A Plot Takes Shape in Secret, Searching for Lü Dongbin

After Ao Guang left, Han Xiangzi stood there for a long time, unwilling to leave.

Han Xiangzi had heard of the Third Prince, Ao Guang. He was the third prince of West Ox Hezhou, and it was said that his father was a pilgrim on a journey to the Western Heaven to obtain Buddhist scriptures, and his mother was a sister of the Lady Nüwa, a woman of exceptional beauty. Ao Guang was also very talented; in the past ten years, he had made tremendous progress in his cultivation, already reaching the Nascent Soul Realm. His cultivation had surpassed that of the Jade Emperor and the Celestial Venerable Yuanshi, making him the number one expert in West Ox Hezhou. All of this was because his mother was a sister of the Lady Nüwa, which allowed his cultivation to develop so rapidly.

"Who exactly is the Third Prince Ao Guang? How could he possess such great abilities to command the submission of the disciples of the Three Purities, especially since he is merely a mortal?" Han Xiangzi pondered for a long time but could not reach a conclusion.

"Forget it, my current strength is far from enough to fight them. I can only contend with them after I become stronger," Han Xiangzi thought to himself.

"By the way, since Ao Guang said that Lü Dongbin is Buddhist Order, should I go and look for him?"

Thinking about it this way, Han Xiangzi felt a little itchy to go out and explore. He didn't want to waste his time in the Western Sect and wanted to take the opportunity to go out and see the world.

So Han Xiangzi went straight to the Western Sect.

The Western Sect, located in the eastern part of West Ox Hezhou, is one of the most important places within the Western Sect and its sacred ground. Many powerful figures reside here, and numerous Spirit Mountain and treasure lands abound. It is home to various experts, including the Western Sect's leader and the Three Vajras, who are also the teachers and fathers of the Third Prince Ao Guang. These three are incredibly powerful and hold high positions within the Western Sect; even the Western Sect's leader treats them with utmost respect.

In the central region of the Western Sect, there are many Buddhist temples, shrines, and Spirit Mountain. These places are rich in Spiritual Qi, making them ideal places for Han Xiangzi to cultivate.

Han Xiangzi went directly to the center of the Western Sect and then found the most luxurious temple.

After entering the temple, Han Xiangzi went directly to the Buddha statues in the main hall and explained his purpose. The Buddha statues were taken aback for a moment, but then showed expressions of relief.

"Rest assured, we will certainly fulfill your request," the Buddhas said.

"Thank you all for your trouble." Han Xiangzi cupped his hands in greeting.

Upon hearing this, the Buddha statues exchanged a smile.

"Don't worry, Benefactor Han. Did you come here to find someone named Lü Dongbin?" one of the Buddhas asked.

"Right."

"Then come with me. We will definitely find him. However, before we find him, he must abide by the rules of our sect and not have too much involvement with the outside world. Otherwise, our leader and the Third Prince will not forgive him," said a Buddha.

"Of course."

"Okay, let's go."

Han Xiangzi followed the Buddha statue deeper into the temple. The Buddha led Han Xiangzi through many palaces and stopped in a side hall.

"Alright, Benefactor Han, we've arrived."

"Hmm." Han Xiangzi nodded, then walked to the side hall. Looking at the side hall, Han Xiangzi couldn't help but swallow. The side hall was filled with countless Buddha statues, as well as many Bodhisattvas and Luo Han. These Buddha statues were lifelike, as if they really existed.

Han Xiangzi involuntarily took two steps back. Looking at these Buddha statues, he felt as if his heart was about to jump out of his throat. He had never seen so many Buddhas before, and all of them were looking at him with a kind gaze.

Han Xiangzi stood there for a moment before he came to his senses.

"Just who is this Lü Dongbin? How could he have attracted the attention of Ao Guang, the third prince of West Ox Hezhou, and even caused the third prince to mobilize such a large force?"

Han Xiangzi had been in West Ox Hezhou for quite some time and was very familiar with it, but he had no idea who Lü Dongbin West Ox Hezhou. These days, he had been observing every move in West Ox Hezhou, but he hadn't found anything special. However, he suddenly noticed something suspicious: all the forces in West Ox Hezhou were extremely respectful, and they all held Lü Dongbin in high esteem.

"Could it be that Lü Dongbin was the legendary Buddhist Order monk?"

"That's impossible."

Han Xiangzi racked his brains but couldn't figure out Lü Dongbin's identity. However, he vaguely felt that Lü Dongbin was the same Lü Dongbin from Journey to the West, and Han Xiangzi also vaguely felt that Lü Dongbin must have been taken to West Ox Hezhou by his master.

"Who exactly is Lü Dongbin? Why would the third prince of the Western Sect treat him with such respect, and why would the Western Sect show him such deference?"

"This Lü Dongbin is probably quite powerful. If I provoke him, I'll be in great danger. No, I should wait and see."

After thinking for a moment, Han Xiangzi decided not to provoke Lü Dongbin for the time being. He planned to wait until he was strong enough before settling scores with Lü Dongbin.

"Benefactor Han, you may leave now." At this moment, the Buddha statue spoke.

"Huh?" Han Xiangzi was taken aback, somewhat surprised, not expecting him to leave so soon after arriving.

"What, does Benefactor Han have something else to discuss?" the Buddha asked.

"No," Han Xiangzi shook her head and said.

"If you don't have it, then get lost."

"Yes."

Afterwards, Han Xiangzi left.

As the Buddha statue watched Han Xiangzi's departing figure, a strange smile appeared on its lips.

"Han Xiangzi, no matter who you are, I will never let you go easily. Just you wait, I will find you, I will catch you, and I will make you suffer all kinds of torture. I will make you kneel down and beg for mercy."

Not long after Han Xiangzi left the Western Sect, a dark figure flashed past him several kilometers away, and then appeared where Han Xiangzi had just been standing. This figure was none other than Lü Dongbin.

Watching Han Xiangzi's departing figure, Lü Dongbin frowned. "This Han Xiangzi is actually the reincarnation of Buddha, and the second-ranking Daoist Qingfu among Buddhas at that. How did he end up in this godforsaken place? Could he be a member of the Buddhist Order? But shouldn't Buddhist Order cultivate Buddhist teachings, not physical cultivation? Why is he here? And why is he looking for Lü Dongbin? Does he have a grudge against Lü Dongbin?"

Lü Dongbin had many doubts in his mind and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.