Chapter 102 - 87: To the West

"Isn’t that right, that place is the Demon Clan’s main base. Only by going there can we truly be safe," White Dragon said with a smile.

"I reckon that’s what the Buddhist Sect is also thinking. White Ape just severed karma, but based on the power of the Buddhist Sect, it’s not difficult to guess that I went north. I fear they are sure I will head to Luzhou in the North. Continuing forward now would be walking right into a trap since they are likely to have made thorough preparations this time."

Lin Fang certainly didn’t underestimate the Buddhist Sect, a top power in the Three Realms. Although someone like him probably wouldn’t pique the interest of powerful figures like Avalokitesvara Tathagata, it would still be very difficult for him if a Buddha or a Bodhisattva from Mount Ling intervened.

"Then where should we go?"

"To the west!" Lin Fang lifted his head, a flash of determination in his eyes as he spoke.

"To the west, but that’s closer to Mount Ling. Aren’t you walking into a trap by doing that?" White Dragon asked, puzzled.

Lin Fang laughed and said, "Dangerous, indeed it is, but often the most dangerous places are the safest. You can’t figure it out; how could they possibly guess that I would head west?"

White Dragon looked at Lin Fang in surprise. Indeed, that was also not a bad strategy, especially considering that under the Buddhist Sect’s warrant, unless one actually fled to Luzhou in the North, all other places were more or less the same. Even Dongsheng Shenzhou and the Southern Continent, where temples were everywhere and it was most flourishing under the Human Clan, the Buddhist Sect had too much power to leverage.

Conversely, on the road west, where Demons and Ghosts were many, and mountains and forests were abundant, the larger forces were interlocked competitively. Although the Buddhist Sect made use of the Journey to the West to start cleansing, it wasn’t something that could be accomplished in one move; this period of time was sufficient for Lin Fang to accomplish many things.

Having made up his mind, Lin Fang, without any hesitation, changed his travel direction and headed west again.

What he didn’t know was that on the necessary road to Luzhou in the North, Dharma Protector Garlan was waiting there with a troop of Buddhist Soldiers.

"Everyone, be extra careful. That monster has mastered the Art of Transformation and could very likely transform into a small animal to get past," Garlan warned meticulously as he inspected the Buddhist Soldiers stationed there.

For him, this opportunity was a perfect chance to redeem his humiliation. If he could capture Lin Fang, he would be able to stand tall and reclaim his position.

Thus, he was exceptionally serious this time, not only bringing a large number of Buddhist Soldiers but also borrowing Buddhist Treasures from several Arhats, placed at key locations just to prevent Lin Fang from escaping through transformation.

However, as the estimated time drew nearer, Lin Fang’s shadow still hadn’t appeared at this location. Now, Lin Fang had completely disappeared from the Buddhist Sect’s sight, with both karma and traces cleanly severed, forcing Garlan to resort to this crude method of lying in wait.

But even as he waited desperately, he still never saw Lin Fang appear. Undiscouraged, he continued to wait for several days. When Lin Fang was still nowhere to be seen, he finally gave up, sighed, and waved his hand, leading his troop of Buddhist Soldiers back to Mount Ling.

In his heart, he secretly sighed at Lin Fang’s cunning; not taking the route to Luzhou in the North made catching him much more difficult in this vast world.

Meanwhile, Lin Fang had already changed his appearance and quietly infiltrated the legendary Maiden’s Country, of course, riding on the coattails of Tang Monk and his disciples.

Otherwise, with Maiden’s Country being secluded from the outside world, only a few were privy to the secret passageway there. Only with Tang Monk and his disciples’ arrival were the national gates wide open, allowing Tang Monk and his disciples to travel unimpeded.

Lin Fang walked by the Zimu River, the rich Taiyin Qi emanating from the river waters, and Lin Fang could feel the Power of Creation hidden within.

It was unknown whether it was a marvel of Heaven and Earth or crafted by a great power of the Three Realms; it could change the heavens and the earth. The Zimu River contained Taiyin creation powers hence could transform women’s bodies. Anyone who drank the river water would only give birth to daughters.

Moreover, if a man lived here for a long time, he might also be affected by this influence, causing gender confusion.

Thinking of the scenario where men gradually turned into women made Lin Fang shiver involuntarily, and he discreetly stepped a few paces away from the Zimu River.

However, this was merely psychological, for the Glazed Glass Tower in Lin Fang’s possession housed the True Sun Fire, which naturally dispelled the Taiyin Qi, ensuring he was unaffected.

Moreover, the tower was like a bottomless pit: any Taiyin Qi that drew close to Lin Fang was absorbed by the pagoda into its base and transformed into its essence.

Feeling the emotions conveyed by the Glazed Glass Tower and knowing its desire to absorb these energies, Lin Fang couldn’t help but show a bitter smile.

The Maiden’s Country had stood for many years in the Three Realms. It wasn’t as simple as it appeared on the surface. The Zimu River was the foundation of its establishment. If Lin Fang recklessly collected the Taiyin Qi, the forces behind Maiden’s Country would likely emerge and fight him to the death without hesitation.

Thus, he forcefully suppressed the impulses of the Glazed Glass Tower, acting like a cautious thief, stealthily stealing the magical Taiyin Qi.

Lin Fang found a secluded spot, quietly sitting cross-legged by the riverside to absorb the Taiyin Qi, while the Little Monsters in the tower were incessantly causing a commotion, curious about the legendary Maiden’s Country.

However, Lin Fang did not agree to their clamor. After all, being a man, who knows what might happen if he ventured into the Maiden’s Country. Revealing his movements by accident could easily attract the attention of the Buddhist Sect.

It was better to keep a low profile during this period and reduce the hatred from the Buddhist Sect before stirring up trouble.

However, as the saying goes, ’The trees long for peace, but the wind keeps blowing.’ When Lin Fang was preparing to quietly practice and absorb the Taiyin Qi, a dark figure appeared amidst the dense reeds.

This was a wandering ghost, her figure ethereal, clad in tattered armor, her eyes faintly red, drifting aimlessly through the reeds, seemingly devoid of consciousness.

Lin Fang carefully studied her and realized that she must have been a beauty in life. However, being in the Maiden’s Country, most women possessed superior looks.

At this moment, her body was enveloped in dead energy and resentment, emitting an aura of ’keep away from strangers.’

As Lin Fang was examining the ghost, she suddenly raised her head, her eyes fixating on Lin Fang’s face, her voice eerily rising from the ground, "Who am I?"

Lin Fang was stumped by this question. Who she was, who knew.

"Who am I?" the ghost asked again.

Lin Fang tightly closed his mouth, not uttering a word.

The ghost seemed to become enraged, forcefully asking, "Who am I?"

Lin Fang looked around, still keeping his mouth shut.

The ghost instantly became furious, appearing much larger, her eyes emitting a terrifying red glow, her slender fingers growing wildly, their nails gleaming chillingly.

She let out a piercing scream, the sound so harsh and loud that it resonated across the sky, buzzing in Lin Fang’s ears.

"Crazy!" Lin Fang blurted out as he watched the ghost coming at him.

How unlucky he was!