It was easier for Buddhist martial practitioners to achieve breakthroughs into new cultivation levels.
The current situation was just like this.
Despite the great might of Gao Qing and the other Prime Clear lineage disciples, they were currently being encircled and attacked by many Buddhist martial practitioners far surpassing them in number.
There were even a few of them who were equivalent to Daoism’s Immortal Bridge Martial Saints.
Yan Zhaoge was facing the same problem as well.
Still, his expression did not change as he casually summoned the Heaven Swallowing Earth Devouring Box, a terrifying suction force now instantly blocking the attacks of all his foes.
“You monks, where is your regard for life?” Yan Zhaoge laughed lightly, “Although even Buddhas do get enraged, isn’t this a little too uncalled for?”
The monk leading them recited a Buddhist mantra before saying, “Benefactor, your words fall short. Since you have appeared here, things are already clear as day. We humble monks can only illuminate you, aiding you in breaking free of the bitter sea.”
“Huh?” Yan Zhaoge was somewhat unable to understand what this monk meant, “You know me?”
The monk shook his head, raising the Vajra pestle in his hand, “I do not, but since you are from the other side, it makes no difference who you are.”
Yan Zhaoge first frowned before the creases between his brows then eased, “So that’s it. I seem to understand it a little now.”
He stood there unmoving with his hands behind his back.
The Buddha light of his foes glowed brightly. Yet, their ferocious attacks were unable to penetrate the defences of the Heaven Swallowing Earth Devouring Box.
Streaks of Buddhist true essence and spiritual qi were all sucked into the entity which resembled a black hole, vanishing without a trace.
“The external dao is powerful. Only even broader arts can cleanse their stain,” The monks chanted all at once, reciting in unison.
They all stood in a column, with those behind placing their hands on the shoulders of those in front.
Their Buddha light quickly transformed into a streak of light which seemed tangible as it manifested.
With golden scales and silver feelers, its body filled with auspicious qi and auspicious clouds around its claws.
The roar of a dragon resounded amidst the air. It was the Great Broad Buddha Scripture.
The power of the monks merged together as one, their martial true intent manifesting an incomparably powerful and authoritative golden dragon which lunged towards Yan Zhaoge.
The text of Buddhist scriptures were shockingly inscribed on the golden scales of the dragon’s body.
As the dragon shot through the air, space directly rumbled and broke apart as a result.
Seeing this, Yan Zhaoge laughed lightly, “Come on then.”
He reached out and clapped on the Heaven Swallowing Earth Devouring Box. The big box opened mightily before dense white sword qi that resembled a rainstorm suddenly flew out from within!
The white qi crisscrossed within the sky, separating the heavens and the earth.
Countless streaks of brutal sword-qi continuously struck down on that golden Buddha Dragon, resembling raindrops mercilessly battering down on a surface.
Radiance exploded unceasingly, numerous scales of dragons plummeting to the earth.
The chanting of sutras gradually diminished to be replaced by the muffled groans of monks.
Yan Zhaoge was not in a rush to inflict any serious damage. He wanted to see what sort of methods the other side possessed.
This was the first time he was battling against Buddhist martial practitioners.
After today, upon successfully returning to the World beyond Worlds, it might be a long time before he got the chance to again.
While that golden dragon teetered as it was bombarded by the dense rainstorm of sword-qi, it could still barely hold on as it did not immediately collapse.
Yan Zhaoge stroked his lower chin, “High defensive abilities. This can also be considered a variant of Buddhism’s Golden Body.”
While the golden dragon was powerful defensively, the sword-qi in the Heaven Swallowing Earth Devouring Box seemed infinite and endless as it battered down fiercely and unforgivingly on it.
The next moment, however, the lid of the black metallic box abruptly closed.
The previous acute winds and strong rains suddenly vanished at this moment.
Without any delay whatsoever, the Heaven Swallowing Earth Devouring Box emanated a terrifying suction force which sought to devour the sun and the moon, plucking away the stars.
The golden dragon which was riddled with wounds and barely holding on was forcibly devoured by the black hole formed of the Heaven Swallowing Earth Devouring Box!
“Scatter!” The monk leading the group roared.
Right before it was too late, the golden dragon suddenly dissipated, numerous figures reappearing.
The Buddhist martial practitioners simultaneously coughed out blood and toppled back in retreat as they painstakingly resisted the suction force of the Heaven Swallowing Earth Devouring Box.
Yan Zhaoge laughed, “Anything new you got?”
As he spoke, his gaze suddenly flickered slightly. Gazing over, he saw a tear suddenly opening in the distance amidst space, a massive figure that resembled a mountain stepping out from within.
Looking over, Yan Zhaoge found that it was shockingly a massive white elephant, its body resembling jade as it trod upon the profundities of nature.
The massive white elephant strode forward, arriving in front of Yan Zhaoge from the distant horizon.
Atop its head stood a young monk who looked around thirty from his external appearance.
He looked down upon Yan Zhaoge as well as Gao Qing and company, muttering to himself in a low tone, “Is it that these people of a sinister, external dao have caused the restrictions to weaken or was it that the restrictions weakened, thereby drawing them over here?”
His gaze lingered for an additional moment on Gao Qing and co, “…Prime Clear lineage?”
He turned again to look at Yan Zhaoge, “Are you from the Prime Clear lineage like them or do you hail from the World beyond Worlds?”
Yan Zhaoge was instead staring at his white elephant.
Seeing that it had only two teeth rather than six, he could not help but laugh, “I still found it strange, wondering if this might be a mighty expert like the Samantabhadra? And indeed, it wasn’t the case.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 835: Big monk, let me send you on your way
HSSB835: Big monk, let me send you on your way
Sitting atop the head of the white elephant, the young men said slowly as he looked at Yan Zhaoge, “While this humble monk naturally cannot compare to the Samantabhadra, I still have thunderbolt-like methods with which to vanquish those of an external dao like you.”
“The bitter sea is boundless, but there exists a backwards shore. Benefactor, you should turn back and embrace our Buddha with due haste.”
Yan Zhaoge appraised this young monk all over.
Buddhism and Daoism were split into differing cultivation levels with the true essence and aura that emanated from their experts being different as well.
If they did not truly clash, just based on mere observation alone, it would be very difficult to judge the corresponding cultivation level of someone from the other camp using their own benchmark.
Still, comparing him to the other Buddhist martial practitioners present, this young monk was clearly unordinary as the skin outside of his monk robes emitted a bluish-green light which resembled Vajra.
Yan Zhaoge said mildly, “You must be joking, O wise one. This Yan still has no intention of shaving my hair off.”
That monk said, “You benefactors departed the World beyond Worlds and the Roving Jade Heavens, arriving at this place. While your hearts are filled with obstinacy and needless worldly desir
es, your talents are unquestionably top notch. It is just a pity that you are enamoured with an external dao.”
“These talents, geniuses of external daos-this humble monk has illuminated others like you before.”
“One need not shave their head in entering Buddhism’s door. So long as the Buddha exists in one’s heart, there is no place that is not a blessed land.”
Yan Zhaoge’s pupils abruptly dilated somewhat.
This was not the first time Yan Zhaoge had encountered the word ‘illumination’.
It had originally meant enlightening, assisting one in attaining nirvana.
The Buddha said that all lifeforms were equal. Having seen the clarity in one’s heart, everyone had the possibility of becoming Buddhas, illuminated as they achieved the Tathagata in their hearts.
Yet, after the Gautama Buddha had Transcended, the Future Buddha sitting over the central Whirling World, as time passed, this so-called ‘illumination’ had gradually changed in meaning.
While Yan Zhaoge had never personally witnessed this before, there had been a few simple records of this in the Heavenly Court’s Divine Palace.
These mere few lines had been utterly shocking.
“Illumination, haha…” Yan Zhaoge stared at the other party, “You want to forcibly wrest control over my mind and will, bowing down in subservience to the Future Buddha?”
The young man shook his head, saying in a gentle tone, “Not forcibly.”
“All lifeforms have the potential for becoming Buddhas, being born on the right path. It is just that much suffering exists in this world with countless evil devils running rampant as well. As a result, a number of lifeforms stray from the right path, falling into the sinister external daos of the ignorant.”
“Our Buddha is merciful, enlightening the myriad lifeforms. While benefactor is from an external dao, this humble monk believes that benefactor has the heart to forsake evil and seek good. Listen to the meditations of our Buddha and benefactor’s original heart towards Buddhism will be restored. Hence shall you submit to our Buddha, returning to his embrace and that which is righteous.”
Yan Zhaoge laughed, “This Yan thanks you for your good intentions, O wise one. It is said that orchids bloom most fragrantly in the harshest or winters, treasured swords all coming from tempering. I still intend to remain in this bitter sea for a while. As for when I will leap out of it and how I will do so, I think that you, O wise one, have no need to worry about it.”
The young monk smiled, “Do not be stubborn and blinded, benefactor. Otherwise, you will remain bewitched by this world for all eternity, unable to extricate yourself.”
He said mildly, “Our Buddha is merciful, this disciple shall display his arts. Benefactor, I should still give you a hand. It can be considered as me accruing some good karma as well.”
Accompanied by his words, the white elephant which was huge as a mountain suddenly raised its forefoot before stomping down towards Yan Zhaoge!
Yan Zhaoge totally ignored this as another figure suddenly appeared before him.
It was still that same black and white frame. Still, his expression was no longer that silly and honest as well as cute.
A ferocious light lit up within those eyes, a low roar resounding which directly pressured over towards the sonorous, majestic chanting around them.
Pan-Pan suddenly appeared, standing upright there as he blocked before Yan Zhaoge.
His frame had expanded mightily as he grew alongside his emergence, instantly becoming so majestic that his head reached the heavens even as he stood upon the earth, now even more enormous than that white elephant!
While standing upright, Pan-Pan now struck out with a paw, sweeping at the white elephant’s upraised forefoot.
And with his other front paw, Pan-Pan directly struck towards the head of the white elephant!
A deafening, thunderous boom resounded as that massive white elephant which was like some endless mountain range was mightily sent back into retreat by Pan-Pan’s paw!
Everyone leapt up in fright.
Then, Pan-Pan roared, striding forward and grabbing that white elephant by one of its tusks, next grabbing ahold of its long trunk!
The white elephant howled in pain, a boundless force erupting from within its body.
Dragons and elephants had always been embodiments of strength.
Currently, the power of the white elephant would be able to easily overturn the heavens and earth.
Yet, grabbing its tusk with his front paw, Pan-Pan raised the white elephant overhead and slammed it into the ground!
As the massive frame of the white elephant now slammed into the ground, an intense earthquake seemed to rumble and quake throughout the entire Obscured Way World.
Where the two sides clashed, the great earth directly broke apart and collapsed, exterminating all lifeforms within.
The massive elephant struggled non-stop, crushing the broken earth and mud where it lay with a deep crevice that seemed as massive as an abyss thus being formed.
Yet, despite all its exertions, it was solidly pressed down on the floor by Pan-Pan, unable to get up.
The bluish-green light of Vajra flickered unceasingly. Yet, several black holes appeared on Pan-Pan’s body in succession, devouring all that Buddha light without end.
Pan-Pan roared, exerting force with his other paw that grabbed the elephant’s trunk as he actually now pulled it right off, snapping it permanently for good!
The white elephant emitted a heaven-shocking, earth-shaking roar as it felt pained to death. Its struggles abruptly grew increasingly intense.
Pan-Pan continued roaring wildly as he still pressed this massive elephant into the ground, not letting it go no matter what!
Everyone was wide-eyed and tongue-tied at this scene as though a Buddha’s head had been snapped out by a great demon.
Back when he had seen Pan-Pan beat his massive elephant into retreat, that young monk’s expression had changed slightly as he had wanted to move to assist it.
Yet, when that had happened, a massive palace had appeared above Yan Zhaoge’s head.
As the door of the palace opened, a figure flew out from within at lightning speed, with everyone unable to catch even a glimpse of it.
This figure seemed to completely ignore the boundaries of space and the flow of time as when he first visibly appeared, he had already arrived right in front of that young man.
There was only the young monk who had barely been able to catch a glimpse of his features. This was none other than Yan Zhaoge’s Northern Ocean Clone.
The Northern Ocean Clone’s acupoints pulsed with boundless majestic power erupting forth as he punched out towards the young monk.
The young monk was somewhat unable to keep up with his speed.
He could only meet all possible variations with an unchanging stance, bluish-green Buddha light instantly condensing about his entire body, resembling the essence of Vajra as it enveloped him completely.
Streaks of golden Buddha light shot out from beyond the Vajra surface, forming an impenetrable golden body which blocked the mighty fist of the Northern Ocean Clone’s at this crucial moment.
In virtually just a single instant, cracks appeared on the exterior of the bluish-green layer of Vajra.
“What a fierce and powerful punch. I did not even notice his presence before,” The young monk’s gaze sunk, “It was comparable to that of a Daoist Martial Saint at the peak of the sixth level of the Martial Saint realm, the late Seeing Divinity stage.”
Facing the Northern Ocean Clone, he was no longer able to assist the white elephant as he was only able to helplessly watch on as it was smashed right into the ground by Pan-Pan.
Over by the side, Gao Qing and the others were just as shocked.
This was because they were vaguely able to tell that Yan Zhaoge’s Northern Ocean Clone was really still just at the fifth level of the Martial Saint realm, the mid Seeing Divinity stage.
Also, he should only just h
ave broken through into the fifth level of the Martial Saint realm recently.
His punch having been blocked, the Northern Ocean Clone did not retract his fist as he smiled coldly, “Big monk, I think that you’d best still let this Yan send you on your way.”
Now, he switched his fist to a claw, his other hand too piercing forth.
His ten fingers were like the sharp tips of spears as they forcibly penetrated into the bluish-green layer of Vajra. Next, he mightily ripped them apart to the sides.
A piercing, ripping noise resounded as broken fragments of Vajra scattered down like descending raindrops, plummeting onto the great earth down below!
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 836: Maybe you don’t dare to kill ’em, but I do
HSSB836: Maybe you don’t dare to kill ’em, but I do
The Northern Ocean Clone unleashed his twin claws as he forcibly ripped apart the protective layer of Buddha light on the body of that young monk.
Following his initial shock, that young monk swiftly regained his calm.
He raised both his arms in unison, his fingers opening like the blossoming of a lotus.
The Buddha light transformed into a golden lotus before mightily descending straight down towards the Northern Ocean Clone’s head!
The protective Buddha light of this monk could block a strike of the Northern Ocean Clone’s without immediately collapsing. This meant that he too possessed a cultivation base comparable to that of a sixth level Martial Saint.
Regardless of their personalities, talent or powers of comprehension, Buddhist martial practitioners who were able to attain such a cultivation base would have exceptionally firm wills at the very least.
Despite his shock at the Northern Ocean Clone’s sudden appearance as well as great might, with this huge trial of life and death before him, this monk still instantly made the most appropriate response.
His speed was incomparable to the Northern Ocean Clone’s such that he would be totally delusional if he thought that he could get away and widen the distance between them.
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