They had been fleeing for who knew how long, employing countless concealment techniques along the way.
Radiant Buddha carved out a hundred-zhang cavern in one decisive move, and all three of them huddled inside before he layered screening formations over the space.
And all of this happened while Donggua was still dazed, before she even understood what was going on — Radiant had already finished every step.
The fluency of his movements spoke for itself. This Tribulation Transcendence Buddha's ability to flee and hide was formidable.
When Donggua finally came to her senses, the three of them sat in awkward silence.
A faint spiritual light illuminated the cramped underground chamber.
Radiant's expression was calm. He gestured for the human and the demon to sit, then spoke:
"Too many Tribulation Transcendence cultivators are converging. There's almost nowhere left to hide in all of Western Niu Continent. We can only shelter here temporarily and wait for the situation to change."
Wukong's expression was equally grim. "The change you speak of — are you counting on Chu Xingchen?"
Radiant Buddha answered without hesitation:
"Of course. They won't leave Western Niu Continent until they've found me personally."
Wukong's brow furrowed. "Isn't our current predicament because Chu Xingchen went back on his word? He promised he'd hold off the Buddhist sect's pressure, and instead all he gave us was 'the Buddhas have crossed the Pudu River — just run.'"
Radiant Buddha shook his head gently. "Something abnormal must have happened. I'm afraid Benefactor Chu encountered a real dilemma and had no choice but to act this way. Even setting aside friendship, purely for profit, he shouldn't have abandoned Western Niu Continent so easily."
"Once Benefactor Chu frees his hands, he'll naturally carve out a safe path for us."
Wukong was not so optimistic, but he said nothing further negative. Maintaining composure was essential for accomplishing great things.
At the very least, he shouldn't be the one to spread bad moods.
The current situation was what it was. All they could do was hope Chu Xingchen truly hadn't sold them out.
Wukong exhaled heavily and accepted this reality. But then his gaze naturally fell on the only demon present — Donggua.
Donggua, meeting Wukong's eyes, instinctively put on a fawning expression.
It couldn't be helped. The killing intent in Wukong's gaze was unmistakable.
"This demon is useless to keep around," Wukong said, his eyes turning cold. "She might even cause trouble. Better to let her go meet the Demon Lord she's been yearning for."
Donggua's breathing quickened, but she didn't argue. She simply tried to steady the fear of death churning inside her. There was nothing to argue about — she was just a prisoner, after all.
And besides, Wukong's guess was right. Donggua had been trying hard to emulate Xu Linglong — to play the part of the backstabbing prisoner who helps surround the enemy and leads the way.
Radiant shook his head slightly. "Since Chu Xingchen sent her here, she must have some use. We just haven't figured out what it is yet."
Wukong froze at these words.
Only now did he realize — was this Radiant Buddha perhaps too eager to paint Chu Xingchen in a flattering light?
As if every move Chu Xingchen made carried profound meaning. If this demon was truly useful, he should have said so when sending her, not left them guessing blindly.
Could it be… this was also about Chu Xingchen's face?
Wukong stared speechlessly at Donggua's dejected expression…
He had interacted with this creature before and had never seen anything useful in the little waste.
Wukong's expression turned cold as he questioned her:
"In our current situation, there's no room for dead weight. If you truly have some use and want to keep your life, you'd better speak up right now."
Donggua said nothing. She only shifted closer to Radiant Buddha with a sickly pale face.
If she could stall for time and perhaps hold out hope for Xu Linglong's rescue, that would be good enough for Donggua.
Wukong didn't care. He reached out and grabbed Donggua.
She didn't resist. Instead, she looked toward Radiant Buddha — Big Boss, save me.
Unfortunately, Radiant Buddha made no significant move. He allowed Wukong to seize Donggua by the collar.
Before Wukong's Buddhist arts could land on Donggua's face, she blurted out:
"I told you everything when I got here. I was captured by Cui Hao and he sent me here. I have no idea what's going on in this place."
"It was you who insisted on dragging me along when you fled. You left me behind at the—"
Donggua didn't finish. After all, if she'd been left behind, she might have actually survived.
The Buddhist sect's target was Radiant Buddha. A minor demon like her could have slipped through the chaos unnoticed.
Wukong's eyes locked onto Donggua as he said coldly:
"Is this your last words?"
"Be patient," Radiant Buddha said softly. "Even if Chu Xingchen sent her here with no deeper meaning, that doesn't mean she's entirely useless right now. There may come a time when we need her."
"And if she's truly useless?"
"Amitabha. Great mercy, great compassion." Radiant Buddha pressed his palms together.
Wukong released his grip at these words. He understood the message — kill her only when she's truly useless.
Donggua's face was taut with tension. The Buddhist sect truly didn't have a single decent person.
One was a vicious brute, and the other was a Mahayana Buddha who showed even less mercy.
Useless, then kill.
All that talk about mercy and compassion was bullshit. All that Mahayana Buddhism was nothing but lies for fools.
Radiant Buddha's voice then sounded gently beside Donggua, as if offering counsel:
"All fortune lies within oneself. Even the Buddha can hardly save himself. Everything must be relied upon through one's own effort."
Donggua pressed her lips together tightly and nodded hard, indicating she understood.
Wukong said coldly:
"Hurry up and say thank you."
"Thank you…" The words were practically forced out of Donggua's mouth.
Radiant Buddha waved his hand.
"Saving a life merits greater merit than building a seven-tiered pagoda."
Tianyan Sect. Midday. Clear skies and warm sunlight.
Lin Luoyu withdrew her aura and concluded her seclusion. She gently pushed open the door and walked toward the courtyard.
Li Junzi had not returned to Central Continent with Lin Luoyu. Instead, she had turned toward Western Niu Continent to write her book there.
She had said she was not a cultivator. Though she could live a few extra days, her life was still brief.
Unlike cultivators who could squander time and postpone their tasks, Li Junzi had to seize every moment. At her age, she could pour all her remaining heart and soul into writing just one book.
She was already a Grand Scholar. Most of what she had understood in life, she had put into practice.
Even if she couldn't ascend to Sub-Sage through this, she still needed to leave behind a book to light the way for those who came after.
That was how many sages before her had done it — pushing this road farther and smoother, so that those who followed could walk it more easily.
Lin Luoyu had originally wanted to accompany her, but Li Junzi refused. Her excuse was one Lin Luoyu couldn't easily counter — they would meet again someday, and if Lin Luoyu was there, she wouldn't be able to devote herself fully to her work.
Everyone had their own path to walk. One also had to learn to say goodbye, to learn to grow alone.
Li Junzi spoke of it with equanimity. Though her temples had gone white, her literary spirit and state of mind were far beyond what they had once been.
Lin Luoyu could only bid Li Junzi a temporary farewell.
On the road of life, they would meet again.
Lin Luoyu walked through the corridor and, glancing toward the stone bench, saw Cui Hao gesticulating wildly before their master.
What was he doing?
Lin Luoyu looked more carefully and realized Cui Hao was writing characters in the air.
[Master! Just look at my nature, and you'll know I'm your most beloved disciple! All along the way, I've weathered storms shoulder to shoulder with you, breaking through thorns and brambles together. I've made contributions to the sect that are immeasurable!]
["I recall how you once personally promised to forge me an invincible battle armor, so that I would be unmatched in the world…"]
What was this? A new story their Fifth Junior Brother had written?
The next moment.
They heard their master give a cold laugh:
"Bullshit. If I could build something like that, would I give it to you first?"
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