Eternal Name

Chapter 277: Ripping Apart the Buddhist Temple

"Your scheme is to use the demons to replace the Qian Dao Palace?"

Li Hao narrowed his eyes, staring at the Buddha, piecing together various pieces of information. The demon invasion of Great Yu was a grand scheme, but the Buddha clearly played a role in pushing it forward.

This explained why he'd used Elder Feng to influence him.

In his childhood, the Buddha had used the mother and son as pawns to try and control the Divine General's Mansion. Li Hao had been a small stone, a slight obstacle, and his attempt to poison him had failed.

Now, Li Hao had the ability to defend Great Yu, becoming a significant obstacle. So, he'd tried to use Elder Feng to damage Li Hao's relationship with the court. His true goal had always been the entire dynasty.

The state religion of the Great Yu Dynasty was Daoism, with the Qian Dao Palace leading all the Daoist temples in the land. Buddhism was relegated to second place.

They appeared to be unconcerned with worldly affairs, but in reality, they were striving for dominance.

Hearing Li Hao's words, the Buddha smiled but didn't answer.

"Get out of the way, bald donkey!"

At that moment, a furious shout came from outside.

Immediately, a sharp sword intent appeared, and the disheveled figure of Prince Jiang Lichun burst into the Buddhist temple.

Upon seeing the Buddha seated on the golden lotus throne, he raised an eyebrow, sneered, and then turned to Li Hao:

"If you need my help, just say the word. I haven't sparred with him yet. Or, should I go first?"

The Buddha's smile faded slightly upon seeing Jiang Lichun, his brow furrowing imperceptibly.

"Who are you? You dare trespass into the Buddhist temple? Are you seeking death?!"

A Bodhisattva rushed over, furious. His face was flushed red with anger. He'd been suppressed by Li Hao earlier, which was understandable, as Li Hao was at the Eternal Peace Dao Realm.

But this madman, who appeared out of nowhere, dared to invade Mount Wuliang. Their Buddhist sect hadn't suffered such humiliation in centuries.

"You, with your chicken neck, are not worthy of drinking my sword. Scram!"

Jiang Lichun merely glanced at the Bodhisattva and ignored him. His hand rested on his sword hilt, his eyes fixed on the Buddha:

"The second-strongest martial artist in the land, I've long wanted to witness your abilities. Unfortunately, before I was imprisoned, I didn't even have the qualifications to draw my sword before you. But now, I do!"

"Prince Jiang, you must be mindful of your status. If you draw your sword here, His Majesty will be in a difficult position."

The Buddha said in a deep voice.

Jiang Lichun scoffed, "His difficulties are his own concern. I only care about myself, not this world!"

The Buddha's eyes flickered, and he refrained from saying more. He'd heard rumors that Prince Jiang was a sword fanatic, a fallen demon. He'd once wreaked havoc in the imperial capital, causing many innocent civilians to die. His actions were unpredictable.

"Why don't you make a move? What are you waiting for?" Jiang Lichun looked at Li Hao, seeming eager to provoke him into action.

He wasn't here to help, but rather to stir up trouble.

Li Hao remained silent. He was waiting for Elder Feng.

Without seeing Elder Feng, if he acted rashly, it could lead to Elder Feng's demise.

After all, the Buddha had prepared for this, waiting for him to fall into the trap.

Suddenly, Li Hao's expression changed. He abruptly turned and rushed out of the Buddhist temple.

On a hillside of the sacred mountain, a group of figures approached. They wore luxurious brocade robes and exquisite jade ornaments, men, women, and children, chatting and laughing amongst themselves.

At their forefront, Lin Wujing held a chain, stained with blood. Behind the chain, a corpse-like, mangled body was being dragged.

The body was bathed in red light, emaciated, with two bloody holes where its eyes were, its face covered in blood, its breath weak.

With a loud boom, Li Hao felt like his mind had exploded, leaving him momentarily blank.

"General Haotian, this is the thief. Are you truly going to excuse his crimes?"

Lin Wujing saw Li Hao in front of the Buddhist temple and spoke loudly.

The men and women behind him, who had been chatting and laughing, stopped their conversations, their smiles fading as they looked at the young man in front of the Buddhist temple.

They knew they were here to bear witness. If the young man excused the thief, they would report it to the court.

"Is he General Haotian? He's so young."

"General Haotian, you must think carefully…"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!!

Before the second noble could finish speaking, his head exploded. Then, a series of explosions followed!

In an instant, the dozens of people chatting and laughing were reduced to a spray of blood and gore!

The others hadn't had time to speak, hadn't had time to react.

Their souls shot out, shocked and bewildered, forgetting to flee, but they had no chance to escape. Their souls, like fireflies, were extinguished in an instant!

As if a giant hand had crushed them.

In front, Lin Wujing, who was holding the chain, froze, staring in disbelief at Li Hao. The blood splattered on him, staining his saffron robes and bare head crimson.

When he finally reacted, he was terrified and tried to flee, but the next moment, his body was torn apart!

"Buddha, save…"

Lin Wujing's soul shot out, attempting to flee and seek help, but the next moment, it too was torn and crushed!

On the cobblestone path, only the old man's figure remained.

The two Bodhisattvas remaining at the entrance of the Buddhist temple were stunned. Then, their eyes narrowed in horror as they looked at the young man's back.

His body trembled as he walked towards the old man.

With each step, it seemed as if the entire sacred mountain sank a little deeper.

A terrifying aura emanated from him. The mere pressure made it difficult for them to breathe, their pores constricting, their hearts pounding in their throats.

Like a ferocious beast walking past, it made them hold their breath.

"Elder Feng…"

Li Hao's voice trembled, his throat hoarse, and crimson tears instantly welled up in his eyes.

The once-dapper Grand Thief was now in such a state, without even a shred of dignity!

When Li Hao reached Elder Feng, he saw that the old man's ears, nose, and mouth, apart from his eyes, seemed to have been damaged, unable to speak or hear.

Li Hao trembled, his body shaking as he crouched down and lifted the old man, tearing off his own clothes to cover him.

"Elder Feng…"

Li Hao's throat felt as if it was blocked by burning lava, his voice choked with emotion.

Elder Feng's body reacted slightly, as if sensing something. He raised his head, wanting to see Li Hao's face, but his eyes were just bloody holes.

He raised his hand and gently touched Li Hao's cheek, as if identifying the young man through touch.

His movement paused for a moment, then he opened his mouth. All his teeth were gone, and his tongue was missing. His black, empty mouth mouthed something to Li Hao.

The shape of his mouth seemed to be saying, "Escape…"

Li Hao noticed that Elder Feng was covered in wounds, and the blood from those wounds was mixed with a dark purple substance. It was this substance that prevented Elder Feng's wounds from healing and seemed to seal his soul, cutting off all perception of the outside world.

The cruelty of the method was rare even in the Executioner's Department!

"Candlelight God!"

Li Hao felt his blood rush to his head, his brain felt like it was about to explode, but his voice was incredibly low, like sandpaper scraping against stone.

The Candlelight God outside the Buddhist temple quickly flew towards them and stood beside Li Hao.

"Xiyan, take care of the old man for me." Li Hao's body trembled slightly.

The crimson ring on his wrist transformed, and Xiyan descended from Li Hao's wrist. She seemed to know what was about to happen and that she would interfere with Li Hao.

She said worriedly, "Be careful."

Li Hao didn't answer, but slowly stood up.

As he did, the strong winds across the land seemed to cease.

The Candlelight God didn't say anything. He carried Elder Feng on his back, and Xiyan climbed onto the Candlelight God's back, soaring outside the sacred mountain to avoid being caught in the battle.

Li Hao raised his head, the blood tears in his eyes having stopped. He looked at the majestic Buddhist temple.

As he looked up, a vast aura suddenly surged out, directly towards the Buddhist temple!

The two Bodhisattvas at the entrance of the temple's pupils constricted in horror. They hastily retreated, their souls trembling with fear, a sense of impending death washing over them.

"Budd…ha!!"

Li Hao's hair whipped around him as he roared, "Get out here!!"

Nine Dao Realms erupted instantly, tearing through the void and killing with unimaginable speed.

The two Bodhisattvas were the first to be targeted, about to be torn apart by the Dao Realm, but the next moment, another powerful Dao Realm suddenly extended from within the Buddhist temple, colliding with Li Hao's nine Dao Realms.

The moment they collided, the void tore open, revealing two different phenomena. Under the rules, the ground in front of the Buddhist temple shattered, but the temple remained standing.

Nine Dao Realms, actually blocked!

But the next moment, the tenth Dao Realm descended!

In the Abyssal Pavilion of the Xia family in Youzhou, absorbing numerous Xia family cultivation techniques and secret arts had allowed Li Hao to develop more Absolute Mastery techniques, and these Absolute Mastery techniques could be cultivated into Dao Realms.

Bang!!

The vast power within the Buddhist temple was suddenly enveloped. As Li Hao took a step forward, the thousand-year-old Buddhist temple exploded!

The majestic Buddhist temple was torn apart, revealing the misty spiritual realm within. The Buddha sat on the golden lotus throne, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He said calmly:

"It seems you've fallen into depravity."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 278: Buddha and Demon Unite

"Then, be it as you wish!"

Boom!!

Li Hao's eyes were like dark stars, his aura surging to its peak.

After the tenfold Dao Domain, five more Dao Domains erupted in a devastating assault!

The Dao Domains he currently commanded were unleashed in an instant, overlapping in a flash. The two previously opposing forces were instantly enveloped and crushed!

The Buddha's Dao Domain was ripped apart. Under the crushing force of the Dao Domains, the two Bodhisattvas sheltered within were violently shattered, their divine souls extinguished without even a cry.

The superposition of fifteen Dao Domains was the limit of Li Hao's current mastery.

Jiang Lichun's body was also enveloped by the Dao Domains, but he wasn't affected by the rules. He was simply trapped within the Dao Domains, unable to move, not even his eyeballs.

His heart was filled with astonishment. Though he knew Li Hao was deliberately avoiding him, the power of this Dao Domain exceeded his imagination, a level his current sword couldn't hope to shake.

Whoosh!

The moment Li Hao's Dao Domains enveloped the Buddha, he appeared before him as if teleporting. With the Buddha's Dao Domain shattered, the sacred Kasaya (robe) on his body, under the pressure of the fifteen Dao Domains, emitted a hazy Buddhist light and Dao power, enveloping the Buddha's body and protecting him from harm.

Seeing this, Li Hao's eyes filled with even greater anger. As the Buddha was momentarily stunned, Li Hao suddenly reached out and grabbed his Kasaya, his entire body erupting in a brilliant golden light. He lifted the Buddha's massive body and slammed him down onto the purple-gold lotus platform he was seated upon!

With a loud bang, the entire lotus platform shattered.

The platform was originally a top-tier divine weapon forged nine times, capable of withstanding attacks within a Dao Domain. But under fifteen Dao Domains, it was permeated by the rules, pushed to the brink of collapse, and now it was completely shattered.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Li Hao, holding onto the Buddha's Kasaya, repeatedly slammed him down, smashing the floor of the Buddhist hall into ruins, creating deep craters. The entire Sacred Mountain trembled and shook.

This towering mountain seemed to be hammered by a divine being, the tremors spreading from the peak downwards. The entire mountain trembled, and the buildings and steps on its surface loosened and crumbled into dust.

The numerous Buddhist masters on the surrounding peaks, hearing the earth-shattering commotion, were all horrified, looking towards the Sacred Mountain where the Buddha was seated.

Bang!

Li Hao raised his fist and smashed it down onto the Buddha's head, which had fallen to the ground. The ground tore open, and the Buddhist hall was completely destroyed, collapsing.

However, amidst the dissipating dust and smoke, the Buddha's body remained unscathed. The sacred Kasaya on his body emitted Buddhist light and Dao power, enveloping his body, golden light flowing over it, a great Dao power protecting him.

Li Hao's eyes instantly turned icy. He flipped his palm, and a sharp divine sword appeared – the Shiji Sword he had seized from Qingzhou City.

The moment Li Hao drew the Shiji Sword, the Buddha seemed to regain his composure. His eyes became solemn and calm, his hands clasped together. A vast pressure erupted from within him, and layers of Dao Domains burst forth from his body.

In an instant, it reached thirteen layers!

At the same time, his hair and face turned golden, as if bathed in Buddhist light. His eyes also became brilliant, reaching the Divine Power Apex, just like Li Hao.

"My Buddha's Compassionate Hand!"

He murmured softly, and suddenly struck out with a palm. Though his thirteen Dao Domains were inferior to Li Hao's, they allowed him to regain the ability to move within Li Hao's Dao Domains. A Buddha's palm, as vast as a majestic mountain, emerged, intending to suppress Li Hao.

The pressure inherent in that Buddha's palm, combined with the thirteen Dao Domains, pushed back Li Hao's Dao Domains, pressing down with a palm strike!

The power of this palm was in no way inferior to Jiang Lichun's sword.

"Die!"

Li Hao roared in fury, facing the brilliant Buddha's hand, and swung his sword with a mighty slash.

Sword of Eternal Spring and Autumn!

Like endless spring rain drifting, like autumn leaves swirling, the life and death energies of spring and autumn intertwined, representing both life and death, yin and yang.

With a loud bang, a terrifying shockwave erupted, shaking the Sacred Mountain. The Buddha's body was once again forced into the depths of the Sacred Mountain beneath the Buddhist hall, the surrounding area cracking and collapsing.

Li Hao's body was pushed back several meters by the Buddha's palm. Before he could counterattack, he saw the Buddha charging out, leaping into the air. The brilliant golden palm had been cleaved, but it was rapidly healing.

"Fifteen Dao Domains. I didn't expect you to have so much power left after you fought the Wild God's avatar in Qingzhou City."

The Buddha stood there, his Kasaya billowing. He gazed deeply at Li Hao before saying softly,

"It seems your fate is for me to personally guide you to enlightenment. You are burdened with great sin, killing my Buddhist sect's virtuous Bodhisattvas, slaying innocent nobles. Do you know that those nobles were descendants of renowned generals?"

Li Hao didn't speak, but his aura continued to rise wildly. In his golden hair, streaks of silver began to appear.

Transformation into a Transcendent!

Though Li Hao had anticipated that the Buddha was concealing his strength, given that the Buddha had dared to lure him here and provoke him after Li Hao had revealed his power in Qingzhou City, he must have been fully prepared. But he hadn't expected it to be this profound.

At this moment, he had no desire to speak, only the most intense killing intent.

Seeing Li Hao's aura still rising, the Buddha's eyes deepened with concern. He didn't speak further. Aside from the sword-mad Ninth Prince, no one else could approach, and there was no need for more words.

"I have cultivated for over two thousand years. Do you think you are the only genius? Two thousand years of difference, what can you use to make up for it?"

The Buddha clasped his hands together, his eyes turning cold. His aura also surged, and behind him, a translucent outline of the Heavenly Cycle appeared – this was the Heavenly Cycle Apex!

He had actually opened up all the major meridians in his body and condensed the Heavenly Cycle!

This was considered a top-tier genius level even among the Ancient Saint Clans. But he was also a genius in his youth, and with two thousand years of cultivation, he had reached extremely high levels of mastery in each realm of martial arts!

"Divine Soul!"

With a soft Buddhist chant, the Buddha's divine soul floated out, radiating an endless, intensely bright light, like a blazing sun. It had absorbed endless solar essence, vast and boundless.

Another Apex!

After revealing his Divine Soul, the Buddha clasped his hands together. At the same time, the Divine Soul behind him suddenly roared out, directly launching a Divine Soul attack, intending to sever Li Hao's divine soul.

Divine Souls and divine souls had a qualitative leap, a crushing difference. Besides protection, their attacks were also a level higher.

The moment the Buddha's Divine Soul flew out, a Divine Soul also erupted from Li Hao's head. But Li Hao's Divine Soul had only recently condensed, and it hadn't absorbed enough solar essence, not as brilliant as the Buddha's.

Bang!

The Divine Soul suddenly struck out with a fist, while the Buddha's Divine Soul pressed down with a palm, solar essence flames erupting from it. If it were an ordinary divine soul, it would have been instantly burned to ashes by these solar essence flames.

But Li Hao's Divine Soul was not afraid of these solar essence flames. When the fist and palm collided, it retreated behind Li Hao, then immediately absorbed the solar essence flames clinging to its arm, increasing its own power.

"Hmm?"

The Buddha's eyes flickered slightly, revealing a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected that Li Hao, in addition to reaching the Divine Power Apex and the Heavenly Cycle Apex, also possessed a Divine Soul!

This boy was only sixteen years old, and he had already traversed the path that took him two thousand years to complete?!

The qualitative attack of the Divine Soul failed. The Buddha's Divine Soul no longer attacked, retreating behind him. At the same time, he suddenly noticed that the power surging within Li Hao seemed endless and showed no signs of stopping.

He seemed to have thought of something, and his face changed drastically.

At this moment, Li Hao had already plundered all the Heavenly Power within several kilometers.

Transformation into a Transcendent, fifty percent!

The depths of Li Hao's golden eyes shone with intense silver light.

He raised his head, his aura surging into the Dao Domains. The original fifteen Dao Domains surged in power, and under the influx of boundless Heavenly Power, they pushed back the Buddha's Dao Domains, forcing them into retreat.

"You... must... die!!"

Li Hao suddenly stepped forward, the earth trembled, and the entire Sacred Mountain beneath him seemed to crack, a huge fissure appearing on its surface.

A ferocious pressure roared through the heavens and earth. Li Hao almost instantly killed the Buddha, his fist, imbued with endless power, smashed down. Bang! The Buddhist light and Dao power on the Kasaya splashed out in a seven-colored mist, and the Buddha's body shot out like a meteorite cannonball, crashing into a distant peak.

Li Hao's body roared in pursuit, directly charging into the mountain. His violent fists repeatedly struck the Buddha, constantly pounding on his body, causing the Buddhist light and Dao power emanating from his Kasaya to flicker, the seven-colored mist rapidly shrinking and thinning.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The peak trembled, collapsing from the middle. The entire mountain fell.

The Buddha watched as the colorful aura on his Kasaya faded, and anger flashed in his eyes. He suddenly struck out, once again using the "My Buddha's Compassionate Hand" to suppress Li Hao.

But Li Hao directly grabbed his palm and violently twisted it.

With several cracking sounds, the palm was broken, the bones shattering.

Li Hao grabbed his wrist and swung his body around again, smashing craters into the ground.

But the sacred Kasaya on the Buddha's body, like a turtle shell, protected his body perfectly, preventing him from being injured. Only the Buddhist light on the Kasaya had become thinner, no longer as brilliant as before.

Li Hao's eyes widened, and the Heavenly Cycle suddenly inhaled, rapidly plundering the surrounding power.

Transformation into a Transcendent, seventy percent!

Bang!!

A fist smashed down, like a mountain pressing down.

The Buddha's body was smashed into the depths of the earth, hundreds of meters below. The violent tremors caused the Buddhist light on his Kasaya to thin considerably.

"Didn't you want me to fall into demonic possession?"

Li Hao charged into the depths of the earth, grabbed the Buddha's Kasaya, lifted his body into the air, stared at the Buddha's gloomy expression, and said softly,

"If I become a demon, the first thing I'll do is exterminate Buddhism!"

The Shiji Sword flew into his palm. Li Hao held the Buddha with one hand, his eyes filled with icy killing intent. With the other hand, he suddenly swung his sword and slashed.

The ultimate sword light, combined with Li Hao's power, violently struck the sacred Kasaya. The seven-colored mist reappeared, but it rubbed against the gray undercurrent.

"I underestimated you. Everyone underestimated you."

As the sword light rubbed against the Buddhist light and Dao power of the Kasaya, the Buddha's expression didn't change much. He just stared at Li Hao:

"To force me to this point, to shatter my grand ambition to save the world, I will eternally suppress you beneath my seat, preventing you from ever being reborn!!"

As he spoke, a rare killing intent appeared in his eyes.

The calm Buddhist light in his eyes dissipated. At the same time, a supremely ferocious demonic aura suddenly erupted from within his Kasaya.

Within his Kasaya, a space in the heavens and earth opened, and a black demonic aura emerged from within.

The aura was thick, deep, sharp, and ferocious. The moment it appeared, it seemed as if there were cries of countless wronged souls wailing in the heavens and earth.

It was a figure enveloped in demonic aura, with disheveled hair and cold eyes, filled with intense ferocity, a stark contrast to the Buddha's previous demeanor.

"Heh, in the end, you still need to rely on my power. I've said it before, you're not capable."

"To save the world, one must sacrifice with killing. The people are so ignorant, and you foolishly try to save them. You are even more foolish!"

"Unfortunately, you shouldn't have provoked this boy. You've made us act sooner. We haven't accumulated enough incense offerings yet, and we haven't been able to achieve Sainthood in one step. What a pity!"

The disheveled figure spoke with mocking and ferocious laughter, addressing the Buddha.

His body gradually merged with the Buddha, their bodies intertwining, about to become one!

Li Hao, witnessing this scene within the Buddhist light and Dao power of the Kasaya under the friction of the sword light, felt his expression grow even colder.

Combining Jiang Lichun's previous words, Mo Luo and the Buddhist sect, he had initially thought they were allies, or that the Buddha was disguised. But it turned out that this was the Buddha's avatar!

Without a doubt, with such a formidable demonic aura and being a Taiping Daoist, this was the Mo Luo Jiang Lichun had spoken of.

When a Three Immortals Realm cultivator breaks through to the Four Pillars Realm, some will cultivate avatar techniques to condense their Dao Heart. The Buddha before him had chosen this path.

His true body and avatar both condensed Dao Hearts, one a Buddhist heart, the other a demonic heart, now merging.

"Is this your greatest hidden secret?"

Li Hao stared at the merging Buddha, his killing intent surging. He suddenly swung his sword again!

Bang!

At that moment, the Buddha within the Kasaya suddenly opened his eyes. Mo Luo's body hadn't fully merged with him yet, but his eyes were already filled with icy killing intent.

He suddenly reached out from beneath the Buddhist light and Dao power of the Kasaya and grabbed Li Hao's Shiji Sword!

"I wanted to leap to the Hearing Dao Realm and directly ascend to Sainthood through the Taiping Daoist path. You've ruined my grand plan, and you must die!"

His eyes were dark and cold, surrounded by demonic aura. The golden light within his Kasaya was no longer pure. Mo Luo's body gradually merged with him. In an instant, a vast aura erupted.

With a loud bang of violent aura, Li Hao was sent flying backward.

A palm strike, a fusion of Buddhist light and demonic aura, followed, radiating the power of the Hearing Dao Realm, slamming Li Hao's body onto the Sacred Mountain.

The Sacred Mountain trembled, a giant palm appearing on the peak, repeatedly pressing down, sinking it several tens of meters.

A violent sword intent suddenly tore through the air, cleaving the Buddha-demon merged palm. Looking up, he saw that the Buddha had silently arrived above the Sacred Mountain.

Mo Luo behind him had completely disappeared, merging with him. Pure golden light once again emanated from his body, still like a peerless ancient Buddha, radiating boundless pure Yang Buddhist light. But his eyes were devoid of emotion, as if without any feelings, looking down at Li Hao on the ground.

"Die!"

He chanted with a single hand, as if murmuring a Buddhist invocation.

But with these words, boundless Dao power and rules suddenly gathered in the heavens and earth.

Dao power swept through, and as his words fell, as if his words were law, endless terrifying killing intent swept towards Li Hao's body from all directions.

This power was like destiny, unstoppable and unshakeable.

Bang!

With a single word, Li Hao's body exploded.

Fifteen Dao Domains, before this single word of Dao, were utterly defenseless.

Exploding into a cloud of blood mist!

The Buddha at this moment was not only at the Hearing Dao Realm, but also at the Dao Law Realm within the Hearing Dao Realm!

Dao becomes Law, words become reality, a single word to kill!

Seeing Li Hao's body explode, a hint of regret flashed in the Buddha's eyes. If he had been given a little more time to accumulate more incense offerings, he would have achieved Sainthood in one step when the Buddha and demon merged!

He was also a peerless genius, and the things he pursued were beyond the imagination of ordinary martial artists. He didn't bother with the Hearing Dao Realm and slowly cultivate.

But all his plans had been prematurely exposed, and his path to Sainthood would be more difficult from now on.

As his thoughts drifted, a wind rose from the ground, and then it became increasingly strong, turning into a violent hurricane.

"Hmm?"

The Buddha looked down, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

He saw that the endless hurricane was swirling and condensing, and strands of energy were gathering.

The energy condensed and compressed to near solidity, like strands of silver light!

Behind these silver lights was the faintly visible translucent Heavenly Cycle, extending outwards like a spiderweb, frantically drawing in Heavenly Power.

And at the center of the hurricane was the blood mist that had just been killed and exploded, even the bones shattered, just pure blood mist.

But at this moment, the blood mist was swirling and condensing, with blood accumulating in the middle. When the blood gathered into a fist-sized clump, it suddenly grew rapidly. In the blink of an eye, Li Hao's body reappeared from the spot, his whole body golden, like a deity.

This scene, witnessed by Jiang Lichun, who was hiding in the ruins of the Buddhist hall on the Sacred Mountain, caused his eyes to bulge out.

And the reborn Li Hao, whose hair had been golden, was now gradually turning silver-white.

The exploded flesh and blood had allowed his Transformation into a Transcendent power to reach near its peak.

"Hearing Dao Realm..."

Li Hao slowly raised his head, his silver eyes filled with icy killing intent:

"Have you ever heard the saying, 'Hear the Dao in the morning, and die in the evening'?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 279: Power of Immortals and Gods (Two-in-One)

"Rebirth from Blood?!"

The Buddha, witnessing Li Hao regenerate from a cloud of blood mist, felt his pupils contract slightly. His usually composed expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. This technique seemed to share similarities with the Dao Realm.

The Dao Realm could control life and death with a single thought, a word of creation. Even those on the brink of death could be instantly restored to health.

However, the difference was that the Dao Realm relied on the power of the Dao, while Li Hao was demonstrating pure physical strength!

To put it simply, one required active release, while the other was passive.

Could a mere physical body be cultivated to such an extent? The Buddha's eyes grew serious. He had previously sensed the terrifying strength of Li Hao's physique, but it still exceeded his expectations.

He himself was at the peak of Divine Power, having spent hundreds of years cultivating over a hundred body-tempering techniques to the highest levels, forging his body to an incredibly formidable state, comparable to the dragon kings of the Wild God Realm. Yet, compared to Li Hao's current level, he seemed to be far behind…

"Supreme World Honored Body!"

Li Hao's flesh and blood solidified. The effects of numerous body-tempering techniques, the culmination of his training, spread throughout his body. The simultaneous use of these techniques placed a tremendous strain on his body, but at this moment, his body was about to "transform into an immortal," merging with Heaven and Earth, his power boundless. This was even more potent than the recovery effects of the Everlasting Realm.

The Everlasting Realm stimulated the body to restore its original strength, while the Immortal Transformation, in addition to limitless power, continuously absorbed more power, breaking through previous bottlenecks.

Whoosh!

Li Hao took a step, and a violent gust of wind erupted from the spot where he stood. His body vanished in an instant.

"Hm?!"

The Buddha's eyes narrowed. Teleportation? Dao Rhyme manipulation?

Bang!!

A sudden fist appeared before him, smashing down with a roar. The powerful force of the punch was like a reversed mountain, crashing down upon his head.

The Buddha's body plummeted, crashing into the foot of the Divine Spirit Mountain.

Before the dust could settle, Li Hao's body flickered repeatedly, swiftly plunging into the dust cloud. The ground trembled violently, again and again, dozens, hundreds of times!

The earth cracked, and nearby peaks shook, causing the structures built upon them to loosen and collapse.

Numerous Buddhist disciples rushed from afar, staring in horror at the dissipating dust cloud, unable to see the figures within, only hearing the terrifying sounds echoing out.

Bang!

Suddenly, the Buddha's figure was flung out from within, soaring into the sky. Li Hao's figure teleported behind him, and with a powerful leg sweep, he struck the Buddha's head.

The Buddha's body shot out, but this time, before it could collide with a mountain, he stabilized himself in mid-air.

His entire body erupted in a brilliant golden light, spreading out like a sea of golden glass, engulfing Heaven and Earth.

"If you had another ten years, you truly could have become invincible in the mortal realm. But you don't have those ten years!"

The Buddha's eyes flashed with a cold, murderous intent. After merging with the Demon Luo, his demeanor seemed to have changed. His eyes no longer held that gentle, warm smile, but displayed emotions like joy, anger, sorrow, and desire.

Yet, these emotions were extremely restrained, as if bound and suppressed by some invisible shackles.

He was both Buddha and Demon.

"Die!"

The Buddha struck again with a single thought, his Dao Power surging out from within him. Laws instantly enveloped Li Hao, easily bypassing his fifteen-layered Dao Domain and impacting his body.

The rules of the Dao Domain seemed insignificant in the face of Dao Power and Laws, two entirely different levels of power. They were unable to provide any resistance!

This was the power of a Dao Realm cultivator, worlds apart from a Four-Realm cultivator, like the difference between mortals and celestial beings!

The merciless power of the Laws enveloped Li Hao's entire body. He struggled with all his might to control his body, but it felt as if it were about to shatter into pieces. It wasn't a matter of strength, but of Laws, a transcendent power beyond the reach of his current abilities!

At this moment, Li Hao deeply felt the difference between the Dao Realm and the Four-Realm. But he didn't panic, didn't retreat, instead, he took that final step!

Ultimate Immortal Transformation!

The boundless power of Heaven and Earth, like a broken dam, surged in without any obstruction, pushing him past the 99% limit he had previously reached, completely transcending that threshold!

With a boom, Li Hao felt his mind buzz. His flesh and blood, his consciousness, seemed to merge with Heaven and Earth.

At this moment, his killing intent and anger seemed to be dispersed and dissipated by Heaven and Earth, his heart entering a state of intense killing intent yet profound tranquility.

In the Mol River of Dragon City, Li Hao had once experienced the Ultimate Immortal Transformation. It was that experience that gave him the confidence to face this challenge. Although the feeling had been fleeting, he had truly touched upon that sliver of immense power!

It was… the power of immortals and gods!!

Bang!

Li Hao suddenly raised his hand, as if swatting away a fly or mosquito, erasing the tearing Laws.

Like wiping away a spiderweb with a flick of the wrist.

But a strange tearing sound echoed through the void.

His body, amidst the constant rebirth of the Ultimate Immortal Transformation, remained unscathed. This was the true secret of the Three-Immortality Peak Realm, the ability to achieve the ultimate Immortal Transformation and maintain that state!

"This is…"

The Buddha was stunned. His murderous eyes suddenly cleared for a brief moment, filled with bewilderment.

Even he had never seen anything like it.

He was certain that Li Hao was only a Four-Realm cultivator, yet his entire being exuded an aura that filled him with awe and trepidation, as if it originated from the highest realms, even surpassing the Saint Realm he sought…

What kind of power was this?!

Whoosh!

Li Hao's body teleported again, vanishing without a trace.

The Buddha's face changed drastically, reacting almost instantly. His eyes darted around, searching.

His eyes could now perceive Dao Rhyme manipulation, see the trajectory of the Dao, but Li Hao's body seemed to have completely disappeared.

No Dao Rhyme, not a spatial displacement!

Was it purely the speed of his physical body?

How was that possible?!

Bang!!

A deafening sonic boom, accompanied by a wave of scorching heat from the friction of air, suddenly smashed in from the side.

The golden light of Dao Power on the Buddha's kasaya flared up, a kaleidoscope of colors flashing, but in an instant, the Dao Power that had withstood Li Hao's relentless attacks was pierced through!

In that split second, the Buddha hastily raised his palm, pushing it out horizontally, his head retracted. With a bang, his palm was smashed through by Li Hao's punch, his body propelled backward, crashing into the Divine Spirit Mountain.

Li Hao's body teleported again, pursuing relentlessly, flashing repeatedly.

"Great Illumination Art!"

The Buddha roared, blinding light erupting from his body. Dao Power surged out, forming a protective barrier around him like a celestial canopy.

The light on his kasaya dimmed, having been torn apart by Li Hao's previous punch.

Bang!

Li Hao, teleporting in, landed a punch on the Dao Power radiating from the Buddha's body, but failed to destroy it. The Dao Power was resilient like a sponge, able to be compressed and squeezed, but not pierced.

The recoil of the Dao Power struck the Buddha, causing him to cough up a mouthful of golden blood, his face filled with rage and astonishment.

If Li Hao's teleportation had been through Dao Rhyme manipulation, he could have easily severed the connection!

But Li Hao's teleportation was untraceable, appearing and disappearing like a phantom, truly terrifying.

"Great Dao Hongtian, I am indestructible!"

The Buddha suddenly clasped his hands together, his eyes wide open. He had realized that the Dao and Laws seemed ineffective against Li Hao.

The Laws condensed from the Dao were easily severed by the faint yet incredibly powerful aura emanating from Li Hao. If it weren't for the indestructible nature of Dao Power, he might have already lost.

Since the techniques of the Dao Realm couldn't kill Li Hao, he would enhance himself.

"I am the World Honored Buddha, suppressing all demons in the world!"

"Heaven, lend me thirty thousand powers, I shall bring peace to all generations!"

The Buddha's voice echoed, and in an instant, his body shone with a brilliant Buddhist light. A majestic Dharma Image, as vast as Heaven and Earth, slowly emerged from behind him. It was a giant Buddha, the size of the Divine Spirit Mountain, its eyes slightly open, as if the sun and moon were rotating within them, its star-like pupils shining with compassion, overlooking the world.

As the Dharma Image appeared, the Buddha's body instantly teleported, appearing within the Dharma Image's chest, merging with it as one.

In an instant, the veins of Heaven and Earth began to circulate behind the Dharma Image, absorbing the power from dozens of surrounding peaks, all converging within the Dharma Image.

"That's… the Buddha's Dharma Image!"

"Amitabha, Amitabha…"

"The Buddha protects, the Buddha protects…"

In the distance, numerous Mount Wuliang disciples, witnessing the enormous Buddha Dharma Image, were both shocked and awestruck, filled with a mixture of fear and reverence. They hurriedly clasped their hands together, bowing their heads and chanting sutras.

Li Hao looked up, seeing the Dharma Image that reached towards the heavens, his eyes widening in surprise.

This Buddha was truly a peerless genius, having cultivated to the Four-Pole Realm. Even among the War God-level powerhouses of the Ancient Saint Clans, he would be considered powerful!

Moreover, the Heaven and Earth Dharma Image was an extremely rare peak realm among the first four peak realms. Realms like Divine Wandering and Fifteen-Mile Realm could be further cultivated at higher levels.

But the Heaven and Earth Dharma Image had to be cultivated during the Soul Succession Realm, using Heaven and Earth to succeed the soul!

Without Soul Succession, it was impossible to progress further.

This not only required possessing power far exceeding that of peers during the Soul Succession Realm but also a broad and magnanimous spirit comparable to that of an Ancient Saint.

"Die!!"

The Dharma Image, now one with the Buddha, opened its eyes that overlooked the world, revealing a cold, merciless killing intent, devoid of any compassion.

Li Hao's eyes shone, a boundless aura emerging from behind him. His Heaven and Earth Dharma Image manifested at this moment.

The boundless power of Heaven and Earth surged into the Dharma Image, its capacity for power exceeding his own by dozens of times.

Li Hao's body flickered, merging with the Heaven and Earth Dharma Image.

The Dharma Image seemed to be steaming and tearing apart, unable to sustain the immense power it held. The steaming, tearing power was like a divine flame and heat wave engulfing his entire body.

Two majestic figures stood in the midst of Heaven and Earth, their eyes locked, their killing intent rampant. They were like ancient giants, exuding a terrifying aura.

"Roar!"

Li Hao roared towards the sky, gripping a nearby mountain peak. His arm exploded with power, ripping the mountain from the ground and swinging it like a club, smashing it towards the Buddha's head.

The Buddha's prepared palm strike also descended, suppressing him like a blinding sun, creating a raging divine fire as it rubbed against the air.

The two immense forces collided, a terrifying wave of energy sweeping out, sending nearby Buddhist disciples flying.

Bang!!!

Heaven and Earth seemed to roar, as if the universe was being born anew, erupting in endless light.

The mountain shattered, countless fragments flying out like exploding meteorites.

The massive Buddha's palm was torn apart, and Li Hao's other fist, like a true dragon rising from the ground, roared with a force of millions of tons, smashing into the Buddha's body.

The majestic Heaven and Earth Dharma Image collapsed, crashing into the Divine Spirit Mountain, causing it to split open.

Bang!

Li Hao stomped again, the movements of the giant Dharma Image seemingly slow, yet each punch and kick drew upon the power of the surrounding Heaven and Earth, possessing world-destroying power.

The Buddha's Dharma Image was trampled and pierced, its chest shattered, and the divine flames on its surface extinguished.

At this moment, Li Hao burst out from his Dharma Image, transforming into a silver light, teleporting repeatedly, charging into the Buddha's Dharma Image.

Within the Dharma Image's head, the Buddha coughed up blood, his aura fluctuating violently. Before he could react, Li Hao teleported in, and in his astonished and enraged gaze, smashed a fist into his face.

The Buddha's Dao Power surged out, covering his face, but the next moment, the Dao Power was repelled, striking the Buddha's head, causing his skull to explode instantly.

Dao Power is indestructible, it only dissipates.

Li Hao's goal wasn't to destroy the Dao Power, but to destroy the Buddha.

With the Buddha's death, his Dao Power naturally dissipated into Heaven and Earth.

Bang bang bang!

Dozens of punches were thrown in succession, but they were blocked by the Dao Power, unable to directly hit the Buddha.

But the force was too strong. The Half-Step Invincible Fist, combined with the Ultimate Immortal Transformation, the mere shockwaves of the force shattered the Buddha's body through the Dao Power.

"Die…"

A faint consciousness emanated from the tattered remains of the body.

Then, the surrounding Dao Power surged, and Laws descended.

But the next moment, Li Hao raised his hand and waved, the faint trace of immortal and god power within him emerging, tearing apart all those Laws.

The Ultimate Immortal Transformation, merging with Heaven and Earth, had given birth to a trace of pure immortal and god power within his body.

It was this trace of immortal and god power that allowed Li Hao to transcend his realm and kill the Buddha. Otherwise, the Buddha's Dao Power alone could have easily killed him, insurmountable.

Dao Power transcended the power within Li Hao's body, a qualitative change. Even though Li Hao could easily suppress those of the same realm, in the face of true Dao Power, he was still like a baby, a difference in power.

Whether it was the Four-Realm, or the Three-Immortality Peak Realm, they were all powers of Heaven and Earth, like water. Dao Power, however, was like condensed solid matter, like a stone.

No matter how violent the water, it couldn't shatter a stone.

Water can wear away a stone, but that takes an extremely long time. It would be like a Dao Realm cultivator standing still, not resisting, allowing a Four-Realm cultivator to attack for a very, very long time before causing any damage.

The higher the martial arts realm, the greater the gap between each realm, and the less likely it is to kill someone who is a higher realm.

In the early stages, a Harmony Power Realm cultivator could use divine weapons and treasures to kill a Universal Heaven Realm cultivator, or even engage in a stalemate with a Soul Succession Realm cultivator. But the qualitative changes between realms become greater as one progresses.

For example, a Three-Immortality Peak Realm cultivator, if they were to ambush and assassinate, could still potentially kill a Dao Heart Realm cultivator.

After all, the physical strength of a Dao Heart Realm cultivator, while having improved compared to a Three-Immortality Peak Realm cultivator, hasn't undergone a qualitative change.

The Dao Realm, however, was truly a different level.

If Li Hao hadn't cultivated both the Heavenly Man Realm and the Three-Immortality Peak Realm to their peak, he wouldn't have been able to bridge this gap, and he would have undoubtedly lost.

"You lured me here, you achieved your goal. Now, are you satisfied?"

Li Hao looked at the Buddha lying on the ground, his kasaya torn, his flesh and blood mangled, and said coldly.

"A falling star of demons. Unfortunately… the incense offerings I've accumulated for two thousand years were useless. The sea of suffering in the world, people are hard to save. I am powerless…"

The Buddha's voice was weak.

"If there were no Buddha, how could there be demons? If there were no other shore, how could there be a sea of suffering to distinguish? If you truly wanted to save the people, how could you not pity the weak? To sacrifice one person for the sake of the people, then you can sacrifice hundreds, thousands, what's the difference between you and a demon?"

Li Hao's eyes were cold, his aura brewing again, his Primordial Spirit emerging from behind him.

The Buddha, seeing Li Hao unleash his Primordial Spirit, knew that he could not escape.

If Li Hao didn't have a Primordial Spirit, he could have used his own Primordial Spirit's characteristics to escape. But in the face of Li Hao, who also possessed a Primordial Spirit, his Primordial Spirit had no chance of escape.

"How can you understand the grand aspirations of our Buddhist sect? People are sunk in the sea of suffering, and how many are worthy of salvation? My Buddha only saves those who suffer, not those who seek suffering themselves. You don't understand the difference."

The Buddha sneered slightly, seemingly too lazy to discuss these truths with Li Hao any further. He asked,

"How many peak realms have you mastered?"

A hint of complexity flashed in his eyes as he spoke.

The path he had walked for two thousand years, he hadn't caught up with this boy in just over a decade.

Although for most of those two thousand years, he had focused on the Buddhist sect's plans and accumulating incense offerings, this defeat was still difficult for him to accept.

What he regretted most was that the incense offerings he had spent two thousand years accumulating, originally intended for his ascension to Sainthood, were now useless.

Hearing the Buddha's question, Li Hao sneered and naturally wouldn't answer.

"Whether Buddha or Demon, let the world judge. You colluded with demons, with nobles, attempting to use demons to gain fame and fortune for yourself. Now, you've forced me to break the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty. If I truly break with the Great Yu Dynasty, do you think it will be a good thing for the people who believe in you?"

Li Hao said, his Primordial Spirit emerging from behind him.

This wasn't a question, but a rebuke, needing no answer.

The Buddha remained silent. If he had been able to kill Li Hao, his actions would have naturally been considered good.

"You are young and impetuous, disloyal and unfilial, lawless. What does it matter if you have extraordinary talent? I have already entered the Peaceful Dao Realm and had the power to break through to the Dao Realm, but without incense offerings, I cannot become a Saint. If I cannot become a Saint, everything is in vain. All those below the Saint are but ants!"

"You are also an ant, just the one that's jumping around the most right now. Your path is already blocked, you cannot become a Saint, and in the end, you will be nothing but ashes."

The Buddha's Primordial Spirit floated out of his flesh and blood, suddenly burning with intense solar essence, attacking Li Hao's Primordial Spirit.

The two Primordial Spirits clashed fiercely, divine flames scattering. Li Hao's Primordial Spirit, empowered by a trace of immortal and god power, had fists and feet like blades, each strike inflicting deep wounds on the Buddha's Primordial Spirit.

A trace of immortal and god power was like the sharpest blade, capable of severing the sun, moon, and stars. Besides Dao Power, even Laws could be severed!

Bang!

The Buddha's Primordial Spirit was torn apart, its aura weakening, the divine flames of Buddhist light flickering and incomplete, as if they were about to extinguish.

"I'll be waiting for you in the Mol River, to see you sink forever!!"

The Buddha roared, but his Primordial Spirit was completely torn apart by Li Hao, scattering into sparks and dissipating into Heaven and Earth.

The scattered solar essence was quickly absorbed by Li Hao's Primordial Spirit, swallowed into his body, transforming into golden flames that floated on his Primordial Spirit, adding a significant boost to its power.

The Buddha's aura completely vanished. This top-tier powerhouse, who had reigned over the Great Yu Dynasty for two thousand years, with believers across nineteen states, fell at the threshold of Sainthood, and at the feet of Li Hao.

With his fifteen-layered Dao Domain stacked, Li Hao sensed that as the Buddha's Primordial Spirit dissipated, a faint trace of a residual soul seemed to dissipate along with it.

Rather than dissipating, it was more like sinking into Heaven and Earth.

Sinking into a deeper space that he couldn't see.

If it weren't for the stacking of his fifteen-layered Dao Domain, which had heightened his perception to the extreme, he wouldn't even have been able to perceive that faint trace of a residual soul.

"Is it sinking into the Mol River…"

Li Hao's eyes flickered. If the soul was the condensation of the three souls and seven spirits, then the death of the soul meant the death of the three souls and seven spirits.

Three souls and seven spirits, in the mortal world, were also known as ghosts.

People die and become ghosts, ghosts die and become Jian (聻), the residual souls in the Mol River.

Ordinary people cannot see ghosts, just as martial artists rarely see Jian, unless they are in the Mol River, where the unique environment allows them to see clearly.

It is precisely because they cannot see that when martial artists eliminate someone completely, they can only kill their soul, but not the Jian that remains after the soul's death, giving them the possibility of reincarnation and rebirth in the next life.

This seems to be Heaven's mercy on the people.

It is also the saying "Heaven has a benevolent nature."

"If I stacked my Dao Domain even further, perhaps I could perceive that Jian…"

Li Hao's eyes flickered. If that were the case, would it be possible to completely cut off the possibility of human reincarnation?

The higher one's cultivation, the more powerful the abilities one discovers. For example, now, with his fifteen-layered Dao Domain, he could temporarily obscure Heavenly Mandate. The Bodhisattvas earlier, even if they had the chance to defy fate, would have been unable to use it.

Ji Yun Ge had once said that the Dao Realm could temporarily obscure Heavenly Secrets. The power to defy fate of a Defy Fate Realm cultivator was an absolute life-saving opportunity for a Four-Realm cultivator, but in the face of a Dao Realm cultivator, it could be snuffed out in an instant!

This shows how great the difference is between the Dao Realm and the Four-Realm!

"Unfortunately, it was too fast just now. I don't know which Mol River the Buddha was confined to. If I could find it, I could completely eliminate him…"

"With his obsession, it's unlikely to be an ordinary Mol River. It's also possible that he's directly reincarnated and reborn. If he's reborn, his past life's karma should be extinguished. The records in the Divine General's Mansion's secret techniques haven't yet encountered the existence of someone with memories from a past life who has been reborn…"

Li Hao's eyes flickered. Regardless, in this mortal realm, the Buddha was truly dead.

He looked at the vague remains of flesh and blood on the ground. If he had reached the Three-Immortality Peak Realm, the Buddha wouldn't have died, but unfortunately, he had only cultivated the first four peak realms.

He picked up the tattered kasaya. Although this treasure was now dull and damaged, it was the strongest treasure he had ever seen. It felt different from the Sacred Heart Treasure he had encountered before.

Li Hao put it away, intending to visit the Myriad Instruments Pavilion when he had time to see what level this treasure was. It was a bit exaggerated that just the power of the treasure itself was enough to make a Peaceful Dao Realm cultivator helpless when worn by the Buddha, like a turtle shell.

After putting away the kasaya, Li Hao crushed the remaining flesh and blood with a palm strike, only to see a golden Buddha relic within.

Li Hao picked up the relic and saw a patch of black energy clinging to the other side, seemingly the aura of the Demon Luo from earlier.

The Buddha's merging of Buddha and Demon seemed to be incomplete.

"Trying to become a Saint in one step, and almost succeeding…" Li Hao's eyes flickered. Although the Buddha was much older than him, he was still a talented individual for having such a grand scheme.

The relic contained extremely concentrated power, similar to a divine pill.

Li Hao threw it into his spatial storage. He didn't need such things for his cultivation.

Then, Li Hao retracted his Dao Domain, enveloping his entire body. As the Dao Domain's area shrank, its power increased, blocking off Heaven and Earth.

As the power of Heaven and Earth gradually subsided, Li Hao gradually recovered from the 100% Ultimate Immortal Transformation to his normal state.

The powers of the various peak realms also subsided. Li Hao took a set of clothes from his spatial storage and put them on. He looked around, seeing the collapsed Divine Spirit Mountain, the Buddha's Heaven and Earth Dharma Image long gone, and the surrounding mountains scarred from the battle.

Li Hao flickered, appearing before Candle Flame God. He saw Old Wind, still on his back, his five senses destroyed, and his heart ached.

"Is there no way to heal him?"

Li Hao asked Xi Yan.

Xi Yan said with difficulty, "He's been poisoned. The poison is rather strange, and I can't extract it. Otherwise, it might cause his body to collapse."

Li Hao's face darkened. Who would have thought that such a vicious poison would exist in this Buddhist land?

Just like no one would have expected that the vicious pill that could disable divine blood would also be in the possession of this Buddhist sect.

"Since he can't be healed, I'll defy fate for him!"

Li Hao's eyes showed determination. Without a word, he released the Defy Fate aura he had cultivated within him, guiding it towards Old Wind.

"That's the power to defy fate!"

Xi Yan exclaimed in surprise.

Jiang Li Chen also rushed over from a distance, carrying his sword excitedly. He felt that Li Hao's battle with the Buddha had broadened his horizons, leaving him both shocked and overjoyed, his eyes filled with fascination.

He hadn't expected Li Hao to have hidden so much when he had fought with him earlier.

If Li Hao had used his full strength, he wouldn't even have had the chance to swing his sword within Li Hao's Dao Domain. It was far beyond his expectations.

"Hm? What are you doing?!"

Jiang Li Chen saw Li Hao guiding the Defy Fate aura into Feng Bo Ping's body, his excited expression froze, then he exclaimed in astonishment.

Li Hao didn't speak, but focused on guiding the aura. Soon, the Defy Fate aura entered Old Wind's body, and as it did, Li Hao activated it.

The Defy Fate power dissipated, disappearing into the unseen depths.

Soon, Old Wind's body seemed to change.

On the battlefield where Li Hao and the Buddha had fought, the scattered energy seemed to be drawn to the damaged Divine Spirit Mountain.

But the energy wasn't gathering towards Old Wind, but towards the destroyed Buddhist hall.

Li Hao looked intently, his consciousness enveloping the area. Soon, he found a deep wooden box beneath the shattered purple-gold lotus platform where the energy was gathering.

Li Hao retrieved it and opened the box, revealing three golden pills, round like Buddha relics.

A sense of enlightenment flooded his mind. Li Hao was stunned, instantly understanding that it was the Heavenly Mandate response triggered by the Defy Fate power. These pills in the box could restore Old Wind.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 280: No More Wu Liang Mountain

Li Hao swiftly produced a pill and placed it in Feng Lao's mouth.

As the golden pill slid down his throat, Li Hao could clearly see golden veins appearing on Feng Lao's body. It was as if he had swallowed a dazzling golden light, which flowed down his throat and into his body, illuminating his chest cavity's meridians with intricate detail, like a branching divine tree.

With the golden light's illumination, dark black blood seeped from his wounds. Upon closer inspection, this dark blood was revealed to be countless tiny insects, wriggling like maggots, being expelled from his body amidst the flowing blood.

As a large number of black insects were expelled from the wounds, the blood in Feng Lao's wounds gradually cleared, returning to its original bright red color.

And those wounds, under his powerful body's natural healing ability, began to slowly close.

Besides the whip marks and scratches all over his body, his damaged senses were also gradually recovering.

Li Hao's face was grim, his power surging as he obliterated the insects within the blood, keeping only a small number to be stored within the Heavenly Space.

"What kind of parasitic insects are these? Such a vicious method!"

Xi Yan retreated to Li Hao's wrist, her voice tinged with fear.

"These bald donkeys sure have a lot of tricks up their sleeves." Jiang Li Chen narrowed his eyes, though he wasn't overly surprised. Aside from martial arts and swordsmanship, few things could surprise or shock him, as he neither cared nor paid attention to them.

Li Hao remained silent, merely clenching his fists slightly.

"You actually used up your chance at defying fate just like that. You're quite willing to part with it, aren't you?"

Jiang Li Chen looked at Li Hao, his gaze slightly focused.

He had met many people, but this was the first time he had seen someone like Li Hao, who was willing to bestow a chance at defying fate upon a stranger, someone with whom he had no blood ties.

And it was done willingly, without any coercion.

This was equivalent to a life!

What kind of relationship could warrant such a sacrifice? He couldn't imagine it.

Especially considering the recipient was a thief despised by the world.

"If it were him, he would have done the same for me."

Li Hao said softly, "Besides, I don't need it now. Even if it were ten times, what does it matter?"

With his current strength, only those at the Dao Realm, or even Half-Saints, could truly pose a threat to him.

And for those at that level, the power of defying fate was no longer significant, as it could be easily concealed.

The so-called defying fate and altering destiny was merely a delusion of mortals.

Before the Great Dao, before the Saints, it would be shattered and rendered insignificant.

Furthermore, if there were truly exceptional circumstances that required it in the future, Li Hao still had 100,000 merits in the Merit Treasury, which could be exchanged for ten chances to defy fate.

He had used one previously under the Prisoner Heaven Island, but it was blocked by the Dao power from the abyss, leading to a wasted opportunity.

"Heh."

Jiang Li Chen didn't deny Li Hao's words. With Li Hao's current strength, the power of defying fate indeed wasn't that crucial, but it was still an extremely precious asset.

If he were to engage in a desperate battle with someone of equal strength, both on the verge of death, the other party wouldn't have the ability to conceal the Heavenly Secrets. At that moment, he could use the power of defying fate to escape.

Although Xi Yan felt heartache over Li Hao sacrificing a chance to defy fate, it was done, and she could only accept it. She used her little red beard to gently rub against Li Hao's wrist, as if comforting him.

While they were talking, Feng Bo Ping's body gradually healed, his eyes, nose, and mouth all regenerating.

But Feng Bo Ping, whose body had recovered, had a vacant and slow look in his eyes. He stared blankly at his surroundings, then woodenly looked at Li Hao, his eyes filled with a mixture of familiarity and bewilderment.

"Feng Lao."

Li Hao immediately grasped his hand, his heart filled with remorse, "I'm sorry I was late. I allowed you to suffer so much."

Feng Bo Ping said blankly, "Li... Li Hao..."

"It's me."

"Li... Li Hao..."

Feng Bo Ping kept repeating the words blankly.

Li Hao was slightly stunned, his face instantly changing as he sensed something amiss.

He looked at Feng Lao's eyes and realized that it wasn't surprise or confusion, but a slow, vacant look.

"Feng Lao?"

Li Hao's body tensed. He quickly examined Feng Lao's body, but found no injuries or abnormalities.

"Li Hao..."

Feng Lao murmured, still repeating the words blankly, his eyes vacant and bewildered.

Li Hao felt his heart sink, and the anger within him flared up once more. There was no doubt that Feng Lao's condition was the work of the Buddha. He had even managed to circumvent the power of defying fate!

"Hm?"

Jiang Li Chen also noticed Feng Bo Ping's condition and asked in surprise, "Was he always like this?"

"No."

"I don't think so either. It feels like his soul is missing." Jiang Li Chen said.

Li Hao was startled and immediately turned to him, "His soul is missing?"

"That's right. The soul has three souls and seven spirits. If a soul is missing, it will lead to this kind of situation, like a fool. In common terms, it's like losing one's soul." Jiang Li Chen explained.

Li Hao's heart trembled, and the killing intent that had subsided surged back.

"Yeah, I think I know. He was caught by the Demon Luo. Before you forced that old bald donkey to reveal his Buddha-Demon fusion, the Demon Luo was his secret. This old fellow must have known about this secret. That old bald donkey used him as bait to lure you here, possibly deliberately letting you rescue him to ruin your reputation and damage your foundation of support."

"But he didn't want to expose his own secrets, so he could only destroy him. His soul is missing, his body won't heal. Tsk, what a clever trick."

Jiang Li Chen exclaimed.

Although he was eccentric, he wasn't stupid. After all, he had participated in that throne-struggle war, and he quickly figured out the sequence of events.

Li Hao, upon hearing his words, also believed it was likely true. He looked at the Duke and said,

"Senior, how do you restore a missing soul?"

"First, the existing souls can slowly split over a long period of time to fill the gap. In other words, it can recover naturally over a long period of time."

"Souls, like plants and trees, can regenerate, but it takes an extremely long time."

"Second, find the missing soul. The missing soul might be sealed somewhere in Wu Liang Mountain, or it might have been obliterated and entered the River of Death." Jiang Li Chen explained.

Upon hearing this, Li Hao's gaze swept across the sacred mountain, his eyes filled with icy coldness.

"Feng Lao, rest for now. I will definitely find your missing soul!"

Li Hao took a deep breath and solemnly told Feng Lao.

Feng Lao looked at him blankly, as if something was struggling within his eyes, saying, "Run... fast..."

Seeing him like this, Li Hao felt a pang of heartache. Even with his soul missing, his eyes unable to see, the old man recognized him just by touch.

"Feng Lao, it's safe now."

Li Hao suppressed his sadness and spoke softly, as if soothing a child to sleep.

Feng Lao heard Li Hao's words, his lips moved slightly, as if he had understood, and the struggle in his eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by a smile. However, due to his missing soul, he couldn't control his expression, and his smile was somewhat foolish.

"Good... good..." He seemed to be responding.

Li Hao couldn't bear to watch any longer. He asked Candlelight God to take care of Feng Lao and turned his attention to the sacred mountain, his divine sense rapidly expanding and enveloping the entire mountain, searching from top to bottom.

At the same time, outside the sacred mountain, numerous Wu Liang Mountain disciples, along with Arhats and Dharma Protectors, arrived.

Seeing the shattered sacred mountain, their hearts were filled with shock. The Buddha's Dharma Image being destroyed earlier was beyond their comprehension, a mixture of shock and anger.

Although they knew that the person who had invaded Wu Liang Mountain was extremely powerful, the faith ingrained in their bones overcame their fear at this moment.

"Who are you, daring to invade Wu Liang Mountain!"

"This is within the Great Yu territory. Are you seeking to be hunted down by the Great Yu?"

Angry shouts echoed.

Li Hao, who was searching the sacred mountain, instantly unleashed the killing intent he had been suppressing. He looked up, his eyes filled with killing intent, like tangible blades sweeping outwards.

With a loud bang, the Arhats among those who shouted angrily, being at the Three Immortals Realm, felt their blood surge under Li Hao's single glance, their chests feeling like they were struck by a heavy hammer, causing them to spew a mouthful of blood.

Their bodies, normally impervious to blades and swords, could not withstand it.

"Scram!"

The word, filled with killing intent, escaped Li Hao's lips. Several explosions rang out, and the leading Arhats, all at the Three Immortals Realm, were suddenly torn apart, instantly killed.

The others who were about to shout in anger trembled, the blood that had rushed to their heads instantly extinguished, their eyes filled with fear.

Li Hao's divine sense searched the sacred mountain, but he couldn't find any trace of Feng Lao's soul, nor did he find anything suspicious. However, he did see a cave in the back mountain, where he sensed Feng Lao's aura. Inside the cave, there was a lava pool, chains, and other instruments of torture, all bearing traces of Feng Lao's presence.

Li Hao's face darkened. There was no doubt that this was where Feng Lao had been tortured earlier.

"You two, back off."

Li Hao said in a low voice to Candlelight God and Jiang Li Chen.

The two were surprised, but sensing the violent fluctuations in Li Hao's aura, they realized something and quickly flew away.

Bang!!

As soon as they left, Li Hao unleashed a dazzling sword qi, violently slashing downwards.

The entire sacred mountain, from the peak to the body, was split in two by this single strike!

This sight stunned all the Wu Liang Mountain disciples who had come to shout angrily, beyond belief.

They felt that the sacred mountain that stood in their hearts was destroyed, as if their faith had been torn apart!

Bang bang bang!

Li Hao's sword qi dispersed, engulfing the lava pool and killing all the demons within.

Gazing at the now-split sacred mountain, the Gathering Spirit Array on it was also destroyed, no longer a sacred place for cultivation.

"Anyone who wishes to leave Wu Liang Mountain can remove their monk's robes and go down the mountain!"

Li Hao turned around, looking at the numerous Wu Liang Mountain disciples before him. His cold voice echoed throughout the Brahma Pure Land:

"The Buddha is dead. There is no more Wu Liang Mountain!"

"You have ten breaths to decide!"

"Those who remain, die!"

As Li Hao's voice spread, all the disciples of Wu Liang Mountain, all the peaks, and the Buddhist halls, those meditating, practicing, or sleeping, were all startled and shocked.

"The Buddha is dead?"

"How is that possible? The great battle just now, could it be..."

On the mountain peaks farther away from the sacred mountain, some Wu Liang Mountain disciples, although they had sensed the great battle, were of lower cultivation and had limited perception. They had no idea that the Buddha was actually dead.

Hearing Li Hao's words, they were all shocked and horrified.

Li Hao didn't speak. Above his head, a sword tide began to gather.

His eyes were cold, standing in the air above the sacred mountain that had been split in two, like a youthful battle god, overlooking the numerous Buddhist disciples.

The vast and boundless sword tide, like a swirling ocean, gathered, carrying a terrifying aura, with flashes of lightning and thunder, causing all the Buddhist disciples to feel fear and trepidation.

It was as if the end of the world had come.

"How could this be..."

"Wu Liang Mountain has stood for a thousand years, and yet it faces such a calamity..."

"Is the Great Yu Dynasty truly about to perish? The Buddha is compassionate, where is Heaven..."

Many old monks stepped out of the Buddhist halls, gazing at the vast sword tide, their eyes filled with shock and sadness.

"Quick, quick, take off your monk's robes."

Many of the young disciples from aristocratic families who had recently joined Wu Liang Mountain quickly removed their monk's robes and rushed down the mountain.

Some old monks, however, had unwavering faith in Buddhism. In the face of this calamity, they instead sat in the square, their hands clasped together, chanting sutras, as if to resist this demonic calamity.

Led by some old monks, more and more Buddhist disciples sat in the square, their sutras echoing like a梵音, as if to use the truth of Buddhism to resist the demonic killing power.

The scale of the swirling sword qi grew even larger, spreading from the top of the sacred mountain to the tops of a dozen other peaks.

The air was filled with a chilling, murderous aura.

Many of the Buddhist disciples who had rushed to the sacred mountain, filled with shock and fear, stood in the distance, their hands clasped together, with a look of resignation.

Others fled in panic, tearing off their monk's robes and running away.

In the face of the impending catastrophe, there were a hundred different faces.

"Master... is dead."

On a mountain peak, Li Qianfeng stepped out of the Buddhist hall, staring at the sword tide swirling in the distance, stunned.

The master who sat on the lotus platform, high and mighty, was actually... dead?

He found it hard to understand and couldn't believe it, but he knew it was true. Otherwise, how could the master allow anyone to desecrate the sacred mountain?

"Young Master, let's go quickly. The Buddha is dead. We need to leave quickly."

Another old monk chased after him, urging him to leave.

Although he also looked like a monk, he was actually a member of the Li family, sent to accompany Li Qianfeng in his cultivation and look after him.

"Who did this?" Li Qianfeng strained his eyes to see the figure beneath the sword tide in the distance.

"It must be some demonic fiend, maybe even the Demon Luo, the Buddha's old enemy."

As the old monk spoke, he quickly helped Li Qianfeng remove his white kasaya and threw some ordinary, rough clothes to Li Qianfeng, saying:

"Young Master, put these on quickly. We'll disguise ourselves as outer disciples and go down the mountain. That person killed the Buddha, and he certainly won't let you go. You are the Buddha's direct disciple."

Li Qianfeng's face changed slightly, and he quickly realized what was happening. He quickly put on the clothes.

"Let's go!"

He took one last deep look at the sacred mountain and quickly descended the mountain.

At the same time, Li Hao's ten-breath countdown was nearing its end.

"Die!"

Li Hao looked at the Arhats and Dharma Protectors before him, who were chanting sutras, attempting to use the truth of Buddhism to transcend him. His eyes were devoid of emotion, cold and indifferent.

The swirling sword tide above his head suddenly surged downwards. In an instant, the golden-bodied Arhats, all at the Three Immortals Realm, were torn to shreds, turning into a bloody rain.

This bloody rain fell upon the sacred mountain, staining the split sacred mountain red.

And in the distance, where the sword tide extended, streaks of sword qi shot out, tearing apart Buddhist halls on the surrounding mountain peaks, shattering Buddha statues.

Those who were sitting in the square chanting sutras heard the sound of the Buddhist halls being split apart and felt the ground tremble. Some trembled and opened their eyes, finally unable to suppress the fear in their hearts, tearing off their monk's robes and fleeing.

However, a large majority remained, continuing to chant sutras. The humming sound, like a梵音, echoed from the peaks of the mountains.

Amidst this earth-shattering scene, under the dark, endless sword tide, these sutras seemed like the last light of humanity in the apocalypse.

Bang bang bang!

Countless sword qi pierced through the square, tearing it apart. The sword qi leveled one mountain peak after another, destroying Buddhist halls, Buddha statues, incense burners, and copper coin cauldrons.

Those sword qi passed through the Buddhist disciples who were sitting with clasped hands, chanting sutras, but they didn't kill them. They only destroyed the buildings and ground around them.

Many of those chanting sutras opened their eyes, slightly stunned.

The vast sword qi wreaked havoc, but didn't kill all the sutra-chanting disciples. After leveling the mountain peaks, they flew back into the sky and gradually dissipated.

(End of Chapter)