Longevity: Beginning from the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 679 Surname Xu, given name Xuan, courtesy name Hanwen

East China Sea, Fire Coral Islands.

This place is one of the many islands in the East China Sea, named for its abundance of low- to mid-grade fire-attribute natural treasures.

There are quite a few humans in the archipelago, and there are also three or five small sects that have taken root here. The most powerful person in the sect has only achieved the middle-grade Golden Core stage, and their magical power and profound light have not yet been condensed.

Lin Xuanzhi quietly landed on the back mountain of a remote fishing village. The simple cave dwelling hidden in the corner of the cave was located at the mouth of a hidden vein on the island, where the spiritual energy was extremely pure.

At this moment, in the quiet room under the heavy restrictions of the cave, a simply dressed young man with a handsome face and striking features was sitting cross-legged.

Deep within the cave, the Seven Treasures Golden Canopy seemed to open and close, supporting an ancient scripture scroll above, emitting a faint Buddhist light, subtly yet powerfully isolating the cave from the outside world.

"He has already achieved minor success in the Gang Sha realm. His foundation has indeed improved significantly compared to before. He has even grasped some of the profound truths of cultivating both Buddhism and Taoism. Although he was under external pressure, he was able to resolutely reincarnate after achieving longevity and long life after the initial formation of his primordial spirit. This shows that he has a rather good character."

Lin Xuanzhi nodded slightly and couldn't help but start calculating.

Although the Seven Treasures Golden Canopy obscured and interfered with his calculations, the causal entanglement between the two parties was clear and their relationship was close. Moreover, it seemed that Xu Xuan intended to reveal his whereabouts to Lin Xuanzhi, so there was not much obstacle in his calculations.

"The calamity of death has passed. Although the path to enlightenment in this life has been fraught with difficulties, if one can overcome three more perilous situations, one may even show some signs of becoming a Yang God?"

Lin Xuanzhi's divination skills were originally only at an ordinary level, but after some trials and tribulations, his cultivation greatly improved, and his skills in this area were also enhanced invisibly.

Therefore, when calculating Xu Xuanshi, whose cultivation level was much lower than his own, he was still able to grasp a few key points.

However, the changes in the heavens are complex and unpredictable, and the result of the calculation is only a possibility with a considerable probability.

"They actually had a way to deceive the old demon Tianjue's search, which shows that they also obtained some opportunities."

"It can be considered that the bitter times have finally come to an end, and the clouds have parted to reveal the bright moon. Since that's the case..."

Lin Xuanzhi smiled with narrowed eyes, and a relic that shone with pure Buddhist light appeared in his hand, illuminating the void inside and out.

Then, he activated the aura of the relic, and his figure instantly transformed into the appearance of the Heavenly Demon, a white-robed monk with indifferent eyes, a cold expression, and thin lips. The relic transformed into a white bone lotus platform beneath him, on which the petals were engraved with scriptures that were neither Buddha nor demon nor Tao, as well as many strange monks and the scenery of an endless white bone hell.

However, by borrowing the aura of Buddhist relics, he performed a transformation technique, and the aura of the relics manifested as an astonishingly pure yang energy.

A ray of moonlight shone down, and the Water Moon Technique separated Xu Xuan's cave from the world of illusion and reality.

Inside the cave, Xu Xuanzhong, who had recently returned from his journey of condensing evil spirits and refining qi, felt that he had already achieved minor success in qi and qi cultivation in just over ten years, and that his foundation was far superior to that of his previous life. He couldn't help but feel joyful and even a bit ambitious.

This reincarnation has benefited from some Buddhist practices. Although the merits and achievements of the previous life have dissipated, one can still gain some of the blessings from the previous life in terms of cultivation.

Although the Heavenly Demon is still like a deadly sword hanging over one's head, with the palm-leaf scripture written by Kasyapa on one's body, there is no need to worry too much if one is focused on avoiding it.

Even though the name of this matter was taboo, he bet that the old demon would be blind to it, so he only changed one word, turning "mysterious" into "public," and hid overseas like the old demon.

"Fortunately, this Seven Treasures Golden Banner survived the fire after obtaining the palm-leaf scriptures, greatly increasing its power. It was able to borrow even more power from the spiritual treasure in the Boundless Pure Land of Freedom. Otherwise, this reincarnation and re-cultivation would not have been so peaceful..."

Xu Xuan's heart was churning with emotion, but he quickly calmed down. Freed from the deadly curse and the many karmic shackles of his past life, he was confident that he could make great progress in his cultivation in this life. Although he dared not say that he could compare with the thief Xuandu, he was better than many true disciples of the Xuanmen!
Just then, Xu Xuan was shocked to hear a voice like a nightmare coming from outside the cave. He didn't know when the entire cave had been shrouded in a thick Buddhist light, but he and the Seven Treasures Golden Banner were completely unaware!
"Good disciple, you have been searching for me for a long time. Now you should realize your mistake and return to my tutelage."

The joy of achieving a minor success in cultivation vanished instantly. Xu Xuan's face turned deathly pale, and a hint of despair appeared in his eyes.

The Seven-Jeweled Golden Canopy, its palm-leaf scriptures billowing open, suddenly unfurled like a cat with its fur standing on end. Its voice, no longer gentle, cried out: "Tianjue! How is this possible? With the scriptures of the Sage Kasyapa in hand, what virtue or ability does Tianjue possess!"

However, no matter how incredulous the two were, they could only watch helplessly as the cave's restrictions melted away under the Buddha's light, and a nightmarish figure slowly walked in.

The Great Arhat's Demon-Slaying Treasure Light, accumulated over a long period, was unleashed with a deep-seated resentment. A faint light flickered between Lin Xuanzhi's brows, and a curtain containing the ultimate aura of death and darkness expanded outwards.

"Taoist priest, this is not funny!"

Xu Xuan's voice, filled with anger yet seemingly suppressing his rage, and tinged with a sense of relief at having survived a calamity, came through gritted teeth.

As everything dissipated, Xu Xuan, still trembling slightly as he held the Seven Treasures Golden Canopy, stared at the "Heavenly Destroyer Demon" before him with fiery eyes.

Lin Xuanzhi, slightly disappointed, reverted to his original state, clapped his hands, and nodded at Xu Xuan with great appreciation in his eyes: "Not bad, not bad, your reaction was quick enough."

Xu Xuan had long since lost his temper with Lin Xuanzhi. After glaring at him for a long time, he finally dejectedly began to treat him with the highest level of hospitality.

Lin Xuanzhi observed that this kid's standard of living hadn't declined at all.

Before he could ask, Xu Xuan said weakly, "We're confident that the old demon won't find us so quickly..."

"With such ability and... such... humor, only Master Yixu could be so venerable."

Lin Xuanzhi smiled and said, "Among all the realms, the one who cares about you the most is none other than this humble Daoist?"

"I never expected that when you came out of seclusion, you had already been reincarnated. If I didn't know your abilities, I would have thought you had been beaten to death by someone."

Xu Xuan's temperament had been tempered a hundred times, and he quickly regained his composure. He then couldn't help but ask curiously, "I was just playing around, nothing compared to the Taoist Master and all the other high-ranking Taoist masters. It was truly a grand spectacle."

"You actually have the time to come out and bother with a nobody like me?"

The spirit of the Seven Treasures Golden Banner couldn't help but chime in, "During my spiritual journey to the Pure Land, I overheard the Holy Monk and the Ancestor discussing strange tales of the Underworld, and it seemed to contain many of your shadows, True Man." Lin Xuanzhi smiled and countered, "Could it be the Great Fool Monk and the real Seven Treasures Golden Banner?"

"I wonder where these two are practicing their pure cultivation?"

Xu Xuanshun explained on his behalf: "It is in the Pure Land of Boundless Freedom, listening to the Dharma under the seat of the future Buddha who is free in the world."

Lin Xuanzhi nodded and said, "Indeed, he is a great and virtuous monk. It is not surprising that he has such a background."

Xu Xuan nodded reservedly, putting the palm-leaf scripture into his robes. Qibao Jinzhuang asked in surprise, "You're already facing a calamity, yet you're running around aimlessly?"

The treasures of Buddhism are indeed extraordinary; even just by looking at the incarnation, one can sense that Lin Xuan's calamity is imminent.

Lin Xuanzhi said leisurely, "This trip is to prepare for the calamity."

"Furthermore, I would not visit you without a reason, and I am here to bestow a great blessing upon you two."

The next instant, the Buddha's light emanating from the Bodhisattva's relic directly blinded the person and the treasure, disturbing their minds.

"This is... the relic of the Pure Yang Bodhisattva's Dao Fruit? It seems to have lost much of its original essence, but it still possesses extraordinary power!"

The spirit of the Seven Treasures Golden Canopy was the first to leap with joy, its Zen mind pounding wildly.

Heaven knows how powerless the Seven Treasures Golden Banner is without the relic of the banner.

Such a good thing is actually happening now?

Xu Xuan stared intently at the relic in Lin Xuanzhi's hand, and for a moment, his hair stood on end and his spine felt cold. This Taoist priest had even taken out a relic of the pure Yang level; he was probably plotting something bigger.

Lin Xuanzhi waited quietly, and in the end Xu Xuan gritted his teeth and took off the relic, placing it on top of the golden banner.

In an instant, the seven treasures shone brightly, and the Buddha's light shone through, but it quickly subsided. The Golden Canopy Spirit said with a joyful tone, "Comfortable? This seems to be the relic of the Lotus Desire Heavenly Maiden? It's a pity that her inheritance is no longer there. Otherwise, Xu Xuan would have accumulated some more, which would have helped him to walk the path of the unorthodox Pure Yang sect."

“I remember that the Great Seal of Bitter Sea Life of the Lotus Desire lineage is quite powerful. If it can be combined with the White Lotus Dharma, it may be able to generate more wonderful methods.”

Xu Xuan remained silent. This Golden Canopy Spirit was excellent in every way, but he still couldn't fathom the extent of this Taoist's wickedness...

That so-called Lotus Desire Inheritance is probably just a way to keep him hanging on!
"Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

Lin Xuanzhi gave a thumbs-up and smiled: "Good boy!"

"However, you have misunderstood me. My primordial spirit is not yet complete, how could you possibly interfere in my affairs?"

Hearing this, Xu Xuan felt a slight sense of relief.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Lin Xuanzhi said calmly, "The Emperor's Treasury will open soon. Perhaps you can help me draw away the old demon's hatred?"

"?!"

Xu Xuan immediately became restless, his face filled with resentment and resistance.

"Are you serious? I've been hiding perfectly well, and you actually want me to jump out on my own!"

In their previous life, the master and disciple could maintain a superficial harmony.

Now that he has been reincarnated, most of his previous schemes and concealments have been exposed. How could the old demon allow the fish raised in the pond to break free of the fishing net and live freely? Moreover, this directly affects the old demon's passage through the second tribulation of decline!

All these factors make it no exaggeration to say that Xu Xuan, this traitor, would become a thorn in the side of the old demon.

However, Xu Xuan also had many considerations. Jinzhuang had close ties with the Buddhist Pure Land, which seemed to be of great benefit to him at the moment, but in the end, he did not intend to devote himself to Buddhism.

It's true that it's good to have a big tree to lean on for shade, but not every tree is a reliable support.

This Taoist priest had a strong connection to him, so he naturally wanted to stick with him; otherwise, why would he intentionally reveal his whereabouts in this world?
Lin Xuanzhi shook his head and laughed, "According to my calculations, after the Jiazi year, at most the Yin spirits will drag you to the front of the stage, which will require a lot of effort to protect you, not to mention it will make me seem cold-hearted."

"After the elixir is completed, I will give you a wisp of elixir energy and a little bit of essence and blood."

Xu Xuan's eyes showed helplessness, but he felt a sense of relief.

Whether it's elixir or essence blood, these are things that shouldn't be easily given to others, but it's still better than jumping in front of the old demon and drawing his hatred.

Moreover, although the Taoist priest seemed to inquire about the Great Fool Monk unintentionally, he had a gut feeling that the other party was interested in Buddhism...

The Taoist priest seemed quite pleased with his seemingly unresponsive response.
Perhaps that was also their purpose, or even their primary purpose?
Xu Xuan gradually understood, and felt a great sense of relief.

It's difficult to gain a trusted position anywhere if you start out as a monk halfway through your career. It's better to establish your own lineage, become a Buddha or an ancestor, and thus be able to please both sides.

Although this Taoist priest was somewhat ruthless, he was genuinely generous with his benefits and never discarded his servants after they had served their purpose.

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(End of this chapter)