Heavenly Dragon Temple, Arhat Hall
() Ink Martial City, the headquarters of the Asura Sect Inner Sect, the Shadow Hall.
"Squad Leader Lu Yuling, here is the intelligence you requested." In the Shadow Hall, Lu Yuling sat upright as a disciple at the Void Splitting Realm presented her with a thick intelligence report.
Taking the intelligence reports, Lu Yuling flipped through them page by page, her delicate eyebrows furrowing deeper and deeper. She then abruptly stood up and said, "Where is the Hall Master? Take me to him quickly! Something terrible has happened in Shuzhong City!"
In Shuzhong City, the guards of the Li Family were dealt with, and the Sixth Young Master of the Li Family was imprisoned by Zhuge Xiang and his group. Then, the group walked into the City Lord's Manor in a dignified manner.
The Steward of the City Lord's Manor came out to greet them, saying that guest rooms for Zhuge Xiang and his group had been prepared, and casually inquired why Zhuge Xiang hadn't returned the previous night.
"The night in Shuzhong City was intoxicating. After having a few drinks, we were a bit tipsy, so we stayed at the Restaurant," Zhuge Xiang replied casually, then asked in return, "Where is the City Lord? Where did he go? And doesn't our Asura Sect stipulate that each city should have at least fifteen Captain-level figures assisting it? Yesterday, I only saw seven."
Zhuge Xiang's words caused the Steward's expression to change slightly, but he quickly concealed it and said, "These past few days, there have been many trivial matters in Shuzhong City. Last night, a major battle broke out in the Outskirts. The City Lord went to investigate early on. As for those Squad Leader, there have been many trivial matters in Shu lately, so the City Lord assigned them other tasks, and they have all left the city."
"Oh," Zhuge Xiang nodded knowingly, then put on a kind look and said, "Since there are so many trivial matters in Shuzhong City, why don't we have the Sect Headquarters send a few more experts over to help?"
"No need, our City Lord can definitely handle this. Squad Leader Zhuge, thank you for your trouble," the Steward hurriedly declined as soon as he finished speaking.
"Alright, in that case, let's go in and rest for now." Without pausing for further discussion, Zhuge Xiang was about to continue walking inside.
Suddenly, the sky darkened. Looking up, they saw a huge Warships flying over and slowly hovering above the East of the City Lord's Manor. The slanting sunlight cast a dark shadow directly on the position of Zhuge Xiang and the others.
The enormous Warships, about Hundred Zhang long, was entirely made of brilliant gold and was carved with the image of the Eighteen Arhats. On each side of the Warships were two lifelike sculptures of celestial dragons, and eighteen celestial Heavenly Dragon Cannon, dark and menacing, exuding a chilling aura.
"The Arhat Warship of Heavenly Dragon Temple?" Looking at the enormous Warships hovering in the sky, the City Lord's Manor's Steward frowned slightly. Why was the Arhat Warship of Heavenly Dragon Temple here in Yanling Commandery?
Warships are pure weapons of mass destruction. Flying within one's own territory is not a big deal, but crossing regions is nerve-wracking. Although the nine major sects are all under the jurisdiction of the Great Qin Empire, they have been engaged in countless open and covert struggles.
While Zhuge Xiang and the Human Heart were filled with doubt, several figures landed on the Asura Warship, right at the entrance of the City Lord's Manor. The group of nine, dressed in monks' robes and wielding various magical Magic Artifact — Demon Subduing Staffs, Demon Subduing Pestle, and Zen Staff's staffs—[were present].
The leading monk, around fifty years old, had nine clearly visible incense scars marking his ordination. He wore a white monk's robe and held a golden staff-like Magic Artifact. On the left chest of his white robe were two large, gold-embossed characters: Arhat.
After Zhuge Xiang and the others left the city lord's mansion, the leading monk, caught off guard, asked, "Greetings, benefactor. I am Huiming, the head of the Arhat Hall of Tianlong Temple. May I ask if City Lord Liu Ruying is here?"
"The head of the Arhat Hall?" Upon hearing the middle-aged monk's words, the steward of the city lord's mansion was slightly startled, and Zhuge Xiang's heart also tightened.
Heavenly Dragon Temple, like the Asura Sect, is known as one of the nine major sects. Arhat Hall is located in Heavenly Dragon Temple, just like the Inner Sect of the Asura Sect. However, the Asura Sect Inner Sect is divided into the Battle Hall, Blood Hall, and Shadow Hall, while Heavenly Dragon Temple only has one Arhat Hall to handle combat affairs.
The position of the Arhat Hall Master is equivalent to that of the Inner Sect Master of the Asura Sect, demonstrating his high status. His sudden appearance today, along with the Arhat Warship, could it be for the Evil-Suppressing Tower? This is a bit too fast, isn't it?
"So it's Master Huiming, the Huiming Hall Master of Heavenly Dragon Temple Arhat Hall. Our City Lord has some trivial matters to attend to and has left. He should be back soon. Why don't you come in and rest for a while, Master?" The Steward said, his face showing surprise.
"Very well, then we will trouble you, benefactor," Master Huiming said with a nod. He waved his hand, and the Vital Energy in the Heaven and Earth fluctuated. Then, the huge Arhat Warship quickly shrank to the size of a palm and was put away by Master Huiming. The group of nine monks then walked towards the main hall of the City Lord's Manor.
"Zhuge Xiang, I didn't expect to see you here. What a coincidence!" As they walked, the youngest of the nine monks, with a happy expression on his face, spoke to Zhuge Xiang. This monk was none other than Mizheng.
"Mizheng? I didn't expect your cultivation to have broken through to the Return to Simplicity Realm. That's really fast," Mizheng Zhuge Xiang said with a smile, slightly taken aback.
The Arhat Hall Master, Huiming, was undoubtedly at the Deity Transformation stage. The other eight monks, of varying ages, all shared a common characteristic: none of their Qi Energy leaked out, making them appear like ordinary people. The youngest was Mizheng, who also showed no signs of Qi Energy leakage. Compared to a year ago, Mizheng's face now possessed a more resolute and fierce expression, like a wrathful Vajra.
"I have to thank you for this. Thank you for your guidance back then. After returning to Heavenly Dragon Temple, because of my decisive and ruthless nature, the elders in the temple had me cultivate the Vajra Mantra. Unexpectedly, my nature was completely in harmony with the requirements of the Vajra Mantra, and my cultivation speed improved by leaps and bounds. So now I have entered the Arhat Hall and am currently one of the Guardian Vajra of the Eight Legions of Heavenly Dragons," Mizheng Zheng replied upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's exclamation, his words revealing his gratitude towards Zhuge Xiang. When he went down the mountain to gain experience, the most crucial person for Mizheng was Zhuge Xiang.
"Not at all, I'm happy for you that you're rising so high," Zhuge Xiang replied with a smile upon hearing Mizheng's words.
Although the Arhat Hall of Heavenly Dragon Temple is just a hall, it is equivalent to the Asura Sect Inner Sect Arhat Hall. There are about 20,000 disciples in the Arhat Hall. The Arhat Hall is divided into the Eight Legions of Heavenly Dragons Divisions of Tianlong, which govern these Arhat Hall disciples. The highest commander of these eight divisions is known as the Guardian Vajra.
Unexpectedly, in just one year, Mizheng had risen from a lowly monk to the high position of Guardian Vajra, a position second only to the Hall Master in the Arhat Hall, truly second only to the Hall Master.
"Hmm? Wait, Dharma Protectors? Could it be that the others are too?" At that moment, Zhuge Xiang suddenly realized that Huiming, the head of the Arhat Hall, was personally leading the group, followed by eight monks, the same number as the Eight Legions of the Heavenly Dragon. And Mi Zheng happened to be one of the eight Dharma Protectors...
Upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's words, Mizheng clearly understood his guess, nodded, and said, "Your reaction is always so quick. That's right. The other seven are also Guardian Vajra of my Arhat Hall."
"If that's the case, does that mean all the top experts from your Arhat Hall have come out? What is it for?" Mizheng's words made Zhuge Xiang's heart skip a beat, and he asked curiously.
"Mizheng, is this your friend? His cultivation is quite impressive," Master Huiming, who was walking in front, suddenly turned around and spoke before Mizheng could answer, interrupting the conversation between Zhuge Xiang and Mizheng.
"That's right. Back when I was training in Rakshasa City, I happened to encounter the Zombie incident in Yanling Commandery a year ago. At that time, Zhuge Xiang and I were companions and fought side by side," Mizheng nodded, gave Zhuge Xiang an apologetic look, and then answered.
"Zhuge Xiang, Squad Leader of the Asura Sect Inner Sect, greets Master Huiming," Zhuge Xiang said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
"At such a young age, he already possesses the cultivation of the Innate Realm. His brows conceal a murderous Baleful Qi, yet he also displays a rare indomitable spirit and upright character. If he were a disciple of my Heavenly Dragon Temple, it would be perfect for him to join my Arhat Hall." After sizing up Zhuge Xiang, Master Huiming, with his discerning eyes, looked at Zhuge Xiang with great satisfaction and nodded in praise.
"Master, you flatter me," Zhuge Xiang smiled, remaining neither humble nor arrogant despite the other party's high position and Deity Transformation.
"Those who know me understand that I am a person who seeks truth from facts. A monk does not lie, neither adding nor subtracting anything," Master Huiming said solemnly, shaking his head.
Just then, the group arrived at the Great Hall of the City Lord's Manor. The members of Heavenly Dragon Temple entered, but seeing that Master Huiming did not want them to know the purpose of their large group's departure, Zhuge Xiang did not follow them in. Led by the servants of the City Lord's Manor, he arrived at his room.
Returning to his room alone, Zhuge Xiang sat by the window, surrounded by the fragrance of flowers wafting in from outside, his brows slightly furrowed.
The Heavenly Dragon Temple's reaction was truly swift. They had only revealed the news of the Evil Suppressing Pagoda last night, and early this morning, the people from Heavenly Dragon Temple had already arrived. Moreover, it was the entire Arhat Hall that had come out. And this was just the visible lineup. Since it concerned the Evil Suppressing Pagoda of Ancestor Bodhidharma, who knew if Heavenly Dragon Temple might have powerful experts at the Deity Transformation stage or even the Return to Void Realm lurking in the shadows?
The Heavenly Dragon Temple's dramatic response put pressure on Zhuge Xiang. Who knew if these powerful figures and those with great Divine Ability possessed some magical or special methods to uncover the existence of the Evil Suppressing Pagoda from the slightest clues?
However, after thinking about it, Zhuge Xiang's brows relaxed again. After testing the Steward, Zhuge Xiang knew that the matter in Shuzhong City had not been reported to headquarters. They must be hiding something important. Otherwise, the Steward would not have refused so hastily when he asked the Sect to send some experts to help.
It's better for things to escalate here; it'll attract the Sect's attention and draw the Inner Sect Headquarters' focus, which is better than us acting alone. (To be continued.)