Longevity Chronicles

Demon Buddha Temple decided to establish a sub-temple in Qiantang Province, naturally, they had to transfer some ruthless and strong people from the main temple.

Hei Bo Venerable was considered among them, famed as a fierce monk adept in slaughter.

Most notably, he was a disciple of Shipi Arhat, a master of leading others to fall into evil demise.

Unexpectedly, one day, he was enlightened by another, was this supposed to lead to a virtuous downfall?

The horde of demon monks initially feared Shenxiu's Thundering Buddha Flame the most; now, they feared Master Tao even more.

They hung their heads low, terror flickering in their eyes, for a moment not daring to look at that pure, white-robed Buddha's son who came from the South Sea.

To be consumed by the Buddha Flame, to perish and fade from the Dao, was considered a quick end.

To enter that cloth bag, to have one's nature profoundly altered, from demon to Buddha, was a fate worse than death by threefold.

However, Flower Staff harbored different thoughts, greed shining in his eyes.

"Such a treasure!"

"This lad must be the True Inheritor of Qingjing Zen Master. With such exquisite and unheard-of Buddhist Exotic Treasures willingly given away, if I could seize it, reaching Ultimate Happiness with ease and attaining the Status of Arhat might not be impossible."

"Just watch my actions."

With a thought, Flower Staff suddenly made a ruthless move toward Hei Bo.

Taking him unawares, he struck Hei Bo in the forehead with a palm.

This palm strike had a reputation, if performed with True Skill, it could enlighten one's true nature.

If performed with inverse intent, it could confound the mind.

Now, what Flower Staff Venerable applied was indeed the true form, yet he wanted Hei Bo to realize: You're a demon monk, why put on an act of kindness and compassion, only to make a laughing stock of yourself?

Feeling the effect was insufficient, he simply manifested a bizarre Arhat vision, namely Hei Bo Venerable's master, Shipi Arhat, also merging into his skull.

A muffled "thump" could be heard.

Hei Bo Venerable swayed like a drunken man; whether it was the palm's impact, the vision of Shipi, or both, it was not clear.

Hei Bo stabilized his stance and was immediately drenched in cold sweat, showing both shock and irritation—he had truly awakened.

"Thank you, senior brother, for saving me!"

"What a treacherous and conniving bald thief, almost ruining my Dao path."

In the past, Hei Bo Venerable secretly looked down on Flower Staff, but now, he thanked him sincerely.

Flower Staff Venerable didn't take credit, simply sending a telepathic message:

"Junior brother, there's no need for politeness, there are more pressing matters now."

"These two thieves are not only exceptional, but they also come from notable lineages; even if we join forces, we can't subdue them. Instead, it's the Great Transcendence Bodhisattva who was taken by the Wu Gou Buddha Son."

"At the moment, the best plan is for the two of us to find an excuse to delay these thieves while we send a message to several of our elders."

"Even if just one of them were to come, we could retrieve the Buddha Treasure and rid ourselves of blame."

"That's exactly right."

Upon hearing these words, Hei Bo nodded in agreement.

Then, the two advanced together, speaking in turn to Tao Qian and Shenxiu.

Flower Staff Venerable, as always, was first.

This demon monk put on a hypocritical smile and cordially invited:

"Originally, we thought the two young friends were minor thieves here to steal treasures, hence our harsh words."

"Now that the misunderstanding is resolved, we realize both of you are disciples of renowned masters."

"Wu Gou, young friend, I have heard of your master Qingjing Zen Master, indeed a high monk who has attained the Dao, a reclusive Buddhist Practitioner."

"Shenxiu, young friend, need not mention your master Long Meng Arhat, though Great Freedom Temple and our Demon Buddha Temple have some friction and grievances, it does not prevent us from befriending each other in private."

"Just so happens, our Demon Buddha Temple wants to hold a Buddhist assembly in Qiantang Province, where ten thousand cultivators will gather, and All Saints will descend. We ask the two young friends not to leave the city but to join us in Qiantang Province for the assembly."

"Then, you can debate scriptures and meditate with many other Buddhist cultivators; wouldn't that be delightful?"

After finishing these words, as if it were an afterthought, Flower Staff Venerable added one more thing to Tao Qian.

"By the way, Wu Gou, young friend, you fortuitously picked up our painstakingly forged Buddha Treasure; could you return it?"

"We have a grave responsibility, and if we lose that object, I fear even Kongchan Arhat, Shipi Arhat, and the other elders will blame us."

"Furthermore, that item is missing the final stage to be truly forged. If you take it now, it's hardly different from holding a useless object."

"If you return it to us, there will be a rich reward."

"Sutra scriptures, resources, treasures... we shall not withhold anything."

...

As Flower Staff spoke, the crowd of demon monks and Hei Bo Venerable watched, thinking they might have some hope of coaxing the treasure back with smooth talk.

But instantly they saw the young, beamingly smiling monk's expression change drastically upon hearing the words "requesting the treasure."

His once handsome head shook like a rattle, sternly refusing:

"Your words are misguided, Mage!"

"All Treasures under heaven belong to those with destiny."

"I, Wu Gou, have always been beloved by the Female Bodhisattva; since the treasure has flown into my People Species Bag, it signifies that it's fated to be mine."

"From now on, it's my treasure."

"What's this about picking up or seizing? It's nonsensical and unreasonable."

As soon as Tao Qian finished speaking, and seeing his miserly demeanor, the demon monks all felt a chill in their hearts.

Especially Flower Staff and Hei Bo, who inwardly cursed, "The utmost shameless!"

Fortunately, they had anticipated such an outcome, and knowing that actions follow after civilities, it was not too late.

Hei Bo Venerable, his face livid with anger, stepped forward and began to emanate a gloomy Buddha Light from within, which in midair coalesced into an intricately detailed Buddha temple constructed of white bones.

Within the temple, a terrifying aura leaked.

Tao Qian, whose senses were sharp, immediately recognized that this aura belonged to the formidable demon monk who constructed "Steamed Buddha City," known as Shipi Arhat.

Indeed, the next moment he heard Hei Bo Venerable threatening:

"You should know, young friend."

"I possess a Divine Skill called 'Empty Body Inviting Saints to Sublime Dharma.' It serves no other purpose but to invite a Buddha Saint to embody me."

"My master is Shipi Arhat; as long as I invite him, my master will surely descend."