I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 1012: Chapter 113: Each Harboring Their Own Thoughts
 

“Hiss!”

Upon hearing these words, Ying Diao involuntarily inhaled a cold breath. Could he have heard wrong? Did these experts from renowned sects really make such a request?

Not only did they not pursue Li Xiaobai for kidnapping disciples from various sects, but they were also actively encouraging their disciples to stay and continue their cultivation?

“Why would esteemed fellow Daoists do this?”

“Sword Sect is merely a tiny place, incomparable to your Super Sects!”

Ying Diao said with slightly furrowed brows.

“Haha, Sect Master Ying, you’re being modest again. Even I am envious of your sect’s cultivation resources. If it weren’t for maintaining our status and dignity, all of us would have loved to come and cultivate at Sword Sect!”

Xu Fu chuckled as he patted his round belly.

“Indeed, Sect Master Ying, since we are here, we have obviously toured your sect. My daughter, Meng Yao, only cultivated here for one or two months, but her foundation has doubled in strength, and her cultivation level has conveniently reached the Earth Immortal Realm. This achievement cannot be separated from Sword Sect’s contributions!”

A middle-aged woman with a still-charming demeanor covered her face and laughed softly. She was the mother of Wu Mengyao, a former Human Immortal realm genius, visibly overjoyed by the rapid progress in her daughter’s cultivation.

“Yes, the quality shops and Tangneng First-class bathhouse of Sword Sect are unique and exceptional. Once tried, one can’t help but long to return. If it weren’t for the need to report back, we’d love to stay here for good and cultivate extensively!”

“Not just that, what I admire most is the number-one check-in spot of the Second Peak, the latrine!”

“Disciples enter the latrines every morning to labor. It not only sharpens their temperament but also creates wealth and resources for the mortal world. The meritorious deeds are boundless, and what’s crucial is that your sect’s latrines treat everyone equally, not giving any special privileges due to our disciples’ statuses. When it’s time to scoop, there is no hesitation, and the delicateness familiar in large family descendants is completely gone!”

“This is indeed a blessing for cultivators!”

The other Semi-Saints nodded frequently, speaking highly of the various measures at Sword Sect’s Second Peak. Initially, they might have been annoyed by the sight of their disciples reeking of mud and stench, but they soon realized underneath that filthy façade, the young geniuses’ demeanor grew increasingly steady and mature. The previously haughty airs from the Super Sects were completely shed, shaping them into cultivators capable of standing on their own.

You must understand, the Cultivation World is filled with countless crises, and if one’s temperament and cultivation level are not sufficient, they’d instantly fall as others’ prey. This has always been a major headache for the Super Sects since geniuses are usually coddled with privileges, and even frequent preaching by elders hardly changes anything.

But now, it was different. Just a mere dung pit on the Second Peak had perfectly addressed their greatest concern.

With the help of the quality shops and Tangneng First-class bathhouse, both temperament and strength improved tremendously; one couldn’t help but become stronger.

Li Xiaobai watched indifferently; this outcome did not surprise him.

After all, both the bathhouse and Huazi were provided by the System. Not just these Semi-Saints, even real Saint Realm experts would find it compelling and hard to leave.

Of course, the old beggar played an important role here. Without his impersonation of Senior Xiao Lao Di, these prominent families would not be sitting down discussing so peacefully. They would probably have used this as an excuse to execute Sword Sect outright to divide the resources of Huazi and the bathhouse.

It must be said, Senior Xiao Lao Di’s role as a shield was truly effective.

“So it is, esteemed seniors have praised too much. Sword Sect does have some resources, but they are just minor, hardly comparable to the profound foundations of Super Sects.”

Ying Diao modestly stated.

“If resources are meant to nurture successors, but when it comes to sect disciples, I don’t think there’s a genius today in the Central Origin Realm who can match Sect Master Li. Young as he is, he has stirred up many storms. I heard that Sect Master Li not only ventured unharmed back and forth in the Buddha Country but also managed to depart smoothly with a flick of his sleeves. We couldn’t match this strength in our younger days!

One of the Semi-Saints sipped his tea, then deftly shifted the focus to Li Xiaobai, who had been more of an observer.

“It was an inadvertent discovery of some secrets in the Buddha Country that led to him being treated as an enemy; to be honest, it was more of a misunderstanding!”

Li Xiaobai waved his hand and said casually.

“Oh? Secrets of the Buddha Country? It must be something highly confidential, otherwise, the current Abbot of the Great Thunderclap Temple wouldn’t issue a widespread decree with a astronomical reward for capturing Sect Master Li!”

“Buddha Country’s hefty reward!”

Ying Diao clearly hadn’t received any news related to this, and a hint of shock surfaced on his stolid face. He was, of course, well aware of what the Buddha Country represented—it almost had the final say in the entire Western Continent!

Li Xiaobai had indeed visited the Western Continent just a few days ago, but in just a matter of days, he was already warranted by the Buddha Country?

“The Eastern Continent and the Western Continent are separated by the sea, plus the inherent delay in news transmission is normal. Our major families have agents stationed in the Western Continent, which is not a secret, so any news is promptly obtained.”

The still-charming woman said.

Xu Fu said with a faint smile, “I wonder what the secret is. Sect Master Li, feel free to share. After all, a secret stops being a secret once it’s disclosed, and Master Wuyuzi wouldn’t need to exert much effort against the Sect Master then.”

“That’s right, knowing a secret is a sin when one person knows it, but if everyone knows, it doesn’t count as a sin. Maybe we can even offer some advice for Sect Master Li!”

The assembly spoke in unison, marking the second objective of their visit to the Eastern Continent. Being warranted by the Buddha Country must have a significant reason; they were eager to understand the circumstances and uncover this secret.

Watching the crowd slowly reveal their fierce intentions, Ying Diao’s eyebrows furrowed slightly; although these people appeared amicable, it was only under the premise that everyone had good things to say. If one didn’t play along, things might not be so pleasant.

“Humph!”

“What is all this noise about, asking questions left and right as soon as you arrive? Don’t you have any respect for me?”

“I too have been to the Western Desert and have seen many secrets. Why don’t you ask me?”

The old beggar slammed the table and interrupted everyone’s pressing questions with a fierce shout.

“Uh, junior dare not!”

“Senior’s abilities are unparalleled and legendary. Naturally, you went to Buddha Country to exchange Buddhist Law with the high monks. I heard that Senior overwhelmingly defeated the silent monk Wuyan, with unmatched combat prowess unparalleled in the world!”

Shouted in this way by the old beggar, everyone suddenly woke up; they had been too hasty and had forgotten the presence of the other party.

With such a formidable figure sitting beside them, how could they possibly use their power to pry information?

“It’s good that you know.”

The old beggar coldly uttered a sentence.

Then he muttered softly, “Am I really that formidable?”

He was sitting next to Li Xiaobai, who had a grim expression. This old man was indeed bluffing; he didn’t even know that Xiao Lao Di had gone to the Western Continent. This fellow truly had a knack for boasting.

“Actually, it’s nothing significant, just a piece of news. Speaking out wouldn’t harm me but would only benefit me.”

Li Xiaobai waved his hand, watching the people in front with his eyes darting around, scheming.

He knew that these people were only intimidated by the might of Xiao Lao Di, but deep down, they were determined to achieve their purpose. Therefore, why not use this chance to apply some pressure to Buddha Country by leveraging these Super Sects.

“Oh? What news might that be?”

“We are eager to hear the details!”

Upon hearing this, the ten Semi-Saints immediately perked up. They thought that with the old beggar present, they wouldn’t be able to find out anything today, but unexpectedly, there was a chance for unexpected gains. This young man was admirable for his perceptiveness!

“Since the esteemed seniors wish to hear, let us discuss.”

“Do the esteemed seniors perhaps know some ancient secrets from a thousand years ago?”

Li Xiaobai sipped his tea lightly and spoke faintly.

“Is Sect Master Li referring to that era when geniuses perished one after another? To my knowledge, a thousand years ago, there was a glorious age with many outstanding talents competing against one another. But suddenly, in one night, they all vanished without a trace, as though they had never existed in this world. Could this be related to the Buddhist Sect?”

Hearing Li Xiaobai’s question, Xu Fu cooperatively spoke. To pry secrets from him, they naturally had to share what they knew in exchange. However, just from this question, it suggested that this young man likely already knew about it.

“Senior Xu spoke correctly, but do the seniors also know what the masters from the various sects have been doing since?”

Li Xiaobai smiled slightly and continued speaking.

“This…”

“Please, Sect Master, enlighten us.”

The Semi-Saints looked at each other, each having an answer in mind, but they dared not speak directly. This was a real secret, recorded on scrolls passed down generationally within their respective sects, known in full only by successive Sect Masters. Even they had knowledge of only fragments.

“It’s no trouble to tell you. Since then, the various sects have been earnestly researching a brand new cultivation method. While the specific reason is unclear, all these masters without exception have been studying this new cultivation system.”

“And this situation has continued to this day.”

Li Xiaobai glanced around at everyone and spoke.

“Does Sect Master Li mean that the Buddhist Sect has mastered a new cultivation method?”

A few of them grew excited, the news matching what was recorded in the ancient texts within their own sects, which proved that what the other party said was true.

Both Ying Diao and the old beggar also pricked up their ears, filled with doubt; this was a monumental secret, so why could Li Xiaobai disclose it so freely?

“It’s both yes and no.”

“The Buddhist Sect is indeed researching a new cultivation method, but they’ve only succeeded halfway.”

Li Xiaobai said with a light smile.

“What does that mean?”

“Why say they’ve only succeeded halfway?”

Xu Fu frowned, somewhat impatient.

Li Xiaobai leisurely explained, “Because the Buddhist Sect has only found a way to obtain the new cultivation system, they haven’t truly mastered the method of cultivation. However, if they are allowed to continue developing, discovering the new method is just a matter of time.”