Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 501-Chapter 600)

“That’s reasonable!” Li Qingshan nodded. As it turned out, it was not emotionlessness, but being unfazed by emotion.

“It’s not an issue of reason. If you can’t accept it, then you can’t even begin to discuss this. We have some good will and recognition between us, which provides convenience to cooperation. However, if too many feelings become involved, it’ll be quite detrimental instead, and I won’t be able to work together with you.” Gu Yanying’s eyes were sharp like a hawk’s, staring straight at Li Qingshan.

For a moment, Li Qingshan had no idea what to say. This woman clearly had something that needed his assistance. Even if he would not agree to it, she could avoid the topic altogether and make use of his affection towards her. Yet, she had to draw a clear boundary between them, leaving absolutely no room for any ambiguous feelings.

As a matter of fact, if he refused to give up on his feelings for her, it would be downright impossible for them to work together. He could not help but grieve for Hua Chengzan. His infatuation and regretlessness might have been able to move any woman in the world, but it was completely useless against her.

“You may have a fortuitous encounter and a legacy, but your foundations are too shallow. For example, the many resources from underground. You have always struggled with converting them into your own strength. There’s also the issue of your identity. It can fall apart at any time right now. You won’t be able to hide it from observant and perceptive people forever. I think I can help you out in many of these aspects.”

Seeing how Li Qingshan remained silent, Gu Yanying thought he was still hesitating, so she increased her bargaining chip, solemnly persuading him to give up on meaningless emotions so that he could focus on pursuing the great path of cultivation.

“I accept, but not because of the various conditions you’ve offered. If others have no interest in me, I’m not one to become entangled with them. I’m going to be a person with a family very soon. Don’t overestimate your charm.”

“Alright. You really are a man I admire.”

Gu Yanying smiled and immediately switched out the tea for alcohol. She filled their cups to the brim before clinking hers with Li Qingshan’s, downing it all in one gulp.



Li Qingshan said, “You can tell me just what you need my help with now.”

“Now’s not the time. You will obviously know by then. I feel like as long as I give you some time, you’ll become even more powerful. By then, the chances of success will become greater too.”

“If you only help me out with a pile of trifles, yet want me to risk my life needlessly when the time comes, wouldn’t it be very difficult for me to accept?”

“There shouldn’t be any life-threatening danger. If there is danger, I will state it clearly. You are more than welcome to turn me down. There’s no need to feel embarrassed either, as I won’t insist on a single request. If you are tied down by the favours you owe and do something against your convictions, you probably can’t blame anyone else either.”

“Alright then!”

Li Qingshan did not lose anything and gained a powerful support instead. The way they cooperated was for her to deliver the goods first before accepting payment. If he felt like it was not worth it, he could even decline paying. There was nothing he could be displeased about, but she left him slightly dissatisfied by not viewing him as a man.

The two of them stood side by side, gazing at the endless lotus pads.

Gu Yanying suddenly said, “I won’t fall in love with anyone, if that makes you a little happier.”

“I’m in a much better mood now.” Li Qingshan glanced at her.

Gu Yanying smiled. “That’s good then. Sigh, female cultivators just have it tougher than men. Their tribulations of attachments are the heaviest, making it extremely easy for them to adversely impact their cultivation. Even I’m unable to transcend my own gender. As a result, it’s best if I just avoid the danger altogether without being involved in this matter.”

Li Qingshan fell silent for a while before asking, “What if you can’t uphold what you’ve said?”

Gu Yanying only smiled. She raised her head and gazed at the white clouds drifting past on the horizon. A question like that was not worth answering at all!

Li Qingshan gazed at the side of her face. He could not help but admit that her charm was truly extraordinary.

Leaving the Waterside Pavilion of Listening Wind, the heavy fragrance of flowers had yet to completely vanish. Heavy snow drifted through the air right before him.

“Let’s go!”

Li Qingshan said to Xiao An and rode off on a cloud, heading into the horizon. He did not glance back even once the entire time.

Sitting on the cloud, he opened the mental map of the Green province. He could still remember the word of advice she had given him, “The Green province spans fifteen thousand kilometers. The jianghu is only but a corner.”

He smiled gently. “The nine provinces are like a well, trapping me in here. I’m just a tiny tadpole. I better leap upwards as hard as I can! I can’t let this bird woman look down on me.”

Although riding clouds was nowhere near as fast as flying in his daemon form, it was still extremely fast. He reached the edge of the Ruyi commandery very soon and shot past it without halting at all. It was like he had crossed through an invisible barrier, stepping into a higher land.

Although there was as much as five thousand kilometers between them and the Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga, Li Qingshan was in no hurry. When he came across any particularly touching sights, he would stop and take a look, witnessing the fine landscape and scenery of many lands.

Apart from Xiao An behaving differently from the past, the journey was extremely smooth, taking up two days.

Suddenly, a steep, magnificent mountain appeared on the horizon.

Li Qingshan passed by many renowned mountains and rivers along the way, but none of them could rival this mountain in bearing.

It was not particularly tall or large, but it had a solemn bearing to it in the way it stood on the land.

The mountain was covered with buddhist pagodas, and the halls formed an unbroken chain with eaves that curled up and protruded corners, giving off the sound of chanting.



“We’re here! This is the Chan Monastery of Deva-Nāga!”

Li Qingshan stowed the mental map of the Green province away and descended far away. Regardless of the sect, none of them liked cultivators flying over them. Li Qingshan was confident in his strength, but he was not confident enough to provoke this large buddhist sect.

At this very moment, the red sun rose up from the east, gilding the entire mountain with a layer of gold.

Li Qingshan’s eyes lit up, gazing at it from bottom to top. The silhouette of the mountain was like a giant buddha sitting cross-legged. The obscure chanting was like the gentle recitals of the great buddha, awakening the people of the world from their blinding obsessions.

Under the sunlight, the golden hall at the very top gave off rings of golden light like the halo behind the great buddha. It accentuated its dignified aura of holiness, enough for people to drop to their knees and prostrate themselves even if involuntarily.

He understood why this mountain was called Great Buddha mountain now.

Li Qingshan sucked in a deep breath and regained his composure. Looking at Xiao An, her gaze was fixed on the great buddha. The Samādhi Flames of White Bone blazed in the depths of her eyes.

“Are you ready?”

Li Qingshan rubbed Xiao An’s head, and she nodded.

The two of them purposefully slowed down, passing through the thick forest and arriving on the mountain path.