Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

Merit: 42354

Sin: 45362

Skills: Great Sun Tathagata Sutra (Supreme Heavenly Demon Sutra), Nine Revolutions Yuan Gong, Arhat Heaven-Turning Seal, Supernatural Dragon Subduing Technique, Six-Syllable Mantra, etc.

Treasures: World-Destroying Black Lotus (Low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure), Divine Demon Sword (Low-grade Spiritual Treasure), Ruyi Monk's Robe (Acquired Spiritual Treasure), Spirit Fan (Acquired Spiritual Treasure). [Note: The Ruyi Monk's Robe and Spirit Fan are located in the back mountain of Lingyin Temple and have not yet been retrieved.]

Looking at his personal panel, Li Xiuyuan sighed inwardly, realizing that spreading the truth was indeed the real goal, as he hadn't done anything good lately.

The merit points are rising rapidly, clearly thanks to the efforts of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty, allowing me to gain a lot of merit points even if I do nothing.

Chapter 98 Lanruo Temple

As for the sins committed during the storm, Li Xiuyuan did quite a few bad things, and there were many justifiable reasons for them.

In conclusion, preaching is the truth, and merit points or sin points can be accumulated quickly.

…………

Ouch...

A wolf howl rang out!

Li Xiuyuan opened his eyes, surprised to find himself spending so much time in this desolate wilderness. He had originally planned to cultivate for a while, but unexpectedly, a day had passed quickly without him even noticing.

He must have been so excited about the new manual that he lost track of time.

Li Xiuyuan's gaze swept over and he noticed a faint light on the mountain range not far away, suggesting that someone was taking a temporary rest.

The firelight was pointing directly at the howling wolves, and with the eerie wind blowing, it was probably not a good place. However, Li Xiuyuan was highly skilled and daring; as long as he didn't encounter a demon of the Human Immortal level, he should be safe.

After thinking of this, Li Xiuyuan leaped over and flew over. Since there was firelight, he decided to rest for the time being!

This was a mass grave. Li Xiuyuan saw many graves along the way, and even in the darkness, they could not escape his keen eyes.

The woods here are so lush, how could there be anyone here! This was something Li Xiuyuan couldn't understand. Suddenly, his cold eyes narrowed, and the three large characters on the stone tablet in front of him caught his attention.

Lanruo Temple

If I'm not mistaken, there should be a female ghost here! Li Xiuyuan thought to himself.

Eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path is what we cultivators should do. The tree demon in this temple has killed many people. If we can really kill it, we can probably gain a lot of merit points.

Li Xiuyuan flew in quickly. There was no reason not to enter when he arrived at Lanruo Temple. Although the temple was dilapidated, it was still very large. Moreover, a thousand-year-old tree demon was hidden in the temple, which made it feel somewhat eerie.

Li Xiuyuan glanced at the dilapidated gate of Lanruo Temple and stepped inside. There were no green mountains and clear waters, no gold and silver treasures, and hardly anyone came here; it was extremely desolate.

When Li Xiuyuan entered Lanruo Temple, he saw a similarly decayed hall, with countless withered branches and leaves outside, and even large areas were covered in dust.

As for the statues of gods and Buddhas enshrined in the main hall, they are already incomplete, and even the murals are blurred.

Li Xiuyuan glanced at them indifferently. Although these Buddha statues were incomplete, one could still vaguely make out their individual shapes. Some had ferocious faces, some glared angrily, some had smiling faces, and some had kind faces, and so on.

Li Xiuyuan had no interest in these enshrined Buddha statues, after all, he was originally the Arhat who subdued dragons, and there were still many people in the mortal world who worshipped him! Naturally, he wouldn't even glance at these Buddha statues.

Behind Lanruo Temple is a square paved with bluestone. Its surroundings are dilapidated and covered with moss and weeds. It must have been a place where the monks practiced martial arts.

Meanwhile, on the bluestone plaza, dimly lit, a figure, wielding a long sword, practiced swordsmanship as if no one else was around. His figure moved swiftly, like the wind, his sword flashing like rain, covering dozens of feet in a single instant.

A series of afterimages filled the entire bluestone square. If any mortal were to see them, they would surely be terrified. Li Xiuyuan was surprised. Upon seeing this person, he immediately realized that it must be Yan Chixia!

Yan Chixia's cultivation was no weaker than his own; he was also a Nascent Soul Realm expert. So, the Tree Demon Granny was also a Nascent Soul Realm expert, but she was still far inferior to Yan Chixia. Otherwise, why would she be suppressed and beaten, and not dare to act casually?

Yan Chixia, who was on the field, did not notice Li Xiuyuan's arrival and continued to practice his sword as if no one was there. The sword light intertwined into a net, and with the master's swing, it was like streaks of white light breaking through the sky.

Li Xiuyuan stood on the edge of the area. His cultivation was no weaker than Yan Chixia's. If he wanted to hide, the other party would not be able to find him at all.

Yan Chixia had a long face with a thick beard, and his black hair was tied into a messy knot. His face was rugged, but he had a faint air of benevolent righteousness about him. He was neither Taoist nor secular, and he was laughing wildly.

Tao-Tao-Tao-Tao-Tao-Tao-Tao

Road to Road, very Avenue.

The Way of Heaven, the Way of Earth, the Way of Humanity, and the Way of the Sword.

Black path, white path, yellow path, equator.

It is also said, the Way is understood, and all the Ways are the Way.

One's own way is not the ordinary way.

Pah, pah, pah, pah, that's utter nonsense.

Flower arrangement, tea ceremony, ha, the way of Yin and Yang, ha.

Unorthodox methods, lucky breaks, and unorthodox practices.

He has a way of making money, but he tricked me. He is inhuman, like the notorious thief Wang Yang.

They were tyrannical and domineering, their wolves and jackals ruling the way.

I seek my own path, I seek...my own path!

…………

"What a fine 'I seek my own path'! Daoist Master, your magical powers are truly admirable! This humble monk is deeply impressed!"

This last "I seek my own path" truly aligns with Li Xiuyuan's character. He doesn't care about other people's paths; he only knows how to pursue his own, demonstrating the steadfastness of his Daoist heart.

Yan Chixia was a ruthless judge who was famous throughout the twenty-six provinces of Guandong and Guangxi. He hated corrupt officials the most. Because of the power of treacherous officials, he withdrew from the martial arts world and lived in seclusion in Lanruo Temple.

In addition, Yan Chixia is not only a constable of the government, but also a Taoist practitioner who upholds righteousness, wards off evil, and subdues demons in an unconventional manner.

Taoist secret techniques, the Xuanyuan Divine Sword, the Vajra Mantra, and the three cultivations of Taoism, Buddhism, and martial arts.

Moreover, Yan Chixia only began practicing Taoist arts after retiring from public service, but his strength improved rapidly. In just a few decades, he had already reached the Nascent Soul realm! He can be described as exceptionally gifted.

Only a genius like Li Xiuyuan, who has reached the Nascent Soul realm in just five years of cultivation, could catch up!

Upon hearing this, Yan Chixia quickly turned around. He was extremely surprised, as his divine sense scan could not reveal the depth of this person's abilities, and he was also astonished as to when this person had appeared behind him.

If it really is an enemy, wouldn't that be the death of him?

Yan Chixia exclaimed in surprise, "Who are you, and what brings you to Lanruo Temple?"

However, the person in front of him was elegant and refined, like a highly virtuous monk, which made Yan Chixia lower his guard.

Chapter 99 Monks and Taoists

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan replied calmly, "Amitabha! This humble monk, Daoji, is merely a passerby who is staying here for the night! On the contrary, why is the Daoist Master in this dilapidated temple?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept over us gently. At that moment, he was a highly accomplished monk, which naturally gave people a sense of closeness.

Yan Chixia said, "Is the monk not afraid of death? How dare he stay overnight at Lanruo Temple?"

Anyone living near Guobei County knows what Lanruo Temple is; it's a place that's gloomy and terrifying.

Li Xiuyuan's lips curled up as he chuckled, "A few ghosts and demons are nothing to this humble monk. Besides, what do we cultivators have to fear from demons?"

As he spoke, his aura erupted, a unique presence befitting a Nascent Soul expert, making him someone not to be underestimated.

Yan Chixia's eyes gleamed. This was the first time he had encountered such a powerful figure since he came down the mountain. No wonder he was not afraid of the ghosts and monsters of Lanruo Temple. He heard him say, "So you have something to rely on. Well then, good luck to you."

Having said that, he took two steps in one, stepped directly onto a stone tower next to him, leaped up, and disappeared in an instant.

Yan Chixia's warning came from the sky: "There is a vengeful ghost in this ancient temple that specifically harms those who are fickle-minded and weak-willed. Monks, you should be careful."

Li Xiuyuan smiled slightly upon hearing this, thinking that Yan Chixia was indeed a kind-hearted person.

This dilapidated temple occupies a considerable area, with east and west wing rooms, carved railings and painted beams, and magnificent halls and pagodas, faintly revealing its former prosperity. It is likely that this was once a large temple with flourishing incense offerings.

But with the passage of time, no matter how prosperous a place may be, it will eventually fall into ruin.

The world is ever-changing, and what was once a bustling place is now overgrown with weeds, having lost its former grandeur.

Even more lamentable is that the Buddhist temples and sacred sites that were once revered by mortals were instead seized by demons and became a wicked ghost realm where they bewitched and harmed people, stealing blood and eating flesh.

Upon realizing this, Li Xiuyuan shook his head. He wondered if a living person had appeared.

Li Xiuyuan leaped into a meditation room. This room was slightly better; at least not all the windows were shattered. As for the other meditation rooms, they were all occupied by corpses that had been bewitched and killed, their resentment still lingering.

In this Buddhist land, Li Xiuyuan took out some wine and meat from his system space. Although his cultivation had long since reached the level of abstaining from grains, he still found it difficult to suppress his appetite.

It would be too boring if we couldn't taste all the delicacies in the world. Besides, this time we're eating dragon meat, which Li Xiuyuan left behind a small amount of.

A fragrant aroma of wine wafted through the air. Li Xiuyuan looked at the golden-brown dragon meat, sprinkled on another layer of spices, and chuckled, "There is no greater pleasure in the world than this!"

As he spoke, he took out his chopsticks and picked up a large piece of dragon meat. The meat was smooth and not greasy, making people almost swallow the whole thing, including the head.

Gulu!

Li Xiuyuan smiled and said, "If you don't mind, Daoist Master, you are welcome to come and drink some foreign wine with us."

As he spoke, he looked out the window at Yan Chixia, his large beard bobbing as he spoke.

The fine wine in Li Xiuyuan's hand was a century-old brew by Emperor Shitian of Fengyun. After killing Emperor Shitian, Li Xiuyuan indirectly took control of his forces; otherwise, how could he have obtained his martial arts?

Upon hearing this, Yan Chixia didn't mince words and said bluntly, "Monk, doesn't Buddhism emphasize strict rules and regulations? How dare you drink alcohol and eat meat!"

After saying that, he sat down to the side, picked up a jar of fine wine, and put it in his mouth.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan's lips curled up in a smile, and he said, "Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but Buddha remains in the heart. If people follow my example, they will enter the demonic path. This humble monk neither abstains from meat nor vegetarian food!"

As he spoke, he picked up the wine jar, took a sip, and the rich aroma of the wine filled the air.

Yan Chixia laughed heartily, "What a fine saying, 'Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but the heart of Buddha remains!' I like your kind of temperament."

As he spoke, he picked up a piece of roasted meat and took a bite. He found the meat to be extraordinary and exclaimed, "Fine wine, fine meat!"