Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

Now that she knows the whole story, she naturally won't like Zhang Tianyuan as she did in the original novel.

Chapter 282 Future Matters

It's not that Mingzhu is bad; the reason she wants to marry Zhang Tianyuan is simply to repay his life-saving grace. If they spend more time together like in the original story, feelings will inevitably develop, and if Li Xiuyuan were to break them up, she would resent him.

Li Xiuyuan said calmly, "You may continue reading."

The scene unfolds, and Mingzhu sees Zhang Tianyuan's past life, who pushes her into the lake. Mingzhu mistakenly believes that Zhang Tianyuan is her savior.

Mingzhu finally made up her mind to wait, and Zhang Tianyuan was reincarnated to repay her kindness in saving her life.

The decades in the mortal world passed in the blink of an eye, and Mingzhu finally found the reincarnation of Zhang Tianyuan, and tried every means to get close to him.

When Zhang Tianyuan saw Mingzhu collapse in front of the door, he took the initiative to rescue her. However, due to Mingzhu's deliberate deception, she was told that she was a homeless person.

Seeing Mingzhu's pitiful state, Zhang Tianyuan, despite his grandmother's advice that Mingzhu's origins were unclear and it was not advisable to take her in, insisted on his own way, perhaps because he coveted Mingzhu's beauty.

Zhang Tianyuan in the picture perfectly embodies this idea. At first, Mingzhu thought that Zhang Tianyuan was his savior. As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Back then, no matter who tried to persuade her, Mingzhu wouldn't listen. Now that she knows the other person wasn't her savior, she sees him differently.

With Mingzhu's initiative, the two finally became a real couple, and Li Xiuyuan in the scene did not interfere.

However, after their marriage, the two began to rely on the pearls produced by the pearls produced by the pearls to support Zhang Tianyuan's studies, and the Zhang family soon became wealthy.

After the Zhang family became wealthy, both Old Madam Zhang and Zhang Tianyuan wanted to get the method of cultivating pearls from Mingzhu, saying that they would not let her work too hard.

In reality, the two people were only coveting this method of quickly producing pearls, but the pearls relied on their own essence and blood to feed the oysters, allowing them to quickly produce pearls.

There was naturally no other way, but Zhang Tianyuan in the picture and the old lady Zhang felt that Mingzhu was deceiving them.

The conflict began here. Madam Zhang and Zhang Tianyuan no longer remembered Mingzhu's good qualities and only wanted her to produce more pearls, but this method could not last.

It was Mingzhu who fed the clam with her blood. It was fine for a day or two, but after a year or two, Mingzhu's health began to decline. Because she was sickly every day, Mingzhu began to lie in bed.

As time went on, Old Mrs. Zhang grew tired of it, saying that Mingzhu only knew how to pretend to be sick and that she even had to do the housework. Mingzhu wanted to explain, but she felt somewhat powerless to do so.

However, for the sake of her family, Mingzhu finally endured her grandmother's gossip and harsh words.

As for Zhang Tianyuan, after his family became wealthy, he became complacent and unambitious. Having been used to living a poor life, he was initially at a loss when he suddenly received a large sum of money.

However, Zhang Tianyuan's mindset changed later. He couldn't concentrate on his studies anymore. In his mind, the so-called studying and passing the imperial examinations was just to make his family better off.

Now that he had everything, Zhang Tianyuan was no longer serious. He wanted to learn how to cultivate pearls, so he begged Mingzhu for help, but she still didn't give it to him.

Zhang Tianyuan harbored resentment, and his major conflict with Mingzhu began from then on. As for Old Mrs. Zhang, she was old and died less than two years later.

....................

With no one to restrain him, Zhang Tianyuan began to seek out women outside the home and began a life of debauchery.

Zhang Tianyuan squandered all the wealth generated from the pearls produced by the Zhang family.

Left with no other choice, Zhang Tianyuan hoped that Mingzhu could produce more pearls. Even if she couldn't fulfill her husband's request, she would still verbally agree to it.

Mingzhu sacrificed so much for the family, while Zhang Tianyuan became increasingly promiscuous outside. After a few years, their good days came to an end.

In order to produce pearls, Mingzhu had to suck human blood. At first, it was fine, but as time went on, moralists would often come knocking on her door.

Mingzhu used various excuses to take Zhang Tianyuan to move, and he picked up many bad habits, such as gambling, drinking, and prostitution.

The gambling was, of course, a casino. Zhang Tianyuan almost always lost when he gambled there. After losing, he would drink to relieve his boredom. Also, due to the conflict with Mingzhu, they hadn't shared a room for a long time, so he often spent the night outside.

Zhang Tianyuan would only return home when he ran out of money. Several years passed, and Mingzhu's body became increasingly haggard. She dared not drink human blood anymore because people from the celestial realm began to take notice of this place.

But in order to continue producing pearls, Mingzhu had no choice but to continue bleeding money to support Zhang Tianyuan's carefree life.

One day, Mingzhu collapsed in the room where she kept pearls due to excessive blood loss. When Zhang Tianyuan returned, he found that Mingzhu was not at home, and a large clam shell had appeared in the room where clam shells were kept.

Zhang Tianyuan was craving alcohol, but his family had no money, so he set his sights on various clam shells, especially this large clam shell. He thought that such a large clam shell must contain some pearls!

After thinking about this, Zhang Tianyuan pried open the giant clam shell, almost killing Mingzhu, who then woke up.

Zhang Tianyuan then learned that his wife, with whom he had lived day and night, was actually a thousand-year-old clam spirit, which he simply could not accept.

Therefore, Zhang Tianyuan sought out a sorcerer to eliminate the monster. However, the pearl spirit had sacrificed too much for Zhang Tianyuan, killing humans and consuming their life essence, all for the sake of producing pearls. In the cycle of cause and effect, it ultimately turned to ashes and vanished.

Zhang Tianyuan also ended up destitute on the streets, and after losing Mingzhu's support, he could only beg for a living.

The scene that Mingzhu witnessed with Li Xiuyuan was like a movie playing in replay. Knowing her final fate made her feel depressed.

Chapter 283 Demon-Subduing Pearl

Li Xiuyuan pondered for a moment and said, "Clam spirit, now you understand my intention, right? If you continue to be with Zhang Tianyuan, it will ultimately harm both of you."

As he spoke, he put away the images; all of the above were the aftermath he had presented using his great magical power.

If Li Xiuyuan and the Fire Spirit Pearl hadn't appeared, the fate of the Clam Spirit Pearl would have been almost the same, just like the scene in the picture, ultimately ending in the destruction of her family and death.

And that thousand-year-old clam spirit was also reduced to ashes.

Although this scene was conjured by Li Xiuyuan using his powerful magic, he completely followed the personalities of the two characters and added some elements from the original story, making it 99% credible.

Upon hearing this, Mingzhu lowered her head and wept, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Holy Monk. I hope you will forgive me for any offense I may have caused!"

Normally, she would never back down to anyone, but she learned from the scene just now that Zhang Tianyuan was not her savior.

If she were to marry him, it would only cause both of them to suffer in the end. Therefore, Mingzhu was extremely grateful to Li Xiuyuan.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan's lips curled up, and he chuckled, "You finally understand my good intentions. It is the greatest virtue to admit one's mistakes and correct them!"

As he spoke, he fully utilized his persuasive skills and managed to fool Mingzhu.

"Unfortunately, my true savior, Xiao Lingzi, has been completely destroyed."

As she spoke, Mingzhu sighed softly. She thought of the little spirit who had been destroyed for her sake, wondering if he had been reincarnated.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan said calmly, "Don't worry, that Fire Spirit Orb is a plaything of Manjushri Bodhisattva's mount. Because it has gained sentience, it has become entangled with you. Manjushri Bodhisattva will not let it die."

After saying that, he thought to himself why the Fire Spirit Orb would become the disciple of the Qiankun Cave Master. In his mind, it was simply because Manjushri Bodhisattva wanted to use this opportunity to train him.

As for the Lord of Qiankun Cave, that's even more absurd. It's said that he was originally one of the five-colored stones used by Nuwa to mend the sky in ancient times.

However, the true identity of the Master of Qiankun Cave, as seen in the original work, may not all be true.

"really!"

Upon hearing this, Mingzhu immediately raised her head and stared at Li Xiuyuan's face.

Seeing Mingzhu staring intently at him, Li Xiuyuan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Of course. As the saying goes, good deeds are rewarded. The Fire Spirit Pearl is definitely still alive."

"Your inner core is the manifestation of the soul of that Fire Spirit Pearl. I can sense that the master is still alive."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but boast, and this so-called intuition was obviously just nonsense.

"Thank you, Holy Monk! Thank you, Holy Monk! I would be willing to die just to see Xiao Lingzi."

As she spoke, Mingzhu kowtowed. She felt a pang of regret for her rudeness towards Li Xiuyuan and hoped that he would not forgive her and would return the inner core to her so that she could see Xiaolingzi again.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan smiled and said, "Oh! Is that true?"

If I were to actually allow you to meet, I could do whatever I wanted.

As he spoke, he stepped forward and lifted Mingzhu's delicate chin.

Mingzhu had a delicate oval face, and although she looked pale from losing her inner core, it couldn't hide her pure and refined appearance.

In his previous life, Li Xiuyuan saw the Living Buddha Ji Gong and felt that Mingzhu was extremely tragic. Because of a momentary lapse in judgment, he misremembered his benefactor and was almost killed by his bedmate Zhang Tianyuan. That's why he intervened to stop it.

When Mingzhu saw Li Xiuyuan, she raised her chin and a rare blush appeared on her face. She whispered, "As long as the Holy Monk can let me see Xiaolingzi again, even if I fall into the deepest hell, this little demon will not hesitate."

As she spoke, she nodded solemnly. In the original story, she was able to wait for decades to repay a debt of gratitude and even offered herself to Zhang Tianyuan, showing that she was a very sentimental demon.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan pondered for a moment and said, "Amitabha! I don't need you to go to hell. As long as you are willing to stay by my side for the rest of your life to cultivate and obey my words."

"I won't hold it against you for your rudeness earlier. I will allow you to meet with Xiao Lingzi. However, you are only permitted to meet; you are not allowed to leave without permission."

As he spoke, he stared intently at Mingzhu, wanting to know her answer. Such a woman should not be allowed to be taken away by the Fire Spirit Pearl; she should stay by his side!

In the original story, the pearl was directly taken away by Manjushri Bodhisattva.

As for offending Manjushri Bodhisattva, Li Xiuyuan didn't care at all. With his abilities, he was fully capable of fighting against him, but only if he revealed all his secrets.

Firstly, Manjushri Bodhisattva is only a Great Luo Golden Immortal and has not achieved Quasi-Saint status, while Li Xiuyuan possesses magical treasures such as the World-Destroying Black Lotus, the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Pearl, and the Divine Demon Sword. In addition, he also controls the laws of space and the laws of power.

Of course, there are some things that Li Xiuyuan will not reveal unless his life is in danger, such as the Black Lotus of Annihilation, the Law of Power, and his Ancestral Witch True Form.

Li Xiuyuan's Ancestral Witch True Body did not inherit the appearance of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, but instead inherited the true body of Pangu. However, his appearance was different from Pangu's, and when he used the Dharma Body of Heaven and Earth, his power was ten times greater than that of an ordinary person.

This is Li Xiuyuan's Ancestral Witch True Body, also known as Pangu True Body. Others' Dharma Body Heaven and Earth are merely enlarged bodies, and with the increase of some power, their speed is reduced, and they cannot compare with his.

Li Xiuyuan's physical body has reached the Golden Immortal realm. With his numerous powerful weapons, he is fully capable of contending with Bodhisattva Wenshu. If his cultivation can reach the Golden Immortal realm, that would be even better.

After thinking about this, Li Xiuyuan had a clue. He couldn't help but look at Mingzhu beside him, realizing that the opportunity for his breakthrough lay with her.

"Thank you for taking me in, Holy Monk. This humble demon is willing!"

Upon hearing this, Mingzhu agreed without hesitation.

Chapter 284 Cultivation Technique

Mingzhu thought to herself, "My inner core is in your hands, and you've already made a request. How can I refuse under these circumstances?"

If Li Xiuyuan is displeased, he might simply take away the inner core, rendering the entire thing useless. In that case, the only way to survive would be to submit to his wishes.

Some might say that Daoji is a living Buddha and holy monk who saves people from suffering, and that he could save his life even if Daoji refused.

Ha ha!