Taiyi Dao Fruit

Five Finger Mountain.

In the past, the Buddhist Zhen Ru's written talisman transformed into a giant palm, created the mountain by suppressing the Giant Snake Baqi, and also extinguished the surrounding evil spirits and Yin Qi. Since then, although Five Finger Mountain has not become a sacred place of the Buddhist sect, no shadowy energy has been seen. One could say it has been peaceful.

The melodious yet eerie flute music wafted around Five Finger Mountain, with one distorted note after another swirling around and continually striking the mountain.

Cloaked in a black robe and with his right arm bare, the black-haired man used the stone flute in his hands to play contradictory and bizarre tunes, constantly deciphering the Great Brightness Mantra within Five Finger Mountain.

Under the assault of the twisted notes, the Five Elements' balance inside the mountain began to malfunction, and a long, narrow crack formed at the mountain's base, from which dark and sticky streams of evil flowed out.

This man was none other than Lou Shuangying, whom Jiang Li and others had encountered in Five Finger Mountain that day at the Fire House Buddha Hell.

Beside Lou Shuangying stood another figure cloaked in black. Donning a dark evil cloak robe with a mask patterned in black and gold, the figure's night-colored hair was pinned under a black jade crown. This figure was obviously unrighteous, likely a major antagonist.

At that moment, the black silhouette looked at the crack in Five Finger Mountain and spoke in a slightly murky voice from behind the mask, "The spell granted by the Worldly Venerable is truly effective. In less than half an hour, the Great Brightness Mantra will be broken, and the great snake will be released."

Lou Shuangying continued to play the stone flute, turning the intangible into tangible, creating a voice out of illusion, "I have observed the mountain for more than a month, to no avail against this Great Brightness Mantra. The Worldly Venerable's distant guidance allowed me to break through the mantra. His realm is becoming ever more profound."

At this moment, Lou Shuangying's voice carried none of the madness from the last time he mentioned Karma Tathagata. It was steady, filled with reverence, as if that day's transformation had been merely an illusion.

"Breaking this Five Finger Mountain is like repaying a favor to that individual, and at the same time, it can disrupt the path that the Awakened laid for his disciple—an achievement that kills two birds with one stone," Lou Shuangying said with light laughter.

The black figure also chuckled, "Others may not know of the Dao Fruit of Buddha Country, but how could we not understand? The Awakened intends to elevate his disciple to become Golden Cicada and even set up Five Finger Mountain early to pave the way for him. It won't be so easy. Moreover, he has been moving frequently as if he's about to emerge into the world. How could the Worldly Venerable sit idly by?"

When the Awakened does not emerge, Tathagata does not intervene.

Years ago, the Awakened and Karma Tathagata made this pact. For many years, both sides maintained their own confines, not emerging into the world. Now with the Awakened showing activity, Karma Tathagata would naturally not play dead. Disrupting Five Finger Mountain was the response from the Fire House Buddha Hell.

As the two spoke, the flute music continued without pause. Lou Shuangying methodically employed the Moluo Sword Manual's spell, gradually wearing down the Buddhist intent that pervaded Five Finger Mountain and destroying the balance of the Five Elements.

All was progressing steadily, yet a sinister force cut through the sky, accompanied by a cold voice tinged with a hint of resignation.

"Gentlemen, it's not that I wish to disturb you, but could you please hurry up? If you don't quicken the pace, powerful individuals will soon arrive."

Although he'd like to say that Jiang Li definitely couldn't make it in such little time, seeing Jiang Li's figure fading and the imminent return of the great serpent to daylight, he felt a bit of concern.

Heluo God had roamed the world for many years, engaged in all sorts of dealings, and managed to stay well and alive, even emerging as the sole escapee from the surprise attack on Dinghu Sect. What he relied on was prudence.

Even if taking a risk, he made sure to have an exit strategy first. Those who don't find an exit, like the Thunder God, had already been betrayed by him.

Therefore, Heluo God was slightly anxious.

"Indeed, breaking the Great Brightness Mantra is not so simple. If we rush it, it will not succeed. Hastiness would only cause backlash," Lou Shuangying said indifferently.

He inferred that you're in a hurry, but first, don't panic; after all, panic is useless.

Besides, the seal would soon be lifted. Could there really be someone coming to interfere?

Even if someone did aim to stop them, wouldn't they still have the two Asura Kings ready?

"Boom!"

The ground rumbled, the mountains tremored, and the nefarious flow bursting forth from within suddenly picked up pace. The dark Qi clung to the peaks, faintly forming a ferocious giant serpent.

See, more urgency.

The assault on the seal had started from within.

The Great Brightness Mantra was still in effect. A forceful attempt to break the seal at this time would undoubtedly lead to backlash and injury was inevitable.

However, the other side's impatience also made the two Asura Kings sense that strong urgency.

Certainly, a fourth-rank would have a realm not beneath their own. Having special divine skills or abilities to sense an impending crisis was also a possibility.

The two exchanged glances. The black figure flung his sleeves, extending hands covered in black curse seals. His palms whirled, coming together to form a ring like that of Buddha's wheel, from which a blue aura surged forth, penetrating into Lou Shuangying.

With this newfound strength in his arms, Lou Shuangying's Qi Mechanism greatly enhanced, the flute music becoming more stirring, and formed curse rings that locked around the five peaks.

The cracks at the base of the mountains widened, and evil Qi surged out like a tide.

Suddenly, a resounding boom shook the earth as the mountain quivered. A sinister, pitch-black serpent's head like that of a flood dragon burst forth from the crack, its crimson eyes devoid of pupils keenly observing the world once again. Rage, resentment, shock, fear...A plethora of negative emotions overflowed as the serpent's head emerged.

At the same time, dense Disaster Qi gathered from all directions, voraciously sucked in by the serpent's head like a whale drawing in water.

"Sss—"

"Haha!"

"Jie jie jie!"

With a hiss, a distorted laugh, a fit of madness, a tremendous force from beneath the mountains began to rise, slowly lifting the five peaks. One serpent's head after another extended from beneath the ground, carving deep trenches.