Before the divine effigy of the bronze giant cauldron stood a figure with a ruddy countenance, fire snakes coiled about his arms, and fire turtles beneath his feet. In his hands, he held a wooden puppet painted in gold lacquer, its forehead marked with a single red dot.

This naturally represented the will of Xuan Nan Gong. As he placed the puppet into the bronze cauldron, he spoke, “This individual is obstinate, I fear he cannot be tamed. Should he become the Mo Luo Jia Na, he may prove a source of future calamity.”

At this moment, Xuan Nan Gong was unlike his earlier self when addressing Hu Tai Sui; there was no hint of impatience. His voice, though light, carried a profound majesty.

Ye Pu Sa responded with a casual air, “How many years has he lived thus far? How long has he dwelled in this realm? How many kin and companions does he possess? Let him here spread his roots, branch out, and propagate his lineage. Over the long months and years, his understanding of himself will inevitably shift.”

“Emotions are not born inherently; they arise through interaction,” he continued. “We should place our faith in the power of time.”

“And you, above all, should believe in the power of Black Lotus Temple.”

The red-faced divine effigy, which had been about to speak further, fell silent upon hearing the final phrase.

Indeed, time possessed the power to erase all, and the emotions of living beings were insufficient to withstand its relentless erosion. Furthermore, Black Lotus Temple possessed myriad methods to thoroughly control a figure like Xiong San Si. Some of these methods transcended the very concept of will.

Just as if Hu Tai Sui had purely sought to destroy Xiong San Si’s will, Xiong San Si’s current state would not have been significantly better than Ling Xi Hua’s. It was precisely because they aimed to preserve Xiong San Si’s hatred, his vibrant vitality, and his ambitious spirit, that Xiong San Si retained the capacity for hatred, anger, persistence, or despair.

Body and soul yielded to their whim, love and hate alike became difficult to control.

Beneath the absolute peak, all were but ants, a stark and despairing truth.

The effigy slowly turned its body, raising its gaze to the color of the sky, then returning its focus to the bronze cauldron. It muttered a single phrase, “Quan Ying Yang truly regresses with age.”

Ji Xing Kong paid no heed to Quan Ying Yang. Chan Fa Yuan and Hu Tai Sui were already out of the picture, and Zhi Wen Zhong was as good as captured. He had kicked Hu Tai Sui down from the Tian Xi Feng Shen Tai precisely for this moment. His earlier machinations concerning Xiong San Si were also for this very time.

His dialogue with Xuan Nan Gong was beyond Xiong San Si’s hearing, while his words of consolation and care repeatedly soothed Xiong San Si’s heart.

The World Honored One transmitted the dharma through the Eight Divisions of Devas and Nāgas.

Though the Demon Realm’s Buddhist Sect had formed its own unified identity, it had inherited much. Ancient Nan Mountain, with its serpent multitudes replacing the Nāga hosts, still retained the name Eight Divisions of Devas and Nāgas.

Black Lotus Temple’s self-established Eight Divisions of Ghosts and Gods had long contended with Ancient Nan Mountain. However, as Guang Wang Ru Lai had once remarked, “Eight Divisions, seven ghosts, the dharma is difficult to spread.”

The unstable foundation of Black Lotus Temple’s Eight Divisions of Ghosts and Gods was a fatal flaw, preventing them from truly challenging Ancient Nan Mountain’s orthodox status.

In the present era, Hu Tai Sui had exhausted his intellect, driven by the pursuit of a path to transcendence, and created a brand new race with boundless potential.

Ji Xing Kong’s strategic moves aimed to harness this for his own ends, achieving the Mo Luo Jia Na through the Spirit Race. This could be seen as supplementing a deficiency and enriching the potential of the Eight Divisions of Ghosts and Gods.

For Tai Gu Imperial City, placing the Spirit Race within the Eight Divisions of Ghosts and Gods, subject to Black Lotus Temple’s control, was akin to caging a beast, averting future trouble.

Should this matter succeed, the hidden peril of the Spirit Race would be controlled, the foundation of Black Lotus Temple would be reinforced, and Xiong San Si could be freed from his suffering. One could say all would be greatly pleased – except for Hu Tai Sui.

Or perhaps, if he so willed, he too could participate in this grand event of Mo Luo Jia Na, together creating a flourishing Black Lotus era. Black Lotus Temple, though an external force, still offered a path of convenience.

Of course, Ji Xing Kong would not actively speak these words, lest Hu Tai Sui come charging in desperation. He would await Hu Tai Sui’s own enlightenment.

“The sea of suffering has no shore; there is only the lotus flower on the other side,” Ye Pu Sa recited the final Buddhist verse. His compassionate voice seemed to comfort all the sorrow in the world. Naturally, this should have brought warmth to Xiong San Si, guiding him toward a direction.

However, Xiong San Si, curled in the sea of clouds, showed no reaction. He continued to resist in his pathetic state, perpetuating his infinite cycle of pain.

It was impossible for Xiong San Si not to hear these words; when Ye Pu Sa’s words reached him, he had no qualification to not hear.

Thus, silence was a form of refusal.

Ji Xing Kong had considered many possibilities, but this one alone had not occurred to him.

It was not to say this possibility didn’t exist. The Mo Luo Jia Na held profound symbolic meaning within the Buddhist Sect; the Eight Divisions of Ghosts and Gods required an autonomous soul, a vibrant race, not a mere puppet. Therefore, he had not restricted Xiong San Si’s freedom of choice.

And practically speaking, with only a single faith insect present, the power he could transmit was minuscule, incapable of accomplishing much. Otherwise, he would have long since rushed out to join hands with Xuan Nan Gong and overthrow Hu Tai Sui.

Yet… how could this be? How could Xiong San Si refuse?

He was in such pain, such despair!

He had already exhausted all his efforts, and all his efforts had failed! His fate had been sealed the moment Hu Tai Sui noticed him. From the Qian Jie Ku to Zi Wu Hills, and then to Shen Xiao World.

He could do nothing; did he not understand?

Following their long-standing tacit agreement, joining Black Lotus Temple and becoming the founder of Mo Luo Jia Na would allow him to transcend the sea of suffering and possess all that he should.

What reason did he have to refuse?

The names Jiang Wang flashed through his mind, that person who had killed Shu Jia Lan and was certain to die, and whom Xiong San Si unilaterally recognized as a compatriot from his homeland.

Ye Pu Sa spoke solemnly, “A demon from another realm, he does not lie. That young heavenly prodigy you wished to help escape has already died. Quan Ying Yang severed his head and is now returning. Do you wish to kill Quan Ying Yang to avenge this enmity?”

His voice emitted a power of ‘trust,’ preventing Xiong San Si from doubting the truth of these words.

And these words could, of course, be true.

Jiang Wang was indeed certain to die, his head would certainly be severed, and Quan Ying Yang would certainly be able to produce it for Xiong San Si to avenge and vent his anger.

For the Mo Luo Jia Na, for Black Lotus Temple, anyone could be sacrificed.

Quan Ying Yang was, of course, even less of a problem.

But just as Ye Pu Sa’s sentence fell, Xiong San Si’s body, which had been writhing in ceaseless pain, suddenly stiffened. Then, his Spirit Race body, collapsing from its eyeballs, emitted a strange fragrance, exploding into a pile of meat worms!

Those clean, white meat worms, falling into the Wan Shen Sea, possessed a peculiar attraction. They were swarmed by the surrounding divine power, swallowed bit by bit.

To all of Ji Xing Kong’s questions, Xiong San Si offered no answer. He endured in silence, suffered in silence, and also gave up in silence.

But the last sentence he spoke in his life was heard clearly by all the demons present, remembered distinctly:

“I am human!”

The red-faced divine effigy beside the bronze cauldron was silent. Ye Pu Sa, appearing through the faith insect, was also silent.

But the silence only lasted for about two breaths. After two breaths, this faceless Ye Pu Sa stepped forward, one step falling onto the mountain path, falling before the one-armed, sword-wielding Ling Xi Hua.

His eyes materialized from the deep night, gazing at Ling Xi Hua’s pale face and evasive eyes.

With a trusting firmness and compassion, he spoke, “In truth, I took a liking to you long ago. Are you willing to join Black Lotus Temple and become the Mo Luo Jia Na? In the Eight Divisions of Ghosts and Gods, you alone shall hold one division. The day you attain your fruit position, you shall be of equal honor with this seat!”

Compared to Xiong San Si, Ling Xi Hua truly differed too greatly.

So greatly, in fact, that after he was used up, even Hu Tai Sui couldn’t be bothered to cast him a second glance.

But compared to a true Spirit Race, Ling Xi Hua was approximately only one step away, similar to Xiong San Si’s step within the sea of flesh and blood of the Wan Shen Ku.

With the level of a Heavenly Demon, one would not regret things that could no longer be changed.

Was it not merely a God Infant?

Black Lotus Temple could have it!

Specifically how to become a true Spirit Race? Nothing more than trying several times.

With Xiong San Si’s example, and Black Lotus Temple’s protection, this final step would not become an insurmountable obstacle.

Ling Xi Hua had absolutely not anticipated that the willow-shaded village was actually meant for him! Just as he had not imagined that a Great Bodhisattva like Ji Xing Kong could so naturally say, “I took a liking to you long ago.”

His originally evasive eyes instantly became resolute. He cast aside the sword in his hand, pressed his palms together at his chest, and knelt before Ye Pu Sa with utmost sincerity: “Before Xi Hua’s birth, my mother dreamt of Buddha light entering her! From a young age, I have recited Buddhist scriptures and admired Black Lotus Temple for a long time, but was restricted by the Three Evil Tribulation Monarch, making it difficult to forge a Buddhist connection! Bearing the Bodhisattva’s gaze, granting me the opportunity to turn back from the sea of suffering. From now on, I am the Mo Luo Jia Na. I shall uphold the precepts and guard my heart, promoting my Buddha… Please, Great Bodhisattva, shave my head and ordain me!”

In this scene, in this situation, who could not utter a phrase about destiny?

Ye Pu Sa extended a hand from the shadows, his black Buddhist palm lightly brushed, sweeping away Ling Xi Hua’s long hair. Conveniently, on that smooth scalp, he left a black lotus mark. The power of the Eight Divisions of Ghosts and Gods…

During this process, he seemed to grasp something on this mountain path where Jiang Wang had spilled fresh blood and Zhu Lan Ruo had died in battle. However, the power provided by the single faith insect was too meager, making investigation exceedingly difficult.

And Ling Xi Hua, on the verge of becoming the world’s first Mo Luo Jia Na, involuntarily looked toward the Wan Shen Sea. From Spirit Race to Mo Luo Jia Na, he was always picking up Xiong San Si’s leftovers. Regarding that person, his feelings were truly complex.

“How?” Ji Xing Kong asked.

Ling Xi Hua said, “I always felt he should have had a grand and vigorous death.”

Yes, a heroic figure like Rao Bing Zhang, how could he simply sink into the Wan Shen Sea in such pain and silence? Everything integrated through the God Infant had transformed into divine power within.

The Demon Race would certainly not commemorate him. The Human Race would forever be unaware of him.

“For the Mo Luo Jia Na of the Eight Divisions of Ghosts and Gods to sigh so, he is already sufficiently grand,” Ye Pu Sa responded casually, his gaze surveying the cliff beside the mountain path. Finally, it stopped, alighting upon a flower-shaped stone engraving.

In a layer invisible to the naked eye, faint, shallow light was slowly gathering towards it. Ye Pu Sa’s eyes, manifested within the shadows, held a hint of seriousness.

However, the changes in Shen Xiao World were not limited to this, nor even just within the dark corridor where Jiang Wang and Quan Ying Yang battled.

At this very moment, the entire Shen Mountain darkened. But then, light ignited once more.

Xuan Nan Gong, controlling the red-faced divine effigy, suddenly leaped, jumping into the bronze giant cauldron… this cauldron suddenly erupted with heaven-surging divine fire!

The divine fire, like a flood, surged from the cauldron, scattering across the entire altar, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws. And the various divine effigies, standing solemnly in their appointed places, having already completed the formation, remained unmoving, their mouths reciting ancient Dao language in a low murmur, reciting the “Da Yao Qian Fa Shen Zhao Book.”

This book, a classic of the myriad worlds, was the ultimate Dao scripture that laid the foundation for the Demon Race’s divine path. At this moment, recited by the mouths of the various gods, the entire Shen Xiao World instantly resonated.

Within the continuously boiling flames of the cauldron, that wooden puppet painted in gold lacquer, its forehead marked with a red dot, rose like cooked food, overflowing the bronze giant cauldron and then continuously ascending, continuously ascending, high into the sky!

At the heart of this wooden puppet, a light point suddenly brightened and dimmed, as if becoming its heart, drawing the minds of all who observed. That was the spark that had long been buried within the bronze giant cauldron. Lu Qi Lang had coveted it but found no opportunity to connect with it; Jiang Wang had then ignited it with the Samadhi True Fire.

Now, it obediently rested upon the golden lacquer wooden puppet’s body, as if eternally fixed, forever in this state.

At this moment, overlooking the entire Heavenly Demon Altar, no matter where the divine effigies stood, a line of divine fire flew out from each of their foreheads, dancing in the high sky, connecting with that wooden puppet.

It was unclear whether they were supporting it, or locking it down.

But infinite divine power condensed into golden liquid flowed over the body of this golden lacquer wooden puppet, casting its outer garments and engraving its patterns.

This wooden puppet gradually gained a sense of reality, actually exuding an ancient majesty.

Like a king upon his throne, receiving the bows of myriad gods, with all under heaven kneeling.

This was the God King body!

Thus, the scene of myriad gods reciting scripture and myriad gods bathing in fire was truly grand.

Xuan Nan Gong used the various gods as fuel, ignited by the will of the Heavenly Demons, to reignite the Heavenly Demon Altar! In this Shen Xiao Gambit, this long-abandoned Heavenly Demon Altar was ignited a total of three times.

The first time, it attempted to illuminate the chaotic sea, opening a brief passage to call forth the old path of the World Honored One or Great Ancestor Yu Zhen. The second time, it attempted to build a great Human Race city, rooted in the present world’s rules, responding to the civilization basin. This third time, under Xuan Nan Gong’s control, it focused on Shen Xiao World, focusing on refining the God King body!

Having experienced Jiang Wang paving bones to build the city, and Hu Tai Sui’s ruthless seizure of the platform,

To prevent unforeseen complications, the power of the Feng Shen Tai, represented by Xuan Nan Gong, decided to wait no longer, deciding to prematurely shape the God King body and call forth the spiritual essence of Great Ancestor Yu Zhen!

As Ye Pu Sa’s eyes perceived, the engravings on the body of the bronze giant cauldron, under the washing of the divine power and golden liquid, gradually melted into four new Dao characters—

“You shall command in my stead!”

This time, even Ji Xing Kong was slightly startled, for these four characters were indeed written by Yuan Xi Demon Emperor. Every stroke, every line, contained the heaven-bestowing might of Great Emperor Yuan Xi. Dao Script was the characters that expounded the Dao; any one could state the existence of the Dao. His Dao characters all bore his fundamental mark; one could say the characters were his very being. Ji Xing Kong was absolutely certain.

Then, what was this currently?

Moreover, setting aside the thoughts of Black Lotus Temple’s Great Bodhisattva. At this moment, that golden lacquer wooden puppet, already approaching the God King body, suddenly opened its golden eyes, looking up at the sky.

Clearly, it was only a wooden puppet, clearly its hands and feet were carved in a single, unmoving posture. Yet, at this moment, with just an opening of eyes, a glance upwards, it possessed the spirit of a great being observing the myriad heavens with hands behind its back!

The already dim sky, at this moment, saw wind and clouds change, thunder and sudden rain, followed by lightning and shifting light, flashing back scene after scene of magnificent pictures. That was the time that flowed eternally and endlessly in this world!

The infinite power of the Wan Shen Sea supported this inconceivable change.

A majestic figure, adorned with a top crown and hanging beads, stepped out from within the body of that golden lacquer wooden puppet. One step out of the altar, one step up to the high sky, one step into that unpredictable, changing time.

He sat down, just like that, above the surging river of time. And before him, in a hazy state, unaware of how many years had passed and how many years lay ahead, a figure clad in white, wearing a white jade crown, condensed with a speed that could not be defined as ‘fast’ or ‘slow,’ suddenly flashed into existence and sat down.

The river of time flowed eternally, and at that intersection of eternity and instant, two great figures sat opposite each other. One could not penetrate time and space to see their faces, but one could perceive that they were gazing at each other.

This was a gaze that should be etched in the annals of history, a great moment worthy of commemoration, overlooking an entire grand era.

After the wreckage of the flying light treasure ship had thoroughly shattered here, and time and space had been reshaped. At this moment, Shen Xiao World already possessed its independent time and space order.

And who possessed the hand that stirred clouds and rain, stirring up the waves of time?

This was a dialogue between ‘greatness,’ one that should have happened, but did not.

This was a dialogue between the ‘already dead,’ long after both sides had perished, they returned to some time and space to sit opposite each other and converse.

These were the two most legendary opponents in the history of the Demon Race since the new realm, both enemies and friends, and as twin paragons.

Great Emperor Yuan Xi, Great Ancestor Yu Zhen!

Free to read.