Chapter 740: Chapter 473: Duobao Seeks External Aid in the Outer Realm, Tao Qian Betrays the Arhat
Upon hearing the message, Tao Qian immediately planned to make his move.
A probability of ninety percent was enough.
Yet, at that moment, the Golden Radiance Token that had been silent for a long time in his arms started to tremble.
From within came a sigh from his Master, followed by a rare solemn voice,
"Silly disciple, do you really intend to do this?"
"Know that once a bow is drawn, there is no turning back. Your plan is indeed bold and exquisite, but the cost is too great for you to bear."
"Although you have the amulet given by Heavenly Venerate and you’re cunning enough, preserving your life isn’t difficult. However, the aftermath would endlessly delay your Daoist path, a classic case of losing more for less."
"You should now realize, whether it’s your Master, the old monkey, or even Heavenly Venerate, they all have high hopes for you."
"If you’re willing to abandon these karmic debts and aspire to become an immortal and ancestor, achieving longevity is merely trivial for you."
It was clear that this was a sincere admonition from Duobao.
After listening, Tao Qian just shook his head and firmly said,
"What Master considers minor is significant to your disciple."
"Although I desire longevity, this matter comes before it. If I, as your disciple, can act but choose not to, I fear I will never be at peace in this life."
After the message ended, Tao Qian was about to initiate the thought to let Lian Jing’er act.
Understanding that his foolish disciple’s mind was made up, Duobao no longer sighed but said annoyedly,
"I once laughed at Junior Brother Qin for being foolish, yet I never thought that my proud disciple would follow the same path."
"Yang Sui came once, and now he plans to come a second time, truly foolish and straightforward."
"Let it be, let it be. Who asked you to be the disciple I fought so hard to obtain? We can’t always rely on what Heavenly Venerate gave us to save your life, where would that leave Duobao’s dignity?"
"Just use your Body Seizing technique. The mechanical avatar of Nirvana is a good thing; it seems a waste to just destroy and dismantle it."
"The treasures that come before you and me, how could they be destroyed?"
"I have already made arrangements this time, used up a big favor, and personally went to the Outer Realm to invite someone... rest assured, that Nirvana Demon Buddha won’t be able to harm you, and the benefits obtained will also assist you in the great things you wish to do later."
"The things you need to do later are truly troublesome. If I had known, I wouldn’t have impulsively fought Yunhua for you..."
As he spoke, Duobao’s voice gradually lowered until it was inaudible, not revealing any details about his arrangements or who he had invited from the Outer Realm, leaving a cliffhanger.
Tao Qian felt somewhat moved, but there was no time for him to think deeply.
Inside the Merit Pool, the Demon Buddha was becoming.
The giant cocoon was inflating, growing with the wind, a zhang in a moment, a ring in a breath.
Bigger than a city, taller than a mountain.
Gradually, it took on the semblance of Buddha, stretching eighteen thousand arms, as if both Heaven and Earth were in its grasp. Behind its head hung a golden Buddha Ring, reminiscent of the Ultimate Happiness Pure Land materializing in this world, with various miraculous sights flickering on the verge of transforming from illusion to reality, descending into this world.
Before the soon-to-be-born Mechanical Demon Buddha, the Devil Concubine, revealing her true Heavenly Phoenix form perched atop the Biwu Divine Tree, truly seemed like a small bird in a cage.
Such a grand scene, yet more incredible than the repeated battles earlier.
In front of the Spirit Mirror Crystal Ball broadcasting to the Seventy-two Provinces, exclamations arose continuously, unceasing.
Whether cultivators or demons, all were shocked by the actions of the three Arhats of the Demon Buddha Temple.
"Brilliant technique, what bald Buddhas, utilizing believers’ prayers, millions of warlords’ flesh and blood, the entire Gao Family’s lives... to actually forge a Mechanical Demon Buddha with such might; once it fully emerges, even a Daoist in the Transformation Realm walking the earth might not be a match for this behemoth?"
"No wonder all the orthodox Buddhist Temples regard the Demon Buddha Temple as traitorous; upon encounter, it’s mostly a fight to the death, using the Buddha Birth Technique like this is truly intolerable."
"Buddha and Demon are two sides of the same coin; although the Demon Buddha Temple, fighting against many, might collapse at any moment, but over so many years, did you see any major disasters befall the Demon Buddha Temple? Not even once; it’s worth noting that even great demon sects like the Secret Demon Sect have been annihilated."
"Setting aside others, inside the Demon Buddha Temple, there are Buddhas, any of whom are at least in the Tribulation Immortal Realm; such a foundation is almost impossible to destroy unless there is a world-ending calamity."
"Troublesome indeed, with such a frightening demon device, not to mention Qiantang Province, the neighboring provinces are likely also unable to escape falling into the hands of the Demon Buddha Temple, fearing that the situation in the Northern Land might change again."
...
Regardless of reactions elsewhere, Tao Qian was indifferent and couldn’t care less.
At this moment, he was watching the Mechanical Demon Buddha about to emerge from the "Ten Thousand Buddha Merit Fetus Membrane." Initially, he had planned to disrupt the unification of the Eighteen Great Transcendent Bodhisattvas to prevent the emergence of the Demon Buddha.
Now, having received his Master’s assurance, the plan had slightly changed.
In this regard, he naturally trusted Duobao without conditions.
His face suddenly revealed a bright smile, while inwardly, he ordered Lian Jing’er,
"Act!"
"Body Seizing!"
After giving the command, Tao Qian stepped forward himself.
In front of everyone worldwide, he respectfully addressed the three Arhats,
"Congratulations to the three seniors; such a grand feat has been accomplished. Soon, the Nirvana Demon Buddha might grant rewards, aiding the three seniors in breaking through the Daoist Transformation Tribulation and achieving higher fruition."
"Humble monk basking in your glory has also established some minor merits, ashamed, truly ashamed."
He, Master Tao, other tricks might be mediocre.
When it came to acting, he truly could be considered a sight to behold.
At this moment, the slightly conscientious audience, seeing Wu Gou Buddha Son’s obsequious smiling face, all felt disgust.
Temperamental ones started cursing directly, with names like "dead rabbit," "hairless thief," "white-faced devil monk," "black-hearted Buddha’s son," and so on, all thrown at Tao Qian.
With the Demon Buddha about to emerge, Kongchan, Shipi, and Liansha were indeed in excellent spirits.
However, all three of them were cunning and wary, having been deeply enticed by Tao Qian and Duobao Master and Disciples duo, yet still slightly vigilant.
Seeing the young man approaching, they tacitly blocked his way.
Kongchan acted more directly, reaching out to grab him while smiling cheerily,
"Do not be modest, nephew!"
"This time, calculating so much resources and flesh, nephew along with Daoist Qingjing played indispensable roles."
"Rest assured, with so many benefits this time, both you and we, the three of us, can all become Buddhas and ancestors."
"How wonderful, how wonderful indeed."
Other people were stunned when they heard Kongchan boasting so grandly.
For instance, the spectators at that moment couldn’t help but wonder: how could the Demon Buddha Temple produce so many Arhat Bodhisattvas?
Unfortunately, Master Tao never cared for empty promises.
Upon hearing this, he simply gave Kongchan Arhat a mysterious smile and uttered two sentences that, to Kongchan Arhat, were absolutely shocking.
"Arhat, there’s no need for politeness, our cooperation has always been mutually beneficial."
"Last time in Demon City it was, and this time it naturally is as well."
...
Anyone would find these two sentences strangely baffling.
But Kongchan, being an Arhat of the Ultimate Happiness Realm, and despite being deceived by the treasures of Jade Ring Mountain, now had the truth revealed to him by the very person in front of him.
In an instant, his brain exploded with inspiration and realization.
Suddenly, his expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed: "You are the Spiritual Treasure..."
Before the first word was fully uttered, Kongchan Arhat had already made a fierce move.
In his hand, the Bodhi Branch holding the Jade Cicada suddenly burst forth with terrifying Buddha Light, sweeping toward Tao Qian.
Driven by fury, the Arhat activated his Lifebound Treasure with full force, causing a cataclysmic disturbance.
Before that occurred, Yuan Gong had also warned Tao Qian:
"Be careful, disciple. The old thief’s treasure in his hands is a high-imitation of the Buddha’s Divine Treasure ’Seven Treasures Wondrous Tree.’"
"Though it’s not one ten-thousandth of the real treasure, when the bald thief strikes in anger, the earth shakes and mountains move effortlessly, capable of wiping out ten mountains and ten cities. If you are really struck, you will lose at least half your life."
"Master Yuan, have no worries, I wanted him to use this treasure, otherwise my frail body alone couldn’t break through the three Arhats."
Before transmitting his message, Tao Qian also took action.
He was cunning, knowing the Three Arhats would guard against him approaching the Merit Pool.
Thus, he deliberately revealed his weakness in front of Kongchan to provoke the old thief to act rashly.
As expected, the moment that powerful Buddha Treasure moved,
Shipi Liansha and another person each shifted slightly aside.
Although the gap wasn’t wide, it was enough for Tao Qian.
Tao Qian skillfully took out various treasures and layered them on himself—first the People Species Bag, then the Buddha Bird Relic.
After the two layers of armor, he added a Three-layered Nine Toad Bead.
He laughed out loud, advanced instead of retreating, and charged at Kongchan Arhat.
Kongchan was cunning, but he couldn’t have anticipated meeting someone even more cunning.
He wore five-layered armor, all of Divine Treasure quality.
In a sudden clash!
A crisp ’crack’ was heard, and not only was Kongchan Arhat’s position forced open, but many of his bones also broke.
In pain, Kongchan’s face showed extreme rage, and he forcibly stopped his Dharma Body. The branch of Bodhi Tree in his hand drew back with even more terrifying force towards Tao Qian’s backside.
At the same time, he shouted loudly,
"Stop him quickly! This man is a thief of Spiritual Treasures, a villainous Duobao, that damn Tao Qian, probably here to steal treasures."
"Thief, if you dare move rashly, I swear without regard for karma or revenge, I’ll scatter your soul and spirit."
...
When these two sentences from Kongchan Arhat reverberated,
whether within the arena or across the Seventy-two provinces, everyone was momentarily dumbfounded.
Even though there had been many twists previously, this revelation still left everyone momentarily unable to react.
That Buddha’s Son had suddenly turned from a scheming villain into the Daoist Sect’s First Talent?
Before everyone could fully understand the intricacies, Tao Qian, who had already breached the Three Arhats’ defenses and was half-submerged in the Merit Pool, suddenly sensed a life-and-death crisis.
Clearly, Kongchan Arhat was not lying.
If he continued to force his way forward, he would likely be shattered to soul and spirit by that "Seven Treasures Wondrous Tree High-imitation."
"How bizarre!"
"Does a high-imitation treasure also have such immense power? Can it actually break through my People Species Bag, Buddha Bird Relic, and the defense of the Three-layered Nine Toad Bead?"
Although Tao Qian was reluctant to believe it, the feedback from his high perception and high spiritual vision was undeniable.
Fortunately, he still had a countermeasure.
His expression was slightly rigid, but with a thought,
suddenly a round tile engraved with the Toad seal flew out, its Divine Light swift, arriving first from behind to meet Kongchan Arhat’s Bodhi Tree.
The next moment, an extremely harsh thud was heard, resembling the sound of a willow stick striking a tile.
Snap!
The two treasures collided, and an astounding outcome emerged.
The round tile was completely undamaged.
Instead, it was Kongchan Arhat’s branch of the Bodhi Tree, with the Jade Cicada atop it, that cracked visibly, producing the world’s most unbearable, harshest "cry."
In an instant, everyone was forced to cover their ears, yet they still couldn’t prevent blood from streaming from their orifices.
On the other hand, Tao Qian, riding the wave of the artifact’s collision, had successfully penetrated into the Merit Pool.
A look of joy crossed his face, and he immediately communicated mentally to the great presence in the void:
"Generous Toad God!"
"I’ll owe you for now and pay back double soon, ensuring you’ll have an enjoyable spectacle."
ps: Recovery is ongoing, and more updates to follow tomorrow and the day after.