Chapter 416: A Familiar Feeling

"Three-thousand-year-old Golden Bodhi, quite the rare material."

Chen Huaian picked up the tree trunk from the ground.

Burning Radiance was dead, leaving only this concentrated essence behind. His Black Scales Sword had already been forged, but it still lacked a sheath worthy of its blade. This Golden Bodhi would make the perfect material, providing a comfortable residence for Elder Zhang.

With Burning Radiance no longer blocking their path, the Burning Purity Holy Land lay completely open before them.

"Li Ziping, lead everyone inside first."

After giving instructions to Li Ziping, Chen Huaian handed a black dragon scale to Li Qingran: "Qingran, this is the control authority for the Nine Dragon Sacred Pavilion. I entrust it to you now. Follow Li Ziping and Zhang Mengchu's group. Remember—no wandering off, no reckless actions. If danger arises, call for me immediately."

As Li Qingran accepted the scale, she immediately sensed a connection with the nine black flood dragons of the Nine Dragon Sacred Pavilion. She could now command them at will.

"But Master..." Li Qingran clenched the scale tightly, "Aren't you coming with us?"

"No." Chen Huaian shook his head. "I must wait for someone."

"Who?"

"Monk Burning Karma."

Chen Huaian gazed toward the entrance of the Twelve-Petaled Golden Lotus, his voice low and icy: "With the Twelve-Petaled Golden Lotus breached, Monk Burning Karma will undoubtedly sense it and return at full speed. A battle between him and I is inevitable..."

"Remember—your primary objective is rescuing Yun Suxin. Only then should you focus on weakening the Burning Purity Holy Land's forces. The entire holy land has been corrupted by Burning Karma's ideology—there isn't a single good monk left. Show no mercy!"

Li Qingran understood—among all present, only her master could hold off Monk Burning Karma.

Only he could buy them the time needed for the rescue.

Powerhouses like Li Ziping and Zhang Mengchu, all at the Void Treading stage, each had their own opponents—the Void Treading elders of Burning Purity Holy Land.

So she didn't voice concerns like "Master, you shouldn't go" or "It's too dangerous." Instead, she simply nodded solemnly.

"Master need not worry—Qingran will protect herself."

"And please remember, Master—you still have all of us, you still have this disciple... and above all, you are the strongest!"

Great Ascension Stage initial versus Second Tribulation Great Ascension.

Moreover, Monk Burning Karma undoubtedly possessed more than one Spiritual Treasure.

Chen Huaian knew full well the odds were against him.

Yet Li Qingran's words sent renewed strength coursing through his veins.

"Go."

Sword in hand, he turned his back to them, standing guard behind the entire group.

Though just one man, his boiling Sword Intent formed an impenetrable Great Wall—reassuring his allies while warning Burning Karma that returning to aid his sect would require breaching this defense first.

Li Qingran bit her lip, drinking in the sight of her master's resolute back before steeling herself. Manipulating the Nine Dragon Sacred Pavilion, she entered Burning Purity Holy Land.

While her master faced Monk Burning Karma...

They too would wage war against Burning Purity Holy Land.

Even separated, their spirits fought as one.

"Master... please stay safe!"

...

...

Shortly after the Nine Dragon Sacred Pavilion's entry,

The entire Sumeru Realm suddenly trembled.

Chen Huaian knew this wasn't due to battles within the holy land—as a supreme Spiritual Treasure, the Twelve-Petaled Golden Lotus's interior space wouldn't destabilize so easily.

Buddhist chants echoed from the distant horizon.

He knew—the Twelve-Petaled Golden Lotus's master had arrived.

Sentient treasures possessed awareness—these tremors were the golden lotus's fury, its indignation at being breached by a mere Void Treading cultivator during its master's absence.

"Brother, Burning Karma's at Second Tribulation Great Ascension,"

Zhang Yibai materialized beside Chen Huaian, expression grave: "I acknowledge your swordsmanship stands unparalleled in this era, but cultivation gaps cannot be overcome. Focus on stalling—don't recklessly attack!

"That monk excels at slaughter despite his robes. When outmatched, offense invites disaster! Better to defend and redirect his strength!"

Chen Huaian nodded slightly.

He wasn't so arrogant.

While sword cultivators reigned supreme in combat, he never believed sword dao alone could bridge the chasm between Great Ascension stages against Burning Karma.

A Second Tribulation Great Ascension had weathered two heavenly trials.

Ascending from Great Ascension required enduring three minor tribulations before the final cataclysm. Each minor tribulation tempered a cultivator's dantian, consciousness, and physique exponentially. Hence, zero-tribulation couldn't defeat one-tribulation, nor could one-tribulation defeat two—each gap represented qualitative difference.

"Speaking of which," Zhang Yibai suddenly asked, "Brother Chen, I know you've reached Great Ascension, but how many minor tribulations have you passed?"

After a pause, Chen Huaian answered: "None."

"Ah..." Zhang Yibai stroked his beard, forcing a laugh: "No matter! We'll do our best—if we can't win, we'll stall; if we can't stall, we'll flee; if we can't flee... well, death's not so bad!"

Chen Huaian: "..."

Truly...

With comforting skills like these, no wonder Zhang Yibai remained dao-companionless.

...

"Thieving Sword Pavilion rat! How dare you defile this monk's Twelve-Petaled Golden Lotus?!"

The approaching Buddhist chants suddenly erupted into a roar, twisting the once-peaceful hymns into maddening cacophony that stirred violent impulses.

A streak of golden light raced across the horizon.

Even before arrival, scorching heat permeated the surroundings.

Chen Huaian knew—the main event had arrived.

"Monk Burning Karma! You conspired with Real Person Yuyao to persecute my Sword Pavilion disciples in Central State's Secret Realm! Now you imprison disciples from other sects within your holy land—it's time we settle all accounts!"

Outmatched in cultivation, but never in spirit.

Instead of retreating, Chen Huaian charged forward, sword raised.

His black robes billowed violently as his steps shattered dried branches beneath.

Blade angled sharply—a direct thrust toward Burning Karma's face.

Since Zhang Yibai claimed this monk excelled at slaughter, he'd test those boasts firsthand!

Burning Karma attacked at full power, his body gilded like a statue, face contorted into a wrathful vajra expression. His right hand swung a vajra pestle—blazing with intense heat—straight toward Chen Huaian's skull.

Furious at his treasure's violation, he had no patience for words—only intent on crushing this Void Treading ninth-stage insect!

Sword met pestle with thunderous impact.

Waves of zhenyuan rippled outward, making the Sumeru Realm's minor worlds tremble like fragile reeds in a hurricane.

Burning Karma's pupils constricted sharply.

How could a Void Treading ninth-stage withstand this blow?

Staring at Chen Huaian's pale face, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"You—when did you break through to Great Ascension?!"

Chen Huaian's gaze remained locked on Burning Karma.

Or more precisely—on the vajra pestle in the monk's hand.

Surviving this strike owed much to the Black Scales Sword and Zhang Yibai's assistance.

But that wasn't what mattered.

What mattered was... why did this pestle seem so familiar?

Had he seen it somewhere before?

...

...