The Monster Emperor arched her slender waist, sitting up from the soft couch, causing several pounds of feminine charm on her chest to quiver with the movement.

Li Miaozhen, Asura, and other Transcendent experts also rose from their seats.

The silver-haired enchantress strode out, with Li Miaozhen and others catching up. Zhao Shou originally wanted to demonstrate some Confucian cultivator techniques, but his injuries were too severe, so he abandoned the idea.

He obediently followed behind the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.

The night sky was crystal clear, with a full moon hanging in the heavens and stars scattered across the dark curtain.

The Monster City had fallen into slumber in the night. Monster tribes were very particular about their daily routines, lacking the many whims of humans who would revel until the deep hours and drink until dawn.

They soon reached the Seal Tower, its door wide open with bright candlelight spilling out.

Xu Qi’an and Shen Shu sat facing each other in conversation inside the tower. Seeing everyone approach, both men looked over – one waving with a smile, the other nodding with a stern expression.

Zhao Shou and the others entered the Seal Tower, formally bowing to the Half-Step Martial God.

Only the Nine-Tailed Fox maintained her casual demeanor, like an unruly wild girl with seductive glances and alluring movements.

After everyone was seated, Shen Shu slowly said:

“I know you have many questions for me. I will tell you everything about my story, exactly as it happened.”

Everyone’s spirits lifted.

Shen Shu didn’t begin immediately, taking a moment to recall past events before speaking in a measured tone about his story.

“Over five hundred years ago, Buddha broke free from part of his seal, gaining the freedom to leak out a bit of power. To break free from the Confucian Sage’s restraints as quickly as possible, after much contemplation, He finally devised a method.

“That was to tear off a portion of His soul and inject His emotions into this soul fragment. Then He merged it into the Asura King’s body – at that time, the Asura King was nearly scattered, with only a wisp of remnant soul remaining. This portion of Buddha’s soul merged with the Asura King’s remnant soul, becoming an entirely new soul.

“This is me. I possess part of Buddha’s soul and memories, and also the Asura King’s memories and soul. I often couldn’t distinguish whether I was the Asura King or Buddha.”

The Transcendents in the tower showed various expressions.

So that’s it, this matches my speculation closely – Shen Shu is indeed Buddha’s “other side.” There was no external Transcendent possessing Buddha. Well, as a Transcendent, Buddha isn’t someone who could be easily possessed… Xu Qi’an realized inwardly.

He then looked toward Asura and the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, finding the “siblings” wearing identical complex expressions.

Never mind that you can’t tell who you are – your son and daughter can’t tell if their father is the Asura King or Buddha either… Xu Qi’an silently quipped to himself.

“Buddha agreed with me: as long as I helped convert the Monster Nation, making the Southern Monsters submit to Buddhism, helping Him accumulate destiny to break free from the seal, He would completely sever His connection with me, giving me freedom.

“He injected emotions into my soul, deepening my recognition of myself as Buddha, because He feared I would renege. I agreed. After achieving mastery in cultivation, I left Alanda and headed to the Southern Frontier.”

Shen Shu spoke steadily, telling a tale buried in history.

“The first time I saw her was in August, during the Southern Frontier’s hottest summer. Three hundred li west of Monster Mountain, there was a Twin Lake, with crystal-clear waters and a spirit flower called ‘Twin’ growing by its shore – it was said eating it could help bear twins.

“I had traveled south from the Western Region, passing by Twin Lake. While drinking water and resting by the lake, the water’s surface suddenly erupted with spray, and she emerged naked from the water. The sunlight was brilliant, her fair body covered in water droplets reflecting rainbow halos, with nine beautiful, flaunting fox tails behind her.

“Seeing me, she wasn’t shy at all, but rather asked with a grin: ‘How long have you been peeping at This Emperor’s bath?'”

At this point, you should have stolen her clothes from the shore, then demanded she marry you. Perhaps she would have thought you an honest and faithful man, choosing to marry you… Xu Qi’an thought of this, instinctively looking around, only relaxing when he saw Guardian Yuan wasn’t present.

Fox spirits are indeed passionate and open… Xu Qi’an then glanced at the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.

“What are you looking at!”

The silver-haired enchantress and Li Miaozhen simultaneously raised their delicate brows in anger.

Xu Qi’an withdrew his gaze as Shen Shu continued:

“She asked if I was from the Western Region. When I said yes, she dropped her playful manner and dealt with me harshly. At that time, there was frequent friction between the Western Region’s Buddhist sect and the Monster Nation, as Buddhism liked to subjugate powerful monsters as mounts.

“She said I looked handsome and heroic, wanting to keep me as her male companion.”

Agree with her, Master, you must seize your future… Xu Qi’an joked internally, dispersing the melancholy of time’s passage.

Handsome and heroic? Zhao Shou and others examined Shen Shu’s features with skeptical gazes, doubting his boast.

Even Asura, also of the Asura clan, felt Shen Shu was exaggerating too much.

The silver-haired enchantress said coolly:

“We Nine-Tailed Fox clan only fancy strong and fierce men, unlike human women who only admire pretty-faced dandies.”

Strong and fierce men… Li Miaozhen glanced at Xu Qi’an, then looked at the silver-haired enchantress with added vigilance in her eyes.

“Then what happened!” Xu Qi’an asked.

“Later I gave her a beating, and she became docile, saying she’d keep only me as her companion, never being fickle.” Shen Shu smiled. “I was troubled then about how to infiltrate the Monster Nation. The monster tribes were extremely resistant to Buddhist monks. Even though my cultivation was powerful and I could subdue them by force, it would be difficult to convince them through reason.”

“Afterward, I stayed in the Monster Nation as the Monster Emperor’s male companion, spending the happiest decades of my life.”

At this point, Shen Shu looked at the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, speaking gently:

“In the thirtieth year, you were born.”

No, you went to convert them, not be converted by them – Master, your Buddhist faith wasn’t firm. But then again, who doesn’t love fox spirits? Beautiful, wealthy, and seductive – I couldn’t resist either… Xu Qi’an’s thoughts stirred as he said:

“Is this why you broke with Buddha?”

Shen Shu shook his head and said gravely:

“My mission was completed early. She hesitated for decades, until after our child was born, she finally agreed to submit to Buddhism, letting the Monster Nation become a Buddhist vassal state, as long as Buddhism agreed to let the Monster Nation maintain autonomy.

“I gladly returned to Buddhism, reporting this to Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. Buddha agreed, then dispatched Alanda’s Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajra to take control of the Monster Nation.”

At this point, his expression suddenly darkened:

“She opened the gates to welcome Buddhism, but what awaited was Buddhist slaughter. Buddha had betrayed His promise – He never intended to give me freedom, never intended to spare the Monster Nation. I was just His pawn for reconnaissance.

“He wanted to destroy the Monster Nation at minimal cost, absorbing the Ten Thousand Mountains’ destiny into Buddhism.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox pressed her lips together, her face grim.

Zhao Shou recalled historical records and realized:

“No wonder the history books say Buddhism killed the Monster Queen in Monster Mountain, with monster tribes retreating in panic, then engaging in guerrilla warfare with Buddhism in the Ten Thousand Mountains, lasting exactly sixty years before the chaos finally settled.

“It was called the Sixty-Year Monster Purge.”

If the monster tribes had been prepared, to gather national strength, it wouldn’t have been so easy for Buddhism to destroy the Monster Nation. They had used surprise attacks to eliminate the Monster Nation’s top forces, while most monster tribes were scattered throughout the Ten Thousand Mountains, caught unprepared.

That’s why the subsequent sixty-year war occurred.

The monster tribes, having lost their top forces, still fought for sixty years – one can imagine how prosperous the largest monster tribe group in the Nine Provinces had been.

Xu Qi’an frowned and said:

“I heard Her Majesty say the Mahavairocana manifestation rose from within you – Buddha could still control you?”

Shen Shu nodded:

“This was His trump card, a hidden measure left when He separated me. At the time, I only sensed an uncontrollable power, not knowing its nature. Buddha told me this was an inseparable connection because we came from the same source, and if I wanted freedom, I would have to eliminate this power.

“The price was helping Him convert the Monster Nation and assist in His escape.”

“So that’s how it was…” Xu Qi’an and the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox nodded in realization.

The latter asked:

“Even today, you can still merge? And what’s the situation with Buddha? He seemed very abnormal.”

She voiced the doubt Li Miaozhen had earlier.

The Transcendents perked up, listening attentively.

Shen Shu frowned:

“In my memory, Buddha was human – this point shouldn’t be wrong. Although my memories only begin after He became Transcendent, He is me, and I am Him. I know what I am.”

Xu Qi’an pressed:

“Then why has He become like this now?”

Shen Shu shook his head slightly:

“I don’t know what happened to Him in these five hundred years. But this version of Him is more terrifying. There’s something – I’m not sure if you noticed.”

He looked at Xu Qi’an, “Buddha can no longer be called a ‘living being.’ His consciousness is abnormal.”

Like a terrifying monster, a monster without emotions… Xu Qi’an nodded, pondering:

“Could this be because He transferred most of His emotions to you?”

Originally, Buddha had transferred most of His emotions to Shen Shu to strengthen his identification as Buddha, preventing the Asura King’s memories from dominating and causing this “avatar” to slip from control.

But was this action truly without consequence?

Perhaps His current state was the price.

Was that why He wanted to use this opportunity to reabsorb Shen Shu, to complete Himself?

At this point, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox looked toward Xu Qi’an and asked:

“Where’s the Bear King?”

Xu Qi’an extended his palm, golden light gathering to form a delicate miniature golden pagoda.

“It was somewhat injured and is sleeping in the pagoda. I’ve already healed its wounds with the Physician manifestation…”

As he spoke, Xu Qi’an’s expression suddenly changed, his pupils slightly contracting.

“What’s wrong?” everyone asked.

“I think I understand why Buddha wanted to devour Bodhisattva Faji.” Xu Qi’an took a deep breath, scanning the room before continuing gravely:

“There’s a detail you all might have noticed – He seemed unable to manifest any of the eight great manifestations besides Mahavairocana. When He devoured Bodhisattva Faji, what He truly wanted was the power of the Great Wisdom manifestation. He needed it to maintain clarity, to prevent Himself from completely becoming a mindless monster…”

This speculation was chilling yet logical, aligning with their previous theories.

“Unfortunately, Bodhisattva Faji only has a wisp of remnant soul left, unable to remember much.” Xu Qi’an looked toward Dao Master Golden Lotus:

“We’ll have to trouble Master Dao to restore Bodhisattva Faji’s soul.”

Golden Lotus nodded in agreement.

“Now that Master Shen Shu’s head has been recovered, Buddha has no reason to continue sleeping. He may seek revenge against the Southern Frontier or even Da Feng. We must be prepared,” Zhao Shou said gravely.

“I need to return and discuss this with Lord Wei…” Xu Qi’an pinched his brow.

As the discussion reached its depths and Shen Shu needed rest to recover his strength, everyone began to leave.

Zhao Shou and others were seriously injured and intended to stay in the Monster Nation to recover for the night, but Xu Qi’an stood in the plaza outside the Seal Tower, gazing into the night, and said:

“Let’s return to Da Feng first. There’s something I need to verify.”

He then summoned the Buddhist Pagoda, gesturing for them to enter for recovery.

Seeing he had no intention of explaining further, Li Miaozhen and others didn’t ask more, leaping into the pagoda.

Bang!

The pagoda door closed, and with an ear-piercing sonic boom, Xu Qi’an shot into the night sky like an arrow, disappearing into the horizon almost instantly.

From the Ten Thousand Mountains to the capital was over a hundred thousand li, yet Xu Qi’an returned in just an hour.

The majestic city sat upon the vast land, dotted with lights that grew denser closer to the imperial palace.

At dusk, Huai Qing had sent word through the Heaven and Earth Society that they had repelled the Great Witch Doctor’s attack. Kou Yangzhou, with his power as a Second-Rank Martial Artist, had beaten Transcendent Arhat Du’e so badly he fled back to the Western Region without daring to enter the capital, then rushed to the main battlefield to support Luo Yuhen and others.

Regrettably, the Great Witch Doctor was too cunning – upon seeing the crude Second-Rank Martial Artist charging in, he immediately retreated with two Spirit Wisdom Masters.

In this battle, Old Master Kou Yangzhou had earned MVP… Xu Qi’an was genuinely surprised when he heard the news.

He thought to himself that Old Master Kou had finally risen.

Thud… Xu Qi’an landed on the Eight Trigrams Platform, summoned the Buddhist Pagoda, and released Li Miaozhen, Asura, and other Transcendents.

Then he led everyone downward, heading to the basement of the Stargazing Tower.

The Stargazing Tower’s basement had three levels in total. The first level held ordinary prisoners, once briefly serving as Zhong Li’s exclusive suite.

The lowest level was for imprisoning Transcendent experts.

At Xu Qi’an’s gesture, Sun Xuanji activated a series of restrictions, bringing them to the lowest level.

Senior Brother Sun stepped forward, and a circular array of clear light manifested, revealing a naked monkey within.

Guardian Yuan, covered in snow-white fur, seemed somewhat shy – having grown accustomed to wearing human clothes, he felt embarrassed having his furry form exposed before everyone.

Soon, however, he entered his working state, examining Sun Xuanji briefly before mind-reading:

“You want to see Arhat Du Qing?”

Arhat Du Qing had been a main force in attempting to capture Xu Qi’an in Yong Province, before being defeated by Luo Yuhen. Later, he bargained for his life by agreeing to have his Demon-Sealing Nail removed.

The Overseer had agreed to keep Du Qing imprisoned in the Stargazing Tower for three years, after which he would be freed.

Xu Qi’an nodded with a sound of agreement.

Sun Xuanji led the group of Transcendents through the dark, oppressive corridor to an iron door at the end.

First, he took out an octagonal bronze mirror and inserted it into the door’s octagonal depression. The mirror projected a complex array like a 3D display.

Senior Brother Sun manipulated and inscribed the array patterns without changing expression. After about ten breaths, the lock bolts inside the iron door clicked and retracted one after another.

With a somewhat heavy scraping sound, he pushed open the thick iron door.

It was pitch black inside. Sun Xuanji summoned an oil lamp through his transmission technique, its weak candlelight dispelling the darkness, bringing a yellow glow.

On a pile of withered grass sat an old monk, his white eyebrows hanging down both sides of his face.

The emaciated monk opened his eyes, looking calmly and gently at the group of powerful experts who had suddenly visited, his gaze lingering slightly on Asura and Xu Qi’an.

“Seeing you two standing together, it seems much has happened outside during this monk’s half-year underground.”

Arhat Du Qing said softly.

Xu Qi’an nodded and said:

“Indeed, many things have happened. Would Arhat Du Qing like to know?”

The old monk didn’t answer, maintaining an attitude of accepting fate as it came.

Xu Qi’an continued:

“However, before that, this Constable has something to ask you.”

Arhat Du Qing said:

“What is it?”

Xu Qi’an stared at him:

“Outside Yong Province, in the underground palace – that ancient corpse, was it you who killed it?”