Chapter 686: The Murderous Intent Within the Debate

Qishandashi has passed away.

Before the Yulan Festival, he passed away silently and without a trace.

Due to the concealment by Guanhai Monk, the people of Lanke Temple did not know what relationship Qishandashi's death had with Yu Liancheng; they only assumed Qishandashi had been plagued by severe illness for many years and finally could no longer hold on, entering the Western Paradise to enjoy eternal life.

And because it was the grand Yulan Festival, the temple intended to temporarily hide the news of Qishandashi's death and wait until some time had passed before speaking of it.

Time gradually passed, and finally, the day of the Yulan Festival arrived.

Tourists from the various kingdoms of the world came in droves; the small town in front of Washan was incredibly lively, and the square in front of Lanke Temple was even more packed with people, with no telling how many pairs of shoes were trampled to ruin. If not for the monks and the troops sent by the local government maintaining order, performances could not have been held on the square, nor would it have been possible to proceed.

The various kingdoms of the Central Plains all sent sightseeing groups and guests; one after another, the parade floats passed by, performing songs and dances, drawing bursts of enthusiastic cheers and applause.

Finally, the abbot of Lanke Temple led the monks in a prayer ceremony for the world, followed by a heaven-worship segment presided over by a certain Divine Official from the Divine Palace; countless believers knelt on the ground, the scene extremely solemn and grave.

The Yulan Festival ended, and the tourists retreated like a receding tide.

But many cultivators did not leave, because at the strong insistence of Aunt Quni Madi of the Buddha Sect, Lanke Temple opened a debate.

The debates at Lanke Temple were very famous in the cultivation world, and many times, stunning figures had emerged from these debates, shaking the world.

For instance, Liansheng once debated at Lanke Temple for twenty-three days, his mouth spitting out lotus-like marvelous words, even causing the previous generation's Hierarch of the Xiling Divine Palace to come from Taoshan and personally invite Liansheng to enter the Divine Palace as a Guest Minister.

Or, for instance, Crown Prince Longqing, who died at the hands of Ye Hongyu; one autumn, he also debated the seven sons of the Buddha Sect in Lanke Temple for three days and three nights, winning seven consecutive matches, even causing the eldest disciple of Lanke Temple to vomit blood and collapse.

In general, as long as one could shine brilliantly in a debate, one would immediately receive the attention of the entire cultivation world, and might even be taken in as a disciple by a senior expert.

And a debate did not require fighting to the death, nor was there any danger to one's life. Thus, once a debate began, it was a grand event.

This grand event was held on the square in front of Lanke Temple, and the number of participants was also numerous.

When Yu Liancheng had just woken up from a lazy sleep, washed up, and gone to the square, this debate had already been going on for most of the day.

"Mr. Yu, you've come, meow."

Tianmaonv hopped and skipped as she greeted Yu Liancheng.

Because Yu Liancheng had taught Mo Shanshan how to draw a Divine Talisman hand-in-hand yesterday, Mo Shanshan was still contemplating the Divine Talisman, striving to become a Talisman Master as soon as possible; only Tianmaonv had come to watch this debate.

It is worth mentioning that before coming to the debate, Yu Liancheng had put on a bamboo hat.

This was something Mo Shanshan and Guanhai Monk had strongly insisted he wear.

The reason was very simple: Yu Liancheng had previously killed the illegitimate son of the Scripture Lecturer, forming a feud with the Hanging Temple. It was said that a big shot from the Hanging Temple had come this time. Coupled with the fact that Yu Liancheng himself bore the title of "remnant of the Demon Sect," once he appeared in public, it would inevitably stir up controversy, or even a chaotic battle, so they had him wear the bamboo hat to reduce disputes.

This bamboo hat had black silk hanging down, upon which were drawn talismans painted by Mo Shanshan, which could blur one's vision, making it difficult even for a Knowing Destiny expert to see through, and it also had very good breathability.

Yu Liancheng smiled and nodded, standing beside Tianmaonv, looking toward the stage.

At this moment, there were three people on the two sides of the eloquent debate.

On the left side stood two monks; one was a gaunt martial monk, the arms exposed outside his monk's robe appearing as if they were made of steel. The other middle-aged monk had a dark complexion, his face full of the traces of wind and frost.

If he was not mistaken, the middle-aged monk should be a Mind Master.

Beside a Mind Master or Sword Master walking in the world, there would always be a martial arts cultivator with formidable combat power as an escort; this pairing had already become a recognized rule in the cultivation world. After all, the physical bodies of Mind Masters or Sword Masters were too weak; once someone got close to them, it was a dead end. Dueling a Mind Master or Sword Master often meant facing a righteous two-on-one.

Of course, such a situation could not occur in a debate; it was mainly the middle-aged monk who spoke to debate.

The other side was an old monk; Yu Liancheng had stayed at Lanke Temple for some days and recognized that this old monk should be an Elder of Lanke Temple.

The two sides engaged in a fierce war of words. But it was clear that the middle-aged monk held the upper hand, constantly pressing the old monk based on one argument, forcing the old monk to retreat step by step, until finally, he clasped his hands together, chanted a Buddha name, and willingly conceded defeat.

After the old monk conceded, the middle-aged monk and his attendant took out snow-white steamed buns, chewed them in silence, and then began to close their eyes and rest, quietly waiting for the next challenger.

"That monk is called Daoshi, and he seems to be an Ascetic Monk from the White Pagoda Temple of the Yuelun Kingdom. He has conducted thirteen debates so far, and he hasn't lost a single one; he's very powerful, meow," Tianmaonv whispered to explain to Yu Liancheng.

"An Ascetic Monk, indeed. All living beings suffer. If a monk can truly strictly observe the teachings and doctrines, then it is indeed worthy of admiration," Yu Liancheng looked at the monk, a slightly mocking smile spilling from the corners of his mouth.

The two began to discuss in low voices.

Not far from Yu Liancheng and Tianmaonv, there was an old-faced woman wearing a strange garment pieced together from countless scraps of cloth. This woman was Aunt Quni Madi, who had a very high seniority and significant weight in the Yuelun Kingdom.

At this moment, the wrinkles between the brows of this Aunt Quni, who was always known for being strict and vengeful, smoothed out, and as she looked at Daoshi, who was closing his eyes to rest and stealing the spotlight, she rarely revealed a trace of a smile.

This smile actually carried a hint of maternal love.

Yet, sounds of discussion were heard.

The old nun could not help but frown, put away her smile, and looked toward the place where the sound originated, only to see Cheng Ziqing, the number two figure of the Sword Pavilion, talking about something with the disciples of the Sword Pavilion.

Quni Madi opened her mouth to lecture Cheng Ziqing and tell him to keep quiet so as not to disturb Daoshi, who was resting. But just as she opened her mouth, she hesitated, wanting to speak yet stopping, stopping yet wanting to speak again...

The reason Quni Madi was so conflicted was, first, because the debate did not require people around to be silent. Second, and most importantly, Cheng Ziqing was the number two figure of the Sword Pavilion and might not necessarily buy her account.

Quni's cultivation was quite high, and her seniority was even more frightening; in the past, she often used her seniority to pressure people, and it had always worked.

But the Sword Pavilion would not take her act; if she really angered Cheng Ziqing, the other party might truly strike with a sword.

And Cheng Ziqing was a Knowing Destiny Realm expert who practiced the Hand-held Sword, possessing extraordinary strength; not only might she lose face, she might even lose her life.

Just as Quni was hesitating, another burst of subtle discussion arose, and she saw a little girl and a man wearing a bamboo hat whose face could not be seen talking to each other.

A look of disgust immediately appeared on her wrinkled face, and she sternly scolded, "No upbringing! In such a solemn occasion, whose junior is still chattering away, making a constant noise? Are you not afraid of disturbing others?"

"I, I wasn't speaking loudly." Tianmaonv clearly knew Quni Madi's identity, and plus, it seemed she was in the wrong, so she did not dare to retort loudly.

"Who are your elders? Has no one taught you manners? If you really want to talk, go up and have a debate."

Quni Madi's voice was hoarse and unpleasant, yet it carried a piercing, mocking tone.

"You..."

Tianmaonv's little face was filled with indignation; she did not know how she had provoked this aunt.

Quni's face was gloomy, and she coldly snorted, "You yellow-mouthed brat, if you dare to speak nonsense again and disturb the peace, then don't blame this old woman for teaching you a lesson on behalf of your master!"

The eyes of the people around turned toward them, and they silently mourned for this little girl for a moment. Quni Madi had extremely high seniority and a twisted personality; whoever was scolded by her could only endure it.

"Dead old hag, how long has it been since you brushed your teeth? Your mouth is so foul." Just as the whole scene was silent, a cold and clear voice broke the stillness.

The crowd looked toward the sound and saw that beside the slightly pitiful little girl, there was still a black-clothed man wearing a bamboo hat, his head slightly lowered, his true face impossible to see.

Dead old hag!

"You! Seek! Death!"

Quni Madi spat out these two words almost through gritted teeth; she had never been addressed like this in her life. Whether it was the King of Yuelun or even the three Great Divine Officials of the Divine Palace, they were all polite and treated her with courtesy. She never expected that today she would be so humiliated by a junior. She was trembling with rage, her aged hands gripping the back of her chair tightly, as if she might strike at any moment.

If not for the fact that today is the day Daoshi made his name, she would have already smashed the head of the person who spoke. But even so, she would make this person wish they were dead.

However, before this Auntie Quni Madi could make a move, she heard a monk from the Yuelun Kingdom angrily rebuke: "Auntie is a person of great virtue in the Buddha Sect and the sister of the Kingdom Lord; what kind of thing are you to dare to be disrespectful to Auntie?"

Not only did he rebuke, he also fiercely attacked; Mind Power surged from the monk's Snow Mountain Qi Sea, the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi around his body responded and began to gather, and the prayer beads in his hand whistled out, turning into a black shadow and residual light as they smashed toward Yu Liancheng.

Before Yu Liancheng could make a move, Tianmaonv, biting her lip slightly with a cute face full of grievance, let out a sharp cry; her long sword flew from the scabbard at her waist, turning into a cold sword light that struck the black prayer beads with precision.

The sword tip collided with the prayer beads, and a black crack immediately appeared on the beads, their light dimming as they were knocked away.

And that monk, his Life-bound Object broken, spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and fainted.

"Well done."

Yu Liancheng patted Tianmaonv's little head, then strode toward the plaza.

"Sir, what are you doing?" Tianmaonv asked hurriedly.

"Didn't the old woman say that if one wants to speak, one should go to the debate? I happen to be going to have a word with the one on the stage and debate a thing or two."

Yu Liancheng walked onto the plaza with a smile, looked at the monk Daoshi before him, and said with a serious smile: "Please enlighten me."

The dark-skinned monk Daoshi pressed his palms together, his gaze flickering slightly: "Please enlighten me."

Quni Madi, who had been about to fly into a rage, saw Yu Liancheng debating with the monk Daoshi and managed to suppress her anger, but a look of malice still flickered in her aged eyes.

The debate had begun.

Under the proposition of "Form is Emptiness," the monk Daoshi was the first to speak, talking eloquently and sharing his thoughts like a complex and dense net; there was not a single flaw or loophole, and once caught in the net, one was like a young beast captured by a hunter, left to be slaughtered.

Everyone was convinced by Daoshi's argument; even the group of Elders from Lanke Temple who were well-versed in Buddhist debates shook their heads after some contemplation, unable to find any point to counterattack.

But when Yu Liancheng spoke, his elegant and exquisite words flowed out like white lotus flowers, lotus after lotus, spreading into a vast ocean. How could a small net bind a vast ocean? In an instant, the entire net was washed away by the ocean of lotus flowers, torn to pieces.

And Daoshi's face turned slightly pale, his brows furrowed tightly, while Quni Madi's face on the stage grew increasingly gloomy.

The crowd around them was even more astonished, not knowing who this person wearing a bamboo hat was; not only did he dare to be disrespectful to Auntie Quni, but he was also proficient in such profound Buddhist debate, something unheard of and unseen. Even as that clear voice spoke, countless birds and beasts from the mountains came to listen, and even the most ferocious wild beasts were prostrate on the ground at this moment, without a shred of wildness.

A few Elders with terrifyingly high seniority could not help but show a look of reminiscence at this time. The last person who could cause such a scene was Master Liansheng.

On the side where the Sword Pavilion was located, Cheng Ziqing's eyes flickered.

Although he could not see the face under the bamboo hat, he was already very certain that the other party was Yu Liancheng, and he could not help but shake his head slightly; that old woman Quni Madi was used to being arrogant and domineering, but this time she had really provoked an extraordinary figure. If she tucked her tail and behaved later, that would be one thing, but if she still didn't know what was good for her, she would be in big trouble.

After the debate, the monk Daoshi's face was pale and he was speechless, then he pressed his palms together and said: "Your mastery of the Dharma is so high that this monk is far from reaching it; I concede defeat."

Yu Liancheng pressed his palms together, smiled slightly, and turned to leave.

"Please wait!" the monk Daoshi said again: "To spread the Buddha Sect's teachings, one must not only be skilled in debating the Dharma but also have the ability to protect the Dharma. I see that you are also a fellow practitioner, would you be willing to give me some pointers?"

Yu Liancheng laughed: "So if you can't win with words, you want to win with force?"

The monk Daoshi smiled slightly: "Amitabha, this monk was momentarily overcome by a desire to win, I hope you will grant me this."

Yu Liancheng looked at the middle-aged monk's dark cheeks, looking at the wrinkles that crisscrossed like mountains on his face: "You were not only overcome by a desire to win, but also by a desire to kill."

"The benefactor has eyes like torches; after I return to the White Pagoda Temple, I will face the wall to reflect on my mistakes and pray for the repose of your soul, benefactor."

Daoshi pressed his palms together and said with great sincerity.

"Is the Buddha Sect full of such petty people, where only you are allowed to win, and others are not allowed to win against you?" Yu Liancheng said.

"As for victory and defeat, although I care about it, I would not take a life for it; it is not in accordance with compassion." The middle-aged monk shook his head.

"Then why?"

The monk Daoshi looked at Yu Liancheng, his eyes seemingly able to pierce through the bamboo hat and see Yu Liancheng's true face: "Because the benefactor previously insulted Auntie Quni."

"Can you not use the word 'insult', because I feel like you are insulting me." Yu Liancheng was silent for a moment, then shook his head again: "Because of one sentence, you want to kill; are you Quni Madi's father, or is Quni Madi your daughter, or are you two illicit lovers? You people of the Buddha Sect are truly baffling."