Born with immortal seed

Chapter 228 The Four Major Forces
“There are two solutions. Benefactor Jiulian, hand over that demonic cultivator and let him return to the Faxiang Sect with me to chant scriptures for a hundred years. With the green lamp and ancient Buddha, the demonic energy will be completely dispelled, and he might even have an epiphany of Buddhism and have the opportunity to ascend to the Great Dao again.”

The Arhat holding the alms bowl has his eyebrows and eyes lowered, and his words seem to carry the sound of Buddha, guiding people to abandon evil and turn to good, so that they may find the right path.

"Another way is for everyone to compare their methods of eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path... I have thousands of disciples, but only three have become truly accomplished, plus two young friends who are much younger than me."

"According to the rules of the Northern Yuan, one person, one match, regardless of victory or defeat, all cause and effect are eliminated."

Nine Lotus True Monarch sighed softly, "As expected, we still have to come to this."

Fortunately, he was prepared and summoned the five most outstanding Core Formation cultivators in Liang Kingdom.

Otherwise, if the elders of the Holy Lotus Sect were to step in, the situation would become unpleasant, and they would also have to bear the risk of a battle.

The lineage of the Alms Bowl Arhats emphasizes cause and effect and reincarnation.

The cause of spiritual practice leads to the result of enlightenment, transcending the world.

If one is entangled in karmic entanglements caused by one's own actions, one's cultivation may stagnate at best, or even regress at worst.

Therefore, the Nine Lotus True Lord often yielded to the offending actions of the Arhat holding the alms bowl.

Besides being wary of the strength of the Faxiang Sect, another reason was that they didn't want to escalate a matter of saving face to the point of jeopardizing someone's future and becoming mortal enemies.

How much affection could a sect, a friend from hundreds of years ago, possibly hold in its heart, that it would be worth a Luohan going to such lengths for?

Seeking justice for the people of Ci'en Temple is secondary; the main purpose is to settle this karmic debt.

"I've heard of the Northern Yuan Arena Battle... I wonder what the rules are for arena duels?"

Knowing that this battle was unavoidable, True Lord Nine Lotus said dejectedly.

Even disregarding the issue of saving face, Blood God Master certainly cannot hand it over due to certain special reasons.

However, directly refusing to accept the offer of alms bowls from the Arhats would make them major obstacles to the path, adding a Nascent Soul level enemy to both themselves and the Holy Lotus Sect.

"Life and death are irrelevant, there are no restrictions... The winner may take a spirit stone."

The withered forearm of the alms bowl-bearing Arhat was exposed, and five top-grade spirit stones were arranged in front of him. He remained silent.

In the Northern Yuan, such contests often involve the ownership of large mineral veins and life-and-death grudges between cultivators.

But at this moment, in the Burial Immortal Valley, ten of the most outstanding Core Formation cultivators are engaged in a life-or-death struggle, merely because the Arhat with the alms bowl is trying to avoid incurring karmic consequences.

"Yes, just as the master said."

Nine Lotus True Monarch sensed the indifference in the other party's tone, unsure whether it was due to confidence or a complete lack of concern for the outcome of the contest or the lives of the participants.

He placed five top-grade spirit stones in front of him, then, after thinking for a moment, opened his mouth and whispered to the others.

“Compassionate demeanor, ruthless heart… In comparison, the old Taoist priest carries too much burden and cannot be so resolute.”

Nine Lotus True Monarch thought to himself, and then voiced his doubts.

"Master, don't you find this matter suspicious? It seems like someone is secretly manipulating things, instigating conflict between our two families... Could it be the work of the Wusheng Sect?"

The Wusheng Sect is one of the three major Nascent Soul sects in the Northern Yuan Dynasty, and a powerful demonic sect with comparable strength to the Faxiang Sect.

The two sects have been fighting for ten thousand years, with each side having its victories and defeats, and their relationship is irreconcilable.

"This humble monk has his own plan."

The Arhat holding the alms bowl had a calm and composed face, revealing no emotional fluctuations.

Seeing that the other party was not responding at all, Nine Lotus True Lord stopped talking.

……

This was the first time Bai Zichen had ever seen so many high-level cultivators gathered together.

He and Qi Yue were left on the outer perimeter, while only a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Holy Lotus Sect arrived.

The other Core Formation cultivators all seemed to have come alone, without any junior disciples.

"That should be where the two Nascent Soul cultivators are... They've already reached the highest stage on the entire continent. I wonder when I'll be able to reach that level."

Bai Zichen glanced at the high platform in the distance, where there were two blurry figures, presumably the Nine Lotus True Lord and the Alms Bowl Arhat.

He didn't know anyone here, and the disciples of the Holy Lotus Sect didn't seem very approachable, so he found a reclining ox-shaped blue stone to sit down.

He visualized the Breaking Illusion Sword Technique, which he had found in the Enlightenment Sword Manual, in his sea of ​​consciousness and savored it carefully as a beginner.

The Breaking Illusion Sword Technique is one of the top sword techniques in the entire Enlightenment Sword Manual.

It allows one to predict the opponent's sword path, thereby gaining the upper hand and securing an invincible position.

It doesn't have many sword moves in itself. Unlike the Star Luo Sword Technique, it is a sword technique that emphasizes intent rather than specific moves.

Bai Zichen suspected that if he had studied it deeply enough, he could basically be considered to have mastered most of the Wuzhen Sword Technique.

The most important feature of the Wuzhen Sword Technique is that it gives practitioners the talent of having a clear sword mind, enabling them to dismantle all sword techniques in the world.

There are some similarities between the two.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, a swordsman wields a five-foot-long green sword, wielding it with effortless grace and naturalness.

The true essence of swordsmanship lies in its simple, straightforward forms, which are easy to understand.

He watched it repeatedly, using his fingers as a sword, completely absorbed in it, but felt that he still couldn't bring out the characteristics of the Breaking Illusion Sword Technique and hadn't found the essence of the basics.

'To be able to calm my mind and cultivate in such an environment, I am far inferior to Junior Brother Bai.'

Qi Yue was greatly shocked to see Bai Zichen concentrating on comprehending the sword technique.

I also wanted to learn how to enter meditation and cultivate, and to study the methods of controlling divine lightning, but I found that I simply couldn't do it.

His mind was filled with distracting thoughts; he worried that the two Nascent Soul experts might start fighting over a single word.

One moment I'm worried about what will happen if my master is no match for the high-ranking cultivator from the Northern Yuan when we go on stage to fight.

Just as I was caught in this feeling of uncertainty, a dark, dazzling light flew in and landed in the Burial Valley.

Two Core Formation cultivators arrived, one old and one young, and they looked somewhat alike, both wearing Daoist robes with rippled patterns.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists. We are from the Du clan of Zengguang... I am Du Yu, and this is my cousin, Du Shierlang. Our ancestor heard of the changes in this place and specially sent the two of us here."

The older Du Yu stepped forward, bowed, and spoke in a matter-of-fact manner.

"Please help convey my message and see if the two seniors can spare the time to receive me."

Burial Immortal Valley is not far from Zengguang Immortal City. It is normal for them to send people out to investigate the massacre of a sect that occurred near their sphere of influence.

The Du family, based in the Immortal City and connecting four kingdoms, is renowned for its strength, which is not only due to their power.

In terms of wealth, even ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators are probably not as wealthy as the Du family.

This is why, in order to stabilize the secret realm, Fang Tiansheng immediately thought of Zengguang Immortal City when the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect lacked treasures.

If the Burial Valley incident escalates into a war between two Nascent Soul Grandmasters, it will definitely affect the flow of people and business in Zengguang Immortal City.

Just as the Du family cultivators were exchanging pleasantries with the Core Formation Realm experts present and waiting to be received by the two big shots, another glimmer of starlight shone in the far distance.

As they passed through, fragments of stars fell, creating a beautiful scene.

"Such a strong sword intent!"

Wanqi, who had been holding his longsword and remained silent, suddenly looked up at the starlight.

Almost simultaneously, Bai Zichen, who was constantly comprehending the Breaking Illusion Sword Technique, broke out of his meditative state and felt a sharp sword intent that seemed to tear through the sky rapidly approaching.

The next moment, countless starlight scattered and converged above the Burial Immortal Valley, revealing a middle-aged man.

"Sword fanatic Yan Yuanzai!"

Bai Zichen heard a Saint Lotus Sect disciple suppressing his voice and exclaiming in surprise.

It was clear that he was a renowned swordsman, but unfortunately I didn't recognize him.

"Yan Yuanzai of the Tianhe Sword Sect has come to pay his respects to the two seniors."

The middle-aged man, with a bold and unrestrained demeanor and a short beard, requested an audience with the two Nascent Soul cultivators without prior notice.

"So it's Senior Sword Maniac..."

Qi Yue suddenly realized and, seeing Bai Zichen's questioning look, explained to him.

"Master mentioned this sword fanatic Senior Yan. The two have a good relationship... It is said that Senior Yan is a once-in-a-century sword genius in the Tianhe Sword Sect. He has long since reached the peak of Core Formation and can shatter his core to become an infant at any time, triggering a heavenly tribulation."

The three major sects of the Northern Yuan Dynasty are the Nascent Soul Sect, the Dharma Image Sect, the Wusheng Sect, and the Heavenly River Sword Sect.

The sect closest to Liang State is Tianhe Sword Sect. Just like the people from the Du family, Yan Yuanzai's arrival also represents the intentions of the sect behind him.

In this small Burial Immortal Valley, four Nascent Soul level forces have gathered: the Dharma Aspect Sect, the Heavenly River Sword Sect, the Holy Lotus Sect, and the Zengguang Du Clan.

"So it's Young Master Yan..."

Nine Lotus True Lord opened his eyes, and two lotus flowers disappeared into them.

He glanced at the Arhat holding the alms bowl, who remained motionless, and said, "Yan Yuanzai, and two other members of the Du family, come up to the platform."

The words, spoken in a light, airy voice, echoed in the ears of every cultivator in the valley the next moment.

"So Brother Ge is here too. Let's continue our conversation later..."

Yan Yuanzai flew directly towards the high platform, and nodded to Ge Cang Zhenren when he saw him.

Among the three major Nascent Soul sects of the Northern Yuan, the Heavenly River Sword Sect has the fewest disciples and only one Nascent Soul True Monarch, yet it holds a somewhat extraordinary position.

The Faxiang Sect and the Wusheng Sect are locked in a fierce battle, but they have a tacit understanding not to let the war spread to the Tianhe Sword Sect.

Firstly, the Tianhe Sword Sect has extremely high requirements for the qualifications of its disciples, and there are only about three thousand cultivators in the sect. It is already struggling to control its current territory, so it has no motivation to expand outwards.

Secondly, it is because sword cultivators have always had outstanding combat power. The Supreme Elder of the Heavenly River Sword Sect is even at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, and his combat power is unparalleled in the Northern Yuan.

"This junior has met the Nine Lotus True Lord and the Alms Bowl Arhat."

Yan Yuanzai bowed with his hands clasped, appearing somewhat casual.

In contrast, the two Core Formation cultivators from the Du family were much more respectful.

The Holy Lotus Sect and the Heavenly River Sword Sect had dealt with each other quite a few times, and True Monarch Nine Lotus knew very well that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Yan Yuanzai would most likely be a fellow traveler in the future, so he didn't mind Yan Yuanzai's slightly presumptuous attitude.

After a few words of conversation, Yan Yuanzai and the Du family cultivators all expressed the opinions of the person in charge behind the scenes.

The Heavenly River Sword Sect's intention was simple: to resolve the matter locally and not escalate it to the point of affecting the sect's territory.

Du Zhenjun was more direct, urging everyone to quell the incident as quickly as possible so as not to affect business in the Immortal City.

Of course, the words spoken by the three of them would be much more tactful and polite.

"The two young friends have arrived. Quickly perform the five rituals... This humble monk will now escort the coffins of the monks of Ci'en Temple back to the Faxiang School and bury them in the Pagoda Forest."

The Arhat holding the alms bowl slowly stood up, as if the outside noise had not entered his ears at all.

He grabbed five Bodhi beads from in front of him and threw them into the air, creating five golden arenas.

"Master's Sumeru Technique has reached a state of perfection, I admire you... In such an arena, even the true essence fluctuations of those at the Core Formation level will not leak out, lest this place be reduced to ruins."

Nine Lotus True Lord nodded approvingly, and five lotus seeds flew out from his palm behind his back and disappeared.

(End of this chapter)