Chapter 2677

The view from the cliff edge was shrouded in mist, seemingly bottomless, yet it evoked an indescribable sense of openness and relief.

Zhu Yanyi took a deep breath. "The scenery here at Fo Shan is beautiful, and the spiritual energy is abundant. It is indeed a suitable place for cultivation. No wonder you chose this spot."

A hint of relaxation appeared on Zhu Yanyi’s face. The serene landscape had lifted her spirits.

The Evil Buddha looked at Zhu Yanyi, then surveyed the surroundings. "I did not build this pavilion."

"But you came here, which means you appreciate everything in this place," Zhu Yanyi said.

The Evil Buddha smiled faintly and turned to look at Yan Aohan, who had remained silent until now. "Do you never disagree with her opinions?"

"One should cherish one’s own wife. Why disagree with her?" Yan Aohan replied with a smile. "Besides, I think she is not wrong. The scenery is indeed beautiful, and the spiritual energy is plentiful. For a cultivator, practicing here would be excellent."

The Evil Buddha chuckled, seeming to relax. "After all these years, you seem unchanged."

"We have all changed," Yan Aohan shook his head slightly, disagreeing. "The me of today is not the me of yesterday. I change every day."

The Evil Buddha raised an eyebrow. "Your words have a Zen flavor. Indeed, the me of today is not the me of yesterday."

Yan Aohan looked at him. "So, it is better to speak directly. Hiding things does not necessarily benefit you."

The Evil Buddha smiled and pointed to the chessboard nearby. "I still prefer playing chess." She then invited Zhu Yanyi, "Come, let’s play."

Seeing this, Zhu Yanyi shrugged and did not refuse. She and the Evil Buddha sat on opposite sides of the table, while Yan Aohan sat in the middle on the other side, watching the board. Xingzhi remained standing outside the pavilion, not entering.

"You are the guest, so you move first," the Evil Buddha said, picking up a piece but not placing it.

Zhu Yanyi did not hesitate. In chess, who moves first is not crucial. Some win by moving later, while others lose despite moving first. Since the Evil Buddha offered her the first move, she naturally took it.

After Zhu Yanyi placed her piece, the Evil Buddha followed suit. "Judging by your journey, you have suffered much."

Zhu Yanyi did not look at her, focusing only on the board. She placed another piece casually. "Suffering? Life contains all five flavors. Suffering alone is not enough."

"Suffering alone is not enough." The Evil Buddha’s hand paused slightly. She looked at Zhu Yanyi. "Have you tasted all five flavors of life?"

"I have, and I have tasted them thoroughly," Zhu Yanyi said, holding a piece and watching the board change. Having lived two lives, what flavor had she not experienced? Because she had experienced them all, she was more open-minded and did not fuss over trivial matters. Of course, she did not state this too explicitly.

The Evil Buddha watched her move, thought for a moment, and then placed her piece. "The five flavors of life are hard to taste. If you have tasted them, why are you so calm?"

"Only those who have not tasted them are not calm," Zhu Yanyi replied.

The Evil Buddha was slightly stunned. Indeed, it seemed so. Perhaps because he had not fully tasted this calmness, he could not let go of certain things.

She watched Zhu Yanyi move, followed with her own, and then said, "I never understood many things, but seeing you two, I now understand a little."

Zhu Yanyi glanced at Yan Aohan. Although the couple did not fully understand the meaning behind the Evil Buddha’s words, they could see the trace of bitterness in her eyes.

From this, Yan Aohan and Zhu Yanyi were certain that the Evil Buddha’s transformation had a purpose no one else could imagine.

The Evil Buddha seemed unaware of their confusion. He said calmly, "Actually, becoming a cultivator was an accident for me."

Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly. "Many people’s destinies begin with accidents."

The Evil Buddha did not refute this. "Indeed. Many destinies begin with accidents. Mine did too. No, actually, it wasn’t a destiny. It was just an accident."

She continued calmly, "I still remember the turbulent times back then. Because the era was so chaotic, I had to leave the temple and go down to the mortal realm. Sichen Town was not my first destination. I first went to a minority region. It was very harsh, but as a monk, hardship meant nothing. We have ascetic practices."

She waited for Zhu Yanyi to move, then continued, "However, after I arrived, I entered a cave for ascetic practice and accidentally encountered an incident. A soul entered my body, trying to possess me and take everything."

The Evil Buddha paused, then added, "Unfortunately, that soul never expected that although I was a mortal, I had practiced martial arts since childhood. My will was very firm. So, I reversed the process and devoured that soul, gaining its energy. But because the energy was too intense, I needed to release it. At that time, a girl happened to pass by, so I acted like a mortal."

She spoke this with great calmness. "Unfortunately, this mortal act led me down the path of evil cultivation. Although I devoured that soul, to control the power it left behind, I needed to constantly practice dual cultivation. So, that girl became my wife. After five years of effort, I stabilized my power, but I also realized I had embarked on a path of no return."

"So, after hiding my child and wife, I used my connections to come to Sichen Town."

The Evil Buddha said calmly, "In Sichen Town, I met many good friends, which made me happy. But at the same time, I discovered that the cultivation method I inherited was incomplete."

"At that time, I met a person named Wuxie. He completed my cultivation method. However, to truly master this method, I needed to absorb a large amount of resentment and hostility from people. I originally thought that in the secular world with so many people, finding such resentment and hostility would not be difficult."

"But as my power deepened, I realized that ordinary resentment and hostility were too little for me. Unless I deliberately increased the resentment and hostility of everyone in the world I was in."

The Evil Buddha paused here. "Actually, at first, I really prepared to do this. But as soon as I used a little means, you happened to perform blessings and purification."