"That Zhou Xuan, was struck by the Bodhisattva’s White Hairs."

The Hulu Taoist, being closer to Zhou Xuan, saw more clearly. He noticed a protruding "white hair" emerging from Zhou Xuan’s abdomen,

which was quite similar in shape to the strand snipped from the horsetail whisk by the incense fire Taoist amidst the countless White Hairs filling the sky. It was understandable for the Hulu Taoist to have made a mistake,

yet the Medicine Buddha exhibited a trace of doubt in her expression: "Was it my White Hairs that struck Zhou Xuan?"

She felt not the slightest sense of it,

but regardless, the troublesome Zhou Xuan had fallen, leading the others to rally together to kill him. This scourge must not be left alive.

"White Hairs, ensnare Zhou Xuan."

The Medicine Buddha immediately guided the remaining White Hairs to converge towards Zhou Xuan’s Divine Soul.

Zhou Xuan lay on the ground, feeling as if a massive Fire Pit had been set up inside his body,

with extreme temperatures within the pit threatening to dry out every drop of moisture from his flesh and blood.

"White hair, white hair!"

Zhou Xuan glanced down at his heart socket, where a piece of white strand protruded externally, writhing chaotically—this white strand had shot through his back, piercing through his entire body.

He grasped the white strand fiercely, trying to yank it out, but it seemed rooted within his body. The very act of pulling it caused his Divine Soul to become unstable.

Sensing the threat of death, Zhou Xuan immediately abandoned the attempt to pull out the White Hairs, struggling instead to stabilize his Divine Soul and burrow it back into his body.

His Divine Soul had barely returned to position when Zhou Xuan realized his body was no longer under his control, rendered agonizingly stiff with feet as heavy as lead, immobile even by an inch.

"Someone is scheming in the dark,"

Zhou Xuan thought to himself.

Having just exchanged blows with the Tun Jia Taishang and the Buddha Country Three Forms, he knew they possessed no such ability to anchor a person’s Divine Soul.

"It’s that Fake Incense Fire Taoist... he’s made his move."

A multitude of thoughts flashed through Zhou Xuan’s mind as the myriad White Hairs closed in on him.

Escaping now was futile.

He looked up at the stage above, that sanctified eye, in its gaze, he glimpsed his own reflection and saw a glimmer of new hope.

In that moment, the sense of impending doom dissipated.

"I am this stage, as long as the stage withstands, I shall not perish."

Just as this thought arose, the White Hairs descended upon him,

countless strands of White Hairs pierced into Zhou Xuan’s flesh, igniting an excruciating pain.

This pain was akin to having countless fine needles penetrating his body,

scattered chaotically within him, rendering him immobile. Even the slightest movement, a mere twitch of a finger, caused a subtle muscular pull, further provoking the relentless pricks from the needles.

He gritted his teeth, not letting out a single cry of pain,

this stubborn resilience even earning a modicum of respect from the Medicine Buddha,

"Enduring the heart-pricking White Hairs, without uttering a word of pain, just this endurance alone commands our admiration."

The Medicine Buddha’s Golden Body approached Zhou Xuan.

"Raise the sword."

The Hulu Taoist let out a clear whistle, directing his Flying Sword to soar over, aiming to sever Zhou Xuan’s head.

"Cease the sword."

The Medicine Buddha’s Golden Body swung its Golden Alms Bowl, deflecting the Flying Sword.

"Bodhisattva, why do you impede me?"

The Hulu Taoist had finally seized the opportunity—Zhou Xuan, rendered immobile, was under the White Hairs’ control, the perfect moment for avenging old grievances. He couldn’t comprehend why the Medicine Buddha obstructed the sword strike.

The Medicine Buddha glanced at the stage, at the countless pairs of audience eyes, coldly stating, "Mr. of Mingjiang Prefecture, in the eyes of these townsfolk, is a Bright Moon, a true hero,

as a hero, he should die like one. Being slain with a single sword swing, what sense does that make?"

"Bodhisattva, I reckon it’s better to swiftly end him, lest prolonged dreams invite trouble."

"Sometimes, having a dream, whether sweet or a nightmare, is a good thing."

The Medicine Buddha spoke, then emitted a whistle,

the White Hairs within Zhou Xuan’s body surged wildly,

and at that moment, the Bodhisattva’s Golden Body turned the Golden Alms Bowl upside down, drawing those White Hairs along with Zhou Xuan’s body into it.

As such, the celestial Golden Alms Bowl became a gigantic boulder suspended in the air, with the wildly growing White Hairs serving as cold Anchor Hooks, securing Zhou Xuan’s body and hoisting him up.

"Hulu Taishang, lend me your Flying Sword."

The Medicine Buddha extended a hand to the Hulu Taoist.

"If the Bodhisattva wishes to use it, naturally, I must lend it."

The Hulu Taoist’s face twitched slightly; reluctance was evident, yet he had future ambitions beneath the Buddha Country’s rule, reliant on the Medicine Buddha’s favour. Refusal wasn’t an option.

The Flying Sword landed in the Medicine Buddha’s hand, and she approached the suspended Zhou Xuan, extending her hand.

Her snow-white hand gently caressed Zhou Xuan’s cheek, as she said, "Mr., you’ve finally met your fate."

"What law have I abided?"

"The Supreme Buddhism of the Buddha Country."

Speaking with the air of a victor, the Medicine Buddha then turned to the audience, "People of Mingjiang Prefecture, I know Zhou Xuan is your heart’s faith, your unparalleled war god,

it seems with him around, there’s nothing Mingjiang couldn’t accomplish."

"He gave you hope, whereas I am here to shatter that hope into dust."

The Medicine Buddha hefted the Flying Sword in hand, and with a smile, said, "I will slice your Mr.’s flesh off piece by piece."