Chapter 721
Lin Zhu's Sudden Wealth: Quasi-Saint Imminent
As he leisurely drifted along, he also spared a sliver of his mind to examine his current state.
[Realm Level]: Half-step Quasi-Saint. It is estimated that approximately 700,000 merits will still be needed to break through to the next major realm.
[Main cultivation method].
The Nine-Turn Pangu True Body Technique.
[Magic Treasures Section]
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The ultimate treasure of chaos.
Fragments of the Eastern Emperor Bell.
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The supreme treasure of Heaven.
Thirty-six grades of Creation Green Lotus.
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A top-grade innate spiritual treasure.
Blue lotus-colored flag.
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Innate spiritual treasure.
Three Lights Divine Water, Muni Light-Stabilizing Pearl.
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Merit and Dharma treasures.
Measuring stick.
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The treasure of the day after tomorrow.
Taiyi Tengshe Scissors, Yuyi Xian's Winged Sword, and Golden Relic.
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The acquired spiritual treasure.
Qiankun Bow, Zhentian Arrow, Gouge Eye, Sealing Throat Needle, White Lotus Boy's Nameless Short Knife, etc.
Three crystals of the bloodline origin of ancient ferocious beasts, approximately 200,000 + 100,000 remaining merit water, 700,000 merit points exchanged with the Jade Emperor, and various other rare and precious materials and spiritual essences.
Looking at this abundant "assets," especially the realm he was about to break through to again, Lin Zhu stroked his chin and suddenly felt that things were going a little too smoothly?
It feels like only yesterday that I broke through to the half-step Quasi-Saint realm, and now I'm already accumulating enough "resources" for the next advancement? Seven hundred thousand merits—not a lot, not a little. In the past, it might have required painstaking planning and extensive "enforcement" to accumulate them. But now… the merits seem to be coming a bit too "rapidly."
"This system..."
Lin Zhu muttered to himself.
"Like a death knell. After giving you a taste of sweetness, they immediately paint a new pie in front of you, leaving you no room for unease. The leap from half-step Quasi-Saint to Quasi-Saint is a crucial step in qualitative change, requiring more than just the amount of merit; it also needs an opportunity, enlightenment, and even... tribulation?"
He reflected on his cultivation level and treasures, wondering how much of it he had acquired through "cheating and deception," "stealing," and "fair transactions." Although the process was exciting and the rewards were plentiful, even he himself felt that the speed of his advancement was somewhat "superficial."
Of course, the foundation is solid; the solid foundation built by the systematic techniques and the infusion of merit cannot be faked. It's just that the pace is indeed a bit overwhelming.
"Forget it, why think so much?"
Lin Zhu shook his head, temporarily casting aside the complicated thoughts about advancement, cause and effect, and tribulations. He had just finished a highly profitable deal and upgraded his heaven-defying defensive magic weapon; he was in a state of high spirits and mental well-being, so why create trouble for himself?
All he wants right now is... to have some fun and relax.
"Hmm... We have a hundred million Buddhist soldiers to do the hard labor in building the Hall of Law Enforcement, so don't worry about it. The three demon immortals have been sent out to relax. Nezha is busy coordinating things. The Jade Emperor just received the Merit Water, so he shouldn't bother me again anytime soon..."
Lin Zhu counted on his fingers and found that there were no urgent matters that required his personal attention.
A rare and long-lost sense of "free time" welled up in her heart. But this "free time" was a little uncomfortable for Lin Zhu, who was used to messing around and causing trouble.
"I need to find something to do..."
His gaze swept over the vast, boundless sea of clouds below the Heavenly Court, and the faint outlines of the four continents visible beneath the clouds, a glint of eager anticipation flashing in his eyes.
"I heard... Jambudvipa has been quite lively lately? The eastward spread of Buddhism has been hindered, and the demons seem to be getting restless too? Or... let's go see what kind of jokes those 'missing their fellow disciples' will make when they run to Kunlun Mountain?"
A wicked smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Forget it, let's go back to the prison first. Maybe... some fool will come knocking on my door so I can 'loosen my muscles'? If not..."
Lin Zhu's eyes darted around, thinking of the few "Ancient Ferocious Beast Bloodline Origin Crystals" lying quietly in the system space, and then of the demon clan core members in the Nine-Layer Heavenly Prison who were eager to grow stronger and were waiting to be fed.
"Do something 'perverted'...like creating three half-step quasi-saint level henchmen? Sounds...quite interesting."
With this complex mix of "wanting some fun" and "doing something big," Lin Zhu's cloud-riding escape light accelerated, speeding towards the nine-story prison that was under construction and about to shock the Three Realms with its walls made of spiritual agate.
As Lin Zhu rode the clouds to the vicinity of the Nine-Story Heavenly Prison, where construction was in full swing and spiritual light was radiating from the sky, he slowed down. For days, he had been leading a large team of law enforcement officers on a whirlwind tour of the Western Heavenly Spirit Mountain, confronting the Dragon Clan, "treasure hunting" and demolishing structures, upgrading magical artifacts, and engaging in "friendly" transactions with the Jade Emperor. Although the gains were enormous, he was still on edge.
Looking at the bustling and hopeful construction scene on his own land, he couldn't help but feel a rare urge to completely relax.
'If at this moment, a fairy or witch of special status, unparalleled beauty, and otherworldly temperament... preferably with a touch of arrogance, were to, for some reason, have to seek my help, and then, with a mix of coyness and reluctance, throw herself into my arms, using her warm, fragrant body and sweet breath to soothe this prison god's weariness of the past few days... how wonderful that would be...'
The thought had barely formed a vague outline in Lin Zhu's mind when he immediately cut off any further flights of fancy, shaking his head with a smile. 'What are you thinking? This is a proper fantasy... no, a proper Three Realms Enforcement novel. A few lighthearted moments are fine, but the main plot can't stray. Never mind, it's just a thought, it doesn't violate any heavenly rules.'
Just as he was about to dismiss this pointless fantasy, he saw a red figure rushing towards him on its fiery wheels – it was Nezha. The little guy's face showed obvious anxiety and worry; upon seeing Lin Zhu in the distance, he shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Boss! Boss! You're finally back! Something's happened!"
Lin Zhu pressed down from the clouds, raised an eyebrow, and asked.
"What's the panic? Has the hundred million Buddhist soldiers gone on strike? Or is there not enough Spirit Source Agate?"
"No, no!"
Nezha waved his hands repeatedly and leaned closer to whisper.
"It's Guanyin Bodhisattva from the Western Paradise! She's waiting right outside the main gate of our Heavenly Prison! She specifically asked to see you! I noticed her face was cold and her appearance was dignified, but her eyes seemed a bit off... Boss, could it be that she found out about us emptying... uh, 'having the good fortune to obtain' the treasures from Mount Ling, and she's here to interrogate us?"
Nezha's little face was full of worry.
Although he feared neither heaven nor earth, Guanyin Bodhisattva was, after all, a renowned Buddhist master with unfathomable cultivation, and behind her stood the entire Western Paradise. If she were to truly come to punish him, even if his leader was incredibly skilled in combat, he would likely face considerable trouble.
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhu was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and shook his head.
"Coming to interrogate me? Nezha, you're overthinking it. Even if she had three times the courage, she wouldn't dare to openly come to my Nine-Story Heavenly Prison to interrogate me right now."
After a moment's thought, he understood the key point, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery.
"Perhaps it was Buddha Tathagata who, after recovering slightly from the blows of his home being emptied, his incompetent subordinates causing him trouble, and the unmanageable wage gap, suddenly remembered—oh! My key protector for the Journey to the West project, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven Sun Wukong, seems to still be 'visiting' that scoundrel Lin Zhu in his nine-story prison! This great undertaking cannot be delayed, I must send someone to retrieve him immediately."
Nezha slapped his forehead and suddenly realized.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that! That monkey is still eating peaches in the backyard of our prison! Boss, what... what do we do? Hand her over to her and have her take her back?"
Lin Zhu was about to nod. Although Sun Wukong was a key figure, keeping him around was only useful for occasional amusement and not for much else. In fact, he might become a pretext for continued entanglement in the Western Paradise. Since the other party had come knocking, he should just give him over according to the "original plan," which would also be a way to make a good connection. However, just as this thought crossed his mind, the familiar, often unreliable system notification sound rang out in his mind without warning.
[Ding! Special scene triggered. The 'sincerity' of a Buddhist master.]
[Limited-time fun missions released. May all beings be saved, and may peace and prosperity prevail.]
[Mission Objective: Please find a way to have Guanyin Bodhisattva personally perform a song and dance in front of the law enforcers of the Nine-Level Heavenly Prison.]
[Task Hint: You can use the ownership of 'Sun Wukong' as a bargaining chip.]
[Quest Reward: 100,000 Merit Points Divine Water]
[Failure penalty. None.]
[Note: Art knows no boundaries, and entertainment has no boundaries. Host, please set aside your burdens and bravely create a new era of harmony in the three realms!]
Lin Zhu.
"..."
His expression instantly became incredibly complex. To have Guanyin Bodhisattva...perform a song and dance...for a group of law enforcers...at the entrance of the Nine-Story Heavenly Prison?! And a joyful one at that? Lasting for the duration of a cup of tea?! And even suggesting using Sun Wukong as leverage?!
System, is this something a human being would do?!
This isn't a "fun mission" at all; it's practically putting Lin Zhu on the hot seat, trying to kill him! It's putting him in a position of being unjust, bullying the weak, and insulting Buddhist monks! Although... he seems to do similar things often, the target and the form this time are just too damn tricky!
The reward of 100,000 merits of divine water is very tempting, but the difficulty of doing this and the subsequent impact... Lin Zhu seemed to already see the terrifying rage that would erupt on Guanyin's usually compassionate and calm face, and the monstrous waves that might be stirred up in the Western Paradise.
Just as Lin Zhu's eyes were darting around and he was internally ranting about the system's absurd task, Nezha, who was next to him, noticed that he hadn't spoken for a long time, but his eyes were wandering and his expression was strange, sometimes frowning and sometimes twitching at the corner of his mouth. He couldn't help but be more worried and a little curious, so he asked in a low voice.
"Boss? What's wrong? Your eyes... seem a little off? Have you thought of some brilliant plan to deal with Guanyin Bodhisattva? Or... do you have some other... worldly desires?"
Nezha asked that last question cautiously, with the innocence and straightforwardness unique to young people.
He thought he caught a glimpse of something like...expectation? Or lewdness in his boss's eyes just now. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it didn't seem like the usually shrewd and strategic boss he always was.
Lin Zhu was pulled back to reality by Nezha's words. Looking at his expression that said, "I'm very curious but I'm very innocent," the absurdity and wicked sense of humor that arose from the system task suddenly intertwined in her heart.
His eyes darted around, and a mysterious, slightly wicked smile appeared on his face. He coughed lightly and, in a rhythmic, poetic tone, recited to Nezha.
"Nezha, my brother, don't panic. Your eldest brother has a plan."
"The Bodhisattva's visit is not for war; the monkey's journey to the West is the first priority."
"However, Heaven favors life, and entertainment and relaxation should not be neglected."
"If I could obtain the sacred sound to accompany the exquisite dance, I would receive ten thousand merits."
"Consider the deeper meaning behind this; superior driving skills must be concealed."
"Only when the music ends and the crowd disperses do we realize how shrewd the boss is."
Nezha.
"...???"
His eyes widened, his little face filled with huge question marks and bewilderment. Was his boss... reciting poetry? Or a limerick? He understood every word, but what did it mean together? "Sanskrit chants paired with enchanting dance"? "Ten thousand merits"? "Superb driving skills"? What on earth was this? What did it have to do with Guanyin Bodhisattva? And with Sun Wukong?
He felt completely bewildered, his mind a jumbled mess, and his gaze towards Lin Zhu shifted from worry to pure, awe-inspiring confusion. But precisely because he couldn't understand, he found his boss even more mysterious and unfathomable! To express a plan with such obscure and profound poetry—that level of skill, that style! Truly worthy of being the boss!
"Boss... this is too advanced! I... I don't understand it at all!"
Nezha scratched his head, feeling both ashamed and admiring.
Lin Zhu looked at Nezha's expression of "being greatly shocked even though he didn't understand" and chuckled to himself.
"Silly kid, it's understandable if you don't understand. Even I, your boss, was forced into this by that inhuman system. Just to pass censorship, I was compelled to become a 'poet'."
He patted Nezha on the shoulder and said earnestly.
"Don't understand? That's right. There are some things and some levels of understanding that you are still too young and inexperienced for.
This kind of 'perverted'... no, I mean this kind of 'high art' level of operation, we'll teach you slowly when you're older and more experienced. For now…”
Lin Zhu put away his joking expression and gave the order seriously.
"Go immediately and relay my order: have all off-duty law enforcement officers nearby, especially those with cultivation levels above Golden Immortal, assemble outside the main gate of the Heavenly Prison! Tell them... we have a great program to kick off the year-end party, so everyone should get a sneak peek and be on their best!"
"A gathering of law enforcers? And all of them must be at least Golden Immortals?"
Nezha was even more confused.
"Boss, weren't we supposed to be dealing with Guanyin Bodhisattva? Gathering the brothers means... we're going to make a move?"
He thought of the vague mention of "entertainment and relaxation" in Lin Zhu's poem, and felt even more uneasy.
"Why are you resorting to violence? We are a civilized law enforcement unit."
Lin Zhu was very serious.
"It's 'observation and learning,' it's 'cultural exchange.' Hurry up! Tell Guanyin Bodhisattva... to wait a moment at the door, and say that I will be there shortly."
Although Nezha was full of doubts, he always obeyed Lin Zhu's orders without question, and immediately nodded upon hearing this.
"Yes, boss! I'll go right away!"
Having said that, he stepped onto his Wind and Fire Wheels, transformed into a streak of red light, and hurried off to deliver orders and gather his men.
Lin Zhu straightened his robes, and his usual enigmatic smile reappeared on his face as he strolled unhurriedly toward the main gate of the prison.
Outside the main gate of the Nine-Story Heavenly Prison
The area, previously noisy and chaotic due to construction, was quickly cleared. The Nine-Layered Heavenly Prison enforcers, having received Nezha's urgent order, were initially confused but obeyed orders without question, and quickly assembled from various locations. (End of Chapter)