Immortal Father
Chapter 1107: 387: The Tenderness of that Strike

Chapter 1107: Chapter 387: The Tenderness of that Strike

The young Ksitigarbha lowered his head, gazing at the corpse lying on the ground.

He pressed his lips together slightly, the golden lotus shadow beneath his feet having already vanished.

The Heavenly Fury Guards, leading tens of thousands of celestial soldiers, began searching all of Ling Shan. In truth, it was merely an act of creating chaos, smashing some useless items to vent their dissatisfaction toward the Western Sect.

Such actions were merely surface-level revenge.

The true retribution lay in this Heavenly Emperor’s plan to strike at hearts.

Ksitigarbha stared at the corpse on the ground with a trace of distraction. He could sense that the seniors and juniors behind him had slightly distanced themselves from one another, beginning to guard and suspect one another.

He could even discern that his brothers did not harbor much hatred toward the quasi-Heavenly Emperor who struck the killing blow. Instead, their resentment and fear seemed directed toward the few Da Luo Realm seniors who had just thrown people out.

Killing to strike at the heart—such is the essence of this.

Ksitigarbha felt the overwhelming pressure descending upon him.

Only now did he understand why Fifth Brother, on his last departure, seemed so distracted, and why Second Brother, meeting him now, carried such weariness in his gaze.

Ksitigarbha sighed deeply, lowered his head to search, retrieved a few severed heads, placed them atop the bodies of these sect disciples, then knelt to one side, holding their hands in his own. Though their primordial spirits had been obliterated by Yuan Tu Sword, leaving them no chance for reincarnation, he still silently recited scriptures, praying for their rebirth.

No one knew how much time had passed, but Ling Shan gradually quieted down.

Ksitigarbha’s chanting slowly ceased. He unhurriedly took off his long robe, using it to cover the faces of his fallen juniors.

That quasi-Heavenly Emperor walked toward him and spoke softly: “Ksitigarbha, let me ask you a question.”

Ksitigarbha looked up at Li Ping’an, smiling helplessly.

Li Ping’an said, “To turn a blind eye to evil—is this not also evil?”

Ksitigarbha remained silent.

Li Ping’an passed by him with hands behind his back, striding toward the Heavenly Fury Guards waiting ahead.

His voice floated gently, as though reminiscing with an old friend, yet also seeming to talk to himself.

“The world praises the lotus for rising unstained from the mud, but in this world, where exists anything truly unstained?”

Ksitigarbha turned back to look at the departing immortals.

He hesitated, as if he wished to contradict the quasi-Heavenly Emperor’s words.

But when the words reached his lips, they dissolved into a resigned sigh.

Ksitigarbha pressed his palms together, stood, and bowed respectfully, speaking softly: “Farewell, Heavenly Emperor.”

Li Ping’an waved a hand, rode his cloud, and departed with the Heavenly Fury Guards, leaving only the wreckage across Ling Shan.

Ksitigarbha turned to gaze at the surroundings.

Most of the Western Sect disciples cast him kind looks, as though wishing to approach him.

After a brief pause, he turned and walked toward the back courtyard, his figure inevitably tinged with a certain melancholy.

“I ask my fellow disciples to give these departed juniors a proper burial.”

“Today the Heavenly Emperor came to demand justice—this was the karmic retribution of the wrongdoing sown by the Western Sect in the past. Heaven and earth are the chessboard; living beings are the threads. Henceforth, I urge my fellow disciples to refrain from acts that harm living beings.”

“As for the rest, I ask you not to inquire of me.”

Ksitigarbha’s voice dissipated as his figure vanished completely.

The news that the Twelve-tiered Golden Lotus continued to protect Ling Shan quickly spread far and wide.

…

“Ksitigarbha? He revealed himself? And he has the Twelve-tiered Golden Lotus with him?”

On the massive Cloud Boat heading toward the Heavenly Ruins.

Li Dazhi furrowed his brow as he listened to Li Ping’an’s narration, his brows tightly knit.

“The Twelve-tiered Golden Lotus was actually left behind in Ling Shan,” Li Dazhi muttered. “I almost forgot—over there remains Ksitigarbha King, a formidable figure, and the divine beast Diting?”

“No sight of it.”

Li Ping’an glanced at a few female immortals nearby who were drinking tea and snacking, then winked at his father.

Li Dazhi chuckled awkwardly, immediately realizing he’d almost let something slip.

The female immortals, however, seemed unfazed, as though accustomed to such things.

Li Dazhi laughed and sighed: “The Western Sect certainly has resilient vitality. I thought this time we could severely shake their Dao hearts—but you stopped me again from planting a demonic seed in their Dao hearts. Otherwise… tsk.”

“It’s enough to make them hesitant to act rashly next time.”

Li Ping’an took a sip of tea, his gaze growing slightly profound.

“Dad, I need to quickly finish handling affairs here, then return to Misty Realm for secluded cultivation. After breaking through the barriers of life and death, I’ve gained insights into three facets of the Great Dao. It seems this time my retreat will be quite long.”

“Indeed, you should retreat to consolidate your gains from the breakthrough.”

Li Dazhi sighed and said:

“I was still hoping the two of us could share a drink together, celebrate how our cultivation endeavors in the Vast Wilderness Heaven and Earth have reached new heights, envision the future, and chat about our ideals…”

“Stop, stop, stop!”

Li Ping’an quickly made a stopping gesture.

“Why are you applying your rambling philosophies to me? Please don’t use this path of reasoning as your path to Dao attainment.”

“Hahaha! It just slipped out!”

Li Dazhi winked mischievously at Li Ping’an.

Li Ping’an exhaled softly, slumping back in his chair and gazing slightly absentmindedly at the Cloud Boat’s ceiling.

“What is it?” Li Dazhi tucked his hands into his sleeves and leaned in. “Are you already feeling tired?”

“A little,” Li Ping’an admitted. “I was reviewing the inner Heavenly Dao’s turmoil from this time, looking for alternative solutions. Sometimes I feel a bit powerless—it’s essential to focus on increasing my strength.”

Li Dazhi chuckled: “You’ve already reached the Golden Immortal level. No need to rush—progress will come steadily. Once the inner Heavenly Dao is completely defeated, you’ll be able to use its power, won’t you?”

“We mustn’t rely entirely on the Heavenly Dao.”

Li Ping’an sighed deeply:

“Dad, perhaps you haven’t noticed, but I’ve felt the clearest difference.

Previously, I relied too heavily on the Heavenly Dao’s power. When that power was stripped away, I felt hollow, as though I had no worth.

The underlying logic of the Vast Wilderness is that the strong rule supreme. For us to establish order without the strength to challenge the Sect Hierarch, we’re bound to comply with their will… eventually, the Six Great Masters become the Six Saints.”