Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 968 - 622: The Demon Child Learns the Fishing Scheme, Future Dharma Deceives the Golden Cicada (Part 2)
"What a pity, he thought wrong this time."
"Guanyin Master completely disregards my identity as a Secret Demon Child. The one who invited him here is the true Master Tao Qian."
With this thought, Great Demon Tao showed no sign of relief or relaxation.
Because the Golden Cicada began casting spells again, and the one he communicated with this time was indeed Guanyin Master.
The latter seemed to have been waiting, and as the Buddha mirror opened, the Buddha sound came through:
"Golden Cicada, is it that you wish to inquire about the details of that Peach Blossom God of Liang Country?"
"There’s no need to hide much, this person appears to be a Secret Demon Child, but in truth, he is people of the Righteous and has some karmic connection with me. His background is formidable, and I dare not share too much to avoid being blamed."
"You need not worry too much, subdue when necessary, and act as needed... Your preaching and quest for enlightenment are destined to become trials for many powerful individuals, and that person is no exception."
"Go ahead."
After speaking, Guanyin Master also actively severed the connection.
Golden Cicada showed no surprise on his face, his doubts significantly reduced.
Combining the words of the Seven Slaughter Bodhisattva and Guanyin Master, the puzzle was solved.
"Thinking about it, that so-called Peach Blossom God was created by a Secret Demon Child. It’s heard that the Secret Demon Sect is selecting a Sect Master, and many Talent Secret Demon Children are rushing into those worlds on the brink of collapsing, merely to seize the World’s Spiritual Materials and forge the Secret Demon Nest."
"This child likely shares the same purpose."
"But behind him stands a mighty figure from the Daoist and Buddhist realms or some Righteous Daoist lineage, seemingly plotting something."
"To enlist Guanyin Master’s assistance, the background must be significant; could it be scheming for a ’Secret Demon Sect Master’ position?"
"I initially thought he was a luck-driven Wild God who seized a country, but now it seems he is a prominent pawn. Very well, let’s meet him; if he can still hide his secrets in front of me, I can temporarily yield the land of Liang Country to him."
"If he can’t hide it, then I’ll take it."
...
With these few words, Golden Cicada startled Tao Demon.
From these two conversations, one can get a glimpse of Golden Cicada’s character and style of conduct.
Perceptive and fearless, acting directly—using spells to break spells, using force to subdue force.
With such a person, playing tricks of ghosts and spirits would likely yield no gain.
Tao Demon even suspected that Golden Cicada’s last words were deliberately spoken for him to hear.
The purpose?
To use power to suppress others, clearly telling him, "I intend to subdue you."
Whether to be subdued or to engage in battle, decide quickly. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
The Divination Worm immediately provided him with the answer: what he thought was correct, Golden Cicada had indeed guessed he was watching from the shadows, and the last sentence was indeed spoken for him.
Tao Demon’s brows furrowed instantly, contemplating the disparity between their strengths and strategizing.
This adversary is entirely different from those he faced before.
Without needing much thought, he knew that if a fight broke out, not only would there be no chance of victory, but escaping unscathed would be impossible; even if he invited all the Secret Demon Sect’s elders from the ancestral lands, the outcome would be the same.
Not to mention those many Talent Buddha Sons, the Ultimate Happiness Realm Great Demons stretching for miles, alongside a group of Bodhisattva Arhats flickering in and out, and even numerous Buddhas.
Just Golden Cicada alone is already slightly superior to him.
"If this child truly wishes to subdue me, whether through direct confrontations or covert maneuvers, there will be no effect."
"All Heavens Buddhism sent such a large group of Talent Buddha Sons, and dispatched numerous Ultimate Happiness Realm Great Demons to follow orders. The leader being the disciple like Golden Cicada of the Buddha Venerable... Such immense force is feared to require all Daoist lineage descendants within the Search God Realm or all Secret Demon Children to unite to counteract it; unfortunately, these Daoist lineages lack the unity of All Heavens Buddhism."
"One move from the Buddhist Sect’s Great Plan—whosoever obstructs dies, not enough demonic or divine avatars to fill the gap, let alone a mere Secret Demon Child."
"Even a praying mantis blocking a chariot is not as tragic as this; what to do now?"
Mumbling, Tao Demon suddenly had his eyes light up.
No righteous strategies, but he has plenty of crooked plans; with a flicker of Spiritual Resonance, he again communicated with his body alone within his Heart Soul:
"Since we can’t beat them, why not join them? What do you say?"
"Oh, how do you plan to join? They are the second disciple of the Buddha Venerable, and you, a Secret Demon Child, are you planning to convert?"
"No, no, I can join temporarily, but I can’t join as a servant or subordinate. It would not only disgrace both of us, but I’d also fall victim to their Buddha Seed Soul Seal and such trickery."
"Judging by the nature of this Buddha’s son, he must be a formidable person who cannot be easily deceived. If you don’t want to be a servant, he probably won’t trust you... The All Heavens Buddhism has significant ambitions and won’t reveal its tusks at the start, lest it attracts the encirclement of Daoists, Demons, Devils, and those Great Abyss Demons. Thus, if you show just some of your cards, surviving won’t be difficult, but blending in would be impossible."
"Since you aren’t in this realm, you cannot grasp the subtle interplay between this Buddha’s son, the Seven Slaughter Bodhisattva, and the Master Guanyin. The Divination Worm also says this child has come to complete a tribulation, to step into the Search God Realm and achieve greatness, aiming to become the [Merit Buddha]. Such a person must have a team uniquely belonging to themselves."
"All of this is provided by their teacher. Now, if they encounter someone like me, whose background is obscure, whose heart and soul are independent, yet possesses the world-unique ’Wisdom Root Buddha Heart’ of a Secret Demon Child, will they cherish the talent? Would they think of enlightening someone for oneself?"
"Regarding the [Wisdom Root Buddha Heart], I may lack it, but you possess it. Let me borrow it for use, so this Merit Buddha towering over you can experience the future Buddha’s might."
After all, we are fundamentally one.
As soon as the Great Demon Tao finished speaking, Tao Qian far away at the Ascending Immortal Star Acupoint instantly understood his plan.
With an odd expression, he remarked sarcastically:
"By the hour of birth calculation, you rascal are still a fledgling, actually learned such a fishing trick from my memory?"
"Such a method, if used by others, is doomed to fail, even if they had the cooperation of Master Guanyin of the Buddhist Sect’s great power."
"With my assistance, there is a slim hope for success."
"But you must still be cautious. In the Longevity Realm, I acted with great care so the All Heavens Buddhism wouldn’t notice the future Buddha inheritance within me; don’t reveal my secret here."
"With your borrowed Wisdom Root Buddha Heart, along with Divination Worm’s assistance, surely we can outsmart this Golden Cicada without worry."
...
The true form’s avatar devised a plan, and without delay, immediately put it into action.
Thus, not long after, the Golden Cicada, who had just led seven Great Demons into Liang Country’s territory, had only time to let the Great Demons under him transform into their human forms, before even preaching and casting benefits, they were immediately met with grand welcome.
A direct envoy from the Imperial City approached respectfully and asked:
"Are you the Saint Monk from Tang Country?"
"My lord has decreed, respectfully inviting the Saint Monk to the Peach Blossom temple for a discourse."
"My lord has instructed, having admired the Buddhist Dharma for a long time, also having heard of the Saint Monk’s achievements, knowing of the Saint Monk’s immense merit, we must not treat you casually."
These words entered his ears.
The Golden Cicada’s face showed an involuntary strange expression, whereas the seven Great Demons behind him, and those gods and demons secretly protecting him, all had a calm, unperturbed demeanor.
Clearly, they all recognized the power behind the name of Golden Cicada; such scenes were all too normal.
In their view, given the achievements and great works the Golden Cicada has created, he was bound to claim the Merit Buddha Venerable position, and such respect from others was only fitting.
The so-called "Peach Blossom God" was no exception.
The Golden Cicada wasn’t arrogant, merely reflecting inwardly:
"This Peach Blossom God who can summon [Fish Basket Guanyin], must have extraordinary roots, likely not far inferior to mine."
"Previously, I deliberately revealed a phrase seemingly heard by them. Now they invite me respectfully; maybe they want to establish good relations?"
"If so, this might be somewhat difficult to manage."
"Let’s first see, what is the actual origin?"
With his thoughts flashing, the group led by Golden Cicada, who should have caused considerable commotion according to the original plan, found themselves peacefully invited into Liang Country’s Imperial City.
Not long after, inside the Peach Blossom Temple.
Amidst the incense rising like a sea of clouds, the Golden Cicada saw the Peach Blossom God seated on the divine platform, who was indeed the Great Demon Tao.
With only one glance, he was stunned.
He should’ve seen divine radiance, or the aura of Secret Demon.
But now, he clearly saw the Buddha Light, dazzling almost to the point of being blinding, the Buddha Light.
