The Six Desires True Buddha gazed at the saber and the ring lying in the blood-soaked mud, his expression solemn and majestic: “How should we proceed?”
The Great Luo Holy Maiden continued to restrain her thoughts, keeping her mind blank. The Sky Mother Shaman was doing the same. Although her mental cultivation wasn’t as profound as Gu Xiaosang’s, with the aid of various divine shamanistic techniques, she also managed to project only the faintest and vaguest impressions through her “Other Mind Perception.”
The “Evil Heaven Mara” had distanced himself from the others, striving to empty his mind. However, his previous thoughts had already revealed enough for the Six Desires True Buddha to grasp his mindset and predict his next move:
He believed that for now, the four of them wouldn’t turn on each other, because Saren Gowa had repeatedly evaded pursuit by Golden Tent Warriors. She had only severely wounded the old warrior leader, Ulihan, once, indicating her strength was formidable—likely ranked within the top sixty on the Earth List. If their numbers were reduced, even if not outright suicide, capturing her would become nearly impossible.
He understood his own capabilities and hoped to obtain Saren Gowa’s secrets, then let himself and Gu Xiaosang and Tuoya turn against each other so he could benefit. If that failed, he would flee immediately.
He could be used…
Tuoya glanced at the ring and the saber, her tone emotionless: “Best to collect them and return them to the Golden Tent afterward, otherwise there will be no explanation.”
With a powerful enemy encountered and Tuogesi dead, no one could blame them. But since they had “captured” Saren Gowa, it would be suspicious if Tuogesi’s belongings had vanished?
Better not provoke the Earth Immortal directly!
Once she spoke, her thoughts could no longer be restrained. The Six Desires True Buddha “heard” them clearly, realizing her words matched her thoughts. He nodded: “Lay Devotee Tuoya, you collect them. After all, we are guests.”
The thought briefly crossed Tuoya’s mind: Kill the host’s guests? She quickly dismissed it, collecting Tuogesi’s and the Evil Desire Bodhisattva’s remaining items. The Great Luo Holy Maiden and the Evil Heaven Mara stood silently at a distance.
The Six Desires True Buddha stood aside, watching Tuoya’s movements. He found her posture graceful and alluring, a beauty that couldn’t be concealed by her outwardly impassive demeanor.
A rare beauty indeed—I almost misjudged her… A surge of lust stirred in the Six Desires True Buddha’s heart, his mind rippling. Combined with the world-famous Great Luo Holy Maiden, it would be an unparalleled cultivation encounter that many patriarchs had never experienced.
They both valued the secret of controlling Gulto, and believed he did as well. Saren Gowa’s strength couldn’t be underestimated; only by working together could they have a good chance of capturing her alive. Therefore, like the Evil Heaven Mara, they likely believed there would be no internal conflict or self-inflicted losses before completing the mission.
This was his opportunity!
He could strike during the journey or when Saren Gowa was weakened, while they attempted to capture her—opportunities would arise.
Glancing at the ethereal and aloof Gu Xiaosang, then at the dignified yet graceful Tuoya, the Six Desires True Buddha nearly lost control, his mind filled with licentious fantasies. He inhaled deeply, calming his emotions, and smiled: “The latest information suggests Saren Gowa seems to have suffered a strange injury. The Kill Wolf Association members are gathering rare flowers and herbs to be sent to Mo’ersong Gorge. Also mentioned was the location ‘Bayan.’ Let’s go to Mo’ersong Gorge first, then head to Bayan.”
As a heretical monk of the Temple of Joy, the Six Desires True Buddha fully understood how terrifying uncontrolled desire could be. Despite his deep yearning for Gu Xiaosang and Tuoya, he dared not indulge in fantasies unless he had already captured them and could immediately satisfy his lust through union. Otherwise, the backlash of desire and emptiness would cause him to lose control and descend into madness.
How many monks of the Temple of Joy had died this way!
At the same time, the Six Desires True Buddha, who had just proposed their course of action, was calculating his next plan. Suddenly, he realized the chances of a successful ambush were low. They were wary of his “Other Mind Perception” and kept a safe distance. Although he was stronger than any of them individually, if they sensed his intentions beforehand, as Grandmasters, he could guarantee victory in one-on-one combat, with some hope of killing them, but capturing them alive was nearly impossible. Facing two at once, victory wouldn’t be certain. If the Evil Heaven Mara joined them, he might be the one to die.
He needed to create an opportunity… He thought of an item on his person. A transparent bead silently slipped from his sleeve, merging soundlessly into the soil.
It contained an imprisoned ghost, a malevolent spirit under his command. Later, he would use the excuse of pursuing information, leading them on a detour while the ghost raced ahead to Mo’ersong Gorge. If Saren Gowa wasn’t there, the ghost would forge clues to attract the Great Luo Holy Maiden, Sky Mother Shaman, and Evil Heaven Mara’s attention. At that point, cooperation would be necessary, and they wouldn’t maintain their safe distances anymore.
Then, the Six Desires True Buddha reversed his “Other Mind Perception,” secretly transmitting his thoughts to the Evil Heaven Mara’s mind, ensuring no one else could eavesdrop. This was how he had previously conspired with the Evil Heaven Mara to eliminate Tuogesi.
“Evil Heaven Layman, I have an idea. I wonder if you’d be interested,” the Six Desires True Buddha said.
He sensed the Evil Heaven Mara’s brief silence before receiving his thought: “What idea?”
“The Temple of Joy only seeks beauty; I have little interest in the secret of controlling Gulto. It was merely a casual attempt for the next step. But now, with the Great Luo Holy Maiden and Sky Mother Shaman present, and no one else around, I am overwhelmed with desire, especially for the former. Her beauty and grace are unparalleled in the world. As the reincarnation of the Eternal Mother, she holds noble status. Her delicate skin and refined spirit are beyond imagination. Though she seems to have lost her virginity, her yin essence is unimaginably rich, and her soul power is immense. I cannot afford to miss this opportunity—it might be the key to my enlightenment!” The Six Desires True Buddha spoke with apparent sincerity.
At this, he couldn’t help but inwardly lament—whoever had taken her virginity first was a bastard indeed! From the rumors, it seemed to be the legendary “Crazy Blade” Su Meng, a man truly worthy of envy!
“So, Master wishes to ally with this seat? You take the beauty, and I take the secret?” The Evil Heaven Mara’s thought emerged, devoid of emotion.
The Six Desires True Buddha chuckled: “Evil Heaven Layman, truly a man of a thousand insights! I will give you two ‘Six Desires Red Dust Needles.’ Once pierced, desire will seep into bone and soul, intensifying endlessly, weakening the mind and diminishing strength. When we capture Saren Gowa, you strike suddenly, launching these two ‘Six Desires Red Dust Needles’ at them.”
“With them gone, it won’t be too hard for Master to kill me, will it?” The Evil Heaven Mara remained cautious.
“Precisely because of that, they won’t suspect you. At that time, I will be busy dealing with them, preventing their escape. How could I possibly interfere with you taking Saren Gowa away?” The Six Desires True Buddha spoke with utmost sincerity.
The Six Desires True Buddha patiently waited as the Evil Heaven Mara considered. After a while, when the Sky Mother Shaman, Tuoya, erased other traces to prevent discovery and suggested they set out, he finally sensed a fleeting thought: “Fine. Master takes the beauty, and I take the secret.”
“Amitabha Buddha, a monk does not lie,” the Six Desires True Buddha joyfully transmitted, his gaze lingering on Gu Xiaosang and Tuoya’s graceful backs as though they were already his.
That waist, that figure, that yin essence and spiritual energy… His lust surged, nearly overwhelming him. Only with great effort did he calm himself. Seizing the moment when Gu Xiaosang and Tuoya had moved to a safe distance, he quietly let two dark red needles fall to the ground.
Then, he saw the Evil Heaven Mara silently and mysteriously retrieve the “Six Desires Red Dust Needles” with an eerie technique.
They had no contract, no oath, but the Six Desires True Buddha believed that as long as the Evil Heaven Mara wanted the secret for himself and wished to complete the Demon Master’s mission, he would inevitably follow the plan. No other guarantees were needed—interest and human nature were the greatest assurances, just as they had previously cooperated seamlessly to ambush Tuogesi.
Besides, this was merely his contingency plan, a backup in case the opportunity created by the ghost couldn’t be exploited.
As they soared into the high sky, the Six Desires True Buddha was pondering how to lead them on a detour when suddenly the Evil Heaven Mara’s voice came, deep and firm: “First to Bayan. I have a premonition that Saren Gowa is in Bayan.”
What about my ghost then? Before the Six Desires True Buddha could react, he heard Gu Xiaosang’s cheerful voice: “Indeed. The Crazy Blade defeated the Wolf King in Bayan. Saren Gowa must be there, mourning and waiting for her chance.”
The Six Desires True Buddha’s thoughts raced: “Fine, let’s go to Bayan first.”
Consider it a detour!
If Saren Gowa was in Bayan, he would cooperate with the Evil Heaven Mara.
Their escaping light changed direction and flew straight toward Bayan.
The Duolun Su Hai had already thawed, its waters shimmering like the sky reflected on earth, vast and beautiful. Nearby, at the foot of a modest mountain, lay Bayan Valley, its wild grasses lush and green, dotted with white and pale yellow flowers, fresh and enchanting.
The Six Desires True Buddha and the others descended from their escape light, not daring to enter directly for fear of startling their target. They cautiously infiltrated, slightly spreading out to cut off potential escape routes.
After advancing a short distance, a figure appeared ahead, standing with its back to them. The figure wore a blue Daoist robe, was tall and slender, with hair tied in a bun, exuding a cold aura, as though concealing infinite killing intent.
The surroundings held only dry branches and fallen leaves, devoid of spring’s vitality. Before the figure stood a small earthen grave, with a stone tablet inscribed:
“Here lies Iron Ascend, the Wolf King!”
Suddenly, the figure turned around. With a high nose bridge, phoenix eyes, and long eyebrows that extended to the temples—it was indeed Saren Gowa, the last descendant of the Bright Moon Family, whom Meng Qi knew as the Abstain-from-Killing Daoist.
She glanced around, seemingly aware of the four presences, and spoke indifferently: “You’ve finally arrived.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage