Chapter 670 - 665: The Bhagavat Has Awakened Within Me
The moment the thought surfaced, both Lü Yang and Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying realized something was wrong. Horror flashed across their faces.
’What the hell?!’
The next second, Lü Yang pushed the [Seeing Myself Immortal Technique] to its absolute limit. It was like a clear spring, instantly cleansing his Spiritual Space and Heart Spirit.
Yet, despite his efforts, the intention rooted deep within his Dao Heart was awakened. It began to corrupt and rewrite his Dao Heart in a way he couldn’t possibly comprehend. A powerful will, like a storm, brutally carved away a piece of his original self, which had been in a state of Perfection.
’Amitabha...’
A heavy voice echoed from within his heart. It was as if some behemoth had suddenly surfaced from the water, opening a pair of smiling eyes that brimmed with Buddha Light.
’I’m losing control!’
As the Buddha’s Name echoed in Lü Yang’s heart, he could clearly sense that a full one-fifth of his Dao Heart had been carved away and transformed into the Bhagavat.
At that moment, he was incredibly grateful that he had refined the [Seeing Myself Immortal Technique].
’If it weren’t for the fortification this Immortal Technique provides, solidifying my sense of self, at least two-thirds of my Dao Heart would have been carved away by now.’
A chill ran through Lü Yang’s heart at the thought.
’But why two-thirds?’
’Because I need three True Treasures! When I was refining the first two, I absorbed an Outer Dao Fruit Position each time. It turns out both of those Outer Dao Fruit Positions were tainted...’
The True Treasures themselves were fine.
’The problem was, to rapidly advance my Cultivation, I had to absorb Outer Dao Fruit Positions to refine the True Treasures. And that became the key to the Bhagavat’s plot against me.’
’No wonder there was a Bodhisattva behind both the Ten Thousand Martial Realm’s [Imperial Decree] and the Outer Dao Alliance’s [Mingtian]. So this is what they were waiting for... It was a poison prepared just for me, but to advance my Cultivation quickly, I had no choice but to take it. I was so close to being done for...’
Lü Yang’s heart turned to ice.
’If I hadn’t had a sudden moment of clarity and decided to use my own Grotto Heaven to refine the third True Treasure, instead of absorbing another Fruit from an outside source...’
The Bhagavat might have actually succeeded!
Had he absorbed three Outer Dao Fruit Positions, all connected to the Bhagavat, the entity would have revived inside him and could have seized everything in an instant!
Fortunately, the issue with the third True Treasure allowed him to escape death by a twist of fate. Not only did he avoid being instantly possessed by the Bhagavat, but he also used the [Seeing Myself Immortal Technique] to forcibly reduce the Mighty Power—which could have carved away two-thirds of his Dao Heart—down to a mere one-fifth.
However, this was only a temporary reprieve.
’The Bhagavat’s method of altering a Dao Heart is simply terrifying. If I weren’t currently within the [Celestial Human Residual Consciousness], I doubt I could stop His conversion at all.’
The [Celestial Human Residual Consciousness] severed all connections.
This was why the nascent consciousness hadn’t immediately realized it was an avatar of the Bhagavat; its main body, far away on the [Other Shore], was unable to provide any assistance.
Even so, the Bhagavat still held the upper hand. Lü Yang could clearly sense it gradually rewriting the part of his Dao Heart that defined his very self.
’What should I do?’
Everything had changed in a flash. By the time Lü Yang snapped back to his senses, Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying had already stabbed straight through his chest.
At this moment, however, the composure in Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying’s eyes was gone.
His voice, which had been so relaxed and confident before, was now laced with disbelief and panic. "You... you truly have the audacity to defy Heaven itself!"
’He dared to meddle with something belonging to the Bhagavat?’
’Even in his own plans, he wouldn’t consider trying to snatch something from the Bhagavat until after he reached the Late Stage of Golden Core and became a Five Elements Great True Monarch.’
’But Lü Yang?’
’A junior at the Early Stage of Golden Core, who hadn’t even been at this level for a hundred years, actually dared to take things belonging to the Bhagavat. And by the looks of it, he took more than just one!’
’Does he have a death wish?’
At this thought, the killing intent radiating from Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying surged. He couldn’t drag this out with Lü Yang any longer. If the Bhagavat truly revived here, it would be game over!
’Worse, the Bhagavat’s main body on the [Other Shore] has probably already sensed that something is wrong. It might be starting to probe for this place—the one that slipped through His net long ago! Once He finds it, He’ll undoubtedly crush it, and my main body’s plan will fail along with it...’
’That absolutely cannot happen!’
With this thought, Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying held nothing back. He performed a Finger Technique, pressing his hand to his chest. No Bright Light appeared; instead, a vast cloud of smoke erupted.
’[Covering True Truth Immortal Technique]!’
He pointed a finger, and in an instant, a misty light filled the sky. Lü Yang immediately sensed the change and looked up, acutely aware of how formidable this Immortal Technique was.
’It’s like my [Seeing Myself Immortal Technique], but its effect is the complete opposite!’
The [Seeing Myself Immortal Technique] worked to solidify the Dao Heart and preserve the self, whereas the [Covering True Truth Immortal Technique] was meant to shatter the Dao Heart and annihilate the self!
More importantly, it could synergize with the [Veil of the Trees]!
For a moment, Lü Yang felt his thoughts grow hazy. His mind stopped turning, and he felt as if he were floating in a dream, overcome by an immense, drowsy sleepiness.
Of course, the same was happening to the Bhagavat within him.
After all, Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying wasn’t targeting one over the other. He intended to wipe them all out in one fell swoop, using the moment Lü Yang and the Bhagavat were locked in their struggle to annihilate them both!
In this situation, Lü Yang’s death was all but certain.
His [Seeing Myself Immortal Technique] was still tied up struggling against the Bhagavat, and since he was already losing that battle, he had no energy left to counter the attack from Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying.
’...I have to risk it all!’
The next second, Lü Yang made his decision. He pulled back the [Seeing Myself Immortal Technique], locking down his Dao Heart at the one-third critical point.
This was the absolute limit for maintaining his own consciousness.
As long as that one-third of his Dao Heart remained untouched, his fundamental self would not change. He would still be him, not completely transformed into the Bhagavat.
The only drawback was that the Bhagavat, now occupying two-thirds of his Dao Heart, could take his place and assume direct control over his Cultivation.
In other words:
’The Bhagavat is about to awaken within my body...’
Almost simultaneously, the "Lü Yang" who had a hole in his chest, who was shrouded by the [Veil of the Trees] and affected by the [Covering True Truth Immortal Technique], suddenly lifted his head.
Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying: "..."
Without the slightest hesitation, Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying—who had just moments ago planned to eliminate both Lü Yang and the Bhagavat—swiftly changed tactics to target the Bhagavat.
BOOM!
A silent explosion rocked Lü Yang’s Spiritual Space, striking the portion of his Dao Heart that had been converted into the Bhagavat, causing it to weaken instantly.
The effect was clearly excellent.
Yet, the more this happened, the brighter the Buddha Light in "Lü Yang’s" eyes shone. The corners of his lips curved slightly, revealing a benevolent, compassionate smile.
The Bhagavat’s will had fully awakened within Lü Yang’s body. Although he couldn’t access Lü Yang’s memories—thanks to Lü Yang fiercely protecting the last third of his Dao Heart—he could now control Lü Yang’s Mana, Dharma Body, and even his Fruit. Only the three True Treasures remained beyond his reach.
But that was enough.
The Bhagavat surveyed his surroundings. Even though he was merely a sliver of will built upon Lü Yang’s Dao Heart, unable to contact his main body on the [Other Shore]...
...he was, after all, close to the level of a Master of Dao.
The next second, Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying saw a fiery light materialize above "Lü Yang’s" head. It formed into a Talisman, which then spelled out a line of large words:
[This place cannot affect the Dao Heart]
A forced engraving!
Not only that, but this use of [Engraving Laws] was imbued with the inherent Position of the Bhagavat’s will, pushing the power of this Divine Fruit Position to its absolute limit.
The next second, both Ang Xiao’s Liu Ying’s [Covering True Truth Immortal Technique] and Lü Yang’s [Seeing Myself Immortal Technique] shattered like dream bubbles. Freed from their suppression, the Bhagavat’s thoughts grew ever clearer. At last, he spoke his first words since awakening:
"Well! To think I am a World Honored One’s Avatar!"