Chapter 130 - 115: Unforeseen Event

The Tiger King fell silent. He knew that Hu Er was telling the truth, and the Arhat’s combat strength had also proved the strength of the Buddhist Sect to him.

"By the way, brother, what exactly is this thing?" the Tiger King asked, puzzled as he pointed at the immense net spread across the sky.

"The Heavenly Net of the Buddhist Sect, meant to prevent us from escaping," Hu Er said dismissively.

"So this is the Heavenly Net!" the Tiger King exclaimed in surprise, unable to resist taking a few more glances.

After all, the Heavenly Net’s reputation in the Three Realms was quite resounding. Many powerful figures from the Demon Clan with formidable reputations had fallen into this net and were captured by the Heavenly Court.

However, this had always been something exclusive to the Heavenly Court; he had not expected that the Buddhist Sect would have it now.

"It’s more or less the same thing, although it falls a bit short compared to the Heavenly Court’s net," Hu Er said softly, lifting his head.

"But to think that this thing alone could hold us, the Buddhist Sect really underestimates us!" A faint cold smile hung on Hu Er’s lips before he left without looking back.

When the Tiger King turned around, he found that Hu Er’s figure had already disappeared into the dense forest, as if he had never been there.

He looked at the great net above, a sneer curling the corners of his lips: "Ha! The Buddhist Sect!"

With that, he dragged his weary body and left the forest.

This battle was just a minor scene in the war, yet it represented an escalation of conflict, with the hidden Demon Kings beginning to take action and fight against the protectors and Arhats of the Buddhist Sect.

But these were merely tentative probes, with more fierce battles yet to come.

At the same time, uninvited guests had arrived at Flame Mountain.

The Buddhist Sect had finally turned their attention to this land, and a group of Buddhist Soldiers struggled to advance through the flames, hoping to enter deep into Flame Mountain and take away the Fire Brick of the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord.

However, this was not an official mission of the Buddhist Sect, but rather a private act by this group.

The Buddhist Sect was not as pure as one might imagine, especially in recent years due to its rapid expansion, attracting many unworthy individuals who tarnished the reputation of the Sect.

This group was among them. They were murderous bandits before becoming followers, but after encountering a powerful monk, they transformed into repentant Buddhists.

However, it was all merely a temporary measure. They hardly understood any Buddhist Law, using it only as a profession. Yet they were daring and fought bravely within the Sect, quickly gaining considerable renown, and now they could lead a group of Buddhist Soldiers.

"Big brother, is it really okay for us to abandon our duties like this?" asked a fierce-looking monk as he rubbed his shaved head.

"Don’t worry. Flame Mountain is also within the territory of Zhilei Mountain. How can this be considered abandoning our duties? At most, it’s a case of underestimating the enemy and acting rashly," the tall and burly leading monk answered with a smile,

as he fanned himself with his robe amidst their conversation.

"This place is full of fire, what good can there be? Big brother, let’s just go back!" a junior complained.

Before they had converted to the Buddhist Sect, they were bandits within a fort, and the leader among them was their boss. Upon entering the Buddhist Sect, they managed through various means to ultimately reunite.

This time, they were even dispatched to the front line. Yet, just a few days ago, after the Buddhist Sect deployed the Heavenly Net and established the Buddhist Treasure, an eerie calm emerged on the battlefield. It was at this moment that their big brother suddenly, mysteriously, decided to bring them here in search of treasure.

However, at this moment, as the few of them looked around at the surging flames and felt the scorching heat that made their heads woozy, they all began to think about beating a retreat.

"You know nothing; there’s an incredible treasure here!" The big brother’s eyes blazed with desire as he gazed deep into Flame Mountain. Even as his flesh felt the pain, the desire in his heart still drove him forward.

"We’ve seen plenty of treasures on Mount Ling; big brother, why obsess over this one? The damn temperature is rising higher, and we might not even make it to the core of the mountain."

"What do you know? How can other treasures compare with it? It’s a treasure personally crafted by The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord. Obtaining it will greatly enhance our strength."

"The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord!" On hearing his words, a group of underlings indeed revealed expressions of surprise.

In the Three Realms, the reputation of The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord was known to all, especially a Magical Treasure marked by his seal, usually representing power and mystery.

However, such exquisite Magical Treasures were generally found only in the hands of major figures of the Three Realms. The existence of one atop this mountain was somewhat unbelievable to them.

Yet the big brother confidently smiled and said, "It’s absolutely true. The caretaker of Flame Mountain used to be a Daoist from Tushita Palace. I got this information from him; deep inside Flame Mountain is a Fire Brick from the Bagua Furnace."

However, thinking about the object the Earth God had demanded from him made him wince in pain. If it wasn’t for the reputation of being associated with the Buddhist Sect nowadays, he’d even contemplate murder to silence others.

"Great stuff, big brother, we must get our hands on this treasure." A few underlings immediately changed their attitude, clamoring to head deep into Flame Mountain. The searing heat on their bodies felt insubstantial by now.

The group continued forward, the flames even more terrifying. Endless flames burst from the ground. Even though they had practiced the Body-Protecting Divine Skill of the Buddhist Sect, they still couldn’t ward off the scorching flames, especially since they contained a trace of Samadhi True Fire.

"Damn it, why are the flames getting stronger?" The leading monk lifted his head. The scorching flames distorted the air around them, and he could only faintly make out a tall mountain not far away; thus far, he had not reached the edges of Flame Mountain’s depths.

This discovery made the usually confident man feel a hint of despair.

However, just then, a sudden change occurred on Flame Mountain. Fearsome flames shot into the sky, as if with the power to incinerate heaven itself. The searing temperature swept through the surroundings, causing nearby flames to bow down.

The fearsome temperature immediately enveloped Flame Mountain, this higher temperature now than ever before bringing them closer to the brink of death.

"What happened?" a monk said in terror.

His eyes had been scorched by the intense heat, blurring his vision of the distance. He only sensed a bright flash nearby and an unusual smell of burning flesh on himself.

"Retreat, fast!" Without any hesitation, big brother led his underlings in a frantic retreat, regardless of the flames engulfing their bodies.

Intense pain forced them to grit their teeth, yet their feet dared not relax for a moment because the temperature from afar grew even more scorching.

The flames seemed furious, roaring. In that moment, the flames inside Flame Mountain seemed to possess life and began to resist.

On the scorching ground, terrifying flames continued to surge out, making one’s skin crawl.