The Demon Slayer Martial Saint Begins with Insect Refining

Chapter 395 Martial Arts Demonstration in the Palace
Everyone was so shocked by Su Yan's response that they didn't know what to say.

Wang Yuan, the Vice Minister of War, turned bright red.

They always talk about expanding territory, but when it comes to Su Yan, he is such a prodigy, such a monstrous talent.

If we wait for him to break through, he might become a Martial Saint in the future.

No one would question the importance of a martial saint.

Even with the strength of the Dali Dynasty, and with all the civil and military officials and powerful figures gathered here, the number of martial saints in the hall was very small.

The Emperor, Hong Wuji, Tong Chengqi, Sima Changkong, Xiang Haoran...

Each of them was a pivotal figure in the Dali Dynasty.

"The Champion Marquis's demeanor is truly unparalleled in the world. However, I believe that the tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind. It would be advisable to wait until the Champion Marquis reaches the Golden Body Realm before reclaiming the fortune of Xizhou Prefecture to protect our national prestige."

Huo Lanxi smiled slightly, taking a step back to advance, and said softly, "If the Buddhist Kingdom, the Barbarian Kingdom, or other secret rebels want to deal with the Champion Marquis, I'm afraid the Champion Marquis will not be able to resist with his current strength."

Realm is Su Yan's Achilles' heel. Ultimately, it's because Su Yan is only at the Dharma Aspect Realm that he is in this state. If Su Yan had the Martial Saint Realm or the Golden Body Realm, the situation today would be very different.

After all, if you want to cause trouble for someone, you have to consider the situation carefully.

Li He looked at Grand Commandant Hong and Tong Chengqi. As an emperor, he knew that the root of the matter lay in the struggle between these two powerful nations, a microcosm of the struggle for the Dao.

"What do the Grand Commandant and the Right Chancellor think?"

Tong Chengqi, dressed in white, stood there calmly. Upon hearing Li He's question, he nodded slightly to Su Yan and smiled, saying, "A young strongman is not defined by his cultivation level. The Marquis of Champion has the ability to fight beyond his level. In that case, why not have a martial arts demonstration in front of the palace and let everyone see if the Marquis of Champion has the power to protect the nation's destiny?"

After hearing this, Hong Wuji smiled and said, "Su Yan is my last disciple."

what? !

Everyone was shocked by these words.

Why didn't you say something so important earlier, you old man?
Tong Chengqi's gaze sharpened at this moment. Others might not know Hong Wuji's cultivation level, but he did.

Would a disciple of a ninth-level Martial Saint, a sage of the present age, be made difficult by someone over a mere matter of gathering fortune?

Hong Wuji ignored the crowd's reactions, glanced around, and then said, "Everyone here is fighting against someone of the same realm. If I defeat him, I will help him retrieve his fortune. How about that?"

Everyone fell silent. Tong Chengqi smiled and said, "Congratulations, Brother Hong, on taking on such a fine disciple. Since you are so confident, let's hear your opinions."

"Qin Minghao from the Ministry of War requests guidance from the Marquis of Champion!"

Among the officials, there was one dressed in black military attire, with a jade belt in the shape of a beast's face around his waist. He was eight feet tall, with a resolute face, and was truly a tall and imposing man.

Ministry of War

Su Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. The Hong Taiwei faction was all-powerful and had expanded its territory. In name, the Taiwei could also be appointed to the Ministry of War, but in reality, the six ministries of Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War and Justice were all biased towards Tong Chengqi.

Among the Demon Suppression Guards, Demon Suppression Army, Demon Slaughter Army, Imperial Guards, and City Guards.

The Demon Suppression Guard and the Demon Suppression Army were under the leadership of Hong Wuji, while the Demon Slaughter Army guarded the northern border. The Demon Slaughter Army was personally controlled by its commander, Xiong Yifeng, and did not seem to be too influenced by anyone.

Now that the bet has been made, naturally some people are eager to step forward, and they are full of fighting spirit.

Inside the Rising Dragon Hall, everyone made way and all eyes fell on the two of them.

The Seventh Level of the Dharma Realm!
Qin Minghao is quite capable and is considered a promising young talent, even more so than Wang Yuanlai.

"Let's go outside; we can't use our skills here."

Su Yan glanced at the civil and military officials present and said calmly, "If there are any others who wish to challenge us, they may also come down to the arena."

Madness!

Among the civil and military officials of the Great Li Dynasty who were able to enter the palace, there were quite a few at the Dharma Aspect Realm. Su Yan's words were tantamount to a direct provocation to them.

Qin Minghao strode out of the hall, his voice ringing out: "Champion Marquis, you should defeat me first."

Su Yan took a step forward, his body transforming into wind and thunder, and instantly disappeared, exiting the hall.

Although it was just a small trick, it has already caught the attention of many people.

"Gentlemen, please follow me to witness the majesty of the Marquis of Champion."

Li He spoke first, and the group moved outside the Rising Dragon Hall.

Outside the Rising Dragon Hall was an open space paved with lapis lazuli. Although it was not a martial arts training ground, it was even larger than the training ground itself.

The two stood still, and a purple longsword appeared behind Qin Minghao, its sharp edge soaring into the sky, with bird and beast patterns running across its blade, exuding a powerful aura.

"Qin Minghao, seventh level of Dharma Aspect, Dharma Aspect is a nine-headed earth fire wolf..."

Qin Minghao was interrupted by Su Yan before he could finish speaking.

His once resolute face was now tinged with anger.

"Roar"

Qin Minghao was furious; his desire to spar with Su Yan had gone far beyond mere physical contact.

As fellow practitioners, who among us hasn't faced life-or-death crises and weathered storms along the way?

Although Su Yan was formidable, Qin Minghao believed himself to be no less capable than Su Yan…

The Nine-Headed Earthfire Wolf Dharma Image appeared, its nine heads ferocious, its blood-red maw sharp as a sword, its saliva like magma, and its crimson flames rushing straight towards Su Yan.

"Wolf Head Howling Sky Strike!"

Qin Minghao merged into it, and his spirit sword flew out, carrying a rolling crimson flame aura, heading straight for Su Yan.

So strong!

The heatwave spread relentlessly, and even the lapis lazuli showed signs of melting.

The attack arrived in front of Su Yan almost instantly.

However, Su Yan did not take any action. In just an instant, the wolf's head, engulfed in flames, completely swallowed his body.

The feeling was like a blade of grass being swallowed up by a raging wildfire.

Is he insane?!

Seeing this, everyone was filled with doubt. No matter how strong Su Yan was, how could he be so arrogant?

However, the next moment, the flames were instantly split in two, and the intense heat that was enough to melt rocks dissipated by more than half in an instant.

How can it be? !
Qin Minghao was shocked. Holding his spirit sword, he stood in his Dharma form and raised his hand to strike the end where the firelight had been extinguished.

A clanging sound rang out as Su Yan stood amidst the firelight, his robes fluttering slightly, his hand forming a claw as he grasped the spirit sword.

The flames, powerful enough to incinerate everything, became merely a backdrop reflecting Su Yan's figure.

"A nice flame"

Su Yan looked up, his eyes full of praise, but Qin Minghao saw it as mockery.

"break!"

Qin Minghao exerted all his strength, trying to break free from Su Yan's grasp with his fourth-grade top-quality spirit fire sword.

The sharp sword light rubbed against Su Yan's golden palm, producing a piercing sound.

Even at this point, he still couldn't break free from Su Yan's grasp.

The sword lights were annihilated by the invisible space. Behind Su Yan, with the phantom of the Sacred Tree as the core, three inner worlds appeared and disappeared, with the power of life and death constantly flowing, swallowing up Qin Minghao's attack.

"The Law of the World!"

Wang Zhixing's eyes lit up, and he said, "This boy is truly fortunate; he has actually obtained Bai Yujing's unique skills."

Qin Minghao relentlessly unleashed his attacks, dazzling like a small star.

Su Yan remained motionless, merely raising his sword finger to unleash a streak of dark sword light, like a dragon in ink painting, directly striking Qin Minghao. Qin Minghao could have defended, but focused solely on attacking, he had lost all sense of proportion, and with his strength depleted, he simply couldn't dodge this sword strike.

With a single sword strike, the Nine-Headed Earthfire Wolf Dharma Form had seven heads severed.

A mouthful of blood gushed out, and Qin Minghao was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

Su Yan won easily, but many of the spectators fell silent.

"What is his cultivation level?"

"The Dharma Aspect Realm is at the sixth level, or at most the seventh level, but by cultivating both Dharma and body, one's physical body is harder than the fourth-order spiritual weapon I forged."

Among the officials, some whispered among themselves.

However, given the cultivation levels of those present, such a sound was no different from being projected externally.

"Next person"

At this moment, when he looked at the third-rank officials among the officials, many people avoided his gaze.

"I come"

Su Yan's actions naturally drew criticism from some. A middle-aged scholar with a sallow complexion strode out, his Dharma image already released behind him—a magnificent jade spirit deer, exuding a chilling aura, heading straight for Su Yan.

The scholar immediately launched an attack on Su Yan.

Su Yan's lips curled up slightly. This time, he took the initiative to step forward, clenched his fist, and threw a punch.

The chilling aura was directly blasted away by the punch, and vaguely it seemed as if a male lion, carrying endless murderous intent, bit into the body of the jade spirit deer.

The scholar was pinned to the ground, most of his body driven into the earth by the punch.

Zhao Wenji, a third-rank official in the Ministry of Revenue, who was at the eighth level of the Dharma Realm, was defeated.

"Next"

Su Yan's voice kept coming, like a death warrant.

People kept coming out, but they still couldn't hold out for long when fighting Su Yan.

Zhai Tian, ​​Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, with the Dharma Image of the Eightfold Rank

Qinghu Jin, the partial general of the demon-slaying army at the eighth level of Dharma
One after another, in a short time, even a third-rank scholar of the ninth level of the Dharma Aspect Realm was directly broken by Su Yan's iron fists.

In front of the Rising Dragon Hall, the lapis lazuli bricks had been completely shattered, and the successive bombardments of the Dharma images had already plowed up the entire area.

Su Yan stood amidst the ruins, still dressed in a long black robe, the hem fluttering in the wind. Behind him, three inner worlds shone brightly, his entire body radiating golden light, clearly indicating that he had activated the Subduing Tiger King Golden Body, the Poison Dragon Golden Body, and the Insect Bone Armor Body.

Unparalleled in physical form, invincible in Dharma form

He was only at the sixth level of the Dharma Aspect Realm...

The seven consecutive matches left everyone speechless. At this point, no one could stop Su Yan's momentum except for a Golden Body Realm martial artist.

"Is there a next person?"

Seeing that no one had stepped forward for a long time, Su Yan began to focus his attention on some Golden Body Realm martial artists.

The martial artists glared at him, but none of them stepped forward.

Who knows if things will go wrong? And with such a high level of skill, even if they win, is it something to be proud of?
"The Champion Marquis is unparalleled in his demeanor. Among all the talents in the world, there are probably only a handful who can match his style."

When Tong Chengqi's voice came, many people subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief; this matter was finally settled.

His words were indeed true. Of the thirteen prefectures of the Dali Dynasty, not counting the people in the court, those who could compare with Su Yan were probably only the current generation of disciples from the Martial Saint Sect, the Da Yan Dao Sect, and the Longevity Pavilion.

But it's just a gamble.

Su Yan is only at the sixth level of the Dharma Aspect Realm. Compared to the current generation of successors of these major sects, his realm is probably much lower.

"You can all rest assured about the Champion Marquis's strength."

Li He's eyes were full of praise. "Geniuses are good, especially geniuses from my Great Li Dynasty."

They lost Xizhou Prefecture, but gained such a genius.

He exuded an overbearing aura, then said in a deep voice, "The loss of Xizhou Prefecture is the fault of all the civil and military officials, and also my fault. The fact that the thousands of soldiers and the Marquis of Champion have recovered their fortune is a blessing for the Great Li Dynasty, and it is what they deserve. The Buddhist Kingdom, with its wolfish ambitions, used formations to join forces with the remnants of the Poison Man Sect, and secretly stole their fortune by planting a dragon corpse. Their crimes are unforgivable. What do you all think we should do?"

The sudden problem left many people unsure of what to do.

Hong Wuji remained calm, then suddenly uttered two words: "Slay Buddhism."

hiss

Everyone gasped. Fan Zhong braced himself and immediately stepped forward: "Grand Commandant, this is inappropriate. There are no fewer than a hundred Buddhist and Taoist sects in the thirteen prefectures of Dali, with varying strengths. Not every one of them is necessarily related to the Buddhist Kingdom, and the martial artists involved are all subjects of Dali."

Buddhist and Taoist sects are not Buddhist kingdoms. If they are indiscriminately slaughtered, it would probably satisfy the desires of many people.

"Suppressing Buddhism is not the same as slaughtering Buddhas. All Buddhist and Taoist sects in Dali regard Dali as the most important. Those who harbor evil and collude in secret will be exterminated. The remaining sects will belong to Dali."

Everyone was startled and looked at Su Yan, realizing that Grand Commandant Hong's true intentions were not what they seemed.

"Your Majesty, I suggest you reopen the Dragon Gate List and see who among those with the highest rank can cross this Dragon Gate."

Li He glanced deeply at Grand Commandant Hong. The Dragon Gate List represented the attitude of the Dali Dynasty and the gaze of the entire Dali.

The Dragon Gate Ranking is not held often, but once it is, anyone under the age of 300 in the Dharma Aspect Realm can be listed. The thirteen prefectures jointly evaluate the list, and those who can be listed will become the mainstay of the martial arts forces of the Great Li Dynasty within a hundred years.

The list contains only thirty-three people, who symbolize the strongest talents under the golden statue.

By using the issuance of the imperial edict and the suppression of Buddhism, Grand Commandant Hong clearly intended to subdue the entire thirteen prefectures.

"Whom does the Grand Commandant think is qualified to travel to thirteen prefectures and carry out the persecution of Buddhism?"

"Champion Marquis"

Everyone understood Grand Commandant Hong's purpose. He said calmly, "Everyone says I'm domineering, so let's try something more refined. I'd like to see who can stop him."

Su Yan is the sharpest knife. If all sects want to resist the summons of the Demon Suppression Guards with the least cost, then defeating Su Yan is the best option.

This was also a bet between Hong Wuji and all the sects in the world.

They either defeat Su Yan, or they will be constantly suppressed like the Buddhist sect.

It was an open strategy, but extremely effective.

"That's right."

Li He did not hesitate, or rather, the one who truly revealed his true intentions today was not Tong Chengqi and his group, but Hong Wuji.

They had absolutely no reason to reject Hong Wuji's plan; from any perspective, Hong Wuji's actions were perfectly justified.

After the court session ended, Su Yan followed Hong Wuji out the door and into his residence.

"Ten years"

Hong Wuji said to Su Yan, "Although there are good people in the Buddhist and Taoist sects of the Dali Dynasty, there are also many who harbor evil. Your order to destroy Buddhism is my will, but it is also His Majesty's will."

Su Yan frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled: "If it's about destroying Buddhism, the Demon Slaughtering Army and the Demon Suppressing Guard can suppress it directly, much faster than I can."

"Fast, but not necessarily good."

Hong Wuji said, "What Your Majesty wants to destroy is the Buddhism of the West. Over the course of ten years, you have been preparing for war, cleaning up the Buddhist sects so that the people can see their true colors, and suppressing the thirteen prefectures to unite the various sects."

Upon hearing this, Su Yan's heart skipped a beat: "To repel external aggression, one must first pacify internal strife. Is Dali going to launch a military campaign against the Buddhist Kingdom?"

Hong Wuji was slightly taken aback, then laughed: "Yes, provided you win. Otherwise, this opportunity will fall to Tong Chengqi. Are you confident?"

Su Yan's gaze was firm, and then he said, "Yes."

(End of this chapter)