Chapter 706 - Lost Soul and Shattered Spirit

Ever since the annihilation of Yinshang and the expansion of Netherworld, Shen Lian knew that he had advanced into a precarious state that could not be rewound. After all, his existence was already known by Yuxu Palace.

In the face of such a mighty authority of celestialism which have been inherited through years in the universe along with their cooperation with Bajing Palace, even the Vulture Peak of the Buddhism sect had to retreat.

Though he could secure his life momentarily, he would still face his death if they truly challenged him to a battle.

Though the laws of heaven stated that there would always be a possibility of survival, such an opportunity was not provided. Whether the chance would realize depended on the individual himself. Prior to this, Lord of Dao Luya had given him the Nailhead Seven Arrows Book. Shen Lian did not understand intention then and thought the gift was meant to be used against mighty foes. However, he finally understood it after the great battle against Daoist Master Yuding's reincarnation.

In order to perform a technique, the Nailhead Seven Arrows Book required twenty-one days. Though it was powerful, it was unable to be used against top almighties. After all, almighties were able to sense and examine the use of this weapon. Twenty-one days was sufficient for the opponents to kill Shen Lian numerous times.

Therefore, it was not wise to use the Nailhead Seven Arrows Book against mighty foes. However, if he were to use it against himself, there would be no hindrance. Moreover, he had placed the Nailhead Seven Arrows Book in Bi You Palace. Apart from Daoist Master Shangqing, no one knew about the thing that happened in Bi You Palace. Shen Lian made this decision for he had no other available options. This was a measure where one was destructed in order to resurrect himself in the future.

If he had died, all troubles would be resolved.

His death would be genuine. However, since he had the status as the master of Netherland, he could utilize the force of the Register of Life and Death to lead his true self into an infinite karmic cycle. At that time, he would not be able to know where he was. Thus, others would be unable to predict his presence as well. Of course, Daoists were the exception. Ultimately, it depended on whether the two Daoist Masters Yuqing and Taiqing were bothered by small being like him.

As for this issue, Shen Lian could only leave it to fate.

Roughly fourteen days had passed since Perfected Lord of Qingyuan Miaodao met him after he started his plan. He had to sustain another seven more days.

This was also one of the reasons why Shen Lian returned to the temple to face his death. The temple was Qing Xuan Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery's divine region. He could only control time in this place.

In the past, it was rumored that a day in the heaven equated to a year in the mortal realm. This was because the Lord Emperor changed the laws of time in the heaven and such difference was thus, created. In the temple, Shen Lian could use Qing Xuan Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery's technique to achieve a similar result.

When this glass of wine was finished, seven days would have past in the external world.

Nonetheless, as Shen Lian finished drinking this wine that was made from the main ingredient of Five Flavored Tea of Forgetfulness, many of his memories were blurred. Even things related to the Mastery of Senses and Qing Xuan seemed like faraway memories.

The Perfected Lord of Qingyuan Miaodao watched Shen Lian as the latter drank the wine. He smiled and said, "This wine is called 'Life is but a dream'. If you were to die, you will not experience pain for all you had experienced were merely a dream."

After he finished, he was about to execute his plans.

However, Shen Lian disappeared before his eyes. In an instant, a person appeared on the temple's altar. He was surrounded by gleaming divine lights. He did not have emotions and embraced anatta. He was a deity.

Perfected Lord of Qingyuan Miaodao was slightly startled. He started to examine all living things in the world. Suddenly, he realized all of Shen Lian's vital force was dispersed.

The deity was Qing Xuan Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery. Unfortunately, he was not Shen Lian for he did not have Shangqing Primordial Spirit's imprint on his body. As he was emotionless and embraced anatta, he was only left with benevolence for all sentient being.

Perfected Lord of Qingyuan Miaodao had never thought of such an outcome. A three-pointed double-edged sword appeared in his hands. It seemed like the sword was able to slit through the universe. A sword gleam emerged and Qing Xuan Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery's deity body was lacerated. In an instant, his body was shattered into pieces. After a moment, a similar Qing Xuan Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery reappeared on the altar.

Perfected Lord of Qingyuan Miaodao had seen many ingenious techniques before. Hence, he knew that this deity was like another form of Dao. Even if he destroyed the manifestation of his deity body, the deity would remain unharmed.

The only solution was to annihilate the spirit table of Qing Xuan Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery. However, this would mean that he had caused karma with Daoist Master Taiyi. For elite figures like him who had the ambition to attain detachment, he would not dare to aggrieve Daoists.

Perfected Lord of Qingyuan Miaodao sneered and said, "I am not bothered about your life and death. The moment when Shangqing Primordial Spirit's imprint reappear, I would be notified. I will seek for you in the heavens and under the earth. There would be no chance for escape."

He kept his weapon and walked out of the temple. With a step, he had arrived in Taixu.

After his leave, Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery in the temple lifted his hand and pointed. Ah Lian who was previously frozen was extricated. The water buffalo intended to escape. However, though it headed forward, it started to revert continuously. Ultimately, Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery sat on its back. Bi You Palace in Da Zhou also vanished into thin air. Only a strawman labeled 'Shen Lian' and an empty army camp was left behind.

Perfected Lord of Qingyuan Miaodao was not aware of these changes. He met someone in Taixu. Taixu was the realm of dreamland. Originally, there was nothing present here and it only contained the real souls of figures who were beyond the state of Taiyi. Nonetheless, when one had reached the state of Daluo, his true form would be able to enter into Taixu.

The person in front of him was naturally a Daluo and was a very powerful one.

Perfected Lord of Qingyuan Miaodao mentioned his name gradually, "Lord of Dao Qingshui."

Lord of Dao Qingshui appeared like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old teenager. She was naturally beautiful. However, the others dared not catch a glimpse of her.

Across millions of worlds, there were many female manifestations of almighties in the past and the future. However, apart from the Daoist that belonged to the demon clan, only Bodhisattva Avalokitêśvara and Lord of Dao Qingshui were considered the best.

No one could explain how powerful Lord of Dao Qingshui was. However, there was a rumor that not merely verified Lord of Dao Qingshui's powerful abilities, it had also revealed her astounding origins.

There was once a Buddha in the Vulture Peak. He traveled the mortal realm and liberated sentient beings. At that time, Lord of Dao Qingshui was also experiencing her trial in the mortal world. Both of them had a battle. However, the reason for the challenge remained unknown. Ultimately, the Buddha's treasures and the golden body was shattered by Lord of Dao Qingshui. Naturally, the Buddha was displeased. He traveled extensively and invited some friends to avenge for him. Nonetheless, all of his friends were defeated. Some even had their numinous treasures that were cultivated through sheer hard work confiscated by Lord of Dao Qingshui. Some were even transformed into a depiction of biscuits.

Since many of his friends were defeated, the Buddha was rather guilty. He sought help from the Buddha in the Vulture Peak and enquired about her origins. As the Buddha from the Vulture Peak knew about her past and future, he told him, "I know about her origins but I will not tell you. If I were to tell you about her, she would blame me for exposing her origins and seek revenge from me in the Vulture Peak. It would be another chaos. Hence, leave this issue as it is."

The Buddha of the Vulture Peak had not attained detachment then. Nevertheless, it was widely known as the first man of the Three Realms. It was rather queer for he hinted at the possibility that Lord of Dao Qingshui might initiate an attack on the Vulture Peak.

Since the Buddha dared not seek revenge from Lord of Dao Qingshui, he pleaded the Buddha to save three of his demised friends who helped him in avenging Lord of Dao Qingshui. The Buddha pointed out a direction that guided him towards Daoist Master Taiyi.

At that time, Daoist Master Taiyi have not attained detachment as well. However, as he was enigmatic and unfathomable, nobody dared to offend him. Even deities were unable to see him. As that Buddha was guided by the Vulture Peak's Buddha, he managed to see Daoist Master Taiyi. At that point in time, Daoist Master Taiyi was already enlightened by the Dao of Life and Death. He knew the Buddha's intention once he met him. Hence, without mentioning a word, he revived the three of his friends.

However, Daoist Master Taiyi made a statement then, "You people are fated to die. Nevertheless, none of you should die in her hands. This would only increase her karmic hindrance."

Since then, the Buddha understood the reason why Daoist Master Taiyi altered life and death. It was not because he wanted to save lives. Instead, it was because he wanted to reduce Lord of Dao Qingshui's karmic hindrance.