I tricked you into thinking you had the makings of an emperor, but you actually did it?

“You came here with the intention of taking advantage of the chaos, and you even tried to harm Xuan Tianzi. Tell me, how should my Xuan Tian Sect deal with you?” Liang Mingxi said.

"Amitabha."

The monk Fatian wiped away his tears and didn't seem flustered.

"Sect Leader Xuantian, those words just now were all my dark thoughts, and I have not put them into action."

Otherwise, Xuan Tianzi wouldn't have learned the "Six Paths of Reincarnation Fist" and the "Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra," listened to the scriptures, and repented for the darkness in his heart. What wrong had he done?

The monk often debated scriptures and doctrines with people, and was very eloquent.

However, the monk Fatian was somewhat uneasy.

Liang Mingxi and Shen Ming aren't the type to fall for that kind of thing.

“Shen Ming, recite the scripture again, and let’s hear the master’s confession again,” Liang Mingxi said.

"what?"

The monk Fatian's facial muscles twitched as he continued to repent, perhaps mentioning that he had spied on the village widows bathing when he was a child.

Seeing that Shen Mingzhen was about to chant sutras, the monk Fatian quickly said, "Sect Leader Xuantian, whatever you say, this old monk will do as you please."

"Why use the Wheel of Reincarnation to build the Eight-Part Pagoda?" Liang Mingxi asked.

"Legend has it that the Eight-Part Pagoda is the supreme treasure of the Heavenly Dragon Clan. It is composed of eight magical treasures, from which three thousand worlds are opened and incense offerings from countless living beings are absorbed."

The Eight Treasures are: Dragon King Ruler, Coral Rosary, Eight-Part Furnace, Heavenly Mandate Crystal Ball, Morning Bell, Evening Drum, Sky-Splitting Halberd, and Bright King Axe.

These are all divine treasures, but I am not capable enough to collect them all.

"However, we have found eight alternatives, which need to be tempered with the Wheel of Reincarnation to give them the attributes of the Eight Treasures," said Monk Fatian.

“Well then, you will stay on the Heavenly Demon Battlefield and build the Eight-Part Pagoda,” Liang Mingxi said.

The monk Fatian was overjoyed; it turned out that the Xuantian Sect was so easy to talk to.

If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have needed to go through all this trouble.

“Of course, the Eight Pagodas belong to my Xuantian Sect,” Liang Mingxi said.

"what?"

The monk Fatian's smile froze on his face. Wouldn't that make him a laborer? And the kind who had to pay for his own materials?

“Or, how about I kill the master here?” Liang Mingxi said.

Only then did the monk Fatian realize that he was already a prisoner.

"Master, why are you doing this?"

Shen Ming, who was standing nearby, heard the whole story and shook his head helplessly.

He obtained the forbidden word technique, the Six Paths of Reincarnation Fist, and the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra from Buddhism. He also obtained many treasures from the Floating Pagoda, including tea leaves and lotus seeds that brought enlightenment.

If Monk Fatian were to directly approach the sect leader with these items, he might be able to exchange them for the opportunity to use the Wheel of Reincarnation.

Monk Fatian couldn't tell if Shen Ming was provoking him. If he had known this outcome beforehand, he naturally wouldn't have acted this way.

The problem is that I don't know, and I keep making mistakes.

Immediately afterwards, Shen Ming followed Elder Xuan Yuan away from the Heavenly Demon Battlefield.

At this point, the matter has nothing to do with him anymore.

Li Miaozhen said, "Your Majesty, I'll leave with you. I have something I want to tell you."

"You are now a prisoner and have no freedom," Elder Xuan Yuan reminded her.

“The Emperor Xuan knows my situation, and I hope the elders will be lenient,” Li Miaozhen said.

Elder Xuanyuan glanced at Shen Ming, who nodded. Li Miaozhen was a hostage of the Buddhist sect and should not be punished along with Monk Fatian because of his actions.

"You're quite the ladies' man."

When Elder Xuan Yuan saw Li Miaozhen's stunning beauty, a knowing smile appeared on his face, and he took Li Miaozhen with him as they left.

Outside the Heavenly Demon Battlefield lies the inner domain of the Xuan Tian Sect.

Shen Ming and Li Miaozhen landed on Xiaoyao Peak.

"Your Majesty, I'll make you some tea."

As Li Miaozhen spoke, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a charming smile.

She swayed slightly, her supple waist as graceful as a willow branch.

A pair of bare, fair feet, as delicate as mutton fat jade, with slightly curved arches that present a beautiful arc, like a crescent moon.

"Alright, let me make this clear from the start: I will not engage in dual cultivation with you."

Seeing her like this, Shen Ming immediately made his stance clear: he didn't want her to come into the cave and throw herself into his arms.

He's not that kind of person!

Li Miaozhen's delicate body trembled slightly, but she was not as angry as last time; instead, her expression was melancholy.

The Xuan Tian Sect disciples who happened to be passing by witnessed this scene and all showed expressions of envy.

As expected of the Emperor Xuan, he possesses such unparalleled beauty.

In the eyes of these disciples, Li Miaozhen was an inviolable Buddhist nun, someone to be admired from afar.

In front of the Xuan Emperor, she displayed such a submissive, womanly demeanor.

The two entered the cave one after the other. Given the secluded and enclosed environment, many people had all sorts of wild thoughts.

Upon entering the cave, Li Miaozhen skillfully brewed him a pot of tea.

"Aren't you afraid that Monk Fatian will realize your intentions by coming out with me like this?" Shen Ming asked.

“He always knew I was looking for Daozi, but he didn’t care.”

Li Miaozhen smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "In fact, he would prefer that I find the Daoist Master, completely sever my thoughts, and return to the Daoist path in my true nature."

"You just saw me reciting the Six-Syllable Mantra, and you still haven't changed your mind?"

"Xuan Tianzi has no Buddha-nature."

Li Miaozhen didn't understand why someone without Buddhist nature could still speak so eloquently, but she knew that Shen Ming was not a member of the Buddhist community.

At this moment, she took out a jade slip.

"This is the 'Book of Origin Heaven,' which contains the Origin Heaven Divine Awareness I mentioned last time, as well as a record of the method to refine the Azure Lotus Seed and forge the Golden Yuan Platform," Li Miaozhen said.

Like the essence of the Yellow Spring Water, the seeds of the Green Lotus are precious Yuan Tai Yuan materials.

Shen Ming raised an eyebrow. The divine skill offered to him, coupled with the ability to refine the Green Lotus Seed and forge a second golden Yuan Platform, was quite tempting.

But, for the same reason as last time.

"There's no need for the Xuan Tianzi to agree to become a Dao Child; consider this a small act of kindness from me," Li Miaozhen said, bowing.

Offering such a precious treasure in such a humble manner is something no one would believe if told.

However, Li Miaozhen was deeply impressed by Shen Ming's ability to deal with Buddhism today.

"If I were to refuse you after hearing what you've said, it would be a shame for me to be so unromantic."

This was practically free, and Shen Ming had no reason to refuse.

Li Miaozhen breathed a sigh of relief, finally having secured the first step, and asked sweetly, "Xuan Tianzi, does your cave have a second stone chamber?"

She was a hostage of the monk Fatian, who is now a prisoner of the Xuantian Sect.

As Elder Xuan Yuan just said, her freedom of movement depends on Shen Ming.

Shen Ming is currently at the early stage of the second level of the Yuantai Realm. If he wants to ascend to the divine realm again and refine the Azure Lotus Seed, he needs to reach the Great Perfection of the second level.

Li Miaozhen naturally assumed that she had been following Shen Ming around during this period.

She has many insights to offer regarding the "Book of Origin," and the refining of the Green Lotus Seed is also very particular and cannot be taken lightly.

"Let's go out and build a wooden hut ourselves," Shen Ming said.

This woman wants to live with him? She's dreaming.

"..."

Li Miaozhen didn't care about building a wooden house, but Shen Ming's attitude made it seem as if she were a wolf in sheep's clothing, lusting after his body.

Looking closely at Shen Ming's appearance and demeanor, he certainly has the qualifications.