Only at the Mahayana Stage Does the Reversal System Appear - Chapter 399

Chapter 399 Young Old Friends

The world of Jiuzhou is a complex mix of factions, including the righteous sect represented by Yuan Shang, the demonic sect represented by Li Wuwei, and the neutral faction represented by Jin Daoren. It’s a veritable hodgepodge of good and bad.

Jiang Li could clearly sense that in this era of Jiuzhou, the lives of both cultivators and mortals were extremely valuable. The righteous sects were committed to upholding justice, but the demonic sects were too powerful, and there were also the mischief-makers.

Jin Daoren’s message was clear: let the dead be the dead; there was no need to get angry over millions of lives.

Jiang Li also observed with his divine sense that two sects had clashed fiercely over a spirit stone mine, staining the mine red with blood.

Bullying and robbery were rampant, with dozens of robberies occurring simultaneously, most of them on official roads.

In this era, escort agencies were both profitable and dangerous, with a terrifyingly high casualty rate.

There were also sects devoted to the immortals of the celestial realm, locked in conflict with one another due to differing ideologies. Neither side would tolerate the other, and both sides swore to the death.

“It’s true, as Immortal Changcun said, that the Nine Provinces of the past were plagued by constant open and covert strife, a stark contrast to the Nine Provinces of today.”

Jiang Li’s only reassurance was the Great Zhou. While lacking the impartiality of Ji Zhi’s rule, it still stood head and shoulders above other dynasties, states, and sects.

…

Yuan Shang returned to the Xuantian Sect dejected, feeling gloomy. The struggle between good and evil consumed him, as the demonic path always found areas where the righteous path had neglected.

“If I could calm down and become an immortal, I would have a say.”

“No, even becoming a terrestrial immortal wouldn’t be enough.” Yuan Shang fretted. Similar disputes raged in the immortal realm, a long-standing conflict between good and evil, with neither side able to sway the other.

“Are you Yuan Shang?” A figure bowed to Yuan Shang.

Yuan Shang’s heart sank. The figure appeared silently.

Yuan Shang knew all the Tribulation Crossing cultivators, but none of them matched this person. Who was this person?

Yuan Shang couldn’t tell the depth of their cultivation.

An immortal from the Celestial Realm?

Jiuzhou and the Celestial Realm had frequent exchanges, and immortals often visited the mortal realm.

“Who are you?” Yuan Shang was wary. Having just fought Li Wu, he suspected this figure was Li Wu summoning help from the Celestial Realm to teach him a lesson.

Jiang Li smiled, “I can’t reveal my name or identity. I’m only here to say hello, Senior.”

Jiang Li’s words made Yuan Shang even more wary, but Jiang Li ignored him, disappearing into obscurity and heading for Mount Xumi.

Yuan Shang was bewildered by Jiang Li, but believing he meant no harm, he dismissed him and returned to the Xuantian Sect.

Many cultivators, with mournful faces, pleaded for justice from the Xuantian Sect.

…

Mount Xumi was shrouded in mist and clouds. Even before approaching, one could faintly hear the sound of chanting scriptures, the novice monks absorbed in chanting, oblivious to external affairs.

“…It’s interesting to note that the cultivators of Jiuzhou are divided into the righteous and the demonic. Similar disputes exist within our Buddhist sect.”

The Long-browed Buddha sat atop the mountain, squinting as he watched the battle between the three Tribulation-crossing cultivators in the starry sky. He shook his head and chuckled helplessly.

The Long-browed Buddha was the ruler of Mount Sumeru in this era.

“I’d like to hear more about it.”

The Immortal Eternal, sitting opposite the Long-browed Buddha, was intrigued by the topic. Buddhists in the immortal realm rarely encouraged conversation or outings, and he had few opportunities to learn about Buddhism.

The Immortal Eternal, in this era, was handsome and youthful, appearing to be in his twenties or thirties.

“In Buddhism, there is a dispute between Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism. The Hinayana Buddhism emphasizes saving oneself but not saving others, while the Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes saving oneself and saving others.”

“Buddhism has been arguing about this issue for a long time. Most Buddhas advocate Theravada Buddhism. They believe that they have not yet liberated themselves and have not seen all the troubles in the world and the suffering of reincarnation. If they have not even saved themselves, how can they save others?”

“A small number of Buddhas advocate Mahayana Buddhism. They believe that not only saving others is also saving oneself. Not only should one eliminate one’s own troubles and karma and free oneself from the mundane world, but also do everything possible to help all sentient beings.”

“I don’t know more about it. Even the Buddha has not made a final conclusion on this. This involves a fundamental dispute in Buddhism and shakes the foundation. It is not something I, who is in the period of transcending tribulation, can get involved in.”

“Please have some tea.”

The little monk on the side served tea and poured water. His movements were as smooth and natural as flowing water.

“Let me introduce you. This is my heir from the Peacock Kingdom, his common name is Qin Xi. He has inherited the Sumeru Buddhahood and is more suitable to be the master of Mount Sumeru than I am. After I ascend to immortality, he will be the next master of Mount Sumeru.”

“Your cultivation is progressing well. You have now reached the fusion stage.” Immortal Changcun was as gentle as ever.

“I, I’ve heard of you. You are the immortal who has been active in Jiuzhou the longest.” The young monk looked at Immortal Changcun excitedly.

“After all, my talent is limited. I can’t achieve anything great in the immortal world.

It’s better for me to return to Jiuzhou and live freely.” “That’s not what I meant.” The young monk blushed.

“Haha, just kidding, don’t take it seriously.” Immortal Changcun laughed heartily.

Jiang Li, observing secretly, was puzzled. The Immortal Changcun of this era looked younger and had a more cheerful personality.

“I see that your aura is perfect, and the Buddha’s light is faintly visible. You will soon become an immortal, right?”

“I can’t compare with Taoist Jin. He should be the first to become an immortal, and I will follow him.”

The Buddha with long eyebrows looked at the ladder to immortality. The closer he was to becoming an immortal, the more he could feel the existence of the ladder to immortality, and he understood how majestic the ladder to immortality was.

“The Immortal Ladder was crafted by numerous immortals, embodying a wealth of immortal wisdom and encompassing numerous great principles: the principles of space, time, cause and effect, and yin and yang… Not to mention you, even I, and even higher immortals, marvel at its magnificence and complexity. It’s said that to date, no immortal has yet been able to fully comprehend its contents.”

The Long-Eyebrowed Buddha asked, “There’s a question I’ve wanted to ask for a long time: why did the immortal world create the Immortal Ladder? Even if it’s to encourage more immortals to attain immortality, I haven’t seen many immortals descend to preach.”

“Even if immortals do come to Jiuzhou, they’re just there to play around, comprehend the mundane world, and occasionally leave behind a legacy. Their impact on the Jiuzhou world as a whole is negligible. If this is the case for Jiuzhou itself, then other worlds won’t receive much help from the immortal world either.”

Immortal Changcun lowered his voice and said, “I don’t know much about this matter. I only heard from my master that the more worlds the immortal realm rules, the greater its power will be.”

Jiang Li looked at the young monk standing beside him, a mixture of emotions. His expression changed many times, pain, hesitation, emotion… but finally settled on a smile.

The young monk was the Sumeru Buddha from nine thousand years ago.

…

Jiang Li once again arrived at the Red Dust Pure Land, bypassing the protective formation and the fairy peach tree, and came to the tomb where the Red Dust Fairy was buried.

The Red Dust Fairy was as beautiful as she would be nine thousand years later, her eyes gently closed, as if she was just taking a nap and could wake up at any time.

At this time, the real Red Dust Fairy was dead, her body still without spiritual intelligence.

Jiang Li, sensing something, suddenly raised his head and soared into the sky.

The giant hand that had cut off the ladder to immortality in the Weigu world reached towards Jiuzhou. Jiang Li swore that this time, he would see clearly who the master of the giant hand was.

(End of this chapter)