Chapter 1056 Foreknowledge of the Future
Seeing Chen Yang’s confused expression, the Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery chuckled and said, "Ancient martial artists are divided into several categories. Are you aware of this?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yang's confusion deepened.
The Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery continued, "As far as we know, ancient martial artists can be roughly divided into two eras."
"One era is that of martial artists from a very long time ago. These individuals were once incredibly powerful. Although their numbers were small, each one of them was extraordinary."
"The other group consists of those who are more recent."
Chen Yang had heard some of this from Zhou Zeya, for example, Zhou Zeya, Fei Zilin, and Fei Zijin were clearly not from the same era.
However, at the time, Chen Yang had simply thought of this as a normal occurrence.
Martial artists with great strength could sense changes in the world earlier, thus they would act first.
Although Zhou Zeya now lacked all memories of his past life, his predecessor's actions had already proven this point.
Zhou Zeya's predecessor, having sensed the changes in the world, had made preparations earlier.
But now, from the Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery, Chen Yang heard a different meaning underlying the words.
Nevertheless, Chen Yang directly voiced his inner doubts.
"Isn't it because those powerful martial artists foresaw the subsequent changes, and thus acted earlier than others to prepare?"
The Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery looked at him with great depth upon hearing this and chuckled, shaking his head.
"That's why I say you're oversimplifying things."
"The Zen Buddhist Monastery, being the most powerful lineage of Buddhism, has gathered all ancient martial artists. The second batch of ancient martial artists is manageable; they were simply arranged, all being the most talented martial artists of Buddhism. Many of them didn't even know what the so-called changes in the world were."
Lowering his voice, the Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery spoke in a tone only Chen Yang could hear, "But the older batch, the extremely powerful ancient martial artists, rarely disclosed useful information. Furthermore, these individuals maintain private contact. Although I don't know what they are secretly planning, I have learned something. The founder of the Sword Sect was also one of the ancient martial artists. However, that founding ancestor didn't choose to awaken at this time; he had awakened much earlier."
"Do you understand now? Everyone says the Sword Sect's founder was an immensely talented martial artist who, by chance, entered a spatial portal and his strength soared. Everyone believed it was purely due to his talent, but the Sword Sect's founder was indeed one of the ancient martial artists. Of course, he doesn't seem to have been in slumber for very long."
After hearing this, Chen Yang fell into deep contemplation.
So, Zhou Zeya was one of them?
After a moment of thought, Chen Yang suddenly asked another question, "Venerable Abbot, you have interacted with those ancient martial artists and know more than I do. May I ask a question?"
"When these individuals awoke, was it the same as later ancient martial artists? Or was it merely a spiritual awakening? Were their memories complete?"
As this question left his lips, the Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery felt a jolt. Chen Yang had hit the nail on the head! Without prior contact with those ancient martial artists, one could absolutely not know these secrets. Clearly, Chen Yang's ability to ask this question indicated he had already interacted with those ancient martial artists before meeting him.
The Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Chen Yang, "I used to think you were a little fox, but I never expected you to be so secretive, even knowing about this."
Chen Yang didn't hide anything and directly chuckled, "Then there's a lot you don't know. Quite a few ancient martial artists, upon meeting me, even mistook me for one of them. During Bei Xuan's absence, reports regarding ancient martial artists from many southern regions were prioritized and placed on my desk for my people to handle."
As for Zhou Zeya's situation, Chen Yang remained silent, given Zhou Zeya's unique identity and awakening method.
"Honestly, if I hadn't known about your life story and knew you existed decades before the ancient martial artists awoke, I would truly believe you were one of them," the Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery said, not jokingly. Chen Yang's sudden rise was simply too extraordinary. At that time, many sects, including the Zen Buddhist Monastery, had tried to uncover Chen Yang's background, but all efforts were in vain.
"Regarding your question, it's not that I can't tell you. As you said, these individuals have a significant difference upon waking: their memories are more or less problematic. As for it being merely a spiritual awakening… that's not quite accurate. If it were just spiritual power, even the strongest martial artist couldn't sustain it for too long. At the very least, a medium would be required."
At this point, the Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery seemed to notice something, and his gaze suddenly fixed on Chen Yang, "Have you encountered ancient martial artists who awoke in this manner? Merely spiritual power?"
Chen Yang let out a dry laugh and shook his head, "Not exactly. However, when I was in Qingzhou City, I witnessed an ancient martial artist's spiritual power selecting a successor, so I became curious about it."
The Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery didn't doubt the truth of Chen Yang's words, as a spiritual power awakening was too inconceivable. As for the matter of ancient martial artist inheritance…
"Everyone has their own opportunities. I just hope that those who obtain these fortunes do not cause further trouble."
The Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery's sigh resonated deeply with Chen Yang. Martial artists are still martial artists; no matter how many precautions are taken, if someone intends to stir up trouble and disrupt the lives of ordinary people, it would be a matter of mere moments. The actions of the Four Great War Gods and the Heavenly Physician Hall were more about prevention and cleanup. But these were merely means.
After parting ways with the Abbot of the Zen Buddhist Monastery, Chen Yang immediately gathered most of the peak Grandmasters remaining in Qingzhou City. That evening, Chen Yang met Zhou Zeya. However, Chen Yang noticed a hint of inexplicable fatigue on Zhou Zeya's face.
"Old Zhou, what's wrong? Even a peak expert shouldn't be this tired, even without sleep?"
Zhou Zeya rubbed his face, looking astonished, "I'm tired? How could you tell?"