Inside a dark hall engraved with bizarre and grotesque images of devils and demons, the Tianmo, whose body edges were blurred and fading, was guarding the place until the Sect Leader’s return.
Suddenly, the black mist filling the hall parted like receding tide, revealing the entrance clearly. Standing at the door was Han Guang, his hair pinned with a wooden hairpin, dressed in wide-sleeved robe, his eyes deep as if contemplating the mysteries of the universe, indifferent to the outside world.
The Fading Tianmo was slightly stunned and immediately bowed: “Greetings, Sect Leader. I wonder whether your trip was successful?”
Han Guang had his hands behind his back, slowly walking, glancing at the relief murals on the surrounding stone walls, slightly sighing: “Issue the order: all elders and disciples of our Tianmo Sect, whether Tianmo or human demons, must keep a low profile for the next ten years and avoid involvement in heterodox affairs, just like when I disguised as Kongwen of Shaolin.”
“Leader, something big happened?” The Fading Tianmo, with his cunning and alertness, immediately sensed something was wrong.
Han Guang stepped forward, the black mist condensed into a lotus throne, seemingly carved from gemstone. Without turning back, he casually said: “The Sect of Life and Death Impermanence has been annihilated.”
“What?” Even with the Fading Tianmo’s mental cultivation, he couldn’t help but be shocked into exclaiming.
Although the Sect Leader spoke the words “The Sect of Life and Death Impermanence has been annihilated” in a flat tone without any emotion, just these words alone were enough to provoke thoughts, as if seeing bloodshed, fierce battles, fallen strongmen, and the entire martial arts world shaken.
As one of the top forces among the nine heterodox sects, the impact and unexpectedness of the annihilation of the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence even surpassed the previous demise of several Dharma Bodies!
Dharma Bodies often perish, but the collapse of top forces is rare, especially a top force with a heritage of tens of thousands of years and unknown depth!
Han Guang stepped onto the lotus throne, slowly turned around, and sat cross-legged: “Kuang Dao used the Yellow Spring Hand Bone as an ear, gathered Lu Da, Su Wuming, He Qi, Yun He, and Shaolin monks, and after deceiving the ancient tomb boundary formation, he destroyed it in one go.”
Although the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence possessed treasures such as a near-Earth Immortal-level Dragon Corpse, the Primordial Divine Corpse, and the molt of Saint Xin Ji—which contained an inner world—they were ultimately overpowered. Step by step, they fell into the enemy’s trap and were nearly annihilated without resistance.
Kuang Dao used the Yellow Spring Hand Bone as an ear, gathered Lu Da, Su Wuming, He Qi, Yun He, and Shaolin monks… effortlessly destroyed… The Fading Tianmo seemed to be listening to a story, feeling a subtle sense of detachment.
Except for Gao Lan, this almost gathered most of the righteous sects’ “strength.” Using the annihilation of the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence to perfectly display their power made him shudder involuntarily. If this were to spread, the heterodox sects would definitely feel threatened!
“Kuang Dao indeed has wide connections and friends all over the world…” The Fading Tianmo couldn’t help but sigh.
Han Guang formed a mudra with his hands on his knees and laughed: “Moreover, he has already ascended to the Ninth Heaven, possesses the divine weapon Fire Knife and a time-related treasure, his momentum has been established, and it’s now difficult to suppress.”
“Kuang Dao has reached the peak of External Manifestation…” The Fading Tianmo wasn’t asking a question but expressing admiration. “Given his demonstrated combat abilities, even with time-related treasures, he is no less formidable than any Grand Master. Combined with this treasure and terrifying ‘personal connections,’ even Dharma Bodies would be cautious.”
“Pity I didn’t get to see him use the time-related treasure. However, according to information from the Luo Sect, this treasure is extraordinary. An ordinary Dharma Body encountering it might not necessarily come out on top.” Han Guang added regretfully, further elevating the threat level of Meng Qi.
The Fading Tianmo pondered for a moment and said, “Leader, considering Kuang Dao’s current progress, in another ten to fifteen years, another formidable Dharma Body could very well emerge. Even without special opportunities or legendary traits, he would likely be nearly on par with an Earth Immortal. Why not nip this potential threat in the bud?”
Shaken by the annihilation of the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence, fearing that the Tianmo Sect might one day suffer the same fate, the Fading Tianmo for the first time felt the urge to eliminate Meng Qi at all costs.
He solemnly said: “In today’s world, few possess the ability to counter time-related treasures. You, Leader, are one of them. With your strength, cultivation level, and wisdom surpassing Kuang Dao, if you were to act decisively, he would be doomed!”
Han Guang shook his head: “No need for now. I just said he has already established his momentum, which is now difficult to suppress.”
The Fading Tianmo looked puzzled at Han Guang. If he wasn’t even a half-step Dharma Body, and the experts he could call upon through personal favors wouldn’t always follow him, how could he talk about being difficult to suppress?
Han Guang smiled slightly: “Didn’t I once tell you about the Great Beings’ Dao Banners or Chess Pieces? Do you still remember?”
“I do remember,” the Fading Tianmo’s mind lit up. “Kuang Dao is exceptionally talented with continuous opportunities. Could he be a Chess Piece of the Dao?”
Han Guang’s smile remained unchanged, leisurely saying: “Normally, Great Beings wouldn’t bind themselves to just one Chess Piece or Dao Banner, as that lacks the ability to withstand failure. Therefore, they often set up many Chess Pieces, bestowing different ‘fortunes’ based on their growth, even ignoring them completely. Su Meng is one of these outstanding ones. Now reaching the peak of External Manifestation, he is no longer far from becoming a Dharma Body, meaning he’s receiving more attention and importance, thus establishing his momentum. I don’t want to provoke any ‘undead’ Great Being unknowingly.”
“Then he will eventually be doomed.” The Fading Tianmo not only wasn’t shocked but felt relieved instead.
Han Guang’s eyes reflected an illusory long river, gazing toward an unknown direction: “By then, if he can escape the Great Beings’ arrangements and jump out of the chessboard, it wouldn’t be beneath him to be his ‘second brother’…”
The black mist began to spread, Han Guang’s figure gradually fading, as if stepping into the mysterious long river, leaving only two sentences:
“Communicate more with the Luo Sect and the Blood Robe Sect. Since the righteous sects are powerful, we must band together.”
“I met Xin Chan while seeking answers, and today I will begin my retreat. Short term three to five years, long term ten to twenty years, I won’t return until I’ve achieved the Earth Immortal status.”
The lotus throne rotated, Han Guang’s figure drifting amidst the black mist, his back to the Fading Tianmo, his back to the hall’s entrance.
…
In a secret realm within the Western Regions’ Shensha Desert.
The current Joyful Buddha, handsome and refined, resembling a wealthy young master, holding a message transmitted from Central Plains, failed to maintain his image in front of his disciples and exclaimed: “The Sect of Life and Death Impermanence has been annihilated? Kuang Dao gathered most of the righteous sects’ top experts and has advanced to the Ninth Heaven!”
Around him lay many tempting women covered with thin veils, but at this moment, the Joyful Temple’s top masters gathered here were not looking elsewhere, stunned by the news as if trapped in a dream.
In terms of heritage and strength, the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence far surpassed the long-declining Joyful Temple, yet they were annihilated by Kuang Dao and his group of experts!
The current Joyful Buddha stared at the note in his hand for a long time. After Kuang Dao killed the master of the Benevolence Pavilion and became the second on the Earth List, he gave up the idea of revenge. Unless luring him into the sect’s secret realm, even with divine weapons, he would still face death. Now, not only was revenge out of the question, he had to pray Kuang Dao wouldn’t target them. If they fell into a trap and the secret realm was exposed, the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence would be a warning, and the Joyful Temple was much weaker, not requiring so many experts.
He sighed deeply and ordered: “From now on, wherever Kuang Dao appears, we must retreat a thousand miles immediately, no matter how urgent the task at hand.”
They couldn’t provoke him; they could only hide!
…
Near the Endless Abyss Sea, at the former location of the Asura Temple, the wind blew, dust flying, and the large temple had vanished without a trace.
The Abyss was filled with evil and death, shrouded in never-dispersing black mist. At this moment, a long sigh came from within:
“Fortunately, we withdrew the entire temple into the Abyss long ago.”
After the Great Asura perished by Su Wuming’s sword, the Asura Temple completely retreated into the Endless Abyss.
As one of the nine heterodox sects, without a Dharma Body to suppress, if they still stubbornly held their base, unlike other sects that were hidden and hard to find, wouldn’t they be waiting for the righteous sects to surround and annihilate them?
Looking at the current situation, even the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence was annihilated. If they had hesitated and delayed back then, they might have faced the same fate!
Luckily, they had occupied the Endless Abyss for many years and discovered many secret places!
…
On the grasslands, the shamans were hiding and struggling, hearing of the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence’s destruction, they all felt a sense of helplessness, as if no matter how hard they struggled, it would be useless, this would be the future of the Eternal Teaching.
A solemn male shaman suddenly wept, singing a mournful ballad:
“Lost my ancient Nu River, leaving the heavens without offerings; lost my sacred mountain, leaving my people without ‘daddy and mommy’…”
…
Inside a hall filled with “vengeful ghosts and evil spirits,” the new master of the Benevolence Pavilion gazed at the smoke of lingering grudges and softly said: “Thankfully, we strictly followed the pavilion rules and did not seek revenge.”
Otherwise, today’s Sect of Life and Death Impermanence would be the Benevolence Pavilion.
The first rule of the Benevolence Pavilion’s three assassins’ commandments: “Do not seek revenge for the defeated.”
Assassination missions have successes and failures. If one seeks revenge after failure, it is easy to be caught and set up, leading to annihilation.
Thus, genuine assassin killers are this merciless and ruthless—they abandon their mission after three failures and never pursue vengeance for accidental deaths.
…
In the southern barbarian lands, the Blood Sea Rakshasa roared to the heavens, filled with deep regret for not having eliminated the “Mad Blade” Su Meng earlier, all for the sake of the Haotian Mirror’s aura.
He turned his head and cast a cold glance at the Ten Thousand Insects Venerable: “Gather disciples from all regions, cease overt rule over the tribes, and shift all operations underground—just as we did when we first entered the southern barbarian lands.”
“Those above External Manifestation will enter the Blood Sea Realm within the divine weapon.”
And the divine weapon shall be concealed within the void “mustard seed.”
…
In the Tianjie Realm of the Su Nu, the Joyful Bodhisattva and the Xuan Nu sat facing each other.
“Su Meng has become a flying dragon in the sky; it’s very dangerous to attack him again,” the Joyful Bodhisattva’s expression was rarely solemn.
“Then let’s wait and see what will happen to him,” said the Xuan Nu, her flowing silk trailing behind her, her expression indifferent.
Suddenly, the Joyful Bodhisattva smiled sweetly: “However, such a strong man is the most captivating. I don’t know how many female Bodhisattvas in our Joyful Sect would feel weak in the knees just mentioning his name.”
…
Inside the Pure Land, the destruction of the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence also stirred waves.
Surrounded by countless hazy sacred lights that continuously expanded and contracted, Gu Xiaosang quietly looked at the Lamp-Bearing Divine Messenger and others, her gaze indifferent and emotionless:
“With the great calamity coming, the destruction of top forces will become frequent.”
Her calm tone and unmoving posture quickly dispelled the panic within the Luo Sect.
…
In every corner of the world, in every heterodox sect’s dwelling, the news of the Sect of Life and Death Impermanence’s destruction swept like a storm, leaving them either stunned or trembling in fear, everyone feeling threatened.
Kuang Dao, Su Meng, truly deserves to be the nemesis of the heterodox sects!
…
Drip, drip, Meng Qi sat by the window, listening to the spring rain all night in a small building, the deep alley quiet and serene, his mind naturally becoming peaceful and calm.
He closed his eyes, sensing the change in time and space.
Another cycle mission.
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