Everlasting Immortal Firmament

Sa’s energy converged into a vast lake, which Zhu Qiqi and Gu Hai contested over. In an instant, the East Spiritual Fire Sea’s suppression on the three spiritual souls vanished.

Everyone could instantly harness the power of their three spiritual souls.

Ba’s aura surged dramatically, and a ferocious and vast might rushed straight at Yinggou.

However, Yinggou was the water-attributed zombie ancestor. Now that she was no longer suppressed, an immeasurable heavenly river appeared out of nowhere.

Boom!

The battle between Ba and Yingguo shattered space.

However, the battle between Jiang Lianshan and the Divine Farmer Hoe remained largely unchanged.

The Divine Farmer Hoe was an enchanted treasure and had never been suppressed by the East Spiritual Fire Sea. That was why it could fight Gu Hai to a draw earlier. Now that the suppression was gone, the Divine Farmer Hoe was still operating as usual. Only Jiang Lianshan showed a sudden panic.

Jiang Lianshan was just a fire deity, surviving all these years due solely to the existence of the East Spiritual Fire Sea. Now that the East Spiritual Fire Sea was on the verge of being extinguished, he would not last much longer without nirvanic rebirth.

“No, I must immediately obtain the nirvana core. You old thing, get out of my way!” Jiang Lianshan shouted.

While speaking, Jiang Lianshan took out the Physical Soul Scattering Calabash and charged the Divine Farmer Hoe with a menacing expression.

At this moment, the angriest person was undoubtedly Zhu Qiqi. Someone dares to contest for Master’s energy with me?

Zhu Qiqi’s strength was not something Gu Hai’s could compare to. Even though its consummate spiritual souls’ strength had been drained when it spat out the nirvana core, the infusion of Sa’s energy instantly made it stronger than it had ever been at its peak.

Screech!

“Tenth Cycle!”

Boom!

A loud noise resounded, and Gu Hai was again blasted into outer space, shattering numerous stars.

Blargh!

Gu Hai spat out a mouthful of blood. He understood Zhu Qiqi’s strength, but his injuries weren’t critical. His physical body was incredibly sturdy, especially without the suppression of the East Spiritual Fire Sea. His Spiritual Progenitor deity king continuously supplied him with energy, reinforcing and repairing his body.

Whoosh!

Without hesitation, Gu Hai descended once more.

For one, he was unwilling to let go of the vast lake of Sa’s energy. Moreover, if he did not come down, Waner would be in mortal danger.

Yinggou was obstructing Ba, making it impossible for Ba to free herself.

Rumble…!

Gu Hai absorbed Sa’s energy, fanning Zhu Qiqi into a frenzy anew.

“You little brat, you’re not dead yet?” Zhu Qiqi roared, wide-eyed with rage.

Zhu Qiqi ascended to the sky, about to seize Gu Hai.

Gu Hai’s eyes suddenly narrowed, and he waved his hand. “Hungry ghost path of reincarnation, open!”

Zhu Qiqi suddenly saw a massive entrance to the hungry ghost path of reincarnation appear before it.

Whoosh!

The ascending Zhu Qiqi instantly flew into the hungry ghost path of reincarnation.

Gu Hai waved his hand, and the entrance disappeared abruptly.

“She’s gone?” Hou Yi exclaimed in surprise.

At this moment, as Sa’s energy gathered, Zhu Qiqi disappeared. The flames in the East Spiritual Fire Sea also scattered by half. Suddenly, countless experts in the outside world could see inside.

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Yin Tiger Deity Hall:

“There are so many people?” The Unrestrained Heavenly Demon was astonished.

“Milord, isn’t that Gu Hai and Ba? Ah! There’s Jiang Lianshan; isn’t he supposed to be dead? This is impossible! Who is that?” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon exclaimed.

The experts of the Heavenly Demon Holy Land were taken aback by the scene inside the East Spiritual Fire Sea.

Most importantly, Zhu Qiqi is gone? Was she subdued by Gu Hai? That is impossible, right?!

She is the Vermilion Bird Prime!

The Unrestrained Heavenly Demon and others fell into a momentary silence.

“Milord, look at Everlasting Nether Capital. Gu Hai’s clone didn’t go there?” The Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon’s face suddenly darkened.

The Unrestrained Heavenly Demon looked towards Everlasting Nether Capital.

At this moment, the skeleton Gu Hai in Everlasting Nether Capital turned his head in the direction of Yin Tiger Deity Hall.

The leaders of the two major factions exchanged looks across an infinite distance, and the skeleton Gu Hai smiled coldly.

The Unrestrained Heavenly Demon’s face sank.

“Milord, what is this energy that Gu Hai is absorbing?” the Divine Scorpion Heavenly Demon asked.

“That is Sa’s energy; it should be Sa’s energy that has kept the East Spiritual Fire Sea burning for millions of years!” declared the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon in a chilly tone.

“But isn’t Gu Hai benefiting from this?” the Bellowing Griever Heavenly Demon grumbled.

The Unrestrained Heavenly Demon shook his head and replied, “Zhu Qiqi can’t die that easily, and as for Sa’s energy, don’t even think about touching it. Only that ignorant Gu Hai would dare to snatch it. This is a gift from Sa to the Vermilion Bird Prime, and only Zhu Qiqi can use it. Anyone who dares to lay a finger on it will meet their end!”

“Ah?!”

“Let’s watch and see,” the Unrestrained Heavenly Demon said solemnly.

“Alright!” everyone responded in unison.

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Everlasting Nether Capital:

Kong Xuan, the Mosquito Daoist, Long Shenying, and others saw the scene in the East Spiritual Fire Sea, and their expressions changed.

“Your Holy Eminence, should we go help?” Kong Xuan asked urgently.

“No, we mustn’t intervene,” the skeleton Gu Hai replied firmly, shaking his head.

“Why?” Long Wanyu asked in shock.

“We’re here to prevent the Heavenly Demon Holy Land from meddling,” the skeleton Gu Hai explained.

“To deter the Heavenly Demon Holy Land?” The others were slightly puzzled.

“If we stay put, it means we still have reserves, and the Heavenly Demon Holy Land won’t dare to act recklessly. Once we all go out, the Heavenly Demon Holy Land will inevitably interfere, and then…” The skeleton Gu Hai’s voice trailed off.

“Alright, but…” Long Wanyu remained concerned.

“I have already sent Zhu Qiqi into the hungry ghost path of reincarnation. The current situation favors us.” The skeleton Gu Hai shook his head.

“Understood!” The group nodded.

------

In the distant East Spiritual Fire Sea, Gu Hai vigorously drove the Worldly Sorrowful Endowment, rapidly absorbing Sa’s energy.

Perhaps Sa’s energy was truly meant for Zhu Qiqi, containing components specially tailored to stimulate her. Gu Hai could not convert it into his own strength; however, he could use it to stimulate the Worldly Sorrowful Endowment. In just a short while, Gu Hai felt the Worldly Sorrowful Endowment break through.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a dark gas emerged from the heavenly eye in his forehead amid the scorching heat, forming a massive dark cloud hovering above him, as if about to condense into a huge thundercloud.

“The Worldly Sorrowful Endowment’s fifth layer? The heavenly eye manifesting externally?” Gu Hai’s eyes lit up suddenly.

The external manifestation of the heavenly eye meant that the heavenly eye floated into the sky, like Heaven’s eye.

Although the heavenly eye was still transforming, this trend was in the right direction. The dark gas grew more abundant, and its aura became increasingly powerful.

Just then, a sound suddenly rang out of nowhere, and boundless flames reappeared.

“Gu Hai, do you think sending me into the hungry ghost path of reincarnation is enough? Regardless of which one is it, I can open all the paths of reincarnation!” Screech! Zhu Qiqi’s voice resounded in the surroundings.

Suddenly, Zhu Qiqi tore apart space with its claws and charged straight at Gu Hai’s true body with a fierce and eerie expression.

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Everlasting Nether Capital:

“Oh no! Brother-in-Law, I forgot to tell you. The Vermilion Bird Prime was Sa’s pet in the past. She has spent countless years in the six paths of reincarnation. She can’t be trapped there!” Long Wanyu’s expression changed.

------

In the distance, Zhu Qiqi once again rushed towards Gu Hai.

Gu Hai extended his hand, and the entrance to the hell path of reincarnation suddenly opened.

Boom!

This time, Zhu Qiqi clearly saw what he did. With a fierce claw swipe, it suddenly closed the massive entrance.

“Do you think you can succeed a second time?” Zhu Qiqi’s face twisted into a sneer.

Gu Hai’s expression changed. The situation had become incredibly tricky. The five paths of reincarnation are useless? Zhu Qiqi wouldn’t fall for it again?

Whoosh!

Zhu Qiqi resumed absorbing Sa’s surging energy, and its strength skyrocketed, far surpassing Ji Dihong’s from before. Its current aura even outclassed Ba’s and Yinggou’s.

“You bastard, Yinggou, get lost!” Ba’s expression turned cold, and she struck Yinggou with a powerful punch.

“Hahaha, if I can’t get it, then you can’t, either!” Yinggou immediately blocked Ba.

Ba’s expression darkened.

Suddenly, a gigantic crimson cloud appeared in the distance, and an aura of heavenly might descended.

Ba was about to activate her heavenly eye.

Yinggou’s expression immediately changed.

“Oh? Another girl who can use Master’s power? Humph! Myriad Spirit Elimination Technique, seal!” Zhu Qiqi opened its mouth and let out a mighty roar.

Instantly, a golden light shot out of Zhu Qiqi’s mouth at the crimson cloud, instantly locking it in place. The heavenly eye within the crimson cloud could not open.

“What?” Ba’s expression hardened as she turned to look.

“This is something Master taught me, a technique to restrain spiritual light. You’re not qualified to use Master’s power in front of me!” Zhu Qiqi sneered.

“Ba, do you see it? Your heavenly eye can’t open anymore. What use is it if it can’t open? Hahahaha!” Yinggou laughed wildly.

Ba’s expression sank further, and a murderous intent flashed across her face as she charged Yinggou.

Boom!

Ba used her full strength this time, and with a ferocious strike, she sent Yinggou flying, blood trickling from the corner of Yinggou’s mouth.

The two continued their battle.

Zhu Qiqi kept absorbing Sa’s energy, its strength once again skyrocketing as it launched another assault on Gu Hai.

Because Gu Hai was trying to steal her belongings, he had to die.

Gu Hai’s expression also changed at this point. His five paths of reincarnation could not be used, so he could only rely on the Tenth Cycle. Gu Hai was prepared to be knocked away once more; it was only unfortunate that his absorption of Sa’s energy would slow down.

With the Life Executioner Saber raised, Gu Hai was about to strike again.

“Amitāyus!” Suddenly, a Buddhist chant rang out.

It was Vairocana, who had appeared in front of Gu Hai, facing Zhu Qiqi.

“Vairocana, step aside. You’re not a match for her!” Gu Hai’s expression changed.

Why did Vairocana come here at this moment? He is at the consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm but only as strong as me. If it weren’t for my invincible physical body, I would have died long ago.

“Baldy, are you here to die as well? Do you think you can stop me?” Zhu Qiqi’s voice turned icy.

“As Kṣitigarbha once said, ‘If I don’t enter hell, who will?’ Mister Gu, I’ve realized that you can absorb Sa’s energy. Sa’s energy can make you infinitely stronger? Under the orders of my true body, I came to assist you. Unfortunately, I’ve been idle all these years, unable to contribute. Sa is approaching, and all beings are in danger. My true body has stated that he intends to purify the world, destroy all beings, and then revive them. This humble monk is powerless, so all I can do is assist you here to the best of my ability,” Vairocana said.

“Namo Amitāyus Buddha! Namo Siddhārtha Buddha! The great sun is boundless; the sea of buddhas is infinite!” Suddenly, Vairocana rushed towards Zhu Qiqi.

“Vairocana!” Gu Hai was surprised.

Zhu Qiqi’s face turned cold. “A mere consummate Upper Heavenly Palace Realm cultivator dares to boast in front of me? How laughable!”

Zhu Qiqi reached out with its claw, bringing down heavenly might.

No shock waves appeared. Instead, Vairocana and Zhu Qiqi suddenly vanished from their positions.

What replaced them was a massive blazing sun.

There was an image of Vairocana within the sun, and inside it seemed to be a vast sea of flames, boundless like an ocean. A gigantic vermilion bird danced rapidly on this sea of flames, as if trapped within this blazing sun.

“What is this?” Everyone was dumbfounded.

The Unrestrained Heavenly Demon also watched in astonishment. “This can’t be possible. Vairocana managed to trap Zhu Qiqi?”

Gu Hai goggled at the scene within the sun in amazement. How did Vairocana accomplish this?

“Mister Gu, by sacrificing my body, I can create this Blazing Sun Buddhist Sea World and maintain it for fifteen minutes at most. Please cherish it!” Within the blazing sun, the image of Vairocana smiled.

Gu Hai was taken aback.

Sacrificing his body? Is Vairocana committing suicide?

“Vairocana, by doing this, I…I won’t be able to give the Siddhārtha Buddha a proper account!” Gu Hai said, feeling a bitter sense of helplessness.

“I was originally a dharmic incarnation. Mister Gu, you need not feel sad for me. My true body would be pleased if he knew of my decision. My true body, Laozi, and the others have great expectations of you. I have seen over the years in the Han Nation that you care for the people and all beings. I have no regrets at being able to assist you in whatever small way I can for the sake of all beings. Please take care, Mister Gu!” The image of Vairocana pressed his palms together, radiating benevolence.