Chapter 1689 : Ruins of the Literary Heart

However, the present Ancient Temple lay in utter ruin. The Great Hall was naught but crumbling walls and shattered pillars, the surrounding mountains had been sundered and sunk, and even the Bodhi tree [a sacred fig tree symbolizing enlightenment] before the temple had been cleaved in two.

Only upon the broken plaque above the entrance could the four characters for 'Literary Heart Ancient Temple' still be faintly discerned.

Eldrin Chen stood at the edge of the Literary Heart Ancient Temple, his expression dark as stormy waters, a chilling glint hidden within his gaze.

"Show yourself."

"So the renowned Returning Abyss Path Master has arrived. This old monk failed to welcome you properly. My apologies."

At that moment, an aged monk emerged from a shadowed corner, his face etched with sorrow as he regarded Eldrin Chen.

Eldrin Chen's expression remained placid. "You know me?" he asked, his tone indifferent.

"Naturally. This humble one has heard of the young friend's exploits—how you swept through the Six Heavenly Domains of the Western Pole and defeated the combined might of the Twin Imperial Scions of Tai Cang."

The old monk spoke, his countenance turning solemn.

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod and pressed on. "Are you the Bodhisattva Literary Heart?" Find this and other novels at AUDIO-NOVEL.COM.

"Indeed." The old monk nodded in affirmation.

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen spoke again, "I have heard that you once saved Worthy Pursuit. Why then did you betray him this time?"

Upon hearing these words, Bodhisattva Literary Heart's expression shifted repeatedly.

This time, he had long known he could not protect Worthy Pursuit Chen, yet he had not warned him in advance. Instead, he had allowed him to remain within the Bodhisattva Literary Heart's domain, leading to his encirclement and assault by the multitude.

This was a thorn in his heart, and he never imagined Eldrin Chen would bring it up directly.

With this thought, Bodhisattva Literary Heart asked, "What is your relationship with Worthy Pursuit?"

"I am his father!"

"Boom—"

Bodhisattva Literary Heart felt his face pale instantly, a sensation of swaying unsteadiness washing over him.

After a moment, he replied with a bitter laugh, "He has offended too many. Both the Celestial Rotating Jade Ancient Sect and the three great Buddhist Sect sought to use this opportunity to eliminate him."

"All three Buddhist Sect are Buddhist Sect Grotto-Heaven [a major Buddhist sect that occupies a blessed grotto-heaven realm]. The Celestial Rotating Jade Ancient Sect is even a Great Encompassing Ancient Sect [a supreme sect of immense power and heritage]. If this old monk did not agree, I fear the Literary Heart Ancient Temple would also cease to exist."

"I understand."

Eldrin Chen nodded, saying nothing more.

The Literary Heart Ancient Temple possessed only a single Celestial Immortal Great Power [a powerful immortal who has ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm]—Bodhisattva Literary Heart—and he was merely at the Second Heaven Celestial Immortal Realm. Under the circumstances at that time, even if he had intervened with all his might, he could not have protected Worthy Pursuit Chen.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen rose to his feet, his expression impassive. "In consideration of the fact that you once saved Worthy Pursuit," he stated flatly, "I will not hold you accountable today."

"The Karma [the web of cause and effect binding actions and their consequences] between you and him ends here."

With those words, Eldrin Chen soared through the air, arriving outside the Blood Dragon Ancient Temple.

The Blood Dragon Ancient Temple was one of the four great Pure Lands of the Buddhist Sect within the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain. This lineage cultivated the Blood Dragon Secret Art, said to require feeding one's life-bound blood dragon with human blood to achieve the Dao.

Such a secret art seemed no less sinister than the methods of the Demonic Paths. However, because this lineage did not refine Fiendish Energy [malevolent spiritual energy associated with demons and evil] and instead practiced the great dharma of the Buddhist Sect, it was still classified as a Buddhist Sect.

This kind of Buddhist Sect was entirely different in nature from those like the Western Pole Serene Spirit Temple in the lower realms. Yet, within the Buddhist Sect, it was not an isolated case.

In the world of Eldrin Chen's previous life, the Buddhist Sect originally did not prohibit marriage, drinking alcohol, eating meat, or even heinous acts like crafting drums from the skin of young maidens. They not only abstained from productive labor but also frequently seized farmlands and oppressed men and women.

It was only after several Martial Emperors suppressed Buddhism, and an imperial decree forbade alcohol, meat, marriage, and childbearing, that they gradually transformed into the Buddhist Sect later generations came to recognize.

In this realm, the Buddhist Sect lacks a Path Ancestor Immortal Sage to anchor its orthodoxy. Although it has produced many Great Encompassing Ancient Buddhas, this has led to the fragmentation of the Buddhist Sect into different sects.

Among them are Bodhisattvas of profound virtue like the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, but also those steeped in boundless bloodshed like the Ancient Buddha of the Sea of Blood, and even those who attained enlightenment through depravity, such as the Buddha of Joy.

Under the doctrinal lineages passed down by these Great Encompassing patriarchs of the Buddhist Sect, distinct and divergent sects of Buddhist Sect have emerged.

The Serene Spirit Temple in the far north of the Purple Seal Realm inherits the lineage of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. This branch emphasizes cultivating the self through Merit [a metaphysical "currency" representing good karma or virtuous deeds] and attaining the Way through great wisdom; its adherents are all cultivated individuals of profound virtue. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel dot com.

The Blood Dragon Ancient Temple, however, inherits part of the legacy of the Ancient Buddha of the Sea of Blood. Their methods are akin to the Demonic Path, yet in some ways more insidious.

They keep flocks of believers, draining their blood for cultivation. They lure and beguile followers into sacrificing their own flesh, blood, and souls with promises of union with the Buddha and ascension to the Western Paradise.

By doing so, they bear only a minuscule amount of karmic burden. Thus, their karmic debt never surpasses their accumulated Merit, allowing them to avoid being classified within the Demonic Path.

The Blood Dragon Ancient Temple boasts three Celestial Immortal Great Power [powerful beings who have ascended to the Celestial Immortal realm], one of whom has even reached the Mid Celestial Immortal Realm. This makes them the most powerful force within the Great Desert Celestial Sands Domain.

"The Blood Dragon Ancient Temple [a sinister temple that practices cultivation through the consumption of human blood], cultivating through human blood—how is that any different from a demon?"

"Hmph—"

Eldrin Chen let out a cold laugh, his eyes instantly blazing with overwhelming Celestial Slaughter [a profound and terrifying aura of divine, world-ending slaughter].

Without a moment's hesitation, the Chaos Heaven Halberd [a primordial halberd capable of sundering the heavens] in his hand descended with a thunderous crash. It pierced through the vast mountain range, forcibly shattering the massive Blood Dragon Ancient Temple, its tide of Celestial Slaughter intent sweeping across the Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome of the sky].

"BOOM!"

After the deafening roar subsided, several figures flew out from the ruins of the Blood Dragon Ancient Temple.

The leader wore a face of compassion; it was the Buddha who had once been listed among the disciples of Worthy Path Chen. Gazing at Eldrin Chen, he spoke with benevolent kindness, "Who are you, benefactor, and why do you cause trouble at our Blood Dragon Ancient Temple?"

"The one who will kill you!"

Eldrin Chen's Slaughter Intent [an aura of pure, annihilating will to kill] churned the heavens. A single Chaos Heaven Halberd smashed all creation, reducing the Blood Dragon Ancient Temple to utter ruins.

Yet his hatred remained unquenched. He struck again and again, sending the Buddha reeling, blood spraying from his mouth.

Witnessing Eldrin Chen unleash his divine might, the Buddha hastily activated a string of Prayer Beads [a string of enchanted beads used for protection and meditation] to shield himself. With a mixture of shock and fury, he cried out, "Who exactly are you, sir? I bear you no grudge. Why not choose peace over conflict?"

"Save your words for the underworld."

Eldrin Chen raised his palm, intent on suppressing the heavens and utterly annihilating his foe.

Unable to withstand the assault, the Buddha urgently summoned a crimson dragon to coil protectively around him. His face contorted into a savage snarl as he roared, "Do you truly believe this venerable one is easy prey?"

"*Clang!*"

Eldrin Chen offered no reply. Instead, he channeled surging sword energy that swept through the Starry River. The Primordial Unity Void Cosmos Sword Energy [a supreme sword art that merges the power of primordial unity with the void of the cosmos] erupted, cleaving through the Six Harmonies [a defensive formation based on the harmony of six directions] and the Eight Desolations [the eight most desolate and remote regions of the world], as he delivered a devastating overhead slash.

The Buddha defended with all his might. Yet, possessing only the first level of Celestial Immortal [the foundational realm for true immortals who have ascended to the celestial plane], how could he possibly withstand the full wrath of Eldrin Chen?

In less than a hundred exchanges, Eldrin Chen had reduced the Buddha's physical body to scattered ashes. Even the Buddha's Primordial Spirit [the immortal spiritual core of a high-level cultivator, housing their consciousness and power] was seized and suppressed beneath Eldrin Chen's palm.

Facing imminent annihilation, terror gripped the Buddha's heart. He immediately begged for mercy, "Fellow Daoist, spare me! This humble monk knows not how I have offended you."

"If you would but grant me clemency this once, I am willing to offer substantial compensation in treasure."

The Buddha spoke, withdrawing a wisp of Innate Energy [a primordial, untainted form of spiritual energy] from his sleeve. "I am willing to exchange this for a single life," he said.

"Innate Energy?"

Eldrin Chen's gaze grew even more somber. Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "Where did you obtain this?"

"It was the Celestial Rotating Jade Ancient Sect. They offered this in exchange for my assistance in besieging and slaying the 'Great Thunderous Voice Tathagata'," the Buddha replied.

"Just as I suspected!"

Murderous intent blazed in Eldrin Chen's eyes. With a single, decisive motion of his palm, he utterly extinguished the Buddha's Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator's being].

Almost simultaneously, Exquisite Jiang, Verdant Consort, and the others arrived. Exquisite Jiang looked at Eldrin Chen, her expression grave. "The forces the three great Buddhist Sect have committed to this tribulation are of little concern," she stated. "But the Celestial Rotating Jade Ancient Sect is not to be underestimated."

Lila's face was etched with profound worry. Clutching Eldrin Chen's arm, she choked back a sob. "Husband, you must find Worthy Pursuit."

Eldrin Chen offered no further words. His gaze simply pierced the depths of the void. "This debt," he said, his voice a cold promise, "will be settled. Account by account." The complete novel can be found at (audio-novel.com).