Chapter 425: Buddha's Sound: Wondrous Salvation for the Fated

The 'Sin Buddha Sword Canon' is actually quite interesting as a cultivation method.

It is obviously a demonic cultivator's technique, yet it is particularly aimed at demonic path cultivators, especially the natal magic treasure called the 'Sin Buddha Sword' within this technique.

This is actually good news for Yunhe.

Although both are swords, the 'Sin Buddha Sword' and the 'Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Sword' differ greatly, but fundamentally they are still swords. For him, who has just grasped 'Sharp Sword Qi' and practiced the 'Refining Sword into Silk' secret technique, this can save a lot of time in learning sword formulas and swordsmanship.

For now, let the external incarnation get used to this body.

After all, he has been refining corpses for a long time; even though this is his original body, it is quite different from before and needs time to adjust.

Furthermore, the cultivation method he practices, as well as the 'Ultimate Bliss Seven Emotions Decision' that Yunhe produced, also need to be studied.

Moreover, according to Yunhe's plan, once the external incarnation becomes accustomed to this body and cultivation gets on track, he intends to have the external incarnation also practice the 'Thousand Gu Myriad Insects Secret'.

After all, the external incarnation was originally intended as a 'cultivation aid booster'; no matter if it's formation, pill, artifact, talisman, or any other of the myriad cultivation arts, possessing strong spiritual sense will greatly benefit the study of all paths.

The Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast lay honestly on the ground, a faint golden glow circulating over its body, as if using its innate divine ability to absorb and refine metal.

It can increase multiple times in such a short period.

"Oh." The Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast came to its senses and hurriedly said, "They should be playing in the Sandy Region."

Noticing the movement at the cultivation chamber door, the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast immediately opened its eyes and stood up.

Upon hearing the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast's respectful voice, Yunhe silently nodded.

It called out respectfully, and in its gaze toward Yunhe, a hint of curiosity flickered.

"Master."

During Yunhe's seclusion, the demon beasts in the Sandy Region have suffered greatly; the emergence of the Three‑Headed Third‑Rank Flood Dragon has made nearly all the demon beasts in the Sandy Region almost become waiting ingredients.

Each time Yunhe emerges from seclusion, it gives him a special feeling.

"The main body plus the external incarnation, plus the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast, can at least be considered three early‑stage Nascent Soul cultivators."

Since it is originally for corpse refining, the corpse‑refining bag is temporarily the best resting place for the external incarnation.

Also, because of the existence of Golden Light Temple, Buddhist methods are widely prevalent throughout the Golden Light Region, with many Buddhist practitioners active there.

Actually, whether it is the Buddhist path or the Mysterious Gate, all cultivation paths ultimately converge; at most they differ in the cultivation methods practiced and in the names given to certain realms.

Even though Yunhe's plan for interacting with the external incarnation makes betrayal nearly impossible, he still left multiple precautions.

"What about the Cold Frost?" Yunhe asked.

Moreover, the strong corpse‑killing qi in the corpse‑refining bag and the corpse‑killing qi carried by the beast soul banner are both excellent aids for the external incarnation's cultivation.

At the same time, he has greater confidence in hunting that white‑furred golden‑winged tiger.

But abnormally, it seems each period of seclusion isn't very long, right?

"With such strength, even if I encounter top‑level existences among mid‑stage Nascent Soul cultivators like Fushan Daoren and Huangsha Laoguai, I have no fear."

The external incarnation then turned into a black streak and returned to the corpse‑refining bag.

He immediately rolled up his sleeve, stored the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast in the spirit beast bag, and said with a smile:

"Let's go."

This region's land area is no less than that of the Wood Kingdom, Wu Kingdom, Yuan Kingdom and other cultivation territories, and the largest cultivation sect in this country is the Golden Light Temple.

For the Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast, a period of over two years might be just a nap.

The increase in strength has greatly boosted Yunhe's confidence.

Outside the door.

This is one of the means by which the main body controls the external incarnation.

At the same time, the fact that he possesses a demon beast body has also not been imparted to the external incarnation's memory.

Yunhe remains cautiously guarded against the external incarnation for now; the secrets of his cultivated 'Great Longevity Great Five Elements True Scripture' and 'Thousand Gu Myriad Insects Secret' are therefore not shared with the external incarnation's memory.

Having said that.

"Understood, main body."

"No wonder the master's reputation has become so great." The Gold‑Devouring Armored Beast secretly sighed.

Yunhe came to the Golden Light Region at the invitation of the Golden Light Temple monk Wuchen; therefore he did not linger in any cities or markets of this region, but headed straight for the location of the Golden Light Temple.

Upon hearing this, Yunhe's powerful spiritual sense swept out and discovered the presence of the Cold Chant Flood Dragons.

Golden Light Region.

It is normal to gain improvement after seclusion.

At most, it was just a little over two years.

Only then did Yunhe finally walk out of the cultivation chamber again.

"You get used to it first," Yunhe said.

The main body can appropriately 'adjust' the external incarnation's memory.

Southern Border.

It seems that each time he enters seclusion, the master gains some improvement?

After doing these.

Originally, Yunhe did not actually want to come to the Golden Light Region after leaving seclusion, since he still had many things to do, condensing the Five Elements Spirit Body being his top priority; but considering that Wuchen is at least a guest elder of the Hundred Dawn Pavilion, and also needing clarification on the 'Wrathful Vajra' secret technique he obtained from Wuchen, he came to this region.

Anyway, with his current escape speed, at most it would only delay him by about half a month.

As the foremost Buddhist holy land in the Eastern Border cultivation world, second only to the Cold Water Temple, Golden Light Temple can be seen from afar with its boundless golden light shining like a canopy over the sky; the whole temple seems enveloped in a radiant golden glow, with the curling incense smoke rising slowly, making the Buddhist light here appear even more magnificent.

The incessant Buddhist sounds also begin to faintly linger in the ears when one is still dozens of li away.

Under those Buddhist sounds, Yunhe feels his body and mind become much clearer.

But Yunhe merely listened silently for a moment before immediately regaining his senses.

"Is Golden Light Temple's Buddha's Sound a sublime salvation for the fated?"

He couldn't help but let out a light laugh.

The so-called "fated ones" refer to all cultivators and mortals who are near the territory of Golden Light Temple.

At first glance the Buddha's sound and light seem quite grand, and they do have the effect of cleansing cultivators' minds and protecting them from inner demons and calamities, but in fact they also have a subtle effect: they cause cultivators and mortals who undergo the baptism of Buddha's light and sound to, without realizing it, gradually turn their hearts toward the Buddhist path.

This is what is meant by "ferrying."

However, this is not a forced conversion; those with firm resolve or clear desires can still hold to their original hearts, and they may even regard this Buddha light and sound as a test of their own will.

Naturally, for a Yuan Ying Cultivator like Yunhe, these Buddha light and sound have little effect.

"No wonder that, while Cold Water Temple remains secluded, Golden Light Temple shows a tendency to become the leader of Eastern Border Buddhism—not only relying on the resident mid‑stage Yuan Ying monk Wuxin and the mid‑Fourth‑Level 'Temple‑Guardian Buddha Beast' the Brocade‑furred Golden Light Rat, but also because this Buddha light and sound are likely one of the reasons for Golden Light Temple's growing influence."

Gazing at the long line of "pilgrims," Yunhe couldn't help but lower his eyes.

In his view, Golden Light Temple's practice is not greatly different from that of demonic cultivators who practice seductive arts.

The Seduction Sect lures people to become furnaces for dual cultivation, whereas Golden Light Temple guides people toward Buddhism and into monastic life.

But he showed no great reaction.

After all, a sect's existence has its own reason; even if Wuchen says again and again that he is fated with the Buddha, Yunhe could never take up the Buddhist path.

Rather, it is his external incarnation's practice of the "Sin‑Buddha Sword Canon" that has a slight connection to the Buddhist path.

But the two words "Sin‑Buddha" already indicate that this is not a good connection.

Before Yunhe even approached Golden Light Temple, a golden‑tinged stream of light flew out from the temple.

It was Wuchen the monk.

Emerging from the light, he still wore his kind‑eyed, benevolent appearance, bowed respectfully to Yunhe with a Buddhist salute, and then spoke slowly:

"I have seen you, Benefactor Yun."

Seeing Wuchen, Yunhe returned the bow and said, "Fellow cultivator Wuchen."

"Benefactor Yun's arrival is most timely," Wuchen said with a smile.

"Oh?" Yunhe teased, "It seems I overestimated myself—I thought Fellow Cultivator Wuchen had been waiting for me here for a long time, but I hadn't even neared Golden Light Temple when I already sensed his presence."

Hearing this, Wuchen the monk could not help but stare blankly, shook his head, and said, "I have disappointed you, Benefactor. This time I went out to attend the Yuan Ying Cultivator Exchange of our Southern Border."

"Yuan Ying Cultivator Exchange?" Yunhe's eyes brightened slightly.

Indeed, it is a shame: though he has formed his Nascent Soul for nearly a century, he has attended only a single Yuan Ying Cultivator Exchange, which among Yuan Ying Cultivators is exceedingly rare.

In fact, back when many Yuan Ying Cultivators gathered in Grand Mystery City, there were also many large and small private gatherings where they exchanged treasures; but because he had then slain the Extreme Joy Old Ancestor and needed to heal his wounds, and afterwards undertook the Azure Demon Mountain mission, he simply could not participate.

Yet he never imagined that meeting Wuchen today would coincidentally place him at this Yuan Ying Cultivator Exchange.

"Could it be that Fellow Cultivator Wuchen invited Yunhe here precisely for this exchange?"

Wuchen led Yunhe away from Golden Light Temple, flying off, and said:

"This is one reason. I originally thought Benefactor Yun would soon arrive at Golden Light Temple after his trip to the Fan Clan Territory, so I could show him around the temple; but having waited years without seeing him, I prepared to go alone today—yet I met him here instead."

According to ordinary time estimates.

Yunhe reckoned that, whether or not he could settle the Gold‑devouring Armored Beast, one or two years would be the most he could spare.

By then he could still stay in Golden Light Temple for a while to attend the exchange together.

Yet he never expected that Wuchen, after waiting years without success and just preparing to leave, would see Yunhe arrive.

"Yunhe has been delayed by some trifling matters, causing you trouble," Yunhe said offhand, then quickly asked, "First? Do you have anything else?"

Wuchen, seeing Yunhe's current appearance, did not ask whether the Fan Clan Territory trip went smoothly; he guessed it likely had, silently admired that Yunhe lived up to his name, and shook his head slightly, saying:

"Let's talk after the exchange ends."

Since he didn't speak, Yunhe didn't press further.

But from Wuchen's demeanor, it seemed not a simple matter.

Moreover, with Yunhe's present cultivation base and strength, an early‑stage Yuan Ying cultivator need not fear much; on the contrary, after experiencing several great battles, he has a clearer sense of his own power, and those below mid‑stage Yuan Ying would be the ones afraid of him.

When the exchange ends, whatever Wuchen the monk says will not sway Yunhe's will, so there is no need to dwell on it.

The two turned into a golden and a multicolored streak of light, quickly leaving Golden Light Temple and about to fly out of the Golden Light Domain.

"Hahaha, Wuchen the monk, you're late."

As soon as they flew out of the Golden Light Domain, a mass of red cloud came flying toward them.

Upon approach they discovered that this red cloud was actually a splendidly decorated palace; within the palace came faint celestial music, and there were also many splendidly dressed maidens plucking strings and humming softly, dancing gracefully.

From the palace flew out two cultivators.

One wore a red robe, his long beard reaching his chest; he was a middle‑aged cultivator whose attire was extremely splendid, second only to the Qing Kingdom's Jinling King that Yunhe had seen, suggesting he cared greatly about his appearance.

The other wore a raincoat and held a fly whisk; saying he resembled a Daoist would be more like an old fisherman, yet calling him a fisherman would still give him a hint of immortal‑like bearing.

Yunhe had previously heard from the Cold Sword True Lord that Wuchen this monk was a shrewd person, highly skilled in social relations; seeing these two now, he believed it all the more.

"Wuchen the monk, is this the fellow cultivator you wanted to recommend to us?"

The red‑robed middle‑aged cultivator laughed heartily, bowed to Yunhe, and said, "I am Hongyun; this is Suoweng—nice to meet you, Fellow Cultivator."

Both are early‑stage Yuan Ying cultivators and seem quite familiar with Wuchen the monk; the middle‑aged cultivator who calls himself Hongyun is also likely one who enjoys showing off.

As for these two, Yunhe has in fact heard something about them through the Hall of Hundred Knowledges.

Hongyun Old Ancestor, an early‑stage Yuan Ying loose cultivator, enjoys making friends and is rather fond of worldly affairs.

Suoweng, likewise an early‑stage Yuan Ying loose cultivator, nicknamed the Angler, often appears on the southeastern coast; rumor has it he once caught a Red Phosphor Brocade Carp, a spirit fish greatly beneficial to Yuan Ying cultivators.

"I have met you two, Fellow Cultivators."

Yunhe also returned the bow, and heard Wuchen hurriedly introduce from the side: "These two are Benefactor Yunhe Yunhe, whom you, though active year‑round in the Southern Border, have surely heard of."

Hearing this, Hongyun Old Ancestor and Suoweng's expressions both shifted slightly.

"Old Yun—cough—actually escaped from the Thousand‑wing Blood Mosquito and then slew the Extreme Joy Old Ancestor, Fellow Cultivator Yun!"

"My apologies, my apologies."

Yunhe's smile remained unchanged; he said humbly, "I dare not, I dare not."

Red Cloud Ancestor quickly regained his smile, saying: "Hahaha—Fellow Daoist, don't be modest. With a fellow Daoist holding the fort, this time exchanging with those demonic beasts, we human cultivators will have a bit more confidence!"

Yunhe was slightly startled.

Exchange with the demon beast?

(End of chapter)