The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 234 - 46: Demon Path Makes an Entrance

Chapter 234: Chapter 46: Demon Path Makes an Entrance

The arrivals comprised of a monk and a Taoist.

The monk hailed from one of the Three Great Buddhist Temples in Central Earth, the Great Zen Temple.

The Three Great Buddhist Temples were once Nalanda Temple, Great Zen Temple, and the Esoteric Sect. Nalanda Temple was the Ancestral Court of Buddhism, originating from the source of Buddhist Law in the Peacock Dynasty. As the Peacock Dynasty met with natural disasters and great changes, losing nine-tenths of its population, it then relocated to the Central Plains from the Peacock Dynasty.

Thus, although it was the Ancestral Court of Buddhism, in the Central Plains it was the last to establish a temple. Majority of its disciples were remnants of the Peacock Dynasty, unable to forget their old lands and not accepted by the Central Plains people. They were thus confined within the vast Desert of the Western Regions, hindered from spreading their teachings.

The other two Sects, Zen and Esoteric, had long since Sinicized and were the mainstream of Central Plains Buddhism in earlier years. But these two were mutual adversaries, fighting to the death.

A mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, unless one is male and the other female, not to mention two different ideologies. Both parties, for the sake of spreading their faith, took an oath to never coexist. Therefore, there was the struggle between Zen and Esoteric centuries ago.

In the end, the Zen Sect won and took over the mainstream of Central Plains Buddhism; today all Buddhist Temples in the Central Plains are Zen. As for the defeated Esoteric Sect, they fled overseas, never to return.

The current Esoteric Sect of the Great Snow Mountain at the edge of the Northern Grassland, though called "Esoteric", is in fact a blend of the remnants of the Esoteric Sect and local sects like the Bon Sect. Being the religion of the grassland people, it is not acknowledged by the Central Plains people, and the Zen Sect does not regard them as an enemy.

After the Esoteric Sect fled overseas, the title of the Three Buddhas had a spot open. Subsequently, the Dharma Image Sect, created by the first Three Treasures Master to visit the Ancestral Buddhist Court of the Peacock Dynasty, took over. But the Dharma Image Sect was not as zealous in spreading faith as the Esoteric Sect had been; furthermore, its disciples were seldom seen walking in the worldly society, and thus today the Central Plains Buddhism holds the Great Zen Temple of the Zen Sect Ancestral Court in highest regard.

The other, a Taoist, came from one of the Four Great Taoist Sects, the Dragon Tiger Mountain Heavenly Master Tao, also known as Zhengyi Tao. The Daoist Orthodoxy of Dragon Tiger Mountain has a lineage said to be directly transmitted from the Dao Ancestor himself. Its teachings such as the "Nine Tripods Elixir Scripture" and "Three Heavens True Method" are among the foremost inheritances of our time.

Their Sect’s power even exceeds that of the Zhenwu Sect and the recently somewhat declining Luo Fu Mountain. Under the current circumstance where the hidden Supreme Taoist Sect with "the true legacy of Dao Ancestor" does not make an appearance, it is recognized as the leading Sect in worldly Daoism.

A monk and a Taoist arrived, each representing the leading figures of their respective Buddhist and Taoist ways, bringing the results of negotiations between the great leaders of the Righteous and Demonic paths.

"Elder Suantian is one of the foremost experts in the Heavenly Mechanism within the last hundred years, only Elder Shiming could stand equal to him. His inheritance has always been seen as a turning point for the Demon Sect, who were at a disadvantage in their struggle against us, the Righteous path. Thus, this time, Yin Tianxia of the Demon Sect personally emerged from the shadows to negotiate with our elders, allowing the younger generation of the Demon Sect’s experts to also get involved.

Therefore, we must stand united in sincere solidarity to thwart the conspiracies of the Demon Path’s villains," remarked Zhang Yangde from Dragon Tiger Mountain as he disclosed the aforementioned views.

"Um, it sounds very noble, righteously spirited, and fearless against the villains of the Demon Path; however, this doesn’t change the fact that it’s another attempt to seize the position of leadership," Qing Yu mused internally as he rolled his eyes after hearing what Zhang Yangde had to say.

This brother’s intentions were the same as Qiao Baixuan’s, both aiming to take the central leadership position, to become the leader of the pack. But compared to Qiao Baixuan, this Dragon Tiger Mountain brother’s intentions were far more transparent, stopping just short of declaring outright, "You all have to listen to me."

Additionally, compared to Qiao Baixuan’s technical maneuvers, this brother was at a disadvantage—he was not part of the Dragon and Phoenix List.

In truth, those with true discernment would never consider those listed on the Dragon and Phoenix List as representatives of all young experts. Not to mention the long-standing Great Sects; some old eccentrics of the worldly society might well nurture a young expert yet to emerge.

Gong Ziyu and Zhao Yun, newly risen to prominence, served as proof of this notion. There was also the unfortunate "Eleventh," who died at the hands of Li Qiuran, whose Power was seemingly on par with his own.

Thus, the crowd would definitely not assume that those on the Dragon and Phoenix List were the absolute experts, nor would they feel inferior to those ranked. Even if they were currently lacking, no one could predict their future achievements as they were in the first two Realms of Martial Arts. Of course, this excluded the few freaks that ranked at the very top.

Ahem, all this said, it’s not to belittle Zhang Yangde for not being on the Dragon and Phoenix List. Rather, he has yet to prove his own strength and is hurriedly vying for a leading position, seemingly relying on the prestige of his Sect.

"I am Monk Shi Yi, and as my brother Shi Jue is in seclusion, I come in his stead."

Compared to Zhang Yangde, Monk Shi Jue was far cleverer with a short introduction, not demanding to be listened to yet subtly highlighting his own strength.

Whoever could stand in for Shi Jue, surely, couldn’t be a weakling.

"Let’s go."

Yuan Jianyi said these words and then turned to leave. He hadn’t completed his customary meditation and breath regulation for the day and had not fought to his heart’s content; he had no desire to linger any longer.

"I’m not a Daoist’s bull nor a bald monk; my house doesn’t belong to so-called Righteous Dao either. We’re not listening to any of you... Ouch, Lian Ning, you little thing, why’d you kick me..."

"Idiot Bear, do you want to offend all the monks and Taoists?"

Lian Ning quickly dragged the sturdy arm of Lian Jian and rushed away.

The Lian Family was a noble family and didn’t firmly belong to the Righteous or the Demonic Path. Rather, they were associated with the Daqian Court, especially since the Ji Family of the Daqian Royal Family was the greatest noble family in the world today. They truly didn’t need to rush to offer their service.

"Heh, I’d better go consult with my brother Qingxu," said Zhu Kong from Luo Fu Mountain, disclosing his choice.

Compared to Zhang Yangde, he trusted Qingxu more. Since the strongest of the Zhenwu Sect, Qingxu, might not be able to enter the Heavenly Calculation Inheritance Relics, it would be good for both parties to ally for self-protection.

At the very least, the Zhenwu Sect wouldn’t betray them. But Zhang Yangde, who came without anyone to command and with such a condescending demeanor, would surely expect them to be cannon fodder at crunch time.

Luo Yan and the others also left with the people from the Lian Family.

"This... Taoist Zhang, could you..." It was Xiao Chengye from Yu Jian Manor who approached next.

However, together with him was Qiao Baixuan, who, with an inexplicable expression, seemed also prepared to form an alliance with Zhang Yangde.

On the other hand, a group of monks pledged their allegiance to Monk Shi Yi of the Great Zen Temple. They weren’t from any Great Sects, but monks from smaller Buddhist Temples, like-minded individuals whom Monk Shi Yi had accepted.

The remaining Loose Cultivators also took the opportunity to pick their allegiances. As Loose Cultivators, they had no prior knowledge of the Heavenly Calculation Inheritance and had come merely seeing the Big Sect People gather, hoping to seek their fortune. Now was the time to choose their benefactors.

Today, it became clear that not only were forces outside of Cuige Town’s Righteous involved, but the locals had also divided among themselves.