Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 331 Utter Silence at Ten Thousand Buddha Mountain

Looking at the enthusiastic Qu Heng and the Mo Ci standing by with his hands at his sides, Chen Ye couldn't help but feel excited. This was the first time that three generations of the Crimson Serpent Sect had joined forces to explore the secret realm.

The three of them were already fully prepared and ready to go. Qu Heng didn't delay any longer and opened the ancient-style long umbrella in his hand with a "whoosh".

In an instant, ten thousand golden rays burst forth, transforming into countless golden Sanskrit characters that flowed through the void. Faintly visible on the umbrella's surface were seven-colored radiance, the very Seven Treasures Umbrella, the most prized treasure of the Nirvana Sect.

"This treasure can open the gateway to Wanfo Mountain."

Qu Heng gently stroked the umbrella ribs with his fingertips and explained.

“Mount Wanfo?” Chen Ye frowned slightly. “The herdsmen of the northern frontier seem to have never mentioned this name before.” When he inquired about the legends of the Nirvana Sect, he had only heard of the Heavenly Palace above the Holy City, but no one had ever mentioned the name “Mount Wanfo.”

Qu Heng scoffed, "Mortals are nothing more than livestock in the eyes of the Nirvana Sect. Why would they care what we call them? They certainly won't reveal their true location." With that, he flicked his wrist, and the Seven Treasures Umbrella flew out, carrying a dazzling golden light as it soared into the sky. In an instant, a magnificent portal formed from golden Buddhist light appeared above the Yellow Springs Palace.

A flicker of interest crossed Chen Ye's eyes: "Interesting. This Ten Thousand Buddha Mountain isn't located atop the Snow Mountain Holy City; it can be opened anywhere."

Qu Heng nodded and said, "That's right, because this secret realm is not in this world, it's somewhat like the immortal realm. It was because of this secret realm that the Nirvana Sect was able to preserve its vitality back then. It's just a pity that there haven't been any outstanding figures in the past thousand years. They planned for a thousand years but were still killed by Zhang Qi with a single sword. They were truly useless."

As Qu Heng continued to activate the Seven Treasures Umbrella, the portal in the sky slowly opened, revealing a glimpse of the secret realm, with the weather appearing gloomy and overcast.

Chen Ye couldn't help but say, "This doesn't look like a Buddhist holy site; it looks more like hell."

Mo Ci laughed and said, "Whether it's hell or not, I'll go and scout it out."

As planned, Mo Ci, in his form as a day-roaming god, went ahead to the secret realm to check if there were any restrictions or ambushes at the entrance.

As a deity worshipped by incense offerings, Mo Ci's soul is actually residing in the statue of the Yellow Spring Sect. As long as the statue is not broken, the body formed by the incense offerings can be easily restored even if it is destroyed. In addition, Mo Ci's talent for sensing danger makes him the most suitable candidate to explore the path.

Just as they were about to set off, Qu Heng said, "Wait a moment."

Mo Ci turned around in confusion and asked respectfully, "I wonder what instructions the Supreme Elder has?"

Qu Heng reached out and summoned the Seven Treasures Umbrella in the sky, which sent down seven rays of light that landed on Mo Ci.

"This Seven Treasures Umbrella is a supreme protective treasure. This method should be able to protect you completely. Also, take this talisman; you can tear through the void and return to Fengdu City at any time. Be extremely careful on this journey. Don't think that your incense-burning body allows you to take risks recklessly. The Nirvana Sect is also an expert in using incense-burning techniques; they may have ways to deal with you. You only need to walk around the entrance to check if there are any formations blocking it..."

After giving detailed instructions, Qu Heng waved his hand, causing the phantom of the Crimson Dragon Buddha to coil around Mo Ci's body. He truly gave her all the treasures he could to ensure Mo Ci's safe return.

Mo Ci listened in silence, feeling the protective spells enveloping her, a strange sensation washing over her.

Although Mo Ci had acknowledged Qu Heng as his senior and was willing to call him "Master," their relationship was not close and was maintained only by Chen Ye.

Mo Ci had no good feelings towards the Crimson Serpent Demon Sect. His master had used all sorts of cruel and vicious methods on him, and the so-called gratitude for teaching him had long been wiped out.

Mo Ci simply thought that the three generations exploring the secret realm together was just a job for the Yellow Springs Sect, something he had no choice but to do.

But at this moment, Qu Heng seemed to genuinely care about the safety of his junior. Clearly, the master-disciple relationship in the Demonic Sect was indifferent; masters were meant to be tricked, and disciples were meant to be eaten... But with Chen Ye as an anomaly, even these three generations of demons no longer followed the rules of the Demonic Sect.

Mo Ci was not good with words, so he could only bow his head and say to Qu Heng, "Thank you, Elder."

Qu Heng sneered, "You still call me elder? I've already acknowledged Chen Ye as my grand-disciple, so what do you think you should call me?"

Chen Ye remained silent, simply watching from the side. This was also the reason he agreed to the three of them training together. Mo Ci would often get caught up in his own thoughts whenever he had nothing to do. Although he no longer sought death, he still tortured himself every day, ultimately unable to let go of the matter of slaughtering the descendants of his enemies.

Chen Ye couldn't decide whether to kill the descendant of his enemy from hundreds of years later, but he couldn't just watch Mo Ci sink into oblivion forever. Sometimes, you have to push the old man a little harder, to make him truly integrate into the current Yellow Springs Sect.

After hearing Qu Heng's words, Mo Ci stood there awkwardly for a long time before finally whispering, "Thank you, Master." Qu Heng smiled and said, "Good, at least you're not stupid anymore. Go ahead, don't worry. If the Nirvana Sect harms you, I'll avenge you."

Mo Ci thought to himself, this familiar feeling is indeed a direct result of the Crimson Serpent Demon Sect's lineage.

However, after a wry smile, Mo Ci transformed into a golden light and disappeared into the portal, seemingly faster than usual.

The only supernatural power that the God of the Day-Roaming God bestowed upon Mo Ci was his speed. Chen Ye could barely keep up with the speed of this golden light with his naked eye. If Mo Ci was determined to escape, Chen Ye really wouldn't have a chance to catch him.

The golden light entered and soon returned to Chen Ye and Qu Heng.

Although Mo Ci returned safely, his expression was somewhat grim, even though he hadn't experienced any fighting.

Chen Ye asked, "Master, are we in trouble?"

Mo Ci shook his head and said, "No, at least there are no formations or restrictions near that portal. But is this really the blessed land of the Nirvana Sect? It looks like hell inside."

"hell?"

Mo Ci nodded and said, "I saw the gray sky spreading out, as if there was no sun or moon. The earth was barren, without a trace of life. There were also many strange things wriggling and crawling on the ground. I did not land on the ground to take a closer look. But this certainly does not look like a blessed land full of spiritual energy."

Chen Ye was still thinking when Qu Heng said, "Why worry about so much? Since there's no ambush, let's go in and take a look. It's useless to guess without seeing it with our own eyes."

That's true. Since we've already decided to explore the secret realm of the Nirvana Sect, there's no reason to back down.

Qu Heng took the Seven Treasures Umbrella in his hand, and the three of them were enveloped in a seven-colored glow. Then he rushed into the glowing doorway.

After passing through the icy light gate, Chen Ye arrived at the so-called Ten Thousand Buddha Mountain.

Mo Ci's words were true. Chen Ye only glanced at this world and felt that only the word "apocalypse" could describe it.

The gray sky hung low, as if shrouded in a thick layer of dust, obscuring the sun and moon, with only a few wisps of dark red clouds floating like congealed bloodstains. The earth was cracked, with dry ravines crisscrossing it, as if it had been torn apart by some terrifying force.

In the distance, countless collapsed Buddha statues lay amidst the ruins. Some had only half a compassionate face remaining, while others had only a severed hand, palm facing upwards, as if praying or cursing.

The once magnificent temple is now nothing but ruins, with its massive stone pillars toppled and grayish-white, like the remnants of something that has exhausted all its spiritual energy.

The so-called Ten Thousand Buddha Mountain is now a place where all ten thousand Buddha statues have been destroyed.

In these post-apocalyptic ruins, countless non-human creatures crawled across them. Most of them were emaciated, hunched over, and moved as slowly as snails.

Chen Ye listened intently for a moment and seemed to hear many strange rumbling sounds. He couldn't help but ask, "What's that sound? Is it thunder?"

But when Chen Ye looked up at the sky, he found that it was just gray and there was no lightning in sight, as if the sky itself was dead still.

Qu Heng frowned and said, "It's those monsters down there making noises. Why do they sound so strange?"

Chen Ye looked down at the ground; the thunderous sound seemed to be coming from the crawling monsters.

Just as they were wondering, Qu Heng said, "Something's not right. I've never seen a world completely devoid of spiritual energy. Even the shattered Green Coffin Mountain has spiritual energy, but I can't sense any spiritual energy here."

Chen Ye looked at the distant mountains, then at the writhing monsters on the ground, and suggested, "Could it be that all the monks of the Nirvana Sect have turned into this? Let's catch a few and take a closer look."

(End of this chapter)