Chapter 948: Becoming a Buddha Instantly

Jiang Fan's face hardened with murderous intent. "White Horse Temple!"

He took out a jade talisman, ignited it with the trace of spiritual energy he had just managed to gather, and hurled it with all his might.

However, the Nascent Soul's strike hit the golden Buddha light and vanished like a mud ox sinking into the sea. It couldn't harm the Heavenly Demon Emperor in the slightest.

"Hahaha!"

"You poor wretches, all your efforts were in vain!"

"Although I, Cang Qiong, have been defeated, I can still go on to become a Buddha, hahaha!"

The laughter faded into the distance, leaving everyone seething with indignation.

No one had expected that when the Dharma Seal Vajra visited the Demon Emperor's court that day, he had not only intended to convert Jiang Fan but also made such an agreement with the Heavenly Demon Emperor. The Heavenly Demon Emperor had agreed to be converted into a Buddhist mount, promising to receive the Dharma Seal Vajra's protection during his most perilous moments.

Watching him depart, everyone felt helpless.

Jiang Fan clenched his fists even tighter. If he still had the strength to activate the Hook of Judgment again, he wouldn't believe that the Dharma Seal Vajra's illusion could still protect the Heavenly Demon Emperor.

"Damn it!" Once the Heavenly Demon Emperor entered Buddhism, killing him would be harder than ascending to heaven. Given the domineering nature of the White Horse Temple's cultivators, even a visit to seek an explanation would be a one-way trip, let alone seeking revenge.

The Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets was also deeply frustrated, saying, "Our efforts have been in vain. Fortunately, once Cang Qiong enters Buddhism, he won't be able to return to the continent. This continent can finally fully recover its peace."

Jiang Fan felt an overwhelming sense of oppression. Fu Chaojun's blood-stained zither was still in his spatial storage device. On Mount Jie, the fallen members of the Nine Sects still lay quietly in their graves. How could the Heavenly Demon Emperor, who caused all of this, become a Buddha? How could he!

The Heavenly Demon Emperor must die! Even if he entered Buddhism, Jiang Fan would fight his way in and slay him to avenge everyone!

But he had to wait until he recovered. Give him half a day to fully recover, and he would go to Taicang Prefecture and ascend White Horse Temple!

"Is everyone alright?" He forced himself to calm down and surveyed the crowd.

Consort Yunxia shook her head slightly. "We are all fine, but..." She helped Jiang Fan turn around.

Jiang Fan looked, and his pupils contracted. Ling Shu, dressed in a blue skirt, knelt on the ground, cradling a head. Tears silently streamed from her eyes.

"This... this is?" Jiang Fan had a bad premonition.

Consort Yunxia lowered her head, her voice filled with sorrow. "The Heavenly Demon Emperor killed all of Ling Shu's family. All one hundred and fifty-eight of them."

How could that be? Jiang Fan looked towards Han Feidao. Han Feidao had clearly stated that he had already relocated Ling Shu's clan members in advance. Why would her clan still be annihilated?

Han Feidao also showed a surprised expression. "I did indeed move them. Devouring Tiger Demon King, where did you find their family members? Where is the Devouring Tiger Demon King?"

Only then did everyone realize that the Devouring Tiger Demon King had vanished without a trace at some point. But that was no longer important.

Jiang Fan staggered towards Ling Shu, unsure of what to say. Her entire clan annihilated—what a devastating blow!

When Li Qingfeng died, Jiang Fan was deeply saddened and took a long time to recover. How much more devastating would it be for one's own clan, biological parents, and siblings?

"Ling Shu..." Jiang Fan crouched down and gently held her frail shoulders.

Ling Shu slowly raised her head, her face covered in tear stains. "Brother Jiang Fan. My father is dead, my mother is dead, my younger brother is dead, all my clan members are dead..."

Jiang Fan, his heart aching, embraced her. He couldn't find any words to offer comfort.

Ling Shu leaned on Jiang Fan's shoulder, but her grief only deepened as she cried: "Brother Jiang Fan. If I had obeyed and married the Demon Emperor, would they not have died? I caused their deaths, didn't I?"

"Cough, cough..." She suddenly started coughing. Blood mixed with fragments of flesh stained Jiang Fan's body.

Jiang Fan's expression changed slightly as he finally realized she was severely injured. He quickly took out a Rejuvenation Pill and offered it to her. But she refused, taking the Rejuvenation Pill from Jiang Fan's hand but not consuming it. Tears streamed from her eyes, unending.

"I harmed them, it's my fault, it's all my mistake."

"Cough, cough... cough, cough..."

Her injuries grew increasingly severe.

Jiang Fan anxiously said, "Take the elixir first, otherwise your life will be in danger."

Ling Shu shook her head slightly, crying, "Everyone is dead, I caused all their deaths... Only I am left."

The intention to die had already taken root in her heart. She no longer wished to linger in the mortal world.

Jiang Fan's heart ached. He gripped her shoulders and gently shook her. "You still have me! You still have me! I promised to take you to the Northern Frontier, don't you want to go?"

He could only try every means to instill in Ling Shu a stronger will to live.

Ling Shu's tears fell like rain. After a long pause, she nodded and whispered: "Okay, to the Northern Frontier. Brother Jiang Fan, take me there."

Jiang Fan nodded repeatedly. "Then first, take the Rejuvenation Pill."

Ling Shu looked at the Rejuvenation Pill in her palm, hesitated for a moment, then put it into her mouth.

Jiang Fan's anxious heart finally eased.

He no longer hesitated and took out the Nine Dragon Bronze Chariot. Although the dragon souls had dispersed, it could still be driven. He didn't hesitate to expend a conch shell's worth of Water Essence to activate it, carrying Ling Shu away.

The Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets, worried, wanted to follow. Consort Yunxia, however, had moist eyes and softly said, "Let Sir Jiang accompany her on her final journey." A Rejuvenation Pill could heal any physical injury, but it couldn't save a heart that had given up on life.

The journey to the Northern Frontier was long. Jiang Fan leaned against the carriage wall, using the little strength he had just recovered to hold Ling Shu tightly in his embrace.

She leaned on Jiang Fan's shoulder. She had stopped crying.

"Brother, does my bridal attire today look good?" Ling Shu raised her red sleeve.

Jiang Fan looked down, his emotions complex. "It's very beautiful, it suits you well."

Ling Shu weakly curved her lips into a faint smile. Her hands gently wrapped around Jiang Fan's waist, and her cheek rested against his chest as she said: "I knew Brother would like it. Because I had it tailored in the style of Consort Yunxia's attire."

Jiang Fan was slightly stunned. "Why?"

A flicker of spirit returned to Ling Shu's dim eyes as she said, "Because Brother likes Consort Yunxia, of course. So, if Ling Shu wears the same clothes, Brother should like it too, right?"

Jiang Fan asked in surprise, "When did you know?"

Ling Shu said, "When you were being chased by the Demon Emperor, and Consort Yunxia went after you alone. For a serene immortal like Consort Yunxia to throw herself into such danger, she must have fallen for you, fallen into the mortal world. And how could someone as gentle as Brother disappoint her love?"

Jiang Fan fell silent. It turned out that Ling Shu had seen everything. No wonder Han Feidao said she was the demon most similar to Consort Yunxia.

"I envy Consort Yunxia so much... cough, cough..." Ling Shu slowly closed her eyes. "To be loved by Brother, and in the future, to wear a red bridal dress and marry Brother. You can watch the snow together and grow old together in the mortal world. You can paint sunsets hand in hand and journey through the rest of your lives together. You can... cough, cough..."