"As the secrets not to be illuminated were revealed, everyone could imagine what kind of emotions Shipi Arhat must have felt at that time."
"Anger, suffocation, and helplessness."
"If anyone else dared to expose his schemes and calculations in front of the whole world, with Shipi's fierce nature, he would have crushed them to dust and not spared even a wisp of their soul."
"But it just happened to be Sui Chaozi who did it."
"Even if it was just a convergence of clones, compared to Sui Chaozi, Shipi Arhat, the world-famous demon monk, still found himself at a disadvantage."
"In terms of Taoist power, Sui Chaozi crushed Shipi by a whole major realm."
"In terms of longevity, Sui Chaozi had lived even longer."
"In terms of backing, Sui Chaozi's master, Tianzhi Gong from the Outer Realm, a Tribulation Immortal, was said by Master Yuan to be unbeatable by Nirvana Demon Buddha if a real fight broke out."
"Under such circumstances, Shipi Arhat's frightful face became as unsightly as a wrinkled eggplant."
"Fortunately, Sui Chaozi's visit was not to infuriate Shipi to the point of a reckless fight to the death; after delivering a covert blow, he immediately offered up a sweet date."
"Disregarding the expression on Shipi's face, he continued pointing out,"
"Your method of Buddha Cultivation through overcoming tribulations is indeed top-notch in the Demon Path, and I can assert that with this method, you have a 90% guarantee of reaching the Bodhisattva Position and a 10% chance of reaching the Buddha Position."
"I will bestow upon you another method that can help you rectify the chaos and ensure your entry into the Bodhisattva Position, with a 30% chance of reaching the Buddha Status."
Hearing this, Shipi's expression relaxed slightly, and his Buddhist eyes shone.
"A 30% chance of achieving Buddhahood?"
"In the Cultivation World, this was an enormous temptation."
"Not a single cultivator could resist it, for it was the equivalent to the Realm of Tribulation Immortal."
"Shipi's previous elaborate and ambitious plan only had a 10% guarantee according to Sui Chaozi, and this sudden increase to 30% was more than satisfying."
"All the observers were also intrigued, listening carefully."
"The next moment, they heard Sui Chaozi say:"
"The method is extremely simple, since you are emulating the Buddha, why not directly turn from inversion to correctness."
"You only need to sever your connections with the countless Shi Pi Buddha Seeds and disperse the Buddha Poison, no longer seeking returns from those Buddha's sons who have eaten your flesh, and the Great Dao can be obtained in an instant."
"Those Buddha's sons have received your gifts and bear your karma, the higher their achievements in the future, the greater the benefits you receive."
"It's possible that your chance of ascending to Buddhahood could even be greater than 30%."
"This is the True Skill, yet it is superior to the methods you have used before."
"After these words, Shipi Arhat was dumbfounded on the spot, his mind thundering as if it had been struck hard."
"And the people of the Seventy-two provinces were all caught up in heated debates."
"Properly Practicing Buddhism or inversely practicing, each cultivator has their own view, a matter of Dao contention."
"Tao Qian also pondered and speculated about Shipi Arhat's choice."
"Most people believed Shipi would not take Sui Chaozi's advice; the 'Properly Practicing Buddhism' seemed to increase the chance of entering the Tribulation Immortal Realm, but that was merely Sui Chaozi's side of the story. Who could know the truth?"
"If this Outer Realm powerhouse was setting a trap, wouldn't that be a major mistake?"
"However, Tao Qian subconsciously felt that Shipi would most likely listen, and the reason?"
"As he was about to sort that out, Master Yuan directly transmitted a message and revealed the answer,"
"Tsk tsk, Sui Chaozi, as a disciple of Tianzhi Gong, didn't use any Divine Power, yet with just a few words, he could make Demon Buddha Temple lose a Bodhisattva, maybe even a Buddha."
"Boy, don't think too much, Shipi Arhat's aspiration is to become a Buddha, he doesn't care whether it's the correct way or the inverse."
"Sui Chaozi has already shown him a clear path; as long as he's not foolish, he will definitely choose it."
"Especially since Shipi's original poisonous plan was exposed, if he doesn't choose this new path, once the Buddhist Temples start investigating the Buddha's sons who have eaten Shipi's flesh, he might not even be able to attain the Bodhisattva Position, let alone the Buddha Position."
"Just watch, Shipi will not only choose that method, but he will also conveniently backstab the Demon Buddha Temple."
"As if to prove Master Yuan right,"
"No sooner had the words fallen than Shipi Arhat, who had just been showing a face full of angry entanglement,"
"Suddenly his aged face animated, and he burst into a hearty laugh."
"The next moment, his previously leak-free Arhat Dharma Body suddenly became porous, and the intensely concentrated Demon Buddha light condensed into ink-like liquid, gushing out."
"This scene startled many people."
"Provinces erupted into chaos, temples agitated."
"Kongchan and Liansha, who were present, were both shocked and angry, feeling a loss of control over the situation for the first time."
"Disperse their power? Shipi Arhat actually severed the connection and dispersed the Buddha Poison?"
"Not just that, his action was akin to the saying 'Lay down the butcher knife to instantly become a Buddha,' possibly converting all his Demon Buddha's Divine Power into orthodox Buddhist Law."
"Such an act, was it without cost?"
"How could it be? The price was too great; at the very least, his realm would drop from Perfect Ultimate Happiness to the Beginning of Ultimate Happiness, and many problems would follow him after, at least the Demon Buddha Temple would not let him go."
"Such a distinguished Arhat, to make such a foolish choice? To disperse his divine abilities just based on someone else's persuasion."
"..."
While these many discussions continued, a few moments later, the dark light dissipated.
Where there had been a demon monk, there now stood a benevolent and kind-eyed monk, shrouded in the aura of the Buddha but looking quite weak and aged.
This old monk, without hesitation, first addressed all the Buddhist Temples observing from the Void:
"Venerable ones, I have previously strayed into the wrong path, plotting against your temples' Buddha's sons."
"Now I have destroyed my Demon Skill, severed connections, all Buddha Poison has gone, and I hope you do not blame those Buddha's sons; each one is a natural Buddhist Practitioner, who have gained some benefits from me and, I believe, will all make great achievements in the future, which can also be considered one of my meritorious deeds."
"Namo Buddhaya!"
"Excellent, excellent!"
Having said these words, Shipi Arhat paid no heed to the response from the large Buddhist Temples and bowed respectfully again to Sui Chaozi.
Thereafter, he sincerely thanked him,
"Thank you, elder brother, for your guidance. This favor feels like being reborn."
"I only have one more small favor to ask..."
Given that his Taoist power was superior to Shipi's, Sui Chaozi did not wait for him to finish speaking before reaching into his robe and pulling out an ancient Buddhist scripture.
He threw it forth, and amid the shimmering Buddha Light,
a mottled ancient small temple appeared out of thin air.
Inscribed on the front of the temple were Buddhist verses in Outer Realm script, which no one could understand.
The temple doors slowly opened, revealing an auspicious light and colorful mists, as over a dozen Arhats and Bodhisattvas appeared to come forth, each with a strange and extraordinary form and a unique Buddhist charm, none of which belonged to the Human Clan, and all were beckoning Shipi to come over from afar.
As Shipi hesitated, Sui Chaozi timely introduced:
"In the Outer Realm Abyss, there are also many life forms that admire Buddhism, but due to differing philosophies, they have never entered the three thousand eight hundred temples for cultivation, nor are they willing to dwell in the Buddhist Temples' Secret Realm."
"These Daoist friends sought out my master, and together they built this 'Different Buddha Temple.'"
"Though it is but a small temple, it can accommodate you to take refuge and cultivate; you don't have to worry about the Buddhas from the Demon Buddha Temple finding and killing you with ease."
Once Sui Chaozi had finished speaking,
both Kongchan and Liansha, filled with rage,
and others around grew more astonished, while Shipi Arhat was filled with joyous victory.
Tao Qian also thought to himself: "What a move, offering a refuge and swaying allegiance in one fell swoop; Shipi Arhat owes a great debt to Tianzhi Gong's lineage. If he indeed becomes a Buddha one day, and Tianzhi Gong asks for his help, he would likely find it impossible to refuse."
This realization was not just Tao Qian's alone; others, and even Shipi himself, came to the same understanding.
But still, he willingly went inside, thanking them continuously, "Good! Very good!"
Having finished, this old monk about to switch allegiances prepared to enter the small temple.
Witnessing this scene, both Kongchan and Liansha could no longer hold back. They exchanged glances and saw a shared frustration in each other's eyes.
This rapid turn of events truly frustrated both Arhats,
as the favorable situation crumbled effortlessly.
It stemmed, after all, from the shameless actions of the master-disciple duo, Tao Qian and Duobao. Their elaborately prepared Mechanical Demon Buddha was being tampered with and was under the threat of Body Seizing.
Their strongest battle force had been easily swayed by the outside support invited by the other party.
If things continued this way, their culpability would be tremendous.
At this moment, both shared an understanding, one shouting to stop the other, while the other seamlessly began casting, seeking support from the Nirvana Demon Buddha, their backer.
"Shipi elder brother, please think thrice before acting."
"There's still a chance to remedy our situation, but if you truly hide in the Outer Realm, and one day the Buddhas from the temple find you, perishing in your pursuit will be the least of your problems; a fate worse than death will be the truth."
"Besides, do you truly believe that decrepit small temple offers any chance for becoming a Buddha?"
"Becoming Buddha is an arduous endeavor; how could simply switching paths lead to attainment?"
"Sui Chaozi must be deceiving you."
Kongchan's admonishment was earnest and heartfelt,
which was unfortunately met with a merciless scoff from his former senior brother, Shipi, who was half inside the temple, looking back with a smile:
"Junior brother Kongchan, no need to persuade further; you do not have the enlightenment to understand your senior brother's thoughts."
"We three have been brothers for many years; your senior brother would not easily abandon the two of you."
"When I have found the Way, I will come back to enlighten both of you."
"You..."
Even as eloquent and skilled in debate as Kongchan was, he found himself at a loss for words due to Shipi's retort.
However, in the next moment, the other one, Liansha, suddenly shouted angrily:
"We disciples lack the ability, allowing the birth of Buddha to be ruined by the lineage of 'Tianzhi Gong' from the Outer Realm."
"I call upon Namo Nirvana Buddha to subdue this fiend with the Supreme Dharma."
Liansha, infuriated to the extreme, sounded rather like a vulgar bully as he spoke.
Before his words had even finished, a ten thousand feet torrent of Buddha Light surged upward, suddenly revealing a rift above the Merit Pool.
Following the rift, the Nirvana Buddha's Sect's Secret Realm appeared.
This presence, which caused everyone's hearts to tremble, pervaded the entire area.
Even Shipi, who was about to enter the 'Different Buddha Temple,' found himself frozen in place for a moment.
Sui Chaozi, as if he had anticipated this all along—or perhaps was waiting for it—
simply smiled and reached into his robe, pulling out another book.
This tome was chaotic and brimming with divine ability.
Inscribed on its cover, in Ancient Divine Text, were but three characters.
Without waiting for recognition from the onlookers, Sui Chaozi tossed the book into the air, where it unfurled with a rustling sound, conveniently covering the rift that led to the Nirvana Buddha's field.
"The wrath of the Buddha is something I cannot withstand; it must be my master who confronts this."
"This book is called the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas'; within it lie endless mountains and seas, and also an incarnation of my master."
"If the Buddha's divine power can break my treasure and destroy my master's incarnation, I, Sui Chaozi, will withdraw immediately, and then it will be Mr. Duobao's turn to confront the situation."
...
There will be more updates later.