I Truly Am The Villian Chapter 2206: 2205: Heaven's Wrath Descends, I'm Here to Hear a Story
Capítulo 2206: Chapter 2205: Heaven’s Wrath Descends, I’m Here to Hear a Story
Truth be told, Xu Zimei harbored certain preconceptions before arriving.
She had envisioned an elder with an extraordinary aura, perhaps a flowing beard.
Or maybe someone ancient, like a candle nearing its end.
However, the reality of meeting the Old Longevity Man left her astonished.
The elder before her, or rather, he bore no resemblance to an elder at all.
He possessed a youthful face, akin to a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy; no one would question his age if he walked down the street.
He stood tall, at about one meter eighty.
Presently, several burly men, clad in rough linen and armed with machetes, were manhandling the Old Longevity Man by his collar.
The blades of their machetes were held so close to his cheek that a slight shift in pressure seemed poised to pierce his left face.
Yet, the Old Longevity Man displayed no fear of these bandit-like threats.
Instead, he offered a smile and remarked, “If you could manage to kill me, I would likely offer my gratitude.”
“Is this old codger insane?”
The bandits exchanged bewildered glances.
These individuals were outlaws who had previously terrorized the Dalian Mountain region.
Having heard the legends surrounding the Old Longevity Man, they had journeyed here with aspirations of achieving longevity.
Now, their arrival at Longevity Village had yielded nothing.
The frustrated bandits, acting on impulse, resorted to aggression.
“Are you trying to provoke me, old man? Don’t push it,” the bandit threatened, his eyes blazing with fury.
“I am speaking the truth,” the Old Longevity Man, whose name was Jiang Huai, affirmed.
While others might not have grasped the depth of his words, Xu Zimei perceived a genuine death wish in his eyes.
……
“To all of you, since the moment of my birth, I seem to have been cursed, unable to perish!”
“Everyone calls not dying a blessing, eternal life, a goal many strive for.”
“But do you comprehend the profound loneliness I endure?”
“As a mere mortal, incapable of cultivation, without any purpose, merely clinging to existence.”
“Initially, I felt pride, even a sense of novelty.”
“But as ages passed, a thousand years, then ten thousand, eventually even time itself lost its meaning for me.”
“Those around me passed away, one after another, and the repeated loss of loved ones gradually eroded my capacity for emotion.”
“Later, I actively sought death, yet I could not die, as if fate itself forbade it.”
“End my life, grant me release!”
Upon hearing the old man’s lament, the bandits exchanged nervous glances.
Ultimately, the bandit who had initially threatened him hesitated.
Beside him, another bandit, known for his volatile temper, stepped forward, drawing the long saber from his waist.
He sneered, “Old man, playing games, aren’t you? I’ve dealt with plenty like you; I’m not afraid.”
Without further ado, the bandit brought his saber down in a swift arc.
Suddenly, a deafening “boom” echoed.
In that precise instant, a bolt of lightning tore through the clear sky.
A thunderous explosion shook the heavens.
“Boom boom boom, boom boom boom.”
A streak of purple lightning descended from the firmament, striking directly at the lunging bandit.
With another resounding “boom,”
The bandit, unable to react, was transformed into a charred husk.
A faint aroma of burnt flesh permeated the air.
Witnessing this bizarre event, the remaining bandits were struck with sheer terror.
“A ghost! It’s a ghost!”
“This is divine retribution! Heavenly punishment!”
The bandits abandoned all pretense of bravado and fled wildly.
Fortuitously, no further lightning descended upon them.
It seemed the celestial wrath operated with a specific intent.
Only those who harbored murderous intent towards the old man faced the thunderbolt’s fury.
For the others, the lightning paid no heed.
Xu Zimei was not surprised; Jiang Huai had endured for so long as a mortal without succumbing.
There had to be a reason preserving his life.
However, in Xu Zimei’s assessment, the lightning seemed entirely disconnected from Jiang Huai's influence.
After all, based on her perception, the old man Jiang Huai was unequivocally an ordinary person.
It was inconceivable that he possessed the ability to summon lightning.
He was simply a long-lived mortal.
Furthermore, the lightning from the heavens appeared to descend spontaneously from the Heavenly Dao, devoid of any surrounding spiritual energy manipulation.
This indicated no external intervention.
This development was, indeed, intriguing.
Heaven’s refusal to allow a person’s death was an unprecedented phenomenon.
Observing the bandits’ panicked retreat, the old man Jiang Huai remained utterly unfazed.
After countless years, he had encountered every conceivable sort of individual.
The fierce and malevolent,
The pitiable and wretched,
The powerful and influential,
Even beggars and legendary Great Saints had crossed his path.
His gaze, with a mere glance, revealed the essence of all he observed.
This discernment had nothing to do with power or cultivation; it was pure experience.
Authentic, lived experience.
It was the testament of a life spanning millennia.
……
Abruptly, a figure approached the old man.
The silhouette stood silhouetted against the sun's glare, casting a shadow before the old man.
Slowly, the old man tilted his head upward.
“Greetings,” Xu Zimei initiated the conversation.
The old man offered a slight nod and inquired, “Is there something you require?”
“A new face?”
“Are you seeking the path to longevity, or do you wish to study my bloodline?”
These inquiries were typical of visitors, a pattern the old man had grown accustomed to.
These words had practically become his standard greeting.
Some visitors desired to study his bloodline, a request he was often willing to grant.
As for the path to longevity, that was a mystery even to him.
His very existence seemed an anomaly within the fabric of heaven and earth.
……
“I desire none of those things,” Xu Zimei replied with a smile.
He chose a seat beside him, settling down slowly.
Focusing on the elder, he stated, "I merely wish to learn of something, concerning ancient secrets."
"Hear stories?" Jiang Huai, the old man, inquired in surprise.
"That is indeed an unusual request; to come solely for tales, you seem to be the first."
"What is it you wish to know? Let's see if my memory serves."
"Regarding the Buddha Country," Xu Zimei inquired.
Should the old man prove unhelpful, Xu Zimei was prepared to abandon this line of inquiry.
Concerning the transformation of his Divine Soul, he would have to seek alternative methods.
After all, the Buddha Country had existed for an immense duration.
During the era of the Demon's Advent, it was believed that the Buddha Country flourished.
Subsequently, after the Demon's Advent, came the ancient and middle ages.
At that time, Jiang Huai, the elder, had not yet been born.
Xu Zimei was keen to discover precisely when the Buddha Country met its end.
Did it collapse after the Demon's Advent, eradicated by the Holy Court?
Or did the unfolding of history inevitably lead to the Buddha Country's decline and eventual extinction?
Observing the look in Xu Zimei's eyes, the old man paused.
His gaze deepened, as if lost in some recollection.
Xu Zimei chose not to interrupt.
He waited patiently.
After a short interval, the old man emerged from the depths of his memories and began to speak leisurely.
"In ages past, I too held strong faith as a devotee of Buddha."
"As you might understand, when one faces dire straits, they turn to gods and Buddhas, seeking succor."
"The Buddha Country, I grasp generally what you refer to."
"However, since the time of Jade Mountain Buddha, I have not encountered another Buddha Lord."
"Jade Mountain Buddha?" Xu Zimei questioned.
"Could you provide more details?"
"The ruler of the Buddha Country, a Buddha Lord presided over each epoch."
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"When the Buddha Country was at its zenith, the Buddha Lord was a figure of immense power and reverence. Those who dared to challenge the Buddha Lord would face the might of the entire Buddhist Nation. The Buddha Lord was the supreme ruler, and his word was law. However, as time wore on, the influence of the Buddha Country began to wane. The world changed, and new powers emerged. The Buddha Lords also changed over the ages, some were wise and benevolent, while others were tyrannical. But no matter their nature, they were all considered the embodiment of Buddhist power. The fall of the Buddha Country was not a sudden event, but a gradual decline. Internal strife, external pressures, and the changing tides of the world all contributed to its eventual demise. Yet, the legends of the Buddha Lord and the lost Buddhist Nation continue to linger in the annals of history, a testament to its former glory."
"The era of the Demon's Advent was a tumultuous period. The heavens and earth were in chaos, and the forces of good and evil clashed fiercely. It was during this time that the Buddha Country faced its greatest trials. While some Buddha Lords fought valiantly to protect their people, others succumbed to the darkness. The Holy Court, a powerful organization dedicated to eradicating demonic forces, also played a significant role. Their actions, though aimed at combating demons, inadvertently led to the weakening of the Buddha Country. Whether the Buddha Country perished due to the Demon's Advent or was extinguished by the Holy Court remains a subject of debate among historians. Some believe it was a combination of both, while others point to the internal decay within the Buddha Country as the primary reason for its downfall. Regardless of the exact cause, the loss of the Buddha Country was a significant event in history, leaving a void that has yet to be filled."
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"When the demons descended upon the world, the Buddha Country stood as a beacon of hope. The Buddha Lord at that time was a being of unparalleled might, wielding the power of a thousand suns. He led his disciples in a righteous war against the demonic hordes, pushing them back to the abyss from whence they came. However, the cost of victory was immense. Many lives were lost, and the land was ravaged. In the aftermath, a schism formed within the Buddha Country. Some advocated for rebuilding and reclaiming their lost glory, while others believed in retreating from the world and seeking enlightenment in seclusion. This internal discord weakened the nation, making it vulnerable to the machinations of the Holy Court. The Holy Court, seeing an opportunity, moved to assert its dominance. They accused the Buddha Country of harboring demonic influences and launched a brutal campaign to subjugate them. The Buddha Lord, weakened by the war and divided by internal dissent, was unable to withstand the onslaught. The Buddha Country fell, its temples razed and its people scattered to the winds."
"Many believe that the fall of the Buddha Country was an inevitable consequence of its own actions. The pursuit of ultimate power had blinded them, leading them down a path of arrogance and isolation. They had forgotten the true meaning of compassion and mindfulness, becoming consumed by their own dogma. When the outside world called for unity against the encroaching darkness, they turned a deaf ear, content in their self-imposed isolation. Thus, when the calamity struck, they were unprepared and unable to stand against it. Their downfall served as a grim reminder that true strength lies not in isolation, but in unity and compassion."
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"The fall of the Buddha Country was a tragedy that echoed through the ages. It served as a stark warning against the dangers of hubris and the corrupting influence of power. While the physical structures of the Buddha Country may have crumbled, its legacy lived on. The teachings of the Buddha Lords, though distorted and reinterpreted over time, continued to inspire countless individuals. The memory of their struggle against the demons, and their ultimate downfall, became a cautionary tale for future generations. It is said that even now, the spirits of the Buddha Lords linger in the ruins of their former kingdom, forever guarding the secrets of their lost civilization."
"Indeed. The Buddha Country, once a radiant jewel in the crown of the world, has long since faded into obscurity. Its demise was a complex tapestry woven with threads of internal conflict, external aggression, and the inexorable march of time. Yet, the echoes of its past glory continue to resonate, whispered in ancient texts and sung in forgotten melodies. It is a reminder that even the mightiest empires are subject to the ephemeral nature of existence, destined to rise and fall like the tides of the ocean."
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"The Buddha Country, a realm of profound spiritual enlightenment and immense power, eventually succumbed to the ravages of time and conflict. Its decline was not a singular event but a slow erosion, exacerbated by the cataclysmic Demon's Advent. While the Holy Court's actions may have hastened its end, the seeds of its destruction were sown much earlier, through internal divisions and a divergence from the core tenets of their own beliefs. The Buddha Country's legacy, however, endures not in stone and mortar, but in the wisdom and spiritual traditions it imparted to the world, a subtle yet pervasive influence that continues to shape the spiritual landscape even to this day."
"The great sage, Xu Zimei, poses a poignant question. Was the Buddha Country's demise a direct consequence of the Demon's Advent, perhaps orchestrated by the Holy Court, or was it an inevitable decline born from the inevitable entropy of history? The truth, shrouded in the mists of forgotten ages, likely lies in a confluence of factors. External calamities and internal decay often intertwine, creating a perfect storm that can topple even the most formidable of realms."
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"Well spoken, young cultivator. The Buddha Country, a legend whispered through the ages, indeed met its end under circumstances most dire. Whether it was the wrath of the Demon's Advent or the calculated machinations of the Holy Court that delivered the final blow remains a mystery lost to the ravages of time. Yet, it is clear that its fall was not a singular event, but a culmination of various pressures, both internal and external, that ultimately led to its disintegration."
"The path of cultivation is fraught with peril, and the pursuit of ancient knowledge, even more so. You seek answers that lie buried deep within the annals of history, answers that even the wisest of elders might struggle to recall. The Buddha Country, for all its might and spiritual attainment, eventually faded into obscurity. Its story serves as a potent reminder of the impermanence of even the most glorious civilizations."
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"So, the Buddha Country, this fabled land of spiritual ascendance, eventually faded from existence. Its demise was a complex confluence of events, including the devastating Demon's Advent and the intervention of the Holy Court. Yet, it's also possible that the inevitable currents of history simply steered it towards decline, leading to its eventual extinction. The exact timeline remains shrouded in mystery."In the silent expanse, where shadows danced and an ominous aura permeated the air, a figure emerged from the swirling mists. The atmosphere grew heavy, charged with an unseen power that made the very foundation tremble. A chilling breeze whispered secrets through the desolate landscape, painting a scene of impending doom. Suddenly, the air crackled with an invisible force. A surge of potent Qi flooded the surroundings, illuminating the darkness with an ethereal glow. The ground beneath quaked as the energy coalesced, its raw power a testament to the immense cultivation involved. This was no ordinary display; it was the harbinger of a profound shift, a testament to the unparalleled cultivation techniques being unleashed. The observer watched, a silent witness to the spectacle, as the nascent power continued to surge. The overwhelming Qi pulsed with life, an untamed force that threatened to consume everything in its path. It was a dance of creation and destruction, a raw display of power that left the observer in awe. As the dust settled, a figure stood resolute, bathed in the afterglow of the unleashed energy. The world seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the next move in this epic saga. The observer, rooted to the spot, felt an inexplicable pull towards the unfolding drama, a spectator to a power beyond comprehension.