When Kongchan Arhat's voice fell, Tao Qian suddenly fully realized the reason why Demon Buddha Temple had boosted his fame earlier and given him five evil lands and five Buddha Treasures for free.
The main reason was, of course, to win him over, and this current event was a secondary cause.
"Those three old thieves probably had already predicted that Free Temple would come seeking trouble and had made arrangements in advance, drawing me into their schemes."
"It's also because I showed too much formidable power, making those three crafty bald heads convinced that I could defeat Shenxiu."
"Indeed, even with the Master intervening to trick them, it's not easy to take advantage of those old schemers."
While Tao Qian was cursing inwardly, Kongchan Arhat's telepathic message suddenly came.
"In haste, there was no time to discuss this properly with my wise nephew."
"However, I have also consulted with Qingjing Zen Master, and Daoist said, 'Since my disciple has entered the world, he has never been defeated. A mere Free Buddha Son could be defeated single-handedly.'"
"If so, I would trouble my wise nephew to make a move."
"We're all from the same sect, and I will surely not let my wise nephew suffer a loss. I will give you some fine items later. You'll be satisfied."
Hearing these words, there was nothing Tao Qian could do except nod.
Well, it seems that this involves Duobao as well.
I wonder if everywhere outside, Master boasts about me, Tao Da Zhenren, like this.
But on careful reflection, it really is so.
Since my coming to this world, whenever facing peers or equals, I have never been defeated.
Even powerful figures like Ying Qingdi have tasted defeat at my hands, so such boasting is not unreasonable.
Tao Qian, worried about being exposed and unable to refuse, had to agree.
He exchanged glances with Shenxiu across the distance!
Their hearts communicated, both understanding that the wager continued.
Although Shenxiu was surprised to see Master Wu Gou suddenly appearing in the Demon Buddha Temple's camp, he was very confident in his Buddha Heart and wise eyes, thinking, "Master Wu Gou must have cultivated the 'Ksitigarbha Sutra,' emulating my resolve of 'not entering hell, who will?' intending to become a demon first and then save this Fallen Demon Buddha Country?"
As he marveled, within Qiantang Province City, suddenly a wild laughter broke out.
The next moment, an impressive spectacle appeared that surprised all the warlords, celebrities, and strong men present.
Visible were flowers raining disorderly from the sky, a Demon Dragon dancing, a nun leading the way, and Heavenly Girls surrounding a treasure that resembled a Buddha chariot and also a Dragon Chariot, emerging from a myriad of Buddha's illusory shadows, flying from within a radiant golden light.
On that chariot sat a fat, bloated monk.
He looked precisely like a lump of meat brimming with grease, wearing a golden Heavenly Dragon Kasaya, hanging Skull Buddha Beads around his neck, a Golden Gourd at his waist, with a treasure turning into a halo behind his head, his face always maintaining a beaming smile, unchanged.
Lying in the chariot like a Buddha of laughter, he was enjoying the service of those Heavenly Girls.
Except for Kongchan and Lian Sha, the two Arhats, he hardly noticed anyone else.
Buddha Light, nobility, and Dragon Qi mixed into a murky column of qi rising into the sky, indirectly revealing the identity of this fat monk.
Cheng Arhat, the Lord of the Earthly Buddha Country in Qiantang Province.
He appeared almost squeezed into a crevice by his fat, laughing as he looked at Shenxiu and the hundred Vajra Monks, he asked boldly:
"You are monks, practicing Buddha."
"As such, seeing me, the Lord of Buddha Country, why do you not bow?"
Such domineering words were voiced, instantly drawing sideways glances.
How domineering!
An overlord transformed from a warlord, yet demanding a Free Buddha Son to kneel before him?
It was known that even during the era when the Longevity Heavenly Dynasty's imperial regime was unabolished, even the Emperor of the time dared not do such a thing.
However, he did not wait for Shenxiu's response. The ugly monk looked at him, his eyes showing little unusual color but a peculiar pity, as if he regarded him as a Demon to be saved and purified.
As Cheng Arhat was about to rebuke, the Array formed by the Vajra Monks suddenly parted.
A figure appeared, startling everyone present, including Tao Qian.
The surprise was not due to this person's cultivation level or fame per se.
But rather, it was the incredible aura about him that even Shenxiu had to bow to show respect as this person stepped forward.
This was a monk about fifty years old, dressed in blue and white monk robes, clearly once handsome but now lean and weathered due to severe ascetic practices. Anyone who met his gaze felt a pure Buddha charm.
Tao Qian, disguised as Wu Gou Monk, was untouched by any impurity.
And this person seemed to be a mirror that had been through worldly matters, covered in dust, which was then all brushed away to reveal its original clarity.
There is no need to peer into this person's cultivation level; his aura alone made it clear that he was an extraordinary high monk.
Several signs proved this:
After this monk appeared, both inside and outside the city, many impurities and Demon Buddha glows began to dim.
It was as if, invisibly, threads of pure radiance were falling, spontaneously purifying this territory.
Be it Demons or Alien Species.
Even powerful demons like Gao Tianci and Yelü Baoshan, did not want to look at him.
Not from fear, but because it inexplicably felt blinding.
Worrying that looking too long would cause defects in one's own mental state.
At this moment, Yuan Gong's voice transmitted to Tao Qian's ears:
"Such a perfect state of mind!"
"Worldly toxins refine the Buddha's body, a full moon illuminates the heavenly heart."
"Boy, this monk is incredible. He's cultivating the Path of Salvation and is nearly perfectly accomplished."
"If he succeeds, even the Daoist Transformation Tribulation can't stop him."
"Such a person, it's unlikely he comes from Great Freedom Temple; even though that monk's nest is strong, it couldn't produce someone like this."
Tao Qian was surprised that Yuan Gong had such a high opinion of this suddenly appearing monk.
Just as he was guessing the monk's identity, the answer quickly came.
Cheng Arhat, lying on the Dragon Chariot, still maintaining his laughing demeanor, seemingly completely unaffected, only retorted with a question:
"That monk, what sort of thing are you?"
"A humble monk Da Yu, just a commoner."
"I came to Qiantang for nothing else but to save you and this Fallen Demon Buddha Country."
Like an immaculate full moon, the old Monk Tao Da had no qualms about exposing himself fully.
At the same time, he looked at Cheng Arhat, his face showing compassion as he suddenly spoke, lifting the very secrets of Cheng Arhat like lifting his underpants,
"Your Excellency was kind-hearted in your youth, afraid to sweep the ground for fear of harming the life of ants, cherishing moths on lampshades, a good child indeed."
"Later, your entire family died in a war calamity, and you sought refuge in a small temple where you barely survived. Your master, Master Zhishan, initially did not wish to transmit the Divine Powers to you. It was your three days and three nights of kneeling and your great vow: willing to sacrifice all your flesh and blood to save the world and its people, that finally earned you a scroll of the 'Withering and Flourishing Scripture' from the Zen Master, thus leading you to the path of cultivation."
"Before the Zen Master's transformation into nirvana, he led you to Han Mountain Temple, marking the beginning of Cheng Arhat."
"Regrettably, the Zen Master failed to see clearly that although your Buddha Heart was extensive, the demonic nature within you was even more potent. Before cultivation, you were willing to use your body as a price to save the world, but after cultivation, you saw the world as a price for your own gain."
"You have committed too many sins, which even I cannot enumerate."
"To not speak too much of others, I slightly know a thing or two about your end, you will suffer a lingering death, fall into the path of animals, and not be liberated for ten lifetimes."
"Bang!"
No sooner had Great Abyss Zen Master finished speaking than Cheng Arhat, enraged, raised his hand and smashed the Dragon Chariot.
At the same time, his body began to grow wildly, visibly enveloped in black ink-like demon Buddha glow, which instantaneously dyed the provincial city into a true Demon Buddha Kingdom.
As Cheng Arhat displayed his Dharma Image, he fixed his stare on the Great Abyss Zen Master, incessantly chanting from his mouth as if reciting a scripture:
"Why do you not bow upon seeing the Thus Come One?"
"Why do you not bow upon seeing the Thus Come One?"
"Why do you not bow upon seeing the Thus Come One?"
Unexpectedly, the two began to compete in their powers.
What was even more surprising was that Cheng Arhat, considered a warlord by everyone, possessed such advanced cultivation and terrifying Divine Powers.
His ever-growing Dharma Image was taller than a mountain.
In contrast, Great Abyss Zen Master seemed like a mere ant.
After hearing this, the Zen Master simply chuckled and retorted,
"Do you really want me to bow?"
"Quickly bow to me!"
As their dialog concluded, the Zen Master was eager to kneel in worship to Cheng Arhat.
However, at that moment, Lian Sha Arhat, who was closest, sensed something and his expression drastically changed.
"Wait!"
He had moved behind Cheng Arhat and struck him down with a palm stopping the rampant growth of his Dharma Image.
At the same time, with a sweep of his robe sleeves, a Blood Lotus bloomed, halting Great Abyss Zen Master's act of bowing.
Looking at the old monk, a look of admiration appeared on his face, he gave a Buddhist salute and then said,
"Great Abyss Daoist, you also possess great perseverance."
"My senior brother transmitted a message to me saying: Daoist friend, you were born with a Bodhi Heart, a clear body, truly a top-notch Buddha's son in the world. If you could cultivate in Great Freedom Temple or Dharma Cakra Temple, you would eventually achieve Buddhahood, much stronger than my Lotus Buddha Body."
"Daoist friend, in your youth, you had a chance, as Taixu Arhat from the Free Temple once came searching for you. You felt it and closed the door, refusing to meet him, and for decades did not cultivate any Divine Powers, allowing numerous toxins into your heart and all kinds of filth to refine your body, utterly wasting your incredible talent."
"But unexpectedly, you were cultivating the Path of Salvation."
"Having remained inconspicuous for the first half of your life, rolling in the secular world, you finally decided to leave the world. The first tribulation you chose was our Qiantang Province, truly an honor for us."
Great Abyss Zen Master exposed Cheng Arhat's flaws.
Lian Sha Arhat reciprocated by revealing the origins of the Great Abyss Zen Master.
He was also honest, explicitly stating it was calculated by Shipi Arhat.
After speaking, he paused and then continued,
"Daoist friend, you also know that the time is not yet right."
"If you had bowed to Cheng Daoist, I fear it would lead to mutual injury, which would be rather unsightly."
"Since there is already an established accord, there is no need for further words. On the third day of the Path of Salvation, our representative will be Cheng Daoist, and for Free Temple, it is you, Daoist friend."
"When the time comes, all will be revealed."
"Good!" This copy was generated from content at *.
Ever since Great Abyss Zen Master appeared, it was always he who spoke for the Free Temple side.
Since he had agreed, Shenxiu and the over a hundred Vajra Monks naturally had no objections.
Meanwhile, many warlords and famous individuals, although somewhat regretful that the ultimate outcome was not achieved, were thrilled to have witnessed this spectacle.
They had seen gossip and witnessed a magical duel.
Moreover, this Dharma assembly was set to continue for three days, offering them a chance to see three more Scripture debates and magical performances, as well as a confrontation between Demon Buddha Temple and Free Temple.
Had the following conversation not occurred just then, these warlords would almost have forgotten the real reason they entered Qiantang Province.
Lian Sha Arhat and Kongchan Arhat stood together, inviting everyone from the Free Temple with a smile,
"Zen Master, little monk, although it is not yet night, a grand feast and many fine entertainments are prepared in the city, are you willing to enter the city first to thoroughly enjoy them?"
"Besides, whether it is Great Abyss Daoist or Shenxiu, our young friend, as well as the over a hundred Vajra Monks, all still retain their Primordial Yang, having never experienced the joy of Ultimate Happiness, it is truly a pity. You do not know the pleasure within, how can you speak of 'Form is Emptiness, Emptiness is Form'? Come, come, enter the city and experience it first."
Unexpectedly, Lian Sha Arhat of such status would do such things.
His enthusiastic demeanor was quite like that of an old matchmaker.
"No need!"
"We already have a place to stay, we are about to head to Han Mountain Temple."
Shenxiu Monk's words immediately changed the expressions of the enthusiastic crowd of warlords, casting hostile and dangerous glances.
Just as Shenxiu was about to say "Free Temple intends to protect Devil Concubine Yuan Mingzhen," these monks would instantly become public enemies.
At that moment, Kongchan Arhat added,
"You may go to Han Mountain Temple, but do not activate the Big Array or use any means to rescue the Devil Concubine."
"Be aware that many Daoist friends here, as well as guests continuously arriving from the Seventy-two provinces, are here for the Devil Concubine."
"Our hosting of this Dharma assembly, one of the biggest attractions, is the Devil Concubine."
"She has also agreed that the day after tomorrow, she will display her Heavenly Phoenix Dharma Form and fly from Han Mountain Temple into the city, wearing nothing, not draped in anything, to offer all present... a dance."
After old thief Kongchan finished speaking, inside and outside the city, everything boiled over.
All the warlords, demons, alien species, even the soldiers or cultural and powerful figures from the Seventy-two provinces showed excitement.
Some less reserved ones even distorted their faces with saliva dribbling down.