Years ago, when Qi Yang first stepped into this sea of vengeance, he never considered the outcome. In one ear, he heard the wailing of all beings’ evil karma; in the other, Nan Yan’s gentle yet firm pleas. Perhaps Ying Ze was right—those who cling to the mortal world are destined to fail.
The chaos in Qi Yang’s eyes began to resist. “I don’t know what’s worth believing, but I think holding power and authority allows one to keep what they desire.”
Nan Yan gazed at him steadily. “Shao Cang, search your heart. Do you truly want to kill them? To kill me?”
“Why not? If the four seas return to darkness, everyone can achieve immortality,” Qi Yang paused, confusion and struggle flashing in his eyes before he added, “As long as you don’t resist me.”
“And if we do resist?”
Qi Yang’s brows twitched slightly as the surrounding mist transformed into numerous scenes. These visions showed evil spirits prowling at night, separations of life and death, masses wailing, different races fighting, and political intrigue.
He pointed to one scene that Nan Yan recognized as Shen State. Despite the catastrophe outside, people there were still engrossed in power struggles, taking advantage of their provincial lord’s fall in Mao State to seize positions.
“They’ll soon not need to resist. All the hatred, greed, and slaughter of the living will find peace in the netherworld,” Qi Yang said, then looked in another direction where Yin Ya was confronting the remnants of the Sumeru Turtle demon clan. “He won’t be troubled by traitors anymore.”
Nan Yan shook her head. “Do you know why the sea of suffering is boundless?”
“Why?”
“Crossing the sea of suffering is like journeying through life. One must first know the bitterness of the sea to appreciate the sweetness of the shore. Take him, for example. Though branded a traitor, he holds to his principles. His infamy serves as his shield.”
Qi Yang lowered his gaze. “All seekers in this world pursue immortality.”
The scene shifted, showing the demon clan remnants saying something provocative before attacking Yin Ya. Mu Zhanting, enraged, immediately joined the fray, turning the situation into chaos.
“At least my brother isn’t a seeker. He’s a hero of the mortal world,” she said.
Qi Yang paused briefly, then asked intently, “What about… the Buddhist?”
Nan Yan’s eyes reflected his image. She thought of the fateful lock that bound them together, realizing Shao Cang could have removed it long ago but chose to keep it until now. She wondered how many times they had shared laughter while Qi Yang endured excruciating pain to be with her.
The howling of countless ghosts in his left ear was overshadowed by an urgent feeling. The chaos in Qi Yang’s eyes grew more unstable. “If it’s irreversible, what would a Buddhist do?”
“A Buddhist would beg you to spare all beings, and then…” A tear of mortal attachment finally fell from her eye. “Sacrifice themselves to feed the demon.”
[Scene change]
“Mother, the sky has cleared,” a child said.
The mother, still tearful, replied, “Your father is gone. Why care about the weather? Once the immortal masters’ formation breaks, we’ll join him…”
“But Mother, Father seems to be moving!”
At that moment, an excited cheer came from afar.
“The ghost tide is dispersing! It’s dispersing!!!”
The ghost tide that had ravaged the States for so long suddenly vanished. Bodies that were still intact and not more than seven days old gradually came back to life…
Three days later, as Fengdu returned to the heavens and the morning star rose as usual, countless people felt a long-lost peace.
“It’s over, it’s over…”
“What happened during those days I was dead?”
“The great battle at the strait between Zi and Yin States… I heard the Dragon Lord and others used destructor arrows to kill Xuan… BAh we needn’t fear him hearing now. That madman nearly brought down the world!”
“I heard it wasn’t the Dragon Lord, but the Buddhist Repentance Master who returned?”
“Which Buddhist Repentance Master? Oh, you mean the one from Mao State…”
“Yes, people from my sect are rushing to Chou Mountain Temple in Mao State to pay respects to this Fifth Decline powerhouse.”
In Mao State, cultivators from various regions arrived late, each with their agenda. This forced the Precious Qi Tathagata to address these worldly matters before he could fully recover.
“The ringleader from Zi State has been executed. Why doesn’t the Buddhist Repentance Master lead us to eliminate the remaining culprits in Zi State?”
“Hundreds of thousands died in this calamity. We can’t give these villains a chance to breathe!”
“My Wu State swears vengeance! We won’t rest until everyone in Zi State is dead!”
The Precious Qi Tathagata understood their true motives. Zi State was a supreme holy land in the cultivation world, rich in heavenly materials and earthly treasures, with profound sect foundations. Now that the tiger was away from the mountain, these small fry, though not daring to compete with the major States, were eager to get a share of Zi State. They came hoping to persuade the Chou Mountain Buddhist Sea to take action.
Treasure Qi Tathagata sighed, believing Chen State was now bustling with activity. He addressed the crowd, “Let’s remain calm. Firstly, although Dao Sheng Tian caused this calamity, the ringleaders have been punished. Some remaining cultivators still uphold justice, so we shouldn’t judge them all harshly. Secondly, we’ve investigated Zi State’s situation. The Fengdu summoned by Dao Sheng Tian seems to linger above it, and the Emperor of Fengdu remains. I fear Zi State has become a dangerous place…”
The crowd fell silent, fear evident in many faces. However, someone angrily spoke up, “Are we just going to let this go? If we don’t seize the opportunity first, what if the newly emerged Demon Nation occupies Zi State? Wouldn’t that be a huge loss for us?”
Treasure Qi Tathagata watched the commotion for a while before suddenly smiling. “There’s no need to panic. The Demon Emperor spent time cultivating in my Worry Mountain Buddhist Sea during his youth. His nature is pure and kind, with the Dharma name Zhen Fang. Bring them in.”
As if prepared in advance, people brought out portraits, and Treasure Qi Tathagata began showcasing his disciple’s achievements.
“This is Zhen Fang’s small regular script calligraphy from his early twenties. Isn’t it beautiful? My fellow disciples said it had a Zen quality.”
“This box contains the wooden fish Zhen Fang broke. I always reminded him not to use so much force. Ah how embarrassing.”
“For my 840th birthday, Zhen Fang had this kasaya made for me. It’s too gaudy with its gold and jade inlays. I’m almost embarrassed to show it…”
This display of pride in his disciple left many cultivators confused. Treasure Qi Tathagata explained further, revealing that the new Demon Emperor was a Nightmare Fox who fed on fierce ghosts. Although Fengdu had dispersed, fierce ghosts still ran rampant. If they didn’t want their states to be constantly plagued by these spirits, the new Demon Nation would be worth ten Mao States.
Most people were somewhat reassured, but some remained unsatisfied. “Master, those not of our kind must have different intentions. Even if you say you have a connection with this new Demon Emperor, they’re now between Zi State and Yin State’s waters. We should at least prevent the Demon Nation from occupying Zi State if we’re not going there ourselves!”
As others nodded in agreement, Treasure Qi Tathagata, seeing he couldn’t calm them, said, “It’s not that we’re unwilling to explore Zi State. The problem is that the Emperor of Fengdu has appeared, and Zi State is his homeland. It’s still enveloped by Fengdu, remaining a netherworld prison…”
“Then why doesn’t the Buddha Repentance Master come out?!”
Suddenly, a propitious cloud appeared in the distance. Everyone looked up to see two flood dragons guarding a stone coffin as it slowly descended in front of Worry Mountain Temple. Ten Nascent Soul realm cultivators carefully placed the coffin down.
The crowd dispersed as a spatial passage opened on the coffin’s side, and Ao Guanghan stepped out, looking displeased.
“The Buddha Repentance Master has gone to recuperate after battling Ying Zeyiwei. As for Zi State, you needn’t worry. The ringleaders have been punished; only young disciples remain.” Noticing the greedy looks on some faces, Ao Guanghan added, “But don’t say I didn’t warn you. Zi State’s entire territory is now Fengdu’s foothold, with the netherworld hell beneath. Go if you wish, but it means certain death.”
Remembering the recent Nine Hells disaster, people shuddered. “Dao Sheng Tian caused such a catastrophe. How can we let it go so easily? And what about the Emperor of Fengdu… Who knows if he’ll raise another ghost tide?”
“I’ve agreed with Dao Sheng Tian’s remaining faction. They’ll seclude themselves for 300 years. As for the Emperor of Fengdu…” Ao Guanghan tapped the stone coffin. “Worry Mountain Temple’s disciples convinced him to seal himself for 300 years. He’s right here. Who dares to open the coffin?”
Everyone stepped back in shock, staring fearfully at the coffin containing the Emperor of Fengdu.
In silence, Ao Guanghan calmly said, “Forty-nine Destruction Iron nails secure this demon-sealing stone coffin, along with Worry Mountain Temple’s Nine Tribulation Pagoda. Whether god or demon, nothing can break out. Are you all at ease now?”
The cultivators from various states and sects repeatedly scanned the coffin with their divine sense, confirming that someone was indeed sealed inside. Only then did they begin to relax.
“Although they’re just Destruction Iron nails, such iron is incredibly rare. Only Chen State has such grand gestures.”
“After this ordeal, we’re willing to respect the Dragon Lord as our superior and follow Chen State’s lead…”
After a round of flattery and pledges of loyalty, Ao Guanghan watched the cultivators leave before sighing to Treasure Qi Tathagata.
“… That child Nan Yan acted recklessly, re-establishing the Shared Fate Lock and forcing Ji Yang to willingly seal himself for 300 years. Please have Worry Mountain Temple place him in the Nine Tribulation Pagoda.”
Treasure Qi Tathagata sighed deeply. “Why hasn’t Zhen Yuan returned?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps he’s too heartbroken and went wandering. The Demon Nation’s young leader sent this person out.”
Treasure Qi Tathagata chanted “Amitabha” and said, “I understand the coffin’s wonder. If no one were inside, it couldn’t be sealed. This way, cultivators worldwide can rest easy.”
As the turmoil subsided, Ao Guanghan watched the monks carry the stone coffin to the Nine Tribulation Pagoda, feeling somewhat emotional.
“It’s a pity for this child. I hope she understands that true love endures through these 300 years of separation…”
Ao Guanghan had barely finished speaking when the person in the coffin couldn’t help but continue—
“If love is meant to last, why worry about seeing each other daily? When we meet again before flowers and under the moon, I fear my head will be covered in grass.”
Ao Guanghan: “…”
Treasure Qi Tathagata: “…”
At this moment, someone inside the coffin began tapping on the walls: “Has everyone left? I’m burning up in here. That was a good act. Dragon Lord, let me out! Hey? Can anyone hear me…”
Treasure Qi Tathagata: “Dragon Lord, didn’t you just say the Emperor of Fengdu was sealed in this coffin?”
Ao Guanghan gritted his teeth: “That’s right, it’s him. Immediately throw this world-destroying heretic into the well beneath the Nine Tribulation Pagoda. Don’t let him reappear in the world.”
…
Winter ended unusually early that year. The spring god of the Mortal State eagerly coaxed new buds to sprout from branches and fields, revealing a touch of pleasing green.
Nan Yan deliberately avoided the fresh green along the field ridges, her steps light and quick.
“… So, to uphold justice for all living beings and maintain world peace, I, a disciple of the Zhen generation from Worry Mountain Buddhist Sea, will now take on the responsibility of strict supervision. I vow to guide you, a world-destroying evil spirit, towards enlightenment. Do you have any objections?”
“This evil spirit sincerely repents and dares not object.”
“Even if you did, it wouldn’t matter. This poor nun talked herself hoarse to convince my father to pull you back from 300 years of imprisonment. The agreement of 100,000 good deeds to redeem your evil ghost self means escape is impossible, not in this life or the next.”
“100,000 good deeds?”
“This poor nun knows it sounds like a lot, but don’t be afraid. That’s where I, your senior, come in to teach you. Performing 100,000 good deeds is like building a tower of sand. Do three good deeds a day, 365 days a year, and that’s 1,095 good deeds. In 100 years, you’ll have done 109,500 good deeds. Calculate it yourself – 100 years is better than being stuck in a coffin for 300 years, right?”
As Nan Yan spoke, she unconsciously walked ahead. When she looked back, she saw the person who had agreed to walk with her from start to finish smiling at her.
“Then, may I ask my senior, can we start with the first deed – a lifelong commitment?”
— End of the main text.