Pure Land Temple, The Peculiar Monk Soldiers!

Li Xuanxiao moved at high speed through the air, his robes flapping in the wind.

The sharp sound of the wind whistled past his ears, and the scenery constantly receded from his sight.

"Ride the Wind"

Although it was only the introductory stage, it benefited from his profound True Qi in the Profound Realm.

The effect was still quite impressive.

One leap from the ground could allow him to glide for several miles!

If there was wind, he could ride it to ascend higher, flying both high and far.

It was enough to give Li Xuanxiao a taste of flying.

Gazing at the magnificent mountains and sea of clouds, his previously suppressed mood was slightly relieved.

What a magnificent skill, "Ride the Wind"!

"A roc, on a windy day, soars up ninety thousand li!"

Hm?

Was that the right word, "ride"?

Li Xuanxiao shook his head, too lazy to dwell on it.

In his sight, a city several times larger than Ning'an City had appeared on the land.

Li Xuanxiao adjusted his True Qi output, allowing himself to land smoothly in the city.

After landing, he scanned his surroundings and immediately frowned.

This Faxuan City was too crowded, far more so than before.

On one street, from one end to the other, there were dozens of people dressed as monks.

He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but occasionally monks would glance at him casually.

Yet, their eyes held a faint hostility.

Li Xuanxiao didn't understand why, but he couldn't be bothered.

According to the mission handbook, the city's magistrate had sent multiple letters to the Demon Slayer Division.

This indicated that the situation was indeed very urgent.

But it didn't seem like there were any problems now?

Except for the unusually large number of monks.

Li Xuanxiao shook his head, why was he bothering to overthink this?

He'd find the magistrate and ask.

So, he headed straight for the city's yamen, only to be told that the magistrate was not present.

When asked where he had gone, he was told he had gone to Pure Land Temple outside the city.

Monks again?

The city was full of monks, and the magistrate had gone directly to the temple where the monks resided.

Pure Land Temple...

He had some impression of the name; the mission handbook had a brief introduction to it.

It was a martial arts sect near Faxuan City.

There were also many martial artists in the temple.

Of course, in the temple, they weren't called martial artists.

They were called Monk Soldiers.

Most of the time, the monks only stayed around the temple.

Occasionally, they would come down the mountain to Faxuan City to beg for alms, and coincidentally guide those who wished to follow Buddhism up the mountain.

Li Xuanxiao immediately changed his route and headed straight for Pure Land Temple.

With "Ride the Wind" at full power, he soon arrived at the mountain where Pure Land Temple was located.

After walking a short distance, he finally reached the main gate.

Just as he was about to step inside, he was stopped by a monk at the gate: "Please, esteemed patron, remain where you are."

Li Xuanxiao stopped and looked: "Master, what guidance do you have?"

"I dare not accept the title of Master. This humble monk observes that the patron is carrying weapons."

"This temple is a pure land, a sacred place of Buddhism. We request that the patron disarm before entering!"

Li Xuanxiao's brow twitched. There's a rule like that?

But discarding his weapons was out of the question.

Weapons were a martial artist's life!

If he got rid of his saber, he'd be in an extremely passive position if any unexpected situation arose.

"My apologies, Master, but I cannot agree to that."

The monk clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha. Then please return, Benefactor!"

"Pure Land Temple does not permit those carrying weapons to enter."

Li Xuanxiao's brow furrowed, but he suppressed his urge to lash out.

"I can refrain from entering. Kindly ask the Master to announce me."

"Just say someone from the Demon Slayer Division is here, and request the Magistrate of Faxuan City to come out and meet me."

The Demon Slayer Division!?

The two monks exchanged a glance, a look of unspoken meaning passing between them.

"The Magistrate has decided to renounce the world and no longer concern himself with worldly affairs."

"Please return, Benefactor!"

Li Xuanxiao narrowed his eyes. "As an official of the dynasty, even if one sees through the mortal world, they must first hand over their responsibilities."

"How can someone in a crucial position simply become a monk without a word, completely disregarding the responsibilities they bear?"

"Master, I still ask that you go and announce me. I must see the Magistrate today!"

By the end of his speech, Li Xuanxiao's tone had become stern.

The two monks' expressions also turned unfriendly. "Benefactor, do not be unreasonable. I have already made myself clear..."

Speak of the devil!

You damned bald donkey, do you really think I wouldn't dare to act?

He instantly drew his saber. "I am going in now. Try me if you dare to stop me!"

He had been unsure initially, so he had adhered to the principle of courtesy before force.

But these two had made things difficult for him at every turn.

Li Xuanxiao was certain there was something fishy going on inside this temple!

"The imperial court is investigating a case. Those who obstruct will be slain!"

He unfurled his tiger hide first, occupying the moral high ground.

Li Xuanxiao strode directly into Pure Land Temple.

The two monks exchanged glances, their staves vibrating.

As their internal energy surged, they attacked Li Xuanxiao from behind!

Just the gatekeeping monks are both at the peak of the Profound Realm!

Li Xuanxiao didn't look back, directly activating his True Qi to protect his body.

The two monks struck him, only to be sent flying back themselves.

The monks were even more shocked than Li Xuanxiao!

Although they were both at the peak of the Profound Realm, their combined attack technique could reach the strength of an early Apex Realm expert!

Not only had they failed to injure their opponent, but they had also sent themselves reeling with pain throughout their bodies.

This person is at least in the middle stage of the Apex Realm!

The two exchanged a look, their eyes filled with solemnity.

Immediately, they struck the large bell before the temple gate.

BONG—

A distant and resonant gong sound echoed.

Inside Pure Land Temple, the Monk Soldiers stopped their actions one by one.

Some held long sabers, some held spears, and some brandished wooden staffs.

They all rushed towards the temple gate.

After repelling the two monks, Li Xuanxiao hadn't gone far before encountering a group of Monk Soldiers.

Seeing the various weapons in their hands, he couldn't help but laugh.

A sacred Buddhist site prohibits carrying weapons?

So it seems that only I am prohibited from carrying weapons, right?

He shouted again, "The imperial court is investigating a case. Those who obstruct will be slain!"

However, the Monk Soldiers advanced instead of retreating.

Li Xuanxiao was unfazed, and the two sides soon engaged in battle!

After a few exchanges, Li Xuanxiao's brow gradually furrowed.

Every time he injured a Monk Soldier, black-purple unknown substances would surge from the wounds.

Those substances writhed like living things!

Then, the wounds on the Monk Soldiers' bodies would visibly heal and recover!

Li Xuanxiao's expression turned grave. As expected, something was amiss!

Such bizarre things were clearly not meant to exist in a normal temple.

Although most of these Monk Soldiers only had late Profound Realm cultivation.

When combined with this peculiar recovery ability.

They instantly became ten times more troublesome!

If a group of Profound Realm Monk Soldiers could achieve this.

Then, going further up, the temple's leaders, those abbots and head monks.

How terrifying would they be?

He swung his saber in reverse, striking at the head of an attacking Monk Soldier.

The opponent couldn't evade in time and was immediately decapitated.

Li Xuanxiao no longer held back, going for the kill.

He cut down one after another, as easily as slicing vegetables.

Soon, all these Monk Soldiers were slain.

Li Xuanxiao looked at the black-purple blood on his blade, his brow tightly knit.

This was clearly not the color of human blood!

These people, this temple, this strange substance...

What exactly had happened here?