My Dreams Connect to Ancient Times

The Right Tower Master nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked:

"By the way, what if that Lu Zi never shows himself?"

"Then we’ll force him to show himself." The Left Tower Master, shimmering with Buddhist light, had a profound look in his eyes, his words carrying an immense, chilling coldness:

"In a little over two months, during the ’exchange’ between the prodigies of the Demon Race and the younger generation of the Human Race, we’ll let the Demon Race cause a bloodbath. How about that? I don’t believe that Lu Zi will remain in seclusion. Doesn’t he fancy himself the one who illuminates the mountains and rivers?"

"You... you..." The Right Tower Master chuckled in spite of himself. "Doesn’t your Buddhist Sect claim to be the most compassionate?"

"Heh..."

The Left Tower Master gave a faint smile.

"My Buddha entered nirvana back in the Ancient Spring and Autumn Period. Maitreya Buddha passed away. All that’s left is Maitreya, who can be a Buddha, but doesn’t have to be."

.........

「Ancient Spring and Autumn.」

Supreme, dressed as a farmer in coarse linen clothes, spoke with a smile:

"Xiaoxuan, I am aware of your confusion. That Maitreya Buddha is indeed a [Daluo], but while Maitreya Buddha is of the [Daluo] and [Eternal] level, Maitreya is not."

"What do you mean??" Lu Xuan and the Cyan Bull said in unison. The former was bewildered, the latter utterly horrified.

The farmer stroked his long beard and chuckled.

"You will understand in the future... From what you’ve described, Xiaoxuan, it seems this Maitreya didn’t actually come for you to convert you, but to see if he could die by your hand... He was probably just trying his luck, not expecting you to have the Qing Ping Sword. But in the end, he really got his wish."

"Huh??" Lu Xuan and the Cyan Bull once again spoke in unison. Three question marks seemed to pop up over the heads of both man and beast.

’This...’

’Why would someone want to die??’

Lu Xuan was completely baffled, looking around in a daze.

The farmer didn’t explain further, just shaking his head and saying softly:

"It was my oversight before, allowing you to be exposed to the gazes of numerous Dao Fruits so early. I have come to this Human World this time to accompany you for the remainder of your journey of spreading the Dao."

Lu Xuan’s expression turned solemn, and the Cyan Bull gulped.

The farmer continued:

"However, you are the one spreading the Dao. I shouldn’t steal your thunder. Therefore, I am just an ordinary farmer here to lead the bull for you. Understand?"

Lu Xuan became a little flustered.

"Teacher, this... isn’t that a bit much?"

The Cyan Bull shivered in fright.

"Great Lord, you can’t be serious! This old bull wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare..."

The farmer stated decisively:

"Enough, it’s settled... Speaking of which, Xiaoxuan, what’s the deal with your Qing Ping Sword? When did your Third Martial Uncle give it to you?"

Lu Xuan coughed lightly twice. After some thought, he decided to honor his agreement with his Third Master and said evasively:

"It was once when I was in the [Origin]. Third Martial Uncle said he was afraid some Dao Fruits might target me, so he had me take it..."

He was basically telling the truth, only changing the "Master" in his title to "Uncle."

The farmer grunted and said no more, but his gaze grew even more profound.

"He’s honest enough... But speaking of which, today’s events are too much of a coincidence. Those three fellows coming to block the gate, and Maitreya seeking you out as well. It seems they planned it in advance. I just don’t know what those few Fellow Daoists are plotting exactly..."

The Cyan Bull’s expression tightened, and it swallowed nervously.

"Great Lord, just now... did a battle between Dao Fruits just break out?"

"Yes," the farmer nodded faintly.

Lu Xuan also gulped and asked carefully:

"Teacher, what was the outcome of the battle? Are Second... Second Martial Uncle and Third Martial Uncle all right?"

The farmer smiled a little sheepishly.

"Your Second Martial Uncle is fine. As for your Third Martial Uncle... he had it pretty rough. His injuries should be quite severe."

Lu Xuan and the Cyan Bull’s expressions changed drastically. ’Quite severe...’

The former sucked in a sharp breath, his mind reeling. ’Just how brutal must a battle between Dao Fruits be?’

’With the Third Master’s immense power, he still suffered such severe injuries... Just how terrifying must the Dao Fruit who injured the Third Master be?’

Lu Xuan shrank back, and the Cyan Bull shivered. Only the farmer’s smile became even more sheepish.

"Alright."

The farmer cleared his throat lightly.

"Although your Third Martial Uncle’s injuries are severe, I... that is, the one who struck him showed restraint. The injuries don’t affect his foundation. You could barely call them superficial wounds."

After a pause, Supreme, still in his farmer’s guise, continued with a smile:

"Alright, enough about that. You should continue your journey in the next few days. Complete the path of spreading the Dao as quickly as possible and escape the sight of those Dao Fruits."

"Yes, Teacher."

"And as I said, you are the protagonist of this journey. This avatar of mine is just a farmer leading a bull. When we’re out, just call me Old Li."

Lu Xuan felt a bit numb and stammered a reply. ’Old Li...’

The Cyan Bull was also dizzy, all four of its hooves feeling weak.

Just as the two men and one bull were talking, the sound of footsteps approached. They glanced to the side and saw Zhao Zheng walking into the backyard, holding Lu Jianxue.

Zhao Zheng first gave the farmer a surprised look, then said respectfully:

"Adopted Grandfather, Lü Niangrong’s father has arrived. He says he wants to thank us. What are your thoughts...?"

"Her father?" Lu Xuan had regained his usual composure by now. He thought for a moment, then said slowly, "Let’s meet him then. After that, it’s time to set off again."

"Yes, Adopted Grandfather." Zhao Zheng nodded crisply, then asked with some curiosity, "Adopted Grandfather, this is..."

"Ahem." Lu Xuan coughed twice. After a long hesitation, he finally said faintly, "This is a farmer I met on the road. Just call him Old Li. From now on, let Old Li lead the bull."

The nearby Cyan Bull’s legs felt a bit weak. Although Zhao Zheng was puzzled, he didn’t press the matter. He just nodded, looked the farmer over curiously, and then said:

"Old Li, is it? Since Adopted Grandfather has allowed you to lead the bull, this is your great fortune. Remember your place, and no matter what you hear along the way, you must keep your mouth shut. Understand?"

Lu Xuan and the Cyan Bull’s legs felt weak again.

But the farmer avatar of Supreme just nodded honestly and said heartily:

"Okay."

Zhao Zheng nodded, wanting to add more instructions, but Lu Xuan quickly stopped him. He coughed and said:

"Alright, that’s enough. Hasn’t Lü Niangrong’s father arrived? His name is Lü Buwei, right? Let’s go see him. Also..."

Before he could finish, a vast expanse of purple qi suddenly billowed from the heavens, and a commotion arose from outside the gate.

"This is..." Zhao Zheng looked at the purple qi surging and spreading for ten thousand li across the sky, his expression uncertain. "Purple qi coming from the east for ten thousand li? Has some Great Virtue graced Jiangling with their presence?"

Lu Xuan glanced up. The Path of Cause and Effect stirred, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Hm, it’s an acquaintance... Let’s go see Lü Buwei first."

As he spoke, he hesitated, then gave the farmer a strained nod. It seemed casual, yet it also felt like a respectful announcement.

"O-Old Li, you get acquainted with the Cyan Bull. I’m heading out for a bit."

"Yes," Old Li replied honestly.

Meanwhile, Zhao Zheng nodded in satisfaction and smiled.

"Adopted Grandfather, this farmer you found seems quite honest... just a bit of a man of few words."

Lu Xuan stumbled, not daring to reply. He just walked toward the front yard, his pace quickening slightly.