Taiyi Dao Fruit

This is the true form of Weituo Bodhisattva.

Weituo Bodhisattva sat cross-legged on a huge rock, eyes half-closed. Without raising his eyes, he said calmly: "Pass by, Guangli is just behind."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hou nodded slightly to the monk and directly passed by him, walking along the mountain path. Turning a corner ahead, a mountain wall came into view, and sitting in front of it was the Eight Heavenly Dragons and Great Power Bodhisattva, crowned with gold and robed in white.

His severed arm had already been restored, and it was indeed a true flesh body. It was clear that he had used some spiritual power for the regeneration of severed limbs, though his Qi was somewhat weakened, indicating that his injuries were not fully healed.

On the opposite side of him...

Shen Hou's gaze slowly moved, landing on a white-haired ape wearing a golden hoop and dressed in a stout outfit.

Just as Shen Hou was about to observe more closely, this monkey suddenly turned and glared, with eyes like golden molten pools faintly burning, causing Shen Hou's heart to tremble.

'The same demon cultivator that clashed with Fellow Daoist Jiang, allowing Guangli Bodhisattva to escape back then…' Thoughts rapidly turned in Shen Hou's mind.

Back when Jiang Li was facing the Three Calamities to advance to the fourth rank, the formidable figures from Fengxian Palace and the Buddha Country, as well as Dinghu Sect's Yun Jiuye, turned into calamities to sabotage the promotion. The attempt to block the path naturally ended in failure, with each party suffering great losses, and Guangli Bodhisattva nearly being killed by Jiang Li.

The reason he said nearly was because a monkey suddenly appeared and battled Jiang Li, allowing Guangli Bodhisattva to escape smoothly.

Shen Hou didn't expect that this demon cultivator was still with Guangli Bodhisattva.

'This is a ruthless one who could spar with a monster like Fellow Daoist Jiang. Seeing him today, he indeed is extraordinary.'

Shen Hou felt a chill, sensing that under those fiery eyes, his flesh and bones felt as if they were being dissected by two invisible knives, his foundation and secrets laid bare.

Yet, at the same time, talismans began to appear around Shen Hou, and the invisible gaze abruptly ceased.

"The old Daoist has some means to block my… the Divinity's gaze," the ape said arrogantly.

Opposite him, the young man in white also opened his eyes at this moment. Seeing Shen Hou, he showed an unsurprised expression and said: "Indeed, it cannot be avoided, so be it…"

He shook his head and sighed, "Speak, what does Great Master Manjusri want?"

"The Buddha Country's forces have fully entered Yong Province, and Great Zhou has responded. Minister of Works Jiang Li has now entered Yong Province, so the war is imminent. The Great Master wishes Guangli Bodhisattva to quickly return to serve as a protector," Shen Hou said.

As he spoke, an invisible Yin Force had already invaded Guangli Bodhisattva, eroding his Qi Shu and affecting his perception.

Any strong individual, even if they don't practice Yi Dao, has strong perception and spiritual senses, sometimes sensing danger at critical moments to avoid it. However, Shen Hou's divine skill [Fellow Daoist, Please Stay] uses ominous Yin Force to erode Qi Shu, cloud perception, and affect the mind, causing chaotic thoughts and leading to irrational actions.

He had just used this divine skill to stop Weituo Bodhisattva's Dharma Manifestation and then persuaded with words. Now, Shen Hou was using the same skill on Guangli Bodhisattva.

This divine skill is not known for its lethality, but it is subtle and pervasive, capable of affecting even those stronger than the user. Even a third grade might be influenced without specialized means and stained with ominous Qi.

Both Guangli Bodhisattva and Shen Hou are fourth-rank, and while Guangli naturally holds superior strength, it is not sufficient to exceed the level completely. Even without Shen Hou speaking that phrase, "Fellow Daoist, please stay," he could have some impact.

The reason for sending Shen Hou to invite Guangli Bodhisattva was exactly this.

Before coming here, what Manjusri said, "I permit you to use your divine skills," referred precisely to this.

Guangli Bodhisattva seemed to have no intention of avoiding anymore. After Shen Hou covertly employed his skill, he nodded and said: "Alright, yet my injuries are not fully healed, allowing me to handle an ordinary fourth-rank, but against Jiang Li, I'd be overwhelmed."

"Please, don't worry, Guangli Bodhisattva, poor Daoist is already prepared."

Shen Hou smiled as he took out a jade bottle, "This is the Shennong Hundred Herbs Pill, crafted from a hundred types of spiritual medicine, with the power to heal flesh and regenerate bones. So long as it doesn't involve the Primordial Spirit, any injury can be quickly restored. Even if there is an injury to the Primordial Spirit, Great Master Guanyin can be called upon."

Buddha Country Guanyin, a rare third-grade female strong practitioner, is also an extraordinary healer, with Dao Fruit Divine Powers reputed to have resurrection abilities.

Logically, after Guangli Bodhisattva's severe injury, he should seek Guanyin for healing. His avoidance was evident, yet ultimately, they found him.

Shen Hou's words cornered Guangli Bodhisattva, leaving no excuse.

"So be it, so be it," Guangli Bodhisattva sighed repeatedly, a enigmatic expression in his eyes.

His eyes, how to put it...

Shen Hou could even see a hint of guilt.

No one knew what Guangli Bodhisattva was feeling guilty about.

Being an undercover agent, Shen Hou instinctively felt a curiosity to investigate, but before he could say more, the white-haired ape laughed derisively: "Isn't it just that brat Jiang Li? Why fear him? I have now achieved the Vajra Invulnerable Body, and I could fight even a third-grade, may not even be weaker against that child."

The monkey's fur-laden face showed a fierce expression, and a strong aura erupted from him, sweeping in all directions, dispersing sand and stones.

"Buddha Country is set to face Jiang Li, well then, I also want to test his current strength," as the words fell, a violent wind struck the sky, an auspicious cloud carried the ape soaring upwards, whistling away with the fierce wind.

"I have gone," he said.

He was headed straight to Yong Province by cloud, without any concern about not finding the person.

"This..." Shen Hou watched the scene in wide-eyed shock, taken aback by the ape's direct action.

Going without a plan, nor even asking Jiang Li's location, unafraid of not finding him at all.

"No need to worry, he has Fire Eyes Golden Eyes and can observe Qi for three thousand miles. Knowing that Yaoguang Elder is in Yong Province, he won't miss him. We should be concerned that he might directly ignite the war, interfering with Great Master Manjusri's plans."

Guangli Bodhisattva stood tall, took the jade bottle, and directly consumed three Shennong Hundred Herbs Pills.

The elixir was worthy of its name "heal flesh and regenerate bones", promptly restoring Guangli Bodhisattva's Qi mechanism, rapidly elevating to its peak.

He shook his sleeve, a White Dragon flew out from the sleeve, transforming into a spear, about to leave together, he noticed Weituo Bodhisattva approaching from some time.

"Weituo Senior Brother not avoiding now?" Guangli Bodhisattva was momentarily taken aback.

"No avoiding it," Weituo shook his head, "I, poor monk, have just one true friend like you. If you died in the Nine Provinces, I could not avoid going there myself. So better to go together."

Guangli Bodhisattva heard this and laughed heartily, "Good, then we go together."

The two exchanged looks, their hearts aligned in mutual understanding.

As for Shen Hou, he was feeling a chill down his spine.

'Fellow Daoist Jiang, you said you could draw the Awakened into the fray via Guangli Bodhisattva, but you didn't mention there were two capable fighters on Guangli's side. That monkey, and Weituo...'

Knowing as a double agent, Shen Hou was aware Guangli Bodhisattva had been secretly co-opted by a Supreme. His efforts to bring people in was essentially digging a pit.

Yet, this pit seems rather large, potentially backfiring on allies.

'Not sure if Fellow Daoist Jiang can handle this.'

According to Shen Hou's knowledge, the court's forces have yet to fully assemble.

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"Hmm?"

Under the same sky, Jiang Li raised his head to look upward, a brilliance in his brow.

"There is an enemy approaching from the west, indeed choosing a good time."

As he finished speaking, a thick cloud rapidly surged from the west, like thousands of horses galloping, a beam of golden light pierced the sky, approaching with a force like chasing clouds and daylight, the overwhelming Qi Mechanism settled from the sky.

It came swiftly and urgently, a fierce Divine Thought locked onto Jiang Li from afar, the vision in his mind unconsciously forming an image of a pair of golden eyes.