He swept his gaze over everyone, enunciating each word:
"As for the Blissful Union Tower, the Guixu Sea Tower, and the others-if they are willing to help, our sect will be grateful. If not, our sect will bear them no resentment."
"Do not pin your hopes on others. The backbone of our sect's disciples cannot be given to us by anyone else-we must earn it ourselves!"
"As Buddhist cultivators, you must have backbone! Do not let a single fiend scare the courage out of you!"
As his words fell, the chests of the monks throughout the hall heaved, and fire gradually kindled in their eyes.
Yuan Chen was the first to step forward, holding one palm upright before his chest, his voice booming like thunder. "This junior brother volunteers to lead the vanguard!"
Yuan Jin drew a deep breath, then pressed his palms together and bowed as well. "This junior brother failed to think things through. I shall obey your decree."
The younger monks were already boiling with hot blood. At these words, they roared in unison, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
The wave of sound nearly lifted the hall's roof.
Hui'an raised a hand and pressed down on the air, quelling the tumult, then turned his gaze to Yuan Jin. "Junior Brother Yuan Jin."
"Here, Senior Brother." Yuan Jin took a deep breath and bowed solemnly.
"You are meticulous in thought and steady in action," Hui'an said. "You will lead ten thousand Buddhist soldiers and work with our three junior brothers at the Dharma Nascent Soul stage to hold Vajra Mountain and safeguard the patriarchs' legacy. Keep the Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation active at all times. Do not stint on spirit stones."
Yuan Jin's heart tightened. "This disciple obeys your decree! So long as the mountain stands, I shall stand!"
"Furthermore," Hui'an