Stranger Danger-Chapter 1151: Sun Devouring Youluo

“Please quell your anger, Prince Moyun, grandma.”

It was at this moment Devi Ruyi spoke up. Like the spring wind, it blew away both the tension, the hostility, and the anger in Jinpeng Moyun and the old woman’s heart into nothing.

“All visitors are guests, not to mention that we haven’t yet compensated the three householders properly for our earlier transgressions. Since they are willing to submit themselves to our hospitality, it is only right that we, the hosts, do our best to accommodate them.”

Devi Ruyi walked up to the trio after saying this. “Are you okay with these, householders?”

Ye Qing looked at the woman who seemed as pure and holy as a snow lotus for a moment, eyes glinting.

Even at this range, he still couldn’t see through Devi Ruyi.

In fact, his provocation of Jinpeng Moyun and the old woman was intentional. He even went so far as to influence their emotions using his demonic thought for two reasons. One, it was to teach them their place and warn them against any stupid, unnecessary thoughts. Two, it was to sound out Devi Ruyi and see if he could trick her into revealing her cultivation level and strength.

Unfortunately, his efforts yielded nothing just like before.

It made him both warier and more curious about the woman.

“We’ll be in your care, Devi.”

Ye Qing smiled at Devi Ruyi and saluted her.

Devi Ruyi returned the salute and smiled gently. “It would be our honor.”

As they spoke, the sky grew darker, and a dark and inauspicious aura spread across the land. For a moment, the Myriad Buddha Plains itself felt like a deadly Stranger that might devour them at any moment.

No one on the Golden-winged Aquila’s back felt any anomalous or evil energies though. They couldn’t even feel the wind that should be blasting them at full force right now.

It was because a faint air of Buddhism was circling the Golden-winged Aquila. Every time it flapped its wings, Buddhist light would shine and dispel all of the evil and inauspiciousness within a radius of several kilometers. The cold wind could not approach them either.

Unlike the Buddhist light of the Buddhists of the Central Plain though, this one was anything but righteous or benevolent. Instead, it was overflowing with tyranny and violence. It was the same as the remnant energies attached to the Buddhist temples and Buddhist statues sealed within the ice.

This was probably why the Golden-winged Aquila was able to fly in the Myriad Buddha Plains despite the taboo.

“This is the guardian aquila of my Mara Sect. It possesses the bloodline of the Golden-winged Peng and my Buddha. That is why it is unafraid of any evil or demon.”

Devi Ruyi explained smilingly when she noted Ye Qing’s curious expression. “The Golden-winged Aquila boasts an amazing flight speed. Barring accidents, we should make it out of the Myriad Buddha Plains before the sky is completely dark.”

“You…”

Ye Qing could not help but stare at Devi Ruyi with a strange look on his face.

Are you seriously tempting fate right now?

Yi Pin and Old Man of Snowy Mountain looked speechless as well.

Seeing their strange expressions, Devi Ruyi asked in puzzlement, “Is something wrong?”

The trio exchanged a glance with each other and arrived at the unanimous decision to say nothing. “No, it’s nothing.”

What happened next did not surprise them in the slightest. An accident happened.

Half a teatime passed, and they were still stuck in the Myriad Buddha Plains.

The Myriad Buddha Plains was huge, but the Golden-winged Aquila was very fast. Normally, it needed dozens of breaths at most to leave the icy plains.

Half a teatime was enough time for it to fly to and fro the Myriad Buddha Plains multiple times.

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In reality, they were still stuck on the Myriad Buddha Plains even though half a teatime had passed.

By now, the sky of the Myriad Buddha Plains had darkened completely. It was so dark that it was almost impossible to see one’s fingers with the naked eye, and the evil, inauspicious aura in the air had become so thick that it was almost tangible.

Large, terrifying shadows were lurking in the darkness. Odd, bizarre voices were coming from somewhere as well. It was spine-chilling to put it mildly.

“Yep. She totally jinxed us.”

Ye Qing sighed deeply. The more you fear something, the more it will happen.

“We can’t escape…”

“Youluo has descended, and he has devoured the sun…”

“Youluo has enacted its divine punishment, and the world will soon be destroyed. We’re all going to die!”

……

Seeing that they were unable to leave the darkness, some of the golden warriors broke down and began weeping in despair.

“Shut up! This isn’t Youluo’s doing.”

Jinpeng Moyun growled at the warriors with an ugly expression.

“Do not be afraid, everyone. Mara is boundless, and the Buddha Emperor is eternal. Those who deliver the people from suffering will naturally see the light. Why should we fear the darkness or Youluo when we have the blessing of the Mara Buddha Emperor?”

Warm light flushed out of Devi Ruyi as she consoled the terrified men.

“Mara is boundless, the Buddha Emperor is eternal…”

“Mara is boundless, the Buddha Emperor is eternal…”

“Mara is boundless, the Buddha Emperor is eternal…”

As if they had found their faith again, the group began chanting the phrase over and over. They were able to dispel their fear and despair thanks to it.

“Who is this Youluo, and what does it have to do with the Mara Buddha Emperor, brother?” Ye Qing asked Yi Pin curiously.

“If I remember correctly, Youluo is an evil demon in the Buddhist sutras of the Mara Sect.”

Yi Pin explained in a hushed voice, “Legend has it that the world was ruled by Youluo before the Mara Buddha Emperor descended. Youluo possessed the power to devour the sun and annihilate all light, so a world ruled by Youluo is a world without any light or hope. There is only eternal darkness and cold; infinite pain and despair.”

“Later, the Mara Buddha Emperor was born as a human. Intelligent and enlightened from a young age, the Mara Buddha Emperor spread the teachings of Buddhism and became the one who brought the first ray of light and hope to the world. After the Mara Buddha Emperor became a Buddha, he suppressed Youluo with his great power, dispelled the endless darkness, and brought light to the world. From then on, darkness, disease, disaster, pain, and despair no longer existed in this world.”

“I see.”

Ye Qing nodded. It was obvious that the story was a total spiel the Mara Sect told to promote their sect, and yet these golden warriors treated it like it was the one true history of the world. It was clear that the Mara Sect went through great efforts to brainwash their disciples.

Suddenly, Ye Qing furrowed his brow. It was because the monks were joining in on the recitation as well. They were also performing a strange dance and increasing their volume and pitch over time.

As the chanting continued, dazzling Buddhist light began shining from their bodies. It quickly formed the silhouette of a holy and dignified Buddha in the sky.

Suddenly, Yi Pin shook his head and scoffed, “Tsk tsk, these people are quite bold, aren’t they?”

“I know right?” Ye Qing echoed in agreement. “Well, let’s wait and see what happens.”

To be fair, they weren’t locals. It was entirely possible that the Mara Sect knew something they didn’t. Still, neither Ye Qing nor Yi Pin thought it was wise to cause such a huge commotion at this place and time. Seriously, did they want the terrifying things lurking in the darkness to notice them?

Even children knew that you would get burned if you played with fire.

He did not try to warn Devi Ruyi or Jinpeng Moyun though. For one, he shared a somewhat hostile relationship with them. It was entirely possible that they would ignore his sound advice.

Two, he did not think that Devi Ruyi or Jinpeng Moyun were idiots. The brainwashed idiots might be too far gone to realize the folly of their actions, but surely the duo understood the risks they were undertaking. They did not stop their men though, so either they were plotting something, or they were that confident in their strength.

And three, if shit went south, but it turned out that the group could handle whatever danger they provoked, then whatever. If not, then he could use the group as bait and run away.

It did not look like he or Yi Pin would come out shorn no matter what, so Ye Qing was okay with letting this happen.