Chapter 367 The Truth Gradually Surfaces
"Faxiang Buddhist Son, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Nie Xiuyuan looked at him calmly, his sword never leaving Golden Wheel King and Five Mist King.
The Faxiang Buddhist Son shouted sternly: "Nie Xiuyuan, do you know your crime!"
Hearing this, everyone present burst into laughter.
Cao Youqian clapped his hands: "Brother Nie, it seems this fellow still hasn't faced reality. Why don't you wake him up?"
Nie Xiuyuan smiled: "He's not failing to see reality. He's planning to call for backup."
"Oh?"
Cao Youqian's expression became intriguing: "Now that you mention it, I'm wide awake. That so-called Buddhist Son, we'll give you a chance to call backup, lest you claim we from the Miscellaneous Dao Academy fight unfairly with numbers."
"..."
The surrounding spectators instantly darkened their faces at these words.
Was this fellow being intentional or deliberate?
The Faxiang Buddhist Son hadn't expected his intentions to be so easily exposed. He had planned to call backup from a position of righteousness, giving himself an explanation to the temple.
He narrowed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and said word by word: "It seems you all refuse the toast and insist on drinking the penalty! Great Sage Hongyuan, aid me!"
As these words fell, everyone subconsciously looked toward the sky.
Unexpectedly, the Great Sage Hongyuan mentioned by the Faxiang Buddhist Son did not appear.
The Faxiang Buddhist Son's expression turned peculiar. Great Sage Hongyuan was his protector, and they shared a close private relationship. He shouldn't have refused to act.
Unwilling to accept this, he shouted again: "Great Sage Hongyuan, aid me!"
Only an eerie silence answered him.
Just as Cao Youqian prepared to mock him, a disdainful voice drifted from the sky.
"Are you calling for this old monk?"
Everyone subconsciously looked up. They saw a woman as radiant as fire emerge from the clouds, dragging a disheveled old monk by the collar.
The Faxiang Buddhist Son's face changed drastically when he saw the old monk. He asked in astonishment: "You... what did you do to Great Sage Hongyuan?"
The woman's lips curved slightly: "I merely warned him not to interfere in the juniors' affairs. When he wouldn't listen, I walked until he did."
Such a casual statement sent chills through everyone present.
Some older cultivators even exclaimed aloud.
"Who would have thought that Great Sage Hongyuan, who once terrified the Western Regions, would be beaten so badly by a junior today."
"It must be admitted, Great Sages have their differences too."
"..."
The Faxiang Buddhist Son subconsciously retreated half a step. Great Sage Hongyuan was his final trump card. If even he had fallen, didn't it mean he was finished?
This action naturally didn't escape the eyes of everyone present.
Nie Xiuyuan narrowed his eyes, locking his gaze on the Faxiang Buddhist Son. He said coldly: "Faxiang, you've repeatedly obstructed my revenge. This matter must be inseparable from you. Moreover, you were the biggest beneficiary back then. Tell me, if I take your head now, will those who plotted for you back then reveal themselves?"
He wasn't a fool. He naturally understood the complex interests behind the Buddhist Son. Besides, Faxiang hadn't qualified to orchestrate such events back then.
"You... you're spouting nonsense! This matter has nothing to do with this Buddhist Son!"
Though the Faxiang Buddhist Son vehemently denied it, his every word and action betrayed his heart.
In the sky, the disheveled Great Sage Hongyuan saw this and suddenly spoke: "Faxiang, there's nothing to hide now. Besides, you have more than just yourself standing behind you now. Why fear these children!"
Slap!
Great Sage Blazing Sun directly slapped the old monk: "Did this old lady permit you to speak?"
Great Sage Hongyuan's face showed an expression of preferring death over submission, his eyes glaring venomously at Great Sage Blazing Sun.
Seeing this, Cao Youqian thought to himself: I wonder who will marry this old ancestor of mine someday. The inner courtyard will surely be chaotic.
Perhaps only Master can tame Old Ancestor Blazing Sun in this world.
Hearing the old ancestor's words, the Faxiang Buddhist Son first froze, but soon showed a look of sudden realization.
He was now the Buddhist Son of Buddha Hidden Temple—a fait accompli.
Even those old ancestors who hadn't supported him before wouldn't watch him be killed by outsiders.
At this thought, a vicious grin spread across the Faxiang Buddhist Son's face: "Hahaha... this Buddhist Son was truly clever for a lifetime but foolish for a moment."
He paused and said: "Indeed, the events of that year were indeed orchestrated by the old ancestor of my lineage. Nie Xiuyuan, even if you know the truth, what can you do? After causing such a disturbance at this Water-Land Dharma Assembly, my Buddha Hidden Temple will surely suppress you!"
"Good, very good."
Nie Xiuyuan's tone was utterly calm, the killing intent in his eyes vanishing without a trace.
"Since you've admitted, I'll first collect some interest. The rest, I'll settle with your Buddha Hidden Temple's old relics!"
As the words fell, the sword in his hand thrust toward Faxiang Buddhist Son.
Clang!
That sword moved as fast as lightning, impossible to defend against.
When the sword struck, Faxiang Buddhist Son stood completely unharmed.
Seeing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Nie Xiuyuan's eyes, but he quickly understood the reason.
"It seems you possess a Buddha Hidden Temple supreme treasure. But I'd like to see just how many strikes your Buddha Hidden Temple's treasure can withstand."
Though Faxiang Buddhist Son showed no external wounds, inwardly he was utterly terrified. He had sensed the sword dao true meaning in that previous strike.
"You... you've actually comprehended the sword dao true meaning?"
"Correct. You have some discernment."
As Nie Xiuyuan spoke, the sword in his hand swung again.
Bang!
A loud sound erupted from Faxiang Buddhist Son's body. He was forced back dozens of steps before stabilizing his stance.
Snap!
A piece of protective Buddhist jade slid from his body and shattered into powder upon hitting the ground.
"It seems the protective artifact your Buddha Hidden Temple's old ancestor left you is nothing special. This time, I'll see how you stop me."
With these words, Nie Xiuyuan raised his sword once more.
At this critical moment, an aged and powerful voice echoed from the sky.
"Stop!"
With just that roar, everyone present trembled inwardly. Even Great Sage Blazing Sun in the sky couldn't help but frown.
The owner of that voice possessed strength surpassing her own.
Hearing this voice, Faxiang Buddhist Son's face lit up with ecstatic joy.
"Hahaha... Nie Xiuyuan, you cannot kill me!"
Nie Xiuyuan replied calmly, "Finally here."
Faxiang Buddhist Son hadn't expected Nie Xiuyuan to show no fear, instead radiating intense battle intent. Could this fellow be arrogant enough to challenge the entire Buddha Hidden Temple alone?
Before he could grasp the implications, a Buddhist chant that stirred the heart drifted down from the sky...
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