The news of Chen Yuan's departure was known only to a select few close to him, while outsiders remained almost completely unaware. Su Ziyue, Jiang He, and the others also did their best to conceal it.

It would be difficult for anyone to notice in the short term.

Chen Yuan, meanwhile, was traveling towards the Western Regions at almost the fastest possible speed. Little did he know that Xiang Qianqiu's other scheme against him was already in the works.

Passing through Lanzhou, Chen Yuan witnessed the Heavenly Demon Palace engaged in battle with the Thirty-Six Kingdoms allied forces of Buddhism. Major battles occurred almost daily, leading to significant attrition.

Of course, such immense attrition could not possibly be sustained by the Heavenly Demon Palace alone, simply because of a promise Chen Yuan had made. The portion of the army left behind by the Xiang family had been given to the Heavenly Demon Palace by Chen Yuan.

These people's lives were used to block the Buddhist forces advancing eastward.

He did not interfere, but after quietly watching a major battle with Moro, he quietly left.

Moro was indeed a native of the Western Regions. Through his explanations, Chen Yuan gained a deeper understanding of the unseen Luli Kingdom.

Before this, he had basically only heard the name of Luli Kingdom and had no interest in learning about a small country in the Western Regions. It was only because of this opportunity, or he still wouldn't pay attention to it.

In the Western Regions, Buddhism was the only true power.

They were true gods, the faith of all people in the Western Regions. From top to bottom, almost all nobles believed in the True Buddha within Spirit Mountain.

Spirit Mountain could even arbitrarily change the selection of national leaders.

Buddhism constantly proclaimed equality for all beings and compassion, but in reality, it divided people into different classes. The upper class were always the upper class.

And the lower class were always the lower class.

To prevent the lower classes from resisting, many Buddhist doctrines in the Western Regions taught ordinary people not to resist, how much suffering they endured in this life.

In the next life, they would enjoy equal bliss.

Suffering in this life was because their past sins were too deep. Once the sins were cleansed, they would be reborn as members of the upper class in the next life.

Under years and years of teaching, the people of the Western Regions had long forgotten how to pick up swords and spears. Cultivation was also exclusive to the nobles.

Moro had once felt that such doctrines were somewhat wrong, but he couldn't quite explain it. He wanted to change it, but he was powerless. Finally, after discovering the secrets of the Immortal Realm.

He was branded as a heretic, an enemy of all Buddhists.

Moro spoke very calmly, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him. But Chen Yuan felt a repressed anger.

Indeed, for the upper class, such doctrines were most appropriate. Therefore, the nobles of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms would always remain faithful to Buddhism.

But for a country, a nation, it was undoubtedly a blade severing their spirit.

Although Chen Yuan's impression of Buddhism was already bad, when Moro spoke about the Buddhist doctrines of the Western Regions, he clearly felt even more disgusted. Because he was not a born strongman, but had climbed up from the weak step by step.

If such doctrines truly took root in the Central Plains, how could someone like him rise up?

The evil of ordinary people was apparent on the surface, while the evil of Buddhism in the Western Regions was deeply ingrained. Perhaps Buddhism was also aware of this. Therefore, the doctrines it spread in the Central Plains were completely different from those in the Western Regions.

And after a little thought, it became clear. Because the thirteen states of the Central Plains were not yet Buddhist territory, and many sects were repelling Buddhism.

If they started by spreading such ideas.....

The imperial court might agree, but some people in the middle and upper classes would definitely resist with all their might.....

The Western Regions were vast, full of legends.

The combined territories of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions were definitely half the size of the Central Plains, but they were not as fertile as the Central Plains, and the population was sparse and resources were scarce.

The limited resources were also supplied to the royal family and Spirit Mountain.

Of course, Moro also told Chen Yuan that Buddhism was not static. In fact, Buddhism was constantly absorbing fresh blood in order to maintain its vast power.

The temples throughout the Western Regions were places for Spirit Mountain to select geniuses. When children reached a certain age, their bones would be examined by the experts in those temples.

Those who met the standards would be sent to the kingdoms, where another batch would be selected before being sent to Spirit Mountain.

Moro had once entered Buddhist cultivation in this way.

He liked some of the Buddhist doctrines, longing for true equality for all and hoping that Buddhism would be compassionate. Unfortunately, the truth he ultimately learned gave rise to his demonic form.

This was also the first time Moro had told Chen Yuan about his past.

Ordinary...yet real.

Chen Yuan keenly noticed that the current Moro seemed more real, not as compassionate as the Buddhist form, nor as evil as the demonic form, but more like his original self.

He....

Was gradually returning to his true self.

......

......

The capital of Luli Kingdom, Western Regions.

Traveling from Qingzhou to the Western Regions, Chen Yuan and Moro had spent some time on the road in Lanzhou, but they had hardly stopped, crossing the desert.

They arrived at the oasis, taking a total of three days.

It was indeed as Moro had said, the polarization was very serious. The nobles were gorgeously dressed, often wielding whips to lash civilians, while the civilians were submissive and dared not resist.

He clearly saw anger in the eyes of some people, but it was quickly suppressed, and they silently endured the beatings.

In a restaurant, Chen Yuan and Moro sat facing each other, quietly watching the scene below. Suddenly, a figure resembling a suffering ascetic caught their eye.

He took three steps and knelt once, taking five steps and kowtowing. A huge callus had formed on his forehead from constant kowtowing, making his head look very strange.

"What is he doing?"

Chen Yuan asked Moro beside him.

"In the Western Regions, there is an unwritten rule."

"What rule?"

"If an elder in the family is bedridden, one must travel barefoot all the way to Spirit Mountain to kowtow and pray for peace. Otherwise....it is considered unfilial to one's parents and disrespectful to Buddhism, and one will not receive the blessings of the Buddha in the next life."

"The parents are lying in bed, and instead of calling for a doctor, they go to Spirit Mountain to kowtow? What's the use?"

Parents are living Buddhas, why travel thousands of miles to worship Spirit Mountain?

Chen Yuan frowned.

"Passed down for thousands of years, such rules have long been deeply ingrained in people's hearts."

"Does everyone do this?"

"There are those who are unwilling."

"What happens to them?"

"If someone reports it to the government, they will be arrested."

"Heh..."

After listening, Chen Yuan shook his head slightly and chuckled softly.

"What do you think?"

Moro looked at the scene below as if it were normal, then turned his gaze to Chen Yuan, seemingly wanting to ask his opinion.

Chen Yuan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and slowly said:

"These people must have accumulated anger in their hearts, but they don't dare to express it because of the power of Buddhism and the government."

"So, what should you do?"

Moro asked again.

Chen Yuan was stunned:

"Help them?"

"No, you can help one person, but you can't help everyone. After we leave, the people you help will only be subjected to even harsher punishments.

Think again....."

"Think...." Chen Yuan frowned tightly. He knew that Moro would not speak without purpose. If he said such a thing, it must have some intention.

He thought for a long time, and suddenly a flash of inspiration came to his mind. He said in a deep voice:

"These oppressed people are like dry firewood. When a spark is ignited, it will start a raging fire, until...it completely burns down Buddhism?"

"Benefactor, you are wise."

Moro nodded with a smile, praising Chen Yuan's answer.

"But senior, aren't you thinking too ideally? Spirit Mountain is powerful. Relying on these people alone can't accomplish anything." Chen Yuan frowned and replied.

He knew some of the nature of the people. One person is a wolf, a group of people are sheep. How can a group of sheep overturn Buddhism?

Moreover, this is not an ordinary world, but a powerful Xuanhuan world. Not to mention the Buddha, even a Bodhisattva could easily suppress millions of civilians.

"These are just kindling, and we are the raging fire. When the flames truly burn, the kindling will be the last straw that breaks Buddhism.

Buddhism values incense. Although it cultivates martial arts, the more it progresses, the more it values the power of incense. When the incense is cut off, it will be a huge blow."

Moro smiled.

Recalling the current situation in the Western Regions that Moro had introduced to him along the way, a bold idea suddenly arose in Chen Yuan's mind, and he asked in a low voice:

"Senior, do you have any preparations in the Western Regions?"

"Heh..."

Moro nodded.

"Who is it?"

Chen Yuan asked in a deep voice.

He realized it belatedly.

Moro had not always been sealed in the Great Jin imperial palace. In the early days, he was able to separate his primordial spirit and travel between heaven and earth.

And how could someone who hated Buddhism only cultivate some potential geniuses in the Central Plains, and not make preparations in the Western Regions in advance?

It was just that Moro had always been very tight-lipped, so he hadn't thought of it.

Moro's strangeness in recent days, his detailed introduction of some of the practical conditions in the Western Regions, and his deliberate reminders, Chen Yuan quickly realized some of the problems.

"This matter cannot be said. You will have a chance to meet later."

Moro shook his head.

Some things were not good to make too clear.

"Then what can senior's preparations do?"

Chen Yuan asked again.

Moro was silent for a moment, and said:

"Originally, this humble monk was thinking of cooperating from the inside and outside, attacking Buddhism from both the Western Regions and the Central Plains, in order to weaken the power of Spirit Mountain. But you are growing too fast now.

Far exceeding some of this humble monk's previous expectations, so now this humble monk thinks it is possible to change it appropriately."

"Senior, please speak."

"This humble monk once secretly planned to establish a force. This force is now all over the Western Regions, and it is completely different from the doctrines of Spirit Mountain. It has been rooted in the Western Regions for a hundred years.

It's just that someone has been covering it up, so even now, the people of Spirit Mountain have not discovered it. What you lack most now is time. The Heavenly Demon Palace alone cannot stop Buddhism from advancing eastward.

Therefore, you must find a way to interrupt the momentum of Buddhism. This humble monk thinks it is possible to gradually reveal this hidden force.

To delay time and attract the attention of Spirit Mountain.

Compared to the Central Plains, the Western Regions are the largest foundation of Spirit Mountain. Buddha will never allow problems in the Western Regions, even if it is only a trace, he will pay great attention to it.

Not to mention that it can subvert the doctrines of Buddhism. In this way, it will greatly involve the energy of Spirit Mountain. With the Heavenly Demon Palace blocking it, it will be enough to stop Buddhism.

And you can take advantage of this time to quickly complete the unification of the Central Plains. Finally, gather the power of the Central Plains and advance westward to destroy Spirit Mountain!"

Moro said slowly, explaining his thoughts.

People's thoughts are constantly changing. Now that Chen Yuan's power has become established, he must naturally change his focus and put all his chips on him.

"Senior's words.... are worth a try!" Chen Yuan's eyes flashed with light, and he very much agreed with his idea.

This would indeed maximize the assurance of Buddhism's eastward advance.

As long as he had time, Chen Yuan firmly believed that he would catch up with all the enemies in front of him and kill those former enemies one by one.

If the Western Regions really caused some trouble for Buddhism, he would definitely be able to quickly swallow up most of the Central Plains. At that time, it would not be so easy for Buddhism to take action again.

Of course, it was also necessary to be vigilant against enemies from the Immortal Realm.

"Okay, since you agree, then this humble monk can ask people to prepare."

"Thank you, senior."

"Now, can you say what you came to the Western Regions for?" Moro looked at Chen Yuan with a smile. Before coming, the other party had hardly revealed any information to him.

"Go to the palace of Luli Kingdom to retrieve something that is related to my cultivation....." After weighing it, Chen Yuan told Moro part of the truth.

"Luli Kingdom... Capital..."

Moro's brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this, as if he had thought of something.

"Is there any trouble?"

Moro nodded: "The Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions are the branches that Spirit Mountain has sown. They seem to be nothing, but if something happens.

Spirit Mountain will be clear, because within each country, there are methods blessed by the Buddha."

"Is there a way to cover it up?"

Chen Yuan frowned. Although retrieving the Vermillion Bird's blood essence was very calm, retrieving the Azure Dragon Dragon Pearl had caused a great battle, and the movement was very loud.

Therefore, he could not be sure if there would be any problems with this trip.

And Spirit Mountain was only a few thousand miles away from here. If Spirit Mountain noticed any movement here, with the Buddha's means, it would descend here in half an hour.

That would be a big trouble, unless.... he asked Lu Chengfeng to take action again.

But in this way.... the trouble would only be greater.

Moro was silent for a moment, and then said:

"Buddha knows this humble monk's methods very well. I can't take action to cover it up. Once I do, he will only be more sensitive and discover it. Others must take action."

"Hmm?"

Moro looked outside, stretched out his hand and pointed a few times, as if he was planning something. After ten breaths, he said:

"Stay here for a few more days. This humble monk will find someone to help."

"Is it the one that senior was unwilling to reveal just now?"

"Not bad."

"Is there any risk?"

"Your matter is more important...."