Chapter 144 - Chapter 144: Chapter 145: Someone in the Magma

On the cliffside, the numerous cultivators were still entangled in an endless chase and battle.

Liaowang was somewhat panicked, not knowing what to do. Quite a few cultivators had already begun to use his Golden Bell Shield to kill others. The Golden Bell Shield possessed a strong rebound force, and cultivators who struck the shield would be repelled and sent flying.

Many cultivators with higher cultivation levels found themselves knocked far away after striking the Golden Bell Shield. Most cultivators learned the knack and began attacking these cultivators even more crazily.

Withdrawing the Golden Bell Shield would put Wang Mang in danger, but not withdrawing it would lead to more cultivators using the shield to launch attacks.

It seemed that no matter what he did, his own sins would only deepen. In a moment, Liaowang found himself in a moral dilemma.

He remembered the words that Li Xiaobai had told him, that these people’s minds were occupied by greed and they could not be persuaded to turn back.

He shook his head, no, the sutras said that all sentient beings can be saved, can become Buddhas.

“Little master, please withdraw the Golden Bell Shield. My injuries have been suppressed,” Wang Mang said.

“Alright,” Liaowang nodded and withdrew the Golden Bell Shield.

It was at this moment that Wang Mang suddenly let out a wild howl, flickered in shape, and charged down the mountain, killing many of the cultivators who blocked his way with a single move.

“I will remember the enmity of today, Wang Mang. Should we meet again, I shall kill you all!”

With a glint of cold light in his eyes, Wang Mang ran at breakneck speed, and watching his murderous rampage, Liaowang feared the worst and immediately moved to restrain Wang Mang.

The surrounding cultivators finally reacted: “Damn it, that little bald donkey and Wang Mang are definitely in cahoots!”

“He took advantage of us fighting each other to let Wang Mang escape. It must have been planned all along!”

“Quick, stop him, don’t let them get away!”

The cultivators’ eyes turned red in that moment, as the duck that was within their grasp tried to fly away—easier said than done.

Immediately, several geniuses lurking in the dark no longer held back. Their forms flickered, and several Divine Demon phantoms rose from the ground, attacking Wang Mang, who was frantically fleeing.

“That’s a disciple of the Xingtian Sect, Yu Xu!”

“And there’s Nan Tian, ranked four hundred ninety-seven on the leaderboard.”

“To think there were really geniuses among them, judging by the condensation of their Primordial Spirits, they’re probably not at the full completion of the Nascent Soul Stage, but have already advanced to the Divinity Transformation Stage!”

The cultivators were shocked, as one by one the prodigious powerhouses were recognized.

Wang Mang’s momentum slowed down, and he was directly intercepted. The little monk Liaowang behind him grabbed him.

“Benefactor, you have committed far too many killings. You must repent before those who have died,” Liaowang said.

“Get lost, didn’t you see they want to kill me? As a high monk of the Buddhist Sect, you should be helping me escape!” Wang Mang raged, trying to break free from Liaowang’s grasp.

Liaowang shook his head, still earnestly advising: “Benefactor, I will not let them kill you, but you must repent with me, after all, they died because of you.”

Wang Mang: “…”

Wang Mang was internally collapsing. He thought he had found salvation upon encountering a high monk from the Buddhist Sect, but now it seemed like he had just met a naive young monk—a naive young monk with a screw loose in his head.

Didn’t he see those gods behind him practically packing their bags to leave, and yet he’s still talking to me about redemption?

Seeing Wang Mang stopping, the crowd once again surrounded him, with several prodigious individuals in charge, no longer afraid that he would escape.

“Honored benefactors, Benefactor Wang killed first. I will ensure he repents. You all have committed killings just now as well; if you wish not to be entangled by causality, you should repent with me,” Liaowang said with his hands clasped together, emanating a sentiment of feeling compassion for the woes of the world.

Unfortunately, this time, the cultivators had already identified him as Wang Mang’s accomplice, and nothing could make them believe otherwise.

“Quit the nonsense, hand over the Fire Lotus or be spared from death!”

The prodigy of the Xingtian Sect spoke, the Giant Spirit Clan might be a remnant race from ancient times, but he did not take them seriously at all.

The other prodigies released their pressure simultaneously, closing in with oppressive force, Wang Mang’s face turned pale, the poison that had been suppressed earlier seemed to be flaring up again.

Liaowang’s expression changed, the opponents were intent on a power kill, set to forcefully shatter Wang Mang’s Primordial Spirit. Without hesitation, he silently chanted a Buddha’s name, his golden glow surged, and a ghostly image of a Buddha appeared behind him, firmly resisting the might of the other prodigies.

Their expressions changed, “You are Master Liaowang from the Lotus Sutra Temple!”

“This humble monk is Liaowang, I do not dare to claim the title of master. Honored sirs, please do not commit any more killings,” Liaowang said.

“Master, you are a high monk from the Lotus Sutra Temple, we have no intention to be your enemy, please leave quickly and do not intervene in this affair,” pleaded Yu Xiu of the Xingtian Sect, finding the monk’s presence quite troublesome.

The cultivators around were also immensely surprised, this unassuming little monk turned out to be a high monk from the Lotus Sutra Temple, Master Liaowang who ranked three hundredth.

It was said that a year ago, this little monk had debated the Buddhist doctrine with the Eighteen Arhats of the Lotus Sutra Temple and had actually managed to refute the Eighteen Arhats. Since descending the mountain to gain experience, he had not made any astonishing moves, nor had he competed with any prodigies. In fact, many were unaware of his existence, yet his ranking soared ceaselessly.

This clearly showed his extraordinary nature; the little monk had no desire to compete and never set his heart on the pursuit of fame and profit that came with the rankings.

Otherwise, if he truly wished to climb the rankings, making it into the top fifty would likely be no trouble at all.

Wang Mang beside was also deeply shocked, he hadn’t anticipated that this prodigious high monk would actually be right beside him, promptly changing his tune, “Master, I am willing to repent with you, I only ask that you save my life!”

The several prodigies were left speechless, Wang Mang really had some nerve, flipping his stance faster than the changing sky.

It was at this moment that a cultivator suddenly cried out in astonishment.

“You guys, look! Am I seeing things, or did another person just appear in the lava?”

Hearing this, Monk Liaowang felt a jolt in his heart, having felt that something was amiss before, he now realized upon the cultivator’s reminder that Li Xiaobai had vanished without a trace.

Dragging Wang Mang to the edge of the cliff, the other cultivators also gathered around to peer down.

At just a glance, Liaowang was startled; there indeed was a person below in the magma, gathering Spiritual Medicine at that very moment.

When had this fellow run down there?

He recognized at first sight that this person was Li Xiaobai, while everyone above was frantically in distress, he was leisurely reaping treasures; Liaowang felt like he had been used.

The surrounding cultivators exclaimed in astonishment, “There really is someone inside!”

“Who is this person, to be this strong?”

“Indeed, able to swim in lava, how does he do it?”

“Could it be a senior powerhouse?”

“All the Spiritual Medicine in the lava has been taken by him!”

“Great one, please wait, we wish to buy the treasures from the lava…”

The cultivators yelled towards the magma below, afraid that Li Xiaobai might leave after taking the items.

Below, within the magma, Li Xiaobai’s face was filled with excitement, immersed in the magma, his Attribute Points were increasing every moment.

[Attribute Points +800…]

[Attribute Points +1000…]

At this rate, he would be able to level up again soon!