Chapter 401: The Offering

Chapter 401: Chapter 401: The Offering

Five days later, outside the valley where Zhong Shan resided.

"Reverend Nian Youyou, why have you brought me here?" Zhiguang Arhat frowned as he asked.

"I am here at someone else's request. The person you seek is inside the valley," Nian Youyou replied, pointing towards the valley ahead.

While others could not extend their divine senses, Zhiguang Arhat could, thanks to the Bodhi seed he possessed, which allowed him to overcome illusions.

Releasing his divine sense, he immediately scanned the valley. Within, there was a grand hall with its doors open, and inside was just one person, Zhong Shan.

Zhiguang Arhat frowned as he looked at Nian Youyou.

"Please," Nian Youyou said with a smile.

Zhiguang Arhat hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. After all, he only sensed Zhong Shan inside, a defeated adversary, so there was nothing to fear. He and Nian Youyou entered the valley together.

Inside the palace, Zhong Shan slowly walked out.

"Zhiguang Arhat, do you remember me?" Zhong Shan asked, taking a deep breath to calm himself.

"And you are?" Zhiguang Arhat frowned, staring at Zhong Shan. It was clear he did not recognize him; the previous encounter had been confusing and unclear.

"Please, come in," Zhong Shan gestured invitingly to Zhiguang.

Zhiguang Arhat glanced at Nian Youyou.

"Nian Youyou, please wait outside. This won't take long," Zhong Shan said again.

"Uh? Alright," Nian Youyou replied, looking at Zhong Shan in surprise. RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

Zhiguang Arhat confirmed that there was only Zhong Shan inside, so he felt no fear and stepped forward.

Zhong Shan performed a spell, and the banners outside activated, isolating the interior from outside sound. Though the formation wasn't strong in defense, it could block divine sense from probing, which made Nian Youyou somewhat annoyed.

Zhiguang Arhat stared at Zhong Shan.

"Please," Zhong Shan repeated.

Zhiguang Arhat squinted at Zhong Shan but still stepped inside.

In the center of the hall was a spirit tablet. On the tablet were engraved the words: "Beloved Wife Wei Kui'er."

Wei Kui'er. Zhiguang Arhat searched his memory but couldn't recall this name.

"Clang~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The doors of the hall suddenly closed.

"What do you want?" Zhiguang Arhat coldly asked Zhong Shan.

"You must be wondering why I pursued you so relentlessly that day," Zhong Shan said.

Squinting, Zhiguang Arhat responded coldly, "Indeed, we have never met before. Why did you chase me so relentlessly?"

"This is my wife. Do you recognize her?" Zhong Shan walked to the spirit tablet and lit incense.

Zhiguang Arhat looked at the tablet and said, "I believe there is a misunderstanding. Wei Kui'er, this is the first time I've heard this name."

"Misunderstanding? Do you remember Crown Prince Lietian?" Zhong Shan turned to Zhiguang Arhat.

Hearing the name Crown Prince Lietian, Zhiguang Arhat's pupils instinctively shrank.

"Who exactly are you?" Zhiguang Arhat demanded coldly.

"Kui'er, I am sorry for being so powerless. Only today have I avenged you. This is just the first. Wait for me; I will use Crown Prince Lietian's head to honor you someday."

Meanwhile, in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, chaos erupted.

Zhiguang Arhat was dead? His manifestation above the Sea of Merit had suddenly vanished. Was he truly dead? Indeed, he was. Quickly, information came from the entrance of the Pure Land confirming that Zhiguang Arhat had not exited. Thus, he had perished within the Pure Land.

Who had killed Zhiguang Arhat?

Immediately, numerous monks flew in all directions to investigate. Who would dare to kill an arhat within the Pure Land? Such audacity.

After the offering, Zhong Shan dealt with Zhiguang Arhat's corpse. He opened the grand hall and, with a flip of his hand, stored the entire hall into his storage bracelet, then looked at Nian Youyou.

Nian Youyou stared at Zhong Shan with her mouth agape. Two had entered, but only one emerged, and the grand hall was now stored away. Zhiguang Arhat was indeed dead.

"You... you really killed Zhiguang Arhat? How is that possible?" Nian Youyou asked, disbelief etched on her face.

"Why would it be impossible?"

"But your cultivation level is..."

"My cultivation is low, but low cultivation doesn't mean I can't get things done. In the Grand Luo Heavenly Dynasty, there are countless people with higher cultivation than mine, but how many have a higher status than me?" Zhong Shan retorted.

"But, but..." Nian Youyou looked at the former location of the grand hall, then at Zhong Shan, and found herself at a loss for words.

After all, dealing with someone at the Imperial Extremity realm was understandable, given Zhong Shan's command over tens of thousands of troops. But now, he had been alone and had single-handedly killed Zhiguang Arhat?

"By the way, what about the Bodhi seed?" Nian Youyou asked immediately.

"I ate it," Zhong Shan replied honestly.

"Ate it?" Nian Youyou looked at Zhong Shan in disbelief. How could that be possible?

"If I didn't eat it, would my cultivation have increased?" Zhong Shan said.

Only then did Nian Youyou notice that Zhong Shan's cultivation had indeed increased by one level. Had he really eaten it?

Nian Youyou found herself more surprised than ever before. She could not say a word and just stared, speechless, for a moment before muttering, "It's good that you ate it."

"Uh?" Zhong Shan looked at Nian Youyou.

"The Bodhi seed is a spiritual object of the Pure Land. It can't be stored in a storage bracelet and would have been discovered eventually. But how is it possible that after consuming the Bodhi seed, you didn't burst from the energy, and your strength increased by only a little, just one level? Nascent Soul stage, fourth level?" Nian Youyou remarked curiously.

"I'm quite satisfied," Zhong Shan said bluntly.

"Satisfied?" Nian Youyou rolled her eyes at Zhong Shan.

The energy from the Bodhi seed could raise one's level more than just once. If it were someone else at the Nascent Soul stage, they could have risen to the peak of the Integration stage or even the Imperial Extremity realm. Yet, Zhong Shan's progress, just one level, was almost frustrating.

"Alright, regardless, thank you for your help. I'll do my best to catch the 'pet' you're looking for," Zhong Shan said.

"What do you mean by 'do my best'? It has to be certain. I helped you a lot," Nian Youyou said, glaring at him.

"Uh, alright. But you need to tell me what kind of beast it is first. At least let me know its habits so that I can fulfill your request," Zhong Shan said with a wry smile.

"That's more like it," Nian Youyou replied.

"Have you ever had a dream?" Nian Youyou asked again.

Zhong Shan looked at her, speechless. Who hasn't had a dream?

"According to my incomplete conjecture, this Blue Sea of Refining Hearts was either created by this beast or it nurtured the beast. This little beast has a very magical ability; it can lead you into a dream. Then, while you are asleep, it secretly steals your fortune or merit," Nian Youyou explained.

(To be continued.)