Chapter 695: Chapter 695

"Seeking life from death, empty and formless."

Yan Kong’s mind and spirit harmonized, his entire aura suddenly disappearing, empty and formless, like nothingness.

The rock beneath him suddenly shattered, turning into dust and merging with the spirit field.

From beginning to end, Yan Kong showed no signs of exertion, yet in that instant, the Great Vajra Divine Power manifested, with a sense of invincibility within the Three Realms.

Yan Kong stood up, "Thank you."

Xu Qing smiled, "Master, no need for thanks between us."

He too gained insights, as the entire process of Yan Kong creating the method was fully reflected within Xu Qing’s Heavenly Demon Heart; aside from Yan Kong, Xu Qing was the one who understood this Absolute Skill the best.

Moreover, his understanding of the profound truths of Buddhist cultivation deepened through his knowledge of the Great Vajra Divine Power.

It aligned perfectly with the Heavenly Demon Path.

Buddhist Law, being profound, departs from formality into formlessness, retaining divine intent.

The Heavenly Demon Skill too is formless.

On the surface, the paths of both sides seem to differ in righteousness and evil, yet in truth, they reach the same destination by different roads.

Yan Kong slightly nodded, "I’ve disturbed you long enough; it’s time for this old monk to return to the Golden Ray Monastery. If there’s any issue, Master Xu, just let me know."

Children of the worldly society, they are not overly courteous.

Yan Kong then took his leave, returning directly to the Golden Ray Monastery.

No gold or silver nest can compare to one’s own humble abode.

After experiencing rebirth from tribulation, he missed the Golden Ray Monastery even more.

It’s only difficult for Fayue; this abbot position hasn’t been held long enough.

However, Xu Liushou is a good man; as long as Master Fayue asks, he would even help establish a new Golden Ray Monastery.

If he really doesn’t want a new Golden Ray Monastery, it’s said there’s a need for an abbot at the West Lake Jinshan Temple; with a note from Xu Qing, Fayue could certainly rise in this millennium-old temple.

On the other hand, Yan Kong’s Great Vajra Divine Power will be a major key in dealing with the Snowfield Living Buddha in the future.

The time for Xu Qing and the others to once again face the Black Mountain Old Demon is drawing near.

This time around, they face a full-strength Creator, and even Xu Qing stands little chance.

But he has always done his best, letting fate decide.

Additionally, the capability of the old Emperor is also vital to this battle.

The higher the cultivation, the more Xu Qing realizes that the old Emperor’s cultivation is indeed defying heavens, and under Xu Qing’s influence, the old Emperor truly succeeded, making Heavenly Punishment inevitable.

The Black Mountain Old Demon will be the agent acting the punishment on behalf of heaven.

This battle cannot be avoided.

Even if the old Emperor is deeply cunning, in this battle, he must work in full collaboration with Xu Qing to have any chance of overcoming this disaster.

If the previous battle on Changbai Mountain was a life-threatening calamity Xu Qing must overcome, then this battle is the old Emperor’s turn.

One old, one young, both unlucky fellows.

Not father and son, yet better than father and son.

Returning to the Xu Residence.

Although Xu Qing professed to be in seclusion and not concerning himself with worldly affairs, some could still meet with him, namely Yan Shan.

Yan Shan reported various happenings in the North and the Cabinet’s response strategy.

Xu Qing shook his head, "Prince Yu has gone so far down this path, there’s no turning back now."

Xu Qing understood better that with the Longevity Emperor as a father, Prince Yu had no choice.

The old Emperor knew he had suppressed Prince Yu too harshly, and even if he couldn’t pass this Black Mountain Old Demon ordeal, he wouldn’t let Prince Yu ascend.

In the royal family, there are no father-son relationships.

Should Prince Yu ascend, the old Emperor’s posthumous affairs would be terribly disturbing.

Therefore, the successor favored by the old Emperor is the imperial grandson.

This also comes with a benefit; as long as Prince Yu doesn’t ascend, Xu Qing wouldn’t completely sever relations with the royal family. Given Prince Yu’s qualifications, he’s not a match for Xu Qing either.

The old Emperor sees this clearly.

If the imperial grandson ascends and Xu Qing is a sentimental person, even if his line deteriorates, it wouldn’t be too disastrous.

If Prince Yu ascends, Xu Qing’s connections with the royal family would end.

Of course, overcoming this Black Mountain Old Demon ordeal is even better.

As long as he could achieve immortality from now on and enjoy everlasting prosperity, the old Emperor wouldn’t mind sharing the world with Xu Qing.

However, given the opportunity, the old Emperor would certainly prefer to rule alone.

In summary, this Longevity Emperor is an extremely astute, self-interested person who makes choices that won’t put him at a disadvantage and can judge the situation accurately.

Yan Shan also realized Prince Yu was trapped in a dead end, he replied, "What should we do next in the Hall?"

Now that Prince Yu has gone so far down the wrong path, the prestige he held while guarding the Capital was completely lost.

Even the Pure Stream officials don’t want to stand by him.

But Prince Yu’s martial strength has become particularly formidable.

This is an undeniable fact.

Especially with the Snowfield Living Buddha backed by Prince Yu, the Buddha Country is more terrifying than before.

Currently, the Demon Hunting Bureau can no longer cross the Yellow River.

The Lamas of the Esoteric Sect have become very aggressive, having numerous large and small conflicts with the Demon Hunting Bureau along the riverbanks of the Yellow River.

Moreover, Mutu Grandmaster has been helping train the Greedy Wolf Cavalry in support.

If it weren’t for the Martial Arts Academy students and Daoist School disciples being no pushovers, the Southern side might not gain much benefit.

Besides, these conflicts are also part of the Immortal Sect examination content.

Gradually, the first batch of true disciples to pass the Immortal Sect exams has started to emerge one after another.

Naturally, Xu Qing is very aware of all these developments, he said: "In short, any external losses are inconsequential; preserving the people is essential. Moreover, have the princely heir of Duke Wei take the people from the Military Statistical Investigation Department to infiltrate Liao Dong and join with Master Wu; they will be key at critical moments."

"Isn’t that too dangerous?"

Liao Dong is very close to the Black Mountain Old Demon’s territory, incredibly dangerous.

For Master Wu to still be safe till now, it must be said he’s been favored by the heavens.

Of course, the principal reason is Xu Qing left a secret plan.

He was always waiting for the old demon to take the bait.

Unexpectedly, the old demon turned out to be an upright individual, refraining from targeting those close to Xu Qing.

This might be due to the old demon’s own vigilance and understanding of heavenly secrets, giving Xu Qing no opportunity to delay his return to the Creator’s peak before restoration.

After Xu Qing and Yan Shan finished discussing these matters, he went straight to the Elder Fang’s home.

Today was sunny; the old man was sunbathing on a recliner.

The wrinkles on Elder Fang’s face resembled the withered bark of a dead tree, making one suspect he could depart at any moment.

But Xu Qing couldn’t be sure when the old man would go, perhaps even living longer than Xu Qing!

Xu Qing now had a much higher Realm than before, but this time behaved modestly without seeking to match hands with old Fang.

As long as no comparisons were made, Xu Qing felt he was second to none.

Apart from the Black Mountain Old Demon, no one in the world could rival him.

Anyway, no opportunity to let old Fang shatter dreams.

Old Fang genuinely didn’t concern himself with worldly affairs; his greatest pleasures now were sunbathing and reading books.

Not reading the Daoist Collection, but leisurely books.

In his words, having studied morals and the Daoist Collection for a lifetime, there should be some enjoyment in old age.

Nowadays, popular novels in South Zhili are developing quickly, but Jin..., ahem, a certain book on world affairs with a bit of spice is still undoubtedly the dominator among the populace.

Even scripts like the Three Kingdoms or Journey to the West have to take a back seat.

Even Xie Quan himself came out to endorse it, saying it was the most insightful book on human nature in the world today, seemingly vulgar yet full of profound meaning.

Well, Old Xie was just trying to earn some extra money.

As there was a publisher who paid a high price for him to write a preface for Sir Jin’s Plum book.

Unavoidably, the social atmosphere is declining.

Now, everything in the Great Yu Dynasty revolves around money.

Many workshop owners complain that the Southern social ambience is deceptive compared to the simple North.

Currently, workers in Southern workshops are too cunning, demanding too much.

The North is still better, working longer for lesser wage, even agreeing to work without pay where meals and lodging are provided within the workshop, better used than mules.

On another side, after greeting Elder Fang, Xu Qing found himself at a loss.

Old Fang didn’t inquire why he came.

Xu Qing was reluctant to speak up either.

Who am I, where am I, why am I doing this?

Xu Qing had to break the silence first, "Elder, I have a Life Extension Fruit."

"Human life has a predetermined length, I do not need it, Xu Qing, give it to someone who desires it," Elder Fang slightly opened his eyes, looking at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing, "Elder, I wish to ask you for a favor."

To offer someone a gift indicates an expectation of something in return. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novｅlfire.net

If the old man didn’t bite, Xu Qing would persist.

"Elder, don’t make me resort to kneeling and begging you!"

Xu Qing continued fiercely.

After all, bowing to a senior, to a lifesaver,

"Speak," Elder Fang saw Xu Qing’s shamelessness, deeply resigning himself.

A person without shame is truly invincible!