Chapter 400: Firing the Gun

Chapter 400: Chapter 400: Firing the Gun

Chapter 400, explosive release today, requesting monthly tickets! ——

"What? You're not planning to kill Zhiguang Arhat here in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, his own territory, are you?" Nian Youyou asked in astonishment.

"The opportunity is fleeting. If I don't kill him now, who knows when the next chance will come? He must die!" Zhong Shan said firmly, his eyes flashing with determination.

"You can't defeat him!" Nian Youyou shook her head.

"That's not your concern. I was too impulsive earlier. Next time I face him, I will control myself. I can kill him," Zhong Shan said resolutely.

"But why should I help you? You owe me a lot already. You haven't even repaid me for the roses, and I've saved your life twice. You haven't settled any of these debts," Nian Youyou said with a sudden smile.

"I will do my best to catch the pet you want," Zhong Shan said, frowning.

"That's not enough. Catching the pet was already agreed upon," Nian Youyou shook her head.

"I will remember this favor," Zhong Shan said, feeling a bit impatient.

If it were any other matter, Zhong Shan could deal with it, but for him, when it came to avenging Kui'er, any bargaining was intolerable. A hint of annoyance rose in his heart.

Seeing Zhong Shan's impatience, Nian Youyou quickly said, "Alright, alright. Just remember you owe me."

"Fine," Zhong Shan nodded, calming down.

"Zhiguang Arhat's residence is out of the question. He lives near a group of other arhats, and monks are often around. But there is one place where he goes alone for a month at a time, which happens to be where I want to catch my pet," Nian Youyou said.

"Oh?"

"Let's be clear: if I help you kill Zhiguang Arhat, you owe me another favor," Nian Youyou immediately added.

"No need. I don't need your help. I'll deal with my enemy myself," Zhong Shan said firmly.

"You?" Nian Youyou looked at Zhong Shan skeptically.

"Just tell me where it is," Zhong Shan insisted, ignoring Nian Youyou's doubt.

"The Blue Sea of Heart Refinement," Nian Youyou said.

"What kind of place is that?" Zhong Shan asked.

"It's a very peculiar place in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, an extensive area shrouded in blue mist. Inside, you will encounter endless illusions that disturb the mind but lack physical attack power. If you can't handle the illusions, you can just sit down and meditate to overcome them. It's an excellent place for training the mind and will. Over the years, it opens to the public every two months for one month at a time. Zhiguang Arhat, because he has a 'Bodhi Seed' given by a Buddha, is responsible for twenty years to bring out those who can't handle the illusions and end up meditating," Nian Youyou explained.

"With a Bodhi Seed, he can ignore the illusions?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Exactly! The Blue Sea of Heart Refinement is vast and well-hidden. If you want to confront him, it has to be there," Nian Youyou explained.

Closing his eyes, Zhong Shan took a deep breath. "Thank you."

"Verbal thanks mean nothing. Remember this favor, and don't forget, my pet is in the depths of the Blue Sea of Heart Refinement. You must catch it for me," Nian Youyou said.

"A pet? What kind of pet are you talking about? Didn't you say the Blue Sea of Heart Refinement has no physical attacks? Won't your pet attack people?" Zhong Shan asked, frowning.

"The pet I'm talking about is unique. It doesn't attack people in the usual sense. It's a rare creature known as the 'Phantom Lotus Beast.' It can merge with the illusions, making it hard to detect. You have to catch it without getting caught up in the illusions yourself," Nian Youyou explained.

Unfazed, Zhong Shan maintained his composure, reminding himself that these were merely illusions meant to disturb his mind. He kept walking, knowing that his mission required unwavering determination and focus.

Zhong Shan didn't blink as he walked forward, letting the decaying hands pass through him as if they were mere projections—just illusions.

Passing through this illusion, Zhong Shan saw Nian Youyou again.

"How was it?" Nian Youyou asked with a smile.

"Ordinary," Zhong Shan replied.

"Yes, that was the simplest illusion. The real deep illusions are ahead, and they will dig into your heart, creating scenes that make you happy, scared, sad, or sorrowful. There are all kinds," Nian Youyou said.

"Let's go further," Zhong Shan said.

"Alright, these next few days, you'll truly experience the wonders of these illusions," Nian Youyou replied with a smile.

As they progressed, Zhong Shan encountered various illusions, but none could deter him. By noon the next day, they arrived at a very secluded valley within the Blue Sea of Heart Refinement. Here, Zhong Shan faced another illusion.

"Don't move, hands on your head, lie down!"

"Move again, and I'll shoot! Drop the weapon on the ground."

"Calling headquarters, we are at Wenchang Pavilion in Yangzhou. We've located the criminal Zhong Shan. The suspect has taken a hostage. Requesting backup, requesting backup!"

Seeing the two armed police officers, Zhong Shan was momentarily dazed. A sense of disorientation almost made him comply with their orders.

His pupils contracted as he quickly snapped out of the induced feeling.

"The suspect killed the hostage. Open fire!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A series of gunshots rang out, but nothing happened to Zhong Shan. He stared deeply at the police officers before the illusion faded away.

"What did you see?" Nian Youyou asked Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan looked at her strangely. How could he explain that he had seen police officers opening fire?

"These illusions come from the heart?" Zhong Shan asked curiously.

"Not exactly. They dig into your stored memories, creating strange scenarios for you. It looks like you can't go any further for now. Stay here, and I'll go fetch Zhiguang Arhat," Nian Youyou explained.

"Alright," Zhong Shan nodded.

Zhong Shan remained alone in the valley while Nian Youyou went to find Zhiguang Arhat. As he looked around, the memory of the police and the gunfire resurfaced, something he hadn't recalled in a long time.

Shaking off the absurd feeling, Zhong Shan retrieved a large palace from his storage bracelet and fixed it in the valley using formations. Then he waited.

Zhong Shan was determined to face Zhiguang Arhat here and, with his own strength, kill the Imperial Extremity Realm expert to honor Kui'er's memory.

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(To be continued)