Snatching the Prize

"No problem!"

After examining the case, Zen Master Jingxin said...

Dongfang Wanrong breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Chief Hengyin, who was raising the Vajra Cone high and thrusting it fiercely into the chest of the man in blue.

Although Dongfang Wanrong disliked killing, she showed no mercy to an enemy who had nearly killed her sister.

"When!"

With a piercing, sharp sound, Zen Master Hengyin's hand split open, and the Vajra cone slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.

At this, the Dongfang sisters, Jingxin and his fellow disciples, and others approached in astonishment.

"A warrior?"

Dongfang Wanqing asked in surprise.

She hadn't expected that this mysterious man in blue, the one who could devour soul power, was actually a martial artist.

When did martial arts practitioners become so unpredictable?

"This man is actually a martial artist!"

The chief, Hengyin, frowned slightly. In that case, it would be very difficult to kill the opponent.

For a Zen master who is not known for his fighting prowess, a fourth-rank martial artist is a formidable enemy; even without doing anything, it would be difficult to kill him.

Search him to see who he is.

"This is what the martial monk Jingyuan said."

The head monk Hengyin had the same idea and reached into Xu Qi'an's arms. Just then, a martial monk suddenly turned ferocious and, before anyone could react, rammed into Nalan Tianlu.

Buzz!

The monk crashed into an invisible barrier of energy and was sent flying backward.

The translucent aura, like ripples on water, sensed someone attempting to breach the seal. Nalan Tianlu frowned slightly, his eyelashes trembling, as if he were about to awaken.

What are you doing?

Dongfang Wanrong paled.

The monk, coughing up blood and with veins bulging on his forehead, ignored Dongfang Wanrong and instead pointed at the head monk Hengyin, shouting sternly:

"You are not allowed to hurt him, you are not allowed to hurt him! As long as I am alive, you will not be allowed to hurt him."

The chief, Hengyin, withdrew his hand, his face grim. "What's going on, Yin Ming? What's wrong with you?"

The monk cursed for a while, then looked at Xu Qi'an with affection and murmured, "I won't let you get hurt, absolutely not."

"He's been taken into custody, you bald monk, what kind of work are you doing?" Dongfang Wanrong glared fiercely at Jingxin, who looked completely bewildered and said:

"He is of sound mind and has not been bewitched. Rain Master Nalan is about to awaken; is there any way to make him fall asleep again?"

Dongfang Wanrong sneered, "Who do you think can put a second-rank Rain Master to sleep? Things have come to this, you quickly go to the third level and communicate with the tower spirit. I'll hold off these people from Leizhou."

"Amitabha Buddha, this is the only way."

Jingxin retreated quickly, running towards the end of the passage.

"Puff!"

Shouzuo Hengyin stabbed another Jianghu figure from Leizhou to death, shouting, "Finish them off quickly before they wake up!"

He stopped engaging the man in blue and chose to kill the martial arts practitioners first.

Disciples of the East Sea Dragon Palace and Buddhist School warrior monks took action, reaping the lives of the people of Leizhou.

In just a few seconds, more than a dozen people died.

Nalan Tianlu slowly opened his eyes.

The dream shattered completely, and the people of Leizhou who were trapped in the dream immediately woke up. They then saw Buddhist School monks and disciples of the East Sea Dragon Palace reaping their lives.

"Damn it, those bald Buddhist School monks have no martial ethics."

"Luckily I woke up quickly, otherwise I'd be a confused ghost even in death."

"Brothers, let's fight them."

A chaotic battle immediately broke out. The monks of Sanhua Temple and the disciples of the East Sea Dragon Palace were generally more skilled than the martial artists of Leizhou, but there were quite a few martial artists with the fifth rank of Transformation Realm among them.

With more copper skin and iron bones, the two sides fought back and forth.

Puff!

A martial arts practitioner brandished a broadsword, severing the monk's arm. Just as he was about to deliver the finishing blow, the head monk, Hengyin, said in a deep voice:

"Put down your butcher's knife!"

Under the discipline, the warrior's broadsword clattered to the ground.

Two monks rushed out; one rescued the man, while the other swung his monk's knife and slit the throat of the martial arts practitioner.

The Zen master paired with the warrior monk was simply a divine combination. Xu Qi'an calmly surveyed the battlefield and found that the passage was neither wide nor narrow, but it couldn't accommodate so many people fighting.

Jingyuan is currently fighting Li Shaoyun.

Dongfang Wanqing completely overwhelmed Tang Yuanwu, the leader of the Double Blades Sect.

Dongfang Wanrong summoned the spirit of a martial artist, using the martial artist's physique combined with the sorcerer's methods to suppress Commander Yuan Yi.

"Leizhou has the advantage of numerical superiority, but the Buddhist School forces are too strong, and there's also the East Sea Dragon Palace of the Dongfang sisters. We can't afford to drag this out, otherwise, even if we win, Jingxin will have control of the Floating Pagoda, so what's the point of the victory or defeat?"

"Li Shaoyun and the others understood this as well, but there was nothing they could do about it."

Xu Qi'an's figure disappeared, leaping continuously in the shadows of the crowd.

As she passed Dongfang Wanqing, she sensed something, stared at her own shadow, and screamed:

"Sister, it's him. He's the one who took Li Lang away."

It's finally confirmed.

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Wanrong's pretty face turned icy, filled with murderous intent, and she shouted:

"Master Hengyin, force him back."

The chief, Hengyin, clasped his hands together, locked onto the rapidly shifting shadow, and chanted, "Turning back is the shore!"

Xu Qi'an felt a strong resistance welling up from the depths of his heart, resisting moving forward, and instinctively made the corresponding action—retreating!

He did not go against his conscience; he decisively retreated back into the fiercely fighting camp, while simultaneously sending a telepathic message to the two sisters:

"I've already killed the one surnamed Li. If you've got the guts, come and kill me."

The two sisters gritted their teeth, but did not act rashly and abandon their opponent to pursue Xu Qi'an, demonstrating sufficient composure.

Li Lang went with them voluntarily. Based on his experience, he would never take the risk if the other party was not trustworthy.

The reverse psychology tactic didn't work. Xu Qi'an was immediately disappointed.

"When did you take control of the monk?" Dongfang Wanrong asked telepathically, unwilling to give up.

"Heh, while you weren't looking," Xu Qi'an replied.

When he poisoned the middle-aged monk, he also planted a child of the love curse. After the middle-aged monk returned to the Sanhua Temple, these child curses secretly invaded the bodies of nearby monks. The reason for choosing monks was that Zen masters had strong willpower, and the love curse at this stage might not be able to be forcibly controlled.

Unlike martial monks, those who haven't reached the Spirit Refining Realm are not much different from ordinary martial artists. They are completely unable to resist the corruption of the Love Gu, and thus fall hopelessly "in love" with him.

Inside the pagoda, there were several other monks who had also been afflicted by the love potion.

The strategy of casting a wide net was originally intended as a trump card in the final battle for the dragon's energy, but unexpectedly, upon entering the second level, they were immediately drawn into a dream, and this hidden trick was used here.

Love Gu differs from Heart Gu and Poison Gu in that its insidious effects are silent and difficult to detect using ordinary methods.

A person afflicted by a love curse will regard the host of the mother curse as their lifelong love, regardless of gender.

Seeing that he couldn't break through, Xu Qi'an chose his second strategy. He opened Ji Qian's brocade pouch, grabbed handfuls of muskets and crossbows, and bundles of arrows, tossing them to the wandering swordsmen around him, and loudly proclaimed:

"Do not approach the Zen master, or you will be influenced by his precepts. Use muskets and crossbows for ranged attacks."

The martial arts practitioners were overjoyed.

Bang! Bang!

Bang!

Gunshots and the twang of crossbows mingled as iron pellets and arrows whistled through the air, enveloping the Buddhist School monks in a barrage of bullets and arrows.

There were not many Buddhist School monks, and after a round of firepower, six or seven of them died on the spot.

Abbot Hengyin was furious and rebuked, "You're a member of the imperial court? No wonder, no wonder you've repeatedly opposed Buddhist School. Don't even think about leaving Sanhua Temple alive today!"

As he spoke, he took off his robe and flung it out with a flick of his wrist.

The robe expanded, transforming into a massive curtain that blocked the arrows and projectiles.

This is a protective Law Artifact from Sanhua Temple, capable of withstanding attacks from a fourth-rank martial artist, giving Zen masters who are not skilled in close combat sufficient self-defense capabilities.

Clang, clang, clang. All the bullets and arrows were blocked.

Monk Hengyin said calmly, "Once Jingxin takes control of the Floating Pagoda, none of you will be able to leave. Sanhua Temple has been based in Leizhou for hundreds of years, and we will never show mercy in eliminating demons."

Suddenly, the monk Hengyin heard a heavy thud, like a piece of iron hitting the ground, followed by the exclamation of a commoner. "Cannon?"

Cannon? Monk Hengyin was stunned. Before he could react, there was a loud "boom," and the next second, something hit the robe, causing the center of the robe to bulge backward.

A burst of intense flames erupted and spread along the robe.

"Boom!"

The second cannon shot rang out, and the robe could no longer hold on, tearing in two.

Zen Master Hengyin was careless and failed to dodge. He was hit in the chest by the blast wave, blood gushing out and half of his face a bloody mess.

Without the cassocks obscuring their view, the monks of the East Sea Dragon Palace and the Sanhua Temple could finally see what was in the distance: a massive cannon, its body made of thick, fine iron, with a long barrel and wisps of smoke rising from its muzzle.

The man in blue stood behind the cannon, calmly loading bombs.

"Boom!"

The third shot was fired.

The monk Jingyuan leaped into the air and crashed into the cannonball; he was instantly engulfed in flames.

But in the next moment, he burst through the flames, landed beside Zen Master Hengyin, picked him up, and shouted, "Retreat!"

The disciples of the East Sea Dragon Palace and the monks of the Three Flowers Temple retreated towards the end of the passage.

The martial arts figures did not give chase, but all looked at Xu Qi'an. Given his earlier unethical behavior and the fact that he still held the musket and crossbow Xu Qi'an had given them, these scoundrels implicitly regarded him as their leader.

"Chase!"

At Xu Qi'an's command, they quickly gave chase.

The third level of the pagoda.

Jingyuan and the Dongfang sisters were the first to reach the top floor. They calmly looked around and found that the layout of this floor was the most normal, a square space that was ten zhang long and ten zhang wide.

The staircase is located in the very center of the house. To the north stands a golden statue, draped in a kasaya, with indistinct features and a halo of wisdom behind its head. Those who see this golden statue will experience a surge of clarity of mind and an enhancement of wisdom.

To the south stands another golden statue, holding a jade bottle in its hands. It is slightly plump, and looking at this golden statue gives one the illusion of being as light as a swallow and having one's chronic illnesses nearly cured.

To the east were two prayer cushions, upon which sat two monks.

A monk's body seemed both real and illusory, radiating a faint golden light; he was withered and aged.

The other monk had striking features and was handsome and young; he was Jingxin.

The most eerie and unique feature on the west side is a severed arm, with golden chains extending from the walls and the ground, binding the severed arm.

The entire western wall, pillars, dome, and floor are engraved with dense array patterns.

The arrival of the Dongfang sisters and others interrupted the communication between Jingxin and the tower spirit. The former glanced at the crowd and saw that most of the monks were dead or injured, and that the head monk Hengyin was covered in blood and being carried on Jingyuan's back. She immediately frowned.

Jingyuan said in a deep voice, "They're coming up."

As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps came from the stairwell.

Then, led by Li Shaoyun and other fourth-rank martial artists, a group of martial arts practitioners surged forward.

They excitedly looked around, searching for blood pills and soul pills, but were disappointed to find nothing but a golden sculpture, enemies, and a strange arm.

"Please, senior, heal my fellow disciple."

Zen Master Jingxin clasped his hands together and earnestly requested.

The gaunt old monk nodded and smiled, "Alright!"

He waved his hand gently, and the golden statue in the south, holding a jade bottle in its palm, scattered fine golden light, enveloping everyone present, including martial arts practitioners, and all their injuries were instantly healed.

Hengyin regained consciousness in her dazed state and subconsciously touched her cheek. Finding no scars, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Senior, please punish these villains."

Hengyin pointed at the people from Leizhou and said sternly, "These villains attacked Sanhua Temple and killed Buddhist School disciples; their crimes are unforgivable. Please, senior, convert these villains."

The pagoda spirit, resembling an old monk, smiled and said:

"The image of the Great Wisdom Buddha enlightens, the image of the Pharmacist heals; but I, this humble monk, would not kill."

Jingxin sighed. Although he had gained the friendliness of the pagoda spirit, he was not the Bodhisattva Faji himself and could not use the pagoda spirit's power to suppress this group of Leizhou warriors.

It is even more impossible to command the tower spirit to kill.

Jingxin clasped his hands together and said, "As you all have seen, there are no Blood Pills or Soul Pills inside the tower. You have all been deceived."

Li Shaoyun and the others' expressions changed.

Xu Qi'an said calmly, "If there are no treasures, why is your Buddhist School acting so unusually? Even if it's not a Blood Pill or a Soul Pill, it must be some other rare treasure. Hand it over immediately."

"That's right, there's definitely treasure here."

"Don't try to fool us with a few words, you thieving monks, hand over the treasure!"

"Hidden away, is that treasure something you don't want to be seen in public?"

The crowd erupted in angry curses.

It's him again! Chief Hengyin stared at Xu Qi'an, her eyes flashing with murderous intent.

Despite their incessant cursing, the Leizhou warriors were wary of the old monk and dared not make any rash moves.

Yuan Yi suddenly asked, "Who is that hand in the west?"

The old monk smiled and replied, "In the eyes of Buddhist School, this is an extremely wicked person."

Extremely evil person?

The fact that the tower spirit could describe it in this way sent a chill down everyone's spine.

Xu Qi'an seized the opportunity to ask, "Why is there only one hand? Where is the rest?"

He feigned curiosity and asked questions, trying to find out the whereabouts of the rest of Shenshu from the old monk.

The old monk shook his head. "I don't know."

Is it that he doesn't know or can't say? Xu Qi'an was slightly disappointed.

Ignoring everyone else, Zen Master Jingxin gazed at the old monk, clasped his hands together, and said, "Senior, could you perhaps manipulate the dragon energy, ensuring it enters only my body and doesn't fall into the hands of others?"

Dragon energy, what kind of dragon energy?

The crowd was bewildered and couldn't help but take a few steps forward. Instinctively, they felt that the dragon energy that Jingxin had mentioned was the greatest treasure inside the Floating Pagoda.

The old monk slowly looked at the crowd and said, "Do not approach!"

The precepts of Buddhist School have influenced everyone.

Then, in response to Jingxin, he said, "This humble monk can only guide the dragon's energy."

Seeing this, the First Seat Hengyin finally felt relieved and said calmly:

"The Pagoda is a sacred treasure of Buddhist School, and the treasures within it are naturally also Buddhist School treasures. Your attempt to storm the pagoda and steal its treasures is utterly absurd. Even if the Three Flowers Temple agrees, the pagoda spirit will not."

The Buddhist School monks and the Eastern sisters felt a little more relaxed.

Previously, they were worried that Jingxin wouldn't gain the Tower Spirit's approval, which made them anxious. Now that the situation is settled, as long as the Tower Spirit is unwilling, these Leizhou warriors will definitely not be able to steal the dragon energy.

Now, the Leizhou warriors were caught in a dilemma.

I want to quit, but I'm unwilling to give up.

They wanted to get in, but were suppressed.

The fact that Sanhua Temple took it so seriously means that this "dragon energy" must be an extraordinary treasure.

The old monk raised his hand and grabbed at the air.

A gigantic, illusory dragon head emerged from the wall, slowly emerging as the old monk moved; its size was unimaginable.

"This, this is..."

Everyone who witnesses the dragon's aura is filled with a strong desire to obtain it and possess it.

Jingxin stared blankly at the dragon head, a realization dawning on the Unseen: if he obtained it, he would rise to great heights, everything would go smoothly, and attaining Arhatship would be only a matter of time.

Upon thinking of this, the calm lake of his heart was stirred with waves, and he felt an intense greed for the dragon's energy.

The old monk gently touched Jingxin's forehead with his fingertip.

Guided by its surroundings, the dragon energy twisted its massive body, about to enter Jingxin's body.

On the other side, Xu Qi'an, who had been keeping a low profile in the crowd, had been waiting for this moment. He gently tapped the back of the jade mirror and recited the Mnemonic taught by the supervisor.

Attracted by the Earth Book, the faint dragon energy within, and the national fortune bestowed upon him, the enormous, illusory golden dragon suddenly stopped, turned its head, and looked at Xu Qi'an.

Then, ignoring the old monk's guidance, it twisted its body, pounced on Xu Qi'an, and crashed into his arms.

That was the location of the fragment of the Earth Book.

Successfully hijacked the deal!