In the southern suburbs of Luoyang, there is a cluster of Buddhist temples.
These temples, which have been passed down since the Northern and Southern Dynasties, were further expanded during the Sui Dynasty.
Hundreds of halls and temples, arranged in a staggered pattern, occupy a large area of land. They are built with the finest stone and wood, and by the best craftsmen, making them incredibly magnificent and grand.
The Bodhisattvas and Arhat in the temple are all bronze statues with gilded bodies, and many are even thickly coated with a layer of gold paint, making people's eyes dizzy.
Such a prominent place is naturally guarded by a large number of monk soldiers. More than a thousand of them practice martial arts, and each one is a strong and robust warrior monk who can move freely even among an army of tens of thousands.
Furthermore, this place is the sacred site of the righteous path in the world— Jingnian Zen Monastery, so ordinary people would not dare to act recklessly.
At this moment, in the very center of this Buddhist temple, in a special bronze hall, there were several figures.
Several monks dressed in dignified robes and a young girl in white robes with her face veiled.
It was Shi Feixuan, the successor of Cihang Jingzhai, and Liaokong, the Liaokong Master of Jingnian Zen Monastery, along with the Four Great Holy Monks of Chan School.
The reason these people gathered together was naturally because they had something important to discuss.
"Uncle-Master Liaokong, Master hasn't sent me any messages for several days. Now that the Yuwen Family has started an uprising in Chang'an, could it be..."
Shi Feixuan's place of origin was veiled, but her voice was exceptionally light and melodious.
She traveled the martial arts world on her master's orders, building momentum and searching for the so-called chosen one.
Everything was going perfectly. Shi Feixuan had even found a suitable target: Li Shimin, the second son of the Li Clan.
The other party possesses considerable martial arts skills, and their character and family background are also extraordinary.
The Sui Dynasty was on the verge of collapse, so such a person, skilled in both literature and military affairs, deserves close attention.
If we try to get to know each other a few more times, and once we're sure that we can reach a consensus, then Cihang Jingzhai... no, the entire Buddhist Sect...
They will all do their utmost to help the other party ascend to that supreme position.
Cihang Jingzhai has been doing this for many years. Whenever a dynasty collapses, they emerge from seclusion and use their unique insight to select and invest in those talents who have the potential to rule the world.
It's a highly profitable business; once it's done, these political prostitutes can reap substantial returns from their initial investment.
The vast estate of Jingnian Zen Monastery and the wealth of Cihang Jingzhai, nestled deep in the mountains, were all built through such means during the turbulent Northern and Southern Dynasties period.
By appealing to the common people with their doctrines and enticing them with the idea of "cultivating for the Afterlife," these people have a great market among all social classes.
Originally, when Shi Feixuan went out to travel the world, she would send messages via carrier pigeon to her sect every day to report what she saw and heard, and also to receive instructions from the sect.
But now five days have passed, and we haven't received any news.
Connecting this to the news of the rebellion announced by the Yuwen Clan near Chang'an a few days earlier, Shi Feixuan couldn't help but have many thoughts.
No matter how outstanding Shi Feixuan was, she was still just a young woman in her prime. With worries in her heart, she could only seek help from her elders in the sect.
It just so happens that Jingnian Zen Monastery and Cihang Jingzhai are basically in cahoots, which is why this scene has unfolded.
Upon hearing Shi Feixuan's concerns, Liaokong made a gesture to calm her down, and then gestured with his eyes for the Four Great Holy Monks beside him to answer.
It wasn't that Liaokong was putting on Liaokong, but rather that he practiced Silent Chan and rarely spoke.
"Nephew Feixuan, please do not disturb us. Cihang Jingzhai is protected by those vast mountains. Even the Yuwen Clan cannot do anything to it," said the holy monk Jiaxiang of the Three Treatise School.
"Not to mention, Master Fan's martial arts skills are no less than any of ours, so he's unlikely to encounter any problems."
"It must be that something happened inside the gate that caused the delay, or there was a problem with the carrier pigeon. Don't worry."
"Yes, this has happened a few times before. You are still too young and your mind is not calm enough," the Zhihui monk beside him also advised.
"Relying on birds to carry messages is inherently prone to unforeseen circumstances, so don't rush."
"I have already sent my disciple to Zhongnan Mountain, and news should arrive soon."
The four old monks, one after another, quickly calmed Shi Feixuan down.
Although the four of them also had some questions, as seasoned veterans, they were not as nervous as Shi Feixuan.
Who in this world dares to take the enormous risk of provoking them? And who has the ability to do so?
Among the members of the Demonic Path Sect, there are only a few with real strength, and they are all busy managing their own power. From time to time, they even fight each other over some small interests.
The only possible evil king, Shi Zhixuan, has been missing from the martial arts world for twenty years, and there are almost no villains who can threaten Cihang Jingzhai.
Under these circumstances, the Chan School practitioners wouldn't worry too much.
Upon hearing this, Shi Feixuan could only nod, then she remembered something else.
"My fellow disciples, besides being concerned about the sect, I have another matter to discuss with you."
"Have you all heard of the title 'Heavenly Venerable Savior'? A few days ago, people from the Li Clan contacted me, saying that Li Clan third young lady had been kidnapped by someone else, and now that person is involved with the rebellious Yuwen Clan. The Li Clan wants us to rescue her."
"This is also the request they made for us to cooperate."
After Shi Feixuan finished speaking, she glanced at the elders and saw that they all looked puzzled. She felt a little down.
The capture of Miss Li Family is a matter of family reputation for aristocratic families, but the Li Family does not have any Grandmaster- level experts.
The powerful clans are formidable in terms of resource control and military strength. Among individual masters, only Song Que of the Song Clan can be considered a true master, and the Dugu Clan can be considered half a master.
This is also why powerful families and the martial arts world have always kept to themselves, and even had frequent interactions.
Both sides have needs from each other, and at the same time, they are both wary of each other.
" Heavenly Venerable Savior? Never heard of that. Probably just another scoundrel taking advantage of the chaos to spread his evil cult... Pfft!"
Before the Four Great Holy Monks, Master Dixin, could even speak, a sudden surge of spiritual power struck his chest.
He spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying, his chest a mess, lying on the ground, his life hanging in the balance.
" Dixin!!"
"Who!!"
The scene instantly descended into chaos; no one had expected to be attacked right here at the Jingnian Zen Monastery.
Everyone felt a spiritual force invading them, and then this scene unfolded.
" Grandmaster!!"
Everyone tensed up immediately, becoming extremely alert and vigilant about their surroundings.
"I, the Heavenly Venerable Savior, have come specifically to send you all to your deaths."