Heaven and earth as a chessboard, all living beings as pieces—that was all for later. What stood before them now was the Chan–Spirit Vine War.
Once Lin Tian and Yuanshi agreed not to interfere in their disciples' struggles, they had effectively given the disciples of both sects free rein to hunt one another.
Naturally, the Spirit Vine Sect rejoiced at this.
They had long been displeased with the Chan Sect.
Various considerations had kept them from acting, but now that Lin Tian and Yuanshi had reached an agreement, they could cast aside every concern. Grievances could be repaid, vengeance exacted. How could the Spirit Vine disciples not be excited?
The Chan Sect, however, felt precisely the opposite.
Had they heard Yuanshi's command before the battle at Mount Qianshi, they too would have rubbed their fists and flexed their palms, eagerly awaiting the outbreak of war.
But after witnessing the Spirit Vine Sect's strength, everything had changed.
They had developed a deep wariness of the Spirit Vine Sect, and none of them wanted to risk their lives fighting it without good reason.
Yet however unwilling they were, Yuanshi's will was not something they could defy.
For the sake of his pride, they had to fight, whether they wanted to or not.
In the interests of "fairness," the war between the two sects did not erupt the instant Yuanshi and Lin Tian finished their discussion. Instead, Yuanshi summoned the Chan Sect disciples who had not yet arrived, while also giving Guang Chengzi and the others on Mount Qianyuan a little time to heal and recover.
Even so, all of this took little time.
Time passed, and the disciples on both sides took their positions.
The great battle erupted, centered on Mount Qianyuan.
Boom, boom, boom!
An endless barrage of violent attacks began