Chapter Thirty: Departure

Chapter Thirty: Departure

Chapter Five: The Fierce Contest of Tigers and Dragons, the Battle of the Mystic Blade and Spirit Sword (Part Six)

Master Zhi Ku heard the words of the crowd and smiled faintly, saying nothing more. He only cast a hopeful glance at Bai Shisong, Ling Yun’er, and the others. His gaze then shifted to Ye Hua, who stood at the back, but did not linger; he quickly looked away. When Ye Hua saw Master Zhi Ku's eyes settle on him, his heart pounded wildly. But noticing that the master had not truly taken note of him, he gradually calmed himself.

“Tomorrow at dawn, gather in the Grand Hall. We will proceed together to Dafuling Jiu Temple. Do not be late. Amitabha,” announced Master Zhiguang. All the disciples answered respectfully and began to disperse.

As soon as they exited the Grand Hall, Ye Hua and his companions clustered together, talking in low voices. “Who would have thought that Uncles Zhigang, Zhihui, and the others would emerge from retreat! But why didn’t we see Uncle Zhiguang? I’ve long heard that his ‘Universe in the Sleeve’ technique is the most formidable among our seniors! Alas!” Qing Kai’s face flushed as he spoke hurriedly, ending with a sigh.

“Indeed, with the uncles leaving seclusion, it shows this Chanlin Assembly is no ordinary event,” Qing Shi replied, his eyes glinting with excitement. “Junior sister, I want to ask you—how fares your cousin from the Ling family, who cultivates at Xitai Shuxiang Temple? Will we face them as opponents this time?”

“Why are you asking about my cousin? With so many participating, it’s unlikely we’ll cross paths by chance,” Ling Yun’er replied with a smile.

“I’ve always been curious about Brother Yang Jun, the Proud Chrysanthemum Blade, one of the Five Gentlemen of Xitai Shuxiang Temple. I’ve heard their talents rival our own at Zhongtai. If we truly face them, victory will not come easily,” Qing Yu remarked.

Ling Yun’er laughed. “Last time, I did encounter my cousin. He told me that his master, Monk Zhidiān, though not the abbot, is the most accomplished among the 'Zhi'-generation at Shuxiang Temple. Among his disciples is Yuanfa, scion of the Wei family, whose ancestor was Emperor Daowu. His cultivation rivals Yang Jun’s, but he was not included among the Five Gentlemen.”

“I’ve heard as much. And there are many other formidable figures at the other temples. Take Zoumou, our junior from Luomu Hou Temple—his twin-bladed wind spear is two zhang four chi long and one chi three cun around. It’s said to be a marvel, and even Uncle Zhizhu admires it. Or Sima Jiong of Foguang Temple, son of the Prince of Xianyang. Not to mention his family’s legacy techniques, he’s also learned the temple’s Radiant Buddha Light, making his Buddhist energy likely far deeper than ours. Then there’s Kong Jian of Guangji Temple, who reached the peak of the Sixth Stage of the Seven-Treasure Realm years ago; by now, he must be in the seventh stage, just like our senior brother. And these are only the ones we’ve heard about—there must be many more unknown talents...” Qing Kai sighed.

Listening to this litany of outstanding disciples from other temples, Ye Hua couldn’t help but feel his own heroic spirit stirred. To compete among such peers would make this journey worthwhile. Yet, with his own cultivation only at the Fourth Stage of the Seven-Treasure Realm, he worried he might not be their match.

They talked for a long while before each returned to their rooms for meditation, calming their minds and nurturing their energy in preparation for the journey to Dafuling Jiu Temple. Back in his room, Ye Hua sat in meditation, circulating the Six Origins Heavenly Wish Technique. His inner Dao energy surged and roared through his body, gathering at his dantian and condensing into a clear, flowing stream. Gradually, it coalesced into a golden elixir, spinning and rolling in a most wondrous manner.

Threads of golden energy emanated from the elixir, then slowly merged back into his body, vanishing from sight. This cycle repeated several times, after which the golden energy finally ceased, merging into his flesh and blood. When the golden glow faded, Buddhist energy began to seep through his body, circulating along his meridians in a pattern quite different from the Six Origins technique. Yet Ye Hua found no resistance—everything flowed with perfect ease.

A faint golden aura shimmered around him, with distant echoes of Sanskrit chants. This was the power of the Four Noble Truths technique, now manifesting its first light, seemingly having reached the peak of the third level.

After another spell of cultivation, the Four Noble Truths energy faded, and the golden aura vanished. In its place, layers of black and gray mist began to coil around him, lending him an air of deep mystery. This was the Nine Yin Ghost Technique from the ‘Ghost Valley Codex,’ a Dao of ghosts technique. Unfortunately, the codex contained only the first thirteen chapters, missing the final two. Ye Hua had practiced it for some time, but only scratched the surface.

The night passed unremarked, and when Ye Hua opened his eyes, dawn’s first light was rising. After a quick wash, he stepped out, heading straight for the Thunder Sound Hall in the front courtyard. “I wonder if the senior brothers have arrived yet?” he mused as he went. He circled past the Hall of Heavenly Kings, turned left, then crossed the Discipline Hall, and soon saw Senior Brothers Ouyang Tai and Li Yulin strolling ahead.

“Sixth Brother, Seventh Brother!” Ye Hua called out, hurrying to catch up.

“Junior Brother!” Ouyang Tai greeted him. “No need to rush—the senior brothers just went to the Maitreya Hall. There’s no hurry to reach Thunder Sound Hall.”

“The Maitreya Hall? What are they doing there?” Ye Hua asked in surprise.

Ouyang Tai and Li Yulin exchanged embarrassed looks. “The Maitreya Hall has always been where our Beitai Yedou Peak Cishan Temple keeps its treasures. According to the rules, only those who have reached the sixth stage, or the sixth level of the Four Noble Truths, may enter. We… alas.” Both sighed.

Ye Hua now understood. Their master had sent them to the Maitreya Hall before departing for Dafuling Jiu Temple, clearly wishing them to obtain more treasures to increase their chances in the coming contests. But the rules allowed entry only to those at the sixth stage or higher, which meant only three of them—including himself and these two brothers—could not enter, while the remaining six had gone in. This thought left Ye Hua with a sense of deep regret.

The three of them, somewhat dispirited, wandered over to Thunder Sound Hall to wait. The senior brothers had yet to emerge, so they gazed at the blue sky and drifting clouds. Ye Hua asked, “Senior brothers, do you think we know which sects we’ll face this time?”

“No point in worrying,” Li Yulin replied despondently. “No matter which sect it is, with our mere four or five levels in the Seven-Treasure Realm and five levels in the Four Noble Truths, we’re hardly a match. We’d best surrender without a fight.”