Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 613 Tensions Rise, But a Twist of Fate

The Crystal Buddha had a smile on his face, spoke in a gentle tone, and even used the word "please".

But in Yun Wuji's eyes, his smiling eyes were more piercing and dangerous than the arrows shot from the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow.

As Yun Wuji looked at the crystal Buddha, he suddenly heard the ethereal and vast chanting of sutras. He suddenly felt like a sinner, condemned by thousands, deserving of death, and utterly ashamed to live in this world.

He suddenly stood up, wanting nothing more than to rush to the crystal Buddha, kneel down, weep bitterly, and repent, offering his life as atonement.

Boom!Boom!Boom!
Several bells rang out in his ears, and he shuddered violently before regaining his senses. When he looked at the crystal Buddha again, he was filled with lingering fear and anger.

"Does Buddha think that there is no one in my Nine Mountains Realm?"

Zheng Fa stared at the crystal Buddha and asked with a frown.

The smile on the face of the Crystal Buddha remained unchanged as he leisurely said, "This person knows his sins are grave, so why should the sect leader stop him?"

“If that is Buddha’s intention,” Zheng Fa said directly, “then you may return. The Nine Mountains Sect will not agree.”

Yun Wuji felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He knew Zheng Fa wouldn't agree, since the Nine Mountains Sect and Leiyin Temple had always been at odds. Killing Bai Lian would be a service to the Nine Mountains Sect.

If Leiyin Temple were to coerce Zheng Fa into handing over himself, the morale of the Jiushan Sect would likely collapse.

Hearing these words with his own ears, and seeing no sign of backing down on Zheng Fa's face, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, suddenly returned to his chest.

Upon hearing this, the Lapis Lazuli Buddha seemed to have anticipated it, and simply smiled and said, "Sect Leader Zheng is unwilling to attend the Great Luo Dharma Assembly?"

"Buddha, do you mean that if I don't agree to hand over Yun Wuji, I won't be able to attend the Dharma assembly?"

The Lapis Lazuli Buddha took out a golden token, held it in his hand, and nodded slightly: "This golden token is the certificate for going to the Great Luo Dharma Assembly. Sect Leader Zheng handed this thief over to me, and I will give this golden token to Sect Leader Zheng."

"Then it's fine if we don't go."

The Lapis Lazuli Buddha shook his head, seemingly finding Zheng Fa's words rather foolish.

"Does Sect Leader Zheng know why the Mahayana Buddha convened this Great Luo Dharma Assembly?"

Zheng Fa's expression shifted, and he began to listen intently.

"The Primordial Purple Qi is in the hands of Sect Leader Zheng," said the Lapis Lazuli Buddha slowly. "According to the Mahayana Buddha, using this Primordial Purple Qi is not something that Sect Leader Zheng can do alone."

"Rituals?"

Seeing the Buddha of Lapis Lazuli nod, Zheng Fa couldn't help but sigh inwardly. To be honest, he had had a vague feeling about this before, but only now, having received confirmation from the Buddha of Lapis Lazuli himself, did he dare to truly confirm it.

The Primordial Purple Qi is inherently related to the entire human race.

The use of Primordial Purple Qi also requires the recognition of the entire human race—that is, a ritual in which the entire human race, including those who have attained Dao and ordinary people, participates.

No wonder Lu Yao wasn't in a hurry at all.

"The Great Luo Dharma Assembly, which the Mahayana Buddha summoned all the Dao Fruits of the world for, is precisely for this matter." The Lapis Lazuli Buddha glanced at Yun Wuji. "If Sect Leader Zheng misses the Great Luo Dharma Assembly because of this matter, wouldn't he be missing a great opportunity?"

Uncle Huang couldn't help but say, "The Primordial Purple Qi is in Zheng Fa's hands. What kind of Great Luo Dharma Assembly are you holding? Isn't that a joke?"

The people from the Nine Mountains Sect all wore expressions of indignation.

To put it bluntly, isn't Lu Yao essentially using Zheng Fa's Primordial Purple Qi to hold his own Great Luo Dharma Assembly?

The Lapis Lazuli Buddha's expression remained calm: "Does the sect leader know who is attending this Great Luo Dharma Assembly?"

"Among the nine sons of the Supreme Being, Xuan Chengzi has already replied, saying that he will attend the meeting as scheduled."

"The three reclusive immortals have also replied, saying they will pass through the underworld to enter my Thunder Sound Temple and participate in the Great Luo Dharma Assembly."

"Two of the four fairies of Yaochi will also come."

Zheng Fa frowned inwardly upon hearing this.

Judging from Xuan Chengzi's cultivation level, the names mentioned by the Glazed Buddha were probably all associated with the Golden Immortal realm.

The Supreme Dao has nine Golden Immortals, and the Jade Pool has four.

The three reclusive immortals are probably Golden Immortals who do not belong to major sects, just like the Dragon Ancestor in the past.

As for the number of Golden Immortals in Leiyin Temple, the Lapis Lazuli Buddha did not mention it, seemingly unwilling to reveal the strength of his sect. However, he had heard of the Five Buddhas from the Jade Dragon Lord, so he figured there must be at least five Golden Immortals.

That adds up to almost twenty Golden Immortals.

Even if there are other Golden Immortals, there probably aren't many.

Seeing the determined expression on the Glazed Buddha's face, Zheng Fadu felt a headache coming on. To be honest, he wasn't afraid of Lu Yao's forceful approach. The Nine Mountains Sect was certainly not as strong as the Thunder Sound Temple, but with the help of the Underworld and the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, it could still protect itself.

Unfortunately, Lu Yao's Great Luo Dharma Assembly... if he really gathers most of the Golden Immortals from the entire Xuanwei Sect, then the Nine Mountains Sect, if not by the table, will probably be on the table itself.

Although the Primordial Purple Qi was in his hands, if these Golden Immortals were to unite, with the Dao Venerable and the Thunder Sound Buddha behind them, not to mention the Nine Mountains Sect, even the Underworld would have to kneel down.

"So the Mahayana Buddha is preparing to complete the ritual from top to bottom?"

Upon hearing Zheng Fa's question, the Lapis Lazuli Buddha nodded proudly: "As long as all the Golden Immortals agree, and with the help of the Primordial Purple Qi, we can easily establish laws for the Immortal Path."

That's true.

In the world of immortals, great power ultimately belongs to oneself, and powerful beings hold absolute sway.

With so many Golden Immortals reaching a consensus, there's no way for other Dao Fruits to resist, let alone mortals.

But Zheng Fa still had one question: where did Lu Yao get the confidence to persuade so many Golden Immortals?
The Supreme Dao and Leiyin Temple have a long history of conflict, so persuading them will not be easy.

Recalling Lu Yao's past actions, Zheng Fa always felt that he was not the kind of person who would jump out and attract fire without being sure of himself.

"So, Sect Leader Zheng still doesn't want to go?"

The Crystal Buddha asked again, his tone full of confidence.

Yun Wuji's face turned even paler. He had, of course, understood the subtext of the Lapis Lazuli Buddha—it would be unwise to give up going to the Great Luo Dharma Assembly for the sake of a traitor.

Having been in charge of Haori Mountain for many years, he certainly knew how a sect leader should act...

To be fair, if it were him, he would choose to hand himself over.

He believed Zheng Fa also understood that he had no choice but to surrender because he was desperate and afraid of death. To the Nine Mountains Sect, he had no real loyalty.

Those who miss the Great Luo Dharma Assembly will be excluded by the Golden Immortals.

To put it simply, the mainstream of the Xuanwei Realm used to be the struggle between immortals and demons. Maybe in the future, the demonic sect will be the Nine Mountains Sect, and the immortal sect will be all the Golden Immortal lineages that participated in the Great Luo Dharma Assembly... What's the point of fighting then?

Zheng Fa fell into thought, and after a moment, asked again, "Only if you take Yun Wuji away can I go to the Great Luo Dharma Assembly?"

"Exactly."

Seeing that he seemed to waver, the Buddha of Lapis Lazuli smiled even more deeply.

"Then I wish the Dharma assembly at Leiyin Temple a successful conclusion!"

"..." The Crystal Buddha stared at him in a daze.

Even the people from the Nine Mountains Sect behind him were somewhat moved.

Not to mention Yun Wuji, who stared at Zheng Fa's back, seemingly unable to believe his ears—Sect Leader Zheng had actually refused?
……

Zheng Fa never hesitated at all.

The words of the Lapis Lazuli Buddha certainly have their merits, but Zheng Fa also knows a very simple truth—the more your enemy wants you to do something, the less you should do it.

If Lu Yao were to achieve great power by unifying the Golden Immortals through the Great Luo Dharma Assembly, it would naturally be a great disaster for the Nine Mountains Sect. However, this is something that has not yet happened.

Whether Lu Yao can do it, and to what extent, remains questionable.

But if Yun Wuji is really handed over, not only will the newly established Shooting Sun Army need to be rebuilt, but more importantly, what will the sect think?
Everyone fought to the death with Leiyin Temple, and Zheng Fa turned around and handed Yun Wuji over. Isn't that a joke?
Not to mention, what the outside world thinks of the Nine Mountains Sect—who would dare to pledge allegiance to the Nine Mountains Sect in the future? Who would believe that the Nine Mountains Sect could sit at the same table as the Thunder Sound Temple?
If Zheng Fa does not attend the Great Luo Dharma Assembly, he may lose the hearts of all the Golden Immortals.

If he were to hand over Yun Wuji, he would lose the trust of everyone inside and outside the Nine Mountains Sect.

Even who Yun Wuji is is unimportant. Why he joined the Nine Mountains Sect is also unimportant.

He is now a member of the Nine Mountains Sect, and he is very important.

The smile on the face of the Crystal Buddha gradually faded. He looked at Zheng Fa with piercing eyes: "Sect Leader Zheng, have you thought this through?"

Zheng Fa smiled but did not answer.

The Buddha of Lapis Lazuli closed his eyes, but a Bodhisattva beside him spoke up: "Sect Leader Zheng is confused. Which is more important, a traitor or the entire Nine Mountains Sect?"

Upon entering and exchanging greetings, Zheng Fa learned who this Bodhisattva was. The other party was named Guangzhi Bodhisattva, a True Immortal with the cultivation level, and seemed to be a confidant of the Lapis Lazuli Buddha.

Guangzhi Bodhisattva looked at the person in the hall with a cold face and a threatening tone: "White Lotus Bodhisattva is the direct disciple of my Leiyin Temple and the future Buddha. His status is no different from others. Now that he is dead, my Leiyin Temple must give an explanation."

He looked at Yun Wuji and said, "Today, Headmaster Zheng, you may refuse, but my Leiyin Temple will not let this go. This is not a matter for the Great Luo Dharma Assembly."

Silence reigned in the Heavenly Palace.

The threat in Guangzhi Bodhisattva's tone became increasingly obvious: "Alliance Leader Zheng, think it through. Hand over this thief, and the Nine Mountains Sect will be able to participate in the Great Luo Dharma Assembly. The Mahayana Buddha is compassionate and will make an exception. The Nine Mountains Sect will be safe and secure in the future."

"If we don't hand this person over, how will the Nine Mountains Sect conduct itself after the Great Luo Dharma Assembly?" Guangzhi saw that everyone's expressions showed signs of anger, but instead of restraining himself, he spoke even more clearly, "Even the Buddhas of my Leiyin Temple will surely seek justice."

"At that time, war will break out again, and people will suffer. The Nine Mountains Sect, which you have painstakingly built, will face annihilation."

"Sect Leader Zheng, is a traitor worth all this trouble?"

Yun Wuji's body trembled.

But then they heard Bodhisattva Guangzhi utter an even more hurtful statement: "Even if you, Sect Leader Zheng, don't agree, what about the others in the Nine Mountains Sect? Don't they agree either?"

Yun Wuji felt even more desolate.

Deep down, he had expected Zheng Fa not to hand him over, given the relationship between the Nine Mountains Sect and the Thunder Sound Temple.

However, these words from Bodhisattva Guangzhi made his situation in the Nine Mountains Sect even more delicate—it could be said that they put him on the opposite side from the other disciples of the Nine Mountains Sect.

Even if he manages to survive in the Nine Mountains Sect in the future, his life will likely be difficult...

In particular, if the Nine Mountains Sect were to face a real crisis in the future, how would other disciples of the Nine Mountains Sect view him?

He could even sense that some of the cultivators from the Nine Mountains in the hall were looking at him strangely.

Just as he was feeling lost, a cold, resolute reply suddenly rang in his ears:
"If your Leiyin Temple dares to offend my Jiushan," Senior Sister Zhang stared at Bodhisattva Guangzhi, her tone extremely serious, "the entire Jiushan will never blame any fellow disciple, but will only find the culprit and repay him with an eye and a tooth."

The cultivators in the hall who had been misled by the words of the Bodhisattva Guangzhi immediately changed their expressions and were filled with shame.

"The Nine Mountains Sect has never asked for your friendship with Leiyin Temple before, nor is it because of Lu Yao's leniency that things have settled down."

"Not in the future either."

Bodhisattva Guangzhi was speechless. Buddha Liuli slowly opened his eyes again, looked at Zheng Fa, and said without joy or sorrow, "Is this your answer, Sect Leader Zheng?"

Zheng Fa smiled and said, "What Senior Sister said is what I said."

He paused, then said very seriously, "Peace and friendship are things that our Nine Mountains Sect has always cherished. The order of heaven and earth is not a bad thing for the Nine Mountains Sect."

"Therefore, my Nine Mountains Sect will not start a war, but if anyone does not cherish this goodwill, then when to stop is not up to them."

The expression of the Crystal Buddha changed slightly. He thought of Haori Mountain and felt a chill in his heart.

When Haori Mountain and Jiushan Sect clashed, the difference in their strength was even greater than the current difference between Leiyin Temple and Jiushan Sect.

But now...

The Crystal Buddha glanced at Yun Wuji and felt that Zheng Fa's threat had finally found a living example.

Zheng Fa's words were not meant out of spite; they were the basic fighting strategy he had figured out in modern times that was most suitable for the Nine Mountains Sect—not to fire the first shot, but to strive to fire the last.

Show goodwill while maintaining the principle of tit-for-tat, and make it clear enough that both inside and outside the Nine Mountains Sect understand the meaning behind it.

The Lapis Lazuli Buddha seemed to understand. He didn't say much, but stood up, put the gold ingot into his sleeve, and said to Zheng Fa, "In that case, we shall take our leave."

The atmosphere in the Heavenly Palace turned somber, realizing that the talks had truly broken down.

Zheng Fa stood up, making a gesture as if to see the guest off.

Since he acted this way, the others in the Nine Mountains Sect naturally had no objections.

The Crystal Buddha added, "I only hope that Sect Leader Zheng will not regret this in the future."

Zheng Fa smiled, seemingly unwilling to engage in any verbal sparring with him, which made the Crystal Buddha feel frustrated.

He couldn't help but snort coldly and turned to leave.

Before he could turn around, Zheng Fa suddenly stretched out his hand and pointed forward.

A look of joy appeared on the face of the Crystal Buddha. "Sect Leader Zheng has changed his mind?"

Zheng Fa shook his head, and with a wave of his hand, a golden envelope flew in from outside the boundary.

"A letter from the Mahayana Buddha?"

The Buddha of Lapis Lazuli gestured for Bodhisattva Guangzhi to take the envelope. Bodhisattva Guangzhi opened the envelope, and a letter flew out, from which Lu Yao's voice came.

"I already know everything about the White Lotus affair. The plan was slightly off, so there's no need to pursue it further."

The expression on the face of the Crystal Buddha changed slightly.

"The Great Luo Dharma Assembly concerns the path of immortality, and the Primordial Purple Qi originally belonged to Sect Leader Zheng." Lu Yao's voice was very gentle. "Without Sect Leader Zheng, the Great Luo Dharma Assembly would inevitably be incomplete. Today, I present this invitation, hoping that Sect Leader Zheng will grace Leiyin with his presence."

After saying that, a golden invitation flew out from behind the letter paper and into Zheng Fa's hand.

The Buddha of Lapis Lazuli looked at the gold letter in Zheng Fa's hand, then looked down at his own long sleeves, and remained silent for a long time.

(End of this chapter)