Beneath the Aperture-Opening Realm, All Are Ants

Huiming's figure disappeared through the hidden door at the foot of the Golden Buddha.

Without hesitation, Yang Xiao drew his gun and gave chase, followed closely by Zhao Kui and Old Saber, and several Captain also drew their swords and followed.

The group rushed into the hidden door at the foot of the Golden Buddha and quickly descended the stone steps.

The passage carved into the stone wall was only wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Above them was a thick stone wall, and every few steps an oil lamp was embedded in it, its dim yellow light flickering precariously.

"Watch out, there's someone ahead."

As soon as Zhao Kui finished speaking, several gray-robed monks wielding iron rods blocked his path.

The leading monk was about fifty years old, with a strong build and exposed skin that gleamed with a faint golden luster.

"Amitabha."

The monk clasped his hands together, his face expressionless.

"Benefactor, this is the forbidden area of Golden Buddha Temple. Please stop here."

Yang Xiao did not stop.

"Donor--"

Before the monk could finish speaking, Yang Xiao flicked his wrist, and the spear shaft swept out horizontally.

The spear shaft slammed into the monk's waist. The hardened flesh and skin cultivated by the Body-Tempering Method were meaningless in front of the Army-Breaking Spear, and the sound of bones shattering could be clearly heard.

The monk screamed in agony as several of his ribs snapped instantly. He was swept away and slammed into the stone wall, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Upon seeing this, the other monks all sprang up in unison.

They were all guardian monks watching over the secret chamber, each having practiced Body-Tempering Method, resulting in tough skin and incredible strength.

Zhao Kui attacked from the side, knife in hand.

He had already reached the half-step of the Qi Refining stage, and his cultivation level was among the top in the Demon-Suppressing Captain.

The long sword was drawn, its blade flashing like a bolt of lightning, aimed straight for the monk's chest.

The monk parried with his iron staff, and Zhao Kui's blade struck the staff, sending sparks flying.

He continued his sword strike without stopping, using the recoil to spin around and slash again, this time cleaving the monk in the shoulder.

Although the Body-Tempering Method had hardened the skin and flesh, it could not withstand his full-force attack.

The blade cut in half an inch, and blood splattered.

The monk grunted and swung his iron rod back at Zhao Kui.

The latter dodged to the side and kicked the monk in the stomach, sending him staggering back several steps.

Old Saber launched a surprise attack from the other side.

The long sword strikes repeatedly, aiming only for vital points.

A monk swept his iron staff horizontally, Old Saber ducked and rolled to avoid it, then slashed open the monk's knee with his backhand.

The monk's knees buckled, and he knelt on one knee. The Old Saber's second strike had already landed, the blade piercing the back of his neck.

Blood gushed out, and the monk died on the spot.

The three worked together seamlessly, and although the monk blocking their path possessed exceptional physical strength, he was utterly unable to withstand their onslaught.

In just a dozen breaths, only corpses and bloodstains remained in the passage.

Yang Xiao holstered his gun and gestured with his chin toward the Captain behind him.

"The rest is up to you. Take down all the monks involved."

"Yes!"

The Captain drew their swords and rushed into the depths of the passage to take control of the rest of the interior of the Golden Buddha.

Yang Xiao, along with Zhao Kui and Old Saber, continued deeper into the area until the stench of blood in the environment grew stronger.

Finally, the three arrived at the abdominal space of the Golden Buddha.

Surrounded by stone walls, in the center was a huge pool of blood, churning with dark red liquid and emitting a nauseating, sweet-smelling stench.

Huiming was sitting cross-legged on a golden futon in the center of the blood pool.

The remaining essence blood in the surrounding blood grooves was continuously flowing into the futon beneath him along the grooves of the blood pool.

Crimson blood mist rose from his body, enveloping him.

He was shirtless, his skin glowing with a faint golden light. A pale golden lotus petal on his chest opened and closed slowly as if it were alive, appearing both eerie and solemn in the reflection of the blood pool.

Hearing the noise, Huiming opened her eyes and looked at Yang Xiao.

"I treated you with kindness, but this is how I was treated in return."

At this moment, the compassion and peace he had shown during the day were gone from his eyes, replaced only by a chilling killing intent.

"Since you've already torn off all pretenses and there's no way to reconcile things, then you might as well all stay here."

Zhao Kui surveyed his surroundings, his anger reaching its peak. "You use human essence and life force for cultivation, you dare call yourselves a Buddhist temple!"

Huiming's expression remained unchanged; instead, a cold smile appeared on his face.

"I help them alleviate their suffering and sow seeds of goodwill; I am merely receiving a small reward that I deserve."

"If it can help me achieve a golden body and convert more people, then it's a win-win situation, and I can die a worthy death."

He spoke as if it were a matter of course, as if it were nothing more than a matter of course.

"Killing you would be a great achievement for me, so you will die a worthy death." The Old Dao, unable to bear it any longer, raised his long knife, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

After absorbing the last of his essence blood, Huiming sat down and began to absorb the remaining essence blood. As the pale golden lotus petals on his chest rotated and opened, a faint Buddhist sandalwood fragrance emanated from his body, making him appear like a walking Treasure Lotus.

His face relaxed, and he murmured softly.

"Helping those in distress and cultivating virtue yields... Even a small profit proves one's invulnerability to tribulations."

Huiming opened his eyes, and a golden lotus phantom swirled deep within his pupils. "It's a pity that the Lotus Platform Rebirth Body hasn't reached its full potential, but it's still enough to deal with you."

"Low profit?" Old Dao gripped the hilt of his knife, his eyes filled with sarcasm.

Is a small profit tied to life and death? According to him, I can't afford to worship such a Buddha!

Abbot Huiming's aura surged once more, not only displaying the pressure of the Aperture-Opening Realm, but also forging his body into a powerful and vibrant force, devoid of any demonic or eerie feeling.

As the Apertures trembled simultaneously, the blood mist exploded, revealing a body with a phantom image of a golden lotus.

His figure shot out like a ghost, leaving a sonic boom in his wake; his speed was astonishing!

Zhao Kui was the first to step forward, his long sword aimed straight for Huiming's chest.

The moment the blade struck Huiming's chest, Zhao Kui's pupils constricted sharply.

With a muffled thud, the blade left a shallow mark on Huiming's skin, unable to penetrate any further.

That layer of skin, gleaming with golden light, was incredibly hard.

Huiming threw a punch.

Zhao Kui was struck hard and was sent flying backward, crashing through the stone wall on the side of the secret chamber, filling the air with dust.

He lay amidst the rubble, his face filled with astonishment. "Aperture Opening physique?"

As a half-step Aperture-Opening Realm, he was only a few Apertures away from opening one of his arms, yet he was knocked back by Huiming's punch.

It is evident that the other party has already entered the Aperture-Opening Realm, and the so-called cultivation using the blood pool is merely to replenish the body Body-Tempering Method of the whole body.

The Buddhist Body-Tempering Method already gives them an overwhelming advantage over their peers. At this moment, the power displayed by Huiming was something that even some of the Deputy General in the Demon Suppression Division would find difficult to withstand.

Old Saber followed closely behind, slashing repeatedly with his long sword.

But Huiming didn't care at all. He let the blade fall on his body, but it didn't even cut a gash. He then struck out with his palm.

The palm strike was as powerful as a mountain, sending the Old Saber sword flying out of his hand. He was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into the stone wall.

Both men collapsed to the ground, quickly losing their ability to fight.

Huiming withdrew his gaze. The knife wounds Zhao Kui had inflicted were healing at a visible speed, and a life force was spreading across his body, repairing the damaged flesh.

"Those who are Aperture Opening are all ants."

His tone was indifferent; he didn't even glance at the two people lying on the ground, then turned his gaze to Yang Xiao, who was standing still.

Of all those present, only this young Deputy General could make him feel any sense of urgency.

"Finished showing off?"

Yang Xiao held the Army-Breaking Spear in one hand, eagerly awaiting its arrival.

"Amitabha." Huiming clasped his hands together, looking at the young Deputy General with a hint of contempt in his eyes. "Deputy General Yang, I had no intention of being enemies with the Demon Suppression Division."

"But with just these people, you might not be able to stop me today."

He leisurely picked up the robe that was lying to the side.

In the distance, Yang Xiao silently tore off his cloak and then suddenly disappeared from the spot.

In an instant, a fierce downward slash struck Huiming's shoulder!

Bang!!!

While Huiming was calmly putting on his robe, his golden body was caught off guard and suddenly plummeted into the ground.

Centered on him, several gaps suddenly appeared in the deep pit on the ground.

Boom--!