Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!

"It is simple, the Buddhist lineage has always been interrelated like branches of the same tree, and Yi Chengzi's actions are so wildly rebellious. If we don't respond, how can we lead the Buddhist community in the future? The Buddhist head, Yi Chengzi, must be executed!"

"Moreover, the Buddha-relic used by the Great Weide Heavenly Dragon Temple that day came from your temple. Considering this person's temperament, Mount Daguangming naturally dislikes him too. Since that's the case, it's better for us to make the first move, which is the best strategy."

Xuan Ku slightly lifted his head upon hearing this and looked at the monk in white. It was only after a long while that he gently shook his head and said, "Monk, when will the cycle of vengeance end? Besides, Yi Chengzi is securely stationed in the Sea Dragon City camp in the Eastern Continent. How can we possibly assassinate him?"

"Rest assured, Buddhist head, the assassination of this person has long been planned by our Kutuo Temple. We spent a great price divining the emergence location of the five calamities of the world, which is in the Eastern Region of Great Qin."

"Our temple paid a huge sacrifice to cast the remains of an indestructible corpse into the land where the malicious stiff will emerge. Considering the time, I believe that the malicious stiff's emergence is just months away."

"Buddhist head, the Eastern Region of Great Qin is the fiefdom of Crown Prince King Jing. Yi Chengzi has always been on good terms with King Jing; now that King Jing is short-handed, he will surely seek assistance from Yi Chengzi. This is our opportunity."

"Malicious stiff? Monk, its emergence will bring disaster to all living beings. Why must we go to such lengths? And even if Yi Chengzi does go there, how can we find his whereabouts?" Xuan Ku frowned, seemingly disapproving of Kutuo Temple's action to hasten the emergence of the malicious stiff.

"Rest assured, Buddhist head, with many masters gathered in the Eastern and Central Continents, the malicious stiff is just a minor ailment and will be snuffed out if it cannot stir up a major storm."

"At this moment, our war efforts are slightly flagging, and this move is simply intended to hold back the cultivators of the Eastern Continent and alleviate some pressure."

"The malicious stiff will extinguish without causing any significant turmoil."

"As for the whereabouts of Yi Chengzi..."

At this point, the monk in white paused slightly before continuing, "Buddhist head, do you really think the powers in the Eastern Continent are that united?"

"The Heavenly Master has become a bit too overbearing in the eyes of many."

"And Doumu Origin Lord, playing the fool, possesses the capability to break limits."

"Yuqing True King has extraordinary roots and boundless future prospects."

"Now add Yi Chengzi, who single-handedly destroyed the Great Weide Heavenly Dragon Temple, the cunning and enigmatic Heavenly Master... Buddhist head, do you think the other sects in the Eastern Continent can remain seated?"

"Therefore, we need not worry about Yi Chengzi's whereabouts; leave it to our Kutuo Temple."

"If Mount Daguangming sends out two nine-tiered monks skilled in Dao Mastery, our Kutuo Temple will do the same. Under the ambush of four top-tier experts..."

"Yi Chengzi will surely die without doubt!"

The monk in white looked at Xuan Ku and enunciated each word slowly, yet the message conveyed was substantial.

"This...?" Xuan Ku showed a hesitant expression, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

"Buddhist head, this time, Xingku of our Kutuo Temple, who is amongst the strongest monks and closest to breaking his limits, will be part of the two-man assassination team."

Xingku is nearly at the point of breaking limits, and being part of the Buddhist community, Xuan Ku naturally understood the significance of this name.

It's even possible that this person has already succeeded in breaking through.

This time, Xuan Ku finally nodded slowly in agreement.

"Thank you, Buddhist head. In addition, there's a second matter I'd like to request your approval for during my visit here."

"I have long heard of the exceptional talents of the young monk Shen Hui from your temple, with a natural affinity for the Buddha's qualities. Unfortunately, I've never had the chance to meet him. May I have the honor of seeing Monk Shen Hui today?" The monk in white revealed a smile upon seeing Xuan Ku consent and suddenly spoke.

"Shen Hui is currently in seclusion and thus cannot meet the Bodhisattva." Xuan Ku looked deeply at the monk in white, a hint of wariness flashing through his eyes.

"In that case, another time." Upon hearing this, the monk in white did not persist. He brought his hands together in a salute and then prepared to take his leave.

Just as he and Hong Ming were about to depart from the Sanctified Buddha Hall, the Buddhist head suddenly called out to them, "Pharmacist Bodhisattva, what if Yi Chengzi further advances his cultivation in this period and succeeds in breaking his limits? What then?"

The monk in white looked at the several copper coins scattered in front of the Buddhist head as if he understood something and then turned around with a smile, saying:

"Yi Chengzi's fate is peculiar; the divination results related to him are always different."

"But rest assured, Buddhist head. With the cultivation of Xingku and the combined power of three great monks, even if Yi Chengzi succeeds in breaking his limits, how far can he go on this road? At worst, we can just retreat if our plans fall short. It's not like he can hold back all four high-ranking monks."

"Furthermore, breaking one's limits is a personal journey filled with fate and opportunity that isn't so easy to traverse."

"Well then, take care, Monk. Just inform Mount Daguangming when it's time to act." Xuan Ku, having said this, closed his eyes and slowly started to recite sutras once more, filling the hall with murmured chants.

I don't know why, but just now, a faint unease suddenly enveloped my heart and then disappeared as if everything was an illusion, which made me somewhat anxious.

….

….

"You all have your limits; I am boundless," Yi Chengzi declared.

"As long as I wish to move forward, the path lies under my feet, Shen Hong! Break through for me!"

Inside Bear Cave, Yi Chen roared within his heart. With the instantaneous deduction of three million three hundred and thirty thousand Deep Red Points, a torrent of memories, both foreign and yet familiar, suddenly flooded his mind.

Like a glance at a passing scene, the memories stretched out.

At the beginning of the memories was a palace, resplendent with gold and jade, its beams and rafters exquisitely carved.

One person, clad in a nine-dragon imperial robe, sat in the highest place.

Beside this individual, slightly lower down, lay a burly Daoist. His chest rose and fell, emitting a faint snoring sound.

At this moment, the sound of intense arguing came from below in the great hall.

"The northerners are inconsiderate of the court's difficulties," someone said.

"Lord Di, are you suggesting that building a single river embankment is bankrupting our Sun and Moon Empire?" another retorted.

"The Sun and Moon Empire's three islands and fifty-nine counties rest upon my shoulders," claimed another voice.

"Your Majesty, the treacherous officials have already revealed themselves; one is Di Ke, the other is Gao Gong," a different voice accused.

"I really don't understand why the more I do, the greater the grievances I face!" bemoaned one official in a crimson robe, spluttering as he made an impassioned plea.

"We have military officials, not of low rank, who first served in Sword South County for years as valiant officers, then as regimental commanders in the Thousand Ox Guards, and recently even rose to the rank of General. Yet, when it comes to deploying troops, fortifying camps, and constructing defenses, they're completely lost," another voice criticized.

"On the other hand, when it comes to acquainting themselves with the ladies of noble families, those of somewhat higher status, he knows them all intimately— he can even name the pet names of second daughters from remote families, like Lord Di's siblings. In my opinion, such military officials should be transferred to the Music Bureau, so they can fully utilize their talents and help the Sun and Moon Empire gather military supplies," the voice continued satirically.

"I harbor no misunderstanding about this General; it's obvious he rose through favoritism and nepotism," the speaker concluded disdainfully.

"Keep stirring things up, and when the front lines are disrupted by a lack of supplies, when we suffer defeat, when the northerners overrun our northern woods and occupy the territory, when the Sun and Moon Empire is brought down, all of you will simply accompany me in death!" someone shouted angrily.

"Lord Yan, mind your words. Are you the only loyal, virtuous, and wise official while we're all treacherous? Each disaster in the south—witchcraft, locust plagues, floods, indigenous chieftains—all require heaps of silver to resolve. How can you say such things?" another argued.

Just as the quarreling reached a fever pitch, the sky suddenly changed dramatically; amidst broad daylight, a star appeared, followed by a massive fireball emerging from the sky and hurtling towards the direction of the palace.

At that moment, a Daoist who had been lying on a brocade couch for three years suddenly opened his eyes. He was tall, dressed in a purple Daoist robe, with a pale, beardless face and an extremely robust physique.

In that instant, the many "beastly scholars" in the hall finally saw the true face of the State Preceptor, the Sun and Moon Empire's emperor's amazingly influential confidant.

"Stop your damn bickering, for disaster is near. The Star of Calamity is visible, and the demon race is soon to descend. The world is in peril," warned the Daoist.

The Daoist's gaze pierced through the layers of palaces, directly locking onto the continuously falling meteor.

Suddenly he rose, soared into the sky, and blasted a huge hole in the palace.

"Dominant Fist of Heaven and Earth!"

With one strike, the meteor fell apart in pieces.

Amid the astounded looks of those around, the Daoist wore an indescribable expression, his gaze deep as he looked towards the heavens.

"I entered the Sun and Moon Empire to become the State Preceptor and borrowed the imperial dragon aura to dream and cultivate the Dominant Fist of Heaven and Earth, intending to integrate it into my True Technique. Alas, I took the wrong path," he confessed.

"I was mistaken (liao). Fortunately, I've not gone too far astray. The calamity has awakened me, and I still have a chance," he reflected with an opportunity for redemption.