The Strongest Mythical Emperor
Chapter 790 - Persuading Tathāgata

Chapter 790: Chapter 790 - Persuading Tathāgata

News of Randeng’s intent to battle the Sea Pole Palace spread across hundreds of domains, but the Sea Pole Palace was among the most low-profile entities within the six palaces and three lands, and compared to the influence of the Nine Emperors of the realm, it was considerably weaker.

However, the consecutive challenges to the six palaces and three lands had been causing the calls for the Nine Emperors to grow increasingly loud.

It was time to select a new supreme overlord!

"Everyone is saying that an era of great conflict is coming, but I say it’s a Great Tribulation indeed!"

"Wars erupting among the various lords will bring suffering to the whole world!"

"To the victor belong the spoils, are you still afraid? I have already prepared to join the Hall of Heavenly Destiny!"

"Join the Hall of Heavenly Destiny? If you’ve got the guts, follow me into the Great Qin’s heavenly court!"

"Though the Holy Emperor of Qin and the Demon Emperor are strong, they don’t compare to the depth of the Hall of Heavenly Destiny and the Netherworld."

"Is there no one who wishes to join Randeng’s banner with me?"

Such discussions were circulating throughout the various domains, and a trend of pledging allegiance to the dominant leaders sprang up in an instant.

As the foremost of his time, the Emperor of Heavenly Destiny’s influence was unmatched by anyone, although the requirements of the Hall of Heavenly Destiny were extremely high.

On the other hand, Randeng accepted all sorts indiscriminately, welcoming any who came.

The requirements for living beings to join the Great Qin’s heavenly court were not as high as those of the Hall of Heavenly Destiny, but there were still standards, to prevent those with treacherous hearts from infiltrating.

Forces listed on the Dominance Leaderboard nearly all benefited, which spelled trouble for the remaining smaller forces.

The stream of cultivators departed from their sects, and potential talents from various races also defected, creating an atmosphere of solemnity before the war that spread throughout the world.

Elsewhere.

Qin Jun, accompanied by Tang Sanzang, arrived at the heavenly prison.

Tathāgata, whose cultivation had been destroyed by Patriarch Bodhi, lay in front of the prison wall, lifeless, with eyes void of spirit.

Even the arrival of Qin Jun and the other did not stir him.

"Master, why go through this?" Tang Sanzang sighed. Although the bond of master and disciple was from several lifetimes ago, seeing Tathāgata in such a pitiful state, he still found it hard to bear.

Tathāgata did not respond, continuing to stare blankly at the corner of the wall.

Qin Jun approached him and said with a soft laugh, "Tathāgata, what is the point of this?"

Tathāgata gave him a glance and sarcastically laughed, "Even if I die, I want you to suffer."

In recent days, Tang Sanzang and Bai Ze had been inquiring about the Bodhi Tree of Nirvana, and he was no fool; he instantly understood that someone important by Qin Jun’s side needed the Bodhi of Nirvana.

"Do you so wish to die?" Qin Jun’s lips twitched with an expression that suggested he thought the other was an idiot.

Seeing his face, Tathāgata felt an inexplicable anger surge and snorted, "Do you think you would let me off?"

"Why wouldn’t I?" Qin Jun retorted.

At these words, Tathāgata’s eyes widened and Tang Sanzang was visibly moved.

Tang Sanzang started to say something but then stopped. Although he felt sympathy for Tathāgata, he understood that if Tathāgata were released, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"What exactly do you want?" Tathāgata asked through clenched teeth.

If it meant he could live, what was the sacrifice of the Bodhi Tree of Nirvana to him?

But he dared not believe Qin Jun.

"Do you only hate me?" Qin Jun replied with an unrelated question.

"What else then?" Tathāgata’s face turned ugly, thinking that Qin Jun was kicking him while he was down, humiliating him.

"What about Randeng?" Qin Jun asked.

Tathāgata’s expression changed in an instant; having regained the memories of his past life, he naturally understood that Randeng was an incarnation of an Ancient Buddha. It was just that Randeng had inexplicably tried to take his territory and badly injured him, which upset him greatly.

Had it not been for Randeng’s appearance, how could he have fallen into such a wretched state?

So now he felt only hatred for Randeng.

As for the camaraderie of former fellow disciples, he didn’t care about it in the slightest. Randeng had been unkind, so why should he be righteous?

"Randeng is doing quite well for himself now, aiming to snatch the endless seas from the Sea Pole Palace. And then there’s you," Qin Jun said with a smile that resembled a devil tempting Tathāgata.

Upon hearing this, a rage burned in Tathāgata’s heart.

"To be frank, I’ve taken a liking to your strength. As long as you sincerely repent and join my Great Qin Celestial Court, I assure you, your life will be far better than it was in the Western Regions," Qin Jun coaxed earnestly.

Tathāgata, of course, opposed the idea, but Qin Jun began to persuade him.

He deliberately exaggerated Randeng’s achievements and allure, while tossing more sugar-coated bombs at Tathāgata.

Tang Sanzang stood by with his mouth agape, having never before witnessed someone pressuring Tathāgata in such a manner.

The key point was that from Tathāgata’s perspective, he found Qin Jun’s arguments surprisingly sensible, even feeling Randeng was utterly unforgivable, far worse than Qin Jun.

A full hour was spent in conversation.

Tathāgata sat cross-legged on the ground, eyes closed in thought. Compared to his previously lifeless demeanor, he seemed vastly different.

This indicated that he was already tempted.

Qin Jun was in no rush and smiled, "First, hand over the Nirvana Bodhi Tree to me. As for joining me, you can take your time to consider. I am ruthless to my enemies, but I have never broken my promise."

He spoke these words with no guilt in his heart.

He never initiated trouble or deceit, but anyone who dared to anger him couldn’t be saved by heaven or hell.

Tathāgata frowned slightly, but eventually sighed, "So be it!"

He didn’t want to die just like that...

He painted the Pure Land as a beautiful place, but even gods and Buddhas do not wish to meet their end.

As soon as he finished speaking, he flipped his hand and a withered tree appeared beside him. It was two meters tall, leafless, and looked as if it had been scorched by fire. Numerous Nirvana Bodhi fruits hung from its branches.

Qin Jun was overjoyed and immediately picked one fruit. He then turned to Tathāgata with a smile, "Keep the tree for yourself. The Nirvana Bodhi Tree is, after all, a holy treasure. No one but you could cultivate it."

It was a strategy of releasing the capture to catch even more.

Although Tathāgata understood this, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat less animosity towards Qin Jun.

Qin Jun didn’t press him further and turned to leave the cell, eager for Liu Ruolai to consume the Nirvana Bodhi.

In the cell, Tang Sanzang and Tathāgata were left looking at each other in silence.

Tang Sanzang, looking down at the cross-legged Tathāgata, sighed, "In the face of absolute power, even the Buddha is a joke. Master, haven’t you realized this yet?"

"I originally vowed to save all sentient beings. Alas, upon my arrival in this world, people despised Buddha, and I had to resort to extraordinary measures," Tathāgata lamented.

Life in the Western Regions actually improved after his arrival, and he never compelled any monks to join Buddhism.

It was his mistake to oppose the Great Qin Celestial Court and to covet Sun Wukong.

"Amitabha, your actions have already caused the world to be prejudiced against Buddha. How many virtuous deeds will it take to resolve this?" Tang Sanzang, with his hands clasped together, chanted.

Before Tathāgata could reply, Tang Sanzang continued, "How many died in the battle of the Western Regions? The killing calamity rose because of you. If you are indeed an ancestor of Buddhism, you should repent and strive to make amends, not just seek an easy death."

Tathāgata’s brow furrowed deeply, at a loss for words in response to Tang Sanzang.

He, too, wished to live.

...

Qin Jun hurried back to the palace, where Liu Ruolai was playing in Zhu Yanqing’s bedchamber. Upon hearing that Zhu Yanqing was with child, her excitement surpassed even Qin Jun’s.

"Sister Zhu, does your belly hurt?"

At the stone table, Liu Ruolai touched Zhu Yanqing’s belly with utmost caution and asked.

Zhu Yanqing smiled with a hint of helplessness and lightly tapped Liu Ruolai’s forehead, saying, "How could it possibly hurt! You’ll understand one day, this feeling is very blissful."

Liu Ruolai’s cheeks flushed at her words. Because her vital energy had dissipated, Qin Jun dared not touch her, fearing any mishaps.

Thus, regarding that matter, she was both curious and bashful.

"Ruolai, the Nirvana Bodhi has been obtained!"

Qin Jun’s laughter rang out, drawing the attention of the two women.