Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 148 - 135: Suddenly Knowing the Truth, Joy in the Buddhist Law

Even if Bai Qin Old Monk didn't call out, Tao Qian had already planned to take some action.

But that shout, especially the urgent tone and a subtle hint of compulsion, immediately made Tao Qian frown.

Regardless of whether it was a whim from the self-generated Taishang Treasure No-leak Body, or Tao Qian's own perception, at that moment, they both signaled something amiss.

But when Tao Qian looked at the old monk again, he seemed to have returned to the calm demeanor of a realized monk, as if he was still silently waiting for Tao Qian, the destined one, to make his own choice, as if the shout hadn't come from him.

This scene deepened Tao Qian's doubts.

If there were others around, or if he himself were stronger,

Tao Qian would actually have many choices to make.

However, at this critical moment, when Tang Xianzong was about to defeat Ji Xianxian and Yin Susu was about to leave the Taiyin Pool,

although he still did not have enough information, the catastrophe of Southern Yue and the manipulations of all those involved were like fog surrounding him, extremely complex.

But disaster was already at hand, whether to avoid catastrophe or to strengthen himself, Tao Qian needed to do something.

Otherwise, by doing nothing, he might get crushed by the looming disaster.

"At such a time, reckless must be reckless, and besides, I'm a rash Daoist by nature."

"With a double-barreled approach, there should be some gains."

With that thought, both Tao Qian's real body and his puppet body made an unexpected move.

First, his naked real body suddenly opened his eyes.

He reached out and grabbed Yin Susu, who was about to leave, and said,

"I still have a few drops of Daughter Spring Water inside me that haven't been forced out, a good thing is about to happen, Princess, why are you leaving so soon?"

"If the Princess finds it boring, why not tell me about your late husband? Or your mighty father?"

Yin Susu's expression loosened, and her eyes began to blur upon this brazen advance from the man before her.

Before Tao Qian could marvel at the power of the tribulation energy, his puppet body also started to make its move.

Acting like a little Daoist without manners, he abruptly stepped forward, touching the supposed Buddha Light Illusion left by the Master Bai Qin, and anxiously said,

"Master, Master, fast, we'll talk about the tribulation later."

"Teach me the 'Little Desire Heaven Joyful Zen Incarnation Secret Method' first, it's almost half an hour."

"If my newly cultivated No-leak Body gets drained by the demoness, wouldn't that be unjust?"

These three sentences from Tao Qian were obviously a ruse.

His real aim was to touch the monk's illusion.

Since Bai Qin said he truly had passed away, leaving nothing but a relic and a Buddha Light Illusion devoid of combat power,

Based on past experiences, though Tao Qian was unable to grasp the depths of a powerful cultivator, he should be able to glean plenty of information if it was just a shadow.

But the next moment, the Record that emerged in his mind showed no issues.

"Record: This is a Buddha Light Illusion, left by the high monk Bai Qin from the Great Freedom Temple..."

As Tao Qian perceived this information, the old monk's questions rang in his ears once more.

His voice was serene and tranquil, truly befitting of a high monk.

"Donor, I shall immediately pass on the Joyful Zen Secret Method to you."

"But saving Southern Yue and its people from this tribulation is also something I must entrust in your efforts."

"This is a great virtue, and it has many benefits for you, Donor. At the very least, I can impart to you all of my Divine Power Skills after this task is done."

"The Spirit Treasure Sect teaches without discrimination, and I believe it won't mind you cultivating Buddhist Law as well."

To tell the truth, Bai Qin Old Monk's offer was very tempting.

Just by lending out one's "body," one could receive Bai Qin's heritage.

Most cultivators would probably not think twice and would agree to such a transaction.

But at that moment, Tao Qian, with an inspired mind, suddenly uttered words of refusal.

"Master, it's not that I want to shirk the responsibility."

"It's just that this matter is too absurd."

"The catastrophe of Southern Yue involves the Beautiful Corpse, the Devil God Army, Ji Xianxian, the Mysterious Saint, the Ten Thousand Infant Sect, along with the Master... Each one of these powerful cultivators, one formidable force after another, fully corresponds to the pattern of the Age of Great Contention."

"But how can such an important tribulation be solved by a Qi Refinement Realm little Daoist like me?"

"How can I believe this? It would be better to use that second method you mentioned. I believe with Master's power, dealing with Tang Xianzong shouldn't be difficult."

"If really necessary, the Master can also call for assistance from the Great Freedom Temple."

"As for the Demon Buddha Temple, as I understand it, those demon monks are currently battling with the Bodhisattvas from the Guanyin Temple, and they surely can't bother you, Master..."

"Hold your tongue!"

As Tao Qian rambled on, suddenly, the illusion of Bai Qin, who resembled a grand virtuous monk, let out a fierce roar.

In an instant, a frightful Demonic Qi surged over, as if to freeze Tao Qian's soul.

Inside the Beautiful Corpse, where the Muddy Nether River was slowly flowing, the waters immediately churned into terrifying waves, and the numerous corpses turned into dust, with flesh and intestinal walls bursting apart.

Outside, the Beautiful Corpse that was fighting with Li Shantong of the Infant Sect suddenly experienced a sharp abdominal pain.

And at that very moment, the Record perceived in Tao Qian's mind also abruptly changed.

"Name: Demon Thought Buddha Shadow!"

"Record: The illusion born from the entanglement of Buddha Nature left by Bai Qin Old Monk and Demon Thought, existing between the realms of existence and non-existence. When it manifests as Buddha, it truly is the Buddha, and it is difficult for anyone to perceive anything amiss. Only when it reveals its Demon Thought can its true nature be exposed."

"Bai Qin Old Monk predicted that Southern Yue would face a great tribulation, which would also be his grand opportunity to achieve Great Liberation and perfect the Great Freedom Dharma. Thus, he personally traveled to Southern Yue and sacrificed his mana to sit in meditation within a Beautiful Corpse, leaving behind this indissoluble mirage of Demon Thought and Buddha Image to deal with the subsequent arrangements."

"When the great tribulation arrives, Bai Qin will control demons with Buddha and, through the body of a destined person, save all people of Southern Yue from the disaster. At that time, he can receive the mighty fortune of the Human Dao, and with it, cleanse the deeply rooted 'Hundred Bird Demon,' thereby obtaining the profound and terrifying Buddha Bird Vajras who wield Buddhist law."

"If this plan succeeds, Bai Qin Old Monk will completely free himself from Demon Thought, return from the tribulation, and take command of the Hundred Buddha Bird Vajras. Within Tuo County in Southern Yue, he will establish a new branch of Great Freedom... Bai Qin Temple!"

As these records surfaced one by one,

Tao Qian's mind was struck by a thunder the likes of which were unimaginable, suddenly roaring to life.

He had speculated that the Bai Qin Old Monk had ulterior motives,

But never could have expected this plan.

Nevertheless, it now made sense.

He, Tao Qian, merely a cultivator with Qi Refining Realm Perfection, what virtue or capability did he possess to resolve the great tribulation of Southern Yue?

Even if he had forcefully passed through the first and second calamities, and the third calamity's difficulty soared due to the consequences involved, it wouldn't increase to such an extent.

"But if my third calamity isn't to resolve Southern Yue's great tribulation, but rather to prevent myself from becoming a Puppet, from being annexed by Bai Qin, then it would be much more reasonable."

"Yes, it's exactly so."

"TMD... this is indeed my third calamity, and I have already been involved, with no escape."

"It's bitter, truly bitter."

Many of Tao Qian's doubts were resolved at that moment,

which is why his expression turned to one of extreme bitterness.

Although the records did not clarify the fate of the "destined person," Tao Qian knew without thinking.

All benefits would go to Bai Qin, who would even establish a new branch and become a Buddha and ancestor.

He, Master Tao, would have sacrificed his body to suppress the demon nature, inheriting the karma, only to likely be placated with a few trifling rewards afterward.

With a strategic retreat, Tao Qian managed to successfully provoke Bai Qin Old Monk into revealing his Demon Thought.

Even though he learned the truth, it also meant he had successfully courted death.

The old monk, who was initially compassionate and appeared only wanting to persuade Tao Qian to comply, now lost his reservations.

With a sigh, he reached out a finger and touched the center of Tao Qian's Puppet Body's forehead.

In an instant, new sensations and records emerged:

[Currently subjected to "Little Reincarnation Formless Body Seizing Secret Technique"... three days grace!]

As soon as he saw the record, Tao Qian felt he had lost control over both his original body and Puppet Body.

Both bodies were now in the hands of Bai Qin Old Monk.

That previously irritating voice now spoke again:

"Benefactor, do not panic, this is the Body Seizing Secret Technique from Dharma Cakra Temple, originally intended to combat Outer Realm Demons."

"My cultivation of it is not perfect, but it should suffice to control your body without fail."

In the midst of speaking, Tao Qian's mind suddenly surged with an intricate and special Dharma.

A cursory glance revealed that it was indeed the "Little Desire Heaven Joyful Zen Embodiment Secret Method" Bai Qin had promised to teach.

Although unexpectedly receiving a profound Dharma secret from a Buddhist Temple, which he didn't even need to cultivate himself,

Under Bai Qin Old Monk's control, his original body refined the secret method within several breaths and began casting it on Devil God Princess Yin Susu.

Seeing this, Tao Qian's mind was devoid of joy.

The Bai Qin Old Monk began his incessant talking again, and it was unclear whether he was explaining to Tao Qian or to some "other" in the unknown.

"Benefactor, do not blame this poor monk, for this is also an unexpected mistake."

"This monk did not expect that, apart from your deep fortune, you would also have such a clever heart. Even at that moment, you thought to test truth from falsehood, to glimpse the real truth; truly a top-notch cultivation seed."

"Had I known earlier, this monk would not have delayed with you and would have acted directly, saving much trouble."

As Bai Qin said this, at the location of his original body by the Taiyin Pool,

A profoundly strange scene suddenly emerged.

The Tao Qian, originally meditating in the pool water, suddenly emitted a mesmerizing Buddha Light from within.

Yin Susu, already confused by the tribulation energy, was immediately enveloped by this Buddha Light, utterly unable to react.

Instantly, her eyes grew even more bewitched and entangled, and the surface of her fair skin began to display a blush, radiating an extremely ambiguous and alluring yet sacred fragrance, filling the entire Taiyin Pool at that moment.

More incredibly, Tao Qian's body shuddered suddenly, and as the Buddha Light converged, an "Avatar" identical to Tao Qian separated from him.

Compared to the resistant and unyielding Tao Qian's original body,

This Avatar was far more uninhibited, as Tao Qian watched "himself" stand up naked with a lustful smile, walking directly over to embrace the likewise naked Yin Susu, and then, right before his eyes, the two adopted one Joyful Zen position after another, sacred yet sensuous.

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During the process, they both uttered moans in unison.

The already rampant Buddha Light grew even denser,

And what astonished people the most was that with the progression, one could even hear the soul-soothing and cultivation-boosting sounds of Buddha chanting.

In anyone's eyes, this scene wouldn't be associated with "depravity" or "indulgence," but rather as pure Buddhist practice, indescribably profound.

Tao Qian had once, through the eyes of his Puppet Body, witnessed a similar performance by the "Yin Yang Elder," a practitioner of Joyful Path on Iron Buddha Mountain.

At that time, Tao Qian's horizons were greatly broadened, and he was deeply shocked.

But now, in comparison, Tao Qian felt that the Elder's art paled significantly in knowledge and skill.