Chapter 523: Observing Tigers from Tiger Mountain===GLOSSARY===

Time flew by like a shuttle, the great war fraught with danger, Longling finally led the surviving Earth cultivators, exhausted and weary, through the desolate battlefield, and finally returned to Lihu City.

Their clothes were torn, their bodies covered in battle scars, but their eyes flashed with unyielding light.

"Creak..."

The city gate slowly opened, Longling stepped into the city first, his silhouette stretching long in the afterglow of the setting sun.

His heart was filled with complex emotions, both mourning for fallen comrades and rejoicing in survival.

This battle was far from over, requiring rest, preparation, for the greater challenges to come.

Earth cultivators' top-tier strength was already scarce; henceforth, they must not lightly involve themselves in the enemy's karma.

At this moment, Qin Shi Huang stood on the city tower, his gaze like a torch, his posture upright, like an insurmountable mountain peak.

He watched the returning cultivators, and a surge of heroic spirit rose in his heart.

These cultivators were Earth's hope, the key to resisting the forces of the Universe.

"Open Lihu City, activate the great defensive formation."

As Qin Shi Huang immediately issued the order, Lihu City's moat great formation instantly activated,.

"Boom—rumble—rumble—"

Beams of light rose from the formation eyes in the city, forming a huge light shield that enveloped the entire Lihu City.

This light shield flickered with seven-colored light, each flicker carrying powerful energy fluctuations, making all cultivators feel a sense of security.

Longling, Jinpeng Wang, Hu Wang, Huang Daxian, and Heifeng did not linger, knowing only by enhancing their own strength could they gain an advantage in future battles. They

exchanged glances, nodded, and then entered the secret chamber together to begin closed-door cultivation. They

needed to recover the strength expended in battle and also needed to comprehend new spells and skills to unleash greater power in the next battle.

Ziyang True Person Zhang Boduan then led a team of elite cultivators, silently leaving Lihu City, aiming for the ancient pagoda site nearby.

They needed to constantly monitor the battle situation between the Universe forces and the ancient pagoda forces, to provide firsthand intelligence to Lihu City.

Everyone's task was equally important, and could even be said to be crucial to the life and death of all Earth cultivators.

Ziyang True Person Zhang Boduan wore a purple Daoist robe, held a crystal-clear translucent Dharma Implement, and had a hint of solemnity on his face.

He knew this mission was full of danger, but he had no trace of fear.

That steadfast gaze, his heart filled with longing for battle and confidence in victory.

They passed through stretches of desolate land, avoided battlefields ablaze with war, and finally arrived at a hidden place near the ancient pagoda.

This was a deserted ancient fortress, overgrown with weeds all around, as if forgotten by the world.

But Ziyang True Person Zhang Boduan knew this was the best position to observe the ancient pagoda.

They quickly occupied the fortress and began setting up various concealment and defensive formations.

Ziyang True Person Zhang Boduan stood at the highest point of the fortress, his gaze piercing through layers of mist, falling upon the distant ancient pagoda.

He could see that the battle around the ancient pagoda was intensifying, with cultivators from the Universe forces and the ancient pagoda forces engaging in a life-and-death struggle.

A glint of precision flashed in Ziyang True Person Zhang Boduan's eyes as he began to unleash his secret art, beams of purple light shooting from his Dharma Implement, forming a huge light mirror.

This light mirror could magnify distant scenes, allowing him to clearly see the battle situation around the ancient pagoda.

He saw that the cultivators of the Universe forces were using various powerful Dharma treasures and arts, attempting to breach the ancient pagoda's defenses.

While the cultivators of the ancient pagoda forces were utilizing the power of the ancient pagoda, putting up tenacious resistance.

The battle between the two sides was exceptionally brutal, each attack carrying destructive power, each defense impregnable.

A sense of urgency surged in Ziyang True Person Zhang Boduan's heart, knowing the outcome of this battle would directly affect Lihu City's future.

He immediately ordered his subordinate cultivators to quickly transmit this intelligence back to Lihu City, so that Qin Shi Huang and Longling et al. could promptly understand the battlefield dynamics.

In the secret chamber, Longling et al. were also engaged in tense cultivation.

Longling sat cross-legged in the center of the secret chamber, surrounded by various spirit stones and Elixirs, began circulating his secret heart method, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy, restoring his strength.

Within her body, surges of powerful energy flowed, each breath carrying strong energy fluctuations.

Jinpeng Wang, Hu Wang, Huang Daxian, and Heifeng were also engaged in their respective cultivations.

Only by enhancing their own strength could they play a greater role in future battles.

They began attempting to comprehend new spells and skills, each comprehension significantly boosting their strength.

Time quietly passed during cultivation, while the battle outside continued.

Ziyang True Person Zhang Boduan led people who had been constantly monitoring the ancient pagoda's dynamics in the fortress, their eyes never leaving the light mirror, that hand always gripping the transmitting Dharma Implement, ready at any moment to send the latest intelligence back to Lihu City.

Finally, after several days of cultivation, Longling et al.'s strength had significantly increased.

They walked out of the secret chamber, his mind flashing with even more wise light.

Qin Shi Huang watched the returning Longling et al., a hint of satisfaction appearing on his face.

"Demon Master, it is still best to remain a wall-watcher this time, after all, Tianji Shengyu concerns the affairs of the Universe Cultivation World, which is the greatest." Qin Shi Huang said.

"Not bad, first observe the changes, respond flexibly as needed.

Earth cultivators are not easily nurtured, they are all future ancient pillars, cannot suffer further losses."

Longling gazed toward the ancient pagoda's direction, the towering pagoda reaching the heavens, nine dragons coiling, killing karma, dyeing the sky red.

Ziyang True Person Zhang Boduan also returned to Lihu City with the latest intelligence.

He reported the battle situation around the ancient pagoda in detail to Qin Shi Huang and Longling et al.

After listening to Ziyang True Person Zhang Boduan's report, Longling et al.'s faces turned solemn, without a trace of fear.

When the enemy advances, we meet them; when water comes, we block it with earth— the people of Daxia unwilling to be slaves have already risen, preferring to die as heroes rather than live as dogs bears..

The cultivators' eyes all flashed with determined light, they raised their weapons high and let out earth-shaking shouts.

"Hum—rumble—rumble—"

Just then, sweeping the ground, on the outskirts of Lihu City, a golden Buddha light split the sky, accompanied by rolling Buddhist chants, the abbot Huiguang Dashi of Xiguangsi led a group of monks slowly approaching.

Their monk robes fluttered in the wind, their faces bearing compassion and resolve, as if heavenly messengers, preparing to intervene in this battle concerning the fate of Tianji Shengyu.

Master Huiguang is over seventy, but his spirit is vigorous, and his eyes reveal profound wisdom.

He holds a nine-ringed tin staff, each ring engraved with Buddhist scriptures, emitting a harmonious light. Behind him stands a group of young monks, their eyes filled with both curiosity about the unknown and a longing for battle.

"Your Majesty, the First Emperor of Qin, we have heard of anomalies in the ancient pagoda, the Nine Wheels of Sentient Beings running rampant, and have come to lend our aid." Master Huiguang's voice is calm and powerful, penetrating the city walls and reaching the First Emperor's ears.

The First Emperor stands on the city tower, his gaze like a torch. Looking at these monks, a sense of respect arises in his heart.

Although these monks are not warriors, their Buddhist Dharma is remarkably effective in restraining souls and magical remnants.

He nods, agreeing to Master Huiguang's request.

"Great Sage Monkey King, you lead these Dharma masters to the ancient pagoda battlefield, and ensure their safety." The First Emperor commands.

The Great Sage Monkey King nods, his form flickers, and he appears before Master Huiguang.

His eyes carry a hint of worldly cynicism, but facing these monks, his attitude is exceptionally respectful.

"Master Huiguang, follow me." The Great Sage Monkey King's voice carries an undeniable authority.

Master Huiguang nods, leading the monks to follow the Great Sage Monkey King as they advance toward the ancient pagoda battlefield.

They pass through the streets of Lihu City, through battlefields ablaze with war, and finally arrive near the ancient pagoda.

Upon reaching the battlefield, the monks immediately sense a strong aura of bloodiness.

On the battlefield, remnants of souls are dissolving, emitting waves of nauseating odor.

Master Huiguang's brows furrow tightly, and a strong sense of compassion arises in his heart.

"This is precisely the blessed ground for saving all beings and accumulating merit." Master Huiguang's voice carries a hint of firmness.

He waves his tin staff, and beams of Buddhist light shoot out from it, forming a huge "卍" character, hovering above the battlefield.

This "卍" character emits warm light, illuminating the entire battlefield and bringing a hint of comfort to the soul remnants upon it.

The monks begin chanting sutras, their voices low and powerful, penetrating the battlefield's clamor and bringing a hint of tranquility to the beings upon it.

As they chant, lotus flowers fly from their mouths and fall upon the battlefield, providing a resting place for those soul remnants.

The Great Sage Monkey King stands at the edge of the battlefield, his eyes carrying a hint of respect.

The monks' Buddhist Dharma holds immeasurable value for this battle.

He draws his black iron staff, ready to protect these monks at any moment.

As the monks chant, the bloody aura on the battlefield gradually dissipates, replaced by a harmonious atmosphere.

Under the illumination of Buddhist light, the soul remnants gradually disperse, turning into threads of pure soul power, returning to heaven and earth.

"Amitabha, may your souls find peace." Master Huiguang chants, his eyes flashing with compassionate light.

Suddenly, the Nine Wheels of Sentient Beings on the battlefield sense the power of this Buddhist light, and they emit angry roars. These beings are formed from condensed fire and spiritual power, and are unusually sensitive to the power of Buddhist light.

"These bald donkeys dare to interfere with our battle!" Tianyi's angry roar echoes, his body burning with raging void flames, each step making the earth tremble.

"We must kill them!" An ancient pagoda cultivator hovers in midair, his wings stirring up waves of heat, forming fire storms.

The Nine Wheels of Sentient Beings begin attacking the monks, their assault fierce and violent, each strike carrying destructive power.

But the monks do not retreat; they continue chanting sutras, releasing Buddhist light, their hearts filled with firm conviction.

Master Huiguang waves his tin staff, and beams of Buddhist light shoot out, forming a solid defensive shield that blocks the attacks of the Nine Wheels of Sentient Beings.

His face bears a hint of calm, as if everything is within his expectation.

"Amitabha, our purpose is not to fight, but to save all beings." Master Huiguang's voice carries a hint of firmness.

Although the Nine Wheels of Sentient Beings' attacks are fierce, under the illumination of Buddhist light, their power begins to gradually weaken.

The monks' Buddhist Dharma has a natural restraining effect on these beings formed from condensed fire and spiritual power.

As the battle continues, the power of the Nine Wheels of Sentient Beings gradually weakens, their bodies become illusory, and finally, under the illumination of Buddhist light, they turn into threads of pure spiritual power, dissipating into the air.

The bloody aura on the battlefield completely dissipates, replaced by a harmonious atmosphere.

The monks' Buddhist Dharma not only resolves the attacks of the Nine Wheels of Sentient Beings, but also provides a resting place for the soul remnants on the battlefield.

The Great Sage Monkey King stands at the edge of the battlefield, his eyes carrying a hint of respect.

The monks' Buddhist Dharma holds immeasurable value for this battle. He draws his, ready to protect these monks at any moment.

Master Huiguang stands at the center of the battlefield, his figure appearing especially tall under the illumination of Buddhist light. His face bears a hint of satisfied smile, knowing they have fulfilled their mission.

"Amitabha, may there be no more conflict in the world, may all beings attain peace." Master Huiguang chants, his voice echoing in the battlefield's sky, bringing a perfect close to this battle.

In the ancient pagoda battlefield of Tianji Shengyu, war flames fly, and battles between various cultivators and strange beings are in full swing.

Amid this chaotic battle, the monks of Xiguangsi, with their unique combat style, have become an alternative sight on the battlefield.

Buddhist chants echo from their mouths, using the power of Buddhist Dharma to oppose enemies, their conduct arousing great dissatisfaction and contempt from the cultivators of the Eight Great Sects.

The abbot of Xiguangsi, Master Huiguang, holds the nine-ringed tin staff, standing in the midst of the battlefield, his voice calm yet powerful: "Amitabha, benefactors, the disciples of Xiguangsi have come today solely to save all beings and alleviate the suffering of war."

However, the cultivators of Huanyu do not take it this way.

They believe battle should be faced head-on, advancing bravely, rather than like the monks of Xiguangsi, always bullying the few with the many, or scattering in disarray when enemies pursue them.

In a fierce battle, Master Huiguang and his disciples encounter the forces of the ancient pagoda's eight tribes.

In a clash, a Huanyu cultivator cultivator accidentally falls isolated, and the monks of Xiguangsi see this, immediately swarm over, chanting sutras, their Dharma implements emitting golden light, directly reducing that cultivator's corpse to ashes.

This scene is witnessed by the cultivators of the other eight great sects, their eyes filled with disdain.

"Monks of Xiguangsi, what kind of conduct is this? Bullying the few with the many, what kind of hero is that!"

The Nine Wheels Heaven cultivator, furious, loudly rebukes.

Facing such reproach, Master Huiguang merely smiles faintly and replies: "Sect Leader, please calm your anger, I have only done what should be done. In this battle, our goal is to reduce killing and allow more beings to attain liberation."

However, this explanation cannot quell the anger of the ancient pagoda's eight great sect cultivators.

They believe the monks of Xiguangsi lack the courage for direct confrontation, always adopting tactics of avoiding the real and striking the false, which in their view is undoubtedly disgraceful.

In the following battles, the cultivators of the eight great sects begin intentionally or unintentionally avoiding cooperation with the monks of Xiguangsi.

They would rather face powerful enemies alone than associate with those "shameless" monks.

Once, a monk of Xiguangsi was injured in battle, pursued by enemies.

According to common sense, the nearby comrades should have rushed forward to support immediately.

However, the other monks chose to flee, reciting Buddhist sutras as they ran, as if justifying their actions.

This scene was witnessed by the Huanyu cultivators, who were stunned.

They had never seen such a fighting style, which was completely different from what they knew about cultivator combat.

Some of the Huanyu cultivators began mocking the monks of Xiguangsi, believing their behavior was nothing short of a disgrace to the cultivator world.

"Look at those monks—do they still have even a shred of cultivator dignity?" one Huanyu cultivator sneered.

"Exactly, they gang up on one person—utterly shameless. When chased by others, they flee in a crowd—truly shameless," another cultivator echoed.

Faced with such accusations and mockery, the monks of Xiguangsi did not offer much explanation.

They persisted in their fighting style, knowing the goal was not personal glory, but the peace of all beings.

In the midst of battle, Master Huiguang said to his disciples: "Do not be swayed by outside words; your actions may not be understood, but your purpose is correct. We will bring peace to this battle in our own way."

Although the cultivators of the Eight Great Sects were filled with dissatisfaction and contempt toward the monks of Xiguangsi, it cannot be denied that their role on the battlefield was impossible to ignore.

Their Buddhist power demonstrated astonishing effectiveness when facing aberrant lifeforms.

Many powerful aberrant lifeforms, under the radiance of Buddhist light, had their strength weakened and were ultimately defeated.

As the battle continued, the cultivators of the Eight Great Sects gradually realized they should perhaps set aside their prejudices against the monks of Xiguangsi, cooperate with them, and jointly confront the powerful enemy.

After all, in this battle concerning the fate of Tianji Shengyu, unity is the key to victory.

The cultivators of the Eight Great Sects of the Ancient Pagoda have noticeably changed their attitude toward the monks of Xiguangsi.

Master Huiguang stood at the center of the battlefield, his silhouette stretching long in the afterglow of the setting sun.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face; he knew their efforts had not been in vain, and their actions were finally understood.

"Namo Amitabha, may there be no more conflict in the world, may all beings attain peace." Master Huiguang's voice echoed across the battlefield, bringing a perfect close to this fight.

As the battle deepened, the Huanyu cultivators gradually noticed the uniqueness of the Xiguangsi monks' cultivation methods.

They originally scoffed at the monks' fighting style, thinking it lacked the courage for direct confrontation, but over time, they began to realize the monks' cultivation methods were not as simple as they imagined.

In a fierce clash, a Huanyu cultivator witnessed a Xiguangsi monk, facing a violent attack from an aberrant lifeform, calmly forming hand seals while reciting profound Buddhist sutras.

As the sound grew louder, concentric rings of golden sound waves expanded from his mouth, forming an impenetrable sound barrier.

The aberrant lifeform's attack struck the sound barrier, yet it was like a mud cow entering the sea—no ripple at all.

"What... what kind of technique is this?!" the Huanyu cultivator stared in shock, having never seen such a peculiar defensive method.

Another Huanyu cultivator saw two monks jointly casting a spell, throwing their Buddhist beads into the air; the beads spun midair, emitting myriad golden rays, forming a colossal "卍" character.

This "卍" symbol, like a living thing, spun rapidly, repelling the aberrant lifeforms one by one; its immense power left all cultivators present stunned.

"These monks... their strength should not be underestimated," one Huanyu cultivator whispered, eyes filled with awe.

Even more shocking to the Huanyu cultivators was seeing Master Huiguang display astonishing power in battle. Facing

a powerful aberrant commander, Master Huiguang remained calm; he lightly tapped his staff, and a golden pillar of light shot from its tip, striking the aberrant commander's chest.

The aberrant commander's body, bathed in the golden light, began to gradually dissipate, ultimately turning into a wisp of blue smoke.

"How... how is this possible?!" a Huanyu cultivator exclaimed, unable to believe his eyes.

As the battle progressed, the Huanyu cultivators began to reassess the combat strength of the Xiguangsi monks.