The moment Rujie spat out that mouthful of blood, the prayer beads lit up.
The dull wooden beads bloomed one after another with golden patterns.
Six golden rings cinched his arms, shoulders, and back, blood seeping from the tears in his kasaya and dripping onto the dharma platform.
Holding the Demon-Suppressing Bowl, Wuchen could no longer suppress the smile on his face.
"Rujie, still think you can hold on?"
The Buddhist chanting within the Demon-Suppressing Bowl grew more intense.
The runes around the dharma platform flickered ceaselessly from the tremors. Several elderly monks from Tianyin Temple went pale and tried to step forward, only to be stopped by the raised hand of that half-step True Lord from the Great Thunderclap Temple.
"Until the Dharma debate has a victor, no one may interfere."
Elder Huiming's beard trembled wildly with fury.
"You use a Quasi-Immortal Artifact to bully others, and you still dare call this a Dharma debate?"
An elder of the Great Thunderclap Temple spoke coolly.
"A Dharma Artifact is part of one's cultivation as well. If Tianyin Temple does not have one, then concede defeat."
The disciples of Tianyin Temple felt their chests tighten.
Those words were shameless beyond belief.
Yet the Demon-Suppressing Bowl hung above the dharma platform, its Buddhist light pressing Rujie down until he could not even straighten his waist.
Wuchen took two steps forward.
"Tianyin Temple's Buddhist Son is nothing special."
"Weren't you quite the talker during the scripture debate just now?"
"Why have you gone silent now?"
A few soft laughs came from the Great Thunderclap Temple's side.
"Senior Brother Wuchen, leave him a little dignity."
"Tianyin Temple has declined, after all. It's only natural that their Buddhist Son is somewhat weaker."
"Weak is weak, yet they still occupy the incense offerings of the Northern