Chapter 282

It's actually Senior Chen Ku?!

This is the shared thought in the hearts of the Three Beasts.

The Three Beasts were extremely excited, their bodies trembling violently, not out of fear, but because of immense joy.

True God!

I actually got to see a True God!

Without a doubt, Chen Ku's status in the hearts of Western Buddhist Sect disciples is an indescribable transcendence and reverence.

Even for juniors like the Three Beasts, seeing Chen Ku in person brings greater joy than worshipping the two saints Jieyin and Zhunti.

After all, this is the sole existence that cultivates the non‑saint path, yet its reputation rivals that of a saint.

"Heavens, the number one person below a sage, indeed overwhelmingly mighty!"

"Not bad, not bad—such world‑shaking prestige; we may never match it in our lifetimes."

"Senior Chen Ku once aided the Red Cloud Saint in attaining the Dao; to see him is a great fortune across three lifetimes."

"Hehe, not only that, it's no exaggeration to say Senior Chen Ku is now the authority in the West."

The three beasts whispered among themselves, unable to hide their mixed shock and regret.

"The Western authority!"

If other great powers heard this, they would surely exclaim, "Turning the heavens upside down!"

After all, the three great saints of Buddhism sit in command—how could Chen Ku claim to be the authority?

But the three beasts, including Qiniu, clearly know that within Buddhism, Chen Ku's words carry great weight.

Even at times, the two sect leaders Jieyin and Zhunti must follow Chen Ku's words and act accordingly.

After a long while, the three beasts gradually suppressed their wild joy.

"Shhh… we must not speak rashly!"

"Quickly, pay respects to Senior Chen Ku!"

The creature of four unlikenesses gave such a reminder.

Qiniu and the Qingluan also immediately awakened.

The three beasts immediately knelt and kowtowed respectfully.

Seeing this, Chen Ku remained rather calm.

"Hehe, no need for excessive courtesy!"

He responded with a light laugh.

As his words took effect, a gentle power lifted the three beasts.

Afterward, Chen Ku then continued to ask:

"Why are you three beasts among humanity?!"

This was also a doubt Chen Ku had previously.

Upon hearing this, Qiniu eagerly spoke up:

"Reporting to Senior, we were ordered by our clan to come here and guard a human tribe."

"To repay the kindness of Buddhism's teachings!"

While Qiniu spoke, the Qingluan and the creature of four unlikenesses beside him also nodded repeatedly, indicating they were the same.

Hearing such a response, Chen Ku nodded.

Guarding humanity, repaying the Western Buddhist sect.

The chieftains of the three tribes certainly had such considerations.

But Chen Ku also clearly understood the considerations behind them.

You must know, Red Cloud repeatedly gathered merit among humanity, which made countless beings envious.

It seems the three tribes arranged this also with the intention of gaining merit thereby.

Although Chen Ku was aware of this in his heart, he did not expose it.

The three tribes' desire for merit is not blameworthy.

Moreover, Qiniu and the others here are indeed diligent and beneficial to humanity's development.

"You've done well!"

"These three innate spiritual fruits are granted to you; they can help you advance!"

Chen Ku was very generous.

With a wave of his hand, the three spiritual fruits instantly appeared, each hovering before Qiniu, the Qingluan, and the creature of four unlikenesses.

These three innate spiritual fruits are nothing to Chen Ku; not worth mentioning.

However, seeing this, the three beasts were overjoyed.

"This… Senior's great kindness, we dare not accept it!"

The three beasts knelt and kowtowed once again.

You must know, although they are said to be beings of the three tribes, they are not of pure bloodline.

That is why the three beasts are now only at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm.

A single spiritual fruit may seem little, but in their eyes it is already an extremely rare great opportunity and great fortune.

Merely seeing Chen Ku is already an unexpected joy.

Now, having been granted the spiritual fruits, how could the three beasts not be overjoyed!

Although that is so, the three beasts immediately could not wait to each swallow their own spiritual fruit in one gulp.

For a moment, the three beasts' qi and blood roared, and their bodies shone.

Waves of tremendous pressure radiated all around, exuding the mighty aura of an ancient primordial beast.

Boom—

In the void, the heavenly sound exploded.

Immortal light burst forth, auspicious colors rose!

Vast sheets of innate spiritual qi surged forth, like mighty great rivers, pouring continuously toward the three beasts.

The three beasts were astonished and delighted, their expressions shifting greatly.

"This... my bloodline is becoming ever more pure!"

"Not bad, not bad, I am the same!"

"My magic power is surging, simply advancing by leaps and bounds!"

The three beasts exclaimed.

At this moment, they clearly sensed it.

Under the nourishment and cleansing of that single spiritual fruit, within their bloodline, the mottled breaths burst out of their bodies and vanished.

Then, their bloodline became even more pure.

As their qi and blood surged, they also emitted a mightier, tremendous power, captivating the heart and mind.

And under the infusion of innate spiritual qi, their breath rose steadily, increasing at a visible speed.

Roar......

Cry......

The three beasts, as if their primordial foundations had been awakened, could not help but repeatedly roar to the heavens, bellowing at the firmament, their momentum immensely vast.

On the Prison Ox's body, dragon scales glittered, with faint golden light flowing.

On the Azure Phoenix's body, each feather trembled the high heavens, raising great ripples; the seven-colored radiance grew even more profound and wondrous, exquisitely beautiful.

The None-of-the-Four roared, breaking the void; its hair all over stood like steel needles, flashing a cold metallic sheen, equally terrifying.

Obviously, the three beasts not only had purer bloodlines, but their true forms also gained some ineffable evolution and transformation.

At a certain moment!

The three beasts' breaths surged one after another, unstable!

The Golden Immortal shackles were shattered with a boom, and the three beasts all entered the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm.

Instant breakthrough!

The three beasts became even more excited.

"We thank Senior Chen Ku again for his grace!"

The three beasts bowed to Chen Ku, their gazes becoming more reverent and admiring.

This single spiritual fruit equals their many years of arduous cultivation.

"Hehe, no need for this!"

"This is the reward I give you, and it is what you deserve."

Chen Ku laughed and replied in a sentence.

When facing outsiders, Chen Ku's actions perhaps seem somewhat "shameless".

But toward his own people, when has he ever been stingy?!

Watching the three beasts rise to the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, Chen Ku also felt greatly satisfied.

Thus, in the future, as they guard the humans of this place, they will have greater confidence and can avoid greater calamities.

Moreover, although the three beasts appear to have only the cultivation of a Taiyi Golden Immortal, the bloodlines of the dragon, phoenix, and qilin tribes inherently contain immense power beyond ordinary imagination.

With such bloodline support, even if a Great Luo Golden Immortal came, they might not be able to easily subdue the three beasts.

Put simply, this move is also beneficial to humanity and to the Buddhist sect.

His words paused, then Chen Ku continued:

"Alright, you have also risen!"

"Next, bring this seat to see the living beings of the humans you guard."

Chen Ku said thus.

In the beginning, the Western humans had Hong Yun overseeing them, passing down pottery technique and other blessings, thus developing rapidly.

Chen Ku still does not understand; how far have the humans of this place developed?!

Hearing his words, the Prison Ox immediately bowed in assent.

Afterward, its expression shifted as it thought of something, then it turned to look at the Azure Phoenix and the None-of-the-Four.

"We each shall transform, taking on human form to go, lest we disturb the humans."

It must be said, facing Chen Ku this "Holy Father of Humans," the Prison Ox's considerations were also extremely thorough.

They also know that their true forms appear rather fearsome to humans.

If they went as they are, they would surely disturb the humans' peace.

When the words fell, he transformed his form.

Only seeing immortal light enveloping it, in a moment the Prison Ox took the form of an elderly human.

Its posture was stooped, its aged bearing lifelike.

In every gesture, it was indistinguishable from a true elderly human.

The Azure Phoenix transformed into a gorgeous, charming woman; every frown and smile were full of allure, a beauty that makes all things lose color.

Finally, the None-of-the-Four transformed into a child's form.

Obviously, the three beasts have guarded humans for a long time; their observation of humans can be said to be meticulous to the finest detail.

Only then could they be without any flaw.

This made Chen Ku even more satisfied; it seems they truly care about all things human, guarding them from infringement and disturbance.

And it is not merely perfunctory.

He gave a knowing smile, and Chen Ku didn't waste words.

With a thought, his aura of the Peak of the Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal retracted inward, and his appearance changed accordingly.

In an instant, four figures gathered together.

No matter how other strong ones saw them, they would only think they were just an ordinary family of four among the human race.

The four walked slowly into the human race, tranquil and serene.

Along the way they passed, the human race was busy, either hunting or chopping wood and such.

There were also beings with closed eyes sitting upright, seemingly contemplating the method of cultivation.

In a distant tribe, figures of people gathered one after another.

And right before everyone's eyes, the campfire burned brightly.

Zila—

Zila—

The sound of roasting meat came, sizzling.

At the same time, a rich meat aroma came, making people unable to help but flare their nostrils.

The human race clinked cups, drinking very inferior liquor, which could not even compare to Taiyin Jade Dew and Qiongjiang Jade Liquid.

But looking over the human race, it was also an atmosphere of extreme happiness and carefree ease.

Watching this scene, Chen Ku also couldn't help but reveal a trace of unprecedented calm smile.

Hehe... not bad, really not bad!

The myriad zhang of red dust cannot be fathomed; in the end, a lifetime consoles this heart.

It's truly rare...

Chen Ku sighed.

At this moment, his thoughts were complex, and he felt many emotions.

Thinking of this heaven and earth's time, cultivators are endless; for a higher realm, or for various cultivation resources, it is literally a struggle to cross, with ceaseless killing and battle.

Like the human race, settling in a corner, non-contending and non-disturbing, finding joy in oneself—how could this not be a kind of happiness?!

Of course, Chen Ku was merely sighing.

He, as a Western Disciple, bears a supreme mission.

Even though he somewhat envied the human race's such scene, he also knew he could not achieve such indifference, being free from worldly contention.

Or put another way, if it weren't for Chen Ku's earlier arrangements and strong protection, perhaps the human race would not have today's such tranquil and harmonious scene.

Just as he was sighing.

By the campfire, a rugged, bold and carefree human man also noticed them four.

Hehe, fellow compatriots.

Fine wine and delicious food are all available; why not feast together?

That human man generously invited Chen Ku and a few others to drink together.

And around, the crowd of humans likewise spoke up in a chorus, very enthusiastic.

Unable to refuse the warm hospitality, Chen Ku smiled and simply nodded.

Afterward, without standing on ceremony, he immediately sat cross-legged with the human beings and began to feast heartily.

In fact, not to mention him, even upon reaching the realm of beings like the Imprisoned Ox and Azure Phoenix, they had long since lost any desire for food.

Even if they went without food for countless eons, there would be no effect, nor would they feel hunger.

After all, such immortals who have attained the Dao already feed on spiritual qi.

However, Chen Ku at this time ate with great enjoyment, feeling very satisfied.

Large chunks of roasted beast meat, and things like wild hare entering his mouth, gave him a feeling long missed.

Mm... how many years has it been?

Even I, the venerable one, have somewhat forgotten.

He vaguely recalled that in his previous life, such a feeling was not unfamiliar.

However, having transmigrated here, that seems already an extremely distant matter.

The bustle among the human race continues.

However, Chen Ku also does not intend to linger much longer.

He still has other things to do.

However, just as Chen Ku was about to leave.

Among the human race, a sudden anomaly arose!

Boom—

That day, high above the heavens, rolling black clouds swept in, heavy and massive, oppressive to the extreme.

An extremely ominous feeling surged, making the human beings unable to help but feel their scalps go numb, hearts pounding.

Even though they had no cultivation, they could still sense that amidst the dense dark clouds, a hostile aura rose, very terrifying.

Hiss... what's going on?!

What a terrifying feeling; could it be that some powerful one wants to stir up trouble?

Heavens, may there be no more great wars; that's too terrifying!

Hehe, no need to worry; although worldly great wars continue, they have never affected we human beings.

The human beings glanced sideways, whispered exclamations, and discussed heatedly.

Most people were terrified, trembling incessantly.

For them, any great battle is an indescribable great terror.

But some human beings chuckled, thinking that even if a powerful figure wanted to stir up trouble, it would have nothing to do with humanity.

However, Chen Ku, the Imprisoned Ox, the Azure Phoenix, and the Four Unlikenesses exchanged a glance just then, as if there were deep meaning.

The faces of the several also grew faintly solemn.

Their perception was clearer than that of the human race.

That ferocious aura seemed to be directed straight at the humans present.

In an instant, Chen Ku's gaze darkened, seizing heart and soul.

I had earlier stated that even if the Witch-Demon Two Clans waged war, humanity must not be involved.

Could there still be some fearless powerhouse intent on harming humanity?!

Under Chen Ku's cold, stern gaze.

Finally, that sky-obscuring dark cloud drifted over and hovered above the human tribe, then ceased to move.

This made the previously unconcerned humans suddenly freeze in expression, and a sense of unease welled up in their hearts.

The next moment, an angry shout rang out from the high heavens and fell among the humans.

"Human race, you seek death!"

At the same time, a figure gradually emerged, coldly looking down upon the endless human beings.

In an instant, an uproar rose among the humans.