Longevity Chronicles

"Daoist, trying to capture me is futile," said the monk entering the world to face his cultivation tribulation. "Although accumulating virtue is not necessary for me, I bear a heavy responsibility. I must lead my wife through the Three Mountains, Five Mountains, and Seventy-two provinces to fulfill our fate and together realize the truths of Mahayana Buddhism."

"It's also acceptable to seek out my master for a reckoning," the monk offered. "I can show you the way. Daoist, go yourself to the South Sea's Hooking Turtle Cliff and look for a Qingjing Zen Master. He is my teacher."

...

Tao Qian's words might have been better left unsaid. Parroting them just like a parrot enraged Flower Staff Venerable to the point of fuming with rage.

After all, he was a revered figure from the Demon Buddha Temple, highly esteemed with powerful Divine Skills. When had he ever been subjected to such humiliation?

To him, these two monks with their identical speech and their odd, mocking tones were clearly making fun of him.

His thought was both right and wrong.

Heartless and deceptive, Master Tao was indeed mocking him.

However, Monk Shenxiu was sincerely serious.

Yet, Tao Qian's interference mixed truth and falsehood indistinguishably.

"You two... dare to insult me like this?"

Enraged to the extreme, Flower Staff Venerable looked around, his fatty chest quivering with anger, wishing he could devour the flesh and blood of the two monks.

Unfortunately, though it was just one round, he had already realized he was no match for either of the young monks.

He couldn't beat either of them.

While his face was filled with bitter anger, his mind quickly recalled the powerful backers of the two monks, and he started to strategize:

"So, that one is the little thief Shenxiu. No wonder I'm no match for him."

"And that bumpkin from the South Sea, called Wu Gou, has Qingjing Zen Master backing him. I've heard from Master Kongchan that he's a dangerous man, and he has some connections with the Dharma Cakra Temple."

"There's no way I can deal with either of them. It seems I must send a message to invite Master Kongchan or Uncle Shipi to come."

"Damn it, just when I got such a good task, it's all gone wrong. I'll likely be blamed for this mess."

"However, since Hei Bo was captured, perhaps I can push all the blame onto him and avoid punishment..."

As Flower Staff Venerable was formulating his plan in his mind, preparing to use some methods to send for an Arhat while also attempting to keep the two monks in Yinping City,

Suddenly, Tao Qian seemed to read his thoughts.

He laughed heartily, pretending to have just remembered, "I almost forgot that the esteemed one is still in this bag of mine. He should have rested enough by now and can come out."

With that, he turned the cloth bag upside down.

Pouring it out over the city, Buddha Light flashed, and Hei Bo Venerable's Dharma Body rolled out.

But looking at him now, dazed and unable to tell north from south, did he seem like someone who had rested well?

Obviously, he had been drugged by someone.

Flower Staff Venerable stepped forward to help, angrily saying, "What a little thief, relying on the name of Qingjing Zen Master to bully my fellow disciple. You truly deserve to die."

His shouting was really aimed at provoking Hei Bo to call for his master, Shipi Arhat.

Shipi was extremely protective; even if Qingjing Zen Master himself came, he would be in for trouble.

Unexpectedly, Hei Bo, who had just come to his senses, shook his head to refuse:

"Brother, don't be annoyed. This was clearly my opportunity."

"I must thank this young friend for his gift."

"Only after entering this treasure bag did I realize my past understanding of Practicing Daoism was somewhat mistaken."

"Hisss"

No one expected Hei Bo Venerable's response, including the younger demon monks, who all gasped in shock and surprise.

They all knew that the two Venerables, cunning Flower Staff and fierce Hei Bo, had strong personalities.

Was this worn, old cloth bag so strange?

Just one trip inside changed his temperament?

Seeing this, Tao Qian was momentarily taken aback, but since he was the owner of the [Holy Embryo Human Species Bag], a slight sense brought him the reason.

He thought to himself with joy:

"This treasure was transformed by a master in his dying moments as he realized Dao, originally named Holy Embryo, containing the ultimate truths of Innate and Postnatal, the path of evolution of the Primordial Embryo."

"Though it currently has flaws, it can still be considered naturally mysterious and unparalleled."

"Previously, with my low level of cultivation, I treated it as a personal treasure bag, which concealed its true potential."

"I'll tentatively rename it [People Species Bag], meaning that an opportunity has come. Coupled with my entering into the Profound of Cavernous Mystery and breaking through the Divine Communication Barrier, this treasure in my hands has finally revealed its true power."

"The demon monk's mind, after being inside the bag, is likely rid of most of his evil thoughts. His spirit is clear, not quite as pure as an innately born infant, but still barely qualifies as a good person."

"Unfortunately, my level of Cultivation Realm is still not strong enough, and the effect will not last more than a few hours, after which the demon monk will revert to his original state."

"If one day I can realize Enlightenment on my own and step into the Daoist Transformation Realm, perhaps I could convert and enlighten tens of thousands of Evil Demons in one breath."

"Eh? Should I also change my name to Maitreya?"

At this thought, Tao Qian couldn't help but laugh.

He was a legitimate inheritor of the Spirit Treasure lineage; he could hardly join the Buddhist sect as the future Buddha Venerable.

...

These back and forth thoughts, though complex when spoken, actually took but a moment to form in his mind.

The ugly monk named Shenxiu, originally curious about Tao Qian, the Wu Gou Buddha's son, became even more intrigued after witnessing the power of the [Human Species Bag].

Using a technique known as Heart Light Escape, he traveled from north to south, appearing before Tao Qian and Yunrong.

Joining his palms together, he greeted them with a Buddhist bow,

"Junior monk Shenxiu has had the pleasure of meeting the honorable couple."

"I hope the two of you won't take offense at Shenxiu's bold approach. It's just that the Buddha Light and energy from this Daoist companion give me a strong sense of kinship, as if from the same family."

"Additionally, it's that mysterious cloth bag; seemingly Daoist, yet not quite, seemingly Buddhist, yet not quite, but containing the utmost truth of Buddhism within."

"I shall not conceal that it inspires in me a profound desire to bow in worship."

This powerful and mystical ugly monk began with a succession of pleasant remarks.

If such words came from anyone else, they could not escape suspicion of sycophancy.

But coming from Shenxiu's mouth, neither Tao Qian nor Yunrong could muster the slightest animosity toward him.

Even now, as the monk's eager gaze fixated on the cloth bag at Tao Qian's waist, it did not provoke any disdain.

Tao Qian kept his innate spiritual vision active.

Upon inspecting the ugly monk, he saw no sign of mutation, only pure and shining Buddha Light radiating in all directions.

"What a Free Buddha Son!"

"Such mana, such a profound realm, indeed stronger by much than peers I've seen before such as Zhong Ziyang and Chen Xiyi."

"Seriously considering it, among his peers, only Xuu Xun and Brother Wei might surpass him by a slim margin."

While Tao Qian expressed his admiration, he also made a surprising move.

He directly took off the Human Species Bag from his waist and handed it over, then said, "Great Master, if you wish to look, please do."

Master Tao, in doing this, was not suddenly bewitched, thinking to give away his personal treasure.

The Holy Embryo Bag, or rather the Human Species Bag,

Had been with him for a very long time and, in truth, the bag itself actively chose its owner.

There were indeed strong people capable of taking the bag from Tao Qian, but they would need, at a minimum, the power of the Daoist Transformation Realm.

Shenxiu had extraordinary talent, but he was far from reaching the Daoist Transformation level.

Caught off guard by Tao Master's action, Shenxiu the monk immediately showed a look of struggle.

His ugly face twisted with conflict.

However, he quickly overcame it and, without stepping back, merely smiled bitterly, shook his head to refuse, and once again bowed in thanks,

"Amitabha!"

"Your realm is extraordinary, I have learned much, Monk."

Having said that, as if he understood something profound,

Shenxiu gave a mysterious smile, formed a Wisdom Seal with his hands, and began meditating on the spot to enhance his mental state.

This change left Tao Master speechless. He had only wanted to show the monk his treasure since he was someone worth befriending, and there was no risk of it being stolen. Who knew that Shenxiu could also gain insight into his realm this way?

Let's leave aside the real monk and the pretender becoming friends by a twist of fate.

On the other end, the Flower Staff Venerable, with the changed temperament of Hei Bo, and the remaining demon monks surrounded Tao Qian and the three, feeling somewhat like they were riding a tiger they couldn't dismount.

They couldn't beat them in a fight, but letting these two monks simply go wasn't an option either.

Not to mention anything else, the Great Compassionate and Merciful Transcendent Bodhisattva was still inside the Wu Gou Buddha's son's treasure bag.

If they let him escape with the Buddha Treasure, when the few Arhats place the blame, everyone in Yinping City, monks or laymen, would face annihilation.

The Flower Staff internally lamented, sending a message to Hei Bo,

"Junior Brother, think carefully."

"If this Transcendence Bodhisattva is taken by this petty thief, and we two do nothing, even if Uncle Shipi dotes on you so much, he can't prevent a visit to the [Refining Buddha Tower]."

"You wouldn't want your cultivation to go to waste, leaving only a Hei Bo relic for others to make use of, would you?"

The Flower Staff Venerable pondered, thinking the threat sufficient.

But immediately, he saw the Hei Bo Venerable show a face of sorrow and shake his head, saying,

"If such a transformation could redeem some sins, Hei Bo would be willing."

"Older Brother, all that has passed..."

These few words left both the Flower Staff Venerable and the surrounding demon monks dumbfounded.

ps: A chapter of 4000 words and another update to come, seeking your monthly ticket.