Ciming sat cross-legged on the bed, forming a lotus seal with his hands.
The sacred aura of the lotus surged around him, suppressing the chaotic energy within.
The Pure Lotus Zen technique focused on “salvation” and “relief,” using one’s body as a foundation to absorb the world’s evils.
This resulted in their true essence being particularly mixed, requiring meditation to suppress it.
As a Buddha’s disciple, Ciming could originally suppress the foreign energy within him, but after encountering Feng Yuan and transferring his Buddha essence to her, the turbid energy within him surged back.
Feng Yuan rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she looked at Ciming.
She spoke slowly, “Little monk, you’ve transferred your Buddha essence to me.
Do you need my Huoxin Palace dual cultivation technique to help you resolve this crisis? It’s not the first time, after all.
You helped me before, so how about I help you now?” She didn’t move, her enchanting tone carrying a hint of allure.
Ciming was already overwhelmed by the turbid energy, and his mind was nearly impossible to stabilize.
After taking a deep breath, he pointed at Feng Yuan, and layers of robes fell onto her like lotus petals, covering her completely before he weakly gasped, “Don’t go out.” After a long pause, Ciming softly added.
Feng Yuan glanced at Ciming and asked, “If I don’t go out, what about my fellow disciples?”
“Amitabha,” Ciming clasped his hands together, a hint of compassion and solemnity in his expression, “I’ll find a way.”
Feng Yuan chuckled, “Then you better hurry, don’t wait until Ji Yue arrives.” Seeing Ciming’s confusion, she added, “If Ji Yue comes, Pure Lotus Zen might disappear.”
Ciming replied, “Isn’t she just at the Foundation Establishment stage?” Feng Yuan smiled without answering.
– Southern Border.
Upon receiving the news, Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang flew towards the sacred land of Pure Lotus Zen.
Most of the Buddhist cultivators of Pure Lotus Zen only operated within their territory, while the outer cultivators were mostly disciples of the Demon Sect’s four branches.
Therefore, Li Jingyu used her escape technique without any hesitation.
It wasn’t until they reached a gently flowing stream that Li Jingyu stopped.
“This is Tian Ku River, the boundary between Huoxin Palace and Pure Lotus Zen,” Li Jingyu glanced at Ji Yutang and continued, “Beyond this river, you might encounter bald monks.
Even the mortals here dress like monks, which is quite annoying.”
Ji Yutang glanced at Li Jingyu without responding.
What did it matter how mortals dressed? Was she supposed to harm mortals? Li Jingyu understood Ji Yutang’s look and raised an eyebrow without explaining.
Jewel of the Rising Tides flew forward, a green light suddenly descending, splitting Tian Ku River in two, leaving a gap a yard wide.
“Tian Ku River isn’t so bitter after all,” Li Jingyu smiled, her figure moving like a graceful swan.
Beyond Tian Ku River, the scenery was quite different from around Huoxin Palace.
The scattered villages, though not as prosperous as Jiuzhou, were better than Huoxin Palace.
Mortals tended to favor Immortal Sect cultivators and feared Demon Sect people.
Unless they had no choice, who would want to live under the Demon Sect? Some demonic cultivators didn’t even consider themselves human, and mortals were merely livestock to them.
“Where is Bodhi Pure Water?” Ji Yutang turned to Li Jingyu, eager to get the item and leave her side.
“No rush,” Li Jingyu squinted, speaking slowly, “We must rescue the junior sisters first.”
“Aren’t you afraid of missing the opportunity?” Ji Yutang asked in surprise.
“So what if I miss it?” Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow.
She indeed wanted Bodhi Pure Water, but if it fell into someone else’s hands, there was still a chance to snatch it back.
However, if those fellow disciples were delayed, they might meet their end.
With her current abilities, she couldn’t snatch people from the hands of the King of Hell.
“You want to save Huoxin Palace cultivators.
If I help you, it goes against my stance,” Ji Yutang frowned.
“Is there a difference between helping me and helping my fellow disciples?” Li Jingyu looked at Ji Yutang in surprise.
Ji Yutang was at a loss for words, finally saying, “It’s not the same.”
Li Jingyu smirked, giving Ji Yutang a meaningful look but didn’t dwell on the topic.
She looked up at a misty mountain peak, the Sacred Land of Ling Mountain where Pure Lotus Zen was located.
It seemed close, but in reality, it was separated by countless mountains and rivers.
Originally, if one was not destined, they could never reach Ling Mountain.
Fortunately, Ling Mountain had lost its “elusiveness” after those monks took over, and the entire Ling Mountain fell from the boundless realm.
Li Jingyu stared ahead for a while, a colorful butterfly fluttered from her sleeve, hovering at her fingertip, its delicate wings flapping up and down.
Moments later, it transformed into a stream of light, heading west.
This was a butterfly raised in Huoxin Palace, familiar with the aura of Huoxin Palace disciples.
Even across mountains and rivers, it could find their traces unless they had turned into a pile of bones.
Now that the butterfly reacted, it indicated at least one person was still alive.
“Follow it,” Li Jingyu said to Ji Yutang.
Half an hour later.
The butterfly stopped in front of a Zen temple.
“There are Buddhist cultivators here, but not Pure Lotus Zen’s true disciples, though they are related,” Li Jingyu put the butterfly back in her sleeve, her expression suddenly darkening, her eyes filled with fierce intent.
Ji Yutang frowned and asked, “If you find your fellow disciples, what will you do?” Li Jingyu looked at Ji Yutang and said matter-of-factly, “Of course, I’ll rescue them.”
“And what about the monks here?” Ji Yutang asked.
“Why? Are you worried about their lives?” Li Jingyu smirked, Jewel of the Rising Tides flew out first, with a loud bang, half of the yellow wall collapsed.
“I don’t want to kill, but if anyone stops me, they deserve to die!” She didn’t look back, striding into the Zen temple as if she were a Nascent Soul cultivator, not just at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Ji Yutang’s expression changed slightly, she flashed and entered the Zen temple as well.
The Zen temple wasn’t large, with only a Dharma hall, four or five side rooms, and a Nine-layered Mystic Tower occupying most of the space.
The empty corridors showed no sign of Buddhist cultivators, and the loud bang didn’t attract anyone’s attention.
Li Jingyu was very purposeful, quickly reaching the nine-story tower, her eyes deep.
“This is a demon-suppressing artifact,” Li Jingyu said solemnly.
The tower emitted beams of clear light, with both internal and external restrictions fully activated.
No wonder those old monks didn’t show up; they were probably inside the tower.
What about her junior sisters? Were they also imprisoned in the tower? Thinking of this, a trace of displeasure flashed in Li Jingyu’s eyes.
Without looking at Ji Yutang behind her, Jewel of the Rising Tides split into nine, carrying powerful force towards the Nine-layered Mystic Tower.
After refining the dragon pill of the Candle Dragon, Jewel of the Rising Tides had advanced to a treasure, capable of breaking the restrictions of Golden Core cultivators.
Two dragon shadows coiled in the clear light of the moon, their powerful tails smashing down, causing a series of explosions, shaking the Nine-layered Mystic Tower.
“Who is it?!” A clear shout rang out, a sword light like a meteor streaking across the sky, slashing towards Li Jingyu.
Ji Yutang had been behind, seeing Li Jingyu not dodging, seemingly intending to take the sword light head-on, she frowned.
Perhaps it wasn’t that she didn’t dodge, but she had no strength left? Ji Yutang’s mind moved, her body already making a choice.
After transforming into “Lingxuan,” her original artifacts were not suitable to use, but fortunately, there were many strength techniques in the dragon path inheritance.
At this moment, she leaped forward, her right palm pushing out, using a move “Heavenly Dragon Split,” the palm force fierce and domineering, directly cutting the sword energy in half.
“Dragon clan technique?” The person who had sent out the sword emerged, looking at Ji Yutang and saying.
Ji Yutang’s eyes flashed, recognizing the person after seeing the face.
She didn’t respond, just quietly watching until familiar faces like Lin Heng, Yan Shouxia, and Shen Zao appeared before her again.
“Senior Brother Qin, has the Demon Sect arrived?” A clear voice sounded, and a graceful female cultivator in white like snow stepped out.
It’s Ran Guzhu! Ji Yutang’s eyelids twitched violently.
The rumbling explosion sounded as if the world was collapsing.
Moments later, the sound ceased.
Li Jingyu brushed her sleeves, turning to land in front of Ji Yutang, blocking her view of Ran Guzhu.
Adjusting her hair, Li Jingyu’s lips curved into a gentle smile, she winked at Yan Shouxia and the others, smiling, “Fellow Daoists, long time no see—” Yan Shouxia looked at Li Jingyu with a complex expression, speaking, “Ran Daoist.” She never expected that the one who appeared in the academy was not Ran Guzhu, but another person.
She had the aura of the Tai Shang Dao lineage, which was why they overlooked it.
“Don’t,” Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, pointing at Ran Guzhu, who was filled with anger, “That one is your Ran Daoist, my surname is Li, name Jingyu.
If Senior Sister Yan doesn’t mind, you can call me Junior Sister Li.”
The Eight Great Immortal Sects referred to each other as senior sisters and brothers, but when encountering Demon Sect cultivators, they wouldn’t address them this way.
A “Daoist” was already very polite.
Yan Shouxia didn’t respond to Li Jingyu’s words, she just looked at Li Jingyu deeply, asking, “Where is Junior Sister Ji?” Li Jingyu smiled, “What happens to those who join the Demon Sect, you can guess, right?” Ran Guzhu suddenly turned to Yan Shouxia, coldly saying, “Senior Sister Yan, don’t talk to her anymore, Demon Sect cultivators are ruthless and never speak of morality.”
Li Jingyu glanced at Ran Guzhu, raising an eyebrow, “Do you speak of it? What right does a person who forgets their roots have to speak here? I should have killed you back then.” Li Jingyu’s eyes were deep, her tone carrying endless regret.
Ran Guzhu hated Li Jingyu deeply, she shouted, her body surrounded by seven stars, like the Big Dipper.
“This is a matter between my sister and me, I hope you all don’t interfere.” After saying this, Ran Guzhu tapped her toes, using her divine power to attack Li Jingyu.
She visualized the Big Dipper, infusing it with the power of the seven stars, forming a Seven Star Sword.
At this moment, the star power rotated, like countless starlight falling from the sky.
“In the past, saints were compared to the sun and moon, but never to starlight,” Li Jingyu smiled, a moon phase appearing in front of her, Jewel of the Rising Tides spinning, faintly emitting the sound of ocean tides.
“Does a firefly’s light want to compete with the sun and moon?” As she spoke, the lunar domain spread from her center.
The Big Dipper stars adorned the sky, merely the moon’s accompaniment.
The invisible sword energy hadn’t reached Li Jingyu before being scattered by the tides.
“This one has improved a lot since the academy,” Yan Shouxia sighed softly, “She might have already touched the Dao fruit.” Such a person, why is she a disciple of the Demon Sect? Her father was a true disciple of Spring and Autumn Heaven Palace, her mother a Tai Shi inheritor, she shouldn’t have fallen to this state.
“Junior Sister Ran, come back!” Although Ran Guzhu said that, Qin Ruoshui couldn’t stand by.
He immediately shouted, his body surrounded by layers of sword light, slashing towards the moon spirits.
At this point, just one domain was hard to support, was there any need to fight? The Lunar Heavenly Heart Thunder and Primordial Abyssal Divine Water hadn’t even been used yet.
Ran Guzhu was proud and arrogant, unwilling to admit such a defeat.
She and Li Jingyu were born of the same mother, if she couldn’t surpass her with profound techniques, wouldn’t it mean the Dao was inferior to the demon? She was unwilling to listen to Qin Ruoshui’s words and turn back.
And Li Jingyu, due to Qin Ruoshui’s interference, had a few less smiles on her face.
The water light falling from the sky gathered into a clear river, thunder rolling within, seemingly eroding everything.
The Primordial Abyssal Divine Water was still lacking Bodhi Pure Water, not yet complete, but more than enough to deal with Ran Guzhu.
Ran Guzhu’s expression changed drastically, the Seven Star Sword split into seven, frantically dancing in the air.
Just as Qin Ruoshui was about to act, the thunderous river that was about to engulf Ran Guzhu suddenly swirled, rushing towards the Nine-layered Mystic Tower.
The restrictions outside the artifact had already been broken by Jewel of the Rising Tides, and now, with the divine water’s impact, the treasure body became dilapidated! Li Jingyu glanced at the retreating Ran Guzhu, turned to Ji Yutang, and smiled slightly, “See, she’s not much after all.”
Ji Yutang’s expression was complex, the past Ran Guzhu was as bright as the moon, but that was to her, who was still a “waste person.” Now, compared to Li Jingyu, she was indeed nothing.
Retracting her gaze from Ran Guzhu, she turned to the Nine-layered Mystic Tower, but suddenly, she sensed a strange aura, her expression changing! Eighteen naked figures flew out from the mystic tower, their solemn faces hiding a hint of evil and madness.
“Close your eyes!” Li Jingyu first shouted, nine Jewel of the Rising Tides flew out, crackling as they smashed into the indestructible bodies of the eighteen Buddhist cultivators.
Blood splattered, and the evil aura grew stronger! “Into the tower!” Li Jingyu shouted, not waiting for Ji Yutang to react, she took the lead and entered the tower.
The faint flicker of candlelight illuminated the pagoda, with sandalwood incense rising in spirals.
As Li Jingyu entered, she felt a wave of heat, as if stepping into a steamer.
Her brow furrowed, and her gaze quickly fell on five fellow disciples huddled together.
Her hair was disheveled, and her forehead was covered in fine sweat.
They had combined their efforts to maintain a barrier, but now they were at their limit, their spiritual power nearly exhausted.
Upon hearing the commotion, their faces were tense, filled with determination.
When they saw it was Li Jingyu, they breathed a sigh of relief, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
“Senior Sister, you finally came!”
“Those bald thieves tried to force us into dual cultivation! It’s shameless!” Ji Yutang, who followed Li Jingyu into the pagoda, heard this as the first thing and was momentarily stunned, disbelief flashing across her face.
But recalling the earlier frenzied figures, she dismissed her surprise.
The Buddhist cultivators here seemed to have fallen.
“They spoke of red skeletons, wanting us to see skeletons in the midst of great joy, to comprehend extinction!” another female cultivator added.
“Dual cultivation is a mutual agreement, who needs these bald thieves to enlighten us?”
Li Jingyu nodded, “These bald thieves have become increasingly obsessed.” After a pause, she continued, “Follow me out, there’s something strange about this pagoda!”
Inside the Zen temple, the cultivation level of the eighteen Buddhist cultivators was not high, between the mundane and Foundation Establishment Stage.
After being beaten bloody by Li Jingyu, they fell to the ground one by one, but their obsession drove them to rise again, desperately trying to rush back into the pagoda.
Qin Ruoshui and the others, unaware of the situation, remained silent observers, while Shen Zao sneered and unleashed a dazzling burst of clear light!
“Shen Zao!” Yan Shouxia lowered his voice, reprimanding.
Shen Zao glanced at Yan Shouxia, raising an eyebrow, “Aren’t you the one who despises demons the most? Don’t they look like they’ve fallen into the demonic path?”
Yan Shouxia rubbed his forehead, sighing, “But they weren’t like this when we first arrived.” After entering the Southern Border, they chose to first visit Pure Lotus Zen, only to encounter a battle between the demonesses of Huoxin Palace and the Buddhist cultivators nearby.
As disciples of the Immortal Sect, they naturally sided with the Buddhist cultivators, helping to lock the demonesses in the pagoda.
The Buddhist cultivators volunteered to enlighten the demonesses, and considering the path of Pure Lotus Zen, they didn’t interfere further, instead searching for the location of Sacred Land of Ling Mountain.
But who knew the Buddhist cultivators inside the pagoda would be the first to become demonic?
Shen Zao showed no mercy, her sword light flashing, pinning the fallen Buddhist cultivators to the ground.
As Li Jingyu and her group flew out of the pagoda, she calmly watched them.
Compared to before their imprisonment, they looked much more haggard, each one appearing like a withered flower.
These Buddhist cultivators indeed had some means.
But considering the state of the eighteen Buddhist cultivators, Shen Zao felt something was amiss, her brows furrowing as a hint of inquiry flashed in her eyes.
The cultivators pinned to the ground writhed in pain, their faces contorted, yet their eyes still filled with an abhorrent fanaticism.
Even upon seeing Li Jingyu and her group, they struggled to clasp their hands together, chanting about the wonders of offering one’s body to the Bodhisattva.
A cold glint flashed in Li Jingyu’s eyes, and eighteen Lunar Heavenly Heart Thunders descended, instantly obliterating the monks’ souls.
Qin Ruoshui looked at Li Jingyu, speaking coldly, “You killed them?”
Li Jingyu retorted, “So what if I did?” After a pause, she laughed, “What, has Taiyuan Palace started walking the path of great compassion? If you’re so merciful, why couldn’t you spare my mother back then? Why did you have to kill her?”
Qin Ruoshui was silent.
Lin Heng tried to mediate, “How will we know what happened here if they’re dead?”
Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow, “Does it matter to me?” She had no interest in dealing with Qin Ruoshui and his group.
Although she had rescued her fellow disciples, Feng Yuan was still in Pure Lotus Zen.
If Pure Lotus Zen had entirely fallen into the evil path, her situation would be dire.
Thinking of this, Li Jingyu’s brows furrowed even tighter.
“Senior Sister, you should go find Junior Sister Feng first, we can look after each other.”
Li Jingyu didn’t respond, she looked at her junior sisters below, speaking gently, “Rest and recover your spiritual power first.”
A female cultivator looked up and asked, “Will we go to Sacred Land of Ling Mountain together then?”
Li Jingyu shook her head, “No, I’ll go alone.”
The female cultivators of Huoxin Palace were not like those of Tianhai Demon Sect or Qingtian Sect, full of killing intent, but their stance was different, and they had more or less taken the lives of Immortal Sect disciples.
Qin Ruoshui, as a true disciple of Taiyuan Dao Palace, had always taken it upon himself to eliminate Demon Sect cultivators.
At this moment, he couldn’t just watch these demonesses leave.
But the person opposite was Li Jingyu, and Lin Heng and Shen Zao might hold back for old times’ sake.
Moreover, there was a stranger, a dragon clan female cultivator, by her side.
If a fight broke out, victory wasn’t guaranteed.
“Daoist Li.” Qin Ruoshui looked at Li Jingyu, speaking calmly.
Li Jingyu sneered, “What brilliant idea does Daoist Qin have?”
Qin Ruoshui replied calmly, “How about a duel between us? If I win, you leave and don’t enter Sacred Land of Ling Mountain.”
Li Jingyu scoffed.
Qin Ruoshui remained composed.
The “Primordial Abyssal Divine Water” was a water law path of the “Taishi Lineage.” Previously, Li Jingyu had already obtained Xuanming Water and had tricked Taiyuan Dao Palace into giving her Three Light Divine Water.
Now, she only lacked Bodhi Pure Water.
The two paths of Xumi Sea, the Path of Killing, were extremely fierce and aggressive, making the possibility of producing Bodhi Water unlikely.
It seemed to have fallen into the Southern Border’s Sacred Land of Ling Mountain.
Otherwise, why would these Huoxin Palace demonesses come to Ling Mountain? If he could prevent Li Jingyu from perfecting her water law cultivation, what harm was there in letting a group of demonesses go?
“Daoist Qin, you’re joking.” Li Jingyu mocked, “I don’t gamble with the lives of my fellow disciples.
I’m definitely going to Ling Mountain.
But if Daoist Qin really wants a fight, I can oblige.
My companion here is named Lingxuan, a true dragon lineage.
If Daoist Qin can’t hold back, how about a duel with her?”
Ji Yutang, suddenly named, looked at Li Jingyu in shock, biting her lip and cursing her internally.
Although she had come along, these matters had nothing to do with her.
Why should she duel with Qin Ruoshui? Just as Ji Yutang’s emotions were fluctuating, Li Jingyu’s voice, laced with amusement, reached her, “Didn’t Qin Ruoshui ruin your plans in the past? Don’t you want revenge?”
Ji Yutang replied calmly, “I should thank him.
If he hadn’t taken Ran Guzhu away, I might have been lost in the sea of suffering, unable to find the other shore.”
Qin Ruoshui could sense Li Jingyu communicating with Ji Yutang, but his level wasn’t high enough to see through everything.
After pondering for a moment, he shook his sword light, extending an invitation to Ji Yutang, “Isn’t Daoist Lingxuan a true dragon of the North Sea? You seem unfamiliar.” After a pause, Qin Ruoshui smiled, “I’ve never dueled with a true dragon before.
Daoist Lingxuan, please—”
The arrow was on the string, and had to be released.
Even if Ji Yutang considered herself an Immortal Sect cultivator, her “Lingxuan” guise was seen by others as a genuine demonic cultivator.
