The Demon with Holy Radiance

Yang An followed Liu Feifei—or more accurately, the Forbidden Calamity-controlled Liu Feifei—into Nirvana City.

The place was indeed well-protected by Forbidden Calamity. The city had suffered little damage, and though it was filled with refugees, they appeared to be largely unharmed.

As Liu Feifei, drawn forward by the Bronze Cauldron, led the way, many refugees along the road stopped to bow, respectfully calling her by the title of Bodhisattva.

It seemed the title of "Bodhisattva" was not misplaced. Forbidden Calamity had once been a Bodhisattva of the Great Virtue Temple; it was just unclear what had happened to reduce him to his current state.

The pair passed through many parts of the city before finally entering a temple.

This was once the temple from which the Great Virtue Temple governed Nirvana City. The Glazed Tower was not far away, but now, no one from the Great Virtue Temple could be seen in the city.

Many Loose Cultivators stood guard around the temple. They had all been drawn by the reputation of the Tripod Bodhisattva to help resist the Demon Fiends.

If Forbidden Calamity hadn’t provided them protection, these people would have struggled to amount to anything. Outside the city, they would have been targeted by Demon Fiends, which was why they held Forbidden Calamity in such high regard and volunteered to guard the temple.

After temporarily dismissing everyone, Forbidden Calamity led Yang An into the main hall of the tranquil temple.

The furnishings inside the hall were dilapidated, exuding an ancient aura. The air held the faint scent of burnt incense, or perhaps some kind of sandalwood.

In the very center stood a statue of the Great Buddha. Its golden body was tarnished with black, fog-like patterns of oxidation, making it look anything but solemn. With Liu Feifei standing before it, the scene was made all the more bizarre.

"I once promised to gift you, Benefactor, the Seven-Colored Dust required to cultivate the Jade Kala Vajra Body. I have been awaiting your arrival, and today you have finally come. I should have been able to hand over the items and fulfill my promise.

However..."

As Forbidden Calamity spoke, his tone suddenly shifted.

Hearing this, Yang An immediately had a bad feeling.

"The items were originally in the Great Virtue Temple, and I have been waiting for someone to bring them out. But now, with the Golden Thread Pavilion at war with the Great Virtue Temple, the items cannot be brought out. Thus, I am temporarily unable to fulfill my promise."

"So, Master, what was the purpose of having me follow you here?"

Yang An asked.

’Since he can’t produce what I want, why did he bring me to Nirvana City? This Forbidden Calamity fellow obviously has something to tell me, I just don’t know what he’s plotting.’

Yang An could have just left. Fortunately, back at Earth Demon Cliff, he hadn’t pinned all his hopes on Forbidden Calamity. If he had waited for him to deliver the Seven-Colored Dust, he would have long since turned to dust himself.

However, he was currently in the Treasure Temple Domain, which was relatively safe for the time being. He didn’t have any leads on his own breakthrough yet, and the Seven-Colored Dust represented a way to rapidly increase his combat strength. So, he decided to see what Forbidden Calamity wanted.

"You speak truly, Benefactor. I do indeed have a favor to ask. I wish for you to help me retrieve someone from the Great Virtue Temple."

The large mouth on Liu Feifei’s fair belly opened and closed continuously, making one worry that her internal organs might spill out at any moment.

"Don’t tell me, Master... the Seven-Colored Dust is in that person’s possession, isn’t it?"

"Benefactor, you are perceptive and speak truly. If you can successfully bring this person out, then in addition to the previously promised Seven-Colored Dust, I will also be sure to return the favor should you ever require my assistance."

"I refuse!"

Yang An replied almost instantly, without a hint of hesitation.

Although Liu Feifei’s stomach only had a mouth, it couldn’t hide Forbidden Calamity’s astonishment. He hadn’t expected Yang An to refuse so decisively.

’Are you kidding me? Right now, the Golden Thread Pavilion and the Great Virtue Temple are locked in a life-or-death struggle. Even the other Three Domains are secretly getting involved, all under the guise of helping the Treasure Temple Domain achieve unification.’

’Going to a place like the Great Virtue Temple at a time like this? Am I tired of living?’

Although with his current Cultivation Level and strength, he was capable of protecting himself as long as a Cultivator on Non-Birth’s level didn’t intervene.

But that didn’t change the fact that he was a double traitor to both the Golden Thread Pavilion and the Great Virtue Temple.

If he were discovered by people from either the Golden Thread Pavilion or the Great Virtue Temple, he could easily imagine facing dire consequences.

’When you look at it that way, my own life is far more important than the Seven-Colored Dust.’

’It’s no use getting something if you’re not alive to use it.’

Unless he could break through to the Insect Dao, he absolutely did not want to meddle in the affairs of the Treasure Temple Domain at a time like this and invite disaster.

’Jumping in without the necessary strength would just make me a fool asking for trouble.’

"Benefactor, are you certain you won’t reconsider? With my help, there may be some turbulence along the way, but you will surely be safe."

Forbidden Calamity seemed very confident about this matter.

"The person I want you to retrieve, Benefactor, is a hidden operative I planted inside the Great Virtue Temple long ago. As long as you cooperate and we coordinate our efforts—one on the inside, one on the outside—they won’t notice anything amidst the current chaos at the Temple."

’A hidden operative?’

Forbidden Calamity had revealed a part of his secrets to Yang An, which showed his sincerity.

But Yang An still shook his head resolutely, determined not to get involved at this time.

"Master, don’t try to persuade me further. This is certainly not a good time. Why not wait a while longer?"

’Once I break through to the Insect Dao, maybe then I can agree to Forbidden Calamity’s request.’