Chapter 872 - 709: Influence

"This Red Hero, is he truly a Martial Artist?"

"A Martial Arts remnant whose inheritance has been lost—how could he possibly be so powerful as to sweep through all contemporary Qi Cultivators with no rival? This is a disgrace to our Immortal Dao!"

"High-realm ancient Martial Artists could move mountains and fill seas at a whim; in that era they were the most terrifying lineage among all paths!"

"He has yet to break through to the Third Realm, yet is already able to do battle with a Great Demon’s Dharma Body.

Once he truly breaks through, what then? This child must not be allowed to live!!"

The words of the Five Elements Sect’s Female Master instantly set off a magnitude-twelve earthquake among the Human Race high command of the Vast Sea Realm.

Martial Arts is absolutely a taboo term within the Immortal Dao Alliance.

This touches upon the orthodoxy struggle that began in the Middle Ancient era, a conflict of long history.

How many complicated stories lie within is unknown; who was right and who was wrong is difficult to investigate.

The fact, however, is that the Immortal Dao has nearly exterminated the Martial Arts lineage, and now holds the orthodoxy of the Human Race.

Between the two there is an irreconcilable hatred, one that cannot be resolved.

Everyone understands the principle of cutting the weeds and pulling up the roots; the Immortal Dao will never permit Martial Arts to have any chance of rekindling from cold ashes.

Lou Yi’s slaying of a Great Demon’s Dharma Body exposed his suspected identity as a Martial Artist, making the Immortal Dao Alliance’s upper echelon instantly tense.

"Better to kill the wrong target than let one slip!" The True Monarch of the Taiyi Sect spoke with extreme directness, murderous intent biting cold.

Yet he also represented the thinking of the majority of the Human Race high command.

"This matter is of great importance; we should first investigate clearly before speaking!"

The True Monarchs of the Lotus Sect, Infinite Sword Sect, and Profound Yin Sect, who had originally not taken part in the encirclement and suppression operation, also stepped forward, but felt the situation should be clarified first.

Because of Lou Yi’s suspected identity as a Martial Artist, the Immortal Dao Alliance convened an internal emergency meeting.

At the meeting.

A mighty figure of the Five Elements Sect, dressed in a water-blue Daoist Robe, took out a long-sealed jade slip and projected a multicolored image into the air.

Within the image, a robust Human Race man with Qi-Blood soaring to the heavens was welcoming the baptism of lightning; his features were resolute, and he remained unafraid even amid Heavenly Tribulation.

The blood-red Gang Qi over his entire body, under the smiting of heavenly thunder, gradually evolved into a mist-like Energy, and in the end completely transformed into a single, complete strand of red flowing light.

The red flowing light flew toward the heavens; with a casual spread, it rapidly enlarged, nearly covering the entire sky.

Bolts of heavenly thunder fell upon it, like raindrops entering a river, able only to stir up the most insignificant of ripples.

"When a Martial Artist of the True Martial Realm breaks through to the Third Realm, their Gang Qi transforms into Profound Light, which can be great or small, long or short, thick or thin, hot or cold.

It can undergo all kinds of changes following one’s intent, and stands on the same level as a Golden Core Master’s Mana.

This is also the origin of the name ’Profound Light’; ’Profound’ is that which is profound and yet more profound."

"And in the process of transforming into Profound Light, there is an intermediate mist-like state.

According to our observations, that Martial Arts remnant has already stepped ahead of time into this transitional state.

Though we do not know what sort of trick he used, his presently abnormal strength is clearly related to his prematurely entering this state."

This mighty figure spoke with calm assurance, his expression confident.

It seemed he had already deduced the reason behind Lou Yi’s formidable strength.

"So that’s how it is; True Monarch Yunyi truly observes with subtle precision." Another mighty figure flattered.

"So the fellow really is a Martial Artist. Fortunately we discovered it early; otherwise, if he broke through to the Profound Light Realm, he would be all the harder to capture."

"Well then, do you still intend to shield this remnant?"

The Five Elements Sect mighty figure called True Monarch Yunyi looked toward the experts of the Infinite Sword Sect, Profound Yin Sect, and Lotus Sect, a half-smiling expression in his eyes.

’Swish, swish, swish!’

In the great hall of the Immortal Dao Alliance, all the other Human Race Cultivators turned their gazes over.

Besides the four Alliance Leader Sects—Taiyi Sect, Five Elements Sect, Spirit Treasure Sect, and the Palace of Departed Flame—there were also twenty-four upper sects, as well as some ordinary sects.

Yet any so-called ordinary Sect that could reach the threshold of the Immortal Dao Alliance possessed several Golden Cores within its ranks.

At any moment they might soar like a dragon and be promoted to the highest tier of Sects.

The matter concerned the brutally cruel orthodoxy struggle between Martial Arts and the Immortal Dao, leaving no room for any two-minded behavior.

Even if the other party was a True Monarch of an Alliance Leader Sect, there was no exception.

The old monk from the Lotus Sect who had come to attend the meeting wore a golden kasaya; circles of gentle Buddha-light spread from the top of his head.

He sat atop a twelve-tiered violet lotus platform, and with a sigh said, "Since this is the case, I shall recall the disciples of my Sect; whatever you wish to do, act as you please."

’What a cunning bald donkey; but it’s impossible for you to stay completely out of this!’

True Monarch Yunyi sneered inwardly, then said:

"I have heard that the Lotus Sect possesses a treasure called the Formless Kasaya, which can conceal one’s aura and obscure the heavenly secrets, with few peers in the Vast Sea Realm.

Would Reverend Liaochan be willing to lend it to us for a time, to be used in veiling the gaze of the Celestial Abyss?"

Hearing this, the old monk’s expression grew yet more sorrowful; he understood that at this moment he had to make some display of stance.

"If True Monarch wants it, then by all means, take it."

"This Formless Kasaya seems to require the cooperation of the Formless Heart Sutra to exert its greatest power; Reverend, would it not be better to send me two people?" True Monarch Yunyi continued to press demands.

"Ai, that is unfortunate. The few Chan Masters of our Sect who cultivate the Formless Heart Sutra have either shut themselves into death-seclusion, or have already gone to the second layer of the Celestial Abyss in search of fortune.

How about this: I will send you a few Buddha’s Sons instead?"

"Hmph, then there is no need!" True Monarch Yunyi said with a displeased expression.

Chan Masters of the Buddhist Sect are equivalent to Golden Core Masters, possessing Cultivation of the Third Realm, and could still play a not-insignificant role.

But Buddha’s Sons at most possess Cultivation of the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Platform; how could they participate in an operation to obscure the Celestial Abyss Consciousness?

After that, the mighty figures of the Infinite Sword Sect and Profound Yin Sect also made some gestures of commitment.