Chapter 414: Chapter 59: Game of Years, Wrath of the Three Pure Ones

’A Daluo roams the River of Time. So... this is a move by the Demon Ancestor.’

The beings outside the realm also realized this. Duobao suppressed his anger and said coolly,

"Shen Gongbao, do not forget, I am also a Daluo."

The implication was clear: he could also return to the past and kill Shen Gongbao at some point in time.

If one dies in the past, one cannot exist in the present.

However, a wry smile appeared on Shen Gongbao’s face.

"Senior Brother Duobao, there’s no need for that. His Eminence, the Demon Ancestor, came with a Dao Fruit. I had no choice."

The beings outside the realm were stunned. ’A Dao Fruit? This matter involves a Dao Fruit?’

While they were still in a daze, Shen Gongbao, standing within the Death Tower, pressed his hand down with a force that seemed to span millennia.

The moment the palm extended from the Death Tower, it triggered a vision of the heavens and earth collapsing. The palm itself was also dissolving and crumbling.

Lu Xuan narrowed his eyes and scoffed softly. A dim, shadowy Daoist Temple abruptly materialized above his head.

The crumbling hand struck Sanqing Temple, causing the entire structure to shake violently. An existence nearing the level of the Celestial Realms was far beyond what the Daoist Temple could withstand!

Within the Daoist Temple, Profound Origin Fusheng, who held the seat of the [Human Saint], rose to his feet. His words carried the weight of a Celestial Decree as he commanded the world’s principles, unleashing a Killing Skill that tore at the ruined hand.

Shen Gongbao grunted but didn’t dodge. An expression of pure serenity appeared on his face, as if he were chanting a Buddhist Scripture. The lines on his palm suddenly expanded, taking on a form that could seal the heavens and lock the earth, as he attempted to capture both Lu Xuan and Sanqing Temple at once!

Although the beings outside the realm couldn’t see what was happening in this remote borderland, they could roughly sense it.

The Three-Eyed Celestial God frowned.

’When did Shen Gongbao get this strong? Was it the Dao Fruit he mentioned, intervening in the past to help him?’

An ancient Daoist spoke decisively,

"I will handle this."

As his words fell, the scene shifted.

「A past era. Spirit Mountain.」

Tathagata Duobao, who was seated to the side, suddenly rose. He bowed to the Three Historical Buddhas above him and prepared to leave.

"Tathagata Duobao, where might you be going?"

Tathagata Duobao glanced to the side. The speaker was the Future Buddha, Maitreya.

He replied solemnly,

"To the North Sea, to handle a trivial matter."

"Is that so?"

Maitreya Buddha smiled.

"There’s no need to go. No need at all."

He reached out and effortlessly pressed Tathagata Duobao back into his seat!

Duobao’s expression changed. His consciousness jumped to another point in time, one after this particular Maitreya Buddha had entered nirvana.

He bowed to Shakyamuni Buddha and Lamp Buddha, glanced at the empty throne of the Future Buddha, and with a single step, crossed over to the North Sea. Forming a Killing Skill, he struck at the North Sea Eye!

Shen Gongbao, who was suppressed within it, cried out in agony. He raised his left hand to block, but it was instantly obliterated. His chest caved in, stamped with a Great Buddha Seal, and his entire being began to disintegrate and die!

Before he died, he cried out in sorrow,

"Senior Brother Duobao, why are you doing this?"

But in the next instant...

"Amitabha Buddha."

The one who appeared this time was the Maitreya Buddha Mother.

She gave a compassionate smile and, with a wave of her hand, pressed down. Under the might of a Dao Fruit, time itself froze. Duobao was slapped all the way back to Spirit Mountain. Then, she scattered a wisp of Buddha light, saving the dying Shen Gongbao, and said calmly,

"Remember, capture Profound Clarity and suppress him for ten years."

Shen Gongbao, weeping with gratitude, bowed deeply.

In countless nodes of past time, countless versions of Tathagata Duobao attempted to leave Spirit Mountain, only to be forced back by countless versions of Maitreya Buddha and Maitreya Buddha Mother.

"Amitabha Buddha!"

Duobao’s expression finally turned grim.

「The Current World.」

In Lu Xuan’s eyes, Shen Gongbao’s form suddenly changed. A gaping hole appeared in his chest, a Great Buddha Seal swirling within it as Demon Blood poured out. His left hand had also vanished into thin air.

But he himself seemed unaware, acting as if he had always been this way. The lines on his right palm continued to sweep down, intent on encompassing everything!

"SHEN! GONG! BAO!"

Outside the realm, Duobao flew into a rage and bellowed,

"The Dao Fruit who intervened is the Maitreya Buddha Mother!"

As he spoke, a trace of hesitation flickered across his face, but he quickly steeled his resolve. He sighed and closed his eyes once more.

「This time, he went to the Shang Dynasty.」

In Biyou Palace, the Lame Daoist was preaching the Great Dao. Heavenly flowers rained down and golden lotuses sprouted from the earth. Immortal Flowers bloomed, floating gently amidst the Essence Qi of the Jade Universe and Innate principles.

The sermon came to an abrupt halt. All the Daoists listening were startled, looking up in confusion.

They saw the Lame Daoist calmly look to the side and sigh.

"You’ve returned."

"Ma-Master..." Duobao Daoist’s eyes reddened, and he looked as if he was about to cry, not daring to meet the Lame Daoist’s gaze.

For so many years, he had never dared to see his master again. Even as he roamed through the River of Time, he never dared return to the time before the Zhou Dynasty.

To him, Shangqing was both a master and a father.

"It is all right."

The Lame Daoist waved away the other disciples and said calmly,

"Duobao, you’ve finally come to see me? Has something happened?"

With red eyes, Duobao stammered,

"Master, I have severed my Buddha Foundation. I have returned to the Daoist Sect..."

"I know... So, what happened?"

Duobao wiped away his tears and bowed his head.

"It’s about Eldest Martial Uncle’s disciple, Supreme Profound Clarity..."

He explained the situation. The Lame Daoist frowned, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally spoke.

"Even I cannot see through the Demon Ancestor’s origins. There must be a Dao Fruit backing him. Now, with the Buddha Mother involved, that makes two Dao Fruits. Interesting."

Then, he asked another question.

"By the way, regarding Profound Clarity... did that boy Yang Jian not tell you anything?"

"Tell me what?" Duobao was taken aback.

But the Lame Daoist merely breathed a sigh of relief and said calmly,

"It’s good that he didn’t tell you."

After a pause, he glanced to the side and reached into the void, plucking Shen Gongbao out and holding him in his hand. The latter looked completely baffled and hastily bowed.

"I am Shen Gongbao! Greetings, Sect Leader!"

"Mm, hello." Shangqing nodded. With a single slap, Shen Gongbao’s soul was scattered to the winds.

"Fellow Daoist, what is the use of this?"

A sigh echoed as Maitreya Buddha walked into Biyou Palace, smiling.

"You cannot interfere in the Current World. Killing this Shen Gongbao is merely deceiving yourself..."

"Without Shen Gongbao, there will naturally be a Shen Gonghu or a Shen Gong-wolf."

"Why bother?"

Hearing this, the Lame Daoist raised his eyes to stare at the grinning, pot-bellied Maitreya and spoke evenly,

"Are you provoking me?"

"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare." Maitreya Buddha bowed hastily and said with a laugh, "I am only having the little one suppress Profound Clarity for ten years. He won’t be harmed."

"Suppressed for ten years..."

The Lame Daoist nodded slightly.

"Very well."

As his voice fell, the Four Immortal Slaying Swords appeared in his hand. He hurled them forth, striking at the River of Time as if to obliterate it entirely!

Several Dao Fruits were alarmed and cast their gazes over. A Great Buddha demanded,

"Shangqing, why are you doing this?!"

"I’m flipping the chessboard," the Lame Daoist replied.

"One year!" Maitreya’s expression changed as he cried out, "Can we do one year?"

The Immortal Slaying Swords continued their descent. The Celestial Myriad Realms began to tremble, on the verge of returning to silent oblivion!

"One month! Just one month!" Veins bulged on Maitreya’s forehead. "He’s a Supreme Disciple, not your disciple! Shangqing, why are you doing this?!"

"One month, then." Shangqing retracted the Four Immortal Slaying Swords and gave the Maitreya Buddha Mother a pitying look.

The Maitreya Buddha Mother’s expression froze, and she glanced away, speechless.

From the side, an old man emerged from Chaos, holding Douluo Palace, and asked calmly,

"You were plotting against my disciple?"

"Great Celestial Venerable, it’s a misunderstanding..."

Douluo Palace came crashing down, followed by the Four Immortal Slaying Swords. The Blind Daoist also appeared, sighing.

"Plotting against our martial nephew... you’ve crossed the line."

The Three-Bejeweled Ruyi came crashing down as well.

The other Dao Fruits looked at each other in dismay. Duobao stared blankly at the scene, a bittersweet feeling welling up in his heart.

(Another Chapter will be out later.)