Although unfortunate, Da Fu Temple's most powerful protector had just fallen into a coma, leaving the rest ill-equipped to face these three cunning adversaries.
Even though the abbot was ambushed, the fact that one palm strike could shatter his Vajra Guardian energy clearly indicated immense power.
After surveying their surroundings, the remaining members led the trio towards the back mountain while escorting the abbot for treatment.
Da Fu Temple spanned a thousand acres, with hundreds of Buddhist stupas in its rear mountains alone. Upon entering, the air was thick with the scent of incense and candles.
"Distinguished guests, this is the place where our elder monks achieve nirvana. The person you seek is also here."
"You're not taking us inside?"
"According to the temple's rules, no one is permitted to enter the sacred grounds of the back mountain without an invitation."
"Very well."
The three quickly arrived at the center of the pagoda forest. It was a platform constructed of cast iron, with something resembling a manhole cover in the very middle.
Six iron chains extended from the manhole cover, pointing towards the six nearest tall pagodas. Inside each pagoda sat a meditating Zen master, their faces gaunt as dried corpses, eyes tightly shut, utterly motionless.
It was deeply unsettling.
Kuang Long remarked, "These six Zen masters must be practicing the Silent Zen technique!"
"Pure wisdom arises from a tranquil mind, born from deep meditation."
The Silent Zen technique allowed practitioners to achieve peace and tranquility, expelling distracting thoughts to reach a state of unified mind and spirit, a true enlightenment.
"The Buddhist teachings here are pure, carrying a sense of the cultivators' true qi. These six Zen masters have likely touched the threshold of refined true qi."
Shao Feng approached the iron well, and an immediate chill, bone-deep, emanated from it.
This action immediately alerted the six Zen masters. Their eyes simultaneously snapped open, fixing their gazes intensely on the trio!
"Who dares approach!"
"Withdraw at once!"
Shao Feng immediately stated their purpose: to borrow the Six Harmonies Yin Yang Staff and the Heart, Mind, and Qi Primordial Fusion technique.
One Zen master huffed, "These are secret scriptures of our temple. We cannot lend them out!"
At an impasse, Shao Feng stated, "In that case, we shall take them ourselves. Or perhaps… they are hidden within this well?"
As he spoke, Shao Feng's hand moved like lightning, his sword poised to strike the iron well.
The six Zen masters remained in their meditative postures, clapping their hands to vibrate the iron chains and deflect Shao Feng's attack!
"Soft weapons, eh…"
Twelve iron chains danced in the air, like metallic serpents!
Kuang Long stepped forward, "Hmph!"
"Since we've already fallen out, why be polite! Take this Great Sun Vajra Palm!"
With a palm strike!
Pure Yang internal energy surged, snapping each iron chain. The violent backlash nearly dislodged the six Zen masters from their seats!
"Playing coy, I'll see what you old fogeys are truly up to!"
Saying this, Kuang Long advanced towards the steel well, unleashing palm strike after palm strike at the areas where the chains were entwined!
"Impossible!"
Just as the Zen masters cried out in alarm, Kuang Long had already blasted open the iron lock. A cloud of black smoke billowed out!
Within the smoke was a black, humanoid creature, cackling maniacally, "Hahaha, I'm finally out! You old bald donkeys, you will all die today!"
Kuang Long blinked in surprise. "What in the world is that?"
A Zen master said with great sorrow, "You have committed a monumental error!"
"What are you talking about!"
"This man is a traitor to our sect, imprisoned in this well for forty years. For years, we have striven to dissolve his malevolence with Buddhist teachings!"
The traitor, Yuan Hui!
Forty years ago, he had infiltrated the scripture repository, perused forbidden texts, and mastered their techniques!
Yuan Hui had lurked within the temple, constantly assassinating fellow monks to obtain fresh blood. By the time he was discovered, over a hundred people had already been murdered.
The temple's masters had joined forces to defeat him. Despite their efforts to extract the secrets of his techniques, they were unsuccessful. Thus, he was imprisoned beneath the well. Yet, this creature was unlike any human, not even requiring food.
He survived solely on raw meat and blood.
The Zen master despaired, "Yuan Hui has completed his transformation from man to demon. If this is allowed to continue, the world will likely plunge into devastation!"
Black smoke billowed as Yuan Hui pointed at Kuang Long, "You saved my life. Today, I will slaughter Da Fu Temple. I will thank you later. For now, grant me this favor and depart. Do not interfere with my business!"
The Zen masters sternly declared, "Yuan Hui's demonic power is far greater than forty years ago! Hurry and leave! Inform the martial world to come and exterminate this demon!"
Yuan Hui roared, "Don't even dream of it. No one can save Da Fu Temple today!"
Emotions ran high on both sides.
Kuang Long, Shao Feng, and Kuang San exchanged bewildered glances.
After a long pause, Kuang Long finally said, "Devastation of the world, you do care quite a lot, don't you…"
Yuan Hui chuckled upon hearing this, "Don't worry. I only kill for cultivation. I won't act recklessly. Besides, how many people have I killed? How many die daily in conflicts across the martial world?"
Kuang Long replied, "What I meant was, you're just a minor martial artist. What kind of waves can you make? With your level of strength, how can you compare to cultivators? If you're caught, won't the local cultivators simply eliminate you?"
Yuan Hui paused, then burst into laughter. "Did you hear that, old bald donkeys? They actually think I'm a demon, wanting immortals to descend upon me, hahaha…"
"Cultivators! Not immortals… oh, oh, oh, you have no idea about the existence of cultivators."
Everyone present was taken aback.
The old Zen master immediately asked, "What are cultivators?"
Kuang Long reluctantly explained that above the martial world, there were cultivators. They were the true controllers of this world, almost god-like beings.
Kuang Long continued, "What you call not eating or drinking is merely a simple technique among cultivators, called 'Bigu' (abstaining from grain)."
"It involves absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth to sustain the body's consumption."
Both sides were stunned by the explanation.
This matter was too bizarre. Did immortals truly exist in this world?
Kuang Long stated, "Of course. In fact, my purpose for coming here is to combat these cultivators. Though martial arts are currently weak, their future is boundless. We will surely achieve it."
Yuan Hui showed an expression of disbelief, then laughed wildly. "Since you wish to fight immortals, then let me join you! The flesh of immortals must be delicious!"
"I haven't eaten it, so I don't know. But eating people is unacceptable. Besides, how much spiritual energy is contained within a human body? One should still follow the righteous path?"
"The righteous path? To hell with the righteous path!"
Suddenly, Yuan Hui attacked, his target being Kuang Long!
The Zen master cried out in alarm, "Be careful! This is the White Bone Soul Chasing Palm! Those struck will be corroded by yin energy. Even if they don't die on the spot, their lifespan will be greatly reduced, leading to a prolonged illness!"
Howling black smoke erupted from Yuan Hui's body as he unleashed a palm strike onto Kuang Long!
Within the thick smoke, Kuang Long's true form shone like a golden Buddha, as if a deity had descended!
Before Yuan Hui's widened eyes, Kuang Long casually brushed himself off and said, "Refined true qi, you're not too bad after all."