The Cult of Evil Spirits: Litchi's Arrival

Lizhi’s tone was fierce and domineering, but her actions were extremely cautious as she took half a step back.

Even if this damned monk was truly at the Golden Core stage, it wasn’t something a Foundation Establishment cultivator like her could afford to provoke.

As for the luxury of having powerful backing, Lizhi had never experienced it before, so she couldn’t quite relate.

For some reason, she suddenly felt like she was practically courting death.

However…

Compared to her, a measly Foundation Establishment cultivator with no confidence, the Golden Core expert across from her seemed far more terrified.

The elderly monk’s eyes were filled with unconcealed fear, his body faintly radiating a golden Buddhist light. The wooden fish mallet in his hand had transformed into a vajra pestle, though his stance was unmistakably defensive.

Retreating slightly, he raised the vajra pestle protectively in front of his chest, his hoarse voice trembling as he spoke:

“This humble monk cares not if the benefactor insults me. However, I must remind you—this is the Western Ox Continent. This is the domain of the Buddhist faith.”

Lizhi was momentarily stunned. She could tell this was nothing but a cowardly retreat.

People only pulled rank when they couldn’t win a fight.

After all, those who could win would never say—Listen here, punk, I’ve got powerful connections! You’re dead!

Instantly, Lizhi realized just how vast the gap between their realms truly was.

If she really didn’t have to be afraid…

“So what?” Lizhi suddenly regained her confidence. “Within three feet of me, even if this were your sacred Buddhist land, what difference would it make? Instead of wasting your breath, why don’t you think about why I’m here? Isn’t there something you ought to explain to me?”

Xu Jin glanced back at her, mildly amused. This Lizhi was quite the character.

Chu Xingchen was also surprised, but this was good—sometimes, a little audacity made things easier. He was curious to see just how far Lizhi could push this.

The elderly monk’s fear lessened slightly. The fact that she tossed the question back meant his death wasn’t imminent.

Though this young-looking woman carried an overwhelming aura of bloodlust, every movement exuding a terrifyingly manic thirst for violence.

Without a doubt, she was a demonic cultivator.

While the Buddhist sect and demonic cultivators were sworn enemies, circumstances mattered.

When outmatched, even monks could commiserate with demonic cultivators, lamenting the injustices of the world together.

Besides, he still had urgent matters to attend to—his life was crucial right now. A temporary retreat was merely a strategic move for future gains.

From the looks of it, this demonic cultivator wasn’t necessarily here to kill him.

But then again, those who truly intended to kill rarely wasted words. The elderly monk spoke again:

“The Ten Thousand Buddha Temple has always abided by the rules. If the benefactor believes we have erred, please speak plainly.”

Lizhi hesitated. Even when picking a fight, she needed a decent excuse.

She couldn’t just ask, Why do you eat vegetarian instead of meat?

But then, Chu Xingchen suddenly reminded her in a low voice:

“Evil Spirit Sect. Cooperation.”

Chu Xingchen didn’t know much about the demonic sects of the Central Continent, but the one that stood out most in his memory was the Evil Spirit Sect, which had once stirred up trouble in Xuanwu Kingdom.

Back in Chizhou, they had even borrowed the Evil Spirit Sect’s name, and to their delight, the sect had happily claimed credit—even extorting benefits from the Xuanwu Sect in the process.

Now, this time, they’d toss the Buddhist sect’s “generous offer” to the Evil Spirit Sect as well—a fair exchange, delivering good fortune straight to their doorstep.

The Xuanwu Sect was just a minor sect from the backwaters of Xuanwu Kingdom, but the Buddhist sect? One of the Central Continent’s Eighteen Immortal Sects!

The benefits they could reap were beyond comparison. Who knew? Maybe the current Buddhist Patriarch would even step down and hand his throne to the Evil Spirit Sect’s leader.

The Evil Spirit Sect was truly thriving—now rubbing shoulders with the Central Continent’s elite.

This would also repay the favor for their cooperation back in Chizhou.

Lizhi caught on quickly and immediately echoed:

“Evil Spirit Sect.”

The elderly monk froze, his mind racing through countless names, but this one didn’t ring any bells.

Evil Spirit Sect?

Those bloodsucking demonic cultivators from the Central Continent?

But to say they had no connection at all wouldn’t be accurate.

Aside from stubbornly entrenching themselves in the Central Continent, the Evil Spirit Sect’s favorite pastime was recruiting followers everywhere and stirring up chaos—the more bizarre and sinister, the better.

Such activities were naturally unwelcome in the Buddhist sect.

If a few bloodsucking parasites appeared in their territory, they’d naturally be purged.

So the Buddhist sect had once launched a cleansing campaign against the Evil Spirit Sect.

But the Evil Spirit Sect had one redeeming quality—if their underlings were wiped out, the higher-ups usually didn’t come looking for trouble.

After all, the sect had more expendable followers than they knew what to do with.

So why were they personally knocking on his door this time?

Still, given Lizhi’s overwhelming bloodlust and terrifying aura, it wasn’t hard to believe she was from the Evil Spirit Sect.

The elderly monk pondered, unsure whether he should apologize preemptively.

As he deliberated, Lizhi was also thinking.

The Evil Spirit Sect didn’t sound like any righteous faction.

So when it came to “cooperation”… shouldn’t it involve forcing others to do things against their will?

And it wasn’t like a demonic sect would come to a Buddhist temple to preach, right?

So logically… this “cooperation” should be more like…

“Your little operation here seems to be doing well. Isn’t it time you paid tribute to our sect?”

Lizhi rubbed her fingers together, the gesture for demanding money unmistakably bold.

“What?”

The elderly monk stared at her in disbelief. Since when did demonic sects dare to extort money from the Buddhist sect?

Everyone knew the Buddhist sect was famous for being a one-way street—offerings went in, but nothing ever came out.

Chu Xingchen smirked but didn’t mind Lizhi’s crude provocation. Instead, he urged Xu Jin to move faster.

The concentration of faith energy here was high, and the guardian was a Nascent Soul cultivator—this place must be important to the Buddhist sect.

For all they knew, reinforcements from other temples were already on their way.

But Chu Xingchen wasn’t idle either. He had already dispersed countless hair-thin needles throughout the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, searching for any clues or irregularities.

“What? You think you’re walking out of here alive without paying up?”

Lizhi snorted coldly, her gaze sharp and threatening.

“What does the benefactor want? The Buddhist sect lives in austerity. Moreover, this is the Western Ox Continent—we have no spirit stones to offer.”

“No spirit stones? Then hand over something else of value!”

The monk’s expression darkened instantly.

Just as he suspected—this demonic cultivator was here for the faith energy. Was the Evil Spirit Sect planning another suicidal scheme, daring to demand faith energy from the Buddhist sect?

But trying to extort a monk? That was a fatal miscalculation!

“In that case, this humble monk has only his life to offer.”

No longer afraid of Lizhi’s overwhelming bloodlust, the elderly monk took a resolute step forward, his voice thundering like an enraged vajra guardian:

“But has your sect truly considered the consequences?!”

Lizhi faltered slightly under the monk’s sudden fury, his wrathful visage making her hesitate.

Xu Jin retracted his stance and cast a glance at Chu Xingchen, signaling that the matter was concluded.

Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod, then turned his gaze toward the monk. With a tone as smooth as Lizhi, he spoke:

"I thought you were a clever monk, but it turns out you’re still a fool with a shaved head. Must I spell it out for you?"

"The dealings you’ve had with the demons—do you really want our Evil Spirit Sect to expose them to the world? Did you think operating in the shadows made you safe? Don’t forget, lurking in those shadows are rats like us, scraping by day by day."

"We’re just rogue cultivators living one day at a time, with nothing to lose but our wretched lives. But the Buddhist sects… aren’t you supposed to be different?"

The elderly monk replied swiftly, his voice unyielding:

"I have no idea what nonsense you’re spouting!"