Abbot Yansong must not die, this old scoundrel cannot die!
Yan Shouyi's true body and dharma body surged forward simultaneously, blocking Miaohua's path.
Miaohua let out a low yell, "Retreat!"
The two figures' legs felt as if they were not under their command, compelled to step aside. However, with the help of his inner demon, Yan Shouyi once again broke free from the restraints of the precepts, reaching out to firmly grab the Glacier Dharma Body.
"We absolutely cannot retreat!" Yan Shouyi gritted his teeth and shouted.
Seeing how troublesome Yan Shouyi was, Miaohua simply raised his six-ringed staff and fiercely thrust it towards the two!
The Glacier Dharma Body, seeing this, was the first to shield Yan Shouyi. The six-ringed staff struck his chest, causing it to deeply indent, but it did not pierce through.
Miaohua snorted coldly and immediately swung his six-ringed staff in a side whip, knocking the Glacier Dharma Body back!
"Only you are left! Annoying fellow!"
Miaohua raised his six-ringed staff and thrust it towards the chest of Yan Shouyi's true body!
At this point, Yan Shouyi had no room to retreat. Abbot Yansong was behind him; if he moved aside, Abbot Yansong would surely die.
Thus, Yan Shouyi instantly unleashed all his ultimate moves, summoning the Golden Light Incantation, the Buddha's Golden Body, and the Fine Scale Armor.
*Clang!*
The six-ringed staff struck Yan Shouyi's chest, shattering the Golden Light Incantation. Golden light dispersed in all directions.
*Clang!*
The second layer, the Buddha's Golden Body, was broken in the next second, transforming into countless fragments that clattered to the ground.
*Clang!*
The Fine Scale Armor, unable to bear the burden, vanished instantly. The six-ringed staff pierced directly through Yan Shouyi's chest!
Miaohua harbored Abbot Yansong's malevolent thoughts within him. His cultivation was on par with Abbot Yansong's. For Yan Shouyi to contend with him was truly a stretch.
But...
Yan Shouyi would not give up!
He let out a low roar, grabbed the six-ringed staff with both hands, and instead of retreating, he advanced, allowing the staff to pass through his chest!
Blood trickled from the corner of Yan Shouyi's mouth, pain etched onto his face.
This scene caused even Miaohua to falter.
This kid was truly ruthless to himself!
Yan Shouyi pushed himself directly in front of Miaohua, his hands striking Miaohua's temples from both sides.
"If you want to kill Abbot Yansong, you'll have to get past me first!!"
*Bang!!!*
Miaohua felt as if thunder had exploded within his consciousness, followed by a wave of blurry disorientation.
He staggered back a few steps, loosening his grip on the six-ringed staff.
Master Benheng, seeing this, finally had an opening.
A massive golden bell canopy descended, enveloping Miaohua. It then rapidly shrank, finally transforming into three golden rings that locked onto Miaohua's head, hands, and feet respectively.
"Brother Yan!"
Changshan rushed towards Yan Shouyi, only to see Yan Shouyi's pained expression, his eyes closed in silence, unresponsive to Changshan's calls.
Meanwhile, Master Benheng also rushed towards Abbot Yansong.
"Abbot, are you alright?" Master Benheng asked with concern.
Abbot Yansong's face was already unrecognizable. If not for his status as an enlightened monk, he wouldn't have lasted this long.
Fortunately, the gaping hole on Abbot Yansong's head had stopped bleeding and appeared to be healing.
"This old monk is fine," Abbot Yansong shook his head and urged Master Benheng, "Benheng, go check on Yan Shouyi first."
Abbot Yansong did not blame Benheng for not intervening sooner, for Benheng was a Chan master whose physical combat ability was limited, relying solely on precepts to function.
Yan Shouyi's chest still bore the six-ringed staff, upon which he leaned to remain standing. Changshan guarded his side, utterly helpless.
Although Master Benheng harbored significant prejudice against Yan Shouyi, he had witnessed Yan Shouyi's selfless act of saving someone, which drastically changed his perception of Yan Shouyi.
"Master, Brother Yan, for some reason, he just won't wake up," Changshan said anxiously.
"Let your master see."
Benheng approached Yan Shouyi and first roughly pulled out the six-ringed staff, heedless of whether Yan Shouyi would feel pain, or perhaps as revenge for Yan Shouyi taking liberties with him earlier.
The intense pain did not awaken Yan Shouyi. Benheng then realized that Yan Shouyi was likely not simply unconscious.
He gently touched Yan Shouyi's brow, then looked with disbelief at Miaohua, who was bound by golden rings not far away.
"What happened to him?" Changshan could not help but ask.
Master Benheng said in a deep voice, "Yan Shouyi's consciousness has entered Miaohua's body."
"What?!" Changshan exclaimed, finding it incredible.
On the way here, Changshan had learned from Yan Shouyi that Miaohua harbored Abbot Yansong's malevolent thoughts, and Miaohua had been fighting against this malevolence for years.
Now, Yan Shouyi's consciousness had also entered Miaohua's body. Didn't this mean that Miaohua's single body now contained three consciousnesses?
No wonder Miaohua stopped struggling after taking that palm strike.
Master Benheng said in a deep voice, "I don't know what method Yan Shouyi used. How can an outsider freely enter another person's sea of consciousness? This action of his is too reckless!"
"Master, can we help Brother Yan?"
"We can help, but our assistance can only be supplementary. Whether he can ultimately defeat Miaohua depends on Yan Shouyi's own destiny!"
Having said that, Master Benheng sat down beside Yan Shouyi and began reciting scriptures.
The Buddhist scriptures could help Yan Shouyi stabilize his mind and slightly boost his abilities.
Changshan was not a Chan monk, so even his chanting would have minimal effect.
Coincidentally, the commotion in the hall had attracted the attention of other monks from Hanshan Temple. Changshan had to go out to stop them from entering the hall, lest they make the situation worse.
...
"Damn it, the Evil Buddha's ability is to control others, so why did I end up getting myself drawn in when I tried to control Miaohua!"
Within Miaohua's sea of consciousness, Yan Shouyi's consciousness drifted aimlessly.
The situation had been too critical, and knowing he might not be able to defeat Miaohua, in his desperation, he had resorted to the Evil Buddha's abilities.
The result was the current predicament.
After a moment of thought, Yan Shouyi understood. The Evil Buddha's control ability, much like his control over the Glacier Dharma Body, required a portion of his soul to operate. However, Miaohua's own consciousness was too powerful, and Yan Shouyi's own consciousness had increased the 'dosage,' resulting in his entire consciousness entering Miaohua's body.
With matters as they were, Yan Shouyi didn't dwell too much on it. The most important thing now was how to escape Miaohua's sea of consciousness.
Everything within his sight was a vast expanse of black ocean, with waves surging, a magnificent spectacle.
Just then, two colossal human figures descended from the sky!
One was Miaohua the Chan monk, clad in a kasaya. The other was shrouded in a black robe, radiating an aura of evil power – the malevolent thought!
The two did not engage in combat but were intently searching the surface of the sea.
Yan Shouyi suddenly realized something was amiss, his expression turning grim.
Damn it!
These two were looking for me!