The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 116 Behead!
With a horizontal slash, the blade sliced ​​through the monster in front of him as easily as splitting rotten wood or shattering snow. Before the green blood of the insect demon could even fall, it was burned and annihilated by the intense heat.

Zhou Yan, Shen Cangming, and Zhi Xuan rushed quickly through the Buddhist path of the Reclining Buddha Temple.

All the monsters ahead were slain.

They formed a unique tactical combination for the Tang Dynasty's border troops.

Shen Cangming was in charge of the left side, Zhou Yan was in charge of the right side, and Zhi Xuan used a Buddhist altar table as a heavy shield to take on the frontal assault. He killed countless people with his Vajra Pestle while breaking through this hidden mechanism.

Zhou Yan had already told the two of what Xuanzang had said in his dream along the way.

Without the slightest delay, they immediately retreated outside, fighting their way through. Suddenly, they heard the faint sound of a Zen bell striking outside, solemn and dignified. Zhi Xuan flicked the blood off his weapon and said:
"Oh no, the Buddhist bell has already rung."

"The Longevity Ceremony has progressed to the stage of offering sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and the offering to Heaven is about to begin."

Zhi Xuan was somewhat anxious, especially since he knew that Li Longji was also there.

The monks sought longevity, and if the fasting ceremony for the heavens were to include so many ordinary people from outside, as well as this Sanlang Saint, what would it be like? He only had to think about it briefly before his scalp tingled.

"It's too late, Shen Cangming, Zhou Yan."

Zhi Xuan gritted his teeth: "Let's go, let's find another way!"

Zhou Yan asked, "Is it too late to find a new route?"

Zhi Xuan said, "Of course there's enough time." He pointed in the direction from which the sound of the Buddhist bell came, a dangerous smile on his face, and said, "Don't let conflicting information cloud your judgment."

"What we need to do is simply get there before the Fasting Ceremony and kill the core of the Longevity Scripture Ceremony, namely the abbot!"

"Isn't that just a road?"

Zhou Yan saw the wall.

Before he could process what was happening, two figures stepped forward from his left and right sides. Shen Cangming held his sword horizontally with the hilt clenched tightly, like a cautious battering ram; Zhi Xuan swung his vajra forward.

The power of the Xuan Guan erupted, and the two forces clashed violently, smashing down the wall in front of them. Amidst the rumbling sound, rubble rained down. Shen Cangming and Zhi Xuan used their shoulders to brace against the cracks created by the impact on both sides.

Shen Cangming: "Let's go."

Zhixuan: "That's all you need to do."

Zhou Yan understood their meaning and, without hesitation, rushed in with his knife. They immediately locked onto the direction of the Buddha Bell and then, with bold and decisive strokes, carved a path through the enemy's underground chamber!
This will definitely further alert the enemy.

It will attract more demons.

Zhi Xuan said, "It's not about danger, it's about the price, kid."

Zhou Yan asked, "The price?"

An Renjun's former staff officer, now a Buddhist monk, smiled and said, "It's like buying something; you have to pay for it. When you attract demons and encounter so-called danger, you just have to rush to the Buddha Bell Dharma Assembly as fast as possible."

"In other words."

Why don't we voluntarily pay the 'price'?

Zhou Yan couldn't help but laugh and said, "Isn't this just forcing a sale?"

Despite saying that, he didn't stop what he was doing. The Earth Soul Heaven-Shattering Sword in his hand was incredibly heavy and extremely sturdy, making it very easy for him to split the rubble and walls in front of him.

The vital energy of the drought demon's blood was absorbed, while the malevolent energy was suppressed by Xuanzang.

The power of the God of Agriculture's ears of grain can be used again.

Zhou Yan swung his sword, slashing and clearing a path; the effect and speed were nowhere near what was considered an eighth-rank skill.

The existence of Taoist cultivation and merit seems very ethereal, intangible and invisible, unlike magic power, which has consumption and recovery, as well as physical exhaustion caused by excessive consumption of magic power.

However, spiritual cultivation and merit remain the most important aspects of both Buddhism and Taoism.

It is completely different from magic power, qi and blood, and physical strength.

But it is even more mysterious.

Zhou Yan could clearly feel the difference in himself at this moment. When he swung his sword, the consumption of magic power was obviously reduced. Originally, there would be a delay between spells when casting spells.

To draw an analogy, it's like throwing a punch; you throw one punch, then you have to pull it back before you can throw another.

The same applies to magic.

But now, this recovery interval has been significantly reduced.

With the increased harmony between the body and magical power, one feels more at ease with spells. Legend has it that those with profound Taoist cultivation do not need magical power or hand seals and incantations; they can create spells naturally with a thought.

A single thought can be a supernatural power.

Zhou Yan roughly understood.

wow-

The walls shattered, and stones rained down, only to be swept away by the heavy sword in his hand. Some insect demons, taking advantage of the gap, flapped their wings and flew onto Zhou Yan's body, but before they could attack, they seemed to crash into the flames.

It let out a piercing scream and was instantly incinerated.

Then Zhou Yan shattered it with a single blow.

Simply pulverize it into black powder!

Those with profound spiritual attainments and unparalleled merits.

The aura flowing around his body forms its own magic.

In legends and myths, eminent monks and Taoist priests are not harmed or approached by evil spirits when they rest; Taoist and Buddhist scriptures say that they are protected by gods and deities from all directions.

It explains the effects of spiritual cultivation and merit in a way that is easy to understand.

When Zhou Yan's magical power circulates, it naturally forms a protective effect similar to the Buddhist Vidyaraja Fire. Normally, it is no different from other things, but once there are evil spirits or demons that have malice or murderous intent towards Zhou Yan, they will instinctively retaliate.

It's not very lethal, but it's permanent.

Many Taoist priests and monks, even though they are not Xuan Guan (mystical officials), are avoided by ghosts and monsters when they walk on the road. This is because although they do not possess magical powers or know magic, they have been cultivating continuously and have Taoist cultivation within them.

While trying out his transformation, Zhou Yan walked with Shen Cangming and Zhi Xuan. Soon they arrived at a place where all three were Xuan Officials. Zhou Yan and Shen Cangming were from the Fengsui lineage. Standing on the ground, their perception abilities were greatly enhanced.

Shen Cangming cleaved a demon in two with a single strike: "This is it!"

Zhou Yan asked, "How do we get up there?!"

Zhi Xuan had already swung the Vajra pestle in his hand and smashed a hole in it. First, dirt fell down with a whoosh, then bricks, and finally, with a heavy blow, wood, along with broken stones, crashed down.

Zhou Yan looked up and saw that the interior of the hollow was decorated in an exquisite and simple style. He could tell that there was a Buddhist pagoda on top. Zhi Xuan's three Vajra pestles had just carved out a hollow in the base of the pagoda.

The three were overjoyed. However, a faint Buddhist light flowed and dissipated, and the bottom of the pagoda was rapidly being restored. Meanwhile, Zhou Yan sensed from the beacon fire that demons in the space beneath the Reclining Buddha Temple were frantically approaching.

These monsters are probably not just insect demons and skin demons.

The next moment, Zhou Yan felt his gaze rise.

Shen Cangming and Zhixuan stepped in and lifted Zhou Yan up.

"go!"

Zhou Yan acted decisively, taking to the air on the wind.

However, the Buddha's light recovered extremely quickly. He watched helplessly as it dwindled to a mere sliver, about to be repaired and blocked from the pagoda. Just as he was about to thrust the Earth Soul Heaven-Shattering Talisman forward, intending to switch to the Lantern Shadow Jade Talisman, he discovered—

The two jade talismans of Dengying'er and Shanjun lit up at the same time!

His cultivation level increased dramatically, and before he knew it, he could control two jade talismans simultaneously.

This is the greatest blessing that his spiritual cultivation has given him.

"Dark shadows!"

The Buddha's light was about to seal off the entire hollow at the bottom of the pagoda, but countless demons approached, and the sound of them knocking on the walls of the passageway was like a death knell. Three weapons were raised high and tore open the Buddha's light flowing beneath the pagoda.

The next moment, Zhou Yan tossed the Buddhist lamp in his hand, and his shadow flickered. Zhou Yan's figure transformed into a shadow escape technique, and when he reappeared, he was already inside the Buddhist pagoda.

The cavity at the bottom of the pagoda has been repaired.

Zhou Yan said, "Uncle Shen, Master Zhixuan!"

Shen Cangming and Zhixuan sheathed their weapons and looked at the demons in the darkness ahead. The two stood side by side and said, "You go, we'll take care of this place." Zhou Yan looked deeply at Shen Cangming without any hesitation.

The boy, his heart burning with fire and murderous intent, raised his battle sword.

I ran quickly amidst the ringing of the Buddhist bell.

Zhou Yan disappeared into the distance with the sound of footsteps, while Shen Cangming and Zhi Xuan watched the approaching demons. Most of them were humanoid, with six arms and faces that resembled insect demons. However, at this moment, these demons were clearly extremely angry.

They never expected that these three guys would be so unreasonable.

They didn't follow their plan at all, choosing instead to force their way through.

The leader's mouth had split open, revealing locust-like mandibles, and he said, "Junior Brother Zhixuan, have you forgotten who you really are? Why are you hostile to us?!"

Zhi Xuan said, "It's you who have forgotten who you are."

He held the vajra pestle in both hands, his monk's robe stained with blood, resembling a battle robe, and said: "Among the Zhaowu and Zhenwei Colonels of the Great Tang border army, the bravest individual is the [Champion Colonel], under the command of the four military governors, and awarded the title of Commander of the Army."

"Xingxiu River, Shen Cangming".

"Now that he's crippled, tell me, can the champion captain of the Tang Dynasty's border army still charge into battle?"

Shen Cangming raised his sword and said, "Although it's just a second-in-command's sword."

"However, it's still acceptable."

"It can still kill the enemy."

Zhi Xuan said softly, "Breaking through with force to reach the area below the Dharma Assembly will attract demons to gather around us..."

Shen Cangming said, "This can't even be considered a price."

In this way, with the two of them covering the rear, Zhou Yan could proceed unimpeded. The two of them stood side by side, facing the demons and monsters, and together they launched a fierce and valiant charge.

Oh, the Tang Dynasty!

An Renjun.

Still there.

………………

The footsteps were rapid, like thunder. When the monks on the pagoda saw Zhou Yan, they were not surprised, but instinctively rushed over to try to hold him back, only to be cut down one by one by the heavy sword wreathed in dark red flames.

Zhou Yan only took eighteen breaths to rush up the nine-story Buddha Pagoda.

The air outside was thick with the scent of incense, the sounds of people chanting scriptures, and the tolling of Buddhist bells, all blending together to create a solemn and dignified atmosphere. A young hero, his body stained with blood, slowly walked over. He crouched down slightly and looked down from the top of the pagoda.

I saw all living beings, I saw everything, and I saw that persistent desire.

I saw the wish fulfilled, the wish fulfilled through recitation.

He also witnessed the sorrow of the battlefield and the turbulence of the times. Finally, his divine eye saw the abbot surrounded by the crowd. The elderly monk was compassionate and peaceful, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to carry a gentle smile.

The surrounding people knelt down, put their hands together, and were chanting something.

He could sense that the Dharma assembly had transformed into a massive ritual, with the core residing with that old monk. How should he handle it? How could he break this deadlock? Zhou Yan gripped his knife. He didn't understand Taoism, Buddhism, or any profound mysteries.

So, there's only one way left.

The boy pressed his left hand against the edge of the pagoda and suddenly leaped out.

Although the incense was rich and intoxicating, it could not wash away the blood and murderous aura. Prayer flags fluttered, and the old abbot clasped his hands together, about to offer incense to the Buddhas in all directions. Li Zhenyue's gaze was calm, and Pei Xuanbao stood behind the abbot.

Li Longji, on the other hand, hid among the common people.

The people knelt with their hands clasped together, chanting Buddhist scriptures, hoping their wishes would be fulfilled, that their suffering and disasters would be absolved, and that their desires would be granted.

until--

boom!
The passing wind shattered the scent of incense.

The girl in plain clothes carrying a bamboo basket and her younger brother saw it.

A young Taoist priest, dressed in a Taoist robe with the cuffs tightly tied and his black hair slightly swaying, descended from the sky and landed heavily on a Buddhist incense table. A strong wind swirled around him, and the abbot saw the young Taoist priest raise his eyes.

The abbot said, "You..."

The blade rang out with a deafening roar, and the earth and sky seemed to collide in a horizontal slash.

Simple and neat!

Thus, the abbot of the Reclining Buddha Temple, who had lived for over a hundred years, was beheaded in full view of everyone!

A moment of deathly silence followed, then the head flew off, and the old monk's body fell to one side.

Zhou Yan's gaze passed over the monk's corpse and landed on the person seven steps away.

Pei Xuanbao!
(End of this chapter)