Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 608 Seeking Death, A Sincere Invitation

Four gigantic sword phantoms stood upright in the sky, like pillars supporting the heavens, their surfaces shimmering with cyan and gray runes. The wind ceased, the clouds stagnated, and even time seemed to stand still; the sky dimmed, and a chilling aura filled the air.

The Buddha of Glazed Glass would never mistake it, or rather, every cultivator would recognize these four terrifying immortal swords—the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, a supreme treasure left behind by Venerable Tianhe, an unparalleled formation that dominated an entire era.

How did the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation end up in the hands of the Nine Mountains Sect?

The Glass Buddha burst out of the sea, carefully examined the Four Swords of Zhuxian, and then said with a puzzled expression.

Everyone was naturally clueless, but the Cangming Dragon King realized what was going on: "The Creation Demon Ancestor has been tricked! The Nine Mountains Sect had been hiding the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation all along, just waiting for him to come in?"

Golden light shone in the eyes of the Crystal Buddha as he looked toward the Nine Mountains Realm, seemingly trying to discern the true nature of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation. Afterward, he nodded and said, "The Nine Mountains Sect uses low-level cultivators to set up the formation. If it weren't for this Daoist of Creation's recklessness, he wouldn't have fallen into the formation."

He immediately saw the biggest problem with the Zhuxian Sword Formation—its short legs.

With Yan Wushuang and his companions' speed, catching up with a Golden Immortal like the Daoist of Creation was simply a pipe dream.

But it's different now.

For the sake of the Primordial Purple Qi, the Creator Daoist charged headlong into the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation!

"So, the Daoist of Creation has fallen into a trap?" the Dragon King of the Azure Sea asked in surprise. "Then the Nine Mountains Sect is going to win?"

"No!" To everyone's surprise, the Crystal Buddha sneered, "By taking out the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, they have already dug their own death path."

After saying that, he raised his hand and shot out a golden communication talisman in the southeast direction, seemingly communicating with someone.

The Dragon King of the Azure Sea was puzzled, but dared not ask. Instead, a Bodhisattva who had come from the east with the Buddha of Lapis Lazuli asked, "Why did the Buddha say that they were courting death?"

"The Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, the Nine Netherworld Emperor, and the failure of the Dao Fruit Iron Law." The Glazed Buddha sneered, "Can the Nine Mountains Sect bear the consequences of this?"

The Dragon King of the Azure Sea was greatly shaken upon hearing this, and then suddenly realized: "What the Buddha said is absolutely right!"

"That Nine Nether Emperor established the Cycle of Reincarnation, severing our path to immortality and making him an enemy of all Dao Fruits in the world," the Glazed Buddha continued. "But he is in the Underworld and possesses the cultivation of the Taiyi realm, so we cannot do anything to him. Yet, who doesn't hate him to the bone?"

The Azure Sea Dragon King nodded repeatedly.

The faces of the other Bodhisattvas and Arhats also showed resentment.

Since the Nine Nether Emperor attained enlightenment, his Dao Fruit has been in danger of dying, and who hasn't lived in constant fear?

In other words, the Nine Nether Emperor was too powerful, and they had no way to deal with him.

If I can't defeat the Nine Nether Emperor, can't I at least defeat your Nine Mountains Sect?

"But now that the Nine Mountains Sect has brought out the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, it reveals their connection with the Nine Nether Emperor and the Heavenly River Venerable." The Cangming Dragon King couldn't help but continue, "If they weren't extremely close to the Nine Nether Emperor, how could they have obtained the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation?"

“That’s not all.” The Lapis Lazuli Buddha recalled, “Back then, the Nine Nether Emperor set up the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation at the Heavenly River Sect. The Mahayana Buddha entered the formation with his Dharma Form and was about to achieve the Great Luo realm, but his Dharma Form was destroyed by a single sword, and all his efforts were in vain.”

"The Mahayana Buddha once said that there was a mysterious person in the formation who helped the Nine Nether Emperor. If this person had not repeatedly stopped him, the Nine Nether Emperor would not have been able to attain enlightenment!"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of the Azure Sea became even more horrified: "Venerable One, are you saying that person is Zheng Fa?"

The Crystal Buddha looked up at the four giant swords in the sky and sneered, "Besides him, who else can control the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation? You are the Nine Nether Emperor, would you just give the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation to anyone?"

The Azure Sea Dragon King nodded repeatedly.

"If Zheng Fa hadn't made such a great contribution, how could such a treasure have been in the Nine Mountains Realm?"

"Even if it wasn't him, the only one who could be holding the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation is him!"

Although what the Buddha of Lapis Lazuli said was a conjecture, everyone found it believable. Just then, a white talisman came from afar and landed in the Buddha of Lapis Lazuli's hand.

The Crystal Buddha took the talisman, glanced at it, and laughed: "Now, even the Supreme Dao has abandoned the Nine Mountains Sect!"

The Dragon King of the Azure Sea was greatly encouraged, only then realizing that the Lapis Lazuli Buddha had just been sending a message to the Supreme Daoist.

It seems to be referring to the relationship between Zheng Fa and the Nine Netherworld Emperor.

The Crystal Buddha held the talisman between his fingers and smiled, "Zheng Fa got involved in this matter and offended almost all the Dao Fruits. How could those Supreme Daoists not be furious?"

“Xuan Chengzi sent me a message saying that the ownership of the purple qi can be discussed again, but they will not take action.”

"They won't intervene?" The Azure Dragon King's expression brightened as he realized, "They mean they won't rescue the Nine Mountains Sect, but they don't want us to take the Primordial Purple Qi?"

The Lapis Lazuli Buddha chuckled: "These people of the Supreme Dao are truly hypocritical! But as long as they don't interfere, what do I have to fear!"

After saying that, he turned around and flew towards the Nine Mountains Boundary in the southeast.

The Azure Sea Dragon King and the others followed closely behind, their hearts filled with excitement. They knew that what the Lapis Lazuli Buddha was worried about was only the Supreme Dao. Now that the Supreme Dao was standing by and watching, seemingly neither side was helping either, but in reality, they had already made their choice.

The Buddha naturally had no more reservations.

In this way, as long as the Nine Mountains Sect is destroyed, the Jade Dragon Lord will lose his support and will naturally be no match for him!

The group moved very quickly, arriving at the Xuanwei Sea in just four or five breaths.

Here, Xie Qingxue is leading the Divine Firmament Fleet, stubbornly resisting a dozen or so Dao Fruit cultivators.

The beams of light wove a net across the sea, and the Divine Firmament Fleet followed behind the Azure Lotus Sword, defending but not attacking, which barely managed to hold off the five True Immortals.

Even with the slightest oversight, there was still the Jade Dragon Lord, whose strength surpassed that of ordinary True Immortals in the sea. With the cooperation of both sides, they managed to keep the enemy outside the Eastern Continent.

However, the Shenxiao Fleet disciples did not look well. A prolonged defense would inevitably lead to defeat, and their cultivation level was low. After a long battle, they would be greatly exhausted.

They faced numerous enemies and immense psychological pressure, leaving them with no choice but to grit their teeth and endure, even as they were on the verge of collapse.

As the fleet commander, Xie Qingxue bore a heavy responsibility. Her spiritual energy gradually dried up, her arms trembled, and her vision blurred.

She saw a True Immortal rushing towards a warship, but she still let out a soft shout, mustered her last bit of magic power, and stood in front of the opponent.

But she was already at her last gasp.

The Qingping Sword flew backward, and Xie Qingxue's body went limp, almost falling into the sea.

"Thank you, elder!"

As the Qingping Sword flew out, the disciples on the warship behind her cried out in alarm, their hearts filled with anxiety, knowing that it would be too late to rescue her.

The immortal was already upon her. Xie Qingxue felt the immortal power surging towards her like a tidal wave, accompanied by howling winds. She seemed to smell the scent of death in the wind.

Xie Qingxue closed her eyes.

But death did not come for a long time.

Xie Qingxue opened her eyes and saw that the five True Immortals who had been attacking like a tidal wave were, for some reason, far away from them, looking warily towards the northwest.

Xie Qingxue looked in that direction.

Golden light spilled across the sea as a group of people flew in from the north; it was none other than the Lapis Lazuli Buddha and his entourage.

The Lapis Lazuli Buddha glanced at the two sides in the battle, but before he could speak, the True Immortal who had almost caused Xie Qingxue's death lowered his head, trembling with fear, and even dared not look directly at the Lapis Lazuli Buddha.

Xie Qingxue was startled. Her cultivation was low, and she couldn't discern a person's cultivation level, but judging from the situation, she had a general idea. The Jade Dragon Lord appeared from the sea, his face pale, and respectfully said, "Greetings, Buddha of Glazed Glass."

The Crystal Buddha nodded slightly, but did not return the greeting. Only the Azure Dragon King standing behind him grinned and smiled at the Jade Dragon Lord.

Upon hearing the title "Lord Shuyu Dragon," Xie Qingxue realized the young monk's identity. Of course, she wouldn't doubt Lord Shuyu Dragon—not to mention that he was the closest ally of the Nine Mountains Sect, Lord Shuyu Dragon's background was special, and his familiarity with the high-ranking members of the four sects was quite reasonable.

The Buddha of Lapis Lazuli didn't even say a word, yet none of the Dao Fruits present dared to make a move.

Lord Shuyulong continued, "May I ask what brings the Buddha from the East?"

"Why ask a question you already know the answer to?" The Crystal Buddha chuckled lightly. "I wish to go to the Nine Mountains Realm."

Shuyu Dragon Lord's face turned even paler.

"Now that the Supreme Dao has abandoned the Nine Mountains Sect, are you still going to remain stubborn and die with the Nine Mountains Sect?"

Lord Shuyu remained silent.

The Crystal Buddha let out a very soft chuckle, ignoring her, and lifted his foot to head towards the Nine Mountains Realm.

A figure blocked his way.

Xie Qingxue held the Qingping Sword in her hand, her face still pale, her spine straight, her gaze calm, and she remained silent.

The Crystal Buddha stopped in his tracks, seemingly quite surprised.

The True Immortals who had just fought Xie Qingxue to the death looked at her with a complex mix of mockery and lingering emotion.

"You want to stop me?" The Buddha of Lapis Lazuli asked, his voice full of surprise.

"It is my duty." Xie Qingxue's voice was very soft, as if she had not fully recovered, and she trembled slightly, whether from weakness or fear, but her gaze did not waver, but looked directly at the Glass Buddha. "Without permission, no cultivator may set foot in the territory of the Hundred Immortals Alliance."

The Buddha of Glazed Glass glanced at the Green Lotus Sword, as if recognizing it, and was even more surprised: "You don't seem to be from the Nine Mountains Sect? You're from the Heavenly River Sect?"

"This disciple is the apprentice of the former Tianhe Sect Leader and is now an elder of the Jiushan Sect."

The Buddha of Glazed Glass opened his mouth, as if he wanted to ask something, but looking at Xie Qingxue's expression, he seemed to understand, and only sneered: "The Nine Mountains Sect actually sent someone from the Heavenly River Sect to their death."

Tiny points of light shone from the sea surface, their purplish-blue hue making the water appear even darker.

The Divine Firmament Fleet floated behind Xie Qingxue, and thousands of fleet disciples remained silent. The light from the warships enveloped Xie Qingxue, making them indistinguishable from one another.

The Crystal Buddha gently pursed his lips, while the Jade Dragon Lord sighed softly and stood beside Xie Qingxue.

"Even the Dragon Lord is so unwise?"

"The Dragon Ancestor's Covenant is above all, and my descendants are in the Nine Mountains Realm." The Jade Dragon Lord's expression was somewhat bitter, yet also somewhat relieved. "Please forgive me, Buddha."

The Crystal Buddha remained silent for a long while, then suddenly chuckled, "A member of the Heavenly River Sect and an ancient dragon clan are both willing to die for the Nine Mountains Sect..."

He spoke softly, but those around him felt a surge of emotions within them.

“That Zheng Fa…” The Buddha of Lapis Lazuli’s tone turned cold, filled with murderous intent, “He is so good at bewitching people, he is indeed a great threat.”

Xie Qingxue seemed not to hear this. She held the Qingping Sword horizontally in front of her chest and said loudly, "Please tell me your purpose, Buddha, so that I may convey your message. Otherwise, please stop here, Buddha."

Just as the Crystal Buddha was about to laugh upon hearing this, he suddenly looked up and gazed at the sky.

A gray phantom leaped out from the Nine Mountains Realm, seemingly fleeing for its life; it was none other than the Daoist of Creation.

From within the Nine Mountains Realm, a unified shout rang out: "Slay!"

The immortal sword hanging high in the eastern sky suddenly shone brightly upon hearing the decree, and slashed straight down at the Daoist of Creation.

The figure of the Daoist of Creation seemed to freeze, time stood still, and everything remained still. Only the sword shadow slashed through the sky and landed on the fleshy ball.

The Creation Daoist's flesh ball suddenly exploded, shooting out in all directions. Although his aura was faint, everyone could see that he still had some vitality.

The fleshy ball dispersed into countless tiny, spore-like particles, invisible to the naked eye, as if trying to escape on the wind.

"trap!"

The second decree sounded, and the immortal sword in the south trembled, spun in the void, and transformed into a black hole.

From the depths of the black hole, only a mournful and desperate roar could be heard.

Everyone stared in disbelief.

The four giant swords in the sky slowly dissipated, and the Daoist of Creation was nowhere to be seen. It was all like a dream.

From within the Nine Mountains Realm, hundreds of cultivators carrying swords flew out, with the Sword Daoist in front and the four Sword Masters behind. Xie Qingxue's eyes searched through the crowd, and seeing that Yan Wushuang was safe and sound, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, someone spoke up.

"Two sword strikes?" the Azure Sea Dragon King murmured. "Two sword strikes killed a Golden Immortal? Is the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation really that powerful?"

No one answered, because everyone had their own answer, and he knew in his heart that the previous Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation was definitely not this strong!

Even including the time it took for the Daoist of Creation to enter the Nine Mountains Realm, it would not exceed two incense sticks' time!
A Golden Immortal, a Golden Immortal who was high above all the Five Sects, died just like that.
If the Nine Nether Emperor's Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation had this power back then, the four sects wouldn't have needed to fight at all!
Can……

The Dragon King of Cangming found it hard to understand why the Nine Mountains Sect's Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation could leave even a Golden Immortal like the Daoist of Creation with no chance to escape!

The Buddha of Glazed Glass said that the Nine Mountains Sect was courting death by taking out the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation. But if this sword formation could kill Golden Immortals as easily as killing chickens, then who would send them on their way?

He glanced at the Crystal Buddha and saw that the Crystal Buddha's eyes were still fixed on the direction of the Nine Mountains Realm, shining with golden light, as if searching for the whereabouts of the Creation Daoist.

The Dragon King of the Azure Sea understood; the Buddha not only hadn't expected it, but didn't even want to believe it.

After a full half-incense stick's time, they heard the Lapis Lazuli Buddha speak again: "This humble monk has come here at the command of the Mahayana Buddha to invite Fellow Daoist Zheng Fa of the Nine Mountains Sect to participate in the Great Luo Dharma Assembly."

His tone was polite, and his expression was sincere.

The Dragon King of the Azure Sea and all the Bodhisattvas and Arhats behind him lowered their heads, as if they had forgotten what the Buddha had said before he came.

"Please inform them."

Xie Qingxue pursed her lips, her face stern, and took out the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government). She sent a message into the room, and after a long while, she hesitated before speaking with an apologetic expression:

"Please wait a moment, Buddha."

Even though the Buddha of Lapis Lazuli was usually quick to swallow his anger, he couldn't help but feel a bit angry at this moment. Seeing his expression, Xie Qingxue quickly explained, "The war in our sect has not yet ended, and we really can't spare the time to receive you, Buddha."

Is the war still raging?

Wasn't the Daoist of Creation dead?
What war is there left?
The Buddha of Lapis Lazuli looked up and saw the Sword Dao Body leading his Sword Dao disciples rushing eastward.

What is their target—Haori Mountain?

(End of this chapter)