Chapter 742: Who Said We Were on the Same Side?

The Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable glanced sideways at the hand resting on his shoulder.

He finally extinguished the last shred of thought about fleeing.

His expression darkened; he slowly turned, clasped his palms before that person, and bowed respectfully: "This small demon pays homage to Venerable Jin Chan."

"No need for such ceremony."

The young monk wore a gentle smile; behind him, the several Venerables who had originally escorted the great demon to the Seven Sages Marsh—Wuxiang, Tianluo, and that Master Master Qibao Bodhisattva—all stood calmly.

According to the edict passed down by the sect originally, as Bodhisattvas, they should avoid getting too close to demons and monsters, merely pushing the waves from behind, to avoid giving the Sanxian Sect any concrete evidence; when the two sides later fought over incense offerings, those Qi Refiners would use such things to make trouble in the mortal world.

Yet looking across the four great Shenzhou, where else among the other three would one encounter such treacherous circumstances as in Da Nanzhou?

Clearly, a demon army far superior to the imperial court's garrison strength had been arranged, yet waiting until now, not a single prefecture had been breached.

Master Master Qibao Bodhisattva had originally planned to return first to Nan Xumi to request instructions from that Great Self-Nature Pure World Bodhisattva.

But Venerable Jin Chan suddenly stepped forward.

This was his first time descending the mountain to handle affairs after reaching the third-rank realm; he would not allow such a major error to occur.

Thus, invoking his status as a disciple personally selected by the Future Buddha, he forcibly seized the right to speak and led a host of Bodhisattvas to wait outside the Divine Dynasty.

What surprised everyone was that the Southern Emperor, likely wary of the Puti Sect, had deliberately concealed his movements; yet perhaps because Jin Chan's true form harbored a Buddha-heart and great fortune rested upon him, he truly managed to find this Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable.

Looking again at the Demon Venerable's panicked flight, it was obvious... even if the Southern Emperor had personally led troops, he still could not tear open a single breach in Da Nanzhou.

"Venerable, please stop frightening this small demon. I indeed was wrong; I should not have fled the battlefield. How you wish to dispose of this small demon, simply state it clearly."

Surrounded by such a group of Bodhisattvas, the Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable now completely set aside the dignity of a third-rank powerhouse, showing rather the intention of surrendering unconditionally.

He let out a long sigh: "However, whether spoken or unspoken, your sect truly left us no path to survival."

Perhaps due to the influence of being near the good, the Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable, having followed the Southern Emperor along this journey, had also learned a few things; at least his mind had become much clearer.

The group of great demons who had escaped from under the hands of the True Gods, originally intended to be sacrificed as a banner after the fact, were now all dead; only he and the Southern Emperor remained. With matters having reached this point, what meaning was there in breaking or not breaking the continent?

Even if they truly breached Da Nanzhou, compared to drinking soup and eating meat, the two of them would likely be the first to be settled accounts with by the great sects.

Therefore, the instant the Southern Emperor stepped into the prefectural government office, the Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable turned and fled the Glazed Prefecture without hesitation, his sole thought being to hurry back to the Barbarian Wilds and never again concern himself with affairs of the Shenzhou.

"How is the Southern Emperor doing?"

Venerable Jin Chan lightly twirled the bead strand between his fingers.

"I do not know."

The Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable turned his head aside, ready to be killed or cut; in any case, letting him return to the Shenzhou was an impossible matter.

Seeing this, Venerable Jin Chan's smile turned cold, yet he did not say much; he simply slowly raised his palm, then grasped the Dragon-Lizard's scaled face, gradually forcing its head back to face forward.

"This Venerable said you can breach Da Nanzhou."

"..."

The Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable, at the very least, possessed the realm of Six-Six Transformation; with merely a slight mobilization of demonic power, he could shake off this unknown junior before him.

But as their eyes met, seeing the monk's slightly sinister eyes, for some reason, a chill surged up his spine.

"Setting aside the Southern Emperor for now, the great demons those Venerables brought last time all silently perished in Da Nanzhou. Now, relying solely on this small demon alone, it is truly... truly..."

"Rest assured. After today, you will be the most famous demon in Da Nanzhou."

Venerable Jin Chan smiled brightly, cutting off his words; his wide sleeves swayed, with Buddha-light gathering within, condensing into a tightly binding golden ring upon the Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable's neck; immediately, this golden ring sank into his body.

"You!"

The Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable finally sensed something amiss and tried to break free from the other's palm, but his eyes suddenly turned blood-red.

His two arms uncontrollably swelled; soon his body also exploded outward, tearing the armor upon him, and before the eyes of all, he transformed into his true form, several thousand zhang tall.

All were beings whose lifespans were counted in tribulations; how could the Dragon-Lizard not understand the other's meaning?

This monk... wanted to use himself as a shield to personally breach Da Nanzhou!

Yet with that golden ring entering his body, the Dragon-Lizard Demon Venerable only felt his throat blocked and about to burst; he could not even speak a single complete sentence. He angrily stamped his hooves, saliva flying everywhere, but in the end could only emit a hoarse roar: "Roar!"

"Tsk."

Venerable Jin Chan stood calmly beneath the hooves of this wildly struggling beast and nodded in satisfaction.

"..."

The several Venerables, including Master Master Qibao Bodhisattva, took this scene into their eyes and all raised their eyebrows slightly.

That golden ring was clearly a treasure bestowed by the Future Buddha, intended to subdue demons and monsters, yet Jin Chan had used it in such a place.

"Great Self-Nature Bodhisattva did not order us to act personally."

"Should we not return to request instructions?"

Hearing the hesitant words of the few, Jin Chan suddenly turned back, his gaze becoming sharp.

He swept his gaze over the few one by one: "Request instructions?"

Before the words had fully left his lips, Venerable Jin Chan had already let out a scoffing laugh, his gaze landing on Master Master Qibao Bodhisattva: "Are you saying, like you, following the sect's edict to breach Da Nanzhou, only to have your treasure-light shaved off while lecturing at White Crane Mountain, with not a shred of progress made until now?"

Facing this senior whose seniority and realm both surpassed his own, his words were filled with mockery, showing not a shred of respect: "Leaving matters to the lot of you, I fear by the time the other three continents have finished dividing up the incense offerings, Da Nanzhou will still be peaceful and harmonious, a picture of a prosperous age."

"Born to be a foil!"

"Jin Chan!"

The several Bodhisattvas finally could not help but lowly rebuke aloud.

On the contrary, Master Master Qibao Bodhisattva, who had been scolded as if pointed at by the nose, remained calm; after pondering for a long time, he slowly raised his palm: "You speak truly. This Venerable indeed feels ashamed before the sect's instructions. How to proceed from here on, I shall follow your arrangements."

He was indeed somewhat weary.

Moreover, what Jin Chan said also made sense; this great calamity was far from its original state. Looking at the current situation, disciples of the Buddha like the other party were the true ones destined to meet the calamity, while they... were merely foils. It was better to finish the matter early and return to Nan Xumi to cultivate in peace.

Upon hearing this, Jin Chan looked proudly at this restless Dragon-Lizard and said calmly: "The Southern Emperor has drawn the Divine Dynasty's attention; we shall attack from another direction."

"In seven days, I will breach nine prefectures, leaving thirty percent of the population alive. The great matter can be accomplished."

Matters involving the lives of countless beings, yet in his mouth, were merely simple numbers.

"..."

Several Bodhisattvas fell silent for a long time and did not speak to refute.

Just as Jin Chan said, the progress in Da Nanzhou was indeed far too slow compared to the other three continents; if this continued, once the people of the Sanxian Sect had their hands free, this patch of land might not remain under Nan Xumi's control.

"Of course, before taking action..."

Bodhisattva Jin Chan slowly stepped forward and suddenly punched out at the empty sky.

Even without manifesting a Dharma form, a thick golden river still surged skyward, roaring mightily as it swept across the firmament.

"We must first deal with these treacherous villains."

He looked up toward where he had punched, staring with utter mockery at the two figures forced to flee their concealment array: "Wanting to pick up scraps behind the Buddha's back, your Sanxian Sect has truly regressed."

Those two hastily dodged the golden river and quickly stabilized their forms.

They were none other than Elder Yu Chi and Shen Shan Laozu of the Sanxian Sect.

"Heh, the last time I saw you, you were merely a Great-Rank Luo Han; I never expected you to have become a Bodhisattva."

Elder Yu Chi waved his wide sleeves, feigning a mocking demeanor, but deep dread flashed in his eyes.

Counting throughout Nan Xumi, Jin Chan's name surpassed that of many Bodhisattvas.

After all, his master was the Future World Honored One; within the Sanxian Sect, that would be the status of a direct disciple under the Sanqing Sect's Sect Master, a position always reserved for those of Great Self-Mastery; only this person, possessing a Buddha-heart, had been selected from the very beginning as a novice.

The path he cultivates is one of the two Great Dao paths held by the Future Buddha.

This path of Jin Chan, having just reached the third-rank, already displayed its profundity; the two of them clearly possessed cultivation far superior to his, yet were forced by a single punch to reveal their forms.

If he truly attained Great Self-Mastery, I fear that below the Emperor and the True Buddha, no one would be able to control him.

"Congratulations, Daoist Jin Chan, on your great advancement in cultivation, but your words are rather harsh."

Shen Shan Laozu narrowed his eyes slightly: "We are all from two sects; I, this Old Ancestor, often go to Nan Xumi to listen to the elders expound the Dharma; we are at least half-fellow disciples; speaking of picking up scraps is to underestimate us too much; we merely sensed an anomaly here and came to take a look."

"If we have displeased you all, we shall simply turn and leave."

Beizhou's intention was to wait until chaos erupted here before dividing a share of the spoils from under Nan Xumi's hands.

But no situation had occurred in Da Nanzhou for a long time.

After initially grasping the use of that artifact, Shen Shan Laozu had become somewhat anxious, which was why he contacted Elder Yu Chi to come inspect the Divine Court together.

His idea was simple: rather than staring at that group of demons and monsters, it was better to follow these monks; after all, with the artifact at their side, they held all the advantages in single combat and need not fear failing to seize it from them.

Yet they never expected these monks to suddenly gather together and even track the two of them down.

For now, the best course is to withdraw first.

"We take our leave."

Shen Shan Laozu gave Elder Yu Chi a glance, then turned and was about to summon auspicious clouds to flee.

Just then, however, Bodhisattva Jin Chan's face twisted into a sinister grin as he lightly flicked his sleeve.

In the next moment, Bodhisattva Master Master Qibao let out a sigh, clasped his palms, and the seven wheels of treasure light behind him suddenly shot out, surrounding the two of them completely.

"What does this mean, everyone?"

Shen Shan Laozu's eyelids twitched slightly; he looked back down at the ground and forced a smile: "Do you intend to keep the two of us here?"

"This Venerable One has no intention of keeping you."

Bodhisattva Jin Chan lifted the corners of his mouth and slowly raised both palms: "This Venerable One intends to kill you."

Upon hearing these words, Shen Shan Laozu's face completely darkened.

Even after receiving Beizhou's decree, what he had in mind was how to contend for incense; he had never thought of dealing a fatal blow.

"Venerable Jin Chan is joking; the Sanxian Sect and the Puti Sect have always been on good terms..."

"This Venerable One has already slaughtered even True Gods; what more of you two broken-down sect members who don't even have a seat when the Sect Master expounds the Dharma?"

The instant Jin Chan's contemptuous words rang out.

Elder Yu Chi, who had been silent for so long, abandoned all hope of luck; as his hand waved, a Dharma seal was already formed at his fingertips, and he sneered: "Speak as if you truly could keep this Old Ancestor."

Although outnumbered and with Bodhisattva Master Master Qibao, a powerhouse of the number Six-Six, standing guard, do not forget that the artifact bestowed by Beizhou is no pushover.

Winning might be hopeless, after all, these monks have considerable reserves, but simply escaping should not be difficult.

"Attack."

Bodhisattva Jin Chan ceased smiling and stood expressionless in place; in the next moment, amidst ten thousand feet of rosy light, a majestic Dharma form sitting cross-legged atop a toad suddenly manifested between heaven and earth.

Before it, even that agitated dragon-lizard appeared far smaller.

"I fear there is no one in all of Nan Xumi more arrogant than you, disciple of the True Buddha!"

Since the opponent had already revealed his Dharma body, further talk was meaningless.

Shen Shan Laozu roared in anger, likewise forming a Dharma seal, and prepared for a life-or-death struggle.

"..."

Upon hearing these words, the remaining Bodhisattvas showed strange expressions, clearly disagreeing.

They all recalled a certain figure at the same time.

Unfortunately, Jin Chan clearly disliked that person, and since it involved a struggle over calamities, whatever he did, he deliberately ignored the other, as if isolating that person along with the other Bodhisattvas.

Otherwise, today could have let these two Old Ancestors of the Sanxian Sect open their eyes.

Soon, the Bodhisattvas put aside their thoughts and likewise prepared to manifest their Dharma forms.

However, just as the rosy light suddenly rose, illuminating the mountains and rivers, a calm and unhurried footstep sound clearly fell into everyone's ears.

In the forest.

A tall youth walked slowly; withered leaves were crushed beneath his long boots, making a crack-crack sound.

He wore a brand-new ink-black robe, walked quietly into the arena, and then stood still with his hands hanging by his sides.

"Bodhisattva Subduing Dragon and Taming Tiger?"

This sudden figure clearly left the two Old Ancestors of the Sanxian Sect bewildered, and upon hearing the Nameless Bodhisattva's shout, Elder Yu Chi's face immediately grew much uglier.

Leaving aside the fact that the opponent had added another third-rank powerhouse.

This one is no obscure nobody.

She had seen him once beyond the North Flowing River; back then, he was merely a Great Grade Luo Han, yet became famous across Da Nanzhou for slaying many prodigies of the Sanxian Sect in a single battle.

Never did she expect that upon meeting again, he, like Jin Chan, had also made a leap in his realm.

A figure so ruthless and fierce, once possessing formidable power, is far beyond comparison to ordinary peers of the same realm.

This has become tricky!

Jin Chan Bodhisattva instinctively frowned, feeling deeply unlucky as he said, "Why have you come?"

He had expended great effort plotting everything, and just as the time came to pluck the fruit, this person shamelessly clung along, truly like a dog-skin plaster.

"Enough, enough."

Jin Chan snorted coldly; as a disciple of the True Buddha, one may be eccentric and violent in temperament, but must never display such petty intolerance toward fellow disciples, lest it reach the Master's ears and bring inevitable punishment.

"Since we are of the same path, and you have come, consider your share of the merit."

Hearing these words, the two Shenxu Laozu slowly drew closer, one watching ahead, the other observing behind, both sensing the other's tension.

Yet right under everyone's gaze.

Shen Yi showed no expression of gratitude or joy; he merely lowered his eyes, staring at his shoe tips, and said faintly, "Who said we are of the same path?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, the other Bodhisattvas were slightly stunned, looking over with some confusion.

The two Shenxu Laozu of the Sanxian Sect stood frozen in the sky; could there still be a turn of events? This Dragon-Taming Tiger-Subduing Bodhisattva seemed to be at odds with Jin Chan; could he have come to assist them?

Jin Chan was so angered he laughed: "What do you mean? Refusing a gift of face?"

He had already made a magnanimous concession; if this beast proves ungrateful, then it cannot be blamed on him.

"Tsk."

Shen Yi adjusted his ink-black robe, unable to help but sigh lightly, as if facing a group of unintelligent creatures impossible to reason with.

"What is this tribation for?"

"If I understand correctly, it should be to select the so-called Immortal Emperor."

He paused his speech, finally raising his eyes to look at the several figures before him, a mocking smile appearing on his lips: "Does the Immortal Emperor require many?"

Before his words finished.

Under the gaze of those clear black eyes, nearly everyone felt a chill that raised the hair on their skin.

As the master of heaven and earth, the Immortal Emperor, of course, needs only one.

(End of this chapter)