Venerable Mingjue didn't mind the sarcasm hidden in Su Wei's words and calmly responded, "The talent of the foreign tribe's leader surpasses mine, and I admit my defeat in that battle years ago. It left behind an incurable illness that persists to this day. I have been sitting in seclusion at the mountain gate for over twenty years. If it weren't for occasional gains, I wouldn't dare to step out and embarrass myself. I am not so incompetent as to trouble a child.
However, Su Shizhu's young disciple, Tan Yue, has a natural demonic embryo. To prevent harm to sentient beings, I had no choice but to invite him back to Qingliang Mountain, hoping to use Buddhist teachings to resolve his demonic nature. Chen Master is a true genius, surpassing even the foreign tribe's leader of the same age back then. I don't dare to hope for victory, but I simply wish to buy some time for the fellow disciples and secure a path for them."
"Venerable, you truly are a benevolent and patient monk. After suffering such severe injuries under the foreign tribe's leader in the past, you can still join forces with them and invade our sect's holy land," Zhang Tianheng sneered.
Su Wei glanced at him and silently nodded. Although Zhang Tianheng's words seemed mocking and disrespectful, he was actually testing the other side. Besides Left Venerate Xiu Zhe and his followers, how many skilled individuals from the foreign tribe had come south? Especially, whether or not the foreign tribe's leader had made an appearance?
Venerable Mingjue seemed unaware of the trap in Zhang Tianheng's words and answered quite frankly, "The Black Emperor's arrival is his personal decision, as he came for a personal grudge with Chen Master."
Su Wei's gaze flickered, and he said, "Venerable, as a monk, please refrain from telling lies. The Black Emperor was defeated by our sect's leader and fled for his life. He was only able to survive because 'Windwolf,' the fourth-ranked member of the Twelve Flying Generals under the Blade Emperor's command, came to his rescue."
Venerable Mingjue replied, "To my knowledge, Windwolf and the Black Emperor share a long-standing friendship. Perhaps he came out of friendship."
"Windwolf" Lebu grew up together with the foreign tribe's leader and Left Venerate Xiu Zhe. It wasn't much of a secret, and the Demon Sect had heard about it as well. However, the sick Mahamoha on the opposite side answered every question without hesitation, appearing honest and making it difficult for the people of the Demon Sect to judge the truth in his words.
"Venerable, you are compassionate and caring, concerned for the heavens and all beings. You insist on saving this child, but I can't help but wonder why you have never gone to save the Black Emperor," Su Wei asked calmly.
Venerable Mingjue replied, "Su Shizhu feels discontented in his heart, thinking that our temple takes advantage of the weak and fears the strong. However, Shizhu is the head of the Xuanwu Hall of the Demon Sect. If our temple were to save and convert the young lord with demonic nature, it would surely be more difficult than provoking the Black Emperor, even more so."
Those who seek are merely seeking opportunities. Joining forces with the Black Emperor is not Venerable Mingjue's original intention, but opportunities are rare. If this opportunity is missed, there may not be another chance when the Black Emperor, the Sword Emperor, and the Summer Emperor all come south together, with the absence of the Three Emperors. However, man proposes, and God disposes. It seems that Chen Master's participation in the battle with the Sword Emperor has had some impact but no significant harm. It's a pity that once the bow is drawn, there's no turning back the arrow. We can only do our best and sacrifice ourselves for the path. When the demonic star descends, my fellow disciples and I cannot turn a blind eye. As the Buddha said, if I don't enter hell, who will? When there is no other choice, I will abandon this foul skin."
"Venerable, you have great insight," Su Wei sneered. "But don't forget, your Qingliang Temple is directly facing the threat of the foreign tribe. If you sacrifice yourselves within our sect's holy land, our sect won't need to hold you accountable. Your Qingliang Temple's foundation will be at risk."
Venerable Mingjue replied calmly, "That will depend on the preparations of Shizhu Tao and Shizhu Li."
Tao Wangji.
Li Yuanlong.
"In addition, even with Windwolf's assistance, it's uncertain whether the Black Emperor can return safely to the Northern Wasteland," Venerable Mingjue said.
Zhang Tianheng raised an eyebrow and said, "Venerable, you are truly despicable and straightforward, open and honest..."
"Tianheng."
At this moment, Chen Luoyang's voice came from the hall.
Zhang Tianheng and Su Wei both fell silent.
Venerable Mingjue, enveloped in the Buddha's radiance, whispered a Buddhist chant.
He was willing to continue arguing with the other side, but evidently, the Demon Sect's leader had no intention of giving him that opportunity.
Ultimately, they would have to reveal their true abilities.
"I have overestimated myself. Please enlighten me, Chen Master," Venerable Mingjue's voice gradually became low and obscure.
Meanwhile, the resounding chants of the Buddha, the sounds of bells and drums, became even louder, almost deafening.
But such a clamor did not disturb one's mind, but instead brought about a greater sense of peace and tranquility.
So tranquil that one became immersed in it and unable to extricate oneself.
In the empty expanse of the mind, no other thoughts could arise.
Even Su Wei, who was in the Martial Ancestor realm, felt a slight dizziness, despite having Zhang Tianheng's assistance.
The impact on people with lower cultivation levels than him was even more intense. Before their eyes, the Six Dragon Imperial Carriage stood at the center, surrounded by a radius of several kilometers, all enveloped in a resplendent glassy Buddha light. Within the Buddha light, one could faintly see blooming lotus flowers and budding Bodhi trees. Countless floating pagodas emerged, standing tall in the mid-air. Each pagoda adorned with radiant relics, emanating a kaleidoscope of colors. Golden lamps floated above the pagodas, their flames burning brightly, illuminating the entire world in all directions. The sound of Vedic chants reverberated in people's ears, while the air seemed to carry the fragrance of sandalwood, bringing a profound sense of tranquility to their minds.
As the spectacle unfolded, above the Six Dragon Imperial Carriage, the presence of a Buddha became discernible, expounding teachings and sutras. This Buddha was not a mere illusion, but seemed almost palpable. The form of the Buddha grew larger and larger, expanding to a seemingly infinite size, permeating the heavens and earth. In contrast, the imperial carriage appeared increasingly minuscule, as tiny as a speck of dust.
The six dragon serpents initially roared restlessly, but their roars gradually subsided, replaced by a vacant and bewildered expression. Zhang Tianheng and Su Wei exchanged a glance, realizing the audacity of Bìng Móhē's reappearance. It turned out that he had truly found a way to tap into the power of the Thirteenth Realm, the realm of True Form. Although it was not the commonly understood power of an Emperor, it originated from a spiritual suppression. Yet, there was no doubt that its level of power surpassed that of a Martial King.
The Vedic chanting of the Qingliang Temple had always been a peerless skill in the Divine Land, an art that could almost be considered the foremost sound-killing technique. Now, after years of secluded cultivation and devoted study, Venerable Mingjue's mastery of Vedic chanting had reached a state where the illusory became real, transforming sound into a pure land of the Buddha. Despite the Burning Sea Six Melodies, a renowned and domineering sound-killing technique within the thirty-six secret transmissions of the Demon Sect, it inevitably paled in comparison to the Vedic chanting of their opponent. Even experts of the same realm in the demonic sect, relying on the Burning Sea Six Melodies, were unable to contend with such a pure land of sound...
Just as the two pondered this, they heard the voice of Chen Luoyang emanating from behind in the grand hall. "Bìng Móhē?" His tone was calm and undisturbed. "You are not sick; you are foolish."
As the words echoed, a resounding "thud" followed suit. The sound pierced through the serene and tranquil atmosphere of the pure land, grating on the ears. Immediately after, another "thud" resounded, like the clash of gold and iron. The air was saturated with an endless aura of slaughter and battle, causing both fear and excitement to surge within, as blood pulsed through their veins.
Inside the grand hall, Chen Luoyang sat high on his seat, composed and unperturbed. With his right hand, he tapped the armrest of the chair, one beat after another. "Thud... Thud... Thud..." The seemingly inconspicuous tapping sound now transformed into an invisible divine weapon, emanating from the Six Dragon Imperial Carriage, puncturing the pure land of Vedic chanting.
Currently, relying on the power of the Thirteenth Realm to counter the Vedic chanting, three moves might not be enough. But the things that the previous leader didn't know, I know now...
Chen Luoyang's eyelids drooped halfway. Within his pupils, the flickering darkness transformed into a deep golden hue.