Li Yundong eliminated one person in an instant, killed one, and defeated another. Much of the oppressive anger in his chest dissipated. He let out a cold laugh and said, "You monk are truly the most foolish; to trust the mere words of others so readily. Do you believe everything you are told?"

Dorje Tenzin looked up and retorted, "I am not a monk, I am a Lama!"

Li Yundong burst out laughing at Dorje Tenzin's bluntness. "Very well, you are a Lama! Hey, I'll say this for you, you clumsy Lama, you actually have a bit of character. You didn't join those two shameless wretches to attack me, otherwise, that Dàshǒu Yìnyìn just now would have claimed your life!"

Dorje Tenzin looked at Li Yundong with confusion, asking in stiff Mandarin, "Who exactly are you? Why can you master our Esoteric Sect's Dàshǒu Yìnyìn so quickly? It took my master two years just to achieve proficiency!"

Li Yundong asked, puzzled, "Is it very hard to learn? Why did I find it so simple?"

Dorje Tenzin’s face crumpled with crushing defeat; Li Yundong’s statement had deeply wounded him!

He had studied martial arts since childhood, reaching the pinnacle of the Jiāngmó Dàshǒu Yìnyìn by the age of eighteen—a feat considered the mark of a supreme genius in the mortal world. Afterward, he attempted to cultivate the Zhēnyán Dàshǒu Yìnyìn, but lacking sufficient cultivation, he couldn't even cross the threshold after three years of effort!

Yet, this Han man before him had grasped the very essence of the Dàshǒu Yìnyìn in just a few days. Was he a monster, or a reincarnation of the Buddha?

Dorje Tenzin stared at Li Yundong for a long moment before finally sighing, his head hanging low in dejection. "My master once warned me not to underestimate the people of the Central Plains, saying that true masters were hidden there like dragons and crouching tigers. I never believed it before, but now I do. To die by your hand, I am utterly convinced."

Li Yundong smiled. "Did I say I was going to kill you?"

Dorje Tenzin looked up, perplexed. "You aren't going to kill me?"

Li Yundong scoffed, "I'm not some homicidal maniac who kills every person I meet."

Dorje Tenzin fell silent for a moment, then stated gravely, "Then why were your attacks just now so ruthless?"

Li Yundong sneered, "Those two tried to steal my treasure; naturally, I fought back fiercely. The first time, I captured the man, and he begged me to spare him. Yet, after I let him go, he immediately launched a sneak attack. Earlier, he even intended to kill you along with me. Such a treacherous villain—do you think I shouldn't have killed him?"

Dorje Tenzin said nothing. After a pause, he asked again, "What about the woman?"

Li Yundong sneered again, "As for the woman, she colluded with that man. I destroyed her physical body, but even her lingering spirit showed no remorse, instead gnashing her teeth and seeking revenge. I only regret that my cultivation is insufficient to completely eradicate them! Your Buddhist teachings speak of offering one's body to feed a hawk; I don't possess such high moral fortitude to simply endure bullying without retaliation!"

"Amitabha!" Dorje Tenzin brought his palms together. "That saying is slightly mistaken. The Buddha himself has displayed thunderous wrath, and the Vajra figures have moments of fierce glaring. We in Buddhism do not advocate for perpetual forbearance. When it is time to strike back, we must do so; otherwise, our Dharma gates would have been destroyed by others centuries ago."

Li Yundong laughed. "I thought you were as pedantic as an old man in how you spoke and acted, but it turns out you are quite reasonable!"

Dorje Tenzin smiled faintly. "Although my knowledge may be shallow, I can clearly discern good from evil, and right from wrong. Should the martial sects of those two seek you out in the future, I will certainly speak up in your defense!"

Li Yundong laughed heartily. "Let them come looking for me. I killed them; one man’s actions, one man’s responsibility!"

All ill will towards Dorje Tenzin had vanished. He couldn't help but think: I have already finished reading the entire Dàshǒu Yìnyìn Mìfǎ Jīng and memorized everything I needed. This scripture is so important to them—why shouldn't I fulfill their wish and return the book?

With that thought, Li Yundong reached into his robes and pulled out the Dàshǒu Yìnyìn Mìfǎ Jīng, handing it over with a smile. "Fortunately, I didn't damage it earlier."

Dorje Tenzin had originally come seeking the Dàshǒu Yìnyìn Mìfǎ Jīng from Li Yundong. But amidst the embarrassing incident, he had wrongly accused a good person, become an accomplice to villains, and ultimately been saved by the very person he was confronting.

Overwhelmed with shame, Dorje Tenzin had already decided to endure the inevitable scolding from his Abbot back at the monastery and drop the matter. Yet, he never expected the other party to return it voluntarily!

Dorje Tenzin was both ashamed and startled, hardly daring to believe his eyes. He stammered, "This, this…"

Li Yundong smiled. "What? Afraid I’m tricking you?"

Dorje Tenzin took back the Dàshǒu Yìnyìn Mìfǎ Jīng, carefully placing it close to his body. He clasped his hands together, filled with emotion, bowed deeply, and said respectfully, "It is I who underestimated the people of the Central Plains! May I ask the benefactor's esteemed name?"

Li Yundong smiled. "My name is Li Yundong."

Dorje Tenzin praised him. "It is Master Li. Yún cóng dōng fāng lái—a wonderful name, truly a wonderful name!"

Li Yundong roared with laughter. "You Lama, first you were calling for a fight, and now you're flattering me. I won't give you any special benefits for that."

Dorje Tenzin bowed respectfully. "For the benefactor to return this Dàshǒu Yìnyìn Mìfǎ Jīng is already an immense kindness to our monastery. Our Gatuo Monastery will remember this favor forever."

Li Yundong smiled and said nothing further. Just then, a gust of wind blew over, carrying a pungent smell of blood. He frowned slightly and glanced down at Lü Fengping, who lay split in two.

Dorje Tenzin noticed Li Yundong's gaze and said, "Are you worried about how to handle this? Don't fret. The vultures on the plateau will consume these remains, and no one will come looking."

Saying this, a thought suddenly struck Dorje Tenzin. He walked over to Lü Fengping’s corpse and picked up a dark red whip. Then he approached the ashes of Wu Hao, which had been reduced to a pile of dust, and retrieved two Wǔyáng Xuèhuá Zhū. He blew the ash off them, wiped the blood from the whip, and then presented both items held reverently in his hands to Li Yundong. "If these things fall into the hands of others, they might end up harming them instead. I think it's best if you keep them. Perhaps they will be useful for subduing demons and vanquishing evil in the future."

Li Yundong accepted the spoils without ceremony and tucked them away, laughing, "Subduing demons and vanquishing evil? Where are there so many demons and devils in this world?"

As he spoke, a sudden thought struck Li Yundong. He remembered the little girl he loved deeply—wasn't she a small enchanting spirit? But such a little spirit had never done anything wicked, remaining pure, lovely, innocent, and untainted. Yet, people like He Shao acted arrogantly, committed every evil imaginable, and were utterly devoid of conscience!

Li Yundong's expression immediately turned serious as he stated, "Actually, the most terrifying things in this world are not demons or devils, but people! When humans commit evil, they are a hundred times more vicious than any demon or fiend! Therefore, if a demon or devil performs good deeds, I will not only refrain from conquering them, but I will actively protect them. If people of the world commit evil, I will not shield them; instead, I will enforce Heaven’s will!"

Dorje Tenzin brought his palms together, praising, "Excellent, excellent. The Buddha taught that those who perform good deeds in the world will reap good consequences, regardless of whether they are demons, ghosts, or spirits; even a demonic body can attain passage to the Pure Land in the West. Conversely, those who commit evil deeds, even if they are the supreme rulers of the human realm, will be cast into the path of suffering in the cycle of reincarnation, never to transcend!"

Li Yundong smiled. "Your Buddhist school emphasizes karma and reincarnation, where retribution waits for the next life. But our Daoist school focuses on cultivation in this very life, emphasizing immediate consequence. I am fortunate I am not a Buddhist; otherwise, waiting for bad people to get their just deserts would drive me mad with impatience!"

Dorje Tenzin was startled when Li Yundong mentioned he cultivated the Dao. "You belong to a Daoist sect?"

Li Yundong had only said that out of instinct a moment ago. Since both Su Chan and Ziyuan had taught him Daoist cultivation methods, he had automatically considered himself a Daoist practitioner. However, Dorje Tenzin's question momentarily stumped him.

Which school did he truly belong to? Which lineage’s techniques did he practice?

Li Yundong gave a bitter smile and said, "Strictly speaking, I don't seem to belong to any Daoist sect."

Dorje Tenzin was stunned. "How can you say that?"

Li Yundong offered an awkward, wry smile. "I have never formally taken a master..."

Dorje Tenzin was utterly shocked. "Are you saying you taught yourself everything?"

Li Yundong considered it for a moment. "Not exactly. There were two cultivators who taught me: one came from the Fox Zen School, and the other from the Orthodox Unity Sect."

Dorje Tenzin rarely left the monastery, spending his days engrossed in the cultivation of Dàshǒu Yìnyìn and Buddhist dharma. He was unaware of the notoriously poor reputation of the Fox Zen School. Hearing the word 'Zen' made him assume they were a related sect, and he chuckled. "No wonder your progress with the Dàshǒu Yìnyìn was so swift—you’re from the same lineage! But why also the Orthodox Unity Sect?"

Li Yundong sighed. "That is a long story."

Dorje Tenzin smiled warmly. "If you don't mind, why don't you rest at Gatuo Monastery for a couple of days? Master Li and I had a clash that turned into an immediate affinity. We could chat over some yak butter tea. What do you think, Master Li?"

Li Yundong considered it but shook his head. "No, I have succeeded in the Foundation Establishment stage now, and I am anxious to return home. I wish I could sprout wings and fly back immediately. If there is another opportunity, I will certainly have a long conversation with you."

Dorje Tenzin clasped his hands together, his face etched with regret. "That is truly a pity. Please remember when you return to the Central Plains that you have a friend here. His name is Dorje Tenzin!"

Li Yundong smiled broadly. "I certainly will!"

With that, he hoisted the Seven Treasures Spiritual Fan onto his shoulder and quickly departed.

Watching Li Yundong’s retreating figure, Dorje Tenzin couldn't help but sigh. "This young man possesses such profound cultivation. The Central Plains truly is a place where dragons and tigers hide. No wonder the Han people have maintained their prosperity for a thousand years!"

Dorje Tenzin couldn't help but recall Li Yundong’s composure while facing three opponents at once—especially that move that could only be described as divine inspiration: the slight retreat, the effortless toss of the treasure fan, freeing his hands to deliver the Dàshǒu Yìnyìn. It was a maneuver that simultaneously defended and attacked, blending offense and defense flawlessly!

He seamlessly merged the physical techniques of an external martial art with the profound power of a secret cultivation method, turning the tide in a moment to achieve victory against superior numbers. The raw talent and brilliance displayed left one filled with both respect and awe!

Dorje Tenzin mused: This Master Li has just reached the Foundation Establishment stage, yet when first encountering such powerful foes, he already displayed the composed bearing of a Grandmaster, standing firm amidst crisis. Given time, he is destined to become an extraordinary Grandmaster, a true Artistic Master!