Chapter 238

The moment the cloud wall was opened, darkness poured down like a breached levee.

At this moment, everyone was passively enduring this impact; the darkness had no substantial lethality, yet it felt as if it could isolate you from this world.

Your shouts and your calls could not attract the attention of those right before your eyes, and even you yourself felt a sense of blurring and estrangement regarding your own existence; this was an unprecedented loneliness and exile.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan was struggling to exercise self-restraint, attempting to knead and synchronize his consciousness with his body once again.

In Daoist terms, it was like forcing a soul that had been driven out of its body to return to its rightful place.

You must know, this wasn't even truly entering yet; just the leakage of darkness from the very edge already had such a powerful effect. If you were to truly go inside, I fear all your cognition would be thoroughly suppressed and buried under this terrifying pressure.

This is the true cage.

There are no bars and no cells, yet it can trap you into infinity.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan finally shook off this influence and regained his clarity.

His will was firmer than that of ordinary people to begin with, and now, as a heart demon, if he didn't have a clear understanding of his own existence, how could he go on to counter-devour and suppress the original body?

The youth turned to look at his companions beside him; they were basically all in a state of numbness.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin, however, appeared more lively in his expression; if nothing unexpected happened, he should be the second person after himself to adapt to this environment and wake up.

Because every time after overdrawing himself, others faced issues of physical repair, while Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin faced issues of self-consciousness repair; even though his two god-sons had no malicious intent, the pressure he endured meant that every time he used the Ghost-Controlling Art, it was akin to being "borrowed by a corpse to return to life."

Wandering time and again in the absence of self-cognition regarding "who am I" had instead forged a firmer self-consciousness in him.

This kind of tempering was something others truly couldn't replicate, because few ghosts could resist the temptation of "living one more time," and even if they could resist it once, they couldn't do it time after time.

The two god-sons sat on his shoulders, one on the left and one on the right, hugging Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin's neck and striving to call out to him.

Finally, after Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin surfaced like a drowning man, he opened his mouth wide, took a sharp breath, and regained his clarity.

He first looked at Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Ge, and seeing that Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Ge was looking at him, he took the initiative to greet him:

"Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Ge... Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Ge..."

His voice sounded as if he were speaking underwater, with sounds similar to "gurgle gurgle" appearing by his ears.

Actually, after calling out the title, Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin had said quite a bit more, but he himself didn't know what exactly he had said, and he felt somewhat anxious.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan nodded at Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin.

To Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin's eyes, this movement appeared to have afterimages.

In this kind of environment, being able to find oneself again was already no small feat, so don't even think about changing the environment.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan looked at the others.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin also began to strive to call out to Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng and Xiang Seeing Yin Meng beside him.

But no matter how he shouted, Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng and Xiang Seeing Yin Meng just stood there side by side, their expressions stiff, like people taking a group photo for the first time—incredibly restrained; no matter how the photographer reminded them, they didn't move a muscle, and they didn't even know how they were supposed to move.

Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You's eyelids bulged slightly; it had tried very hard, but it was very faint, and then, it stopped bulging.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan noticed this detail; he knew that the Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi had already done its best.

In the past, the youth was always dissatisfied with the Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi's work attitude and had "dragged" it down several times to threaten and reprimand it, but since arriving here, the youth had not yet expressed any dissatisfaction toward the Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi.

Because if one were to put oneself in its shoes and think about it, the Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi's performance on this trip really had no flaws.

Currently, it seemed that Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng, Xiang Seeing Yin Meng, and Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You had no way to wake up on their own.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan dared not release his red thread, because at this moment everyone's self-consciousness was in a suppressed state, and his red thread connection required the other party to unconditionally and actively accept it; if he dared to connect now, he was destined to fail and suffer a severe backlash.

Looking at that monkey again, the monkey was already standing there like a translucent statue.

It was the one that opened the cloud wall, and it had gone stiff the earliest; currently, it remained foolishly dazed, with no signs of waking up.

Therefore, this place was not suitable to be used as a trap, because after you opened it, the extent to which you were affected was greater than that of the prey you had targeted, so what kind of trap would that be?

However, not long after, a lamp appeared in the darkness within the cloud wall.

When it ignited, the darkness was dispelled quite a bit, and the pressure shrouding everyone also lightened accordingly.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin only felt a sense of relief in his body; he opened his mouth and began to sing: "Little sister, you sit at the bow of the boat~ Big brother walks on the shore..."

He had been striving to express himself just now, and at this moment, he could finally "hear clearly" what he was singing.

The stiff and numb expressions of Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng, Xiang Seeing Yin Meng, and Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You finally moved as well.

Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng instinctively grabbed his Yellow River Shovel, but all around, he did not see any enemies; he knew that the monkey was a phantom, and the shovel couldn't strike it.

After Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You woke up, it first knelt on the ground; the emotional reaction from the Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi had once again affected it, but soon, it stood back up.

After being reminded by Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Ge on the bridge, A You had already been attempting to draw some boundaries with the Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi; this was better for both of them.

"Squeak squeak squeak squeak!"

The monkey was closest to the lamp, yet it was the last to wake up.

It turned its head, looked at the crowd behind it, and laughed: "Know how powerful this place is now? We haven't even truly gone inside yet."

The way it said this sounded as if it were deliberately trying to salvage its dignity.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan observed the lamp; the candle flame on the lamp was very eerie—that was karma.

At this moment, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan understood the monkey's purpose in developing people to collect karma.

The other True Lords, including the monkey's original body, the Li Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun, were all deeply trapped here; wanting to enter the "prison" from the outside world to contact one's own original body and release it required paving the way with light fueled by karma.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan could also use the Emperor Emperor Fengdu Twelve Decrees to manifest karmic fire, but his karmic fire was used to burn evil spirits; under normal circumstances, every evil spirit had a dense amount of karma and would ignite at a touch.

But right now, there were only matches but no firewood, so it didn't have much meaning.

The monkey pointed inside and said: "Let's go, follow me inside."

After speaking, the monkey took the lead, stepped forward, and walked in.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had no other choice but to follow; the youth suspected that the one who set the problem should also know that he was aware he couldn't light the lamp a second time to concede.

Therefore, in the arrangements for his Yellow River waves, it gradually became more and more "thematic-less."

There was no need to give too many clear guidelines; anyway, he had no way back and could only actively seek a solution himself.

Last time in Lijiang, when the youth was drinking tea with Zhao Yi, Zhao Yi had mentioned this point; he said that when he walked the river, not only were the enemies very clear, but the problems were also very direct; yet this time, walking this wave with him, he was actually in a fog most of the time.

There wasn't only one lamp; after entering, when the light of the first lamp began to grow dim, the light of the second lamp would appear ahead.

Unlike passing through other temples and opening the cloud wall to step into the next ring, this time, after the cloud wall opened and they entered, the road under their feet was downward, giving a feeling of descending a mountain.

At first, he only felt there were things on both sides, but he couldn't see them clearly; after all, the lamps were only located on the steps along the road.

No one was willing to risk leaving the range of its light shield; once one stepped into that despairing darkness, the probability of ever coming out again was very low.

You must know, this was a prison for True Lords; if it were that easy to break open, this group of True Lords would have run out long ago.

However, after continuing to move downward for a distance, something visible finally appeared in the pitch-black darkness beside them.

It was a True Lord; He wore magnificent robes, a government cap on His head, held a jade ruyi in His left hand, and grasped a green lotus in His right hand, with a shimmering glow surrounding His body, setting off a solemn appearance.

However, this was not the traditional static standing posture like a statue in a temple; He was running, His mouth open, as if roaring and questioning.

Monkey: "This is the Shangshan Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun (True Lord of Rewarding Good); He bestows fortune upon the virtuous, escorts those with merit, and ensures that good deeds are rewarded."

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin's gaze circled back and forth on the jade ruyi and green lotus in the Shangshan Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun's hands.

The lowest-ranking gate-guarding True Lord, who wasn't even qualified to participate in infighting, had those twin maces that were already magical enough; the things held by the Shangshan Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun, who had higher qualifications, must be true treasures.

Moreover, they were collectively killing their way in at the time, preparing to overthrow the fake Bodhisattva; since they were rebelling, they naturally had to bring the most powerful weapons they had on their persons.

It's a pity that such good things could only be viewed from afar and not touched; if he dared to reach his hand into the darkness, he would become a "burial object" for the Shangshan Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun.

Continuing to walk down, he saw another True Lord in the darkness nearby; He wore a high hat with a white base and gold patterns, carried a medicine basket on His back, held a jade medicine jar in His left hand, and grasped a silver medicine shovel in His right hand.

His clothes were not magnificent, but elegant and simple, just simple green embroidery; however, although He Himself could not move, the green embroidery on His clothes seemed to be growing, blooming, and bearing fruit on its own.

Had He planted medicinal herbs on His clothes? Or was this clothing inherently suitable for cultivating medicinal herbs?

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin pursed his lips; sure enough, the more low-key things were here, the less simple they were.

Xiang Seeing Yin Meng looked at that set of utensils and clothing, subconsciously swallowing her saliva; if she could get her hands on these things, her efficiency in making and quenching poison in the future would surely be greatly improved.

Monkey: "This is the Ciren Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun (True Lord of Compassion and Benevolence); He is compassionate, charitable, cures illnesses and saves people, resolves disasters and pain, and is dedicated to a world without illness or worry."

Only, at this moment, there was not much kindness on the Ciren Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun's Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face; His eyes were like lightning, staring straight ahead, His expression ferocious, the corners of His mouth twitching; He was originally a True Lord of medical benevolence, but at this time, He was making the most vicious curses.

This sense of stylistic dissonance was very obvious.

The next True Lord wore fire armor, held a giant axe in both hands, His eyes were splitting, and His momentum was rolling.

Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng looked at His axe, then looked at the Yellow River Shovel in his own hand.

He liked his Yellow River Shovel very much; earlier, the shovel often broke, but later it was reforged twice, and now this shovel was very sturdy and durable.

But he knew that the axe in that True Lord's hand should be heavier and harder.

If he could take that axe, melt it down, and reforge it into a shovel, that would be great.

Monkey: "Heh, this is the Leihuo Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun (True Lord of Thunder and Fire); He thinks highly of Himself, looks down on everything, and fantasizes that He is the number one warrior True Lord."

In the monkey's tone, there was deep disdain for the Leihuo Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun.

This was probably because the monkey and this True Lord were in the same competitive ecological niche.

The monkey added another sentence: "But every time He encounters a truly powerful evil spirit, He can't handle it, and it still has to be me who steps in to deal with it; it's just that 'he' has always exhorted and comforted me to pay attention to unity, otherwise I would have long since beaten this Leihuo Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun out of the temple."

The monkey also had resentment toward that "he," believing that "he" had constrained its development and suppressed its status.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had seen those four spirit beasts in the Five Senses Diagram and knew how cautious they were in order to live like normal people.

In the rules of the Heavenly Dao, the suppression of demons was inherently very great.

Being able to pull a monkey into the position of a True Lord was already extremely difficult, and one even had to bear more consequences for it.

From Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's perspective, even if this monkey had nothing to do with this place and he had just met it purely on the road, he would never take it into his team.

Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng had the aura of a dead person, but Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng was still a human.

And if he were to take a demon that was not controlled by humans but was its own master into his team, it would only make his already high difficulty of walking the river even higher.

Therefore, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan could perceive the special care and love that "he" had for the monkey.

The monkey was not unaware of this point, but reality was just like this: if you are good to a person for a long time, that person will likely take it for granted and use it to demand more from you; once you can't do it, they will harbor resentment.

Walking to this point, having passed three True Lords in a row, he still hadn't seen the monkey's original body, the Li Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun; this meant that after the rebellion broke out and the True Lords killed their way in here, the monkey had charged in the front ranks.

Seeing this scene, that "he" must have been very heartbroken, right?

Therefore, "he" deliberately "showed mercy" to the monkey, allowing the monkey to soberly endure this kind of loneliness.

The other True Lords were all in a state of self-consciousness suppression wrapped in darkness, similar to being frozen or in a coma, but the monkey had to experience this despair of being banished at every moment.

Yin Meng opened her mouth and said: "Why do I have the feeling that I'm walking through a haunted house?"

The haunted houses in amusement parks basically follow this process: you walk inward along a path, and various terrifying characters are displayed on both sides.

Currently, in order to save costs, most haunted houses don't bother with light and shadow effects, so they deliberately use this traditional folk style—things like Yama, little ghosts, and boiling oil cauldrons—relying on the tourists to fill in the blanks based on traditional culture.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin: "Are we walking in a straight line?"

Yin Meng: "What does that mean?"

In Yin Meng's view, haven't they been walking straight downward ever since they came in?

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin: "If it were a straight line, then when this group of True Lords rebelled, did they line up in a single file to kill their way in?"

Yin Meng was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized: "Oh, right."

At the final stage of a rebellion, there is no turning back; everyone must have swarmed up together, so how could it be like elementary school students lining up after school?

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin: "So I'm just curious, why are they arranged like this? Could it be that someone moved them all later?"

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin deliberately raised his voice a little more; he hoped that the one who could provide answers would do so, after all, it was the guide monkey.

The monkey should have heard, but the monkey did not answer.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan said: "We are walking in a straight line because we are covered by the light of karmic force; the True Lords we see in the darkness are in another area from our current position, which can be understood as another dimension.

The environment here should originally have been a flat plane, like behind the cloud walls of other temples; when we came in by boat, we didn't see such a large deep pit here.

This is because, influenced by the darkness, the anchor point here has become 'him'.

The prison created by 'him' naturally takes 'him' as the center and spreads outward; 'he' is also in this prison, and at the deepest point, bearing the most intense banishment.

Actually, just imagine this place as the eighteenth level of hell.

The further down one is located, which is what is in front of us, the more sinful 'he' considers them to be.

Right?"

Monkey: "You are really very much like 'him'; no matter what happens, you have a calmness and wisdom that exceeds ordinary people."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "You've changed the subject."

Monkey: "This is also why we once trusted 'him' so much, because in our view, only the reincarnation of a Bodhisattva or a Bodhisattva walking in the human world could possess this ability to see through all illusions."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "You see 'him' as a Bodhisattva, why don't you look at whether you yourselves look like the 'Yin Gods' under a Bodhisattva?"

The monkey frowned, and its fists clenched again.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan continued: "If the Yin Gods don't have the appearance of Yin Gods, how could the Bodhisattva have the appearance of a Bodhisattva?"

The monkey sneered: "Heh, so you're saying 'he' deceived us, and it's our own fault?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "My great-grandfather once taught me that you cannot hold the bowl to eat and put down the bowl to curse the mother."

The monkey turned its head abruptly, staring fixedly at the youth: "You are talking nonsense!"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "You keep saying 'he' deceived you; since it is deception, there is naturally a purpose and a benefit to gain something, so let me ask you, what did 'he' gain from you?"

The monkey's Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face began to twitch, and its expression became increasingly ferocious and terrifying.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Deceived you into having merit added to your bodies, deceived you into becoming stronger and stronger, deceived you into having more and more of the air of 'Yin Gods', deceived you into really thinking of yourselves as gods?"

Monkey: "Enough, shut up."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "I am very curious, even if you knew 'he' was a fake Bodhisattva, why did you choose to rise up and overthrow 'him' in such an extreme way?"

Monkey: "Shouldn't we have!"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan reached out and pointed at Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You behind him, saying to the monkey:

"There is no such thing as 'should' or 'should not'; it's not like I haven't seen what Yin Gods truly subdued by a Bodhisattva are like. Even gods have their own selfish calculations and their own interest demands, and that is still the result under the guidance of a real Bodhisattva.

Don't tell me that you couldn't tolerate a grain of sand in your eyes back then, serving the Bodhisattva with single-minded piety and not tolerating the slightest filth.

If that were really the case, it would only show that 'he', this fake Bodhisattva, did even better than a real Bodhisattva.

If that is not the case, it means that when you launched this rebellion, there were other driving factors, such as... greater benefits.

So, what kind of interest-driven motivation could make you all rebel collectively in an instant?

Moreover, you excluded the gatekeeper True Lords and launched the crusade from within; in my view, you intentionally wanted to preserve the systemic framework personally established by 'him'.

In reality, you didn't intend to truly destroy this place; you still wanted to continue being True Lord masters, continue to pass down the spirit-medium traditions, accumulate merit, and gain refinement.

'He' is fake, so after overthrowing 'him', who will sit in this position? No matter which one of you sits in this position next, wouldn't it also be a fake Bodhisattva?

Since none of you are Bodhisattvas, why did you conspire together to launch a rebellion and overthrow 'him'?"

In the world of martial arts, those who can establish a sect are not simple; since "he" dared to forge the identity of a Bodhisattva, "he" clearly understood the implications.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan did not believe "he" didn't know how to control the forces under his command, especially since this force was personally built by "him".

For a collective rebellion to happen overnight without a powerful, direct incentive simply doesn't make sense.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Most importantly, you said that 'he' finally admitted himself that he was a fake Bodhisattva. Regarding matters of truth and falsehood, you actually dared to rebel first and then get the final admission from 'his' mouth?

Why were you so urgent and so certain?

And if I were 'him', I would deny it to the death; even at the last moment, I would insist on claiming to be the incarnation of a real Bodhisattva. Even if killed by you, I would issue a curse upon you before dying, leaving you traitors to live the rest of your lives in fear and anxiety.

Why did 'he' admit it?

Could it be because..."

Monkey: "I advise you not to continue speaking, otherwise, you will not be able to bear the consequences."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan did not continue speaking.

Monkey: "No matter how big the wind and waves on the river are, they cannot withstand the thunder from the heavens, so I said you are very much like 'him'; people who are too smart tend to lack awe."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "You personally led us in here; what is your purpose?"

Monkey: "Once we arrive, you will naturally know."

The people behind, after hearing the exchange between Brother Marquis Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan and the monkey, were generally in a state of confusion. In the past, whenever they encountered such things, Brother Marquis Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan would hold a small meeting to convey information to everyone, but this time, since the monkey was here, it wasn't suitable to hold a meeting.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin's gaze was somewhat unnatural; he vaguely heard some things, but thinking about it made him feel terrified. Thinking further that Brother Marquis Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan didn't intend to tell him the truth made him even more shocked at what Brother Marquis Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan actually intended to do alone.

Next, the group continued downward and encountered several more True Lords in succession.

The attire and aura of the True Lords were all different, but their expressions were almost identical: anger, cursing, and swearing to be irreconcilable with the liar who blasphemed the Bodhisattva.

Even across the darkness, one could still feel the powerful aura emanating from them.

Of course, what attracted the most attention were the items in their respective hands; they were truly mouth-watering. If it weren't for the fact that they couldn't touch them, everyone would have definitely taken everything away and brought it home, not even sparing the True Lords' clothes, shoes, and hats.

The monkey stopped in its tracks because there were no more lamps ahead.

Because the karmic force hadn't been fully collected yet, the number of lamps that could be made was not enough.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had been counting in his heart; so far, there should only be two True Lords left in front, plus that "him".

These two True Lords were one, the Pudu True Lord, and the other, the Liyuan True Lord.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Why is your work efficiency so slow?"

Monkey: "Originally, after casting the net one more time, it should have been able to spread to in front of my true self, but because of your arrival, my fishing net broke."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "You were the one who poked the hole in the fishing net yourself."

When he landed on the island, the people delivering goods on the island had already been almost completely cleared out; it was the monkey who controlled those three to carry out the slaughter.

From this, it can be seen that this monkey truly listens to that person's words, willing to abandon the opportunity to spread the lamps to its own body just to try to lay out a plan to infiltrate his team.

Monkey: "You still have the opportunity to choose again now."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Choose you?"

Monkey: "Otherwise?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "In this world, not everyone has the opportunity to be chosen; you have been spoiled."

The monkey pressed its palms together: "Some things are destined by fate; Amitabha."

At this moment, the monkey once again presented a solemn and dignified air, and the previous negative emotions and impatience were cleared away once more.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan also somewhat understood why the monkey listened to that person so much.

Not to mention anything else, just this ability to calm its emotions was enough to make the monkey, whose true body suffered constant torment, unable to refuse.

Monkey: "My Buddha is merciful."

A lamp appeared above the monkey's head.

Its act of driving Xin Xin Jiyue and the others to collect karmic force for it also brought karmic force upon itself, but in the past, it could suppress it by relying on its special status.

Now, not only did it stop suppressing it, but it instead ignited itself into a lamp.

"You all, follow me."

The monkey took a step and walked into the darkness.

Yin Meng: "Why is this monkey always acting so mysterious?"

Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng: "The monkey is bathing."

Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You whispered: "This is called 'a monkey wearing a hat'."

Yin Meng: "Yo, as expected of a college student, you're really cultured."

Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You smiled and touched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin: "What are you giggling about? She's mocking you."

Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You: "I know, but laughing can relieve embarrassment."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin."

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin: "Here!"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "From now on, you take command."

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin: "Understood!"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Let's go, don't stay too far from the monkey, let's follow."

The more the monkey walked, the more its form faded.

As the karma burned upon its body, it simultaneously consumed its conscious phantom.

Yet it paid no heed, continuing to lead the way with its head bowed.

Finally, a majestic figure appeared ahead.

It wore golden armor, its body covered in black fur, and it held a long staff high, as if possessing the strength of a thousand jun; the entire monkey remained frozen in this posture.

However, just looking at this back, one could tell the monkey was broad-shouldered and sturdy, and the visible part of its profile was densely covered in scars, bearing not a shadow of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

Of course, in the era the monkey belonged to, there was no "Journey to the West."

The monkey stopped, turned its body, and by now, its form was almost indistinguishable from being transparent.

It looked at its own true body, its eyes revealing contemplation and reminiscence.

It had been a long time since it had seen its former appearance; deep within its memories, the scenes of following "him" to slay demons and eliminate evil seemed to surface once more.

"Bodhisattva... Bodhisattva... speak... have I learned it?"

"Bodhisattva, I don't want to eat peaches anymore; I want to eat vegetarian meals with you."

"I like this garment; Bodhisattva is right, being bare-bottomed really doesn't look good."

"Bodhisattva, this evil entity isn't even worth hitting!"

"This little injury is nothing; Bodhisattva, don't cry, I have thick skin and flesh!"

"..."

"..."

"You scoundrel, how dare you deceive me for so long; you are no Bodhisattva at all, pay with your life!"

The monkey pressed its palms together again, silently reciting a Buddhist chant, and the lamp above its head suddenly flared brightly; this wisp of its consciousness then completely dissipated.

But after dissipating, it condensed again, only to dissipate and condense once more.

This was the freedom "he" had given it; it could not fall into complete closure, its consciousness always remaining clear, experiencing endless torment.

At this moment, even the most profound Buddhist chant could no longer soothe its emotions, and it roared almost frantically:

"Hurry and get in, get in, get in!!!"

Suddenly, a patch of white appeared ahead, merging with the surrounding black to form a perspective similar to a black-and-white photograph.

Only then did everyone realize they were already standing at the entrance of a hall.

Before them lay a clear black-and-white dividing line, and True Monarch Li Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan happened to be standing right on this boundary, half his body in white, half in black.

Behind, the various True Monarchs seen along the way were all standing in the rear, not in a single line, but arranged side-by-side in an even distribution.

Everyone was roaring, preparing to move in and kill.

True Monarch Li Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan held his staff high, charging in first.

The hall doors were wide open, and the furnishings inside, under such a gray-white background, naturally could not appear magnificent, yet they could not hide their solemn, treasure-like aura.

This was a quality that could not be found in any temple in the secular world.

Because here, there was a true Bodhisattva.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked inside; as he moved, he deliberately turned his head to look at the monkey one more time, which was still struggling in the vortex of pain.

In truth, this should have been its state all along.

Its consciousness should not have left this place to stir up trouble outside.

It was that person who helped it send its consciousness away, giving it the ability to do things outside.

And originally, this monkey had intended to spread the karma lamp into the main hall; it wanted to walk before "him," to touch "him," and destroy "him," so as to render this prison ineffective.

But this sudden white light was clearly not the monkey's doing; it was evident that while it was spreading from the outside in, the person inside was also doing so from the inside out.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked into the hall and saw the Bodhisattva sitting atop the lotus throne, who was that "him."

Unlike the image of the Bodhisattva in portraits, he had a delicate Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face, wore no kasaya, but rather a cyan robe, with long hair draped over both sides, possessing a refined and elegant demeanor.

There was a red dot between his brows, and it was precisely this point that marked his uniqueness, giving one a sense of transcendence beyond the mortal world.

He sat high up, and though his eyes were closed, there was an atmosphere of insight as if everything were under his gaze, as if no one before him held any secrets.

Below, a True Monarch stood there, holding a yellow scroll, presumably stating the charges of his impersonation of a Bodhisattva.

This was True Monarch Pudu.

Unlike the clearly distinct styles and auras of the other True Monarchs, True Monarch Pudu looked like an ordinary person, without anything special.

But here, the more ordinary one appeared, the more extraordinary it often meant; he had reached a level of returning to simplicity, or even a layer beyond that, no wonder he could have been the former second-in-command here.

Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You was examining the one on the lotus throne, and as he watched, fresh blood flowed from the corners of A You's eyes.

He himself did not seem to notice, just continuing to stare blankly at the one above.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin immediately reached out to press his head down, scolding:

"You're still looking!"

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin took out gauze to help Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You stop the bleeding.

Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You remained dazed and unresponsive, the fresh blood still flowing from the corners of his eyes.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin took out a Cleansing Heart Talisman and applied it to A You, but it was useless.

He then took out the powder Brother Marquis Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan had made before and sprinkled it on A You, but it was still useless.

The blood in his eyes seemed completely unstoppable at this moment, soaking the white gauze red.

There was truly no other way, so Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin raised his palm and slapped A You's Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face twice—"Smack!" "Smack!"

At the first slap, A You regained his senses.

He himself had been struggling and resisting the emotions of the Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi, and combined with the various aids and that slap, he finally woke up.

"Brother Bin, thank..."

"Smack!"

The second slap was taken for nothing, because Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin couldn't hold back.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin: "Sorry."

"It's okay, Brother Bin, I know you..."

"Smack!" Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin slapped his own Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face and said sternly, "Shut up, let me deal with the blood in your eyes first, don't blind yourself at a time like this."

At this moment, a voice sounded in Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's ear: "You've come."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan first looked at the one sitting on the lotus throne, but quickly looked at True Monarch Pudu standing below.

"That's right, it's me."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked up to True Monarch Pudu and looked at Him.

True Monarch Pudu remained in the posture of reading the charges, motionless.

Unlike the anger and roars of the other True Monarchs outside, True Monarch Pudu appeared very calm.

"Do you know me?" Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan asked.

"I don't, but I knew you would come."

"You are trapped here, how did you know?"

"Because 'he' is about to break free, and the Heavenly Dao will inevitably arrange for someone to come.

Look, the lotus beneath 'him' has bloomed eleven petals, and the last one is about to open; this is the sign that 'he' is about to break free and regain his freedom."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "I cannot understand how 'he' managed it; in my view, this is a self-sealing act initiated by 'him,' a death seal."

True Monarch Pudu: "Finding life in death, a cycle of two extremes; this is the glimmer of survival 'he' found for 'himself'."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "What do you want me to do?"

True Monarch Pudu: "You should ask what the Heavenly Dao wants you to do, what Old Old Old Jiang Shui wants you to do."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Sorry, I haven't figured that out yet."

True Monarch Pudu: "Then look outside."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan looked outside the hall door.

True Monarch Pudu: "The consciousness of that monkey is only a ten-thousandth of the pain its true body endures, yet it is already this irritable; what do you think it will become when its true body fully awakens?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Doesn't it listen to you?"

True Monarch Pudu: "Because I can help it stabilize its mind and reduce its pain. It is still considered fortunate to have a chance to vent its pain; the other True Monarchs outside, though in a state of complete exile and seemingly asleep and unaware, will find that when the darkness here fades, the suppressed exile of so many years will flood into their minds all at once. They will be unable to bear it and will inevitably fall into demonic paths.

Although this is the seabed, the seawater cannot stop them; once they fall into demonic paths, they will surely bring about terrible disasters and devastation.

This is the reason the Heavenly Dao chose you to come here, and it is also the purpose for which Old Old Old Jiang Shui pushed you here.

You must stop this catastrophe."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "But if you hadn't rebelled in the first place, wouldn't this catastrophe have been avoided?"

True Monarch Pudu: "What is meant to happen will inevitably happen; the reason we acted was to resolve this catastrophe, but unfortunately, we failed to complete it, only delaying it.

Look, what exactly is the darkness outside?

What kind of darkness requires the burning of karma to resolve?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan thought of an answer and replied: "Merit."

"That's right, the darkness 'he' finally released is the merit 'he' accumulated; this merit has already been secretly transformed by 'him'."

"Why would 'he' do this?"

"Because 'he' is a fake Bodhisattva; a fake is ultimately a fake, and even if 'he' can deceive everyone, 'he' cannot become real.

When 'he' discovered that no matter how hard 'he' tried, 'he' could never attain the fruit status, 'he' naturally began to seek new paths.

The Buddha says: Lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot.

'He' took off the kasaya and picked up the butcher's knife; since 'he' cannot become a Buddha, then 'he' will become a demon."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan fell silent, as if digesting this information.

"It is because 'he' is a Bodhisattva that we are willing to follow 'him'; in truth, whether 'he' is truly a Bodhisattva or not is not that important.

Even if he were not a Bodhisattva, one could still treat this place as a Daoist temple, a sect, or even... a family belonging to 'him'.

But 'he' wants to fall into the demonic path, and wants to lead everyone to fall into the demonic path with him; this is what everyone cannot accept.

We can choose not to follow a true Bodhisattva, but we cannot follow 'him' and degenerate into something that the Heavenly Dao does not tolerate.

This is a principle that even that monkey head understands."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "I understand. Then what should I do?"

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "You know the *Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra*."

"Yes."

"I can sense that what you have mastered is the complete *Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra*."

"I do not know if it is complete."

In any case, the versions from other families were far less comprehensive and profound than what he had mastered; for instance, the fundamental formula of the Guan Old Old Old Jiang Shou, when scrutinized, seemed more like a small piece pried off from what he had in his own hands.

It was only because Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan was affected by his illness and unable to invite a deity to possess him that, when he and Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You fought on the playground, A You, as a genius of the Guan Old Old Old Jiang Shou lineage, could only invite the White Crane Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi, while the youth could already "invite" the Generals of Increase and Decrease.

The reason he finally bluffed the White Crane Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi into not daring to make a move was that Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan was simply too convincing; apart from not actually inviting the Yin God down, every other aspect was impeccable.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "At the time, 'he' only obtained a fragment of the *Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra*, and it was only after I deduced it together with 'him' that we completed this fragment."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Then how did this set end up lost in the outside world?"

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "There are thousands of opportunities in the world. We only obtained the fragment back then, which does not mean that there were no complete copies lost outside. It just so happens that this is your opportunity, which shows that you have an affinity with the Bodhisattva."

If obtaining a copy of the *Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra* meant having an affinity with the Bodhisattva, then there were far too many things in the basement of Great-Grandfather's house that had an affinity with him.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "You walk onto the lotus platform and help 'him' perform the spirit-medium ritual; in this way, the darkness 'he' released will be retracted back into 'his' body.

This way, when the other Zhenjuns wake up, it will be like a dream of Nanke, and they will not fall into the demonic path.

This catastrophe will then be resolved."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan reached out and pointed at the lotus platform, asking: "And what about 'him'?"

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "'He' will also wake up, everything will return to its original place, and we will assist you in suppressing 'him' once more. Your wave will then be considered successfully concluded."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan nodded.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "Since you have mastered the complete *Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra*, are the savior of the situation here, and are also a River Walker noted by the Heavenly Dao.

If you wish, I can guarantee you that after the matter is settled, the position on the lotus platform will be yours to sit in.

From me downwards, all Zhenjuns will pledge their loyalty to you.

This temple, which has been silent on the seabed, will also begin to operate again, becoming a force that belongs solely to you.

Of course, if you are unwilling and do not want to sit in this position, that is also fine; but regardless of whether your future River Walking is successful or whether you become the Dragon King of this generation, this place will always honor your token."

This was a huge temptation, meaning that if this wave succeeded, he could gain a force for free.

It was hard for anyone not to be moved by this, especially given the current situation of the Qin and Liu families, where a lack of manpower was their greatest weakness.

One must know that this place and the Guan Old Old Old Jiang Shou temple of Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You's family were not at all the same concept.

A You's family temple was primarily about the people in the temple.

But the temple here was primarily about the gods worshipped within it.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "Go, this is your responsibility and mission."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Yes."

The youth first turned his head to look behind him; the blood in Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Lin Shu You's eyes had already stopped. At this moment, A You did not dare to look inside, but instead faced the outside of the hall door, focusing on staring eye-to-eye with that Li Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan looked at Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin, and their gazes met.

The youth nodded, and although Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin did not know exactly what the situation was, he also nodded.

No matter what happened next, Brother Marquis Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan probably wouldn't have time to command the team, so he would command it himself; this was a responsibility he should shoulder.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked to the front of the high platform, lifted his foot, and stepped onto the steps.

As soon as the first foot landed, a stream of consciousness images flooded into his mind frantically, and the youth's footsteps paused accordingly.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "'He' may not be a true Bodhisattva, but 'he' has long been accustomed to being high above, and by 'his' side, there exists something comparable to the sound of Buddha. You must isolate it; do not let it affect your mind."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan nodded again.

Then, the youth completely opened his mind and actively welcomed the entry of those consciousness images.

This was a very risky act, equivalent to actively giving up defense; if the other side wanted to do anything unfavorable to him, it would put him in a passive position.

But the youth still decided to do so.

The next moment, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan in reality was still slowly lifting his foot onto the steps, while Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan in his consciousness had already arrived amidst a lush forest.

Someone was playing the zither; the sound was melodious, the melody was winding, and it was extremely pleasant to the ear.

Under the cover of darkness, the memories that could break through and not be completely buried were absolutely the most unforgettable and worth cherishing in 'his' life.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan looked at the young man playing the zither. He wore a white robe with a green silk ribbon tied around his forehead. He clearly had the image of a graceful gentleman, yet his collar was open, his hair was disheveled, and a wine jar was suspended from the tree above his head with a hole in the bottom; he drank the wine as he played the zither.

Looking at him, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

Because he recognized this person.

This person, although nearly dead, was still alive, and at this moment was lying under the peach forest in his own village.

It was truly difficult to connect the him before his eyes with the one under the peach forest later on.

At this time, he shouldn't be described as dashing and unrestrained; it was more like he himself was interpreting the true artistic conception of that word.

But this was the memory of that "him". Since this person under the peach forest was here, did it mean that in this memory, he could still see Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao?

Last time in the Dream Ghost's dream, he must have seen Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao; otherwise, there would be no way to explain why his abilities in formations, Feng Shui, and the Black Skin Book secret arts had all improved.

But the problem was, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan didn't remember it.

Finally, the person under the peach forest finished playing the zither.

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Someone came clapping and exclaimed: "This music should only exist in heaven! After hearing a song from Qing'an, I have to be careful not to get my ears wet when I bathe for the next few days."

"Brother Brother Baishen, you flatter me; this younger brother is unworthy of such praise."

The person who arrived was the one who would later sit on the lotus platform disguised as a Bodhisattva.

Even though "he" was a fake, the monkey was still deeply secretive about "his" name, and Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan finally learned his true name: Brother Baishen, though he didn't know his surname.

But soon, someone provided the answer.

That person hurried over and said bluntly: "Sun Brother Baishen, quickly bring out the Buddha-skin paper; I know you have hidden the most."

"Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, you are different from me; you don't even believe in Buddha, so what do you want the Buddha-skin paper for?"

"It smells good, and it feels comfortable to touch."

"These words truly insult the Buddha gate."

"When you find your Buddha gate, tell me, and I will personally come to your door to insult it."

The three of them walked into a pavilion together. Inside the pavilion were tables and chairs, and on the table were delicacies and fine wine.

At this time, a small monkey scurried over. Looking at the delicacies on the table, it reached out to take one, then looked at the faces at the table, and timidly withdrew its hand, putting its finger in its mouth to suck on it.

Sun Brother Baishen took the initiative to pick up a plate of food and handed it to it.

The small monkey took the plate and happily spoke in human language: "Thank you, Bodhisattva, thank you, Bodhisattva!"

Sun Brother Baishen reached out and flicked its nose, saying to it: "I've told you so many times, I am not a Bodhisattva, and don't call me Bodhisattva."

Small monkey: "The villagers who have received your kindness all call you Bodhisattva, so you are the Bodhisattva."

"Alright, go, go." Sun Brother Baishen waved his hand.

The small monkey carried the plate to a corner outside the pavilion and sat down, eating happily.

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao: "To actually dare to actively show what it wants, Sun Brother Baishen, if you don't discipline this monkey well, I'm afraid it will scratch your Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face in the future."

Sun Brother Baishen smiled: "It's just a child."

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao: "A child is a child, and a beast is a beast. If you treat a beast as a human, you will not only harm the beast, but you will also harm yourself."

Sun Brother Baishen: "Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, you are exaggerating; it's not that dramatic."

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao: "It doesn't listen to you and calls you Bodhisattva; this is flattery. This beast has too many thoughts. It's fine to keep it as a monkey, but don't let it get fat. If it were mine, I would already be drinking monkey brain soup by now."

Sun Brother Baishen took a wooden box from his bosom and pushed it toward Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao.

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao flicked his fingertips and opened it, revealing a thick stack of Buddha-skin paper inside. In an instant, the scent of sandalwood arose in the pavilion.

"Why is there so little?"

"With so much, isn't it enough for you to use?"

"It's too little, not enough to use."

"I don't have any more than this."

"Aren't you called the Buddha's son by them? How about this: you fool the believers a bit more, let them sacrifice themselves, and contribute their stinking skin bags. I really like this paper."

At this time, the one under the peach forest, who was Qing'an, spoke up: "Sometimes when Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao sleeps at night, he also covers his Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face with this Buddha-skin paper."

Sun Brother Baishen: "This paper is fragrant; it really helps with sleep."

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao tapped the table: "Hey, I'm asking you for it."

Sun Brother Baishen: "That kind of method harms the harmony of heaven; how can it be used?"

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao: "If Buddha can use it, why can't I? Everyone gets hurt; what is the difference between being hurt by Buddha and being hurt by you?"

Qing'an: "Brother Brother Baishen, please don't take offense."

Sun Brother Baishen waved his hand and said: "It's fine. I know Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao has a misunderstanding about my Buddha gate. One day, I will personally prove to Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao..."

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao: "Prove how correct this misunderstanding is."

Sun Brother Baishen showed a bitter smile.

He knew how mysterious the person in front of him was; if he didn't have the Buddha-skin paper that the other party wanted, he wouldn't even be able to see him.

"Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, have you ever thought about founding a sect?"

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao: "I have no interest in that."

"But Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, with your skills, wouldn't it be a pity if your lineage were to end here?"

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao: "My things are not something an ordinary person can learn."

Qing An: "I have only learned a little."

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao looked at Qing An sitting beside him, his expression changing slightly, appearing to be in some pain:

"Qing An, you shouldn't have learned it."

Qing An: "Alright, alright, even if your unique skill is difficult to learn, I have already learned half of it, so how could I possibly stop now?"

The painful expression on Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao's Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face vanished, and he smiled and nodded: "Then continue learning; I also want to see if there will be other effects after others learn it."

Sun Brother Baishen took out a book, handed it onto the table, and said: "I recently had a stroke of fortune and obtained a scripture called the *Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra*. Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, are you interested in reading it?"

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao reached out and flipped through the book on the table a few times, saying: "A fragmented copy?"

Sun Brother Baishen: "It is a fragmented sutra. Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, are you willing to work with me to deduce and complete it?"

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao closed the book, pushed it back, and said disdainfully: "This is useless to me; nothing dares to possess my body."

Sun Brother Baishen took the book back, looking somewhat disappointed.

"Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, there is one more thing."

"Sun Brother Baishen, your affairs are much thicker than Buddha-skin paper."

"I still have some at home."

"Speak."

"The times are turbulent, the world is in chaos, causing the Heavenly Dao to be chaotic and demons and evil spirits to run rampant. We, as peers..."

"Shut up."

Sun Brother Baishen: "..."

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao: "Some things, if you love to do them, go do them. I don't even care about Qing An's life or death, yet you want me to have compassion for the world?"

Sun Brother Baishen: "But Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, you are the contemporary..."

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao: "There are truly few people in this world who know about this. It's not that no one knows, but that most of those who did are no longer in this world."

Sun Brother Baishen nodded.

Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao picked up the wooden box containing the Buddha-skin paper, stood up, walked out of the pavilion, and waved his hand:

"Compassion is something shouted for others to hear. If you truly believe in this, you will only bring disaster upon yourself."

Sun Brother Baishen stood in the pavilion, watching Qing An chase after Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao as they left together.

"Brother Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, I will prove it to you."

Next, the scene distorted.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan noticed that he had only reached the fourth step, and since there were twelve steps in total, this meant there were two more memory scenes to come.

In the next segment, the memory scene moved very quickly, like a white horse passing a crack; it was only because Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan himself possessed such super-strong memory that he could withstand this impact.

In these scenes, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan saw the little monkey beside Sun Brother Baishen gradually grow up; it first put on human clothes, then put on armor, and picked up a staff.

The youth also saw the various people Sun Brother Baishen came into contact with and got to know while traveling the world; many of them had been seen on the road while coming here earlier.

Some of them had received Sun Brother Baishen's kindness, while others, in order to advance further, chose to follow this "Buddha-son" as the world called him.

A phrase Sun Brother Baishen often kept on his lips was: "I am not a Bodhisattva."

But they all called him Bodhisattva.

Later, one figure appeared; in the memory scenes where he appeared, the flow of time was ten times faster, as if some power was deliberately obscuring his past.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan simply gave up reading the other scenes and focused on this one.

In this scene, Sun Brother Baishen met a young man, who was the future Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun.

The two of them were closest, regarding each other as confidants, and together with their core believers, they traveled the world, slaying demons and eliminating evil, while deducing the *Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra* to completion.

When Sun Brother Baishen brought people to handle a plague in a village and was knelt to and called Bodhisattva by the villagers, he reiterated once again:

"I am not a Bodhisattva."

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun spoke up at this time: "Since a true Bodhisattva cannot be seen, then you be the Bodhisattva they can see."

Sun Brother Baishen agreed.

In the following scenes, Sun Brother Baishen discovered this peculiar location near the sea and mobilized believers to build a temple here.

With the assistance of Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun, Sun Brother Baishen established a lineage here, developed an Yin-god system, and after he sat on the lotus throne and was worshiped as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, he conferred the title of Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun upon his followers downward and helped them pass their power through their bloodlines, so they could be summoned to descend.

The second memory scene ended, and Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked up to the eighth step; he had originally thought the third memory scene would be the scene where Sun Brother Baishen suffered betrayal, but the facts were not so.

The third scene was very brief, so brief that it was only a single angry shout.

Sun Brother Baishen sat on the lotus throne, looking up:

"You clearly did nothing, so by what right do you extract merit from here? To receive rewards without merit is theft!"

The third scene ended, and Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan stood before Sun Brother Baishen.

His appearance seemed unchanged from the first memory scene, but if one observed carefully, one could see a faint dark color seeping out from under his skin; in his body, there had actually been no vitality for a long time, yet he still existed.

No one can truly live through long ages vividly.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun's voice sounded in his ear again: "Now, you have come up; help 'him' perform the spirit-descent."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan placed his finger on Sun Brother Baishen's brow.

His skin was very moist; this touch felt like touching Buddha-skin paper.

The *Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra* circulated in Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's heart, and the youth's fingertips gradually changed into various colors.

From beginning to end, he did not feel any rejection from Sun Brother Baishen.

Soon, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan saw the "color" inside Sun Brother Baishen's body; it was white.

If Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan performed the spirit-descent now, the black color outside would flow backward into Sun Brother Baishen's body.

The youth began to perform the spirit-descent.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun's voice sounded again: "Good, very good, this is it..."

The next moment, Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun's voice stopped abruptly.

Because the black color outside was not absorbed by Sun Brother Baishen; instead, the remaining white color inside Sun Brother Baishen's body was frantically pouring outward and turning black.

For a time, the black outside became even more intense and dense, while the originally gray-white color in the main hall became dim at this moment.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had performed the spirit-descent, but he was performing it in reverse.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun was not furious, but said in a majestic voice: "Do you know what you are doing?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan nodded and replied: "I know, I am polluting these merits, so as to save them from being freeloaded by others."

Merit is extremely precious.

Jianghu people light lamps to walk the Jianghu; very few truly set out to compete for the Long Wang from the start, as most want to accumulate merit through this method, such as Xiong Shan and his wife.

Merit is even more capable of making Bai He Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi willingly jump ship to pursue greater gains.

This place could be established and continue to operate because the spirit-mediums under the sect could obtain merit when slaying demons and eliminating evil; these Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun lords then used merit to extend their own lives, pushing themselves into the position of "flesh-body Yin-gods."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan withdrew his hand and turned to walk down the steps.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "If you do this, you will suffer heavenly condemnation and backlash."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Heavenly condemnation? Who is giving me heavenly condemnation?"

After the youth walked down the steps, he walked toward Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun, who was still standing there holding the scroll.

Why were the records in the Registrar Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun's temple about Sun Brother Baishen's experiences of meeting and knowing each of the Zhenjuns destroyed?

Because they had long known clearly that Sun Brother Baishen, the Bodhisattva they all jointly supported, was not a true Bodhisattva; they were destroying their original sin, wanting to wash themselves clean.

Why is the official-general system of later generations more perfect, more suitable for inheritance, and more convenient for the upper echelons to manage than this one, with such great progress?

Why could this group of Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun lords launch a rebellion without hesitation? Who could give them such a guarantee and such a huge interest-driven motivation?

Why would the monkey be so obedient to Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun?

Why did the monkey, who had contact with the outside world, not know his own identity, but Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun, who was trapped here, could know of his own existence?

Why was Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan not angry when the Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Master Tongzi was in pain on the bridge and did not come out at the Gate-Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun temple at first?

All these "whys" are because although Sun Brother Baishen is an unquestionable fake Bodhisattva, the true Bodhisattva, or rather, a wisp of the Bodhisattva's avatar, has actually been hiding here all along!

He accompanied Sun Brother Baishen to create this place, accompanied Sun Brother Baishen to complete the *Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra*, and accompanied Sun Brother Baishen to establish the system and lineage here.

When he revealed his identity, the Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun lords immediately abandoned the fake Bodhisattva they had jointly supported, dreaming of returning under the seat of the true Bodhisattva.

But his intention was only to destroy this old system that did not entirely belong to him, so he could rebuild a brand-new system that belonged solely to him.

Therefore, everything here would be thoroughly buried, including this group of Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun lords, because they had seen the Bodhisattva's unclean side.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun's voice remained calm and steady: "The monkey head said you are as smart as Sun Brother Baishen; actually, you are not. Sun Brother Baishen never saw clearly who I was, but you have already recognized me."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan continued to walk toward Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun.

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "Since you already know my identity, you should know even more clearly what you should do."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Hmm, I know, so, how should I address you now?"

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "Do not call out my name, otherwise everything will become uncontrollable; you know the consequences."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Good, indeed."

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "Go back up and set everything back on the right track; I can give you one more chance."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Do you know, for a very long time, because of my illness, I was afraid that one day I would wake up and the human skin on my Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face would fall off, but I didn't expect that in this world there is still..."

Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun: "Still what?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan spread his right hand open; a blood mist first appeared in his palm, then transformed into black karmic fire. He clenched his fingers, and the karmic fire burned upon his fist.

The youth swung his fist, smashing it directly toward Pudu Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Guarding Zhenjun:

"And to think you could be this shameless!"

———

This chapter is 15,500 characters long, making up for the word count owed from yesterday. Please vote with your monthly tickets!

(End of chapter)