Chapter 1383: Chapter 624: Past Events of Liuli, Earth Emperor’s Motive (Part 2)
"Disciple Liuli requests an audience with the Earth Emperor."
No one responded to him, the wind gently brushed through the tower forest, making the surroundings even quieter.
Liuli Buddha lowered his head and bent his body, unmoving, extremely humble, not daring to lift his head.
Finally, a voice filled with laughter rang out: "Figured it out?"
Liuli Buddha took a deep breath, memories surfacing in his mind.
In his early years at Leiyin Temple, he was not outstanding. Based on talent and skill alone, he couldn’t possibly attain the Golden Immortal, but by accident, he met this unknown ancestor master in the relic tower.
Under this person’s guidance and help, he later surpassed others and achieved the Golden Immortal.
Initially, he didn’t know who this ancestor master was, couldn’t find out no matter how he searched, but he didn’t care; after all, although he joined late, there were many seniors in Leiyin Temple.
But once he had cultivated to the Golden Immortal, he immediately discovered the problem.
He still couldn’t uncover the origins of this ancestor master, and the other party still managed to give him guidance.
This was extremely terrifying.
It needs to be mentioned that there were truly only three cultivators above the Golden Immortal throughout the ancient history of Xuanwei: Daoist Venerable, Thunder Sound Buddha, and Nine Nether Emperor!
Who could have thought there was a fourth person?
Through careful investigation, exhaustive searching of records, and various inquiries, he finally figured it out. This individual was a being suppressed in the Pure Land, named the Earth Emperor.
Liuli Buddha was scared.
For better or worse, he was a disciple of Leiyin Temple; Leiyin Temple was his true foundation. The existence in the Pure Land was an enemy, not a friend to him!
Following this realization, he secretly distanced himself from the Earth Emperor, avoiding this tower forest and not revealing a word.
But he saw the Earth Emperor again!
During that sacrificial ceremony, he didn’t see the Earth Emperor’s face, but the sound "Come" made him recognize it instantly!
This sound was his nightmare; he couldn’t possibly be mistaken!
The Earth Emperor spoke again: "You come to find me, it seems you have nowhere else to turn."
The Earth Emperor’s voice echoed serenely, striking at the heart of the matter, without a trace of anger.
"Disciple... is guilty!"
"Ha, you’re not the first to betray me." There was some mockery in the Earth Emperor’s tone, "It doesn’t matter."
Liuli Buddha heard certainty in the Earth Emperor’s words.
It seemed that everything was under his control, and he had long known Liuli would return.
Liuli Buddha had to admit that he was reluctant to bow to the Jiushan Sect and had ambushed the Paradise Heavenly Maiden because there was the Earth Emperor as an escape.
But he also didn’t know what exactly the Earth Emperor wanted him to do.
"Come see me."
Liuli Buddha paused for a moment, then saw a vortex suddenly appear above the relic tower, within the vortex was a dazzling world of golden light.
Pure Land!
Not daring to hesitate, he transformed into tunneling light and flew into the vortex, landing at the foot of a transparent golden mountain.
Within the mountain, a figure sat cross-legged, gazing at him.
Above the golden mountain, arrays of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhat Dharma Images stood, centrally was the Dharma Image of Thunder Sound Buddha!
They all had their eyes closed, not even glancing at Liuli Buddha.
Liuli Buddha shivered, bowed his hands towards Thunder Sound Buddha: "Ancestor Master..."
The Earth Emperor suddenly laughed: "Are you still afraid of him?"
"Disciple..."
Of course, Liuli Buddha was very afraid. It was clear the Earth Emperor and Thunder Sound Buddha were not on the same path. Standing boldly in front of Thunder Sound Buddha was overly conspicuous in betraying his allegiance.
The Earth Emperor still sat cross-legged, seemingly unable to move, only able to speak: "He is already powerless to purge the sect."
"Hmm?"
Liuli Buddha looked carefully at Thunder Sound Buddha, only to become a bit confused: "Ancestor Master’s cultivation, how..."
Within his perception, Thunder Sound Buddha’s cultivation was plummeting.
Not only Thunder Sound Buddha, but the cultivation of other Bodhisattva and Arhat Dharma Images was also falling.
No wonder the Earth Emperor said Thunder Sound Buddha was completely unable to cleanse the sect.
The Earth Emperor chuckled softly: "Do you think proving to be the Future Buddha is so easy?"
Liuli Buddha’s mind exploded, finally understanding: "Ancestor Master transferred his own cultivation, no, transferred the cultivation of these Dharma Images to Maitreya?"
Saying these words, his heart was uncontrollably filled with envy.
Maitreya was nothing more than Zheng Fa’s avatar, not even considered part of Leiyin Temple, yet Ancestor Master willingly sacrificed this much?
No wonder he had those prophecies!
Even a pig so gifted would be able to become a Golden Immortal.
Let alone a genius like Maitreya!
If Ancestor Master treated me this kindly, how could I turn against fellow disciples?
Seeing his somewhat twisted expression, the Earth Emperor chuckled lightly, seeming to enjoy the show.
Yet Thunder Sound Ancestor Master remained silent, apparently unconcerned with Liuli Buddha’s opinion.
"It’s not exactly transferring cultivation directly," the Earth Emperor also sighed slightly, "His Way of Cause and Effect is quite mysterious, he is using his own cultivation to help Maitreya deduce the realm."
"But this method indeed requires sacrificing oneself."
Liuli Buddha listened even more enviously.
If it were direct transfer of cultivation, he would think there were some hidden dangers; after all, Dao Fruit cultivators are humans, unable to split.
Therefore, direct transfer would essentially make Maitreya into the form of Thunder Sound Buddha.
But Thunder Sound Buddha helping Maitreya deduce the cultivation method was different; it was purely altruistic, an immense, boundless love.
Was Zheng Fa the Ancestor Master’s illegitimate son?
How could he balance his feelings?
"You don’t understand?"
Liuli Buddha said nothing.
The Earth Emperor seemed very patient: "The Leiyin Skill you all cultivate was related to me from the beginning. These Dharma Images are also inseparable from me. If he wants to abandon these Dharma Images, even to seek an outsider, it’s only natural. Otherwise, how could he speak of re-establishing Thunder Sound and recreating the Buddhist Law?"
Liuli Buddha didn’t expect the Earth Emperor to see so clearly, and was stunned.
"You knew all along?"
The Earth Emperor smiled again, speaking: "That Zheng Fa inherits the Buddhist sect’s two sacred traditions, also possessing Hongmeng Purple Qi..."
Liuli Buddha understood:
"Ancestor Master had chosen long ago?"
The Earth Emperor merely smiled silently.
Liuli Buddha was even angrier inside.
Since the Ancestor Master decreed, the Four Directions Buddha waged chaotic wars, he himself was controlled by Paradise Fragrance, and now all his followers had fled.
Truly a hefty loss.
Wasn’t it all for the position of Future Buddha?
Now he knows Thunder Sound Buddha had chosen someone early on.
Their conflict seemed a mere joke.
Who could accept this?
Thunder Sound Buddha finally spoke.
He opened his eyes, a pair of old eyes looked at Liuli Buddha, his expression calm: "Plant good karma, reap good fruit, ultimately, it was I who chose Master Zheng, or was it that you were surrounded by evil karma?"
Liuli Buddha was speechless for a moment.
Of course, he could see the current situation in the West Continent—the reputation of Leiyin Temple was already ruined.
This reputation didn’t crumble in Thunder Sound Buddha’s hands, but in the hands of the Paradise Heavenly Maiden, destroyed by the Four Directions Buddha.
At least Paradise Fragrance wasn’t forced upon them by Thunder Sound Buddha.
But he still felt Thunder Sound Buddha was biased.
Liuli Buddha took a deep breath, ignoring his own Ancestor Master, and turned to the Earth Emperor: "What orders do you have for summoning me, Your Majesty?"
His posture made the Earth Emperor chuckle once again, seemingly finding it amusing.
Thunder Sound Buddha glanced at him briefly, then slowly closed his eyes again.
"How do you know I have orders for you?"
"Disciple... disciple was previously lost in confusion, not sufficiently loyal to Your Majesty. Your Majesty is much too magnanimous, surely you have a use for me."
Liuli Buddha pledged allegiance: "I hope Your Majesty will allow me to atone for my sins! Whatever orders you have, I will not refuse even unto death!"
After saying this, he knelt on the ground, a face full of earnestness.
Liuli Buddha knew very well, at this point, he could only rely on the Earth Emperor.
Although he didn’t know the Earth Emperor’s origins, this person was incredibly powerful.
After a while, he finally heard the Earth Emperor say: "Very well, I do indeed have something I need you to accomplish."
"Disciple will exert every effort!"
Liuli Buddha said with joy.
He couldn’t help but let his mind wander; what could the Earth Emperor want him to do?
The most likely was certainly assisting in his escape, but there was also a possibility... preventing Maitreya from achieving Dao!
Clearly, Thunder Sound Buddha and Earth Emperor were not of one heart, so Maitreya’s achievement would likely not be beneficial to Earth Emperor.
Thinking this way, Liuli Buddha felt a secret joy—he desperately did not want Maitreya to succeed in becoming Future Buddha now.
"I want you..." the Earth Emperor said slowly, "to help Maitreya achieve Future Buddha."
"Ah?"
Liuli Buddha suddenly lifted his head, staring at the Earth Emperor, his face full of doubt at what he had just heard.
