After Daoist Yuyang pushed Yuankong back into his seat, the little monk showed no sign of displeasure. He simply reached for another fruit, wiped it with his hand, and asked,
"Where is Sect Master Chu? I can't exactly work for free, can I? I owe so many spirit stones; you should at least wipe off a little of the debt."
Lin Luoyu sized up Yuankong once more. This little monk certainly hadn't been this pragmatic before. It seemed that after traveling outside, he had developed quite a penchant for money.
Still, Lin Luoyu answered earnestly,
"You'll have to discuss this matter with my master. I'm not in a position to make that call."
Yuankong nodded. He looked at Lin Luoyu as if he wanted to ask something, but after glancing at Daoist Yuyang, he swallowed his words back down.
Noticing this, Lin Luoyu said,
"Everyone here is one of our own. If you have any questions, just ask directly. I'll answer whatever I can."
Hearing this, Yuankong didn't hesitate and asked straight out,
"You were blasted into a massive crater right near the sect in Yuzhou City. That night, quite a few cultivators with indescribably formidable auras were battling over there."
"The clash of spiritual energy lit up the sky, and many cultivators were silently snatching people up in the vicinity of Yuzhou City."
"There were also cultivators who refused to reveal their identities, constructing formations to protect Yuzhou City. Otherwise, with that kind of suppression, who knows how many people would have died."
"I felt something was off... I tried to contact you all but couldn't get through. The talismans Sect Master Chu gave me were as good as useless; they didn't react at all."
"You must have known about it, right?"
Seeing the worry on Yuankong's face, Lin Luoyu replied,
"We knew. Master was there that day, and the issue has been resolved now."
"That's good then." Yuankong nodded, but didn't press for further details.
That level of battle was far beyond what a little Golden Core monk like him could pry into.
Yuankong actually figured that Chu Xingchen must have known about it. But whether Chu Xingchen knew or not, and whether he told him or not, didn't really matter.
He was indebted to Chu Xingchen.
His conscience wouldn't let him turn a blind eye.
Just like this time, upon hearing that Chu Xingchen needed his help, he had put aside everything he was doing and come right over.
Debts of gratitude were hard to calculate clearly.
Perhaps they would only be considered paid when his heart felt it was enough.
Yuankong finished the fruit in his hand. He figured he'd eaten quite a few already. Although there were still some on the table, he didn't reach for them. Instead, he smiled at Daoist Yuyang and said,
"Thank you for the hospitality."
Daoist Yuyang raised his hand slightly and gestured, "A few fruits aren't worth much. If you want, you can take some with you."
"No need, this monk is satisfied." Yuankong slowly stood up. "I know you all are people who handle grand affairs, but in this monk's eyes, you're all just my friends."
"If there's a place where you need me, I'll handle it well."
No sooner had Yuankong finished speaking than a streak of rainbow light shot over at extreme speed.
Daoist Yuyang looked over. He didn't move. Regardless of anything else, anyone who could pass through the layers of defenses to get here was definitely one of their own, even if he didn't yet know which faction they belonged to.
The next moment, the rainbow light landed at the entrance.
Wukong, bringing Donggua, landed outside the hall. He glanced into the hall and then bowed, saying,
"I am the Buddhist Son, Wukong..."
"I know who you are," Daoist Yuyang interrupted. "Come in and talk."
Wukong nodded gently and pulled Donggua along as he stepped into the hall.
Donggua's gaze also swept around the room before locking tightly onto Lin Luoyu.
Back then, the reason Donggua had started trusting Cui Hao was mostly because of Lin Luoyu, who oozed noble righteousness.
He never expected that someone with such an upright look could swindle people just as ruthlessly.
Lin Luoyu naturally still recognized Donggua. He hadn't looked much into how Cui Hao had dealt with Donggua back then, nor had he ever expected to see the demon again...
It was just that, every time they met, Donggua seemed to be in a worse state.
After sweeping his gaze over everyone, Wukong turned his attention to Yuankong.
Yuankong looked back at Wukong and took the initiative to bow, saying,
"Yuankong, Buddhist Son of Chanlin Temple, greets you, Senior Brother."
Among Buddhist Sons, one could sense that unique aura of distinction from another.
Wukong returned the greeting and then asked,
"Chanlin Temple... isn't in the Central Continent, is it?"
Yuankong naturally replied, "It's in the Southern Continent."
A Buddhist Son... in the Southern Continent? What kind of Buddhist Son would be scattered in the Southern Continent, in a temple he'd never even heard of?
Wukong looked slightly puzzled. He glanced at Yuankong's dirty clothes, but noticed the flow of Buddhist essence in his eyes.
His cultivation might not be much to look at, but just with a single glance, one could tell his Heart Buddha cultivation was thoroughly solid.
Where on earth had Chu Xingchen swindled this Buddhist Son of Dharma from?
Although Wukong had his doubts, he still returned the greeting and acknowledged him. Then, he turned his gaze to Daoist Yuyang.
"Fellow Daoist Chu asked me to come here and temporarily follow Lin Luoyu's command."
Daoist Yuyang turned his head and gestured for Wukong to look at Lin Luoyu beside him.
Lin Luoyu cupped his hands and bowed.
Wukong looked at Lin Luoyu. After giving him a few extra looks, he figured it made sense that Chu Xingchen could find a Buddhist Son of Dharma.
With Chu Xingchen's personality, he could even recruit a cultivator of noble righteousness...
"No need!"
Another streak of rainbow light approached from outside.
Chu Xingchen landed and quickly walked into the hall.
"Huawu is reliable enough, but I'm here now. I'll personally take command this time."
Seeing the person in charge finally arrive, Daoist Yuyang walked straight over and threw a punch without hesitation.
Chu Xingchen's current cultivation was far higher than Daoist Yuyang's, but facing an ordinary punch, he didn't dodge. He obediently took the hit on his shoulder.
"Now that you've hit me, you're not allowed to complain anymore," Chu Xingchen said, clutching his sore shoulder with a pained expression and speaking quickly before Daoist Yuyang could open his mouth.
Daoist Yuyang snorted coldly,
"If it weren't for your bit of a mess, I would have returned to Taidao Sect long ago to break through my realm."
Chu Xingchen put on an apologetic smile and said, "Sorry, sorry, it was unexpected."
Seeing that Chu Xingchen's attitude of admitting fault was fairly sincere, Daoist Yuyang didn't press the matter. He just waved his hand and said,
"Since you're here, manage it yourself. Come to me if there's a problem. It's a huge mess, and I didn't want to deal with it in the first place."
"Remember, for all this mess, you owe me compensation."
Chu Xingchen smiled and slung his arm around Daoist Yuyang's shoulder.
"We're bros, what are you talking about? Things are at a critical moment, how can you just throw up your hands and quit."
"I'll take you to drink at Tianyan Sect when this is over."
Daoist Yuyang raised an eyebrow at Chu Xingchen, his expression full of implication.
Drink at Tianyan Sect... Chun Nuan?
Daoist Yuyang didn't say anything, but his steps to leave halted.
Chu Xingchen knew the Daoist Son had agreed. He let go of Daoist Yuyang's shoulder and turned his gaze to Yuankong.
Seeing the fervent look in Chu Xingchen's eyes, Yuankong coughed lightly and slowly took a few steps back.
"Whenever you look at me like this... nothing good is waiting for me."
Chu Xingchen ignored that and asked instead,
"How's the research on that relic from Zhengyin Dharma Temple last time going?"
"I've pretty much figured it out. It's just a Buddhist scripture anyway, not some cultivation secret technique."
"You're really sure it's thorough?"
"M-mostly?"
Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow and said,
"Show me a flash of that Buddha light."
[
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