Feng Yuan brushed off the kasaya from her body, revealing her graceful figure.
She moved like a willow swaying in the spring breeze, gracefully approaching the meditation bed.
As Ciming began to form a seal with her hands, Feng Yuan grabbed her slender wrist, smiling with a seductive charm.
“Little master, you don’t seem to be in good shape.
Need my help?” Feng Yuan repeated with a smile, leaning closer to Ciming, catching a whiff of sandalwood from her, and her lips curled into a smile.
“In your current state, you probably can’t operate the Bodhi Platform, can you? Or are you going to wait until the entire Ling Mountain is destroyed?”
Ciming’s face turned pale.
She looked at Feng Yuan, and even though she was being suppressed, her eyes were as calm as a still pond, without any ripples.
She fiddled with the prayer beads on her wrist and said softly, “I can hold on until the Venerable returns to the mountain.”
“The Venerable returns to the mountain?” Feng Yuan’s smile was ambiguous.
She brushed her hair and sat down on the edge of the bed, continuing, “Do you really think the Venerable will return? The possession is from top to bottom, even your Ling Mountain’s low-ranking disciples are trapped by it, let alone the compassionate Venerable.” Saying this, Feng Yuan’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
Ciming’s hand, pressing on the prayer beads, was distinct in its joints, and now, due to Feng Yuan’s blunt words, it was exerting too much force, turning pale.
She lowered her eyes, no longer looking at Feng Yuan’s expression, and said softly, “You should heal quickly, and leave Ling Mountain once you’re better.” After a pause, she added, “Cultivators from the Confucian Sect and the Three Supreme Palaces have arrived, and the matter of Ling Mountain will soon be resolved.”
Feng Yuan leaned against Ciming, smiling sweetly, “But I’m a disciple of Huoxin Palace, practicing the path of hedonism.” She leaned bonelessly against the tense Ciming, “Little master can save me once, so you can save me a second time.
Besides, during this process, the foreign energy in you can also dissipate, right?”
Ciming pursed her lips, her face flushed as she looked at Feng Yuan, and said, “That was an accident.”
“I understand.” Feng Yuan’s smile remained unchanged, and she whispered softly, “Then this is also an accident now.”
Ciming: “…”
“Forget it, I won’t tease you anymore.” Seeing Ciming like a piece of wood, Feng Yuan’s eyes flickered.
She suddenly withdrew from the bed, tidied her clothes, and said leisurely, “The Demon God Stake has stirred the earth’s energy, and now Ling Mountain is covered in red clouds.
It seems Zhu Rong has already manifested.
Your Venerables are probably fighting fiercely with my Demon Sect, and no one has the mind to care about things here.
I think you should lift the restriction early and escape for your life.
As for Ling Mountain falling into demonic ways, what does that have to do with you?”
Ciming gave Feng Yuan a deep look.
Feng Yuan maintained a calm smile, allowing Ciming to scrutinize her.
Ling Mountain is not defiled, where does pure water come from? – Yan Shouxia and Shen Zao, who flew out from Pure Lotus Zen, ran into Li Jingyu.
The red clouds were like fire, and on the Buddha’s seat, there was a strange and demonic aura.
The two of them did not look back, nor did they have time to check on others’ conditions, frightened, fearing that they would be taken back by the Buddhist cultivators halfway.
“Two senior sisters, why so disheveled?” Li Jingyu raised an eyebrow.
There was no killing intent on her, but her mocking words were not pleasant to hear, unlike the harmony of past interactions.
Shen Zao frowned and did not respond.
Yan Shouxia looked calmly at Li Jingyu and said, “Ling Mountain falling into demonic ways, is it your Demon Sect’s plan?”
Li Jingyu smiled and said, “Can Yun Chixin’s fall into demonic ways be said to be seduced by Wangqing Sect?” Seeing the anger on Shen Zao and Yan Shouxia’s faces, she continued leisurely, “Those bald donkeys fell into demonic ways due to possession, should my Huoxin Palace sacrifice itself to break their possession?” Perhaps Tianhai Demon Sect did something, but at most, she was just standing by.
Ji Yutang glared at Li Jingyu, then looked at Yan Shouxia with a gentle tone, “Fellow Daoist Yan, how is the situation in Pure Lotus Zen?”
Yan Shouxia looked at her with some wariness, not retreating due to that bit of gentleness, and said softly, “I don’t know.”
“The Buddhist cultivators fell into possession and demonic ways, didn’t you know?” Shen Zao’s voice sounded at the same time.
She glanced at Ji Yutang and said softly, “The Buddha is still on the Bodhi Platform, you may not be able to get your wish.”
Li Jingyu was indifferent, “That’s a matter of time.
It’s not a big deal—”
Ji Yutang frowned, interrupting Li Jingyu, “Aren’t you going to Pure Lotus Zen to rescue your fellow junior sister?”
Li Jingyu smiled, “Wait a little longer.”
She did not head towards Ling Mountain, while Yan Shouxia and the others were waiting for Qin Ruoshui and others to descend the mountain, each occupying a place, with a tense atmosphere floating around.
This wait lasted until Qin Ruoshui, Lin Heng, and Ran Guzhu fled in a sorry state.
“Senior Brother Lin.” Yan Shouxia nodded towards Lin Heng at the front and said, “Why are you so late? Were you intercepted by Buddhist Sect friends?”
Lin Heng shook his head, glanced warily at Li Jingyu and the others, and spoke in a low voice, “It’s something else—” Before he could finish, a loud explosion sounded, as if thousands of thunderbolts exploded simultaneously.
The sky was filled with black smoke, rushing out in an instant, dyeing the entire sky a smoky black.
In this thick smoke, a majestic and terrifying figure slowly emerged, surrounded by red, like a blazing sun in this dark world.
“Did they actually succeed?” A trace of surprise flashed in Li Jingyu’s eyes.
This majestic Demon God statue was naturally Zhu Rong.
It was the strongest she had encountered, seemingly complete.
Tianhai Demon Sect, having failed repeatedly, should have learned their lesson and would likely take Zhu Rong back in time, rather than leaving it here as a target.
Of course, the forces of the Three Supreme Palaces might find it a bit challenging to infiltrate the Southern Border.
“Demon God?!” Qin Ruoshui’s expression changed dramatically, his eyes filled with horror.
Where the Demon God appeared, there was always slaughter and blood.
In this Southern Border, who became the Demon God’s nourishment? Was it the Buddhist Sect disciples?
“Let’s go, it’s time.” Li Jingyu had a light smile on her lips.
She glanced at Ji Yutang and took the lead in stepping forward.
Ji Yutang frowned, actually unwilling to walk with Li Jingyu, but thinking of the oath made earlier, she could only temporarily suppress that impulse.
“The Demon God has emerged, don’t you care at all?” Ji Yutang asked in a deep voice, “Tianhai Demon Sect controlling the Demon God, is it beneficial for your Huoxin Palace? If what you did fails, will they spare you?”
“Are you worried about me?” Li Jingyu deliberately showed a surprised expression.
Ji Yutang was even more dissatisfied with her look.
She said, “The Demon God has emerged.”
Li Jingyu saw her worried face and chuckled lightly, “It’s not the first one.
Do you want to fight the Demon God?”
Ji Yutang remained silent.
Li Jingyu continued, “It’s better to think about things within your power, like rescuing my junior sister, or obtaining the Bodhi Pure Water.”
Ji Yutang did not respond.
The figure of the Demon God in the sky had already dissipated, but the dark clouds, like her heavy and difficult-to-clear thoughts, remained.
She followed behind Li Jingyu, her mind deep.
The other was a Demon Sect cultivator, and although they were temporarily traveling together, their paths were ultimately different.
She could not forget or deliberately ignore this fact.
The wind howled, and sand and stones flew.
After the Demon God manifested, the entire Ling Mountain sank a few more inches.
The bell rang out, without any melody, only the chaotic sound that disturbed the mind.
The dark clouds covered the sun, and the Buddha statue on Ling Mountain dimmed a bit more.
After the blood color, black lines climbed up.
– In the Bodhi Platform.
The string of golden beads on Ciming’s wrist inexplicably shattered, rolling to the ground.
Before she could pick up the prayer beads, they turned to dust and were blown away by the wind.
Sitting on the meditation mat, Feng Yuan was shocked by the sudden change.
She looked back at the lotus blooming on the pond.
Although they blocked most of the sound, there were still fine sounds like silver needles piercing the Mind Palace.
“The Buddhas have passed away.” Ciming pressed her heart, her voice hoarse.
After the Buddhas passed away, the Sacred Lotus Buddha Qi left on Ling Mountain would gradually dissipate, and the suppressive power on the Bodhi Platform would weaken significantly.
At that time, the “possession” of the senior brothers would become more uncontrollable, and they might completely fall into the demonic path.
Her calm and unruffled eyes finally showed a trace of sorrow.
Feng Yuan was surprised by Ciming’s words.
She looked at Ciming and said, “The Primordial Spirit Venerable of Pure Lotus Zen is not known for combat, but how could they fail so quickly? Unless—” Feng Yuan thought of a possibility, “Unless they fed themselves to the demon!”
Ciming closed her eyes and said in a deep voice, “Yes.”
Feng Yuan’s smile became more wanton and charming.
She brushed her hair and said, “Pure Lotus Zen’s purpose is to relieve all the sufferings of the world, but how can a lost Buddha save others? They can’t even save themselves.” Feng Yuan’s voice grew smaller under Ciming’s cold gaze.
However, she was always proud in her heart.
After all, Pure Lotus Zen and Huoxin Palace had been at odds for hundreds of years, considered mortal enemies.
Ciming said, “You knew about Ling Mountain’s possession.” After a pause, she added, “Only we ourselves did not know.”
“Isn’t that so?” Feng Yuan muttered.
The bald donkeys of Pure Lotus Zen were getting crazier, and they rarely appeared in the Ling Mountain territory anymore.
But a bit of madness is good.
The fall of one of the Eight Great Immortal Sects is an endless benefit for the Demon Sect.
“To cultivate the mind is to cultivate the path.① Our Pure Lotus Zen cultivates the heart to save people, believing that saving people is walking the path, but possession leads to delusion.” Ciming gave Feng Yuan a deep look and said, “And this delusion initially arose because of Huoxin Palace.”
Feng Yuan was taken aback by her look and suddenly became alert.
She stared at Ciming and said, “What are you going to do?”
“The senior brother’s delusion is nothing more than the obsession with the red skeleton.
As long as this obsession can be resolved, our Pure Lotus Zen can cleanse the demonic energy.” Saying this, she stood up and walked step by step towards Feng Yuan.
Golden lotus flowers bloomed under her feet, but after a few breaths, they turned into a blazing flame.
Feng Yuan looked at the “step by step lotus” scene and couldn’t help but feel her scalp tingle.
She instinctively retreated, but in just a breath, Ciming had already reached her, her fingers resting on her shoulder, slowly moving towards her neck.
“Are you going to use me to resolve your senior brother’s obsession?” In an instant, Feng Yuan thought of a possibility, and her eyes changed dramatically, looking at Ciming with a mocking gaze.
Ciming did not speak.
Her gaze passed over Feng Yuan and fell on the monks on the other side of the lotus pond.
Obsession turned into calamity, and their bodies were filled with evil energy.
Originally, without a Bodhi heart, they could not cross the Golden Lotus Bridge, and now with a demonic heart, they could not hope to fly across.
Feng Yuan saw Ciming remain silent for a long time, suddenly turned around, and faced those eyes no longer filled with compassion but with lust.
She couldn’t help but feel a wave of nausea.
She pushed Ciming’s hand away, her eyes filled with anger.
“You Immortal Sect cultivators repay kindness with enmity, but we Demon Sect only repay kindness with enmity.”
Ciming did not move.
The Sacred Lotus Buddha Qi on her body could suppress the reverse evil energy, but now that pure Buddha Qi lingered in her sea of energy, she allowed the reverse evil energy to engulf her entirely.
Her calm and compassionate face, due to the outline of demonic energy, became more enchanting and beautiful.
The simple robe transformed into exquisite attire, and even the “three thousand troubles” grew out, spreading like snow to her ankles.
Feng Yuan stared blankly at Ciming, and when she turned around with a compassionate glance, the thought in her mind suddenly exploded.
“The Buddhas have passed away, and the Buddha has fallen into demonic ways? Ha?” This matter exceeded her expectations.
She blinked.
She thought the fallen Buddha would wreak havoc on Ling Mountain, but she didn’t expect her hand to fall on the clothes, gently pulling, and the gauzy attire fell to her feet.
“What are you doing?” Feng Yuan was startled.
She watched Ciming’s actions, her eyelids twitching, and she was about to go crazy! She quickly grabbed the clothes and wrapped Ciming entirely.
Ciming looked at Feng Yuan indifferently, clasped her hands together, and said, “I save all beings.”
“Save your head!” Feng Yuan couldn’t understand Ciming’s thoughts, let alone accept such a thing.
Those people, with their obsessions, couldn’t cross the sea of desire themselves, so they expected others to save them?
Ciming ignored Feng Yuan’s words.
She reversed her grip on Feng Yuan’s wrist and suddenly smiled.
Feng Yuan was first stunned, then her expression changed dramatically.
Not to mention she was injured, even in her prime, she was no match for this Buddha.
She took a deep breath and said, “Senior sister! Help me!”
Li Jingyu and Ji Yutang had long arrived at Ling Mountain, and now they finally revealed themselves.
Li Jingyu smiled, her gaze deep as she looked at Ciming.
She said, “It seems junior sister has indeed fallen into a gentle trap, able to bring a Buddha into the demonic path, truly not losing the prestige of our Huoxin Palace.”
Feng Yuan was anxious, having no heart to joke with Li Jingyu.
“They have fallen into demonic ways.” Ji Yutang looked calmly at the group of Buddhist cultivators, her calm eyes seemingly brewing a storm, “Should I congratulate your Demon Sect for gaining another battle force?”
Li Jingyu sneered, “Can any kind of goods enter our Demon Sect?”
Ji Yutang chuckled softly, inwardly answering, “Isn’t it so?” Sects like Tianhai Demon Sect, Qingtian Sect, and Wangqing Sect, which one is good?
The long-awaited heavy rain finally fell from the clouds, the wind howling along with the deafening bell in Ling Mountain.
Li Jingyu’s dress was blown, her eyes particularly deep.
The raindrops pounded on the ground, but they couldn’t make the Buddhist cultivators immersed in “possession” wake up.
Li Jingyu clicked her tongue, and the Jewel of the Rising Tides split into nine, swirling in the air.
The rich and majestic water flow gathered into a mysterious and bright long river, washing down towards the cultivators below.
Although they were in possession, the Buddhist cultivators were not wood or stone.
Upon receiving the attack, they immediately opened a series of Dharma images to resist.
Among them were Golden Core cultivators, and logically, Li Jingyu should have some difficulty dealing with them.
Ji Yutang was ready to assist, but unexpectedly, Li Jingyu’s aura rose layer by layer, and a perfect moon shadow appeared behind her.
“Taiyin Golden Core? You’ve already formed a core?” Ji Yutang looked at Li Jingyu in disbelief.
Li Jingyu ignored her comments.
The nine Jewel of the Rising Tides contained immense power, shattering the continuous golden light, and the rolling thunder seemed like divine punishment.
Even when dealing with those who had fallen into demonic paths, she showed no mercy.
The golden Buddha of Ling Mountain wept, and thunderclouds rolled.
Despite their fear, Qin Ruoshui and his group returned to the territory of Ling Mountain.
They immediately saw Li Jingyu in a killing spree.
Ran Guzhu couldn’t help but shout, “What are you doing?”
Li Jingyu approached with water, her robes clean and ethereal like a celestial being.
She smiled and said, “I’m clearing out demonic creatures for the immortal sect.
Are you not satisfied?”
“But they—”
“Junior sister, silence!” Ran Guzhu’s words were cut off by Qin Ruoshui.
His cold gaze swept over the group of Buddhist cultivators, indeed filled with demonic energy.
The Three Supreme Palaces had shown no mercy to Li Qingxun in the past, so they couldn’t back down now.
He took a deep breath and said, “Step forward and assist!”
“Senior Brother Qin!” Ran Guzhu was somewhat annoyed.
Yan Shouxia said calmly, “Senior Brother Qin is right.
The rest can be discussed later.” There was no presence of primordial spirit cultivators in Ling Mountain, likely related to the demonic statue.
Li Jingyu was confident in dealing with these demonic cultivators, but having help was naturally good.
She squinted at Ciming on the opposite side, whose demonic energy was growing stronger.
She wondered if any of her good intentions would remain after being completely consumed by the turbid demonic energy.
Ciming clenched her fists, a blood-red haze spreading before her eyes.
Pure Lotus Zen did not advocate killing, only “transcendence,” but now she couldn’t transcend herself or others.
Her body was extremely stiff, and the Sacred Lotus Buddha Qi in her sea of energy was being polluted by the turbid demonic energy.
Feng Yuan watched anxiously.
When “the Buddha child fell into demonic ways,” she indeed felt a secret pleasure, but upon learning that she made this choice only for her fellow disciples, that pleasure was immediately replaced by dissatisfaction.
She pursed her lips, staring intently at Ciming.
After a moment, she took a deep breath, grabbed Ciming’s shoulder, and pressed her into “Huanchi Heaven.” This was her secret cultivation method, equivalent to her hidden world.
In Huanchi Heaven, all external influences would dissipate, leaving only the “path of joy.” However, this was her fundamental path, her true self.
Once someone was pulled in, it would form a “union seal,” binding her future with Ciming.
Li Jingyu, though not practicing the Heavenly Maiden Heart Sutra, had some understanding of Huoxin Palace’s techniques.
Seeing Feng Yuan disappear with Ciming, her expression changed abruptly, “Junior sister?” The junior sister had hopes for the great path, and finding a suitable Dao companion could yield twice the result with half the effort, but taking away the Buddha child—this was deadly! Li Jingyu’s expression darkened, and the long river suspended in the air surged with waves.
Ling Mountain was filled with demonic energy, blood forming a pool.
At that moment, the Buddha statue that had always shrouded Ling Mountain suddenly shattered, red, black, and golden lights converging like a meteor falling.
Amidst the strange and sinister aura, a pure energy rose.
For a moment, everyone looked up at the brilliant golden light.
“Jade… Lingxuan!” Li Jingyu corrected herself in time.
Ji Yutang understood immediately from her words that this was the Bodhi Pure Water they needed to obtain.
The Buddha statue wouldn’t shatter, and the Bodhi Pure Water wouldn’t appear.
No wonder she had to wait—if the Buddhist cultivators didn’t fall, where would the filth come from? Without filth, how could there be purity? Ji Yutang was deeply conflicted, adding another layer of resentment towards Li Jingyu.
But remembering her purpose, she immediately flew like an arrow.
At this moment, Qin Ruoshui, Lin Heng, and others were entangled with the demonic Buddhist cultivators, leaving only Ran Guzhu with spare energy.
Before Qin Ruoshui could speak, Ran Guzhu also floated up, the Big Dipper forming seven swift lights, scattering a series of electric arcs.
“You are a demon clan cultivator, why meddle in the Demon Sect’s affairs?” Ran Guzhu said coldly.
Ji Yutang glanced at her indifferently, flicked her fingers, and several Dragon Thunders fell towards the sword light.
Her clothes fluttered, and the inkfish on her hem suddenly became lively, leaping out of her clothes and transforming into several small demonic dragons, chasing the Big Dipper sword intent.
Lightning flashed, and as they clashed, waves of energy rolled.
The golden light enveloping the Bodhi Pure Water contained pure and holy power, burning the surrounding filth like a fierce fire.
When Ji Yutang’s fingertips touched the golden light, it was as if she had been stung by a wild bee, and she quickly withdrew her hand.
Ran Guzhu raised an eyebrow and smiled calmly, “That’s Buddha energy, pure and holy.
How can you touch it?” As she spoke, Ran Guzhu didn’t forget to urge the Seven Star Sword, attacking Ji Yutang.
Hearing Ran Guzhu’s words, Ji Yutang couldn’t suppress the impatience in her eyes.
Her dragon power turned, transforming directly into a White Dragon.
The powerful dragon tail slammed down on the sword light like a nebula, and with a thunderous explosion, the sword energy nebula was shattered.
The dragon tail’s scales showed sword-cut cracks, but Ji Yutang didn’t care, using her dragon power to instantly recover.
Li Jingyu was right; Ran Guzhu was nothing special! She didn’t even look back at Ran Guzhu’s expression.
The dragon claw extended, grabbing the Bodhi Pure Water.
At this moment, Qin Ruoshui and others had already slain the demonic cultivators, and the sword light turned towards her.
In the golden dragon eyes, the pupils suddenly tightened, almost squinting into a thin line.
The best choice was to abandon the Bodhi Pure Water, but that meant giving up her freedom! The long dragon roar echoed over Ling Mountain, and Ji Yutang’s dragon body turned, soaring upwards, but Qin Ruoshui’s sword light came quickly, containing a force of annihilation, clearly not his own work!
That sword would cut off the dragon claw! Ji Yutang suddenly realized this, and although the dragon claw could regenerate, the potential pain made her heart cold.
However, what Ji Yutang imagined did not happen.
The sword light struck a familiar figure in front, and the hairpin was crushed into powder under the strong force.
The falling thunder and lightning illuminated Li Jingyu’s deep eyes, somewhat heavy, somewhat mad, like a storm devouring the world.
