My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult - Chapter 117

Chapter 117: Chapter 117 Turmoil Resurfaces after the New Year (Thanks to Alliance Hierarch Mu Feng m for the reward)

“That Jiang Ye….”

An Jing pondered for a moment. Logically speaking, the only ones who could pose a threat to him now were half-step masters or true grandmaster experts.

In the vast Jianghu, where hidden dragons and crouching tigers abound, and skilled individuals emerge in great numbers, even someone like Jiang Sanjia, who knows the art of calculation, became a pawn, imprisoned like a prisoner in a dungeon.

With the guidance of the Earth Book, each time Jiang Ye appeared was accompanied by a black opportunity. If he was not a top expert, then he might also be in connection with top experts.

This was An Jing’s concern, so he had not investigated Jiang Ye for fear of startling the snake by hitting the grass.

“And then there was that time at Three Temple Mountain, when I exchanged blows with Li Fuzhou, and a master suspected of being a grandmaster stole that corpse….”

With a multitude of thoughts, An Jing decided to head to Three Temples Mountain Faxi Temple to investigate, perhaps he could find some clues.

The last time he had been on Three Temples Mountain, he left in such a rush that he didn’t take care of the seal, and his black opportunity might be related to this as well.

Thinking this, An Jing stretched out his hand and pinched the letter in his hand into shreds, then stepped out of the house.

The world was vast and silent.

Footsteps crunched on the snowy ground, making ‘creak, creak’ sounds.

After walking for a long while, An Jing turned back to look at the rundown roof and cold hearth behind him, feeling a sense of melancholy in his heart.

“Six long wings, I privately cherish sentiments, over a decade since I’ve left the capital.

A man in poverty may not be enough, when we meet again there might not even be money for wine.”

Last time he parted from Jiang Sanjia, it might really have been a farewell forever.

……..

Three Temples Mountain, Faxi Temple.

The snow blanketed everything, the deep mountains quiet and silent.

On the mountain path, one could see people coming up the mountain to worship Buddha.

In the Grand Hall, an unadorned old monk stood under the withered trees, cleaning the accumulated snow off the ground.

The old monk’s skin on his palms was dry and rough, resembling tree bark. After about half an hour, he finally raised his head to look at the distant worshippers, with eyes two parts open and eight parts closed, as if overlooking the world of mortals from above.

“Tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp…”

At this moment, the sound of footsteps came.

“Master, the Chui Guang Pagoda has been cleaned.”

Fa Wu approached the old monk and slowly said.

The Chui Guang Pagoda, the treasure pagoda of Faxi Temple; in Buddhism, such pagodas usually house relics, but it had been many years since Faxi Temple had last seen a monk achieve the relic fruition.

“Good, I know.”

The old monk nodded.

Fa Wu, looking at the endless stream of worshippers, could not help but feel somber, “Brother has passed away, if he could see so many people worshipping Buddha, he would surely be moved.”

The old monk gave a faint smile, “You just carefully observe them.”

Upon hearing this, Fa Wu watched the coming and going worshippers.

Fa Wu, puzzled, said, “Master, these worshippers….”

The old monk spoke, “Are they worshipping Buddha, or the desires in their hearts?”

Hearing the old monk’s words, Fa Wu’s heart trembled.

Indeed, these worshippers, are they here to worship Buddha, or their own desires?

“Let’s go, to the Chui Guang Pagoda.”

The old monk exhaled a mist of white breath and headed toward the Chui Guang Pagoda.

Fa Wu hurriedly followed behind him, still contemplating the old monk’s words.

“Fa Wu, in cultivation, you cultivate yourself; others don’t matter much to you.”

The old monk slowly said, “Your brother cultivated his own practice, as do I mine. These are our own practices, and so it is for you too. You don’t need to follow the path others have trodden; perhaps the path of Fa Zhi might even be wrong for you.”

Fa Wu wanted to speak, but hesitated.

Seeing this, the old monk thought to himself: Although Fa Wu has an innocent heart and received a relic into his body, achieving cultivation of the first grade today, his understanding of the Buddhist law is still far from enough. Adding to that the lesson from Fa Zhi’s previous experience, I hope I am not forcing him to grow too fast.

Before long, they had arrived inside the Chui Guang Pagoda.

“Master.”

Fa Wu finally spoke, “If my senior brother has already attained the Bodhisattva Fruit Position, how could it possibly be wrong?”

A Bodhisattva, ranking just below a Buddha Master in the Buddhist hierarchy, reaching the Bodhisattva Fruit Position meant that one could ascend to the Master realm in the Jianghu with just a few years of cultivation; it was a state countless monks dreamt of achieving.

“To ferry others, one must first ferry oneself. If Fa Zhi himself hasn’t achieved self-ferrying, how can he ferry others?”

The old monk said indifferently, “The primary purpose of Buddhism’s journey to the east this time is to spread the Buddhist Law; protecting the seals of the Great Yan Dynasty and warding off the catastrophe comes second.”

Fa Wu nodded and didn’t speak anymore.

The old monk patted Fa Wu on the head and then took out a relic from within his sleeve.

That relic shone with a resplendent golden light, glittering and brilliant.

Fa Wu continued asking, “What lies beneath the seal?”

Fa Zhi had said that what lay beneath the seal was a catastrophe, which would bring disaster if unlocked, but at the same time, when the sinister aura dissipated, Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence also gushed forth; it surely wasn’t merely a catastrophe.

Furthermore, the fact that Buddhism was able to make its way eastward this time, aside from the Emperor of Great Yan’s desire to stir up the Jianghu, seemed to have another purpose related to this seal.

The old monk looked at the relic in his hand, as if he could see Fa Zhi’s figure within it, yet his gaze remained neither joyous nor sorrowful.

“Beneath this seal lies something that can move the hearts of all under heaven.”

“Does that include Master as well? What exactly is beneath the seal?”

Having heard this, Fa Wu’s curiosity intensified.

Could it be that what lay beneath the seal was something that could move the hearts of all under heaven?

The old monk’s pupils slightly contracted, and then he slowly exhaled, “The mystery of longevity.”

“Longevity!?”

Fa Wu revealed a look of astonishment.

As everyone knows, only a Great Grandmaster can extend their life span by three hundred years, and it has been a long time since the shadow of a Great Grandmaster appeared in this world.

The Masters of today’s world hide away, all with the goal of becoming a Great Grandmaster and thus adding on those three hundred years to their lifespans.

Many have spent their entire lives pursuing these three hundred years of life, yet they remain elusive.

And there beneath the seal lies the secret to longevity.

Can one truly attain immortality?

“Can one truly attain longevity?” Fa Wu, coming back to his senses, couldn’t help but ask, “Then why seal it away? Isn’t longevity something everyone yearns for?”

If it’s longevity, why would the Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty seal it!?

“Can you see the sun in the sky?”

The old monk pointed at the sun above.

“I can see it,” Fa Wu replied, though he was confused.

“But can you touch it?”

“How could one touch the sun?”

“Longevity is like this stable, orbiting sun; you can see it, but you can’t touch it. If there were no sun, wouldn’t that be a catastrophe for all living beings?”

Upon hearing this, Fa Wu nodded in semi-understanding.

The old monk sighed lightly, about to speak, when his eyes suddenly shifted towards the top of the pagoda, a hint of surprise flickering across them.

“Swoosh! Swoosh!”

Then a sound of swift movement followed.

“Master, someone’s here!?”

Fa Wu quickly exclaimed in alarm.

Upon the pagoda’s summit, there were actually experts hidden, eavesdropping on their conversation.

“This person’s concealment technique is rare in the world; I only discovered him just now. Let him be,” the old monk waved his hand, remaining unruffled on the surface, yet inwardly he was inwardly startled. Who could it be that managed to stay hidden for so long right under his watch, could he also be a Master-level expert?

The land of Great Yan indeed abounded with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, unfathomable in depth.

……..

Three Temple Mountain, in the woods.

A dark shadow flitted through, clad in a dark cyan long robe, it was An Jing who came to Three Temple Mountain in search of some answers.

“Buddhism’s eastward spread has come so swiftly, chaos has already arisen in Great Yan’s martial community.”

He had not expected to encounter a top-tier Buddhist expert in Three Temple Mountain.

Two parts observing the world, eight parts observing ease.

To have such a demeanor.

Plus, with Fa Wu’s addressal to the old monk, the identity of this old monk was naturally self-evident.

That old monk should be the Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, a master from the Western Pure Land.

If it were not for An Jing’s exceptional Concealing Qi Technique, he might have been discovered by him.

“Universal Benefit Bodhisattva said the secret beneath the seal is the mystery of longevity, Jiang Sanjia said the secret beneath the seal is related to the fall of the Great Zhou Dynasty…”

An Jing’s mind once again recalled the fleeting image of the Imprisoned Dragon, and he couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

And what about the mummified corpse at the bottom of the seal, the mysterious master, what connection did they have?

Thinking left and right, An Jing had no clue, and finally muttered with knitted brows, “Forget it, without more clues, overthinking is pointless and might even lead to self-misdirection. It’s better to do as Jiang Sanjia said and cultivate the Ghost Valley Heart Method to the Second Profound Realm first.”

Once he achieved the Second Profound Realm, he could conjure up the Paperman Substitute Death Skill.

An Jing hurried down the mountain, then found Shui Zhongyue, who was in an enchanted state, changed his disguise, and entered Yu State City.

Before long, he returned to Jishi Hall.

“My lady, I am back.”

An Jing called out, then placed his medicine box on the counter.

“You’re back?”

Zhao Qingmei lifted the curtain, smiling beamingly, “Dinner will be ready soon.”

At this moment, she was dressed in a simple and unadorned pleated skirt with a red apron tied around her waist, and her temples were graced with a few strands of black hair, looking like a fairy who had descended into the mortal world, with an added touch of liveliness.

“Where are Tan Yun and the old man?”

An Jing asked.

Usually, as soon as he came back, he could hear Tan Yun scolding little Heizi, and Li Fuzhou would be sitting in front of the counter, reading a book and watching the store.

But today, both were gone, and little Heizi was nowhere to be found.

“They’ve gone to the west of the city to watch the lion dance and won’t be back until evening,” Zhao Qingmei said.

“I see.”

With that, An Jing couldn’t help but smile.

Didn’t that mean today would be a day just for the two of them?

It seemed that since he married Qingmei, aside from sleeping, they hardly ever spent time together alone.

“What are you grinning about?”

Zhao Qingmei blinked and laughed.

Those bright eyes, normally full of spirit, softened when they gazed at An Jing, instantly making one feel breathlessly charmed.

An Jing stepped forward, lifting Zhao Qingmei’s chin with one hand, “I think you’re the one with the sly smile.”

Zhao Qingmei leaned in, blowing warm air into An Jing’s ear, “Since there’s nothing pressing today, how about we drink to our heart’s content?”

“Since my lady suggests it, all I can do is daringly accompany the lady,” An Jing said with a trace of a smile in his eyes.

“Great, wait here while I make a couple of good dishes.”

Zhao Qingmei spoke, then headed for the kitchen.

“After I set things up, I’ll help you cook,” An Jing offered as he walked to the entrance, and unusually, he closed the doors of Jishi Hall in the middle of the day.

Nowadays, most of the medical halls in Yu State City had certain ‘promotions’ because of Jishi Hall, so the common people didn’t lose out by going to other halls for medicine.

After securing the door, An Jing went to the kitchen.

“I am chopping vegetables, wait for me a moment.”

Zhao Qingmei held a kitchen knife in her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, the garlic chives on the cutting board were instantly chopped into several sections.

“Madam, what excellent knife skills!”

An Jing couldn’t help but exclaim upon seeing this.

Zhao Qingmei’s knife skills were so proficient, which suggested that even during her time in the women’s quarters before, she must have frequently cooked.

“It’s just a matter of practice,”

Zhao Qingmei said.

“There’s no need, I can also cook this dish. Today, I’ll let you see my cooking skills.”

An Jing spoke as he stepped forward, approaching the iron pot.

At this moment, the vegetables and meat were already chopped, simply waiting to be stir-fried.

Zhao Qingmei gave a gentle smile and said, “Then I shall see your handiwork.”

Saying so, she picked up the work apron Tan Yun had used and tied it around An Jing.

“It’s a pity, we should have let Tan Yun watch. Maybe I could have given her some pointers.”

An Jing picked up the spatula, skillfully added oil, stir-fried, and added salt, all the while muttering to himself, “It’s a shame, we’re missing many seasonings; otherwise, it would taste even better…”

Zhao Qingmei, watching the figure before her, her eyes were filled with soft light.

Those simple days shone with light; this was the truest form of romance.

“All right, done.”

Soon after, a fresh aroma wafted through the air.

Garlic chive omelette, hot and sour cabbage, and potato pork stew—all three dishes were ready.

Zhao Qingmei brought the dishes to the table, then held two jars of wine, as An Jing eagerly took out two cups from the cupboard.

“Husband, get two big bowls,”

“You said big bowls?”

An Jing heard this and chuckled, then turned around, putting down the cups and taking two large bowls.

The couple sat at the table.

“Come on, drink!”

Zhao Qingmei poured two full bowls for herself from the jar, then lifted one effortlessly and downed it in one go, her lips quirking up in a smile.

In her every move, there was an indescribable boldness and free-spiritedness.

“What a spirited lady,”

An Jing’s eyes brightened. “If you were in the jianghu, you’d surely be a renowned heroine.”

Having said that, he too drank all the wine in his cup in one gulp.

If in seven months the hint from the Earth Book vanished, perhaps he could teach his Ghost Valley Heart Method to his wife. Although it was late to start practicing martial arts, having some self-defense techniques was good.

“A heroine? Hahaha!”

Hearing this, Zhao Qingmei couldn’t help but laugh loudly, then placed her bowl down on the table and said, “I wouldn’t want to be a heroine.”

An Jing picked up a piece of garlic chive with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, “If not a heroine, what then do you want to be?”

“I’d rather be a female demon!”

Zhao Qingmei filled her bowl again, her voice clear and crisp, “Everyone hating, fearing, and respecting me, now that’s interesting, isn’t it?”

“Besides, except for my husband, the rest of the world means nothing to me.”

Her eyes, bewitchingly soft, looked at An Jing like a deep pool, seemingly enchanting.

An Jing, feeling a warmth in his heart, laughed softly in response, “Whether it is a female demon or a heroine, you’re still my wife. No matter what, you’ll have to do the laundry and cook for me…”

What’s wrong with being a female demon?

I’m not even afraid of the real Demon, Li Fuzhou, let alone killing the Great Heavenly Gang from the Xuanyi Guard; afraid it might scare you, my wife.

A sly look appeared in Zhao Qingmei’s eyes. “Doing laundry and cooking is not a problem. With husband’s cooking being so good, doesn’t it make no difference who cooks?”

An Jing felt there was a double meaning in her words and was about to speak when Zhao Qingmei lifted her bowl, “Husband, please!”

After saying that, she boldly drank another mouthful.

The two exchanged cups, and after a while, An Jing felt his head spinning, while Zhao Qingmei’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes brimming as if filled with the waters of autumn.

“Husband, we haven’t had enough fun yet…”

Just as she reached out to pour the wine, her elbow seemed to accidentally hit the porcelain bowl.

Time seemed to stand still.

An Jing had drunk the wine, yet catching the porcelain bowl was a piece of cake for him.

“Crack!”

In the end, the porcelain bowl fell to the floor and shattered into pieces.

“Oh no!”

Zhao Qingmei quickly bent down to pick it up, but her finger was cut by a shard from the bowl.

“Madam, are you alright?”

An Jing quickly stepped forward, picked up Zhao Qingmei’s jade-like finger, and although there was a small cut, the blood kept flowing out.

“It’s… it’s nothing.” Zhao Qingmei sat on the ground, pursing her lips.

“The porcelain bowl is broken, it’s broken…”

An Jing gently sucked the fresh blood from the wound, then glanced at the broken bowl on the floor, stained with blood, and couldn’t help but be slightly startled.

Zhao Qingmei’s beautiful eyes were watery as she quietly watched An Jing.

It took a while for An Jing to come to his senses. He quickly said, “Madam, the ground is cold, please get up.”

“Okay.”

Zhao Qingmei, seeing An Jing’s dazed expression, couldn’t help but smile, then said, “I’m afraid we can’t drink the wine now…”

“I’ll bandage it for you.”

“It’s just a small injury, it’s not a big deal.”

“How is it not a big deal? If I say it is, then it is.”

“Brother, why don’t you take a nap? Maybe you’ll feel better when you wake up.”

……

……

Yu State City, western part of the city, on Fulu Street.

At this time, drums and gongs were deafening, firecrackers were bursting continuously, and the streets were packed with people on both sides.

In the middle of the street, two jianghu performers were collaborating to portray a large lion, with one playing a small lion, and the last one holding an embroidered ball to guide, hitting the lion compellingly to prompt it to dance.

The lion moved with the drumbeats, quick and slow, light and heavy, sometimes lifting its head high, sometimes looking back down, sometimes crouching and turning its head, and sometimes shaking its head and wagging its tail, showing a wide array of fascinating and whimsical poses.

The performers could even do fantastic movements like licking fur, scratching heads, bowing, and rolling, occasionally climbing up platforms, crossing bridges, and jumping over artificial hills.

The performance was nothing short of spectacular, winning rounds of applause from the audience.

“Perfect! Such an excellent dance.”

Amid the crowd, Tan Yun couldn’t help but clap her hands as she watched the lion dance.

She had lived in the Demon Sect’s main hall since she was young and later executed missions with the experts of the Demon Sect, but most of them, due to Li Fuzhou’s reasons, were closely protected by other experts.

Apart from that, she had always stayed within Dongluo Pass.

Although she had followed Zhao Qingmei to Great Yan recently, Tan Yun, to be cautious, rarely went out to have fun except for helping Zhao Qingmei collect secret letters, as she didn’t want to cause trouble for Zhao Qingmei.

By nature, she was lively and energetic, so how could she not be excited at the rare sight of a lion dance?

Li Fuzhou stood nearby, looking at Tan Yun, who was applauding, and couldn’t help but show a hint of a smile.

“Tan Yun.”

Suddenly, Li Fuzhou spoke softly.

“Master, what is it?” Tan Yun asked, immediately straightening up.

Li Fuzhou slowly said, “I’ve noticed you seem troubled lately. Why not share what’s on your mind?”

Hearing this, Tan Yun replied sheepishly, “Master, what troubles could I possibly have? You’re worrying too much.”

“Really?”

Li Fuzhou pondered for a long moment before saying, “I’ve heard from the spy of the Human Sect that you’ve asked them to look for the whereabouts of the Ghost Swordsman.”

Tan Yun investigating the whereabouts of the Ghost Swordsman is somewhat strange.

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun immediately felt a bit guilty and said, “That Ghost Swordsman is highly skilled and his origins are unclear. Investigating his background is precisely what we of the Human Sect should do…”

Li Fuzhou said indifferently, “But I didn’t say to investigate his identity. You should not look into this person anymore, to avoid any trouble.”

The Ghost Swordsman seems to disdain the Demon Sect, and is quick to draw his sword in dispute. If Tan Yun’s investigations come to nothing, all is well, but if she does uncover something, it could inevitably lead to trouble.

“I understand, Master.”

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun immediately lowered her head, feeling somewhat disappointed.

“Ah!”

Seeing this, Li Fuzhou couldn’t help but heave a deep sigh, “I’m not blaming you. The Jianghu is very chaotic, and if you keep being careless like this, how will you manage to navigate it alone in the future?”

Tan Yun replied with some confusion, “Master, am I going to walk the Jianghu alone in the future? Didn’t you say I should always follow the Sect Hierarch?”

Ever since Tan Yun followed Zhao Qingmei to Great Yan, Li Fuzhou had instructed her to always stay behind Zhao Qingmei, to only take orders from Zhao Qingmei, and not to act on her own without permission, which she did strictly adhere to.

“But there will always come a time when one ventures into the Jianghu alone.”

Li Fuzhou looked at the Tan Yun in front of him, his heart filled with a thousand kinds of unease.

Tan Yun said, “Do not worry, Master. My strength has already reached the peak of the Second Grade, and given time, reaching the First Grade and then traveling the Jianghu should certainly pose no problem.”

“First Grade?”

Li Fuzhou shook his head and let out a cold chuckle, “You think you can dominate the Jianghu with just First Grade? The Floating Blood Sword, Xue Chen, couldn’t get over the Cao Gang and died in Yu State City. Do you remember that?”

“In navigating the Jianghu, remember never to be careless. No matter how high your martial skill, there will always be someone better and heavens beyond the heavens.”

Tan Yun listened and stuck out her tongue, secretly taking Li Fuzhou’s words to heart.

Li Fuzhou paused for a moment and said, “When you are by the Sect Hierarch’s side, make sure to act with discretion and do not overstep the boundaries. Understand?”

“I understand,” Tan Yun nodded.

“If there are no unforeseen circumstances, it’s best to always be by the Sect Hierarch’s side. With her protection, you can rest easy in the Great Yan Martial World,” Li Fuzhou continued.

“Master, is the Sect Hierarch’s strength higher than yours?” Tan Yun couldn’t help but ask.

“Higher.”

Li Fuzhou glanced at the lion dancing in the distance and slowly opened his mouth to say, “The Sect Hierarch naturally has extremely high aptitude; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been favored by the old Sect Hierarch to become his direct disciple. Moreover, with the old Sect Hierarch’s full effort in nurturing her and the supreme creation she obtained from beneath the Sealing Demon Well…”

Tan Yun asked in a low voice, “Supreme creation?”

Li Fuzhou was usually very cautious and precise with his words. If he talked about a supreme creation, it certainly must be something extraordinary.

Li Fuzhou said solemnly, “In short, her strength is extremely high, and her future achievements will not be less than Xiao Qianqiu’s, perhaps even higher. Following her is definitely not wrong.”

Tan Yun nodded vigorously, “Yes, Master, I will remember everything.”

“When you encounter issues, remember not to act rashly, but to think thrice before acting.”

“I know that, I will definitely use my brain when facing problems.”

“Also, don’t easily trust others. You are a person of the Demon Sect’s Human Sect. Remember what I’ve taught you, keep it in your heart for life, and always be wary of others.”

“Yes, apart from the Sect Hierarch, you, and my husband… I will not trust others.”

“Your husband? Be even more wary of him; he’s a crafty one with many schemes. Besides him, you should also…”

“Master.”

Tan Yun suddenly interrupted Li Fuzhou’s words, her face flushing red as she seemed to want to say something.

“What is it?” Li Fuzhou raised an eyebrow.

Tan Yun bit her lip and asked, “Are you going to die in Yujing City? Is that why you’re telling me all this today…?”

“Slap!”

“Ouch!”

Before Tan Yun could finish speaking, Li Fuzhou slapped her firmly, then scolded coldly, “Nonsense! I don’t wish to die. Who could kill me?”

“Forget it; no matter how much I tell you, you won’t remember it. You’ll forget it all once you go back. Let’s go buy some pastries instead,” said Li Fuzhou with a light huff, striding off into the distance.

“Hehehe.”

Tan Yun touched the back of his head and quickly followed.

“Master, let me tell you, I’m crystal clear about which place has delicious pastries…”

…….

In the midst of their plain and warm life, the long days gradually started to pass by more rapidly, and before they knew it, five days had gone by after the new year.

In the fourteenth year of Xingping, on the fifth day of the first month, Dachong Teahouse.

Recently, two events that shook Jianghu and became widely known had occurred.

The first event was that Universal Benefit Bodhisattva was going to open a sermon in Yu State City to spread the great righteousness of Buddhism. At the same time, the ancient temples like Azure Dragon Temple, Lianhua Temple, and Faxi Temple started renovations and widely opened their gates to welcome pilgrims, establishing martial arts academies to recruit lay disciples and teach them martial arts and the Dao.

The implications of this were self-evident; Buddhism truly intended to return to Great Yan.

Although there had been rumors about this before, due to the prestige of Zhenyi Sect in the markets and on Jianghu, no one dared to make rash conclusions about this matter before it was set in stone.

But now that it had become an established fact, it immediately caused a significant uproar in Jianghu.

As an ancient sect that coexisted with the Mystical Sect and had retained its integrity, the power of Buddhism was naturally self-evident. It should be noted that Zhenyi Sect, at its root, is but a branch of Mystical Sect.

Even if Buddhism had been severely damaged in the Nine Kingdoms, after so many years, its primordial energy had long since recovered.

Its true strength was even more terrifying than that of the Demon Sect.

However, unlike the Demon Sect, Buddhism was not a monolithic entity. The Western Pure Land of Buddhism was divided into the Zen Sect and the Lotus Sect, each with its points of contention. Leiyin Temple was the representative of the Zen Sect, and Universal Benefit Bodhisattva belonged to the Zen Sect.

No matter how you looked at it, the eastward move of Buddhism was indeed a significant event.

Especially for Zhenyi Sect, there was no doubt it was a massive shock.

The contention between Mystical Sect and Buddhism dated back a thousand years.

Now that Buddhism had come to Great Yan to propagate Buddhist Law, Zhenyi Sect was naturally the most affected.

The other significant event was also related to Buddhism.

That was Lin Yiyang, the Sect Leader of Yu Heng Sword Sect, descending from the mountain.

To challenge the Buddha with his sword!

The clash between Zhenyi Sect and Buddhism was a dispute over pilgrims and the Dao succession, but the feud between Yu Heng Sword Sect and Buddhism was one of deep-seated hatred and irreconcilable differences. Many masters of Yu Heng Sword Sect, including the three great Sword Immortals, had died at the hands of the Buddhist Vajras, and the Ancestor Hall of Yu Heng Sword Sect was nearly destroyed, almost leading to the sect’s extermination.

This incident had always been a disgrace to Yu Heng Sword Sect.

When Buddhism was expelled from Great Yan, Yu Heng Sword Sect had gone all out, regardless of the consequences, to drive them out. Now, with Buddhism returning to Great Yan and the Human Emperor playing a pivotal role, it was an unstoppable trend.

Yu Heng Sword Sect, even if unwilling in their hearts, was helpless to stop it.

However, Lin Yiyang’s challenge surprised many, as after all, Universal Benefit Bodhisattva was a Bodhisattva of Buddhism and a grandmaster-level expert, while Lin Yiyang, though one of the top five Sword Immortals of his time and with extremely high swordsmanship, had not yet broken through to the Grandmaster Realm.

There is a vast chasm between the Grandmaster Realm and a Half-step Master.

For Lin Yiyang, a Half-step Master, to challenge a Grandmaster was truly unprecedented.

This battle instantly resonated throughout the entire Great Yan Martial World, drawing the attention of all high-leveled martial artists in Jianghu, leading to countless experts heading towards Jiangnan Dao to witness this battle of questioning the Buddha by Lin Yiyang.

Yu State City suddenly became the focus of nearly half of Jianghu.

And the originally tranquil teahouse suddenly became bustling like never before.

“Lin Yiyang is worthy of being one of the top five Sword Immortals, daring to challenge a Grandmaster with his Half-step Master cultivation.”

“This will be difficult. I think even if Lin Yiyang’s swordsmanship is at the peak of the Fifth Realm, he might not necessarily be a match for Universal Benefit Bodhisattva.”

“That’s the Grandmaster Realm we’re talking about, already capable of refining nature’s spiritual energy.”

“I heard that Qi Yun from Zhenyi Sect has also come, just to watch this earth-shattering battle.”

“He is the foremost among the young generation this year, possessing quite the demeanor of Xiao Qianqiu in his prime.”

“A lot of great masters have come this time.”

…..

The teahouse was abuzz with discussion.

An Jing listened to the conversations around him, and couldn’t help but silently sigh at Lin Yiyang’s confidence, challenging the Grandmaster Realm while only being in the Half-step Master stage.

Moreover, it was said that he possessed a renowned sword left by a Sword God, the Phoenix Sword.

And regarding this renowned sword, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion ranked it tenth, just after the Blood Tears Sword of the Sword Demon.

It’s worth noting that An Jing’s own Evil Suppressing Sword, although ranked third, was only in a damaged state, whereas Lin Yiyang’s Phoenix Sword was a complete renowned sword.

A swordsman possessing a sharp sword considerably enhances their strength.

Regarding the battle between Lin Yiyang and Universal Benefit Bodhisattva, An Jing was also very curious. He wondered about the true strength of a Grandmaster, and at the same time, he was curious about the elegance of Lin Yiyang, one of the five great Sword Immortals of the current era, and how far he was from reaching that level.

“Zhenyi Sect’s people have also come. Could the arrivals be unfriendly?”

Ever since An Jing had seen the letter from Jiang Sanjia, his heart had been filled with caution towards the Second Prince, Zhenyi Sect, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and other powers. What if these people with their divine skills actually found his true identity?

Furthermore, it seemed as if a crisis was already looming over him.

The more he thought about it, the deeper An Jing’s frown became. Should he nip this danger in the bud?

“Forget it, let’s see what Qi Yun is here for. I must not act rashly.”

……

Jishi Hall.

Zhao Qingmei was seated at the head, while Li Fuzhou stood beside her, issuing commands.

“Do you mean to tell me that Qi Yun will really come?”

Zhao Qingmei asked.

She was all too familiar with Qi Yun. The man was a disciple of Xiao Qianqiu, said to be heavily nurtured by Zhenyi Sect and considered the foremost among the young generation in the Great Yan Martial World, having reached the First Grade realm.

Li Fuzhou said gravely, “Yes, but Zhenyi Sect certainly won’t feel at ease with him being alone. There must be a master accompanying him, likely a great true person of the First Grade Heavenly Flower.”

A gleam flashed in Zhao Qingmei’s eyes as she sneered, “To think that I would find what has eluded me without effort.”

“Sect Hierarch, are you planning to…”

Li Fuzhou was somewhat puzzled in his heart. Was the Sect Hierarch really going to deal with Qi Yun?

Although Zhenyi Sect and Demon Sect were indeed hostile, it seemed rather ostentatious to kill a disciple of the Sect Leader of Zhenyi Sect before Great Yan had made a large-scale move. Moreover, this would not be good for Zhao Qingmei.

Zhao Qingmei said indifferently, “Since Qi Yun is a disciple of Xiao Qianqiu, then he must have practiced Zhenyi Sect’s ‘Beidou Seven Stars Technique.’ I must have it.”

‘Beidou Seven Stars Technique’?

Upon hearing this, greater confusion filled Li Fuzhou’s heart.

He was certainly aware of the fracturing of the Mystical Sect, and that its supreme martial skill was the ‘Jade Emperor Scripture.’ This scripture had been divided into three parts. To restore it, one would need to gather the Daluo Sect’s ‘Daluo Heart Method,’ Ghost Valley Sect’s ‘Ghost Valley Heart Method,’ and this ‘Beidou Seven Stars Technique.’

Could it be that the Sect Hierarch wanted this ‘Jade Emperor Scripture’?

The ‘Beidou Seven Stars Technique’ would definitely hold no appeal for Zhao Qingmei, for she practiced the Heavenly Demon Technique, already a Heart Method of the Heavenly Martial level.

Li Fuzhou paused and then said, “Sect Hierarch, I will be leaving tomorrow. With a great true person protecting Qi Yun, the masters at your side may not…”

Zhao Qingmei said lightly, “If it comes to it, I’ll just take action myself.”

Li Fuzhou frowned and said, “But what if Xiao Qianqiu suddenly leaves seclusion? What then?”

“He won’t come out unexpectedly. Given his character, unless he reaches the Perfection of Beidou’s seven stars, even if Zhenyi Sect is destroyed, he wouldn’t show himself. As long as Xiao Qianqiu remains in seclusion, nobody from Zhenyi Sect can do anything to me.”

Zhao Qingmei took a deep breath and said, “Besides, I might not necessarily need to kill him. It will suffice if he reveals the cultivation mantra of the Beidou Seven Stars Technique.”

In her heart, Zhao Qingmei did not really wish to kill Qi Yun. After all, killing Qi Yun would undoubtedly provoke Zhenyi Sect, and her current peaceful life would be affected.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, she was not going to lay a hand on Qi Yun.

“If the Sect Hierarch has planned this, then I am relieved.”

Li Fuzhou nodded, and then he said with a grave tone, “There is one more thing I must say before I leave.”

“Speak.”

Zhao Qingmei’s face was calm as still water.

Li Fuzhou said seriously, “That young doctor might become the Sect Hierarch’s weakness. If it’s within your will, I hope you make preparations as soon as possible.”

In his view, Zhao Qingmei was someone who wouldn’t heed advice, especially when it concerned matters related to that young doctor.

She always talked about finding herself, but all along, she has been true to herself.

Zhao Qingmei was no weaker than Xiao Qianqiu, but Xiao Qianqiu had no weakness, while she did.

“I am aware of this matter.”

Zhao Qingmei nodded without any change in her expression.

Li Fuzhou knew he could say no more. Bidding his respects, he said, “On the eve of my departure, there is one last thing I would like to ask.”

“I hope that after I leave, the Sect Hierarch will look after Tan Yun and show some tolerance. I would be greatly thankful.”