Chapter 439 : Cool, Slender Hands
439: Cool, Slender Hands
The sudden outbreak of fighting within the Buddha Sect attracted all of the sect's few disciples. Combined with the black energy that resembled demonic qi, it alarmed many people, and a crowd unconsciously gathered around Jiang Mo and her companion.
"What's that? Why are Abbot and Elder Huiqian fighting?" a young monk exclaimed, unable to contain his surprise.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue finally learned who was fighting with Abbot Huining—someone capable of matching the Buddha Sect's leader was certainly a master. However, the reputation of the Buddha Sect's Three Great Dharma Masters was so renowned that Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue had only heard of Huining, Huineng, and Huiming. As for other elders and masters of the Buddha Sect, due to their low profile, the women hadn't even heard their names, let alone seen them.
Therefore, knowing the opponent's identity wasn't much help. Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue still didn't understand how the two had started fighting, or whether the black energy surrounding Elder Huiqian was truly demonic qi.
With minds full of doubts, Jiang Mo found a moment to ask the young monk who had exclaimed earlier: "Who's more powerful, the Abbot or the Elder?"
The young monk didn't recognize her, but knew that anyone appearing inside the sect must be a guest. His cheeks were somewhat red, though whether from holding his breath or something else wasn't clear. Nevertheless, he insisted firmly: "Of course the Abbot is more powerful!"
However, just as the young monk finished speaking, a chorus of shocked exclamations erupted around them.
The two quickly turned to look and saw the two men had just clashed in midair. Yet during their exchange, the Abbot—whom the young monk had just confidently vouched for—failed to gain the upper hand and was instead struck down by a palm attack from Huiqian, who was shrouded in black energy.
The surrounding monks watched with extreme concern. Especially after a moment when the Abbot flew back into the air, his snow-white monk's robe now stained with eye-catching crimson, which shocked everyone into speechlessness.
But the battle clearly wouldn't change based on outsiders' opinions or expectations. The two monks in midair quickly engaged again.
Buddhist light clashed with black energy, sometimes gaining the upper hand, sometimes being suppressed.
Jiang Mo and her companion watched in confusion. Though they weren't familiar with either combatant, judging by the auras surrounding both men, Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue were more inclined to support the Abbot. But as the two fighters remained deadlocked, Jiang Mo finally couldn't help complaining: "This is the Buddha Sect. That Huiqian is clearly not normal—why isn't anyone going to help the Abbot?"
This was a fair point. The Buddha Sect had deep foundations and countless masters. Even if many had been sent out to search for the Buddha's Disciple, those remaining should be more than enough for self-protection. Yet now, despite the fierce battle, no one was offering assistance, which was obviously strange.
Yun Qingyue reacted quickly, reminding Jiang Mo: "Do you remember why we came here?"
Jiang Mo was startled at first, then suddenly realized—yes, the malevolent qi. The bottle of malevolent qi they had brought, though evaluated as "not much" by Golden Peng, was clearly difficult to deal with judging by Sect Leader Zhu's solemn attitude. So now, most of the Buddha Sect's masters were probably occupied with purifying the malevolent qi and couldn't get away.
The timing was truly coincidental. And what about Abbot Huining? His cultivation level wasn't low, so how was he being suppressed by an obscure elder?
After waiting a bit longer, Jiang Mo finally grew restless and said to Yun Qingyue: "Qingyue, I think something's wrong with Elder Huiqian. Since we've encountered this, shouldn't we help?"
Yun Qingyue didn't usually interfere in other sects' affairs, but now she indeed couldn't just stand by.
As soon as she showed intention to act, Jiang Mo immediately noticed and began flexing her fingers, ready to charge forward.
Just at that moment, the distant Abbot finally seemed to decide it was time for his ultimate move. With a shout, he quickly formed a Buddhist mudra with his hands. The already bright Buddhist light around him suddenly flared brilliantly, almost to a blinding degree. Simultaneously, a shadowy figure appeared behind him—a standing Buddha with lowered gaze and brows, face full of compassion, hands forming the same mudra as the Abbot.
Watching from afar, Jiang Mo and the others saw that within moments, the originally phantom-like Buddha became solid in the Buddhist light. And at the moment the Buddha fully materialized, its gently closed eyes suddenly opened, instantly releasing an imposing aura that rushed toward them.
Even at a distance, Jiang Mo and the others felt the pressure of being gazed upon by the Buddha, and the monks around them bowed their heads and began chanting Buddhist sutras.
If people at a distance were so affected by just a glance, one can imagine the pressure Huiqian faced directly opposite the Abbot. Moreover, the Buddha merely swept its gaze over the people before extending a golden hand toward the black energy-shrouded Huiqian—despite Huiqian seeing the danger and turning to flee, his escape speed was far inferior to the Buddha's hand, and he was caught squarely by the golden palm.
Jiang Mo and the others had previously doubted whether Huiqian's black energy was demonic qi, as Buddhist light can reveal demonic qi, yet when Huiqian and the Abbot fought earlier, the black energy around him hadn't been affected. But now they were certain—it was indeed demonic qi.
Because the moment the golden Buddha palm caught Huiqian, the black energy enveloping him seemed to encounter high heat, instantly beginning to melt.
Layer after layer of demonic qi was melted and corroded by the Buddhist light. Huiqian, trapped in the demonic qi, was clearly suffering terribly. Shrill, miserable screams came from the distance, chilling the hearts of all onlookers. After quite some time, the screams finally softened. When Jiang Mo and the others looked again, they discovered that Huiqian, wrapped in black energy, had finally revealed his face.
It was a face covered in black patterns, vaguely emanating a certain charm that made viewers feel dazed. Moreover, under the Buddhist light, even though the demonic qi around his body was dispelled, the black patterns on Huiqian's face remained unchanged.
Jiang Mo looked at that face and thought it ugly at first glance, but inexplicably became entranced at the second look...
At that moment, a cool, slender hand covered her eyes, blocking her vision. Jiang Mo's first reaction was displeasure, and she raised her hand to pull it away. But as soon as their hands touched, she suddenly came to her senses—this was her Senior Sister's hand, and it was her Senior Sister who had blocked her vision. What had just happened? How had she suddenly become entranced and unwilling to let anyone block her view?!
Jiang Mo wasn't stupid. She immediately realized she might have fallen victim to something, and a cold sweat broke out on her back. Her initially resistant hand decisively pressed down, holding that cool, delicate hand against her eyes.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
The incident happened suddenly, but fortunately was resolved fairly quickly.
Jiang Mo was probably one of the few who had been affected, not because of insufficient willpower or cultivation, but purely bad luck—when the Abbot summoned the Buddha, the observing Buddhist disciples all respectfully lowered their heads. Only she and Yun Qingyue lacked sufficient reverence, daring to continue watching the battle afterward. However, Yun Qingyue was experienced and quick to react, so in the end, only Jiang Mo was affected.
This was quite embarrassing, but fortunately her Senior Sister reacted quickly and covered her eyes, limiting the effect to just momentary confusion. Otherwise, had she truly been captivated by the demonic patterns on Huiqian's face, who knows what might have happened?
Thinking of this, Jiang Mo wrapped her arms around Yun Qingyue's slender waist and buried her face in her shoulder: "How embarrassing. Good thing I have you."
Yun Qingyue sighed helplessly and raised a hand to stroke her sleek black hair: "It's alright, nothing happened."
She wasn't merely offering comfort. Jiang Mo was, after all, the White Tiger Divine Beast and naturally resistant to demonic creatures. At most, she would be momentarily confused and vaguely deluded by an illusion for a short time; it shouldn't have become worse.
Jiang Mo, either truly embarrassed or just wanting to take the opportunity to be pampered, stayed nestled in Yun Qingyue's embrace for quite some time, making small whimpering sounds.
Finally, Yun Qingyue gave in and pushed her away: "Enough, there are many people watching. Stop acting spoiled."
This was true. They were still in their previous position with many Buddha Sect disciples standing around them. But since both were women, even if they embraced intimately under public scrutiny, no one would find it problematic. Moreover, few Buddha Sect disciples were paying attention to them anyway; everyone's focus was still on the rear mountain.
……
At the rear mountain, the golden Buddha still stood in place, with Huiqian's screams in its palm gradually diminishing, though the demonic patterns on his face had not dissipated.
Abbot Huining's complexion wasn't good—not emotionally, but literally—he was pale to the point of transparency, and the thick Buddhist light around him burned intensely, as if in a final combustion.
Indeed, summoning this Buddha had cost him too much, especially in his condition after being ambushed and seriously injured. He was barely holding on now, merely trying to expel the demonic patterns from Huiqian's body. He wanted to know whether the ambush was of Huiqian's own volition or if he had been controlled by the demonic patterns.
But this was too difficult. Even with the Buddha's intervention, the demonic patterns on Huiqian's face didn't dissipate. On the contrary, his life force was rapidly declining. It seemed the demonic patterns had long since merged with him, becoming an inseparable part of his body.
Finally, as the spiritual energy in the Abbot's body was nearly exhausted, the solidified Buddha in midair began to fade. At last, with what seemed like a "boom," the materialized Buddha finally dispersed, transforming into points of golden light scattered throughout heaven and earth.
At the same time, two figures fell from midair—Huining and Huiqian crashing down simultaneously.