Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 551: Chapter 333: Making Friends (Second Update, 4000 Words)_2

“This tea…”

“This fruit…”

“This pill…”

When their eyes met, they both smiled wryly and turned to Xu Yang, “Brother Dao, you are too generous!”

“How could I not show every courtesy to esteemed guests?”

With a smile, Xu Yang began, “I have some understanding of the art of Spirit Plants and some insights into Alchemy Skills. This tea, the fruits, and the Golden Core pills, are all refined from the resources within my temple. They barely make it into the category of Immortal Spirit, so please, do not hesitate to use them.”

“This…”

Upon hearing these words, the cultivator dressed as a woodcutter, Lord Chu Shan, could not hide his amazement, “Friend Dao is also skilled in Alchemy Skills?”

Xu Yang nodded with a light chuckle, “I have some rudimentary knowledge.”

“…”

“…”

Upon hearing this, they both fell silent.

What does he mean by ‘rudimentary knowledge’? If he can cultivate Fifth-Rank Spiritual Roots and refine Fifth-Rank pills, is that what he calls ‘rudimentary knowledge’?

Fifth-Rank refers to that of an Immortal Spirit. Although it’s only equivalent to the Realm of Deity Transformation in terms of cultivation, his expertise in various skills surely exceeds his actual Taoist Cultivation. A Fifth-Rank Spirit Plant cultivator, Pill Master or Array Master could be highly valued even in the Heavenly Court.

This Master of Wuzhuang Temple, with his profound cultivation and accomplished Divine Powers, is also well-versed and exceptionally skilled in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation—truly an inspiring sight.

Even the Earth Immortal Realm, where an Integration cultivator possesses a lifespan of twenty thousand years, would not be able to withstand such profligacy, would it? To engage in Taoist cultivation and Divine Power refining, while also dabbling in the arts of Spirit Plants, Alchemy and Array Formation, elevating them to Fifth-Rank or even higher.

This…

Just the thought made their scalps tingle and their mental energy drain.

This was not something an ordinary person could accomplish; even if one had the vitality, their Mind Power would not withstand such continuous strain.

With this realization, their respect deepened. Lord Chu Shan immediately stood up and from his arms, he took out a bamboo stick that looked like a piece of jade, “This is my Mount Qilin’s Clear Mind Bamboo, also a Fifth-Rank Spiritual Root, with benefits in purifying the mind and contributing significantly against the temptations of inner demons. If Brother Dao does not mind, please accept it as a gift for the opening of Wuzhuang Temple!”

Seeing this, Lord Lutu also stood up, taking out an inkstone containing soil as dark as oil, “This is my Heart Soil of Mount Lutu, capable of improving the quality of a Blessed Land. It can also aid in the nurturing of Spiritual Roots. If Brother Dao is willing, please accept this gift as well!”

“When sincere friends come to offer congratulations, how could I refuse such kindness?”

Xu Yang smiled and, going with the flow of goodwill, accepted the gifts from both.

“Phew!”

Seeing this, both Lord Chu Shan and Lord Lutu felt relieved.

To be honest, they had indeed prepared gifts for this meeting, but they were not the Clear Mind Bamboo or the Heart Soil of Mount Lutu. These items were the treasures of their own reserves, used for their cultivation or sold at auctions, not to be so lavishly presented as gifts.

But they had no choice, as Xu Yang’s gifts were too extravagant—a table filled with Fifth-Order Immortal Spirit level tea, fruits, and pills. If they did not bring out something substantial in return, how could they continue to be his guests?

They needed to offer substantial gifts and were also afraid that Xu Yang would refuse to accept them, deeming their offerings unworthy.

After all, Wuzhuang Temple was just too lavish!

Luckily, this Brother Zhen Yuanzi, not only formidable in cultivation and Divine Powers but also adept in worldly courtesy, accepted their gifts with open arms, sparing them any embarrassment or unease.

Though their interaction was brief, they already felt a sense of genuine respect for him as they referred to him as Brother Dao.

Let’s put their thoughts aside for the moment.

After accepting the gifts, Xu Yang looked back at the two, “Did you come here today regarding the matter of the Golden-Furred Lion?”

“Indeed, that’s why we’re here!”

Lord Chu Shan took over the conversation and asked solemnly, “Has the Golden-Furred Lion fallen to your hands, Brother Dao?”

“Indeed!”

Xu Yang nodded and spoke indifferently, “That demon committed numerous evils and was despised by heaven and earth. It has been refined and killed by me!”

“Great kindness!”

Hearing this, even as an Integration Great Power, Lord Chu Shan couldn’t help clapping in approval, “Finally, with this demon eradicated, I thank you, Brother Dao, for avenging both our good friend and my two disciples, and for placating the Heavenly Spirit!”

“Oh?”

Xu Yang, with a curious raise of his eyebrow, asked, “Do you also have such enmity with that demon, my friend?”

“Indeed!”

Lord Chu Shan nodded, his voice filled with indignation, “That Golden-Furred Lion was a reanimated corpse, fond of feasting on human flesh. It seized control of Mount Qilin, and first it killed my good friends, the Mount Qilin Lord, then wreaked havoc on the surrounding living beings. One day, seizing the opportunity when I was unprepared, it invaded my Chu Mountain and snatched my two disciples to devour them!”

“I have hated it ever since, and therefore split off my second Primordial Spirit, transforming into a woodcutter lurking outside Mount Qilin to intercept its bloody prey. This provoked several battles between us, but in the end, I was always defeated by that Purple-Gold Bell, and could only entangle it in a guerrilla fight, unable to confront it head-on.”

After expressing his resentful grievances, Lord Chu Shan then looked at Xu Yang who was getting up to offer his respects, “Brother Dao, by removing this demon you’ve avenged us, and for that I am immensely grateful. Please allow me to offer my respects!”

“My friend, please rise. Upholding justice on behalf of Heaven is simply our duty,” Xu Yang replied, gesturing with an open hand to help him up.

At this moment, Lord Lutu also timely added, “Brother Dao, while eliminating this demon is indeed gratifying, there is one potential disaster that must not be overlooked.”

“Oh?”

Xu Yang smiled, intrigued, “What disaster is that?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Buddhism!”

Lord Lutu’s words fell heavy, “This Golden-Furred Lion has quite a background, it was the mount of the Great Mercy Bodhisattva from the West. That Purple-Gold Bell was its former Magical Treasure. Now that Brother Dao has slain the Golden-Furred Lion and taken the Purple-Gold Bell, I fear Buddhism will not let this matter rest.”

“Buddhism?”

Xu Yang’s eyes turned cold, sarcastically laughing, “Indulging its mount to descend to the Lower Realm, transforming into a demon causing evil, I should have been the one seeking retribution with them, yet they want to settle scores with me?”

“This…”

Listening to his unfriendly words, Lord Chu Shan and Lord Lutu exchanged glances, each with a look of surprise. Still, they restrained themselves and said, “The power of Buddhism is on par with the Heavenly Court, and the Great Mercy Bodhisattva is one of the four great Bodhisattvas of Buddhism, second only to the two Buddhas. He’s a great power of Buddhism who has endured the seven layers of Heavenly Tribulation and is on the verge of attaining true enlightenment.”

“The fact that the Golden-Furred Lion was his mount, favored and spoiled, and also of an exotic species with boundless potential made the surrounding major Immortal Gates, out of respect for the Bodhisattva’s face, hesitant to act against it. Even when we reported it to the Heavenly Court, there was no response, no news coming back.”

Lord Chu Shan shook his head and sighed, “Now that demons have formed alliances, it has put substantial pressure on the Heavenly Court, which needs to cooperate with Buddhism. They will certainly not risk falling out with the Great Mercy Bodhisattva over such a trivial matter.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Yang sneered sarcastically, “This means, then, that this atrocity in the Lower Realm happened with the tacit approval of the Great Mercy Bodhisattva?”

“This…”

At a loss for words, both hesitated momentarily.

Finally, it was Lord Chu Shan who spoke, “It is possible, but I cannot say for certain.”

“Oh?”

Xu Yang’s brows twitched, “Explain.”

Lord Chu Shan shook his head, his voice taking on a somber tone, “That Golden-Furred Lion, an abnormally born dead fetus, possesses extraordinary potential. Yet it has always been stubborn and unenlightened, unable to ascend to the Mahayana Realm through the cultivation of proper Buddhist Law, therefore…”

“So, they let it go, to South Observance Continent, to occupy Spirit Mountain, to refine demonic energy, and even to devour living beings and cultivators, using the way of demons to advance into Mahayana?”

Xu Yang took over the conversation, speaking coldly, “And then step in to take it back, thus gaining a Mahayana-trained beast at their feet?”

“…”

“…”

Facing such blunt words, the two were momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

After a pause, Lord Chu Shan finally nodded, “Many suspect just that.”

With a sigh, Lord Lutu revealed a crucial point, “It is said that within Buddhism, there exists a Secret Technique that can convert demons into tame beasts, transforming their demonic power into pure Buddha Power, and that includes true demons of the Mahayana tier.”

“The Golden-Furred Lion, despite its exceptional gift, was obstinate and resistant to the Buddhist Law. To rise to Mahayana, it had to practice the law of demonic evil. Then, through conversion, shed all its demonic power to become a tamed beast of Buddhism.”

“Otherwise, how could they have ignored such a demon descending to the Lower Realm for over five hundred years, doing evil unchecked, with Buddhism and the Great Mercy Bodhisattva turning a blind eye as if unaware?”

At this point, Lord Chu Shan also grew impassioned, slamming the table with a cold voice, “It is a clear case of indulgence by Buddhism, and every Immortal Clan, even the Heavenly Court, have refrained from action out of consideration for that Bodhisattva’s reputation, allowing this demon to commit atrocities!”

Then turning to Xu Yang, his words grave, “Brother Dao, by killing this demon, you’ve upset Buddhism’s plans; how could they let you off the hook?”