Shenxiu was an honest monk and didn't hide the fact that he came into the world to accumulate merit and fortune.

At this moment, with just a few words, Tao Qian had transferred such immense Human Dao Fortune over to him.

As long as Shenxiu accepted the bet, regardless of success or failure, he was bound to gain something, and if he won the bet, he could even take a large share of the merit and fortune.

It was possible that with just this one venture in Qiantang Province, his nine great merits and ninety-nine small merits could be brought to Perfect completion, allowing him to return to the Free Temple, set foot in Ultimate Happiness, and attain the Status of Arhat.

Such a great "temptation" was not something common cultivators could easily resist, not to mention those truly virtuous monks.

Yet Shenxiu Monk's reaction was somewhat comically unexpected.

He appeared astonished, his true self fully revealed, as he hastily stood to cast spells, repelling the incoming fortune into his body, all the while exclaiming:

"My heavens, Buddha above, such ferocious merit and fortune."

"My master once said, benefits that come knocking are bait, and I must not blindly accept them. If I do, surely I will be caught."

"You're inviting me to gamble—are you entertaining such thoughts?"

Earlier, Shenxiu, though ugly, suppressed the Demon Buddha Venerable with his Flower Staff and Hei Bo when casting spells to subdue demons.

Anyone who saw him would praise: Worthy of the Free Buddha Son, a virtuous high monk.

Now, he finally showed a bit of humanity, much more lively and animated.

Especially with that Tianfu Province accent, it was both endearing and amusing to listen to.

Hearing that Shenxiu intended to refuse the duel, Tao Qian's expression remained unchanged, as if he had anticipated it, and he didn't do anything to interfere.

There must be a cause before there can be an effect.

The cause was not Tao Qian's; he was merely fulfilling the predestined role.

Unless something unexpected happened, Shenxiu absolutely couldn't refuse.

Indeed, before Tao Qian could respond,

As soon as the overwhelming Human Dao Fortune surged into Shenxiu's Dharma Body, the honest monk's expression changed instantly.

His face full of worry, he clapped his hands repeatedly, unable to form the Wisdom Seal, deeply annoyed and incessantly muttering:

"When I was in the temple, my master told me I needed to fix my habit of debating scripture; otherwise, it would sooner or later lead to karmic consequences. At that time, I argued with my master, saying his habit of hitting people also needed to change, otherwise, he too would have to face the wall."

"It seems that we were both right."

"If I don't accept this bet today, there may be no immediate harm, but the resentment of All People also weighs heavily on my heart. I fear I may eventually nourish some terrible Heart Demons."

"If I accept this bet, though there is a benefit, and I may complete most of the task of accumulating merits to overcome the Cultivation Tribulation, trouble is also significant."

"After all, Qiantang is the Mage's territory of the Demon Buddha Temple. How can I, alone, compete with them? I'm afraid of being swallowed whole and I must call for help."

"Take Shipi Arhat, for instance, even my master may not be able to defeat him, much less me. Perhaps I'd have to ask Master Auspicious Arhat for assistance just to have a chance."

"And there are many demon monks, big and small; I don't have many friends in my temple, so I'll have to go to Vajra Temple to ask for help. There are over a hundred Vajra Monks there, and some have an old connection with me..."

As Shenxiu rambled on, he didn't notice that the mighty fortune he had rejected and was about to dissipate

Gradually found a foothold and smoothly, bit by bit, entered the body of this ugly monk.

At this sight, Tao Qian revealed a smile, clearly understanding: the bet was set.

"The Buddha's son ranked in the top three of the Great Freedom Temple, due to a twist of fate, has been lured into my trap."

"Regardless of whether I win or he wins, the destiny of millions in Qiantang Province will surely improve significantly."

As Tao Qian pondered, Shenxiu also came to his senses.

Looking at himself, he showed a joyful expression on his face, evident that he had reaped a decent reward.

He joined his hands together and said with a bow:

"Since the deed is done, I must accept. Thank you, Daoist, for facilitating this."

Tao Qian returned the gesture and, pointing to the people of the city who were meditating for sudden insight and the demon monks, asked:

"How should we handle this situation? Even the enlightening sermons won't cure the underlying issues. When these demon monks awaken, they may take their anger out on the townspeople... Killing these demon monks would also be futile, for a few of the Arhats from the Demon Buddha Temple will probably arrive soon, and seeing their demon monks eradicated, they will be even angrier with the townspeople."

Shenxiu seemed to already have an answer to this issue.

He pointed straight at the Great Transcendence Bodhisattva summoned by Tao Qian and responded:

"Daoist need not worry. The people within Qiantang Province are considered by the Demon Buddha Monk as fodder sheep."

"They eat the delicious and enjoy the Wish Power; they won't easily squander it."

"It is permissible to use them for refining such Buddha Treasures; at other times, far from venting their anger, because I have released this enlightening Dharma, they will even take greater care of them, providing grain if they need grain and shelter if they need shelter. They aim to once more corrupt the people's minds to offer up Incense Fire Wish Power. This will continue for at least some time."

"As for the future... the monks of the Demon Buddha Temple may not be able to stay in Qiantang Province any longer."

"By then, the province should have returned to its original purity, resonating with the sound of the Free Buddha's teachings."

With the last sentence, Shenxiu Monk finally showed the domineering spirit befitting one of the top three Buddha's sons from the Great Freedom Temple.

His words showed clear disdain for the Demon Buddha Temple Monks.

Tao Qian, of course, was pleased to see this, secretly laughing to himself:

"What a domineering monk!"

"Open plots are useful indeed; the truth does not deceive me."

"Earlier, I wasn't sure how to deal with the complex circumstances of Qiantang Province—with the Gao Family, Alchemists, Demon Buddha Temple, Cheng Arhat, a multitude of warlords... just Ultimate Happiness Realm holds no telling how many esteemed beings, much more troublesome than New Moon Province."

"Now that I've recruited this monk to our side, hehe, everything seems much clearer."

While Tao Qian was somewhat pleased with himself, Shenxiu Monk's gaze remained fixed on the Great Transcendence Bodhisattva.

His face showed a hint of embarrassment; he eventually blushed and, clenching his teeth, said to Tao Qian:

"This treasure is a malevolent item crafted by the opposing methods of the Demon Buddha, combined with the Mechanical Species from the Outer Realm."