"The Demon Buddha Temple defeated Han Mountain Temple and took Qiantang, occupying this land for half a year. They've already infiltrated nearly every inch of the province with their demonic nature. In every market, every county, every village, there are Demon Buddha Monk Officials, guiding Mortals to chant the Demon Buddha Scripture, light Human Incense, and offer sustenance to the Buddhas... Without such exploitation, how could this luxurious provincial city have been constructed?"
"In such a territory, with Cheng Arhat as the nominal 'Lord of Buddha Country' and the blessings of that treasure, his mission to save people is as natural as water flowing along its course."
"Great Abyss Zen Master has no Cultivation Power and is an outsider, how could he possibly compete?"
Like Tao Qian, after hearing the detailed rules of the third Salvation Battle, everyone felt these thoughts well up in their hearts.
However, what was different was that all the warlords and strong people, despite perceiving the unfairness, still sided with the Demon Buddha Temple in their hearts. They secretly thought: Unfairness is right; who would honestly compete in a fair fight when they have the home ground advantage? Wouldn't that just be foolish?
Yuan Gong also guessed what Tao Qian was thinking at that time and sent a message directly to him:
"Those three old thieves, Kongchan, Shipi, and Lian Sha, wouldn't have agreed to the battle with the Free Temple unless they were fully confident."
"Especially now that they've seen the ferocity of the 'Great Foolish Monk', the three old thieves must be plotting some other scheme. In any case, whether it's cheating or playing dirty, they must ensure a complete victory in the next two matches."
"Watch, the three old thieves will call for you tonight, offering treasures and imparting techniques to ensure your victory over Shenxiu tomorrow."
"Hey... Maybe Duobao has also foreseen this and is deliberately using this method to trap the possessions of the three old thieves?"
The last sentence, though a question,
was spoken with certainty.
After hearing it, Master Tao strongly agreed and, feeling eager in his heart, he said:
"Master must have foreseen this. So it seems, tonight I shall have treasures coming into my possession."
"If it were other seniors or experts offering treasures, I'd be thinking about returning them. But those three bald thieves? Forget it, the more the better; I should take as much as I can."
While Tao Qian was plotting about which treasures the Three Arhats might lend him, the entourage from the Free Temple had already begun to leave.
At the same time, Tao Qian's mind also received a message relayed through the "Heavenly Track" from Zheng Yin.
It said that a meeting opportunity had not yet been found and to postpone for a few hours more.
Tonight at the third watch, they would still use Zheng Yin's Heavenly Track Dream Travel Technique to meet secretly in dreams.
Truly, the Secret Technique given by the Great Abyss Zen Master was too effective.
Ordinary scripture debating battles!
Invariably, they start after several hours.
Days, or even months, are quite normal.
However, with Xie Lingzhu's recitation of the "All Living Beings Love and Desire Root Scripture," it directly hit the weakness of the Beautiful Corpse Bodhisattva.
Not even 15 minutes had passed, and Shipi Arhat had to make a move.
As a mentor, he couldn't watch the Beautiful Corpse Bodhisattva easily suffer a loss.
With opposing camps, naturally, they looked upon each other with disdain.
Although the Three Arhats put on a pretense and allowed the Free Temple group to stay and continue observing, the monks still departed.
However, before leaving, the unrelated people suddenly experienced first-hand the methods of the widely renowned "Devil Concubine".
Yuann Mingzhen seemed to have no awareness of being a prisoner, standing on the Spring and Autumn Chariot, overlooking everyone.
Then, her gaze swept directly through a group of military leaders and strong people, finally resting on You Changqing, Shi Zhongsheng, and Gao Tianci.
Speaking with an icy voice, she prophesized:
"My methods have failed, and I've lost the Imperial City. With this, I am exiting the struggle for the Northern Land. I harbor no grudges against anyone."
"I only hope that the successors who take over the legal and royal lineage will prioritize the people, understanding that we are all from the Human Clan, and act in the best interest of our people."
"Zhang Jinluan has the greatest potential to become the Human Emperor, but I've heard that Si Xixin and Hong Fu are to be wed. If that's the case, the Northern Land Provinces will likely belong to these two."
"That is for the best, far superior to those other regional chickens and dogs."
"When you return, you may convey to your masters that on their grand wedding day, I will surely present a generous gift."
As the last sentence fell,
the unrivaled beauty of the Devil Concubine revealed an unmistakable look of reluctance on her face, then reached out and gently stroked the Spring and Autumn Chariot beneath her.
No, it was almost an overt declaration.
Although Yuann Mingzhen didn't make it explicit, everyone was certain: if Si Xixin and Hong Fu married, she would present the Spring and Autumn Chariot, an Ancestor God Treasure, as a wedding gift.
If this promise had been made in private, it wouldn't have been a big deal.
You Changqing and Shi Zhongsheng would have been quite happy.
But in this public setting, it was completely different.
Even though Yuann Mingzhen had been driven out of the Imperial City by a collective of over a dozen warlords, her capabilities in governance were well-known, almost as if she were blessed with the Heavenly Phoenix Destiny and her robust Human Dao Fortune.
When she personally stated that the future leaders of dozens of provinces in the Northern Land would be Si Xixin and Hong Fu,
in some way, it was as if she had already bestowed the legal pedigree, especially by including the Spring and Autumn Chariot.
Instantly, the two young generals felt the dissatisfied glances from the crowd.
Especially Gao Tianci, who displayed an undisguised snort of disdain on his face.
Yuann Mingzhen's words directly made Si Xixin and Hong Fu the targets of everyone, instantly exacerbating the existing conflicts.
Just as You Changqing and Shi Zhongsheng were about to say something to defend themselves, a white-clothed scholar sitting at the table, the remnant of the Zhu Dynasty, Zhu Xun, suddenly couldn't help but say:
"Imperial Sister-in-law!"
"Since you admit that your methods weren't enough to restore the Zhu Family's rule, why not join me?"
"I am Zhu Xun; I grew up practicing in Lou Guandao, your husband is my elder brother, and you may call me 'Little Uncle.'"