"Divine Emperor Shenwu... will not let you go!"
Emperor Sutoku's final words were filled with resentment, but having become a being of pure resentment and stepped into the immortal path, he could no longer be resurrected after this annihilation.
Vast swathes of white clouds appeared in the heavens and earth.
The divine nature that overflowed and collapsed from the three great vengeful spirits and ghost gods who had died was completely swallowed by these clouds.
When a person dies, they become a ghost; ghosts are formed from souls. When a ghost dies, it becomes a *jì* (聻), a ghost that has lost its form and soul.
When a *jì* dies, it becomes a *xī* (希), and when a *xī* dies, it becomes an *yí* (夷). At these stages, even their will and final trace of intention have vanished. They cannot even descend upon the world through intangible forces like curses, ceasing to exist entirely!
"Shenwu... Xu Fu, there should be a reaction by now."
Ji Xiang had devoured the incense offerings of the three great vengeful spirits and ghost gods. After this battle, his strength had not diminished but rather increased. He only sensed the surrounding national destiny, but he did not attempt to restore these three vengeful spirits and ghost gods. Of course, the biggest reason was that national destiny could no longer accomplish such a feat.
If the foundation was destroyed, Ji Xiang did not know if this so-called "power of the divine kingdom" had any way to compensate. However, he surmised that for vengeful spirits and ghost gods who had already stepped into the immortal path, restoring their foundations of existence would inevitably come at a considerable cost. This was precisely because they were stronger than ordinary False Immortals, equally more ancient, and, of course, their existence was more peculiar.
The national destiny of the divine kingdom showed no reaction.
Instead, this Peach Blossom Spring world itself had opened a breach. All that remained was the mountain of flesh monster lying prostrate on the ground. This was also what mythology referred to as the Heavenly Rock Cave dwelling, into which Amaterasu had once retreated to isolate herself.
Ji Xiang pushed his divine banner, the crimson divine banner covering the heavens and earth, and it instantly smashed down, making the monster much shorter. It was directly inserted into its head!
This single action caused hundreds of miles of mountains and rivers to shake and sink, leading to continuous large-scale earthquakes in the outside world.
The ancient Heavenly Demon Qi seeped downwards from the divine banner. The Heavenly Rock Cave dwelling continued to descend, and the divine banner seemed to carry the weight of the entire sky, gradually crushing it!
This thing was essentially a being capable of creating a corpse-shedding transformation. It was the personification of the fear of darkness in ancient myths. It bore extreme similarities to the demons formed by will. Fundamentally, they were almost the same thing. However, compared to the demons of will born with the aid of the "Golden Crow Jade Rabbit Collection," this thing had been passed down from ancient times and had existed until the present.
Xu Fu had used the fear of the entire divine kingdom as sustenance to feed it, allowing it to exist and grow to its current formidable state, capable of devouring the heavens and swallowing the earth, with all methods entering it.
"Tongtian Mingyan, descend!"
The surging white clouds around him began to descend like an avalanche. The sea of clouds collapsed and transformed into a vast ocean. The corpse-shedding divine nature on the Heavenly Rock Cave dwelling was continuously devoured by the white cloud smoke. As its power continuously drained, this colossal monster, comparable to the heavens and far surpassing the mountains, withered and fell. Its dark body lost its color, turning into pale stone fragments. The rocks crumbled, and its limbs continuously collapsed due to the loss of power.
However, this colossal monster dared not resist in the slightest, solely because the crimson divine banner was inserted into its head.
As the Heavenly Rock Cave dwelling monster, stripped of its corpse-shedding divine nature and gradually turning into pale rock, began to manifest various terrifying mutations within its body, it spewed ominous breaths from its massive maw, flooding the land like a rushing torrent.
This was not disaster, nor karma.
It was all kinds of fear.
The human heart harbored various emotions, and all emotions could give rise to fear. Because these all originated from the heart, in Buddhism, they were various afflictions. Anxiety and fear of loss would give rise to terror in the heart, and all sorts of demonic obstacles would also be summoned by the proliferation of fear.
With Buddhist dharma, fear could indeed be purified. Ji Xiang possessed many Buddhist grand techniques, and he even had the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha's vow-power Vajra as an accessory. However, the fear within the Heavenly Rock Cave dwelling was like the will born from human prayers and sacrifices. It was a thought, but due to its sheer quantity, it could transform into incense offerings and burn fiercely. The premise for these intangible things transforming into tangible ones was their immense number.
There were too many, like an ocean tide of fear. Any vital energy that came into contact with the power of fear would transform into ominous energy. Ji Xiang saw that a divine kingdom monster that had not yet died, upon contact with that fear energy, began to go mad. In its frenzy, it continuously self-mutilated, eventually tearing off its own head, chewing on its brain matter, and emitting cries. At this point, it still had not died, as if it had become a walking corpse driven only by fear.
Finally, it devoured everything of itself, tearing apart its internal organs. The blood and flesh paste from its gnawing flowed out of its throat. Its mouth became extremely distorted and incredibly large, occupying its entire upper body. Then, it self-destructed in this manner.
"It's fine to leave it as it is. Let Xu Fu handle this thing..."
Ji Xiang thought this way, not wanting to bother with this thing. After all, such an uncontrolled power appearing in the land of Japan meant Xu Fu would have to expend endless energy to stop it. This would again achieve the goal of exhausting the opponent.
But at this very moment.
A future illusion suddenly appeared in his eyes!
The divine ability of "Reverse Qiankun" automatically generated a response. Future vision took effect once more. Ji Xiang saw a future illusion in his eyes. Xu Fu's figure appeared within this ominous aura. The fragments that flashed out immediately after showed the fear energy being swallowed by the divine kingdom, without causing much loss to the country.
On the contrary.
The path of ghost gods even used this opportunity to repair a certain foundation.
"It seems I was a bit naive."
Ji Xiang touched his forehead, sighing endlessly.
He had initially thought it was a troublesome matter, but now, reminded by future vision, he realized something was amiss. Upon careful reflection, it was indeed true. This kind of thing was originally cultivated by Xu Fu. Since such vast amounts of nourishment were to be provided to it, the ultimate outcome would certainly not be useless fruit.
Speaking of which, wasn't this the method of the path of ghost gods? Even the great deity Okuninushi, who had crossed the sea and spread various disasters in ancient times, was also an ancient ghost god, and one refined by Xu Fu.
"Then, what should happen if I handle it?"
Since future vision had appeared, it signified that a divergence would occur here, and it could be interfered with.
Ji Xiang thought this way, and then future vision reappeared. Future illusions manifested one after another. Ji Xiang saw a tall stone tablet, emitting monstrous demonic energy that confused the mind. He himself was surrounded by these ominous fear energies, which dispelled the demonic energy.
Following that, a grand divine ability was displayed. These fear energies transformed into a vast, empty blue sky.
Immediately after, the third illusion appeared, the fourth illusion appeared... all of them depicted unfavorable scenes.
Sometimes he was in a turbulent sea, sometimes in the Avici Hell, and sometimes in a place filled with dense yin energy. The enemies he faced were a grey-robed scholar whose face could not be seen in the sea, but behind him, countless divine general phantoms manifested. In the Avici Hell, there were many evil spirits. In the place filled with dense yin energy, there was a skin-and-bone corpse general, behind whom seemed to be two dim sculptures.
"It seems that if I interfere, the outcome is not very good, but it has nothing to do with Xu Fu."
"And the fear energy has already been refined into a divine ability?"
Ji Xiang discovered that in the future illusions where he chose to interfere, Xu Fu's trace did not appear. However, he also did not know the situation in Japan. Conversely, he himself seemed to have fallen into many dangerous situations.
But regardless, it was much better than strengthening Japan.
Therefore, he immediately circulated the supreme dharma within his heart.
Such a great power of fear, his half-baked Buddhist dharma was useless. Devouring it with Heavenly Demon Qi would require prolonged refinement, and there was no ample time now. Therefore, he had to immediately deduce a spell that could subdue this fear.
The True Meanings of the Three Teachings!
A batch of inventory was rapidly depleted. Under Ji Xiang's deduction, immortal lights condensed on his body one after another!
It was just a pity that Shinto had few scriptures and classics. If the Heian Jingu was a stronghold of Onmyoji, it would be much better. Onmyodo had many classics passed down. Of course, in terms of their nature, they were not much different from the waste paper of the White Lotus Sect, but there were still some usable things.
Ji Xiang had taken many Buddhist scriptures from Honno-ji when he was refining the Heavenly Demon Qi, and now they were all sacrificed together. In the end, the scriptures used for sacrifice were of the highest quality, with one book often equivalent to three or four books of other doctrines.
Not only was the quality high, but the quantity was also abundant. It was a pity that most Buddhist temples were on the righteous side, and it was not convenient for Ji Xiang to openly "borrow" from them.
If it were during the eras of the Three-Wu and One-Zong Buddha Persecutions, then he could have collected many advanced Buddhist scriptures, and he would not have had to bear the karma and consequences of persecuting Buddhism.
As the deduction progressed, the tribulations of the mortal world began to appear on Ji Xiang, accumulating more and more. However, for Ji Xiang now, this was not a major problem. He only needed to use the power of the Heavenly Opening Yellow Dao Celestial Venerable afterward to slowly refine it and avoid this calamity.
However, the accumulated tribulations of the mortal world still surprised Ji Xiang considerably.
This was almost equivalent to the total tribulations of the mortal world he had on him before, and it was still increasing. He never expected that deducing a spell would have such terrifying consequences.
And as the Buddhist scriptures were sacrificed one by one, and the remaining inventory from Honno-ji was nearing depletion, finally, after bursts of immortal light, the deduction of the spell was completed. At this time, the power of fear had already contaminated this Peach Blossom Spring world, leaving only the area where the crimson divine banner stood uncorroded.
Ji Xiang opened his hands, and two immortal lights descended from the heavens.
In an instant.
The boundless power of fear surged into the two immortal lights!
The voice reverberated, continuously echoing:
"The mind's essence is round and bright, encompassing all directions within; its form is like empty space, without boundaries."
"Sea of Suffering!"
The two immortal lights spread, and this boundless fear poured into them, transforming into a vast ocean, which Ji Xiang restrained, turning it into the divine ability of the Sea of Suffering!
The Sea of Suffering is boundless; turn back and reach the shore!
The so-called Sea of Suffering refers to the afflictions and hardships of the mortal world. The cultivation of Buddhism and Daoism both aim to escape the Sea of Suffering, which means to eliminate all afflictions and demonic obstacles, and to attain enlightenment as an immortal or Buddha as the ultimate goal.
To escape the Sea of Suffering, one must let go of all traces left behind in the mortal world!
From this perspective, even the founders of Daoism and Buddhism had not achieved this.
And Ji Xiang refined this boundless power of fear into a supreme divine ability. Furthermore, the deduced immortal scripture reached an astonishing Grade Four!
Boundless, immeasurable, supreme light!
With the opening of the Sea of Suffering, Ji Xiang could suddenly sense several powerful existences. Their power permeated the Sea of Suffering, and he could even sense the afflictions and karma of countless sentient beings in the world!
"Eh?"
A strange, confused voice emerged, but it seemed that Ji Xiang's presence was not detected. It came from the boundless power of sentient beings' fear. This was not caused by Xu Fu's magic power but came from a more distant and unfathomable place!
One of the forces felt familiar to Ji Xiang.
When performing rites for the deceased, his name would be chanted.
Taiyi Heavenly Venerate of Salvation!
This feeling was only sensed at the very first moment the Sea of Suffering was opened. Now, Ji Xiang was in a heaven and earth like a dharma realm. This was the power of the Sea of Suffering divine ability. As long as there were sentient beings in the world, there would always be will. Where there was will, the world would be like a Sea of Suffering, with afflictions and karma never ceasing.
"The Sea of Suffering divine ability can actually sense these distant existences. I wonder if it can affect them."
"They cannot perceive me."
The tribulations of the mortal world floated and sank in the Sea of Suffering. At this moment, they detached from Ji Xiang's body. Under Ji Xiang's gaze, they sank into the Sea of Suffering and gradually disappeared, and the Sea of Suffering itself seemed to have grown considerably.
These tribulations of the mortal world were also various calamities, belonging to a type of suffering. For those entangled by them, they were also an indelible great affliction.
"It can actually erase my tribulations of the mortal world. This... is too good!"
Ji Xiang was greatly surprised but then felt a bit strange.
"Eh? Something seems not right."
The fear energy accumulated over millennia had transformed into the Sea of Suffering divine ability, but it was not the same as what he had seen in the future vision before.
Shouldn't his grand divine ability be that vast, empty blue sky?
Could that divine ability not have been formed from the power of fear? Yet, in an earlier illusion, he had clearly seen himself using the power of fear.
"Could the divine ability still be changing, not yet solidified?"
"Or, is that perhaps a new divine ability derived from the Sea of Suffering?"
Ji Xiang was perplexed, but regardless, for his current self, the tribulations of the mortal world could not only be transformed into merit but could also perfect the Sea of Suffering. From now on, the True Meanings of the Three Teachings could be used frequently, and he should also visit the White Lotus Sect's strongholds more often.
After the fear energy in this world completely disappeared, Ji Xiang, along with the other two, also vanished from here.
The barrier of the divine kingdom had long been broken.
The sea was turbulent.
And in Kyoto, Xu Fu sensed Ji Xiang's departure and the destruction of the Peach Blossom Spring world, but he said nothing.
"He killed the three vengeful spirits, destroyed the Peach Blossom Spring I created, and the place of corpse-shedding was also destroyed... This Heavenly Demon acted wildly in my divine kingdom, such provocation is truly infuriating."
"However, those three fellows also had the intention of rebelling against me, wanting to transcend my control, be reborn, enter the state of being born as a celestial deity, and then ascend to immortality, entering the True Immortal realm... It's good that they died."
"Otherwise, if I destroyed the Peach Blossom Spring myself, I would be severely injured and lose my own fortune. Now that that Heavenly Demon has cut them down, although it's like cutting off my arm, the vacant positions will be inherited by new people. This way, like a dragon entering the sea, or a bird ascending to the sky, they will no longer be bound!"
What was important was not the things on the land.
But the land itself!
Just like how the Central Plains often said that this place would produce emperors, possessing dragon energy and dragon脉.
It was because such land existed that such a future could be created.