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

The Western Paradise, the sacred mountain, where time flows eternally.

For mortals, thirteen years might be the time it takes for a child to grow from a young age to adulthood, or for a sapling to sprout and grow. But for the gods and Buddhas, especially for Su Bai who is currently "freeloading" on Mount Ling, these thirteen years are nothing short of a carnival called "buffet."

Inside the Bodhi Hermitage, the Eight Treasures Merit Pool, which was originally filled with seven-colored glazed tiles and water, now appears to have the same water level. However, if a great being were to carefully sense it, they would discover that the "gold content" in the pool water—that is, the purest and most supreme merit and vow power—has become much thinner.

Instead, Su Bai secretly added ordinary spiritual spring water to cover his tracks.

"belch……"

Su Bai sat cross-legged under the Bodhi tree and let out a very unladylike burp.

He looked inward at himself, and his body, which had been nearly exhausted from burning his source energy, was now filled with golden merit power. Although he was still a ways off from regaining his peak Quasi-Saint level combat power, this body had been "preserved" by Buddhist power for a full thirteen years, and it was truly radiating golden light from the inside out.

In the deepest part of his personal space, the pale blue light cluster he had carefully nurtured—the remnant soul of Xuanming—had grown several times larger under the nourishment of this massive amount of merit, and had even begun to faintly condense into a human-shaped outline.

"It'll be soon. In a few decades, we'll be able to reshape our true form."

Su Bai was secretly delighted. He was really enjoying getting his hands on this Ling Mountain's wool!

However, just as he was pondering whether he should ask Guanyin to send some more "special products",

"Boom—!!!"

A deafening roar suddenly erupted at the foot of Mount Ling without warning.

The once peaceful place, bathed in the light of Buddha, was instantly torn open by an overwhelmingly powerful purple glow.

"That is..."

The Buddha, who was preaching at the Great Thunder Temple, frowned and extended his divine sense.

Outside Mount Ling, nine azure phoenixes pulled a white jade palanquin, ignoring the oppressive force of the mountain-protecting formation, and charged straight in. Although the three thousand azure bird guards did not raise their weapons, their "whoever dares to stop me, I will kill" aura directly frightened the four guardian deities at the mountain gate, causing them to shrink behind pillars.

"Su Bai! You come out here right now!!"

A clear, cold shout, filled with boundless rage, thundered like lightning from the heavens, instantly drowning out the chanting that filled the air on Mount Ling.

The Queen Mother of the West could no longer restrain herself.

Thirteen years.

For a woman who was in the throes of new love (from her own perspective) and had just declared her ownership of the relationship only to have it stolen, the past thirteen years of waiting have been agonizing, every day a torment, every moment a torture.

Rumors were rampant, such as "Su Bai has seen through the illusions of the world," "Su Bai wants to become an Arhat," and "Su Bai has already shaved his head as a monk"...

Every word was like a needle, piercing the heart of the Queen Mother of the West.

She doesn't believe it.

She couldn't believe that the man who had carved his name on the Stone of Three Lives, the man who had sheltered her from the wind and rain in the Northern Sea, would really abandon her for a few scrolls of scriptures.

So, she came.

Bearing the majesty of Kunlun Mountain, the domineering aura of the head of the female immortals, and the humble expectations and anxieties of a woman, she personally went to the sacred mountain!

"Amitabha."

The figure of Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared before the imperial carriage, hands clasped together. Although her scalp tingled, she still braced herself and blocked the way: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This is a pure Buddhist sanctuary..."

"roll!"

The Queen Mother of the West's phoenix eyes flashed with murderous intent. She didn't bother with any more words. "I'm not here today to listen to your chanting! I've come as an old friend to visit the Emperor who is 'recuperating' here!"

"What? Such a grand Buddhist ceremony, yet they won't even let a visitor in? Or... what did you do to him?!"

As she finished speaking, the Kunlun Mirror in west Wangmu's hand was already buzzing, as if she was about to smash it at the slightest provocation.

Guanyin smiled wryly and glanced in the direction of the Great Thunder Temple.

"Let her in."

The majestic voice of the Buddha echoed. He was very confident that after thirteen years of "cultivation," Su Bai would definitely be able to give the Queen Mother of the West a big "surprise."

……

Bodhi Hermitage.

Su Bai's lips twitched slightly when he heard the commotion outside.

"They're here...they really are here."

He had long anticipated this day. Given the Queen Mother of the West's temperament, it was already a miracle that she could endure for thirteen years.

"Sigh, another acting showdown is about to begin."

Su Bai sighed and quickly composed himself.

He straightened the robe he had been casually draped over his shoulders and specially changed into a moon-white monk's robe, which was sent by someone from the Buddha earlier. Although he was not wearing a kasaya, the style was extremely simple.

Then, he sat cross-legged under the Bodhi tree, formed a standard meditation mudra with his hands, and closed his eyes.

The laws of time within the body quietly began to operate, suppressing all those chaotic emotions, leaving only a rich, unyielding essence of Buddhahood—soaked in the water of merit.

"Buzz—"

A golden light shone from behind his head, and a halo of Buddhist aura rose up, making him appear dignified, sacred, and inviolable.

After a while.

The sound of hurried footsteps approached.

The Queen Mother of the West pushed open the bamboo door of the hermitage.

The moment she saw the figure under the tree, she froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

That man has lost weight.

He was wearing a monk's robe she had never seen before. His once unruly black hair was still there (he hadn't shaved his head), but it was casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, making him less arrogant and more... serene and desolate than she had ever seen before.

He sat there, seemingly so close yet so far away.

That sense of unfamiliarity made west Wangmu's heart feel as if it had been squeezed hard.

"Su...Su Bai?"

The Queen Mother of the West's voice trembled. She tentatively took a step forward, reaching out to touch that familiar shoulder. "Is it you?"

The person under the tree slowly opened their eyes.

What kind of eyes were those?

Gone are the playful banter of the past, gone are the deep affections of yesteryear, and even that world-weary wisdom is gone.

Instead, there was a stillness like stagnant water, and a kind of despairing...compassion.

"Amitabha."

Su Bai looked at the elaborately dressed woman before him, her eyes brimming with tears, clasped his hands together, and spoke in a calm, emotionless voice:

"Greetings, female benefactor. How have you been?"

boom!

This cry of "female benefactor" struck west Wangmu like a thunderbolt, leaving her completely stunned.

She stared at Su Bai in disbelief, her body swaying violently as she staggered back half a step. The beaded curtain on her phoenix crown swayed violently, making a chaotic sound.

"What...what did you call me?"

The Queen Mother of the West's voice was sharp and shrill, "Female benefactor? You call me a female benefactor?!"

"Su Bai! Open your eyes and see who I am! I am Yao! Your Yao!"

"We engraved our names on the Stone of Three Lives! You swore an oath to marry me at the Dragon Moon Palace! How...how dare you call me 'Female Benefactor'?!"

The Queen Mother of the West rushed forward, trying to grab his collar and shake him awake, wanting to tear off his mask of hypocrisy.

however.

Just as her hand was about to touch Su Bai.

A faint golden light emerged from Su Bai's body, gentle yet firmly keeping her three feet away.

That was the protective Buddha light condensed from the Eight Treasures Merit Water.

"Please have some self-respect, benefactor."

Su Bai remained seated, motionless, not even lifting his eyelids, his tone radiating a cold indifference that kept people at a distance.

"This is a pure Buddhist sanctuary. I, a humble monk, have long since ceased to concern myself with worldly affairs and mundane matters here."

"Past events are like smoke, vanishing in an instant. All that you have said is but a dream, an illusion. Holding onto these things too tightly only adds to your troubles."

"A fleeting dream? Just adding to your troubles?!"

The Queen Mother of the West laughed in anger, but her tears flowed even more fiercely.

She pointed at Su Bai, her fingers trembling, "So...so fleeting!"

"Su Bai! Look me in the eyes and tell me! What have you been through in these thirteen years? Did those bald monks bewitch you? Or... have you really changed your mind?!"

"You really want to cultivate this damned Buddha? You really want to become that Arhat who has severed all emotions and desires?!"

Faced with the Queen Mother of the West's heart-wrenching questioning, Su Bai's hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched tightly into his palm.

He could sense the Queen Mother of the West's pain, and he could also sense the struggle within his own heart.

But he couldn't admit it.

The entire leadership of Lingshan is now secretly watching this place. If he reveals even the slightest flaw, all his previous pretense will be ruined, and Xuanming's recovery will be interrupted.

For Xuanming's sake, and also so that these troubles can be completely resolved in the future.

He had no choice but to harden his heart.

"well……"

Su Bai sighed softly, raised his head, and looked up. In his eyes, which were illuminated by the Buddha's light and shone with a golden glow, there was not a trace of emotion.

He looked at the Queen Mother of the West and began his performance, reciting classical texts:

"A person driven by lust is like someone carrying a torch against the wind; he will surely burn his hand."

"My benefactor, your obsession is too strong."

"The world is full of suffering, but only Buddhism can save you from all misfortunes."

Su Bai slowly closed his eyes, re-formed the hand seal, and issued an order to leave:

"This humble monk has severed all worldly ties and only wishes to spend the rest of his days here with the ancient Buddha and the flickering lamp."

"Female benefactor...please return."

This sentence completely shattered the last glimmer of hope in the heart of the Queen Mother of the West.

The Queen Mother of the West gave Su Bai a deep look, then staggered away.