Chapter 317 - 135: Stray Dog, I Have Arrived, Where Are You All?

"On this point alone, you are indeed qualified to participate in this Incense and Candle Grand Assembly!"

"When the time comes, I will have to personally test the methods of the Netherworld Daoist Temple for myself!"

Huaisheng Daoist remained impassive.

"I will gladly await you."

"Brother Tianhu, that was a bit much. Although fellow Daoist Huaisheng has cultivated for many more years than us."

"But times have changed. Acting like this will only lead to gossip, with people saying we are using our strength to bully the weak."

In the great hall, another Daoist spoke with a light chuckle:

"My Five Elements Pavilion has also had a few talented disciples in recent years. Perhaps we should let them ask fellow Daoist Huaisheng for pointers and see who comes out on top? How does that sound?"

"Is that so?"

Huaisheng Daoist, showing neither joy nor anger, looked toward the Daoist who had spoken.

"I only hope that the Five Elements True Master has enough disciples. Otherwise, I’m afraid your lineage might be severed."

"Heh heh..."

The Five Elements True Master sneered and said no more.

"My fellow Daoist brothers, there will be plenty of time to reminisce in the future. Today is for drinking and merriment. Let’s not speak of other matters."

Xiao Yu raised his cup, ignoring the standing Huaisheng Daoist in the hall, and toasted the many True Masters.

"Everyone!"

The assembled True Masters all raised their cups in a mutual toast from across the room.

Elder Huaisheng Daoist, with neither a designated place nor a seat, and not even served wine, showed no expression as he sat directly on the floor.

He shook his robes with a sharp snap and slapped the floor, the THUMP THUMP of his hands keeping time as he began to sing:

"The heavens will fall, the earth will crumble, Tian He will flood the mortal realm. In the downpour, the Night Parade of Hundred Demons marches, and some men among them are happier than the ghosts..."

The haunting song filled the great hall, its melody drifting far into the distance.

The sounds of clinking glasses and boisterous conversation in the hall were, for a moment, completely drowned out by it.

All the True Masters stared in astonishment at the old Daoist in the center of the hall, slapping the floor and shaking his robes.

’Has he gone mad?’

...

Deep winter returned. A north wind howled through the night as a sudden blizzard swept across the world.

Large, feathery snowflakes drifted down, blanketing the world.

As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but white snow.

The world was pristine.

Dawn broke. Before the sky was fully bright, the Da Yu Capital City was already bustling with people.

The heavy snow was still falling, but these people, wrapped in thick coats, had already begun to clear the accumulated snow from the streets.

After a full night of heavy snow, there was surprisingly little of it on the streets of the Da Yu Capital City.

One didn’t need to ask to know that these people hadn’t simply woken up early; they hadn’t slept at all.

Beneath the prosperity and splendor always lie filth and scars that are hard to look at directly. It was true for the Great Xia Dynasty, true for the Da Yu Capital City, and true for the entire world.

All things were the same.

DONG!

Not long after, the resounding toll of a bell rose with the great sun. Shattered golden light pierced the clouds, spilling from the east and splashing across the sky above the Da Yu Capital City.

From within the Wansheng Institute, wisps of Incense and Candle Qi drifted out, their fragrance carrying for miles.

It was more plentiful and denser than the smoke from cooking fires.

Ruyi Elder Monk slowly opened his eyes. Without seeming to move at all, he was already standing before the Thirty-Three-Layered Buddha Tower in the rear courtyard.

The Buddha Tower was solemn and imposing. Before it stood dozens of Vajra, motionless as mountains.

Snowflakes danced through the air, yet not a single one drifted down upon the Buddha Tower, nor anywhere else within the Wansheng Institute.

It was as if an invisible barrier repelled everything. Hundreds of feet above the ground, the snowflakes slid away to land elsewhere.

"Dean."

Entering the Thirty-Three-Layered Buddha Tower and arriving at the top floor, Ruyi Elder Monk bowed slightly.

"I sat in meditation all night, but my thoughts were in turmoil. The last time this happened was over a hundred years ago."

"I meditated for a long time. It must be because the Incense and Candle Grand Assembly is approaching that my heart is on alert, causing this change. Something inauspicious may happen at this assembly..."

He was only a single step away from reaching the Feather Transformation Realm. His Mental Realm was extremely profound, and it had been many years since he had experienced such a violent fluctuation.

This was a premonition.

An ill omen!

"A good omen, an ill omen—what does it matter?"

A Buddhist voice, as powerful and steady as a mountain, emanated from the room, carrying a divine quality that could cleanse the hearts of men.

"Prajna is complete. Tathagata is also complete. I have reached my limit and can advance no further."

"That Elder Gui Chen’s Cultivation is profound, and he harbors a monumental scheme in the shadows. If he masters his Ten Forms Inquiry Scripture, there will be no place left for us in this world."

"This matter... must be done."

CRACK!

As his voice echoed, the tightly shut door of the room let out a faint tremor.

Then, it flew wide open!

Vaguely, one could see a Golden Robed Monk sitting cross-legged upon a White Lotus Buddha Platform.

"This concerns the ten-thousand-year legacy of our Wansheng Institute. We must be cautious."

Ruyi Elder Monk pressed his palms together and replied in a low voice.

"Elder Gui Chen has numerous methods and is unfathomably deep. Among those in the Feather Transformation Realm within the borders of Da Yu, he is nearly invincible."

"We should discuss this at length."

He was not one to shy away from trouble, but this matter was simply too important.

Even with his temperament, he was finding it difficult to make a choice, and his heart was filled with unease.

If they failed, the tens of millions of disciples and countless faithful of the Wansheng Institute would vanish overnight like an illusory bubble.

"There is no need to speak of this further. My mind is made up."

The Rebirth Buddha Venerable continued, his expression impassive:

"Several days ago, that Elder Gui Chen lost an avatar in the Desolate Province. Are you aware of this?"

"I am naturally aware."

Ruyi Elder Monk’s heart stirred, and he bowed as he spoke.

He had heard of this matter and was extremely wary of the white-robed young man who had destroyed Elder Gui Chen’s avatar.

For this very reason, even though this person had struck down and killed two of the Wansheng Institute’s top disciples, he did not dare entertain any thoughts of revenge.