Gu Hai watched as Chiyou left.
Not far away, over ten thousand Divine Demon Army soldiers swiftly approached in the air.
“You all came out?” Gu Hai looked at the Divine Demon Army soldiers.
“Yes, Your Reverence. The entrance to the eighteen levels of hell is gradually closing. We were worried that we wouldn’t be able to get out. That’s why…,” the Divine Demon Army soldiers explained.
“That’s impossible. The energy I infused into the Reincarnation Lotus should last at least another three days and nights!” Vairocana exclaimed in surprise.
“We don’t know!” The Divine Demon Army soldiers shook their heads.
Gu Hai flipped his hand and took out another Reincarnation Lotus. “Vairocana, please try again!”
Vairocana nodded and extended his hand, gently activating it.
Buzz!
The Reincarnation Lotus trembled, but no entrance to the eighteen levels of hell appeared.
“How is it?” Gu Hai asked solemnly.
“It won’t open. It seems the Six Paths Immortal used a technique to peer into the past. After discovering the loopholes in entering and exiting the eighteen levels of hell, the Six Paths Immortal sealed them! From now on, no one can enter the eighteen levels of hell!” Vairocana said sullenly.
“Oh?” Gu Hai’s expression darkened.
No one can enter anymore?
“How unfortunate! Hell is such a remarkable place for cultivation and tempering one’s heart!” Gu Han sighed softly.
“Never mind. Let’s return to the palace!” Gu Hai shook his head.
With a wave of his hand, Gu Hai collected all the Divine Demon Army soldiers back into the Gu’s Immortal Firmament.
Gu Hai and his entourage quickly made their way to the Han Imperial Dynasty.
Soon, they arrived at the border of the Han Imperial Dynasty. Instead of heading to Borderless Heavenly Capital, they flew to where Three Mountains City had been.
Three Mountains City was now a massive grave with a colossal stone stele in front of it.
Three Mountains City was once home to two hundred million people, all of whom were ruthlessly killed and turned into corpse demons by Jiang Gautama’s command. Gu Hai had held a public memorial here and declared to the world that the Han Imperial Dynasty would never ascend to a heavenly dynasty before destroying the Spirit Mountain Holy Land.
Those two hundred million people had a vast number of relatives and friends. Although they had been dead for some time, countless people would come from various cities to pay their respects and mourn.
Naturally, the Han Imperial Dynasty garrisoned the area to ensure its security.
When Gu Hai’s group arrived, the guards rubbed their eyes in disbelief as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
“Your…Your Reverence?”
“Salutations, Your Reverence!”
“Long live Your Reverence! May Your Reverence live for ten thousand years!”
A large number of soldiers bowed in respect.
The commoners in the surroundings were taken aback and immediately prostrated themselves, saluting, “Long live Your Reverence! May Your Reverence live for ten thousand years!”
There was a commotion before the massive grave, and everyone wondered why the emperor had come.
Then they saw Gu Hai walk up to the colossal stele, and Shangguan Hen quickly gave some instructions. Soon, offerings were arranged.
Gu Hai gazed at the grave marker, lifted a cup of wine, and slowly poured it on the steps in front of the stele.
Gu Hai respectfully made a libation of three cups of wine to the dead.
Everyone fell silent. Although the area was vast, there was no noise aside from the sough of the wind. All the people stood still, their ears perked up, listening intently as Gu Hai began to speak.
“To the dead of Three Mountains City, we promised to avenge you all by destroying the Spirit Mountain Holy Land. Today, we—Gu Hai—have fulfilled this promise. We hereby inform you all that the Spirit Mountain Holy Land has been annihilated by our hands. Jiang Gautama has also been eradicated. You can now rest in peace!” Gu Hai bowed solemnly.
When Gu Hai bowed, Gu Han, Qin Zibai, Bodhisattva Lian Sheng, Shangguan Hen, and the others followed suit, paying their respects to the dead.
The officials in the vicinity who had rushed over also joined in and paid their respects.
However, countless people around the colossal stele goggled. A deep silence descended—even a needle falling might be audible—as they processed Gu Hai’s words. His Reverence destroyed the Spirit Mountain Holy Land? Did I hear him correctly?
Gu Hai offered a heartfelt tribute to the dead of Three Mountains City. Then he soared back into the sky with his group, heading for Borderless Heavenly Capital.
After Gu Hai’s group left, the people around the massive grave broke out in loud discussions.
“No way? The Spirit Mountain Holy Land is an upper-tier sect. It has stood for eight hundred thousand years. Has it really been annihilated like this?”
“His Reverence wouldn’t lie. Just investigate, and you’ll find out!”
“Third Uncle, did you hear that? His Reverence has avenged you. His Reverence has obliterated the Spirit Mountain Holy Land for you!”
“First Elder Sister, you can rest in peace now!”
…
Some people were skeptical, but most believed it. Countless cries rang out once more, this time not filled with sadness but with gratitude. They thanked the emperor for carrying out the impossible vengeance for their grudge.
The Spirit Mountain Holy Land was destroyed?
Investigating was easy. Numerous messages about it spread throughout the world as soon as Gu Hai returned to Borderless Heavenly Capital.
Across the Divine Continent, all the dynasties and sects used zither puppets to send messages, so they quickly gained a general understanding of the news.
The Han Imperial Dynasty’s Divine Demon Army had marched on the Spirit Mountain Holy Land, slain five million disciples, and annihilated the Spirit Mountain Holy Land. Gu Hai had personally pursued and killed Jiang Gautama. His return to Borderless Heavenly Capital signified his victory and the extermination of Jiang Gautama.
Countless spies flooded into the Spirit Mountain Holy Land’s territory and the Han Imperial Dynasty to suss out the details. It did not take long for everything to become clear.
Documents appeared in the most prominent spot of the various sovereigns’ desks. Every sect master stood in their main halls, holding a document detailing the process of the destruction of the Spirit Mountain Holy Land.
As they read about how Gu Hai annihilated the Spirit Mountain Holy Land step by step, all the emperors and sect masters were aghast.
Simultaneously, the financial management stores petrified everyone. They felt genuinely terrified. The Spirit Mountain Holy Land’s resources had been completely drained in just half a year. Who wouldn’t be afraid?
“Spread my command: no financial management stores are permitted to exist within the cities under the jurisdiction of the sect, and any similar enterprises are strictly prohibited. All disciples are to head to the cities and thoroughly investigate. Anyone found operating financial management stores shall be apprehended!”
“Proclaim our decree: those who operate financial management stores within the nation shall have their clans executed!”
“Conduct a stringent search! Investigate thoroughly!”
The faction leaders issued various decrees and commands. Every faction trembled like startled birds.
Simultaneously, Gu Hai’s notorious name once again shook the world. Detailed information about Gu Hai was once again placed on the desks of all the faction leaders.
Gu Hai had not only obliterated the Spirit Mountain Holy Land’s blessings but also eliminated Jiang Gautama.
According to the spies’ reports, three identical Jiang Gautamas had been spotted. They had attempted to assassinate Gu Hai, but he emerged victorious in the end.
Although the reason behind the existence of three Jiang Gautamas remained unknown, the victor was hailed, and the vanquished were scorned. Although the Han Imperial Dynasty was still just an imperial dynasty, everyone now regarded its strength as on par with that of a heavenly dynasty.
------
Borderless Heavenly Capital:
Gu Hai’s group returned.
Then Gu Hai waved his hand, making all two hundred thousand Divine Demon Army soldiers appear.
Chen Tianshan, Mo Yike, Meng Tai, the Mosquito Daoist, Sima Changkong, Gu Qin, Long Shenying, and others had been waiting patiently in the Soaring Palace Hall’s plaza.
Upon seeing Gu Hai, they immediately surrounded him.
“Little Han!” Gu Qin walked over, pleasantly surprised.
“Greetings, First Elder Brother!” Gu Han said joyfully.
”It’s so good to have you back!” Gu Qin clasped Gu Han’s hand, his emotions running high, unwilling to let go for a long time.
Gu Han also felt his elder brother’s excitement. The two brothers had reunited after a long separation, and it seemed they had many things to say to each other.
“Milord!” Qin Zibai suddenly looked at Mo Yike with a complicated expression.
Mo Yike stepped forward. “Greetings, Crown Prince Gu Han!”
Only then did Gu Han release Gu Qin’s hand and look at Mo Yike.
Mo Yike was the reincarnation of the Future Buddha from eight hundred thousand years in the past.
“Greetings, Lord Mo!” Gu Han replied with a slight bow.
“Crown Prince Gu Han’s return is cause for celebration!” Mo Yike smiled.
“Mo Yike, I may need to borrow someone from you today!” Gu Han said with a smile.
“Qin Zibai?” Mo Yike asked.
“Yes! Lord Mo is currently a Han Imperial Dynasty’s corps commander. I plan to establish a temple in the palace and need the Three Lives Buddhas,” Gu Han explained.
“This official sent Qin Zibai as my replacement. Unfortunately, this official cannot serve under Your Highness. I hope you can accept Qin Zibai!” Mo Yike said solemnly.
“Gu Han thanks Lord Mo!” Gu Han bowed.
“Your Highness, no need to be so polite!” Mo Yike shook his head.
Then, Mo Yike looked at Qin Zibai and said, “Qin Zibai, your father instructed you to follow me. I believe you understand your identity now. You are the reincarnation of the Savant Wisdom Divine Cane’s spirit and possess the ability to see the future. You should follow Crown Prince Gu Han and serve him.”
“Yes, Milord!” Qin Zibai bowed deeply to Mo Yike.
“That’s excellent!” Gu Han exclaimed.
Turning to Gu Hai, Gu Han said, “Father, I wish to reestablish the Nalanda Temple. Please grant me your permission!”
“You may! The Nalanda Temple will become the Han Imperial Dynasty’s national temple and shall rank equally with you.” Gu Hai nodded.
“Thank you, Your Reverence!” Gu Han responded.
This time, Gu Han didn’t address him as Father but expressed gratitude on behalf of the national temple.
“Qin Zibai, Bodhisattva Lian Sheng, have you reached buddhahood?” Gu Hai asked.
“Yes!” Qin Zibai and Bodhisattva Lian Sheng nodded.
“Then, from now on, Qin Zibai shall be known as Buddha Zibai, and Bodhisattva Lian Sheng shall be known as Buddha Lian Sheng,” Gu Hai said solemnly.
“Thank you for bestowing the title, Your Reverence!” the two said appreciatively.
“Han`er, this is the master of the Spirit Mountain’s Major Leiyin Temple’s Hall of Great Strength, Vairocana! If you have any doubts about the Buddhist Dao, you can seek his guidance,” introduced Gu Hai.
Spirit Mountain, Major Leiyin Temple? Hall of Great Strength?
Gu Han was slightly taken aback and did not quite understand. Wasn’t the Hall of Great Strength’s master Jiang Gautama or myself? How come Vairocana is also the Hall of Great Strength’s master? Why was I not aware of this?
Despite his many doubts, Gu Han still greeted Vairocana with a bow. “Greetings, Vairocana. Please bestow your teachings on me.”
“Hahaha, Crown Prince Gu Han, you’re too modest. I do not dare claim to bestow teachings on you. We can only mutually validate each other. If you are willing, we can exchange Buddhist insights and validate one another!” Vairocana chuckled.
“Thank you!” Gu Han smiled.
Suddenly, the Mosquito Daoist exclaimed, wide-eyed, “Shangguan Hen? Have you reached the consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm?”
The Mosquito Daoist’s outburst caught everyone’s attention.
The consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm? That is the pinnacle of cultivation for people in the world. Has this really happened?
“I was fortunate enough to achieve it. Moreover, Crown Prince Gu Han has also reached the consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm,” Shangguan Hen revealed with a smile.
“Huh?” Everyone felt stupefied as they looked at the group in shock.
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