On the Dragon-Slaying Platform, I was executed and became Yang Jian's brother-in-law.

The Western Paradise, the Great Thunder Temple on Mount Ling.

Today, Mount Ling is a sight to behold, "a riot of flowers, bathed in golden light." The Buddha has spared no expense in welcoming this heavyweight "being," Su Bai.

Three thousand Buddhas were seated in attendance, five hundred Arhats stood in formation, eight Vajra protectors were present, and the eight classes of celestial beings and dragons played welcoming music in the clouds with rising and falling chants. The scene was no less grand than when welcoming a saint in the past.

"Amitabha."

Guided by Guanyin Bodhisattva, Su Bai, dressed in a somewhat forlorn gray robe, finally stepped onto the golden brick and jade steps of the Great Thunderclap Temple.

"The Emperor's presence brings great honor to my humble abode, Lingshan."

On the nine-tiered golden lotus, the Buddha himself rose, his face bearing his signature compassionate smile, even more radiant than usual, his hands clasped together, and he bowed slightly.

This action instantly shocked all the Buddhas present.

The Buddha himself rose to greet him? This is an unprecedented honor!

Buddha, however, had his own plans: Su Bai was arrogant and wouldn't listen to reason. Since they were going to lure him in as "one of their own," they had to make a grand show of it! They absolutely couldn't let him feel that the West was neglecting him, nor could they let him look down on the West's strength!

"Buddha, you are too kind."

Although Su Bai was fully aware of the bald men's scheme, his outward appearance was that of a master of disguise. He clutched his chest, coughed lightly twice, and his pale face revealed a hint of gratitude.

"I am severely injured and tormented by inner demons. I am grateful to Buddha for not abandoning me and for taking me in to recuperate here. I will remember this kindness."

"That's good, that's good."

Seeing that Su Bai was so "cooperative," the Buddha felt much more at ease, and his smile became even more amiable. "Now that the Emperor has entered my sacred mountain, we are all one family. All that has happened in the past is but a prelude; all that will happen in the future is due to the Buddha's affinity."

After a series of meaningless but probing small talk.

With a wave of his hand, the Buddha pointed to the area behind the Great Thunderclap Temple where the Buddhist light was strongest and the spiritual energy was most abundant:

"Your Majesty's injuries are serious. I have already ordered people to clean up the 'Bodhi Hermitage' thoroughly. It is adjacent to the Eight Treasures Merit Pool and has the Bodhi tree of the Sage Zhunti providing shade. It is a first-class pure and blessed place in our Vulture Peak."

"The Emperor can settle down there with peace of mind. No matter how long he stays, our Buddhist sect will always welcome him with open arms."

Bodhi Hermitage!

Hearing this name, even Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't help but twitch her eyelids. That was a place usually reserved for Buddha during his seclusion—a true VIP experience!

It seems that Buddha is truly going all out this time to convert Su Bai.

"Thank you, Buddha."

Su Bai didn't stand on ceremony, cupped his hands in greeting, and followed the novice monk who was leading the way towards the back mountain.

……

Bodhi Hermitage truly lives up to its reputation.

This place lacks the gaudy splendor of the Great Thunder Temple; instead, it exudes a rustic Zen charm that returns to simplicity. An exquisite bamboo hut is nestled beneath a lush, ancient tree that radiates a halo of wisdom.

In front of the bamboo house is a square pool about ten feet in size, with water displaying a seven-colored glazed hue – the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

The pool not only emitted a rich golden light of merit, but also had a unique fragrance that made one feel refreshed and relaxed just by smelling it.

"What a great place."

After the guide left, Su Bai set up an isolation barrier. His previous weak expression vanished instantly, replaced by an excited look that seemed to say, "I'm going to get rich!"

"This Eight Treasures Merit Water truly lives up to its reputation."

Su Bai squatted by the pool and scooped up a handful of water. The water droplets rolled down and transformed into golden lotus phantoms. The pure willpower contained within them caused the dried-up source of time within his body to roar with longing.

"A fool wouldn't take advantage of a good deal."

Without saying a word, Su Bai took off his shoes, socks, and outer robe, and jumped into the pool with a "plop".

"Hiss—that feels so good!"

As the pool water rose above his chest, Su Bai felt every pore on his body open up. That warm, comforting power flowed through his meridians, not only nourishing his body injured by the lightning tribulation, but also continuously surging into his sea of ​​consciousness.

"Come out, Xuanming."

With a thought, Su Bai released the Xuanming remnant soul that had been nurtured in the Soul Nourishing Pool (which he had been hiding in his personal space).

As soon as the pale blue light entered the water, it was like rain after a long drought, instantly unleashing a suction force that frantically devoured the surrounding golden water of merit.

Visibly, the originally weak ball of light began to solidify and brighten.

"This efficiency is more than ten times faster than in the underworld!"

Su Bai was overjoyed, "At this rate, Xuanming will be able to completely replenish his true spirit and even reshape his physical body within a hundred years!"

……

However, what Su Bai didn't know was...

While he was "taking a bath," inside the Great Thunderclap Temple, the Buddha was observing everything through the Haotian Mirror (which, although unable to see through Su Bai's restrictions, could see the changes in the pool water).

"They're inside."

The Buddha twirled his prayer beads, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Entering this pool means entering the dye vat of my Buddhist sect."

"Buddha, this pool of water..." Manjushri Bodhisattva below said with some heartache, "That's the merit we've accumulated over three hundred years."

"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub."

With an air of profound mystery, the Buddha asked, "You all think this Eight Treasures Merit Pool is only for healing?"

"Wrong! Utterly wrong!"

The Buddha explained, "This pool has long been imbued with the will of the two Western Saints and the 'Buddha-power of salvation' blessed by the three thousand Buddhas who chant sutras day and night. Anyone who enters this pool will initially feel refreshed and their injuries will heal."

"But as time goes by, the power of Buddha will gradually seep into one's bones and soul."

This is called "subtle and silent influence".

"In addition, you three thousand Arhats will take turns chanting scriptures outside the hermitage every morning and evening."

A gleam of wisdom flashed in the Buddha's eyes: "Within forty-nine days, Su Bai will find the mortal world uninteresting, and only my Buddhist sect is his true home. At that time, without us needing to persuade him, he will shave his head and kneel before the hall, begging me to take him in!"

Upon hearing this, all the Buddhas gave a thumbs-up: "Buddha is wise! This plan is perfect!"

……

The plan is perfect.

But Buddha overlooked one crucial detail – Su Bai's identity.

He is the Time God!

Inside the Bodhi Hermitage.

Su Bai was soaking in the pool and it did feel great. But he soon noticed something was wrong.

As the power of merit entered his body, there seemed to be an extremely fine yet extremely stubborn golden thread trying to penetrate his soul core and quietly modify his will.

It felt like countless flies were buzzing in my ears, chanting: "Take refuge... take refuge... the world is too bitter... being bald is cool..."

"Ha, it was definitely a trap."

Su Bai sneered; he had anticipated this move. "Trying to convert me? Trying to brainwash me?"

Su Bai reached out and grabbed a drop of water from the pool, examining it closely.

Under his Eye of Time, the structure of the pool of water was instantly revealed.

This Eight Treasures Merit Water is essentially composed of two parts:

Part of it is pure "merit and vows," which is hard currency and a good thing.

The other part is the "Buddha's power and will" injected into it by the Buddhas of the West, which is the "poison" with brainwashing properties.

Moreover, Su Bai discovered an even more interesting pattern.

"This Buddha's power and will, though domineering, is not lasting."

"Like... an expiration date?"

Su Bai had heard Guanyin boast before that the Eight Treasures Merit Pool needed the joint blessing of all Buddhas once every five hundred years, otherwise the Buddha's power would dissipate and only ordinary merit water would remain.

The last blessing was two hundred years ago. In other words, the "brainwashing effect" in this pool will not expire for another three hundred years.

"For ordinary people, three hundred years is too long."

"But for the ancestors who love to play with time..."

Su Bai's lips curled into a mischievous smile as he lightly touched the surface of the water with his finger.

"Time...accelerates!"

hum-

A strange gray ripple, centered on Su Bai, enveloped the entire Eight Treasures Merit Pool and every drop of water that entered his body.

He did not accelerate time in the outside world, but only accelerated the decay process of the "Buddha's power and will" in these waters!

A single breath can last for a hundred years!

Three breaths later.

The "Buddha's Will" that was originally so aggressive and wanted to brainwash Su Bai was like tea that had been left out for five hundred years, instantly losing all its activity and becoming rotten and dissipating under the crazy erosion of the laws of time.

Finally, only the purest, most harmless, and most nourishing essence remains—the source of merit!

"The brainwashing poison has expired; what's left are all tonics!"

Su Bai laughed heartily, "Come on, Xuanming, drink up! Don't be shy! This is the Western Sect's savings accumulated over tens of thousands of years, why not take it all!"

Without the obstruction of Buddhist power, Su Bai and Xuan Ming's absorption speed could only be described as "devouring".

……

Only half a day had passed.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, who was in charge of guarding the Bodhi Hermitage, noticed that something was wrong.

She passed by the Merit Pool, intending to see how Su Bai was being "converted." But when she peeked out, she almost dropped the jade bottle.

"Holy crap?!"

The Eight Treasures Merit Pool, which was originally colorful and glittering with gold, has now become... somewhat pale?

That rich Buddhist radiance seemed to have been pumped away; although the water level didn't drop much, the "gold content" inside plummeted!

"This...how is this possible?"

Guanyin was greatly alarmed and immediately rode a cloud towards the Great Thunder Temple.

"Buddha! Something terrible has happened! Su Bai... he's drained all the Buddhist power from the pool!"

"What?!"

The Buddha, who was giving a sermon, nearly bit his tongue. "Drained it all? And that's only been half a day! That's enough Buddha power to subdue ten thousand demons!"

The Buddha calculated with his fingers, then frowned deeply.

In his view, Su Bai couldn't possibly have the means to purify the merit water. The only explanation was that Su Bai's demonic nature was too strong, and his karmic connections too deep, causing the energy required for his salvation to far exceed that of ordinary people!

"This kid... he's definitely a tough nut to crack!"

The Buddha did not back down; instead, his competitive spirit was aroused. "The faster he inhales, the more intense his inner struggle is! This shows that our salvation is taking effect!"

What's this called? This is called self-strategy!

"Reveal my decree!"

The Buddha slammed his fist on the table, his voice booming with pride: "Eighteen Arhats, five hundred Jieti, immediately proceed to the Merit Pool! Pour Buddhist power into it!"

"We'll give him as much as he can take!"

"I refuse to believe that with the combined power of the entire Spirit Mountain, we can't even redeem a lovelorn fool like him?!"

"yes!"

Thus began a tug-of-war called "conversion," which was in reality "feeding."

Guanyin, accompanied by a group of Arhats, took turns pouring the Buddhist power accumulated from her life's cultivation into the pool.

Su Bai, however, in the pool, accepted all comers.

"Oh, another extra meal?"

While using the laws of time to accelerate the "expiration," Su Bai absorbed the food with great relish. "These monks are really kind people. They even delivered the food to my door because they were worried I wouldn't have enough to eat."

On the first day, the Buddha's power was exhausted.

Buddha: "Add more!"

On the third day, the Buddha's power was exhausted again.

The Buddha gritted his teeth: "Summon Manjushri and Samantabhadra as well! Add them!"

On the fifth day, it was empty again.

The Buddha's eyes turned red: "Where is Dipankara Buddha? Ask him to intervene as well! I refuse to believe this nonsense!"

……

For ten consecutive days.

The entire upper echelon of Mount Ling was practically emptied out. The water in the Eight Treasures Merit Pool was changed time and again; they really spared no expense.

Finally, on the morning of the tenth day.

When Guanyin Bodhisattva, with dark circles under her eyes (from exhaustion), came to Bodhi Hermitage again to check on things.

She witnessed a heartwarming scene.

Su Bai sat cross-legged under the Bodhi tree, his appearance solemn and dignified.

A faint yet exceptionally clear golden light emanated from his skin! Even his hair seemed to be shrouded in a subtle Zen-like aura.

That really resembled a Buddha about to awaken!

"It's done!!"

Guanyin was so excited she almost cried. She quickly took out the communication jade slip and reported to Tathagata in a trembling voice:

"Buddha! It's done! It's finally done!"

"Su Bai is surrounded by... a pure Buddhist light!"

however.

Little did she know.

This so-called "Buddha's light" is not a sign of successful salvation at all.

It's purely because Su Bai soaked in the pool for too long, and the high concentration of the "Merit Gold Water" marinated it! It's like a piece of white tofu soaking in soy sauce for ten days—how could it not turn black?

This Buddha's light is nothing but superficial damage!

Within Su Bai's body, his Dao heart remained as firm as a rock, and even became more crystal clear due to absorbing too much pure merit. He was only one step away from eliminating his inner demons and breaking through in cultivation.

"call……"

Su Bai slowly opened his eyes, looked at the golden light that he couldn't wash off, and scratched his head helplessly:

"It seems... I ate a little too much; the color has changed slightly."

"But judging from Guanyin's excited expression..."

Su Bai's lips curled into a mischievous smile:

"It seems this play can continue."

Guanyin was secretly pleased upon seeing this, and indeed thought that she had successfully converted Su Bai!