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

Chapter 1016: Chapter 1017: The Senior Brother of the Second Peak Has Returned
 

“Seeing through but not exposing, my dear disciple, your cultivation still has room for improvement,” Li Xiaobai said lightly.

Fu Tiantian suddenly fell silent, “If the master and the senior were caught in an embarrassing alliance by others, wouldn’t there be only one way out—death? In the future, the Sword Sect will be plunged into chaos.”

“What nonsense, what does ’embarrassing alliance’ mean? This is a union of strengths!” Li Xiaobai rebuked angrily. This little disciple’s mouth was a bit too poisonous. Although he looked cute and obedient, he couldn’t be so scheming.

“What’s this ‘plunged into chaos’? What can a few Semi-Saints do to me?”

“In the Western Continent, this Buddhist Disciple also commanded the faith of over ten thousand followers. Even the Saint Realm powerhouse Wuyuzi has to address me respectfully as Buddhist Disciple when he sees me. How can I be compared to dogs and chickens!” Ergouzi said discontentedly.

“Hehe, I am the noble Undying Phoenix, certainly not something to be mentioned in the same breath as common chickens and dogs,” Ji Wuqing retorted sarcastically, perched on the baby’s shoulder, eyes full of provocation towards Ergouzi.

“Li Xiaobai, is this your newly accepted disciple?” an old beggar asked with surprise in his eyes.

“Yes, these are two disciples I took in on the Immortal Spirit Continent. Seeing them homeless, I took them under my wing. It turns out that each had their own fortuitous encounters and began to show their uniqueness at a young age. It is quite the opportunity—unburdening and encouraging,” Li Xiaobai nodded and briefly recounted how he had taken disciples on the Immortal Spirit Continent.

“Elder, my name is Fu Tiantian, and this is my brother, Ma Chong, Ma Niubi!” Fu Tiantian said, pulling over the baby.

“Hmm, that name is pretty awesome.”

“I used to think that if I had children in the future, I would name them Hao Shuai, so people would call me ‘Hao Shuai’s father.’ I thought this name was quite unique, but I didn’t expect to meet someone who would directly name their child ‘Awesome.’ This name is really something. In the future, he’s bound to be a fierce general!”

“The one who came up with this name is truly a genius!” the old beggar said while stroking his mustache and circling around the baby, clicking his tongue in wonder.

“Are these two also the ones you rescued from the Buddhist Sect?” the old beggar seemed to suddenly recall something and asked.

“That’s not the case, they are cultivators born and raised on the Immortal Spirit Continent,” Li Xiaobai explained.

“Earlier in the hall, was what you said about the new Buddhist methods true? Is the Buddhist Sect really planning to use children as experimental subjects to explore new methods, and they are even close to success?” the old beggar asked.

“This incident, I personally witnessed,” Liu Jinshui said gravely. “All along the way, these hundred children have shown more or less their extraordinary aspects. Whenever they encounter majestic sceneries, they resonate with the heaven and earth and gain some enlightenment. Although they can’t yet control and utilize this power, it’s terrifying how solid their foundations are within them.”

Li Xiaobai looked at the hundred children, whose intellects were now awakened. Bathed in the Power of Faith of the Buddhist Sect, redeemed by Huazi, and soaked daily in Tangneng First-class, they had already transformed into unique beings.

Perhaps, compared to the Buddhist Sect’s method of treating children like slaves, these children were more spiritual, closer to completeness, and more apt at understanding the nature of the world while retaining an innocent heart.

“If that’s truly the case, the Buddhist Sect must be plotting something big,” Liu Jinshui continued with urgency. “The major powers will likely not sit by and watch idly. I wondered how you could reveal such a sensitive matter so freely, but it appears you’ve played this card.”

“By exposing the Buddhist Sect’s appalling actions, we turn them into the common enemy of various Sects and stoke the public outrage of the major forces in the Central Origin Realm. Those monks will be too preoccupied to bother with you.”

The old beggar nodded repeatedly in agreement.

“Indeed, as the saying goes, ‘One who does evil cannot live.’ The methods of the Buddhist Sect are truly heartless and mad. If allowed to succeed, they would cultivate numerous infants en masse, and countless families would fall prey to their poison. For both the public and private interests, it is better to quickly nip this in the bud.”

With a solemn expression, Li Xiaobai said, “This is not just for myself but for the many people living under the protection of the Buddha Country. After all, from the day they are born, they are indoctrinated with the Power of Faith, and growing up, they would only become complete tools.”

They might understand Cultivation Techniques and secret arts, but more likely, they’d be numb and foolishly loyal, losing the spirituality that makes them human, becoming nothing but walking corpses.

“This matter indeed deserves the attention of various Sects, and this move will indeed cause them considerable trouble,” Liu Jinshui said

“Hunted within the borders of the Buddha Country, even imprisoned in the Buddhist Pagoda, this could also be considered as settling a debt in advance!”

“Once they become the common enemy of the major Sect forces in the Central Origin Realm, even if the Buddhist Sect has a long and profound history, they’ll only have one fate—to collapse and perish.”

Liu Jinshui nodded frequently, admiring the shrewd move his Junior Disciple had made in the Sect Master Hall. Not only had he secured a high return, but he also pulled enormous hatred towards the Buddhist Sect.

“It won’t be long before our return to the Central Origin Realm is heard by the Buddhist Sect, but with many Super Sects as a restraining force, I don’t think they’ll dare to make much of a move,” Li Xiaobai said, slowing down.

“The priority is still to improve strength. Only the strong can seek survival in this chaotic world. I plan to make a trip to the Northern Continent,” Li Xiaobai said slowly.

“It is indeed time to go. With your current strength, even when facing some of the Elders of renowned Sects, there’s nothing to fear. Retrieve your younger sister and have a reunion,” Liu Jinshui said with a nod.

“I too think it’s time,” the old beggar interjected, his eyes glittering. “In the path of cultivation, any reliance on external objects is a shortcut, but only true personal strength can confront various unknown dangers and trials. The Northern Continent is an excellent place. On one hand, it can temper the heart and the body; on the other hand, you can seek out Long Xue and pursue happiness in the company of fish and water. Just thinking about it is exciting.”

“The journey is fraught with danger and obstacles; it’s long and hard. I won’t keep you any longer, my friend Li. You should set off quickly. Take Ergouzi and Ji Wuqing with you; they will be your assets.”

“And you, as Brother Li’s Elder Brother, how can you just watch him face danger alone? You go with him. Don’t worry, with me guarding the Sword Sect, everything will be secure!”

The old beggar was very proactive, tossing a chicken and a dog into Li Xiaobai’s arms as he spoke.

“Elder, are you thinking that if I set off now, the ten billion top-grade Immortal Stones to be collected in three days will all be yours?” Li Xiaobai asked indifferently.

“How could that be,” the old beggar said hastily. “Li Xiaobai, I have been toiling for the Sword Sect, working tirelessly. I didn’t expect you to see me in this light. My fragile heart is hurt, and I need one billion top-grade Immortal Stones for treatment. We’ll deduct them from the resources to be collected in three days!”

The old beggar mumbled a few words, his avaricious intentions clear.

Liu Jinshui was speechless; the old man’s motives were so easy to guess. Always proactive when it came to money, Ergouzi and Ji Wuqing were about to speak in anger when the door suddenly flung open, and Xu Yuan ran in, looking panicked.

“It’s bad, Brother Li, the First Elder Brother of the Second Peak is back!”