"Ignorant ants."

The Demon Buddha snorted coldly, stopped his actions, and a black lotus appeared beneath his feet. He sat cross-legged atop it, saying, "This place is now under my control. If you know what's best for you, retreat now, Human Emperor."

The Six Emperors' hearts were informed by the flow from the Human Dao Will, revealing the source of that peculiar Qi mechanism. He cast a deep glance at the Demon Buddha, said nothing, and directly departed.

The current Demon Buddha has an unprecedented foundation. If he follows the steps methodically, he can become the foremost figure of this era.

Of course, before that, he must deal with many ambitious individuals, such as the Supreme Daoist, such as Qing Yu. And when he reaches his peak, it will be the time for his battle with the Buddha.

Thus, the war that continued for nearly a month after the fall of the Shengde Empress Chengtian finally came to an end.

Due to the sudden emergence of Demon Buddha Bhauma, Xuanzhou's Hou Qian Capital was occupied by him. Daqian maintained control over three cities on the Xuanzhou border, Northern Zhou took over four cities on the other side, and destroyed Xunyang City.

The Hou Qian nation was thoroughly annihilated. Even its subjects couldn't foresee a favorable outcome.

Even if they survived the national extermination warfare, they must face the Demon Buddha occupying one Shu Province and most of Xuanzhou. Their fate is self-evident.

························

The next day, Northern Zhou Daming Hall.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Hou Qian Divinity Realm warriors Xu Tianzhi, Bai Duwo, and Lian Qingcheng have been confirmed as killed by the hands of the Netherworld Palace. Kong Xuankong, severely wounded by King Qin Guang, escaped the encirclement but is now missing.

Hou Qian's five armies, with a total of 300,000 troops, had 150,000 captured by Daqian, 90,000 killed, and the remainder fell into the hands of the Demon Buddha. Hou Qian has already become history," Grandmaster Zhuge Longsu reported.

"What are our casualties?" Emperor Zhou inquired.

"When we occupied Xuanzhou, our dynasty employed a strong decapitation tactic, resulting in minimal casualties among ordinary soldiers—only about 500, achieving remarkable success," Zhuge Longsu added.

"Any news from the Yin Sect Master?" Emperor Zhou asked Yun Wuyue nearby.

"Master's pursuit of Xue Ya was obstructed by Wula of Dharma Temple, allowing him to escape. He is currently returning to Northern Zhou," Yun Wuyue replied with a slight bow.

"Your Majesty······"

Zhuge Longsu hesitated, then asked, "I've heard that last night, in the battle between Demon Buddha Bhauma and the Human Emperor, the Demon Buddha was mightily imposing. Is there any truth to this······"

"It is true," Emperor Zhou said, "Although the actual outcome was that both the Demon Buddha and the Human Emperor ceased, had the battle continued, the Human Emperor would have been forced to retreat."

Once the Demon Buddha fights fiercely, the Buddha's power continuously flows into him. If the Demon Buddha hadn't stopped at that time, the Human Emperor's defeat would have been inevitable.

However, in such a case, the Demon Buddha would further absorb the Buddha's power, which is not what the Demon Buddha and others wished to see.

Although the Demon Buddha can proactively stop absorbing the Buddha's power, this requires the Demon Buddha to have the strength for suppression.

If the Demon Buddha releases his hold and fights, he will continuously draw power from the Buddha's Dharma Body. This instinct of dual aspect is beyond his control, only forcibly restrained.

'In today's world, avoiding battle is almost impossible. Moreover, with the Demon Buddha's temperament, he cannot shrink back without fighting, but the more he fights, the faster the Buddha's presence arrives.

A solution for the Demon Buddha must be found swiftly.' Emperor Zhou resolved.

The Demon Buddha Bhauma indeed has intentions to contend with the Buddha, rather than merely being the Buddha's negative Heart Demon. This is evident from his initial open reception of the Buddha's power.

Furthermore, absorbing the Buddha's power also enhances the Demon Buddha's own strength. If he cannot reach the zenith of demonhood, reversing to become a Buddha is out of the question.

If the Demon Buddha completely relinquishes absorption, he abandons the possibility of advancement. In such a case, even if he temporarily halts the Buddha's advent, he cannot avoid being eradicated by the Buddha once the seal is lifted.

Rather than that, he might as well seize the opportunity to measure himself against the Buddha, to see if the guest can become the host.

This represents the arrogance and reluctance of the demon, unavoidable.

That is precisely why Xinyuan frankly discloses the plan, without the slightest concealment, because he believes the Buddha's advent is inevitable.

However, the movement of the Three Dharma Seals indicates the plan is not flawless.

Thinking of this, Emperor Zhou ordered, "Lan Cang and his four Divinity Realm members, proceed to Hong Province to assist the Lian Family in safeguarding Hong Province and suppress any defiant forces.

The four cities of Xuanzhou, Daoist Master Lin and others from the Taoist will station there, alongside Lord Qingyu, who will also soon head to Xuanzhou.

As for the others, they will stay with our dynasty to manage the post-snow disaster affairs."

The continuous heavy snow dissipated ten days ago, and the warmth of early spring in March slowly arrives.

Nevertheless, the aftermath of the snow disaster still hasn't ended. Not to mention, the bodies of those who perished in the snow disaster exposed to the vernal climate after snow melts, may lead to a massive epidemic if not cautious, with widespread repercussions.

Moreover, with the national extermination war against Hou Qian just finished, countless perished in this battle, corpses abound, Emperor Zhou can almost foresee a major epidemic looming.

"It truly is disaster after disaster," Emperor Zhou griped, holding his forehead in frustration.

As an emperor, the most difficult times are those of calamity years, especially disasters affecting the entire nation.

························

Ji Province.

A streak of blood light cut through the sky, quietly entering a luxurious mansion.

The scene transitioned to the mansion, moving to the main room where a refined middle-aged man's face came into view.

Right now, this refined middle-aged man's eyes were red, and his facial expression was twisted with a grim and ferocious look.

"Emperor Zhou! Yin Tianxia!!"

The voice full of hatred expresses Xue Ya's resentment towards them. After suffering severe injuries inflicted by Emperor Zhou and being pursued by Yin Tianxia, though he escaped with his life, his essence blood was greatly damaged, and his body was half-burned by Taiyin Cold Qi, not yet fully recovered.

Currently, he can only support his body with True Qi, barely avoiding the tragedy of wheelchair confinement.

"Blood Sea Tathagata, if you are willing, might you hear a word from this poor monk?"

The ghostly door opened, revealing an elusive figure emerging from within, greeting Xue Ya, "Amitabha, Blood Sea Tathagata, this poor monk Xinyuan salutes you."

"Xinyuan······"

Recalling the old monk who assisted him in escaping earlier, Xue Ya sneered, "Even the abbot of the Great Zen Temple sends someone to help me, the Blood Demon Sect Leader. It seems the attacks by the Taoists on your Buddhists are not unfounded."

Despite being rescued by him, Xue Ya refuses to believe Xinyuan is any savior Bodhisattva. Even if he were, a Bodhisattva wouldn't save the likes of him, the Blood Demon Sect Leader.

Xinyuan has demands.

This is Xue Ya's thought, precisely an unerring truth.

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