Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 1373: Chapter 601: Zhen Yuanzi’s Scheming, The Return of the Saint

Western Continent, Spirit Mountain Holy Land.

In the past, the Buddha Light illuminated the serene and solemn Great Leiyin Temple, but today it was shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere.

Inside the grand hall, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas lined both sides, yet no one uttered a word.

All were observing their noses with their eyes, and their hearts with their noses, their expressions solemn.

High on the Lotus Platform, surprisingly, stood three figures side by side.

In the center was the Present Buddha, Duo Bao Tathagata.

On the left was the Past Buddha, Dipankara.

On the right was the Future Buddha, Maitreya.

The Three Buddha Ancestors of the Buddhist Sect were united in one hall.

Just at this moment.

A flash of earth-yellow Profound Light appeared outside the hall, and Zhen Yuanzi’s figure emerged at the gate of the Great Leiyin Temple. He looked up at the majestic Buddhist Temple and the three profound auras within, then stepped inside.

Zhen Yuanzi entered the hall and bowed respectfully before the three on the Lotus Platform, his demeanor composed, saying, "This humble Daoist greets the three of you."

Maitreya Buddha maintained his usual cheerful expression, speaking first, "Daoist friend, you come from afar, and your efforts are appreciated."

Duo Bao Tathagata slightly nodded in acknowledgment, greeting, "Zhen Yuanzi Daoist, your presence brings brilliance to our Buddhist Sect."

Only Dipankara merely raised an eyelid without speaking.

Zhen Yuanzi glanced around, stroking his beard with a smile, "The gathering of the three of you today is indeed a rare event for the ages."

"This humble Daoist’s visit is not in vain."

While his words seemed complimentary, they carried a hint of ridicule.

Duo Bao Tathagata naturally heard this but chose not to react, instead saying, "During this calamity, we trouble Daoist friend to comply with the will of heaven; our entire Buddhist Sect is immensely grateful."

He was referring to Zhen Yuanzi’s cooperation with the Buddhist Sect, orchestrating the "Great Disturbance at Wuzhuang Temple" charade.

"You are too kind, Daoist friend," Zhen Yuanzi waved his hand, then changed the subject, showing some "curiosity," "As I came, I heard that the border of Western Continent was filled with the sound of battle, blood qi soaring to the sky."

"It seems... the Buddhist Sect had a conflict with the Blood Sea Asura Clan?"

Zhen Yuanzi asked knowingly, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the three Buddha Ancestors, "Moreover, I heard the Buddhist Sect went to great lengths to seize the companion Supreme Treasure of the Nether River Ancestor, the Twelve-Grade Karma Fire Red Lotus?"

"This event truly puzzles me. I wonder if the three of you could enlighten me?"

Upon hearing this.

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas present felt their hearts tighten.

The Buddhist Sect’s engagement in a dead war with the Blood Sea to seize the Twelve-Grade Karma Fire Red Lotus was indeed unjustified, akin to forceful seizure.

Now being pointed out directly by Zhen Yuanzi, naturally felt somewhat humiliating.

On the Lotus Platform, Duo Bao Tathagata and Dipankara Buddha both had slightly darkened expressions.

But Maitreya, still smiling innocuously, spoke ahead of Duo Bao Tathagata with candor, "Not to deceive Daoist friend, this matter indeed involves our Buddhist Sect."

"Daoist friend must also know, with tribulation qi sky high, although our Buddhist Sect has the Merit Golden Lotus to suppress Qi Fortune, some disciples are inevitably corrupted in mind by the tribulation qi."

"The humble monk heard that Qin possesses a Supreme Treasure called Pure World White Lotus, capable of purifying all evils, which is precisely what our Buddhist Sect urgently needs."

"Thus, we were forced to take this step, to seize the Karma Fire Red Lotus, to exchange with Qin for a chance of survival."

Maitreya Buddha half-truthfully disclosed the ins and outs of the matter.

In his words, he portrayed the Buddhist Sect as victims compelled to act out of self-preservation.

Zhen Yuanzi listened and showed a "sudden realization" expression, clapping his hands, "I see, I see. This humble Daoist thought the Buddhist Sect, a place of purity, would not engage in such animosity without cause. Turns out it was to seek that life-saving lotus seed. I misunderstood."

Duo Bao Tathagata’s face eased slightly upon hearing this.

However.

At this moment, the previously silent Dipankara Buddha suddenly opened his eyes, directly looking at Zhen Yuanzi, "You are too polite, Daoist friend. But the humble monk is puzzled by one thing: the Nine-Grade Pure World White Lotus has long vanished from the Primordial landscape. The one in the hands of Queen Mother of the West might leave some trace. But I wonder... where did you, Zhen Yuan Daoist, acquire yours?"

Duo Bao Tathagata and Maitreya Buddha seemed prepared, their gaze also fixed on Zhen Yuanzi.

Three Quasi-Saint Peak experts immediately locked onto Zhen Yuanzi.

This was the true purpose of inviting Zhen Yuanzi here today.

They wanted to ascertain the extent of Wuzhuang Temple’s connection with Qin!

Was it a mere transaction, or... had it completely pledged allegiance!

Facing a pressure capable of making any Quasi-Saint’s heart and spirit collapse, Zhen Yuanzi’s face still bore that indifferent smile. He lightly sighed, showing a pained expression, "Well, not to keep it from the three of you, it’s quite embarrassing to say."

"This humble Daoist also paid an enormous price."

As he spoke.

Zhen Yuanzi shook his head, bitterly smiling, "I traded the future ten harvests of Ginsengfruit from my Wuzhuang Temple with the Qin Court for this Pure World White Lotus."

"Millennium Ginsengfruit..."

He smacked his lips, appearing deeply distressed, "If it weren’t to protect the countless spirits in my temple, why would this humble Daoist engage in such a losing deal?"

Millennium Ginsengfruit!

Upon hearing this answer, the pupils of the three Buddha Ancestors on the Lotus Platform all contracted.

Ginsengfruit, a Heaven and Earth Spirit Root, flowers every three thousand years, bears fruit every three thousand years, and only matures after another three thousand years.

Its value is self-evident.

Using ten harvests to trade for a Nine-Grade Lotus Platform, although a colossal price, it is reasonable.

Most importantly, this indicated that Zhen Yuanzi and Qin were only engaged in "transaction" and had not entirely sided with them.