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Chapter 984: Have You Seen Me at My Peak?
Chapter 984: Have You Seen Me at My Peak?
Whoo...
A strong wind blew across the sky, the horizon clear of clouds, and a vast expanse of yellow sand rolled in.
Seven figures appeared before Luo Chen's eyes.
Five bald monks in robes, one of whom was the very Master Ci Hai who had previously blocked their path.
The other two were dressed in splendid robes, one being Zhou Mingxuan, and the other, though unknown by name, exuded a faint but unmistakable aura of spiritual power, indicating he was no weakling.
They stood in the path of Luo Chen and Qing Shuang.
Mouthing phrases like "Heaven has a benevolent heart" and "Amitabha", they were clearly there to stop them by force.
Luo Chen sighed, "Fellow Daoists, we were just passing through the Western Desert. Is it really necessary to pursue us so relentlessly?"
Ci Hai glared at him and shouted, "The demoness Qing Shuang—everyone knows what she has done. If she had stayed in the Great Mountains, it would have been one thing, but now she has come to the Western Desert. Who knows what sinister intentions she might have?"
Luo Chen furrowed his brow, "But she hasn't done anything. Even during our last conflict, she didn't kill any of you."
"Not doing it now doesn't mean she won't in the future. We must nip this in the bud to prevent more bloodshed in the Buddhist lands."
"This master, are you not being unreasonable? Accusing us of such crimes..."
Before Luo Chen could finish, another elderly monk with white eyebrows and a white beard interrupted him.
"Fellow Daoist Luo Chen, you are known for your benevolence and righteousness. Why are you traveling with such a great demon? We've heard that you once slaughtered hundreds of the Zhou family at the border with your sword formation. Now you are protecting the Great Demon Empress Qing Shuang. Have you fallen to the path of demons?"
Luo Chen's eyes narrowed, exuding a dangerous aura.
"May I ask for your name, Master?"
The elderly monk with white eyebrows and a white beard bowed, "Amitabha, this old monk is from Pujisi Temple on Five Peaks Mountain, my dharma name is Ci En."
"Ci En?"
Luo Chen repeated the name, his gaze sweeping over the others.
"So, the other three masters are also from Five Peaks Mountain?"
The three men, under Luo Chen's gaze, seemed somewhat uncomfortable, but they did not back down, given their numerical advantage.
"Ci Ping from Lingyinsi Temple on Five Peaks Mountain, greetings, Fellow Daoist Luo!"
"Ci Guang from Foguangsi Temple on Five Peaks Mountain, greetings, Fellow Daoist Luo!"
"Ci Shu from Shengshusi Temple on Five Peaks Mountain, greetings, Fellow Daoist Luo!"
The five monks from the five temples on Five Peaks Mountain were all formidable opponents.
Luo Chen pursed his lips and looked at the other two, especially the middle-aged man in splendid robes.
"And you, Fellow Daoist?"
The middle-aged man closed his feather fan and said with a casual air, "Wu Changge from the Wu family of Wen Province!"
As for Zhou Mingxuan, no introduction was needed.
Seeing this array, Luo Chen's heart sank.
To the uninitiated, it might seem like he was afraid.
But what Luo Chen was thinking was, if the first time it was two Nascent Soul cultivators, and this time it was seven, what would happen if things escalated further?
What other forces would be drawn in?
"Fellow Daoist Luo Chen, I hope you do not make a mistake by getting too involved with this demoness. There is no end to the sea of suffering, but there is a shore of return", the white-bearded monk Ci En advised.
"I..."
Before Luo Chen could speak, Qing Shuang grew impatient.
"Enough talk. You're going to fight anyway, so move aside!"
A gust of wind surged from her side, and Luo Chen instinctively stepped back as Qing Shuang shot forward like an arrow.
The five monks did not take her lightly and immediately revealed their magical treasures, rushing to meet her.
Luo Chen frowned and took a step forward, but Wu Changge blocked his path.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, we respect the name of the Dong Huang Dan Sect. Even if there are suspicions, we are willing to give you a chance. So, in this battle, it's best you don't interfere."
The Western Desert was dominated by Buddhist forces, but that didn't mean all were monks and nuns.
There were still sects and family lineages that continued to thrive.
But to establish themselves in the Western Desert, these major sects and families had to maintain close ties with the Buddhist community.
The Zhou family was one such example, and so was the Wu family.
Luo Chen had a basic understanding of the Western Desert's situation, so he wasn't surprised by their presence.
But at this moment...
Luo Chen tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Wu Changge, do you really think you can stop me alone?"
Wu Changge's expression turned serious, and he said cautiously, "If you were at your peak, I might have only a thirty percent chance. But the commotion at the Quicksand Maw was so great that I assume you are heavily injured, even if you didn't die. Of course, even in your injured state, I don't have a hundred percent chance of defeating you, but I can definitely tie you up for a while."
His words were neither humble nor arrogant, but he was confident.
This was because Luo Chen's outward display of spiritual power indicated he was at the sixth layer of the Nascent Soul stage.
And Wu Changge himself was at the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
No matter how glorious Luo Chen's battle records were, they were ultimately based on his cultivation level.
He had that confidence!
Luo Chen said nothing, just narrowed his eyes and watched the increasingly intense battle.
The five monks from Five Peaks Mountain were indeed formidable.
The three monks who had introduced themselves had solid foundations, comparable to early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.
The Master Ci Hai, whom Luo Chen had previously encountered, was on par with middle-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, especially with his Purple Gold Meru Vessel, which suppressed the space and subtly restrained Qing Shuang.
Finally, there was the leading Master Ci En.
His white beard and eyebrows exuded a benevolent aura, but when he moved, his monk's robe fluttered, his muscles bulged, and the sounds of wind and thunder never ceased.
This monk was clearly on the path of the Vajra Body!
Even more so than the Fierce Vajra Luo Chen had encountered in the Central Continent, with his powerful aura, he could withstand Qing Shuang's direct attacks.
With the five of them forming an array, Qing Shuang was unable to gain the upper hand and was increasingly in danger.
Unable to break through for a long time, Qing Shuang was clearly growing restless.
If she weren't injured and weren't restricted by the Empty Blossom, how could these opponents stand a chance against her?
Clang!
After blocking a strike from the Crescent Staff, Qing Shuang's face turned cold.
The Sleeve of Ten Thousand Realms was useless, the Voidstep Art was restricted, and even her proud physical strength was restrained by Ci En and the Fivefold Sea of Suffering Formation.
But did they really think these restraints were enough to defeat her?
Ignoring the descending Meru Vessel, Qing Shuang began to form seals with her hands.
When the familiar seal gestures appeared, Luo Chen's eyes twitched.
He took a step forward.
Wu Changge, who was focused on him, couldn't help but shout, "Fellow Daoist Luo, don't make a mistake!"
Luo Chen glanced at him and said calmly, "You said you had a thirty percent chance against me at my peak. Have you ever seen me at my peak?"
Wu Changge met his eyes and was momentarily stunned.
It was like seeing a flower in a mirror or a moon in water.
In a daze, Luo Chen had already passed him.
In the midst of the formation.
A pitch-black crack suddenly appeared and shot upward.
The Purple Gold Meru Vessel, which had been suppressing the surroundings, split in half the moment it touched the black crack.
Seeing the opportunity, Qing Shuang shot straight up.
At that moment, a golden fist, shimmering with a swastika symbol, descended from above.
Suddenly!
"Slap!"
Ci En's hair and beard bristled as he channeled his full aura, but Luo Chen stood firm, his hand gripping the massive fist, unwavering despite the golden light of the swastika symbol surging along his arm.
Ci En's hair and beard bristled as he channeled his full aura to wash over the person blocking his path.
His eyes wide, he shouted, "Luo Chen, are you truly so obstinate?"
Rustle!
Luo Chen's robe billowed, and a red glow emanated from his body, pushing back the golden light.
He said calmly, "It is you who are clinging to form!"
Then, he raised his hand and slammed it down.
"Roar!"
From the heavens, a fiery dragon roared and charged down.
Ci En, caught off guard, quickly retreated.
Luo Chen seized the opportunity, grabbed Qing Shuang, and with a sharp glance, spotted a weakness in the formation. He immediately led them out.
As they broke free, a massive explosion sounded.
Boom!
The Fivefold Sea of Suffering Formation, which had been hindering Qing Shuang, shattered instantly.
Five figures, furious, charged out and pursued Luo Chen and Qing Shuang.
Faced with their relentless pursuit, Luo Chen sighed.
He formed seals with his hands, and a spell took shape instantly.
Beside him, Qing Shuang, who had already recovered, also formed seals.
The next moment!
Caw!
A unique bird call echoed in all directions.
Red light blazed like a prairie fire, while azure light pierced the sky.
Luo Chen watched in slight shock as the two spells were released together.
One was an Ember Phoenix, his most proficient Phoenix Conflagration spell.
The other was an Azure Roc, released by Qing Shuang.
At that moment, the two seemed to have reached the same frequency and rhythm, intertwining in perfect harmony as they crossed the space, charging toward five... no, counting Wu Changge, a total of six people.
In the Celestial Chorus, Master Ci Hai's physical body exploded.
Ci En fared no better; the Impermeable Golden Body of the Great Vajra Realm deflated for a moment.
The other three, though not hit by the first wave of attacks, were still blasted back hundreds of feet.
Wu Changge had better luck, waving his feather fan to dispel the last of the residual power.
When the dust settled, and he saw the now empty space ahead, his face was filled with shock and fear.
"Luo Chen of the Dan Sect, terrifying indeed!"
...
"I never expected you to know spells as well."
"Of course. I've always followed the orthodox path of cultivating Qi. Otherwise, how could I have comprehended the True Essence of the Spatial Dao?"
"Then why haven't I seen you use spells in battle before?"
"Spells are too slow. You have to form seals, and they're more troublesome than physical combat. Besides, the Voidrend Phoenix spell is extremely draining of mana. It's not something you use casually."
As they conversed, Luo Chen learned the name of the spell Qing Shuang had just used.
Voidrend Phoenix!
Though not a divine technique, it was powerful and had a wide range, comparable to his fully perfected Phoenix Conflagration.
Strangely, at that moment, the two seemed to have a tacit understanding, casting their spells in perfect synchrony.
The Ember Phoenix and Azure Roc, working together, created a Celestial Chorus effect. The combined attack was as powerful as a divine technique!
In just one move, they severely injured Ci En's Impermeable Vajra Body, destroyed Ci Hai's physical form, and left the others badly wounded.
And this was achieved while both were already injured and low on mana.
If they were at their peak, using their most potent spells, the power would be even greater...
"Is that your innate demonic art?" Luo Chen asked.
Qing Shuang didn't answer. Her already pale skin had become even paler after several intense battles.
She just stared at Luo Chen and asked softly, "Why did you save me?"
Luo Chen replied naturally, "I have your bindings on me. If you died, you might take me down with you."
Qing Shuang shook her head, "With your skill in seeing through the Vacuum Step Art, those bindings wouldn't be enough to take your life."
Luo Chen smiled, "But the Soulbound Death Curse doesn't care about that!"
Hearing the name "Soulbound Death Curse", Qing Shuang fell silent.
In the Quicksand Maw, the two had not only placed bindings on each other and made grand vows, but also planted a fourth-stage Soulbound Death Curse.
Thus, they were truly bound together, like fleas on the same rope.
So, was he forced to act out of necessity?
Seeing her silence, Luo Chen didn't press the issue and instead thought of something else.
How did Ci En, Ci Hai, and the others find them so precisely?
The answer became clear as soon as they entered the Oasis Holy Land.
Qing Shuang's demonic aura was overwhelming.
Luo Chen's aura of slaughter, malevolence, and the lingering bloodstains from the Southern Frontier, Soulbreaker Cliff, and the massacre of ten thousand demonic beasts were also intense.
In the Western Desert Buddhist Land, the air was filled with the scent of incense and Buddhist aura.
Moving through this environment, they stood out like stars in the night sky, so out of place and glaringly obvious.
The solution to this problem was simple.
Luo Chen used the Dragon Slaying Technique to cleanse his body of all the bloodstains and malevolent aura.
Then, he used the Ten Thousand Array Insect to set up a concealment formation, hiding Qing Shuang's demonic aura completely.
But even this wasn't enough for Luo Chen.
He took Qing Shuang to a temple and extracted two strands of Xiao Shami's Buddhist aura, implanting them in both of them.
"It should be foolproof now!"
"Overkill", Qing Shuang said, but she let Luo Chen do it.
Luo Chen shrugged, "You might not be afraid, but I really don't want to fight anymore. If we keep this up, it will damage our foundations. How will I ever reach the Hua Shen realm?"
Qing Shuang countered, "Without a complete life soul, no matter how deep your foundation or how strong your essence, how can you refine the Primordial Spirit and reach the Hua Shen realm?"
This time, it was Luo Chen's turn to fall silent.
Inside the temple, the golden statues of the deities shimmered, and the ancient monastery was filled with solemn chanting.
Surrounded by believers, Luo Chen stood silently, troubled.
Seeing his expression, Qing Shuang realized her question had touched on a deep, unresolved issue for him.
She sighed, "From the situation at Soulbreaker Cliff, it seems that Mo Shouzhuo, the Master of the Heavenly Yuan, didn't carry your life soul with him. So, your life soul is likely hidden within the Dao Zong in the Central Continent. The fact that you haven't sensed it is good news; you'll have a chance to retrieve it in the future."
Luo Chen pressed his lips together, his cheeks sinking in.
"Let's go!"
Luo Chen turned, walking away from the golden Buddha statue.
Qing Shuang followed without a word.
...
The rest of their journey was smooth.
Perhaps the Western Desert Buddhist sects were busy clearing out the remaining demonic forces, or perhaps Luo Chen's concealment methods were too effective. In any case, they reached their destination safely and quietly after half a year.
Bodhisattva Monastery!
Despite being a revered place, this ancient temple dedicated to the Great Peacock Mingwang had little incense.
Only a few monks were responsible for sweeping and ringing the bells.
A man and a woman entered quietly.
By now, Luo Chen had recovered from his low spirits and even engaged Qing Shuang in a discussion about the application of spatial bindings in teleportation arrays.
"It's not difficult; the challenging part is the materials. Your life-bound treasure, the Primordial Cauldron, is made of exceptional material, which is why it could carry my spatial bindings."
"If that's the case, the teleportation arrays set up by Qixia Yuanjun across the Mountain and Sea Realm must have consumed a lot of precious materials!"
"You know they're valuable. The one in the Northern Sea, you cut off a corner, right? It took me a lot of effort to repair it."
"Haha."
Luo Chen laughed, ignoring Qing Shuang's glare, and summoned Shenxi.
Qing Shuang activated her Starfix Compass, covering the ground.
"There's no need to check. It's beneath the golden statue of the Great Peacock Mingwang in this Bodhisattva Monastery."
She was about to step in, but her foot hovered in the air, not landing.
Qing Shuang looked at Luo Chen, who had reached out to stop her.
Luo Chen shook his head cautiously and slowly retreated.
Behind the weathered statue of the Peacock Sovereign, a plain-looking Xiao Shami stepped out.
Upon seeing them, he didn't panic but instead bowed.
"Amitabha, this humble monk, Xuan Du, greets the two of you."
Hearing the name "Xuan Du", Luo Chen's expression changed.
As he had mentioned earlier, the names of the top nascent soul cultivators in the Five Continents of the Mountain and Sea Realm were well-known.
Except for the Southern Frontier, which was more mysterious and lacked widely recognized experts.
The other continents had their own renowned figures.
The three great hermits of the Northern Sea, including the Mad Hermit; the chess master Ke Lianshan of the Central Continent; Luo Chen of the Dan Sect and the Heavenly Capital Master in Dong Huang.
And in the Western Desert, there was only one famous great cultivator!
"Xuan Du?"
Luo Chen pursed his lips and identified the man.
"Could you be the master of the Crystal Sanctum, known as the one-man temple, Great Mage Xuan Du?" (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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