MTLNOVEL Chapter 216
Emperor Treading Peak, home to Cihang Jingzhai, was a sacred Buddhist site. Towering and majestic, the mountain was both a natural fortress and a place of spiritual retreat. The disciples of Cihang Jingzhai were all women, many of whom practiced Buddhism while maintaining their secular lives. Historically, they would descend the mountain during times of turmoil to support righteous rulers.
Of course, their motives were far from pure.
Normally, Cihang Jingzhai was a tranquil place of meditation. But today, it was a hub of chaos. While the mountain gates remained closed, thousands of Jianghu practitioners had gathered outside. Nearby peaks were filled with martial artists, their presence creating an atmosphere of tension.
Major factions from the Sui Dynasty and across the Nine Provinces had converged here. Even some Land Immortals were present, though they remained hidden from view.
The sheer number of martial artists put immense pressure on the disciples of Cihang Jingzhai. They dared not display their usual arrogance, lest they provoke the crowd.
Today marked the onemonth deadline set by Ning Changge.
"Do you think the Little Immortal is as terrifying as the rumors say?" Bu Jingyun asked Nie Feng, his fellow disciple under Xiongba. The two had yet to rebel against their master and were still part of the World Society.
The Nine Provinces were not just divided among dynasties. The central region, known as Zhongtu, was a hotbed of martial activity. It was home to powerful figures like Nameless, Sword Demon Dugu Jian, and Xiongba himself—all of whom were among the strongest Land Immortals. Despite the ambitions of the surrounding dynasties, Zhongtu remained independent due to its formidable martial forces.
Nie Feng shook his head slightly.
"Anyone who can defeat the Sword Demon must be incredibly powerful. But I've heard the Little Immortal isn't with the Wudang procession. It's hard to say if he'll show up."
Their conversation was interrupted by a voice.
"Of course he'll come. Over the past few days, we've seen at least ten Buddhist powerhouses enter Cihang Jingzhai. This includes figures from Tianzhu Buddhism, Loulan Buddhism, and other Western Buddhist sects. With so many gathered, the Little Immortal would have to come to keep them in check."
The speaker was Bian Bufan, a member of the Yinkui Sect from the Sui Dynasty. The Yinkui Sect had risen to prominence after Ning Changge decimated many of the other demonic sects.
Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng glanced at Bian Bufan but didn't respond. As disciples of Zhongtu, they held little regard for martial artists from other regions, respecting only those at the level of Land Immortals.
Still, Bian Bufan wasn't wrong. The Buddhists had gathered in force, with more than ten Buddhist powerhouses present at Cihang Jingzhai.
The pressure Ning Changge had placed on them was immense.
As the crowd debated, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. This gathering was even more chaotic than Zhang Sanfeng's centenary celebration, which had primarily attracted righteous factions. Here, both righteous and demonic forces had come, with HeavenMan experts as numerous as the fish in a river.
"Why aren't they here yet?"
Some grew impatient as the sun began to set. Just over an hour remained before nightfall, yet there was no sign of the Wudang disciples.
Then, those with keen senses turned their gazes to the horizon.
"They're here!"
A procession of figures appeared in the distance, their presence commanding attention.
The Wudang disciples advanced with unwavering confidence, their pace steady yet swift. Within moments, they had crossed the distance and arrived at the foot of Emperor Treading Peak.
The crowd observed them closely.
The Wudang group consisted of several dozen individuals. At the forefront were the Seven Heroes of Wudang, led by Song Yuanqiao. Thanks to the spiritual pills provided by Ning Changge, their strength had surged, with each of them now approaching the peak of the HeavenMan realm.
Behind them were dozens of thirdgeneration disciples, all of whom were at least at the Grandmaster level—powerful enough to serve as leaders in smaller sects.
"What an impressive group of disciples!"
But what truly captured everyone's attention were three individuals.
The first was the Spirit Monkey, clad in a gray Daoist robe.
The second was the Condor, walking upright with an air of majesty.
The third was an elderly man in a black Daoist robe, exuding an overwhelming sword intent.
Sword Emperor Jiu!
The crowd's eyes lit up.
"Sword Emperor Jiu is really alive!"
Seeing the oncedead Sword Emperor Jiu standing before them was a shock that words could not describe. Yet the man himself remained calm, his demeanor serene after his journey through life and death.
Song Yuanqiao, too, radiated confidence. His hand brushed against the three pouches Ning Changge had given him, bolstering his resolve.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Song Yuanqiao stepped forward. His voice, imbued with inner strength, rang out like a lion's roar:
"The disciples of Wudang have come to settle the DaoBuddhist rivalry!"
"We request an audience with the Heavenly Monk and Earthly Nun!"
His words echoed across the peaks, leaving the crowd in awe. Even the Wudang disciples joined in, their voices resolute:
"We request an audience with the Heavenly Monk and Earthly Nun!"
Their united front and unwavering determination left a deep impression on the onlookers.
All eyes turned to the gates of Cihang Jingzhai, waiting to see how the Buddhists would respond.
Moments later, a soft sigh echoed from within.
"Our martial wills were shattered by the Little Immortal. Must Wudang continue to press us?"
The gates of Cihang Jingzhai opened, and a procession emerged. Monks, novices, nuns, and even a few strikingly beautiful women stepped forward.
At the forefront were the Heavenly Monk and Earthly Nun, their expressions weary yet resolute. Unlike their previous appearance, when they had descended through borrowed bodies, this time they stood in their true forms.
Song Yuanqiao's gaze sharpened.
"Press you? You disrupted my master's centenary celebration. Where was your restraint then?"
The Earthly Nun lowered her gaze.
"We acted only to protect the interests of Shaolin. It was a friendly exchange, nothing more."
"Friendly exchange? What a joke!" Mo Shenggu sneered. "You're nothing but hypocrites!"
The Earthly Nun's disciples glared, but Mo Shenggu met their gazes without flinching, drawing amused smiles from the crowd.
Song Yuanqiao raised a hand to silence him.
"Very well. If it was a friendly exchange, then let us continue in that spirit. My junior brother declared a month ago that we would come to Emperor Treading Peak to settle this matter. Do you dare accept?"
His words were like a blade, cutting through the pretense.
The Heavenly Monk's expression darkened.
"Do you not fear that this will spark a DaoBuddhist war, plunging the Nine Provinces into chaos?"
Sword Emperor Jiu laughed coldly.
"We are here to settle a specific grievance. If others wish to interfere, they'll find that Wudang is not so easily intimidated."
"DaoBuddhist war? If you want war, then let there be war!"
His words, imbued with the essence of life and death, sent chills through the crowd.
The Heavenly Monk and Earthly Nun's calm facades cracked, their faces darkening with anger.
"Fine!" the Heavenly Monk growled. "If Wudang insists on this path, we will not back down!"
Song Yuanqiao laughed heartily.
"Good. Let's begin."
The crowd buzzed with excitement. The longawaited confrontation was finally about to unfold.
On one side stood the Heavenly Monk and Earthly Nun, their strength diminished but still formidable.
On the other side were the Wudang disciples, led by Sword Emperor Jiu, the Spirit Monkey, and the Condor—all of whom radiated Land Immortallevel power.
The battle was set to begin, and the world watched with bated breath.