The Buddhas began to act, and the dazzling Buddha’s Light enveloped Mount Ling.

After all, they were all masters of the Three Realms, and as they made their move, various Divine Skills appeared in the sky, rushing towards the Demon Heads.

The newly born Demon Heads, no longer fearing the Buddha’s Light, were still no match for the attacks of the Various Buddhas, as the gap in strength was evident.

"Hmph, Buddhist Sect!" Marx let out a cold snort.

Having been sealed for so many years, the development of the Buddhist Sect was indeed rapid. The sky full of Buddhas, each not mediocre, all possessing unique skills, was truly earth-shattering when they acted in unison.

"Good, it’s time to let you all see," Marx said with a light chuckle.

With a gentle wave of his hand, a huge Demon Head appeared, with a Demon Head bearing many human faces suddenly materializing at Mount Ling, invoking greed in the depths of people’s hearts.

"I entered the Buddhist Sect earlier than you, why should you achieve the Bodhisattva while I can only endure youth in bitterness on Mount Ling?"

A monk who was resisting the Demon Heads fiercely, suddenly turned to his comrade and said, the two of them originally close friends, but one attained the Bodhisattva and became an Arhat of Mount Ling, while the other remained an ordinary monk, laboring in ascetic cultivation on Mount Ling, waiting for an opportunity.

Such a disparity gave rise to jealousy deep within his heart, and an intense craving for the Bodhisattva status.

Now, spurred by the Demon Head, he couldn’t help voicing some deeply buried thoughts.

His friend looked at him in disbelief; over many years of friendship, they had always been close, and he had always been the best friend to the other.

When he had attained his true fruits, he had always wanted to help his friend become an Arhat too. Yet, contrary to his wishes, his friend always just missed the mark and missed opportunities time and again, which meant he remained just an ordinary monk to this day. If not for his own influence, he might not even have been able to stay on Mount Ling.

But never had he thought that he would be such a person in his friend’s eyes.

However, his friend still failed to realize that something was wrong and, on the contrary, became more agitated as he spoke.

"You are nothing but a plebeian. If not for my care, how could you have had the chance to practice cultivation on Mount Ling? Yet you stole my Arhat status, a thankless wretch. When I climb up one day, I’ll certainly make you pay," he said.

By now, he was completely blinded by the greed and desire in his heart. As he spoke, black demonic energy began to emerge from his body.

This was the terror of the demonic energy – as soon as it corroded your heart, it would gradually take over your body, turning you into a puppet of desire.

"Mingyuan! Wake up at once!" the Arhat shouted sternly, unable to watch his good friend turn into an irrational Demon Head, despite his upsetting views of himself. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

His voice carried the power of the Lion’s Roar as it struck Mingyuan.

The voice, imbued with the power of the Lion’s Roar, echoed in Mingyuan’s ears like thunder, awakening the goodness within him; his eyes, which had turned blood-red, gradually returned to clarity.

"Mingxin, kill me!" Mingyuan cried out to his friend in agony.

"No!"

Mingxin simply couldn’t bring himself to do it; this was his good friend, after all. Having known each other for many years, they were as close as family.

"Kill me, I don’t want to become that hideous Demon Head," Mingyuan gritted through his teeth.

Dense demonic energy gradually enveloped him, beginning to erode his spirit and transform his body, dragging him into the endless abyss.

As a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, Mingyuan clearly understood the predicament he was in. He hadn’t expected that his slight selfish thoughts could be exploited to such an extent; previous Demon Heads never had this ability.

Now it was too late for regrets. The transformation had started and could not be stopped unless he died.

"Stop hesitating," Mingyuan roared with a fierce expression. "We both know how miserable my fate will be if we continue like this. Can you bear to watch me become one of those Demon Heads and turn against our fellow Buddhist disciples?"

At this point, he was barely holding on. Once the transformation was complete, and given the Demon Head’s cunning power, it would be extremely difficult for Mingxin to handle him. The best plan was to kill him before the transformation was finished.

Mingxin looked at Mingyuan’s fierce face, seeing in his eyes such brightness, such determination. He knew well the choice his old friend had made. Clenching his teeth, he drove the long halberd in his hand into Mingyuan’s chest.

In an instant, the surging demonic energy seemed to have lost its support, disappearing without a trace. Mingyuan’s fierce face gradually returned to normal, showing a relief-filled smile.

"Thank you, I feel much better now. And don’t take what I said to heart; those were just selfish musings. You will always be my good friend."

After saying this, Mingyuan closed his eyes with a smile, ending his life, and refused to become a Demon Head with the most resolute attitude.

Gently, Mingxin walked forward and draped his kasaya over the body of his friend.

Once upon a time, they met on Mount Ling and became close friends. In the blink of an eye, countless years had passed. Most of their friends who had practiced cultivation together on Mount Ling had died, leaving only the two of them.

They had long become each other’s support, having safely survived numerous crises together, even giving Mingxin the impression that Mingyuan would soon achieve the status of an Arhat.

But all the good times came to an abrupt end today. Mingyuan was dead, his eyes closed forever. Although he chose to die like a hero, Mingxin’s good friend had left the world.

Mingxin had never felt such anger. He looked around. Countless Demon Heads were being pursued by Buddhist disciples, yet it seemed they were never-ending, with a new one emerging every time one was killed.

"You deserve to die!" Mingxin roared furiously.

Wielding a sharp weapon, he charged into the crowd of Demon Heads and began slaughtering them wildly, feeling an exhilarating relief. Unbeknownst to him, his eyes began to redden.

Just then, a majestic voice echoed across Mount Ling: "Stop!"

With a single word, it was as if the thunder of the Nine Heavens shook the sky. Everyone who heard the voice felt a clarity in their hearts, as if endless wisdom was born.

Mingxin immediately came to his senses. Looking at the corpses of the Demon Heads around him, he felt a wave of fright. He had barely escaped falling into the Demon Path; the power of the Demon Head truly was eerie and unpredictable.

Mingxin could feel that the Demon Head had triggered the rage in his heart. This time, it seemed the Demon Head was targeting not just malevolent thoughts but attacking human nature directly, magnifying the desires within the human body.