Chapter 1318 - Shattering Fetters

Immortal light rose above Universal Emptiness Temple, and Buddhist radiance spread outward in a vision of holiness.

“It’s finally appeared! It seems something extraordinary is happening in that mysterious temple!”

A group of figures appeared in the distance.

“Report to Her Excellency Butterfly Girl. Tell her that Universal Emptiness Temple has reappeared!”

“Understood!”

......

A dark, overcast world.

“My lord, we’ve just received word that Universal Emptiness Temple has reappeared.”

A black butterfly beat its wings, flew over to the Tailor, and transformed into a teenage girl.

The Tailor was brewing tea. When he heard that, he only laughed. “The Temple Master is angry, and he plans to settle the score with this old-timer.”

The girl looked stunned and completely befuddled. “My lord, is there some sort of connection between Universal Emptiness Temple and the Temple Master?”

“Over the years, you’ve sent so many people in search of Universal Emptiness Temple but never found it,” said the Tailor. “Now, the temple’s gone and appeared of its own accord. Don’t you find that strange?”

The girl exclaimed, “So it reappeared because of the Temple Master?”

The Tailor subtly inclined his head, took the teapot off the flames, and poured himself a cup. “Illuminating Emptiness of Universal Emptiness Temple is one of the Temple Master’s closest friends. If anyone can find him and his temple, it’s the Temple Master.”

“But what does that have to do with him settling the score with you, my lord?” asked the girl.

A complicated look appeared on the Tailor’s face. He sighed, “All of that happened a long, long time ago. No need to bring it up now. Simply put, if the Temple Master wants to get even with me, Illuminating Emptiness really can help him do just that.”

The girl exclaimed, “Then what should we do?”

“Simple.” The Tailor drained his teacup and said, “Spread word that the Temple Master has proceeded to Universal Emptiness Temple. Others will naturally step in to lend us a hand.”

Here, he added, “That aside, call back the forces we’ve spread throughout the Divine Capital Star Realm. Without my orders, they’re not to leave for any further operations.”

The girl was instantly solemn, and she nodded her assent.

But a moment later, she couldn’t help but ask, “My lord, do you think the Temple Master will survive this time too?”

The Tailor laughed. “It doesn’t matter whether he lives or dies. What matters is whether or not we can seize this opportunity to strengthen ourselves.”

With that, he waved her away. “Go on.”

......

Universal Emptiness Temple.

The strange phenomena of heaven and earth had already disappeared.

Two figures stood in the air before the laurel tree.

One was a middle-aged man dressed like a scholar. He had long robes, graying temples, and features marked by the vicissitudes of countless years.

The other was a big-boned, firm-featured monk in white monk’s robes. His head was clean-shaven, and his presence was as heavy and firm as iron.

The first was the most legendary sword cultivator of the End of the Dharma, the one they called Sword Immortal Qingshi.

The other was the founder of Universal Emptiness Temple, a progenitor of Buddhism. During the End of the Dharma, they called him the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha!

Countless years after their disappearance, the two of them regained awareness and reunited. The following conversation was full of emotion.

Further away, Su Yi sank into thought. In truth, both Sword Immortal Qingshi and the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha were revenants, a type of soul body.

However, due to their extremely powerful cultivations, they seemed no different from any other cultivators.

“What level was your founder’s cultivation in life?” Su Yi transmitted.

Illuminating Emptiness immediately replied, “If I knew, I would have told you in your past life. Why wait until now?”

Su Yi was stunned.

Meanwhile, Illuminating Emptiness approached, clasped his palms, and solemnly inclined his head. “Disciple Illuminating Emptiness of Universal Emptiness Temple greets you, Founder!”

The Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha looked at him and sighed. “I truly wouldn’t have thought that even after the End of the Dharma, the temple I established would survive all these years.”

Illuminating Emptiness didn’t know what to say.

Had Universal Emptiness Temple not survived all this time, how could I be what I am today?

Illuminating Emptiness then went on to introduce Su Yi and Wei Shan to the founder.

After the group exchanged pleasantries, Illuminating Emptiness led them into a hall. They all took seats and began chatting in earnest.

It was during this discussion that Su Yi finally got an answer to his question. In life, both the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha and Sword Immortal Qingshi had been in the Cloud Soaring Realm!

However, both of them now existed as revenants, and it hadn’t been long since they’d reawakened from their long, long years of dormancy. Their strengths were far from their former peaks. They were at most comparable to early-stage Cloud Soaring Transcendents.

Even so, that was plenty startling already.

To the best of Su Yi’s understanding, the two powerful revenants Daoist Master Red Cloud killed, the Ghost Scholar and Buddhist Master Red Lantern, had been roughly comparable to early-stage Dao Integration Realm Transcendents upon reawakening.

Li Beishan, a former Dao Integration Transcendent, was only comparable to a late-stage Nascent Divinity Transcendent as a revenant.

In truth, it was only revenants like him, those within the Nascent Divinity Realm, who weren’t subject to backlash from the Laws.

Sword Immortal Qingshi had been hiding within Vast Expanse, not daring to reveal himself. It was only after he fused with his remains that he finally broke free from Vast Expanse and became a true revenant.

But at the same time, neither he nor the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha could leave the temple.

The two of them now conversed.

“I truly wouldn’t have expected the power of reincarnation to appear in the present day,” sighed the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha.

According to him, reincarnation had disappeared from this world a long time ago. In ancient times, it was already gone.

Furthermore, an immortal had descended from the Immortal Realm and visited the Eastern Profound Star Domain in search of the secrets of reincarnation. He’d even visited the Dark and Gold Star Realm’s Netherworld.

But in the end, he achieved nothing at all.

“It’s truly unexpected. According to the ancient Contract of the Gods, reincarnation should have long since been eliminated. No one is permitted to undergo reincarnation ever again,” said Sword Immortal Qingshi, his gaze strange. “But it seems obvious that Fellow Daoist Su is an exception.”

Both he and the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha knew how extraordinary an existence Su Yi was to revenants with his mastery over reincarnation.

He could grant them release from the fetters of their curse.

But he could also destroy them completely, so thoroughly that not even traces remained!

“Temple Master, I... I’d like to ask a favor of you.” Illuminating Emptiness suddenly stammered, “Err....”

But before he could finish his request, Su Yi said directly, “I can help you.”

Illuminating Emptiness was briefly stunned, but then, he felt a massive weight lift from his shoulders. “I just knew you understood me better than anyone!”

Both Sword Immortal Qingshi and the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha could read between the lines. Their spirits soared, and both shot to their feet.

“Fellow Daoist, thank you for lending us your aid!” Both clasped their fists, their faces full of excitement.

It was no wonder they were so excited that they lost their usual comportment. Any revenant would have reacted the same way. With their curse broken, they could live again. They would be completely capable of re-entering the world and resuming their pursuit of the Immortal Dao!

But if they couldn’t break their curse, they were doomed to never advance so much as a step further!

If Su Yi helped them, it’d be no different from granting them a new life!

“But we cannot accept your kindness without giving you something in exchange. Fellow Daoist Su, do you have any difficulties you’ve yet to resolve? If there’s anything we can do for you, we absolutely won’t refuse,” Sword Immortal Qingshi said solemnly. The Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha nodded too.

But Su Yi shook his head. “You needn’t be so polite. Illuminating Emptiness is a dear friend. How could I be after a reward? If I demanded anything, I’d only embarrass myself.”

When they heard that, both of these top experts whose names shook the age of the End of the Dharma couldn’t help but look a bit ashamed.

But this only strengthened their resolve to repay Su Yi.

“Ol’ monk, our Fellow Daoist Su is obviously no ordinary person. Seems to me that we’d best think long and hard about how to repay this enormous act of benevolence,” transmitted Sword Immortal Qingshi.

“That’s indeed the case,” the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha transmitted back. “The Buddha once cut off a piece of his flesh to feed an eagle, with no thought of rewards. That was a true act of great compassion. But we are not eagles. If we don’t repay this kindness, how will we be any better than animals?”

Sword Immortal Qingshi agreed completely. These two top powerhouses of the ancient area now had a completely different impression of Su Yi.

Illuminating Emptiness, meanwhile, was so happy that he couldn’t stop grinning.

Su Yi’s words had given him a lot of face, making him look good in front of the founder. It was obvious how delighted he was.

Wei Shan took all of this in. Inwardly, he sighed with admiration.

The young master’s words have delighted everyone present. It’s truly too wondrous for words.

Then, without any further delay, Su Yi proceeded to break their curses.

Boom!

The light of reincarnation flowed around his fingers.

When they sensed it, both revenants felt as if there were a blade pressed against their backs, and their hearts filled with irrepressible dread.

If not for their trust in Su Yi, they might well have fought back!

Whoosh~!

As Su Yi poured his strength into his fingers, the power of reincarnation formed a vortex that drew a strange, murky gray calamitous power out of Sword Immortal Qingshi.

It was like a serpent covered in the intricate, inscrutable markings of the natural order, or a strange, contorted, miniature tentacle.

This was the power of their curse!

It was a power born of the natural order during that ancient catastrophe. It represented the past calamity, and if it weren’t removed, it would confine a revenant in perpetuity, leaving them neither fully human nor fully ghost!

Su Yi originally planned to examine its mysteries, but against all expectations, the curse’s incomparably strange power lunged at him as if it had come to life!

“Be careful!” Illuminating Emptiness couldn’t help but look startled.

But Su Yi just laughed. A dim luster arose within the floating image of reincarnation: the power of the Laws of the End.

Boom!

The cursed power shattered and dissipated into the dusky light.

The fetters that had bound Sword Immortal Qingshi for countless years shattered. He trembled from head to toe, practically glowing.

“These fetters have bound me for countless years, but just like that, I... am free....” Sword Immortal Qingshi looked dazed. It seemed he almost dared not believe it.

Su Yi then proceeded to do the exact same thing again, breaking the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha’s curse too.

The Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha clasped his palms together and inclined his head. “Amitabha! How wondrous the Buddha of immeasurable life! Many thanks, fellow Daoist, for freeing me from the Sea of Bitterness. Today, I have stepped onto the shore once more!”

He was obviously incomparably excited, and his firm features were full of undisguisable delight.

“No trouble at all,” Su Yi said casually. And it was true; breaking their curse wasn’t at all difficult for him.

Yet to Sword Immortal Qingshi and the Universal Emptiness Sword Buddha, it was an act of benevolence as great as the heavens themselves!

But before they could celebrate, they sensed a series of strange movements outside of the temple.