Chapter 821: Taking the Initiative to Apply Pressure

“Master Yu Seng?” Upon hearing Yan Chixia’s address, Nan Gong Chong couldn’t help but stand up as well.

This was indeed one of the Three Grand Masters under heaven, an ultimate expert, a near divine or demonic existence, the ultimate goal for every martial artist!

A grey-robed old monk took a step forward, appearing at the entrance of the hall, his gaze still locked with Meng Qi’s. In the half of the sky, silver serpents danced, illuminating the Lanruo Temple and the surrounding mountains and forests. The wailing yin winds had completely ceased, and the chilling, eerie atmosphere within the temple was swept away, replaced entirely by the masculine force of thunder and the purity of glazed light.

At such a level of confrontation, what place was there for Laolao, or any wandering ghosts and spirits!

No move was made, no domain displayed, no heavenly or earthly forces invoked; merely the pull of their qi and the mutual stimulation created such a divine and demonic might. Not only Nan Gong Chong and Du Qingqing, but even Yan Chixia could not maintain a calm mind, feeling shocked and astonished.

Is this the power of a Grand Master?

And the one who could match Yu Seng’s qi without showing any disadvantage, who was this obviously frosty-haired, cyan-robed man? Could it be the mysterious Black Mountain Demon? Or a newly emerged Grand Master? Yan Chixia looked back, surprised and wary, glancing at Meng Qi.

Nan Gong Chong was even more astonished. He “knew” that the slightly aged cyan-robed man from the Cangtian Sect was very strong, beyond comparison with ordinary masters, but he didn’t expect him to be this powerful—capable of confronting one of the Three Grand Masters, “Yu Seng,” head-on without showing any sign of defeat!

“Amitabha, the lay devotee has been absent for many years. I never expected you to appear at Lanruo Temple.” In the midst of the qi traction, Yu Seng dared not rashly shift his gaze, for an impulsive attack in this fluctuating momentum would be terrifying.

It sounds like they know each other? Yan Chixia, Nan Gong Chong, and Du Qingqing sensed this fact from Yu Seng’s words.

Indeed, even if the cyan-robed man was slightly inferior in the past, he was still close to the level of Grand Master. As one of the topmost experts, it was normal for them to know each other!

Meng Qi slowly stood up, his hands clasped behind his back. He lightly coughed and then shifted his gaze away. The connected qi instantly vanished, leaving Yu Seng with the uncomfortable feeling of a punch hitting nothing: “Master also came to seek the Black Mountain Demon?”

Not mentioning the past, for the past was unknown.

Yu Seng’s eyes closed again as he softly recited a Buddhist name: “The Black Mountain lay devotee poisoned living beings; this old monk cannot help but intervene.”

He continued, “The lay devotee was defeated by him years ago. Now coming to Lanruo Temple, it must be that the Cangtian Great Art has made a breakthrough. This old monk observes that the lay devotee has rejuvenated, his silver strands turned black, his eyes ‘opened’ to the inner world, already giving the sense of self-generating a realm. Every move you make is effortless and unrestricted by external things or controlled by others. Have you pushed the Cangtian Great Art to an unprecedented level?”

“Heaven is dead; Yellow Heaven shall rise.” Meng Qi stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a slight smile on his lips, his aura even deeper.

“Heaven is dead; Yellow Heaven shall rise…” Yu Seng was slightly taken aback, then clasped his palms: “Amitabha, first death then rebirth, destruction then attainment. Congratulations, lay devotee, for attaining great enlightenment. Perhaps one day you will achieve Buddhahood right here.”

In Yan Chixia, Nan Gong Chong, and Du Qingqing’s hearts, their conversation was full of Buddhist mysteries. The mysterious cyan-robed man indeed did not show any disadvantage before Yu Seng, seemingly a clear match.

“The ‘Yellow Heaven shall rise’ realm of the Cangtian Great Art…” They savored this information, looking at Meng Qi with increasing awe.

Is this the bearing and demeanor of a Grand Master?

Is he the Sect Leader of the Cangtian Sect?

“The whereabouts of the Black Mountain Demon are unknown. Master, please proceed.” Meng Qi did not say much. His right hand extended forward, gesturing as if inviting, intending to witness the level of the strongest in this world.

Yu Seng softly recited a Buddhist name and took out an ancient Buddhist scripture with a deep blue cover from his robe: “Amitabha, this old monk will first deliver the demons and spirits of Lanruo Temple, allowing them to be reborn in the Pure Land.”

On the ancient Buddhist scripture were five archaic Sanskrit characters, emanating a faint golden liuli glow. Meng Qi examined them carefully, his heart stirred.

“The Earth Store Deliverance Sutra!”

One version of the “Qian Nv You Hun” indeed involved the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha! Meng Qi pondered. If he could obtain this scripture, his master would at least no longer be hopeless about achieving the Dharma Body due to an incomplete cultivation method!

His eyes narrowed, concealing a flash of intense desire, he deliberately sighed: “The Earth Store Deliverance Sutra…”

If the Cangtian Sect Leader had previously known that this Buddhist scripture had fallen into Yu Seng’s hands, it would be a sigh for the scripture’s soul-delivering ability. If not, it would be a sigh for Yu Seng obtaining this powerful Buddhist scripture.

“The Earth Store Deliverance Sutra?” Yan Chixia and Du Qingqing looked puzzled, while Nan Gong Chong couldn’t hide the intense desire in his eyes, seemingly well aware of the subtleties of this scripture.

With a compassionate expression, Yu Seng said, “Amitabha, this place has been opened by the Black Mountain lay devotee into a rift leading to the Nine Netherworlds (Jiuyou) Ghost Realm. Therefore, the lingering resentment of the yin souls and spirits cannot dissipate. Ordinary deliverance cannot help them attain liberation or rebirth in the Pure Land. They scatter and gather again endlessly. This old monk had no choice but to bring out this temple’s sacred Buddhist scripture.”

So it was a sacred temple Buddhist scripture; directly talking about exchanging cultivation methods might not be appropriate… Meng Qi slightly nodded, temporarily refraining from speaking.

At this moment, disturbed by Yu Seng and Meng Qi’s aura, the sinister atmosphere of Lanruo Temple had completely dissipated, making it no different from an ordinary ruined temple. The so-called “Granny” and all the yin spirits and evil entities had hidden themselves away.

Even demons and spirits feared the Grand Masters!

Holding the “Earth Store Deliverance Sutra,” Yu Seng turned and walked outside the Lanruo Temple, already sensing that the main issue lay in the nearby woods.

At this time, Nan Gong Chong’s eyes turned, and he had an idea. He subtly transmitted his voice: “Master, please help me seek justice!”

“What matter?” Yu Seng responded.

Nan Gong Chong, filled with grief and anger, said, “This junior is Nan Gong Chong from the Dinghu region. I accidentally met the disciples from the Huang family village on Chao Island and learned that seven years ago, the left-hand man of the Cangtian Sect forcefully seized their family’s secret manual, injuring many people. I was moved by righteous indignation and took on this matter. Unfortunately, my strength was insufficient. After meeting them, I couldn’t seek justice, but I was unwilling to give up. Thus, I humbled myself, endured humiliation, and followed them to find an opportunity. Now that I have encountered Master, it is indeed the time for the heavenly way to prevail.”

Yu Seng looked him up and down and transmitted his voice: “Master Nan Gong, please remain calm for a moment. After this old monk delivers the demons and spirits of Lanruo Temple and finds the whereabouts of the Black Mountain lay devotee, I will discuss the matter with the two masters of the Cangtian Sect.”

Having said that, he stepped out of the hall, lotus flowers blooming under his steps, heading toward the woods.

Nan Gong Chong secretly clenched his fists, filled with anticipation. The humiliation he had endured was not easy to bear; enduring hardship was for this moment!

At that time, it would be best if both sides were injured, allowing him to both avenge himself and obtain the “Earth Store Deliverance Sutra”!

As he indulged in his thoughts, his heart suddenly stirred, and instinctively he looked at Meng Qi, only to see him watching with a half-smile.

Dong dong dong! His heartbeat quickened.

Dong dong dong! He heard the strong heartbeat from Meng Qi’s chest.

“I also heard your grievous words just now,” the voice of Meng Qi, filled with laughter, directly echoed in Nan Gong Chong’s mind.

Nan Gong Chong’s eyes widened, a surge of fear rising. Could this cyan-robed man perceive thoughts and eavesdrop on his transmitted voice?

In his pupils, the slightly aged cyan-robed figure suddenly drew close, filling his entire vision!

Bad! Nan Gong Chong acted immediately.

Meng Qi suddenly felt the world go pitch black, his senses restricted again. But this time, he was the one who actively pressed Nan Gong Chong, forcing him to use this technique. Therefore, he was well-prepared and had room for reaction. The “Primordial Unyielding Form” suddenly emerged!

Chaotic and indistinct, there was no upper or lower, spatial distances became extremely disordered, and time also slightly confused. Meng Qi wanted to rely on the initial singularity, the Primordial Unyielding Form of time and space condensed into one, to explore the secret of “time reversal”!

Even if limited by his cultivation level, he could only slightly confuse time, but in the conflict between the two, Meng Qi was confident that he could grasp a little “trace” from it!

…

His senses returned. Meng Qi once again saw Nan Gong Chong, Du Qingqing, and Yan Chixia, and saw Ning Caichen walking quickly with small steps.

Everything had returned to the state before Ning Caichen went to urinate, and Yu Seng had not yet appeared.

“Even a Grand Master can be affected, and it can be initiated voluntarily, not just relying on death to trigger…” Meng Qi muttered to himself. In that split second, he had vaguely sensed a bit of “abnormality” through the slightly confused time. If it happened a few more times, he might be able to follow the trail to find the clue!

At this time, Nan Gong Chong stood up and approached, his face full of flattery: “Senior, why don’t I accompany Master Ning to relieve himself outside the hall?”

His attitude was respectfully standard.

Then he saw Meng Qi’s gaze sweep over, with a smile hinting at something unknown on his lips, as if all his secrets were no longer secrets before him!

“Hehe, I must have imagined it, scared by that ability of sensing thoughts…” Nan Gong Chong muttered inwardly.