Chapter 358: Snatching the Opportunity, Stingy

As expected, the Lord of the Inner Demon is formless and intangible; physical attacks have limited effect on it.

However, Zhou Chen was well-prepared.

He activated the Samadhi True Fire within his body.

Flames surged from his palm, transforming into a fire dragon that lunged toward the black shadow.

The Samadhi True Fire contained purifying power, specifically designed to counter such evil entities.

The black shadow tried to dodge, but under the suppression of the Tai Xu Domain, it couldn't move at all.

The fire dragon coiled around the black shadow and began to burn furiously.

"No! What kind of flame is this!"

The black shadow screamed as its body continuously melted in the flames.

Seeing this, Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child's chanting grew louder and more resonant.

Buddhist light and flames intertwined, forming a massive cage that firmly trapped the black shadow.

"Damned bald donkey! Damned brat!"

The black shadow struggled desperately, but under the dual suppression of the Buddhist light and flames, its power grew weaker and weaker.

Finally, after half an hour, the black shadow completely dissipated.

And that black hole, under the illumination of the Buddhist light, slowly healed.

"It's a success!" Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child opened his eyes, a look of joy appearing on his face.

But at that moment, Zhou Chen suddenly acted.

He activated the Tai Xu Domain and snatched all the Heart Demon Origin left behind after the shadow dissipated.

"Benefactor, you are…" Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child was stunned.

Zhou Chen said indifferently, "Apologies, I want all of this Heart Demon Origin."

Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child's expression changed. "Benefactor, are you not keeping your promise?"

"Promise?" Zhou Chen gave a faint smile.

"I only said I'd help you kill the Lord of the Inner Demon; I never said I had to share the Origin with you."

"Besides, this Heart Demon Origin might not necessarily be a good thing for you."

"A little monk like you, if you absorb the Heart Demon Origin, you'll likely be eroded by demonic nature. If you can't distinguish between Buddha and Demon then, wouldn't that be harming you?"

Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child fell silent for a moment and then slowly said, "The benefactor has a point."

"However, this Heart Demon Origin has been the target of suppression by the Great Thunder Sound Temple for generations. For the benefactor to take it away like this, I'm afraid it's hard to justify."

Zhou Chen waved his hand. "Don't worry, I will compensate you."

He took out several Mermaid Tears from his storage ring and tossed them to Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child.

"These Mermaid Tears contain pure water-attribute energy and are very beneficial for cultivation."

"Consider it my compensation."

Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child took the Mermaid Tears, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

He could sense that Zhou Chen was not an evil person.

It was just that his style of doing things was indeed a bit… unconventional.

"Amitabha. Since the benefactor insists, this humble monk will not force the issue." Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child pressed his palms together.

Zhou Chen nodded and stored that mass of Heart Demon Origin into the Small World within his body.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for snatching the Opportunity, Heart Demon Origin, from the Child of Destiny, Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child. Triggering ten-thousand-fold return.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining Ancient Buddha Origin.]

Zhou Chen was ecstatic in his heart.

Ancient Buddha Origin!

This was a supreme treasure countless levels higher than the Heart Demon Origin.

Legend has it that Ancient Buddha Origin is the source power left behind after an ancient Buddha entered Nirvana, containing the pure essence of Buddhist Dharma.

Absorbing the Ancient Buddha Origin not only significantly boosts cultivation but, more importantly, allows one to use Buddhist light for Body Tempering, forging a trace of Indestructible Power.

Zhou Chen forcibly suppressed his excitement and began refining the Ancient Buddha Origin.

After entering his body, the Ancient Buddha Origin turned into a gentle energy that flowed through his limbs and bones.

This energy was extremely pure, without any Impurities.

Zhou Chen could feel that his understanding of the Dao was improving at an astonishing speed.

Moreover, the Small World inside him was expanding once again under the nourishment of the Ancient Buddha Origin.

The Small World, originally twenty million miles in circumference, instantly expanded to twenty-three million miles.

It expanded by a full three million miles!

Not only that, but Zhou Chen's Pluto Seal also underwent a change.

The Pluto Seal, which he had only cultivated to the eighth layer, actually broke through directly to the ninth layer.

The ninth layer of the Pluto Seal was already the ultimate limit of this Cultivation Technique.

Upon reaching this level, Zhou Chen's control over the Law of Death had reached a terrifying stage.

Although his Realm hadn't broken through, Zhou Chen's strength was several times greater than before.

The ninth layer of the Pluto Seal allowed him to summon the Nether King True Body to assist in killing enemies.

At this time, dark gold patterns began to appear on Zhou Chen's meridians throughout his body, seemingly undergoing some different changes.

"Not bad." Zhou Chen nodded with satisfaction.

He opened his eyes and looked at Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child.

At this moment, Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child was also undergoing changes.

Although the Heart Demon Origin was snatched by Zhou Chen, Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child had awakened his past life's wisdom during the process of killing the Lord of the Inner Demon just now.

He sat cross-legged on the ground, the Buddhist light on his body growing stronger and stronger.

The golden Buddhist light soared into the sky, illuminating the entire underground space.

And in the center of the Buddhist light, a massive phantom of a Buddha statue slowly emerged.

It was the image of an ancient Buddha, with kind features and a solemn, dignified appearance.

It was precisely Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child's Ancient Buddha True Body from his past life.

"Great Salvation Zen Light…" Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child murmured.

He pressed his palms together and began to recite an extremely ancient scripture.

As the scripture was recited, the Ancient Buddha True Body became increasingly solid.

Finally, the Ancient Buddha True Body merged into one with Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child's body.

Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child's aura began to surge, quickly breaking through the Bottleneck of the first layer of the emperor realm.

Second Layer of the Emperor Realm!

And the speed continued.

A moment later, Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child's cultivation stabilized at the Peak of the Second Layer of the Emperor Realm.

Although he didn't reach the Third Layer of the Emperor Realm as originally intended in the Opportunity, it wasn't far off.

More importantly, Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child successfully awakened the Ancient Buddha True Body, becoming the youngest awakened one in the Great Thunder Sound Temple.

"Thank you for your help, benefactor."

Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child opened his eyes, which were filled with gratitude.

Zhou Chen waved his hand. "No need to be polite, we each got what we needed."

The two walked out of the underground space and returned to the surface.

Monks Name had been waiting outside the hall for a long time. Seeing the two return safely, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"How was it?"

"The Lord of the Inner Demon has been killed," Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child said.

Monks Name was overjoyed. "Excellent! Now the Great Thunder Sound Temple's greatest hidden trouble is finally resolved!"

He looked at Zhou Chen and pressed his palms together. "Thank you for your help, benefactor. The Great Thunder Sound Temple is eternally grateful."

Zhou Chen said indifferently, "It was just a small effort."

"By the way, I still have important matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer."

Monks Name was taken aback. "The benefactor is leaving already?"

"Why not stay for a few more days and let our temple treat you properly?"

Zhou Chen shook his head. "No need, I still have to rush back to the Central Continent."

Seeing that Zhou Chen's mind was made up, Monks Name no longer tried to keep him.

"Very well, this old monk will see the benefactor off."

Zhou Chen bid farewell to Monks Name and Monks Name, the Reincarnated Spirit Child and left the Great Thunder Sound Temple.

Standing on the desert outside the temple, Zhou Chen took out the Academy's Teleportation Token.

This time, he specifically checked the state of the token to ensure that the accident of Spatial Turbulence would not happen again.

The teleportation array slowly took shape, and Zhou Chen stepped inside.

In the next second, his figure disappeared into the desert.

Central Continent, Qingyun City.

After a bout of dizziness, Zhou Chen's figure stepped out from the teleportation array.

Before his eyes was a bustling city.

People were coming and going on the streets, and the sounds of hawking rose and fell.

"Is this Qingyun City?"

Zhou Chen looked around.

Qingyun City is a major city in the Central Continent, with a massive scale and a population of over ten million.

This teleportation went smoothly, without any more accidents.

"Finally back," Zhou Chen breathed a sigh of relief.