Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 1014 - 824 Unwilling Heart

Chapter 1014: Chapter 824 Unwilling Heart

"The Mausoleum of the First Emperor?"

Li Xuan looked slightly surprised as he gazed towards the north. He had never expected that Dasiming would hide such a thing here.

This place was going to be somewhat troublesome.

"This location is rather sensitive," Li Lexing said with a slight smile as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back. "However, as long as you don’t go deep into the mausoleum for the time being, there shouldn’t be much of a problem."

Li Xuan pondered for a moment, "The problem isn’t big, but we still need to make some preparations. Later, our ancestor might accompany me to Putuo Mount."

"Putuo Mount?"

Li Lexing’s eyebrows rose slightly. He knew that Putuo Mount was the sacred place of that Bodhisattva.

"Are you sure, Li Xuan? You and Buddhism are sworn enemies."

"As long as the interests align, even sworn enemies can become friends."

The corners of Li Xuan’s lips curved upward: "I’ve heard it said that a person who wants to achieve great things must unite all the forces that can be united. I’ve never opposed Buddhism. I only oppose Buddhism’s confusing and controlling of believers’ thoughts, and exploiting their followers for money and benefits."

"But as for Avalokitesvara, Samantabhadra, and even Dizang—gods who deserve belief—as long as they do not stand in my way, what harm do they do to me or the Court? We need to change our thinking. The world is so vast; why must the Emperor of the Centre engage in inner competition?"

"Inner competition?" Li Lexing asked puzzled.

"It means internal strife," Li Xuan explained. "To exert more effort, competing for limited resources."

He pointed eastwards, "If I use the southern Shanbu continent as a bargaining chip, do you think that Bodhisattva would agree?"

The southern Shanbu continent is the territory of Shendu, the world where Shakya Muni was born.

People from Shendu think of their place as the center of the world.

Li Lexing’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully, "In the past, Laozi exited through Hangu Pass and transformed barbarians into Buddhists, thus Buddhism was once flourishing in Shendu. Back then, there weren’t Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Samantabhadra in the Central Plains."

"Shendu, with its vast territory and large population—a place of so-called barbarians—provides willpower that is no different, and it is said they are even more devout. Logically speaking, if I were Avalokitesvara, I too would prefer Shendu."

"That’s what you’d call internal consumption when there’s no external market to explore."

Li Xuan laughed, "Beyond the Centre, there’s not only Shendu; the entire mortal realm is approximately fifty times larger than all of Taixu Heaven, with a potential population reaching six to seven hundred billion. If Buddhism is willing to work for me, I might even support them in conquering the countless divine realms."

The world’s grain yield is four times that of Earth, and the land area is three times greater, so even by the most conservative estimation, sustaining six hundred billion people is well within possibility.

And it is said, beyond Taixu, there are countless worlds like the mortal realm, just farther away and with harsher environments.

With the great Divine Skills of cultivators, it might be possible to transform those worlds.

Take Yinghuo Star for example—perhaps in the future it could become a cradle for human proliferation and the flourishing of gods and Buddhas.

Qiluo, who was not far behind, frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Samantabhadra—these were all once disciples of the Saint.

Although these individuals had already left their teachings, their relationship with the Saint was complicated.

What Li Xuan was doing could be seen as aiding the enemy.

But when she tried to speak up, she found herself unable to voice an objection.

Li Xuan had already discussed this matter with her, but Qiluo couldn’t come up with a solid argument against it.

Moreover, tying up these disciples of the Saint in the Outer Void of Shendu wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Upon hearing this, Li Lexing had a different sentiment. He thought that this was the magnanimity a Heaven Emperor should possess.

Why focus on just a tiny piece of the Centre when the world is so vast and engaging in fratricide and infighting?

Only at this moment did he truly believe that Li Xuan had the potential to ascend to the throne of the Heaven Emperor.

"I’m not certain it will work, but it’s worth a try," he said.

Li Lexing’s eyes sparkled as he earnestly contemplated Li Xuan’s strategy: "Choosing Randeng, Maitreya, and Dari may not result in an alliance with you, but figures like Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Samantabhadra, and Dizang, rumored to be disciples of the Centre’s Taoism Saints from ancient times, used to be known as Daluo Golden Immortals, equivalent to the peak of Holy Heaven, similar to the achievement of Buddha in Buddhism."

"Today, although these four are revered in the Centre and worshipped by the populace, they face ostracism within Buddhism and remain at the level of Bodhisattva."

"Then let’s give it a try," Li Xuan said with a smile: "Let’s first see what the attitude of this Bodhisattva is."

It was at this moment he saw, out on the distant sea, the Heavenly Empress Puji standing on a lotus, nodding towards him.

Li Xuan also offered a slight smile and courteously returned the gesture.

As he lifted his head, the figure of the Heavenly Empress Puji dissipated into thin air.

But by this time, the battle throughout the marine region was nearing its conclusion.

Since the True Spirit of the Kunpeng Emperor had been annihilated, the remaining five million deep-sea troops collapsed completely.

Already gravely demoralized, they instinctively turned tail and fled upon losing Kunpeng’s control.

The forces under Li Xuan could not pursue, for beneath the sea, a bloody feast of Taotie was taking place.

The sea demons from the South Sea and Fusou were frantically devouring the bodies of their enemies. The troops under the Dragon Palace joined in, though their manners were slightly more refined.

There was nothing Li Xuan could do about this, as the big demons of the deep sea did not practice grain avoidance.

They survived on blood and flesh, and while the marine resources were plentiful, it was very difficult to provide enough meat for a concentrated deep-sea army numbering in the millions within an area of just two hundred square miles.