Yet the ancient temple was now utterly ruined. Only crumbling walls remained of its main hall, the surrounding mountains had been blasted into collapse, and even the bodhi tree before the temple had been broken in two.
Only beneath that shattered plaque could one make out the four words: Wenxin Ancient Temple.
Chen Nianzhi stood beside Wenxin Ancient Temple, his face dark as water, a trace of chill flickering in his eyes.
"Come out."
"So Daoist Return-to-Void, renowned far and wide, has arrived. This old monk failed to welcome you from afar. My apologies, my apologies."
At that moment, an old monk emerged from a corner, looking at Chen Nianzhi with a sorrowful expression.
Chen Nianzhi's face remained calm as he said lightly, "You know me?"
"Of course. You swept through the Western Extreme Six Heavens Domain and defeated Taicang's Two Imperial Sons working together. Naturally, this old monk has heard of it."
The old monk spoke with a solemn expression.
Chen Nianzhi nodded and continued, "Are you Wenxin Bodhisattva?"
"Indeed." The old monk nodded.
Seeing this, Chen Nianzhi said again, "I heard that you once saved Xian Zhu. Why did you sell him out this time?"
Wenxin Bodhisattva's expression changed again and again.
He had long known that he could not protect Chen Xianzhu this time, yet he had not warned him in advance. Instead, he had allowed him to remain at Wenxin Ancient Temple, where he was surrounded and attacked by everyone.
This had always been a thorn in his heart. He had not expected Chen Nianzhi to raise it himself.
With that thought, Wenxin Bodhisattva asked, "What is your relationship with Xian Zhu?"
"I am his father!"
Boom—
Wenxin Bodhisattva's face turned pale, and he nearly staggered.
After a moment, he gave a miserable laugh and said,