Chapter 420: Ang Xiao Makes Another Move

To be fair, 【Ang Xiao】was just a tiny bit startled.

However, that tiny bit didn’t show on his face and was quickly suppressed. With his breadth of knowledge, he naturally recognized what this thing was.

【Ang Xiao】narrowed his eyes slightly, staring straight at the aged soul wreathed in Buddhist light before him. This soul was certainly not the so-called "Guang Ming" he spoke of, but rather someone who had taken advantage of a soul’s form to cut corners and attempt to converse with himself—who was situated within the 【Underworld】—from the present world.

And as far as he knew—

There were only two kinds of people in all the world who could do such a thing. One, naturally, was the World-Honored One of the Pure Land. The other was a Bodhisattva granted authority by the World-Honored One.

‘But the World-Honored One couldn't possibly be interested in me.’

On this point, 【Ang Xiao】was absolutely certain. He knew well that once someone reached the Nascent Soul level, the only matters that could prompt a Dao Lord to intervene would be those relating to the very fabric of Heaven and Earth.

And what he sought was the 【Underworld】.

So strictly speaking, there was no fundamental conflict between him and the Four Dao Lords. As long as he did not cross the red line, no one would act against him.

That being the case—

‘The World-Honored One has once again sent down a Bodhisattva to mingle with the cultivators of the lower world.’

【Ang Xiao】was not surprised by this. After all, it had happened before. It was old history by now, and this time the opportunity was even more favorable.

The last time the World-Honored One descended a Bodhisattva, the various True Lords were still active in the world. Though they didn’t dare obstruct too much out of respect, it wasn’t as if they did nothing at all. Otherwise, that Bodhisattva wouldn’t have been beheaded with three strikes by the Demon-Suppressing True Person.

But this time, even those True Lords had retreated from the world.

‘Could it be that this Bodhisattva is still not invincible?’

As Ang Xiao pondered this, he saw that along with the rippling of the Buddhist light upon the aged soul, Bodhisattva Guang Ming’s consciousness linked from afar to the present world.

This was the marvel of 【Telepathy】.

It turned “his heart” into “my heart”.

Soon, Bodhisattva Guang Ming’s voice drifted softly into the air: “Having been forced into dormancy for nearly thirty years, does Senior wish to be freed sooner?”

“Oh? You wish to help me break free?”

Bodhisattva Guang Ming nodded. “Indeed.”

“Heh.”

Faced with Guang Ming's confirmation, 【Ang Xiao】let out a laugh. At his level, there were few secrets left in this world.

And Bodhisattvas—these beings, in his eyes, were far from being equal to the World-Honored One. Though they appeared similar on the surface, their essence was vastly different. If it were the World-Honored One saying this, he wouldn’t doubt a single word. But coming from a Bodhisattva? He had to question it.

“Senior does not believe me?” Guang Ming’s brows furrowed slightly.

“Go on.”

【Ang Xiao】did not flatly deny it but gestured for Guang Ming to continue. “How do you intend to help me break free? And why would you want to?”

“Amitabha.”

Guang Ming first chanted a Buddhist invocation, then spoke in a low voice: “I have established the 【Buddha Kingdom on Earth】, yet three of my disciples have yet to return to their rightful places.”

“One of them is an immortal spirit, currently hiding in Jiangnan.”

Before Guang Ming could finish, 【Ang Xiao】chuckled.

Jiangnan? Guang Ming didn’t need to elaborate; he already knew the situation. “So, the Bodhisattva’s been blocked again by that kind-hearted elder of the Sword Pavilion?”

“.You see clearly, Senior.”

Despite 【Ang Xiao】’s deliberate mockery, Guang Ming’s tone remained calm. “This humble monk wishes to ask Senior to act—help me eliminate the Demon-Suppressing True Person.”

To him, the four disciples needed to establish the Buddha Kingdom on Earth should hail from Jiangnan, Jiangbei, Jiangdong, and overseas. At present, only the Prince of Southern Pacification, Wu Taian of Jiangdong, had returned to position.

His attempts in Jiangbei and overseas had both failed. In fact, the overseas battle even resulted in the destruction of an important incarnation.

Now, both Lü Yang and Xiang Ye were hiding deep within the Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds.

Under such circumstances, the only place he could still take action was Jiangnan. Yet the Demon-Suppressing True Person of Jiangnan would never allow him to step foot there unbidden.

So how was he supposed to proceed?

‘Only when I gather at least two disciples can I initiate the ritual of the 【Buddha Kingdom on Earth】. At that time, all True Persons who have perfected Foundation Establishment across the world will be forced to emerge.’

The grand era had already passed its halfway mark.

As for those striving for the Golden Core, all preparations that needed to be made, or could be made, had long been set in motion. The entire world was already a powder keg.

All it needed was a spark.

‘Let the death of the Demon-Suppressing True Person be that spark to ignite this grand era!’

Looking at Bodhisattva Guang Ming, 【Ang Xiao】’s expression remained unchanged. He secretly made a few calculations, then finally shook his head and said, “What benefit do I get from killing the Demon-Suppressing True Person?”

“【White Wax Gold】.”

Bodhisattva Guang Ming’s next words made 【Ang Xiao】sit up straight. 【White Wax Gold】, like 【Overturning Lamp Fire】, was a Fruit Position that contained Chen Earth.

In other words, it was his exclusive domain.

Seeing this reaction, Bodhisattva Guang Ming became even more certain and smiled. “I wonder if Senior is aware of the three inherited Dao titles within the Sword Pavilion—Demon-Suppressing, Evil-Banishing, and Monster-Subduing.”

“Demon-Suppressing needs no further mention. Of the other two, the Monster-Subduing True Person is still in the late Foundation Establishment stage, but the Evil-Banishing True Person has already reached full perfection in Foundation Establishment. This person tends to live in seclusion, and all public renown has been overshadowed by Demon-Suppressing, to the point that very few even know what Fruit Position he cultivates.”

“He cultivates 【White Wax Gold】?”

Bodhisattva Guang Ming nodded. “This humble monk has a method to make that Evil-Banishing True Person voluntarily offer himself in sacrifice to Senior, pulling 【White Wax Gold】 into the Underworld.”

“Moreover, the Dao Sin he transforms into after failing to attain the Golden Core can also be of use to Senior.”

“Although it cannot help Senior break free completely, using a Dao Sin incarnation to interfere in the mortal world shouldn’t be difficult for Senior, right?”

Of course, it wouldn’t be difficult!

Although Chong Guang had declared he was creating a sixty-year era of great conflict, Golden Core True Lords also differed in strength—especially someone like 【Ang Xiao】, a high-tier Golden Core True Lord at the late stage.

Ordinary True Lords might need the full sixty years to return to the world, but for him, forty years at most would suffice to break free. And if it was merely interfering in the mortal realm through a Dao Sin incarnation—he could do that even now!

So the conditions presented by Bodhisattva Guang Ming truly moved him.

“.What do you plan to do?”

Bodhisattva Guang Ming pressed his palms together. “Because of your presence, Senior, the Evil-Banishing True Person’s Dao path has been severed, and he has been forced to seek another route. This humble monk lent him a helping hand.”

“Oh? How did you help?”

“This humble monk told him where the Innate True Person Mu Changsheng is currently located.”

Bodhisattva Guang Ming smiled faintly. Mu Changsheng’s tragic fate might be hidden from the rest of the world, but before a fellow Dao Lord like the World-Honored One, it was no secret at all.

Thus, he was also well aware of it.

“Not long ago, the Evil-Banishing True Person dispatched a reincarnated Foundation Establishment cultivator who had died of old age, seeking to obtain the method of consciousness separation from Mu Changsheng’s mouth.”

What kind of figure was 【Ang Xiao】? As soon as Bodhisattva Guang Ming’s voice fell, he had already deduced the other’s entire plan:

‘The Secret Realm of Law Refinement of the Saintly Sect—its only covert entry point is through the 【Underworld】.

And to pass through the Underworld… they would have to pass right under my nose!’

The method of consciousness separation?

As long as 【Ang Xiao】could locate the soul of that deceased Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could tamper with it at any time, turning it into a secret art that triggers the fall of a Fruit Position!

As for what plans Bodhisattva Guang Ming might be harboring—he didn’t care.

As long as he could drag 【White Wax Gold】into the 【Underworld】, he would profit no matter what!

However—

“You’re certain you want to kill the Demon-Suppressing True Person?”

【Ang Xiao】glanced at Bodhisattva Guang Ming. The Demon-Suppressing True Person was the Sword Pavilion’s prized asset, tied to the 【Sword Dao Fruit Position】. Never mind whether Guang Ming could kill him—

Even if he could—would he dare?

“Killing him is definitely out of the question.”

Bodhisattva Guang Ming shook his head. “But if we can get him to offer himself in sacrifice, dying for the sake of affirming the 【Sword Dao Fruit Position】—then it doesn’t matter. The result is the same.”