I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 230: Chapter 231 The Lost Lambs Await Redemption

Li Xiaobai pondered in his heart, what his Sixth Senior Brother had said was not much different from his own speculation.

Those mysterious prodigies stirring up trouble reported in the Immortal Spirit Daily could very likely be his Senior Brothers and Sisters, with the locations matching up as well.

The one causing trouble in the Eastern Sea must be Fourth Senior Brother Yang Chen, and the one probably responsible for the destruction of a Sect in Southern Ming is likely Third Senior Brother Lin Yin, with his typical gloomy ways, destroying a Sect wouldn't be much of a big deal.

"What are your plans next, Senior Brother?"

"Hehe, naturally, I plan to go to the Western Desert."

Liu Jinshui laughed with a sly chuckle, speaking meaningfully, "The Western Desert has been quite lively recently, and aren't you planning to go there too, Junior Brother? Why don't we go together?"

"Ah, Senior Brother, I'm definitely going, but I really haven't figured out what to do after I get there. I'm afraid I'll just hold you back."

Li Xiaobai shook his head, declining.

"It seems that after a long time, Junior Brother has forgotten our original intention," Liu Jinshui shook his head and sighed, striking a sorrowful and compassionate pose.

"We cultivators should be single-mindedly devoted to the great Dao. However, the world is full of delirious fools. Ultimately, it's wealth that blinds people, having dyed their eyes with this glitzy and glamorous world."

"We both know what kind of person Liaowang is. Most of those righteous cultivators heading to the Western Desert are probably just seeking fame and causing trouble, only wanting to see others make a fool of themselves. These people think they are noble but are actually very confused, blindly waiting for someone with fate to come and rescue them from their sea of suffering."

"As the dream fulfillers of the common people, we have a responsibility to help them through these difficulties. All confusion in the world arises from wealth. By helping them return to simplicity and relive the joy of starting from scratch, they will surely come to an awakening!"

Liu Jinshui spoke with a determined gaze, his words forceful and passionate. If Li Xiaobai didn't know him better, he might have actually believed them.

Are you not just trying to freeload a Space Ring, all while putting on such a high-and-mighty act?

At this moment, Li Xiaobai regretted recognizing this Sixth Senior Brother. Wouldn't it have been better to just pass by and pretend not to know him?

Their thoughts were not very different, and if they teamed up to make a fortune together, with the sleaziness of this Sixth Senior Brother, they would definitely have to split the spoils evenly, and sometimes he might even end up with a 40-60 or 30-70 split.

Before they even started, the profits would be half gone, and Li Xiaobai felt quite uncomfortable.

"Do you have any ingenious plans, Senior Brother?"

Li Xiaobai asked dryly.

"Junior Brother, are you going to the Thousand Buddha Temple this time for Monk Liaowang?"

"Indeed, this trip to the Western Desert is to rescue Monk Liaowang. I am solely concerned for my friend's safety, and the path to wealth is actually not within my considerations."

Li Xiaobai spoke slowly, his eyes intently fixed on Sixth Senior Brother, hoping that he wouldn't compete with him for treasures.

"Does Junior Brother know why the Thousand Buddha Temple is imprisoning Monk Liaowang, waiting for the assembly of righteous cultivators from all over the world?"

Liu Jinshui smiled slightly, not minding Li Xiaobai's desperate hints.

"Is it not to punish Liaowang in public, to uphold the reputation of the Western Desert?"

Li Xiaobai's expression shifted, sensing that his Senior Brother seemed to know something.

"Hehe, although the Monks of the Western Desert can hardly be considered good fellows, they are not so unreasonable as to punish a disciple of the Buddhist Sect based solely on external accusations. This time, the Buddhist Sect has gathered righteous cultivators from all over to, in front of everyone, test Liaowang's nature."

Liu Jinshui explained.

"Test his nature?"

Li Xiaobai asked with some confusion.

"Simply put," Liu Jinshui explained, "it's about presenting Monk Liaowang's character and nature in front of all righteous cultivators. Whether he is good or evil, it will be left to the world to judge. If he truly is a villain, he shall be strictly punished without mercy, but if he is an upright and unyielding person, his reputation will immediately be cleared."

Liu Jinshui explained.

Li Xiaobai was startled upon hearing this, realizing that this was the approach being taken. The Buddhist Sect was resolute, daring to leave the outcome to public judgment, which showed they were extremely confident in Monk Liaowang.

However, Monk Liaowang's nature was indeed beyond reproach—true gold does not fear fire. Once Liaowang's simplicity and kindness were revealed to everyone, it would be the rumormongers' turn to face misfortune.

"What method will be used to reveal Liaowang's nature?"

"The Buddhist Sect owns a Golden Light Mirror, a divine artifact left by a Buddha who ascended a thousand years ago. It has two sides; one can expose the world's evils, while the other can penetrate into people's hearts."

Speaking of the mirror, Liu Jinshui's eyes were filled with longing, and Li Xiaobai had no doubt that, given the chance, his Sixth Senior Brother would simply pack up the mirror and take it away.

Li Xiaobai nodded, understanding the Western Desert's tactics—leaving everything to the judgment of all beings. Such an approach was very much in the spirit of the Buddhist Sect.

However, to make such a decision required great courage, not all in the Buddhist Sect were degenerates.

"What do you say, are you willing to work with Senior Brother now?" Liu Jinshui asked with a smile.

Li Xiaobai nodded, "I'll follow Senior Brother's plans. However, I should make it clear that this task of aiding the world's people is something I have always been dedicated to. The promotion on Immortal Spirit Daily has already begun. We should distribute the rewards based on our efforts."

"How much does Junior Brother want to take?"

"Seventy-thirty."

"Junior Brother, you're being greedy. Although you've made considerable contributions, when it comes to the heartfelt desire to help the world's people, Senior Brother is not lacking at all. Let's do fifty-fifty; that's fair."

Liu Jinshui shook his head.

"Fifty-fifty isn't fair. I started working on aiding the world's people long ago, and the preliminary publicity directly relates to our performance. Let's do sixty-forty!"

Li Xiaobai slowly said, negotiating with his Sixth Senior Brother was always the most headache-inducing part.

"Then sixty-forty it is. I am the Senior Brother, after all, and should give in to Junior Brother a little."

Liu Jinshui nodded his agreement. Although the profit was significantly less, it was within his tolerance. Mainly, he knew Li Xiaobai was no longer the same as in the past. With him involved, the task of aiding the lost souls of the world was sure to succeed.

Having reached an agreement, Li Xiaobai left the room and found Gu Ling, who was already smiling ear to ear. Today's auction had brought him a vast fortune.

Sitting beside Gu Ling was a middle-aged man, his face also brimming with joy.

"Young Master Li, the old man was just looking for you. Your idea was brilliant; Treasure Pavilion's capital from today's auction has increased by at least fifty times, and that's a conservative estimate!"

Gu Ling beckoned, and a server brought over a tray with three Space Rings quietly lying on it.

Li Xiaobai counted them and blushed with excitement, his breathing quickening at the sight of so many Spirit Stones.

Three Space Rings contained the sale of Spiritual Medicine worth ten million top-grade Spirit Stones, and the piano and Inner Armor sold for thirty million top-grade Spirit Stones each. After deducting Treasure Pavilion's fee, the total came to sixty-three million top-grade Spirit Stones.

Sixty-three million top-grade Spirit Stones, this immense sum was enough to unlock all items in the mall, even the Divine Artifacts.

This trip to the Western Desert was secured!

"Ha, it's mutual benefit," Li Xiaobai chuckled, "If there's another auction in the future, just call on me. I can't guarantee anything else, but I can assure you of the sensationalism!"

The middle-aged man smiled lightly, "With Young Master Li's great talents, Treasure Pavilion is always open to you. If you need it, we are willing to offer our full support!"