CHAPTER 747: 622 SHI PI ENCOUNTERS THE SEVEN TREASURES BANNER AGAIN

The power of the Seven Treasures Golden Banner was truly immense. Standing atop the mountain, Buddha’s Light shone everywhere, significantly shrinking the area affected by Shi Pi the Elder’s Blood Flame Gold Saber to a small circle barely one hundred paces in diameter. Inside, both the Golden Saber and the Golden Sword appeared much finer than normal, and the Golden Needles were as thin as strands of hair, seemingly about to shatter upon touch.

The twelve Asura Divine Demons of Shi Pi the Elder had previously encountered the Seven Treasures Golden Banner. They had circled around the Golden Banner, trying to charge at it and tear it apart, only to be severely injured by the burning Buddha Light.

This time, as if meeting their natural enemy, they rushed back onto Shi Pi the Elder, foregoing any thoughts of backlash against their master. Their only wish was to seek Shi Pi the Elder’s protection and avoid the Buddha Light.

Li Hong sat within the Golden Lotus Divine Seat and the Fragrant Cloud Treasure Canopy. Possessed by a Yin Demon, he was constantly under attack by the Divine Demons transformed by Golden God Monarch and Zhao Changsu. He could only defend himself, focusing his mind to meditate and suppress the Divine Demon.

With the bright illumination of the Golden Banner’s Buddha Light, the demon’s power within him greatly diminished. With his nine lifetimes’ worth of Cultivation and profound understanding of the Buddhist Law, Li Hong’s Wisdom shone brightly as he counterattacked with full force, managing to expel every bit of the Yin Demon that had invaded his body. The Yin Demon attempted to flee but was blocked by the Golden Lotus Divine Seat and the Fragrant Cloud Treasure Canopy. He then unleashed Boluo Divine Flames to incinerate it completely.

The entire Magic of the Golden God Monarch was suppressed to the limit by the Buddha Light, feeling a great weight upon his heart as if a mountain were pressing down. His Lifebound Demon trembled in terror, his expression sullen, his body weak, and cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

Although Golden God Monarch still had a physical body, Zhao Changsu fared even worse. Now a Divine Demon Body, accompanied by thirty-six Heavenly Gang Mighty Divine Demons, he was exposed to the Buddha Light, which shrank them all to the size of fists, desperately trying to flee in all directions. But the four sides of the surrounding mountains were blocked off by the Formless Buddha Light, leaving no escape.

Li Hong then unleashed another wave of Boluo Divine Flames at the Golden God Monarch, who hurriedly cast an Asura Great Technique. But due to the suppression of the Golden Banner, the Spell was not only weak but also slow to activate. He was struck by a barrage of Buddha Fire, burning him along with the Demon upon him.

The Golden God Monarch cried out in agony, his voice piercing and desperate, he screamed, "Elder brother, save me!" However, at that moment, Shi Pi the Elder was preoccupied with his own troubles and could not attend to him.

Zhao Changsu, seeing this tragic scene, hastily cast a spell to forcefully gather the thirty-six Divine Demons to himself, merging into one.

Li Hong wielded Zen Master Tian Meng’s Zen Staff to strike, but Zhao Changsu withstood the hit. He then cut through the air with a streak of Demon Light and fled.

He was clever indeed, realizing that Shi Pi the Elder could not save him, he flew towards Shi Sheng and plunged straight into Shi Sheng’s embrace.

Shi Sheng had torn off the roof of the Zhu Youmu family’s house. Seeing the changed situation outside for the first time, he had also often heard of the grand reputation of the Seven Treasures Golden Banner. Indeed, its power was immense, far beyond what he had imagined.

He was so engrossed in the view that, as Zhao Changsu rushed toward him head-on, he raised his hand and used Sword Qi to stop him three paces away.

Zhao Changsu revealed his demonic form, kneeling with bent legs, still with thirty-six fist-sized Demons hanging from his body.

He kowtowed to Shi Sheng, pleading for help, "Save my life, young True Master! It was you who brought me here to help you with your affairs. Now that I’m in trouble, you can’t ignore me!"

Shi Sheng sneered, "You didn’t do anything for me."

Zhao Changsu said, "You haven’t yet told me what to do! Whatever it is, even if it’s climbing a knife mountain or diving into a pot of oil, I’ll do it for you from now on! All I ask now is for your protection to save my life!"

Shi Sheng said, "I don’t need you to do anything for me now, you can go."

"Please, no!" Zhao Changsu cried woefully, tears of blood streaming from his eyes as he kept kowtowing, "Please, young True Master, show some compassion! I’m willing to serve as a protector by your side, to be your servant. If you ever face any difficulties, you won’t have to lift a finger. I’m ready to serve you with utmost diligence and attend to your needs without you having to worry about a thing, until you Ascend to the Immortal Realm..."

Although Shi Sheng had already confirmed his Yang God and awaited Ascension, with his innate childlike innocence, he was persuaded, first because Zhao Changsu was indeed someone he had brought along, and the latter’s pleas were pitifully earnest. Secondly, he thought it would be rather amusing to have such a subordinate by his side, so he agreed.

What he didn’t realize was that those about to Ascend should avoid entanglements of such karma at all costs. Being connected to such a fierce Demon, he could neither kill nor abandon in the future. This tie would entangle him for countless lifetimes, nearly impossible to break free from.

This was also due to Shi Feiyang’s "crooked ways". Shi Feiyang himself had fostered Demons, thus his disciples were not sufficiently vigilant towards the things of the Demon Path. If it were other sects like Emei or Qingcheng, they would never agree to such a request.

The Mysterious Sect traditionally treated Demons like vipers and scorpions, slaying them on sight, which couldn’t simply be explained by pride or hatred of evil.

As Cultivators meditate and enter a meditative state, they often encounter illusions. If they become mired in them, they fall into the Demon Realm.

Therefore, when starting on the Dao, masters always teach that no matter what realm they encounter, they should regard them all as part of the Demon Realm. They should see anyone they meet as an adversary and imagine a Divine Sword in their heart to slay them!

Within the Meditative State, if you see an Evil Demon from an external path, slay it! If you see friends and family, slay them! If you see your masters and elders, slay them! If you see the Yuanshi Tianzun, slay him!

Since beginners cannot discern true from false, they should treat everything as false. Without any attachment, slay them all!

Therefore, when the Mysterious Sect trains disciples, it emphasizes utmost vigilance against Demons, ensuring that in both reality and the Meditative State, they slay them on sight, never allowing any connection with them.

With the gradual improvement of their Dao Level, those capable of discerning truth from falsehood became more tolerant.

For instance, Jile Perfected had made friends with Shi Pi the Elder and the Fire Spirit God. Master Changmei had even more interactions with those from the Demon Path, not to mention Master Lianshan.

From the beginning, Shi Feiyang had a high Dao Level but shallow mana, unafraid of demon disturbances. At that time, his enemies were from the righteous Mysterious Sect, who always shouted for his death. He had to protect himself with effective and powerful Demon Path techniques. After he achieved Great Success in his Daoist Technique, he seldom used Demon Path spells anymore.

However, his disciples lacked caution towards the drawbacks of the Demon Path. In a moment of distraction here, Shi Sheng had agreed to something that increased the difficulty of his Ascension by a thousandfold.

Later, when Shi Sheng wanted to Ascend to reunite with his mother, he faced many demon obstacles. Nevertheless, because of tangled karmic debts, in the end, Chen Yan took on all his burdens and helped him successfully Ascend...

Shi Sheng’s Yang God was already cultivated, not fearing that demons would influence his mind. Possessing treasures like the Heavenly Heart Double Rings that suppressed demons, he wasn’t afraid that Zhao Changsu would betray and harm him. He took out a Jade Ring and led Zhao Changsu with a group of demons to hide inside it, then wore the ring on his finger.

In just a moment’s time, the Golden God Monarch had already been burned to nothingness by Li Hong using Boluo Divine Flame.

Shi Pi the Elder, despite desperately escaping from the scorching Buddha Light in all directions, couldn’t break free, as he was surrounded by five great Buddhist experts: Xie Ying, Xie Lin, Li Hong, Atong, and Li Ning.

Among these five people, Li Hong had the greatest mana, followed by Li Ning, then Xie Ying, Xie Lin, and Atong in order.

In terms of proximity to Ascending to Pure Land, Atong was the closest, followed by Li Ning and Xie Ying. Li Hong and Xie Lin were the furthest from Ascension.

Yet, they all had accumulated virtues over many lifetimes and knew where their problems lay. They only waited for the day when they would thoroughly break through their attachments, dispel their obsessions, and attain hearts as clear as mirrors. They could Ascend immediately; their status merely distinguished by different ranks. Within the three generations and nine grades, there was always one suitable for each.

After all, Amitabha Buddha is also known as the Guiding Buddha. The Western Pure Land welcomes all types of roots, both sharp and blunt, gathering all without exception—where thousands cultivate and thousands go.

If Shi Pi the Elder faced one of them alone, he would indeed not fear. Facing two, he could still suppress the opponent in a fight. Even when besieged by five, he could fight if he wished or retreat if he chose.

However, under the rays of the Seven Treasures Golden Banner, he could exert no more than a third of his strength. Moreover, his Lifebound Divine Demon suffered immensely. His Three Souls and Seven Spirits seemed to be tormented in boiling oil, his blood and qi chaotically surging through his body, hard to control, as if suffering from a severe fever, on the brink of complete disintegration at any moment!

On Li Hong’s side, blessed by the Buddha Light, he could unleash twelve times his power. Sandalwood Buddha Light, Boluo Divine Flame, Vajra Giant Spirit God Palm, Vajra Demonic Destruction Divine Palm, Formless Buddha Light—all of their powers greatly surged!

As strengths waxed and waned, Shi Pi the Elder could only be beaten by the group, unable to escape. Despite casting many spells, whether External Bodies or Demon substitutes, or various Magic Illusions, most of them were rendered ineffective under the Buddha Light or were easily uncovered by the five.

Shi Sheng stood atop the floating, severed peak overlooking below. The life or death of Shi Pi the Elder was none of his concern; he just wanted to rescue Chen Yan.

Watching Zhu Youmu still standing in front of Chen Yan, now shining Buddha Light on Chen Yan’s forehead, reading the memories of his past life.

Shi Sheng knew he was no match for Zhu Youmu, at least incapable of snatching Chen Yan directly from his hands. He glanced at Shi Pi the Elder, then at the Seven Treasures Golden Banner on the opposite mountain peak. With determined resolve, he flew straight towards the Seven Treasures Golden Banner.

He aimed to knock down the Seven Treasures Golden Banner, or at least to make a move that seemed to snatch the treasure away, to relieve Shi Pi the Elder’s pressure, then to see whether Zhu Youmu would come to stop him.

He did not fly over alone but brought the half mountain peak beneath his feet, crashing it ruthlessly towards the Seven Treasures Golden Banner above!

As the mountain fell, the Seven Treasures Golden Banner sensed the threat and automatically erupted in a burst of Buddha Light, like a rainbow over the summit or Buddha Light over the sea of clouds, which welcomed the peak upon impact. With a tremendous explosion, the half Divine Peak shattered into dust, scattering large amounts of rocks and dirt over the hillside.

To think that an entire mountain was dropped and yet it did not even touch the edge of the Seven Treasures Golden Banner; the rock and soil that fell were repelled by Buddha Light.

The treasure banner slowly rotated, its Buddha Light still radiant and solemn, a treasure untainted by a single speck of dust!

"Truly formidable!" Shi Sheng exclaimed in admiration, approaching the Seven Treasures Golden Banner.

He had cultivated the true Immortal Law of the Mysterious Sect, and the Seven Treasures Golden Banner did not restrain him as it did the demon, yet it still exerted immense pressure, growing greater as he drew nearer.

However, he had already achieved his Yang God, and with treasures such as the Heavenly Heart Double Rings on him, he considerably nullified the pressure of the Seven Treasures Golden Banner.

Circling the treasure banner, feeling the thick Buddha Light rushing towards him, he knew that without a Big Move, he couldn’t shake this treasure.

He formed hand seals with both hands, directly bringing out the Pre- and Postnatal Great Five Elements Divine Thunder Net. He conjured a Thunder Net made from three hundred and sixty Thunder Pearls and struck the Golden Banner with it.