Eternal Saber

Martial General Mountain, Xiping Temple.

Since the fall of the Wu Dynasty, when Emperor Wu was buried here, this temple has been abandoned for many years.

Even if people come to burn incense and worship Buddha, they all go to the Xinping Zen Temple on the other side of Martial General Mountain.

Since the anti-Buddhist campaign by Daqian, although it hasn’t affected this place yet, the monks in the Zen Temple, having heard the rumors, have mostly fled, and even fewer people come to worship Buddha.

Recently, there has been a steady stream of worshipers coming to Martial General Mountain.

Some, after offering incense and prayers at Xinping Zen Temple, chose to stay.

With many monks having fled the Zen Temple, there were enough empty rooms, so these worshipers had plenty of space to stay.

There were also some people wandering around Martial General Mountain, loitering and observing near Xiping Temple.

"Abbot, these worshipers don’t look like ordinary folk; each seems to have some martial skills. Could they be from the Court, planning to take action against our Zen Temple?"

"It’s possible. I’ve noticed some worshipers carry an aura of death, much like seasoned veterans from the battlefield."

"But if the Court were involved, they would just surround us with troops. Why disguise themselves as worshipers, hiding their actions?"

Some monks remaining at Xinping Zen Temple noticed the strange situation but didn’t understand the reason.

Abbot Ben Guang said, "Ignore them. They’re not here for us. Let them be."

On this particular day.

Three worshipers approached outside Xiping Temple.

A young man and woman, none other than the Young Master of the former Wu Dynasty, Qin Xi, and the Young Madam, Qifu Minglan.

Beside the two, there was a burly, robust man with unkempt hair, eyes like brass bells, striding powerfully. With each step, the ground trembled slightly, exuding extraordinary momentum.

Dragon Tiger Dominator, Qifu Qin!

The three had just stepped into Xiping Temple when they saw in front of them a dilapidated main hall. Before the Buddha statue, an old monk sat with his back to them, hunched over, holding a string of prayer beads.

Upon seeing this figure, the Dragon Tiger Dominator’s heart sank, and he quickly subdued his wild and unruly demeanor, even lightening his steps.

The commotion behind was surely heard by the old monk, yet he did not turn around.

Qifu Qin exchanged a glance with Qin Xi.

Qin Xi understood, stepped forward a few paces, bowed to the old monk, and said, "Junior Qin Xi, descendant of Emperor Wu, may I ask if my father was buried here?"

The old monk still did not turn, only asking, "Is Donor Qin here to worship his ancestors?"

"Yes."

Qin Xi nodded.

The old monk asked, "Why now?"

"This..."

Qin Xi was at a loss for words.

Worshiping Emperor Wu was merely a pretext; the main goal was to ask the Zen Sect for help to restore the Wu Dynasty.

But saying it so directly seemed too deliberate.

Seeing Qin Xi’s hesitation, Qifu Qin couldn’t bear it anymore and straightforwardly said, "I am the Immortal Slayer Qifu Qin, once by His Majesty’s side, paying respects to the Zen Sect Elder!"

"I have come not only to worship His Majesty but also on an important matter, to seek the Zen Sect Elder’s assistance in helping the Young Master to support Great Wu!"

The old monk sighed softly, slowly turned around, and looked at the three with a gaze resembling pity.

This gaze made Qifu Qin somewhat uncomfortable.

Yet he dared not show anger towards the Zen Sect, saying solemnly, "Zen Sect Elder, Beiqian’s anti-Buddhist campaign is inhumane, causing countless massacres, with monks fleeing everywhere, homeless."

"If the Zen Sect helps the Young Master, a call to arms can gather the Buddhist Sect’s power to counter the Profound Celestial Sect."

The Zen Sect asked, "Why did the Court abolish Buddhism?"

Qifu Qin replied, "To suppress the Buddhist Sect and to confiscate Buddhist wealth to fill the state treasury, achieving two goals at once..."

The Zen Sect did not answer, silently watching the three.

Qifu Qin seemed to have realized something and suddenly fell silent.

Qin Xi’s heart tensed, quickly asking, "Was the anti-Buddhist campaign a ruse to force the elder out of hiding?"

Qifu Minglan said, "Your Highness, do not panic. We’ve sent many people up the mountain in recent days and haven’t found anything unusual."

"Shut up!"

Qifu Qin reprimanded, gravely concerned.

If the Profound Celestial Sect had targeted the Zen Sect, then a Grandmaster of the Transformation Realm would surely be involved.

This level of expert, how could they possibly detect him?

No wonder the Zen Sect’s old monk looked at them so strangely.

"We must leave now, immediately descend the mountain!"

Qifu Qin realized the critical point, breaking into a cold sweat, gave the order, intending to flee.

"Ha ha."

A cold laugh suddenly echoed above Xiping Temple.

Rumble!

In the next moment, the earth around Xiping Temple surged, and massive stone walls rose up.

In an instant, the ground shuddered and the mountains shook!

"Break!"

Seeing the suddenly appearing stone wall, Qifu Qin’s Qi and blood surged, emitting the roar of a tiger and the cry of a dragon as he punched fiercely at the stone wall before him!

Boom!

His fist collided with the stone wall, causing a loud explosion.

But in the next moment, Qifu Qin’s whole body shook, instantly catapulted away, spewing blood from his mouth.

"Father!"

Qifu Minglan cried out, quickly rushing forward.

The surrounding stone walls climbed higher, sealing off the area completely.

Seeing this, Qin Xi turned pale, his expression panicked.

Even a Grandmaster couldn’t break the stone walls and was even wounded by it; they had no chance of escape.

"The sky!"

Qin Xi had a sudden inspiration.

The direction above was the only way out!

Qin Xi looked up and was startled.

Above him, a remarkably handsome middle-aged man was descending slowly, his figure like a towering mountain, exuding a terrifying aura of oppression!

"This is..."

Qin Xi looked fearful.

"Profound Celestial Sect Leader!"

Qifu Qin saw the newcomer, and with bloody teeth, spat out four words.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xi and Qifu Minglan both turned pale.

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader looked at the three with a mocking gaze and said indifferently, "Cast the bait, and though the big fish hasn’t appeared, it’s a pleasant surprise."

"Emperor Wu’s son, ha, walking right into the trap, utterly foolish."

Before he finished speaking, the Profound Celestial Sect Leader flicked his fingers lightly.

A streak of white light shot toward the three, its speed extremely fast.

A glint of cold light flashed in the air, and the three felt a bone-chilling coldness!

Clang!

At this moment, a golden light suddenly appeared, colliding with the white light.

The white light quivered, revealing its true form—a chillingly brilliant flying sword.

The golden light was originally a prayer bead.

"If it’s me you’re after, there’s no need to involve the innocent."

The old monk softly chanted a Buddhist scripture, slowly stood up, holding the prayer beads in one hand, picked up the Zen Staff beside him, and walked out of the hall.

"The remnants of the previous dynasty cannot be considered innocent, especially since he is the son of Emperor Wu."

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader smiled faintly, saying, "Old bald donkey, you’re old, your Qi and blood have declined, and you’re no longer as you were in your prime. Can you stop me from killing him?"

Before he had finished speaking, the Profound Celestial Sect Leader waved his sleeve.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Instantly, sixteen flying swords broke through the air, emitting a shrill sound!