Crossing the River

After speaking, Chu Xingchen's gaze directly met Runan's, then naturally shifted to the multitude of Buddhas behind Runan.

As expected, among the titles of the various Buddhas present, he did not see the title of 【Heavenly Demon】.

After all, even Xu Linglong had been lured into action. Unless it was a critical moment, the demons hidden within the Buddhist sect would not easily reveal themselves.

The situation was murky and unclear. If Chu Xingchen truly possessed a method of identification, it would truly be the end of all things.

Apart from the absence of the 【Heavenly Demon】 title, none of the other titles among the assembled Buddhas seemed to have any connection to 【demon】.

However, the lack of such a title did not necessarily mean they had no association with demons.

Titles were certainly useful for quickly grasping a person's general character, but they had their limitations.

Conspiracies based on a certain degree of tacit understanding could not be discerned by titles alone.

Before coming to the Western Ox Continent, Chu Xingchen had naturally made extensive preparations, gaining sufficient understanding of the Buddhist sect's structure and key figures.

The system of Worldly Buddhas had, to some extent, compensated for the Buddhist sect's slightly weaker strength compared to the surrounding Mystic Sects, but it had also caused the sect to lose its purity.

It had also left a vulnerability for infiltration.

Other immortal sects did not have such a system; their high-ranking disciples were all cultivated from childhood, with no high-level members parachuting in.

This practice could not be simply judged as right or wrong.

If the situation back then hadn't been critical, the Buddhist sect might not have resorted to this.

It could only be said that circumstances forced their hand.

Now, it seemed it was time for the Buddhist sect to reap the bitter fruit.

"Thank you for your kindness, but it is unnecessary."

Runan bluntly refused.

Regardless of the truth of Chu Xingchen's words, internal sect affairs should be handled by the Buddhist sect itself.

Otherwise, the grand facade the Buddhist sect upheld would become a complete joke.

Runan said solemnly, "The matter of the Heretical Buddha cannot be ignored by the Buddhist sect. Today, I ask you, how do you intend for me to cross this river?"

"Then I will speak plainly." Chu Xingchen said with a sincere expression, "Venerable Buddha, you should also understand that I have been tracking the remnants of the demon race from the Southern Continent, pursued them in the Central Continent, and eradicated them in the Eastern Victory Continent."

"Senior Bai also nearly killed two top-tier demons. This news might not be easily known by ordinary sects, but for you, it shouldn't be difficult."

"I have obtained crucial information about the Western Ox Continent, and the alliance of the three sects is based on this matter."

"The affair of the Heretical Buddha, in my eyes, is not a major issue, at least not compared to the great calamity of the demon race."

"I am not targeting the Buddhist sect; I am only targeting those I intend to target."

Chu Xingchen slightly raised his hand, pointing towards the land of the Western Ox Continent:

"I naturally understand that this River of Universal Crossing cannot stop a Venerable Buddha determined to cross."

"However, I also have a question: you wish to deal with the Heretical Buddha, but will you also deal with the demons who wreak havoc across the world and bring about the great calamity?"

"Venerable Buddha, the Worldly Ten Thousand Buddha Golden Lotus Revolving Glass you hold in your hand—does it embody compassion, or self-interest?"

Upon hearing this, Runan did not answer immediately. Instead, he gently extended his right hand, lightly holding the supreme treasure of the Buddhist sect. A radiant, multicolored light from the golden lotus shone through, gently encircling his eyes.

After a moment, he slowly inquired:

"What is your intention?"

"The Karma Buddhas may enter the Western Ox Continent to seek the Heretical Buddha. The three sects will not obstruct them, for the River of Universal Crossing is easy to cross, but the Heretical Buddha is difficult to eliminate." Chu Xingchen said with a slight bow.

"However, in the future, when the time comes to ask whether the Great Thunderclap Monastery has established a Lesser Thunderclap Monastery, I also hope Venerable Buddha will grant us convenience."

"What is true cannot become false, and what is false cannot become true."

"I wonder, Venerable Buddha Runan, what do you think?"

Runan's gaze swept over Bai Xuanling, whose face was filled with extreme provocation.

Judging solely from Bai Xuanling's expression, this person showed no sign of wanting a peaceful crossing; rather, he seemed to think—what's the use of all this talk? It would be simpler to just fight.

Huang Miao's expression was calm and unrippled, yet the sword intent in his hand was still being compressed.

He also gave the impression of having no expectations from the negotiations.

These two... one is truly fierce, and the other is truly willing to go all out.

The key point is, if anything were to happen to these two...

Moreover, the conditions Chu Xingchen proposed were somewhat sincere and did not aim to swallow the Western Ox Continent whole.

Runan ultimately gave a slight nod:

"Agreed, but there is only one chance."

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Facing over a dozen Tribulation Transcension cultivators, including Karma Buddhas like Runan, the pressure was immense.

Especially since Runan instinctively spoke with Buddhist resonance every time he opened his mouth.

Chu Xingchen first looked at Huang Miao beside him:

"Senior, you have worked hard these past days. You may rest a little now."

Huang Miao nodded slightly, then somewhat regretfully raised his hand. The spiritual sword in his grasp slowly dissolved into motes of light, vanishing to who knows where.

Immediately after, Chu Xingchen looked at Bai Xuanling, who still stood holding his sword in place.

Bai Xuanling gazed at Runan with unfriendly eyes.

Runan's gaze remained fixed on Chu Xingchen, as Runan believed effective communication with Bai Xuanling was impossible.

Chu Xingchen cleared his throat and decisively reached out to tug at Bai Xuanling's sleeve.

"Understood." Bai Xuanling sheathed his sword back into his spatial ring.

"He checked the almanac before leaving today, sparing himself a good beating."

Hearing this, Runan couldn't help but glance at Bai Xuanling, but ultimately did not take him seriously.

"Bodhisattva Huawu, Bodhisattva Shiyun, Bodhisattva Supu, accompany me. The other Buddhas shall remain here for now."

Runan did not turn his head, merely reciting several names.

Three Buddhas behind him bowed and stepped forward.

Bai Xuanling's eyes swept over them, then he nodded slightly, signaling to Chu Xingchen that these were indeed Karma Buddhas.

At the very least, these three were once renowned Buddha's Sons, unlikely to be imposters.

Chu Xingchen bowed slightly, then stepped aside to make way.

Runan returned the courtesy. At least compared to the two beside him, Chu Xingchen was somewhat easier to talk to.

Then, Runan, riding his precious canopy, followed by the three Karma Buddhas, crossed the River of Universal Crossing.

Chu Xingchen watched them go, then turned his gaze to Bai Xuanling—did you handle the thing you took back earlier?

Bai Xuanling nodded slightly, then raised an eyebrow—are you planning to sell out the Bright Buddha?

Huang Miao looked at the two with a strange expression as their micro-expressions shifted back and forth.

As if they could communicate through facial expressions alone.

Chu Xingchen did not answer directly. Instead, he bowed to Huang Miao:

"We still rely on you here, Senior. Many matters in the Western Ox Continent remain unsettled, so I won't keep you for further conversation."

"Go ahead." Huang Miao nodded. Since Runan had crossed the river, a storm was surely brewing. He just smiled and reminded,

"The Spring Warmth is not bad..."

But before Huang Miao could finish his hint.

Bai Xuanling's eyebrows shot up, and he retorted sharply:

"Not bad? Do you even know how to appreciate it, you old man Huang?"

Huang Miao frowned:

"You..."

Chu Xingchen decisively interrupted again:

"I understand. There will definitely be more when this is done. Sister Bai, I have urgent matters to entrust to you. Time is pressing, we'll talk on the way."

Huang Miao snorted coldly and turned away.

Bai Xuanling wore a victorious expression, raised an eyebrow, and then headed deep into the Western Ox Continent with Chu Xingchen.

The two proceeded for a while.

Bai Xuanling's expression returned to calmness, and he asked:

"On the Pudu River, you agreed to the three sects not to involve yourself in the matter of the Evil Buddha. After that, you cannot go back on your word. This isn't a child's casual promise. That Buddha has just left the Zheng Yin Dharma Temple, and regardless of how his cultivation recovers,"

"just the Buddhist treasures in Runan's hands alone are enough to give him a hard time. He might not be able to withstand it."

"Are you planning to just sell it off like that?"

Chu Xingchen chuckled lightly: "Of course not. I've studied many Buddhist reports. Do you know when the number of Mortal World Buddhists surpassed that of Karma Buddhists?"

"It was during the time of the Great Vehicle debate. Moreover, during the Great Vehicle debate, internal disputes within the Buddhist sects were intense, yet no Mortal World Buddhists joined the sects."

"Guess, why were there fewer Karma Buddhists then?"