Chapter 693
Dispute
Caught between the two sides, listening to this unoriginal argument, Lin Zhu frowned even more deeply.
He glanced at the White Lotus Child, who looked like a dead dog in his hand, then looked at the Dragon Clan and the Western Heaven camp in the distance, who were still on the verge of exploding again even though they had temporarily stopped fighting, as well as the devastated and corpse-strewn Mount Ling. A sense of impatience welled up in his heart.
The battle was fought with both sides holding back, yet neither was willing to back down first. The deadlock stemmed from concerns about face, substance, and the fate of the White Lotus Child. If the fighting continued, it might force both sides to reveal their true intentions, making the situation even more difficult to manage. Moreover, the bloody stench of Mount Ling was truly... an eyesore to him.
Lin Zhu considered himself a kind-hearted person who couldn't bear to see people suffer, and he thought it best to end this fighting and killing as soon as possible.
Just as he was pondering how to break the deadlock, the familiar system notification sound rang clearly in his mind like timely rain.
[Ding! Host detected at a critical juncture. Special guidance mission issued: War mediation and leadership.]
[Mission Requirements: Take the lead in quelling or effectively controlling the current conflict between the Dragon Clan and the Western Paradise, preventing a full-scale war.]
[Quest Reward: 2 Fragments of the Eastern Emperor Bell]
[Note: It is recommended that the host engage in thorough, friendly, and in-depth communication and negotiation with both parties involved in the conflict in order to reach a win-win solution. Also note: To upgrade the 'Thirteen-Grade Merit Golden Lotus' held by the host to the next stage, 'Twenty-Four-Grade Chaotic Azure Lotus Phantom,' a large amount of pure Buddhist vow power and special merit materials are required for catalysis. The stockpiles in the Western Paradise are likely the best option.]
Fragments of the Eastern Emperor Bell! Two pieces, no less! Lin Zhu's heart skipped a beat. These were treasures, fragments of the legendary Chaos Bell, containing the supreme mysteries of time and space. Even just fragments were priceless!
As for the notes about "full, friendly, and in-depth communication and consultation" and "win-win for all parties"... Lin Zhu's lips twitched slightly. The system really put it euphemistically.
Isn't this just telling him outright?
The opportunity has arrived; it's time to openly and legitimately take advantage of him! Especially that last hint about upgrading the Golden Lotus of Merit—it's practically leading him towards the treasure trove of the Western Paradise!
Having made up his mind, Lin Zhu took a deep breath. Just before the conflict between the two sides was about to escalate again, he suddenly lifted the broken primordial spirit of the White Lotus Child that he was holding higher, ensuring that all eyes could see it clearly. Then, he circulated his magic power, and his clear voice drowned out the remaining noise of the battlefield.
"Stop fighting! Listen to me!"
This sound contained his pure magical power and an unquestionable tone, causing the restless Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor and the Amitabha Buddha who was silently chanting Buddhist mantras to temporarily stop their actions and look at him.
Lin Zhu looked around, his gaze sweeping over the horrific battlefield—the sacred Ling Mountain was no more; the exquisite pavilions and towers had been reduced to ruins, the white jade steps were stained dark red with blood, and the broken corpses of Buddhist soldiers lay scattered on the once auspicious spiritual herbs and flowers. Broken weapons, shattered magical artifacts, and charred marks all spoke of the horror of this great battle.
He knew that the current peace was fragile. Although the Western Paradise seemed to have suffered heavy losses, its true core foundation might not have been affected. Most of the dead and wounded were Buddhist soldiers, Arhats, and some Bodhisattvas and Buddhas of lower ranks.
On the dragon side, although the nine true dragons were powerful, they were also injured, their scales were damaged, and their aura was slightly fluctuating, but they were clearly not at the point of fighting to the death or using forbidden techniques.
Both sides need a dignified way out; otherwise, if things escalate to a point of no return, the consequences would be unbearable for both. And if someone else provides that way out, the subsequent situation might spiral out of his control, which wouldn't align with the "deal" he's about to make.
Suppressing his inner turmoil at the thought of "not being able to bear bloodshed," Lin Zhu, carrying the White Lotus Boy, spoke loudly.
"The root of this battle lies in the death of Ao Lie, and the direct culprit is this White Lotus Child. The reason why the White Lotus Child dares to be so unscrupulous is that he would not have been able to do this if no one was condoning him."
As he spoke, his gaze seemed to casually sweep over Amitabha Buddha.
Amitabha Buddha's expression remained unchanged, as if he had not heard anything.
"Now that the White Lotus Child is here, whether to kill or torture him is another matter."
Lin Zhu changed the subject.
"But both sides have already suffered considerable casualties. Mount Ling is damaged, and the Dragon Clan has also been injured. If the fighting continues, it will only result in mutual destruction, allowing those who are secretly watching to benefit. I, Lin Zhu, am but a nobody, but since I have witnessed this matter today and happened to 'find' the culprit, I will shamelessly act as a peacemaker and propose a solution to resolve this feud. What do you say?"
"plan?"
The Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor snorted coldly, his dragon eyes filled with distrust.
"Boy, no matter how eloquently you speak, the White Dragon's primordial spirit has been tortured and killed by this wicked creature, its soul scattered and its body destroyed. This is an irreconcilable enmity! Unless you can revive the White Dragon, any plan you devise is futile!"
Even if we stop here for now, one day my Dragon Clan will mobilize the entire clan to raze Mount Ling to the ground, making your Western Paradise pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold price! Without the pilgrims, with this fundamental path severed, let's see how your Western Paradise prospers!
These words immediately caused an uproar in the Western Paradise camp, and panic spread among the remaining Buddhist followers.
The three thousand Buddhas turned pale. They knew the dragon race's strength well. This race, descended from the primordial era, was far more than just the nine true dragons before them. If they were to come out in full force, those ancient dragons that were dormant, guarding the four seas, or hidden on the edge of chaos would all appear, along with other aquatic forces that might be involved... Even if there were saints in the Western Paradise, they would be severely injured, and their very foundation might be shaken!
The journey to the West is indeed related to the fate of the Western Paradise. If we completely break with the Dragon Clan because of this and the plan is ruined, the losses will be incalculable!
Even Amitabha Buddha, who had been calm all along, paused slightly for a moment, and a trace of undisguised solemnity and tension flashed deep in his eyes.
He had no doubt about the determination in the words of the Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor. The dragon race was protective of its own and held grudges. If Ao Lie's matter could not be properly resolved, the dragon race might really do something so extreme! At that time, even if a sage intervened, the situation would become so complicated that it would be difficult to manage.
The atmosphere on the entire battlefield was once again extremely tense due to the blatant threat from the Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor, filled with an oppressive atmosphere as if a storm was brewing.
Just then, Lin Zhu's voice rang out clearly once again, not loud, but like a thunderclap, exploding in the ears of every participant whose mind was tense.
"Who told you that Ao Lie's primordial spirit is definitely beyond saving?"
"I have a way; perhaps we can try to save the little white dragon's soul!"
In an instant, all was silent. All gazes, all thoughts, all surprise, shock, disbelief, and even the faintest hope were seized by an invisible giant hand and nailed firmly to the young man standing before the ruins, carrying a remnant soul in his hand, his face calm.
The Purple-Gold Dragon Emperor's enormous eyes suddenly contracted, and its raging fury was replaced by extreme astonishment.
Amitabha Buddha's lowered eyelids suddenly lifted, and for the first time, a clear look of astonishment and deep thought appeared on his compassionate face.
Hidden in the shadows, the Buddha, whose aura was weak, was in turmoil, and his gaze toward Lin Zhu was extremely complicated.
He loathed Lin Zhu, hating his repeated meddling, treasure-stealing, and violence. But at this moment, Lin Zhu's sudden remark was like a lifeline thrown out, instantly pulling the battle back from the brink of disaster, regardless of its truth. It provided a crucial buffer and hope for both sides, especially for Xitian, which had suffered heavy losses and faced the threat of a full-scale retaliation from the Dragon Clan!
This act of "ceasefire" and "turning point" unknowingly reduced countless losses in the Western Paradise and saved the lives of many Buddhist soldiers. Even though he was extremely unwilling, the Buddha had to silently acknowledge it deep in his heart.
This young man's actions... seem to have been a favor to the Western Paradise? But his face remained calm and expressionless, showing no sign of it.
This one sentence plunged the originally bloody, tense, and imminent battlefield into a strange silence filled with anticipation and doubt.
Standing amidst the ruins and pools of blood, Lin Zhu felt the heavy gaze that was focused upon him, a gaze powerful enough to shatter the souls of even an ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortal, yet he smiled slightly to himself.
The stage is set. Now it's time for him, the "peacemaker" and "potential blackmailer," to properly negotiate terms with both sides.
As soon as Lin Zhu finished speaking, it was like pouring a ladle of ice water into a boiling oil pan, instantly plunging the entire brutal and noisy battlefield into a deathly silence.
Doubt, shock, confusion, and a sense of unbelievable absurdity swept over the hearts of every powerful figure on both the Dragon Clan and the Western Heaven.
On the dragon side, the massive bodies of the nine true dragons paused slightly in the air, and their overwhelming dragon might seemed to falter for a moment.
Pairs of dragon eyes, some fierce, some cold, some deep, were all fixed on Lin Zhu, their gazes so sharp they seemed to pierce through him from the inside out, searching for the slightest trace of a joke or bluff.
Rescuing a soul that has been tortured to the point of being scattered? That's simply a fantasy! Even in the long history of the dragon race, only a few legendary supreme beings could accomplish this, or it would involve some heaven-defying treasures or forbidden formations, and the conditions would be extremely harsh.
The leader, the Mo Bai Dragon Emperor, narrowed his ancient dragon eyes, which contained the power of chaos and time and space. His voice, aged yet like an ancient abyss, slowly rang out, carrying a majestic aura that made one feel a heavy pressure on their soul.
"Youngster, do you know what you're saying? Ao Lie's primordial spirit was crushed and burned by that wicked creature, and his true spirit imprint suffered irreversible annihilation—a complete destruction that even a saint could not reverse. What ability do you have to claim you can save him?"
Its voice was not loud, but it resonated clearly in the souls of every living being, filled with questioning and invisible pressure.
Among the remaining Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the Western Paradise camp, they looked at each other in bewilderment, and many even felt a sense of absurdity.
They may not have witnessed the details of how Ao Lie, the White Dragon, died, but it was a consensus that the White Lotus Child was ruthless and showed no mercy. The annihilation of the primordial spirit and the dissipation of the true spirit were recognized in the cultivation world as "the complete destruction of body and soul," the most thorough way to die.
Even the Investiture of the Gods, which can preserve the true spirit and reshape the divine body, requires the true spirit to be listed on the list. But the White Dragon Ao Lie has nothing to do with the Investiture of the Gods; his true spirit had long since vanished into the world along with his primordial spirit.
What makes you think Lin Zhu can be saved?
Even Amitabha Buddha, seated on the lotus throne, was experiencing a flurry of thoughts. Beneath the compassion on his golden face lay rapid deliberation and deep doubt.
He understood better than most of those present the power of the White Lotus Child's "Purifying White Flame," which specifically burned the very essence of the soul, leaving the little white dragon with no chance of survival. Saving the annihilated primordial spirit? Unless it was a long-lost forbidden technique from the primordial era, or the use of some chaotic spiritual treasure that even saints would be extremely cautious about, and even then, the success rate was negligible.
This young man named Lin Zhu doesn't seem like someone who possesses such heaven-defying abilities at all.
Despite his doubts, Amitabha Buddha was acutely aware of the critical situation. The threat posed by the Dragon Clan was no exaggeration; if Ao Lie's matter was not properly resolved, the Western Paradise would face annihilation, and the pilgrimage to the West might be aborted.
Lin Zhu's words, whether true or false, are a crucial lifeline, an excellent excuse to allow both sides to calm down temporarily and make a "deal." Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, it's worth a try.
More importantly, if we can "rescue" the White Dragon, we can not only protect the White Lotus Child, but also maintain the superficial cooperative relationship with the Dragon Clan. Most importantly, we can completely block any future pretext for the Dragon Clan's revenge! This is a worthwhile deal no matter how you look at it!
As for the possible demands Lin Zhu might make? Amitabha Buddha remained calm. The Western Paradise possesses countless years of accumulated merit, with believers spread across the four continents; how abundant are its blessings, vows, and rare treasures?
As long as it doesn't involve demands that shake the very foundations of the nation, paying some "price" for such a significant strategic turnaround is, in his view, a completely worthwhile deal. The Western Paradise has plenty of money!
Thinking of this, Amitabha Buddha clasped his hands together, his compassionate expression deepening, and his gentle voice carrying a strange certainty that resounded throughout the battlefield.
“Amitabha. This benefactor Lin Zhu has such a compassionate heart and is willing to try to avert this tragedy, which is truly a great act of kindness. Regardless of whether the method he suggests is feasible, this humble monk is grateful for his intention.”
"If you, benefactor, can truly save my nephew Ao Lie's soul, whatever rare treasures, merits, or vows are needed, as long as it is within the power of the Western Paradise, we will do our utmost to assist you without hesitation! This is an unparalleled act of merit in resolving conflict and saving lives, and the Western Paradise cannot shirk its duty."
This is an excellent way of putting it. It expresses support while preemptively setting the tone that "the Western Paradise is willing to pay the price," making it seem incredibly generous and attempting to seize the initiative in terms of morality and problem-solving.
Lin Zhu was overjoyed to hear Amitabha Buddha's statement, which was practically equivalent to "give me whatever I want".
His face remained impassive, even slightly furrowed, revealing a grave expression that suggested "this matter is extremely troublesome." Save the White Dragon? He happened to possess the "Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill" he had extorted... no, I mean, legitimately received as payment!
According to the system, this elixir has the effect of reshaping the primordial spirit and condensing the true spirit, making it perfect for this situation. It can fulfill its "explanation" to the dragon clan, sell the hot potato of the White Lotus Child for a good price, and also squeeze the materials needed to upgrade the Golden Lotus of Merit from the "sucker" of the Western Paradise. It's killing three birds with one stone, perfect!
He deliberately coughed twice, cleared his throat, and adopted a "I'm just being kind and doing this reluctantly" attitude, his gaze shifting between the Dragon Clan and the Western Paradise, his tone carrying just the right amount of heaviness and difficulty. (End of Chapter)