BOOK 2: CHAPTER 408: SEA REGION DESTROYS BUDDHISM, UNEXPECTED NEWS

Vol 2 Chapter 408: Sea Region Destroys Buddhism, Unexpected News

"Master Zhitong has arrived."

Li Sanxian shouted loudly.

Lady Nishang accompanied Ancestor Xuanding as he stood outside the camp tent, watching the crowd from Leiyin Temple draw nearer and nearer.

"Lady Nishang, Patron Xuanding," Master Zhitong stood on the golden lotus, palms pressed together, "I am overjoyed to see old friends well."

Upon hearing this, the anger burning in Lady Nishang’s heart dissipated considerably.

The Four Sects had been fighting back and forth constantly, but Dao Fruit cultivators were notoriously hard to kill.

So, it rarely escalated to life-or-death conflicts.

Although she and Zhitong had long-standing grievances, they were still old acquaintances.

Thinking this, she glanced at Ancestor Xuanding, knowing this person cared little about the sea region affairs—after all, what were sea regions or trade routes but petty squabbles?

"Have you summoned me urgently because the Tianhe Sect has caused trouble?" The old monk Zhitong flew to the three of them and asked directly.

Lady Nishang glanced at Ancestor Xuanding.

Ancestor Xuanding said nothing, merely extending his palm to signal everyone into the tent for a detailed discussion.

The other disciples tactfully moved far away, leaving only Lady Nishang and the three Dao Fruit cultivators inside the tent. The atmosphere lost its previous harmony.

Ancestor Xuanding still said nothing.

But Li Sanxian spoke up: "Master Zhitong, I heard there was some conflict between your Leiyin Temple and the Jiushan Sect?"

Zhitong’s long eyebrows lifted as he looked at Lady Nishang and the others, seemingly surprised.

"Let the master know, the ships of Jiushan Sect were carrying goods from my Taishang Dao and Yaochi," Li Sanxian said bluntly, ignoring Zhitong’s expression. "Is Leiyin Temple trying to provoke Taishang Dao and Yaochi?"

At these words, Li Sanxian’s eyes flashed cold, filling the tent with a deadly aura.

Zhitong diverted his gaze from Li Sanxian to Lady Nishang and Ancestor Xuanding.

Lady Nishang’s face was as cold as frost, staring straight at him.

Ancestor Xuanding closed his eyes, silent, but the aura on his body subtly merged with Li Sanxian’s.

Suddenly, Zhitong laughed, his eyes full of compassion, then asked in return, "Who told you that my temple is at odds with Patriarch Zheng?"

...

"I suppose it’s a misunderstanding. I encountered Master Zhang of Jiushan Sect, but that was only while chasing some demonic sect disciples. It was a temporary misunderstanding," Zhitong said with a smile. "There’s really no conflict." 𝘙äΝ𝐨ＢËṨ

Li Sanxian seemed a bit embarrassed and was left speechless for a moment.

Then Zhitong continued, "But Li Patriarch, my temple traveled thousands of miles to Tianhe Sect, hoping to work together and contribute to Xuanyi Realm."

"Yet upon arrival, I am questioned by the Patriarch, which truly chills this old monk’s heart."

"Is chasing demonic sect disciples a crime?"

Lady Nishang saw Li Sanxian open his mouth, unsure what to say, so she coldly said, "I am no match for the master’s eloquence, but in my heart, I have my judgment on what is right and wrong."

"I will say only this: if there are any more misunderstandings, I will return to Yaochi to see where exactly those demonic sect disciples are."

Zhitong smiled and replied, "A few petty troublemakers, what need is there for the Patriarch to worry? Besides, Yaochi is not just you, Lady Nishang, who can come."

...

Lady Nishang was momentarily at a loss for words.

What Zhitong meant was naturally that the Blissful Lady Celestial could also come to set up formations.

Ancestor Xuanding suddenly spoke:

"None of you may leave."

Everyone was stunned and looked at him.

Ancestor Xuanding tossed a counting rod, which bounced off the tent door and shot into the sky.

Bright runes appeared on the ground of the camp, swirling beneath everyone’s feet.

The tent camp spanning thousands of miles seemed to be enveloped by a grand formation.

"Allow entry, no exit."

Zhitong’s expression changed slightly but he looked silently at the cold-faced Ancestor Xuanding.

Lady Nishang had already studied the formation map and knew this great formation was to monitor personnel movements and prevent the Nine Nether Demons from Tianhe Sect.

She hadn’t expected it to be used against them now.

She understood this was Ancestor Xuanding’s bottom line:

Whoever disrupts the campaign against the Nine Nether is an enemy.

Stepping out of the tent, Lady Nishang looked back from afar, a trace of helplessness in her eyes:

Ancestor Xuanding’s condition naturally limited Master Zhitong from provoking the Jiushan Sect further, but it also showed that Ancestor Xuanding indeed harbored resentment toward her.

Thinking this over, Lady Nishang took out the Tongjian device and sent a spirit message to Zheng Fa:

"Ancestor Xuanding and I have forced Master Zhitong to promise not to leave Tianhe Sect. Leiyin Temple now has at most one True Immortal left in Xuanyi Realm, stationed to guard against the Demon Ancestor."

Zheng Fa seemed busy and took a while to reply:

"Thank you, Lady Nishang."

"But judging by Zhitong’s attitude, Leiyin Temple might still make some small moves."

"Noted."

Lady Nishang was momentarily stunned, puzzled by Zheng Fa’s brief reply.

What did he mean by... 'noted'?

...

Sea region, an island near the Western Continent.

This island had little spiritual energy, was small and barren, and was uninhabited year-round—so barren that even fish avoided it.

Yet inside a hidden cave on the island, about a dozen people were gathered.

"Senior Brother, what exactly is the temple’s plan? How much longer must we wait?"

A stout monk asked gruffly.

"Two more days," the lead monk said. "We’ll strike together once the other brothers are ready."

"For dealing with Jiushan Sect, why so complicated?"

"The Seat Master said Patriarch Zheng’s escape speed is extremely fast. If we act alone, he’ll immediately come to rescue." The lead monk lowered his voice. "But if dozens of groups strike simultaneously, he won’t be able to cover all fronts, and we can escape in the chaos."

The dozen or so nodded slightly, and another monk asked, "If Patriarch Zheng is so powerful... can he really escape?"

"Move fast, don’t dally." The lead monk added, "No matter how fast Zheng is, can he protect such a vast sea region?"

Before the questioner could respond, the lead monk’s gaze turned stern: "Are you afraid to die? This concerns the Great Ascension of the Buddhist Patriarch. Even if you die, you can be reborn in Ultimate Bliss!"

Upon hearing this, the monk bowed his head, no longer daring to ask.

No one else dared to question after that.

Suddenly, a cold voice sounded from outside: "No need for the future."

"Who?"

The lead monk shouted in surprise as the monks rushed to the cave entrance and looked out.

Xie Qingxue stood at the entrance, hand resting on the Qingping Sword.

"Send signal!"

The lead monk was decisive and immediately whispered orders, but before the others could send out their alert, everyone suddenly looked up toward the sky.

Three Buddhist lights shone on the horizon.

They were warning signals.

Faster than them!

"This..."

The lead monk’s heart turned cold.

Those three lights came from their nearby ambushing brothers!

But what about the others?

He stared at Xie Qingxue in front of him and hurriedly said, "I am from Leiyin Temple..."

But the sword light was faster than his words.

"There are thirty-two groups of Leiyin Temple disciples in total," Zheng Fa flew toward the Western Continent with Senior Sister Zhang and others, speaking: "The ten groups closest to the Western Continent have been taken out."

His expression was grim.

Lady Nishang’s efforts and Ancestor Xuanding’s warnings were not completely useless—they helped reduce the pressure on Jiushan Sect significantly.

But for Jiushan Sect, it was far from enough.

If they didn’t inflict enough pain on the opponent, Leiyin Temple’s small moves would not stop, and the trade route would never truly be safe.

Moreover, with Lord Shuyu Dragon’s intelligence, Jiushan Sect had a full map of the sea region!

This operation left Jiushan Sect with only one certainty: no monks in the sea region!

"The monks near the Western Continent have been dealt with," Zheng Fa said, sharing his thoughts. "Even if the others try to escape, we can catch them."

With the full map and the Rainbow Transformation Method,

Zheng Fa did not think any Leiyin Temple monk could escape back to the Western Continent.

He intended to wipe them out completely.

"What if the Leiyin Temple True Immortal retaliates?"

Elder Yu nearby was a bit nervous.

Clearly, wiping out the Four Sects’ cultivators like this far exceeded his psychological tolerance.

Zheng Fa smiled, the Trapping Immortal Sword dancing in his spiritual sea, seeming somewhat excited.

His gaze landed on Xiao Yuying, and a ruthless thought crossed his mind:

Lord Dragon, you surely don’t want your obedient disciple...

...

Soon, Lady Nishang understood what "noted" meant.

"I, a humble monk, must return to the Western Continent!"

Inside the main tent, Master Zhitong’s eyebrows danced wildly, his face no longer compassionate and peaceful but like a Vajra with an angry glare.

He stared straight at Ancestor Xuanding, voice booming with the secret power of the Buddhist Lion’s Roar: "Whoever blocks me is my enemy and that of Leiyin Temple."

The three hadn’t received this news yet and were confused, unsure why Zhitong was suddenly acting insane.

But from his demeanor, it seemed Leiyin Temple was in big trouble.

Li Sanxian thought of a possibility and hurriedly asked, "Is the Demon Ancestor reborn?"

Lady Nishang made a clicking sound and thought of the same thing.

She worried more than Li Sanxian, after all, Yaochi was also on the Western Continent.

But Zhitong’s face reddened and he gritted his teeth, "Several hundred disciples of Leiyin Temple were harmed in the sea region!"

"Sea region?" Lady Nishang murmured, suddenly startled, and immediately took out the Tongjian.

She opened Jiushan News.

Patriarch’s voice sounded inside the tent.

"Recently, Jiushan Sect launched a demon-clearing operation in the sea region, achieving significant results!"

"One hundred and five demonic sect disciples killed, over two hundred more captured!"

"The Patriarch declared: the demon-clearing operation has only begun, and it will not end!"

"The pursuit of the demonic sect will never stop!"

No one spoke;

only the sound of Zhitong gritting his teeth grew louder with the news broadcast.

Now everyone understood why Zhitong wanted to return.

"Zheng Fa..."

Li Sanxian whispered, mixed with surprise and admiration.

Lady Nishang was shaken as well.

No one expected Zheng Fa’s counterattack to be so fierce and openly declared—relentlessly hunting the demonic sect...

Lady Nishang almost laughed;

the three had just heard Zhitong say those words.

Unexpectedly, Jiushan Sect had learned and applied them cleverly.

But Zhitong and Leiyin Temple not only did not appreciate this disciple, they deeply despised him.

"Ancestor Xuanding, Leiyin Temple has not suffered such losses for many years."

Lady Nishang trembled inside.

Knowing Zhitong and Leiyin Temple truly wanted to kill Zheng Fa without mercy,

Li Sanxian muttered, "The sea region was always the Hundred Immortals Alliance’s territory..."

Lady Nishang agreed with this.

Everyone knew Leiyin Temple would not send hundreds of disciples to the sea region without reason.

What they planned was obvious to everyone in the tent.

But Master Zhitong ignored these words, staring only at Ancestor Xuanding.

Indeed.

In Zhitong’s eyes, there were things Leiyin Temple could do that Jiushan Sect could not.

Centuries of supremacy had made Leiyin Temple’s people accustomed to this.

Fairly speaking, what sect in Yaochi or Taishang Dao was not the same?

Thus, they never imagined Zheng Fa would retaliate so fiercely.

Hundreds of Leiyin Temple disciples killed or captured...

To Xuanyi cultivators, it was an unbelievable absurdity.

Such losses, even Yaochi would provoke a full-scale reprisal.

Thinking this, her heart tightened. Looking at Zhitong, she also thought Zheng Fa was somewhat impulsive—though satisfying now, it might be hard to end well.

Ancestor Xuanding toyed with the counting rods, silent and calm.

"Ancestor Xuanding!"

"Go ahead."

Ancestor Xuanding suddenly spoke.

Lady Nishang panicked and opened her mouth to say something.

Unexpectedly, Ancestor Xuanding continued: "Lord Dragon, waiting for you."

...

Master Zhitong was momentarily stunned.

Lady Nishang’s eyes widened as she suddenly understood the meaning of Ancestor Xuanding’s words.

At the same time, Jiushan Sect’s intelligence on capturing so many Leiyin Temple disciples was frighteningly accurate.

Of course, Jiushan Sect might have other means.

But the sea region...

Previously, Lord Shuyu Dragon had also suddenly taken action.

This made it clear that Jiushan Sect’s most likely source of intelligence was obvious.

Jiushan Sect had Lord Shuyu Dragon’s assistance!

Master Zhitong stood awkwardly inside the tent.

Lady Nishang silently calculated for him:

Now Zheng Fa was a True Immortal. With Lord Shuyu Dragon’s help, Jiushan Sect’s strength was not weaker than Leiyin Temple’s at all.

To fight Leiyin Temple, two True Immortals would not be enough.

But in the sea region, Lord Shuyu Dragon alone was enough to trouble Leiyin Temple.

Zhitong could only hold his frustration.

Thinking of this, she suddenly realized one thing:

The sea region now truly belonged to the Hundred Immortals Alliance!

The Jiushan News had said the demon-clearing operation had only begun and would not end—an outright warning.

Behind this warning was Jiushan Sect’s might.

The trade routes between the Eastern and Western Continents no longer needed to worry.

The one worrying was Master Zhitong, who stood stiffly in the tent, and after a while silently withdrew, never mentioning returning to Leiyin Temple again.

Seeing him return to Leiyin Temple’s camp, Li Sanxian smiled: "Leiyin Temple will have headaches in the future."

Lady Nishang nodded silently.

Putting other things aside, with the sea region sealed off by the Hundred Immortals Alliance, Leiyin Temple’s connection to Haori Mountain was almost cut off.

"Lady Nishang, I heard Yaochi repeatedly invited Lord Dragon?"

"Yes. Lord Dragon refused Yaochi twice. She does not want to get involved in the Five Sects’ matters."

"Then why did Zheng Fa get Lord Dragon’s help?"

Lady Nishang shook her head in puzzlement and turned to see Ancestor Xuanding looking at her.

Strangely, his gaze was no longer distant but rather... somewhat guilty?

Guilty about what?

On her way back, Lady Nishang kept thinking about Ancestor Xuanding’s strange look until they reached the base and she suddenly realized:

He felt that even someone like Lord Shuyu Dragon had been drawn over by Zheng Fa.

Supporting Jiushan Sect didn’t seem so wrong after all?

No, could Ancestor Xuanding feel that he himself had fallen under Zheng Fa’s charm?

And he had been tricked because he asked him to teach Jiushan Sect the Divine Path method?

That’s why he felt guilty?

Sitting on the meditation cushion, Lady Nishang almost laughed, thinking Ancestor Xuanding was overthinking.

But as she smiled, her expression suddenly stiffened, feeling nervous:

If Zheng Fa had no ridiculous charm method, then why did Lord Shuyu Dragon...

...

"Thank you for your help, Lord Dragon."

Inside the Crystal Palace, Zheng Fa cupped his hands and thanked Lord Shuyu Dragon.

With Lord Dragon’s intelligence, Jiushan Sect would hold an absolute strategic advantage in the sea region in the future.

No longer needing to worry about trade routes between the Eastern and Western Continents.

This allowed Zheng Fa to focus more on cultivation and other matters.

Lord Shuyu Dragon nodded slightly, seeming indifferent but watching him closely.

"This is the Lingbo Snake from the experiment."

Zheng Fa took out a spirit beast pouch and handed it to Lord Shuyu Dragon.

Lord Shuyu Dragon opened the pouch, and several sky-blue spiritual snakes crawled out. They seemed uncomfortable in the deep sea, or unable to withstand the invisible dragon aura from Lord Dragon, looking stiff and half-dead.

Lord Dragon made a hand seal, and a clear light sprayed out.

The Lingbo Snakes immediately revived, moving their bodies up and down as if bowing to Lord Dragon.

She sighed in relief and carefully examined the few ordinary spiritual snakes before turning her gaze back to Zheng Fa and the others.

"The next experiment will be conducted inside Jiushan Realm. This time, we will cultivate the Sea-Calming Flood Dragon you sent, Lord Dragon."

"If Lord Dragon is worried, you may visit Jiushan Realm anytime."

Lord Shuyu Dragon agreed without hesitation.

Jiushan Realm and Lord Dragon were cautious about experiments to revive ancient dragons.

Zheng Fa had just learned a few days ago that Lord Dragon only had four dragon eggs and wasn’t sure if they could be used.

So reckless experiments were impossible.

He suggested using dragon relatives first for multiple trials to perfect the technique.

To reassure Lord Dragon, even the spirit beast eggs for this experiment were provided by Lord Dragon.

Perhaps sensing Zheng Fa’s sincerity, Lord Dragon’s attitude grew warmer and more intimate over the two visits.

Seeing Lord Dragon’s gentle expression, Zheng Fa glanced at Xiao Yuying and suddenly asked:

"Lord Dragon, do you know if there are any relics of the Heavenly River Venerable in the sea region?"

Lord Shuyu Dragon was surprised by the question.

This wasn’t a whim from Zheng Fa. Previously, to improve the Heavenly River Method, Xiao Yuying searched the land for Heavenly River relics but found nothing.

Zheng Fa thought the sea region might be worth a try.

After all, the sea region was vast—much larger than the Hundred Immortals Alliance’s former territory—so the chances were greater.

Now there was no need for Xiao Yuying to search everywhere;

Lord Shuyu Dragon knew the sea region well and could be asked directly.

"Heavenly River Venerable?" Lord Shuyu Dragon shook her head and said, "I have never dealt with him."

Zheng Fa was somewhat surprised.

The Heavenly River Venerable nearly unified Xuanyi Realm, yet Lord Shuyu Dragon had never met him?

Seeing his doubt, Lord Shuyu Dragon explained, "I have never cared about human affairs. Worldly changes do not concern me."

Got it.

Lord Shuyu Dragon was reclusive and indifferent to anything beyond ancient dragon matters.

Moreover, no one wanted to provoke such a formidable opponent.

So before cooperating with the Hundred Immortals Alliance, Lord Dragon had always remained aloof in Xuanyi Realm.

"As far as I know, there should be no relics related to the Heavenly River Venerable in the sea." Lord Shuyu Dragon recalled.

Zheng Fa somewhat believed her:

Ancient dragons’ cultivation methods differed from humans’.

In terms of cultivation techniques, Lord Dragon probably could not practice them.

As for treasures... Lord Dragon seemed to lack nothing.

So this was not entirely unbelievable, but only partly.

Still, this was troublesome. No relics in the Hundred Immortals Alliance’s old lands or in the sea region meant: where should the next step of the Heavenly River Method be sought?

Lord Shuyu Dragon thought for a moment and then said, "You asked me this before. The people of Yaochi also asked me."

"Yaochi?"

Lord Shuyu Dragon nodded. "They asked if there was a jade pendant of the Heavenly River Venerable under the sea."