The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

The Western Domain was the territory of Buddhism, home to the Three Monasteries and Four Mountains—seven hegemonic-level powers in total.

Sects of any significant size were unable to gain a foothold in the Western Domain. If they tried, they were either swiftly annihilated or slowly converted and absorbed. As for weak sects, the Buddhists couldn't even be bothered.

The seven great Buddhist forces had long since achieved total dominion over the Western Domain.

What the outside world didn't know was that, although the seven Buddhist sects appeared to be evenly matched in strength, in truth, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery reigned supreme. The other six regarded it as their leader.

Why? Because Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery wasn't just the strongest—it also possessed a powerful, hidden background. Thanks to that backing, even if another sect surpassed them in strength, they'd still obediently follow their lead.

At this moment, however, the seven Buddhist Lords had gathered together, all with furrowed brows and troubled eyes.

"Ever since the Five Great Demon Sects in the Southern Domain were wiped out, our incense offerings have declined year after year. Fewer cultivators from the other three domains are coming to worship or convert. This can't continue."

"It's all the fault of the Great Qian Dynasty—they've committed too many so-called 'righteous deeds'! If they hadn't exterminated the demon cultivators to expand their influence, we wouldn't be in this predicament."

"No one expected the Fang Clan to rise this fast, or strike with such lightning speed. By the time we realized what was happening, it was too late to intervene."

If this conversation were leaked, few would believe it came from the mouths of Buddhist Lords—given the religion's public image of compassion and salvation for all.

But reality was far more pragmatic.

They were cultivators too—only walking the path of Buddhist cultivation. That didn't make them true Buddhas.

The Fang Clan had swiftly eradicated the Five Great Demon Sects, even clearing out the remaining demonic cultivators in Cangzhou.

Meanwhile, Great Qian had merged the Eight Ancient Kingdoms, swallowed the Great Xia and Jiuli Dynasties, and annexed twenty kingdoms from the Southern Domain—then rolled out widespread reforms.

The result?

The average person's survival rate and quality of life drastically improved. They suffered less and therefore visited temples less.

Though this change didn't affect Buddhism immediately, over time, it would cut to their very foundation.

In short, the Buddhists were losing their faith economy.

Fang Clan had simply acted too fast—leaving the Buddhists no time to respond.

If they'd known beforehand that the Fang Clan intended to annihilate every demonic sect in the region, they absolutely would have stepped in and secretly helped the demon cultivators.

Buddhists aiding demon sects? It sounded absurd.

But those who knew the truth understood: it was nothing new.

After all, tens of thousands of years ago, Buddhism could have destroyed the Five Great Demon Sects in one stroke—but they deliberately held back.

Because keeping the demon sects alive actually benefited them more.

At high levels of cultivation, there was no longer a clear line between righteousness and evil, Buddhism and demonic paths. All that remained was—interests.

The six subordinate Lords wore expressions of deep concern.

Only the Buddhist Lord of Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery sat there, calm and composed.

"There's no need to worry," he said, serene as ever.

The six instantly turned to him with deference.

The benevolent-looking Lord slowly continued:

"My monastery's Grand-Uncle Master is about to emerge from seclusion. Once he returns, we can walk out of the Western Domain and spread the Dharma across all of Cangzhou."

The moment he finished, the six Buddhist Lords were shocked and ecstatic.

"You mean... Master Kongjing?"

The Lord nodded.

Hiss!!

All six drew in a sharp breath.

They knew that Master Kongjing of Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery had long since reached the peak of the Saint King Realm, only a single step away from the Emperor Realm.

If he emerged from seclusion and broke through—that meant ascension!

An Emperor-level cultivator!

Since ancient times, Cangzhou hadn't seen an Emperor Realm expert in over 100,000 years.

If the Buddhist sects produced one, all problems would vanish.

Not only could they walk out of the Western Domain, they could transform the entire region into a Buddhist Nation.

"Perfect. Since Great Qian has unified all the major forces, we won't even need to pick them off one by one—we'll go straight to Great Qian."

"How long until Master Kongjing emerges?"

"At most, one year."

"Excellent. Then let the Fang Clan dance for one more year!"

Meanwhile...

After several years of growing closer, Qu Wubing and Yao Zitong had decided to marry.

Seizing the opportunity, the Yao Clan moved to Sacred City.

After peacefully handing over the Jiuli Dynasty to Great Qian, the Yao Clan had suffered no losses and retained their status as a hegemonic force.

Relocating to Sacred City offered both development opportunities and a way to support their son-in-law, Qu Wubing.

As Sacred City's governor, and with Yao Zitong being the beloved daughter of the Yao Clan, their wedding naturally drew wide attention.

And Qu Wubing's identity as part of the Fang Clan made the event earth-shattering across all of Cangzhou.

The wedding, held in Sacred City, was grand and glorious.

All of the named powers across the other three domains—except for the Buddhist sects of the Western Domain—attended. Sacred City seemed to regain its ancient prosperity overnight.

"Sacred City hasn't been this lively since the fall of the Three Great Holy Lands."

"I heard even Patriarch Fang and the Crown Prince of Great Qian are here."

"Heavens... we'll finally catch a glimpse of the legendary Fang Patriarch. This trip was worth it!"

"Last time I saw Governor Qu and Princess Yao, they were dueling in Ascension City's arena. And now they're getting married? Talk about enemies turning lovers."

"I see the light! I'm going to Ascension City right now to challenge a ranked female cultivator!"

After Fang Chen brought Qu Wubing to the Fang Clan, he was treated as one of their own.

So for his wedding, Patriarch Fang Ting was naturally present.

Qu Wubing had become close with many of the Fang Clan's top talents—including Fang Hao, Fang Chu, Fang Kong, and Fang Yundao—all of whom attended.

Even the Three Sword Brothers—Fang Luo, Fang Chen, and Fang Qiufeng—who had just returned from their travels across the continent, were there.

Especially Fang Luo and Fang Chen.

They were the ones who discovered Qu Wubing years ago in Sacred City's beast-fighting arena—using Fang Chen's "Qi-Gazing Divine Eye," no less—while bearing the pressure of the Taichu Holy Son. They'd even contacted Elder Wang to ensure Qu's safe transfer to the Fang Clan.

One could say: without Fang Luo and Fang Chen, there would be no Qu Wubing today.

Truthfully, Qu could have married long ago.

Everything had been prepared—but he had been waiting.

Waiting for Fang Luo and Fang Chen to return.

Now that they were back, Qu Wubing announced the wedding the very next day.

To outsiders, it might have even looked like he was marrying Fang Luo and Fang Chen, given how long he had waited for them.