Chapter 550 - 14: Hongmeng Cast Artifact, Creation Jade Disc

"An edict from the Maitreya Buddha Mother? Heh. I only care to roam the Human World for my amusement. Why should I care what you all are plotting?"

He paused, his eyes beneath the beaded curtain turning ice-cold.

"As for a misunderstanding... The last time was a misunderstanding, and this time is a misunderstanding too? Since when were there so many misunderstandings in this world?"

The moment he finished speaking,

the old Daoist ascended the heavens in a single step. His fists and palms glowed as he punched through the void, arriving in an instant!

The Immortal Mother’s expression changed. Cursing her misfortune, she raised a hand to block the Daoist’s punch, but her palm was pierced through, and she coughed up a great mouthful of blood!

She was a Daluo at the [Artifact Holder] level, but without her Dao Artifact, she was no different from an ordinary Eternal Daluo.

Although Lu Xuan hadn’t used Divine Techniques like his True Fighting Form or Primordial Dharma Aspect, he had been able to slay a Daluo even before he became one himself.

Now that he had stepped into the Daluo realm, how could the Immortal Mother possibly be his match without her Dao Artifact?

Immediately,

Lu Xuan pressed his advantage. In a flurry of fists and palms, he unleashed his pure, invincible Physique, battering the Immortal Mother until she couldn’t stop coughing up blood, her body on the verge of collapse!

"Fellow Daoist, it’s a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!"

The Immortal Mother yelled while coughing up blood. With every punch she took, she retreated one step, each step landing in the Celestial Myriad Realms to disperse the force. And with every step, she shattered a chain of Great Realms and Ancient Realms!

"I’m feeling wroth. We’ll talk after this is over."

Lu Xuan remained impassive. He transformed into an Infinite Giant, his head bursting through the Celestial Vault and shaking the Celestial Court. He raised a massive foot and stomped down!

The entire Human World saw this Infinite Giant.

.........

「On Dragon Tiger Mountain.」

"Hmm?" Chu Tai frowned, looking aside in astonishment. "It’s that Hongjun Daoist again? Isn’t he on the side of the Demon Ancestor and the Buddha Mother? Why is he fighting the Immortal Mother?"

The Profound Yellow Emperor shrugged, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Who knows... but it’s quite a show. Grandpa Chu, why not let me go take a look?"

"You can go, but not directly. We can’t let the Demon Ancestor and the others notice anything amiss..."

A smile touched Chu Tai’s lips.

"Come, fight me. Force me to retreat."

The Profound Yellow Emperor nodded slightly. He exhaled a breath of turbid air and transformed into his True Fighting Form. With the Six Paths Plate on his back and a Great Artifact in each of his nine arms, he charged into battle!

「Meanwhile, on Spirit Mountain.」

The Maitreya Buddha Mother, who had just used a wisp of ancient Dao Rhyme to refine the Little Peach Spirit’s body and soul, had a slight change in expression.

He lowered his gaze and said softly,

"World Honored One, how about we end our discussion on the Dao here for today?"

Shakyamuni glanced at the Infinite Giant in the distance who was currently pummeling the Immortal Mother, and he smiled meaningfully.

"Go on, go on..."

He paused, then continued with a smile,

"Although you and I didn’t determine a victor in our debate today, the little girl has benefited greatly. On her behalf, I must thank you, Buddha Mother."

"No need."

The Buddha Mother breathed a small sigh of relief. He had thought Shakyamuni would try to stop him. ’It seems this Shakyamuni truly wants to cooperate...’

His mind settled. He thought for a moment, and seeing how much Shakyamuni doted on the peach tree spirit, he thought again, then sent many more wisps of Dao Fruit and Dao Rhyme to land upon the Little Peach Spirit.

Then,

The Buddha Mother nodded at Lu Xuan, then took a step out of Spirit Mountain and into the Human World.

Before he left, he saw the cause and effect of the whole incident and couldn’t help but mutter a curse under his breath:

"You can’t even handle a simple thing like this, provoking that Hongjun Daoist time and again. Truly useless!"

.........

「The Beginning of Ancient Times.」

Lu Xuan, in his identity as [Lu Xuan], walked upon the Earth.

He traveled to the Far East, visiting his three masters on Kunlun Mountain. Then he went to the far south, where he gazed upon the historical imprint of Wa Huang in a secluded place.

He continued on to the Land of the Far North, where he met the gaze of Houtu. Finally, he journeyed to the Far West, stepping onto the barren land to face two towering Great Buddhas.

"Supreme Profound Clarity..."

Amitabha Buddha glanced sideways, his eyelids slightly lowered. He spoke, his Brahma Sound like thunder:

"For what purpose have you come?"

Lu Xuan offered a bow and said with a smile,

"I am Lu Xuan, a junior. This is my first time visiting you two seniors. I just wanted to put faces to the names."

The Ancient Bodhi Buddha, stroking the cracked Miaoshu in his hand, also glanced over and said,

"Since you have now seen us, why not depart?"

They held no favorable impression of Lu Xuan. After all, they were now allied with the Demon Ancestor and Taiyi. In a sense, they were already on opposing sides.

Lu Xuan paid no mind to their cold attitude. He simply offered another bow, scanned his surroundings, and showed a puzzled expression.

"It’s so barren here..."

The two Great Buddhas’ brows twitched.

Lu Xuan promptly took his leave and returned once more to Kunlun Mountain.

Inside the Central Daoist Palace, he bowed with the utmost respect.

"Master, Second Martial Uncle, Third Martial Uncle."

The Blind Daoist and the Lame Daoist both rolled their eyes at the same time, seemingly displeased.

The Supreme, however, said with a smile:

"For what purpose have you come?"

Lu Xuan lowered his head and answered respectfully,

"For three matters. First, to pay my respects to Master and my two Martial Uncles. Second, to seek an opportunity to cast a Dao Artifact. And third, to take a certain living being with me."

"Who do you wish to take?" the Supreme asked calmly.

Lu Xuan explained,

"In the most ancient of years, your disciple saw Taiyi devour the Celestial Emperor, Emperor Jun. But then I thought that in the Beginning of Ancient Times, the original Emperor Jun might still exist, so..."

"You wish to take the Primordial Fire with you?"

The Supreme chuckled in amusement.

"That Xiaohuo’Er was originally nothing special, but now he’s become somewhat unique. He has a connection to a certain someone who wishes to attain the status of Daoist Ancestor..."

After a moment of contemplation,

the Supreme said with a smile:

"However, this Emperor Jun truly shares a destiny with you. Your ambition is great; you likely wish to cast a supreme Great Dao Artifact. In that case, Emperor Jun could indeed be of use."

Lu Xuan was taken aback. ’I was only thinking that Xiaohuo’Er is my disciple, after all, and I want to offer some help. Besides, with my current power, I’m already capable of contending with Taiyi. Although I’m still far from being his match, even if Xiaohuo’s existence were to be exposed, protecting him would be a simple matter.’

’But... how could Xiaohuo’Er be helpful for me casting a Dao Artifact?’