I Grind to Martial Saint

The Profound Celestial Alliance was far too ancient. Ever since the end of the Chaotic Ancient Era, this old organization had gradually fallen apart and vanished into the river of history.

The Great Vajra Temple had a profound legacy and was once part of the Profound Celestial Alliance.

That was how Monk Xu Shi knew about the Profound Celestial Alliance.

"I heard about it from a senior."

Han Yuan said softly.

"I see."

"You guessed correctly. The Great Vajra Temple was indeed once part of the Profound Celestial Alliance, as we also sealed an extremely small piece of Source Seed Shredded Meat within the temple."

Monk Xu Shi said quietly.

"Did that Source Seed Shredded Meat mutate because of the surge in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi?"

Han Yuan asked, recalling the disturbance in the Taicang Mountain Range.

"I have not returned to the Great Vajra Temple in a long time, so I do not know."

Xu Shi said, shaking his head.

"I hope not."

Han Yuan smiled and continued on his journey.

「Ten days later.」

They finally entered Yue Province, where the Great Vajra Temple was located.

By now, Elder Monk Xu Shi's condition had become extremely dire.

Dark energy had even begun to emanate from his face. He was nothing but skin and bones, and even his consciousness was becoming increasingly fuzzy.

For this reason, Han Yuan had no choice but to buy a horse-drawn carriage in a town to continue their journey.

He drove the horse, while Monk Xu Shi rested inside the carriage.

The Orange Cat also stayed in the carriage, keeping a constant watch on Monk Xu Shi's changes.

If the monk showed any sign of mutation, Han Yuan would immediately strike and kill him.

He would not allow the Source Evil Seed to gestate and emerge from Monk Xu Shi's body.

"Meow~~"

"The old monk's condition has worsened again."

"I call out to him now, but he doesn't respond."

The Orange Cat said, leaping out of the carriage.

"It's alright... Stick to the plan."

"The moment Master Xu Shi feels he can't hold on any longer, he will snap the Buddha Beads."

"When that happens, just alert me immediately."

Han Yuan said in a low voice.

He believed that with so many years of cultivating the Buddhist Dharma, Xu Shi should still be able to hold on.

"You got it." The Orange Cat nodded and returned to the carriage.

Han Yuan sighed softly and continued on his way.

「Three days later.」

Han Yuan arrived at the foot of a continuous mountain range.

This mountain was called Golden Light Mountain.

Legend had it that a golden Buddhist light once descended from the heavens and landed in this mountain range, hence its name.

And the Great Vajra Temple was situated within this Golden Light Mountain.

There was only one path up the mountain: a flight of stone steps.

The Great Vajra Temple was never open to outsiders, so very few pilgrims came, and there was little foot traffic.

And a horse-drawn carriage was certainly not going to make it up these stone steps.

Seeing this, Han Yuan could only quickly park the carriage, then he hoisted Monk Xu Shi onto his back and sped towards the stone steps.

"Master Xu Shi, you have to hold on."

"We're at the foot of Golden Light Mountain."

Han Yuan grunted.

He knew Xu Shi could probably still hear him, but was simply unable to respond.

Han Yuan's legs moved as if they had wings, and he rapidly ascended the ancient, steep stone steps.

After just the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Han Yuan reached the mountainside where the Golden Light Temple was.

This was already the mountain range of the Great Vajra Temple. There stood a huge and majestic Vajra Divine Statue, holding a Demon-Subduing Pestle, its posture and expression lifelike.

Two monks, built like iron pagodas, were guarding the mountain gate.

BUZZ!!

Suddenly, the Vajra Divine Statue seemed to sense something and began to emit a dazzling golden light.

"What's happening?!"

a Mountain Guard Disciple exclaimed in horror.

"The Vajra Divine Statue is reacting like this because it has sensed a demonic aura!"

The other Mountain Guard Disciple realized what was going on.

"Senior Brother, should we report this to the Elders?" the Mountain Guard Disciple asked.

"No need... The Mountain Guardian Elder will soon sense the statue's disturbance and come."

the senior brother said calmly.

Sure enough, a dozen or so breaths later, a burly, barrel-chested great monk carrying a Crescent Shovel arrived with more than a dozen gray-robed monks holding long staves.

"Why is the Vajra Divine Statue acting up?"

The great monk asked in a booming voice.

His dharma name was Kongneng. He was an Elder of the Mountain Patrol Institute, and his Cultivation had also reached the Gang Essence Realm.

"Elder Kongneng, I don't know what happened either."

"The Vajra Divine Statue just started glowing on its own!"

the Mountain Guard Disciple said, clasping his fists.

"The Vajra Divine Statue wouldn't be triggered for no reason..."

"Disciples of the Mountain Patrol Institute, form up!"

"I'd like to see just what kind of demon dares to come to our Great Vajra Temple!"

Kongneng said in a cold voice.

In an instant, the gray-robed monks with long staves behind him scattered, forming a Demon Subduing Staff Array to guard the top of the stone steps.

Kongneng stood behind the Array, his gaze cold as he stared ahead.

Before long, a figure rushed up the stone steps.

The gray-robed monks also felt a powerful, evil, and twisted aura.

Without even waiting for Kongneng's command, they swung their long staves and smashed them down toward the figure!

WHOOSH!!

The long staves howled through the air, their swift and explosive force seemingly shattering the very air.

But the figure suddenly erupted with a ferocious and violent aura.

BOOM!

This aura was too fierce. A powerful, surging torrent of air burst forth from the figure, directly knocking the gray-robed monks in the Demon Subduing Staff Array off balance.

Monk Kongneng's eyes flickered with horror.

Because the presence erupting from the figure at that moment made even him feel a tremor of fear.

"What do you monks think you're doing?"

"If you keep obstructing me, Monk Xu Shi is done for."

Han Yuan said coldly.

Hearing the name "Xu Shi," Monk Kongneng finally reacted, seeing the gaunt-faced old monk on Han Yuan's back.