A Buddhist chant, earth-shattering!
Though spoken by one voice, it echoed from all directions.
Its power was immense, deafening.
At this moment.
In the old residential area, the places controlled by the Dragon Group, Seven Kill, and Tuoba Hong.
The emanating green light grew ever more brilliant.
And what was astonishing was that all these dazzling green lights converged towards this point.
In an instant, the crowd was blinded, forcing both fighting sides to halt their engagement.
Simultaneously.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple, clad in a kasaya and wielding a nine-pronged staff, flew into the air and landed steadily at the convergence point of the green light.
"This is! The power of the Dragon Vein?"
"That stinking monk from Lingtai Temple!"
"With his strength, how dare he get involved in this mess?"
All eyes turned towards the abbot of Lingtai Temple.
There was apprehension, surprise, and anger.
Even Old Master He and Jiang Pan wore expressions of suspicion.
This monk.
Why was he suddenly causing such a commotion?
Could this be his trump card?
Why had they never heard him mention it before?
As everyone watched with suspicion.
The green light converging on the abbot of Lingtai Temple suddenly focused into a green disc.
In the center of the disc, a "卐" symbol appeared.
The "卐" symbol transformed into a beam of light that enveloped the abbot of Lingtai Temple.
Instantly.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple's aura surged.
A terrifying aura emanated from him.
Whoosh.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple's realm instantly surpassed the peak of the Yin Yuan realm, entering the True Yuan realm.
"Amitabha, my Buddha is merciful. Today, this humble monk shall deliver you souls of impurity!"
The abbot of Lingtai Temple suddenly clasped his hands together and bowed.
Then.
His serene countenance vanished.
It was replaced by an angry, wrathful visage, and he charged directly towards Gao Zhan and Zuo Xiuming!
In a flash.
The nine-pronged staff erupted with dazzling green light, striking with immense force!
Zuo Xiuming and Gao Zhan felt the formidable momentum and a chill ran down their spines.
Neither dared to underestimate their opponent.
They immediately abandoned their pursuit of Old Master He and focused on fighting the abbot of Lingtai Temple.
At this moment.
The banner in Gao Zhan's hand swayed, and terrifying lightning snakes roared.
Zuo Xiuming wielded his dragon ruler, cleaving downwards.
With a boom!
The three divine weapons collided, emitting terrifying fluctuations.
Fighting two opponents alone.
The nine-pronged staff did not falter, but instead advanced unstoppable.
It instantly shattered their combined assault.
With a bang!
The surrounding Yuan Qi surged.
Pfft~
Zuo Xiuming and Gao Zhan were sent flying backward.
They spat out streams of blood.
A truly gruesome sight!
"Cough cough~ You... can actually borrow the energy of the Dragon Vein!"
"Old bald donkey, don't you know that He Ao and the others are also vying for the Dragon Vein? What's the point of allying with them!"
In the first exchange.
They were defeated without any reason.
From the Yuan Qi released by the abbot of Lingtai Temple,
They felt an immense Dragon Vein power, their faces filled with shock.
Such a method of borrowing the Dragon Vein's power was something they had never seen or heard of!
Perhaps only the Guardian of the Vein could achieve this.
In fact, all of this began from the start.
If Zhang Yang had not made prior arrangements, the abbot of Lingtai Temple would not have been able to achieve this.
Because...
The medicinal liquid that Zhang Yang had sprinkled in the old residential area was not just for setting up an illusion.
It was also to resonate with the Dragon Vein, allowing the abbot of Lingtai Temple to borrow its power in battle.
"Amitabha."
The abbot of Lingtai Temple paid them no mind.
He chanted a Buddhist mantra and continued his relentless pursuit.
The nine-pronged staff shone with dazzling green light, the might of the Dragon Vein evident.
He instantly rendered the two incapable of fighting back.
Seeing this, Old Master He.
Naturally, he would not miss such a golden opportunity.
His Yuan Qi erupted, instantly locking onto Gao Zhan.
"All members of the Patrol Division deserve to die!"
As Old Master He approached, Gao Zhan's face was filled with terror.
At this moment, he had no time to counterattack.
At the same time, he was very puzzled.
Why was He Ao so intent on killing him?
Zuo Xiuming's objective was the same as his, so why was He Ao only targeting him?
However.
Gao Zhan did not even have the chance to voice this question.
The vital energy hub in his abdomen took a direct palm strike from He Ao.
His aura instantly weakened, and he collapsed on the ground!
Meanwhile, the abbot of Lingtai Temple's nine-pronged staff was poised to strike.
Empowered by the Dragon Vein, Zuo Xiuming's dragon ruler was instantly sent flying.
However...
Just as Zuo Xiuming was about to meet his end, a green bone umbrella appeared.
It blocked the killing blow of the nine-pronged staff!
At the same time.
A young woman in a green robe stood before the abbot of Lingtai Temple.
"Monk, your killing intent is a bit too heavy!"
The green-robed woman said with a cold expression.
Although she had blocked the abbot of Lingtai Temple's killing blow, it was not easy.
"Amitabha, who is this benefactor? Are you also getting involved in the affairs of Jiangnan City?" the abbot of Lingtai Temple asked, frowning.
He did not recognize this person, but seeing that she could block him, he dared not underestimate her.
This young woman, at such a tender age, possessed such profound attainment in the True Yuan realm.
Who exactly was she?
At this moment, He Ao, who had just killed Gao Zhan, also walked over.
He scrutinized the green-robed woman for a moment, then asked in a deep voice.
"Young lady, are you from Qingcheng Mountain?"
"Senior has keen eyes. Since you know my identity, can you give up now?" the green-robed woman said with a smile.
She was none other than the woman the Dragon Group had been waiting for before setting out tonight.
She was Qi Dalei's sister!
Qi Banyian!
Originally, Qi Banyian did not want to get involved in this matter.
However.
Her family had repeatedly sent messages, urging her to descend the mountain to help.
Qi Banyian understood her family's intentions and, with no other choice, had to descend the mountain to assist.
"It truly is someone from Qingcheng Mountain!" He Ao's expression was more solemn than ever.
Gao Zhan's death caused Jiang Pan to also cease fighting.
The True Yuan realm experts on both sides temporarily paused their combat and gathered together.
Tuoba Hong and Zhang Xiao stood beside Qi Banyian.
The three clearly knew each other.
They exchanged glances, filled with surprise.
"Even Miss Qi has descended the mountain. No wonder the Dragon Group is not flustered at all this time."
"Miss Qi, it's been a long time. It's been three years since we last met at the Zhang family, hasn't it?"
Tuoba Hong and Zhang Xiao greeted Qi Banyian enthusiastically.
Upon closer listening.
There was a hint of flattery in their words.
Jiang Pan, who had just arrived, also learned of her identity from He Ao, and his expression became extremely grave.
"You two, is this person very strong?" the abbot of Lingtai Temple asked, frowning.
"This person is alright, but the force behind her is terrifying," He Ao and Jiang Pan said in unison.
Although it was not good to boost the enemy's morale and dampen their own at this time, they were speaking the truth.
Qingcheng Mountain's strength was formidable.
Although not comparable to the peak era of the Five Dragons of China, it was still enough for a battle.
Even today.
Given that she had come out to assist the Dragon Group,
He Ao harbored doubts as to whether Qingcheng Mountain had played a role in the demise of the Five Dragons of China.
"What do we do now?" the abbot of Lingtai Temple asked.
What to do?
Upon hearing this.
Old Master He scanned his surroundings, finding it difficult to make a decision.
At this moment, Qi Banyian proactively spoke.
"Senior, there's no need to observe. I am the only one who has descended the mountain this time, and coming to Jiangnan City was not my sect's intention, but my personal decision."
Qi Banyian's honesty and forthrightness left He Ao somewhat stunned.
He was not surprised that she had guessed his thoughts.
But that she would give up on intimidating him and reveal the truth.
Was this confidence in her own strength, or was it excessive arrogance?
Old Master He looked at Qi Banyian's slightly disdainful gaze and felt a surge of annoyance.
He had been renowned throughout his life.
And now, to be looked down upon by a mere young girl!
"Fight!"
"No matter what, we absolutely cannot give up today! We must protect the Dragon Vein!" Old Master He said sternly.
The situation today had escalated to a point of no return.
Although offending someone from Qingcheng Mountain would create a powerful enemy.
This would undoubtedly increase the difficulty of the Five Dragons of China's rise.
But, at this juncture.
When the enemy had already cornered them, appeasement was useless.
"Senior, have you thought it through? Once I make a move, I won't hold back."
Qi Banyian was confident and inquired again.
As if giving Old Master He a chance.
"Heh, in a three-on-three situation, do you think we have any reason to be afraid?" Old Master He scoffed.
Gao Zhan was dead, and Zuo Xiuming, heavily injured, was no longer able to fight.
They had three True Yuan realm experts, and the other side also had three.
Why should they be afraid!
Although Qi Banyian's attainments in the True Yuan realm were not low.
The current state of the abbot of Lingtai Temple was unlikely to be much weaker than hers.
"Attack!"
First strike!
The abbot of Lingtai Temple was the first to charge forward.
His current strength was entirely reliant on external forces.
To put it bluntly.
There was a time limit. Since they were going to fight, they should do it quickly!
Instantly.
The nine-pronged staff emitted dazzling, eye-catching light, directly targeting Qi Banyian.
Qi Banyian's gaze turned cold.
The green bone umbrella in her hand immediately closed, and she met the attack.
Clang!
The bone umbrella collided with the nine-pronged staff, producing a metallic clang.
The two were instantly pushed back over ten meters.
The initial clash ended in a draw.
The abbot of Lingtai Temple was inwardly shocked!
Qi Banyian, however, appeared much calmer and sneered.
"External forces are always external forces. Even if they are forcibly enhanced, they still don't belong to oneself. Let's see how long you can last!"
As her words fell.
Qi Banyian proactively launched her attack.
On the other side.
Jiang Pan and He Ao faced off against Zhang Xiao and Tuoba Hong.
The battle here was equally fierce, with bursts of Yuan Qi occasionally drawing down lightning from the sky.
Those below the True Yuan realm consciously cleared a battlefield for them.
Otherwise, the residual shockwaves emanating from their combat alone would be unbearable for them.
...
Tang Ruxue silently observed everything, thinking to herself.
"As expected, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. The desperate counterattack of the Five Dragons of China is still quite strong."
"But this is even better. Let them fight. I want to see how many more big fish will surface tonight."
Tang Ruxue casually dealt with an expert in the Yin Yuan realm who was attempting to ambush her.
Then, her gaze locked onto the heavily injured Zuo Xiuming.
However.
Before she could get close, a proud and cold voice reached her ears.
"I don't care who you are or what your scheme is, but you cannot touch Zuo Xiuming."
"You already killed Fang Zheng not long ago, and I let it slide. But if you make a move on Zuo Xiuming now, I won't hesitate to expose you on the spot!"
This...
Tang Ruxue was startled and immediately froze in place.
She looked up at Qi Banyian, who was locked in battle with the abbot of Lingtai Temple.
The transmission just now had come from her.
How did she know about everything she had done?
And...
If she knew, why didn't she expose her?
Qi Banyian glanced at Tang Ruxue from the corner of her eye. Seeing that she was intimidated, she had no intention of explaining.
She had her own pride.
Qingcheng Mountain was her backing.
Currently, there were too many enemies. Qi Banyian chose to defeat them one by one.
As long as Qi Banyian had the time, if Tang Ruxue had any sinister plots,
Qi Banyian was absolutely confident that she could resolve them.
"Are people from Qingcheng Mountain always this arrogant? How interesting," Tang Ruxue smiled.
However.
She did not indeed make a move on Zuo Xiuming and turned to find a secluded spot.
Qi Banyian's appearance.
For Tang Ruxue, it was undoubtedly an unexpected surprise.
If this person also died in Jiangnan City tonight, then China would be in chaos.
At that time.
It would inevitably lead to bloodshed.
Tang Ruxue smiled and took out her phone, preparing to make a call.
But...
As she waited.
The smile on her face gradually disappeared, replaced by a look of unease.
Strange!
At such a critical moment, why was no one answering?
Tang Ruxue didn't believe it and continued to dial.
But on the phone, she still heard the busy tone of no answer!
Instantly.
Tang Ruxue's heart sank.
The feeling of unease grew stronger.
Could it be...
Something had happened?
Subsequently.
Tang Ruxue dialed Liao Zixia's number again.
"Zixia, have the elders contacted you?"
"No," Liao Zixia shook her head.
At this moment.
She was stealthily infiltrating near the deep pit in the old residential area.
"Senior sister, has something happened?" Liao Zixia asked.
"I can't contact the elders. Have you found anything?" Tang Ruxue asked in a deep voice.
What?
The elders were missing?
Liao Zixia was startled, then quickly replied.
"I am currently near the Dragon Pit. I think I heard screams coming from inside the Dragon Pit."
"It seems... someone has already entered the Dragon Pit."
Upon hearing this!
Tang Ruxue's expression changed again!
Someone was already inside the Dragon Pit!
This was not good news!
Instantly.
Tang Ruxue hung up the phone and quickly ran into the crowd, shouting.
"This is bad! We've been tricked!"
"He Ao and Jiang Pan were just delaying us. Someone has already entered the Dragon Pit!"
"Let's charge in quickly, don't get entangled with them here!"
Tang Ruxue's words caused a stir!
They had been fooled?
Someone had already entered the Dragon Pit?
Tuoba Hong, Zhang Xiao, and Qi Banyian's faces changed drastically.
"Damn it, you despicable scoundrels, you played a trick of feigning an attack on the east while attacking the west!"
"Kill your way in! Don't get entangled with them outside!"