No wonder it's always carried along.

Western Ox Continent, Golden Radiance Mountain.

Although the number of cultivators mobilized for this operation was considerable, it paled in comparison to the vast expanse of the Western Ox Continent.

Even urgent actions were carried out in phases—first stabilizing the most critical regions, then gradually advancing once the situation was secured.

If this were merely a demonic calamity, the three great sects would have joined forces to sweep through unhindered.

But it was clear that someone was scheming behind the scenes, so haste was ill-advised.

Moreover, among the many cultivators, a significant number were not disciples of the eighteen immortal sects.

Golden Radiance Mountain was the designated rallying point for the first phase of the operation, serving as a strategic location for both reinforcements and rapid deployment.

Li Yingling had long since led several squads in clearing their assigned areas and arrived early at Golden Radiance Mountain. Following the operation’s guidelines, she waited in case any team required support—then she would rush to their aid.

Yet after waiting so long, no calls for help came. Instead, her second junior brother, who had dismantled the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, returned.

Compared to her own task of clearing out minor demon beast gatherings—hardly worth mentioning—her second junior brother’s demolition of the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple was far more noteworthy.

Rumors even said he had uttered some shocking words on the battlefield. Who would have thought that her usually taciturn second junior brother had unknowingly been corrupted by their master’s influence?

At this rate, even this ascetic second junior brother might one day follow their master’s footsteps and become a skirt-chaser.

With that thought—

Teasing him was a must! She had to mercilessly tease him!

Seeing Li Xingtian’s flushed and aggrieved expression, Li Yingling decided to ease up.

Lin Luoyu arrived on her flying sword, landing gracefully before sheathing it. She greeted her senior sister first, then turned her gaze to her second senior brother, whose expression was… odd. Still, she didn’t ask if he was feeling unwell.

Having spent so much time together, Lin Luoyu understood at a glance—Second Senior Brother had been played by their senior sister again.

Maintaining her composure, she greeted him casually:

"Second Senior Brother, did everything go smoothly?"

Li Xingtian gave a slight nod.

"More or less. And you?"

Lin Luoyu smiled lightly. "Thanks to the assistance of many fellow cultivators, it went well."

Li Yingling’s eyes swept over them before she asked:

"Cui Hao wasn’t far from you, right? Why hasn’t he finished yet? Did he get sidetracked again?"

Lin Luoyu hesitated briefly.

She had indeed stopped by Cui Hao’s location on her way here.

Though Cui Hao had a habit of boasting, he was reliable in handling tasks—otherwise, he wouldn’t have stood out in the sect’s grand assembly.

Back then, she had answered every question correctly, while Cui Hao had likely missed one or two.

Still, given the sheer number of participants, only a handful were selected within the grand hall.

Cui Hao had performed his duties well, whether in pacifying the locals or exterminating demon beasts. Logically, he should have returned by now.

But when Lin Luoyu arrived, she found Cui Hao lecturing Buddhist devotees on the Daoist philosophy of nature—teaching them, as mortals, how to live a happy and fulfilling life.

When she questioned him in confusion—

Cui Hao waved his hand and declared:

"Buddhism preaches about the next life, but if this life is already miserable, what’s the point of chanting sutras for the Buddha? Does the Buddha even need it? Today, I’m teaching them that being good to themselves is what truly matters!"

"If we clear out the demon beasts and leave, and Buddhism returns, these devotees will still offer their best rice and oil—things they can’t even afford to eat themselves—to the temples."

"Helping others is fine, but they need to choose who they help wisely."

"Only by making them understand this will they have reserves for the next disaster."

"I can’t teach everyone, but these people are the seeds I’m planting. If all goes well, they’ll spread across the entire Western Ox Continent."

Lin Luoyu wasn’t sure if Cui Hao’s eloquence had improved under their master’s influence, but his words made sense—at least to her.

And they aligned with her own temperament.

"Cui Hao is still wrapping things up. I checked on him—he’s doing well."

Lin Luoyu vouched for him. Cui Hao had performed admirably, and as for his actions, Senior Sister would learn of them in due time.

This gesture was better left as Cui Hao’s own doing.

Li Yingling naturally trusted her righteous fourth junior sister and didn’t press further, merely sighing:

"Cui Hao really is slow."

Lin Luoyu chuckled in response. Perhaps Cui Hao should give Senior Sister a pleasant surprise to change her impression. She then asked:

"What about Third Senior Sister?"

"She’s still at the True Sound Dharma Temple," Li Yingling replied, a trace of concern in her voice. "I don’t know why—the demolition was finished long ago. What else could she be doing?"

Lin Luoyu reassured her softly:

"With Daoist Yuyang there, Third Senior Sister’s safety shouldn’t be an issue."

"Tch. If she doesn’t return in a few days, I’ll go check on her myself."

Li Yingling waved her hand and forced a smile.

True Sound Dharma Temple.

Daoist Yuyang gazed at the nearly flattened ruins of the temple, watching the monks laboriously clear the debris. A complex emotion welled up in his heart as he glanced at Chen Baiqing beside him, her expression as serene as ever.

When they first arrived, he hadn’t intended to demolish the temple outright.

After all, the True Sound Dharma Temple was Buddhism’s greatest symbol in the Western Ox Continent.

It had once been torn down by Bai Xuanling, and back then, Buddhism had exerted immense pressure on the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect and the Tianyan Sect.

But Buddhism hadn’t retaliated openly—because of the Buddha suppressed beneath the temple.

Now that the Buddha was gone, the shackles restraining Buddhism had vanished. Destroying the temple now carried an entirely different meaning.

Unless absolutely necessary, applying pressure should have been the priority.

At least, that was Daoist Yuyang’s initial plan.

But the situation had spiraled in a completely different direction—or rather, Chen Baiqing’s actions had steered it that way.

Daoist Yuyang had always thought of Chen Baiqing as the quiet girl who stayed by Chu Xingchen’s side, brewing tea with a tranquil demeanor, treating her master with utmost respect—like a warm, doting disciple.

As a child, she had been adorable. Though her demeanor had grown colder with age, her words were measured and pleasant—far more refined than Chu Xingchen’s uncouth remarks in private.

By all appearances, Chen Baiqing should have been the obedient, cautious type—someone who prioritized stability over boldness.

Reluctantly, Daoist Yuyang admitted he had misjudged her.

Chen Baiqing was probably only a "warm coat" for one person alone. To outsiders, describing her as "prickly" would be an understatement.

And her methods were as unpredictable as Chu Xingchen’s, effortlessly pulling others into her rhythm.

Noticing his gaze, Chen Baiqing turned to him, offering a faint, perfectly polite smile:

"Uncle Yuyang, is something the matter?"

Daoist Yuyang coughed lightly. It dawned on him that even this address—"Uncle Yuyang"—was likely out of respect for his friendship with Chu Xingchen.

"Nothing… just marveling at what an excellent disciple Brother Chu has raised in you."

"Daoist Yuyang, you jest. I can hardly be called a good disciple—I merely wish to spare my master some trouble."

Chen Baiqing withdrew his gaze, now fixing it on the group of monks before him:

"Only by tearing down the True Sound Dharma Temple will the Buddhist sects realize we have no bottom line. These monks will then become useful pawns. Those Buddhas are destined to cross the Pudu River. Holding cards in our hands will allow Master to maneuver more effectively."

Daoist Yuyang pursed his lips. "How do you know the Buddhas will cross the Pudu River? Did your master tell you?"

Chen Baiqing paused, studying Daoist Yuyang, momentarily unsure whether this core disciple was feigning stupidity. Wasn’t this obvious at a glance?

Faced with Chen Baiqing’s slightly bewildered expression, Daoist Yuyang naturally understood his intelligence was being questioned.

He cleared his throat.

"Never mind… you handled it well."

No wonder Chu Xingchen kept Chen Baiqing by his side. Left unsupervised, this disciple would surely deliver surprises at every turn…