Chapter 957

At this moment, Xu Kuang was within the light shield, his injuries too severe, eyes rolling back, already half-delirious. Upon the shield ran a small yellow fox, darting back and forth, brimming with spirit. A protective Dao art possessing such innate sentience revealed its exalted rank.

Wei Yuan had failed to shatter the shield with a single thunderball—not from lack of power, but from insufficient rank. Most of the thunder’s force was blown away by the fox’s single breath.

With this immortal art guarding him, anyone who dared harm Xu Kuang would know he was under the gaze of a celestial being—any move against him would be an act of war against a True Immortal.

Wei Yuan’s thoughts flashed like lightning; countless records of Ji State instantly sorted themselves amid the human bustle. “Xu Kuang… Xu… So this is the work of the Immortal Lord Zhongmiao.”

The Immortal Lord Xu Xuanzhen had long resided in Ji State, never establishing his own immortal lineage, remaining a free spirit wandering between heaven and earth.

He had long maintained deep ties with the Ji royal house; the Ji King had repeatedly offered him the honor of State Tutor, yet the Immortal Lord Zhongmiao had always declined. It seemed he wished to avoid binding his lineage to the Ji royal family. Yet the two sides cooperated closely—for instance, the current Ji Crown Prince was his disciple.

Though he knew not what the Immortal Lord Zhongmiao was plotting, Wei Yuan felt that Xu Kuang’s massacre of several counties was beyond even a born mad butcher’s capacity—this affair must be tied to the Immortal Lord Zhongmiao.

Upon hearing Wei Yuan name the Immortal Lord Zhongmiao, the old man was first startled, then his arrogance surged anew; he sneered, “So you know the Immortal Lord’s title? You’ve got some discernment. Since you’re aware of his power, why not immediately return my Sacred Infant and the Spirit Child? Then kowtow and beg for forgiveness—and repay me my sacred umbrella! Delay even a moment, and the Immortal Lord’s Dao art will shatter your soul and scatter your spirit!”

Wei Yuan stared at Xu Kuang, protected by the immortal art, raised his hand again—but hesitated long, unable to decide.

The old man first felt an inexplicable dread; as Wei Yuan raised his hand, he recoiled a step. But seeing Wei Yuan make no move, he concluded Wei Yuan was all bluster, still afraid—daring not truly offend an immortal.

Then, recalling his own cowardly display, the old man was flooded with shame and rage. He could no longer contain himself. He summoned a golden brick and hurled it straight at Wei Yuan’s face, shouting, “This brick is your lesson! If you dare dodge, I’ll have the Immortal Lord rip out your soul!”

Wei Yuan, lost in thought, seemed dazed—and made no move to avoid the hurtling brick.

Seeing this, the old man burst into loud, gleeful laughter, eagerly awaiting the sight of Wei Yuan’s face crushed into pulp.

Yet at that moment, a slender hand pierced the air, snatching the golden brick three feet before Wei Yuan’s face, then casually tossing it to the ground.

The old man gasped, summoning Dao power to recall the brick—but no matter how he strained, the brick remained utterly unresponsive. The treasure, forged from his own blood and spirit, had severed all connection to him. With a thud, it fell into the dust.

The old man stared at the green-robed female cultivator beside Wei Yuan, his expression shifting between shock and doubt. He could not decide whether to flee or stay.

Zhang Sheng’s pupils held no regard for the old man—he looked only at Wei Yuan. “What are you hesitating over?”

Wei Yuan gazed down at Xu Kuang and sighed. “To kill him would bring immense karmic consequence. I fear… I will regret it someday.”

Zhang Sheng said, “A mere petty immortal—what is there to fear? So the karmic consequence you speak of is…”

Wei Yuan’s spiritual sense entered the Pure Land Cave Heaven, entered the small temple, and stared silently at the empty lotus platform. The lotus lamp and red lotus were each occupied with their own affairs, ignoring Wei Yuan entirely.

Yet there was a difference: the red lotus truly did not care for worldly matters; the lotus lamp merely dared not speak at this moment.

Wei Yuan lingered a moment, then withdrew his spiritual sense. Only after great effort did he resolve to confess. “Actually, what I’m hesitating over is…”

Zhang Sheng stopped him. “No need to speak it. On the path to immortality, you must face countless difficult choices—every action carries a cost. But…”

Zhang Sheng gently tapped Wei Yuan’s third eye. Instantly, Wei Yuan felt his body grow light; the countless karmic burdens upon him surged like a tide into Zhang Sheng’s body, then balanced between them. All of it—everything—was now equally shared.

“This…” Wei Yuan was stunned, unable to fathom Zhang Sheng’s intent.

Zhang Sheng spoke softly. “On the path to immortality, through countless ages, I will walk beside you. Any cost—I will bear half. So do what you must. Life is brief—if you hesitate over every step, what can you ever accomplish? Take this petty thing before us—kill it. Why overthink?”

Wei Yuan was moved beyond words. He nodded firmly, then summoned three more thunderbolts. This time, the thunder carried a faint golden Buddhist radiance, blazing with mighty power to purge evil!

These three golden thunderbolts now embodied the true essence of the Buddhist Thunder of Purification.