A True Life and Death Struggle

"Roar!"

The dragon's roar shook the nine heavens.

Jing Hui, standing behind the elders, looked at the Sacred Emperor of Nine Heavens, who was seated in a war chariot pulled by a black dragon and a red phoenix, his eyes filled with envy and longing.

"Junior Brother, when will I, a disciple of an Arhat Hall elder, be this magnificent?"

"Whenever you can defeat Abbot Kong Ming and become the new abbot of Bodhi Temple, you'll be this magnificent," Jiang Chuan said, patting Jing Hui's shoulder.

Jing Hui looked puzzled. "Senior Brother, we aren't from the demonic path. We don't need to defeat Abbot Kong Ming to become the new abbot."

"Senior Brother, you understand Bodhi Temple, but you don't understand Abbot Kong Ming well enough," Jiang Chuan said with great certainty in his judgment.

A glimpse of the whole is seen in a speck of dust.

Abbot Kong Ming is such an overbearing person. Unless he himself no longer wishes to be the abbot of Bodhi Temple, who can force him to step down?

Therefore, the easiest way to become abbot is to defeat Abbot Kong Ming.

"But, Junior Brother, haven't you only met the Abbot once? How can you understand him?" Jing Hui's confusion deepened.

Jiang Chuan replied, "I have had a deep spiritual connection with the Abbot for a long time. We have faced life and death together, so naturally, I understand him very well."

In reality, he had only met Abbot Kong Ming once. However, in the simulation, he had indeed faced life and death with the Abbot.

Yes, when Dragon Transformation Venerable's Annihilation Cave Mansion exploded, Abbot Kong Ming escaped, but he was blown to death.

Jing Hui clasped his hands together. "Amitabha! Junior Brother, a monk does not lie. Deceiving people is wrong."

Jiang Chuan: "."

Although he, Jiang, did indeed like to talk nonsense.

But this time, he was telling the truth.

What's wrong with people's hearts?

Why doesn't anyone believe the truth?

"Those two are Jiang Chuan, who cultivated the Great Sun Divine Bell with the Future Star Venerable Buddha, the only one in the history of Bodhi Temple to have made such a contract, and Elder Kong Bei's newly accepted disciple, Jing Hui, aren't they?"

Princess Lingchan Li Yuejiao of the Nine Abyss Dynasty, standing on a auspicious cloud, observed Jiang Chuan and Jing Hui, who stood behind the elders.

Li Yuejiao had bright eyes and white teeth, her black hair like clouds, and her skin was as clear and radiant as if carved from mutton-fat jade.

Adorned in a cloud-patterned long skirt woven from the fur of ninety-nine demonic beasts, she appeared even more beautiful and dignified.

She was like the Jade Maiden descending to the mortal realm, sparking people's imaginations.

"According to the intel we received this morning, those two monks are Jiang Chuan and Jing Hui," Princess Lingchan Li Chanyu said via telepathic transmission, wearing a palace dress and a golden hairpin.

Li Yuejiao's beautiful eyes stared at Jiang Chuan's handsome face, and she sighed softly, "How exceptionally favored is the Buddhist path by the heavens? Why is such a genius not a person of my Nine Abyss Dynasty?"

Shifting her gaze from Jiang Chuan to Jing Hui, Li Yuejiao asked again, "Jiang Chuan is responsible for hosting me. Who among my imperial brothers and sisters will Jing Hui be hosting?"

"Jing Hui joined Elder Kong Bei's tutelage yesterday. Bodhi Temple didn't have time to make adjustments, and Jing Hui is currently helping manage the Spirit Beast Courtyard," Li Chanyu replied.

"Spirit Beast Courtyard?"

Li Yuejiao's eyes flickered slightly.

The Golden Chariot carrying the Sacred Emperor of Nine Heavens descended from the sky, landing in front of Bodhi Temple.

"Amitabha! Kong Ming greets the Sacred Emperor."

"Greetings, Abbot Kong Ming and fellow Daoists."

The Sacred Emperor of Nine Heavens, clad in a nine-dragon yellow robe, alighted from the war chariot.

The Sacred Emperor of Nine Heavens was tall, with sharp features, and walked with the majestic gait of a dragon.

He seemed like a deity from ancient times, possessing immense authority, capable of deciding the life and death of all beings with a single thought!

After exchanging pleasantries, Abbot Kong Ming and the Sacred Emperor of Nine Heavens entered Bodhi Temple.

Jiang Chuan and many other disciples also went to entertain the princes, princesses, and officials of the Nine Abyss Dynasty according to the arrangements made by the temple elders.

"Amitabha! This humble monk is Jiang Chuan. Greetings, First Princess," Jiang Chuan said, clasping his hands and reciting a Buddhist greeting.

Li Yuejiao smiled charmingly. "I will trouble you, Daoist Jiang Chuan, for the next month."

"The temple has built a palace for the First Princess at Stone Lotus Ridge. Would the First Princess like to reside there now?" Jiang Chuan asked.

Li Yuejiao's delicate lips parted. "I've heard that Bodhi Temple spans thirty thousand li, with beautiful mountains and numerous scenic spots. May I first visit the Spirit Beast Courtyard to choose a mount and then tour the scenery of Bodhi Temple before heading to Stone Lotus Ridge to reside?"

"Of course."

"Chanyu, go call Third Brother, Tenth Brother, Seventeenth Brother, and Twenty-eighth Brother. Have them accompany me on a tour of Bodhi Temple."

Hearing Li Yuejiao's command, Jiang Chuan's brow furrowed.

In the simulation, he had been arranged by Bodhi Temple to host the Third Prince Li Kaitai and the Twenty-eighth Prince Li Yunwen.

He had also met the Tenth Prince Li Yuchuan and the Seventeenth Prince Li Shaoheng several times.

These four princes shared one characteristic.

They had recruited many disciples from Maha Hall to their ranks!

"Was it a coincidence, or did Li Yuejiao orchestrate this? The latter is more likely. As the Eldest Princess of the Nine Abyss Dynasty, she couldn't possibly be an idiot with a big chest and no brain, unaware of the current situation!"

As Jiang Chuan's thoughts raced, he secretly became vigilant.

"But what could be Li Yuejiao's motive? Could it be because of me?"

"The Nine Abyss Dynasty has already antagonized the Maha Hall by allying with the Bodhi Temple. Stirring up conflict between the Bodhi Temple and the Maha Hall at this time, causing Maha Hall disciples to kill me, would very likely offend the Bodhi Temple."

"As one of the most likely candidates to become the new Emperor of the Nine Abyss Dynasty, would Li Yuejiao need to risk offending the Bodhi Temple to kill me?"

While Jiang Chuan contemplated, the Seventeenth Prince Li Shaoheng, along with two other princes—dressed in silver python robes and wearing white jade crowns—arrived beside the Eldest Princess Li Yuejiao with their retinues.

"Ji Yuansheng!"

Jiang Chuan immediately spotted the Maha Hall disciple Ji Yuansheng standing behind Li Shaoheng.

He clearly remembered that in the simulation, Ji Yuansheng had tried to kill him.

"In the simulation, I clashed with Ji Yuansheng's Divine Law Body. Now that his true form is here, he likely has more than one Sky-Destroying Evil-Quelling Lightning. If he suddenly attacks, it'll be troublesome. Should I strike first and eliminate him?"

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Chuan's eyes as he pointed his fingers like a blade, contemplating whether to make a move.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang Chuan, let's depart."

Just then, Li Yuejiao's voice sounded again.

"Amitabha! Eldest Princess and esteemed benefactors, please follow this humble monk."

Jiang Chuan controlled the Flame Sun Needle and soared into the sky.

Li Yuejiao, Li Kaitai, and others followed, riding the clouds.

"I hope I'm overthinking things."

Jiang Chuan's emotions churned, a brilliant blade light flashing in his eyes: "But if Li Yuejiao truly intends to use someone else to kill me, then I'll send her to the west!"

At this moment, Jiang Chuan seemed to merge with the blade-wielding monk in the Dao Stele, becoming a manifestation of the Heavenly Dao, carrying out divine punishment, cold and merciless!

The weakest among the group were cultivators of the Third Realm, and they soon arrived at the Spirit Beast Hall.

Finding Jing Hui, Jiang Chuan immediately stated his purpose.

"Senior Brother, the Eldest Princess and several princes wish to find some spirit beasts to ride and tour the temple."

"This is a small matter."

Jing Hui turned to look at Li Yuejiao and the others, cupping his hands together.

"Amitabha! This humble monk Jing Hui, a disciple of an Arhat Hall elder, currently manages the Spirit Beast Hall. May I ask what kind of spirit beasts the Eldest Princess and the princes usually prefer for transportation?"