Chapter 1356: Supreme

Buddhist radiance filled the air across the Western Desert, permeating even ancient temples deep within the mountains. Divine chants resonated unceasingly, like the booming of a grand bell, as if a Buddha had been reborn and was about to manifest in the world.

On Mount Sumeru, the Demon-Subduing Pestle emitted chaotic energy and immeasurable immortal light that soared into the sky. The deity contained within softly hummed, seeking forgiveness and making amends with the Human Emperor.

This sight caused the Great Thunderclap Temple to tremble, emitting waves of Buddhist chants. Numerous ancient stone statues swayed, and pure power of faith surged like an ocean.

All the old monks were stunned, and many Buddha disciples were petrified, watching the scene in disbelief. They then prostrated themselves, astonished that Amitabha Buddha's weapon would act in such a manner.

The Great Thunderclap Temple swayed, emitting waves of Zen chants. Three thousand Bodhisattvas and ancient Buddhas simultaneously manifested their Dharma bodies, radiating immortal divine splendor as they chanted scriptures suspended in mid-air.

"These are the ancient Buddhas manifesting their Dharma bodies, the re-emergence of their surviving divine consciousness imprints. Such a sign can only occur during times of immense auspiciousness and great fortune!"

A divine monk was terrified, trembling before the Human Emperor and the Demon-Subduing Pestle. What had transpired today was inconceivable, far beyond his understanding.

The Demon-Subduing Pestle trembled continuously, bowing towards the Human Emperor. It was remarkably human-like, as if offering humble penance.

"It was merely a malicious thought; it counts for nothing. There is no need for an apology," the Human Emperor said, not pursuing what Great Emperor Amitabha Buddha had done to his divine consciousness imprint.

However, the Buddhist Treasure Pestle continued to vibrate, very seriously and solemnly, insisting on apologizing on behalf of the Buddhist Great Emperor.

"Let me ask you, is collecting so much power of faith detrimental to the common people?" the Human Emperor asked calmly, yet his words exuded a divine might.

Within his calm demeanor lay an irresistible majesty. The Human Emperor seemed to sit high above the nine heavens, looking down upon the human world, controlling laws and order, and not permitting anyone to harm all living beings.

Whether in the past or present, he remained a majestic supreme being, guarding the cosmos, ruling the world, and permitting no disruption of laws or harm to humanity.

Even when facing a Human Emperor, he maintained this stance. His overwhelming presence, capable of devouring mountains and rivers and looking down upon the nine heavens, filled people with awe and dread.

All the Buddhists were stunned. Who was this person, they wondered, to dare question the Great Emperor Amitabha Buddha of the past? It was truly shocking to hear.

To their surprise, the Demon-Subduing Pestle responded earnestly, without any pretense. Its internal deity revived, and this time, a divine voice was actually heard.

"Amitabha Buddha was utterly compassionate and benevolent. He never killed a single living creature in his entire life, sweeping the floor without harming an ant, and cherishing moths by covering lamps with gauze."

This divine thought was also filled with awe-inspiring power—a wave of energy that could command reverence throughout heaven and earth. It responded meticulously to the Human Emperor, clearly attaching great importance to the question.

The entire Mount Sumeru trembled, emitting immense divine radiance. Pure power of faith surged and receded, vast and boundless like a boundless galaxy.

Everyone was astonished, and all the monks trembled. From ancient times until now, this ancient weapon had never spoken, yet now it was showing such reverence to a mysterious and majestic man.

"Who is this person?" Their hearts deeply shaken, everyone recited Buddhist names, trembling from the depths of their souls.

The Human Emperor nodded, remaining profoundly solemn, just as he had ruled the world in the past. Looking down upon all gods, he possessed a supreme heroic demeanor that commanded awe and reverence.

"In fact, this pure power of faith can also benefit every Buddhist devotee, nourishing them in turn, making their essence surge and their divine blood abundant," explained the deity within the Demon-Subduing Pestle, elaborating on the many benefits of the power of faith.

"It is easy not to kill for a moment, but never to kill in one's entire life—that is truly difficult for him. My only fear is that, in the end, the heavens will collapse and the earth will sink, leading to complete upheaval."

The Human Emperor's black hair flowed freely, and his eyes were incredibly deep, as if able to see through past, present, and future. As he spoke, his authority overpowered the nine heavens, carrying a blend of profound sorrow and immense might that suppressed all ages.

Evidently, the Human Emperor was issuing a warning. Even when facing the weapon spirit of a later Great Emperor, he exuded an inviolable righteousness, implying that any action harmful to humanity would be directly suppressed and annihilated!

The Human Emperor's era ushered in an exceedingly glorious and prosperous age where he was the sole supreme being of the nine heavens and ten lands. He struck down gods above, suppressed the Nine Hells below, slew Holy Spirits, and quelled all unrest. Anything that endangered the common people could hardly withstand a single blow from the Human Emperor.

And now, even as merely a true spirit will, his invincible demeanor was still fully evident, remaining so even when facing another Great Emperor.

"The Human Emperor can rest assured," explained the Demon-Subduing Pestle, elaborating on the Buddhist principle of the equality of all beings. "Amitabha Buddha was utterly benevolent throughout his life. Though he possessed an invincible Buddha body, he never acted against the will of living beings."

The entire Mount Sumeru trembled. Many ancient monks and all the Buddha disciples were stunned. This was the Human Emperor, appearing on their sacred Buddhist mountain—it was simply like a myth.

The Human Emperor's era was too ancient, long beyond verification. Yet now, he was here, looking down upon Mount Sumeru, causing the Buddhist Imperial Weapon to awaken and respond personally.

All of this was too shocking, making it feel like a dream, utterly unreal.

"Greetings, Human Emperor!"

Before the Great Thunderclap Temple, many Buddhists knelt. Even though they were part of the Buddhist order, they still knew of the Human Emperor's immense achievements. While they couldn't articulate the specifics, the fact that humanity had recited his name for generations was testament enough.

The Great Thunderclap Temple roared, and the entire Mount Sumeru shook!

Ancient Zen chants arose, solemn and grand, echoing across time and space. These were the divine sounds left by Bodhisattvas and ancient Buddhas from ages past, manifesting only when a supreme being was welcomed into the world.

At the same time, sweet springs gushed from the earth, auspicious colorful light descended from the sky, divine lotuses bloomed in the void, and orchids and spiritual ganoderma grew alongside them, filling the air with fragrance. Thousands of rays of colorful light illuminated the area, transforming it into a sacred, peaceful Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

"I hope that is the case," the Human Emperor said, shifting his gaze from the Demon-Subduing Pestle. Standing on Mount Sumeru, he gazed at the Western Desert, seeing Buddhist light illuminate hundreds of millions of miles, with all living beings bathed within its glow.

The Western Desert trembled as the Human Emperor scanned every inch, penetrating to the very essence of things, leaving nothing hidden from his gaze.

"All for immortality," the Human Emperor sighed softly, "how many heroes have been defeated by it, all turned to dust."

"Yes, this path has no solution," responded the deity within the Demon-Subduing Pestle, sensing a shared sorrow.

"Whether in the mythical era or now, many supreme talents have forged their own paths: some buried a lifetime's body, some sought immortal medicine, some gathered the power of faith... various methods abound, all undeniably astonishing. Yet, one point must be remembered: one must pay as much as one receives. Even weak mortal beings can settle accounts with a supreme entity."

The Human Emperor's words were resounding, his majesty fully evident, echoing grandly across the vast land. It was both a reminder and a warning.

The Demon-Subduing Pestle fell silent. It was not out of fear, but out of shame towards the Human Emperor. In the past, it had experimented with immortal methods on the Divine Consciousness Imprint of the Grand Yin Supreme Being. Now, it felt remorse, coupled with profound respect.

On this day, not only Mount Sumeru but the entire Western Desert trembled, for the statues within every ancient temple were glowing, and what emanated from them was not Buddhist chants, but the Human Emperor's voice.

Many old monks pondered, deeply moved in their hearts.

Great Emperor Amitabha Buddha was undoubtedly one of the most astonishing Great Emperors from ancient times until now—unfathomable and comparable to any ancient emperor or Celestial Venerable. The lineage he left behind was naturally powerful, and by now, it had produced many ancient Buddhas, becoming increasingly prosperous.

The Human Emperor surveyed the various regions of the Western Desert and nodded. Setting aside other matters, the sheer fact that this lineage had developed and grown to such an extent was enough to warrant deep contemplation.

The Human Emperor rose, left Mount Sumeru, and headed towards the Eastern Barrens.

"Where will the Human Emperor go?" the Demon-Subduing Pestle asked with respect.

"My time is running out," the Human Emperor said calmly. "I wish to leave behind a lineage; henceforth, I shall return to dust." A golden path of light appeared beneath his feet, extending directly to the Eastern Barrens, moving so swiftly that all living beings were shocked and bewildered.

"Farewell, Human Emperor!" This send-off marked a parting of life and death.

The Human Emperor appeared in the Eastern Barrens, arriving alone at the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Zone. He nodded gravely, a trace of solemnity in his expression. Then, he departed without a single word.

The Human Emperor did not head towards any other Life Forbidden Zones. Although some ancient entities within them were extremely nervous, he did not even glance their way.

"Still, I have regrets, unable to witness the opening of the Immortal Road..." He continued on his journey alone, treating the Primordial Ancient Mine and Undying Mountain as nothing, neither paying attention nor listening, as if they were not on the same path.

Silently and without a trace, he vanished.

On this day, traces of Dao principles appeared in the Jiang family. Little Tingting, possessing the Grand Yin physique, sat cross-legged in the void. Chants echoed in her ears as she saw a majestic man.

"Who... are you?"

"Perhaps the path to immortality is merely a hope. What holds more meaning for hope than seeing one's own blood flow vibrantly in future generations? Perhaps I have already seen the immortal path, contained within that hope." The majestic man, honored throughout ancient and modern times, slowly faded and gradually disappeared.

Little Tingting's heart trembled. "Senior, please don't go, don't leave!" she cried out from the Jiang family home.

The majestic figure blurred, only a trace of a smile remained, carrying a sense of liberation. As the supreme being was about to pass, only a benevolent and brilliant smile remained on his face, having lost the majesty that had suppressed all ages and heavens. Little Tingting would never have guessed he was the Human Emperor.

A gentle breeze swept through, a shower of light dissipated, and the magnificent, majestic figure completely vanished, shattering into the void.

"From this day forth, there is no Human Emperor in the world..." A faint sigh echoed from Mount Sumeru.

To think that generation's Human Supreme Being, with his countless grand accomplishments and deeds that eclipsed all ages, a genius of astonishing brilliance unsurpassed throughout history, had finally reached the end of his path, causing one to sigh with deep regret.

A fleeting glance across ten thousand ages, like an epiphyllum in bloom, illuminating the world. No matter how great an existence, all must eventually conclude. His very appearance in this era was already considered a miracle.

At this moment, the several great Life Forbidden Zones remained silent. The Human Emperor had not once glanced their way from beginning to end, for those with different paths do not associate.

"What a pity, a Human Emperor of a generation, with peerless grace and bearing, possessing such heaven-defying methods, just withered away like this."

"On this path, who can say what is right and what is wrong? There are only different choices."

"In this grand, prosperous age, we watch our generation's talents wither and fall one by one. This is not a matter of choice. When a golden era concludes, how many will remain?"

"I am listening to my own funeral song. On this path, I persevere, witnessing my Dao in the moth's relentless flight into the flame... my immortality."

Evidently, the Human Emperor's passing stirred profound feelings among the beings in the Forbidden Zones, making them feel even more lonely and desolate.

"Dong..." A bell rang, and heaven and earth stirred chaotically. The great Life Forbidden Zones all fell silent. The Eastern Barrens, Central Plains, Western Desert, Southern Ridge, and Northern Plains—the entire Buried Emperor Star was shaken.

In the Northern Region, within Purple Mountain, the Bell of No Beginning roared inexplicably, its deafening sound resonating throughout heaven and earth, heard even by mortals.