111: Chapter 110: The Struggle between Buddha and Demon [Extra for Alliance Hierarch Master Xiao Zhen] 111: Chapter 110: The Struggle between Buddha and Demon [Extra for Alliance Hierarch Master Xiao Zhen] “You shouldn’t be here!”
The Tideng Monk showed no gratitude.
In his heart, although his purification had failed this time, escaping was still not a problem.
It might be disgraceful, but it wasn’t a big issue.
If necessary, he could return the next day, re-enter, and purify again.
There was no need to have destroyed so many Soul Ghosts, which didn’t align with his initial intentions.
Hou Niao smirked, “Little monk, don’t consider yourself a savior!
You purify Soul Ghosts for cultivation, and I kill them for cultivation.
What is the essential difference here?
The difference is that we’re more direct, while you are truly hypocritical, packaging what is clearly a cultivation activity as great compassion, rescuing the suffering and the troubled!
Monk, hiding under the lantern won’t let you see yourself clearly.
If you want to understand your Buddha, you need to step out and let the lantern illuminate you first!”
The Tideng Monk glared angrily, “I will not take the Soul Beads!”
Hou Niao retorted, “But that doesn’t change the fact that they died because of your summoning!
Besides, why would I leave the Soul Beads behind if not to let other Soul Ghosts absorb them and continue to cause harm?”
He turned and walked away, scoffing, “Your Buddhist Sect claims not to take Soul Beads, but do you really not know what your lantern has taken?
Using such superficial acts to deceive people, do you think everyone else is foolish?”
This monk was beyond help, or maybe it wasn’t just him but the entire Buddhist Sect.
Cultivation is cultivation; why make it seem like you’re saving the world?
That’s the circle of cultivators in this world.
He could see through it because of the harsh realities he had witnessed over the years.
However, most people couldn’t see through it.
Add in life’s hardships and unexpected setbacks, and the Buddhist Sect could provide the greatest mental solace.
Five fierce ghosts dropped four Soul Beads—a significant drop rate that made it worthwhile to continue.
That was his conclusion.
But he hadn’t gone far before he had to turn around, “Why are you following me?
Do you want to repay a favor?”
The Tideng Monk shook his head, “This is not a favor, but a matter of mutual need.
I’m following you because I wanted to ask if you’re planning to continue taking Soul Beads.”
Hou Niao confidently, “Exactly, these things benefit my cultivation, just as your lantern benefits you by purifying Soul Bodies.”
The Tideng Monk hesitated, “Actually, we have a better method that can be a win-win.
ah no, I’ll hold the lantern and purify, attracting the Soul Ghosts, while you hide in the shadows and take action when you spot Wandering Fierce Ghosts.
This way, you’ll benefit, I’ll accrue merits, and we’ll avoid the death of lower-level Soul Ghosts, thus appealing to the Heavenly Dao…”
Hou Niao scrutinized the monk carefully, then laughed, “Monk, you really are a genius.
Such a hypocritical idea, but it also ensures you’re not disturbed?
You see, speaking this way is much more pleasant.
Let everyone express their needs straightforwardly, take what they need—why hide it?
We’ll try it, and if everyone feels good about it, then we can continue to collaborate.”
This monk really should not be underestimated.
His adaptability was indeed exceptional, and he always managed to wield righteousness in his favor.
It seems he really did understand himself well.
The two, now in cahoots, began contemplating how to torment these Soul Ghosts, one harboring cunning, the other bearing cold-heartedness.
They soon found a hillock and commenced their plan.
The Tideng Monk once again brought out his lantern, still advising worriedly, “When you kill the Wandering Fierce Ghosts, try not to be too showy.
Do it quietly and gently.
I will use the lantern to give you about three breaths’ worth of stunning time…”
Hou Niao responded in kind, “I’ll alert you if any fierce ghosts sneak into the range of the lantern.
Pay attention to my guidance.”
The lantern was hoisted high once again and because it was moved to a new spot, Soul Ghosts quickly gathered around it—at least the beginning went smoothly.
Hou Niao, only sneaking in after the formation of the light circle, became undetectable due to the purifying power there.
To the Soul Ghosts, only the tranquil glow of the lantern existed; nothing else mattered.
He had come to realize that cooperation with the monk was essential because if he just blindly sought out and killed on his own, the efficiency would be too low.
The chance of encountering Wandering Souls and fierce ghosts was low, and they tended to observe in secret first before seizing an opportunity to cause trouble.
For him, killing those ordinary, low-level ghosts was meaningless; they were not worth any Soul Beads nor were they a challenge for his Sword Techniques—why bother then?
If he were to charge in and kill all night as he had initially thought, he might not gain much, so cooperating was a wise choice.
Under the glow of the lantern, just like before, the Soul Ghosts gathered in increasing numbers.
The Tideng Monk toiled under the lantern for his own merit, while Hou Niao leisurely hid among them, focusing his attention on observing what the outcome of this cooperation would be.
An hour later, an anomaly infiltrated them.
“Southeast direction, there are two Wandering Souls.”
Hou Niao slowly approached from the side, as gently as possible, so as not to disturb the dazed crowd of Soul Ghosts.
Just when he was close enough to strike, the Tideng Monk manipulated the lantern to suddenly shine a light…
There was no sound of a sword, no shouts—nothing at all, just two Wandering Souls growing dim among the crowd and gradually disappearing; no Soul Ghost noticed them, they all basked in the Buddha Light, in utter peace.
This was no longer a sword strike, it was purely a stealth attack.
‘This killing embryo!’ the Tideng Monk thought scornfully in his heart, finding himself mixed up with such a killer.
He hoped the Buddha would not blame him—it was all to avoid killing more than necessary; surely, the merit must be complete, no?
‘This baldy!’ Hou Niao thought disdainfully, just watching the timing of the monk’s lantern shine to know this monk often did sneaky, rotten things, all while maintaining the appearance of righteousness—he had a belly full of tricks.
Buddha, Demon—what’s the difference?
One is just bald, the other shirtless.
Where the light shines makes all the difference in the world, the affairs of this world are indeed strange.
On the Jinxiu Continent, the Daoist Sect uniquely excelled, followed closely by the Buddha Demons, forming the overall Cultivation landscape of the Continent, deriving countless power-based factions and national organizations—all disputes, more or less, fell within this framework.
The current world still harbored many creatures like demons and spirits, hence maintaining a minimal baseline for coexistence; who knows what internal strife might ensue among humans once all other Cultivation powers were dealt with one day.
He was still very weak now, but once he had truly grown, he was determined to travel the world, so as not to live in vain.
… “Cultivation connects to Shixing River, Half-Hanging Demon Banner, Half Buddha Banner.
Remember, San Feng once moored there, no storm ever battered his boat windows.”