https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-214-Cangling-Debate-of-Swords-22-/13547308/
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Chapter 215: Cangling Debate of Swords (23)
Chapter 215: Cangling Debate of Swords (23)
As Feng Bu Jue pushed open the temple door, he had expected the creaking of old wood and a cloud of dust to greet him.
But the door swung open abnormally smoothly—the wooden hinges of both panels rotated almost silently, as if freshly oiled. The interior wasn’t shrouded in cobwebs or blanketed in dust like he’d imagined either.
Beyond the threshold lay a Buddha hall with no side chambers. Daylight filtered through window cracks, allowing adventurers to see clearly without needing flashlights.
The hall featured two beams and four pillars, with bluish-gray stone tiles underfoot and walls constructed from brick and timber.
Along both sides of the hall, red-lacquered copper racks stood against the walls. Each rack had four tiers, all lined with white candles—though none were lit.
At the far end of the hall, facing the entrance, stood the sole enshrined statue—a headless Buddha.
The statue’s body remained upright, its right hand pressed together in a single palm salute, while its left hand and head were nowhere to be seen.
“Hmm… judging from this posture alone, it’s hard to tell which deity this represents,” Feng Bu Jue muttered as he walked forward. “This dry lacquer statue… could it be from the Yuan Dynasty?”
Suddenly, Si Yu’s hand clamped down on Feng Bu Jue’s shoulder, yanking him backward. At that very moment, a plume of black smoke erupted from the floor just ahead of where he’d been standing.
Feng Bu Jue had been so focused on the statue that he hadn’t noticed his footing. If Si Yu hadn’t pulled him back, he’d have stepped right into it.
The smoke coiled upward, dense and unyielding, before a figure emerged from within.
The figure was an elderly monk wrapped in saffron robes, his purple-hued skin contrasting with his white beard. His pitch-black pupils gleamed menacingly, yet his face bore a stern, dignified aura rather than an evil one.
“Who dares trespass in my Ringing Temple?” the demonic monk demanded.
“We’re just passing travelers,” Feng Bu Jue replied. “We heard rumors of a wronged soul haunting this area, so we came to investigate.”
“Travelers? Hmph…” the monk sneered. “I see both of you possess awakened spiritual senses. You’re no ordinary mortals, are you?”
“Looking at your purplish complexion and thick demonic aura, I’d say you’re not even human yourself,” Feng Bu Jue shot back.
“Ha… Hahaha!” The monk’s laughter boomed. “Well said! Not even human indeed!”
Suddenly, black mist engulfed the temple’s windows, cutting off all external light. But before total darkness could settle, every candle in the hall ignited simultaneously, casting an eerie green glow.
In that flicker of light and shadow, the monk’s form underwent a grotesque transformation. His height stretched to ten feet, his bulging muscles tearing through his robes. His beard and hair blazed crimson, his face contorted with demonic fury as he glared at Feng Bu Jue.
Si Yu stepped forward, hand on her sword, but Feng Bu Jue blocked her path. Glancing sideways, he signaled her to hold back—not yet.
“You and that tree spirit were both transformed by a girl named Ling’er, weren’t you?” Feng Bu Jue asked.
“So what if we were?” The monk’s voice deepened into a guttural growl, no longer coarse but violently harsh.
“I’m just wondering,” Feng Bu Jue continued. “Did you choose to remain like this… or are you forced under her control to attack those who enter the mountain?”
“If I were under her control, do you think you’d still be standing here chatting with me?” the monk retorted.
“So you willingly became a demon to harm innocents?” Feng Bu Jue pressed.
“My transformation stems from that child’s resentment energy. Unless her hatred dissipates, I—and every ghost on this mountain—will remain trapped here, unable to reincarnate,” the monk rumbled. “But make no mistake… killing those from the Bell-Hiding Village? That’s our choice.”
“Because the villagers wrongfully killed Ling’er?” Feng Bu Jue probed.
“Hmph,” the monk scoffed. “You must be another exorcist they hired to destroy us.”
“Certainly not. If I were, do you think you’d still be standing here chatting with me?” Feng Bu Jue smirked arrogantly.
“Hm?” The monk leaned closer, his face darkening. “You’ve got quite the nerve, brat.”
“I don’t have time for banter. Answer me,” Feng Bu Jue snapped. “Maybe I can help.”
“Help?” The monk barked another laugh. “Do you even know why this place is called ‘Bell-Hiding’?”
“Why else? Tell me,” Feng Bu Jue replied, playing along.
The monk turned sharply, his thick arm—like a bull’s thigh—pointing at the headless statue behind him. “This was once an Arhat’s sanctuary. The temple housed a Buddhist treasure—the adamantine bell.” He dropped his arm, his fierce expression flickering with fear. “I was the only monk here… but look at me now. See what I’ve become?”
“Oh? How powerful is this adamantine bell?” Feng Bu Jue folded his arms, feigning indifference.
“You arrogant Jianghu charlatan wouldn’t understand its might!” The monk’s voice swelled with pride. “The adamantine bell is a Vajrayana treasure capable of channeling countless talismanic forces—illusions, shikigami arts, summoning, puppetry, blessings, rainmaking, healing, household protection, disaster prevention… even commanding ghosts and spirits, encompassing all phenomena. It can redirect calamities into liberation, subdue malevolent forces, transcend desires, and overturn the Five Elements, Yin-Yang, and destiny itself. It defies heaven’s decree and reshapes fate.”
“Where is it now?” Feng Bu Jue asked, his expression neutral but his mind already set. Adamantine bell… it’s mine.
“You want the bell?” the monk sneered.
The moment the question left his lips, Feng Bu Jue was already 70-80% certain—this is the task flag!
He turned to Si Yu, who nodded silently in understanding.
“That’s right!” Feng Bu Jue confirmed.
[Main Quest Progress Update]
[Enter Lingzhong Realm, Locate Ling’er’s Soul]
As expected, the system prompt chimed, and the main quest in the game menu updated instantly.
“You claim you’ll help us?” The monk grinned. “Let’s see if you’ve got the guts.”
With a thunderous stomp, he shattered the stone floor beneath him. A two-meter-long fissure split the ground, from which echoed mournful death cries. Yet peering down revealed only endless darkness.
“If you want the adamantine bell, ask the girl herself,” the monk growled, extending his palm. In it lay a bell identical to the one given by the tree spirit. “Take this bell… and jump.”
Feng Bu Jue took the item himself before passing it to Si Yu. Then, bowing politely to the towering monster, he said, “Gratitude for your guidance, Master.”
“Save your flattery,” the monk spat. “Many have jumped. None returned. Only the bell comes back.”
Feng Bu Jue sensed the scene winding down. Turning to Si Yu, he said, “Let’s synchronize our jump with a countdown.”
“First, I veto ‘You jump, I jump,’” she flatly refused.
“Tch…” Feng Bu Jue grimaced, his trickery exposed. “Fine. I’ll count to three.”
(End of Chapter)
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