Western Religion Plots Again, Converting Horned Head

The night on Golden Turtle Island was anything but peaceful.

The spiritual light of formation drills occasionally tore across the night sky, proclaiming the growing strength of Xuan Chuan's faction. In certain corners, however, the undercurrents surged all the faster.

Qiu Shou Immortal left Golden Light Cave on Radiant Treasure Ridge alone. Under cover of night, he quietly arrived beneath a secluded sea cliff on the western side of Golden Turtle Island.

Jagged rocks littered this place, and the crashing waves against the shore were deafening. Spiritual energy was sparse, and disciples rarely came here.

His face was gloomy, his eyes tangled with resentment, anxiety, and a trace of fear that was difficult to detect. The scene of that day's discussion in Golden Light Cave still lingered vividly before him.

Although Senior Brother Golden Light had not said it outright, that remark—"The Western Religion still seems to bear us 'goodwill'?"—circled endlessly in his heart like a curse.

Wait and see? Endure? Qiu Shou Immortal sneered inwardly. How could he endure? That bastard Xuan Chuan's wings had gradually filled out, the Three Xiao Sisters had openly taken his side, and the formation had been completed, its might growing by the day.

The fates of Long-Eared Immortal and Dingguang Immortal were plain for all to see. Senior Brothers Golden Light and Lingya appeared to share a common enemy, but one was overly cautious while the other was rash and witless. What great thing could they possibly accomplish?

There had been no word at all from Winged Immortal's side. He was likely unreliable as well.

Was he, Qiu Shou Immortal, truly supposed to register, one by one, the magic treasures he had painstakingly refined over the years and those secret opportunities he could not speak of, then hand them to Xuan Chuan to judge and manipulate at will? Was he even to follow in Long-Eared Immortal's footsteps?

Absolutely not!

But where was his way out?

Just as his thoughts churned and his irritation mounted—

"Amitabha."

A calm, mellow Buddhist invocation, as though capable of washing away all vexation, sounded behind him without warning.

Every hair on Qiu Shou Immortal's body stood on end. He spun around sharply, instantly raising the mana within him, a magic treasure already clasped in his palm!

He was a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal. His divine sense constantly enveloped his surroundings, yet someone had approached this close without making a sound?!

Under the moonlight, within the sea cliff's shadow, a middle-aged monk stood there, though no one knew when he had appeared.

The monk wore a simple gray robe. His features were compassionate, his eyes half-closed, and behind his head hovered a faint ring of seven-colored light. It was not tangible, yet it radiated tranquility, peace, and a strange Dao rhythm that drew one toward conversion.

He stood there as though fused with the surrounding waves, rocks, and night. If not for seeing him with his own eyes, one's divine sense could scarcely have caught his existence.

A Saint's incarnation! Qiu Shou Immortal's pupils contracted sharply as he instantly recognized the newcomer—Zhunti, the second leader of the Western Religion!

Even though it was merely a wisp of an incarnation, the pressure and Dao rhythm originating from the level of life's very source shook his mind so violently that he could not summon the slightest thought of resistance.

"Fellow Daoist Qiu Shou Immortal, this poor monk is Zhunti. Greetings."

Zhunti's incarnation inclined his head slightly. His voice was like a spring breeze brushing against one's face, carrying a strange soothing power that made Qiu Shou Immortal's taut mind loosen despite itself.

"Saint... Saint Zhunti!" Qiu Shou Immortal took a deep breath and forcibly steadied himself before cupping his hands in salute. Yet within his heart, stormy waves crashed against towering peaks.

A Western Saint had actually come near Golden Turtle Island and sought him out! For what purpose? Could it be...

"This poor monk already knows of the worries in your heart, your struggles and anguish."

Zhunti's incarnation opened his eyes. His gaze was clear and gentle, as though it could see through the human heart. "Xuanmen is consumed by internal strife, those of the same household raising blades against one another. Fellow Daoist, you are loyal and honest by nature, and you have served Master Tongtian for many years. Even if you have no great merit, you have endured hardship.

"Yet because you refused to go along with the filth, that junior Xuan Chuan has regarded you as a thorn in his eye, suppressing you time and again, even endangering your life, your possessions, and the foundation of your Dao Path. Pitiful. Truly pitiful."

Every sentence struck directly at Qiu Shou Immortal's heart, and each carried the resonance of I understand you. His nose inexplicably stung, as though the grievance, indignation, and fear he had accumulated over so many days had finally found an outlet.

"Saint... you see clearly." Qiu Shou Immortal's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"Though Jiejiao is vast, it is no longer a place where you may live in peace."

Zhunti's incarnation shifted the topic, his voice growing ever more compassionate. "Master Tongtian may be powerful, but the tribulation has already been decreed. Jiejiao's killing tribulation is at hand, Karmic Force coils around it, and when the nest overturns, how can any egg remain intact?

"That child Xuan Chuan is merely a mantis trying to block a chariot. He will only drag loyal and worthy people such as yourselves into a place of eternal damnation."

Qiu Shou Immortal's heart shook violently. His lips moved, but he could not utter a single word.

Killing tribulation... Karmic Force... He had not heard these terms for the first time, but spoken with such certainty by a Saint, their weight was utterly different.

"My Western Paradise is vast and pure, without calamity or tribulation."

Zhunti's incarnation stepped forward. Soft yet solemn Buddhist light spread around him, illuminating Qiu Shou Immortal's uncertain face.

"This poor monk sees that though Fellow Daoist was born of another kind, your nature is simple and honest, your foundation deep. Moreover, you share affinity with our Buddhist sect. I cannot bear to see a pearl buried beneath dust, falling amid this filthy killing tribulation."

He extended his hand, and within his palm appeared a cluster of incomparably pure glazed Buddhist light, containing infinite wisdom and compassion.

Within that Buddhist light, a faint phantom of a Bodhisattva could be seen, dignified in appearance and seated upon a lotus platform—majestic beyond measure, eternal and at ease.

"If Fellow Daoist is willing to abandon darkness for light, take refuge in the Buddha, and enter our Western Teachings," Zhunti's incarnation said, his voice like morning bells and evening drums striking directly at the depths of Qiu Shou Immortal's soul.

"This poor monk can promise you the righteous fruition of a Bodhisattva, Eight-Treasure Merit, and an Immortal Golden Body, unweathered through ten thousand tribulations and forever freed from the bitter sea of reincarnation! I can further impart supreme Buddhist teachings to you, helping you pierce the fog of delusion and greatly advance your cultivation!"

Bodhisattva fruition! Immortal Golden Body! Eternal freedom from reincarnation!

Every word was like a heavy hammer, smashing viciously against Qiu Shou Immortal's Dao heart!

Compared with remaining in Jiejiao in constant fear, possibly being purged by Xuan Chuan at any moment and swept into an unknown killing tribulation, this Western road appeared so bright, secure, and tempting!

"I... I am a disciple of Jiejiao. I have served Master for many years..." Qiu Shou Immortal struggled, but little firmness remained in his tone.

"Foolish child." Zhunti's incarnation sighed, the Buddhist light growing gentler and warmer. "Master Tongtian teaches without distinction and accepts disciples broadly. That is great compassion. Yet the sect's fortune has waned, beyond the power of man to reverse.

"Your departure would not be a betrayal of your master's grace. It would be seeking a thread of life amid certain death, preserving a body that may yet be of use.

"If opportunity arises in the future, you may even use Buddhist teachings to convert your former fellow disciples and spare them from calamity. That too would be Merit, great compassion. Would that not be better than sinking into ruin alongside them?"

It was a substitution of concepts, yet immensely persuasive. He had dressed up betrayal and flight as "seeking a path to survival" and a compassionate act of "saving others someday."

Qiu Shou Immortal's eyes flickered violently, his breathing growing rapid.

He recalled Xuan Chuan's cold gaze. He recalled the spiritual light shooting into the heavens during the formation drills and the cheers of Xuan Chuan's supporters.

He recalled Golden Light Immortal's hesitation, Lingya Immortal's incompetence, Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal's miserable fate... Then he compared it with the Buddhist light now shining over all things and the bright future promised before him...

"Only..." He still had one final concern. "If I simply go like this, having rendered no service, how could I dare accept the fruition of a Bodhisattva?

"And Xuan Chuan has many eyes and ears. If I suddenly disappear, I fear it will invite an investigation..."

Zhunti's incarnation smiled faintly, as though everything lay within his grasp. "Fellow Daoist has considered things thoroughly. Since you enter our gate, you should naturally render service to the faith.

"That simplified Myriad Immortals Joint Defense Formation which Xuan Chuan has been drilling conceals the essence of Master Tongtian's formation Dao. It would greatly benefit our Western Teachings in understanding Xuanmen formations and perfecting our own formation for protecting the faith.

"If Fellow Daoist can bring its core formation diagram to the West, you will have rendered great service!

"At that time, not only will the fruition of a Bodhisattva be secure, but you may also receive my personal teachings and be bestowed rare treasures for your protection!"

His tone was filled with temptation. "As for your departure, this poor monk can use a spell to conceal the heavenly secrets for you and create a false appearance.

"Once you obtain the formation diagram, Jieyin will naturally come for you. Without gods or ghosts knowing, you will leave Golden Turtle Island. By the time Jiejiao discovers it, you will already be in the Blissful World, listening to the Buddha expound the scriptures."

The formation diagram! Stealing the formation diagram!

Qiu Shou Immortal's heart jolted, but the beautiful future being painted swiftly drowned the thought. Yes, if he defected without offering anything, his value truly would not be high.

But if he brought this important formation diagram with him, it would be a great service! Xuan Chuan, you forced me to this point, so do not blame me for taking what you value most!

His final trace of hesitation completely dissolved amid the Saint's promises and his hatred for Xuan Chuan.

Qiu Shou Immortal raised his head. The struggle, fear, and resentment in his eyes rapidly faded, replaced by an almost fanatical piety and determination.

He straightened his robes and crown, then slowly knelt before Zhunti's incarnation.

"This disciple, Horned Head, has received the Saint's enlightenment and returned from the path of error! I am willing to take refuge in the Buddha, journey westward, and seek righteous fruition! This disciple will certainly obtain that formation diagram for the Saint!"

His voice was no longer hoarse. It was filled with strength and... the relief and excitement of one who had found a place to belong.

"Excellent, excellent." Zhunti's incarnation's smile grew ever more compassionate as he raised a hand in a gesture of support. "Since that is so, you shall be our Buddhist sect's appointed Golden Light Horned Head Bodhisattva.

"Go and prepare. When the time comes, act according to the plan. Of this matter, Heaven knows, Earth knows, you know, and I know."

The Buddhist light flickered faintly, and Zhunti's incarnation vanished into the air like a bubble, as though he had never appeared.

Only the faint scent of sandalwood and the Buddhist invocation echoing in Qiu Shou Immortal's mind proved that what had just happened was no illusion.

Qiu Shou Immortal—perhaps he ought now to be called the future Golden Light Horned Head Bodhisattva—slowly rose to his feet. Standing at the edge of the sea cliff, he looked toward Golden Turtle Island's central region, where the spiritual light of formation drills still flickered faintly.

There was no longer a shred of hesitation in his eyes, only icy resolve and a burning heat at the thought of soon achieving his goal.

"Xuan Chuan... Jiejiao... Your formation, your secrets, will serve as my gift of introduction upon taking refuge in the Buddha."

He muttered softly, his figure melting into the night as he quietly returned in the direction of Radiant Treasure Ridge.

Within his heart, he had already begun meticulously planning how to approach and steal the core formation diagram of the simplified Myriad Immortals Joint Defense Formation without arousing suspicion.