Chapter 685

Chapter 685: A Sudden Crisis

At the center of the Kasyapa Buddhist nation stood a magnificent Grand Hall radiating brilliant light. A handsome monk sat on a lotus seat, chanting scriptures with a dignified presence, exuding strong Buddhist power.

The monks and faithful gathered below listened, entranced, as if each verse was a guiding light on their life journey, illuminating the dark and leading them to the other shore.

Suddenly, the handsome monk said, “Today’s morning class ends here. You all must return and practice diligently, striving to attain enlightenment and meet the True Buddha.”

“Yes!” The group of monks found it strange since the revered master typically continued chanting until reaching the level of the blossoming golden lotus. Today’s early end left them feeling confused.

Once the monks had left, the handsome monk, under the amazed gaze of Flower Lotus Master, began to gather the numerous Buddha Treasures in the hall, preparing to make his escape.

“Brother, you…”

At that moment, a voice called from outside the hall: “He fears I will loot the Buddhist nation, but to be honest, I lack some fortune; with just a bit more effort, I could raise another Mount Tai.”

“It’s Senior Brother Li Hui!” Flower Lotus Master exclaimed joyfully.

“Blast it! Don’t come here! If you dare to touch my treasures, the poor monk will not let you off easily,” the handsome monk raised his hand and unleashed dozens of Buddha Treasures, erecting a treasure banner to block others from entering the Grand Hall—except for Li Hui.

In an instant, two figures slowly descended, landing neatly on the lotus seat.

Li Hui smiled, saying, “Your origins are ultimately with me. Even if we sever ties completely, I am still half a master of the Buddhist nation, and it is improper for Qianyun to witness such a spectacle.”

The Flower Lotus Master chanting scriptures alongside the handsome monk was Mu Qianyun, who gracefully bowed and said, “Welcome, Senior Brother! I…”

At that moment, Mu Qianyun’s gaze fell upon Yang Jiuzhen, and countless thoughts flooded her mind like a thunderclap. Memories of her life from birth to her youthful years, to marrying into a royal house, and eventually meeting Li Hui and embarking on her path of cultivation shimmered before her like a dream, intertwined with various similarities and differences, as light and shadow danced.

Yang Jiuzhen nodded and pressed her fingers to Mu Qianyun’s forehead, instantly manifesting a beautiful legal form.

At first, this form was only three feet tall, resembling Ouyang Xiao Yi’s figure. It quickly transformed into that of Bai Xiaolu while expanding to three zhang high. Finally, it took a step forward, standing behind Yang Jiuzhen and changing to her form, exuding a serene and calm demeanor.

Mu Qianyun was astonished, feeling as if she had lost a significant part of her essence, and her heart began to comprehend the past and its connections.

Yang Jiuzhen thanked her earnestly: “Thank you, Dao Friend Mu, for assisting me. When I was reborn, a sliver of my wandering soul scattered, forming a bond with you as if we were twin sisters, born together, playing together, practicing our writing together, and cultivating together. This piece of wandering soul stood behind you, slowly growing; now it is time for us to separate, sister!”

“You and I…” Mu Qianyun grasped Yang Jiuzhen’s hand, weeping, “I know, I always knew. It felt like having a family member by my side, always encouraging me during my hardships. I really have a twin sister who has accompanied me for so long.”

Yang Jiuzhen, feeling the same, shed tears as well, and soon the two women embraced and cried together.

Li Hui chuckled, “You should be happy! I prepared some arrangements in advance; Qianyun’s parents and family have been guided and are not lost in the world but have entered a sect in Daliang Kingdom to cultivate. By coincidence, they later arrived in the Daxia era and opened an inn in Turtle Longevity City.”

“My father, my mother, and my younger brother!” Mu Qianyun exclaimed joyfully.

“Not just your father and mother; many from the Mu family are there and can quickly reunite. Moreover, my parents also reside in Turtle Longevity City, living peacefully and joyfully, right next to the Mu family. However, they lost me during a plague in our homeland and didn’t give me a younger sibling. It’s unfortunate that all these years have passed without a brother or sister to add.” Li Hui said casually, “Making arrangements hundreds of years in advance certainly has its advantages, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I should go meet my parents-in-law!” Yang Jiuzhen’s cheeks flushed at the thought.

“Not yet; we must quickly suppress your two other legal forms. They embody the Extreme Love Path and the Heartless Path, and who knows what absurd things they might do! So, let Qianyun go ahead first while we hurry to find my sister-in-law.”

“Okay, I will head to Turtle Longevity City to pave the way for you.” Mu Qianyun tightened her clothing’s edge, filled with excitement about reuniting with her family as years of longing surged forth uncontrollably.

Li Hui took Yang Jiuzhen’s hand and said, “The Jieyin is quite formidable; he actually caused Brother Hongmo Zheng to become a monk and rapidly practice facing the wall. What exactly do you intend to do? Or what does your Law Destruction Temple aim to accomplish? Spending such vast power to transform a True Demon; you can’t honestly say you’re just bored.”

Jieyin pressed his palms together and replied, “Infinite Light King Buddha… my brother can be both a True Demon and a True Buddha, possessing profound Buddha nature; he is the prime candidate to be the second leader of the Buddhist nation. But since I entered the door first, and he entered afterward, it seems I’ll have to be called ‘Senior Brother’ now, hahaha!”

“Humph! Once he emerges from seclusion, stand aside; I want to treat him to a drink.” Li Hui’s voice quickly faded away as he and Yang Jiuzhen crossed mountains and rivers in an instant.

When the two landed in the mountains, they saw Ji Mengxue waiting in front of a small courtyard, seemingly anticipating their arrival, holding a swaddled infant.

“Eh?”

Li Hui was taken aback, looking at Ji Mengxue with grave concern and asking, “What are you doing? Why do I feel a blood connection with this baby?”

“Hehehe!” Ji Mengxue giggled, saying, “You’re late by several days, my husband. I didn’t want to lose my identity by merging back, so I took this desperate measure, giving birth to our child through our union. Look at how well-formed he is, with eyes like mine, and his features resembling yours. He is our blood!”

Li Hui’s eyes gleamed with divine light as he swept over Ji Mengxue, snorting coldly, “Don’t deceive me! Sister-in-law is still pure, but…”

“But this child is not from this era. How many outer domain demons have you sacrificed? How can you sneak into the future and take our child with Jiuzhen?”

Ji Mengxue became furious, saying, “What do you mean ‘you and Jiuzhen’? I am a love demon. If you want this child to live, you must obediently let me become the main consciousness. Only I can ensure eternal love with my husband; all other legal forms must stand aside! Once I break through my memory shackles, I know this is the way to go.”

“Boom…” Yang Jiuzhen acted.

A mother’s strength emerged. When she saw the child in the love demon’s arms, her feelings were a thousand times stronger than Li Hui’s. She had sensed the situation long before, secretly gathering her strength and preparing to act, waiting for the right moment to fight for her child.

“Bang, bang, bang…” Fists and feet collided, and the love demon shouted, “You nasty woman, what are you doing? He is our child!”

“Come out!” Yang Jiuzhen forcefully gripped, pulling out large amounts of light and shadow from Ji Mengxue. This was originally her legal form; unwilling to lose herself, she was making a final struggle.

Suddenly, Ji Mengxue’s eyes filled with coldness, and her Heartless Path legal form took the lead, instantly striking down the child in her arms.

Li Hui moved at lightning speed, but after a cacophony of sounds, he was knocked back dozen steps. He saw a glimmer of light pierce the infant’s chest. At that moment, intricate demonic patterns appeared on Yang Jiuzhen’s forehead, and Li Hui shouted in his heart, “This is bad!”