Wayfarer

Chapter 581: Threatening the Two Immortal Emperors

Within Thunderclap Hall, Zhao Yuanjiao and a few purple-furred monsters shook and awoke in reality.

"Just as Martial Aspect Xiao predicted, we've made it out," one purple-furred monster said.

"Where's the gourd?" Zhao Yuanjiao asked.

A purple-furred monster opened its mouth wide and began to heave. Very quickly, it spat out a black gourd sealed with charms to hide its aura.

The cultivators tore away the charms as a faint glow emerged from the gourd. They uncorked it to reveal a cloud of black smoke, which condensed into the figure of a black-robed man.

"Demonic Sect Master, I'm deeply apologetic for the danger," Zhao Yuanjiao said.

The black-robed man was none other than the master of the Taiqing demonic sect. He didn't mind. "Is everything going according to Xiao Nanfeng's forecast?"

"Yes, Sect Master. There were a few unaccounted variables at the start, but it's all progressing basically as planned. Earlier, ..." Zhao Yuanjiao recounted what had happened before.

The demonic sect master nodded. "Very good. Xiao Nanfeng's dealing with the Buddhas now to buy time for us, so let's deal with your curse as quickly as we can."

"A Golden Immortal sealed our cultivation," Zhao Yuanjiao said in worry. "The seal is particularly strong."

"Don't worry. Let me help," the demonic sect master said.

Then, he struck a purple-furred monster with his palm, causing a golden burst of energy to emanate from it. The monster trembled and shook as its bindings were removed.

Zhao Yuanjiao gaped. "Aren't you only an Earth Immortal, Sect Master? How can you remove a Golden Immortal's bindings?!"

"We're short on time. Don't ask these unrelated questions at the moment," the demonic sect master replied.

Zhao Yuanjiao was clearly curious, but he nodded anyway. "Understood!"

The demonic sect master than unsealed him and the rest of the purple-furred monsters.

"Sit cross-legged and start to meditate. Do not resist my probes," the demonic sect master warned.

"Understood!"

"As for you five generals, use the formation I taught you to help me break the curse on Zhao Yuanjiao's body. I shall take the lead, and you five will support me."

"Understood!" the purple-furred monsters replied.

The six cultivators simultaneously struck Zhao Yuanjiao's body with their palms, causing six bursts of light to flare. He groaned in pain.

Within the illusory realm, Xiao Nanfeng and the black lotus, disguised as the Past Buddha, took on Yin Shenhua's subordinates. They were able to kill ordinary arhats readily, and though Xiao Nanfeng was unable to deal with the bodhisattvas, the black lotus could do so and send the resulting golden spiritual power into Xiao Nanfeng's body to make him stronger.

The black lotus only began to falter when facing a group of Buddhas, but it was particularly skilled at dodging. The Buddhas were unable to land an effective attack against it.

As for Xiao Nanfeng, by sending his spiritual moon into the air and harmonizing time and again, he too could avoid the Buddhas' pursuit. As spiritual power surged into his body, he too grew stronger and stronger.

Some Buddhas attempted to strike down his spiritual moon, but after the moon swallowed one of the Buddhas, none of them dared try to attack it any longer.

"Two cursed effigies, and they're both cursed kings?" Yin Shenhua exclaimed. "Xiao Nanfeng, why are they helping you?"

"The Past Buddha is helping me," Xiao Nanfeng replied. "If you have any questions, you should ask it instead."

"It's not the Past Buddha at all," Yin Shenhua retorted.

"If you don't believe me, then so be it."

"Something's wrong. It might not be the Past Buddha, but why isn't it devouring ordinary spiritual power? Why is it only devouring my cursed variant? Just who is it? Tell me!" Yin Shenhua roared.

'Believe me or not, it's up to you," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Just who are you?!"

By then, however, Xiao Nanfeng and the black lotus were ignoring him. They grew stronger and stronger as they fought, until they were able to take down even bodhisattvas in one blow.

Before long, they had finished off all the arhats and bodhisattvas in the vicinity.

Xiao Nanfeng's spiritual power had grown to such extremes that he was even able to resist blows from Buddhas, and the black lotus was approaching them in strength as well.

The duo shot forward, leaving a trail of defeated Buddhas in their wake until they had finished off them all.

"Yin Shenhua, all your subordinates have been dealt with. No one can help you now, haha!" Emperor Feng roared in laughter.

"Victory has yet to be decided. Who's to say who's going to win? Emperor Feng, this black coffin of yours won't be able to trap me for long."

Your lotus of existence is your final resort, isn't it? Do you think you'll be able to defend against me if Xiao Nanfeng and the others destroy it?" Emperor Feng chuckled.

"They won't be able to manage such a feat," Yin Shenhua replied.

"Have you forgotten how the black coffin was removed from your lotus barrier?" Emperor Feng asked.

Yin Shenhua fell silent as a premonition of danger overwhelmed him.

Emperor Feng continued, "Xiao Nanfeng, destroy his lotus of existence! That lotus of his contains incredible cursed spiritual power—perfect for the black lotus."

"The black lotus? That cursed effigy impersonating the Past Buddha?" Yin Shenhua narrowed his eyes.

Neither Xiao Nanfeng nor the black lotus made a move. Xiao Nanfeng said, "Emperor Feng, how can I dispel the curse on my avatar?"

"Xiao Nanfeng, you're talking about that curse now?" Emperor Feng fumed.

"Emperor Feng, I can help you destroy Yin Shenhua's lotus of existence and accomplish your plan, but surely you can't let my senior brother and me walk around with a sword hanging over our heads. I'd like to know how to dispel the curse on our bodies."

He wanted to give Emperor Feng a chance; everything was up to Emperor Feng now.

"Xiao Nanfeng, have you noticed something?" Emperor Feng demanded.

"I did notice some problems with the curse that frighten me. Won't you teach me how to dispel it?" Xiao Nanfeng asked again.

"Don't worry, Xiao Nanfeng. If you follow my orders, I won't hurt you. Once I deal with Yin Shenhua, I'll dispel that curse. Only I can do so myself; even if I teach you how, it won't work."

"That's not true. I can see that I can dispel the curse if I know how. I've helped you this much, and all I'm asking for is the method of dispelling the curse. That's not unreasonable, is it?" Xiao Nanfeng replied firmly.

Emperor Feng seemed vexed. "Believe it or not, it's up to you! I won't teach you how to dispel the curse. Even without your help, I would have managed to take down Yin Shenhua. It was only a matter of time."

Xiao Nanfeng sighed, completely giving up on his erstwhile 'ally'. "Emperor Feng, do you really think that this is it for Yin Shenhua? He can still call on the power of his empire."

"He can, but he's already trapped in my coffin and is of one body with me. If he tries to do so, I'll benefit as well. He won't do something so disadvantageous. Don't try to go against me. Follow my plan and you'll benefit as well," Emperor Feng said.

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head and called out, "Yin Shenhua, how would you like to make a trade?"

Emperor Feng roared, "What are you planning to do, Xiao Nanfeng? Are you going to betray me?"

Yin Shenhua could tell that there was a dispute that he might be able to take advantage of. He immediately asked, "What trade?"

"Hand over the 60% of your fortune owed as a tithe to the Imperial Court. If you do, my subordinates and I will leave Dayin's capital immediately."

"Ha! Are you threatening me?" Yin Shenhua demanded.

"I could help Emperor Feng and destroy your lotus of existence, then escape," Xiao Nanfeng replied. "At worst, my actions will only serve to benefit Emperor Feng. However, I'd be giving up on a Martial Aspect mission just for a lotus. Given that Emperor Feng's unwilling to even dispel my curse, I don't think I can trust his promises. That's why I'm willing to give you a chance."

"Do you think you'll be able to escape from Dayin's capital?" Yin Shenhua gritted out.

"Oh, don't worry about me. I'm just asking if you'll accept," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"If I do, you'll need to release Mo Shanhe and Yin Tianci as well," Yin Shenhua negotiated.

"No, I don't think so. You refused to exchange them for 60% of Dayin's fortune, and that deal is now off the table. I have to keep some hostages just in case you regret your decision and try to kill me, after all. I think you had better free yourself first before worrying about others."

"Fine!" Yin Shenhua replied, accepting Xiao Nanfeng's offer.

Emperor Feng thundered, "Xiao Nanfeng, do you want me to kill you? Do you really think I won't do so?"

"Emperor Feng, I treat my allies with respect and sincerity. I gave you a chance just now, but you chose not to take it. I saved you from your prison, but you tried to kill me with a curse. There's no reason for me to continue working with you."

"In that case, die!" Emperor Feng roared. The next moment, he exclaimed, "What? My curse didn't take effect! How could this be? The black lotus isn't by your avatar, so how did you free yourself from my curse?!"

Xiao Nanfeng didn't bother to explain. He faced Yin Shenhua. "Hurry up, Yin Shenhua. The sooner we leave, the more time you'll have to deal with Emperor Feng. Otherwise, I might really help Emperor Feng out."

Yin Shenhua: ...

Emperor Feng: ...

Both Yin Shenhua and Emperor Feng fell silent, unable to believe that two Immortal Emperors like them would actually be subject to Xiao Nanfeng's threats. He even controlled whether or not they got to live, and he barely had any power of his own!

"I, Yin Shenhua, hereby tithe 60% of Dayin's fortune to the Imperial Court, to be carried out immediately!" Yin Shenhua cried out.

The sea of fortune above Dayin began to roil. A humongous golden dragon of fortune rose up from the sea in a wave of mournful keening.

Then, as the citizens of Dayin's capital watched on, much of the sea of fortune parted and flew away across the horizon, vanishing from sight. The golden dragon of fortune slumped weakly down on what remained of the sea, pale and exhausted.

The cultivators in Dayin began murmuring to each other in shock, unable to believe what had just happened.