The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 344 - 156: Feng Tianming’s Scheme

Chapter 344: Chapter 156: Feng Tianming’s Scheme

The "Heart Zen Immortal Skill" of the Great Zen Temple, proclaimed as "If the heart does not stir, the body never perishes." Today, seeing it in Xin Wen’s body, it truly wasn’t an empty boast.

Xin Wen managed to heal the injuries sustained from the Great Fury Fire in just a few moments, and aside from his slightly pale complexion, indicating significant loss of True Qi, there appeared to be no other damage.

A warrior in the Divinity Realm could connect with the Heaven and Earth, drawing in limitless Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi with each breath; thus, what seemed like severe damage was in fact something that could be recovered from in just a short while.

Moreover, this loss of True Qi hadn’t yet affected Xin Wen’s current battle capabilities.

In the blink of an eye, the tide had turned, the people of the Zen Sect, who were in an absolutely dominant position, were now facing the upper hand.

Although the Mandala Formation formed by the five individuals led by Zuicheng was broken, they were without any serious injuries and perfectly capable of fighting. The problem was, even if they fought with all their might, victory seemed unlikely.

"Xin Zhu, the head of the Bodhi Temple; Xin Zhou, the head of the Prajna Hall; Xin Yuan, the head of the Arhat Hall; and two unknown old monks—either from the reclusive elders of the Great Zen Temple, or perhaps from other monasteries of the Zen Sect," spoke Qing Yu from a distance atop Cloud Peak, naming these renowned heads of various halls of the Great Zen Temple.

The Great Zen Temple truly had a profound heritage, with even Xin Yuan, the head of the Arhat Hall who taught beginner martial arts to newly initiated disciples, being a warrior of the Divinity Realm. And this wasn’t all; at least six major Halls of the Great Zen Temple had yet to make a full appearance, with the heads of the Medicine King Hall, Zheng Dao Hall, and Precepts Hall still absent.

Moreover, with the addition of Xinyuan, the abbot of the Great Zen Temple, the power could be said to be extremely terrifying.

Not to mention the two unknown old monks, who could either be the reclusive elders of the Great Zen Temple or members of other Zen Sect monasteries. While the Great Zen Temple was the ancestral court of the Zen Sect, it doesn’t mean that all the Zen Sect masters must come from there. When warriors of the Divinity Realm could emerge from the worldly society, it would be no surprise for the reputable Righteous Sects of the Zen Sect to produce one.

Considering the strength of just the Great Zen Temple alone, added to that of other Zen Sect masters, the situation was simply unimaginable.

"The five Divinity Realm warriors who came to support, along with Xin Wen, the head of the Mahayana Institute, plus the Nine Dragons Sky Array and Feng Mingxiao anchoring the formation, one wonders if the Imperial Family still has Divinity Realm contributions, along with the yet-to-appear members of the Mountain River Academy, the Esoteric Sect is in a precarious situation this time," commented Qing Yu.

"However, the Esoteric Sect isn’t without its trump cards; at least there’s still that one factor that hasn’t been revealed..." Qing Yu closely watched the rare grand scene, murmuring softly.

On the side of the Imperial City.

Zuicheng with his brows furrowed and eyes wide open, demonstrated the visage of the Vajra Glaring Eyes, loudly proclaimed, "Feng Tianming, you dare to betray the Esoteric Sect. Do you realize that your actions today might lead to the downfall of the three hundred years foundation of Northern Zhou?"

During this declaration, Zuicheng’s aura exploded with the reappearance of the immovable Ming King Dharma Image, the Great Fury Fire behind the image fiercely intensified, threatening to emerge once again like the Fiery Flame Hell.

Having been betrayed by Feng Tianming, who had previously been compliant and submissive, truly, even a Buddha would be angered, let alone Zuicheng, who had not yet achieved Buddhahood.

At this moment, Zuicheng’s heart was filled with killing intent. If Feng Tianming were before him, he would tear him apart. Unfortunately, Feng Tianming knew very well that he, being in the True Pill Realm, had no power to interfere in the battle of the Divinity Realm and had been hiding in the Imperial Palace, directing the Nine Dragons Sky Array—Zuicheng’s desire for revenge seemed unlikely to be fulfilled.

"Master Zuicheng," the voice of Feng Tianming emanated from the Divine Dragon flying above the Imperial City, "do you really think that I am unaware of Esoteric Buddhism’s secret communications with Beiyuan Great Snow Mountain Esoteric Buddhism and the scheming with Golden Wolf Han Court? Truly allying with your Esoteric Sects would be like seeking a skin from a tiger, the foundation of Great Zhou could collapse from such peril.

On the contrary, an alliance with Great Zen Temple, such an esteemed Righteous Sect, would pose no such danger. After annihilating your sect this time, Zen Sect will be granted permission to spread its teachings within Great Zhou, and in the future, it will naturally defend Great Zhou against Esoteric Sect’s retaliation."

Feng Tianming’s voice grew more impassioned as the nine dragons in the sky let out a chorus of dragon roars, "Great Zhou shall not face the danger of collapse, on the contrary, the country of Great Zhou shall remain unchangeable for all eternity."

The sound echoed from the Nine Dragon Sky Array, booming across miles, such that Qing Yu could hear Feng Tianming’s words from a great distance.

Hmm... it was fortunate that Feng Tianming had acted thus; otherwise, Qing Yu would have had no ability to interpret the Dragon’s speech with lip reading.

If Qing Yu could hear it from his location, then Mountain River Academy atop Datong Mountain was no exception.

Zhuge Longsu stood on the summit of Datong Mountain, keenly observing the fight in the Imperial City, ready to rush to the scene should a crisis arise.

Upon hearing Feng Tianming’s words, a person as profoundly intelligent as Zhuge Longsu could not help but exclaim, "Your Majesty is truly excellent at strategizing. Setting a trap for Zen Sect, using Great Zhou as bait to lure Esoteric Sect into the snare. This time Zen Sect will be able to eliminate five warriors of Divinity Realm from Esoteric Sect, causing substantial injury to their Primordial Energy and leaving them without the strength to invade Central Plains ever again. They will also be granted permission to enter Northern Zhou to propagate their teachings. Heh, who wouldn’t want to make such a deal?"

"After Zen Sect enters Northern Zhou, Your Majesty can also draw them in to contain our Confucian Sect, preventing Confucian from gaining further strength. At the same time, it can incite struggles between Confucian and Zen Sects, preventing the Zen Sect from growing unchecked. Moreover, the Daqian Martial World Forces have been at odds with our Confucian Sect ever since their joint assassination attempt against Daqian Ancestor Ji Muqing three hundred years ago, weakening the great strength of Daqian and preparing for when we retake the south.

What a masterful display of the Emperor’s skill in balancing all sides. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it seems Zhuge Longsu had underestimated you."

Feng Tianming had always disregarded the disparity in strength between Northern Zhou and Daqian, obsessively focusing on the decisive battle with Daqian to reclaim the southern homeland. In Zhuge Longsu’s view, Feng Tianming’s actions were extremely unwise. Daqian would thank the heavens not to have to fight Northern Zhou, yet the latter was intent on provoking war.

However, this time, Feng Tianming’s display of cunning was so exquisite that it made Zhuge Longsu admire the refined skill in imperial strategy. Northern Zhou had enjoyed years of peace, with the Confucian Sect maintaining order. Apart from the occasional harassment from the Golden Wolf Han Court on the Northern Grassland, the land was serene.

Under such circumstances, one couldn’t help but overlook the influence of Feng Tianming, the ruler of the country. After all, Northern Zhou’s ’sky’ was not ruled by Emperor of Northern Zhou, Feng Tianming, but the always-secluded Confucian Master, Meng Shanhe.

Yet, after this Water and Land Dharma Assembly, neither Northern Zhou nor the world would underestimate this previously inconspicuous Emperor of Northern Zhou again. Following this event, where he balanced Zen Sect and Confucian Sect, the country of Northern Zhou could truly be said to be under the Emperor’s control.

"It’s not that simple."

Upon hearing this voice, Zhuge Longsu immediately turned and bowed, saying respectfully, "Teacher!"

The mists that lingered on the summit of Datong Mountain converged to form a pure white figure. This figure, formed of fog, was white-bearded and white-haired, but by looking at the face, one could tell it was not the figure of an old man.

Though aged, the man was vigorous, standing straight as the spine of Buzhou Mountain, and despite being an avatar formed of mist, the Qi Mechanism he emitted was far more potent than that of Zhuge Longsu, who was actually present.

This man was none other than the hitherto unseen Confucian Grandmaster—Meng Shanhe.

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