When Yan Shouyi returned to the Rongcheng stronghold, the battle had already concluded.
Members of the Min Jiao were wearily cleaning up the aftermath, their spirits low from the loss of fellow disciples.
However, upon seeing Yan Shouyi's return, their moods slightly improved. They managed a strained smile and greeted him.
But Yan Shouyi could not return their smiles; his expression was dreadfully grim.
"The Blood Corpse came with a death wish; it was impossible to defend against. Never mind the damage to the buildings; we lost thirteen members in this attack, not to mention over thirty injured. Had Zhitong not intervened, Ah Gong might have also perished."
Wang Jizhang walked beside Yan Shouyi, reporting the losses.
"Zhitong is uninjured, and the children are fine. But everyone was misled by the Blood Corpse in the end, thinking their target was Zhitong and the children. They never expected their true target to be Uncle Yan Chou..."
Yan Shouyi stopped in his tracks and asked in a deep voice, "How is my father?"
"Sigh," Wang Jizhang sighed. "You'd better go see for yourself. Old Jin is there."
The two quickened their pace toward Old Jin's courtyard. Upon entering, they saw many injured.
The injured tried to get up and greet Yan Shouyi, but he quickly pressed them back onto their beds.
"Don't move around if you're injured. Rest well, and leave the rest to me."
Upon hearing that Yan Shouyi had returned, Jiang Qingxue and Wen Yuxian hurried out of the house, followed by the Dog Taoist, the Zen Monk Miaoji, Wei Changqing, and others.
"Mom, Grandma, how is my father?" Yan Shouyi asked with concern.
"He's still in a coma. He's only mortal, after all. Even though he used all his magic to protect himself at the last moment, he couldn't withstand it," Jiang Qingxue said with red eyes.
Yan Chou was strong, but ultimately mortal. He might possess the ability to move mountains, but he could not escape the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death.
As they spoke, Old Jin also came out. He was covered in blood and looked weary.
"Old Jin, my father..."
"His life is saved, but his lower body is paralyzed," Old Jin said, shaking his head.
Paralyzed...
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then quickly accepted the outcome.
To survive such a terrifying attack was fortunate. Compared to losing his life, paralysis was a heaven-sent grace.
"Can we go see him?"
"It's best not to. He needs to rest now," Old Jin refused.
Damn Jiang Wuya!
He must still have a clone somewhere, otherwise, how could he command the Blood Corpse to attack the Min Jiao stronghold?!
Yan Shouyi clenched his teeth, contemplating how to retaliate.
"Shouyi, there's something you must know."
At this moment, Jiang Qingxue pulled Yan Shouyi aside and carefully took out the Suihou Pearl from her embrace.
"What is it?"
"The Blood Corpses were likely after the Suihou Pearl. They wanted to release Jiang Wuya prematurely," Jiang Qingxue said. "The Suihou Pearl was damaged in the explosion and has developed a crack."
Yan Shouyi took it and looked. The Suihou Pearl, once incredibly smooth, indeed had cracks.
Malevolent energy emanated from it, constantly attempting to break through the seal.
"At this rate, the Suihou Pearl will shatter within half a month," Jiang Qingxue said softly.
This meant the final battle would commence in half a month.
Yan Shouyi held the Suihou Pearl, remaining silent for a long time.
"Are you ready?" Jiang Qingxue asked anxiously.
"Whether I'm ready or not, this day will come sooner or later."
Yan Shouyi's eyes gradually became resolute. "I will notify everyone now. In half a month, we will have our final battle with Jiang Wuya!!"
...
When the news of the Suihou Pearl's shattering spread, the atmosphere in the Xuanmen became even more tense and somber.
Everyone was racing against time to cultivate, just to contribute a little more in the final battle.
The successors of the renowned great sects began entering their sect's forbidden areas for secluded cultivation, receiving the inheritance from their sect leaders and elders.
They would all raise themselves to their peak strength in the shortest possible time!!
After visiting some sects, Yan Shouyi finally arrived at Hanshan Temple.
Compared to his last visit, Hanshan Temple had undergone a radical transformation.
Originally, Hanshan Temple was lush and vibrant, but this time when Yan Shouyi arrived, he felt only a pervasive deathly stillness. The entire mountain lacked even a single green leaf.
Yan Shouyi had heard about the Mahā Tower losing control, but he had not expected it to be so severe.
He met Abbot Benheng, who had just recovered from a serious illness. The current Abbot Benheng looked as aged as the hundred-year-old Abbot Yansong, speaking weakly and falling asleep after just a few words.
The battle at Daqing Mountain had severely injured Abbot Benheng, affecting his foundation. It was impossible for him to fully recover.
Yan Shouyi also met Changshan. Changshan was now clad in a golden kasaya, with a shining Buddha seal between his eyebrows. His entire demeanor was drastically different from before.
He had apparently accepted the transmission from Abbot Benheng and was now the Buddha Son of the entire Buddhist sect, his strength having surged.
"There are three days left until the final battle. Brother Yan, are you here to deal with the malevolent thoughts within the Mahā Tower?" Changshan joined his palms and led Yan Shouyi toward the Mahā Tower.
Yan Shouyi held his demon-subduing pestle and replied, "I'm not sure."
Changshan paused, nearly stumbling, and turned back to look at Yan Shouyi in surprise. "Not sure? What do you mean, Brother Yan?"
Changshan had already experienced the power of the malevolent thoughts. The fate of Abbot Yansong was proof. Changshan had assumed Yan Shouyi was here to resolve the hidden danger of the malevolent thoughts, but Yan Shouyi now said he was unsure?
Yan Shouyi sighed softly and said to Changshan,
"This is something only heaven knows, you know, and I know. Changshan, you must keep it a secret for me, alright?"
Changshan joined his palms. "Amitabha."
"Even now, I don't have absolute confidence in dealing with Jiang Wuya, but if there were two of me... my chances of dealing with Jiang Wuya would increase to ninety percent."
Changshan's eyes widened. "You want to release the malevolent thoughts?"
Yan Shouyi nodded slightly. "Do you think it's feasible?"
Changshan shook his head repeatedly. "No, no, absolutely not! If you release the malevolent thoughts, there's a high chance you'll create another Jiang Wuya!" Da Feng Novel Network
Upon hearing this, Yan Shouyi could only nod and give up. "Alright."
The two continued forward, arriving at the base of the Mahā Tower.
The Mahā Tower remained restless. Miaohua and over a dozen Zen masters were jointly suppressing it, exhaustion etched on every face.
Some Zen masters were drowsy. When Miaohua saw them, he chanted, "Amitabha," which seemed to inject them with renewed energy, making them much more alert.
"I didn't expect the Zen masters of Hanshan Temple to be able to provide support," Yan Shouyi joked.
Changshan sighed. "Hanshan Temple suffered heavy losses at Daqing Mountain and is now short-handed. Uncle Miaohua and the others have not slept for three consecutive weeks."
Yan Shouyi felt a pang of guilt. Fortunately, he was here today to resolve the issue of the Mahā Tower, and Miaohua and the others could finally rest.