Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

"Buddhism makes people lose the courage to live in the present moment and place their hopes on the next life. It tells people that suffering in this life is for the sake of blessings in the next life. This will only make people low-desire and lack vitality, ultimately leading to social stagnation."

Lin Zhu was deeply shocked after hearing this.

He never imagined that the Tang emperor would have such a profound understanding of Buddhism.

The Tang Emperor continued.

"The flourishing of Buddhism is due to people's hopes for the future. But I believe that this only makes people weak. True strength lies in living in the present and seizing the moment, rather than placing one's hopes on a vague and uncertain afterlife."

Lin Zhu was deeply gratified by the Tang Emperor's understanding.

He knew that the Tang emperor would not easily fall into the trap of Buddhism.

Afterwards, Lin Zhu prepared to leave. He was still concerned about the Queen Mother's decree and his old friend, Gu Yang.

"Your Majesty, I must go."

Lin Zhu stood up and said to the Tang King.

Upon hearing this, the Tang emperor, his eyes reddening, thanked him.

"Lord Prison God, I am deeply grateful! I will forever remember your kindness!"

Lin Zhu smiled, patted the Tang King on the shoulder, and said.

"Your Majesty, you are devoted to the people, and you will surely be blessed by the gods. Remember, you are the King of Men, the Son of Heaven, and the supreme ruler of this Southern Continent. Do not fail the people of the world!"

The Tang king bowed three times respectfully, indicating that he would not disappoint Lin Zhu's expectations.

After Lin Zhu left, the Tang King immediately issued a proclamation.

The notice stated that a grand water and land assembly would be held to pray for the well-being of all people.

On the surface, this was supposed to be a grand Buddhist and Taoist ceremony to guide people towards goodness, but in reality, the Tang emperor removed the part about the Buddhas of the Western Paradise and changed the proclamation to pray for the well-being of all people, rather than to pray for the salvation of wronged souls.

He was trying to undermine the very foundation of Buddhism in this way.

After seeing the notice, Guanyin Bodhisattva thought that the 200,000 merits were well spent.

She thought that the Tang Emperor was only trying to give an explanation to the people, and she did not realize that the Tang Emperor was making a move in secret.

So she went back to report to the Western Paradise. The Buddhas of the Western Paradise mistakenly believed that everything was under their control, but little did they know that the Tang Emperor was already secretly plotting to destroy their foundation.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhu was on her way to find Gu Yang.

He had a deep friendship with Gu Yang and couldn't help but miss him.

"Gu Yang, you little rascal, I wonder how you're doing these days?"

Lin Zhu thought to himself.

Are you missing me too?

The system notification sounded in Lin Zhu's mind.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained a Heavenly Merit. This merit comes from the cultivation method that you passed on to the Southern Continent, which taught all people to become like dragons. It has been recognized by the Heavenly Dao and is hereby bestowed as a merit."

A storm raged in Lin Zhu's heart.

He never imagined that the set of "Ninth National Middle School Radio Gymnastics" that he casually passed on to the Tang King would actually earn him heavenly merit.

He knew all too well how precious the merits and virtues bestowed by Heaven were.

It can not only help him cultivate, but also provide him with an opportunity to become a saint.

However, his current strength is insufficient to utilize this Heavenly Merit.

Because he has not yet reached the level of a half-step quasi-saint.

He looked at the golden, glittering Heavenly Merit in his mind, and his heart was filled with ecstasy.

He knew that as long as he could reach the level of a half-step quasi-saint, this merit would help him become a saint in one fell swoop.

Just as Lin Zhu was immersed in his surprise, the Tang King's call pulled him back to reality.

"The God of Hell, the God of Hell?"

Lin Zhu snapped out of his daze, looked at King Tang, and gave him a warm smile.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

The Tang king was overjoyed. He looked at Lin Zhu with eyes full of admiration.

"Lord Prison God, the cultivation technique you gave me is simply a miracle! It not only strengthens the body but also unleashes the body's potential. I dare say that with this technique, our Great Tang Dynasty will surely prosper forever!"

Lin Zhu smiled slightly; he knew that the Tang King was right.

This cultivation method can not only strengthen the body, but also enable ordinary people to embark on the path of cultivation.

“Master Prison God, but I’m worried that this technique might be stolen by the Western Buddhist Kingdom.”

The Emperor's voice was filled with worry.

"The Western Buddhist Kingdom has always been ruthless. If they knew of the existence of this technique, they would definitely try every means to seize it for themselves."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhu felt a chill run down her spine.

He knew that the Tang Emperor's worries were not unfounded. If this technique were truly stolen by the Western Buddhist Kingdom, the consequences would be unimaginable.

However, he was not worried at all.

He looked at the Tang Emperor and said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. This cultivation technique can only be effective in the Southern Continent. It will have no effect in other places."

Upon hearing this, the Tang emperor was overjoyed.

He immediately understood what Lin Zhu meant.

"I see! Lord Prison God, you are truly farsighted!"

"The Tang King said excitedly."

"In that case, I will strengthen control over the Southern Continent to prevent the cultivation techniques from flowing out!"

Lin Zhu nodded; he was very satisfied with the Tang King's reaction.

The Tang emperor then asked.

"Lord Prison God, how should the scale of the Water and Land Assembly be decided?"

The Tang emperor had his own agenda. He wanted to use the authority of the Western Paradise to spread Buddhism, but he didn't want the Western Paradise to completely control the situation.

Lin Zhu smiled slightly, looked at the King of Tang, and said.

"Your Majesty, you may do as you please. Do whatever you deem appropriate. As for the Western Paradise, I will secretly assist them and will not allow them to succeed."

Upon hearing this, the Tang emperor's confidence greatly increased.

His gratitude towards Lin Zhu was palpable.

He knew that Lin Zhu was supporting him and supporting the Tang Dynasty.

"Great Lord Prison God, I am deeply grateful!"

The Tang emperor rose again and bowed to Lin Zhu.

Lin Zhu smiled and asked him to sit down.

He casually asked the Tang emperor about his views on Buddhism.

"Your Majesty, what do you think of Buddhism?"

The Tang King's answer greatly surprised Lin Zhu.

"Boss, Buddhism is not entirely without merit. It teaches people to be good and to let go, which are all good. However, Buddhism also has its drawbacks."

The Emperor's voice was profound.

"Buddhism makes people lose the courage to live in the present moment and place their hopes on the next life. It tells people that suffering in this life is for the sake of blessings in the next life. This will only make people low-desire and lack vitality, ultimately leading to social stagnation."

Lin Zhu was deeply shocked after hearing this.

He never imagined that the Tang emperor would have such a profound understanding of Buddhism.

The Tang Emperor continued.

"The flourishing of Buddhism is due to people's hopes for the future. But I believe that this only makes people weak. True strength lies in living in the present and seizing the moment, rather than placing one's hopes on a vague and uncertain afterlife."

Lin Zhu was deeply gratified by the Tang Emperor's understanding. He knew that the Tang Emperor would not easily fall into the trap of Buddhism.

Afterwards, Lin Zhu prepared to leave.

Because he still cared about the Queen Mother's decree and his old friend Gu Yang.

"Your Majesty, I must go."

Lin Zhu stood up and said to the Tang King.

Upon hearing this, the Tang emperor, his eyes reddening, thanked him.

"Lord Prison God, I am deeply grateful! I will forever remember your kindness!"

Lin Zhu smiled, patted the Tang King on the shoulder, and said.

"Your Majesty, you are devoted to the people, and you will surely be blessed by the gods. Remember, you are the King of Men, the Son of Heaven, and the supreme ruler of this Southern Continent. Do not fail the people of the world!"

The Tang king bowed three times respectfully, indicating that he would not disappoint Lin Zhu's expectations.

After Lin Zhu left, the Tang King immediately issued a proclamation.

The notice stated that a grand water and land assembly would be held to pray for the well-being of all people.

On the surface, this was supposed to be a grand Buddhist and Taoist ceremony to guide people towards goodness, but in reality, the Tang emperor removed the part about the Buddhas of the Western Paradise and changed the proclamation to pray for the well-being of all people, rather than to pray for the salvation of wronged souls.

He was trying to undermine the very foundation of Buddhism in this way.

After seeing the notice, Guanyin Bodhisattva thought that the 200,000 merits were well spent.

She thought that the Tang Emperor was only trying to give an explanation to the people, and she did not realize that the Tang Emperor was making a move in secret.

So she went back to report to the Western Paradise. The Buddhas of the Western Paradise mistakenly believed that everything was under their control, but little did they know that the Tang Emperor was already secretly plotting to destroy their foundation.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhu was on her way to find Gu Yang.

He had a deep friendship with Gu Yang and couldn't help but miss him.

"Gu Yang, you little rascal, I wonder how you're doing these days?"

Lin Zhu thought to himself.

Are you missing me too?

Lin Zhu's Shennong Cauldron was emitting a deep hum, filled with thirst, as if it were yearning for the nourishment of elixirs.

Looking at the empty pill bottle, Lin Zhu couldn't help but recall the large number of top-grade pills that Gu Yang had generously given him.

Those pills were not only numerous but also of extremely high quality, greatly helping him and even changing the course of fate at crucial moments on several occasions.

Lin Zhu was deeply grateful for Gu Yang's kindness, and he decided that he would visit him this time no matter what to do, to express his gratitude.

So Lin Zhu rode on auspicious clouds and traveled south, soon arriving at the South China Sea.

However, the scene before him greatly shocked him.

The South China Sea, once shrouded in demonic energy and devastated by countless lives, is now clear and bright, with sparkling waters and abundant spiritual energy, resembling a paradise on earth.

Lin Zhu guessed that the reason why such a big change had occurred in the South China Sea must be because some powerful being had cleansed the demonic energy of the South China Sea.

However, when he tried to find the location of the South China Sea eye, he found that he could not find it no matter what he did.

He scanned the entire South China Sea with his divine sense, but found nothing.

Lin Zhu was puzzled. Had he remembered the location wrong?

He frowned, stood on the sea, and fell into deep thought.

He always felt that something was amiss with the changes in the South China Sea.

At this moment, in the underwater demonic cave, Gu Yang and a powerful figure in the cave were secretly observing Lin Zhu.

A sinister smile appeared on Gu Yang's face.

He looked at the bamboo in the picture, his heart filled with pride.

"Hahahaha! Lin Zhu, Lin Zhu, I knew you little thief would come to the South China Sea!"

Gu Yang's voice was filled with hatred.

The powerful being in the cave was an ancient demonic dragon. He looked at Gu Yang with worry in his eyes.

"Gu Yang, are you really sure Lin Zhu will come to the South China Sea? Last time, he lured you away from your prey. Don't be careless this time."

Gu Yang waved his hand confidently and said.

"Old Long, don't worry. Last time, I was careless. This time, I'm fully prepared. And look at my cultivation level!"

Upon hearing this, the powerful figure in the cave immediately sensed Gu Yang's cultivation level and discovered that Gu Yang's cultivation level had actually advanced to the half-step Quasi-Saint realm.

"You...you actually advanced to the half-step Quasi-Saint realm?!"

The powerful figure inside the cave exclaimed in surprise.

Gu Yang said smugly.

"That's right! Half-step Quasi-Saint! And that Lin Zhu is just a Great Luo Golden Immortal. No matter how powerful he is, he can't possibly be my match!"

Although the powerful figures in the cave had some concerns, they were ultimately moved by Gu Yang's confidence.

He knew that Gu Yang's strength was now far superior to his own.

"Gu Yang, what are your plans to do with him?"

"The powerful figure in the cave asked."

A sly glint flashed in Gu Yang's eyes as he looked at Lin Zhu in the image and said...

"Lin Zhu's trip to the South China Sea this time must be to find materials for demon cores or something similar. He has a lot of important information about demon beasts, and this information is exactly what we need."

"So this time, I'm going to take it from him instead of letting him take it from me!"

Gu Yang's voice was full of confidence.

Although the powerful figures in the cave were somewhat worried, they were still drawn to Gu Yang's plan.

He knew that if they could seize the intelligence from Lin Zhu, their strength would increase once again.

"Gu Yang, are you... are you really sure he'll fall for the trap?"

"The powerful figure in the cave asked."

Gu Yang said confidently.

"Old Long, don't worry. I've calculated everything perfectly. This time, Lin Zhu will surely walk right into the trap!"

After saying that, Gu Yang ignored the powerful figures in the cave and flew straight towards the South China Sea.

As the powerful figure in the cave watched Gu Yang's retreating figure, he felt a sense of déjà vu about this scene.

He always felt that Gu Yang was doomed this time as well.

However, Gu Yang ignored him and flew straight towards Lin Zhu.

Lin Zhu stood on the surface of the South China Sea, his brows furrowed.

He sensed something was off about the scenery around him, as if some great terror was lurking nearby.

However, before he could think further, he found himself unknowingly trapped within an invisible barrier.

Lin Zhu was shocked. How could he, a Great Luo Golden Immortal at the peak of his cultivation, be secretly trapped? He immediately channeled all his magical power and forcefully rammed into the barrier.

"boom!"

With a loud bang, Lin Zhu's body was bounced back, unable to break through the barrier at all.

He crashed into it several times, but the result was always the same.

He realized he had fallen into a trap, and despair crossed his face as if he were trapped in the hunter's clutches.

The next second, Gu Yang's voice rang in Lin Zhu's ears, a voice filled with a cold and arrogant sneer.

"Boy! You have no way to escape!"

Lin Zhu was shocked. He sensed Gu Yang's aura slowly drifting over from afar, and in an instant, it arrived in front of him.

Lin Zhu was shocked to discover that Gu Yang had already advanced to the half-step Quasi-Saint realm, which he found unbelievable. (End of Chapter)