Yixiu moved.
There was no earth-shaking display of power, no violent surge of air.
He simply gripped the Black Iron Zen Spatula and took a gentle step forward.
Yet with that single step, the black Evil Breath covering the entire rear mountain retreated a fraction.
"Mozhu."
Yixiu's voice was calm, like a mountain spring.
"When you betrayed the Zen Monastery all those years ago, I told you this."
"Power seized from others is a castle built on air."
"It's not too late to turn back."
"Turn back?"
Mozhu threw back his head and laughed as if he had heard the greatest joke in the world.
"Why would I turn back?"
"You said I'd gone astray. You said I shouldn't plunder the life force of ingredients."
"But look at me now!"
He thrust out his hand. Black Evil Breath formed a giant claw and lunged viciously at Yixiu.
Every plant in its path withered instantly, and even the rocks were eaten away into pits.
"My power is more than ten times greater than that of you fools clinging to your broken rules!"
The black claw reached Yixiu in an instant.
Yixiu did not dodge.
He gave the Black Iron Zen Spatula a gentle swing.
There was no thunderous crash, no shock wave.
The spatula swept through the air with the same effortless grace he used to stir-fry spirit vegetables.
It sliced the black claw precisely in two.
The halves dissolved into wisps of black smoke and vanished.
Yet not a blade of grass or a single tree where the spatula passed was harmed.
Even the dew on the leaves stayed perfectly in place.
"He's... incredible!"
The little red panda disciples stared, dumbfounded.
This was the abbot's true strength.
It was a world apart from the way they fought by piling on