Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 554: Chapter 336: Dao Protection

“Elder brother…”

Hearing this meaningful statement, which could even be considered a veiled criticism, the Cloth Sack Arhat and the Pagoda-carrying Arhat furrowed their brows even more severely.

The Peony Fairy was also of the Mahayana Realm, and her cultivation was comparable to theirs. However, she addressed Zhen Yuan as “elder brother,” her words not concealing her admiration and protection, and even revealing hostility towards them. Such indirect criticism served as a warning both overtly and covertly.

But why?

Cloth Sack Arhat and Pagoda-carrying Arhat were genuinely perplexed.

One must know that in the path of cultivation, the achieved are revered; dragons do not associate with snakes, and tigers do not walk with dogs.

The Master of Wuzhuang Temple had only reached the realm of Integration, and True Person Ziyang, Pure Jun Sword Lord, as well as that unnamed Demon Race Mahayana, could discuss as equals with him and address each other as fellow Daoists—it was already quite a concession, greatly lowering their status.

And yet, here was the Peony Fairy, also of the Mahayana tier, who not only associated with this man but even revered him as an elder brother. She offered utmost admiration and protection, even going as far as to display animosity towards them—two Venerable Arhats of Buddhism—to such an extent. How could anyone understand this?

Even if Zhen Yuan possessed peerless talents and was certain to advance to Mahayana, it still did not justify such behavior and commitment from these people, did it?

What was the reason behind this?

Their brows were tightly knitted, puzzlement filling their thoughts.

At this moment, an inherent disadvantage of Buddhism was also revealed.

Although both the Immortal Path and Buddhism are major paths of the Earth Immortals, the strength of Buddhism is clearly inferior to that of the Immortal Path.

Don’t be deceived by the present; although the Heavenly Court and Buddhism respectively occupy the East Victorious Divine Land and the West Bovine He Continent, appearing to stand in equal opposition, the balance of the Heavenly Court with Buddhism does not mean that the strength of the Immortal Path is equal to Buddhism.

Buddhism’s occupation of the West Bovine He Continent resulted from the united efforts of Buddhism, where the main strength of Earth Buddhism is located, maintaining the rule of Western Bliss and Pusuo Pure Land. This makes Buddhism’s presence in the South Observance Continent far less than that of the Immortal Path, with only a few Mahayana spread across different regions.

Mount Longevity and the surrounding areas are the main territories of the Immortal Path. Buddhism has no footing here and struggles to gather information, especially regarding the private affairs of the various Immortal Gates and Mahayana cultivators.

Therefore, Buddhism has long intended to spread Buddhist Law into the South Observance Continent, to strengthen the power of Buddhism there, like what Golden-Furred Lion did, laying the groundwork as a precursor, preparing for a future “Southward Spread of Buddhism.”

But the future is the future, and aspirations not yet realized might die unborn; otherwise, there would be no need for these two Venerable Arhats to come from the West to reclaim the Purple-Gold Bell now.

“Such a wide network of acquaintances; for his tribulation today, there are so many here to provide Dao Protection.”

“With his methods, once he advances to the Mahayana Realm, he will undoubtedly become even more troublesome. And with this group of people from the Immortal Path supporting him, it will be difficult for just the two of us to forcefully take back the Purple-Gold Bell from him…”

“In the South Observance Continent, where many forces are mixed, and the Immortal Path is thriving, although the two Buddha Lords have always intended to spread the Buddhist Law to the south, our Buddhism lacks enough resources. For now, we can only maintain our power in the West. To spread Buddhism to the South…”

“This man possesses great Divine Power and is so well-connected. As long as he doesn’t perish halfway, he will surely become a prominent figure of the Immortal Path in the South Observance Continent. If he insists on making things difficult for our Buddhism, it will be a significant obstacle when we try to spread Buddhism to the South.”

“In the South Observance Continent, with frequent struggles and killings, and now the emergence of such a figure, hindering the spread of Buddhist Law and the universal salvation of all beings, how distressing and bitter for the common folk…”

The two sighed inwardly, and even the Cloth Sack Monk’s eyes flashed with a hint of sorrow.

Just then…

Lights of escape, some accompanied by auspicious clouds and rosy glows, were arriving from all directions, north, south, east, and west.

“What…!?”

Pagoda-carrying Arhat’s brow tightened as he looked around, only to see escape lights rushing in from all directions, settling around Mount Longevity like pieces on a chessboard.

There were many newcomers, each one different. Some came in groups, some alone, some with a faint immortal presence, some with undispersed demonic aura, some already at the Integration realm, some merely at the Return to Void and Becoming Divine stage, and they even saw a few monks from their own Buddhism—a true mix of all paths, a tumultuous medley.

The visitors from all directions gathered here, encircling Mount Longevity, yet there was no clamor of voices because all communicated through spiritual telepathy.

Pagoda-carrying Arhat furrowed his brow, secretly employing the “Mind-Reading” skill, one of the six Buddhist senses, to eavesdrop on the thoughts of others.

“Phew!”

“What a lively scene!”

“So many people have come?”

“Isn’t that True Person Ziyang from the Enlightenment Cave of Mount Jinhua?”

“And Pure Jun Sword Lord from Mount Taibai is here too.”

“That’s the Peony Fairy from Hundred Flowers Valley. Truly a beauty unparalleled, ravishing beyond compare!”

“And there’s the Great Roc King from Eagle Sadness Stream.”

“Looking at those two, could they be the Venerable Arhats from Buddhism?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Great Immortal Zhen Yuan, indeed a man of stature!”

“This Pill Origin Gathering will surely become a grand event in South Observance Continent in the future!”

“Zhen Yuan, a scholar admired by all, well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge, his skills awe even ghosts and gods. Whether it’s Pills Talismans, Tools, Formations, or Spirit Plant Beast Mastering, or even the classics of the Three Teaching Sects and intricate Mana Points, he has extraordinary accomplishments and is a Grandmaster indeed. With him holding the Pill Origin Gathering, who would dare to miss it?”

“Previously, Brother Zhen Yuan was a Sixth Rank Grand Cultivator. After breaking through to the Mahayana Realm, he might have advanced to the Seventh Rank, becoming an Immortal Alchemist, Immortal Talisman Master, Immortal Tool Master, Immortal Formation Master. By then, even the Heavenly Court might send emissaries, inviting him to ascend and confer upon him Imperial titles!”

“Hmph, what’s so great about the Upper Realm? It’s nothing but servitude, far less free than being one’s own master on Earth. With Brother Zhen Yuan’s stature, he is destined to become a True Immortal one day, leading the Immortal Gate of South Observance Continent. Why bother ascending to that Heavenly Court and enduring its sordid atmosphere?”

“Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix!”

The cultivators exchanged thoughts telepathically, bursting into admiration, so much so that the Pagoda-carrying Arhat had to furrow his brow tightly and turn away.

“Master, this is Mount Longevity. It really is a Cave Heaven Blessed Land, incredibly serene and beautiful.”

“I’ve heard that Great Immortal Zhen Yuan has profound cultivation and wide-spanning divine powers. He’s known to fight Mahayana unbeaten with just his Integration form!”

“He is also a Moral Cultivator, upright and unyielding, with a deep hatred for evil. Over the years, he has swept through South Observance, slaying demons and banishing monsters, creating an upsurge of righteousness in our region and eliminating countless demons and Evil Cultivators by his hand.”

“For this reason, he has garnered many enemies. The Demon Race, demonic beings, and Evil Path cultivators all see him as a thorn in their side, each wishing to remove him quickly.”

“Since the founding of Mount Longevity a hundred years ago, several demon tyrants and Mahayana Evil Cultivators attacked the temple gates but were repelled by his formations. Some were even forced into retreat, unable to lay a finger on the place.”

“That is why they can only act during his Crossing the Tribulation, when he enters the Mahayana Realm, looking for an opportunity to impede his process!”

“Zhen Yuan seems unfazed. While others undergo their Tribulation discreetly, or even go to great lengths to hide, fearing their enemies might take advantage, he does the opposite. Not only does he not hide, but he also announces the Pill Origin Gathering he will hold after the Tribulation. Is he not afraid that enemies will come and attack him when he’s weakened after the Tribulation?”

“This signifies the audacity of one with exceptional talents. As a natural prodigy, Zhen Yuan faces no uncertainty in Crossing the Tribulation with his Integration form, and regarding external enemies… Although he has made many adversaries, his circle of friends is even broader.”

“True Person Ziyang, the Alchemy Cauldron Grandmaster, is an old Mahayana Cultivator and a close friend to Zhen Yuan. The two met at the Jinhua Pill Conference, where they discussed the Alchemy Skills and instantly formed a bond. This time, he has come to protect Zhen Yuan during his Tribulation.”

“There’s also the Pure Jun Sword Lord, a renowned Sword Cultivator from South Observance. Wielding the Pure Jun Immortal Sword, he has struck fear into many demons, but the sword was damaged in a battle, causing him much grief. He has wandered everywhere, seeking an Artificer capable of repairing it, but to no avail—until he met Zhen Yuan.”

“Zhen Yuan, who has exceptional Artifact Refining skills, not only repaired the Pure Jun Sword but also enhanced it, raising its quality towards a Superior Immortal Implement. The Pure Jun Sword Lord was moved to tears and became a close friend. The two have since joined forces on multiple occasions to cleanse South Observance of demons, standing together as companions in the Sword Dao.”

“The Great Roc King from Eagle Sadness Stream, being half-man half-demon with mixed blood, is known for his reclusiveness, spending years deep in cultivation. It’s unknown why, but over a decade ago, he became a close friend of Great Immortal Zhen Yuan. He came to his aid during the siege on Mount Longevity and together they heavily injured a high-ranking demon from the Demon Race…”

“There are rumors that his bloodline is peculiar and fraught with complications that cause him suffering frequently. It was Zhen Yuan who rescued him, sacrificing a portion of Yuan Qi from his own Sixth Rank Spiritual Root—the Tree of Longevity—to refine a Sixth Rank Spirit Pill to heal him. He also tempered the demon’s violent nature, leading him towards a pure Immortal Path, an act akin to rebirth.”

“And then there’s the Peony Fairy from Hundred Flowers Valley. The cultivators from Hundred Flowers Valley are all plant-based spirit immortals, transformed from a Fountain of Life and Transformation within the valley, which is their lifeline. However, a thousand years ago, this fountain started to dry up, causing the decline of Hundred Flowers Valley and the reversion of their Cultivation…”

“Having sought healers everywhere to no avail, their fortune turned when they met Zhen Yuan. Utilizing his Earth Skill, he restored life to the Fountain of Life and Transformation, resolving the crisis for Hundred Flowers Valley. The group was immensely grateful, with the Peony Fairy, a Mahayana Cultivator herself, acknowledging Zhen Yuan as her elder brother and vowing that Hundred Flowers Valley and Mount Longevity would share both prosperity and adversity…”

“Aside from these four Mahayana True Immortals, many other Integration Great Powers—all Moral Cultivators of South Observance Continent with noble integrity—have also come forth to protect Zhen Yuan. How could those Demon Evil Cultivators possibly succeed in their villainous acts?”

“And those two Buddhist monks must be the Venerable Arhats from Buddhism. It seems that Buddhism respects Zhen Yuan as a person and does not approve of demons causing mischief, potentially harming the backbone of the Immortal Path. Thus, they have specially sent two Arhats to offer protection…”

“It’s often said that South Observance Continent is no decent place, filled with greed, pleasure-seeking, strife, and killings. That’s because the many factions are mixed, including some vile individuals stirring up trouble. If everyone was like Great Immortal Zhen Yuan, would the atmosphere in South Observance still be the same?”

“…”

As the cultivators telepathically shared their thoughts, gossiping and discussing energetically, the Pagoda-carrying Arhat’s brow furrowed tightly.

In just a short hundred years, this person has built up such an extensive network of influence. Not yet in the Mahayana Realm, yet already possessing the stature of a prominent figure amongst South Observance’s immortals. If he successfully crosses this Tribulation, and even more so if he later achieves True Immortal status, wouldn’t he rightfully become the ruler of Earth Immortals?

A tremendous threat, a grave concern for the heart!

As these worries started to take hold in the mind of the Pagoda-carrying Arhat…

“Boom!”

The thunder struck like a bolt from the blue.

Looking up, oppressive Yang Yun clouds loomed, turning the clear sky into a Great Dark Heaven in an instant: thunder and lightning, a frightening spectacle.

The Heavenly Tribulation—had finally arrived!