Wei Yuan nodded with a smile and spoke in a gentle tone:

“Please, Arhat Du’e, join me in the carriage for tea.”

This strange invitation made Arhat Du’e furrow his brows. He scrutinized Wei Yuan for a moment, then glanced at Kou Yangzhou, who was acting as the carriage driver, before saying expressionlessly:

“I came here to kill.”

“To kill?” Wei Yuan nodded first, then asked in return:

“Is Arhat Du’e here to kill me, or Kou Yangzhou, or perhaps the countless innocent civilians in the capital behind me?”

Arhat Du’e spoke slowly:

“Whoever stands in my way, I will kill them.”

His journey eastward was meant to defeat the powerful cultivators of Great Feng, creating an advantage for the Witch God Sect’s assault on the capital, while pulling the rug from under the feet of Great Feng’s cultivators who were attacking Arantha.

As for who he would kill, that hadn’t been specifically determined.

“No matter, no matter,” Wei Yuan waved his hand with a smile. “Regardless of whom you intend to kill, it shouldn’t prevent us from having tea. Senior Kou, please withdraw a hundred zhang. Don’t concern yourself with me.”

Kou Yangzhou wasn’t Wei Yuan’s subordinate. Hearing this, he nodded:

“Don’t blame me if you get killed.”

He rose with the wind, indeed retreating a hundred zhang.

Wei Yuan turned back to the carriage, stopped beside it, and looked back with a smile, extending the invitation once more:

“Arhat Du’e, please!”

With that said, he boarded the carriage and entered the compartment.

After a moment’s hesitation, Du’e gazed at the distant Kou Yangzhou, and this time didn’t refuse, following Wei Yuan into the carriage compartment.

If Kou Yangzhou hadn’t withdrawn, he truly wouldn’t have dared enter the carriage—being in close quarters with a martial artist would only result in death.

Inside the spacious and luxurious compartment sat a long tea table and two large chairs covered in tiger skin. Wei Yuan sat on the inner side, his left hand holding down his right sleeve while his right hand lifted the teapot, pouring clear, bright yellow tea into the cups as steam rose gently.

“Premium fragrant tea grown by the Flower Deity—something you can’t find in the Western Regions,” Wei Yuan pushed one of the cups toward the elderly monk, smiling as he said:

“Please, have a taste.”

Arhat Du’e inhaled the tea fragrance that filled the carriage, lifted the cup, and took a sip, his expression showing slight surprise.

Without exaggeration, this was the finest tea he had ever tasted in his life.

The experience on his taste buds was secondary—this tea could nourish the body and relieve fatigue. For ordinary people, it would be practically a divine medicine for extending life.

Arhat Du’e had no need for life extension, but purely as a tea-drinking experience, it was indeed excellent.

Perhaps softened by the hospitality, Arhat Du’e took the initiative to raise a topic, saying in a deep voice:

“Killing you right now would be as easy as turning my palm.”

No matter how fast Kou Yangzhou might be, he couldn’t protect Wei Yuan at this moment.

Wei Yuan smiled, “I’m already a useless man, what value is there in killing me?”

Du’e replied indifferently:

“For a military god of your generation, true terror lies not in cultivation level.”

Wei Yuan continued smiling and asked in return:

“Does Arhat Du’e believe that future trends will still be determined by battles involving millions of soldiers?”

Du’e remained silent, quietly watching him, waiting for Wei Yuan’s further explanation.

The green-robed man with frost at his temples sighed:

“Haven’t you noticed? The situation in the Nine Provinces is completely different from twenty years ago. The various supreme experts are about to break free from their constraints, and in the realm of the extraordinary, the number of masters has surged. We have rising stars like Liu Qi’an, Her Majesty Huaiqing, and Heroine Feiyan.”

“We have those who have accumulated strength over time, like Kou Yangzhou and Asura. There’s also Shenshu, who is about to reconstruct his physical body, and the returning demon-god ‘Huang’ from overseas.”

“I can guarantee that in future battlefields, cultivators will be the main characters.”

Arhat Du’e didn’t express an opinion, saying flatly:

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“Wei came to personally welcome Arhat Du’e because I wanted to discuss a business proposition with you,” Wei Yuan smiled.

“Business?”

Wei Yuan nodded, “I heard from Asura that you wish to promote Mahayana Buddhism, actively preaching throughout the Western Regions, but Bodhisattva Guangxian shows little interest. Moreover, Garodruma has already made his stance clear, holding existing Buddhist doctrines as supreme and not allowing the promotion of Mahayana Buddhism.”

Arhat Du’e understood and gave a cold laugh:

“You want to use this to buy me off, make me betray Buddhism, and turn to the Central Plains?”

The more he thought about it, the more laughable it seemed, and he said flatly:

“Bodhisattva Garodruma indeed opposes Mahayana Buddhism, but since the end of the Central Plains war, I have been spreading Mahayana Buddhism in the Western Regions, and Garodruma has maintained a stance of tacit approval. The people of the Western Regions are extremely receptive to Mahayana Buddhism. I guarantee that within a hundred years, Mahayana Buddhism will bloom throughout the Western Regions.”

“Wei Yuan, why should I betray Buddhism to collude with you?”

Wei Yuan took a sip of tea, set down his cup, and said unhurriedly:

“Don’t be so quick to refuse. In business, we must first discuss things properly.”

“Garodruma allows you to spread Mahayana Buddhism everywhere because, after Asura’s betrayal, you’re the only remaining extraordinary expert below the Bodhisattva level in Buddhism. Of course, he wouldn’t push too hard at such a critical moment.”

“But regardless of who wins or loses this war, once the situation stabilizes, he will eventually settle accounts and completely extinguish the flame of Mahayana Buddhism.”

Arhat Du’e frowned. Regarding this point, he had a vague premonition. The attitude of Bodhisattva Liuli told him that Garodruma was merely enduring, not truly accepting Mahayana Buddhism.

But Arhat Du’e still refused to trust Wei Yuan, unwilling to fall into his rhythm, and retorted:

“Since you know that Buddhism is in desperate need of people right now, you should understand that this settling of accounts will be very, very far in the future. If Mahayana Buddhism becomes deeply rooted by then, he might even be forced to accept it.”

Because Bodhisattva Liuli was neutral, and Bodhisattva Guangxian leaned towards Mahayana Buddhism, Arantha wasn’t solely controlled by Garodruma.

Wei Yuan nodded in affirmation, then posed his question:

“Arhat Du’e, what’s your view on Buddhism? For instance, on Bodhisattva Faji; on Buddha?”

Arhat Du’e’s gaze suddenly turned sharp, fixing intently on him.

The carriage compartment filled with a murderous atmosphere.

Wei Yuan remained composed, smiling as he said:

“Asura has already told us everything. Liu Ningyan and I share similar views—the cry for help you heard was most likely from Bodhisattva Faji, who has long since vanished, rather than Buddha.”

“But regardless of who it was, something has gone wrong with Buddha. You can’t even be certain now whether the one sleeping in Arantha is truly Buddha, or perhaps the Shenshu currently attacking the mountain is the real Buddha.”

“Under such circumstances, cooperating with the Central Plains wouldn’t be betraying Buddhism, but rather choosing the righteous path. Those three Bodhisattvas know some inside information, yet they haven’t revealed the slightest bit to you. Are you truly without any misgivings in your heart?”

Du’e fell silent.

Recently, he had indeed felt deeply that he was not part of Buddhism’s inner circle.

Wei Yuan continued to pour oil on the fire:

“If something has happened to Buddha, or if Buddha was replaced five hundred years ago, or if Garodruma’s opposition to Mahayana Buddhism is Buddha’s will, and this is why Bodhisattva Guangxian’s attitude has changed…”

Wei Yuan leaned forward, staring at Arhat Du’e, and said:

“How should you position yourself?”

Without waiting for Arhat Du’e to answer, he sighed:

“Of course, if you give up promoting Mahayana Buddhism, everything becomes a non-issue, and you could kill me today. However, the sage once said, ‘If one hears the Way in the morning, one can die content in the evening.’ Search your heart—are you willing to give up Mahayana Buddhism?”

Seeing Du’e’s expressionless face but noting his loss of interest in speaking, Wei Yuan knew these words had struck directly at the other’s heart.

Making him lose the will to argue, stirring up his concerns.

“Your willingness to sit down and listen to me suggests you’re not entirely opposed to cooperation, and perhaps you harbor some unspoken expectations because Mahayana Buddhism didn’t originate in the Western Regions, but in the Central Plains, from Liu Ningyan. Arhat Du’e, do you believe that the destiny of Mahayana Buddhism lies not in the Western Regions, but in the Central Plains?”

Wei Yuan moistened his throat and said:

“If you agree, I can decide to allow you to preach in the Central Plains and spread Mahayana Buddhism. The court will honor you as National Master and establish your Buddhist sect as the state religion. Your ideas will bloom throughout the Central Plains.”

“You will become the founding father of Mahayana Buddhism, remembered for generations to come in the annals of history.”

This last sentence perfectly scratched Arhat Du’e’s itch.

Arhat Du’e still refused, saying in a deep voice:

“I have followers in the Western Regions. I won’t abandon them.”

While overtly refusing, he was stating his conditions.

Wei Yuan smiled:

“Those followers, if they’re willing, you can bring them to the Central Plains. The court will provide them with a place to settle. It’s perfect timing—you’ll need their help to rapidly spread Mahayana Buddhism in the Central Plains.”

After a moment of silence, Arhat Du’e said:

“Why should I trust you!”

Wei Yuan shook his head:

“You don’t need to trust me, but you can trust Liu Qi’an. Today’s conversation was at his instruction, it’s his promise. You know enough about him—the Great Feng might go back on its word, but he won’t.”

Wei Yuan’s face showed complete sincerity as if this were the truth.

But in reality, Liu Qi’an knew nothing about this.

However, these words completely dispelled the last hesitation in Arhat Du’e’s heart.

“I need to think about it.”

Arhat Du’e slowly exhaled.

“Understandable!” Wei Yuan nodded and said: “But I hope that when I next seek you out, you will have made your decision.”

They both raised their cups and drank the tea in one gulp.

Wei Yuan rose and left the carriage compartment, walking towards Kou Yangzhou.

“Did it work?” Kou Yangzhou asked though he had no idea of Wei Yuan’s purpose in meeting Arhat Du’e from start to finish.

Wei Yuan nodded and transmitted his voice:

“Spar with him, let him sustain some appropriate injuries, then go assist the National Preceptor and the others.”

Kou Yangzhou grunted in acknowledgment, asking curiously:

“What did you discuss with him?”

“I was recruiting him.”

Kou Yangzhou was startled: “He agreed… If that’s the case, why put on this show? We could just charge in and kill the two Spirit Wisdom Masters from the Witch God Sect.”

Wei Yuan frowned slightly and transmitted back indifferently:

“What’s the point of killing two Third-Grade cultivators? Besides, Du’e isn’t a fool—he needs to observe the situation.”

Though Du’e was tempted, he still wanted to consider things. It wasn’t that his resolve to spread Mahayana Buddhism had wavered, but rather that he was taking a wait-and-see approach to the current situation.

It all depended on how the battle at Arantha would unfold.

Moreover, even if Du’e agreed to join the court now, Wei Yuan wouldn’t let him help Kou Yangzhou deal with the Witch God Sect, because the Great Witch Doctor certainly couldn’t be killed.

If that happened, Du’e’s betrayal of Buddhism would become known to Arantha.

His recruitment of Arhat Du’e appeared on the surface to be gaining a Second-Grade cultivator, but in reality, he was laying the groundwork for the future.

Buddhism wouldn’t settle accounts with Du’e in the short term, turning a blind eye to his promotion of Mahayana Buddhism—this was the opportunity.

As long as Du’e worked hard enough, he could gather a large following of believers in the Western Regions. If these people migrated to the Central Plains, it would weaken Buddhism’s destiny, weaken the destiny of that one in Arantha.

This was the killing move!

Wei Yuan was plotting against the Supreme Grade expert, not the two minor Spirit Wisdom Masters of the Witch God Sect.

…

Western Regions.

After the Vajra manifestation collapsed, Garodruma immediately formed hand seals, summoning the “Acala Wisdom King” with lowered brows in meditation.

The next moment, with a “bang,” twelve fists broke through the spatial barrier, crudely and violently striking the Acala Wisdom King manifestation.

Garodruma’s posture remained unmoved like a statue being knocked away, flying back a considerable distance before crashing into the forest with a “boom,” causing a large-scale landslide.

An opportunity!

Liu Qi’an and the other powerful cultivators’ eyes lit up.

Shenshu’s manifestation pressed the advantage, Liu Qi’an’s body was enveloped in blood mist, and Asura revealed his Asura bloodline. Each pushed their strength to the limit, determined to break through Bodhisattva Garodruma’s Acala Wisdom King in the shortest possible time.

Waves of terrifying energy approached, and Garodruma’s lowered brows grew serious as his heart surged with crisis, sensing the threat of death.

Asura was manageable, but Liu Qi’an and Shenshu were the truly fearsome enemies. With the two of them unleashing their violence together, the Acala Wisdom King couldn’t last three breaths.

After all, even the defensive formation couldn’t stop them.

Bodhisattva Liuli’s beautiful eyes flashed with light. Using her position as the core, the Colorless Crystal Domain rapidly expanded, stealing away all colors from the surroundings, and reducing everything to pure black and white.

This included Shenshu, Liu Qi’an, and all the powerful cultivators behind them.

Freezing their thoughts, freezing their movements.

Shenshu’s manifestation’s twelve pairs of arms pierced into the void and pulled hard, while Liu Qi’an made the same motion on the other side.

“Bang!”

The air made a muffled sound as the Colorless Crystal barrier, like a mirror surface, simultaneously developed two gaps, one from Liu Qi’an and one from Shenshu.

Under their violence, the Colorless Crystal Domain didn’t last a second.

By now, Shenshu and Liu Qi’an, along with Asura, were within arm’s reach of Garodruma.

Suddenly, Buddhist chants filled heaven and earth as golden light showered down, illuminating the young monk Guangxian. Above his head rose a manifestation with a compassionate face and palms pressed together.

The Great Compassion manifestation.

The moment the Buddhist chants began, Li Miaozhen and Daoist Master Jinlian’s yang spirits left their bodies. The former’s yang spirit couldn’t completely immunize against the influence of the “Great Compassion manifestation,” inevitably giving rise to compassion.

The same happened to Daoist Master Jinlian, though slightly less so than Li Miaozhen.

But being unable to generate a fighting spirit didn’t mean they couldn’t respond.

Both yang spirits simultaneously rushed toward Liu Qi’an, planning to combine their strength to help him dispel the influence of the “force of compassion” through possession.

With Liu Qi’an’s cultivation level, as long as there was an external trigger, even a slight influence would allow him to break free on his own.

“Boom!”

Thunder crashed in the sky as lightning bolts as thick as water vats struck down, engulfing the two yang spirits.

Nalan Tianlu intervened from afar, using thunder punishment to counter the two yang spirits.

Under the illumination of the Great Compassion manifestation, Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, Sun Xuanji, and Zhao Shou showed compassionate expressions, nearly pressing their palms together to chant “Amitabha.”

Among the three charging to the front, Shenshu’s movements slightly stiffened, while Liu Qi’an and Asura were affected by the Great Compassion manifestation, showing compassionate expressions.

However, Liu Qi’an’s compassion was mixed with confusion and resistance, while Asura was completely immersed in the compassionate atmosphere.

Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Garodruma sprang up and, with rapid footsteps, rushed toward Asura.

He wasn’t confident in killing Liu Qi’an, but Asura hadn’t reached First Grade. Even without the Vajra manifestation, Garodruma was still confident he could severely wound or even kill this traitor while he wasn’t resisting.

Meanwhile, after the lightning strike, Li Miaozhen and Daoist Master Jinlian changed tactics. The latter’s yang spirit separated a manifestation covered in stone armor, and this stone form expanded, forming a stone shield above everyone’s heads.

Earth overcomes fire, and can similarly overcome lightning.

Li Miaozhen dove into the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s body. She had originally wanted to possess Zhao Shou, but his righteous qi made him immune to all evil, preventing yang spirit possession.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s delicate body trembled, regaining a hint of clarity.

No, it wasn’t enough, still unable to regain my fighting spirit… Various thoughts flashed through the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s mind, and realizing she still couldn’t completely break free from the influence, she made a quick decision, throwing her head back to release a piercing shriek.

The shriek was like a demonic sound, carrying an extremely strong penetrating effect.

This was one of the Nine-Tails’ innate divine abilities; she had used this technique to break through Buddhist scripture brainwashing when reclaiming Monster Mountain.

Zhao Shou and the others regained some rationality under the penetrating demonic sound, but couldn’t completely break free from the Great Compassion’s influence. However, when this soul-affecting demonic sound reached Liu Qi’an’s ears, it was like evening drums and morning bells, immediately helping him break free from the Great Compassion’s influence.

His gaze grew sharp again, Liu Qi’an looked around to see Garodruma’s fist crushing Asura’s head.

On the other side, Shenshu’s twelve pairs of arms closed together, swallowing Bodhisattva Guangxian like a Venus flytrap consuming an insect.

The Great Compassion manifestation immediately dissipated.

Everyone regained their will.

Bodhisattva Liuli, using her practitioner manifestation, appeared in the distance with Bodhisattva Guangxian—Shenshu had grabbed empty air.

Garodruma immediately abandoned Asura, intending to avoid Liu Qi’an.

At that moment, the headless Asura spread his arms, his left arm wreathed in flames, his right arm radiating brilliant light, both arms like iron pincers tightly embracing Garodruma.

If they could kill Garodruma, Asura didn’t mind risking his life—this was his resolve.

Garodruma’s eyes flashed fiercely as his muscles tensed, about to form hand seals to summon the Acala Wisdom King manifestation and kill this traitor.

Daoist Master Jinlian extended his palm from afar toward Garodruma, weakening part of his fortune and increasing his bad luck.

Li Miaozhen, in perfect coordination, took out the Pagoda treasure, and the “Great Wisdom manifestation” appeared at its top, its light wheel spinning in reverse.

Garodruma’s mind buzzed as he temporarily lost the ability to think.

Originally, the Pagoda’s rank wouldn’t have been able to effectively influence Garodruma, but his fortune had been weakened by Daoist Master Jinlian, making his luck turn bad.

Meanwhile, the Pagoda, building on its foundation, had received Li Miaozhen’s fortune boost—one declining as the other rose.

Sun Xuanji darted forward in formation, flicking out a faint black rope that bound Garodruma and Asura together, while simultaneously pushing out with his palm to create a formation that turned the ground beneath their feet into a swamp.

The muck climbed up their legs, binding them tightly.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox soared into the air, her nine tails splendid and beautiful behind her as they swept through the air, wrapping around Asura and Garodruma.

Bodhisattva Guangxian pressed his palms together as golden light exploded behind him, forming a massive wheel inscribed with the “Six Realms.”

Crack— The wheel made a metallic turning sound, with the Sanskrit characters for “Human,” “Asura,” and “Monster” lighting up as he prepared to use the Six Realms Samsara manifestation to weaken the enemy’s fighting power.

Just then, there was a “boom!”

A lightning bolt struck Bodhisattva Guangxian fiercely, striking the Great Samsara manifestation.

The wheel didn’t collapse but seemed to jam, failing to turn as planned, the lit Sanskrit characters going dark.

Nalan Tianlu had struck, cooperating with the Great Feng cultivators to backstab his allies.

The Confucian sacred knife in Zhao Shou’s hand and the scholar’s cap on his head erupted with dazzling clear light as he declared loudly:

“No practitioner manifestations allowed!”

Within the echoes, Bodhisattva Liuli’s figure materialized not far from Garodruma.

“Puh!”

Zhao Shou threw his head back and violently spat blood, the light of his scholar’s cap and knife dimming.

He had restricted a First Grade Bodhisattva’s manifestation, not indirectly, but directly.

Without the enhancement from the knife and cap, his words wouldn’t have become law, and similarly, without these two magical instruments taking on part of the backlash, Zhao Shou would already be dead.

Even so, he was still severely wounded.

By now, Liu Qi’an and Shenshu had closed in, one stabbing toward Garodruma’s back heart, the other’s twenty-four fists smashing down hard.

With the violence of these two martial artists, even the Acala Wisdom King manifestation could be broken, let alone now when Garodruma hadn’t raised his manifestation domain.

But at that moment, from deep within Arantha, a great sun slowly rose.