Chapter 440 – Success Achieved, Main Body Advances to Spirit Transformation

While White Jade Pine Deer and Eight Precepts Evil Buddha were locked in a stalemate, Lu Chen had long noticed the situation from afar.

However, a battle of this Immortal level was something he couldn’t possibly intervene in at his current state.

Therefore, Lu Chen wasn’t distracted by the earth-shattering battle in the distance. Instead, he focused even more intently on dealing with his own Heavenly Tribulation.

Since this was already his third Spirit Transformation Tribulation,

Lu Chen could clearly sense the difference between the Heavenly Dao of the Immortal Alliance Era and that of the ancient times.

If the Heavenly Dao of the ancient era was an existence possessing supreme power,

the current Heavenly Dao gave Lu Chen only two impressions… dull and rigid.

This was clearly because the Heavenly Dao of the Daluo World hadn’t fully awakened yet.

Thus, its own Great Dao essence wasn’t particularly strong.

But for Lu Chen, this wasn’t a bad thing at all—in fact, it was rather advantageous.

Originally, this third Deity Transformation tribulation was the most difficult among the three tribulations Lu Chen faced this time.

The Years and Time Way had very few masters throughout history, and even corresponding Cultivation Manuals rarely appeared.

This wasn’t only because the Years and Time Way was difficult to comprehend,

but also because those qualified to cultivate this Way were exceptionally rare—perhaps one in ten thousand.

In a sense, the Great Firmament Heavenly Dao was using this method to control the number of cultivators practicing the Years and Time Way in the Daluo World.

Since the Great Firmament Heavenly Dao didn’t want anyone to master the Years and Time Way in the Daluo World, the Heavenly Tribulation for this Way was naturally incredibly powerful.

Because once a cultivator reached the Deity Transformation Stage, they would completely merge with the Dao.

At this point, unless the Heavenly Dao directly intervened,

it would no longer be able to prevent the cultivator from continuing to practice the Years and Time Way.

It could be said that as long as Lu Chen could pass this tribulation,

his future path would be smooth sailing.

But this tribulation… wasn’t easy to overcome.

Feeling the increasingly terrifying heavenly lightning above his head, Lu Chen took a deep breath.

Although he had made thorough preparations, facing the majestic heavenly might above, Lu Chen still couldn’t help feeling some pressure.

This pressure was no less than making him face an actual living Immortal.

Rumble…

With a dull thunderclap,

a golden heavenly lightning descended from the sky.

The golden lightning illuminated the heavens, like divine punishment descending upon the world.

If an ordinary Nascent Soul Stage cultivator were to face this tribulation, they would definitely be unable to withstand this golden heavenly lightning.

Because this heavenly lightning already possessed genuine Deity Transformation Stage power.

It was the Great Dao Lightning.

This lightning could not only directly attack the cultivator’s Physical Body and Divine Soul, but could also strike at the cultivator’s own inherent Great Dao Foundation.

Forget about Nascent Soul Stage cultivators facing the tribulation,

even if a successfully tribulated Deity Transformation Stage cultivator were to come, they similarly wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

After all, damage to the Great Dao Foundation wasn’t something that could be easily repaired.

But despite facing such terrifying Great Dao Lightning,

Lu Chen didn’t pay it much mind, and even secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Because he discovered that this heavenly lightning was considerably weaker than he had anticipated.

Indeed, the Heavenly Tribulation in this era was just as he had thought.

In this era of declining spirituality, while it was difficult for cultivators to achieve Ascension,

the Realms below Ascension were relatively easier compared to the ancient times.

With this judgment, Lu Chen decided to hold nothing back.

Law of Heaven and Earth… Supreme Purity Celestial Venerable Dharma Image.The Supreme Purity Heavenly Lord of Dao and Virtue, in Lu Chen’s past life legends, was none other than Lord Lao of the Heavenly Court.

And Lu Chen had used the Three Lives Dao to imitate this heavenly lord’s dharma form.

Because the clone itself was part of Lu Chen’s abilities.

Thus, Lu Chen summoning this Deity Transformation Stage Three Lives Dao clone at this moment did not count as seeking external assistance.

Therefore, it did not trigger the Heavenly Tribulation’s response mechanism to amplify its power.

Having a clone with Deity Transformation Stage cultivation confront a Deity Transformation Stage tribulation.

This was undoubtedly a dimensional downgrade in combat.

So even though it was merely a clone, just this Supreme Purity Heavenly Lord clone alone.

Enabled Lu Chen to safely withstand several waves of Heavenly Tribulation.

Almost simultaneously with Lu Chen summoning this Supreme Purity Heavenly Lord clone.

The distant Eight Precepts Evil Buddha, who had been distractedly observing Lu Chen, seemed to finally comprehend something and exclaimed with sudden realization: “So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is. One Qi Transforms Into Three Purities, Three Purities Are Three Immortals.”

“The one who has been hindering us all along… was actually the same person.”

Seeing Eight Precepts Evil Buddha still having the leisure to speak distractedly at such a time.

White Jade Pine Deer certainly wouldn’t indulge him.

Clang!

A sword light cut through the sky, precisely striking Eight Precepts Evil Buddha’s chest.

This sword strike came suddenly, and appeared while Eight Precepts Evil Buddha was distracted.

Thus Eight Precepts Evil Buddha failed to react quickly enough and was struck by the sword.

The sword light hitting Eight Precepts Evil Buddha’s buddha body produced a piercing metallic sound.

As if White Jade Pine Deer was striking refined iron.

A deep wound reaching the bone immediately appeared on Eight Precepts Evil Buddha’s chest.

Yet facing such severe injury, Eight Precepts Evil Buddha appeared quite unconcerned.

“Amitabha, the physical body is but superficial appearance. Don’t tell me you thought such sword intent alone could truly harm me, Benefactor Bai?”

As Eight Precepts Evil Buddha spoke, the wound on his chest began rapidly healing.

And within an extremely short time, completely recovered.

Leaving no trace of injury visible.

In contrast, those injuries left from ancient times still affected him.

Demonstrating how powerful those who had struck him before truly were.

However, White Jade Pine Deer wasn’t particularly surprised by this sword strike’s effect.

After all, she never expected this single strike to cause significant damage to Eight Precepts Evil Buddha.

Battles between Immortals were inherently difficult to decide quickly.

Not to mention Eight Precepts Evil Buddha was a genuine True Immortal.

Yet White Jade Pine Deer’s sword strike wasn’t entirely without achievement.

Just when Eight Precepts Evil Buddha thought White Jade Pine Deer’s attack had concluded.

Thick vines suddenly emerged from the ground, rapidly ascending to entwine Eight Precepts Evil Buddha’s body.

The sudden appearance of the vines stunned Eight Precepts Evil Buddha momentarily.

As this was a situation he had never anticipated.

But mere vines, don’t think…

“Wait, these vines are wrong! These are Innate Spiritual Tree roots!”

“When did your true form enter the Grave of Ten Thousand Fiends!”

Sensing the peculiar nature of the surrounding vines, Eight Precepts Evil Buddha could no longer maintain his composure.

Because he could clearly feel something had already entangled his Dao intent within his body.

If he didn’t break free quickly, his True Spirit would separate from his current physical body.

Although even with just his True Immortal spirit, Eight Precepts Evil Buddha still possessed immense power.

But one must not forget – his enemy was also a True Immortal.If he couldn’t deal with these vines from the Innate Spiritual Tree, he might truly be captured by the White Jade Pine Deer and suppressed once more.

The reason he hadn’t considered this earlier was primarily due to the difference between the Dao intent of Immortals and Celestial Beings.

Places like the Grave of Ten Thousand Fiends were filled with the distorted Heavenly Dao intent of the Nine Realms.

The Eight Precepts Evil Buddha was like a fish in water in such an environment.

The White Jade Pine Deer, however, was completely the opposite here—restricted at every turn.

This was also why the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha hadn’t regarded the White Jade Pine Deer as a threat initially.

When the cultivation gap between both sides wasn’t significant, choosing the Grave of Ten Thousand Fiends as the battlefield would infinitely amplify the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha’s advantages.

But this advantage vanished entirely after the White Jade Pine Deer moved her true form into the Grave of Ten Thousand Fiends.

However, doing so would undoubtedly worsen the White Jade Pine Deer’s corruption by the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao.

Though the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha had been verbally tempting the White Jade Pine Deer to join them, he knew full well that she could never integrate into the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao.

Because her Immortal Foundation was rooted in the Great Firmament Heavenly Dao.

Without the Great Firmament Heavenly Dao, her strength would diminish by over ninety percent.

At this point, if the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao willed it, it could devour her completely at any moment.

“Madness, madness! It seems you’ve truly lost your mind, Benefactor Bai.”

“With your cultivation, even if the conflict between the two realms ends in defeat, you could remain unscathed and attain great freedom in the new Nine Realms.”

“But by acting this way now, you’re only forcing yourself into the game prematurely. When that happens, you’ll lose your final bargaining chip and become a mere pawn on the chessboard.”

“Is suppressing me worth such a great cost to you?”

Hearing this, the White Jade Pine Deer in the distance remained utterly calm, as if the one paying the heavy price mentioned by the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha wasn’t her at all.

“Cost? Compared to letting you disrupt my master’s breakthrough, I’m merely expending some Lifespan. What kind of cost is that?”

“…”

The White Jade Pine Deer’s words plunged the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha into silence.

Although neither side had spoken much about Lu Chen from start to finish, both understood clearly in their hearts.

Ever since the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha recognized Lu Chen’s identity from afar, the objective of their battle had shifted.

If his initial goal was to break free from the White Jade Pine Deer’s restraints, his current aim was to quickly shake her off and prevent Lu Chen from successfully achieving his Breakthrough.

Otherwise, leveraging the advantage of the terrain, the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha wouldn’t need to rush—he could simply engage in a prolonged stalemate with the White Jade Pine Deer here.

After all, he could afford to wait, but the White Jade Pine Deer could not.

Yet Lu Chen’s appearance disrupted this balance.

Though the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha could sense that Lu Chen was merely undergoing the Spirit Transformation Tribulation, he had an inexplicable, ominous premonition.

If Lu Chen succeeded in his Breakthrough, the outcome awaiting him would be far from favorable.

While a Deity Transformation cultivator slaying a Celestial Being was nearly impossible, if it were that person, he might just accomplish it.

Seeing that his inner thoughts had been exposed by the White Jade Pine Deer, the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha decided to conceal them no longer.

Eight Laws… Killing.

The Eight Laws originated from the Eight Precepts.

The original precept of non-killing had been cultivated by the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha into killing.

He had even refined it into something akin to a Heavenly Dao.Thus, the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha at his peak was equivalent to an existence that had mastered a full eight great Daos of heaven and earth.

However, as his cultivation had not yet fully recovered, he had lost seven of his eight precepts.

Even so, the moment the Dao of Killing appeared, it revealed its terrifying nature.

Under the influence of the Dao of Killing, the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha’s single arm transformed into an illusory great saber.

This saber struck the vines entangling him, needing only a few slashes to sever them.

These vines were all part of the White Jade Pine Deer’s true form, so whenever a vine was cut, a subtle change would appear on her face, clearly indicating she felt pain.

Yet the White Jade Pine Deer was no ordinary being.

Seeing that the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha had revealed his Dao intent, she too began to contend with him through Dao intent.

At this stage, it had essentially achieved the effect the White Jade Pine Deer desired.

After all, once Dao intent was forced out, it meant the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha could not easily withdraw it.

Otherwise, he would suffer backlash from his own Dao intent, affecting himself.

Although the same would happen to the White Jade Pine Deer, she was already satisfied just to be able to stall the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha.

For a time, the clash between the two True Immortals affected the very heavens and earth around the Grave of Ten Thousand Fiends.

On one side, Buddhist chants rose incessantly; on the other, Sword Qi crisscrossed wildly.

Fortunately, this great battle was taking place within the Grave of Ten Thousand Fiends.

Had it occurred within the Immortal Alliance, the mere aftershocks would have been enough to destroy an entire province of the alliance.

Such was the scale of battle at the Immortal level—truly capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Strangely, however, such intense aftershocks did not affect Biyou Mountain in the slightest, and thus did not disrupt Lu Chen’s breakthrough.

A closer look would reveal that the White Jade Pine Deer had been continuously blocking the Dao aftershocks rushing toward Biyou Mountain.

Yet, this made her situation undoubtedly more difficult.

Not only did she have to contend with the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha’s Dao of Killing and resist the corruption of the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao within the Grave of Ten Thousand Fiends, but she also had to block the Dao aftershocks heading for Biyou Mountain.

This meant she had to divide her focus three ways.

In contrast, the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha was clearly in a much better position.

At this moment, he only needed to focus on dealing with the White Jade Pine Deer.

As the balance shifted, cracks began to spread increasingly across the White Jade Pine Deer’s body.

The cracks had even extended beyond her arms, reaching halfway up her torso.

This indicated that her Dao foundation had been corrupted by the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao to more than half its extent.

This was undoubtedly bad news.

But the White Jade Pine Deer acted as if she did not notice.

Not only did she ignore the spreading injuries, she even intensified her suppression of the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha.

Clearly, she was prepared to shatter the jade and the stone together, ready to perish along with him.

This madness reminded the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha of the White Jade Pine Deer in her prime.

Back then, she had been just as insane—so insane that she sought to perish together with the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao alone.

A lunatic. Though she bore the appearance of a Fairy, she was an utter madwoman.

She was more like a Gu Xian than the Gu Xian themselves.

But when the tide of destiny arose, even madness was nothing more than a final struggle before death.

And now, he, the Eight Precepts Evil Buddha, was that tide.

For as the White Jade Pine Deer fell deeper under the influence of the Nine Realms Heavenly Dao…Seizing the opportunity, Eight Precepts Evil Buddha cleaved through her Dao intent with a single saber strike, landing squarely on White Jade Pine Deer’s Sword Tower.

This single blow instantly inflicted severe damage upon White Jade Pine Deer.

Even the manifestation of her Sword Tower’s Law of Heaven and Earth could no longer be maintained.

Yet Eight Precepts Evil Buddha’s expression did not relax in the slightest.

For during his entanglement with White Jade Pine Deer, the distant Heavenly Tribulation… had vanished.

In its place, three terrifying manifestations of the Law of Heaven and Earth now stood towering around Biyou Mountain.

Without a doubt, it appeared Lu Chen… had successfully achieved his Breakthrough.

(End of Chapter)