NOVEL NEXT Chapter 219
As the crowd's hearts pounded in their chests, the tension on Emperor Treading Peak reached its peak.
The Golden Palm conjured by the Vajra Sect Buddha collided with the radiant Golden Light Palm unleashed by the Old Celestial Master.
Boom!
The forces of heaven and earth recoiled as waves of energy rippled outward, forcing the gathered martial artists to retreat in shock. Their faces were pale with fear.
The Vajra Sect Buddha's expression changed as his golden palm was shattered by the Old Celestial Master's strike. The golden light palm, though diminished, continued forward with oppressive force.
A whitebrowed monk stepped forward, chanting a Buddhist mantra as he struck out with his own palm, finally dispersing the lingering golden light.
The Old Celestial Master's strength was immediately evident.
Though not on the level of Dugu Qiubai, he was among the strongest Land Immortals. Even those who had lived for five centuries might not rival his power. Among Daoists, he was undoubtedly the strongest.
Seeing the arrival of so many Daoist Realms, Song Yuanqiao was initially startled but quickly bowed respectfully.
"Greetings to Master and all esteemed seniors."
Zhang Sanfeng waved his hand with a smile, clearly in high spirits.
Today, Wudang had truly made a name for itself. The earlier battle had been witnessed by numerous Daoist Realms, who were all astonished and impressed. The performance of Wudang's Seven Heroes, who could challenge a Land Immortal with their sword formation, had left many envious.
Ning Changge's monstrous talent was wellknown, but even Wudang's Seven Heroes were extraordinary. Zhang Sanfeng couldn't help but feel proud as his peers looked on with envy.
Nearly ten Daoist Land Immortals had gathered.
Their powerful auras filled the air, suffocating the surrounding martial artists. With both Daoist and Buddhist Land Immortals present, their combined number approached thirty!
This was an unprecedented gathering.
Ordinarily, even seeing one Land Immortal was rare. But now, they seemed to be everywhere, giving the illusion that Land Immortals were as common as leaves on a tree.
In truth, Land Immortals were incredibly rare. With lifespans of five hundred years, they were the pinnacle of martial arts. Even in the vast Nine Provinces, with its countless population, only a few could ascend to this realm. A single dynasty might have anywhere from a dozen to several dozen Land Immortals.
Some scholars had estimated that there were at least three to five hundred Land Immortals across the Nine Provinces. Even so, achieving this level required unparalleled talent and effort.
Zhang Sanfeng and the Old Celestial Master turned their gazes toward the Buddhist powerhouses. The tension between the two sides was palpable, and even those watching from the shadows felt the pressure.
The gathered martial artists retreated further, their breaths shallow and their faces pale.
In the presence of such overwhelming power, even HeavenMan experts seemed insignificant.
"It seems the Daoists came prepared for a fight," sneered the Vajra Sect Buddha. "Hiding in the shadows like cowards—typical of your kind."
Xiaoyaozi laughed heartily.
"Ridiculous! Is there anyone more hypocritical than your Buddhist sect? You preach compassion while exploiting the people. Your words are nauseating!"
The Daoists erupted in laughter.
Xiaoyaozi was known for his sharp tongue.
The Old Celestial Master remained calm.
"You accuse us of hiding in the shadows, yet you do the same. Today's matter concerned only Wudang and Cihang Jingzhai. We had no intention of interfering. But you chose to step in and now have the audacity to complain?"
The Buddhist powerhouses frowned deeply.
A whitebrowed monk stepped forward. He was a senior figure from Tianzhu Buddhism, one of the most respected among the gathered Buddhists.
Chanting a mantra, he spoke gently:
"Esteemed Daoists, why resort to such harsh words? If we hadn't intervened earlier, countless lives might have been lost. Surely that would have been regrettable."
Zhang Sanfeng replied coldly:
"Wudang disciples are not to be bullied."
A plump Buddha joined in, hands clasped in prayer:
"Zhang Zhenren, your words are harsh. Your disciples have suffered no harm today, while the Heavenly Monk and Earthly Nun have been gravely injured. If this is about your centenary celebration, surely your anger has been vented by now."
"Must you escalate this into a DaoBuddhist war, bringing suffering to countless innocents?"
The Dragon Island Masters shouted in unison:
"What a convenient excuse!"
"We've long heard of your hypocrisy, but seeing it firsthand is truly enlightening. You caused this mess and now blame Zhang Zhenren? By your logic, should we destroy your temples and apologize afterward?"
The crowd murmured in agreement.
Buddhism had long been dominant in this era, with its powerhouses acting arrogantly. They dictated who was right or wrong and demanded others submit to their will.
But Ning Changge's rise had shaken their dominance. Many in the martial world were secretly rooting for the Daoists.
Lü Suzhen, head of Qingcheng Mountain, added coldly:
"Exactly. If you don't want a fight today, then follow Song Yuanqiao's terms: Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Zen Sect will seal their gates for a hundred years."
The Daoists stood united, their momentum overwhelming.
The Wudang disciples were filled with pride and excitement.
The Buddhists, however, were left speechless.
Finally, the whitebrowed monk sighed:
"Must it come to this? Such unnecessary conflict…"
The Vajra Sect Buddha could no longer contain his anger.
"Enough talk! Without that Little Immortal here, we'll crush you all and show that Buddhism cannot be challenged!"
In an instant, the tension between the two sides reached its breaking point.
High above, dark clouds gathered as nearly thirty Land Immortals prepared for battle. Their combined aura alone was enough to alter the weather.
If they truly fought, it would be nothing short of apocalyptic.
The crowd held their breath.