Chapter 986: Willing to Transcend All Suffering

"Zuo Di Mingwang?"

Ji Yuan could sense that this auspicious sign of Buddha's light, revered by Buddhist followers, might not be a good omen. However, the fact that it signified the nirvana of Zuo Di Mingwang surprised him greatly. He had only recently met Zuo Di Mingwang, and he never expected to hear such terrible news so soon.

The old monk Foyin nodded, letting out a sigh.

"Indeed, I never imagined such a formidable demon could exist!"

The old monk Foyin's words clearly implied that Zuo Di Mingwang's nirvana was the work of a demon, certainly not due to the exhaustion of his lifespan. Ji Yuan shared the same opinion, his brows furrowed even more deeply than Foyin's.

"I can't believe they dared to lay hands on the Venerable Mingwang!"

Ji Yuan was extremely surprised that Zuo Di Mingwang had been targeted. After the incidents involving Zhu Yan and Hou, he expected the perpetrators to be more cautious, their actions covert. He never thought they would dare to attack the Venerable Mingwang directly. However, perhaps this desperate act suggested they felt a greater urgency.

"Hmm? Does Mr. Ji know something?"

Ji Yuan felt the time was right, so he spoke frankly to the old monk Foyin.

"I had intended to inform you of certain matters after our discussion, but no matter, please allow me to speak now..."

"Please, Mr. Ji, speak freely."

In the Southern Barren Continent, at the former site of the Spirit-Controlling Sect, the prior magical battle had already concluded. Although Zuo Di Mingwang had made his opponents pay a price, these costs were within their calculations for dealing with a Buddhist King of Light. Most crucially, they had obtained the body of Zuo Di Mingwang.

Deep within the Spirit-Controlling Sect's sealed spirit well, the sect leader Shen Jie and the highly skilled sword cultivator sat cross-legged. Across from them was Zuo Di Mingwang, also in a seated position.

At this moment, the "Zuo Di Mingwang" had a terrifying wound on his chest that had already closed. However, the Buddhist aura surrounding him was exceedingly dim, and he showed no signs of life.

"Shen Jie, you may begin."

The sword cultivator said this, and Shen Jie nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Master!"

As he spoke, Shen Jie once again took out the Moon Azure Mirror, gently tossing it so it hung above the head of Zuo Di Mingwang's corpse. A beam of white light then descended from the mirror's surface, enveloping the entire body of Zuo Di Mingwang.

Gradually, a mysterious aura flowed from the mirror, slowly entering the crown of Zuo Di Mingwang's head. Approximately three hours later, the body of the previously deceased Zuo Di Mingwang began to show signs of life. After a little more time, his chest also began to rise and fall.

By sunrise the next day, the "Zuo Di Mingwang" slowly opened his eyes. He looked down at his hands, feet, and body, then clenched his fists before breaking into a grin.

"As expected of a Buddhist Venerable Mingwang, this physical body is indeed formidable; it can truly bear my true spirit!"

Shen Jie and the sword cultivator stood up together and bowed to the "Zuo Di Mingwang," congratulating him in unison.

"Congratulations, Lord, on your successful body snatching!"

"Hahahahaha... You have done well; you haven't disappointed me after all!"

As he spoke, the original Zuo Di Mingwang's scalp scars began to loosen and fall off, and his skin regenerated. The next moment, strands of jet-black hair sprouted from his bald head, quickly growing past his shoulders. The bones and muscles of his face also subtly shifted and changed. Though the alteration was slight, it was like a complete change of face.

In mere moments, the former Zuo Di Mingwang had transformed into Lord Yue Cang, only still wearing the monastic robe.

"What a pity about this monastic robe; it's quite a treasure. I'll give it to you."

Yue Cang, now clad in feathered robes, handed the monastic robe to Shen Jie. The latter quickly thanked him and accepted it, then presented a white jade bottle.

"Lord, Zuo Di Mingwang almost completely depleted his vital essence at the end. This body, though excellent, is empty. Please drink this!"

"Hmm, you're thoughtful. I will enter seclusion for a period. Shen Jie, stay and protect me. Ji Qian, you may return now."

"Yes!" "As you command!"

Just then, a faint voice drifted in from outside.

"Yue Cang, I helped you obtain such an excellent body this time. I presume it's no worse than the Five-Colored Stone, eh? Hehehehe... How will you thank me?"

Yue Cang, with his long, jet-black hair flowing freely, smiled.

"Indeed, while the Five-Colored Stone is mystical, to use it to manifest a physical body and cultivate it to the level of this Venerable Mingwang's body would take at least two to three hundred years, even with perfect progress. We don't have that much time now, so this is indeed better than the Five-Colored Stone! Moreover, even Zhu Yan has disappeared, and Hou's fate is unknown after failing. Given the current situation, any discord among us makes us all grasshoppers on the same string. Mutual help is only natural!"

"Hmph, I merely wish to witness the magnificent spectacle of the shattering world. Whether it transcends or not is none of my concern."

"Even so, if we don't work together, you won't see it. Everything must wait until I recover some of my vital energy. This body, though good, is indeed greatly depleted."

"Hmph!"

The other party snorted coldly and said nothing more. In truth, he had absorbed more than half of Zuo Di Mingwang's remaining vital essence, so he couldn't claim to have gained nothing.

The sword cultivator Ji Qian smiled and cupped his hands toward Yue Cang.

"Lord, I shall take my leave now. Shen Jie, serve the Lord well."

"Farewell, Master!"

Yue Cang also nodded at Ji Qian. Only then did Ji Qian cease his courtesies and leave the sealed spirit well. He then leaped into the air, flying upwards, and upon seeing a patch of dark clouds in the sky, he chuckled and spoke.

"Senior, it's best if you don't linger here. It's better to be safe than sorry."

"Hmph, if I wish to leave, no one in this world can stop me!"

A voice emanated from the dark clouds, and then the entire patch of clouds gradually dispersed. No escaping light could be seen flying away; it was as if all traces had vanished into thin air.

Standing in the air, Ji Qian's smile faded, and he murmured softly.

"Senior, do not underestimate the cultivators of this age. If you had faced Zuo Di Mingwang alone, the outcome might not have been as favorable as you imagine. No 'true' cultivator is simple; there are many who could stop you!"

Regardless of whether the other party heard him, Ji Qian transformed into a streak of sword light and departed after speaking. He had once believed Zhu Yan's power was at the absolute pinnacle of this world, and that if Zhu Yan unleashed his full strength without restraint, the current righteous forces would suffer heavy losses trying to resist.

Yet, such a peerless monstrous fiend had simply vanished, without even a single piece of news. If he was intentionally hiding, it was entirely out of character for Zhu Yan.

In the sealed spirit well, Yue Cang and Shen Jie did not linger either, quickly departing. After all, Yue Cang's attitude towards Ji Yuan had shifted from appreciation and recruitment to a degree of distrust.

If Ji Yuan were to suddenly appear during his seclusion and recovery, that was certainly not what Yue Cang desired.

In the southern reaches of Yun Continent, Eastern Lands, at Daliang Temple in Tingliang Kingdom, Jueming, who was seated with monk Huitong beneath a Bodhi tree, suddenly felt a profound sensation. He clasped his hands together and bowed his head slightly.

"Wonderful, may Buddha be merciful!"

Monk Huitong's gaze shifted from the ninth volume of "Yellow Springs" on the low table before them to Jueming, asking.

"Master Jueming, have you gained any enlightenment?"

Jueming shook his head.

"No, this humble monk simply felt a sudden sensation: our Buddha, the Seated World-Honored One, has entered nirvana..."

"What?"

Even with Huitong's current composure, hearing this made him cry out in alarm. However, after their interactions during this period, he knew well that Master Jueming was extraordinary. What he said was likely... true.

"Buddhas are born, and Buddhas perish, just as the sins of this world rise and fall. The Dharma of the Seated World-Honored One will not be cut short. Namu, great Dharma of our Buddha!"

"Namu, great Dharma of our Buddha!"

Huitong also clasped his hands together, performed the Buddhist salute, and chanted the Buddha's name. He then saw monk Jueming close his eyes and enter meditative trance beneath the Bodhi tree. A high monk finds joy in studying and understanding scriptures, and though he grieves the King of Light's demise, even with senses purified and the four elements empty, he remains flesh and blood.

Soon after Jueming entered his trance, Huitong suddenly noticed faint, colorful clouds of Buddhist light gathering in the sky. Beneath the Bodhi tree, Buddhist light flared, casting a subtle golden glow on the Bodhi leaves. Faint, almost imperceptible chanting echoed around the tree.

Huitong stood up, looked at the colorful clouds in the sky, and sighed.

"I wonder how many pilgrims and dignitaries will come now."

However, this time, Monk Jueming's trance did not last for months or even over a year, as Monk Huitong had imagined. After three days, the faint chanting sounds disappeared, yet they became increasingly clear in Monk Jueming's inner ear.

The chanting voice belonged to Zuo Di Mingwang, who had already entered nirvana. The chanting only ceased on the evening of the third day, when Zuo Di Mingwang's voice resonated within Jueming's mind's ear.

"Jueming, so you have found the Buddha within your heart. Excellent, excellent! From today onward, you shall inherit my Dharma and carry on my Dharma name with the character 'Di'!"

Within the colorful clouds in the sky, bursts of Buddhist light pulsed, and a stream of light descended from above, landing upon Jueming.

The clouds continuously spread, and soon after, one drop, two drops, three drops... countless raindrops fell, and a light rain began to descend from the sky.

The rain pattered down.

Daliang Temple was enveloped in the fine rain. Several senior monks from Daliang Temple, who had rushed over, happened to see Jueming awaken from his trance.

"From today onward, this humble monk shall inherit the Dharma name with the character 'Di'..."

Various chapters from "Yellow Springs" spontaneously arose in the monk's mind. Having perceived a particular chapter on Buddhist Dharma, the monk raised his head to look at the senior monks of Daliang Temple.

"My Dharma name... is Dizang. I vow to relieve all malice and all suffering. May Buddha be merciful!"