Chapter 88

"Is this the Lord of Desire Realm?" Seeing the obstructing Heavenly Demon summoned by Shanle, Zhunti's expression turned serious.

The Demon Lord, also known as the Demon King, corresponds to the Golden Immortal in the Immortal Path and the Divine Lord in the Divine Path. There are a total of eighteen Demon Lords in the lineage of Heavenly Demons. However, Fengye, who had practiced for a short time, did not know much about these Demon Lords.

Hearing Zhunti's words, Fengye's heart stirred: "Demon Lord? I have just attained the Dao and know little about the many secrets of the primordial era. I wonder if the Sage can explain the situation of these Demon Lords to me, so I can better deal with them in the future? Also, is there one whose name starts with the character 'Ming'?"

Zhunti pondered for a moment: "The path of Heavenly Demons originates from the Primordial Demon Lord. To date, only eighteen Demon Lords have been born, and the gap between them is also significant. The strongest Primordial Demon Lord can obstruct the Sage, being just a step away from the Mixed Yuan Sage Path. The weakest Demon Lord is only on par with a regular Golden Immortal, or even slightly inferior. However, if we are talking about a name containing the character 'Ming,' it is likely only the Minghuang Demon Lord under the Primordial Demon Lord."

Then, Zhunti looked at Fengye and continued: "It is said that this Demon Lord was the one who obstructed the Fire Cloud Cave in the past, and with one step, crossed the Mixed Yuan Gate, advancing from a Great Luo-level demon to comprehend the Mixed Yuan principle, ranking among the top five of the Demon Lords."

"Is that so? I see! Thank you, Sage!" After listening to Zhunti's explanation about the other Heavenly Demon Lords, Fengye asked in confusion, "According to what the Sage said, in the Demon Realm, the Mara Lord Puxun established the Six Heavens of Desire. Did the Primordial Demon Lord not obstruct him?"

"This involves another matter," Zhunti shook his head. "A few years ago, after the Primordial Demon Lord failed to obstruct the Jade Purity Sage, he returned with severe injuries and recuperated in the Chaos Realm of the Demon Realm. This gave Puxun an opportunity. Puxun, along with six other Demon Lords, separated from the Demon Realm, calling themselves the Self-Transformed Free Heaven, ruling over the various Demon Kings of the Desire Realm. Since then, the Demons have been divided into two: one is the Ten Directions Demon Domain of the Primordial Demon Lord, and the other is the Six Heavens of Desire of the Mara Lord Puxun. Although the terms Demon Lord and Demon King are generally the same, usually, those in the Primordial Demon Domain are called Demon Lords, while those in the Desire Realm are called Demon Kings."

Zhunti looked at the Demon King summoned by Shanle and continued: "After my senior brother established the Western Teachings, the Demon Kings of the Desire Realm have been opposing us. Any of the Three Vehicles of our Western lineage will inevitably face the obstruction of the Desire Realm lineage in the future. I did not expect that Shanle would summon a Demon King from the Desire Realm."

"The Sage need not worry. Shanle looks far from short-lived and is a virtuous person, protected by heaven. He will surely overcome this tribulation!" Fengye said.

"I hope so. However, it is likely that it is precisely because of his deep virtue and high moral character that this Demon King obstructed him. If Shanle is tempted, the Demon King can at least advance to the Taiyi realm!" Zhunti stared at the Bodhi tree.

"Is that so?" Fengye pondered. This is understandable, as one promotes good and the other promotes evil, inherently opposing each other. Yet, they are also interdependent and mutually restrictive. Transforming the other is greatly beneficial to oneself. Later, it is said that the difference between Buddha and Demon is just a thought, which makes sense.

For three days and nights, Shanle sat under the Bodhi tree, struggling against the Demon King. Although there were several dangerous moments, he finally overcame them safely.

The Twelve-Colored Crystal Wheel behind Shanle rotated, continuously eroding the Demon King's power. Eventually, Shanle gained the upper hand, and the Demon King was gradually refined.

A mournful cry echoed as the Demon King, seeing no way to escape, tore off his right arm as a sacrifice, directly summoning the Mara Lord Puxun.

Generally, Heavenly Demons are selfish and act alone when obstructing the path, never sharing the task with others. After all, obstructing the path is a great benefit, and who would want to share it?

However, at the brink of death, there is no time to consider benefits. The Demon King directly summoned the Lord of the Desire Realm, using his power to tempt and transform Shanle. This way, if Shanle died, the Demon King could escape. Even if all the benefits were given away, it would be better than becoming nourishment for others.

Hearing the Demon King's call and receiving the sacrifice, a crack appeared in the sky, and a demonic claw reached out, directly grabbing at the Daoist Shanle.

Zhunti frowned, stepped forward, and swept the Seven Treasures Tree, emitting boundless light. The boundless light transformed into 84,000 Dharma images, which then merged into a ten-zhang golden Dharma image. The crystal golden body, with eighteen arms and twenty-four heads, held various items such as lotus flowers, necklaces, treasure bottles, pure water, golden maces, and silver bows.

Zhunti's boundless light Dharma image, holding the empowerment pearl, struck the demonic claw, dispersing it into a cloud of darkness before it could fully emerge. Shanle, taking advantage of the time Zhunti bought him, fully refined the Demon King into a black magic pearl.

With the Demon King's demise, Shanle successfully overcame the tribulation. However, the cloud of darkness did not dissipate but formed into a skull.

The two blood-red demon eyes in the skull's eye sockets looked around: "So, it's the Sage Zhunti! What? Aren't you practicing in the Seven Treasures Grove? What brings you here?"

"Good, good, this humble Daoist Zhunti greets the Mara Lord Puxun!" Zhunti bowed. "Shanle has successfully overcome the tribulation. What more do you have to say?" The Demon Kings of the Desire Realm, including Puxun, total seven. Losing one is a significant loss.

Thus, Zhunti naturally worried about Puxun seeking revenge.

However, Zhunti overestimated the revolutionary camaraderie among these Demon Kings. The skull laughed, "Fine, fine, let you off this time. Although he is a Demon King, he is the weakest in the Desire Realm. So be it! I will have a great reward for you in the future!" With that, the demon eyes swept over, snatching the magic pearl left by the Demon King from Shanle's hand.

Zhunti was about to act but held back.

Seeing Zhunti's restraint, Puxun, after retrieving the magic pearl, looked at the three present, gave a cold laugh, and disappeared.

Fengye inwardly lamented, "You can look, you can be angry, but why involve me? I am an outsider. Please, Puxun, don't drag me into your karma with the West." However, Puxun's demonic gaze seemed to have another meaning.

Fengye pondered deeply.

At this moment, the Daoist Shanle stepped forward. Fengye suppressed his杂念, no longer thinking wildly, and went to congratulate him: "Shanle, you are truly remarkable, to have subdued a Demon King in one go!"

"Not at all, not at all, I must thank the Sage Zhunti for his rescue! Otherwise, I would have been taken to the Desire Realm by the Mara Lord Puxun long ago. And the magic pearl would have been lost!" Shanle shook his head.

"Gain and loss are part of life; there's no need to be so concerned!" Zhunti shook his head and consoled him: "Losing this evil guest magic pearl means that the karma with Puxun is resolved, and he won't seek revenge on you in the future."

"However, what are your plans for the future? I see that your cultivation method is similar to ours. Are you interested in joining our Western Teachings?" Zhunti took the opportunity to recruit Shanle.

"Such an opportunity would be a great honor for me!" The Western Teachings are the strongest sect in the West, just as the Three Pure Ones are in the East. Moreover, future cultivation with guidance from two Sages would be even better.

Seeing this, Fengye naturally offered his congratulations and presented two gifts. After staying for a while, Fengye found an excuse to leave.

Zhunti stood on Medicine Mountain, watching Fengye's back, deep in thought. He had a plan in mind and took the newly recruited Shanle back to the Seven Treasures Grove.

Fengye left the West and headed directly to the Ziyang Cave Heaven, which is located in the eastern extreme, far from the West. The journey from east to west spans almost half of the primordial world.

During the journey, Fengye made several stops. Especially after leaving the West, he no longer felt the discomfort he had when with Zhunti. Feeling relaxed, he felt the vastness of the world and the freedom to explore.

Finding a suitable spiritual spot, Fengye began to comprehend the Great Dao of the Sage Zhunti.

Due to Zhunti's status as a Sage and the rumors from his previous life, Fengye had initially viewed him with prejudice. However, after some time, he found that this Sage had his merits, not as despicable and shameless as described in later times, lacking the demeanor of a Sage. Moreover, Zhunti's Great Dao provided many insights for Fengye.

Putting aside his prejudice against Zhunti, Fengye's mind became clear, and his mental cultivation advanced significantly. Combined with the insights from Zhunti's teachings, Fengye's primordial spirit touched the essence of the Heavenly Dao. Just as he was about to grasp it, a sudden sense of danger enveloped his heart.

Was someone breaking the protective talisman array outside? No! The talisman array was still intact in his perception.

Was it a tribulation born from the heart? Or an external Heavenly Demon? Both were mental attacks! Fengye, realizing this, sat steadily in his mind, a green lotus rising from his feet, the Mixed Yuan True Talisman emitting a divine light to protect his true spirit.

Fengye formed a spiritual seal, and his mind vibrated, a great sun rising and illuminating his entire mind. Finally, in a shadowy corner, he saw a wisp of black gas.

Fengye drove away the black gas, revealing its true form—a six-headed demon god. Was this his own heart demon or an external demon? Fengye pondered.

However, the demon god, holding a black lotus, swept it, and Fengye, caught off guard, found himself enveloped in the dark light, transported to an unknown void.

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