Simultaneous traversal: All Abyss difficulty.

Chapter 627 Left Commander's Universal Salvation and Compassionate Teachings of the Ten Directions' Little Monks
Inside the dilapidated temple in the desolate mountains, the moonlight was torn into pieces by the dark clouds, casting dappled shadows on the weathered Buddha statue.

The monk Shifang huddled under the offering table, clutching half a golden Buddha statue, and heard his master's final roar.

The sound stopped abruptly, like a snapped string on a musical instrument.

"Master?!" Shi Fang trembled as he pulled open the gap in the tablecloth, nearly wetting himself in fright!
Under the moonlight, Zen Master Baiyun's robe bulged like a ball, and his chest cavity ripped open with a "rip," revealing the mandibles and feet of a centipede spirit emerging from between his stark white ribs.

The centipede's body, covered in fragments of internal organs, was crawling out of the master's cavity. The Zen master's eyeballs slid down the limbs and fell with a thud onto the side of the incense burner.

"The Grand Preceptor's new body is truly gleaming with golden light." The ghost servant fawned as he presented a bronze mirror, the mirror reflecting the new form of Pudu Cihang.

The centipede-like face of the Bodhisattva of Compassion burst from the Zen master's chest, its blood-stained mouth twisting into a grin that reached its ears: "I never expected such a fortuitous encounter." It used the Zen master's fingers to comb its ushnisha (cranial protuberance). "This foolish monk delivered himself to my door with a broken golden Buddha, claiming he wanted to revitalize Buddhism and accusing me of corrupting it, hahahaha! All this cultivation and these relics, I'll devour them!"

The maniacal laughter made Shi Fang's heart race, and he could only cover his mouth tightly, afraid of making the slightest sound.

"It's a pity!" the centipede demon suddenly roared in fury, "that little bald monk got away!" Its face twisted and deformed, and the Zen master's scalp was stretched almost to the point of tearing. "But it doesn't matter."

"The golden Buddha is cracked, and that monk only has half of it. Even if that Taoist priest comes to attack again last night, I am confident that he will not return alive!"

"My deadly chanting is invincible in the world."

"Namo Amitabha Buddha, hahahahaha!"

The maniacal laughter of Pudu Cihang gradually faded away, and the dilapidated temple returned to deathly silence.

The monk Shifang crawled tremblingly out from under the offering table. Under the moonlight, the sight of his mutilated body and the scattered pieces of his internal organs was horrifying.

He clung tightly to the last remaining half of the golden Buddha, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"Master." Shi Fang choked and knelt down, his forehead hitting the bluestone slab heavily. "It's all because this disciple is useless." Blood flowed down his brow bone, but he was completely unaware until his vision went black.

The broken cut of the golden Buddha caused him a sharp pain in his chest, as if reminding him that it was his negligence that had killed his master.

Wiping away the blood and tears from his face, Shi Fang staggered to his feet.

He took one last look at his master's internal organs, gritted his teeth, and rushed out of the temple.

The night wind, carrying the stench of blood, filled his nostrils. He stumbled and ran along the mountain path, ignoring the pain as tree branches whipped his face.

Suddenly, torches stretched out in a long line ahead, and a group of people were marching along the official road.

As if grasping at a straw, Shi Fang rushed forward, brandishing the broken golden Buddha statue: "A demon! A demon! Help!"

The commander at the front of the column, Zuo Qianhu, reined in his sword, its scabbard gleaming coldly in the moonlight: "Little monk, what's the matter?"

"Centipede Demon!" Shi Fang lunged forward, holding up the fragments of the golden Buddha. "It ate my master! He was in the dilapidated temple on the mountain!"

Commander Zuo exchanged a glance with the soldiers beside him, then suddenly shouted sternly, "Absurd! What kind of monster came from under the emperor's nose?" He dismounted and gripped Shi Fang's shoulder with his iron-like hand. "You look suspicious. Could you be an accomplice in trying to storm the execution ground?"

Shi Fang stamped his feet in frustration, the fragments of the golden Buddha shimmering in the moonlight: "My lord, please be wise! That evil monk has just returned..."

"Take him away!" Commander Zuo pushed Shi Fang to his personal guards without further ado. "We'll see what happens when we get to the temple ahead!"

"Huh? We have to go back?" The people of Shifang were terrified. "Let me go! Let me go! It's your business if you want to die! I'm going to find a master to avenge my master! Let me go!" The monk Shifang was forced back along the same route by the soldiers with his arms tied behind his back. The mountain path under the moonlight looked particularly eerie.

He struggled desperately, his monk's shoes leaving two deep marks on the muddy ground, but no one listened to him.

"My lord! Please believe me just this once! There really is a monster in that temple!" Shi Fang shouted hoarsely, his voice echoing through the valley, but Zuo Qianhu ignored him, only turning back from time to time to urge the team to quicken their pace.

After turning a mountain ridge, the outline of the dilapidated temple gradually became clear.

Strangely, the temple, which had been dilapidated just moments before, was now faintly glowing with golden light, and chanting emanated from within, sounding exceptionally ethereal in the night.

The Left Commander reined in his horse, signaling the troops to stop.

He straightened his official robes and respectfully clasped his hands in a salute to the temple gate: "Your humble servant, Commander Zuo, is escorting a wanted criminal through this place. I wonder which eminent monk is practicing meditation here? If there is any disturbance, please forgive me."

The temple gate creaked open, and a figure draped in a kasaya slowly stepped out.

Under the moonlight, the monk had a kind face, held prayer beads in his hand, and the gold pendant at his waist was faintly visible as he walked.

"Amitabha, so it is Lord Zuo." The monk's voice was gentle, but it made Shi Fang tremble all over.

Shi Fang stared wide-eyed, and by the moonlight, he could see the face clearly!

Although he has gained a more dignified and solemn appearance, the cinnabar mark between his eyebrows is clearly the face of his master, Zen Master Baiyun!
His blood boiled, and he struggled even more fiercely: "You wicked monk! How dare you!"

"Shut up!" The escorting soldier smacked Shi Fang hard with his elbow, making him bend over in pain.

Upon seeing this, Commander Zuo quickly dismounted and bowed deeply to the monk: "So it is the Imperial Preceptor! I was blind to your greatness, please forgive me." He wiped the sweat from his forehead, "I was escorting Minister of War Fu Tianchou and his entourage of prisoners to the capital when I unexpectedly encountered the Imperial Preceptor here. It is truly an honor."

Pudu Cihang's lips curled up slightly as his gaze swept over Fu Tianchou and the others in the prison cart: "Buddha saves those with affinity. Since I have encountered them, why not hand these prisoners over to me to recite some scriptures? It can be considered an early salvation."

Zuo Qianhu looked troubled: "Your Excellency is wise, Imperial Advisor, but I have my duties to perform."

Before he could finish speaking, a man who looked like a servant suddenly stepped forward, brandished the Imperial Preceptor's token, and shouted, "How dare you! How dare a mere commander of a thousand men disobey the Imperial Preceptor's orders?"

Commander Zuo's face turned deathly pale, and he repeatedly bowed, saying, "No, no! This humble official had absolutely no such intention!" He turned and waved to his subordinates, "Quickly, bring all the prisoners here!"

Shi Fang was shoved forward, his eyes bloodshot with anxiety: "Don't go in! Those are all monsters in disguise! If you go in, you won't be able to get out!" He desperately turned to Commander Zuo and shouted, "Sir! Look at this temple! It was clearly dilapidated just now, but now..."

The officers and soldiers turned a deaf ear, and some even sneered, "Is this little monk crazy? Being able to listen to the National Preceptor preach is a blessing that many people would rather die for."

"Exactly! Once we get out, we can say we know the Imperial Advisor, and we'll be able to walk around the capital with our heads held high!"

Pudu Cihang watched with a smile as everyone entered the temple one after another. Finally, he put his palms together and said to Commander Zuo, "Lord Zuo, your killing intent is too strong. I'm afraid you might offend the Buddha. Why don't you wait outside the temple?"

Commander Zuo touched the dozen or so long swords crossed on his back and nodded with shame: "The Imperial Advisor is right. I will wait here."

The moment the temple gates slowly closed, the desperate cries from all directions abruptly ceased.

Standing alone in the moonlight, Zuo Qianhu suddenly felt that the night wind was a few degrees colder than before.

(Third update tonight)
(End of this chapter)