Chapter 471: Doing One Thing Under the Cover of Another
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Snow Mountain, Bigwheel Temple.
It was one of the biggest sects in the Central Mainland Region and currently, there was a prevailing tense atmosphere. People were discussing the attribution of the Azure Secret Area.
At present, except for Living Buddha Ba Siba, who had pa.s.sed away, the other 12 Buddhas of Bigwheel Temple had gathered in the side chamber of the Mahavira Hall. All of them looked somber as they discussed the attribution problem amongst themselves in low tones.
“We cannot hand over the Azure Secret Area to Divine Wind Palace. What the people from Divine Wind Palace did in Taiyuan Heaven previously is totally outrageous!. Now, they are even plotting to take control of Azure Heaven. Do they think that they really belong to the Heavenly Court and are the dominators of the world? They have really gone too far this time around. Eldest Living Buddha, I strongly disagree with this matter!”
The voice resounded around the side chamber. It belonged to Vajra Buddha, the fourth Buddha among the 13 Living Buddhas. With a strong cultivation, he had undergone a Thunder Tribulation and had the cultivation of Genuine Immortals. However, he was a hot-tempered and outspoken man, who had no qualms about airing his thoughts out loud.
The Eldest Living Buddha sat in front of all the Living Buddhas. He was their oldest brother and was a Three-tribulation True Immortal named Carefree Buddha.
Among the 13 Living Buddhas of Bigwheel Temple, Carefree Buddha was the oldest Buddha with the highest cultivation, who enjoyed high prestige and universal respect.
He was very skinny and resembled a hemp stalk as he sat there. He closed his eyes as if he was musing over something. Upon hearing Vajra Buddha’s voice, he smiled and said, “Divine Wind Palace is determined to get the Azure Secret Area this time. Besides, the price they are offering is tempting!”
“Yes, it’s tempting. However, have you ever thought that once they get the Azure Secret Area, how their strength will grow in the future?” Vajra Buddha said quickly and added, “If they were to take control of Azure Heaven, all the resources in the Azure Secret Area will belong to them. In this way, their strength will increase by leaps and bounds, and within a short time, we’ll be no match for them!”
“We have never been able to contend with their strength!”
At this moment, another Living Buddha named Chakravarti Buddha who was ranked ninth in line, chimed in, “We’ve never been a match for the people from Divine Wind Palace. Furthermore, their acquiring of the Azure Secret Area doesn’t mean that we’ll lose it. They promised that even if they get the Origin of the Great Ways of the Azure Secret Area and take over the control of this micro world, we can still enter it at any time. All the entrances will be open to us just like before. Moreover, you guys know that there is an Essential Qi Tide in it, so even if they get the Azure Secret Area, they cannot obtain too many benefits. Controlling Origin of the Great Ways doesn’t mean that they can eliminate the Essential Qi Tide!”
“Hum, how simple-minded you are. Even if they cannot eliminate the Essential Qi Tide, their disciples will enter the Azure Secret Area during the period when the Essential Qi Tide is surging, after they take control of the Origin of the Great Ways. If the Origin of the Great Ways and Golden Book of Fate cannot even do this, their reputation will truly be ruined!” Vajra Buddha heckled in a loud voice.
“Haha..!” After listening to their discussion, Child-endowing Buddha suddenly laughed and said, “Don’t think it is that simple. How sure are you that Divine Wind Palace will succeed? Didn’t they fail in Taiyuan Heaven?” “They even lost their copy of the Golden Book of Fate. Unlike Taiyuan Heaven, if they want to obtain the Azure Secret Area, they definitely need to put in more effort. This time, they’re not even sure if they’ll succeed. If we agree with their requirement, but they cannot succeed in the end, we’ll gain considerable benefits!”
“Child-endowing Buddha, I gather that you’re muddleheaded because of your womanizing ways. If they’re not sure, why would they offer us such a tempting price? They have the Golden Book of Fate and they can try as many times as possible. Will they give up easily? Once they get our permission, they’ll never stop!”
“Well, that depends.” With a malicious smile on his face, Child-endowing Buddha added, “It’s hard to obtain a copy of the Golden Book of Fate. The reason why they can do that is that they possess most of the rights for the control of the Golden Book of Fate. However, looking at the terms that they offered us this time, they gave us more rights to use it, with Jade Pool and Immortal Palace being no exception. If they fail this time, do you think that they will have the opportunity to make another copy?”
“It makes sense!” After hearing this, Chakravarti Buddha was the first one to approve the idea. “If they fail this time, all we and some other big sects need to do is to hold onto the Golden Book of Fate securely. In this way, they won’t have another opportunity to make a copy. This will be a good chance to lessen their power!”
“A good chance?” Vajra Buddha pounded the table so heavily that it rocked from side to side due to the impact. He added, “I guess you just want the benefits offered by them. Do you think that they’re as stupid as you by doing something they’re not sure of? They failed in Taiyuan Heaven the last time because a man with the Fiery Eyes intervened. Do you think they’ll not be on their guard this time? Do you believe there will be another guy with the Fiery Eyes who will intervene again?”
“Perhaps!” Child-endowing Buddha murmured and looked at Vajra Buddha with great interest. The Child-endowing Buddha was actually Green Spirit, who had taken over the former’s body. He didn’t know much about the complex relations.h.i.+p and interpersonal relations of Snow Mountain Great Wheel Temple. It just seemed that Vajra Buddha didn’t like Divine Wind Palace much.
…
The debate went on for an entire day, but they did not manage to reach an agreement. Child-endowing Buddha was accustomed to this type of situation. Since the emissary of Divine Wind Palace had left, Bigwheel Temple had been caught up in this debate for several months already. Those 12 Living Buddhas had held more than 10 meetings since, and they were inclined to accept the terms offered by Divine Wind Palace as time went by. Before long, this matter would come to an end.
Returning to his own palace, Child-endowing Buddha was all ready to carry out the Mandkesvara Dhyana with his beauties and concubines. Just as he stepped into the palace, his expression altered. He asked his servants and all the beauties he was about to sleep with, to leave. Then, he raised his hand to set some prohibitions and finally felt a sense of relief.
“What are you doing here? Why did you not inform me first? This is Bigwheel Temple, not your Wuyang Region. Do you think that no one would be on the lookout for you?”
“Of course they are not, otherwise, I won’t be able to look for you.” Zhou Bao came out of the shadows and revealed himself. “I’m here for the Azure Secret Area!”
“Bigwheel Temple cannot take the pressure wrought by Divine Wind Palace!” Child-endowing Buddha, who was actually Green Spirit, smiled and said, “People in Divine Wind Palace have offered a tempting price as they are determined to succeed!”
“Really?” Zhou Bao smiled as he heard these words. He added, “This result has met my expectations. When will Divine Wind Palace be preparing to take action?”
“It won’t be long. By the time Bigwheel Temple agrees on this matter, Dark Sect will follow suit because it has fallen into decline and will not dare to offend Divine Wind Palace at this critical period of time. Jade Pool is made up of women who have no ideas of their own and are not reliable at all. People in Dragon Thunder Palace don’t really care about this matter at all, and thus, they will not oppose it too violently. The only resistance comes from Immortal Palace, but it cannot fight against Divine Wind Palace on its own, unless they combine all their strength. However, that is something not in line with their style of handling matters. Therefore, this plan will succeed finally and it should not take long. It’s time for us to make some plans!”
Green Spirit stared at Zhou Bao and gave him an odd smile, saying, “I heard that you’ve gained a lot of treasures in the Sea Area this time. Can you set the Yin and Yang Dust Formation in the Azure Secret Area? In this way, we have a better chance to succeed!”
“Of course I can. The items I gained from the Sea Area are enough to set up two complete Yin and Yang Dust Formations! But the problem is, I cannot use them!”
“What do you mean?”
“Hum, I don’t want to be pursued by Rolling Dragon King for thousands of miles and coming ash.o.r.e to create problems for me!” Zhou Bao smiled coldly and added, “Furthermore, the formation map of the Yin and Yang Dust Formation is in my hand and this is a known fact to Divine Wind Palace. If I set the formation in the Azure Secret Area, I’ll have two powerful enemies on my back right away and I don’t even know how I will meet my end this time!”
“If we kill everyone from Divine Wind Palace in Azure Heaven, no one will know that you’re the one who had anything to do with the Yin and Yang Dust Formation!” Green Spirit said grimly.
“What? If that is the case, how about the people from other sects?”
“This time, the people from Divine Wind Palace have learned their lesson well. They demanded that all the sects seal off their entrances to the Azure Secret Area so that they are the only ones who can enter it. At that time, under such heavy pressure, I guess the entrance to your Wuyang Region will be closed as well.”
“Will this work? Do you think the other sects will agree with this kind of arrangement?”
“Of course it will. You don’t know the price Divine Wind Palace paid and how much effort they made in order to achieve this purpose. They’re determined to achieve their goal this time, therefore, those who are going to enter the Azure Secret Area should at the very least be Genuine Immortals at the Venerable Realm or even at the Lord of Heaven Realm! They’ll never send someone like Taihai Sage there anymore!”
“At the Lord of Heaven Realm? Are there any Old Weirdos at the Lord of Heaven Realm in the Seven-deity Regions?”
“All sects like Divine Wind Palace, Immortal Palace, and Bigwheel Temple have at least one or two Old Weirdos at the Lord of Heaven Realm!” While speaking, Green Spirit displayed his feelings of envy towards them and added, “Usually, they will not venture out. However, this action concerns the foundation of Divine Wind Palace, therefore, the Old Weirdos at the Lord of Heaven Realm will possibly need to take some action. That is why I am asking you to set the Yin and Yang Dust Formation. This is a tough battle and there is no chance for us to succeed unless we can do it as sneakily as before!”
“Does this mean we need to have a head-on clash with the Genuine Immortals at the Lord of Heaven Realm?”
“And also their fairy weapons!”
Zhou Bao had come over to discuss this matter with Green Spirit, but little did he expect that his plans were all going down the drain after listening to Green Spirit. Fairy weapons and Old Weirdos at the Lord of Heaven Realm, together with other experts from Divine Wind Palace were a great source of discouragement to him. To put it simply, he was overwhelmed by this knowledge.
“This is the reason why I said it will be a tough battle. It will not be easy to win. I’m telling you if you insist that you are unable to set the Yin and Yang Dust Formation, I do not want to be involved in this matter!”
“Fine, since this is the case, I will set up two formations without much further ado!” Zhou Bao said aggressively and added, “Are you sure that no one, except us and the people from Divine Wind Palace, can enter the Azure Secret Area?”
“Even if there is anyone else, it will not be a big issue. We can kill them as well!” Green Spirit looked ferocious and added, “Boy, you don’t seem like the soft-hearted type!”
“Haha, my wife is pregnant and thus, I have become more mellow!” Zhou Bao chuckled and continued, “But take it easy. I know what my priorities are!”
“Good!” Green Spirit stared at him and continued, “I know that your wife is pregnant, but you definitely cannot wait until the birth of your baby!”
“Uh?”
“You’d better prepare for the closed-door training now and then broadcast the news that you’re going to break through to the Mysterious Realm. Then, you need to enter Azure Heaven in secret. The Essential Qi Tide there is about to stop surging. Once it stops, people from Divine Wind Palace will spring into action!”
“I see!” Zhou Bao nodded in agreement and added, “Fine, I’ll go and arrange it now. However, after I enter the Azure Secret Area, please take care of everything for me here!”
“Don’t worry, everything will be all right!” Green Spirit nodded and continued, “If you fail this time, you’d better prepare to face a life of endless pursuit!”
“I know!” Zhou Bao nodded his head and turned into a streak of black light and departed.
“Alas, this boy is really a troublemaker, however, he’s also a man who can create quite a stir in the world. Perhaps I can obtain what I couldn’t get over the past years by cooperating with him!” Looking at the direction where Zhou Bao had disappeared to, Green Spirit wore a weird smile and continued, “Maybe he’s the key to the next era!”
…
Zhou Bao returned from Bigwheel Temple with a heavy heart. Divine Wind Palace was paying more attention to Azure Heaven than they did previously, which was totally not what he expected. Even though he possessed the Origin of the Great Ways of Azure Heaven now, he knew that he would have a tough battle with people from Divine Wind Palace, therefore, he could not afford to waste any more time.
Hence, he declared that he would do the closed-door training as soon as he returned to the Wuyang Region. However, he did not follow Green Spirit’s suggestion to announce that he would be breaking through to the Mysterious Realm but only said that he was about to study an abstruse Divine Sense lest he aroused suspicions if he did not reach the Mysterious Realm when his training was done. He attached a great deal of importance to this closed-door training and set up a powerful Yin and Yang Dust Formation around his practice area. Although it was incomplete, it had taken up 80% of the treasures he had acquired from Master Jin Hua and was enough to ward off the attacks from several Genuine Immortals at the Venerable Realm.
After setting the formation, Zhou Bao secretly entered the Azure Secret Area. Currently, he did not need to enter through the fixed gateway. One reason was that he possessed the Origin of the Great Ways of the Azure Secret Area and the other was that he had learned the Infinite Realms Teleportation Skill. Therefore, entering the Azure Secret Area was like entering that gray s.p.a.ce to him.
He already knew the coordinates of the gray s.p.a.ce, the Azure Secret Area, and this world by heart. If he wanted to, he could move freely around the three s.p.a.ces.
In Azure Heaven, the Essential Qi Tide was still surging. Zhou Bao slipped into it as easily as a fish in the water. After he possessed the Origin of the Great Ways of Azure Heaven, the Essential Qi Tide could not do much harm to him, therefore, he could move around swiftly in the Azure Secret Area without the help of the Air-frozen Bead.
“Good! The Essential Qi Tide is currently in disorder. This is a great disaster for others, but for me, it’s a good opportunity to practice. All kinds of spiritual qi are intermingled with different pneuma, among which is various pneuma with Spatial Attribute which is good for me to practice my Phantom Body Skill. But due to the time limitation, I’d better start on my Phantom Body Skill and hone it to perfection here!” Zhou Bao’s body flitted around the endless tide as he pondered. “Since they have no Fiery Eyes, they cannot sense the Origin of the Great Ways from the Essential Qi Tide, therefore, when it comes to setting the formation, I have to find a place that will make it easy for them to take note of the Origin of the Great Ways, similar to the situation in Taiyuan Heaven. Only when they arrive at that place will they be able to take the Golden Book of Fate out. According to the information provided by that d.a.m.n whale the last time, that place should be called Azure Towering Mountain, which is located at the bottom of the Azure Spirit Sea. It seems that I can only set the Yin and Yang Dust Formation there. Humph, Genuine Immortals at the Lord of Heaven Realm with fairy weapons, I’d like to see whether you can outlast my fierce and lethal formations!” Zhou Bao thought ruthlessly and moved towards his destination quickly.
With the tide filling the whole sky, there arose a huge golden mountain under the depth of the Azure Spirit Sea. At the foot of the mountain were a few people talking with each other. If Zhou Bao had seen them, he would have been shocked because they all carried Air-frozen Beads. Due to the power of the beads, they were able to move around easily in the tide. Compared to Zhou Bao’s Air-frozen Bead which was a Pure Yang Celestial Device, their beads were only celestial devices at the Mysterious Level. Although they were at the peak of the Mysterious Level, there were significant differences between their beads and Zhou Bao’s bead.
“There should be the Azure Towering Mountain and also the center of the entire Azure Heaven. Humph, I’m afraid that those people have never expected that we’ll spring into action when the Essential Qi Tide is surging. Our negotiation with them is just a way to create confusion.”
“Haha..!” The triumphant laughter did not carry far in the Essential Qi Tide. But the owner of the voice was not aware that the laughter, even though it went unnoticed, was transmitted out through the tide.
“Uh? There seems to be sounds of laughter?” Zhou Bao, who was indulging himself in the wonderful changes of the Phantom Body Skill and flying towards Azure Towering Mountain, suddenly heard a sound which was similar to a human laugh. He was on the alert immediately and slowed down.
“How can there be someone in it since the Essential Qi Tide is surging? d.a.m.n it! Perhaps they are from Divine Wind Palace!” He was astonished and immediately used his Snake-like Breath Holding Skill and Three Realms Division, and darted towards his destination.
“Right, no one thought that we’ll take action when the Essential Qi Tide is still surging. People from Immortal Palace are really foolish. They always think that they have inherited the Primordial Magic Arts System, but they were not aware that they possessed such a valuable treasure. Having owned the refining method of the Air-frozen Bead for so many years, they’ve never realized that it enables them to travel freely in the Essential Qi Tide. If they had figured it out earlier, they would not have stayed in the central mainland like what they are doing now!”
“Yeah, Immortal Palace has as many treasures as Divine Wind Palace. But it’s a pity that people in that sect lack the spirit of enterprise, otherwise, our palace will not have been the number one sect in the Seven-deity Regions!”
“Fine, stop this nonsense now! We’d better proceed with caution even though the Essential Qi Tide is raging!” said a voice which sounded cold and totally lacking in emotion, bringing dread to the hearts of people.
The expressions of those two men who were talking changed immediately. Respectful and yet frightened, they lowered their heads hurriedly.
“This action leaves no room for error. Although our Lord’s plan is almost flawless, we still need to be cautious. Haven’t you realized that the Azure Secret Area is different from what it used to be? It seems that there are some unexplainable things in the essence of the world here. We need to be careful lest any accident happens. If it does happen, none of us will be able to account for it. Now, go and set up the formations!”
“Yes!” The two who were in a discussion were experts at the Level of True Immortality. Although they had not reached the Venerable Realm yet, they were no weaker than Taihai Sage. With such a cultivation, they could do anything they want in the Seven-deity Regions. However, when faced with the glacial demeanor of the man now, they had no options but to obey his order. The reason was that the glacial man was an expert at the Lord of Heaven Realm who could easily kill them with a single finger.
“d.a.m.n it! Some people from Divine Wind Palace are already here. It’s ridiculous but those large sects are negotiating with other people from Divine Wind Palace. What a good move! Doing one thing under the cover of another! Perhaps the instigator of this method (Han Xin) is not as smart as you!”
While thinking, Zhou Bao executed his Three Realms Division and arrived at the nearby regions of Azure Towering Mountain within several seconds. Upon his arrival, he discovered that there was someone at the foot of the mountain and he was startled. Trying his best to conceal himself, he came up close to them and overheard their conversation clearly.
“An expert at the Lord of Heaven Realm is setting up formations here! Good gracious! If I had not made my way here, I would not have known about this matter. However, the Origin of the Great Ways of Azure Heaven is in my hand, and I’d like to see whether you are capable of obtaining it!” Zhou Bao laughed coldly in his heart. Since he had discovered what the real purpose of Divine Wind Palace was, he now had to change his plan.
He planned to set two Yin and Yang Dust Formations around Azure Towering Mountain to kill the disciples of Divine Wind Palace, but it was too late now. However, it was a good thing that Divine Wind Palace sent only three people here. Although they were quite powerful, except for the Old Weirdo at the Lord of Heaven Realm who was the only one that could pose a threat to him, he could easily finish off the other two men. He was not being arrogant in that sense because his Yin and Yang Heavenly Sword was lethal and destructive.
“The only problem is how I can go about making it confusing for the others. Every entrance to the Azure Secret Area has yet to be closed. If I just make a small mess, that will be fine. However, if I create a big uproar, I guess Divine Wind Palace will definitely notice it.”
He did not believe that experts in Divine Wind Palace would not be aware of his secretive actions.
“Perhaps they have asked other people to hide in the dark. If I were them, I would surely do so. The scheme of doing one thing under the cover of another is indeed good, but it has its risks as well. Once discovered by others, it will incur many problems. Therefore, they must have some experts hiding in here. Humph, with Divine Wind Palace’s wealth, once they have the secret of the Air-frozen Bead, they definitely will refine more beads. Even I was able to gather enough materials to refine an Air-frozen Bead, so I guess they can easily refine hundreds of beads basing on their resources and wealth!” Zhou Bao thought about it and tried to think of a plan. “Unlike them, I’m alone, therefore, the situation is really against me and I have to find some people to help me. No matter how many people from Divine Wind Palace are here, they’re no match for the Demonic Immortals in the Azure Secret Area in terms of numbers. However, I cannot let them set up the formations easily!”Zhou Bao made up his mind and followed those two Genuine Immortals in secret.