SWNOVELXO Chapter 898 Chapter 899: Who is the Hunter, Who is the Prey
898 Chapter 899: Who is the Hunter, Who is the Prey
"Hm? Huazi is actually this effective?"
Li Xiaobai was also somewhat surprised. It was true that Huazi could awaken those who had lost their minds, but he had never expected it to work on these cultivators. Could it really be possible that the Six Syllable Mantra was indeed a technique capable of controlling the hearts of others?
To cause cultivators to lose their minds and obey one's every command, the Six Syllable Mantra was indeed somewhat terrifying.
"Master Li, what is that in your mouth that can actually improve enlightenment and clear understanding?"
Monk Ming De and Ming Dao asked with a trace of astonishment on their faces. In fact, the control over the mind granted by the Six Syllable Mantra was quite limited; with their cultivation level, they could only immerse the cultivators in a state of pure senses for the duration of a cup of tea at most. When the time was up, the cultivators would come to their senses on their own, but they didn't expect that the item in Li Xiaobai's mouth could make them sober up instantly.
A sense of crisis and caution emerged in their hearts; if such a thing were widely spread, the Buddhist Sect might lose a large number of believers!
"This is called Huazi. It's plentiful within my Sword Sect. Seeing as you two masters appear to have a destiny with my sect, feel free to visit the Second Peak in the future, and I will arrange for you the best 'one-stop' service."
Li Xiaobai said cheerily.
"Master Li, you jest. I am a disciple of the Buddhist Sect; naturally, I wouldn't change my allegiance to another sect. It's getting late, let's walk and talk."
Monk Ming De said with a light smile, walking away with Li Xiaobai, and Ming Dao followed closely behind as the cultivators still looked somewhat dazed while they departed.
Several breaths later, the cultivators fully regained their clarity and reacted.
"Damn it, I forgot to take back the resources from the monk!"
"Damn, I gave most of my fortune to the monk, what the hell was I thinking just now?"
"I now want to meditate deeply on the enlightenment just experienced, but also want to ask the monk for some resources back. Brothers, what should I do? I'm asking online, it's quite urgent!"
By this time, Li Xiaobai had already walked far away with the two monks. Ming Dao and Ming De walked briskly, looking like they were afraid of being approached by creditors demanding their resources back.
After winding around the island for some time, Li Xiaobai felt a spicy sea breeze blowing in his face; they had arrived at the harbor.
The situation at the harbor was even more spectacular, with all the ships coming and going being steered by Buddhist Sect disciples, their bald heads shiny and bright, continuously transporting cultivators and resources between the Eastern and Western Continent.
Seeing Li Xiaobai staring dumbfounded, Ming De explained, "This is the Salvation Boat, which embodies the spirit of ferrying all living beings. It's a team formed spontaneously by the disciples of our Buddhist Sect, specifically for safeguarding cultivators traveling between the Eastern and Western Continent."
"These boats have all been blessed with scriptures by high monks of the Buddhist Sect, so ordinary Sea Clan Demonic Beasts dare not approach, making them quite safe to travel on over the sea."
"I see, the Buddhist Sect is indeed thoughtful."
Li Xiaobai nodded. Having someone to escort him saved a lot of trouble.
Following the two great monks onto a Salvation Boat moored at the harbor. The boat was made entirely of mahogany, and its surface faintly shimmered with a trace of golden light, appearing quite sacred. A few Buddhist Sect disciples were respectfully talking with Ming De and Ming Dao on the boat.
"Master Li, there is a certain fee for boarding the Salvation Boat which is directly proportional to the passenger's cultivation level. We two monks are of Earth Immortal Realm, so we have to pay a thousand top-grade Immortal Stones. May I ask, what is your cultivation level, Master Li?"
Ming De nonchalantly threw two Storage Bags to a disciple on the boat, each containing a thousand top-grade Immortal Stones, looking at Li Xiaobai as if it was the most natural thing.
"I am but of modest cultivation, just at the Human Immortal Realm. How many Immortal Stones do I need to pay?"
Li Xiaobai asked jovially, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he inwardly sneered. It was just a boat ride, and yet they were demanding a thousand top-grade Immortal Stones right from the start. This was outright robbery!
All the monks on this boat were accomplices; the Immortal Stones that Ming De and Ming Dao handed over were simply passing from one pocket to another of their own people. The only real mark they intended to fleece was him.
"Master Li, you are only at the Human Immortal Realm?"
Ming De looked at Li Xiaobai with a skeptical gaze and sized him up, finding it completely unbelievable that this guy was at the Human Immortal Realm.
"Indeed, a genuine Human Immortal Realm."
Li Xiaobai puffed out his chest with pride, looking very much like someone proud to be a Human Immortal.
The monks were speechless in their hearts, thinking that this guy had quite the talent for spouting nonsense; however, their target wasn't just the small amount of Immortal Stones in his possession, so they didn't quibble over it.
The junior monk in charge of collecting payment nodded and said, "One hundred top-grade Immortal Stones."
"Here you go, thank you esteemed masters for your escort."
Li Xiaobai threw out a bag of Immortal Stones generously and spoke very politely, appearing as a newcomer unacquainted with the ways of the world.
"Master is too kind. I ask that Master Li rest for a while in the side room. We are waiting for a few more guests before heading to the Western Continent."
"That would be very good!"
Li Xiaobai didn't say much else and casually chose a room to stay in.
After waiting for about the time it takes to eat a meal, the noise on the boat gradually became louder. Li Xiaobai looked outside to see that the deck was now crowded with dozens of cultivators, all of them set to board this ship for the Western Continent.
"Amitabha, Master Li, we are almost at full capacity and will be departing soon. The sea between the Eastern and Western Continent is quite vast, and it will take approximately three days to reach our destination, so please be patient and calm."
Monk Ming De had been closely monitoring Li Xiaobai's movements, and as soon as Li Xiaobai appeared, he immediately approached with a smile.
"Hmm, thank you. I've heard tales of a mysterious island between the Eastern and Western Continent, home to a strong being at the Half-Saint Realm. I wonder if we might pass by that island on our way back?" Li Xiaobai asked.
Monk Ming De responded, "Master Li seems to be quite informed about the marvels of the sea. Indeed, there resides a Monkey King of the Half-Saint Realm on that island. The human race does not approach it unless necessary. Our course will take us around the island, and as long as we don't violate the Monkey King's territory, there's no need to worry about safety."
"You can go back to your room and rest for the night, Master Li. By tomorrow morning, we should be able to see the shadow of that island in the distance."
"That would be very good."
Li Xiaobai nodded and returned to his room.
Watching the figure disappear into the side room, the corners of Ming De's mouth unconsciously curled into a cold smile. Once on his ship, everyone was at his mercy. Rumor had it that Li Xiaobai had bound many cultivators and extorted a vast amount of resources, and moreover, he had that magical Huazi which could enhance enlightenment. All these treasures, he was determined to seize for himself.
"He's still just a fledgling. No matter how talented, what can he do without the protection of his sect, but be a flower in a greenhouse." Ming De mused.
"In just a short while, all the treasures on him will belong to this poor monk!"
"With that treasure known as 'Huanzi,' along with the resources in this poor monk's hands, Ming Dao will not be a match for me!" Ming De's eyes glittered with greed. He had waited until the ship was full to sail, to allay Li Xiaobai's vigilance, keeping everything running smoothly as usual and staying his hand until the right moment. Now it seemed that Li Xiaobai hadn't noticed anything amiss.
But what he didn't know was that just then, on the other side of the door of that side room, a young man's lips also curled into a cold smile.
"That Ming De has taken over half of the possessions of a thousand cultivators, literally dripping with wealth, a veritable walking treasure trove. Once I kill him, all those resources will be mine!"