novelhk Chapter 119 Ancient Divine Might, Five Spiritual Powers
Chapter 119 Ancient Divine Might, Five Spiritual Powers
Chapter 119 Ancient Divine Might, Power of the Five Elements
The fifteenth of August, the Mid-Autumn Festival, is a night with a full moon.
The bright moon hangs high, its clear light shining everywhere, and laughter and joy fill the world.
This should have been a joyous day of family reunions and celebrations, but tonight, Tianyin Temple is on high alert.
The words of the Blood Refining Hall's annihilation still echoed in their ears, and neither Abbot Puhong nor any of the monks in the temple dared to be careless in the slightest.
Inside the main hall, candlelight flickered.
Puzhi's remains sat quietly on a spirit altar in a side hall, covered with a plain white kasaya. His face was serene, as if he had simply fallen into a deep sleep.
Pu Hong stood before the coffin, gazing at his junior brother's remains with a face full of sorrow and grief. He clasped his hands together, murmuring scriptures for salvation, his brow furrowed with unyielding sorrow.
Behind him, Pu Kong, his face full of anger, finally couldn't help but speak up: "Senior brother! It's just a mere Blood Refining Hall, why are you acting like this?!"
In his mind, Tianyin Temple had been established for a thousand years and had a profound foundation. How could it be shaken by a mere remnant of a demonic sect that had been resurrected?
Pu Hong didn't turn around, but sighed softly, his voice low and weary: "The cause of this matter lies with Junior Brother Pu Zhi, and also with my Tianyin Temple. Now that we've brought this calamity upon ourselves, it is our own karma. However, to protect our disciples' lives, we have no choice but to add more killing and create more karma. When will this cycle of revenge ever end?"
Pu Kong snorted coldly: "Senior Brother Puzhi possessed great virtue and wisdom. How many people did he protect and how many innocents did he save in his lifetime? Can all his merits in this life outweigh the sins he committed due to a single wrong thought? Today, I only hope that the Blood Refining Hall will come out in full force so that we can finally settle this retribution!"
Pu Hong remained silent.
Some things can't be calculated this way, but given his position, he has no choice but to calculate them this way.
He didn't speak again, but continued to gaze at the peaceful face on the altar, remaining silent for a long time.
Outside the main hall, in the Prajna Square, the sound of chanting sutras echoed.
That was the monks of Tianyin Temple, led by Pude, one of the four great monks, and assisted by many elders, who used their own magical power to connect with the earth's veins, activate the mountain-protecting formation, and perform a ritual for the disciples, such as Faxiang and Fayan, who died on Liubo Mountain.
Golden Buddhist light condensed and took shape with the chanting, spreading across the night sky like tangible ripples. From afar, the Buddhist light soared into the sky atop Mount Sumeru, and the chanting solidified, almost transforming into a gigantic phantom of a Buddha over a hundred feet tall. The Buddha sat cross-legged on the clouds, with lowered eyes and hands in mudras, looking down upon the masses below.
The people at the foot of the mountain, unaware of the reason, assumed it was the Buddha descending to earth and manifesting his divine power, and they all knelt down and kowtowed in worship.
On the nearby hilltop, cultivators from all walks of life who had come upon hearing the news had already gathered. They were scattered in twos and threes, watching from a distance, and none of them dared to get too close.
After all, the proclamation from the Blood Refining Hall clearly stated that this battle had nothing to do with the righteous or the demonic, but only with the 247 villagers of Grass Temple Village, and only with the Blood Refining Hall and the Heavenly Sound Temple. Any other sects that dared to interfere would be making enemies of the Blood Refining Hall.
After the manifesto was sent out, Tianyin Temple responded.
The response was simple: the article made all the accusations against Tianyin Temple clear, and the attitude was made very clear: we acknowledge this matter, but if you want war, then let's fight.
Therefore, other sects have no excuse to intervene in today's battle and can only watch from afar.
"The Blood Refining Hall hasn't even arrived yet, and Tianyin Temple has already activated its protective mountain formation?" A rogue cultivator, looking at the enormous Buddha phantom atop Mount Sumeru, couldn't help but joke, "Are they scared off?"
Another rogue cultivator beside him shook his head seriously, his tone tinged with apprehension: "The Blood Refining Hall is no ordinary sect. Putting aside the old story of the Black-Hearted Old Man unifying the demonic path back then, just now, I heard that there are no fewer than four experts at the second step level in the sect. Tianyin Temple's precautions are not an overreaction."
"Four people?" The rogue cultivator gasped. "How are we supposed to fight them?"
"Who knows?"
As the two were talking, suddenly a series of whooshing sounds came from the horizon.
The sound came from afar, like thunder rolling across the sky, making people's eardrums ache.
"They're here!"
Someone exclaimed in surprise.
Everyone simultaneously turned their gaze to the southeastern night sky.
A series of dazzling streaks of blood-red light ripped across the sky, hurtling towards Mount Sumeru like a meteor shower.
These blood-red lights moved extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye, they hovered in the sky above Tianyin Temple, a dark mass that obscured half of the bright moon.
The leaders were none other than Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu from that day.
Moonlight streamed down, illuminating Zhang Xiaofan's face.
That once kind and gentle face was now as calm as a deep pool of water. His aura was so restrained that one could hardly detect his presence unless seen with one's own eyes.
But in those eyes, the sword intent grew brighter and more intense. At first, it was just a faint light, like the first ray of dawn in the darkest hour before sunrise, but it eventually transformed into two silver-white fireballs that burned fiercely deep within his pupils.
He gripped the end of the Soul-Devouring Staff with both hands, and a pure and refined sword intent slowly condensed around him.
The next moment, a terrifying sword aura suddenly rose up!
"Zheng—!"
The sound of the sword echoed through the heavens and earth, clear and resonant. The sword energy surged and rippled, and the chilling sword intent pierced through the sky in an instant, whistling as it slashed down at the huge Buddha phantom on the top of Mount Sumeru.
Wherever the sword energy passed, ripples rolled across the sky, creating enormous waves. These ripples spread outwards in circles, like the ripples created by a pebble thrown into a lake, as if even space itself had been distorted by the sword strike.
The phantom of the Buddha has lowered his eyebrows and eyes, and his hands are in mudra, as if he is still looking down on all living beings.
The next moment, the sword fell.
Meanwhile, at this very moment, thousands of miles away from Tianyin Temple, in the Ten Thousand Mountains of Southern Xinjiang.
The moonlight was equally bright, shining down on this wild and desolate land.
Russell and Xiao Yan stood on a high slope, gazing at the brightly lit buildings in the valley.
After all, this is a place beyond the borders. Unlike the houses in the Central Plains, which are mostly made of wood, the buildings here are mostly built of stone, with a rough and heavy style, which is very different from the Central Plains. The moonlight shines on those stone walls, giving them a cold and eerie luster.
Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze and looked at Russell: "Should I make some noise so you can sneak in?"
He's an expert at causing trouble; after all, as the main character, trouble always seems to follow him wherever he goes, and he's used to it.
Russell rolled his eyes at him, raised his left hand, and gently shook the five-colored spirit lock on his wrist: "Are you stupid? Let's just go all out and attack. I'll go save Xiaobai and draw their fire while I'm at it. You go find the Incense Jade Scroll yourself."
Xiao Yan paused for a moment, then pressed his temples and gestured for him to proceed: "Please, go ahead."
He forgot that Russell had opened his mouth again.
Russell stepped forward and leaped down from the high slope, swooping down towards the direction of Incense Valley.
While in mid-air, the Five Elements Lock on his wrist suddenly emitted a bright blue light, completely enveloping Russell.
"boom"
A loud crash as something heavy fell to the ground shook the valley. When the dust settled, a giant deer, three zhang tall, with an ice-blue body and intricately branched antlers like coral, appeared at the mouth of Burning Incense Valley.
It stood quietly at the mouth of the valley, the moonlight shining on it, casting a silvery-white halo on its icy blue fur.
Logically speaking, places like Incense Valley, situated atop volcanic veins, should have abundant fire and earth spiritual energy. If one wants to challenge fighting pets, the Flame Crane and Stone Armored Bear are the best choices, offering the greatest boost to combat power.
Why did Russell choose Frozen Deer against the meta?
Because of its elegance.
Numbers and mechanics are secondary; being handsome and elegant is what matters for a lifetime.
"Where did this monster come from?!"
At the entrance of Incense Valley, six guard disciples were the first to react. Holding immortal swords, they surrounded Russell.
At the same time, two other people triggered the alarm with their tokens, and a blazing flame shot up from the beacon tower, exploding in the night sky and transforming into a crimson lotus flower of fire.
Russell lowered his head and looked at the six disciples rushing towards him.
They knew perfectly well that the behemoth before them was no match for them, yet they still drew their swords and charged forward.
A hint of approval flashed in Russell's eyes, then he raised his right foreleg and gently stepped forward.
"call--!"
A sudden gust of cold wind swept up, and the sound of the ice spreading was crisp and dense.
The six disciples remained in a charging stance, and together with the immortal swords in their hands, they transformed into lifelike ice sculptures. The moonlight shone on them, reflecting a fine, cold light.
Of course, that's all.
Russell did not take their lives.
Two days later, the ice will melt on its own, and by then they will recover on their own, except for a few days of colds, without any damage.
Having dealt with the ordinary disciples blocking his way, Russell raised his head and, guided by the aura of the Mysterious Fire Mirror, slowly walked towards the depths of Burning Incense Valley.
With each step, a blue hoofprint was left on the ground, which then spread out as fine frost.
"Stop him! Wait for our senior uncle to arrive!"
More and more disciples gathered around.
As the icy blue giant deer drew ever closer to the Xuanhuo Altar, everyone could no longer contain themselves.
They formed groups of ten and quickly began to form an array. Mysterious array patterns appeared on the ground, and crimson light shot into the sky.
Russell did not stop there. A cold light suddenly burst forth from the antlers, and an extremely cold freezing aura instantly erupted, sweeping outwards. Wherever it passed, there was no difference between ordinary disciples at the Jade Purity level and elders at the Upper Purity level. Both people and formations were frozen in place.
In the corner, Xiao Yan nestled behind a rock, watching in astonishment.
The old man chuckled softly in his storage ring: "No need to envy. With your talent and temperament, it won't be long before you reach Russell's level."
Xiao Yan hummed in agreement. In fact, he already knew even without Yao Lao saying it that comparing himself to the dog was meaningless. The most urgent thing was to find the location of the Scripture Pavilion in Fenxiang Valley.
The Incense Jade Book mainly records the secrets of controlling and refining fire, which is quite a valuable asset for him now.
Just as he was about to set off, Yao Lao's voice suddenly became serious: "Little Yanzi, a master has arrived."
Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he looked in the direction Yao Lao had indicated.
"Burning Incense Valley has no past grudges with you, nor any recent animosity. Why then have you trespassed into our sect and killed our disciples?"
Deep within Incense Valley, a clear voice rose into the sky accompanied by a burst of crimson flame, like a burning meteor streaking across the valley and landing before Russell in the blink of an eye.
The crimson flames dissipated, transforming into a Taoist priest in red robes.
With sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, he possessed an extraordinary bearing.
He stood with his hands behind his back, crimson flames faintly swirling around him. Although he did not utter a word, an aura of authority emanated from him, a man who had long held a superior position.
It was Yun Yilan, the master of the Incense Burning Valley.
As for why it wasn't Shangguan Ce who appeared here, that goes back to the rumors about the Xuanhuo Mirror on Liubo Mountain.
Up to this point, Shangguan Ce has always believed that the Xuanhuo Mirror is in the hands of the Blood Refining Hall, and that is indeed the case. But precisely because of this, Shangguan Ce would never miss the opportunity to join forces with Tianyin Temple to destroy the Blood Refining Hall and then reclaim the Xuanhuo Mirror.
At this very moment, Shangguan Ce should be guarding outside Tianyin Temple with Li Xun and Yan Hong, ready to provide support at any time.
Before the Xuanhuo Altar, Yun Yilan looked at the giant ice-blue deer in front of him, his face expressionless, but in his heart he had already thought it was troublesome.
With his keen eyesight, he could naturally see that the giant deer's cultivation was far above his own, almost like the beast god sealed in the Hundred Thousand Mountains in the records.
Without the support of the Eight Desolate Profound Fire Ferocious Array, he would have no chance against such an existence.
Russell also lowered his head at this moment, looking at the red-robed Taoist in front of him, whose icy blue antlers gleamed with a cold light.
In the original work, among the three leaders of the righteous path, apart from Dao Xuan Zhenren who is beyond reproach, Pu Hong is hypocritical and Yun Yilan is the worst of the worst.
Not only did they conspire with the fish-man demons to resurrect the Beast God and attempt to use the Beast God to eliminate the remaining forces, but after the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation was destroyed, they also prepared to sacrifice living people to the formation, resorting to any means necessary.
Trash, pure scum!
The undisguised murderous aura made Yun Yilan's heart tremble.
With the mindset of striking first to gain the upper hand and then suffering the consequences, without the slightest hesitation, he clenched his fist, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a radius of a hundred feet surged wildly, all converging and transforming into a sky full of crimson-gold flames, layer upon layer, covering the sky and turning the entire sky into a sea of fire.
Yun Yilan raised his palm to the sky, and amidst the surging sea of fire, a ball of crimson-gold flame burst forth from Yun Yilan's palm, transforming into a ten-zhang-long fire dragon in mid-air, swooping down towards Russell.
The fiery waterfall crashed to the ground, turning the area into a sea of fire. Rocks melted, the ground cracked, and lava flowed along the fissures, radiating terrifyingly high temperatures.
A visible chill erupted from Russell, and an icy blue wind soared into the sky, instantly spreading throughout the entire area centered on him.
Wherever the ripples passed, the air froze instantly. On the ground, a thick layer of frost spread forward at a visible speed, cracking rocks, freezing vegetation, and even freezing the sulfurous smell in the air into tiny ice crystals that fell down.
The moment the fire dragon rushed into that icy realm, the sound of freezing was heard as dense as popping beans.
Finally, with a bang, everything, including the frozen fire dragon and Yun Yilan, shattered into countless tiny ice crystals, which refracted a rainbow of light under the moonlight, like a sky full of falling stars.
From a bird's-eye view, one can see that the entire Incense Valley has frozen into a crystal-clear white world in just a few breaths.