Chapter 493: Chapter 327: Why Not Let Taoist Friend Taiqing Bear Witness?

Purple Qi surged and pressed on the east of Chang’an, while Buddha’s Light surged on the west of Chang’an.

Nezha’s incarnation raised his head,

gazing at the Purple Qi and Buddha’s Light in the sky locked in a stalemate, and gently exhaled.

"So there really is someone seated in the Celestial Position of Buddha..... who exactly is this person?"

"Which old monster from the past ages is it?"

He murmured, a solemn look appearing on his face, making every effort to hide his form, even his three heads and six arms were curled up.

This is not the right time to show himself.

The same thought echoed in Li Xiuyuan’s mind. He, along with Cui Linglong, hid far away from Chang’an, gazing at the Purple Qi and Buddha’s Light.

Beside him, Cui Linglong softly asked:

"What is the current situation?"

"I don’t know, I’m afraid to peer into it, but judging by the celestial phenomenon in the sky, both sides should be in a confrontation."

Li Xiuyuan took a deep breath, suppressing the deep-seated hatred in his eyes, and spoke in a low voice:

"I don’t know what this World Venerate truly is, but the Northern Emperor....."

He closed his eyes.

Li Xiuyuan hated Buddha, and also hated the Northern Emperor—at the moment, it seems that this World Venerate is definitely not the resurgent Buddha Shakyamuni, but the Northern Emperor is truly the Northern Emperor.

He spoke softly:

"The Northern Emperor is the foremost of the Daluo beings..... just a pivot away from becoming a supreme figure."

Cui Linglong remained silent, she didn’t know what Daluo was, nor what supreme meant,

but she could feel the bitterness in her husband’s heart, so she extended her hand, gently patting Li Xiuyuan’s back:

"Things will get better."

Li Xiuyuan opened his mouth, his face tinged with even more bitterness.

"Will they?"

He took a breath and spoke again, as if narrating to Cui Linglong, yet also to himself:

"Those immortals and buddhas seated at the highest point, they are all those who devour people....."

As he narrated, Li Xiuyuan trembled slightly, seemingly recalling some unpleasant memory, with a look of anguish appearing on his face,

Cui Linglong pursed her lips and said nothing, continuing to gently pat his back.

The Purple Qi in the sky grew even denser.

.........

Outside the Other Shore World.

Kong Shentong held the Exquisite Treasure Tower, questioning the True Spirit suppressed and confined within:

"Great God of the Three Altars Ocean Assembly, what is the situation within that Other Shore World now?"

Nezha’s True Spirit replied gloomily:

"Not much, a big figure has awoken, I’d advise you to leave immediately."

His thoughts were very clear; with the Exquisite Treasure Tower in this guy’s hand, he still had a chance to escape,

but if it went back to Old Man Li Jing’s hand again?

Nezha pursed his lips.

"A big figure?"

Kong Shentong asked curiously:

"How big?"

Taking a deep breath, Nezha’s True Spirit finally spoke:

"Do you know of the Daluo?"

Kong Shentong was startled for a moment, then nodded:

"Of course, it’s the speculated highest realm that might exist..."

Nezha interrupted:

"The one who has awakened in the Other Shore World was the first of the Daluo from the old world, master of all stars, master of part of the cycle of life and death, moreover the [Celestial Emperor of the North Pole]."

Kong Shentong’s pupils suddenly contracted, the first of the Daluo?

After only brief contemplation,

he unhesitatingly turned around with the Exquisite Treasure Tower.

"I must report back to the speaker.... as for you, continue to explore and report!"

Nezha’s True Spirit nodded gloomily.

.........

Yin Chang’an, Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.

A handsome young man stood at the entrance of Taiji Hall, behind him, numerous daoist wheels slowly rotated, causing the void to shatter and split,

beside him, a nine-zhang Bodhi swayed gently in the wind.

Both parties were still in a standoff.

The Northern Emperor gazed at the handsome young man he had never seen before, mulling over the name ’Zhang Fusheng’—equally unheard of.

Who exactly was this mighty person from the old world?

Could it be a supreme being?

No, it couldn’t be.

The supreme being could not possibly appear at this time.

The Northern Emperor narrowed his eyes and asked indifferently:

"Who exactly is Fellow Daoist Zhang?"

As he spoke, the Purple Qi in the sky surged even more violently, faintly showing signs of overpowering Buddha’s Light—though he was a Venerate at this moment,

he also commanded the entire Chang’an City, wielding the fullest potential of the Human Path!

Zhang Fusheng remained expressionless, smiling as he said:

"As Fellow Daoist Northern Emperor can see, I am the World-Honored One Tathagata, you may also call me the Blessed Life Buddha."

The Northern Emperor stood with hands behind his back, calmly spoke:

"And beyond that?"

The rolling Purple Qi in the sky began to push back the Buddha’s Light, the purple hue breaking through the Buddha’s Light and Brahma Sound, illuminating Zhang Fusheng’s face.

Zhang Fusheng also responded with calmness:

"And beyond that?"

Behind him, numerous daoist wheels turned slowly, chaotic light spurted, and the imaginary position ascended.

"Beyond that, I am also the Human Ancestor."

’Boom!!’

The Purple Qi suddenly retreated a hundred miles.

How could the momentum of the Human Path possibly suppress the Human Ancestor??

The Northern Emperor’s gaze flickered, moving past the handsome young man, landing on the food box, hanging sword, and purple garment:

"Quite the Human Ancestor..."

As his words fell, Li Jing understood intuitively, stepping forward, his imposing manner like a tidal wave sweeping forward!

Simultaneously, the Northern Emperor spoke:

"Besides the Human Ancestor, who else are you, Fellow Daoist?"

The great power’s pressure bore down, Zhang Fusheng seemed like a small boat in a storm, swaying yet not capsizing,

he was slightly surprised in his heart, knowing that this Li Jing, though just a great power now, was absolutely incomparable to ordinary great powers!

After all, he was once a king in the Celestial Court.

The Celestial Court...

Under the gaze of numerous eyes, the other twenty-three people of the Lingyan Pavilion also approached, Yuan Tiandao lifting a piece of the Celestial Book, Wei Bushi holding the Dragon-slaying Sword, 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

the handsome young man leisurely said:

"Besides being the World-Honored One Tathagata, Human Ancestor."

"I am also the [Royal Heaven]."

The second Celestial Position suddenly appeared—it was the Royal Heaven Position, gifted by the true Celestial Emperor to the upstream creature!

The Six Imperial Lords of the Celestial Court, Eastern Qinghua, Southern Changsheng, Western Gouchen, Northern Ziwei!

And then, there was [Royal Heaven Houtu].

One resided above, one below.

With the emergence of the Royal Heaven Position, even though it did not blend with Zhang Fusheng’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit, both the Northern Emperor and Li Jing’s expressions changed drastically!

Especially the latter, whose blooming great power seemed to inexplicably diminish, step back, and diminish again by three points!

After all, he was a minister of the Celestial Court.

"Royal Heaven.... it seems Fellow Daoist is also related to Yu Huang." The Northern Emperor uttered lowly, a hint of apprehension finally appearing on his face,

Zhang Fusheng grinned, lightly looking towards Li Jing, and mockingly asked:

"When did a minister of the Central Celestial Court join the Northern Celestial Court? Was Yu Huang too indifferent to you back then?"

Li Jing stood there rigidly, soaked in cold sweat, under the Royal Heaven’s might, even breathing became difficult.

He felt guilty in his heart.

The spiritual auras of both sides continued to clash and stalemate, causing the grand imperial palace to begin to crumble,

As the Northern Emperor asked one last question:

"World-Honored One Buddha, progenitor of the Human Path, Celestial Emperor of the Six Sovereigns..."

"But, who are you really?"

"Just as I am the Northern Emperor, who were you originally?"

With each word and question, Zhang Fusheng’s smile faded, and he suddenly realized that the Northern Emperor might have guessed something.

After a moment of silence.

The position of the Bodhi Tree, progenitor of the Human Path, and the Celestial Position of the Celestial Emperor all quietly gathered into the myriad-path wheel,

Zhang Fusheng clapped his sleeves as if he were a sword blade, standing before the Taiji Hall.

Then he said:

"As you see, I am the Blessed Infinite Celestial Venerable, as well as the one who led the westward journey."

The majestic voice rolled to the surroundings—Zhang Fusheng had long used the spiritual imprint left quietly on Li Xiuyuan to hear everything the other had said.

He naturally understood what the Northern Emperor was really after.

The only thing that confused him was, who was Li Xiuyuan? Why did he hate the Buddha, the Northern Emperor, and the Immortals and Buddhas so much?

"Blessed Infinite Celestial Venerable?"

The Northern Emperor lowered his eyelids:

"So, does Fellow Daoist Fusheng want to contend with me?"

Zhang Fusheng chuckled softly, saying nothing, as the Feathered Immortal Slaying Sword appeared in his hand, lightly tossed.

The Feathered Immortal Slaying Sword stood before the crowd.

"Those who cross this sword shall be killed without mercy."

He spoke calmly, seeing the Northern Emperor with the intention of stepping directly across, he spread his hands again.

The Nail-Head Seven Arrows Book appeared in his palm.

The Northern Emperor withdrew his raised foot silently.

His expression was solemn, even more unable to comprehend the person before him. The less he understood, the more he dreaded.

"That treasure, I didn’t expect it to also be in your hands."

The Northern Emperor spoke calmly:

"It seems, Fellow Daoist, that you intend to contend with me to the end."

Zhang Fusheng merely smiled in silence, turned and grabbed a food box, finishing the stewed meat inside.

Then the second food box, the third, the fourth...

Until the remaining eighteen food boxes were all eaten clean——though he indeed couldn’t contain such vast energy,

the myriad-path wheel could store the terrifying water nature, divine essence, and merit purple qi within!

Not eating it would be a waste.

Outside the Taiji Hall, the Northern Emperor’s expression was extremely ugly but soon returned to normal,

He spoke slowly and deeply:

"Fellow Daoist, do you really want to risk everything in a showdown with me?"

Zhang Fusheng, satisfied, burped, and did not answer but asked:

"Where is Emperor Tang? Release him."

He gazed at the Northern Emperor, speaking calmly:

"I promised Erfeng to sever the ties between you and him, and let him go. I’ll allow you to interfere in the westward journey."

The Northern Emperor squinted and asked:

"How to interfere?"

Zhang Fusheng replied:

"I permit you to arrange for two of those taking the scriptures."

"Not enough." The Northern Emperor lowered his eyes: "Even if all four were arranged by me, it would not be enough."

"What I want is the leading position in the westward journey."

Zhang Fusheng firmly refused:

"Northern Emperor, do you really have the means to fight to the end with me now? Do you truly have the courage?"

"The scheming of endless ages, succeeded in one morning?"

Zhang Fusheng sneered coldly:

"Miss this chance, wait for the return of the Supremes, and you may not have the opportunity to attain the Dao!"

The Northern Emperor’s face remained expressionless:

"You seem to know quite a lot, Fellow Daoist. I am more curious about which old friend you are."

Zhang Fusheng smiled but did not answer—this information he had just inquired about from the Eastern Emperor’s head.

Actually, to face off against the Northern Emperor,

Zhang Fusheng estimated, he would lose miserably.

After all, this was the foremost of Daluo, Emperor Ziwei of the North Pole, the one closest to the Supreme Fruit Position!

But he bet that the Northern Emperor didn’t dare to fight to the death, didn’t dare to act recklessly.

The more powerful the person, the more cautious they became, the more cautious they faced the unknown.

The silence lasted a long time.

The Northern Emperor spoke calmly:

"Why don’t we both step back, you bring me the Emperor’s Robe, and I will immediately withdraw from Chang’an City, how about that?"

Zhang Fusheng coldly asked:

"And what about Emperor Tang?"

The Northern Emperor laughed:

"Are you pretending to be ignorant, Fellow Daoist? Since Emperor Tang is me, how can it be severed? Even if it’s possible..."

He paused, the smile on his face fading:

"If you assist me, allowing my True Spirit to emerge from the Nine Netherworld’s seal, I could release Emperor Tang."

"Otherwise, without him, how could I exist in the world?"

Zhang Fusheng seemed pensive, after a long silence, asked:

"What about Yuan Feidao?"

The Northern Emperor was startled, and only after a while did he remember who this was:

"Naturally returned to dust and soil."

Zhang Fusheng sighed softly.

Grandmaster... is gone just like that?

He closed his eyes, the twenty-four people beside the Northern Emperor were all ready for battle,

The purple qi in the celestial vault grew stronger, and starlit points appeared beside the Northern Emperor, as if evolving into the most ancient primordial stars!

The confrontation seemed imminent.

The Northern Emperor was clearly very apprehensive, yet indeed had the determination to fight to the death—seemingly without the Emperor’s Robe of Ziwei, he couldn’t attain the Dao, couldn’t achieve the Supreme Fruit Position.

The handsome youth suddenly opened his eyes, speaking calmly:

"Both stepping back is not impossible."

"You and I could complete a trade—since you want that purple robe, Northern Emperor, you’d need to give something in return."

The Northern Emperor’s expression shifted:

"What trade? How will it proceed? How can I ensure you won’t go back on your word?"

The youth bearing the myriad-path wheel suddenly smiled:

"That’s simple.... "

"Let Taoist Friend Taiqing witness it."

The light, drifting voice fell, the Northern Emperor’s face changed dramatically.

Who?

Taoist Friend Taiqing?

He suddenly felt a chill in his heart, instinctively looking up.

In the celestial vault, at some point, a phantom grand scene was reflected.

It was a ’Profound Yellow Waterfall’ that pierced through heaven and earth,

It was the majestic Taoist Palace at the top of the Profound Yellow Waterfall or Buzhou Celestial Pillar.

In front of the Taoist Palace, on the plaque, there were only three words.

[Eight Sceneries Palace].

Thus, at this moment, inside and outside Chang’an, everything was utterly silent.

Yuan Tiandao was sweating like rain, Nezha’s incarnation was stunned, Li Xiuyuan’s hair stood on end, and as for the Northern Emperor—

He did not speak for a long time, staring at the majestic Taoist Palace.