#315 - Chapter 315 The Monk is Back

As the massive body of the Black Serpent lost its life, the surrounding air seemed to freeze for a moment, then slowly began to flow again, carrying a hint of fresh air after the ordeal.

The four stood up and gathered not far away, their faces showing a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Their unspoken exchange of glances made it clear that the fruits of victory were already in their grasp.

"Finally… it's over." The blue-robed swordsman panted, the spiritual energy of his long sword still lingering. He gently sheathed it, his gaze filled only with relief at the fall of the formidable enemy.

"Indeed, I didn't expect this Black Serpent to be so difficult to deal with. If the four of us hadn't joined forces, I'm afraid none of us could have handled it alone."

The man surnamed Liu checked his gauntlet-like magical artifact while chuckling, "Haha, Fellow Daoist Chenfeng, we've made a fortune this time! The Black Serpent's scales, bones, and even blood are excellent materials for refining magical artifacts and elixirs, not to mention its possibly existing inner core."

The white-robed fairy also said from the side, "Brother Daoist Li, Brother Daoist Liu is right. The flower basket artifacts of us sisters are damaged. We can use the serpent skin and scales to make two suitable leather wrappings for the petals, and we also need some of the serpent blood."

The man playing with his gauntlets said, "I, Liu Sheng, also need some dragon scales and serpent hide to repair my magical artifact."

Li Chenfeng interrupted the other woman who was about to speak, "Fellow Daoists Huakai and Huaxie, don't worry. The dragon is so big, it's enough for us to use. I'll use the dragon bones to repair my magic sword.

You and Fellow Daoist Liu Sheng can leave the remaining dragon scales and dragon skin for me, enough to make a garment. As for the flesh and blood, let's divide it equally. How about we sell the dragon horns and inner core and divide the spirit stones equally??"

Seeing that Li Chenfeng's plan was in line with everyone's interests, the remaining three said nothing more.

Just as the four were happily tidying up the Black Serpent's remains, preparing to leave this place of trouble, a dazzling golden light suddenly streaked across the sky, like a shooting star piercing the night, yet carrying an undeniable solemnity and holiness.

"That monk is here again…" Huakai said softly, her tone containing both surprise and a hint of imperceptible wariness.

Her gaze followed the golden light closely, and ripples couldn't help but appear in her heart. The other three also stopped their actions and turned to look at the sky, their brows furrowed, obviously surprised by the arrival of this uninvited guest.

The golden light gradually approached, revealing the figure of a monk wearing a kasaya and holding a禅杖 (chánzhàng - Buddhist staff). His face was delicate, and his eyes were pure, as if he could see through everything in the world.

Only the wounds on his body had disappeared without a trace.

"Amitabha, this humble monk, Lingkong, has come to disturb you benefactors again." The monk's voice was gentle and powerful, piercing through the surrounding silence, making people involuntarily feel reverence.

The four looked at each other, and although they had doubts in their hearts, they still politely bowed in salute.

Liu Sheng took the lead and said, "Master, didn't you just leave? What brings you back here?"

"After this humble monk left just now, my heart was uneasy. I was afraid that the Black Serpent would go back on its word and hurt you, so I came here to confirm it," the monk said calmly.

"Seeing that your auras are disturbed, I'm afraid that is indeed the case."

Liu Sheng smiled and said, "Master, rest assured, that Black Serpent will definitely not do evil again."

Secretly, he had already begun to prepare to take action.

They were all old partners, so how could Liu Sheng's reaction be hidden from the other three? After exchanging glances, they were ready to take action again.

The monk was about to say something more, when Li Chenfeng directly sent a sword energy towards the monk's chest.

Faced with Li Chenfeng's sudden attack, there was not a trace of surprise in the monk's eyes, as if he was sure he would attack. He did not dodge, but gently raised his hand, as if an invisible force was protecting him.

The fierce sword energy was dissolved by a gentle yet powerful aura the moment it approached his chest, dissipating into nothingness.

"Benefactor, why be so impatient?" The monk's voice was still gentle, but with a hint of undeniable majesty, "This humble monk has no malice, just concerned about your safety."

Seeing this, Liu Sheng quickly stepped forward, his gauntlets appearing, and punched Lingkong Monk, laughing loudly, "Master, don't blame him, this brother of mine is straightforward, please forgive his offenses. We understand your good intentions, we have our own sense of propriety and will act with caution. Master, you should worry about yourself!"

The Huakai and Huaxie sisters next to him were more direct, taking out the baskets that were about to fall apart, petals flying, enveloping the monk, surrounding Lingkong Monk in all directions.

Lightly laughing, "Monk, you came uninvited, didn't you just want to share some things? Why say it so grandiosely?"

Lingkong Monk was not angry, but sighed, "This humble monk originally wanted to take a mount, but since you have killed the Black Serpent, please return the Black Serpent's corpse, so that this humble monk can end this karma."

The plain and shameless words made the four people, who had fought to the death to kill the dragon, so angry that smoke came out of their seven orifices.

Faced with Lingkong Monk's "straightforward" request, the faces of the four sank, and the atmosphere instantly became murderous.

Liu Sheng's fist wind was fierce, but when it touched the gentle aura around the monk, it was like a mud cow entering the sea, without causing the slightest ripple.

"Master is wrong!" Li Chen stood with his sword, continuing to emit sword energy, but his tone still carried some dissatisfaction, "The Black Serpent was killed by the four of us together, and its corpse naturally belongs to us. If Master is truly compassionate, how could you make such an unreasonable request?"

The petal attacks of the Huakai and Huaxie sisters also failed to have any impact on the monk. The petals lost their power when they approached him and fell slowly.

They looked at each other, a solemn look flashing in their eyes, obviously not expecting this monk's strength to be so unfathomable.

"Monk, your request is too much!" Liu Sheng roared, "How much effort did we put in to kill this Black Serpent, and some of us were even seriously injured. Now you want to take away our spoils with just one sentence, how can there be such a reason in this world?"

Huakai maintained a trace of calmness. She stepped forward, her movements also not slow, and said softly, "Master, we respect your cultivation and wisdom, but please also respect our efforts and sacrifices. The Black Serpent's corpse is of great significance to us, and we hope that Master can understand."

Lingkong Monk smiled slightly, but that smile carried a hint of helplessness and compassion, "Benefactors, this humble monk really does not covet this Black Serpent's corpse."

"Hmph, easy to say!" Liu Sheng sneered, "Do you think we would believe such nonsense? The Black Serpent has done many evils and deserves to die. We killed it to eliminate harm for the people, what's wrong with that?"

"Benefactor is right, but karma cycles, and retribution is inevitable." Lingkong Monk shook his head and sighed, "Although the Black Serpent has made mistakes, if this humble monk can obtain its corpse, perhaps I can use the power of Buddhism to help it transcend the sea of suffering, which can be regarded as a kind of redemption for it."