Chapter 29: Fallen World Tathagata
Zhang Ruochen's figure flickered as he appeared within the Scroll World. The moment he stepped inside, he immediately sensed something was wrong.
The entire Scroll World was enveloped in a strange, oppressive aura. The sky was no longer clear and bright but had turned a deep, murky gray, as if covered by a layer of dark clouds. The ground was cracked, and the spiritual energy in the air had become chaotic, tinged with a faint, eerie black mist.
"What's going on?" Zhang Ruochen frowned deeply.
He had left the Scroll World in good condition, but now it seemed to have undergone some kind of drastic change. Could it be that someone had infiltrated this place?
Just as he was about to investigate further, a sudden, earth-shattering roar erupted from the depths of the Scroll World. The sound was like thunder, carrying an indescribable pressure that made even Zhang Ruochen's heart tighten.
"Boom!"
A massive black palm print slammed down from the sky, heading straight for Zhang Ruochen. The palm print was enormous, covering the sky and blotting out the sun, as if it could crush everything in its path.
Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious. Without any hesitation, he activated the Space Rule, and his figure instantly vanished from the spot, appearing a thousand meters away.
"Boom!"
The black palm print struck the ground, leaving a deep, bottomless pit. Cracks spread out in all directions like a spiderweb, and the entire Scroll World trembled violently.
"Who's there?" Zhang Ruochen shouted coldly, his gaze fixed on the depths of the Scroll World.
"Heh heh..."
A strange, eerie laugh echoed from the darkness. Then, a figure slowly emerged from the black mist.
It was a monk, wearing a tattered kasaya, his head lowered as if in deep meditation. But the aura emanating from him was terrifyingly powerful, even surpassing the level of a Great Saint.
"Fallen World Tathagata?" Zhang Ruochen's pupils contracted sharply.
He had heard of this name. The Fallen World Tathagata was a legendary figure from ancient times, a powerful being who had once shaken the entire Hell Realm. It was said that he had fallen into darkness and eventually disappeared without a trace. No one expected him to appear here, in the Scroll World.
"You are Zhang Ruochen?" The Fallen World Tathagata slowly raised his head, revealing a face that was half sacred and half demonic. One side was compassionate and merciful, like a true Buddha, while the other was twisted and ferocious, like a demon from hell.
"That's right." Zhang Ruochen nodded, his hand already gripping the Abyssal Ancient Sword, ready to strike at any moment.
"Heh, interesting. I didn't expect the Heir of Time and Space to be so young." The Fallen World Tathagata let out a strange laugh, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Ruochen as if he were examining a prey.
"What do you want?" Zhang Ruochen asked coldly.
"I want your body." The Fallen World Tathagata's voice was eerie, carrying an irresistible temptation. "Your body is a Five Elements Chaos Body, a perfect vessel. If I can possess it, I will be able to break free from this seal and regain my former glory."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Fallen World Tathagata made his move. He raised his hand, and a black Buddha palm print formed in the air, pressing down toward Zhang Ruochen. The palm print contained a terrifying power of darkness, as if it could devour everything.
Zhang Ruochen's expression was grave. He knew that this opponent was extremely powerful, far beyond what he could handle. But he had no choice but to fight.
"Space-Time Secret Scripture!"
Zhang Ruochen roared, and the Space-Time Secret Scripture appeared behind him, radiating dazzling golden light. He simultaneously activated the Space Rule and Time Rule, forming a powerful domain around him.
"Boom!"
The black Buddha palm print collided with Zhang Ruochen's domain, creating a deafening explosion. The entire Scroll World shook violently, as if it were about to collapse.
Zhang Ruochen groaned, taking several steps back. A trace of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. The Fallen World Tathagata's power was too strong; even with the Space-Time Secret Scripture, he could barely withstand it.
"Not bad, you actually managed to block my attack." The Fallen World Tathagata showed a hint of surprise, then his expression turned even more ferocious. "But that's all you've got. Let me show you what true power is!"
As he spoke, the Fallen World Tathagata's body began to swell, transforming into a giant Buddha statue thousands of feet tall. The Buddha statue was pitch black, surrounded by black flames, and its eyes emitted a blood-red light, as if it were a demon god from hell.
"Fallen World Buddha's Might!"
The Fallen World Tathagata let out a thunderous roar, and the giant black Buddha statue raised its hand, pressing down toward Zhang Ruochen. This palm strike contained the power to destroy the world, as if it could crush everything.
Zhang Ruochen's face turned pale. He knew that if he were hit by this palm, he would undoubtedly die. But at this critical moment, he suddenly thought of something.
"Sky-Connecting Divine Tree!"
Zhang Ruochen shouted, and the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree suddenly appeared behind him, emitting a dazzling green light. The divine tree's branches stretched out, forming a huge green barrier that blocked in front of him.
"Boom!"
The black Buddha palm print struck the green barrier, creating a terrifying shockwave. The green barrier trembled violently, cracks appearing, but it ultimately held.
"What?!" The Fallen World Tathagata was shocked. He didn't expect Zhang Ruochen to have such a powerful divine artifact.
"Take this!"
Zhang Ruochen seized the opportunity and activated the Space Rule, instantly appearing above the Fallen World Tathagata's head. The Abyssal Ancient Sword in his hand emitted a dazzling sword light, slashing down fiercely.
"Space-Time Sword Technique!"
Zhang Ruochen roared, and the sword light tore through the void, carrying the power of time and space, slashing toward the Fallen World Tathagata's head.
"Humph, mere tricks!"
The Fallen World Tathagata snorted coldly, and the giant black Buddha statue raised its hand, grabbing directly at the sword light.
"Boom!"
The sword light collided with the giant Buddha's hand, creating a deafening explosion. The giant Buddha's hand was actually cut open, black blood flowing out.
"Ah! You damn brat, I'll kill you!"
The Fallen World Tathagata let out a furious roar. He hadn't expected to be injured by a junior. Enraged, the black flames on the giant Buddha statue burned even more fiercely, and its power surged.
"Not good!"
Zhang Ruochen's expression changed. He knew that the Fallen World Tathagata was about to go all out. Without any hesitation, he immediately retreated, trying to escape the Scroll World.
But the Fallen World Tathagata wouldn't give him the chance. The giant black Buddha statue opened its mouth and spat out a black light pillar that shot straight toward Zhang Ruochen.
The black light pillar was incredibly fast, almost instantly reaching Zhang Ruochen. Zhang Ruochen's face turned deathly pale. He knew he couldn't dodge it.
At this critical moment, a golden light suddenly appeared in front of Zhang Ruochen, blocking the black light pillar.
"Boom!"
The black light pillar struck the golden light, creating a terrifying explosion. The golden light shattered, but the black light pillar was also neutralized.
"Who?" The Fallen World Tathagata's expression changed, and he looked toward the source of the golden light.
A figure slowly emerged from the golden light. It was an old monk, wearing a golden kasaya, his face kind and compassionate, exuding a sacred aura.
"Xumi Saint Monk?" Zhang Ruochen was stunned.
The person who appeared was none other than the legendary Xumi Saint Monk, the former master of the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree.
"Amitabha." Xumi Saint Monk clasped his hands together, his gaze calm as he looked at the Fallen World Tathagata. "Fallen World Tathagata, long time no see."
"Xumi, it's you!" The Fallen World Tathagata's expression changed dramatically, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes. "You're not dead?"
"Old monk I am not dead, but I have been waiting for you here all along." Xumi Saint Monk said calmly.
"Waiting for me?" The Fallen World Tathagata was stunned, then his expression turned ferocious. "What do you mean?"
"Back then, I knew you would not give up and would definitely try to break the seal. So I left a trace of my divine will in the Scroll World, just waiting for you to show yourself." Xumi Saint Monk said.
"Heh heh, so what if you're here? Just a trace of divine will, do you think you can stop me?" The Fallen World Tathagata sneered.
"Whether I can stop you or not, we'll only know after we try." Xumi Saint Monk said calmly, then turned to Zhang Ruochen. "Zhang Ruochen, leave this place quickly. I will hold him off."
"Senior..." Zhang Ruochen wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Xumi Saint Monk.
"Don't say more. Your current strength is not enough to deal with him. Go, I will find a way to seal him again." Xumi Saint Monk said.
Zhang Ruochen gritted his teeth, knowing that staying would only be a burden. He bowed deeply to Xumi Saint Monk, then turned and fled the Scroll World.
"Where do you think you're going!"
The Fallen World Tathagata let out a furious roar and was about to chase after him, but was stopped by Xumi Saint Monk.
"Your opponent is me." Xumi Saint Monk said calmly, golden light radiating from his body, forming a huge barrier that trapped the Fallen World Tathagata inside.
"Xumi, you're seeking death!" The Fallen World Tathagata roared in rage, and the giant black Buddha statue erupted with terrifying power, madly attacking the golden barrier.
But Xumi Saint Monk remained unmoved, continuously chanting scriptures, using his divine will to suppress the Fallen World Tathagata.
Zhang Ruochen fled the Scroll World, gasping for air, cold sweat covering his forehead. He knew that if Xumi Saint Monk hadn't appeared in time, he would have been dead for sure.
"Fallen World Tathagata... I didn't expect such a terrifying existence to be sealed in the Scroll World." Zhang Ruochen's expression was heavy.
He now understood why the Sky-Connecting Divine Tree had chosen him. It wasn't just because he was the Heir of Time and Space, but also because he needed to deal with the Fallen World Tathagata.
"I must become stronger as soon as possible. Otherwise, once the Fallen World Tathagata breaks the seal, the consequences will be unimaginable." Zhang Ruochen clenched his fists, a determined light flashing in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and then continued on his way. He knew that the road ahead would only become more dangerous, but he had no choice but to move forward.