Above the Great Dao-Chapter 1409 - 657: Strongest Spirit Root (Part 2)

Lady Houtu said, "When the Ancient Lamp Buddha was still a Daoist, he studied under the Yuqing Sect, so he understands the cultivation methods of the Taoist sects very well."

As they spoke, the eight-armed Demon God beneath the Divine Tree had already risen, engaging King Li head-on.

Although King Li was merely simulating the Supreme Realm using a Magical Treasure, he was still extraordinary. For a moment, Chen Shi felt as though King Li was a Saint standing tall against the heavens, maneuvering the Thirty-Three Layer Dao Realms and displaying unparalleled Daoist skills!

The gap between him and King Li was too vast. He couldn't discern how far King Li was from becoming an Immortal Dao Saint, he just felt King Li was invincible.

"The Dao Realm within this Pagoda is indeed a Buddhist Dao Realm."

He observed carefully, noting that the Dao Realm within the Exquisite Treasure Tower differed from the Great Dao Phenomenon of a normal Dao Realm. The Dao Realm inside the Pagoda showcased the scenery of a Buddha Country, Sumeru Mountain, Nirvana, the Relic Tower, Treasure Elephant, Bodhi Tree, all seemingly refined using Buddhist Daoist Skills into a Magical Treasure.

"Buddhist Dao Skills are different from the Immortal Dao, worthy of study," he thought to himself.

King Li was clashing with the eight-armed Demon God under the tree, unleashing the power of the Exquisite Treasure Tower to the fullest. In just a few moves, he broke two arms of the eight-armed Demon God.

He is a Divine, following the path of the Divine Dao, relying on incense faith to become a Divinity, while the Exquisite Treasure Tower follows the Immortal Dao. Although he is not cultivating both Immortal and God together, he can wield the powers of both Immortal and God!

The combination of Immortal and God power makes his strength no less than that of a Daluo Golden Immortal!

"King Li is indeed the Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Court, second only to one," Emperor Ziwei praised.

Chen Shi turned and respectfully asked, "Your Majesty, clearly King Li does not have such a high status, so why is he still second to one in the Heavenly Court?"

Emperor Ziwei, having no ill feelings toward him, smiled and said, "Others stronger than him are not in the Heavenly Court but hold their own Heavenly Palaces outside. Naturally, within the Heavenly Court, King Li is second to none."

Chen Shi suddenly understood, "I see!"

Emperor Ziwei's answer resolved a problem that had troubled him for many years.

Seeing Emperor Ziwei approachable, Chen Shi inquired, "Why does King Li, a Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Court, possess a Buddhist Magical Treasure? Moreover, the power of the Pagoda seems much stronger than his own. Could he be betraying, colluding with the Western Heaven, plotting treachery?"

Emperor Ziwei chuckled, "King Li is a confidant of the Great Heavenly Venerate, not one who betrays and colludes."

Chen Shi lamented, "I always felt he was an infiltrator planted by the Western Heaven in the Heavenly Court. I think the Heavenly Court should investigate him; surely they'll find something."

The Emperor of Heaven couldn't help but comment, "Young Daoist, you are being malicious. Who in this world can withstand scrutiny? Before scrutiny, everyone is a saint; after scrutiny, they are all scoundrels. You wish to harm King Li!"

Just as Chen Shi was about to speak, Lady Houtu gently tugged at his sleeve, prompting him not to continue.

He indeed held a grudge against King Li, for the Thirty-Three Heavenly Dao Divine People incident started because of a dispatch from King Li.

While it might not have been King Li's idea, sending Chen Shi and others to Si Yuan Mountain Pass was indeed King Li's order.

At that moment, as the eight-armed Demon God was retreating step by step, suddenly, the Exquisite Golden Treasure Tower behind King Li flew out and struck its forehead.

The eight-armed Demon God's brain burst from the impact, falling backward to sit motionless beneath the tree.

King Li let out a slight exclamation, put away the Exquisite Treasure Tower, and stepped forward to check.

"Let's go and take a look," the Great Heavenly Venerate commanded.

The crowd stepped forward, coming beneath that Divine Tree.

King Li held the Pagoda in his hands, paying respects to all the Emperors and the Heavenly Venerate present.

"No need for formalities, Daoist Li," everyone replied.

Chen Shi approached the eight-armed Demon God a few steps, feeling his cultivation being suppressed, dared not go further.

He inspected closely upon the eight-armed Demon God, exclaiming, "It's a corpse!"

"Correct."

King Li said, "This Outer Dao Demon God has been dead for a long time. The Demon Clan warriors, Great Demon, and the Vine Forest are but manifestations of his Daoist skills. In truth, there is no living being in this world, only this Divine Tree is alive."

Chen Shi was puzzled.

Lady Houtu explained, "The divine sense of the Outer Dao Demon God was too strong. After he died, his divine sense spread, unconsciously affecting the Mud Great World. The Heaven and Earth Great Dao here merged with his consciousness, manifesting various phenomena, creating an illusion that the Mud Great World is inhabited."

Chu Xiangxiu, standing not far off, was shocked, "I've lived here for decades and attained Harmonization here. Does that mean..."

He didn't dare to continue.

When he arrived here, he had love-hate entanglements with those native Demon Clan members.

It was a legendary experience, a native youngster from the Earth Immortal Realm venturing across the Xuanhuang Sea, wandering into the Dark Sea, arriving at a strange continent inhabited by humanoid creatures, developing a Demon Path civilization, while he, an outsider, was ostracized and even hunted, regarded as an alien.

He struggled to survive here, living for decades, during which he gained friendships and even had adolescent romance.

Eventually, he succeeded in Harmonization in the Mud Great World, parted ways with it, and embarked on a journey home.

Those decades of experiences were engraved in his heart, unforgettable.

Chu Xiangxiu suddenly felt disillusioned, could his decades of heart-wrenching experiences have been just a part of a dream in the world formed by this Demon God's consciousness dispersing after his death in the Dark Sea?

It was like a life-flashing-before-eyes moment as one lay dying, revisiting life's experiences.

Chu Xiangxiu's experiences correspond to jumping into the Demon God's pre-death flashback, living for decades, and realizing the Outer Dao's truth in the Mud Great World.

Then, what is real, and what is illusory?

For a moment, he couldn't distinguish.

"This formidable being from the Dark Sea was extremely powerful in life."

The Great Heavenly Venerate wondered, "He might not have been inferior to you and me. Yet, how did he die here?"

He was puzzled, such a powerful being, who could have killed him?

"Godmother, what is this Divine Tree?"

Chen Shi examined the Divine Tree, pondering, "This Divine Tree is somewhat reminiscent of things from Qianyang Mountain."

Lady Houtu whispered, "Don't call me Godmother in front of others."

She carefully inspected the Divine Tree, thought of what Chen Shi referred to as things from Qianyang Mountain, and suddenly exclaimed, "Great Heavenly Venerate, take a look at this Divine Tree, isn't it an Earth Treasure Spirit Root?"

Everyone stood stunned and quickly examined the Divine Tree, faces growing increasingly grave as they looked.

"It indeed is an Earth Treasure Spirit Root!"

The Emperor of Earth muttered, "Only, such a massive Earth Treasure Spirit Root has never been seen before, its roots covering an entire great world. Furthermore, it controlled this Demon God to battle King Li just now! How could there be such an immensely powerful Earth Treasure Spirit Root?"

Emperor Liu Bo examined the Divine Tree, "I've heard that some Daluo Golden Immortals, worried about the severity of their Opening Tribulations and inescapable doom, entered the Dark Sea in search of Earth Treasure Spirit Roots for Tribulation Crossing, but none have ever found it. Could this Divine Tree help a Daluo Golden Immortal pass their Opening Tribulations?"

Everyone's faces grew solemn.

Though Earth Treasure Spirit Roots appeared in the Dark Sea, none had ever been found that could aid a Daluo Golden Immortal in Tribulation Crossing.

This Divine Tree might be the first discovery of an Earth Treasure Spirit Root at the Daluo Golden Immortal level!

"Take it!"

The Great Heavenly Venerate decisively ordered, "King Li, make sure to secure this treasure and escort it back to the Heavenly Court, not letting it fall into the hands of Daluo Golden Immortals!"

King Li solemnly agreed.

He glanced at Chen Shi, Xiahou Feng, and the others, hesitated, "Your Majesty, there are six outsiders here. What about..."

He gestured as if cutting and said, "Your Majesty, once they become Heavenly Dao Divine People, they won't be outsiders."

Hearing this, Chen Shi resentfully glanced at Emperor Ziwei.

Emperor Ziwei appeared slightly embarrassed, turning his head aside.

At this time, Lady Houtu said, "Your Majesty, I suspect King Li is a Western Heaven infiltrator! The Exquisite Treasure Tower in his hand is clearly a Buddhist treasure! I suggest investigating King Li!"

King Li lamented inwardly, thinking, "I heard Chen Shi belongs to Lady Houtu, and now I see the rumor was true!"

Emperor Ziwei coughed, "Your Majesty, Buddha and Immortal are of one family, both cultivate Immortal Techniques, unlike our Divine Dao. At such a critical time, with King Li wielding the Magical Treasure refined by the Ancient Lamp Buddha, I do think he should be investigated."

King Li grumbled inwardly, "How have I offended Emperor Ziwei?"