: Western Pure Land

When the Heart Demon Cave Lord proposed recruiting the Old Monster in the Stone, Lu Hongtu immediately agreed.

Little did he expect that multiple attempts at recruitment would end in failure.

Lu Hongtu was well aware of the ulterior motives of the Heart Demon Cave Lord and the others, but he couldn’t afford to dwell on it, especially with the impending battle and the urgent need for manpower.

However, he couldn’t let them scheme unchecked either. After careful consideration, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Accompanied by the Heart Demon and Blood Shadow Nascent Soul cultivators, he would exert pressure on the Old Monster in the Stone and force him out of seclusion!

Deep within the cave.

Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes. Though exhausted, his gaze was filled with joy.

“The Stone-Casting Earth Treasure supernatural power... has reached sixty percent mastery!”

Just as he was about to rest, he noticed Sun Lingtong was missing.

“Huh? Where did the boss go?”

A flying letter left behind by Sun Lingtong circled around Ning Zhuo like a bird.

Ning Zhuo took the letter and immediately understood the situation.

“The boss has come up with something new again,” he muttered, shaking his head with a wry smile.

He quickly chiseled open the stone shell and saw the Fetal Breath Spirit Boat, which had transformed into a stone ship. The boat was struggling to survive, while the complete scripture of the *Innate Earth Nurturing Fetal Breath Great Method* shimmered brilliantly.

Ning Zhuo approached the stone ship and extended his spiritual sense.

Sensing him, Sun Lingtong immediately communicated with him via spiritual sense.

“Little Zhuo, this is so much fun!”

“With this method, not only has my physical foundation surged, but I’ve also learned about the Old Monster in the Stone’s past experiences.”

“Being an earth spirit is pretty boring, but occasionally, some fascinating things happen.”

“Come and give it a try!”

Sun Lingtong enthusiastically invited Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you’re fine, boss.”

“I’ll head to the Ten-Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon to rest first.”

“We’re in the Thousand Peaks Forest, enemy territory after all. We should finish mining quickly to avoid any mishaps.”

No sooner had Ning Zhuo spoken than a powerful energy fluctuation erupted.

The fluctuation rapidly enveloped the entire mountain.

On the outskirts, an enormous formation activated, its barrier encasing the entire Heavenly Pillar Giant Tree!

Sun and Ning: ?!!

Sun Lingtong immediately abandoned her cultivation. “Th-this is bad! Is this a trap? Little Zhuo, let’s run!”

Ning Zhuo reacted even faster.

As soon as Sun Lingtong sent her message, he yanked the Fetal Breath Spirit Boat out, carrying both the boat and Sun Lingtong, and dove into the Ten-Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon.

Sun Lingtong’s stone shell was already several inches thick. She flailed her arms and legs, struggling fiercely.

Having now mastered sixty percent of the supernatural power, Ning Zhuo saw the situation clearly at a glance. He transmitted via spiritual sense, “Don’t move recklessly, boss. I need to remove this stone shell for you. Hold on a moment—we need to get out of here first!”

However, when Ning Zhuo reached the dragon-head cabin, he discovered an extremely grim reality.

“Boss, we can’t escape. This formation is suppressing space—the Ten-Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon can’t traverse it. Forcing it would be like smashing an egg against a stone wall,” Ning Zhuo transmitted.

“?!!” Sun Lingtong felt as if struck by lightning.

“I’ll get you out first.” Ning Zhuo reached out to remove Sun Lingtong’s stone shell.

But just then, the voice of the Abyssal Cave Lord echoed throughout the mountain: “Lu Hongtu of the Six Caves Sect, accompanied by the Heart Demon and Blood Shadow Cave Lords, pays his respects.”

“Old Monster in the Stone, care to come out for a talk?”

The sound waves surged, penetrating deep into the cave and reaching its very depths.

The Ten-Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon trembled slightly under the sonic assault.

Inside the dragon-head cabin, the hearts of Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong skipped a beat.

“Lu Hongtu? The Great Abyssal Cave Lord of the Six Caves Sect!”

“And the Heart Demon and Blood Shadow... Why are they here?”

“They want to contact the Old Monster in the Stone. With such a display, they’re forcing him out of seclusion!”

Through spiritual sense communication, Sun and Ning almost instantly grasped the severity of the situation.

With the Ten-Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon unable to traverse space, their room for maneuver became extremely limited.

If the three Nascent Soul cultivators discovered that the Old Monster in the Stone was dead and that the area showed signs of mining, they would certainly not lift the formation. Instead, they would conduct a large-scale search.

At that point, could the Ten-Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon remain hidden and evade the three cultivators’ search?

The likelihood was slim!

Because before this, Sun Lingtong had already tried. In the main hall of the Six Caves Sect’s headquarters, they had been discovered by the Heart Demon Cave Lord.

And now, the Heart Demon Cave Lord was among them.

Not only that, but the Great Abyssal Cave Lord, widely acknowledged to be even stronger, had also arrived personally!

A desperate situation!

The twists and turns of life came too quickly and too suddenly.

Just moments ago, Sun and Ning had been rejoicing, envisioning a bright future, only to plummet into dire straits the next moment.

The pressure of death loomed over them.

Ning Zhuo’s face turned pale, and he felt it difficult to breathe. “How do we break out of this?”

Sun Lingtong instinctively struggled within the thick stone shell.

Suddenly, Sun Lingtong’s movements halted abruptly, her spiritual sense fluctuating intensely. “Little Zhuo, I—I have an idea!”

“Let’s both hide inside the stone ball and let the stone shell cover us.”

“That way, we can disguise ourselves as the Old Monster in the Stone.”

Ning Zhuo shook his head. “I’ve thought of that. It’s not reliable! Because the Abyssal Cave Lord and the others will surely test the Old Monster in the Stone. We’re not even familiar with his tone or manner of speaking...”

At this point, Ning Zhuo paused.

He suddenly remembered Sun Lingtong’s earlier communication with him.

By voluntarily enduring the Stone-Casting Earth Treasure supernatural power and using the Fetal Breath Spirit Boat, Sun Lingtong had entered a fetal breath state and acquired many of the Old Monster in the Stone’s memories.

Tone and manner of speech were naturally included!

Outside the cave.

The Abyssal, Heart Demon, and Blood Shadow Cave Lords hovered high in the air. After waiting a moment with no response from the Old Monster in the Stone, the Blood Shadow Cave Lord snorted coldly. “Hmph, that old monster is so reclusive—could he still be in deep sleep?”

“Unlikely. We’ve cut off the void and suppressed earth movement. Although the Old Monster in the Stone is a Nascent Soul cultivator, his origin is as an earth spirit. The instinct to escape through the earth is deeply ingrained in him. This time, with earth evasion forbidden, he must have realized it. He’s just not daring to come out because the Great Cave Lord is here!” The Heart Demon Cave Lord flattered the Abyssal Cave Lord.

The Abyssal Cave Lord’s expression remained indifferent. “Let’s go. We’ll meet the Old Monster in the Stone together.”

With that, he led the way, descending.

The Heart Demon and Blood Shadow Cave Lords exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

The caves within this Heavenly Pillar Giant Tree were complex, full of hidden passages, but they posed no challenge to Nascent Soul-level cultivators.

Moreover, they had previously sent cultivators to pay their respects and had mapped out the routes.

Although those cultivators had been killed by the Heart Demon Cave Lord, the intelligence they brought back hadn’t been destroyed.

Thus, the Abyssal Cave Lord and the other two quickly reached the final cavern hall.

The enormous cave entrance was pitch black, as if it swallowed all light.

The previous group of Six Caves Sect cultivators had stopped here, setting up formations and even sacrificing many of their companions.

From beginning to end, they hadn’t dared to venture deeper into the giant cave.

The Abyssal Cave Lord and the other two, however, didn’t slow their pace. They passed straight through a passage and saw the stone ball at the cave’s bottom.

The three cultivators stopped about ten steps away from the stone ball.

“Old Monster in the Stone,” the Abyssal Cave Lord called softly.

The Heart Demon and Blood Shadow Cave Lords wore solemn expressions, secretly on guard.

Although they outnumbered him, this was the Old Monster in the Stone’s territory, and he held the advantage of terrain.

The Old Monster in the Stone had dwelled here for many years and might have prepared some powerful trump cards. In any case, it was better to be cautious.

They had no idea that the Old Monster in the Stone had long since died. Hidden inside were a mechanical wandering dragon and Sun and Ning.

Sun Lingtong and the Fetal Breath Spirit Boat had been taken out and pressed tightly against the stone ball.

As for Ning Zhuo, he was panting heavily, nearly collapsing from exhaustion.

Just moments before, he had raced against time, pushing his energy, spirit, and the Stone-Casting Earth Treasure supernatural power in his divine sea and dantian to their limits.

With the supernatural power over halfway mastered and the Ten-Thousand-Mile Wandering Dragon providing vast amounts of magical power, Ning Zhuo had barely managed to restore the stone ball to its original state before the three cultivators arrived.

Ning Zhuo would never have imagined that he would actively help restore the stone ball.

The stone ball temporarily fooled the three Nascent Soul cultivators.

But this life-and-death test had only just begun.

The Abyssal Cave Lord had called out “Old Monster in the Stone,” and Sun and Ning had to respond.

Not responding would be a sign of disrespect toward Lu Hongtu, a Nascent Soul-level expert!

So, Sun Lingtong, drawing from the memories she had acquired, spoke in a hoarse, aged voice: “Lu Hongtu, is the Thousand Peaks Earth Vein Map you promised me finished?”

The Abyssal Cave Lord’s expression immediately darkened.

This referred to an old matter.

The Abyssal Cave Lord was skilled in painting. Back then, seeking to advance his artistic skills, he wanted to depict the earth veins of the Thousand Peaks Forest.

He had sought out the Old Monster in the Stone, spending much time and paying a considerable price to finally enlist his cooperation.

The Old Monster in the Stone, being an earth spirit, would benefit greatly from mastering the Thousand Peaks Earth Vein Map for his own cultivation.

However, just as the two had completed thirty percent of their exploration, they were ruthlessly suppressed by the Whiskered Dragon King.

The Whiskered Dragon King was a Deity Transformation-level existence, the undisputed strongest in the Thousand Peaks Forest, possessing the most faith. Its countless dragon whiskers extended deep underground, spreading through many Heavenly Pillar Giant Trees, tangled and intertwined.

Although the Abyssal Cave Lord and the Old Monster in the Stone were a powerful duo, they were only at the Nascent Soul level and were no match for the Whiskered Dragon King.

Moreover, their attempt to probe the entire Thousand Peaks Forest’s earth veins encroached upon the Whiskered Dragon King’s interests.

Such a significant matter as earth veins was safest kept in one’s own hands.

Unsurprisingly, the Great Abyssal Cave Lord and the Old Monster in the Stone suffered a crushing defeat.

Their first collaboration ended in failure.

The Old Monster in the Stone was severely injured and held a grudge against the Great Abyssal Cave Lord. Before the endeavor, Lu Hongtu had assured him of its high feasibility, boasting extensively while severely underestimating the Whiskered Dragon King’s presence.

Now, by bringing up this old matter, Sun Lingtong had two goals.

The first was to establish her identity, confirming that she was the Old Monster in the Stone.

The second was to preemptively block the three cultivators’ invitation. Because if the Old Monster in the Stone were to move, he would no longer be in stone ball form, and Sun and Ning would be exposed!

Lu Hongtu said coldly, “Old Monster, you still have the nerve to bring that up?”

“If you hadn’t withdrawn early, had we fought side by side, we could have at least severed a hundred of the Dragon King’s whiskers.”

“But you fled the battlefield, leaving me to fight alone. I only managed to cut over thirty whiskers before I had to admit defeat and surrender.”

“You were severely injured, but so was I!”

“And since then, our Six Caves Sect has had to erect a Dragon King Temple, offering incense to the Whiskered Dragon King from then on!”

“It was only because we paid a heavy price that we appeased the Dragon King’s wrath. In that regard, you owe me.”

Sun Lingtong immediately retorted, “Hmph, if it weren’t for your instigation back then, I would have been perfectly fine staying put. How would I have gotten injured?”

“This time, I refuse to come out no matter what.”

“If the armies of the Two Pillars Kingdom attack, let them come. At worst, I’ll just leave the Thousand Peaks Forest!”

Sun Lingtong’s heart raced.

Even wrapped in the stone shell, it was hard to remain calm.

But these words weren’t improvised—Ning Zhuo had suggested she say them.

In Sun Lingtong’s view, these words were too risky, as if they were provoking the three Nascent Soul cultivators to attack!

Lu Hongtu’s expression darkened further.

Sun Lingtong’s words struck a chord with his deepest concerns.

If the Old Monster in the Stone threatened to surrender, it would be easier to handle. At least if they took action, they would have the moral high ground among the Thousand Peaks Forest natives!

But if the Old Monster in the Stone wanted to leave, it would be difficult to stop him.

Taking action would be too tyrannical and would provoke反感 from many factions and individuals.

The Old Monster in the Stone was a rather unique figure among Nascent Soul cultivators.

He only occupied this one Heavenly Pillar Giant Tree, staying deep in his cave year-round without moving, rarely conflicting with surrounding forces.

For such an entity, Lu Hongtu taking action to eliminate him would be unjustifiable and would stir wariness and suspicion within the Thousand Peaks Forest native alliance.

This was something Lu Hongtu very much wanted to avoid.

So, Lu Hongtu smiled slightly and took out a clump of soil from his robe, displaying it openly.

It was white clay, pure and unblemished, emitting a faint fragrance like a gentle breeze or temple incense—completely devoid of any earthy smell.

A supreme treasure of earth virtue and also one of the Buddhist treasures—the Western Pure Land!

As the poem says:

*White soil shines, illuminating the heart,

All thoughts purified, Buddha’s Dharma born.

Western Bliss, the land without stain,

Washes away worldly troubles, returning to purity.*

Where this soil lies, it becomes a transcendent, pure land that can cleanse dust, purify contamination, eliminate karmic obstacles, counteract the erosion of demonic energy, and transform everything it touches into purity and tranquility.

Moreover, for cultivators, it can purify the mind, eliminate worries and attachments, and guide them into the sacred realm of the Blissful Pure Land.

As soon as the soil appeared, the fragrance of Buddha surrounded them.

The Heart Demon and Blood Shadow Cave Lords immediately took a step back, their faces showing disgust and wariness.

Sun and Ning: ?!!

They never expected the Abyssal Cave Lord to come so prepared. Coercion and temptation were his methods. Secretly setting up the formation was his coercion; presenting the Western Pure Land was his temptation.

“Old Monster in the Stone, haven’t you always sought the Western Pure Land?” Lu Hongtu smiled. “Now, it’s right before your eyes.”

Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo urgently discussed.

After a moment of silence, the “Old Monster in the Stone” spoke: “Leave the Pure Land here. When the army attacks this place, I will naturally take action.”

Lu Hongtu laughed. “How could you obtain such a treasure as the Western Pure Land so easily?”

“This isn’t exactly a strategic location—the kingdom’s army might not even attack here.”

“Don’t bother with such cheap talk, lest we think less of you.”

Here, Lu Hongtu paused and revealed a startling plan: “The vanguard of the Two Pillars Kingdom’s army has already encamped at the foot of the Thousand Peaks Forest.”

“Commander Du Tiechuan is also stationed with the central army in Wheelwood Town.”

“Both places are heavily fortified, so we won’t target them.”

“Azurewood Immortal City is the major rear base for this campaign, continuously training and organizing new troops.”

“Our scouts have learned that one of the imperial guards, the Golden Halberd Army, has arrived in Azurewood Immortal City. They are about to depart for Wheelwood Town to join the central army.”

“So, we plan to gather most of the Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators from the Thousand Peaks Forest and ambush them along their march!”

“If you want the Western Pure Land, sign this contract, and we’ll act together when the time comes.”

Sun and Ning: ...

Lu Hongtu took out a divine decree, ostensibly reminding but actually pressuring: “I should make this clear beforehand, Old Monster. This divine decree was personally created by the Whiskered Dragon King. Once you sign it, you must carry it out, or you will face divine punishment.”

“We’ve both experienced the Dragon King’s power, haven’t we?”

Sun and Ning: ...

After speaking, the Abyssal Cave Lord quietly watched the Old Monster in the Stone.

The atmosphere in the cave grew increasingly tense.

The Heart Demon and Blood Shadow Cave Lords looked more and more dangerous, as if ready to move.

“Fine.” Forced into a corner, Sun and Ning had no choice but to agree.

What else could they do?

The situation was clear: refusal would mean a fight!

They had to survive this crisis first and worry about the rest later.

They could only hold their noses and sign the contract.

Seeing the Old Monster in the Stone comply, the Great Abyssal Cave Lord’s expression softened. “On the day of the operation, we’ll meet at the summit of Barrenwood Peak.”

Sun Lingtong snorted coldly, using the Old Monster in the Stone’s tone: “Unnecessary. I will ambush the Two Pillars Kingdom army on my own.”

The Abyssal Cave Lord nodded, left the Western Pure Land