Chapter 236

The fake one, sitting high on a lotus pedestal, with a solemn dharma appearance, uttering divine decrees.

The real one, plunged into cognitive chaos, screaming and then simply exploding.

Authenticity was not the primary consideration; suitability was all that mattered.

First, remove a deranged inner demon to move closer to ultimate perfection.

Second, recognize a "fake" who once protected the human realm and established his own True Lord system, then whitewash the history of the Official Generals he founded.

Finally, reconcile with a young man who has a significant background and is closely watched by the Heavenly Dao.

When Li Zhuiyuan drove Universal Salvation True Lord into "madness," he had already anticipated this inevitable outcome.

Choosing Universal Salvation True Lord would result in a net loss, while choosing Sun Baishen would bring a net gain. There was no room for hesitation.

All the misdeeds were committed by Universal Salvation True Lord, this malicious "fake." This "fake" subverted the True Lord lineage, framed Sun Baishen, the true Bodhisattva's avatar, and even slandered Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Now, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has rectified the situation and clarified the truth.

Perhaps this is where falsehood, when taken for truth, makes truth itself seem false.

Above, the majestic gaze slowly moved.

This movement was intentionally made perceptible to everyone present.

The gaze first landed on Yin Meng, who looked up with a hint of confusion. She could feel it, but not strongly.

Then, the gaze shifted to Li Zhuiyuan.

Looking at Yin Meng was like dipping a brush in ink; the real focus remained on the young man.

The implication concerned his relationship with Fengdu.

Li Zhuiyuan looked up to meet the gaze, a familiar smile, perfectly tinged with shyness, appearing on his face.

This expression could only be used for another couple of years; once he grew older, he would need to adopt a different fixed smile.

The majestic gaze softened slightly at this moment. Though still imposing, the change in its intensity was clearly discernible.

It was as if Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had, for a moment, become an elder gently stroking a junior's head.

It proved effective to invoke the name of Emperor Fengdu, for Emperor Fengdu was still alive.

Although the Dragon King lineages of the Qin and Liu families were not insignificant, their populations were dwindling. If they were at their peak, those ancient beings would not dare to openly antagonize them.

The retaliation of one generation of Dragon Kings might be fended off, but no one could withstand generations of their descendants. No one wanted to be the mountain destined to be moved by the Foolish Old Man.

Li Zhuiyuan was well aware that this current exchange of seemingly affectionate glances was definitely false.

However, both sides had found a way to save face.

The unspoken understanding was: past matters would not be brought up; they were now closed.

Suppressing a young genius was not difficult for a Bodhisattva, but the Bodhisattva was unwilling to pay that price.

At this moment, Li Zhuiyuan felt neither fortunate nor grateful. Instead, he was thinking that he could continue to use the Augmentation and Diminution Generals as puppets.

After all, this incident occurred first, and regardless of whether the Bodhisattva denied it, he could feign ignorance.

Everything concluded, and the gaze completely vanished.

The atmosphere in the main hall returned to normal.

From beginning to end, the Bodhisattva never appeared here, nor did they leave behind any decree or even a single word. Yet, it was as if the Bodhisattva had already spoken volumes.

Such beings possess incredibly rich and advanced methods for avoiding the Heavenly Dao's perception and karmic influence.

The White Crane Boy looked up at the red mole on Sun Baishen's forehead, momentarily stunned and somewhat incredulous.

It felt as if he had just finally decided to switch jobs, only for his new company to be immediately acquired by his old one before he even settled in.

But soon, the Boy blinked, realizing it didn't count.

He was merely nominally associated with this new office, and Sun Baishen was only his superior in name. His true "new office" should be the Dragon King team that Lin Shuyou belonged to.

With clarity of thought, the Boy lowered his head and began "slurping."

Suddenly, the Boy straightened his back.

Lin Shuyou: "Hmm, what?"

Lin Shuyou deliberately spoke, then turned to Li Zhuiyuan, his lips mumbling, and said:

"Brother Xiaoyuan, he wants to temporarily possess me."

Li Zhuiyuan knew it wasn't Lin Shuyou who had just called him "Brother Xiaoyuan," but the Boy.

Because Lin Shuyou couldn't stand the wild monkey brain, he not only temporarily gave up complete control of his body but also blocked all his senses.

Li Zhuiyuan nodded: "Alright."

Lin Shuyou: "Okay, come on in."

Although recently appointed as White Crane True Lord, the Boy showed Sun Baishen little politeness or respect.

With the real boss present, it was impossible for him to show any good attitude towards the nominal, fake boss.

Previously, he was naive, which led him to become the most senior yet lowest-ranked among the Official Generals. Now, the Boy only wanted to advance.

Sun Baishen's body was still immobile. If he moved, the True Lords outside the hall would instantly regain their freedom. Therefore, he chose to temporarily borrow the White Crane True Lord's body.

Their systems were identical, and it was a gift from him, so possessing the body was quite easy as long as the other party didn't resist.

Soon, Lin Shuyou's body trembled, and Sun Baishen descended.

After descending, he maintained the White Crane Boy's previous squatting posture.

The reason the Boy had been squatting there earlier was to eat monkey brain.

Li Zhuiyuan walked over, just in time to see "Lin Shuyou" use a spoon to scoop a piece of "tofu brain" into his mouth and slurp it down.

This was once his most beloved monkey. He had dedicated his life to saving all sentient beings and had no children, so he had truly raised the monkey as his own child.

Yet, the one he cherished most had betrayed him most profoundly.

That day, when Universal Salvation True Lord first attacked him, holding a proclamation and reading out his sins, his heart was calm. He knew that this day would come after he refused the Bodhisattva's request to transfer some of his and the True Lords' merits.

But when the monkey was the first to rush in with a stick, his heart felt as if it had been violently seized, causing immense pain.

The Buddha said all beings are equal, but his favoritism toward this particular monkey was exceptional.

Now, he had to eat this mouthful of "tofu brain," in this most decisive manner, to completely end the karmic bond he once shared with the monkey.

If one repays malice with virtue, how then should virtue be repaid?

Sun Baishen chose not to continue showing leniency but to directly confront his inner disappointment and anger.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Does it taste good?"

Sun Baishen: "Although delicious, it's a bit old."

Li Zhuiyuan: "What a shame, you should have eaten it sooner."

Sun Baishen: "Indeed."

Li Zhuiyuan ended the topic.

Sun Baishen said lightly, "Thank you."

He knew the young man was "adding ingredients" to help him sever the karmic bond more effectively.

Sun Baishen stood up, then bent slightly, and said, "White Crane True Lord is severely injured."

Given how badly Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin were injured, Lin Shuyou naturally wouldn't be in good shape.

However, with the Boy residing in his body, Ah You wouldn't be unconscious and paralyzed as before. At the very least, he could maintain self-care, like preparing his own tofu brain.

Li Zhuiyuan had just noticed that the Boy pulled a bag of sugar from his backpack and added it in.

Sun Baishen's gaze swept over Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin, and when he finally pointed at them, he deliberately singled out Yin Meng.

Although Yin Meng did not directly participate in the final battle, Sun Baishen, observing from above, clearly saw that the girl had been prepared to drink the poison in her hand multiple times.

"You have a group of excellent followers."

"They are partners."

"You specifically emphasized that?" Sun Baishen's eyes showed thought. "This is where you differ from him."

"Your interactions with him during that period must have been like that."

"Actually, I didn't have much contact with him; it was mainly because I secretly possessed many Buddha-skin papers."

"I know."

Wei Zhengdao at that time couldn't have had any true personal friendships. Even the one under the peach blossom forest wasn't considered a true friend or partner in his eyes.

"But he was indeed a remarkable figure. It's a pity his reputation wasn't widespread, and he left no name in history. Perhaps he was simply indifferent to fame and fortune."

"Everyone has a lifestyle that suits them."

Sun Baishen made a gesture to invite, leading Li Zhuiyuan just outside the temple gate, stopping on the inner side of the black-and-white dividing line.

The True Lords standing outside now seemed to serve as a static backdrop for their conversation.

Sun Baishen: "Why did you help me?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "Because I want to live."

Sun Baishen: "Even if you didn't help me, you wouldn't die, and you would still gain benefits."

Li Zhuiyuan: "I don't like entrusting my life to others."

As for the benefits, Li Zhuiyuan had indeed received them: eight lotus petals. Once fully assimilated, his spiritual foundation would become even deeper and more solid.

Furthermore, from this conversation, Li Zhuiyuan could discern Sun Baishen's "simple" side.

No wonder his system was eventually overthrown by Universal Salvation True Lord, and he suffered collective betrayal from his subordinate True Lords.

He hadn't even clearly understood the Heavenly Dao's attitude toward this matter, especially considering his role as a River Walker.

Immediate benefits must be considered, but long-term development must also be taken into account.

It was now evident that the Heavenly Dao intended to cultivate him into a blade to strike at those ancient existences.

If he were to engage in backroom deals and seek mutual benefit with those beings, what would be the value of him as a blade? How would the Heavenly Dao perceive it?

This wave wasn't complicated, but it was highly perilous.

After entering this temple, he actually only had two choices: help Universal Salvation True Lord or help Sun Baishen.

After making his choice, he then had to directly confront the pressure from the monkey and Universal Salvation True Lord.

Universal Salvation True Lord's two miscalculations against him weren't His fault; it was because his own situation was unique.

His partners had risked their lives to defeat the monkey.

If either side had failed or made a mistake, the entire situation would have been lost.

At the same time, this "return gift" was incredibly generous, remarkably swift, and could even be considered an early distribution.

Breaking down the timeline, it was clear that the rewards began to be distributed in concentration only after he chose to help Sun Baishen.

His own eight lotus petals and the Azure Lotus power his true form received were genuine enhancements. Although Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin's possession by malevolent spirits had clear side effects, the benefits would be immense once they recovered through treatment.

Analyzing it with hindsight, wasn't this the Heavenly Dao observing his attitude?

In "River Walking Conduct Guidelines," Li Zhuiyuan defined the current period as a new phase of river walking.

The intensity of the waves would increase, and the karmic merit returned would also be greater. As a blade of the Heavenly Dao, as long as he persisted after striking, he would become sharper and sharper.

This implied that for the same amount of time and the same number of waves, one wave for him could be equivalent to two, three, or even more for others.

In addition, he would receive more preferential treatment outside of river walking.

Just like the period before this wave began, he and his partners were truly relaxed, and the absorption of the wave's power was very gentle.

For example, when the monkey tried to infiltrate his team on the island, he had received clues early on and sent Tan Wenbin ahead. Tan Wenbin had already spotted the flaws in the monkey's plan before he even landed on the island, which made the monkey's subsequent actions a joke once he arrived.

These were advantages before the wave; there should also be new preferential treatments after it.

For instance, Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin's conditions were very serious this time, especially Run Sheng's; the recovery of his consciousness was a major challenge.

Li Zhuiyuan had a faint suspicion that if Tan Wenbin and Run Sheng hadn't recovered by the time of the next wave, the Heavenly Dao might reduce the difficulty of that wave for him.

For the Heavenly Dao, it could allow this blade to break, but it couldn't break without value. At the very least, it needed to inflict mutual damage, allowing him to cause significant harm before breaking, rather than being forced into battle before being properly sharpened.

This was a rather bold guess, and whether it would actually happen would depend on the clues for the next wave.

Sun Baishen lacked all the aforementioned understandings.

This was akin to a highly capable general who lacked political acumen.

Wei Zhengdao had long recognized this. If it weren't for the Buddha-skin papers in Sun Baishen's possession, Wei Zhengdao would genuinely not have bothered with such "foolish" people.

Sun Baishen: "I have lived for a very long time."

Li Zhuiyuan: "But you lived without value."

Sun Baishen forced a bitter smile.

Li Zhuiyuan: "I'm not singling you out."

The young man was thinking of all the long-lived individuals he had encountered; not one of them had lived a happy life.

When life loses its color, no matter how long it stretches, it's merely a meaningless extension of black and white.

Sun Baishen: "You are absolutely right. My life has indeed been without value. What I established was overthrown, and the largest part of my life was spent sealing this place.

Moreover, just now, my faith completely collapsed."

Li Zhuiyuan: "I thought it would have collapsed when the Bodhisattva asked you to share your merits."

Sun Baishen: "At that time, I wasn't certain it was a true Bodhisattva. Buddhas can appear emotionless."

Li Zhuiyuan nodded: "I understand."

At the time, Sun Baishen thought the Bodhisattva asking him to share merits was merely an avatar or a will with no emotions, only a fixed behavioral logic.

But when the Bodhisattva chose him over Universal Salvation True Lord, his faith truly crumbled.

Because a Bodhisattva capable of calling a deer a horse and making calculated choices based on benefits and drawbacks could not possibly be emotionless.

Sun Baishen: "So, back then, he had already seen my future and laughed at me in advance."

Li Zhuiyuan: "A new Official Generals system has been established, based on your True Lord system. Your former endeavors were not entirely without reward."

Sun Baishen: "A better system?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "From the perspective of lineage development, demon-slaying and safeguarding the Way, and that of the highest authority, it is indeed a better system. It's just not very friendly to spirit mediums."

Sun Baishen: "Then He did well. If only that last point could also be changed..."

Li Zhuiyuan: "For now, I have no interest or motivation to do that."

The moment the young man finished speaking, a vertical pupil appeared in Sun Baishen's eye, then vanished.

It was the Boy, whose emotions became slightly uncontrolled upon hearing those words, nearly seizing back control of the body.

Previously, the Boy had even promised the young man that he hoped the young man would not change the Official Generals system.

But now the Boy had completely switched allegiance. If his previous entry into the Nantong Body Recovery Li Daoist Temple was merely a secondment, then this was a change in organizational affiliation.

Therefore, he naturally delighted in seeing his former colleagues, who had a poor relationship with him and used to bully him, mercilessly flogged—the harder, the better!

Sun Baishen smiled, speaking for the Boy: "That's a real shame then."

Li Zhuiyuan pointed at Sun Baishen, but was actually referring to Lin Shuyou: "I'm too lazy to do such things. He will do them later."

Even though Lin Shuyou was no longer an Official General, he would still consider it his responsibility to improve the Yin God system and elevate the status of humans.

The vertical pupil in Sun Baishen's eye flickered again.

The thought of having the chance to personally increase the workload and decrease the benefits for his former colleagues filled him with immense excitement!

Sun Baishen: "There's a question I really want to ask."

Li Zhuiyuan: "You want to ask him?"

Sun Baishen: "Yes."

Li Zhuiyuan: "You want to ask if he's still alive?"

Sun Baishen: "No."

Li Zhuiyuan: "You want to ask if he's dead now?"

Sun Baishen pressed his lips together and nodded solemnly.

Li Zhuiyuan: "For a long time in his later life, he was actively seeking death. I believe he succeeded in dying."

A brilliant smile appeared on Sun Baishen's face.

Because he was currently borrowing Lin Shuyou's body, this hearty laugh seemed a little foolish.

Li Zhuiyuan turned his head to look at the array of "lifelike" exquisite sculptures ahead.

Li Zhuiyuan was aware of Wei Zhengdao's personal charisma.

Everyone who had ever interacted with him regarded him as a dazzling presence, like the sun.

As for Wei Zhengdao's lack of emotions, in their eyes, it wasn't a flaw or even a disease, for the sun was naturally supposed to be without feeling.

Li Zhuiyuan pointed at the sculptures ahead and asked, "Do you have a way for me to access them?"

Sun Baishen shook his head: "No. Can you tell me what you intend to do?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "My partners want some things from them."

As they had come in earlier, Li Zhuiyuan noticed his partners constantly eyeing the Dharma artifacts in the True Lords' hands with eager gazes, as well as their armor, clothes, hats, and shoes.

Sun Baishen: "Once the seal is broken, they will regain their freedom, and the grievances accumulated from long years of banishment will pour into their bodies, turning them into demons one by one. Furthermore, I cannot bear the cost of their freedom; it would also break my promise to that being and be detrimental to you."

Sun Baishen's earlier statement about permanent seclusion, spoken in the tone of a "True Bodhisattva," was actually him bargaining on behalf of Li Zhuiyuan.

This was the Bodhisattva's dark history, which had to be permanently hidden and not widely revealed to the public.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Alright, I understand."

It was quite ironic that these True Lords, who had followed the True Bodhisattva in rebellion, were now wished by that very Bodhisattva to be eternally sealed here.

Sun Baishen: "There's something I want to apologize for: your followers—your partners, I infused too much corrupted merit into them."

Li Zhuiyuan: "I can handle it."

Sun Baishen breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good then."

Li Zhuiyuan and Sun Baishen stood for a while longer. They said nothing more, only the occasional sound of waves could be heard from above, a sound that hadn't been present before.

This meant that the sea level would recede, and this place would be completely sealed off.

Sun Baishen spread his arms and said:

"I have no interest whatsoever in the outside world anymore. Before, I thought this place was a new beginning for my life. Now, I regard it as my tomb.

I will remain here, suppressing and sealing them, until I, along with them, step into the final end."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Alright, then goodbye."

Sun Baishen raised his hand, and from his brow on the lotus pedestal, a stream of Buddhist light emerged, transforming into a firefly.

"It will lead you out."

"Understood."

"One last reluctant request."

"Please tell me."

"On your way out, please help me arrange for the proper placement of the Punisher True Lord's remains. The others were my followers, but he was my partner."

All the True Lords actually knew Sun Baishen wasn't a true Bodhisattva, but only Punisher True Lord believed that as long as Sun Baishen was doing what a Bodhisattva should do, then he was a Bodhisattva.

This was why, during the rebellion, Punisher True Lord was willing to stand alone and block all the other True Lords.

"Alright."

"Thank you."

Sun Baishen closed his eyes. Lin Shuyou opened his, yawning. He had given up control of his body for so long that it felt like a short nap.

"Ah You, go help Meng Meng carry Run Sheng and Brother Binbin out. We're leaving this place."

"Okay, Brother Xiaoyuan, ah..."

Lin Shuyou lightly patted his mouth and yawned again, then immediately frowned and whispered, "Boy, you didn't even rinse your mouth."

Led by the firefly, Li Zhuiyuan and the others passed through the vast darkness and entered Universal Salvation True Lord's temple.

Upon reaching this point, the firefly's purpose was served.

Suddenly, the Gu worm from Yin Meng's sleeve flew out and swallowed the firefly in one swift gulp.

Seeing this, Yin Meng immediately panicked, pointing at it and scolding, "How dare you..."

Li Zhuiyuan: "It's alright, let it be if it's swallowed."

Yin Meng: "Brother Xiaoyuan, it's my fault for not disciplining it properly."

Li Zhuiyuan: "It simply couldn't resist the temptation of that firefly. It did very well to restrain itself from swallowing it before we even left the darkness."

Yin Meng: "Thank you, Brother Xiaoyuan."

Yin Meng mistakenly thought Li Zhuiyuan was deliberately excusing her lack of discipline, and she was deeply moved.

Li Zhuiyuan pointed behind him and said, "If you want to thank someone, thank that Bodhisattva."

It was likely because Sun Baishen had witnessed the young girl attempting to drink poison and fight desperately multiple times, only to gain nothing in the end. Feeling pity, he deliberately gave her a small gift at the very end.

This way, everyone in the team benefited this time.

Continuing through the temple, Li Zhuiyuan stopped when he encountered the Punisher True Lord.

The Punisher True Lord's remains were kneeling on the ground.

Li Zhuiyuan first had Lin Shuyou and Yin Meng try to help him up, but they found that his injuries were too severe.

Left with no other choice, Li Zhuiyuan stood behind Punisher True Lord and performed Nuo Opera puppetry.

Punisher True Lord's form was reshaped, and he stood up, majestic and imposing, with stern eyes.

Li Zhuiyuan had him turn around, so that what was facing outward now faced inward, allowing him and Sun Baishen to "meet each other's gaze."

Between the two were the sealed True Lords, as if they were being supervised and punished.

Lin Shuyou and Yin Meng turned to look at each other.

Yin Meng rolled her eyes, signaling him to speak.

Lin Shuyou craned his neck, signaling her to go.

Brother Xiaoyuan had arranged things so meticulously; at this moment, someone who understood the deeper meaning should have stepped forward to comment.

But Tan Wenbin was still unconscious, and neither of them understood the deeper meaning.

Yin Meng even thought that if Run Sheng were still conscious, he might have been able to add a comment, unlike herself and Lin Shuyou, who could only stare blankly at each other.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Let's go."

Yin Meng and Lin Shuyou both breathed sighs of relief.

Thankfully, Brother Xiaoyuan didn't need them to provide emotional commentary.

As they passed the Registrar True Lord's temple, Lin Shuyou picked up a stone basin and explained, "Brother Bin likes this. I'll take it back for him as a souvenir."

After returning to the Gatekeeper True Lord's temple, everyone continued outward, crossed the bridge, and boarded the boat waiting there.

The tide had risen, and the boat wasn't beached.

Yin Meng said to Lin Shuyou, "You drive."

Lin Shuyou: "I've never driven a boat before."

Yin Meng: "Last time you brought back so many gifts, I thought you..."

Lin Shuyou: "I just have channels for acquiring goods. My family temple is quite well-off, with temple property, so I don't need to do this kind of work."

Yin Meng started the engine, familiarized herself with the helm, and then steered the boat out.

As a legitimate heir to the body recovery tradition, she had plenty of experience with boats.

Yin Meng: "Ah You, can you bring me some more cosmetics?"

Lin Shuyou: "I'll have to wait until I get back. I don't know when I'll..."

Mid-sentence, Lin Shuyou paused, then turned to Brother Xiaoyuan, who was sitting in front, and asked:

"Brother Xiaoyuan, from now on, will the Official Generals in my hometown no longer be able to summon the Boy through spirit possession?"

"Yes."

"Then the new medium..."

"It's fine. Those Yin Gods will just find another unfortunate soul to take the spot."

The vertical pupil in Lin Shuyou's eye flickered again.

Li Zhuiyuan: "Unless you sense danger or you're privately with Ah You, don't let me see you randomly flash your vertical pupils."

Lin Shuyou's eyes immediately squeezed shut.

The young man's words were somewhat stern, but he was considering Lin Shuyou's well-being.

The Boy was not as simple as those two vengeful infants. Too frequent appearances and interference in Lin Shuyou's life could easily lead to a confusion between his personality and divine essence.

Previously, the Boy only descended when needed, but now he permanently resided within Lin Shuyou. Therefore, rules had to be established first.

Li Zhuiyuan needed the Boy to deeply understand that he only acknowledged Lin Shuyou, not him.

As if sensing that their boat had departed, Sun Baishen accelerated the sealing process. Seawater began to pour in, and the inclined plane was no longer as high. What previously required a diagonal ascent could now be navigated straight out.

Li Zhuiyuan entered the cabin first.

After a wave of seawater drenched the deck, the boat returned to the initially hazy, dome-like sea surface.

When Li Zhuiyuan emerged from the cabin, a completely soaked Lin Shuyou was removing a sea crab perched on his head.

Yin Meng, also drenched, asked Lin Shuyou curiously, "Why didn't you go into the cabin with Brother Xiaoyuan just now?"

Lin Shuyou: "I thought Brother Xiaoyuan was tired and went into the cabin to rest..."

Yin Meng: "You drive then. I'm going to change into dry clothes."

In reality, the next task required navigating using the millstone in the boat, which Yin Meng didn't understand, so she wanted to pass the hot potato.

She suddenly realized a problem: on the way here, Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin had taken turns driving, meaning Run Sheng also understood the millstone navigation.

"Oh, alright. I just watched, driving a boat isn't actually that difficult," Lin Shuyou confidently took the helm.

Yin Meng immediately headed into the cabin with her backpack.

Lin Shuyou enjoyed the pleasure of driving, then looked around at the hazy sky and the boundless sea, his mouth twitching:

"Brother Xiaoyuan, I should..."

Li Zhuiyuan stood on the deck, engrossed in a book, and answered without looking up:

"Follow the one below."

The one below?

Lin Shuyou looked down at the water beside them and saw the giant dragon-shaped phantom they had encountered on their way here. It was now appearing beneath the boat again.

But unlike its previous back-and-forth movements, this time the phantom was perfectly synchronized with the boat, giving the impression that it was carrying the vessel forward.

Lin Shuyou immediately adjusted the helm according to its guidance.

With his mind calm, he looked up and gazed ahead.

Although the sea was beneath him and the dragon was merely an illusion, he now truly felt as if he were standing on a dragon's back, soaring through the clouds.

His mind instantly broadened, and a strange, wondrous sensation began to brew within him.

Lin Shuyou couldn't help but slowly close his eyes.

Just then, Yin Meng emerged, having changed her clothes. Her black attire highlighted her fair skin even more. Her hair, tied in a ponytail, looked neat and spirited, and the sea breeze billowing her clothes further accentuated her figure.

As soon as Yin Meng stepped out, she saw Lin Shuyou driving the boat with his eyes closed.

"You..."

"He's experiencing an epiphany common among martial artists. Don't disturb him; you drive the boat."

"Oh, alright, Brother Xiaoyuan."

Yin Meng gently pushed Lin Shuyou aside. With his eyes closed, Lin Shuyou walked over and sat down cross-legged, as if sleepwalking.

Watching him, Yin Meng pursed her lips, thinking, *You can even achieve an epiphany while driving a boat? So, out of the entire team, I'm the dumbest one?*

*Sigh.*

Yin Meng felt Run Sheng was right; even if her brain had been poisoned, it seemed to have no impact.

As they were about to exit this dome-shaped sea area, Li Zhuiyuan put down his book, stood up, and performed a peer's bow to the dragon-shaped phantom lingering behind them.

Yin Meng: "Brother Xiaoyuan, why was it following us just now?"

Li Zhuiyuan: "This is a Feng Shui phenomenon, escorting those blessed with karmic merit."

The rest of the journey was a regular return trip, with one small incident: an old man floating on the sea with a lifebuoy was rescued onto their boat.

Lin Shuyou recognized the old man as the one who had brought them to the island. He had charged them several times the boat fare and even cheated them out of a return deposit.

The old man's fishing boat had been overturned by a wave, and he had been floating at sea for a long time. Although he was conscious, his physical condition was not good. However, thanks to timely rescue, his life was not in danger.

After disembarking, Li Zhuiyuan asked Lin Shuyou to take the old man home first.

When Lin Shuyou returned, he was in a truck.

The old man was overdue from his fishing trip and had not returned. Two days prior, there had been another storm at sea, making his family extremely worried, but the vast ocean offered no place to search.

Lin Shuyou carried the old man home. When the old man's younger son, who worked in transport, learned they were returning to Nantong, he volunteered to drive them back.

The old man had made a hefty profit from Ah You on the boat fare, but now, considering the situation, his family would have to spend even more on fuel.

Li Zhuiyuan was no longer surprised by such occurrences.

While the principle of good deeds being rewarded and bad deeds punished often didn't apply, those with karmic merit were an exception. Additionally, since they were under the special attention of the Heavenly Dao, even Bodhisattvas had to show some apprehension.

Since the Heavenly Dao had observed it, it would conveniently settle the karma.

The old man's son asked everyone to call him Yongzi. Unlike his father, he was cheerful and enthusiastic. Moreover, in those times, owning a truck made one quite wealthy in the village.

On the way, as they passed a private service station, despite having just eaten lunch, the enthusiastic Yongzi still invited Lin Shuyou, who had carried his father home, into a restaurant inside, which had "Sisters' Restaurant" on its sign.

Because the Boy was remodeling his body from within, Lin Shuyou's appetite had greatly increased, and his digestion was also faster. Thus, he happily went along for an extra meal.

A short while later, the Boy rushed back.

Yongzi followed back with some embarrassment, apologizing, "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."

As the truck started moving again, Yin Meng curiously asked Lin Shuyou, "Why aren't you eating again?"

Lin Shuyou explained with great difficulty, "Sigh, that's not a proper place to eat."

The first floor was a restaurant where one could eat, but on a row of stools there, several heavily made-up women sat. When taking orders, they would intentionally press against and touch you, encouraging you to choose them.

After you finished your meal upstairs, you could follow them to the second floor for "another kind of meal."

At that time, truck drivers had money and were willing to spend it, thus giving rise to upstream and downstream industries catering to them.

Yin Meng understood what he meant and deliberately played the part of a seasoned individual, asking, "Then why didn't you eat? What's the big deal? Just consider it helping their business. These two are unconscious anyway, and Brother Xiaoyuan wouldn't go, so you could have."

Lin Shuyou: "How can I? How could I..."

Yin Meng: "What's wrong? Are you keeping yourself pure for someone?"

Lin Shuyou: "No, I'm not, how could I? Don't talk nonsense!"

Yin Meng: "Or is it that anyone who performs spirit possession with the White Crane Boy must remain a virgin?"

Lin Shuyou simply turned sideways and began crunching on a compression biscuit.

As the truck entered Nantong and approached the village, Li Zhuiyuan specifically asked Yongzi to take another village road. He planned to settle Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin at Old Hu's place first, keeping them out of Grandfather's sight to avoid worrying him.

Xiong Shan and Lihua were not home. On the courtyard, only Xiao Yingying sat making paper effigies, with Benben lying in her arms, likely hungry, instinctively nudging and smacking his small head.

From a distance, this "Dead Body Raising Child" scene looked quite heartwarming.

Sensing the commotion outside, Xiao Yingying immediately got up, carrying the child, and came over to help settle the injured.

Tan Wenbin was easy to handle; he just needed to be taken to the second-floor bedroom to lie down. As for Run Sheng, a pit would first have to be dug in the peach blossom forest.

Lin Shuyou took a Yellow River shovel and began to dig. Before he could make many scoops, a cold wind swept through, swirling peach blossoms that struck Lin Shuyou, causing a surprising stinging sensation.

Even though he was now the White Crane True Lord, neither Lin Shuyou nor the White Crane Boy dared to offend this presence. Ah You could only drop the shovel, cover his head, and scramble back, looking disheveled.

Clearly, the being beneath the peach blossom forest disliked such unannounced intrusions.

At the very least, an altar should be set up and paper offerings burned to consult its opinion, then an invitation and plea made before it would consider consenting.

Li Zhuiyuan had just finished settling Tan Wenbin upstairs and came down to the courtyard, where he saw the situation in the peach blossom forest ahead.

Li Zhuiyuan had long accumulated extensive experience in how to placate this Peach Blossom Immortal.

Immediately, the young man spoke directly:

"Stop messing around, Qing An."

In an instant, the entire peach blossom forest fell into a deathly silence.

The next moment,

A fierce wind suddenly rose, scattering peach blossoms everywhere!