Taiyi Dao Fruit

'Such urgency, it seems there will be a fierce battle soon.'

Shen Hou, upon hearing Manjusri's words, pondered deeply and simultaneously considered the newly ascended third-grade Lifeless Mother.

Towards this woman, Shen Hou always harbored great caution. As far as he knew, Manjusri, with Wisdom Divine Power combined with the Jiang family's "Gui Cang Yi", might have Yi Dao cultivation comparable to Elder Tianxuan of the Dinghu Sect; yet for the main actions of this eastward journey, Manjusri always sought counsel from Tan Wuwei.

There were clearly factors unknown to him.

'Even if I have gained trust, conducting espionage is extremely difficult, but fortunately, I actually don't need to act out.'

While thinking about this, Shen Hou unperturbedly accepted Manjusri's orders, decisively mounting the Dragon Whisker Tiger to leave, appearing as dedicated as ever.

And in truth, he really was.

Shen Hou never planned to actively do anything harmful; what he did was all dedicated and responsible. As for the specific outcomes, he left it to fate.

In this regard, Shen Hou was actually quite confident.

Thus, he rode the Dragon Whisker Tiger, passed through the mountain range behind, and ventured beyond the Nine Provinces, heading southwest.

Dragons follow clouds, tigers follow the wind. The Dragon Whisker Tiger, shaped like a tiger but with dragon whiskers, possessed the power of both dragon and tiger, racing swiftly, adorned with golden light at its feet, merging with wind and clouds—precisely the Yuxu Temple's Vertical Earth Golden Light Technique.

Shen Hou had imparted this exclusive escape technique of Yuxu Temple to his mount, making the Dragon Whisker Tiger faster than his own fourth-rank speed, fleeing rapidly, soon across the grasslands, venturing into the desert.

The terrain became increasingly barren, with occasional flying sand and stones raising, yet unable to hinder the cloud-riding Dragon Whisker Tiger. Man and tiger traveled about two thousand miles, and then the undulating landscape below abruptly rose, with peculiar peaks emerging, faintly visible in the swirling sands.

A thick aura descended at this moment, and faintly in the air appeared a majestic Bodhisattva Dharma Image.

"Daoist?"

The Dharma Image spoke, its voice like a celestial drum, shaking the sandstorm, simultaneously raising a mighty giant hand, with vigorous Qi Mechanism stirring a storm towards Shen Hou, "Beyond here lies the domain of the Buddha Country, Daoist halt."

Saying this, the Dharma Image was about to vanish into the wind.

"Fellow Daoist, please stay."

Shen Hou shouted as he saw this.

His voice could barely be heard against the howling wind, yet made the Dharma Image halt and turn back.

"This poor Daoist Shen Hou, under the order of Great Master Manjusri, requests the Eight Heavenly Dragons and Great Power Bodhisattva to go to Yong Province to aid in the eastward spread of Buddhist Law, fulfilling the responsibility of universal salvation." Shen Hou quickly spoke these words, making the Dharma Image's form become clear again.

This way of addressing duty was unique to the Buddha Country, and although the other party claimed to be here by the command of Manjusri Bodhisattva, he carried a strong Buddha Country style despite being a Daoist.

"How do you know Great Power Bodhisattva is here?" asked the Bodhisattva Dharma Image.

"I have you to thank for that, sir."

Shen Hou sat on the tiger with a knowing look, "Great Power Bodhisattva was severely injured and, not having returned to the Buddha Country, could only find a place to heal. But with his injuries, being alone might not be suitable; he would need someone as a protector."

Just so happens, Great Power Bodhisattva is the lead protector of the Buddha Country, paired with another, both in close camaraderie.

"That protector is you, sir, one of the six fourth-rank in Buddha Country, Weituo Bodhisattva."

As Shen Hou finished speaking, the Bodhisattva Dharma Image also revealed its true form. Clad in armor, with flying sashes on shoulders, holding a Vajra Pestle, exhibiting both the majesty of Vajra and the solemnity of a Bodhisattva, precisely the leading Dharma Protector God of Buddha Country—Weituo.

He co-led the Dharma Protectors with Great Power Bodhisattva, yet regarding actual status, Weituo even subtly stood above Great Power Bodhisattva.

"Great Power Bodhisattva's injuries haven't healed; I fear he can't go into battle," Weituo Dharma Image spoke coldly.

"That's just right, I am from the Divine Farmer Jiang Clan, and I carry the Shennong Hundred Herbs Pill, a Healing Holy Medicine that can help Great Power Bodhisattva recover,"

Shen Hou replied resolutely, "Weituo Bodhisattva must have made a monumental vow, so you know that since I have located Great Power Bodhisattva, he cannot avoid it."

Participating in the eastward spread of Buddhist Law is not only out of one's own willingness but also due to monumental vows. Since it benefits the spread of Buddhist Law, those informed should strive to assist; Great Power Bodhisattva has already been involved, and wanting to leave won't be that easy.

Even Weituo Bodhisattva himself is also due to his "Vow to Protect the Correct Law" which surpasses the grand vow of spreading Buddhist law, allowing him to avoid it as best as he could.

Within Buddha Country, not everyone wished for the eastward transmission of Buddhist Law, like Weituo, the head of protectors.

And Great Power Bodhisattva seeking a place to heal was also with the thought to temporarily avoid monumental vows due to his injuries, yet alas, he was tracked down.

Hearing Shen Hou's assertive words of inevitable resolve, Weituo Dharma Image remained silent for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Follow this poor monk."

The Dharma Image led the way ahead, guiding Shen Hou through the sandstorm.

The wind suddenly quieted ahead, all the noise of wind and flying sand left behind, outside the desolate peaks seemed to have an invisible barrier, blocking flying sand and stones.

Weituo Dharma Image fell onto a giant rock on the mountaintop, merging into a monk's body.

That monk was of upright stature, with a determined face, having a flat short haircut, wearing a gray monk robe over a black Kasaya, a robust attire, with a string of prayer beads slung across his torso.

Each bead was the size of an adult's fist, though prayer beads, it's hard to imagine what kind of hand could manipulate such beads.

The beads totaled nine, appearing like ebony, but upon examining their texture, they seemed more like gold and jade than wood.