Chapter 283 Fu Li Is My Home

In Ying Tian Fu, the myriad wishes lost their fixed anchor, scattering rapidly in an instant, dissolving into rain and vast incense, dispersing from Ying Tian Fu.

In the Southern Forbidden City, the Great Ming's imperial might flickered. Above the imperial palace, a divine plaque inscribed with "Zi Wei Yan Du Di Jun" pulsed faintly.

Then, towards a certain void, the entry permission to the Southern Forbidden City was opened.

Deprived of the control of wishes, the mortals mixed with demons finally felt immense discomfort. A profound sense of dissonance, coupled with fear, surged within them, while for the demons, the shackles of wishes shattered!

The thirty-six guards of Ying Tian Fu, engaged in battle with the gods, halted their weapon swings in bewilderment. The cultivators of the White Lotus Society felt a great sense of foreboding. Upon sensing the death of Prince Lu, their faces turned deathly pale. The great cultivators above the Earth Immortal realm were already possessed by Prince Lu's wishes, knowing what they had to do next.

Leave here.

Go to the White Lotus Society's three temples and light the three divine incense sticks of Emperor Wu of Han.

This was, in fact, a fortuitous opportunity. The divine artifact, originally meant to acquire heavenly power, was now being used for self-resurrection ahead of schedule.

Those three incense sticks were not in the outside world.

They were located within other strongholds of the White Lotus Society.

"The Prince's command has arrived. We leave from here. Everything here becomes the past; there is no need to linger!"

A Nascent Soul cultivator of the White Lotus Society informed the other Earth Immortals, urging them to organize their evacuation quickly. Immortals could arrive in Ying Tian in an instant, but they would not engage in indiscriminate slaughter. Someone would surely escape from here, out of Ying Tian!

What of the 129,600 avatars?

The White Lotus Society cultivators constituted one-tenth, even one-fifth, of Ying Tian Fu's population of millions!

Someone was bound to escape!

The White Lotus Society members retreated rapidly. With the exception of the Great Retribution Temple, all thirty-six guards of Ying Tian were strongholds of the main sect. Therefore, they lacked altars; the main altar was at the Great Retribution Temple.

Of course... or rather, nothing here was important anymore. Moreover, they had already suffered heavy casualties. The eight hundred Guan Yu figures alone had cut through three streets, dismembering countless Earth Immortals. The shouts of "插标卖首" (chā biāo mài shǒu - literally "stick a label and sell the head," meaning to offer a defeated enemy for capture) from the Guan Yu figures still echoed incessantly through these three streets.

Prince Lu was dead, so others surely wouldn't survive.

Those two immortals had won.

The Great Retribution Temple would be uprooted.

The White Lotus Society cultivators were evacuating, decisively abandoning the world's most prosperous city.

Mortals and cultivators were in a state of bewildered helplessness, trying to reconcile the erroneous perceptions in their minds with their self-awareness.

The demons, however, roared with laughter. There was no happier moment than this!

The "five strains and seven injuries" were lifted!

Prince Lu's means of manipulating and restraining them had perished along with his death!

Now, nothing could bind them...!

Perhaps that was what they thought, but the gods were still active, and the demons had no intention of fighting these immortal, unkillable folk gods to the bitter end. They transformed into demonic winds, riding the remnants of the Ming Dynasty's imperial might that still lingered on them, not yet faded. Riding the demonic winds and black mist, tens, hundreds, thousands of them scattered in all directions – east, west, south, and north!

On both banks of the Qinhuai River, the female demons who had bewitched the Imperial College students but were now being chased by Confucian sages, revealed their true forms. Amidst the students' gaze shifting from infatuation to terror, they transformed into birds, snakes, foxes, and white ermines. Rising into the clouds, riding black smoke, they fled in panic.

The students had somewhat regained their senses. They recalled that they had even been intimate with some of these women just days ago. Although it was unbecoming of scholars, the feeling of a gentle embrace was truly irresistible. But now, they no longer wished to recall those unspeakable Qinhuai River stories. Their heads spun, the world seemed to tilt, and their legs trembled as they realized, "Xu Xian was me all along."

Even though the ecstatic feeling was indeed good, a portion of their primal essence had been taken. Even if it didn't harm the fundamental essence of their blood, weakened kidney qi in the future was a foregone conclusion.

But the folk gods had no intention of pursuing. Watching the enemies disappear, they stood in the roads, or at alley entrances, or before ships, or outside wine shops, or behind temple thresholds, calmly listening to the terrified cries of the mortals around them.

The wishes scattered, returning to the people themselves. The power of incense returned to the temples and to a demon lord who had descended to Ying Tian according to fate.

A voice from above the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum reached Ying Tian:

"All gods return to their positions."

The gods bowed and dispersed their forms and spirits, reverting to their original states of carved wood and molded clay.

The Guan Yu figures became puppets, hopping back to their display stands in the workshops.

Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong leaped back onto the doors, continuing to be New Year's prints.

The Kitchen Gods transformed into countless flames, returning to the houses of the terrified bricklayers in Huowa Lane. Xiang Yu also vanished after a swirl of black mist.

Confucius, along with Zengzi, Yan Hui, and Mencius, walked back into the Temple of Confucius, sitting on the high divine platform, maintaining their eternally benevolent smiles.

From the time Sun Quan built Shicheng a thousand and four hundred years ago, until now, the land of Ying Tian Fu had never witnessed such a multitude of divine manifestations, nor such a lively spectacle.

There were no lanterns on the Qinhuai River, but the heavens and earth were filled with light.

Terrified mortals stopped in their tracks, momentarily forgetting the divine events they had just witnessed and their fractured memories.

These floating lanterns were like dreams and illusions. A giant bird with dark green feathers flew across the high sky. Beneath its feathers emanated the desires that these past beings had indulged in, transformed into lamplight.

Some possessed soaring ambitions, wishing to rival the heavens.

An emperor dreamt absurdly, his imperial glory recounted to mountain spirits.

A famous courtesan's love overflowed, her melodious voice entering the Qinhuai.

A scholar exhaled clouds, his wit matched by wine, composing a hundred poems.

A peddler was cautious and meticulous, living frugally and gazing at the bright moon.

A youth in brocade and jade, his valor reaching the clouds, threw away thousands of gold coins.

Two immortals appeared in the nine-colored clouds.

"The world each holds its own view, burdened by ten thousand worries, hence they are at a loss for words."

"When someone comes to guide them, they will take that person's words as gospel, without the slightest doubt. And when this doubt is amplified and shatters like a broken glass lamp in an instant, they fall into fear and confusion, and all the dissatisfactions of life... come flooding in."

"We shattered the beautiful world woven by Prince Lu, and people returned to the past, still being their most detestable selves, with the suffering of seven emotions and six desires, love, hate, resentment, and envy. Thus, I am the Demon Lord, and what I break is the illusion of the world."

"But sentient beings, when living in a beautiful world, do not realize what kind of world they are in. When everything passes, and they see those beautiful illusory lamplights again, hope reignites, always thinking that one day, they will reach such a realm."

"They never arrive, yet they keep watching, carrying burdens as heavy as mountains and seas, yet still holding onto hope. This is the mortal."

"Those who are mediocre, those who are lost in the world, those who struggle to survive, have always been this way since ancient times, yet they are also the world's greatest in courage and steadfastness."

"What the eyes can see, they believe in the future."

"Soothe your worries, spread all this, eliminate all the fear that existed in the world before, and atone for your actions."

Ji Xiang commanded it to come here and arrange this dreamlike sea of lights, dispelling people's fear, making it seem as if everything that had happened before had vanished. However, the cultivators would remember what had happened, and the imperial court would send heavy troops into this area. As for the thirty-six guards of Ying Tian, having become subordinates of vassal kings, the court was bound to investigate these matters.

The great bird flew through the dark night sky, hidden outside the dreamlike lamplight. What the common people saw were light and shadow, the continuous, brilliant lamps of the flying heavens.

Qin Nvxu looked up at the sky: "Since you have a way to break the poison, I need not worry. To be honest, I cultivated halfway and have now achieved immortality through corpse-shedding. If I were to kill, I would be capable, but breaking poison is best left to those in Buddhism."

"This matter, I believe the dark-faced Vajra already knows. I must continue to search for my two masters."

Ji Xiang nodded: "A great change unseen for thousands of years is about to arrive, the moment when the inner and outer mountains and rivers unify, the time when the Heavenly Dao descends to the human world. Once cultivators of the inner mountains and rivers obtain the Dao, they will possess terrifying power. After this incident in Ying Tian, we must widely recruit immortal seedlings to strengthen the might of our mountains and rivers."

"I hope that our fortunes will turn... As for the treasure given by my sister, this younger brother dares not accept it presumptuously..."

Qin Nvxu laughed heartily: "What is there to not accept presumptuously! Just take it."

"If you are to do something, you cannot do anything with a decaying immortal body! Alright, I shall depart now."

"The mountains are high and the roads are long."

"We shall meet again."

Gu Nuo Qin Nvxu's figure transformed into a long rainbow and disappeared into the moon. At the same time, she informed Ji Xiang that she had learned of Ge Xuan's resurrection, as that old gentleman had contacted her earlier.

However, speaking of it, among them, she was the oldest. Although Ge Xuan lived in a similar era, it was only similar. After all, Emperor Huan of Han and the Three Kingdoms period were quite a few years apart.

Tens of thousands of fire lamps converged, like a galaxy adorning the celestial path. Crowds gathered, filling the vast courtyards without a gap.

A silver moon hung high in the firmament, emitting a cold, clear radiance.

Today's people do not see the moon of ancient times.

The moon of today once shone upon ancient people.

Ji Xiang and Qin Nvxu did not pursue the cultivators before the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum to the death. They all came from various sects. Ji Xiang intended to escort them all to Mount Wudang and then have Wudang notify the sect leaders of each sect to come and claim them.

Especially Jiang Quzi and Bai Wuzi, from Chongyang Palace and the Laoshan Sect, they would have to provide an explanation now.

On the nine-colored clouds, these people looked terrified, gazing at Ji Xiang, whose half-face was in the shadows. Among the assembled cultivators, Bai Wuzi spoke fearfully, attempting to excuse himself and escape:

"We were also misled by Prince Lu. Please, True Lord of the North Pole, show mercy."

"That won't do."

Ji Xiang's expression was very cold: "The Daoist priest Kai Shan spread rumors about me before, and I have finally learned a fraction of it from Prince Lu. If I let you go now, and the Laoshan Sect finds me, won't there be no room for negotiation?"

"Since you have slandered me and also want to demand people from Wudang, then let's truly send you to Wudang, hang you on the southeastern branch, and let those important figures have a good look!"

"And they won't need to look for Master Hu Yan anymore. When I escort you back to Wudang, I wonder if many people on the mountain are freeloading there and demanding explanations?"

Ji Xiang's appearance changed at this moment. Nine-colored clouds swirled, and the Tai Xu Treasure Light emerged, terrifying the cultivators to their wits' end!

"It's the Tai Xu Treasure Light!"

"Don't approach me!"

The Tai Xu Treasure Light devoured all things, and the cultivators were naturally terrified. However, Ji Xiang transformed into Marshal Tian Peng, opening the Heavenly Gate. Behind the magnificent giant gate, the Fuli radiance poured down, and heavenly soldiers emerged, imprisoning the cultivators!

"I dared not use this easily before because it consumed too much vital energy. However, although the Great Fuli Earth is not my Dharma realm, it can be used as a place to imprison you."

Ji Xiang thought of Zhao Xuanlang, Master Zhang, and Yuan Miao Da Sheng, all of whom had entered the Fuli world and had not suffered from lack of oxygen or anything. This time, he imprisoned the cultivators with heavenly soldiers, and as expected, the cultivators' eyes flickered, the magnificent radiance gradually dimmed, replaced by a vast blue sky!

The Tai Xu Fuli Qi roamed within, which was beneficial for cultivation, but they were now cursed by Ji Xiang and could not absorb vital energy!

However, they were terrified!

"This, is this perhaps...!"

Both Jiang Quzi and Bai Wuzi knew that Ji Xiang possessed the means to open the Heavenly Gate, but they had never imagined that behind the Heavenly Gate was not some Dharma realm, but the highest dwelling place of all gods!

The Azure Sky of the Blue Nether, the Great Fuli Earth!

The cultivators could not believe it, especially those at the Innate level who had luckily survived. They had never imagined that their first glimpse of the Great Fuli, without having received their divine plaques, would be to truly arrive in this vast heavenly realm!

"This is simply absurd, yet it is happening before my eyes! Can the Great Fuli Earth, a supreme Dharma realm of this level, be opened and entered at will!"

The unacceptable, terrifying reality was like a heavy hammer, crushing their will!

But something even more terrifying happened immediately!

The heavenly soldiers brought the assembled cultivators to a dark area. At this moment, numerous divine plaques descended from the sky, pressing down on their heads with a roar!

They were not demon lords, but the eighty thousand celestial demons!

"This guy..."

Jiang Quzi uttered a sound, his teeth clattering, and his body's hair standing on end. Unparalleled great fear crushed his Dao heart!

"This guy... is truly a Heavenly Demon Lord!"

Being able to voluntarily enter the Great Fuli itself explained many things. Their identity as residual immortals was beyond doubt, but being able to make eighty thousand celestial demons obey could only be the skill of a demon lord!

"You have all committed sins. Celestial demons surround you, testing your character. You should also look forward."

The assembled cultivators saw various celestial demon divine plaques flying around them, their faces ashen! They never expected to come to the Great Fuli Earth in such a manner!

And looking further ahead, they saw a manifestation of lightning, floating from the void, as if it had been targeting them long ago!

This lightning stretched for thousands of miles, its end unseen, transforming into a colossal city.

Three incomparably vast divine plaques flickered incessantly at the highest and farthest point of the lightning city. The cultivators could vaguely discern the names on two of the divine plaques, filling them with extreme fear. They were "Yuqing Zhenwang" and "Leisheng Puhua Tianzun"!

Rumble!

Lightning flashed and thunder roared!

All sins committed would be judged by the lightning city!

The Heavenly Gate in the distance slammed shut!

...

Flames flickered. In a temple, Fire Lord and Crown Prince Lie Jie appeared. Their expressions were terrified, having escaped the control of Ji Xiang and Qin Nvxu. This was also thanks to the Fire Lord possessing the Great Fire Escape.

Although the fire escape was ranked low among the five-element escapes, it was still one of the thirteen great escapes. When performed, there were no signs, and one only needed to see a flame to leave.

Ji Xiang, who only possessed the gold escape, indeed had no way to catch up with Fire Lord. However, Ji Xiang had no intention of pursuing Fire Lord, which Fire Lord also understood.

She could sense Ji Xiang's indifferent attitude, which made her feel immensely humiliated. But upon reflection, their past grievances were settled. Since he did not act now, he likely would not trouble her in the future.

Was this not also letting her off the hook?

Then, in the days to come, the world would be vast and boundless, the shackles removed!

"Lie Jie, do you have a place to go?"

Fire Lord took a deep breath. The immortal forms and spirits of the Jinglun Heavenly Palace had not yet been used. This was a good thing. Unless it was a matter of life and death, it was better to keep these forms and spirits within the body.

Crown Prince Lie Jie remained silent for a while.

He suddenly said:

"You and Prince Lu recruited me. Prince Lu gave me many benefits and treated me well. Now that he is dead, I should avenge him for the kindness I received."

"But I also know that discussing revenge with a Demon Lord is unrealistic. If he was truly transformed by the will of heaven..."

"Then what are we?"

"Do you have a place to go? I will go with you."

Fire Lord nodded, feeling a little pleased:

"Ah... yes, the old immortals of the Jinglun Heavenly Palace did mention a place I should go."

That place was where the old immortals of the Jinglun Heavenly Palace had mentioned to her, the true location of the Tai Yin Tribulation Fire that had destroyed the four dynasties of Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen.

Afterward, she would need to draw down the divine position of the Seed Fire Mother from the Great Fuli to control this Tai Yin Tribulation Fire.

However, speaking of the Great Fuli Earth...

Fire Lord felt uneasy.

"But, he also has times when he is not in the Great Fuli Earth, right?"