Chapter 488: Chapter 442, The Water Army Strikes Again
Zhao Gongming said in astonishment, "The self-destruction you mentioned, is it the kind I understand? The kind that goes ’bang’ and annihilates both body and soul?"
Kong Xuan nodded and said, "Exactly that kind. Although it doesn’t reach the extent of annihilating both body and soul, its power is equally terrifying.
Self-destruction of cultivation is our last resort to perish together, but he seems to be able to use it infinitely. Every self-destruction blows him to bits and pieces, and then he quickly regenerates and heals."
Yun Xiao speechlessly said, "Isn’t this just playing dirty?"
Kong Xuan nodded helplessly and said, "Undying is indeed mighty!"
Bai Jin laughed heartily and said, "To become a Quasi-Saint is naturally to be one of the Primordial Immortal Heroes. The fact that you have gained the upper hand has already exceeded my expectations."
In the midst of the conversation, a Golden Peng flew in from the Western direction, its claws clutching a fat Golden Cicada.
The Golden Peng, resembling a black cloud, swooped down directly, and with a flash of light, transformed into Yang Jian in armor, awe-inspiring and majestic. A cloud cushioned the Golden Cicada, floating it to the side.
Yang Jian gave a respectful bow and said, "I pay my respects to Master, to all my martial uncles, and to my martial sister!"
Bai Jin nodded slightly and said, "Rise! There’s no need for excessive formality."
Zhao Gongming, Yun Xiao, and the others also smiled and nodded in return. Yang Jian now worked in the Judicial Temple and often interacted with them; Zhao Gongming and the others had a good impression of him.
Yang Jian stood up on his cloud.
The Golden Peng flew over, patted Yang Jian on the shoulder, and laughed heartily, "I saw your battle just now, well done."
Yang Jian also revealed a slight smile and said, "Thank you for the praise, martial uncle!"
Then hesitantly said, "Master, I failed to completely kill Jin Chanzi. His Primordial Spirit escaped as a relic."
Bai Jin said, "It doesn’t matter, having this is enough. We’ll go back to Heavenly Court and hold a Golden Cicada Banquet."
Yun Xiao said with a smile, "Is big brother going to cook personally?"
"Of course, frying, sautéing, simmering, and stewing, a well-prepared Golden Cicada is a real delicacy." They all talked and laughed their way back to the Heavenly Court.
As for the Qin Dynasty, once Qi Fortune returns, everything will normalize, whether the dynasty perishes as the Second Generation or the nation flourishes for ten thousand years, the Human Clan will have their own development; Bai Jin did not intend to interfere further.
As for Buddhism and the Zen School, heh~ the Hundred Schools would struggle against them; if he himself took action, it would somewhat seem like bullying.
After the battle at the East Sea ceased, Emperor Zhenwu led All Gods back to the Heavenly Court, and the great battle in Northern Continent also came to an end, with heavy casualties among Buddhism and the Demon Clan.
Above the Heavenly River in Heavenly Court, a heavy oppressive force suddenly descended, Tianpeng Marshal leading eighty thousand Heavenly Water Army troops returned, the Heavenly River surged with towering waves, each wave crashing against the embankment, as if welcoming the return of the gods.
Tianpeng Marshal landed on the embankment, and numerous Heavenly Soldiers and Generals also descended, standing in neat ranks on the embankment, standing guard over the Heavenly River.
"Marshal Tianpeng~" A crisp voice suddenly rang out.
Tianpeng Marshal quickly turned around and said with a hearty smile, "Secretary, what brings you to my Heavenly River?"
Shi Ji floated down and landed on the bank, standing beside Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy, turned to gaze at the vast Heavenly River, and revealed a hint of a smile, saying, "Marshal’s victorious return from the Northern Continent is indeed a joyous occasion!"
Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy replied with a proud smile, "Our Heavenly Court is the army of justice. How could the loose alliance of the Demon Clan and Buddhism possibly withstand us?"
Shi Ji said, "When the Heavenly Court set out to the Northern Continent, Emperor Gouchen met the challenge of Randeng Ancient Buddha and Guanyin Bodhisattva. Amidst the battle, he faced danger and made a breakthrough, cutting off his corporeal form to achieve Dao."
Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy nodded his head repeatedly, joyfully saying, "The attainment of Dao by Master is truly a momentous celebration."
Suddenly slapping his forehead he said, "I must prepare a gift for Master immediately."
Shi Ji turned to look at Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy and said, "There’s no need for a gift. I remember what brother once said, that as the leader of the Heavenly Water Army, you excel in manipulating the flow of water, and you played a significant role in the prior matter with Buddhism."
Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy’s eyes flickered for a moment, he glanced around, then bent over with a wry smile and said, "Dear Master Uncle, such words should not be spoken recklessly. If they were to spread, Western Buddhism would skin me alive!
When Master initially asked me to do it, I said I wouldn’t, that I couldn’t do it well. But Master insisted, and I had no choice but to comply. Yet, it resulted in a great turmoil within Buddhism, which scared me to death." Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy appeared genuinely shaken.
"There is something else I would like you to do, unrelated to Buddhism."
Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy replied with a troubled expression, "Master Uncle, this weak body of mine cannot cross the great river. If the wind and waves are too strong, please forgive me."
Shi Ji ignored him, continuing to say, "In times past, The Three Pure Ones were not yet separated, with Chan Sect and Jie Sect facing each other on Kunlun Mountain. Brother Bai Jin led both paths of the Chan Sect, devoting himself fully.
Later, the Three Pure Saints established their own Daoist fields, and the Eastern Sea Jie Sect took root. Brother Bai Jin established the Law Enforcement Team, to govern his disciples.
After the Divine Enthronement, Brother Bai Jin became Emperor Gouchen, assisting Your Majesty in managing the Yin Yang of Heaven and Earth, benefiting all beings of the Primordial World."
Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy nodded repeatedly, saying, "As an elder, Bai Jin has also given me much help, for which I am immensely grateful."
A cold light flashed in Shi Ji’s eyes as he said, "However, after the Divine Enthronement, Chan Sect and Buddhism have been spreading claims that Brother Bai Jin is hypocritical, flattering and scheming in secret, despicable, and shameless.
Brother Bai Jin has always been unconcerned with fame or disgrace, not bothering with them. But I cannot ignore this."
Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy nodded repeatedly, his indignation apparent as he said, "You’re right, Master Uncle. Both Buddhism and the Chan Sect are shameless.
Are you suggesting that I deploy the Water Army to restore Brother’s reputation?"
Shi Ji laughed and said, "This time Brother faced a Quasi-Saint Demon who attacked and was defeated by Brother’s noble Dao Heart, proclaiming Brother’s heart and spirit are perfect, his True Spirit without blemish, possessing great virtue and great might, bowing in reverence and then fleeing in shame.
Brother Bai Jin’s noble character has impressed even the Heavenly Demon, which serves to vindicate him. What I want you to do is spread the word about this event, so that all beings of the Primordial World understand that Brother is an untarnished white crane, a Cultivator of noble character and great virtues."
Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy immediately thumped his chest and promised, "Master Uncle, rest assured! I will handle this. I will ensure that this event is known throughout the Three Realms, for all Primordial beings to understand that the Heavenly Demon was subdued by Master Uncle’s noble morals."
Shi Ji nodded, smiling and said, "After the task is completed, go to the Mortal Bank in the Heavenly Court and receive a reward of one hundred thousand Xuanhuang Coins for the eighty thousand soldiers of the Heavenly River Navy."
Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy immediately bowed and joyfully said, "Thank you, Master Uncle."
Shi Ji turned and drifted away.
While Bai Jin was hosting the Golden Cicada Banquet in the Heavenly Court, many forces across the Three Realms were stirring. The Heavenly Court, with its own mighty strength, fiercely contended with both Buddhism and the Demon Clan and even achieved a grand victory, elevating the prestige of the Heavenly Court to its peak.
The influence of Buddhism and the Demon Clan also surged significantly, with their coalition subtly becoming a powerful force capable of influencing the situation of the Three Realms.