Breaking the Precept

Jian Xiaolou couldn't help shedding a tear of sympathy for the phoenix.

Judging by how Night Wanderer had driven out the lake and river spirits to claim their territories, it was evident that this lazy dragon had no concept of moral integrity.

Moreover, growing up listening to tales of the harmonious pairing of dragons and phoenixes, Jian Xiaolou found it baffling that the Sea and Feather Tribes were mortal enemies, with the Dragon and Phoenix Clans being archenemies that preyed on each other. The idea of eating one another, with methods like frying, boiling, and roasting, sounded more like a nature documentary and sent chills down her spine.

She asked, "A-Ni, did Senior Night hunt the phoenix to take its Crimson Lotus Core?"

"Wow, Xiaolou, you're so clever! Almost catching up to me!" the eel exclaimed. "Our lair lord rarely gets curious about Crimson Lotus Cores, so we came all the way to the Eighth Cold Hell. When we found a tenth-tier phoenix undergoing nirvana, we got into a brawl! I knocked it down—pow! Pow pow!"

Jian Xiaolou wiped the sweat from her brow. "The Western Constellation isn't close to the Southern Constellation. How did you get here in just two months? Did Senior Night not get lost?"

"Barely! Our wise and mighty lair lord followed the suggestion of Sea Fang and first stole the Rodent Clan's sacred treasure, the Teleportation Mirror, beating their king half to death. Though it can't cross constellations, it makes traveling within one much faster! Plus, after learning to read, the lair lord finally figured out how to make up for his low IQ. He carries thousands of jade slips and maps with circles and crosses, marking his route step by step…"

The eel suddenly burst into cheers. "Aaaaaah! Well done, lair lord! The best in the world! A brilliant move!"

It seemed the phoenix named Su He had lost.

"So you wanted my Crimson Lotus Core." Apparently overhearing Jian Xiaolou's words, the phoenix's voice turned calm. "White dragon, you know how to 'sneak in,' but do you not understand that the Crimson Lotus is part of our life essence? As long as our essence survives, so does the lotus."

"I never intended to kill you."

The sound of crackling flames popped in the air. It seemed Night Wanderer, with the eel and phoenix in tow, was flying away from the Eighth Cold Hell.

They landed in a tranquil place where the faint sound of a waterfall echoed.

"If not to kill me, why capture me?"

"To study your Crimson Lotus Core."

"A core is a core. How does one study it?"

"If your core is extracted, your soul reincarnates, and the core transforms into a lotus to reincarnate alongside you, merging with someone else's soul. Beyond breaking barriers, repelling demons, and warding off evil, then what…" Night Wanderer paused for a moment and turned to ask, "Xiaolou, do you have any questions?"

Jian Xiaolou hesitated. "No."

"Are you joking? How could my life essence bond with someone else's soul upon reincarnation?"

Jian Xiaolou interjected, "But I'm living proof of it, Senior."

"Just because you can't doesn't mean other Buddhist phoenixes can't. You're only tenth-tier. If it were a golden-feathered phoenix under a Buddha Lord, how would you know it's impossible?"

The phoenix fell silent, then retorted angrily, "You captured me out of mere curiosity? Beasts truly are beasts—laughable, ignorant, and foolish!"

"Ignorant, perhaps. That's why I wish to know." Night Wanderer's tone remained indifferent. "But speaking of laughable and foolish, isn't it ironic for your immortal clan, which betrayed the demon path to serve humanity, to look down on me?"

"Exactly!" the eel chimed in. "Throwing your lot in with the Buddha Clan to become their lapdogs just to ensure safe nirvana in the Eighth Cold Hell—what a disgrace to the demon clan!"

"Hmph, the words of the unenlightened." Su He chuckled coldly. "My clan did not betray but transcended. Even if dragons and phoenixes are at the pinnacle of the demon path, demons remain demons, driven by instinct, unlike you beasts."

"I am a demon. What need have I for humanity?" Night Wanderer sounded perplexed.

"Of all lifeforms in the Six Paths, humanity's cultivation advances the fastest. Despite their initial inferiority, they now dominate the starfields. Why do you think that is?" Su He's tone grew colder. "The difference lies in the depth of their morality and the strength of their convictions. Ethics, desires, good and evil—these are challenges beyond the understanding of beasts."

Jian Xiaolou silently listened, marveling at the phoenix's sermon-like discourse. It reminded her of Zen Lingzi.

But Su He suddenly turned to her, "The one communicating with you—is he human? What do you believe to be your greatest virtue?"

Caught off guard, Jian Xiaolou frowned. "Virtue... does being good-looking count?"

The eel burst into laughter. "Xiaolou, you're shameless! Wahahaha!"

Grinning, she added, "People often say I'm resilient. Does that count?"

"It does. And your greatest flaw?"

"Flaw..." Jian Xiaolou pondered, her expression dimming. "There are quite a few. My so-called resilience was forced by circumstances. Normally, I rely on others too much, hoping for effortless success. I dream of discovering ancient treasures or receiving an inheritance from a legendary master. Maybe even having an old grandpa guide me on my journey..." She suddenly glanced at Night Wanderer. "Oh, Senior, I definitely don't mean riding you!"

Night Wanderer: "..."

Yet the treasure she did find nearly got her killed, bringing endless calamity in its wake.

As Jian Xiaolou continued to list her shortcomings, her tone grew darker. Deep down, she thought: Human nature is truly troubling.

To her surprise, the phoenix remarked, "Greed, obsession, hatred—these are human nature. Have you ever experienced such complexity, white dragon?"

Night Wanderer hesitated. "What use are such emotions?"

"They obscure the heart, yet overcoming them is the essence of cultivation." Su He sighed. "Without such obstacles, there would be nothing to transcend. This is why I call you ignorant."

Night Wanderer fell silent, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Jian Xiaolou felt a subtle shift within her. In her dantian, a faint whirlpool of spiritual energy began to form.

Could it be… she was about to establish her foundation?