Chapter 266: 267: A Return to Central Province
Chapter 266: 267: A Return to Central Province
“Liaowang, what do you think about today’s events?”
A certain old monk beside him suddenly asked.
“Today, the revered monks of the Buddhist Sect have set up this situation just to allow this junior monk to understand the Buddhist Law, for which I am grateful. However, within the Illusionary Realm, what I did was not entirely in accordance with the teachings of the Buddhist Sect. They are not wrong to call me a Demon Monk. I only look at causality, detached from emotion; I have indeed become a demon.”
Liaowang replied.
“Whether you are a demon or a monk, who in this world can truly say for sure? When Ancestor Damo transmitted the Law, he too faced skepticism. What this old monk wants you to realize is not to blindly follow the old paths but to find your own way in the Buddhist Sect.”
“If this Demon Monk is the path that leads you to enlightenment and ascension to the Upper Realm, what does it matter if you are a demon?”
“If one harbors kind thoughts, even a stubborn rock can attain Buddhahood.”
The old monk spoke slowly.
“Indeed, Liaowang, you possess the Buddha-nature and enlightenment. You do not need to be constrained by convention. Finding your own path is what this old monk and the others truly hope for.”
Xuan Ku nodded in agreement, fully endorsing what the old monk had said.
“In years past, Buddha manifested in this world to preach and convert beings, and with great merit, ascended to the Upper Realm. I admit my understanding of the Buddhist Law is rudimentary, and I am far from qualified to preach and teach others. Nevertheless, my wish to liberate all beings has never waned. With this matter resolved, I wish to continue traveling the world to aid the people.”
Liaowang pressed his palms together and spoke slowly.
The few old monks looked at each other and said in unison, “Good!”
“Senior masters, then we…”
The remaining cultivators hesitated, inquiring tentatively. They had withstood the test of the Golden Light Mirror, and therefore, logically, they should be free of trouble.
“All of you have proven that your minds can withstand such verification. This old monk believes you are all people of pure thoughts. You may do as you please.”
Xuan Ku said with a smile.
Still, these cultivators looked somewhat troubled, hesitating and not willing to leave, prompting Xuan Ku to look at them quizzically, “Could it be that you all wish to visit our Western Desert temple? This old monk would be happy to act as a guide.”
“Not at all, master. Our Space Rings are still in the hands of Young Master Li. The juniors believe this was all just a misunderstanding, and now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, could the Space Rings be returned to us, the juniors?”
The cultivators asked, bracing themselves.
So that was it!
The few old monks could not help but smile wryly, looking towards Li Xiaobai.
Li Xiaobai felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy, quickly retreating several steps: “Impossible. I, Liu Jinshui, obtained these rings through my own ability. Why should I return them to you? Consider this a lesson you paid for. In the future, when you walk the Jianghu, you must be more careful!”
“Giggle, this Ji Wuqing got the rings through skill. Why should I return them? If you’re not convinced, let’s fight!”
Ji Wuqing also spoke up.
Cultivators: “…”
“Since that’s the case, we will take our leave!”
Having just experienced the oppression of several powerful beings, they felt uneasy and just wanted to leave the Western Desert quickly. Since they couldn’t reclaim their Space Rings, they chose not to press the issue.
They already planned to report the day’s events to their sects upon return, asking their sects to stand up for them and retrieve their Space Rings.
Although the remaining cultivators were firm in spirit, it didn’t mean they were naive and honest. Having reached this stage of cultivation, none of them were simpletons. Liu Jinshui’s name, they would remember.
“Fellow benefactors, please feel free to go. There are still many misled disciples of the Buddhist Sect within the Western Desert. We monks will visit them one by one, and for now, we will not entertain you any longer.”
Xuan Ku spoke slowly.
“I really have to thank the master this time, Master, your appearance just now was truly charismatic!”
Hehuan Zi moved closer, speaking in a coquettish voice, her body continuously rubbing against Xuan Ku’s kasaya, causing Li Xiaobai and others to shiver in disgust.
This cross-dressing boss is something else.
Xuan Ku’s face looked as though he had eaten a fly, subtly pushing Hehuan Zi away.
“Ahem, benefactor, it’s time to go.”
Half an hour later, on the edge of the Western Desert, Li Xiaobai and a few others said their goodbyes.
Monk Liaowang was heading south to Southern Ming. He planned to walk across the Immortal Spirit Continent on foot, seeking to understand the Buddhist Law amidst the mortal world, with Su Mei’er accompanying him on his departure.
Hehuan Zi threw Li Xiaobai a flirtatious wink, “Young man, you’re quite impressive, be sure to visit the Hehuan Sect if you have the time.”
“Absolutely, absolutely.”
Li Xiaobai shrank his neck and said with a beaming smile on his face, finding the figure before him quite special.
“Brother Yu, what are your plans next?”
“Yu here will continue to practice the whip technique. I will go to the Holy Demon Sect for cultivation. The fine stores there and Tangneng First-class can help me make up for the three years of cultivation I’ve fallen behind in the shortest time.”
“That old bald donkey from the Western Desert even wanted Yu to continue practicing Closed-eye Meditation, but Yu dares not trust him lightly again. Even with regular practice, Yu is confident in not being weaker than others.”
“Brother Li, take care!”
Yu Sanbian had aged a lot, his face etched with stories from the three years that had passed.
“Brother Yu, take care!”
Li Xiaobai didn’t know what to say to comfort him, so he patted his shoulder as a gesture of encouragement.
With his own shop to help, progress would indeed be lightning-fast, much more reliable than the old monk’s Closed-eye Meditation.
After seeing off the others, Li Xiaobai flipped his wrist, the Lamborghini landed on the ground, he grabbed Ji Wuqing, jumped into the car, and sped off with a slam on the accelerator.
Contemplating his gains during this time, Li Xiaobai realized he hadn’t really lost out.
Although he had spent ten million top-grade Spirit Stones because of Godzilla, he had managed to earn more than sixty million supreme-grade Spirit Stones through the Treasure Pavilion, which was the bulk of his fortune.
And Godzilla had added over two hundred thousand Attribute Points to him; in comparison, those ten million top-grade Spirit Stones were well worth it.
“Defensive Power: Physical Sanctification (840000/1000000) Ready to advance.”
“Hehe, boy, where are we off to next?”
Ji Wuqing lit a Huazi, asking excitedly, the trip to the Western Desert had been thrilling for it.
Li Xiaobai glanced at it, “Zhen Qiankun previously mentioned that the Three Sects’ competition is about to start in Central Province, and the prizes are luxurious. Let’s go and participate.”
“Hehe, with this sovereign there, first place in the competition will surely be mine!”
Ji Wuqing boasted.
The Three Sects’ competition is a contest held by the three Great Sects of Central Province, which any cultivators can join. However, it’s not cultivation level that is being tested but Artifact Refining, Formation skills, and Alchemy Technique.
Li Xiaobai certainly had a plan and arrangements for this competition; it was an opportunity for his Tangneng First-class and fine store to make their mark in Central Province.
With the System launched, no one could compete. The prizes were destined to be his. Then he would find the Treasure Pavilion to resell them, and with some promotion from Immortal Spirit Daily, they would become high-priced Spirit Stone auction items. Just the thought of that was exhilarating.
“Hehe, keep blowing smoke, it’s not like bragging costs Spirit Stones.”
“Hehe, boy, you underestimate this sovereign!”