Three consecutive assassinations by Emperor Supreme Immortals completely failed to do the slightest harm to the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor.
Fang Han never dreamed that the strength of this corpse was so tyrannical. However, he couldn't be blamed for this. After obtaining the body of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor, he had calculated in a hundred ways, but could never deduce what exactly was concealed within the Buddha Emperor's body. As long as he permeated into it slightly, his power and will would be sucked away, fundamentally unable to pry.
Therefore, he only knew that this Buddha was very strong, but as for exactly how strong, he was entirely ignorant.
"Too strong, this simply surpasses my expectations, completely surpasses them. This kind of power is truly too terrifying." Fang Han was agitated in his heart, but a massive amount of his lifespan within his body was burning.
The fact that the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor now possessed such powerful combat strength was wholly reliant on Fang Han burning his own lifespan to summon him. Once he stopped operating the Minor Destiny Art, this Buddha would instantly turn back into a corpse.
Snap!
The sword qi of that assassinating thin and small old man Emperor Supreme Immortal was snapped off, sending him continuously retreating. The Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor's gaze was sharp, looking directly over. His large hand transformed into a palm, striking horizontally like toppling mountains and overturning seas.
"Zen Mechanism Spanning Horizons."
Yet another Buddhist primordial secret art, capable of twisting the heavenly mechanism and overturning the universe. Under the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor's large hand and giant palm, all living beings could only look up, allowing themselves to be shaped by this large hand.
"Pop!"
That thin and small Emperor Supreme Immortal old antique was struck flying all at once, tumbling backward while repeatedly vomiting large mouthfuls of fresh blood in mid-air. A low-tier Emperor like him fundamentally had no way to contend against an ancient Emperor like the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor.
Three Emperors of the Hua Family attacking simultaneously were actually entirely routed by the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor.
All the Saints and Origin Immortals completely flew up, retreating continuously, looking at this terrifying Buddha, unable to utter a word, filled only with fear in their hearts.
There were still a few more Emperor Supreme Immortals in the Hua Family. Seeing such a situation, they immediately wanted to join hands and attack. Even the Emperor Supreme Immortals with other surnames couldn't endure it anymore. No matter what, the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor was an Emperor from an outer sect and could not be allowed to act tyrannically within the Ascension Sect.
Just in that instant of itching to act, with a grand battle on the verge of breaking out, the supreme Supreme Headmaster of the Ascension Sect, the "Feathers Emperor," took action. He took a step down from the void.
His gaze fixed deadly upon the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor.
The Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor also seemed to have discovered the threat, turning around and looking at the "Feathers Emperor": "The realm of Living as Long as Heaven and Earth."
"Correct, Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor, how did you awaken? In legends, you are already dead, and the dead cannot be resurrected." The Feathers Emperor said.
"Cannot be said, cannot be said. Namo World Sovereign." The Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor lowered his brow and said. Suddenly, a burst of Buddhist art struck murderously from mid-air, bombarding toward the Feathers Emperor. "Having been dead for many years, it has been a long time since I fought with someone in the same realm. I hope you can satisfy me."
"As you wish!"
The Feathers Emperor raised his fingers upright to form a sword gesture and chopped directly in the void. That Buddhist art was cloven and scattered. His large sleeves fluttering, his hand changed into a hand-blade and swung with the momentum, sizzle! A long river of blade light slashed toward the bald head of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor.
"Namo Vajra Crown!"
The Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor let out another loud roar, and a ring of golden crown manifested above his head, actually completely shattering that blade light at once. Following that, his body arrived in front of the Feathers Emperor. His giant fist formed a seal, like a heart, like a fetus, striking straight at the critical point.
"Namo Buddha Fetus King!"
With this punch, the Feathers Emperor's expression shifted. He felt as if heaven and earth were a demonic fetus fiercely condensing, intending to wrap him inside, rendering him unable to unleash even a speck of source energy.
He immediately leaped upward, his feathered clothes oscillating, like a Crane God, consecutively displaying several realms—"Roaming with the Great Dao," "Profound Obscurity Comprehending the Dao"… Unexpectedly, in a formless and shadowless manner, he evaded this punch, arriving behind the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor and pressing down with a palm.
"Namo Three Thousand Bodies!"
Suddenly, the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor's entire body densely grew faces. There were completely three thousand faces and three thousand hands. From top to bottom, his whole body was faces and hands, becoming a grotesque Buddha, just like a deity among the barbarians, with a thousand faces and a thousand hands.
These faces possessed different expressions, and every single face spewed out primordial secret incantations, carrying out a layer of sealing upon the Feathers Emperor.
"Namo Maha Boundless Life Buddha Retribution Body!"
The Feathers Emperor was greatly shocked, his face turning cold. A long sword appeared in his hand, radiating a kingly aura. It was actually a King Grade Immortal Artifact. This sword's crossguard halves were actually wings, like two wings. The sword body was pure white like mutton-fat fine jade without a single flaw, and an incomparably pure and pristine aura exuded from it.
"Sword of the Sanctuary!"
Many Saints and Emperors were greatly shocked. Who would have thought that the Feathers Emperor actually refined this King Grade Immortal Artifact!
With a single stroke of the sword, all the Buddha light was shattered.
The seals were completely broken.
That Buddha with a thousand faces and a thousand hands manifested once more. The Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor's expression was solemn, and every face emitted the sound of four words: "Maha Boundless!"
Clang clang clang clang…
With consecutive ringing sounds, he actually used his palms to continuously clash with the Sword of the Sanctuary, not the slightest bit afraid of the sword edge's cutting. After clashing thousands of times consecutively, that "Feathers Emperor" suddenly retracted his sword, and then, like a divine dragon swinging its tail, with an entirely natural, seamless angle, pierced toward the highest peak of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor's head.
"Strike of the Sanctuary?"
Struck by a sword, cracks actually appeared on the top of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor's head. His three thousand faces immediately turned infuriated. Blazing flames spewed out from their mouths, turning into a heaven-reaching torrent that swept across the spot.
"World-Extinguishing Flames." The Feathers Emperor retreated continuously, waving his palms repeatedly, attempting to wrap up this cluster of flames to prevent it from dispersing.
However, the moment those flames were collected into his large sleeve, an explosion immediately occurred. With a loud, rumbling boom, his large sleeve instantly tore apart, turning into a puff of green smoke.
And at this time, the injury on the top of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor's head had already been restored.
"People of the Ascension Sect, do not offend this child. Otherwise, I will come out and carry out a massive slaughter in all directions." The Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor let out a voice, suddenly turning into a streak of golden light. He no longer fought with the Feathers Emperor, and sank into Fang Han's body.
In this exchange of blows, he actually divided autumn colors equally with the Feathers Emperor.
He had received a slash on his head, while the Feathers Emperor's sleeve was blown off.
Fang Han was afraid that if the time stretched long, the secret of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor would be exposed, so he secretly and slowly extinguished the Minor Destiny Art.
As the Buddha vanished at once, the source energy present calmed down. The gazes with which everyone looked at Fang Han were already completely, thoroughly different. To think that amidst a crisis, the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor would awaken to escort and protect him! This was equivalent to having an Emperor of the Living as Long as Heaven and Earth realm standing behind him!
Besides a Heavenly Monarch, who could do anything against him?
The scene fell into silence.
After a long time passed, the Feathers Emperor sheathed the "Sword of the Sanctuary" and issued a voice: "Feng Yuan, why did that Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor resurrect? Do you know the reason?"
"I don't know." Fang Han shook his head very straightforwardly, "But when I obtained the Buddhist treasure, in the Great Hero Hall, it was said that this Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor had already transformed into a Lord of Guardianship." He spoke groundlessly and randomly: "Guarding the person who obtains the treasure. I also don't know if it is the power of the ancient Buddha Lord."
"Alright, you may go. The matters that needed to be inquired about have already finished being inquired. Also, for displaying the awe-inspiring prestige of our Ascension Sect in this Blood Trial, after our discussion, we will give you the necessary rewards. Now you can leave and proceed to cultivate. In less than ten days, the news of the Heavenly Court holding the Genius Battle will arrive. I hope you will directly seize first place when the time comes. But I must remind you, during the Genius Battle, this Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor cannot come out, otherwise you will become the target of public criticism. Moreover, the rules do not allow it."
The Feathers Emperor looked at Fang Han for a moment and suddenly waved his hand.
Fang Han smiled inwardly, feeling a burst of relief, and was just about to step outwards when the Feathers Emperor suddenly spoke again: "Wait."
"What is the matter, Headmaster?" Fang Han hurriedly said respectfully.
"Right now, among the Saint Sons, you are the most formidable one. You can be said to be the leader of the Saint Sons. Recently, it has been very unpeaceful. Outside the Central Province ancient city, across the entire Central Province territory, barbarians have actually appeared, as well as some alternate realm experts, cruelly slaughtering cultivators everywhere. Some of the Ascension Sect's inner sect, true inheritance, and even core disciples have met with their vicious hands. You can lead some Saint Sons, go forth on a patrol, and slay the barbarians. Protect the peace of the Central Province."
The Feathers Emperor said.
"Yes! This is my inescapable duty." Fang Han instantly flew out.
"What do you think?" The Feathers Emperor asked a line after seeing Fang Han leave.
These words were directed at those few Hua Family old antiques.
"Who would have thought that this child actually obtained the guardianship of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor. For that corpse to still possess such vast might even up to now." Only after a long time did Hua Wenchang speak in a sinister voice and tone, thoroughly unwilling to resign himself in it.
"The Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor is indeed formidable. Although lost for so long, a trace of inextinguishable primordial spirit can still possess supreme magic power." The Feathers Emperor said: "For Feng Yuan to actually be able to obtain his guardianship, this is grand destiny, which can be utilized by my Ascension Sect. Even if the Hideous Emperor comes finding trouble for him, it probably won't be of any use. Right now, doing it as the Headmaster of the Ascension Sect, I must exercise arbitrary dictation just this once. Regarding the matter of Feng Yuan, you people of the Hua Family must not pursue it any further. It is also not any big deal, merely a conflict between Saint Sons."
"But, this child…" An old ancestor of the Hua Family was still unresigned.
"There is no 'but' this or 'but' that. He can certainly be utilized by my Ascension Sect. Do you know why I just asked him to lead Saint Sons to resist the barbarian invasion? It is exactly to test his degree of loyalty. Among the barbarians, there are also experts. The corpse of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor can definitely play a massive role." The Feathers Emperor waved his hand, "Furthermore, I am prepared to find a time to directly accept Feng Yuan doing as a disciple, personally teaching him Dao arts, hoping to be able to foster an expert."
"Hmph!"
The several Hua Family old ancestors coldly snorted a few times but also did not speak. Although they were displeased in their hearts, they were also utterly helpless right now.
"A half-Saint, a character like a small ant, to actually be able to possess the guardianship of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor's body, this is truly far too devoid of heavenly logic." Boundless unresignation violently stirred in Hua Wenchang's heart. What kind of person was he? An Emperor Supreme Immortal, basically positioned at the highest realm of Immortals, just one step away from a Supreme Heavenly Monarch.
To have lost face this time, and furthermore to have lost face in front of this little ant Fang Han, he would absolutely not let the matter drop easily.
"This little ant's strength is too weak. Finding an opportunity to tie down the corpse of the Heavenly Zen Buddha Emperor, and then directly killing him will do. I must carry out some calculations on this."
Schemes were turning over in his heart.