The Liuli City was utterly silent, not a single sound to be heard. Countless powerful cultivators from the Buddhist states watched the Liuli Bodhisattva intently, awaiting his next decision.
Would it be war? Or peace?
Li Xiaotian's eyes flickered, a faint, almost imperceptible mockery crossing his lips.
This Liuli Bodhisattva was too hesitant. With such a personality, he wondered how he had achieved his current realm back then.
If you want to fight, fight. What's all the hesitation about?
He knew the other party's strength was superior to his own, not to mention the numerous powerful cultivators from the Buddhist states present. It could be said that the other party held the advantage.
If he, the weaker one, wasn't afraid, what was Liuli afraid of?!
"Amitabha, benefactor Li, Bodhisattva, could this humble monk interject for a moment?"
Just then, Asan suddenly appeared between the two, his face etched with bitterness.
He was the one who had experienced the most inner torment today. Earlier, his appearance was to prevent Li Xiaotian from going on a killing spree, which would have depleted the vital energy of the Buddhist cultivators in the Buddhist states.
And now, he was worried that Li Xiaotian would provoke the Liuli Bodhisattva, leading to him being besieged by the cultivators present.
Neither outcome was what he wished to see.
But he couldn't stand idly by and do nothing; it didn't align with his true nature.
"Buddha son, speak freely."
With Asan's appearance, the tense atmosphere was broken. The Liuli Bodhisattva looked at Asan and spoke, feeling a slight sense of relief.
Li Xiaotian on the other side was indifferent, but since Asan had spoken, he had to show some respect.
However, one person in the crowd was filled with resentment, and that was the Blissful Buddha Son. He had initially thought that the Liuli Bodhisattva was already enraged and would move to suppress Li Xiaotian.
But who would have thought that Asan would intervene at such a crucial moment? This filled him with fury, and he roared in his mind.
His desire to kill Li Xiaotian was stronger than anyone else's. If Li Xiaotian didn't die today, he would never have peace in the future.
"Benefactor Li, this humble monk dares to ask you a question. Besides killing the Blissful Buddha Son, is there any other way you would cease this matter?"
Asan spoke, sighing inwardly. He understood Li Xiaotian. The Blissful Buddha Son had run into Li Xiaotian and was truly unlucky.
At this moment, he could only try to find a way to save the Blissful Buddha Son and ensure his safe return to the Blissful Buddha Sect. As for the future enmity between him and Li Xiaotian, as long as the latter didn't deliberately seek death, Li Xiaotian wouldn't obsess over him.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiaotian raised an eyebrow. He had intended to refuse, but after a moment's thought, he calmed down.
He had not forgotten his primary objective for coming to the Buddhist states.
That was the Qingxin Mantra, the Qingxin Mantra of the Four Great Buddhist Sects, and even the Qingxin Mantra of Buddhism.
If he could exchange the Blissful Buddha Son's life for the Qingxin Mantra of the Blissful Buddha Sect, he thought it shouldn't be a problem.
However, he couldn't propose it immediately, as it would easily allow Asan and the Liuli Bodhisattva to guess his thoughts.
"Are you trying to plead for him? You should know me. Those I want to kill, none have ever survived."
Li Xiaotian's tone was icy, his eyes narrowed.
"Benefactor Li, the Blissful Buddha Son has a special identity. He cannot die, and no one present wishes to see him die. But this humble monk knows that your anger cannot be quelled if you don't kill him. Are you willing to spare his life in consideration of my past assistance to Great Qin against the demon race?"
Asan spoke, feeling a pang of guilt. He had never expected any reward when he helped Great Qin fight the demon race back then.
But now, to save the Blissful Buddha Son, he had no choice but to resort to this.
"Heh! Buddha son Asan, have you thought clearly? Using your favor to exchange for someone else's life brings you no benefit, and it seems they don't appreciate it."
Li Xiaotian taunted, his gaze glancing at the Blissful Buddha Son. He saw only hatred in the latter's eyes, and even a significant amount of resentment in his gaze towards Asan and the Liuli Bodhisattva.
It could be said that the Blissful Buddha Son would not appreciate Asan using his and Great Qin's favor to save him, and would instead harbor great hatred towards Asan.
Li Xiaotian shook his head. Fine, if Asan was willing, he didn't need to worry too much. Besides, he had already given Asan enough face. He then spoke.
"Asan, it's not that I don't give you face. Apart from those not from the Blissful Buddha Sect, I didn't kill anyone. I've already given you face, and it counts as repaying the favor Great Qin owes you."
"But if you still want to use your favor to exchange for this fool's life, it's not enough!"
After Li Xiaotian finished speaking, a hint of apology flashed across Asan's face. He was not foolish and knew that Li Xiaotian's words were not false.
The Liuli Bodhisattva beside him also had a sudden glint in his eyes. He sensed something else from Li Xiaotian's words.
Not enough! This meant there was another way to make Li Xiaotian give up his intention to kill the Blissful Buddha Son.
Thinking of this, the Liuli Bodhisattva looked at Li Xiaotian and said,
"Benefactor Li, what must we pay to have you spare the Blissful Buddha Son?"
At this moment, the Blissful Buddha Son's eyes were red with unwillingness. The Liuli Bodhisattva's attitude clearly showed that he did not intend to attack Li Xiaotian.
How could this be? In his opinion, as long as the Liuli Bodhisattva was willing, Li Xiaotian would surely die. There was no need to negotiate with Li Xiaotian to exchange for him not killing him.
Unfortunately, he couldn't speak at this moment. Even if he did, it wouldn't influence the Liuli Bodhisattva's decision.
After all, this was the Medicine Master Buddha Sect, not their Blissful Buddha Sect. The Liuli Bodhisattva had no reason to incur enmity with Li Xiaotian for him.
Li Xiaotian's eyes flickered as he looked at the Liuli Bodhisattva. This was indeed an insightful person. He then said,
"If you want to exchange for this fool's life, it's not impossible. It's just a pity that there is nothing in your Buddhist states that can move me."
"Heavenly treasures and earthly materials? I don't lack these. If I want them, I can simply seize them."
"Buddhist cultivation techniques? I'm sorry, I'm not interested in Buddhist dharma. Moreover, you should know that I am the successor of the Demon Lord. To put it arrogantly, there are few cultivation techniques in this world that can surpass demonic arts, so I don't lack cultivation techniques either."
Li Xiaotian spoke casually. He wanted the Qingxin Mantra, but he couldn't bring it up directly. He had to make these people from the Buddhist states offer it themselves.
He wanted the Liuli Bodhisattva and Asan to feel that he lacked nothing and needed nothing.
Only then, if they wanted to save the Blissful Buddha Son, would they find a way to offer something more precious in exchange.
As expected, after Li Xiaotian finished speaking, the Liuli Bodhisattva and Asan both frowned slightly, looking troubled.
Li Xiaotian was right. If they wanted to exchange for the Blissful Buddha Son, what could they offer to impress him?
If what they offered was too little, Li Xiaotian might feel insulted, and the effect would be counterproductive.
But if it was too much, they would feel reluctant, as the Blissful Buddha Son was not a member of their own Buddhist sect. To pay too much for an outsider was simply not worthwhile.
This made them somewhat troubled. They had initially thought Li Xiaotian would state his price directly, even if it was exorbitant. At least they would have a chance to negotiate with him.
But who would have thought Li Xiaotian wanted nothing?
"Benefactor Li, our Medicine Master Buddha Sect possesses hundreds of types of healing and strengthening elixirs. If possible, you may choose some elixirs."
The Liuli Bodhisattva spoke. The Medicine Master Buddha Sect's specialty was refining elixirs. In all the Nine Provinces of the world, few forces surpassed the Medicine Master Buddha Sect in alchemy.
The Liuli Bodhisattva's offer was a sign of his sincerity. After all, the elixirs from the Medicine Master Buddha Sect were highly sought after in the outside world.
By offering hundreds of types for Li Xiaotian to choose from, he was essentially showing Li Xiaotian great respect.