This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 178: The negotiation results are announced; Jinshan Temple inquires about the price.

Everyone listened attentively to Zhong Bai's speech, without any sign of disrespect.

Putting aside Zhong Bai's identity as the leader of Maoshan Sect, his strength alone is enough to make them take him seriously.

"The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is becoming increasingly scarce..."

Upon hearing Zhong Bai's words, everyone's expression darkened simultaneously.

These words resonated with everyone, especially Venerable Huian and Master Huikong of Jinshan Temple.

The cultivation world can still gather some Golden Core True Monarchs now, but what about decades or centuries from now?
If we truly let things go unchecked, who will we entrust the future to?
Like the snake king at Jinshan Temple?
Thinking of this, Abbot Huian, who had been silent all along, stood up and said, "Everyone, Sect Leader Qianhe is right. If we don't deal with these old guys who are still around, are we going to leave them to future disciples?"
Regardless of what you all think, there are some things that if our generation doesn't address them, future generations will only become increasingly helpless. We can't let future generations point fingers at us and criticize us. Jinshan Temple needs to save face!

The host, Huian, spoke with great enthusiasm, drawing the audience in without them even realizing it, and even making them feel somewhat resentful.

The crowd found it somewhat strange, but they roughly understood the meaning behind Huian's words.

"Now, everyone, please vote. Those who are willing to go to the capital to wipe out the Manchu imperial family, please stand up. Those who are not willing can continue to sit."

As soon as Master Lingxiao finished speaking, everyone looked at each other. Abbot Huian and Master Huikong, who had stood up, did not choose to sit down.

Lingxiao Celestial Master also stood up at the same time.

Zhong Bai smiled and stood up first!
As Zhong Bai stood up, Maoshan's attitude became clear: both Longhushan and Maoshan intended to go to the capital. Other sects in the Taoist community knew very well that if they did not follow, once Longhushan and Maoshan had dealt with the evil spirits in the capital, they would face exclusion and suppression from the Three Mountains Talismans.

Therefore, almost instantly, everyone made a decision.

In a flash, Yun Qingzi and Changming Zhenren, representing the Quanzhen Sect, stood up.

Immediately afterwards, Gezaoshan, one of the Three Mountains Talismans, also chose not to remain seated.

With two sects supporting them at once, Qingcheng Mountain and Wudang Mountain naturally couldn't choose to isolate themselves. No way! Only the Taoist sects truly understand the Taoist sects. They are well aware of the power of Longhu Mountain and Maoshan in the underworld. As long as Longhu Mountain and Maoshan take the lead in this trip to the capital, there will be virtually no surprises. What's there to be afraid of?

With all the Taoists standing up, only the Buddhist White Horse Temple and Mount Wutai remained silent.

The pressure was put on them.

Originally, Master Tonghai of Wutai Mountain did not intend to go to the capital. However, given the current situation, if Wutai Mountain does not make a statement, it will likely be condemned by everyone. The key issue is that Jinshan Temple has made a statement. If the Buddhist community can unite as one, it will be fine. But if Jinshan Temple goes while they do not, once this matter is publicized, Wutai Mountain and Baima Temple can forget about receiving incense offerings.

"Alas, Hui'an, Hui'an, you really are..."

Shaking his head, Grand Master Tonghai could only stand up helplessly, revealing a bitter smile.

"Wutai Mountain is willing to contribute!"

Seeing that Wutai Mountain had already surrendered, Baima Temple naturally couldn't foolishly persist any longer. They quickly got up, thus achieving a satisfactory agreement.

"it is good!

In that case, please pass on the message to other smaller sects. This matter is not just a matter for us top Buddhist and Taoist forces; we also need the cooperation of other Buddhist and Taoist sects.

The meeting is set for three months from now, when everyone will gather in the capital to eradicate the evil spirits!

"good!"

With everyone's words of "goodwill," the Buddhist-Taoist discussion came to a complete end. For Zhong Bai, this was an excellent opportunity for real combat, and he couldn't wait to test his skills against two flying zombies!
After the matter was discussed, all the factions left Maoshan, except for Jinshan Temple, which chose to remain in Maoshan.

The other sects didn't think it was a big deal and didn't take it to heart.

......................................................

Night fell.

In the main hall of the Maoshan Sect, Zhong Bai has now moved from his small courtyard to live here.

Just as he was sitting cross-legged, he heard a Buddhist chant: "Amitabha, Master Qianhe, I have come uninvited. I hope Master Qianhe will not blame me."

After hearing the Buddhist chant and what was said, Zhong Bai calmly raised his head and looked out of the hall.

“Abbot Huian came late at night, presumably to discuss something. Since he came with something to discuss, Zhong Bai naturally couldn’t blame the abbot.”

Host Hui'an, please come in!

After receiving Zhong Bai's permission, Grand Master Huian stepped into the hall and slowly sat down on the futon in front of Zhong Bai.

“Master Hui’an, please feel free to speak frankly if you have any concerns.”

Zhong Bai smiled, and Abbot Huian immediately understood that there was no need to hide anything; Zhong Bai had clearly guessed that he had come for a reason.

"Sect Leader Qianhe understands me best. I have indeed come to ask for your help. However, I do not insist on Sect Leader Qianhe's willingness to assist Jinshan Temple. But this matter concerns the survival of Jinshan Temple, and I could not refuse to come..."

“What Abbot Huian said is true.”

"There is a Leifeng Pagoda at Jinshan Temple, so I suppose Sect Leader Qianhe is aware of it."

"Indeed, I've heard that Leifeng Pagoda is a magical treasure of Jinshan Temple used to suppress evil spirits. It's also said that there was a legend about Fahai and the White Snake a thousand years ago."

Upon hearing this, Abbot Hui'an was stunned and looked at Zhong Bai with some doubt. "What is Sect Leader Qianhe saying?"

Does Jinshan Temple have this story?
Fahai… that Dharma name is quite impressive, implying boundless magical power and an endless ocean of Buddhism. It's just a pity I've never heard this story before.”

"Would the host like to hear that?"

Zhong Bai smiled. He really hadn't expected that Jinshan Temple in this world didn't have a story about Fahai and Bai Suzhen. However, Zhong Bai wasn't unable to continue.

"If Sect Leader Qianhe is willing to continue, this old monk is naturally willing to listen!"

Even though he came here for official business, Abbot Huian still didn't want to miss the story Zhong Bai told him; he felt it was anything but simple.

Especially when I hear the name Fahai, it's as if there really is such a person!

"The story goes like this..."

Zhong Bai explained to Huian, and the two of them were basically completely relaxed.

After listening to Zhong Bai's account of the Legend of the White Snake, Abbot Huian felt as if it had really happened.

"Amitabha, the Zen Master Fahai mentioned by Master Qianhe sounds like he's only one step away from becoming a Buddha. It's a bit too unreal that such a highly accomplished cultivator could be so attached to a white snake demon that has never harmed anyone."

Besides, what business is it of his if a human and a demon fall in love?

Upon hearing Hui'an's words, Zhong Bai burst into laughter. Indeed, the most amusing complaints came from Jinshan Temple's own people.

"Haha, what Master Huian said is right."

"By the way, Sect Leader Qianhe, the matter I'm seeking is actually somewhat related to the snake demon."

To be honest, there is also a snake demon suppressed under Leifeng Pagoda in Jinshan Temple. However, this snake demon is a peak demon king, which was suppressed under the pagoda by the abbot of Jinshan Temple five hundred years ago.

Five hundred years have passed, and now the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is getting weaker and weaker. The suppression of Leifeng Pagoda can no longer hold back this peak demon king.

Therefore, this old monk has come to Maoshan to request Maoshan's assistance in slaying this peak-level demon king!

Zhong Bai tapped his fingers, listening to the request from Grand Master Huian, but did not immediately agree.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Zhong Bai's current identity is not that of a Maoshan disciple, but rather the head of Maoshan. Even if this peak-level demon king has been suppressed for five hundred years and could not possibly possess its full strength, Zhong Bai cannot easily agree to help him kill it.

Master Hui'an saw Zhong Bai's silence and never thought he could get Zhong Bai, the leader of Maoshan Sect, to agree so easily.

Therefore...

It's time to start negotiating terms.

"Please speak frankly, Master Qianhe. We at Jinshan Temple understand that such a request is too presumptuous. However, among all the Buddhist and Taoist sects in the world, even Longhu Mountain does not have the current profound foundation of Maoshan, and we also have a peerless genius like Master Qianhe. Jinshan Temple is willing to pay some price!"

Hearing this, Zhong Bai nodded.

“Abbot Huian, let’s be frank. We have no problem getting Maoshan to help Jinshan Temple kill the Demon King, but I am now the sect leader.”

"I cannot agree so easily. This matter needs to be discussed with the elders tomorrow before I can give a reply, what do you say?"

"Understood, of course. Sect Leader Qianhe, please feel free to discuss it. Our Jinshan Temple will certainly be full of sincerity!"
"In that case, this old monk will not disturb Sect Leader Qianhe's continued cultivation any longer. Farewell..."

Watching the departing Grand Master Hui'an, Zhong Bai felt quite calm. Even after five hundred years of suppression, a peak-level demon king was probably not something Hui'an could handle alone. The fact that he came to Maoshan to seek help precisely shows his urgency.

As for negotiating terms, Zhong Bai wasn't in a hurry. It was best to leave such matters to his master or other senior uncles and masters.

The main reason is that Zhong Bai's status makes it impossible for him to lower himself to negotiate personally.

Time flew by and the next day arrived.

In the main hall, when the Maoshan elders learned that Jinshan Temple had stayed overnight to invite Zhong Bai to Jinshan Temple for assistance, they were all astonished.

However, they didn't offer any suggestions. Zhong Bai was the sect leader, so this matter didn't involve them. Whether or not to go was entirely up to Zhong Bai.

However, the fact that Zhong Bai told them about this proves that he intended to go.

"Elders, here's the situation: there's no problem with a snake demon."

However, since Jinshan Temple has offered itself up, why not take advantage of them? I have to pay some price before I can make a move.

"I wonder which elder would be willing to contact Jinshan Temple to discuss this matter?"

As soon as Zhong Bai finished speaking, the elders in the hall immediately began to discuss it animatedly.

The topic they discussed was nothing more than what Jinshan Temple had that Maoshan needed; well, it was like they were eyeing Jinshan Temple's treasures before talking about anything else.

After an incense stick had burned, the sounds gradually subsided, and the elders had already come up with a plan.

At this moment, the Immortal of Longevity stepped forward and volunteered himself!
(End of this chapter)