Chapter 165: Clash of Divine Abilities
Chapter 165: Clash of Divine Abilities
The alliance of kingdoms started with a long speech. It talked about how monsters ran wild, how people suffered, and how it was time for the kingdoms to step in, protect the people, destroy evil, follow the Heavenly Dao, and satisfy the people’s will… and so on.
Most of the people who came were important ministers, crown princes, or princes. Their attendants were also powerful cultivators. They were probably carefully selected from their own kingdoms and given many benefits to be persuaded to come.
After the greetings, there was a state banquet to discuss how to fight the monsters.
Mu Yuan did not care about these things. He also did not understand how kingdoms worked or military formations. Luckily, Mo Huan was lively and talkative, chatting with Mu Yuan to pass the time and tell him interesting stories.
As the saying goes, no feast is complete without wine, no ceremony is proper without wine, and no joy is full without wine. After three rounds of drinks, some people could not hold back and jumped out, wanting to cause trouble.
“Now that monsters are causing chaos in the south and the kingdom is suffering from a great drought, this humble Taoist is willing to pray for rain and blessings for Your Majesty, to ease your worries!”
The speaker was a Taoist from the Tianchen Kingdom. He seemed to hold a high position in the Tianchen Kingdom. He spoke arrogantly, but his words were directed at Emperor Jianming.
“Oh…”
Emperor Jianming used a tone of surprise, astonishment, and a bit of happiness, drawing out the last sound.
“If the immortal master cares so much for the people, please show us your magic!”
The Taoist wore a purple-gold Eight Trigrams robe with wide sleeves. He had three long strands of beard under his chin. One could tell that he must have been a handsome young man in his youth. Now that he was older, he did not look old but rather refined and elegant, with an immortal air.
“Alright, the fun is about to begin!” Mu Yuan thought to himself, a faint smile appearing between his eyebrows.
The Taoist waved his large sleeves and set up an altar outside the Guanghua Hall. He pulled out a bunch of ritual items from somewhere—candlesticks, tables—and lit candles. He held a gray wooden sword with some messy talismanic seals on it. It was unclear if they were really effective or just for show.
The Taoist chanted incantations softly. In an instant, the candle flames on the altar surged as if hot oil had been poured on them, rising over a foot high. The Taoist pointed to the sky, and soon a large dark cloud gathered from the north and south, blocking the blazing sun!
“Indeed, he has some skill!”
Mu Yuan was quite surprised!
Mu Yuan did not know rain-praying magic like this, but he knew it was a wonderful art that connected heaven and earth. It did not necessarily require great magical power.
Similarly, those who did not know this method could not do it no matter how strong their magical power was.
If Mu Yuan had to pray for rain, he could only move water vapor from rivers, lakes, and seas, forcibly condensing it into water. Or he could fly up to the Nine Heavens and use Tide True Qi to form clouds and turn them into rain. Although his abilities were great, they were not as effortless and ethereal as this Taoist’s.
After a while, the dark clouds thickened, and a light drizzle began to fall. It grew heavier and heavier, filling the air with moisture and bringing a coolness to everyone.
“Immortal master, for your great magic, I award you a Silver Scale Robe and a White Jade Belt, along with gold and silk, to thank you for your virtue!”
Emperor Jianming was overjoyed. With a wave of his hand, eunuchs presented the rewards. When the Taoist saw the Silver Scale Robe, his face showed a hint of pleasure. He waved his sleeves and collected all the rewards.
From a distance, Mu Yuan could see that the Silver Scale Robe was made of white jade and gold scales. It was tough, sturdy, and light as if it were nothing. It was made of excellent material.
The royal family probably had people who understood Taoist arts. The robe also had some tiny formations on it, making it a very fine garment.
“What a grand gesture. It seems the Tianyu royal family’s strength is truly extraordinary. Emperor Jianming’s generous rewards were not just out of joy but probably also to provoke others into action!”
The Taoist from the Tianchen Kingdom accepted the rewards and thanked the emperor. The envoy from the Tianchen Kingdom also bowed and expressed gratitude.
Sure enough, someone was displeased. A middle-aged Taoist from the Tianyu Kingdom jumped out and shouted, “Fellow Taoist, your magic is indeed marvelous, but to destroy demons, great power is needed. Among all methods, thunder and fire are the most powerful. Watch me summon countless thunder and fire to scatter the clouds!”
The Taoist moved his ten fingers rapidly. Purple Qi surged all over his body as he pointed to the sky. The dark clouds churned like boiling water. Then, with a loud rumble, silver snakes danced wildly, and thunderbolts exploded one after another like war drums echoing through heaven and earth. The entire palace seemed to shake, frightening everyone in the hall!
“Such minor Thunder Method, what is it worth? The foundation of the people lies in cultivation. Watch my great magic that nurtures all things and nourishes life!”
Another fair-faced Taoist emitted green Qi. Instantly, countless bright flowers bloomed in the hall, fragrant and beautiful, each competing to outshine the others.
“What is this…”
One after another, cultivators jumped out. About seventy to eighty percent of them looked like Taoists!
These were just small kingdoms competing. After these people had performed their tricks, Emperor Jianming said meaningfully, “Doesn’t our kingdom have a single immortal master willing to show their divine ability for the sake of the people?”
“Amitabha Buddha.”
Surprisingly, it was the monk who moved first. As the Buddha’s name was spoken, an unstoppable golden light burst forth, spreading in all directions like a wildfire. It made a roaring sound like tidal waves. Wherever it passed, whether exotic flowers, rare grasses, dark clouds, or lightning, all disappeared for a moment. The sky was filled only with dazzling golden light, crackling like lightning. Then it gathered together and formed a tall Buddha figure in the clouds above.
This Buddha had three heads. Its whole body shone with golden light, glittering and flowing. Accompanying it were chants of sutras that seemed to cover the mountains and plains. White lotuses bloomed in the void, spinning and flying around. Celestial dragons appeared, and heavenly maidens scattered flower petals. The petals fell like rain, melting into the earth and filling the air with a sweet fragrance.
On the streets, crowds of people gathered. They saw thunder and lightning, then sudden rain and strong winds, and finally, a great Buddha appeared. The Sanskrit chants drifted into their ears, refreshing their minds. As the petals and white lotuses fell and touched their bodies, they felt light and healthy. Many long-standing illnesses vanished. Everyone shouted that the Buddha had shown his power!
The Tianyu Kingdom already respected Buddhism and had many followers. Now that the monk showed his great magic, followers indeed came like clouds, kneeling and bowing in worship.
“Hmph!”
The monk’s move angered many Taoists present. Many cultivators from famous sects had been holding back their status. Even though they were invited, they had not taken action. The monk’s move was like poking a hornet’s nest, causing an uproar!
“Great master, what excellent divine ability!”
Tian He from the Tianlong Kingdom smiled gently. He casually took out a dark golden life-seal talisman and threw it into the air. Dragon roars echoed as countless dark golden rays rose from the talisman. The flood dragons drawn with tadpole-like runes seemed to come alive, clawing and tearing as they broke free from the talisman and charged at the golden Buddha in the sky!
The three-headed golden Buddha raised one arm. A golden light flashed, creating a thousand illusions. The flood dragons that broke free from the talisman were all caught in the golden giant hand, twisting and roaring but unable to break free.
“Wow, this must be that white-clad guy’s life-seal talisman. But this monk is even more overpowered!”
Mu Yuan was shocked to see the monk easily break the talisman!
The white-clad man next to Tian He smiled slightly. A stream of starlight surged from his body, rising to the sky and forming a large star domain. Countless stars spun within it, pressing down toward the great Buddha!
Once these two made their move, it was indeed supreme magic. The starlight was so bright it blocked the sun’s rays. Flood dragons roared, and the great Buddha stood firm, all happening high in the sky without affecting the ground below.
Such a battle required at least a Refining Righteous Energy level great achievement, with Zhenqi so condensed it could travel a thousand miles without dispersing!
“Let me also experience everyone’s magic!”
As the Tianlong Kingdom cultivators acted, a sword-carrying man from the Tiandu cultivators transformed the sword on his back into a swimming dragon with iron scales and golden whiskers. It breathed sword qi, blocking the starlight and pressing down on the great Buddha!
What started as minor displays finally turned into fierce competition!
Those cultivators who had been driven away by the monk also took action in displeasure. Kingdoms formed groups, allying and opposing each other. Back and forth, it turned into a chaotic battle of all kingdoms!
Although the monk’s cultivation was profound, he could not withstand everyone with his strength alone. Magical power slashed and cut everywhere, tearing everything apart. The golden light of the great Buddha gradually shrank back, focusing on defense.
Besides the two cultivators who used their life-seal talismans, the Tianlong Kingdom also had a sword-carrying man and two women. One of the women summoned a giant spirit god who wielded a huge axe with thunder and lightning arcs flashing on it. It was the most ferocious; anyone in its way was simply hacked down with the axe.
Besides You Longfei and Chen Huayi, the Tiandu Kingdom had two others. Both used flying swords. One was clearly a Confucian disciple who cultivated Vast Righteous Qi. His flying sword turned into a Qilin beast with flying flames. The other cultivated fire-based divine ability, sending pale flames sweeping and swirling!
This way, no one could sit back and watch!
Mo Huan chuckled softly. A sharp light burst from his right arm, and a fierce sword qi shot out from his body. It soared upward, changing in a hundred ways—sometimes dominant, sometimes elegant, sometimes invisible. It was the most fantastically varied!
Su Yun also released a ball of Zhenqi, vaguely forming seven stars representing the sun, moon, and five planets, combining the principles of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. It spiraled and flew, joining the monk’s great Buddha!
For a while, above the great Buddha, starlight flew and sword qi breathed. The monk stirred his Zhenqi again, and the golden light slowly began to spread outward.
Chen Huayi and You Longfei glanced at each other and smiled, then they also took action. Once they moved, the situation changed immediately. You Longfei’s Zhenqi formed a wild and untamed Azure Dragon, clawing and breathing fiercely. Chen Huayi’s Zhenqi took the form of a huge, lush green tree. It resonated with You Longfei’s Azure Dragon, instantly altering the Tiandu Kingdom’s position.