached the First Rank. The Supreme Pure One, already transcended, was one thing—but what right did the other two have to be ranked above the Emperor?

Has it always been this way? Just accustomed to it?

If this cannot change, what meaning does this Great Calamity hold!

…

Deep within Eastern Sumeru, at the most radiant shore of Buddha-light.

On a floating island like a single block of white jade, two Buddhas sat cross-legged facing each other, their fingers moving casually as starlight and moonbeams shifted across the heavens—they were playing chess with celestial bodies as pieces.

“Why leave your Southern Continent to come to my Eastern Continent?”

The Present Buddha calmly placed a stone, his gaze fixed on the other’s face—clearly, his mind was not on the game.

Opposite him, the Future Buddha frowned deeply, pondering each move at length—evidencing the vast gap between them: “My disciples are disobedient, insisting on provoking those gods and demons, now drawing the Ancestral Gods—so I’ve come here to hide, seeking peace.”

“Disobedient?”

Hearing this, the Present Buddha smiled faintly.

That phrase was rather interesting.

Organizing this Great Calamity was his own decision; the Future Buddha, as the next, harboring discontent was natural—he understood.

After all, when they first became Buddhas, they agreed: one governs one age, and when their era arrives, they take turns transcending.

When this Calamity ends, the Present Age may last very, very long.

But he had never expected the Future Buddha to openly, subtly express dissatisfaction before his face.

In the Present Age, disciples follow his orders, wholeheartedly driving the Calamity—how could that be called disobedience?

“Perhaps you’ve been too idle. You should do something more.”

The Present Buddha casually countered the Future Buddha’s intricate, long-considered masterstroke, then subtly pointed out that the Southern Continent had seen no change—hinting the other had been slacking.

“Heh, I’ve always been lazy.”

The Future Buddha had thick skin, feigning complete ignorance, chuckling dismissively.

“Then change.”

The Present Buddha stared intently.

The Future Buddha paused slightly, but did not raise his eyes to meet his gaze.

This was harsh—almost a reprimand to a junior.

Originally, the Three Buddhas were equals—but now, due to this Calamity, the Present Age could not be altered, and the other had assumed a condescending air.

“Then I’ll change.” The Future Buddha’s fleeting unease vanished instantly; he returned to his smiling face.

“…” Seeing him bow, the Present Buddha finally withdrew his gaze.

He didn’t need the other’s heartfelt submission—only surface obedience.

This old monk had suddenly come to play chess with him, using stars and moon to obscure his vision—clearly, he had some secret scheme he feared the Present Buddha would see.

But the Present Buddha didn’t care.

The Calamity was destined by Heaven; the other could change nothing.

The Emperor of Humanity will inevitably be replaced by the Immortal Emperor, just as the Celestial Gods will inevitably be replaced by the two sects—no more Emperor of Humanity, the sect disciples will take turns governing the Immortal Court, the Celestial Gods will no longer rule—this was the scene he and the Supreme Pure One witnessed after transcending.

No matter how others resent it, this outcome is an unshakable truth—even the Present Buddha and the Supreme Pure One cannot alter it.

He did not crave power—he merely followed Heaven’s will, and now, it was his turn to lead.

“No more games. Your mortal eyes cannot see—even if you strain your mind through ten thousand kalpas, it’s still just this.” The Present Buddha swept his sleeve, restoring the stars and moon to their places.

“Tsk! Let me try one more time!”

The Future Buddha reluctantly withdrew his hand, not truly upset; soon his gaze turned beyond the white jade island.

There, the Medicine Buddha and the Joyful Buddha returned on lotus thrones—two First-Rank titans, their faces unusually tinged with faint anger.

“Humble salutations to the Two Buddha Ancestors.”

The True Buddha bowed deeply on his lotus throne, then recounted the Dharma Debate in full.

Upon hearing the name Grand Void True Lord, the Future Buddha paused slightly, then quickly adjusted his expression into feigned confusion: “It’s gotten this far?”

He had been watching this Grand Void True Lord since Nanping Prefecture.

But even he hadn’t realized how deeply this young man concealed his intentions—ascending to the Second Rank without revealing it, all to slaughter mercilessly in the Dharma Debate.

Hearing of so many disciples dead or wounded, the Present Buddha showed no emotion, only turned again to the Future Buddha. After a moment, a faint sneer flickered in his eyes.

Born of the Divine Void Mountain line in the Southern Continent, then became a disciple of the Seventy-Two Caves’ Ling Xu Zi—the key word is “Southern Continent.”

This old monk had deliberately come to the Eastern Continent, blinding my sight, just to orchestrate this farce—how laughable.

“This man’s mind is unfathomable. He shows little interest in the Throne of Immortal Emperor, clinging to mortal grudges and vendettas—he’ll never amount to anything.”

The Joyful True Buddha, still burning with anger, spoke with biting criticism.

“He doesn’t want to be Immortal Emperor—he doesn’t even want this Calamity to proceed.” The Present Buddha smiled faintly, fixing his gaze on the Future Buddha, then glanced at the two True Buddhas: “Ignore it. Carry out the plan.”

The Future Buddha’s childish tricks only made him more at ease.

“…”

The Future Buddha’s expression stiffened—he saw the Present Buddha had misunderstood, thinking the Grand Void True Lord was his poorly laid trap.

But in an instant, he chose to go along with it, his eyes flashing with irritation.

As if displeased that his scheme had been discovered so quickly, to lull Eastern Sumeru into complacency.

The opportunity had already begun shifting the balance—he needed to buy more time, to keep these old ones from interfering prematurely.

“As for you, return to the Southern Continent quickly.” The Present Buddha closed his eyes, speaking calmly: “That Ancestral God won’t linger long in the mortal realm. The peace you seek—I grant it.”

Hearing this, the Future Buddha’s eyelid twitched slightly.

He had long wondered what these two transcended cultivators were doing—why, with the world in chaos, the Nine Ancestral Gods still slept peacefully. He had even manipulated events to rouse the Celestial Gods, urging them to awaken the Ancestral Gods.

Yet… this sleep of the Nine might well be tied to this old monk before him.

The state of transcendence—could it already influence the Five Elements, Yin-Yang, birth and death? As the Future Buddha, he was the only one among the Three Buddhas who had never experienced this realm.

“Huh.”

The Future Buddha rose slowly—he had done all he could.

As for the outcome, only time would tell how wildly this opportunity would shake the heavens and earth.

…

Even as resentment surged within Sumeru Mountain.

In Nanping Prefecture, Eastern Continent.

The Seventy-Two Caves’ Golden Immortals stood in neat rows within the grand hall, gazing down at the junior disciples.

After a long silence, Xuanwei Zi’s expression turned strange as he stared at the lead figure in black robes: “Why are you standing down there? Come forward!”

You’re really enjoying playing the junior, aren’t you?

The other disciples also turned their gazes toward Tai Xu—no, it was now impolite to call him “Senior Brother” anymore.

He had become a Golden Immortal; only the Three Pure Ones and the Five Emperors were qualified to teach him. Since he was of the Lingxu lineage, he naturally stood beneath the Lord of Shangqing, opening the Seventy-Third Grotto to transmit the Ten Thousand Methods.

From now on, we must address him as “Elder.”

“...”

Shen Yi pressed his lips together and climbed the stone steps, heading toward the rear.

But all the Golden Immortals smiled and shook their heads.

“You acted solely for the Immortal Sect; though your methods broke protocol, you achieved great merit. If we’re not mistaken, you will surely be among the Twelve Golden Immortals.”

Xuanwei Zi smiled as well: “Don’t humiliate your fellow disciples.”

Though he had just entered the Second Rank, at this level, unless he had sworn an Immortal Oath, his power was essentially no different from others’. Often, a single favor from the Sect Master could make up for any deficiency in his strength.

Merely for his role in the Eastern Sumeru Dharma Debate, he has already met the threshold for the Twelve Golden Immortals—even if placed last, it signifies a brilliant future, securing him as a future First-Rank Titan.

After the Tribulation, he will gain authority over the movement of Heaven and Earth.

“Hah...”

Lingxu Zi’s eyes turned red with envy. Something he had never dared dream of had been seized first by his own disciple.

Yet even now, the Eastern Pole Emperor had granted him no tangible reward—how could he not be desperate?

Qingguang Zi stood before him, glancing back slightly, a cold smile lingering on his lips.

The Twelve Golden Immortals...

Others didn’t know, but he knew well: before leaving, Qixian had come to see him. They had exchanged many idle words—but now, this envoy of the Eastern Pole Emperor’s court had vanished. Combined with Shen Yi’s revealed Second-Rank realm, the truth was obvious.

Qingguang Zi remained silent now, simply unwilling to provoke the crowd’s wrath.

When we return to Beizhou, we will face the Three Pure Ones’ Sect Master.

Can a cultivator who secretly slaughtered fellow sect disciples qualify for a seat among the Twelve Golden Immortals?

“Enough,” Xuanwei Zi turned back to his fellow disciples. “Even if someone else helped prop him up, a First-Rank is still a First-Rank. I know you all crave freedom, but we cannot let the Bodhi Sect claim the Immortal Emperor’s throne without resistance.”

“Yu Yu True Person angered the monks. As elders, we must bear responsibility. When the Dharma Debate resumes, we cannot let a mere Second-Rank newcomer stand alone against them.”

“What do you all think?” Xuanwei Zi slowly scanned the assembly.

Hearing this, most Golden Immortals’ smiles hardened with menace.

Second-Rank immortals are unkillable, so they have fewer inhibitions.

Though becoming Immortal Emperor isn’t truly free, so many disciples have died—we must vent our rage.

Chi Yun Zi lifted his gaze slightly, his voice icy: “Then fight.”

Smash him until heaven and earth are overturned, sun and moon extinguished!

(End of Chapter)