Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1358: Chapter 1357: The First (The Weather Is Getting Hotter and Hotter)

Thunder roared, colorful clouds drifted in the sky.

In front of Fang Zheng, a white crane flew ahead, and behind it, the clouds slowly parted, revealing an elderly man seated on the Nine Dragons Agarwood Carriage, dressed in white, holding a duster. Beside him were two figures, each six zhang tall, with yellow faces, seated on lotus thrones with hands clasped together.

”Yuan Shi Tian Zun, Jieyin, and Zhunti, as expected, you’ve come.”

Looking at the three figures before him, Fang Zheng sneered.

”Why don’t I see Laozi... Seems like he has a little more conscience than you lot.”

”Friend, you speak incorrectly.”

Yuanshi Tianzun shook his head slightly.

”Originally, we had already secluded ourselves, no longer concerning ourselves with the mundane affairs of the mortal world. However, your bloodthirsty nature forced us out once more. Additionally...”

At this point, Yuanshi Tianzun glanced at the golden-faced man beside him, coughing awkwardly.

”Zhunti has long secluded himself from the world. This here is Shakyamuni Buddha...”

”...Alright, all bald guys look the same to me.”

Having mistaken someone, Fang Zheng felt somewhat awkward, but he merely shrugged helplessly.

”However, it’s good that Tathagata is here, saves me the trip to the Western Paradise to find you. Just right, after I kill you, I’ll head to wipe out that Western Paradise!”

”Amitabha...”

The Buddha sighed deeply.

”We have no enmity, why oppose my Western devotees?”

”Indeed, we have no enmity, but I’ve long found Buddhism unpleasing.”

Fang Zheng snorted coldly, fixing his gaze on Tathagata.

”Buddhism deceives the people, teaching them to focus on the next life, not the present, willingly becoming slaves and lackeys, mentally controlling the populace, forcibly suppressing the advancement of civilization. Under your heretical ideology, good people no longer strive for a better life but merely wish to accumulate merit for the next life. Evil ones run rampant, knowing they can become Buddhas simply by laying down their weapons. Dismissing worldly laws and justice, you even collude with evildoers as long as they are willing to turn to the Buddha, no matter their previous heinous acts... I am disgusted by you sanctimonious human rights advocates calling for the abolition of the death penalty!”

With these words, Fang Zheng suddenly raised his greatsword, pointing at the three figures.

”The Celestial Court acts against the people’s interests, colluding with evildoers. Heretical cults spread lies among the people... Sorry, but I still believe that humanity’s fate should be in humanity’s own hands. You, with your empty rhetoric and feudal rule, should have long been swept into the dustbin of history!”

”Oh, young friend, why go to such lengths...”

Jieyin also shook his head at this time.

”If it’s merely a matter of doctrinal disputes, why resort to such carnage?”

”This is not a mere doctrinal dispute.”

Fang Zheng scoffed.

”If mortals demanded you celestials to leave the human realm and never interfere again, could you comply? If mortals wanted Buddhism to vanish from the Divine Territory forever, would you agree? Even if you did, would your disciples and followers agree? Beneficiaries of the status quo will do anything to protect their interests from being compromised. However, your interests do not align with those of the common people, and may even harm them. You suppress the advancement of human civilization to maintain your religious rule and oppression. This is absolutely intolerable! So, this is not a dispute; it’s a revolution!”

With these words, Fang Zheng grinned wickedly.

”Revolution is not a dinner party, not an essay, not painting or embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, courteous and mannerly. Revolution is an insurrection, a violent act where one class overthrows another!”

As his words fell, the blazing Primordial Fire erupted, enveloping Fang Zheng completely. Shortly after, silver armor and a crimson cape appeared once more on him.

”Enough talk, embrace death!”

With a roar, Fang Zheng leaped forward, charging toward the three!

”Supreme Being!”

”Amitabha!”

Facing Fang Zheng’s assault, Jieyin, Tathagata, and Yuanshi Tianzun simultaneously moved to strike.

Time Stop!

However, for Fang Zheng, this time the Time Stop was far more challenging than before. He could feel time slowing to a halt, yet as the opponents’ divine power manifested, the Power of Time began flowing again beyond his control. It was like a tug of war, both sides exerting all their strength to win. Yet Fang Zheng was alone, while the opponents numbered three!

Thus, time only stopped for an instant before it resumed flowing. However, under Fang Zheng’s full exertion, the flow of time was still slowed to one-tenth of its usual speed.

But this fleeting moment of stopped time was enough for Fang Zheng.

In a flash, his figure appeared before the Guiding Buddha.

Boson Jump!

”Amitabha!”

Seeing Fang Zheng appear before him, the Guiding Buddha’s expression remained unchanged, calmly uttering a Buddhist chant. Then a brilliant golden Demon-Subduing Pestle descended from the sky, striking down at Fang Zheng!

”Hmph!”

At this moment, controlling time left Fang Zheng without extra strength to counterattack. Thus, faced with the descending pestle, he barely managed to shift his body, avoiding the blow. Even though Fang Zheng was controlling time to slow it down, the resplendent golden pestle still brushed past Fang Zheng’s head, landing heavily on his shoulder.

”Pfft!”

With a flash of golden light, blood splattered. In the next second, Fang Zheng’s right hand, tightly gripping the greatsword, burst apart into a bloody mass, and his control over the Power of Time seemed to vanish at that moment. Quickly, time resumed flowing, and at the same time, the pestle was raised again, ready to strike Fang Zheng’s head once more!

No one saw the cold smile beneath Fang Zheng’s helmet at this moment.

Just as the pestle was raised to strike down, Fang Zheng suddenly lifted his left hand, gripping the silver short sword, aiming at the pestle and pulling the trigger!

”Bang!!”

The gunshot echoed, and the descending pestle was immediately repelled, while the Guiding Buddha’s body shuddered violently, collapsing limply.

”Reveal the treasure!”

Seizing this chance, Fang Zheng shouted furiously. Then a beam of white light descended, hitting the Guiding Buddha’s head, and a gourd emerged from the light. Without hesitation, Fang Zheng spoke again.

”Rotate the treasure!”

As soon as Fang Zheng’s words fell, the Immortal Slayer Flying Dagger spun above the Guiding Buddha’s head, then the Guiding Buddha’s head fell to the ground simultaneously as Fang Zheng raised his mangled right hand, thrusting the Pitch Black Greatsword into the Guiding Buddha’s body.

Primordial Fire reignites!!

The scorching Primordial Fire surged skyward, forcing Yuanshi Tianzun and Tathagata to retreat in the face of the heatwave. As the flames dispersed, Fang Zheng emerged grandly once more; his armor renewed, while the Guiding Buddha had vanished without a trace into the flames.

Fang Zheng lifted his head, and beneath the pitch-black helmet, a glint of cold murderous intent flashed.

Then, he spoke softly.

”The first one.”