Chapter 339: Chapter 133: Can You Do It? (Seeking Monthly Pass)
The flesh and spirits of over one hundred thousand living beings!
Du’er’s face flushed with excitement, his fingers trembling. "The Eternal Alliance dares to commit such an act of annihilation! They’ve really got some nerve!"
He seethed with a mixture of shock and fury. The news from Shen Changqing had deeply shaken this member of the Heavenly Inspection Guard.
Regarding this, Shen Changqing did not show much. When he himself had first heard the news about the Blood Soul Pill, he too had been consumed by rage; otherwise, he wouldn’t have slapped that Demon Evil to death with a single blow. But anger was just anger. Some matters couldn’t be resolved by mere fury.
Looking at Du’er’s furious expression, he spoke slowly, "The demonfolk of the Eternal Alliance have long since abandoned their identity as part of the Human Clan. They do not consider themselves Human Clan, so sacrificing a hundred thousand living beings is not entirely beyond them. Now that things have reached this point, it’s unnecessary to dwell on it. You can report this news upward; the Demon-Subduing Division will naturally send someone to deal with it."
Upon hearing this, Du’er’s inner rage subsided considerably. "Elder Shen is right. However, the Eternal Alliance sacrificed at least a hundred thousand people just to refine the Blood Soul Pill. Such a commotion definitely wouldn’t go unnoticed—" He hesitated, stopping himself. This matter still needed thorough confirmation.
Shen Changqing said, "Of the nine prefectures of Great Qin, your Heavenly Inspection Guard should know better than I which one might slip from Great Qin’s control."
"Great Wilderness Prefecture!" Du’er instantly realized. Among the chaotic situations of the nine prefectures, only Great Wilderness Prefecture was somewhat beyond control. The Barbarian Clan, seemingly disregarding climate changes entirely, kept attacking Great Wilderness Prefecture, creating a standoff with the Imperial Court. At least one-third of Great Wilderness Prefecture’s territory had fallen into Barbarian Clan hands. Much of that territory was beyond the Heavenly Inspection Guard’s reach. If the Eternal Alliance had been sacrificing living beings there, it would be normal for the Heavenly Inspection Guard to have missed the news. What’s more, the Barbarian Clan itself had some degree of cooperation with the Eternal Alliance.
Shen Changqing nodded. "I also believe it’s Great Wilderness Prefecture."
"Then—"
"I’m currently only responsible for cleansing South Nether Prefecture of Demon Evil. As for the remaining matters, let the Defender Envoys decide!" Shen Changqing interrupted Du’er.
What he needed to do now was harvest Slaughter Value; everything else could be postponed. Power reigns supreme. Slaughter Value is the cornerstone of his strength. It was a rare moment, with the Demon-Subduing Division of South Nether Prefecture preparing to go to war with the Myriad Buddhas Sect, causing the progress of purging Demon Evil in various places to be temporarily halted. To him, this was a golden opportunity. Miss this chance, and there might not be another.
Furthermore, from what that Demon Evil had said, Shen Changqing realized that the strength of the Demon Evil Clan was far more terrifying than he had imagined. Although that Demon Evil was likely exaggerating, one must always prepare for the worst. What if that Demon Evil wasn’t exaggerating, and the Demon Evil Clan was truly that powerful? Only Great Demons and above were considered strong; only they had the right to speak. Within the Human Clan, Dongfang Zhao, capable of contending with a Great Demon, was already the openly acknowledged strongest in the Demon-Subduing Division. The gap in strength between the two sides was a bit too wide. The time was not yet ripe, which was why the Demon Evil Clan hadn’t launched a large-scale attack. But when the time came, and the Demon Evil Clan launched a massive offensive, the existing resistance would be crushed as easily as dry weeds and rotten wood. At that point, even the Demon-Subduing Division wouldn’t be able to offer him protection. Only by increasing his own strength before the Demon Evil Clan truly launched a massive attack would he have a chance to ensure his own survival.
Though unable to discern the truth in the Demon Evil’s words, it didn’t prevent Shen Changqing from preparing for a rainy day. After disclosing the news of the Blood Soul Pill to the Heavenly Inspection Guard, he left the city and headed to other places ravaged by Demon Evil.
「 」
Amidst towering mountains, one peak stood out like a crane among chickens. From a distance, it resembled the palm of a great Buddha.
Buddha Palm Mountain.
The abode of the Myriad Buddhas Sect.
This place, within South Nether Prefecture, was a holy land in the minds of many. Over the years, many commoners, as well as dignitaries, would travel thousands of miles just to offer a stick of incense before the Buddha, seeking protection or absolution for their sins.
But ever since Shimohe’s return and the Myriad Buddhas Sect’s declaration of opposition to the Demon-Subduing Division, ordinary commoners and those dignitaries no longer dared to come here. There was no other reason; the current Myriad Buddhas Sect was like a band of rebels. If one were to associate with them and be mistaken for an accomplice, the trouble would be significant.
Nowadays, in the mountains surrounding Buddha Palm Mountain, many tents had been erected, with forces stationed there. Combined with the location of Buddha Palm Mountain itself, it gave the impression of the surrounding mountains bowing in homage.
Within the Myriad Buddhas Sect, the deep, resonant sound of bells would occasionally spread. The Myriad Buddhas Sect disciples wore somber expressions; the usually serene Buddhist sanctuary now lacked its typical kindness and harmony, replaced by an air of chilling solemnity.
Inside the Mahavira Hall, Shimohe, dressed in a white cassock, sat cross-legged and barefoot on a meditation cushion. Below him stood the prominent figures of the Myriad Buddhas Sect.
"Sect Master, thirty-six sects have now responded to our Myriad Buddhas Sect. They have already dispatched people to station around Buddha Palm Mountain, waiting only for the Imperial Court’s army and the people from the Demon-Subduing Division to arrive!" The speaker was a kind-eyed, benevolent-looking old monk. If anyone else were present, they would recognize him as the former Sect Master of the Myriad Buddhas Sect, Xuankong. However, with Shimohe’s return, this Sect Master of the Myriad Buddhas Sect had wisely relinquished his position, voluntarily stepping down to become Deputy Sect Master.
Upon hearing this, Shimohe, resembling a reincarnated Buddha, gave a faint, serene smile. "There are over a hundred sects in South Nether Prefecture, yet only thirty-six have come. It seems they still lack confidence in our Myriad Buddhas Sect. Do they truly see our Myriad Buddhas Sect as so vastly inferior to the Demon-Subduing Division?"
"Amitabha Buddha!" Xuankong intoned. "Sect Master, you may not know, but since its establishment over three hundred years ago, the Demon-Subduing Division has suppressed the entire Jianghu. Its power has long been deeply ingrained in people’s hearts. Although you, Sect Master, have slain two Defender Envoys, elevating our sect’s prestige to its zenith, shaking the Demon-Subduing Division’s foundation is still somewhat beyond our reach. However, if our sect can withstand this assault from the Demon-Subduing Division, many more sects will surely join us afterward."
The news that the Demon-Subduing Division was planning to attack the Myriad Buddhas Sect was no secret. Those sects that could come had mostly already arrived. Those that couldn’t were, for the most part, watching and waiting. The Demon-Subduing Division’s deeply ingrained prestige, built over three hundred years, was no laughing matter. Up to now, although the Myriad Buddhas Sect had mustered considerable momentum, it was still not enough to rival the Demon-Subduing Division.
Shimohe inquired, "Where are the Demon-Subduing Division’s forces now?"
"Less than a thousand miles away," Xuankong replied, his eyelids lowered as he spoke slowly. "Normally, less than a thousand miles is but a short distance for a Grandmaster. However, the Demon-Subduing Division has mobilized two hundred thousand troops for this campaign, which will delay their march. They’ll arrive in about five days at the earliest."
"Five days!" Shimohe nodded.
Just then, a fierce tempest stirred within the great hall, and the surrounding temperature plummeted visibly. A person wearing a ferocious mask, their features obscured, walked slowly into the grand hall from outside. As the figure neared, the chilling aura spread like frost, causing it to form on the ground and pillars.
"Who dares to intrude upon our Myriad Buddhas Sect?"
"Outrageous!"
The Myriad Buddhas Sect Elders seated on their meditation cushions were visibly enraged. Several of them spontaneously launched attacks toward the masked intruder. Vast power fluctuations erupted, but upon reaching the masked figure, they vanished without a trace, like a clay ox entering the sea. Then, the masked figure waved a hand, and several Myriad Buddhas Sect Elders were sent flying backward, blood spilling from the corners of their mouths.
"Is this how the Myriad Buddhas Sect treats its guests?" the masked figure’s hoarse voice rasped, chilling to the bone.
Throughout this, Shimohe’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly unconcerned by the masked figure’s arrival. Below him, Xuankong also maintained a calm demeanor. Looking at the person standing in the middle of the grand hall, he joined his hands and chanted a Buddhist salutation. "Amitabha Buddha. In today’s world, to possess such prowess... I fear only the Eternal Alliance Master is capable of this!"
Eternal Alliance Master! The Myriad Buddhas Sect Elders’ faces registered shock upon hearing this. That was one of the top powerhouses. They hadn’t expected the Eternal Alliance Master to come to the Myriad Buddhas Sect at such a time.
Hearing this, the Eternal Alliance Master’s voice carried a faint hint of amusement. "Sect Master Xuankong, you have a discerning eye, to see through my identity with but a glance. I wonder if you are interested in joining my Eternal Alliance and partaking in eternal life?"
"Amitabha Buddha," Xuankong intoned, his kind, benevolent expression unchanged. "The Myriad Buddhas Sect is a pure land of the Buddha Sect. Demonic filth like yours does not belong here. We of the Buddha Sect naturally do not consort with Demon Evil!"
His words seemed to lower the temperature in the grand hall even further.
At this moment, Shimohe suddenly spoke. A supremely domineering aura emanated from him, completely dispelling all traces of the Yin Evil Aura. "My Myriad Buddhas Sect has no dealings with the Eternal Alliance. Your sudden intrusion is already a transgression. And now, in my very presence, you dare suggest my Deputy Sect Master join your Eternal Alliance!" The smile vanished from Shimohe’s face, his eyes turning cold as they fixed on the Eternal Alliance Master, the air around them instantly solidifying. "Or perhaps," his voice dripped with ice, "you truly do not take me seriously?"
In response, the Eternal Alliance Master remained unmoved, his voice hoarse. "Sect Master Shimohe, there is no need for anger. I was merely jesting. I’ve come today to discuss a potential collaboration with the Myriad Buddhas Sect."
Collaboration! The Myriad Buddhas Sect Elders exchanged bewildered glances, and even Xuankong’s expression flickered.
A teasing, somewhat mocking smile appeared on Shimohe’s face. "Jesting? Collaboration? What gives you the right to jest in my presence, to harm my sect’s people before my eyes, or to propose collaboration with my Myriad Buddhas Sect? Are you—worthy?"
As his words fell, Shimohe vanished abruptly from his cushion, reappearing before the Eternal Alliance Master in the next instant.
In that moment, the atmosphere froze.