Chapter 926: 187 Extinguish Buddha (Guaranteed)
Chapter 926: Chapter 187 Extinguish Buddha (Guaranteed)
Thinking of Jiang Lichen, Li Hao couldn’t help but think of Emperor Yu. Now, twelve years had passed since he arrived in the Land of All Saints, while one hundred and twenty years had gone by in the Mortal World. He wondered how Emperor Yu was doing.
And then there was Qianqian. Ever since he was assassinated after crossing through the Immortal Gate, he had heard that the Immortal Gate had been sealed off entirely. Qianqian and others who came after him were unable to reach this place.
Over a hundred years had passed in the Mortal World. People and things there—what kind of changes had befallen them? Would the once-familiar faces remain familiar?
A longing surfaced in Li Hao’s heart. Now he had the power to journey back to the Mortal World and even bring Emperor Yu here. But that would have to wait until his current matters were resolved.
With this thought, Li Hao did not accompany Feng and Lie Sky Saint in returning to the Little Thousand World. Instead, he traveled with the Sword Master and made his way to the Canglan Realm.
This time, in eradicating the Buddhists, he planned to act alone, avoiding dragging others into the matter.
Feng Boping knew what Li Hao intended to do and wanted to follow him, but Li Hao refused. After giving it some thought, Feng Boping didn’t insist further. With Li Hao’s current strength, even if dangerous situations arose, Li Hao was more than capable of protecting himself. If Li Hao were unable to escape, his own presence would only add to the burden.
The child he had once known had now soared a thousand miles beyond reach. Feng Boping was genuinely happy for Li Hao, yet he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of amazement.
“This time, once the Buddhists are eradicated, they will be removed from All Saints, cutting off the source of their faith. From now on, the Canglan Realm will have only two Holy Lands.”
On the journey to the Canglan Realm, Li Hao traveled alongside the Sword Master. The Sword Saint also followed, as both he and the Sword Master were headed back to the Holy Land.
Li Hao brought Lin Qingyue along as well. She had previously expressed a willingness to follow, so Li Hao agreed to take her with him.
As for his friends in the Turquoise Pool, Zhan Tan, and others, they each had their own paths to tread. Li Hao did not bring them along, as his purpose for this journey was to eradicate the Buddhists—a venture that would bring no benefit to the Semi-Saints accompanying him.
Hearing Li Hao’s words, Lin Qingyue turned her eyes to him. The young man standing beside her was now someone who could, with casual words, determine the rise or fall of an entire Holy Land. It was almost inconceivable.
In her heart, she felt both joy for Li Hao and an inexplicable sadness. She couldn’t help but reminisce about the time spent in that small courtyard, when he was nursing his injuries and she was practicing her swordsmanship, while he painted quietly.
When she paused in her sword practice, she would catch a glimpse of the young man who was so absorbed in his art. He had reminded her of the spring sunlight—bright, warm, and comforting, evoking smiles from deep within the heart.
Now, although Li Hao didn’t put on any airs, nor did he flaunt his Saintly might in her presence, she felt a strange difficulty in being as casual as she once was.
“Are you planning to establish a new Holy Land? If you were to build one in the Canglan Realm, it would undoubtedly help it ascend into the Middle-level Small World.”
The Sword Master looked at Li Hao and extended the invitation to him.
Upon hearing this, the Sword Saint’s gaze flickered slightly. He also looked at Li Hao. He did not voice the same question, but he couldn’t help thinking about it. However, unlike the Sword Master’s straightforward invitation, the Sword Saint’s mind was filled with worry.
After all, if Li Hao were to establish a new Holy Land, the Canglan Realm would naturally regard it as its foremost Holy Land. The Sword Ancestor Holy Land’s status wouldn’t change much, but there was a possibility that Li Hao’s towering presence would overshadow it, drawing more incense fire, and leaving the Sword Ancestor Holy Land and the Literature Ancestor Holy Land to diminish even further.
“I don’t currently have any plans to establish a Holy Land. I’ve grown used to wandering freely.”
Li Hao chuckled lightly and said, “Perhaps down the line, if I have more friends who need my protection, I’ll consider it.”
Hearing this, the Sword Master nodded and said, “Then we’ll discuss it when the time comes. Perhaps we’ll end up as neighbors.”
Li Hao smiled, and the Sword Master smiled as well. Even the Sword Saint’s lips curved into a smile, but inwardly he felt a sinking weight. Li Hao’s words implied only a temporary refusal, not outright rejection.
“Previously, Haoyue struck too hard and destroyed your Dao Embryo. Yet, misfortune turned into a blessing, allowing you to cultivate something even more powerful. I’m prepared to place you in the core Saint Heir sequence of the Sword Ancestor Holy Land, on equal footing with Haoyue. For the future, should any of you achieve becoming a Saint, the most suitable candidate will inherit the Sword Ancestor Holy Land from me. Like the Green Lamp Buddha, I’ll step back and deal only with minor affairs.”
The Sword Saint turned to Lin Qingyue and spoke to her in a warm tone.
Hearing this, Lin Qingyue frowned slightly. The destruction of her Dao Embryo had been tacitly permitted, and the thorn of that event still lodged deep in her heart.
She understood the way of the world well enough, though. If she had allowed herself to crumble under that blow, the Sword Saint wouldn’t even have spared her a second glance. She was merely a stepping stone for his disciple, a tool to aid a Saint Heir’s Dao Heart to reach Great Accomplishment, elevating their strength further—a priority far beyond nurturing an extra saintess.
After all, what mattered to the Holy Lands was the pinnacle of power, not its quantity.
She had come to terms with this hard truth. Thus, she also understood that the Sword Saint’s present words were meant to encourage her to move past old grievances.
If she entered the core Saint Heir sequence, given her current capability of defeating the Haoyue Saint Son, she would most likely have a legitimate chance to defeat him again in the future and seize control of the Sword Ancestor Holy Land.
Unless some unforeseen circumstance arose.
But none of these things concerned her. She cared little for delving into such thoughts or schemes.
“I have no interest in taking on the title of Sword Saint. I only love the sword…”
Lin Qingyue’s tone was calm. Yet, as she uttered these words, she glanced briefly at Li Hao, leaving half the sentence unspoken.
I only love the sword, and one other person.
The Sword Saint was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected her to refuse. The core Saint Heir sequence was something that every Saint Heir and saintess of the Holy Lands vied for. To stand out within this sequence would grant one complete authority over the Holy Land, including control over the flow of incense fire. In times of Saintly assassination attempts, one could even draw power from the Holy Land itself to bolster their strength.
With so many advantages, Lin Qingyue’s lack of interest came as a surprise.