“Amitabha.”

  The Tathagata’s avatar intoned a Buddhist chant: “I do not wish to see you fall into the path of demons by taking a life. If you release this Scorpion Spirit, I can grant you entry into the Spiritual Mountain to attain the status of an Arhat. What do you say?”

  “On the other hand, though the Buddha is compassionate, there are also methods of the Diamond to subdue demons!”

  The Tathagata’s avatar appeared just as Xu Fang was about to slay the Scorpion Spirit, and it was no mere coincidence. According to the words of the saints, the transmission of the Buddha’s teachings to the east must encounter eighty-one trials. Thus, he had come to inform the Crow's Nest.

  Upon meeting the Crow's Nest, the Tathagata had a sudden urge to convert Xu Fang. But when he laid eyes on the Scorpion Spirit, something stirred within him, as if sensing a connection; this Scorpion Spirit could also be part of the eighty-one trials!

  By sparing a demon, one could attain the Arhat status of the Buddha’s teachings. The Tathagata was convinced Xu Fang could not remain unmoved!

  Moreover, his words were both soft and firm, mixing kindness with authority. He believed Xu Fang would have no choice but to agree!

  However, Xu Fang was determined to surprise him.

  “I am not interested in the Arhat status of the Buddha’s teachings, Master. You must have mistaken the person!”

  Xu Fang replied calmly, “I am wholeheartedly pursuing the Great Dao; I have no desire to become a monk of few desires!”

  “Is this your final decision?”

  The Tathagata's avatar was astonished but intrigued. “Since you are resolute in not releasing this Scorpion Spirit, it seems I must convert you myself!”

  “Oh? You may certainly try!”

  A flash of mockery crossed Xu Fang’s eyes; the Buddhist monks were all so pretentious!

  If you wish to act, just say so directly—why resort to such roundabout methods?

  “Amitabha. Since you insist on not turning back, I must take my leave!”

  The Tathagata’s avatar, realizing he could not persuade Xu Fang, suddenly reached out his hand without hesitation!

  Boom—

  A palm descended!

  The space constricted, and a colossal golden hand appeared out of thin air, crushing down toward Xu Fang!

  In mere moments, it could envelop him entirely!

  “The Buddha Realm in the Palm?”

  Xu Fang stared at the golden hand, feeling the tightening of the space, astonished.

  This technique was one he had only heard of; in the world, besides saints, only one person could wield it!

  The Tathagata!

  In later times, when the Tathagata suppressed Sun Wukong, he had used this very technique!

  “Impressive! I wondered who dared to manifest a Buddha’s hall here; it turns out to be the Tathagata himself!”

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  Xu Fang could sense that the Tathagata’s avatar only possessed the cultivation of a Mysterious Immortal, likely a casual manifestation!

  Yet, he couldn't fathom why the Tathagata would send a Mysterious Immortal avatar to seek him out!

  “Could it be that my reputation for slaying demons has reached the Spiritual Mountain?”

  This thought made Xu Fang feel even more disgusted.

  Here he was, subduing demons, and the Tathagata wanted to convert him! Was the Spiritual Mountain in cahoots with all the demons of the world?

  One must admit, sometimes overthinking could be truly terrifying!

  Just as he pondered, the golden hand came crashing down!

  Xu Fang's eyes sharpened; he could not afford to think further. He immediately swung his fist and struck the descending golden hand!

  Crack—

  Instantly, the golden hand cracked, a fissure appearing and swiftly spreading like a spider’s web!

  “Indeed, some skill!”

  A flicker of surprise crossed the Tathagata’s avatar’s eyes, while Xu Fang merely smiled faintly, flipping his hand to reveal the red gourd!

  In an instant, the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade emerged from the gourd, aimed directly at the Tathagata’s avatar!

  Even though the avatar was merely a breath of the Tathagata, it still possessed the cultivation of a Mysterious Immortal!

  Who knew if he had hidden cards of his own?

  Thus, Xu Fang did not take any chances; he opted for a decisive solution!

  “The Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade of Lu Ya is indeed formidable, but in your hands, it is merely in its initial refinement stage. Even if you pour all your energy into it, it cannot achieve the level of slaying all things!”

  Killing intent radiated as the Tathagata’s gaze sharpened. “Why cling to obstinacy, Benefactor? Though my cultivation is only that of a Mysterious Immortal, I am not someone you can contend with. The Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade ranks among the innate treasures, not something you can wield. Rather, it should be entrusted to me for safekeeping, and when you enter the Spiritual Mountain, I can gift you a postnatal treasure!”

  As he spoke, the Tathagata’s hand shot out towards the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade!

  Amidst the Buddha’s light, the world appeared clear and bright!

  Watching the Tathagata’s hand reach for him, Xu Fang sneered coldly. “If that is the case, then I must test the power of this treasure!”

  In the next moment!

  Xu Fang mobilized all his spiritual energy and poured it into the red gourd!

  Immediately, a terrifying aura erupted from the blade, radiating immense pressure!

  The blade's gaze locked onto the Tathagata's Mud Pellet Palace, showing no regard for the approaching hand!

  “Hmm?!”

  As the light enveloped the Tathagata’s Mud Pellet Palace, he felt his body stiffen, a sense of foreboding creeping in!

  His outstretched hand could no longer descend, freezing in front of Xu Fang!

  Meanwhile, the Tathagata’s avatar swayed unsteadily, feeling faint and dizzy!

  “This child’s foundation is unexpectedly profound!”

  A surge of fear rose within the Tathagata’s avatar!

  Xu Fang’s cultivation was merely at the early stage of the Mysterious Immortal realm, yet he could manipulate the red gourd and hold steady the Tathagata’s peak Mysterious Immortal avatar!

  He had no idea that although Xu Fang had only begun refining the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade, due to the system's rewards granting him mastery over treasures, the blade had already fully recognized Xu Fang as its master!

  It was not just a Mysterious Immortal avatar he faced; even a Golden Immortal would surely fall here today!

  “It’s over—”

  As the Mud Pellet Palace was illuminated, the Tathagata struggled in vain, his eyelids gradually drooping.

  The peak Mysterious Immortal avatar could not withstand the blade’s radiance!

  Xu Fang, meanwhile, showed no hesitation. He urged his spiritual energy and chanted softly.

  “Please, treasure, turn back!”

  As the words fell, the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade shot forth from the gourd, directly above the Tathagata’s avatar, spinning rapidly!

  On the third rotation, brilliant light erupted!

  Crack—

  The head of the Tathagata’s avatar was cleaved cleanly from his body!

  Swish—

  With the head severed, the avatar fell to the ground, and with a flash of golden light, it transformed into a wisp of breeze, dispersing into the void.

  At this moment, Xu Fang let out a sigh of relief.

  The Tathagata’s avatar seeking him had completely taken him by surprise. Facing such a formidable opponent, even with confidence, he had to give it his all!

  After slaying the Tathagata, his gaze turned once more to the already unconscious Scorpion Spirit.

  This place was not far from the Kingdom of Women in Xiliang, and according to the original story, this Scorpion Spirit was likely to be one of the challenges in the upcoming eighty-one trials.

  Originally, he had no intention of getting involved in the Buddha’s schemes.

  But now, since the Tathagata's avatar had taken the initiative to attempt to convert her, it seemed he would have to ensure that the Buddha's plans encountered one less trial!