Chapter 3773: The Immortal
The Joy Zen Sect, alongside the Immortal-Worshipping Cult and the Nether Demon Sect, was one of the three great ancient sects of the Temptation Realm.
This sect’s Buddhist cultivators practiced the Joyful Zen, believing that all things in heaven and earth arise from the union of yin and yang dual natures. By utilizing the “bliss and emptiness dual cultivation,” they sought to realize emptiness and achieve the goal of using desire to control desire.
However, true Buddhist cultivators who could use desire to control desire were exceedingly rare. Most were on a path of pursuing power and desire, gradually losing their Buddhist nature, falling into confusion, and entering the demonic path.
Thus, the Joy Zen Sect had degenerated from its original Daoist Buddhist lineage into a flourishing demonic sect of the Temptation Realm.
The six great gods who had captured Zhang Ruochen were the six top experts under the command of the Joy Zen Sect’s Rouge Divine King: Yeluo Mi, Pinuo Nu, Qianluo Fu, Xinni, Zhenni, and Jiani.
The other divine realm Buddhist cultivators stood in the distance, observing Zhang Ruochen, who sat on the divine ship, with varied expressions.
Zhenni, at the Taibai realm level, showed a seductive and curious expression, her voice cooing: “Calm in the face of danger, so composed—which eminent monk from the Western Buddha Realm is this?”
Zhang Ruochen held a Buddhist rosary in his right hand, turning the beads with his thumb, and stood up calmly, looking at the assembled Buddhists. “This humble monk is Jingxiu.”
“He already knows things he shouldn’t. Just send him to liberation directly! With the Divine King concealing the heavenly secrets, no one should know it was us.”
Xinni’s eyes flashed with a cold gleam.
Yeluo Mi stopped Xinni.
He was at the Tai Xu realm, the top expert under Rouge Divine King, with his hands clasped together below his abdomen in a meditation seal. “I have heard of your name. It is said you were born in the Kunlun Realm, once an emperor, and the father of that empress of the Kunlun Realm.”
Zhang Ruochen was not deliberately taking advantage of Chi Yao; it was just that in the Western Buddha Realm, the name Jingxiu was more familiar. “The mundane world is like a past life; it has no connection to this humble monk anymore.”
Upon learning of Jingxiu’s special identity, the six great gods dared not kill him lightly.
A moment later, the renowned Rouge Divine King emerged from the nine-layered white pagoda.
She was the most favored Bright Consort of the Joy Zen Sect’s current leader, “Determined Discussion Buddha Lord.” She appeared to be under thirty years old, wearing a spotless white Buddhist robe, so holy she seemed untouched by worldly desires. Her beauty surpassed Xinni, Zhenni, and Jiani, but the spring-like aura emanating from her brows clashed with her saintly appearance.
Legend had it that with Rouge Divine King’s cultivation talent, she could never have broken through to the Infinite Realm. It was only because Determined Discussion Buddha Lord paid a great price to help her that she achieved the Divine King body.
Rouge Divine King had a slightly full figure, with exquisite curves of chest and hips. She stared at Zhang Ruochen with a seductive gaze. “Since you are the father of Empress Chi Yao, it would be a pity to kill you directly. Come closer, let me have a good look.”
Her slender, jade-like hand reached into the void.
“Whoosh!”
Zhang Ruochen’s body was swallowed by spatial ripples, and the next moment, he appeared before Rouge Divine King.
Zhang Ruochen stared at her up close, his eyes gliding over every delicate feature of her face. The tempting fragrance reached his nose, but his heart was as still as water, his eyes like a bodhi tree.
Rouge Divine King also observed him, feeling greatly amazed. “What a fine Jingxiu, such an extraordinary state of mind. If I were to break this desireless Buddhist heart of yours, would it deliver a heavy blow to that Empress Chi Yao?”
Zhang Ruochen was puzzled. Why did Rouge Divine King hate Chi Yao so much?
Could it be because Chi Yao’s beauty surpassed hers?
Zhang Ruochen did not know that those who cultivated the Joyful Zen, these deviant Buddhist heretics, had an obsessive pursuit of appearance.
Although Determined Discussion Buddha Lord doted on Rouge Divine King, he had mentioned the names of Chi Yao and the Moon God in front of her more than once. How could she not harbor jealousy?
Rouge Divine King’s icy jade fingers traced Zhang Ruochen’s cheek, her beautiful eyes smiling, always observing the changes in his gaze.
Although Rouge Divine King’s combination of Buddhist essence and seductive charm was fatally alluring to any man in the world, Zhang Ruochen had calmly dealt with even Wu Yue, let alone any other woman in the world.
Rouge Divine King even released a soul attack within her seduction technique, yet still could not shake the Buddhist heart of this monk before her. A sense of frustration arose within her, but it quickly turned into a competitive spirit. She laughed charmingly, “Please, Divine Monk, enter the pagoda.”
The assembled Buddhists of the Joy Zen Sect all revealed knowing smiles, understanding that once inside the pagoda, Jingxiu’s Buddhist body and heart would be impossible to preserve.
Zhang Ruochen, wanting to understand the situation within the nine-layered white pagoda, obediently walked toward it.
“Divine King, the latest news has arrived. Come and discuss it together.”
From the black palace on another carriage, a deep divine voice sounded.
Rouge Divine King looked over, knowing that serious matters took priority. She instructed, “Bhikshuni, take him to the lotus pond on the fourth floor first.”
“Whoosh!”
Rouge Divine King broke through the air and entered the black palace.
Bhikshuni was the guardian of the nine-layered white pagoda, appearing as a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, with long hair naturally falling down her back, tied lightly with a purple ribbon in the middle.
She was at the Upper God realm and was also Rouge Divine King’s disciple, yet she carried the purity and innocence of a young girl, not at all like a demonic cultivator.
Entering the white pagoda, the pagoda door closed automatically.
Bhikshuni led the way, transmitting a message: “Do not show any unusual expression. The artifact spirit of this white pagoda is always watching us; it is like another pair of eyes and ears for Rouge Divine King.”
Zhang Ruochen had long seen through her identity, so his face showed no change.
Bhikshuni continued to transmit: “When Rouge Divine King returns, she will first drain your cultivation, then break your Buddhist heart, making you willingly kneel at her feet as a slave. I will find a way to let you and Chi Xingtian escape now, but whether you can escape depends on Chi Xingtian’s ability. Hey, why aren’t you curious about who I am?”
Zhang Ruochen spoke in his own voice: “The Immortal’s transformation technique is exquisite, fooling even Rouge Divine King. It seems your cultivation has reached the Infinite Realm. Why not act yourself?”
The Bhikshuni walking ahead stopped and turned to look at Zhang Ruochen.
She was not afraid of being detected by the pagoda’s artifact spirit, as Zhang Ruochen had already released a domain, creating an illusion of them continuing to walk quietly.
Bhikshuni’s appearance and figure rapidly changed, growing to the look of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old, with a calm and serene temperament and ethereal Buddhist essence. She was none other than the Compassionate Voyage Immortal of the Western Buddha Realm.
Zhang Ruochen changed back to his own appearance. “The Immortal is indeed no ordinary Buddhist cultivator.”
The Compassionate Voyage Immortal had once been listed alongside Luo Ji, Ji Fanxin, and others on the Nine Immortals Beauty Chart. Who would have thought her cultivation had reached the Infinite Realm, leaving her peers far behind?
Of course, this did not include Zhang Ruochen.
When Zhang Ruochen had once transformed into the Sixth Patriarch’s heir, “Yuan Chen,” and gone to the Western Buddha Realm to cultivate his spiritual power in the Saha World, the Compassionate Voyage Immortal, whose cultivation was far inferior to his, had seen through his true identity.
At that time, the Compassionate Voyage Immortal had said something Zhang Ruochen still could not understand: “I could not see through your true form, but you entered the Saha World and experienced three hundred lifetimes, and I am the Saha World.”
The Saha World was the ancestral realm left by the Buddhist founder, Kasyapa. Why would the Compassionate Voyage Immortal say she was the Saha World?
The Compassionate Voyage Immortal’s current profound cultivation made Zhang Ruochen realize that her words back then carried extraordinary meaning.
The Compassionate Voyage Immortal stared at Zhang Ruochen for a long time. Clearly, even with her state of mind, she needed time to digest this shocking change. “The Temptation Realm has undergone a change. The Joy Zen Sect and the Nether Demon Sect, which had sealed their mountains, secretly attacked Chi Xingtian, Yu Cangsheng, and the Eight-Winged Night Shuttle Dragon, who were stationed at the Immortal-Worshipping Cult. Chi Xingtian and Yu Cangsheng were captured, and the Eight-Winged Night Shuttle Dragon was severely wounded, fleeing into the void world. However, experts from both sects are pursuing him. Whether he can escape is uncertain.”
Zhang Ruochen said, “Where did the Joy Zen Sect and the Nether Demon Sect get the courage to offend the Kunlun Realm, the Thousand Star Civilization, and the Heavenly Dragon Realm all at once?”
“These appear to be three major forces, but you should know well that within the Heavenly Court, the Kunlun Realm, the Thousand Star Civilization, and the Heavenly Dragon Realm have long advanced and retreated together, forming one force. Clearly, the Joy Zen Sect and the Nether Demon Sect have received support from another party, one likely more powerful, or more aggressive and ruthless, forcing them to take sides.”
The Compassionate Voyage Immortal added, “It was to find out who is behind them and their purpose that I transformed into Bhikshuni to follow and investigate.”
Zhang Ruochen looked thoughtful. “Why was the Immortal in the Temptation Realm at that time?”
“The Immortal-Worshipping Cult’s leader fell, and the Heavenly Palace intended to reorganize the Temptation Realm. This was a rare opportunity. I went to the Temptation Realm to spread the Dao, hoping to guide the Joy Zen Sect’s Buddhist cultivators back to the right path. Alas, I suppose I happened to be there at the right time.”
The Compassionate Voyage Immortal said, “Does Elder Zhang Ruochen suspect me?”
Zhang Ruochen recalled A Fuya’s earlier analysis, that the founder Kasyapa had major issues, and the Western Buddha Realm had an unusual connection with the Immortal.
However, compared to A Fuya, Zhang Ruochen trusted the Compassionate Voyage Immortal more.
Among all the women Zhang Ruochen knew, the Compassionate Voyage Immortal was one of the few, like the Heavenly Mother, the Qiangu Nüdi, and Luo Shuihan, who inspired no improper thoughts in his heart. They were all people utterly devoted to their own path.
Thus, regardless of cultivation level, Zhang Ruochen held a special respect, or appreciation, for them.
Zhang Ruochen gently shook his head. “I have never forgotten the friendship we forged fighting side by side, but I have two doubts that I cannot help but voice. Can the Immortal resolve them?”
The Compassionate Voyage Immortal, though a Buddhist cultivator, did not mind being called an immortal, having long transcended form and appearance.
The Compassionate Voyage Immortal knew what Zhang Ruochen wanted to ask and hesitated. “Since Elder Zhang trusts me, can you allow me to answer this question another day?”
“Very well!”
Zhang Ruochen did not ask when “another day” would be.
If the Compassionate Voyage Immortal wanted to tell him, she would surely come to him.
Moreover, Zhang Ruochen would definitely visit the Western Buddha Realm again.
“Given our friendship, there is no need to add ‘Elder’ after the name ‘Ruochen.’”
After saying this with a smile, Zhang Ruochen asked, “Has the Immortal sensed any battle fluctuations in the nearby starry sky?”
“I sensed fluctuations of talisman patterns, like a star flashing and then disappearing in the starry sky. The location was roughly in this star domain.”
The Compassionate Voyage Immortal said, “Is Ruochen here for this matter?”
Zhang Ruochen pondered. “Perhaps Rouge Divine King and Jia Hong Evil God came here secretly for the same reason.”
Jia Hong Evil God was the Infinite Realm cultivator who had just called Rouge Divine King to discuss secret matters. He was the number one figure under the Nether Demon Sect’s leader.
Zhang Ruochen and the Compassionate Voyage Immortal transformed back into the forms of Jingxiu and Bhikshuni, arriving at the fourth floor of the pagoda, standing by the lotus pond.
To avoid alerting the enemy, they decided not to take forceful action for now and to wait and see.
“Demon woman, if you have any business, come at me, Chi Xingtian! I have deep cultivation and a body as strong as a dragon. Bullying an old man with a family is nothing to be proud of! I, Chi Xingtian, fear nothing. I’m ready for your cultivation drain. Come on!”
Chi Xingtian was locked inside a lotus flower, his body the size of an ant, but his roar shook the surrounding formation patterns and divine patterns, causing them to flicker.
The pond water rippled, spreading outward continuously.