Chapter 487 488: Coiled Shadows of Dragon and Snake
Chapter 488: Dragon-Snake Shadow Coiling
Ang Xiao's reaction was undeniably swift.
More importantly, as a True Lord of the Saint Sect, he shared the same trait with Lü Yang—an exceptional capacity for decisive action when circumstances demanded it.
'This cannot continue!'
With this thought, Ang Xiao immediately revised his original plan. Initially, he had intended to use Chong Guang as a stepping stone for his own advancement.
'Eliminate Daoist Hong Yun as the final variable, then after Chong Guang fails in seeking gold, secretly conceal the Dao Calamity formed from his death using [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction]. Once the commotion dies down, use Chong Guang's Dao Calamity to draw in [Overturned Lamp Flame], ultimately pulling this Fruit Position into the Netherworld.'
The entire scheme was meticulously crafted.
Had Lü Yang known of it, he would have instantly recognized that Ang Xiao's actions during the ninth lifetime followed precisely this blueprint.
Yet no plan in this world is flawless.
Thus, midway through execution, Ang Xiao encountered variables—such as Chong Guang's gold-seeking endeavor, which he clearly hadn't anticipated reaching critical juncture.
In Ang Xiao's design, Chong Guang should have smoothly pursued gold before perishing abruptly, leaving no ripple. Yet through sheer Dao Heart and talent, Chong Guang forced Ang Xiao to reveal himself and oppose all True Lords of the world to claim his Dao Calamity.
What followed needed no elaboration.
The overseas conflicts, Feixue's schemes—Ang Xiao faced numerous unexpected developments yet weathered them all through profound foundations and contingency measures.
Plans yielding to change is simply the way of the world.
Ang Xiao understood this well, hence his strategy incorporated substantial tolerance for error, allowing him to constantly adjust for unforeseen circumstances.
This time, however, the anomaly proved excessive.
"I can sense the [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction] I left in the Saint Sect being abruptly dismantled. The name and information I concealed must have been exposed."
"In other words, [Overturned Lamp Flame] is now beyond reach."
The more Ang Xiao pondered, the darker his expression grew: "Moreover, they're deliberately isolating my perception of the mortal realm. Continuing like this leaves me far too passive."
This could not stand!
To fall behind was to invite defeat. Surrendering initiative would render the situation untenable—one misstep could undo millennia of planning.
With this realization, Ang Xiao's mind stirred.
Five thousand years had passed since achieving late-stage Golden Core and concealing himself in the Netherworld. During this span, he'd prepared numerous trump cards.
Three stood paramount.
The first was naturally his [World-Reporting External Body], enabling forceful intervention in the mortal realm when necessary, unleashing power surpassing mid-stage Golden Core.
The second was Suo Huan.
Both the [Blessed Land of the Numinous Ruins] and [Myriad Spirits Return to Ruins Dao Scripture] served as bait to draw [Flowing Water] into the Netherworld—utterly indispensable.
Yet compared to the third card, the first two paled into insignificance—for the third represented his life's work.
In the next instant, Ang Xiao's consciousness traversed the Netherworld.
Piercing directly into Jiangxi.
Simultaneously, within Jiangxi's Pure Land, layered temple phantoms manifested amidst rising Buddha light—truly a dharma-proclaiming land of merit, an imperishable great dharma hall across kalpas.
Yet beneath this radiant surface lurked bizarre sights—numerous meditation groves partitioned into distinct sections, each hosting countless unique temples. These groves served as the bodhisattvas' domains.
Among them, one grove stood most uncanny.
Gazing upon it revealed a colossal golden Buddha!
Seated cross-legged with palms outstretched, mountains and rivers stood upon them alongside innumerable temples housing practicing monks.
Not just upon its palms.
Hair, skin, orifices, even internal organs—every part of this golden Buddha seemed a temple, a vast Buddha-land!
This was the [Distinctive Image Meditation Grove].
Its master bore the title [Dragon-Snake Shadow Coiling Bodhisattva], the Pure Land's most low-profile and least-known bodhisattva.
Suddenly, this majestic golden Buddha exhibited peculiar changes—remaining motionless while Buddha light rippled behind its head, transforming into concentric rings of pure radiance and wisdom dharma wheels. Their rotation suggested either calculation or summoning.
Such alterations naturally drew the bodhisattvas' attention.
"Dragon-Snake... what is he doing?"
"Unknown. Since offering his body to nourish Buddha and cultivating temples to establish this [Distinctive Image Meditation Grove], he's remained silent for years."
"Pay no heed."
"As an External Dao practitioner who long sought [Earth in Sand] fruitlessly, perhaps this grove's establishment signifies World-Honored One's blessing granting him realization."
"Indeed..."
External discussions failed to perturb the [Dragon-Snake Shadow Coiling Bodhisattva], who silently observed his Sea of Consciousness.
Only one question occupied his mind:
'Who am I?'
Instantly, an answer emerged from his depths: 'You are me.'
Sealed memories flooded forth as enlightenment dawned, revealing within his Sea of Consciousness a figure shrouded in mist.
Ang Xiao!
Standing hands clasped behind his back, he meticulously examined the bodhisattva's state before eventually nodding:
"Excellent. Truly excellent."
"It seems the [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction] seal remains intact—this trump card remains usable. Or perhaps that schemer hasn't discovered him yet?"
Indeed, the [Dragon-Snake Shadow Coiling Bodhisattva] was his third and greatest card!
An External Path True Lord unlike any other, for the External Dao Fruit Position he'd achieved perfectly aligned with [Earth in Sand] imagery.
What defined dragon-snake shadow coiling?
Waves accumulating through turbulence, dragons and snakes coiling within palaces where hills and valleys transform—this was [Earth in Sand], one of Ang Xiao's five exclusive Fruit Positions!
A genuine [Earth in Sand] True Lord should manifest as [Dragon-Snake Hidden Coiling Bodhisattva].
Yet achieving an External Dao Fruit Position that merely resonated with [Earth in Sand] imagery prompted replacement of "hidden" with "shadow," yielding [Dragon-Snake Shadow Coiling Bodhisattva].
'Years ago, I split a Soul fragment to reincarnate from the Netherworld into Jiangxi. Climbing step by step, I eventually validated one of Pure Land's External Dao Fruit Positions to become [Dragon-Snake Shadow Coiling Bodhisattva]—all to leverage him for drawing [Earth in Sand] into the Netherworld, despite tremendous risks...'
Recollection brought palpitations.
Given Pure Land's peculiarity, Ang Xiao typically avoided activating this card unless absolutely necessary—its deployment signaled final desperation.
'Time waits for no one.'
Inspecting the bodhisattva's condition, Ang Xiao noted years of Pure Land assimilation through the World-Honored One's [Unity of All Beings].
Yet having dared plant this seed, Ang Xiao naturally prepared countermeasures.
Upon the bodhisattva, he'd implanted the most potent [Knowledge-Perception Obstruction] in history, nearly exhausting his Fruit Position's divine wonder.
Its function was simple:
Presently, though remaining within [Unity of All Beings], the bodhisattva had completely forgotten being part of the World-Honored One.
Instead recalling his identity as Ang Xiao.
A double negation yielding affirmation.
This paradox granted the bodhisattva unprecedented freedom—a miracle only achievable through [Great Forest Wood]!
For cultivation heights intensified [Unity of All Beings]'s severity.
Golden Core practitioners theoretically became inseparable facets of the World-Honored One—yet Ang Xiao succeeded!
At this moment, [Dragon-Snake Shadow Coiling Bodhisattva] had been stolen without detection. Though the World-Honored One would soon notice anomalies and intervene...
Before then, Ang Xiao trusted his scheme would reach fruition!