Chapter 337 - 187: Entering the Dao and Profound Mastery
"Once they succeed, my Golden Spring Temple, your Manor, and the Iron Sword Sect can join forces to pressure the Government Office and quickly quell the chaos in Ning'an. We could even... help them establish a foothold in Ning'an Prefecture.
With terms like these, how could they not be tempted?"
Lu Canghai's expression turned pensive upon hearing this.
Monk Xuanbei continued to sweeten the deal:
"After this is done, my Golden Spring Temple is willing to take the lead, uniting several major sects—including your Manor—to pressure the Government Office together. Even if we can't completely redistribute the shares of Wushan Mountain, we will force them to give up a portion of the benefits.
With the six sects united, the Government Office will have to compromise unless they want complete chaos in Ning'an. By then, your Manor's resource shortages and future worries will all be easily resolved."
"Why would Qingfeng Temple, the Wang Family, and the Danxia Sect agree?"
Lu Canghai was still doubtful.
"Qingfeng Temple is also unhappy with the Government Office growing too powerful. They'll agree if given the chance. The Ning'an Wang Clan are pragmatic; if Qingfeng Temple gives the nod, they are unlikely to oppose this.
As for the Danxia Sect... they were already weak, and now they've suffered a major blow. Once we succeed, they will have no choice but to acquiesce, unless they want to be ostracized from the Ning'an Martial World."
Monk Xuanbei had clearly thought everything through, methodically laying out his plan.
"Besides, even if the pressuring fails, at least Chen Sheng will be eliminated. Your Manor's greatest threat will be gone, won't it?"
A flicker of light crossed Lu Canghai's eyes. He was tempted, but he quickly suppressed the feeling and suddenly asked:
"Why should Luoyun Manor be the one to approach them? Why isn't Golden Spring Temple contacting the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance and the Blood River Sect directly?"
Monk Xuanbei's smile didn't waver:
"The Buddhist Sect is a place of purity; it isn't proper for us to have direct dealings with such evil factions. Besides, if my temple were to approach them, they would be extremely wary and might not believe us, which would only create unnecessary complications."
"What about the Iron Sword Sect?"
"Your Manor has the deepest grudge against Chen Sheng. It's most logical for your Manor to act as the intermediary. They'll find it more believable. This is also the result of my discussion with Donor Lu."
Xuanbei chuckled lightly.
But in reality, he wasn't telling the truth.
In fact, the first place he had gone was the Iron Sword Sect, hoping to persuade them.
But Sect Leader Lu Qingsong's attitude was ambiguous. He was only willing to join the effort to apply pressure afterward, refusing to participate directly in the initial planning.
And Xuanbei understood the underlying meaning of his words clearly: although the Iron Sword Sect had old grievances with Chen Sheng, they weren't beyond resolution. With Chen Sheng's power on the rise, Lu Qingsong didn't want to create an irreconcilable, mortal enmity with him, and certainly wouldn't step forward to push this matter.
The Iron Sword Sect would only step up to claim a share of the profits after the deed was done.
It was for this very reason that he had come here and tried every possible way to persuade Lu Canghai.
"So you're saying Luoyun Manor has no other choice?"
Lu Canghai's tone turned cold.
"The choice has always been in your hands, Donor Lu."
Monk Xuanbei's tone softened, becoming gently persuasive:
"It just depends on whether you wish to watch this threat grow stronger day by day, only to regret it in the future, or if you want to seize this opportunity to eliminate the problem for good. Besides, this matter doesn't require your Manor to act personally. You only need to make contact. Whether it succeeds or fails, your Manor will suffer no substantial loss."
Lu Canghai's brow furrowed, and he hesitated, undecided.
Seeing this, Monk Xuanbei changed his approach and continued:
"To show our sincerity, my temple is willing to offer four drops of 'Golden Spring Spiritual Liquid' as a sign of our good faith. With this Spiritual Liquid's effects, not only can we ensure Donor Lu Maozhi and Donor Lu Xuanzhou fully recover from their injuries without any lasting effects...
...it might even help them take that next step in their progress."
"Golden Spring Spiritual Liquid?!"
Lu Canghai's body jolted, his eyes flashing with a brilliant light.
He had, of course, heard of the famed Golden Spring Spiritual Liquid.
It was one of the cornerstones of Golden Spring Temple, originating from the Spiritual Spring within the temple grounds. It had the divine effect of Bone Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Cutting and nourishing one's very essence. It rarely left the temple and was usually offered as a tribute to their Upper Sect, Celestial Dragon Temple. It was incomparably precious.
With the help of this item, Lu Maozhi and Lu Xuanzhou's injuries would be no cause for concern. They might even turn this disaster into a blessing.
He stared at Monk Xuanbei and asked in a grave voice:
"Are you being serious?"
"A monk does not tell lies."
Monk Xuanbei nodded with a smile.
Lu Canghai's expression shifted, a war raging in his heart.
All sorts of thoughts tangled together.
After a long moment, Lu Canghai took a deep breath. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes and was gone. He said in a firm voice:
"Fine. I agree to this. I will personally make a trip to the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance."
"Excellent, excellent."
Deep in Monk Xuanbei's eyes, a smile finally bloomed fully.
.....
「Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.」
Jingyang Mountain, deep within the Profound Flame Cave Mansion.
Chen Sheng sat cross-legged in the center of the stone chamber, his aura so harmonious and restrained that he seemed to have merged with the surrounding stone walls.
After days of arduous cultivation, relying on the solid foundation built by the Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique, he had successfully switched his main cultivation technique to the more profound and mysterious Six Paths Primordial True Scripture.
During the transition, his foundation was further consolidated, and his Cultivation naturally reached the peak of the Profound Gang Realm.
On this day,
Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes. A divine light shone within them, swirling faintly.
With a flicker of thought, the Celestial Book of 'Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil' slowly materialized:
[Mental Realm Level One (412/500)]
[Blood Slaughter Floating Light Body Perfection (520/2000)]
[Six Paths Primordial True Scripture - Profound Mastery Chapter: Entry Level (98/100)]
Due to the change in technique, the Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique had disappeared, replaced by the Six Paths Primordial True Scripture.
'Now, everything is ready. All I need is the Red Simurgh Yin Source.'
As this thought crossed his mind, Chen Sheng looked toward the entrance of the stone chamber and called out softly:
"Yuzhi."
The words had barely left his lips when the Restriction at the entrance flashed with a faint light. A graceful figure in light blue appeared at the doorway.
Sun Yuzhi still wore her simple blue dress, her dark hair tied back. The usual coldness in her eyes, however, had lessened, replaced by an indescribable and complex emotion, with hints of concern and nervousness showing through.