"Indeed, how could we forget the venerable masters of the Zen Sect. It is said that 'all martial arts under the heavens share a stone; the martial fellows of the world take a peck, Taoists take a peck, and Buddhists take eight.' Now that the martial world is facing such a crisis, naturally, we need the Zen Sect to lead us through this predicament." Pei Xuanjing said with a smile, adding fuel to the flame.
Upon hearing Pei Xuanjing's words, everyone's expressions become strange, not a word of rebuttal was voiced, the focus was entirely on the few masters of the Zen Sect.
What nonsense!
The few masters could still sit unmoved, but the disciples of the Zen Sect behind them had ugly expressions.
Everyday you Taoists clash with our Zen Sect, shouting that Buddhism and Taoism are one and the same, and that martial arts originated from the Taoist School. Now that trouble has arrived, you think of our Zen Sect.
It'S really shameless.
But these people didn't anticipate that the most shameless part was yet to come.
As soon as Pei Xuanjing had spoken his piece, someone in the crowd suddenly retorted, "I heard that the National Master of the Great Yuan came from the Esoteric Sect lineage of the Western Regions which is a part of Buddhism tradition. If we really delved into it, they originated from the same lineage as the Zen Sect, both being from the same source."
The voice paused for a moment and then continued in a weird and annoying manner, "I'm afraid that even if the National Master of the Great Yuan suppresses the martial world and suppresses us, someone is still hoping that he defeats Master Sanfeng. Henceforward, wouldn't Buddhism rule over the martial world?"
This statement caused an uproar among the crowd.
The celestial master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the headmaster of the Chunyang Sect, and other powerful figures slightly narrowed their eyes, waiting for the Zen Sect's response.
If it could be said that Pei Xuanjing's words were like stoking the fire, flattering the Zen Sect.
Hearing this, the faces of the Zen Sect's masters subtly changed, and they could no longer sit as calmly as before.
They knew clearly that they had to respond, to make their stance clear. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to shake off this blame and they might incite public anger.
"Ahem." Master Jie Tan, the abbot of the North Zen Sect of this generation, gently coughed. The originally noisy hall instantly quieted down.
He surveyed the Heroes in the hall. Everywhere his gaze passed, apart from a few individuals like the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain who could calmly meet his eyes, none dared to meet his gaze.
Such is the renown of the world's leading sect. Even if the rising of Master Sanfeng had swept the reputation of the Zen Sect aside, it was not something that others could question.
"I, a humble monk, can assure everyone here that the Zen Sect can definitely stand together with the martial world and move in unison," Master Jie Tan's words echoed in the hall, reaching everyone's ears.
As the abbot of the North Zen Sect, once he had made such a statement, it meant that in the forthcoming events, the Zen Sect would absolutely not stand idly by. Otherwise, the reputation accumulated over thousands of years would definitely get damaged.
Therefore, the hall instantly quieted down. It was not exactly as quiet that even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard, but it was undoubtedly silent.
Master Jie Tan took a deep look at Danyang Zi, who had dragged him into the situation. Just when Danyang Zi thought that he was going to retaliate, he heard the latter change his tone and address the old Celestial Master and others, "Taoist Friends, what do you think?"
His intentions were clear. Since their Zen Sect had been dragged into the fray, these people shouldn't expect to stand on the shore and enjoy the show.
Called out by Master Jie Tan, the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the headmaster of the Chunyang Sect, and others, could they have any objections? They had no choice but to accept and express similar stances, advancing and retreating with the Heroes of the world.
The old Celestial Master and others glanced at Danyang Zi with deep, meaningful looks. Their gaze said it all—they were looking at the mess he had made.
It wasn't that they had any sinister intentions, it's just that Danyang Zi's attempt to frame someone backfired. Instead, he was counterattacked by the old monk Jie Tan, who pulled everyone in with him.
The situation suddenly turned around, making it appear as if all the powers were heeding the call of the Zen Sect, making them the leaders.
How could these major powers in Taoism not feel stifled?
"What a spectacle of living beings striving for fame and profit!" Pei Xuanjing thought to himself as he looked at the situation in the hall.
Indeed, where there are people, there are conflicts. These figures, who were usually highly respected and renowned, still had many tactics when it came to this aspect that Pei Xuanjing needed to learn from.
However, he was not surprised by their underhanded maneuvers.
People, inevitably, have desires.
Practicing Martial Arts does not mean that everyone becomes virtuous and saintly. On the contrary, as one's power grows, one's desires increase, which is absolutely reasonable.
He whispered to Danyang Zi next to him, "Senior Brother, why not use this opportunity to settle on a strategy and make a final decision that leaves everyone with no chance of regret."
Just a moment ago, Danyang Zi was secretly thrilled by his success in drawing in the Zen Sect. However, he did not expect to be played by Master Jie Tan, who used his strength against him and smoothly stole the victory. When he heard Pei Xuanjing's words and saw the look Pei Xuanjing gave him, he immediately understood.
His junior brother planned on him taking the initiative to seize the opportunity to turn the situation around!
Indeed, a good plan. Yet, he wondered when his junior brother who usually focused on martial arts practice developed such shrewd thinking. He was a bit surprised.
However, now was not the time to consider this. Danyang Zi temporarily suppressed his doubts and made a proposition to everyone else, seizing the opportunity to finalize the matter.
Observing Danyang Zi'S expression, which was full of admiration for his insightful junior brother, Pei Xuanjing shook his head privately, knowing that Danyang Zi had misunderstood his intentions.
Pei Xuanjing did not have the intentions that Danyang Zi thought. For Pei Xuanjing, this was nothing more than a trial, an illusion. Whether the Zen Sect led them or the Taoist School commanded, it did not matter.
His only aim was to delay the advance of the National Master of the Great Yuan as much as possible, to provide Master Sanfeng with an opportunity to complete this illusionary trial.
Of course, even though Danyang Zi misunderstood, his goal coincided with the result that Pei Xuanjing was aiming for, so Pei Xuanjing naturally did not waste words on explanations.
Though the Zen Sect was powerful, they could not support everything by themselves. Under the united front of the Shenxiao Sect, Dragon Tiger Mountain, Chunyang Sect and other major Taoist Schools, they naturally could not seize the authority in this event. Having no other choice but to step aside temporarily.
After all, they are aware that even if they came to assist, the people of the Zhenwu School would not want to see the Zen Sect leading the Heroes on Taihe Mountain.
Perhaps the broad-minded Master Sanfeng would not care, but his disciples would surely mind.
Just as the Heroes were deciding who would lead and were in discussions, a voice as loud as thunder echoed.
"Bahe Sipa from the Esoteric Sect has come to pay respects!"
"Esoteric Sect's Bashi Siba, has come to pay his respects to the mountain! "
A burly and towering monk ascended the mountain, trailed by a handful of people closely following him.
How loud can a person's voice be?
Loud as thunder, resounding across the heavens?
He was still at the foot of the mountain, yet his resonant voice echoed across the mountain range.
The sound, resembling thunder, spread in all directions, reaching the sky, causing even the peaceful white clouds to stir and flutter as if swayed by this voice.
Without using any skill, merely through the will of his martial arts, such a long howl caused the faces of the crowd inside the hall to change greatly and abruptly silenced the previously noisy discussion.
"Bashi Siba, the Master of Great Yuan!"
"He's here so soon!"
"Terrifying to the extreme!"
"Master of Great Yuan, horrific indeed!"
"Since he is here, let's go and see him!" With a serious expression on his face, the Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain abandoned his previous leisurely demeanor and spoke gravely.
The Master led the way, stepping out of the grand hall.
"Amitabha." The several masters of the Zen sect softly chanted the name of Buddha and followed closely behind.
"My senior brother?" Pei Xuanjing, naturally very intrigued by the state mentor of the Great Yuan, addressed Danyang Zi.
"Let's go! Follow me." Danyang Zi nodded, and the two of them also stepped out of the grand hall.
Li Jingxiu and Qiu Yuanjing exchanged a glance. As the hosts of this place, they naturally had no plans to avoid the confrontation.
"Very well! I'd like to see if this Great Yuan Master actually has three heads and six arms!" one of the heroes scoffed, trailing closely behind the others as they departed one by one.
Atop Taihe Mountain, people from all over the martial arts world had gathered, especially those martial artists who were not qualified to enter the hall and were spread all over the mountain. The mountain was so packed with people that there was almost nowhere to place one's foot.
As they waited for Pei Xuanjing and the others to emerge from the grand hall, all eyes were naturally drawn in their direction.
A middle-aged monk clad in red and yellow robes stood with his hands clasped together. He stood as firm as a mountain and as steadfast as a pine tree. Though he looked ordinary, an indescribable aura radiated from him, attracting everyone's attention.
Solemnity, sanctity, perfection, purity…
As soon as they saw him, these descriptions involuntarily came to mind.
He did not appear to be a man but rather like a Buddha or Bodhisattva walking along the dust-laden path of the world, seasoned by worldly trials.
The Grand Master of Great Yuan, Bashi Siba!
Someone inadvertently murmured this name aloud, causing the already silent atmosphere to pause momentarily.
Regardless of what was said and speculated inside the hall earlier.
Only after truly seeing this reputedly strongest master from the Western Regions, could they feel the pressure of facing such a powerful adversary.
Since Pei Xuanjing embarked on his cultivation, the Great Yuan had ceased to exist for six hundred years. The powerful figures of the past had turned into dust, disappearing with the wind and rain.
However, during his travels in the Central Plains, whenever Pei Xuanjing heard people talk about the strong figures in the martial arts world after the Tang Dynasty, the famous title of the Great Yuan Master, the first man in the Esoteric Sect for a thousand years, kept being mentioned.
Someone once said that if it weren't for the unfortunate encounter with Ancestor Sanfeng, regarded as the greatest martial artist in several millennia, the Great Yuan Master might have gone beyond his current accomplishments.
Although he was defeated, throughout his life, he had only been defeated by the Ancestor Sanfeng, who also regarded him as one of the strongest opponents he ever faced.
Before the Grand Master of Great Yuan could speak, an elderly monk next to him harshly said: "The Master has come today to challenge Master Sanfeng. Are those of you obstructing us here harboring some ulterior motive?"
This old monk had a starkly different aura from the solemn and pure Great Yuan Master. Dressed as a monk, his hostile demeanor couldn't hide his murderous intent, indicating that he had claimed many lives.
"Rebellion! Aren't you afraid that I, a poor monk, will execute you for appearing here?" To everyone's surprise, Master Jie Tan, who usually appeared calm and gentle, became upset and berated the old monk.
The heroes were in an uproar, unaware of the identity of this outspoken old monk who managed to infuriate the usually benevolent Master Jie Tan.
"Hehehe, so it'S Master Jie Tan! I didn't expect you would still be alive after all these years!" The old monk, upon seeing Master Jie Tan angry, was not angered but provoked him further.
It seemed that there was a deep-seated grudge between these two men.
Before Pei Xuanjing could ask, Danyang Zi, noticing the confusion in Pei Xuanjing's eyes, said in a low voice: "The one speaking is called the Vajra Monk. He is the founder of the Vajra Sect of the Western Regions, originally just an ordinary fire-tending monk of the Zen Sect…"
Pei Xuanjing's enlightenment came- Upon hearing the man's name from Danyang Zi, he immediately recognized the man's identity.
The story went that the Vajra Monk was originally a novice monk in charge of the kitchen fire in the North Zen Sect. After being bullied by the monks of the sect, he secretly learned the martial arts to protect himself. Twenty years later, he mastered the arts and during the annual Dharma Hall competition of the North Zen Sect, he unexpectedly challenged and killed the Abbot of the Dharma Hall, creating a huge uproar. He then fled from the Zen sect, took refuge in the Western Regions, and established the Vajra Sect.
This was one of the darkest chapters in the history of the North Zen Sect.
Because of the rise of this man, the Zen sect established a regulation that any disciple who learned martial arts without the Master's guidance would be executed if found out. At the least, they would have all their muscles and veins crippled, making them useless.
It was precisely because of this regulation that caused Master Sanfeng, who had some cultivation skills at that time and was only a minor worker in the North Zen Sect, to have his martial arts skills disabled and be expelled from the mountain. From then on, Master Sanfeng of the Taoist School rose to eminence..