Unsurprisingly, when Qin Yu returned to the Dao Arena he didn’t see Solitary Westgate. This unsurpassed existence that soared above the highest heavens seemed to be abiding by the words he said before and not troubling himself with him. But, for some reason Qin Yu always felt that Solitary Westgate was paying him extra attention. Luckily he didn’t sense any ill intent from this attention. Thus, after thinking about the situation for a long time and not coming up with anything, he pressed this matter into the depths of his heart.

In his training room he looked at the 21 soul treasures in front of him. A look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. This time, he had really crossed through many twists and turns and the series of dangers he encountered were far beyond his expectation. Fortunately he had already collected over half of the treasures needed for the Soul Summoning Bell to recognize a master. There was still over two months left, so perhaps he really would have enough time to smoothly gather everything he needed.

Before that was completed, he wouldn’t go anywhere. Without accident, this would be the last period of time before his identity as ‘Qin Yu’ would disappear from this world. In the future, he would be like a little beast skulking in the shadows, constantly and diligently growing. Only on the day when he became the king of beasts would he be able to leap onto the mountain summit and roar at the heavens.

…

The Immortal Sect existed in the world but it also wasn’t located in the world. Only cultivators who were admitted were allowed to freely cross the entrance that linked it with the outside. Otherwise, no matter how much one tried, even if they passed a thousand rivers and mountains, they would not be able to take even half a step inside.

It was a land wrapped in obscurity and mystery. In the hearts of countless people, it was considered the highest and most supreme holy land between the heavens and earth. To those people, this was a land where there were rivers of sweet honey, where mountains were full of fresh and fragrant flowers, where countless immortal techniques and supernatural arts existed, where the transcendent Great Dao to reach immortality existed.

Every cultivator that lived here was a chosen pride of heaven. Each one was blessed by the heavens and earth and they all possessed natural luck and good fortune. Only with all of this could one enter the Immortal Sect to cultivate.

Unfortunately, these were only presumptuous and self-indulgent thoughts, thus they were doomed to be nothing but illusions. For instance, at this time within the great hall, there were Buddhist Nation disciples that were lying on the ground, blood flowing out from every orifice of their heads. They all seemed as innocent as sheep, but not a single person here felt any sympathy or pity towards them.

All around them were Buddhist Nation cultivators wearing plain and simple robes. They all had handsome, kind, and benign expressions and a light smile hung on their faces. Their movements were gentle as they picked up the cultivators splayed across the ground and lifted them away. From beginning to end, there was only a faint indifference in their eyes, eyes that had no emotion at all.

It was like all the peace and serenity they displayed on their faces was nothing but a mask. It made one curious just what was hidden behind those beautiful masks.

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign sat cross-legged on a grand and majestic throne. His figure was enlarged infinitely, making him seem like a Buddha that held up the heavens. The tranquility and dignity exuding from him made one wish to crawl to their knees, kissing the soil beneath his feet in the most pious and reverent manner.

The Nation Sovereign was the sun that illuminated the entire Buddhist Nation. Standing by his side, one could enjoy endless light and warmth.

But at the same time, being burnt by the roaring flames of the sun was also a common matter.

The Nether Domain Master appeared outside this dignified hall of the Buddhist Nation. Numerous Buddhist Nation cultivators fell to their knees and bowed. As he stepped in, he lightly said, “Nation Sovereign, you must maintain your calm. The trembling of your Buddhist heart is a disaster to your Buddhist Nation.”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign had a faint expression. “I waited 100,000 years and the Soul Summoning Bell has finally appeared. I must obtain it no matter what. No one can stop me.”

Hum –

Space trembled. The two people were originally in the great hall, but in the blink of an eye there was darkness all around them. Countless stars sparkled around them as if they had entered the endless starry sky.

“Solitary Westgate’s will has descended upon Four Seasons City. Unless you are prepared to fight him, it will be impossible to kill Qin Yu.” The Nether Domain Master gloomily said.

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign was silent for a long time. He finally said, “If I have no other choice, that is what I will do. There is no need to try and change my mind. You do not fully understand just how vital the Soul Summoning Bell is to me.”

The Nether Domain Master’s eyes turned even colder. “You are formidable, but I also know that Solitary Westgate has always been the most formidable existence amongst apex powerhouses.” His pupils shrank as if he were recalling some horrifying past event. “During that year when Solitary Westgate fought the heavens, it was more than you and I who took action. But what was the result? And in these past years, I can feel that he has been slowly growing stronger.”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign had a calm expression. “And what does it matter? In the end, Solitary Westgate is but a single person.”

The Nether Domain Master shook his head. “I won’t help you. This will only cause the Immortal Sect to fall into a massive, inescapable whirlpool. Do not forget that our true enemy is the Demonic Path. Those demons of the Demon Region and Yellow Springs will be overjoyed to find out that a great rift has appeared between the Immortal Sect and the Dao Arena.”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign smiled, revealing a happy expression. When he had no expression, he seemed dignified and honorable. And now that he smiled, he was like the sun that warmed the land in the winter, allowing all things to grow and recover in the spring. “You will help me. If Solitary Westgate finds out about what happened in the past, what do you think will happen?”

Bang –

In the pall of night, countless stars burst out with a luminescent light and starlight scattered into the void. The Nether Domain Master’s cold eyes pierced to the bone. “Nation Sovereign, have you gone insane?”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign laughed out loud. His billowing voice caused the surrounding stars to shake as if they would crash down from the skies. “To seize your life from the heavens, becoming an apex powerhouse of this world, living an undying immortal life and coexisting with the stars until they are extinguished, what a wonderfully farcical made-up story that is!” He viciously looked up, red blood vessels appeared on the surface of his eyes, “That’s right, I have already gone insane! I have long since become a madman! The Soul Summoning Bell can help me maintain my sanity, and whoever tries to stop me will become my greatest enemy!”

The shaking of the starry skies became increasingly fierce as a destructive aura blotted out the heavens. Just as a horrifying collision was about to occur, the Nether Domain Master lightly sighed and said, “The Soul Summoning Bell has a heaven-defying strength, thus it is loathed and repelled by the world. The dark and unforeseeable workings of the Great Dao will ensure that it will not be easy for anyone to have it recognize a master. Even if Qin Yu obtains it, he won’t have the qualifications to enjoy it. Why must the Buddhist Nation Sovereign be so worried?”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign had already composed himself, becoming calm and serene once more, as if he were a completely different person from just a moment ago. “I can feel a trace of that dark pull of fate. Qin Yu indeed doesn’t yet have the qualifications to make the Soul Summoning Bell recognize him as master. But once an accident occurs, I will directly take action, even if the heavens will collapse and the earth will be sundered.”

With a sigh, the conversation ended. The starry skies all around vanished from sight and the two reappeared within the great hall. The Buddhist Nation cultivators that had walked outside were still gently smiling. They had no idea that they just took a round trip to death’s door.

The Nether Domain Master turned and left, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign kept stroking a string of Buddhist beads on his neck. It was unknown what sort of material these Buddhist beads were made from, but each one had a lifelike Buddha contained within. Some were smiling, some were angry, some were sobbing, and some had gone crazy.

His fingers continued to rub across their surface. Layers of Buddhist light shined on their surface, making one feel the endless majesty and power coming from them. However, no one discovered that beneath the layers of that Buddhist light, countless tiny cracks had appeared on the beads.

“Qin Yu, why won’t you die? Bring all of your pain to an end and enter samsara. That will be the best way for you to return home.

“You should die.

“You must die.”

The Nation Sovereign began to chant, a smile appearing on the corners of his lips once more. Then, light erupted from the Buddhist beads and millions of rays of light burst out from the grand hall, illuminating the entire Buddhist Nation.

At this moment, the trillions of lives living within the Buddhist Nation all fell to their knees. They bathed in the warm Buddhist light and turned towards the mountain that pierced into the highest heavens, reverently praying.

…