Chapter 144: Patron, what are you going to do?

"Ergouzi, haven't you always wanted to drive a big truck? Today, I'll give you that chance," Li Xiaobai said.

"Woof, really?"

Ergouzi immediately perked up, having long yearned to drive a big truck.

"Of course. In a moment, you all get on the truck and let Ergouzi drive you away. I'll come find you afterwards," Li Xiaobai continued.

"Cackle, kid, I want to drive too!" Ji Wuqing was dissatisfied.

"Master Li, what are you planning to do?"

Little Monk Liaowang looked at Li Xiaobai with a wary face, a bad premonition welling up in his heart.

"Heh heh, nothing much, just worried about you getting hurt,"

Li Xiaobai said with a grin.

Without a word, Ergouzi leaped into the truck, settling into the driver's seat he had coveted for so long, with a dopey and drooling smile plastered on his face.

"Then this little woman will await the gentleman's good news," Ouyang Shuanger said as she pulled the car door and entered the passenger seat.

"Woof, baldy, get in the car quick!"

Ergouzi barked at Monk Liaowang, who was still standing there in a daze, clearly unimpressed.

"This... I need to figure out what Master Li really wants to do. If it leads to more killing, then I would be a sinner," Monk Liaowang said.

"Cackle, little baldy, there's no time to explain! Get in the car quickly!"

Ji Wuqing urged, not caring about Li Xiaobai's intentions. It just wanted to revel in the joy of driving, and although it couldn't reach the steering wheel, it could press the gas pedal!

"I'd better not get in the car. You go ahead. I need to keep an eye on Master Li to prevent him from killing again,"

Liaowang hesitated for a moment, shook his head slightly, and walked towards Li Xiaobai.

"Damn it, stubborn baldy wasting Lord Ergouzi's time. Break the chicken out, stomp the gas, let's go!"

"Cackle, Ergouzi, forward, forward!"

The big truck spun around on the spot before charging down the mountain. The engine roared and it disappeared in an instant.

Arriving at Li Xiaobai's side, Liaowang resumed his chatter, "Master Li, do not entertain thoughts of killing. Killing out of greed will result in karmic obstacles."

Li Xiaobai scoffed, "Look, those people ahead are killing out of greed right now. They're surrounding the poisoned Wang Mang, waiting for the poison to take effect so they can kill him and take his treasures. If I erase them, I would be ridding the world of some calamities."

"Amitabha, Master Li must not act in such a manner. Throughout our journey, I have observed that you possess wisdom and should not commit senseless killings. As for these people, I will go and persuade them, there won't be any deaths."

Liaowang chanted a Buddha's name and walked into the crowd.

At that moment, the many cultivators were highly focused. Wang Mang had suffered no less than ten palms to his body, and with poison infiltrating his system, it was only a matter of time before it would take effect. When it did and he showed signs of weakening, it would be time for the crowd to kill and loot.

Wang Mang, realizing his predicament, spoke gravely, "Fellow cultivators, I am Wang Mang of the Giant Spirit Sect, a cultivator of the Giant Spirit Clan. If you show me kindness today and let me go, whoever travels to Central Province in the future will be a friend of the Giant Spirit Clan!"

"Easy to say. Just hand over the Fire Lotus in your possession, and we promise not to trouble you,"

a lean cultivator with a fan in his hand spoke up, looking quite scholarly.

"It's Yang Guang from the Hehuan Sect!"

"A Divinity Transformation Stage expert, well-known on the rankings!"

"This place is truly filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. One wonders what other experts are lurking unseen. Today has been quite the gathering of young talents,"

Overhearing the discussions of the surrounding cultivators, Li Xiaobai continued to scrutinize the list of ranks on the small Token, looking for Yang Guang.

Human Rankings.

Rank 2340: Grass Above the Wilds Yang Guang.

This ranking was not much different from Wang Mang's, but the nickname was a bit dull and lacked uniqueness. Compared to other geniuses, it wasn't very eye-catching.

"Amitabha, where one can give mercy, one should spare people. Everyone, could you please give this young monk a bit of face?"

Little Monk Liaowang slowly walked into the crowd and administered a Healing Pill to Wang Mang, temporarily suppressing the poison within Wang Mang's body.

"Many thanks, Master!"

Wang Mang's face lit up with joy, as it seemed he had encountered a distinguished disciple of the Buddhist Sect. It looked like he might be saved today.

The surrounding cultivators showed a change in expression upon seeing this scene.

"Where did this baldy come from, meddling in others' affairs? Scram immediately!"

"Exactly, this Bald Donkey must be in league with Wang Mang, trying to save him and then split the loot!"

"Right, this baldy intervening at such a time must have an ulterior motive. Brothers, let's take him down!"

The cultivators were very irritable. Out of nowhere, a little monk had appeared and even given Wang Mang Healing Pills. If Wang Mang were to regain his strength, they wouldn't be able to take him down so easily.

At the side, Yang Guang's expression was grim. A Soul Summoning Banner in his hand grew wildly against the wind and swept ferociously towards Wang Mang. He wanted to send Wang Mang out of the fight first, to obtain the Fire Lotus in his possession.

Seeing this, the other cultivators did not want to be outdone and launched their attacks towards Wang Mang.

Their best opportunity to attack had been ruined, and anger was brewing inside each of them, making their blows a few degrees heavier unconsciously.

"Amitabha, respected cultivators, please stop your hands. Do not commit senseless killings," implored Liaowang, with his hands clasped together. A giant golden bell manifested in the void, enveloping him and Wang Mang, blocking all the attacks from the surrounding cultivators.

Wang Mang was overjoyed and thanked Liaowang profusely, overwhelmed with gratitude.

The surrounding cultivators' expressions changed. "This monk is not ordinary, that's the Golden Bell Shield!"

"This monk's cultivation level is unfathomable. The Golden Bell Shield actually withstood all our attacks."

"That Golden Bell is engraved with at least hundreds of Buddhist scriptures. This person's mastery of Buddhist Law is not merely profound!"

"So what if it is? Today we shall experience the skill of the Buddhist Sect's distinguished disciple!"

"Indeed, Wang Mang must die today. That Fire Lotus, it must be left behind!"

A fierce look flashed in the eyes of many cultivators as they once again charged en masse towards the Golden Bell Shield.

However, this time, the cultivators were almost brushing against it before swiftly moving away. Attacking the Golden Bell Shield was merely a feint; as everyone approached the shield, many cultivators suddenly turned on those beside them with deadly attacks.

The slower-reacting cultivators did not have time to respond and were directly knocked off the cliff, falling into the lava below and dissipating into a wisp of blue smoke.

"This..."

Liaowang was shocked, unable to comprehend the scene before his eyes.

"Hahaha, those who have gathered here are renowned masters on the leaderboard. By killing you, my ranking will climb even higher!"

"Incredible, I've actually killed Huang Li. He was ranked in the top 3000!"

"Thanks to this little monk's Golden Bell Shield, that Liu Yan was directly ejected from the cliff by the rebound force of the shield. My ranking has risen!"

"Me too..."

Many cultivators were immersed in the joy of their rising ranks, not noticing that the young man who had been standing behind the crowd had now disappeared...