Volume Four: Buddha Saves No One, Only I, the Devil, Shall Save Them - Competition (Part One)

"Then why don't I charge into the Rakshasa Storm a few more times? Master could rescue me each time and gain heaps of Merit Points. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Luo Qian pictured the treasures strewn across the ground after the storm and nearly drooled. Master Xuqing paused, then smiled. "That would not work. Deliberately doing so would go against the Buddha's intent and earn no Merit Points at all. Besides, the Rakshasa Storm is a living thing, and a cunning one. It generally never approaches the Buddha Realm. When it does, it attacks in force. A small incursion like the last one is extremely rare. No human power could withstand a full-scale assault..."

After hearing this explanation, Luo Qian realized just how lucky he had been. Treasure was precious, but his life was more precious still. He had no choice but to abandon the tempting idea.

He glanced at Master Xuqing, wondering why the master had asked him to stay. Xuqing seemed to read his mind and smiled. "I asked you to stay because I need your help with something." Luo Qian chuckled. "I can help, but my fee is steep..." Xuqing appeared to have expected that. "If you agree, the Buddha Realm will reward you handsomely."

Luo Qian frowned. "The Buddha Realm? Are you negotiating with me on behalf of the entire realm?" Xuqing paused, then laughed. "I misspoke. Since you ask, I won't hide it: I came under the current Buddha Ancestor's decree to speak with you." Luo Qian stuck out his tongue inwardly. Good grief. Did I have some special affinity with the people at the very top? The Immortal Emperor, the God King, the Buddha Ancestor... All I lacked was a Devil Master.

"What do you want me to do?" Luo Qian asked. "It's simple," Xuqing