Becoming a god starts from planting a Bodhi tree.

Chapter 521 A Thousand Prayers, A Thousand Responses

"You've swallowed Taiwei, and then all the other deities. Who do you plan to send to expand the Heavenly Court's territory next?"

Ji Jingqiu never set foot in the Heavenly Court, but remained in the Buddhist Kingdom.

As the highest authority in the Investiture of the Gods, Doumu Yuanjun originally had absolute control over this Buddhist kingdom and even the entire Buddhist community. She could cut off the supply of incense offerings at any time and even replace the Buddha.

However, as Ji Jingqiu established himself on the Bodhi tree, entered the Buddhist kingdom, merged with the foundations of Buddhism, and then transformed into countless beings to travel throughout the realms of Buddhism, spreading the true teachings of Buddhism...

They had already shaken the Heavenly Court's absolute control over Buddhism.

Now, Ji Jingqiu stands in the Buddhist kingdom, just as Doumu stands in the heavenly court.

"Expanding territory?" Doumu asked with a smile, "Does Fellow Daoist Ji think it's still necessary?"

Upon hearing this, the worst possible scenario came to Ji Jingqiu's mind: Had Doumu already taken the final step?
“Even if there really is a need, there will always be a suitable candidate,” Doumu said meaningfully.

This sentence just fell.

Luo Xuan immediately knelt down behind him, willing to die for the Heavenly Court.

Doumu casually pointed a finger at Luo Xuan's brow, and a terrifyingly powerful divine essence immediately poured into it, like a golden statue of a god taking root behind him in an instant!

Luo Xuan's aura soared, and he quickly reached the Taiwei level, which was blessed by the Heavenly Court!

Even without the divine weapon left by his elder brother, Luo Xuan was already among the top tier of True Saints, and now he has taken it a step further.

Ji Jingqiu witnessed the whole process; in the blink of an eye, this person had pushed Luo Xuan to the divine position of Taiwei.

As one of the five highest figures on the Investiture of the Gods, he could clearly sense the fluctuations in the divine position and the arrival of a new god.

"Well done," Ji Jingqiu said coldly. "Taiwei's death was not unjust."

Doumu seemed unwilling to continue the topic of Taiwei, and spoke up:

"Now that Fellow Daoist Ji has regained his true spiritual nature, the plan to ascend to the other shore should be accelerated."

"As of now, there are 107 realms under the rule of the Heavenly Court. The true spirits of all beings under this number are barely enough to support us in glimpsing the other shore."

"When we reach the other shore again and transcend the limits of the Great Dao, we will no longer be an obstacle to you and me. Stepping into the realm of truth will be just a thought away."

"After returning to the realm of truth, are there still any obstacles in this boundary sea?"

Ji Jingqiu sighed softly to himself.

Indeed, as of now, Buddhism has covered 107 realms!

The incense offerings provided by the creatures within this range are terrifyingly powerful. According to the Moon-Slaying Sword Light, even the most powerful gods who transcended the path of divinity back then didn't have nearly as many pastures at their peak!

Over the years, more than 90% of the incense offerings have been diverted by the Heavenly Court, and some have been offered to the "Bodhisattvas and Arhats" who have taken over Buddhism.

Even so, Ji Jingqiu's golden Buddha body had long since surpassed the True Saint level through incense offerings, making him comparable to those who had merged with the Dao and stood at a bottleneck.

One is only one step away from becoming a transcendent being.

With such power, he can mobilize Doumu from the Investiture of the Gods, making him even stronger.

However, the strength that Doumu displayed in the battle just now still exceeded Ji Jingqiu's expectations. It was a level of power beyond his comprehension, and he could not fight her head-on at the moment.

"What do you want to do?" Ji Jingqiu followed up on Doumu's topic.

"Didn't you already know that?" Doumu said with piercing eyes, "With the innate nature of all spirits as the foundation, we can take another step on the True Spirit Heavenly Rank and reach the other shore again!"

"Now that you have clearly seen the true nature of the spirit, you should understand that this world is far too low in the realm of the true spirit. It will be difficult for you and me to go against the current to the other side, especially since there are obstacles like the giant spirit of true nature blocking our way."

"True Djinn?"

"Within the True Spirit Heavenly Rank, there is a giant spirit that feeds on the true spirits of all beings. No one below the other shore can do anything to it."

Giant Spirit...

Ji Jingqiu looked deeply at Doumu and slowly said:
"You have not yet reached the other shore."

Doumu frowned, but finally, she patiently raised her hand, freezing Luo Xuan in place at the confluence of fate and time, and frankly announced to Ji Jingqiu:

“Fellow Daoist Ji, I know very well that you come from Buddhism, just as you know that I come from Heaven.”

"Now that we have both awakened our one true spirit, the other shore is just around the corner. As long as we return to the other shore, we can return to our respective worlds. At that time, even if heaven and earth are unified, it will be within our grasp."

"I am not your enemy; we share the same goal."

Ji Jingqiu was shocked. The Buddhism and Heavenly Court that Doumu had mentioned earlier were definitely not the same as the Buddhism and Heavenly Court they were currently in!
Not long ago, the words of the Moon-Slaying Sword Light echoed in his ears again.

The height at which the true spirit of a seeker resides determines its influence on the spacetime within a corresponding radius.

Under this hypothesis, the being at the very top of the Dao would be able to influence all of space and time!

Even if he has never been to certain places, his legend will still be projected into those coordinates, giving rise to all sorts of rumors about him. These might be myths and legends, or perhaps a flash of inspiration from an ordinary person, resulting in novels, films, games, or even... reality!

At least beyond this boundary sea, there truly exists an unparalleled celestial court, transcending countless realms and projecting its influence across myriad worlds. And is it possible that Doumu Yuanjun's true spirit originated from this place?!
That's why she looks down on her former colleagues, the Lord of Taiwei Star and Emperor Yi so much.

Yes, as Doumu said, what they judged was who was more "complete".

If his current deduction is correct, then Doumu Yuanjun is not only the Doumu Yuanjun of this realm, but also the Doumu Yuanjun of the peerless Heavenly Court, who is the only true spirit in all the heavens and myriad realms!

Her words also revealed another message—only by seeing the true self on the other shore and returning to oneness with the true spirit can one see the realm of oneness with heaven and earth.
This seems to be a realm that even Doumu Yuanjun could not reach, which is also the reason why she "descended" to this place.

Having already personally traversed the True Spirit Heavenly Staircase, Ji Jingqiu fell silent, his heart already churning with rage. Doumu, however, assumed he was pondering and weighing his options, and continued:
“Since the ‘pillar of heaven collapsed and the earth’s axis was severed,’ beings like you and me have fallen into the True Spirit Heavenly Realm like shooting stars. This is a catastrophe for all sentient beings, but it is also an opportunity for you and me. Everything will be reshuffled. As long as you and I can return first, there is a high probability that we can seize the initiative and go further!”

Ji Jingqiu said, "The Heavenly Emperor position you want is the position of the Heavenly Emperor of the One and Only Heavenly Court?"

The reason why Doumu Yuanjun has treated him with such "special courtesy" for so long, and even watched him vie for partial control of Buddhism, is because she believes that he, like herself, comes from the only Buddhism?
In her eyes, are Di Yi and Tai Wei of this world merely projections of the true Heavenly Emperor and Tai Wei Star Lord in this world?
Doumu Yuanjun raised her eyebrows; this fellow Daoist Ji had finally been honest with her.

"I've found the location of my true spirit, but I've still lost most of my memories," Ji Jingqiu said calmly. "In the One Heavenly Court, what level do those who transcend belong to?"

"Those who have transcended the sea of ​​suffering are powerful beings whose names are worthy of being sung throughout the myriad realms—in this world, there are only four who can truly be called transcendent beings, including that Lord of the Netherworld."

—Is the Great Dao Ancestor of this realm truly a transcendent being within the One Heavenly Court?

"Beyond transcendence, is the unity of heaven and earth?"

Doumu nodded: "That's right. Those who unify heaven and earth are the masters of the boundless world. When the true spirit is unified, it becomes the only path, and can influence all the heavens and myriad worlds in an instant—they themselves are a mythical legend that continuously radiates and influences all the heavens and myriad worlds!"

“But wasn’t this Heavenly Court beneath your feet also at the level of the unity of heaven and earth during its heyday? Why are you so fixated on returning to the old Heavenly Court?” Ji Jingqiu gazed at Doumu Yuanjun.

Doumu Yuanjun said meaningfully, "Even if we don't mention that this pseudo-Heavenly Court's status is compromised, how could you possibly think that this place can compare to the true and unique Heavenly Court? Don't you want to sit on the truly supreme position of Heavenly Emperor or World Honored One?"

Ji Jingqiu suddenly asked, "What kind of catastrophe is it when the pillar of heaven collapses and the earth's axis is severed?"

This time, Doumu Yuanjun was sparing with her words: "The Tide of Annihilation is merely the aftermath of that catastrophe. Do not pursue it unless you reach the level of unifying heaven and earth and trace it back yourself."

Ji Jingqiu stopped asking questions. In fact, the information that Doumu revealed today, along with what he had discovered in the True Spirit Heavenly Rank, was already shocking enough.

"What would happen if a native being of this realm were to see their true self on the other side?" Ji Jingqiu suddenly asked.

"Just like you and me, there is no difference. We gather all the true selves in endless time and space, so that the true spirit can return to oneness and ascend to the other shore again."

Doumu Yuanjun spoke slowly,
"In the earliest times, all sentient beings were on the other shore. However, an indescribable catastrophe caused sentient beings to fall from their original place into the Heavenly Realm of True Spirits, reflecting their selves in different times and spaces. The True Spirits split into countless forms."

“Fellow Daoist Ji, now that we have both rediscovered our true spiritual nature and awakened our unique true spirit, we should join hands and support each other on the True Spirit Heavenly Rank, returning to our respective worlds.”

Faced with the repeated olive branches extended by Doumu Yuanjun, Ji Jingqiu remained silent for a long time before finally saying:
"What are you going to do?"

"Using the Investiture of the Gods as a guide, and transforming the true spiritual nature of all beings into a foundation, we will help you and me ascend back to the very top of the True Spirit Heavenly Realm!"

"Then what price will the myriad beings in the 107 realms under the Heavenly Court pay for this?"

Upon hearing this question, Doumu Yuanjun frowned and shook her head, saying:
“Fellow Daoist Ji, you must understand that all beings that have not awakened their unique true spirit are nothing more than a ‘projection’ and nothing at all, not worth your or my concern.”

"Grass and trees die in autumn, but pine and cypress live on forever; this is fate. Orchids and magnolias flourish in the streets, and jade trees grow on the steps; this is also fate."

“Every spirit has its own destiny, and their destiny is to lend us a helping hand.”

"All for naught?" Ji Jingqiu looked at Doumu and said, word by word, "Doumu, I have heard a saying that all spirits have 'hearts,' but only gods have no 'heart.' Therefore, the Netherworld is the graveyard of the gods and the reflection of the hearts of all living beings. Among the spirits with hearts and the gods without hearts, who is truly in vain?"

Doumu's expression gradually turned cold; she had already discerned Ji Jingqiu's attitude.

Those who have seen their true selves and achieved oneness with their true spirits have already made up their minds; how could others easily sway them?

"Fellow Daoist Ji, do not obstruct my path," Doumu warned directly.

"Doumu, you have already awakened your unique true spirit, why don't you rely on yourself to ascend to the True Spirit Heavenly Rank?" Ji Jingqiu asked in return.

He reached the end of the True Spirit Heavenly Staircase on his own, and began to see the other shore.

If Doumu is truly the mother of all stars in the only Heavenly Court, she would have already stepped into the other shore before falling from the True Spirit Heavenly Steps. Why does she need the myriad spirits of the 107 realms as stepping stones to return to the other shore now?
Doumu coldly said, "Reaching the other shore involves too many variables. Why gamble? It's better to choose the safest way." Ji Jingqiu asked, "Before falling from the True Spirit Heavenly Steps, did you reach the other shore later in life, or were you born on the other shore?"

"We are born of nature, and are naturally destined to stand on the other shore."

Ji Jingqiu nodded and said bluntly, "Doumu, I will hinder your path to enlightenment."

Doumu Yuanjun, instead of being angry, laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Ji, it seems I guessed wrong. Your true form is not that group of bald monks. If you were one of those monks, you wouldn't have given up joining forces with me to reach the other shore for a bunch of mortals who don't believe in them."

Ji Jingqiu said calmly, "So you have all fallen from the True Spirit Heavenly Rank."

Doumu Yuanjun's expression immediately turned cold.

After an unknown amount of time, Doumu's expression returned to normal, and she said with a hint of regret:
"It seems that we ultimately failed to reach an agreement. Although I had expected this, I still held onto a sliver of hope. Fellow Daoist Ji, you have disappointed me."

"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together." Ji Jingqiu's tone remained calm as ever.

Despite the regret and disappointment, Doumu Yuanjun still showed a look of appreciation:
“Fellow Daoist Ji, although we are on different paths, I admire your perseverance and courage. If Taiwei had half of your courage and magnanimity to openly declare war on me, I would spare his life for the sake of his true form.”

At this point, Doumu's expression returned to indifference and majesty: "Then, Fellow Daoist Ji, this is also my final piece of advice to you."

The next moment, Ji Jingqiu seemed to have lost sight of the Heavenly Court, as if he had been banished back to the Buddhist Kingdom.

He paused for a moment, composed himself, and began to organize his thoughts on the meeting.

From Doumu Yuanjun, he glimpsed the true and complete picture of this world.

At this moment, the only thing he was still wondering about was why even Doumu Yuanjun was wary of the True Spirit Heavenly Rank and dared not travel alone, while he alone could cross the other side so easily.

In other words, Doumu's predecessor was the Mother of Stars of the Only Heavenly Court, but who is she herself?

This question was inexplicable even to Hela and the others who had heard everything in Ji Jingqiu's inner universe, especially the light of the Moon-Slaying Sword.

The information revealed by Doumu Yuanjun today has caused Zhan Yue Jian Guang to fall into deep thought.

This is an unparalleled secret that even its true form could not know!

"Ji Jingqiu, have you truly reached the other shore?" Wu Zhou asked. "Isn't ascending to the True Spirit Heavenly Staircase enough for you to reach the other shore?"

Ji Jingqiu slowly said, "Through my years of study, I have gained a deeper understanding of the Path to the Other Shore. Reaching the top of the Heavenly Staircase does indeed allow one to see the Other Shore, but I still lack some things if I want to truly step into the Realm of the Other Shore."

Where is it lacking?

Wu Zhou pressed on, his only question being: if reaching the very top of the True Spirit Heavenly Staircase would allow one to see the other shore, then had Hela, the only one among them who went to the True Spirit Heavenly Staircase with Ji Jingqiu, also seen... the other shore?
Ji Jingqiu remained silent for a moment before saying, "It is the completeness of the true spirit's nature, or it can also be said to be the return to oneness."

Wu Zhou's pupils contracted sharply, and his gaze involuntarily fell on Hela's retreating figure.

Ji Jingqiu did not look at Hela, but calmly said:
"I have come to understand the true meaning of the other shore. Originally, I wanted to see through the other shore because I thought I could break the restrictions of the Investiture of the Gods. But now it seems that even if I step into the other shore, it will be difficult to break free from the shackles of the Investiture of the Gods."

"And I have already managed to ignore the pressure brought by the incense and prayers."

Wu Zhou couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going to continue exploring the other shore?"

Ji Jingqiu said softly, "Do you still remember the bet I made with that person at the end of the Road to Return to Truth? Stepping onto the other shore is not enough for me to win. When the other shore cannot satisfy my desires, it is not my 'other shore'."

At this moment, Wu Zhou was completely unable to fathom Ji Jingqiu's thoughts for the first time.

He suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. As a demon, this was only the second time in his life that he had been completely unable to see through someone's thoughts.

The first time I had this feeling was when I was facing Mu Shitian!
Wu Zhou suddenly said, "Ji Jingqiu, Mu Shitian said something similar back then, that the other shore was not what he was pursuing—"

Ji Jingqiu remained silent. He did not go into seclusion again, but waited for Doumu to make her move.

After absorbing Taiwei and a host of other gods, even after separating Taiwei's divinity, Doumu reached a point where she could not advance any further.

Now, all that remains before her is the word "breakthrough".

at this time.

The entire Buddhist kingdom, spanning 107 realms, trembled violently!
An indescribable pressure descended, this was the suppression from the Investiture of the Gods. Doumu would no longer sit idly by while he fought for control of Buddhism, but instead used the Investiture of the Gods as a pretext to begin putting pressure on him.

Ji Jingqiu knew that this was only the first step!
Soon after, the prayers and supplications originating from all living beings suddenly intensified tenfold or a hundredfold—

Ji Jingqiu looked down and saw that natural disasters of varying degrees had fallen in all 107 realms, including traces of the Annihilation Tide!
All sentient beings in all realms are praying for the Buddha's protection at this moment!

Ji Jingqiu knew very well that all of this was the work of Doumu, whose purpose was to restrain him, just as Di Yi had previously tried to shake the Bitter Sea to distract him and prevent him from interfering in the Heavenly Court's war.

As the sounds of chanting and prayer filled the air, some even interspersed with blood sacrifices, it seemed only in such a manner could one gain his attention…

Ji Jingqiu sighed softly. Although he had transformed into countless forms and entered various realms to spread the true meaning of Buddhism, the time was ultimately too short and far from enough to enlighten all living beings.

At this moment, far beyond the endless void, the female Heavenly Emperor, residing at the highest point, seemed to be asking him a question—

Ji Shizun, without the suppression of the Investiture of the Gods, the beings in this realm are filled with suffering, and the karmic fire is inextinguishable. It is terrifying and awe-inspiring. Do you pay attention to it or not?
"Ji Jingqiu, don't follow her lead, or you'll be dragged down by her!" Hela suddenly said seriously.

Ji Jingqiu's heart was as calm as a still lake, without a ripple.

In his current spiritual practice, he is no longer disturbed by anything external. Every thought that arises is an internal struggle against himself, ultimately leading him to discover his true desires.

Doumu had already made her move, and his response was nothing more than—

A thousand prayers will be answered in a thousand places.

Ji Jingqiu gazed at the world and all living beings before him, slowly closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and created countless clones that descended upon the world.

Looking at this scene.

My inner universe, Zhou Qing, couldn't help but murmur:

All Buddhas, the World Honored Ones, wish to enable all sentient beings to open their eyes and knowledge of the Buddha, therefore descended to this Saha world and attained enlightenment in this age.

……

The female Heavenly Emperor, seated high above the heavenly court, had an indifferent expression and a mocking look in her eyes.

"They are even more foolish than those bald monks."

To her right stood Luo Xuan, who smiled and said, "Your Majesty, why bother with such matters? Ascending to immortality as soon as possible is the most important thing."

Doumu looked at Luo Xuan with great interest: "Luo Xuan, who do you think has a better chance of winning this time?"

"Of course it's Your Majesty!"

"really?"

"Everything he has now comes from His Majesty and the Investiture of the Gods." Luo Xuan shook his head. "I really can't see where this World Honored One has any chance of winning."

Doumu smiled. Indeed, even if she allowed Ji Jingqiu to seize control of Buddhism, it was far from the point of completely breaking free from the Heavenly Court and the Investiture of the Gods.

The reason she still harbored doubts about Ji Jingqiu was because Ji Jingqiu, like her, had achieved spiritual unity.

For beings like them, it's never too much to be wary of them.

Thinking of this, Doumu suddenly said, "Go to the Netherworld and check on the situation in the Sea of ​​Bitterness."

Luo Xuan was taken aback, then hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, it is probably difficult to enter the Netherworld now."

He was still aware of the situation in the Netherworld.

Luo Xuan had long heard of the divine weapon left behind by that flawless Daoist!

Even now that he has obtained the divine position of Taiwei and is blessed with the divine power of the Investiture of the Gods, he does not believe that he can match the divine weapon that carries half of the Dao of an ancient transcendent being.

In his view, the latter can be regarded as a transcendent being!
He no longer possessed the protective divine weapon left by his elder brother; the weapon, imbued with spirit, had long since departed and returned to the Heavenly Prison Palace to guard it.

"I know what I'm doing, just go ahead," Doumu said calmly.

Luo Xuan hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed.

After Luo Xuan left, Doumu looked at Ji Jingqiu, who had transformed into billions and entered the world to save it, sneered, and waved her hand to summon someone.

"I heard you sensed the location of your Netherworld Master's Dao Fruit?"

Zhang Tiancheng bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, it is in the Netherworld! Moreover, Dao Guo is currently unclaimed, and I suspect it is hidden in the Sea of ​​Bitterness!"

It's another sea of ​​suffering.

Doumu's eyes were deep; she had noticed Di Yi's unusual behavior earlier.

The Sea of ​​Bitterness could not possibly cause her any harm. Di Yi had deliberately released signs of the Sea of ​​Bitterness's emergence not to restrain her, but to restrain Ji Jingqiu, who was the Buddha.

If I remember correctly, Ji Jingqiu's predecessor, the World Honored One, died while suppressing the Sea of ​​Suffering.

(End of this chapter)