Chapter 974: 969: Killing Three Birds with One Stone
Chapter 974: Chapter 969: Killing Three Birds with One Stone
The more Lü Yang thought about it, the more he felt that Bhagavat’s plan was simply perfect—it could even be called killing three birds with one stone.
First, the Foundation Establishment Realm was created by Bhagavat. That being the case, even if it collapsed, Bhagavat definitely had a way to repair it. This would be his bargaining chip.
“Thinking about it carefully, why did the Saint Sect Ancestral Master support Bhagavat back then?
“The Four Peak Masters of the First Generation are all outstanding figures. Why support Bhagavat of all people? Perhaps the Foundation Establishment Realm is one of the reasons he gained favor!”
After all, if the Foundation Establishment Realm truly played a role similar to the Netherworld in stabilizing the Current World and preventing the Fall of the Other Shore, its collapse would absolutely not be a good thing for the Saint Sect Ancestral Master. And Bhagavat’s opportunity for the Nascent Soul was, nine times out of ten, plotted out by relying on exactly this.
Second, there were the consequences of the Foundation Establishment Realm’s collapse. The Current World would lose a major pillar, leading to the Fall of the Other Shore. To prevent this, it would be very difficult for the Saint Sect Ancestral Master to continue his suppression against the Netherworld.
The situation would completely reverse.
“Without the Foundation Establishment Realm, they cannot afford to lose the Netherworld as well. The Masters of Dao will not only have to stop attacking the Netherworld, but they will even have to turn around and support it!”
When that time came, even if the Saint Sect Ancestral Master still had some tricks up his sleeve, the Sword Pavilion Daoist Lord and the Daoist Court Daoist Lord might not share his mindset anymore. Driven by the general trend, the Saint Sect Ancestral Master could only choose the lesser of two evils. Would it be better for the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master to achieve Resurrection, or for Ang Xiao to validate his Dao through the Netherworld?
The answer was beyond doubt.
“So once the Foundation Establishment Realm collapses, Ang Xiao’s chances of claiming the Netherworld will greatly increase. The Saint Sect Ancestral Master will very likely make an exception and let it pass!”
Finally, there was the third bird in this stone-throwing masterstroke.
“It is me! He is still thinking about granting me Enlightenment!”
At this thought, Lü Yang’s expression turned increasingly ugly. At this moment, he was still connected through Unity, while Bhagavat was discussing the profound mysteries of Dao with the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master. The subject of their discussion was exactly the Plane Creation Technique.
This Knowledge concerned the specific methods to destroy the Foundation Establishment Realm, so there was no way Lü Yang could afford not to listen. But the problem was, the amount of information was just too damn much!
“Bhagavat is doing this on purpose! Making me listen here, forcing me to immerse myself in Unity for a long time, granting me Enlightenment like boiling a frog in warm water… He is too wicked! Ah… but looking at it from another angle, Bhagavat is willing to impart such a Miao Fa to me, so he is actually quite a nice person…”
“SLAP!”
Lü Yang gave himself a vicious slap in his mind, clearing up his chaotic thoughts a little. “My Dao Heart is actually getting closer and closer to collapse.”
With this entire setup, Bhagavat had outplayed him completely!
Immediately after, Lü Yang changed his train of thought. “Knowledge about the Foundation Establishment Realm and the Plane Creation Technique should actually be forbidden.
“Yet I am hearing it without any adverse effects.
“Clearly, Bhagavat has processed all this forbidden Knowledge…”
Thinking of this, Lü Yang immediately gritted his teeth. “So Bhagavat actually could have told me that piece of forbidden Knowledge that could solidify the Netherworld into one entity!”
But he just refused to say it! He really was a miser!
“A bald donkey who refuses to lift a finger without an immediate payoff! He scrambles forward when there are benefits to seize, but when it comes to giving them out, he is like a Pixiu—only taking in, never giving out. No wonder he could become a Master of Dao…”
While constantly cursing Bhagavat in his heart and struggling to resist Bhagavat’s infection, Lü Yang listened earnestly to the conversation between Bhagavat and the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master. As things stood, he only had two choices: either restart or continue at the risk of receiving Enlightenment from Bhagavat. Lü Yang did not hesitate for long; he would certainly not restart right now.
This was not out of greed, nor was it unwillingness to give up. Instead, it was a rational analysis.
“Bhagavat’s attitude toward me is just like boiling a frog in warm water… In other words, he will absolutely not push me into a corner. He is also afraid that I will choose mutual destruction, burning Jade Stones and all!”
Therefore, Lü Yang had full confidence that Bhagavat would definitely end this Dao discussion when he was on the verge of receiving Enlightenment, yet not fully there, stuck right at a very delicate Critical Point… Of course, if Bhagavat did not do this, Lü Yang would not be polite with him either and would decisively choose to restart.
TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK. Time trickled by.
After a long while, Bhagavat and the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master in the monk’s quarters finally stopped their conversation. Lü Yang, on the other hand, memorized all the content of their talk. Of course, he had not understood a single word of what he heard.
There was no helping it. The Plane Creation Technique was far too complex. If it had been broken down into digestible pieces and explained to Lü Yang, he might have been able to slowly study and master it. But unfortunately, both Bhagavat and the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master were unparalleled geniuses. Their Enlightenment was absurdly high, so their conversation was strictly communication between geniuses. Often, one would say a single sentence, and there would be no need for the rest—much was left unsaid but mutually understood… The result was that Lü Yang, listening on the sidelines, was left completely dumbfounded.
“It does not matter!” Lü Yang comforted himself. “Anyway, the Ancestral Master and I have constantly maintained a Divine Soul link. The Ancestral Master has heard what I heard, and my Talent Skill has already begun to work hard on comprehending it…”
At this thought, however, Lü Yang frowned again. It was undeniable that the Plane Creation Technique was profoundly deep and incredible, but Bhagavat had only talked about ’creation,’ with no methods on how to ’destroy.’
Right at this moment, the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master spoke up. “Senior Brother Wan Bao, something does not seem right.”
Suddenly, he furrowed his brows, revealing an expression of confusion. “I have observed the Foundation Establishment Realm before, and it does not match what you are saying, Senior Brother.”
“Oh? Where does it not match?” Bhagavat smiled.
“Inside the Foundation Establishment Realm, at a very deep location, there is a massive rift. But on your blueprints, Senior Brother, I cannot find a corresponding design for it.”
The moment these words were spoken, Lü Yang immediately perked up. A massive rift?
At the same time, Bhagavat replied with a smile, “Indeed, that is the sole flaw in the Foundation Establishment Realm. If something happens there, it is highly likely to trigger a chain reaction.”
“What would happen?” the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master asked sternly.
Bhagavat frankly gave an answer that jolted Lü Yang’s spirits. “Naturally, the Foundation Establishment Realm would collapse. All the Foundation-Stage Cultivators in the world would see their Position plummet and fall like rain…”
Hearing this, the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master grew even more serious. “Previously, I did not know why that massive rift appeared inside the Foundation Establishment Realm. However, after listening to your Plane Creation Technique, Senior Brother, I seem to have gained some understanding… That massive rift appeared because the Five Elements are imbalanced!”
The Five Elements are imbalanced?
Lü Yang froze upon hearing this, while inside the monk’s quarters, Bhagavat sighed after listening. “Cultivated Demon… You are truly smart. Too smart. Absurdly smart.”
Right after, the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master stood up abruptly. “Senior Brother… was it your doing?”
“The Water Element shifted position. The Fruit of Sky-River Water usurped the Supreme Venerable spot, but it is hardly worthy of that Position. The Fruit of Vast-Sea Water is even less Profound Mysterious than before. Consequently, the Five Elements have been imbalanced for many years.”
“I was originally wondering why you, Senior Brother, specifically changed the Supreme Venerable Position of the Fruit of Sky-River Water. I thought it was because the Fruit of Sky-River Water was the affiliated Fruit you relied on when seeking the Nascent Soul, and thus you extended your favor out of sentimental attachment. But looking at it now, you had other plans all along?”
At this point, the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master looked deeply pained.
“So that is how it was. So that is how it was… I was just saying that the Fall of the Other Shore should not have happened so early, yet it was advanced anyway. So this is the reason!
“The Five Elements of the Foundation Establishment Realm are imbalanced, lacking in Innate foundation…
“Senior Brother, why must you do this?”
Faced with the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master’s bewildered questioning, Bhagavat did not answer. Instead, he gradually withdrew his compassionate smile, leaving only a heavy, cold indifference in the depths of his eyes.
“Why?”
He had not answered this question back then. In the end, without receiving an answer, the First Generation Demon Taming Peak Master left in disappointment, and this Dao discussion ultimately ended on a sour note.
He did not answer, nor could he answer.
“The Old Dragon Monarch was too troublesome. Striking down the Supreme Venerable Position of the Fruit of Vast-Sea Water was originally what the First Saint desired.
“As for the Foundation Establishment Realm… Hmph, if I did not create some flaws to cause the Fall of the Other Shore to descend once more, on what grounds would all the Masters of Dao fully support you in creating the Netherworld?
“But you just had to be an idiot.
“I originally thought you could use this to set foot on the Other Shore, become a Master of Dao, and support me so we could watch each other’s backs. Yet, you ended up in that state—neither dead nor alive…”
Thinking of the Netherworld in the Current World, Bhagavat shook his head again and sighed inwardly.
“Truly beyond saving. Forget it… At the very least, I will personally send you on your way.”