Chapter 204: Chapter 201: You Want Me to Be the Victorious Battle Buddha?
"Benefactors, your efforts are much appreciated."
Buddhist Zhen Ru nodded slightly, and then his figure gradually faded, disappearing along with the Stone Pavilion atop the high cliff.
The scene atop Fengming Mountain remained unchanged, not a bit different from before. If it weren’t for the foot-long golden paper in Jiang Li’s hand, he might even doubt whether the experience just now was an illusion.
"Buddhist Zhen Ru..."
Gongsun Qing Yue repeated the name, pondering, "Below the Self-awakened of Buddha Country, there are two Great Masters and six Bodhisattvas, none of whom match him. Who exactly is he?"
Buddhist Zhen Ru’s Realm surely wasn’t below fourth-rank. Logically, it was impossible for him to be unknown.
Because promotion through Buddha Attribute Dao Fruits required the spreading of one’s Dharma name, the high-grade strong ones are known throughout the world, and the strength of Buddha Country could be said to be the most transparent, all laid out in the open.
However, no matter how Gongsun Qing Yue tried to think, she couldn’t match Buddhist Zhen Ru with any strong one in Buddha Country.
"No matter who he is, it’s best not to get too involved with him in the future," Jiang Li whispered, "Whether or not we can resolve the trouble this time, I must return to the Sect, and I don’t want to come out for a short time."
Outside was too dangerous; the Sect provided a sense of security.
Although there were also schemes and struggles within the Sect, at least Elder Tianxuan was there to back him up, so it wouldn’t result in a life-threatening situation.
"Let’s go, find the next one to assist," Jiang Li said.
They rode the wind and before long disappeared into the distant sky.
Fengming Mountain finally resumed its initial tranquility, completely deserted of people. Yet, after a quarter of an hour, a faint shadow materialized, the Stone Pavilion reappeared, and the same Buddhist Zhen Ru was seated inside, his gaze sidelong, a smile on his face that was hard to describe.
"You’ve arrived."
The figure of Feng Manlou emerged quietly, entering the Stone Pavilion unhurriedly and sitting down opposite Buddhist Zhen Ru.
"With a personage of your stature here, how could I not come."
Feng Manlou abandoned his usual frivolity, spoke with dignity, and an extraordinary presence emerged from his ordinary appearance, "I didn’t expect the Master to take an interest in my Junior Brother. I’m not sure whether to call it his good fortune or misfortune."
"Five Finger Mountain, Great Brightness Mantra—that seems to be an attempt to help him advance through performance early. Does the Master want to intervene in my Junior Brother’s life, turning him into a Buddhist walker?"
"And aren’t you also trying to intervene in Jiang Shizhu’s life?" Buddhist Zhen Ru countered with a smile, speaking softly, "If it weren’t for wanting Jiang Shizhu to embrace Emperor Yan’s Dao Fruit, why would you connect your own cause and effect with Jiang Shizhu, sharing fortune and misfortune?"
Buddhist Zhen Ru’s gaze was gentle, yet clear like two limpid springs, reflecting various causes and effects, "The Mazer simply provided Jiang Shizhu with another choice. What the outcome will be still depends on Jiang Shizhu’s own will."
"Is that so?"
Feng Manlou’s expression was indifferent, his gaze meeting Buddhist Zhen Ru’s, and suddenly—
His figure shimmered, another silhouette flickering over Feng Manlou, merging and separating. An air of vastness, as if descending from high above, surrounded Feng Manlou, who intermittently revealed a God Demon aspect.
The strength of this Dragon King’s Son-in-law finally revealed just the tip of the iceberg.
The space inside the Stone Pavilion seemed to enter another world, isolated from the mortal realm. The air was thick as mountains, filling every inch of space. Feng Manlou’s shadow on the ground twisted subtly, swiftly taking on a towering shape.
"Of course," Buddhist Zhen Ru replied calmly, "Monks do not speak falsely."
Compared to Feng Manlou’s majestic aura, Buddhist Zhen Ru was remarkably serene, yet amidst the subtlety, imposed an invisible bondage. Just like an invisible net, capturing all beings, one falling into it would have nowhere to hide, bound within it.
Even when faced with the semblance of both God and Demon, Buddhist Zhen Ru did not lose any ground.
The two looked at each other for a while, and finally, Feng Manlou was the first to withdraw his aura. "It’s best that way."
"Naturally." Buddhist Zhen Ru replied.
Feng Manlou said no more, just stood up and walked out of the Stone Pavilion. His figure, like an illusionary bubble shadow, slowly faded and disappeared.
Whereas Buddhist Zhen Ru showed a hint of a smile and waved his hand lightly.
A paper effigy quietly appeared amidst the mountain wall scarred with sword marks.
"Sly fox."
Buddhist Zhen Ru chuckled, and with that, he disappeared again along with the Stone Pavilion.
’I really didn’t expect such a gain. My so-called elder brother is indeed not simple, and this Buddhist adept, who was able to help me cover my tracks and prevent Feng Manlou from discovering, must be as powerful as my elder brother, in terms of strength.’
The paper effigy quietly clung to the mountain wall, Jiang Li’s Divine Thought flickered, ’I didn’t expect that I, without knowing it, have become so sought after. Five Finger Mountain, Great Brightness Mantra... Could it be that Buddhist Zhen Ru wants me to become the Victorious Battle Buddha? Does he possess that Dao Fruit?’
It had to be said that this was a very tempting choice. After all, which man doesn’t desire a staff that can be thick or thin, hard or soft, and change freely according to will?
A heat emerged in Jiang Li’s heart, but in the next instant, that longing heat rapidly faded away.
Compared to the Victorious Battle Buddha, Jiang Li still wanted to become the Great Sage Equalling Heaven more.
He was resolute in his cultivation, not to find himself a master.
A true man, born between heaven and earth, should not languish under another’s control for long. Now, in his developmental stage, it was acceptable to be under Elder Tianxuan’s guidance, but once the day comes when Jiang Li reaches the fourth-rank or third grade, he was determined to let his master know the order between them.
And regarding Feng Manlou, this nominal elder brother, Jiang Li had glimpsed just the tip of the iceberg today, which would enable him to handle him better in the future.
Thinking thus, the paper effigy burned without flame, disappearing into a flash of fire.
July 29.
Thieves raised the banner of the Red Eyebrow Army from the west, gathered at the Xiliang Mountains, stirred up rebellion, and summoned soldiers with water, attracting a large following.
Because of Praying for Rain, Fufeng County was still able to hold on. Initially, other counties forcibly transferred water sources, and villages and towns had been fighting over water resources, but later, the rivers were drained dry, which became unbearable. Seeing someone using water as leverage to recruit troops, everywhere stopped caring about the Red Eyebrow Army’s previous deeds; each location promptly joined them.
In the face of survival, everything else takes a backseat.
In other provinces, the idea of loyalty to home and country prevailed, but in Yong Province, survival was paramount.
The Red Eyebrow Army grew rapidly, blazing like wildfire, rampaging through the region.
In no time, villagers from all over Yong Province had joined them, and there were even cases where local deities were slain and temples were destroyed.
This news reached Ji Chengye in Fufeng County, who was overjoyed upon receiving it.
"Notify Lord Cui, the time has come," exclaimed Ji Chengye.
"Also, summon the soldiers of Jun City to be ready at a moment’s notice."
Jiang Zhihuan, waiting outside, heard this, bowed slightly to acknowledge, then went to find Lord Cui first and secretly sent the news to Jiang Li.
A grand spectacle was about to begin.