The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

Long ago, Elder Wang had once told Fang Ting that in terms of overall strength—be it as a collective force or individual might—the Buddhist sects of the Western Regions were the strongest in all four domains of Cangzhou.

This was primarily because, over the past tens of thousands of years, aside from participating in the rare epoch-defining events, the Western Buddhist sects largely kept to themselves, conserving their power.

Furthermore, while Buddhist cultivators—like any other sect—had both noble and flawed individuals, the majority followed strict monastic codes and precepts. Free of worldly distractions, their cultivation advanced more swiftly.

It was precisely because of this power that they dared to leave the Five Demonic Sects of the Southern Region alive—cutting weeds but not removing the roots—allowing them the chance to rise again someday.

Yet now, in their first confrontation with the Fang Clan, the Buddhists had lost swiftly and miserably.

Desperate to reclaim their reputation, the Three Temples, Four Mountains, and Seven Great Sects of the Buddhist fold jointly sent their strongest disciples and elders to Ascension City.

Their aim was to climb the Flood Dragon Ranking and the True Dragon Ranking, showcasing their power and, ideally, knocking Fang Clan members off the boards.

Ascension City was as bustling as ever, filled with a sea of people.

When the Buddhist disciples and elders entered the city, they too were taken aback.

"This city is truly prosperous."

"If we could build a few temples here in the prime districts to preach the Dharma, just imagine the daily incense offerings!"

Though Buddhist doctrine calls for severing emotional and material desires, very few cultivators truly achieve such detachment.

When they arrived at the Martial Arena, this band of bald-headed monks stood out starkly, immediately drawing public attention.

"Eh? A bunch of monks just showed up?"

"They all look strong. Must be the Buddhist disciples from the Western Regions."

"Are they here to climb the rankings?"

"I've heard tales of their purity and discipline—no greed, no lust, only focused cultivation. Today we'll see if the stories are true."

Leading the group was Wu Wang, the senior-most disciple of the Wordless Generation from Ten Thousand Buddha Temple. All the other monks deferred to him.

He glanced at both the Flood Dragon and True Dragon boards.

"Let's begin with the Flood Dragon Ranking. Each of you pick one opponent from the top twenty and challenge them."

A group of disciples nodded and stepped forward.

Currently, all fifty names on the Flood Dragon Ranking were at the Ninth Tier of the Combined Body Realm. The contest was a matter of talent and pure strength.

When the Hidden Dragon Guards first rushed the rankings, the top 42 slots on the Flood Dragon Board belonged entirely to the Fang Clan.

First, because the Hidden Dragon Guards were that powerful; second, because many once-dominant forces across Cangzhou had been annihilated in recent years.

Back when the Heaven's Chosen Ranking had first emerged, every great sect had prodigies on the list. Now, with so many factions wiped out, fewer geniuses could be cultivated.

Still, over the past decade or so, young cultivators from across Cangzhou had steadily trickled into Ascension City to challenge the rankings, causing minor shifts in the board.

The Fang Clan's hold on the top 42 had dropped to 38, but the top 20 were still all Fang blood.

As it happened, the Three Temples, Four Mountains, and Seven Buddhist Factions had brought twenty Ninth-Tier Combined Body disciples—one for each name.

The Buddhist disciples and elders were confident. They believed most of the twenty would win and claim the top slots, replacing the Fang clan's stars.

Soon, the matchups between Buddhist disciples and Hidden Dragon Guards began—battle after battle.

The majority of cultivators in the arena flocked to watch, eager to see whether the disciplined Western monks or the famed Fang clan prodigies would triumph.

"Fang Tian, victory!"

At each arena, an official announced the result once the outcome was clear. If a challenger won, the ranking updated automatically.

But Fang Tian had defended his spot. The name stayed.

The monk from Ten Thousand Buddha Temple who challenged him now lay on the ground, barely clinging to life.

Wu Wang's face darkened as he ordered the disciple retrieved.

But that was just the beginning.

Soon, the second, third, fourth, and fifth Buddhist challengers also fell.

Every Fang clan member on the board had terrifying talent. The Hidden Dragon Guards represented the best of the best, trained with elite resources.

Those who made it onto the Flood Dragon Board were the cream of the cream—possessing rare Bodies, high-grade cultivation techniques, superior weaponry, and hardened combat experience.

Sure, someone of the same realm might beat them—but only perhaps in the entire Tianyuan World. In Cangzhou, they were unmatched.

As expected, all twenty of the most outstanding sub-Saint-level Buddhist disciples lost.

The Flood Dragon Board's top 20 didn't change one bit.

Wu Wang and the accompanying monks and elders stood there grim-faced, seething with frustration.

From all around, laughter and derision erupted.

"Fang Tian is without doubt the strongest under Saint-level in all Cangzhou."

"So much for the Western Buddhist sect's greatness."

"Yeah, they sent twenty challengers to take on the top twenty Fang prodigies—and every last one lost. What a joke."

"They came in acting all aloof, like masters beyond our reach. This is what they had?"

"I even bet money on them—what a waste!"

Their opening gambit had failed utterly. And now, with mocking words stabbing at them like daggers, these monks—who had lived by strict precepts their whole lives—actually felt murderous intent rise.

Truthfully, the insulated echo chamber of the Western Buddhist territory had protected them too well. They were unprepared for this kind of verbal assault.

Their once unshakable confidence was now crumbling.

They couldn't understand how every single Fang clan member could be this strong. One or two, sure—but twenty of them? All monsters? That was absurd!

Wu Wang, once the top disciple of the previous generation in Ten Thousand Buddha Temple and a top contender for the next Buddha Lord, was still highly trained in mental discipline.

He took a deep breath and silently chanted several mantras. Gradually, the surrounding Buddhist disciples began to regain composure.

"Since we couldn't claim the Flood Dragon Ranking," he said, "we'll aim for the True Dragon Ranking."

"There isn't a single Fang name on that list. If we can seize the top spots there, we'll erase this disgrace and complete our mission."

His words reignited the monks' fighting spirit. Wu Wang turned to the elders behind him.

These elders, all from the Three Temples and Four Mountains, were the strongest under 500 years old—and all held Great Saint Realm cultivation.

They would now challenge the True Dragon Ranking.

And this time, they intended to win.