In the original story, the abbot was successfully ambushed by the Hundred Transformations Scholar, and his strength plummeted.
This widened the already considerable gap between him and Duo Ercha. Moreover, Qing Ying had died during the previous mission, leaving only Zhang Yuanshan and Jiang Zhiwei to provide support.
They were completely incapable of inflicting any fundamental damage on Duo Ercha.
Even when Jiang Zhiwei found an opening and used Sword Comes Without Self to blind one of Duo Ercha's eyes, it was meaningless.
They all ended up crippled.
If not for fate's intervention, the entire group would inevitably have been wiped out.
This time, however, Xu Yue wanted to see what changes would occur now that Qing Ying, whose strength was far from weak, was present; the Hundred Transformations Scholar had been killed in advance, leaving the abbot at full strength; and the abbot had brought out the Shedi Pagoda's relics to make up for the gap in cultivation.
Theoretically, the Reincarnators' side was now stronger than Duo Ercha. Although the abbot, even with the relics, was still no match for Duo Ercha, he at least had the ability to trade his life for a grave injury.
Together with Zhang Yuanshan and Qing Ying restraining him at any cost, it would be enough for Jiang Zhiwei to seize an opportunity and use Sword Comes Without Self to turn the tide.
As for the Demon Buddha, not only was He currently crippled and limited in influence, but Xu Yue had also told Meng Qi in advance about the unique nature of legends. With a little guidance, he could lead him to the back mountain to receive the true inheritance of Ananda's Precept-Breaking Saber Art, which fully suited His purposes.
So in theory, Ananda's side should no longer have any influence or