Chapter 246

In a moment, Chen Ku became even more overjoyed.

After the Heavenly Dao Grindstone, he also gained the great divine ability of the Three Styles of Opening Heaven.

The power of this divine ability needs no further explanation.

Just the four words 'Primordial Unity Divine Ability' are enough to show its extraordinariness.

It can be said that, if cultivated to the extreme, its power could even surpass the Heavenly Dao Grindstone, becoming even more terrifying.

Chen Ku immediately sensed for a moment.

Immediately, he couldn't help but draw a sharp breath of cold air.

"Hiss... the power of the Three Styles of Opening Heaven is far greater than what was seen before, even more terrifying."

Not bad!

He clearly sensed that even when the Twelve Ancestor Witches previously controlled Pangu's Illusory Form, they had not unleashed the full power of the Three Styles of Opening Heaven.

In the ultimate state, the power of the third style far surpasses what came before, being overwhelmingly strong.

But after a moment's thought, Chen Ku also felt relieved.

It seems that although the Twelve Ancestor Witches had devised the Great Array of Heavenly Gods and Slaughter, they had not yet fully understood all its profound mysteries.

Moreover, given the previous great battle, it was already a huge consumption for them.

Therefore, when facing Dao Ancestor Hongjun, it was difficult for them to erupt again and display the true power of ultimate sublimation.

This, too, is reasonable.

In any case, this time Chen Ku can be said to have reaped a bountiful harvest.

In the future, whether it is the Heavenly Dao Grindstone or the Three Styles of Opening Heaven, both can almost serve as his strongest trump card, overwhelmingly crushing any opponent.

Chen Ku felt satisfied and content.

Just as he was pondering in his heart.

On the other side, as Hongjun departed, the terrifying pressure gradually faded.

In the field, the Wu Clan and the Demon Race gradually came to their senses.

At this moment, the Twelve Ancestor Witches and others had grim faces, burning with anger.

However, their fighting spirit had greatly diminished, and they did not continue to act.

Although Hongjun did not forcibly suppress the Wu Clan to quell the war,

the previous battle had already severely injured the Twelve Ancestor Witches.

Moreover, Hongjun displayed supreme divine might, already demonstrating sufficient deterrent power.

The Twelve Ancestor Witches clearly understood that if they dared to act again, Hongjun would likely resort to even more terrifying means.

In other words, even if the Wu Clan felt ten thousand parts unwilling, they had to accept this outcome.

"Di Jun Taiyi!"

"You Demon Race, even with Hongjun's protection today, are merely clinging to life."

"Hmph, after the One Yuan Assembly, we will surely trample the Heavenly Realm and exterminate your Demon Race."

"Di Jiang's face was as still as water; he spoke coldly, his killing intent undiminished."

Contempt!

Disdain!

After this battle, the Wu Clan already knew the strength and foundation of the Demon Race.

Therefore, Di Jiang naturally believed.

"Since I can crush the Demon Race once, I can do it a second time."

"After the One Yuan Assembly, it will be the end of the Demon Race."

"Upon hearing Di Jiang's words, Di Jun also sneered repeatedly."

"Wu Clan rustics, do not be so arrogant!"

"Hmph, what of Pangu's Illusory Form?"

"Given time, we Demon Race can also chop it to pieces."

"By then, this emperor shall see how you rustics kneel and beg for mercy."

"Di Jun's words were equally tit-for-tat, yielding no ground."

"The ceasefire period of the One Yuan Assembly is the opportunity granted by Dao Ancestor Hongjun for the Demon Race to rest, recuperate, and restore their vital energy."

"In Di Jun's view, this time Pangu's Illusory Form being able to display great divine might was merely a surprise."

"After all, the Wu Clan had never before displayed such means."

"Now that it has been made clear to the world,"

"then, given time, the Demon Court side will certainly be able to penetrate its profundities, or in other words, develop a countermeasure."

"The two engaged in a war of words."

"After a moment, Di Jun said no more."

"Withdraw!"

"At his command, the Demon Race's beings all withdrew back into the Heavenly Court."

"The Wu Clan members also flicked their sleeves and left in anger."

"That anger was not only directed at the Demon Race, but also at Hongjun."

"Between heaven and earth, all beings for a moment could not quite react."

"Compared to the intensity of the previous battle, this result inevitably feels somewhat like a 'tiger's head, snake's tail'."

"But the words of the Dao Ancestor are edicts, not to be violated."

"All beings also dared not say more."

They also knew very well that the witch and demon clans have ceased hostilities today, but it is merely a makeshift measure.

After the Great Cycle, the war between the two sides will inevitably become even more earth-shattering, a fight to the death.

Thinking of this, all beings had complex expressions and turned away.

The Three Pure Ones and Nüwa said no more; with the matter settled, each returned to their own dojo.

But before leaving, the Three Pure Ones each gave Chen Ku a look full of deep meaning.

Obviously, Hongjun's previous 'special attention' caused the Three Pure Ones' view of Chen Ku to rise to a higher level.

In just a moment, the battlefield that had previously shaken heaven and earth and shocked the universe was left with only Jieyin, Zhunti, and Chen Ku.

Zhunti surveyed the remnants of the battlefield.

In his sight, all things lay in ruin, a scene of utter devastation.

Corpses lay strewn across the land, blood drifting like rafts.

In the void, moreover, a boundless gathering of resentment and lethal qi coalesced, impossible to dispel.

This was precisely due to the countless myriad beings who had perished in the earlier battle.

"What sin, truly a sin!"

Zhunti couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

Now Zhunti, as the Mother of Buddhas, has added a divine radiance of compassion toward heaven and mankind.

Seeing such a scene, he too could not help but be moved in his heart, giving rise to compassion.

Jieyin, however, said nothing more, merely glancing at Chen Ku beside him.

"Alright!"

"This battle has ended, disciples; we too should return to the Western Heaven and Earth."

Jieyin said thus.

However, after his words fell, Chen Ku made no move.

Just earlier, Zhunti's words had moved his heart deeply.

He turned to look at Jieyin and Zhunti, and said:

"Master, Grandmaster-uncle, we are not in a hurry to return to the West."

"With the battle settled, our great opportunity has arrived."

Chen Ku's words left Jieyin and Zhunti stunned, not understanding.

"Great opportunity?!"

"What a fellow!"

In this battle, so many beings have perished that any mighty titan beholding it would feel reluctant.

And yet his own disciple dares to speak of a great opportunity?!

When did this brat become so hard-hearted?

But in the next moment, Jieyin and Zhunti understood Chen Ku's meaning.

All they saw was that he said no more.

With a thought, the Gate of All Mysteries immediately opened.

At the same time, a thread of divine mental transmission also fell into the unseen.

"Daoist Red Cloud, come quickly!"

"Excellent!"

Chen Ku directly summoned the Red Cloud Ancestor to come.

Not long after, Red Cloud's figure emerged from the Gate of All Mysteries, manifesting before Chen Ku.

"Daoist Chen Ku, I do not know why you have summoned this poor monk; what is the purpose?!"

Red Cloud was bewildered and asked doubtfully.

The battle has completely ended, yet Chen Ku suddenly seeks me—could it be to collect the corpses of the slain witch and demon clans?!

Hearing this, Chen Ku gave a light smile.

"Hehe, this battle has produced so many wronged souls and resentment."

"If you, Daoist, were to act and purify them all, would that not be a great merit?"

Upon these words, Jieyin and Zhunti immediately understood Chen Ku's intention.

"So that's how it is!"

"Yes!"

"How could I not have thought of that?"

Know that purifying resentment and ferrying away wronged souls knows no distinction between West and East.

Whoever accomplishes this will receive acknowledgment from the Heavenly Dao; it is a great meritorious deed.

And Red Cloud, upon realizing this, was overjoyed and thrilled beyond measure.

He knew that Chen Ku was still considering this for his own path to proving the Dao and attaining sainthood.

Otherwise, with the two great sages Jieyin and Zhunti, plus Chen Ku present, why would there be a need to specially summon him?

Red Cloud gazed at Chen Ku with full gratitude.

Thereafter, without further words, he immediately sat cross-legged in the void, began to chant, and intoned an obscure Dharma method.

In fact, that was precisely another Buddhist Dharma method created once more by Chen Ku, named the Scripture of Rebirth.

Such a scripture has an ineffable amplifying effect on purifying resentment and ferrying away wronged souls, etc.

Red Cloud opened his mouth; the celestial sound was faint and far-reaching, echoing throughout the nine heavens.

Buddhist and Daoist golden light showered down, sacred and tranquil.

Under this divine radiance, the endless resentment in the void indeed seemed to have received some ineffable summons, and immediately surged upward.

The baleful and yin qi within it also continually weakened.

While Hong Yun chanted the Rebirth Sutra, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Chen Ku were not idle either.

They lent a hand beside her, assisting Hong Yun, making the purification of resentment proceed faster.

When the profound mysteries of the Rebirth Sutra were fully revealed, the strands of resentment were cleansed at a visible speed, leaving nothing impure.

Afterward, they gradually dissipated into the horizon.

No one knew how long had passed before the final strand of resentment finally ceased to exist.

All resentment and calamitous qi caused by this battle have been completely purified.

Looking out, the vast heavens and earth also restored a scene of peace and tranquility.

Compared to before, it was as if the heavens and earth had been changed entirely.

Just as Chen Ku had said.

At the very moment the purification of the world's resentment was completed.

Boom—

Above the nine heavens, the Heavenly Dao felt it and rumbled incessantly.

Rosy light burst forth, auspicious colors rose and swelled.

Heavenly Dao's merit descended once again in a vast, mighty flood.

This merit was even vaster and more monumental than when the Dao was lectured on Mount Sumeru.

Thereafter, the merit poured in like the weak waters of the nine heavens cascading down, continually entering Hong Yun Laozi's body, making his sacred appearance ever more solemn and his bearing astonishing to the world.

Between heaven and earth, beholding this scene, all beings could not help but show envious expressions.

"Hiss... another merit descent?!"

"That Hong Yun Laozi truly has tremendous fortune."

"Rather than saying Hong Yun's fortune is astonishing, it's more like he joined the West and really struck it rich."

"Although Chen Ku and the others act shamelessly, they are indeed good to their own people."

"The merit from lecturing the Dao, the merit from enlightening humanity, plus now the merit from delivering endless resentment."

"Hmm... looking at this, Hong Yun's distance to proving the Dao and becoming a sage is probably not far."

All beings discussed in a clamor.

Their words were full of undisguised envy.

When Hong Yun first joined the West, beings perhaps still felt some disdain.

But now, anyone can see that this guy has truly latched onto the Western Buddhist faction's thigh, indeed making a fortune.

What once seemed an unattainable proving of the Dao and becoming a sage is no longer difficult.

Envy!

The beings' envy overflowed in words.

And at this moment.

Within the endless Sea of Blood.

Minghe Laozi's gaze was gloomy, gritting his teeth as he watched Hong Yun receive merit.

He was not only envious but also harbored deep jealousy, even hatred.

"Damnable, damnable!"

"Those resentments and wronged souls ought to enter my Sea of Blood."

"Hong Yun, you dare to seize all that is mine."

Minghe Laozi's teeth were almost shattered, and he could not help but mutter hatefully to himself.

Numbed!

Completely numbed!

From the moment the great war began, Minghe Laozi harbored anticipation.

He only waited for the war to end, then he would immediately act, casting all resentment and wronged souls into the endless Sea of Blood.

This would be a great tonic for Minghe.

But who could have imagined that all this would be taken ahead of him by Hong Yun.

Those strands of descending merit were like so many sharp blades stabbing into Minghe's sore spot.

He was furious and resentful, nearly going mad.

Nevertheless, even so, Minghe Laozi naturally dared not provoke strongly.

Not to mention Jieyin and Zhunti, even just Chen Ku made him immensely wary, so he dared not act rashly.

And just as Minghe Laozi was filled with hatred and resentment yet helpless.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a violent sound of tearing through the air echoed, rushing toward the endless Sea of Blood.

Seeing this, Minghe Laozi's expression tightened, and he shouted in a deep voice:

"Who dares to intrude upon my endless Sea of Blood?!"

Minghe's words fell.

The next moment, amidst the sky-filling immortal light, a colossal true dragon silhouette emerged.

It spanned the high heavens, immense beyond compare, emitting an astonishing pressure.

"Zhulong?!"

Seeing this, Minghe Laozi's expression shifted.

That's right!

The one who has come is none other than the strongest among the current dragon clan, Zhulong.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Minghe, how have you been?"

"Your opportunity has been snatched by another; I have come precisely to assist you, Fellow Daoist."

Zhulong spoke without wasting words, wearing a smile.

Hearing this, Minghe became even more doubtful and uncertain.

Assist me?!

That old bastard Zhulong, when did he become so kind?!

Moreover, I have never had any dealings or intersections with the dragon clan.

"Oh? How do you intend to assist me?!"

Minghe raised an eyebrow and asked curiously.

Hearing this, Zhulong's smile grew deeper.

He took human form, and his palm flipped over suddenly.

Immediately, a jade tablet floated in his palm, its surface inscribed with inscrutable, profound Daoist divine patterns.

"This jade tablet, Fellow Daoist Minghe, you should recognize it, right?"

"As long as you accept this jade tablet, Fellow Daoist, everything can be changed."

"From now on, no one will dare to oppress you, Fellow Daoist."

Zhulong's words were full of a bewitching feeling.

However, at the instant that jade tablet appeared, Minghe the Old Ancestor's pupils contracted sharply, his heart shaken.

"This is......"

He muttered to himself, but before he could finish, his tone suddenly shifted.

Minghe's face darkened abruptly, even turning ashen.

"Fellow Daoist Zhulong's kindness, I appreciate it."

"But such kindness, I cannot bear to accept."

"Fellow Daoist, please go back!"

The speed of Minghe the Old Ancestor's change in attitude could be described as utterly unexpected.

He showed full resistance, seemingly unwilling to say another word, and directly issued an order to evict guests.

If others saw this, they would surely be puzzled and confused, not understanding why Minghe suddenly acted this way.

However, Zhulong seemed not at all surprised.

Hearing Minghe's merciless words, Zhulong merely sank his expression slightly.

"Heh... I hope Fellow Daoist will give my words careful thought."

"Only through our cooperation can we later achieve your wishes, Fellow Daoist."

Zhulong left it at that, saying nothing more.

Afterward, he turned and vanished into the void.

Watching Zhulong disappear, Minghe's face became unprecedentedly heavy.

"Damn it!"

"Could it be that I have been targeted by such an existence......"