novelnext Chapter 453 - 447: What Price Did the World Honored Pay
Chapter 453 - 447: What Price Did the World Honored Pay
A favorable situation turned into an unfavorable one.
The Golden-Winged Roc evidently seemed somewhat unconvinced; he stood there, seemingly unwilling to leave.
Fortunately, the Qingqiu Mountain Grand Elder retained some sense.
"Let’s go quickly!"
"As long as the green hills remain, there’s no need to worry about firewood!" The Qingqiu Mountain Grand Elder dragged the Golden-Winged Roc away swiftly.
After Elder Bai and the others left, three Buddhas arrived.
Leading them was the Medicine King Buddha, who emitted a radiant brilliance, the other two being an imposing figure, Infinite Buddha.
The other was slender with long ears, he was Dingguang Buddha.
The three Buddhas appeared, but the World Honored’s two avatars did not show themselves, presumably hidden in the shadows.
Three visible, two hidden, along with the World Honored avatar from the Great Creation Temple, six against four, indeed presented a chance to keep Elder Bai and the others.
"Thanks to all friends for your assistance!" The World Honored bowed in gratitude towards the three Buddhas.
"Soft is the mouth that eats, soft is the hand that takes."
"Since we’ve taken your benefits, World Honored, we naturally must lend assistance," Dingguang Buddha chuckled, somewhat slyly.
"Vulgar!" Medicine King Buddha said irritatedly.
The World Honored certainly paid a great price to have these three Buddhas stand on his side.
As for the exact cost, that was unknown.
At this moment, Infinite Buddha asked, "Should we pursue?"
The World Honored shook his head, replying, "No need to chase, just drive them away."
For the World Honored, avoiding a fight was the most advantageous situation.
As long as it delayed, waiting quietly for his true self to achieve Dao was all that mattered.
Time!
The World Honored needed time, and when his true self achieved Dao, the entire Mysterious World would submit under his feet.
Since the World Honored decreed no pursuit, naturally the three other Buddhas didn’t stir trouble.
After all, having accepted benefits without further obligations was indeed a splendid thing.
"Friends, come in and sit for a while!" The World Honored invited Infinite Buddha, Medicine King Buddha, and Dingguang Buddha.
Dingguang Buddha: "????"
Medicine King Buddha: "????"
Infinite Buddha: "????"
Upon hearing the World Honored’s invitation, the trio was utterly confused.
Wasn’t the Great Creation Temple decimated to ruins, yet you invite us to sit?
More importantly, where do we sit?
Sit on this heap of rubble and get pricked?
The World Honored perceived the thoughts of the three Buddhas; with a gentle wave, a Buddha’s Radiance enveloped the temple’s ruins.
And within mere seconds, the debris of the Great Creation Temple began restoring visibly.
Within about a dozen seconds, the entire temple was as good as new.
Even those monks who were struck dead by energy shock waves resurrected one by one.
Rather, it was not true resurrection.
Only their bodies were revived, their souls remained absent.
Their eyes were listless and dim, like walking corpses.
They were merely puppets programmed to perform fixed tasks mechanically.
Indeed, the World Honored possessed the means to truly resurrect someone.
He did, but couldn’t use those methods so easily.
Or, rather, resurrection required a certain price.
And ordinary monks evidently weren’t worth the World Honored sacrificing for their revival.
Thus, they became puppets.
Amusingly, those monks had worshipped the World Honored their entire lives.
In their demise, caused by the World Honored, their faith did not save them.
In death, though the World Honored possessed the power to revive them, he turned them into walking corpse-like puppets.
Perhaps only after death did they realize that faith only ever demands.
...
...
East Sea bottom.
A palace akin to being crafted from white jade; this was Elder Bai’s stronghold.
The entirety of Qingqiu Mountain had descended into the Real World, hence the meeting originally held at Qingqiu Mountain naturally shifted to Elder Bai’s location.
"How unfortunate!"
"Just a bit closer, and we could have taken out one of the World Honored’s avatars!" The Golden-Winged Roc said through gritted teeth.
Thinking of this matter, the Golden-Winged Roc felt irate.
"Alas!" Elder Bai also sighed, speaking heavily, "Overall, our calculations fell short!"
"Who would’ve thought the World Honored could persuade Infinite Buddha and Dingguang Buddha to assist him."
Elder Bai and his group naturally had devised a certain contingency plan before acting against the World Honored.
In Elder Bai’s plan, he expected Medicine King Buddha to intervene, for he had already overtly supported the World Honored.
He also anticipated the World Honored sending avatars to aid, but he hadn’t foreseen Dingguang Buddha and Infinite Buddha participating.
Had it been only Medicine King Buddha and the two World Honored avatars as reinforcements.
Then Elder Bai’s side along with the Black Bear Spirit could have stalled three with two.
Qingqiu Mountain Grand Elder and the Golden-Winged Roc against one, eliminating the World Honored avatar with ease.
Unfortunately, the reinforcements were five, not three.
Elder Bai and Black Bear Spirit could handle two against three, but not two against five.
It was precisely this miscalculation that ruined the entire plan.
"What did the World Honored sacrifice to persuade Dingguang Buddha and Infinite Buddha to aid him?"
"Keep in mind, these two are Tier Two Peak, with hopes of achieving Dao!" The Golden-Winged Roc remarked bitterly.
After a brief contemplation, Elder Bai added, "Hopeful, but not very."
"Though Dingguang Buddha and Infinite Buddha are Tier Two Peak, they’re far inferior to beings like Kong Xuan. Even compared to the Grand Elder, they’re somewhat lesser."
Elder Bai referred to talent.
The Peacock Great Ming King’s talent was undoubtedly first-tier below the World Honored.
Though Qingqiu Mountain Grand Elder’s talent was also first-tier under the World Honored, Elder Bai believed the Peacock Great Ming King was stronger.
As for Elder Bai himself, his talent was honestly poor.
Even inferior to the Golden-Winged Roc and Black Bear Spirit, his achievements were simply due to longevity.
If talents were ranked.
Infinite Buddha and Dingguang Buddha were perhaps second-tier below the World Honored, while the Golden-Winged Roc, Black Bear Spirit, and Elder Bai constituted this tier.
Considering this, Elder Bai asked the Golden-Winged Roc and Black Bear Spirit: "Put yourselves in their shoes; if you were Infinite Buddha and Dingguang Buddha, what would the World Honored need to sacrifice to win your aid?"
Hearing this question, the Golden-Winged Roc and Black Bear Spirit were momentarily stunned, hesitant.
"Magical Treasures couldn’t suffice; at this level, they’re external possessions!" The Golden-Winged Roc replied assertively.
"Actually, I know, those much stronger than me make my hopes of achieving Dao slim."
"Compared to achieving Dao, advancing further is much more realistic."
"The reason I oppose the World Honored achieving Dao is simply not wanting someone to defecate above me!" Black Bear Spirit responded.