Stronger by Killing

"Please come in," said the old monk.

After a short while, the tent opened, and an old lady with white hair but dressed in monk’s robes came in. Like the old monk, although both seemed quite old, their mental state was exceptionally good.

These two were recognized as the true North Stars of the Xia Kingdom’s martial arts world, representing two acknowledged Martial Arts Holy Lands: Divine Monk Huai Su of Bright Temple and Tai’e Divine Nun of Cihang Sword Hall. These two sects, referred to by the people as the two branches of the Buddhist Sect, engage in hair-shaving cultivation at Bright Temple and cultivation while keeping their hair at Cihang Sword Hall.

Both were in the Capital City, serving the Court by representing the two great Martial Arts Holy Lands.

During the turmoil in the Three States this time, the Court deployed Land Immortals to anchor the forces. The usually uninvolved Divine Monk Huai Su and Tai’e Divine Nun surprisingly volunteered to come to the Northern Territory to oversee the situation.

The Court naturally knew these two had other intentions, but the number of Land Immortals the Court could mobilize was limited. These two were recognized as the top among Land Immortals, so their volunteer request was granted. Additionally, another Land Immortal was arranged, making it three Land Immortals in the Northern Territory.

"Amitabha!"

As Tai’e Divine Nun entered the tent, she clasped her hands and said, "Divine Monk, did you just sense that demon’s aura?"

Divine Monk Huai Su nodded and said, "I did not expect that demon to live so long. I wonder how much of her cultivation she has recovered."

Tai’e Divine Nun furrowed her brows and asked, "Then, do you think we should take action to subdue this demon?"

Divine Monk Huai Su pondered for a moment and said, "I’m afraid it’s difficult. This demon has been inciting the White Lotus Sect to rebel to create massive bloodshed to restore her cultivation with the Blood Refining Bead. After so many years, she’s likely restored a great deal.

Moreover, now that she guards Dao Ma Pass, how much spiritual power do we have left to break the city? Even if we forcefully break in, how will we deal with that demon? As for relying on the army, it’s impossible. The Court is considering withdrawal as they can’t afford this battle."

Tai’e Divine Nun furrowed her brows again and said, "Could we just let this fiend escape? It’s been tough to confirm her location this time. Divine Monk, if she truly hides in the Ten Thousand Mountains, finding her again might be impossible."

"No matter," Divine Monk Huai Su said, "So long as she uses the White Lotus Sect, it indicates she hasn’t fully recovered. She won’t stray far from it; there will be opportunities. Even if we notify the Sect, the cultivators can’t get here in time. We missed determining it earlier.

However, wasn’t Marquis Gu betting with Ji Fu and others? This Marquis Gu is extraordinary. He might indeed break the city single-handedly, and then we can enter the city to eliminate that demon!"

Tai’e Divine Nun chuckled lightly, "Do you truly think so, Divine Monk?"

Divine Monk Huai Su uttered a Buddhist chant without answering and instead asked, "How does your Sect view this Marquis Gu?"

Tai’e Divine Nun pondered for a moment and said, "He should have been a genius renowned in history alongside the Martial Saint and Martial Ancestor, but unfortunately... he was born into this era of Spiritual Qi Revival. His Method of Divine Sight will likely fade into historical obscurity."

Divine Monk Huai Su sighed and said, "Indeed. However, this might be fortunate. You know the endings of Martial Ancestor and Martial Saint weren’t favorable. Gu Zhan might avoid such a calamity since he can’t alter the era’s rules; they won’t backfire on him."

Tai’e Divine Nun nodded, "True enough, but he should have amazed for millennia, yet fate has him in this era, destined to be buried."

With that, Tai’e Divine Nun asked, "However, some in the Sect suspect Gu Zhan might have acquired some heritage. His rise was astonishingly eerie. We’ve reported this to the Immortal Sect but haven’t received a response yet."

Divine Monk Huai Su said, "Our temple received a reply. The Immortal Sect mentioned that with Spiritual Qi Revival imminent, Gu Zhan won’t be an anomaly. There will be more like him, as some Great Powers nearing their lifespan’s end, after extrapolating Spiritual Qi Revival’s arrival, attempted rebirth through self-sacrifice and reincarnation. While the chances of success are slim, some succeeded. Gu Zhan is likely one such person, born extraordinary with limitless potential."

"Amitabha," Tai’e Divine Nun exclaimed with surprise, "It seems a great era of rivalry is about to come!"

...

Three days passed swiftly.

Outside Dao Ma Pass, the northern wind howled, drums thundered, and thousands of horses roared, with Battle Qi soaring like a rainbow.

Thunderous drumbeats echoed, as nearly three hundred thousand troops advanced towards Dao Ma Pass.

"Woooo..."

A desolate horn sounded, and at the horizon, countless troops appeared densely packed, stretching beyond sight, advancing against the wind and snow.

Dao Ma Pass stood ahead, like a dragon lying amidst the mountains.

Atop the pass, it was teeming with people; the White Lotus Sect’s army had waited long, flags billowing as the experts revealed their auras, bursting forth like a mountain flood, clouds hanging down.

Below Dao Ma Pass, the army pressed forward, the ground shaking, with endless wind and snow engulfing everything, instantly filling the entire world.

At the army’s forefront,

Main General Ji Fu and Military Supervisor Lü Chang rode forward, with Gu Zhan at their side.

Both turned toward Gu Zhan,

The wind and snow raged fiercely, creating a heavy pressure.

Ji Fu looked at Gu Zhan and asked, "Marquis Yun, for today’s battle, you’ll lead the entire army. How do you plan to break Dao Ma Pass?"