Longevity Chronicles

"If the young friend is unaware of my master's renown, you can ask Shenxiu Monk for guidance,"

"I have no other desire but to hope that the young friend will first hand over the Buddha Treasure, allowing me and my fellow disciples to complete the final link and thoroughly refine it."

"Once the treasure is perfected, it will choose its master naturally."

"If the young friend is truly one destined, I think you won't refuse such an arrangement."

"You mustn't act rashly, young friend. Nowadays, everyone knows the power of the treasure bag at your waist. If you intend to release that bag, I will instantly perform the Sublime Dharma, and then we shall see if your treasure can also take my master."

Hei Bo Venerable, being the dry killer he is, naturally couldn't articulate such clearly reasoned speech.

Every word was taught by the Flower Staff Venerable.

Upon hearing this, Tao Qian coldly scoffed in his mind:

"No matter how meticulous the reasoning is, it's useless. I am the eldest brother of the Duobao Lineage, and our principle is only to take in, never to give out. What can you do to me?"

"Furthermore, you two are merely conniving with spirits. This so-called Summoning God Technique surely comes with a steep price; perhaps performing it just once could sever your Dao path, or even kill you on the spot."

"Your real intention is probably to detain me first, then send a message to Qiantang City to call upon Kongchan, Shipi, and these other old bald thieves without cost."

As his thoughts settled, Tao Qian secretly prepared to act.

It was not the exposed People Species Bag he planned to use, but a Divine Skill.

This skill was given by the Sheep Buddha Protector and is called "Destiny Defining Divine Light."

Upon casting, one can emit Divine Light through eyes and mouth, rendering the enemy speechless and immobile, with their Divine Soul fixed. Then, Tao Qian would use the People Species Bag to take Hei Bo Venerable back into the bag.

As for Flower Staff Venerable, having pushed Hei Bo out as a scapegoat, he was either unable to perform the skill or simply unwilling to.

Just as Tao Qian's eyes flickered, about to make his move,

suddenly, a sigh resounded through the area.

Everyone turned their heads and saw Shenxiu Monk.

He was looking at Hei Bo, Flower Staff, and the other demon monks with eyes full of indignant fury.

Then, he opened his mouth and sighed:

"Amitabha, it is truly a sin."

"If the little monk's learning is not mistaken, whether it was the previously seen 'Ten Thousand Buddha Array,' the 'Dirghagama - sutra,' or the 'Summoning God Technique' used by this mage just now, all originated from our Great Freedom Temple."

"These methods are all good, and if they could benefit the world, it would also be the merit of our Free Temple."

"How did they fall into the hands of these mages, only to be so twisted?"

"Mage, I see an Arhat branding within your Divine Soul, it appears you intend to use this to perform the Summoning God Technique. Do you realize, with this act, not only will your Dao path be severed, but your life is also at risk. Your Divine Soul, Essence Blood, and Primordial Embryo will all be devoured by that Shipi Arhat."

"If it were the original, the True Skill, would the cost be so high?"

After saying this, Shenxiu's expression once again turned merciful and compassionate.

Opening his mouth again, he recited a Buddha's verse:

"The source water is always clear, gradually becoming muddy as it flows."

"Those greedy in mind turn cunning over time, thoughts of illusion darken the nature."

"Foolish children, all foolish children, awaken swiftly."

"Return to the pure origin!"

"Clarify your mind to discern your nature!"

Shenxiu, unexpectedly, made a sudden move.

If one only observed the scene, it seemed to be not any shocking Divine Skill.

It appeared more like Shenxiu Monk was preaching. He held the Wisdom Seal, opened Merciful Eyes, spoke with a Lotus mouth, and Buddha Light enveloped the city.

Every single word contained profound Buddha Dharma, and within, nothing was concealed, teachings laid bare.

Even hearing just one sentence could lead to sudden insight, gaining some enlightenment.

Thus, in the next moment, whether it was the city's populace or the group of demon monks, all sat down cross-legged, closed their eyes, concentrated their minds, and meditated towards enlightenment.

It stands to reason that with Flower Staff and Hei Bo being two Venerables with the highest cultivation, they should have had some resistance.

Regrettably, precisely because their cultivation was high, they couldn't resist at all.

As the Lotus bloomed, the Buddha Dharma was pronounced.

The two Venerables simultaneously closed their eyes, sitting cross-legged in the swamp, radiating immense joy just like the rest of the population.

This sudden change was indeed too swift; even Tao Qian had not reacted in time.

In a daze, he recalled how Bai Qin had launched a sneak attack inside the Beautiful Corpse Bodhisattva's body, targeting the Primordial Spirit using the "Bu Jue Guanyin Root Seal," forcibly inducing meditation and sudden insight—it was ingeniously similar.

At that moment, Yuan Gong also transmitted a message, lamenting,

"See that, this is the depth of the Buddhist Sect's leader."

"These little demon Buddhas stole the Great Lifebook Scripture, practicing it through perverse methods, twisted theories. Though the cost is great, the power is high and casting convenient."

"Yet, once they encounter a genuine Free Buddha Son, just one move like this, no matter how many little demons there are, all will be invalidated."

"Of course, this is also why these little demons are unworthy; if a genuine Demon Buddha Son were here, they might contend and debate with this little monk."

...

Not long after, Shenxiu Monk ceased his enlightened preaching.

The people and monks in the city were still immersed in the divine Buddhist laws, unable to extricate themselves.

If someone had just arrived, they would be astonished by the scene and later exclaim: truly an Earthly Buddha Country.

However, after observing, Tao Qian suddenly pointed at Yinping City, his tone laced with a hint of blame, and asked Shenxiu,

"Master, look at these city dwellers, hundreds of thousands of people, all evidently harmed by Demon Buddha."

"Yet according to what you said, the root of Demon Buddha Dharma is the Free Dharma."

"Only your Buddha's verse allegedly shirks responsibility, claiming the source water is clear but gradually muddied."

"Master, with your profound Buddhist law, do you have a good solution for the present predicament?"

Shenxiu, upon hearing the question, paused slightly startled, then pondered seriously.

After a long while, he solemnly bowed and replied,

"Om Amitabha!"

"If there is chaos caused by a Demon Buddha, we should summon a True Buddha to correct the source and save the world's people."

Tao Qian was asking both Shenxiu and himself.

Upon hearing the answer, he immediately shook his head,

"I fear it won't work; the capacity to save others sometimes exhausts, better to let people save themselves."

Uttering these words, Tao Qian's eyes immediately lit up.

As if sensing something in a moment of blessings, a joyful expression also appeared on his face.

Meanwhile, Shenxiu Monk, after hearing this, pondered though wasn't convinced, and was about to say something. However, Tao Qian didn't give him the chance.

A joke? Who doesn't know that Buddhist monks are best at Debating Scripture?

Master Tao, quick-witted and tricky, might gain little advantages, but seriously debating was as hard as ascending to the heavens.

Though debating Scripture was not his strong suit, it didn't mean Tao Qian couldn't do other things.

"This monk has extraordinary Divine Skills, and his support is no less substantial than mine."

"Hmm, he could be of great use, must be utilized."

Settling on this thought, Tao Qian immediately interrupted Shenxiu.

First, he brought out the Great Compassionate and Merciful Transcendent Bodhisattva, then pointing at the current state of Yinping City, he began,

"Master!"

"Our oral debate is futile."

"Now, in Qiantang Province, to say that Demon Buddha has thrown the world into chaos and people into suffering isn't an exaggeration; seeing such a ferocious Buddha Treasure, the monk would admit there's evil power from your Free Temple involved, you can hardly deny."

"Master has entered the world to accumulate merits through overcoming tribulations, my wife and I are heading north for the same purpose."

"As chances would have it, instead of this, how about we gamble using Qiantang Province, each deploying Sublime Dharma to see who can reverse the decline in Qiantang and return a clear world to these tens of millions of people—shall we see who wins?"

Shenxiu initially thought this proposal was just a casual joke from a southern recluse.

But in the next moment, as the words of the Wu Gou Buddha Son came to an end, he faintly sensed a "thunderous boom" from the void, an overwhelming rush of Human Dao Fortune surging forth.

ps: second request for a monthly ticket.