History's Number 1 Founder

When one side lost, the other side gained. The time it would take to wear each other down could not be measured.

Particularly since the Book of Changes was such an important factor.

Lin Daohan, who was supported by the Great Void Seal, saw another increase in his power after he obtained the Yi Daoist Talisman. Protected by the Higan Golden Bridge, Zhu Yi was able to resist against the torrential storm.

However, as the talisman over Lin Daohan’s head spun, rays of light started to appear in his sea of self-awareness. As the rays of light intersected, the fog before their eyes dissipated almost completely and revealed illusion and reality. Together, they were able to change the aura from the Higan Golden Bridge and Zhu Yi’s own powers.

This allowed him to seize the opportunity to defeat his enemy. He could react before Zhu Yi could even move.

More importantly, as the Yi Daoist Talisman kicked into effect, he could decipher Zhu Yi’s power and skills slowly. Before him, a vast scene appeared.

Before Lin Daohan, the powerful and mystic principles of the Heavenly Classic of the Way’s Virtues appeared in front of him.

Even though he possessed a tough mental state and a keen understanding of everything, this momentary appearance completely befuddled him. He felt as if he wanted to remain intoxicated in it so that he could study its mystical, but uncomplicated, secrets.

Around Lin Daohan, many rays of light started to slowly appear. They crisscrossed in the sky around the Spirit Sea.

Even though it was only for a brief moment, Lin Daohan felt his understanding of the workings of heaven increased. He seemed to have obtained new knowledge and he managed to answer some of the more complicated questions of cultivation just like that. He felt himself receiving more knowledge and he wished for nothing other than the chance to do some closed-door training straight away.

The mana around his body pulsated and he felt it slowly increasing. Then, it became deeper and more mysterious.

Lin Daohan’s face appeared calm. However, he could not be calm in his heart.

While he had witnessed the rise of the Celestial Sect of Wonders, as well as the Karmic Theory Debate and two mantras of ‘Great’ and ‘Void’, and hence was mentally prepared, he realized that the true teaching of the Celestial Sect of Wonders surpassed that of the Great Void Sect.

The Celestial Sect of Wonders was able to replace the Great Void Sect as the top sect in the Divine Lands not only because of its overall strength but also because of its teaching.

He had never personally come into contact with the Heavenly Classic of the Way’s Virtue and hence was unable to fully understand its true power.

However, after he came into contact with the teachings of the Celestial Sect of Wonders, it was unquestionable that he could derive more from it to truly understand it.

At this moment, Lin Daohan felt his heart trembling.

While he knew that he did not have much time with the Nether Plague Holy Light and hence, he had to finish the battle as far as he could, he also wished for time to drag so that he could better understand the profound secrets that lay before him.

The former was a rational and clear-headed choice, but the latter was the choice for cultivators who wanted to know more about the secrets of the universe.

For him to be able to reach his level, he was naturally very curious about the secrets of the universe and burned with a desire to learn it all.

However, Lin Daohan could only suppress this thought at this point in time. He maintained his rationality and calm as he continued attacking Zhu Yi.

While the Higan Golden Bridge was powerful, under the influence of the Yi Daoist Talisman, Lin Daohan was still able to find opportunities to evade it. He would not fight it head-on but instead, sought other ways to defeat it.

He thrust out with his palm, which brimmed with force and power. In the center of his palm, one could see a swastika.

(Translator’s Note: The swastika (卍­) is an auspicious symbol in China. In the context of this book, it has no connection with Nazism or antisemitism.)

When the Great Void Sect destroyed Buddhism many years ago, they managed to import a huge amount of Buddhist teaching.

While he did not cultivate them, Lin Daohan came across them. Under the influence of the Yi Daoist Talisman, he was actually able to incorporate their powers and used their attacks.

When he thrust his palm out, one could smell incense around him.

Countless tiny stars lit up in the sky. They were densely-packed and infinite. They looked as small as grains of rice, but they were extremely clear.

As these stars shone, one could hear an earnest Buddhist chant. When he looked at it more carefully, he saw a tiny world in each star.

In the countless worlds, human figures started to appear.

There were old men with white hair, pregnant women, rich and poor people, innocent children…

There were all types of people. However, they shared on similarity: they were all chanting in a low voice about the compassion of the Buddha.

The endless power of the incense may appear small, but it was as vast as an ocean. Combined together, their power was unique and huge.

The incense gathered together and in the sky, they turned into golden lamps. Buddhist light illuminated all corners of the world.

Under the shine of the light, the Higan Golden Bridge started to tremble slightly. The light that enveloped it started to turn solid.

Under this interference, the power of the Higan Golden Bridge diminished. Lin Daohan did not stop but instead, continued his attack against Zhu Yi.

Zhu Yi frowned and said, “Ultimately, Buddhism taught us to cultivate ourselves instead of just emulation. However, as many people could not cultivate, they fall into a sea of despair. There are many difficulties in one’s life and hence, they start to look for a savior. This is not the right way.”

“By understanding oneself, anyone can become a Buddha. Work hard and anyone can become as powerful as a dragon. If you want to use the power of the incense against the progress of humanity, how can you succeed?”

He stepped on top of the Higan Golden Bridge and his voice resounded through the sky, “Hence, what is not yours will never be yours. You may steal my Yi Daoist Talisman, but you only possess its shape and not its substance.”

The light from the Higan Golden Bridge started to shine brightly once more. Rays after rays of light illuminated the surrounding and countless human figures appeared on top of the bridge. Together, they roared in unison. They formed a wave that surged forward.

In the void, countless of Buddhist light shone. They did not turn dark but instead, concentrated themselves on the countless of Buddhist worlds around them. The expression of the devotees changed. They became less pious and much more self-confident. It was as if they had just suffered a knock to the head and became enlightened.

No matter whether they were male, female, old or young, a smile of serenity crossed all of their faces. Their eyes became clearer and brighter and from the inside of their bodies, Buddhist light started to shine.

As the Buddhist light shone brighter, it was unable to affect the Higan Golden Bridge any more.

The golden rainbow that extended through the sky clashed with Lin Daohan’s next, powerful attack, preventing him from taking a single step further.

Lin Daohan looked at the scene calmly, shook his head and said, “Why doesn’t it work?”

Lin Daohan was not disappointed when his Buddhist power did not affect the Higan Golden Bridge. However, he was shocked that Zhu Yi’s Virtual Entity pulsated with more aura and power, which made him more and more powerful.

Above Zhu Yi’s head, a Yi Daoist Talisman appeared!

A book appeared once again in the hand of his Virtual Entity. On it, one could see the words “Book of Changes.”

Lin Daohan’s eyes flashed slightly. Under normal circumstances, when his opponent tried to reform their power, they would not make new ones. Instead, they would only reinforce the one under his control, which worked in his favor.

The Nether Plague Holy Light was able to turn everything in the universe into something with a form. It could temporarily seize its initiative and was extremely mysterious and unpredictable. It could not be overcome so easily.

Yet, at this moment, Zhu Yi was able to re-form his Book of Changes and his Yi Daoist Talisman.

This was not an illusion or a mirage. Instead, under the influence of Zhu Yi’s thought, the Heavenly Classic of the Way’s Virtue was able to reappear.

Lin Daohan could also feel that the Yi Daoist Talisman above his head slowly disappearing.

The Nether Plague Holy Light started to turn darker. The mysterious light slowly lost its control over Zhu Yi.

Zhu Yi’s spells returned to him!

Zhu Yi looked at Lin Daohan and without a moment’s hesitation, lifted the Higan Golden Bridge. Instantly, he appeared before Lin Daohan. Then, streams of aura appeared all over his body and many profound principles flowed all over him.

Buddhist teachings, Heaven’s Gate teachings, Emperor of the Dead’s teachings, Emperor of Violence’s teachings, Emperor Chen’s teachings, the Dark Emperor’s teachings and even the Celestial Sect of Wonders’ own interpretation of the Mantra of the Great Oblivion and the Yin Yang Mantra of the Void appeared. The presence of so many teachings was summoned by Zhu Yi’s powers and then directed to the different directions of the sky. Then, they slowly started to disintegrate!

An unbelievably terrifying and destructive energy came straight for Lin Daohan.

This was Zhu Yi’s Dao of the Way!

With one Dao, everywhere would be destroyed!

Lin Daohan could feel the body where his Immortal Soul resided shaking violently. His entire body was protected with the Cheng Heaven Great Void Celestial Light but he could feel his body being torn apart.

Under the Dao of the Way, even the Cheng Heaven Great Void Celestial Light started to flash non-stop as it became more and more unstable.

Lin Daohan looked at the talisman above Zhu Yi’s head and said, “Among your fellow disciples, Xiao Yan’s destructive powers were too strong. Shi Tianhao had the Final Holy Light and the Origin Holy Light, which could end and start life as he wished. The Nether Plague Holy Light could not injure any one of them.”

“However, your Book of Changes draws its power from the strength of an individual and is able to direct the progress of humanity. Compared to the power of the heaven and earth, one’s heart is the most important thing. It is easier for an army to capture an enemy general than for an ordinary man to find his resolve.”

He shook his head, sighed, and said, “Zhu Yi, your power is extraordinary indeed.”

With that, Lin Daohan transformed into his Immortal Soul form. His entire body appeared to have turned into a great seal.

The light around the seal reached out into the distance and then, the seal started to spin.

The light spun with the seal to form a huge whirlpool. From the center of the whirlpool, a powerful ray of light shot out!

Runes that enveloped the entire sky were congregated by the ray of light. They turned into small formations, which then stuck together and spun together. They directed the spiritual energy around them and with that as its center, they started to spin.

Everywhere the light pillar started to collapse, including the teachings that Zhu Yi had summoned.

At the same time, the Higan Golden Bridge that stretched through the sky landed on top of the whirlpool!