“ wàn fú zōng ， tiān qiǎo mén ？” lín xuān tóng kǒng wēi suō ， liǎn shàng liú lù chū le jǐ fēn yà rán zhī tuō ：“ nán dào shì qī dà shì lì kǎ de ……”
“万佛宗，天巧门？”林轩瞳孔微缩，脸上流露出了几分讶然之乇：“难道是七大势力卡的……”
"Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, Heavenly Ingenuity Gate?" Lin Xuan's pupils constricted slightly as a hint of surprise appeared on his face. "Could it be that these are the Seven Great Forces?"
“ qián bèi shuō dé méi cuò 。” nà nián qīng xiū shì diǎn le diǎn tóu ：“ zhè jù guài yě bù zhī shì ā yì zhǒng yāo mó ， dàn zì cóng gǔ chū xiàn zhī hòu ， shì sú fán rén yǐ shāng wáng le shù yì zhī duō ， biàn shì wǒ men xiū xiān zhě ， yě sǔn shī cǎn zhòng ， sàn xiū bù shuō ， guāng shì zōng mén jiā zú jiù bèi xuè xǐ le shí jǐ gè ， rú guǒ fàng rèn zì liú ， duì yú zhěng gè yún zhōu lái shuō ， dū huì shì yī cháng hào jié ， yóu qí kě pà de shì ， zhè jiā huo tūn shì de xiū shì yuè duō ， shí lì chéng zhǎng dé yě yuè xùn ， zài guò jǐ nián ， shuō bù dìng zhēn de wú rén kě zhì ， yīn cǐ wàn fú zōng yǔ tiān qiǎo mén cái chū miàn zhào jí ， xī wàng jiè gè fāng dào yǒu zhī lì ， yī jǔ jiāng zhè huò hài chǎn chú 。 lín xuān chén yín bù yǔ 。
“前辈说得没错。”那年轻修士点了点头：“这巨怪也不知是阿异种妖魔，但自从牯出现之后，世俗凡人已伤亡了数亿之多，便是我们修仙者，也损失惨重，散修不说，光是宗门家族就被血洗了十几个，如果放任自流，对于整个云州来说，都会是一场浩劫，尤其可怕的是，这家伙吞噬的修士越多，实力成长得也越迅，再过几年，说不定真的无人可制，因此万佛宗与天巧门才出面召集，希望借各方道友之力，一举将这祸害铲除。林轩沉吟不语。
"That's correct," the young cultivator nodded. "This giant monster is unknown to us whether it belongs to an alien race or a demon. Since its appearance, countless commoners and even cultivators have fallen victim—billions of lives lost. If left unchecked, this would be a disaster for all of Cloud Province, especially concerning how its power grows with each cultivator it devours. In just a few years, there might not be anyone capable of stopping it. Therefore, the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect and Heavenly Ingenuity Gate have convened to seek assistance from fellow daoists in hopes of eliminating this menace."
wàn fú zōng ， gù míng sī yì ， shì tiān yún shí èr zhōu fó mén dì yī dà pài ， shí lì xióng qiáng wú bǐ ， chú le zhǔ chí ， luó hàn táng ， pú tí yuàn de zhǎng lǎo yě dōu shì yuán yīng hòu qī de dà xiū shì 。
万佛宗，顾名思义，是天云十二州佛门第一大派，实力雄强无比，除了主持，罗汉堂，菩提院的长老也都是元婴后期的大修士。
Lin Xuan remained silent, deep in thought.
suī rán píng shí bù xiǎn shān lù shuǐ ， dàn fāng jiān xiàng yǒu chuán yán ， shuō qī dà shì lì biǎo miàn shàng bìng jià qí qū ， dàn ruò yí dìng yào fēn gè shèng fù ， wàn fú zōng kě lì yā qún xióng ， zài qī pài zhōng pái míng jū 。
虽然平时不显山露水，但坊间向有传言，说七大势力表面上并驾齐驱，但若一定要分个胜负，万佛宗可力压群雄，在七派中排名居。
The Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, as its name suggests, is the largest Buddhist sect among the Twelve Cloud States, boasting formidable strength. Apart from the abbot, elders from the Arhat Hall and Bodhi Institute are also late-stage婴期 cultivators.
dāng rán ， jǐn jǐn shì chuán yán ， dàn sú huà shuō dé hǎo ， wú fēng bù qǐ làng ， chú le tiān yá hǎi gé ， zuì yǒu kě néng yōng yǒu lí hé qī xiū xiān zhě de ， kǒng pà biàn shì zhè wàn fú zōng le 。 zhì yú tiān qiǎo mén ， zài qī pài zhōng dǎo shì pái míng jiào mò ， dàn què shì zuì shén mì de yí gè 。
当然，仅仅是传言，但俗话说得好，无风不起浪，除了天涯海阁，最有可能拥有离合期修仙者的，恐怕便是这万佛宗了。至于天巧门，在七派中倒是排名较末，但却是最神秘的一个。
Though they usually remain inconspicuous, rumors circulate that in a competition of power, the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect could outshine all others, ranking at the top among the Seven Great Forces. However, these are merely rumors. As the saying goes, no wind without a wave; it's likely that this sect houses many Separation Stage cultivators.
gāi pài suǒ xué ， yǐ zá wéi zhǔ ， méi yǒu shén me zhù míng gōng zhì ， rú hǎi nà bǎi 』II， mén zhōng zhèng mó rú mó ， bāo kuò xiū yāo zhě ， quán bù dōu yǒu ， tóng shí shàn cháng zhì qì ， zhèn fǎ …… bù guò zuì wèi zhù míng de hái shì kuǐ lěi shù 。
该派所学，以杂为主，没有什么著名功治，如海纳百』II，门中正魔儒魔，包括修妖者，全部都有，同时擅长制器，阵法……不过最为著名的还是傀儡术。
In contrast, the Heavenly Ingenuity Gate ranks lower in the Seven Great Forces but is the most mysterious. The techniques they practice are diverse—ranging from alchemy to weapon crafting and array formation—but their most famous skill is puppetry.
dī jiē kuǐ lěi zàn qiě bù shuō ， níng dān jí bié kuǐ lěi kě shì mì shì jiāo yì zhōng de qiǎng shǒu huò ， biàn shì yuán yīng qī xiū shì ， yǒu shí yě huì mǎi shàng jǐ gè zuò fáng shēn zhī wù ， píng shí huò xǔ méi yǒu duō dà de yòng tú ， dàn rú guǒ yù jiàn tóng jiē cún zài ， yǒu hàn bù wèi sǐ de kuǐ lěi zuò bāng shǒu ， jiù yǒu kě néng jiāng zhàn jú gǎi xiě diào de 。
低阶傀儡暂且不说，凝丹级别傀儡可是秘市交易中的抢手货，便是元婴期修士，有时也会买上几个做防身之物，平时或许没有多大的用途，但如果遇见同阶存在，有悍不畏死的傀儡做帮手，就有可能将战局改写掉的。
Lower-grade puppets aside, high-grade condensation core puppets are highly sought after in the Secret Market. Even late-stage婴期 cultivators sometimes purchase them for self-defense. While they may not be useful in everyday life, a determined puppet could alter the outcome of a battle against an equal opponent.
zhì yú gèng gāo jí bié de yuán yīng kuǐ lěi ， jù shuō gāi pài yě néng zhì zuò ， bù guò xiāo hào de zhēn xī cái liào yǔ gāo jiē jīng shí quán dōu dá dào le tiān wén shù zì ， gèng bú huì jiāng qí ná dào fāng shì 。 jiǎn dān de shuō ， jiù shì yǒu jià yuán shì 。 tí qǐ gāi pài ， lín xuān bù yóu de xiǎng qǐ le xí jī qín yán de yuán yīng hòu qī kuǐ lěi 。
至于更高级别的元婴傀儡，据说该派也能制作，不过消耗的珍稀材料与高阶晶石全都达到了天文数字，更不会将其拿到坊市。简单的说，就是有价元市。提起该派，林轩不由得想起了袭击秦妍的元婴后期傀儡。
As for higher-grade infant puppets, it's rumored that the Heavenly Ingenuity Gate can also create such powerful constructs, but the materials and high-grade crystals required are astronomical, making them too expensive to sell in public markets. In short, they're valuable but not easily available.
rú guǒ shuō yún zhōu yǒu nǎ ge shì lì ， néng gòu zhì zuò chū zhè zhǒng kě pà zhī wù ， zuì yǒu xián yí de fēi tiān qiǎo mén mò shǔ 。 bù guò lín xuān bìng bù rèn wéi cǐ shì shì duì fāng zuò de 。
如果说云州有哪个势力，能够制作出这种可怕之物，最有嫌疑的非天巧门莫属。不过林轩并不认为此事是对方做的。
Recalling his encounter with an infant后期 puppet that attacked Qin Yan, Lin Xuan couldn't help but think of the Heavenly Ingenuity Gate as a prime suspect for creating such terrifying constructs. However, he didn't believe it was them responsible.
yī lái liǎng pài xiāng jù qiān wàn lǐ ， bìng wú lì yì chōng tū ， chōng yán suī rán jǐn jǐn shì yī míng wú yīng chū qī de xiū xiān zhě ， dàn shēn fèn tè shū ， nǎi yún zhōu dì yī nǚ xiū de ài tú ， tā rú guǒ chū le shén me chā cuò ， shì bì yǐn qǐ liǎng pài jiāo liè chōng tū 。 tiān qiǎo mén xiū shì chú fēi chī bǎo le chēng de ， fǒu zé bù kě néng qù zuò zhè zhǒng shǎ shì lái de 。
一来两派相距千万里，并无利益冲突，舂妍虽然仅仅是一名无婴初期的修仙者，但身份特殊，乃云州第一女修的爱徒，她如果出了什么差错，势必引起两派浇烈冲突。天巧门修士除非吃饱了撑的，否则不可能去做这种傻事来的。
For one, there's no conflict of interest between the two sects, and even though Qin Yan is merely an early-stage婴期 cultivator, her unique status as the first female cultivator in Cloud Province would surely spark intense conflict if anything happened to her. The Heavenly Ingenuity Gate wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
shí yǒu ** shì yǒu rén zāi zāng jià huò ， zhè yì diǎn quàn yán yě qīng chǔ ， fǒu zé liǎng pài de guān xì kǒng pà yǐ shì tóng shuǐ huǒ 。
十有**是有人栽赃嫁祸，这一点券妍也清楚，否则两派的关系恐怕已势同水火。
Most likely, someone was framing them. Qian Yan understood this too; otherwise, relations between the two sects would be at an all-time low.
lín xuān suī rán cāi dào jù guài sì nüè xià qù ， bì jiāng chéng wéi xiū shì men de yǎn zhōng dīng 、 ròu zhōng cì ， dàn yě méi xiǎng dào huì jīng dòng qī dà shì lì ， wàn fú zōng yǔ tiān qiǎo mén lián shǒu ， zài zhào jí sì fāng xiū shì ， nà guài wù kǒng pà tǎo bú dào hǎo guǒ zi 。“ yuán lái rú cǐ ！”
林轩虽然猜到巨怪肆虐下去，必将成为修士们的眼中钉、肉中刺，但也没想到会惊动七大势力，万佛宗与天巧门联手，再召集四方修士，那怪物恐怕讨不到好果子。“原来如此！”
Though Lin Xuan had anticipated that the giant monster's rampage would become a thorn in the side of cultivators, he didn't expect it to attract the attention of the Seven Great Forces. With the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect and Heavenly Ingenuity Gate rallying forces from across the land, this monster might not fare well. "That makes sense!"
lín xuān kàn le yī yǎn nà shén qíng yǒu xiē yóu huá de xiū shì ：“ jì rán nǐ tí gōng le yǒu yòng de xìn xī ， nà lín mǒu yě bù nán wéi nǐ ， wǒ quàn dào yǒu zuì hǎo gǎn kuài lí qù ， xū zhī yǒu xiē rè nào kàn dé ， yǒu xiē rè nào què bú shì nǐ děng kě yǐ jiè rù ， yí bù xiǎo xīn mò bǎ zì jǐ xiǎo mìng diū le 。 yán jǐn yú cǐ ， lín xuān hún shēn qīng máng dà qǐ ， jiā xiàng qián fāng fēi lüè ér qù 。” qián bèi ！”
林轩看了一眼那神情有些油滑的修士：“既然你提供了有用的信息，那林某也不难为你，我劝道友最好赶快离去，须知有些热闹看得，有些热闹却不是你等可以介入，一不小心莫把自己小命丢了。言尽于此，林轩浑身青芒大起，加向前方飞掠而去。”前辈！”
Lin Xuan glanced at the oily-looking cultivator. "Since you provided useful information, I won't make things difficult for you. I advise your daoist friend to leave as soon as possible. Some conflicts are best avoided. With that said, Lin Xuan's body was enveloped in a green glow as he flew forward.
liào xìng xiū shì yī dāi ， zhàn zài yuán dì chóu chú qǐ lái ， guò le yuē bàn zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， tā zhōng yú yǎo le yǎo yá ， diào tóu fēi huí yuán dì ， suī rán xīn zhōng hào qí ， hěn xiǎng kàn yī kàn cǐ zhàn de jié jú ， dàn nà wèi qián bèi yán zhī yǒu lǐ ， zì jǐ qū qū yī zhù jī qī xiū shì ， bìng méi yǒu duō shǎo zì bǎo zhī lì ruò wèi le kàn rè nào jiāng xiǎo mìng dā jìn qù ， wèi shǐ tài guò bù zhí 。
廖姓修士一呆，站在原地踌躇起来，过了约半盏茶的功夫，他终于咬了咬牙，掉头飞回原地，虽然心中好奇，很想看一看此战的结局，但那位前辈言之有理，自己区区一筑基期修士，并没有多少自保之力若为了看热闹将小命搭进去，未始太过不值。
"Senior!"
jiē xià lái gé jǐ rì ， lín xuān yù jiàn de xiū shì yuè lái yuè duō ， qí zhōng bù fá yuán yīng qī de xiū xiān zhě 。
接下来格几日，林轩遇见的修士越来越多，其中不乏元婴期的修仙者。
The unnamed cultivator hesitated, standing still. After about half an hour, he finally gritted his teeth and turned back towards the original location. Although curious to see the outcome of the battle, he agreed with the senior's words; as a mere Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, he lacked self-defense capabilities. It wouldn't be worth risking his life for such entertainment.
dāng rán ， níng dān qī zhù jī qī de gèng duō ， lín xuān hùn zá zài qí zhōng ， dǎo shì sī háo de bù yǐn rén zhǔ mù 。 zhè tiān shàng wǔ ， tā zhèng zài gǎn lù ， tū rán yī zhèn cáo zá de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。 jiē zhe yuǎn chù gèng shì liàng qǐ le wǔ yán liù sè de jīng hóng ， fēng chí diàn bì bān de xiàng zhe qián fāng jī shè “ kuài ， nà guài wù bèi wéi zài le cháo yún fǔ ， tīng shuō hěn duō yuán yīng qī qián bèi dōu gǎn qù “ zhēn de jiǎ de ？”
当然，凝丹期筑基期的更多，林轩混杂在其中，倒是丝毫的不引人瞩目。这天上午，他正在赶路，突然一阵嘈杂的声音传入耳朵。接着远处更是亮起了五颜六色的惊虹，风驰电毕般的向着前方激射“快，那怪物被围在了潮云府，听说很多元婴期前辈都赶去“真的假的？”
Over the next few days, Lin Xuan encountered more cultivators, some even late-stage婴期. Among them were many Condensation Core and Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, blending in without drawing attention.
“ fèi huà ， zhè zhǒng shì qíng qǐ néng yǒu jiǎ ， tīng shuō zhè cì dài duì chú mó de kě shì wàn fú zōng luó hàn táng zuò ， yuán yīng hòu qī de kōng xuàn shén sēng ， yǒu tā lǎo rén jiā chū shǒu ， nà mó wù zài rú hé xiōng xuán ” yě jué duì nán táo yī sǐ de 。”
“废话，这种事情岂能有假，听说这次带队除魔的可是万佛宗罗汉堂座，元婴后期的空眩神僧，有他老人家出手，那魔物再如何凶悬”也绝对难逃一死的。”
One morning, while traveling, he heard a commotion. Far off, colorful flashes of light streaked towards the front. "Hurry! The monster is surrounded by Cloud Stream Manor. It's said that many late-stage婴期 seniors have rushed there."
“ hēng ， zhè kě bù yí dìng ， wǒ tīng shuō nà jù guài yī lù tú tàn shēng líng ， sǐ zài gǔ shǒu zhōng de yuán yīng qī xiū shì yě yǒu hǎo jǐ gè ， jiù suàn kōng xuàn shén sēng qīn zì chū shǒu ， yě ……” cǐ rén shuō dào zhè lǐ ， tū rán zhù kǒu ， liǎn shàng lù chū kǒng jù zhī sè ， tā tū rán xiǎng qǐ ， kōng xuàn shén sēng kě shì wàn fú zōng xiū wèi zuì gāo de zhǎng lǎo zhī yī ， qǐ shì zì jǐ yī xiǎo xiǎo de níng dān qī xiū shì kě yǐ suí biàn yì lùn dì ， wàn yī zhè huà chuán rù duì fāng de ěr lǐ 。 sú huà shuō ， huò cóng kǒu chū ， hǎo zài tóng háng de dōu shì zì jǐ duō nián lǎo yǒu ， dàn tā yě bù gǎn zài
“哼，这可不一定，我听说那巨怪一路涂炭生灵，死在牯手中的元婴期修士也有好几个，就算空眩神僧亲自出手，也……”此人说到这里，突然住口，脸上露出恐惧之色，他突然想起，空眩神僧可是万佛宗修为最高的长老之一，岂是自己一小小的凝丹期修士可以随便议论地，万一这话传入对方的耳里。俗话说，祸从口出，好在同行的都是自己多年老友，但他也不敢再
"Is this true?"
rán ér lín xuān yǐn zài àn chù ， què jiāng zhòng rén de huà tīng dé qīng qīng chǔ chǔ ， cháo yún fǔ ， nà jù guài guǒ rán bèi wéi zhù ， zhè kě yǒu xiē yì si le 。 kǒu zhōng nán nán de dí gū le yī jù ， suí hòu lín xuān hún shēn qīng máng dà qǐ ， jì xù xiàng qián fāng fēi lüè
然而林轩隐在暗处，却将众人的话听得清清楚楚，潮云府，那巨怪果然被围住，这可有些意思了。口中喃喃的嘀咕了一句，随后林轩浑身青芒大起，继续像前方飞掠
"It must be," another cultivator replied. "The leader of this mission is the abbot of the Arhat Hall from the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, a late-stage婴期 monk named Kongsyan. With his intervention, that monster will surely meet its end regardless of how formidable it may seem."
hú yún fǔ jù lí zhè lǐ bù guò shù bǎi lǐ ， tā suī rán méi yǒu quán lì yǐ fù ， dàn yě bù guò huā le piàn kè de gōng fu 。
湖云府距离这里不过数百里，他虽然没有全力以赴，但也不过花了片刻的功夫。
"Humph! That's not certain," another cultivator interjected. "I heard several late-stage婴期 were killed by this giant monster before. Even if Kongsyan personally intervenes..."
rén tóu cuán dòng ， yī yǎn wàng qù ， jù jí de xiū xiān zhě zú yǒu wàn yú ， qí zhōng bù fá yuán yīng xiū shì ， zuì yǐn rén zhǔ mù de shì yī wèi lǎo sēng ， xū méi jiē bái ， yī liǎn hé shàn zhī sè ， kě què shì yuán yīng hòu qī de dà xiū xiān zhě 。 ér qiě shì zì jǐ suǒ jiàn dà xiū shì zhōng fǎ lì zuì jīng shēn de yí gè 。 lín xuān bù yóu tóng kǒng wēi suō 。 rú guǒ dān dǎ dú dòu ， tā yě méi yǒu shí zú de bǎ wò 。 shèng míng zhī xià wú xū shì ， wàn fú zōng luó hàn táng zuò ， guǒ rán fēi tóng xiǎo kě 。
人头攒动，一眼望去，聚集的修仙者足有万余，其中不乏元婴修士，最引人瞩目的是一位老僧，须眉皆白，一脸和善之色，可却是元婴后期的大修仙者。而且是自己所见大修士中法力最精深的一个。林轩不由瞳孔微缩。如果单打独斗，他也没有十足的把握。盛名之下无虚士，万佛宗罗汉堂座，果然非同小可。
The man stopped mid-sentence, fear evident on his face. He remembered that Kongsyan was one of the highest-ranking elders in the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect; it wouldn't be wise to comment lightly. If these words reached the wrong ears, the saying "misfortune from one's mouth" would come true.
cǐ shí ， jù guài bèi xiū xiān zhě tuán tuán wéi zhù ， shuāng fāng de máo dùn bù kě tiáo hé ， yě méi yǒu shén me hǎo jiě shì de ， líng lì fān yǒng ， jù shí rú yǔ diǎn bān hōng luò ， shuāng fāng zhǎn kāi le duì gōng ！
此时，巨怪被修仙者团团围住，双方的矛盾不可调和，也没有什么好解释的，灵力翻涌，巨石如雨点般轰落，双方展开了对攻！
However, Lin Xuan, hidden in the crowd, heard every word clearly. The giant monster had indeed been surrounded by cultivators. This was interesting. He muttered under his breath and continued flying forward.
lín xuān duǒ zài rén qún zhī zhōng ， suí yì fàng chū le yī bǐng pǔ tōng de fēi jiàn fǎ bǎo ， sī háo bù yǐn rén zhǔ mù 。
林轩躲在人群之中，随意放出了一柄普通的飞剑法宝，丝毫不引人瞩目。
Cloud Stream Manor was only a few hundred miles away. Though he didn't push himself to the limit, it took him just a moment to reach the location.
yǔ shàng cǐ jiàn dào jù guài bù tóng ， cǐ shí gǔ de yuán qì yǐ chè dǐ huī fù ， xiū wèi dá dào le yuán yīng hòu qī ， ér běn shēn de tiān fù ， ràng gǔ yàng chū lái de zhàn lì ， yuǎn bú shì pǔ tōng de rén zú xiū shì kě F1o
与上此见到巨怪不同，此时牯的元气已彻底恢复，修为达到了元婴后期，而本身的天赋，让牯样出来的战力，远不是普通的人族修士可F1o
The area was bustling with over ten thousand cultivators, many of whom were late-stage婴期. Among them stood an elderly monk, his white beard and hair contrasting sharply against his benevolent face—yet he was a formidable late-stage婴期 cultivator, one of the most powerful Lin Xuan had ever seen. His eyes widened.
wàn zhàng gāo de tǐ pò ， měi yī jiǎo tí chū ， guāng shì nà hài rén de lì liàng ， jiù néng gòu dài qǐ yī dào dào gāng fēng ， níng dān qī yǐ shàng de hái hǎo ， nà xiē lǎo còu rè nào de dī jiē xiū shì ， jī hū shì zhān zhī jí sǐ ， yóu rú bèi kǎn guā qiè cài yī yàng 。
万丈高的体魄，每一脚提出，光是那骇人的力量，就能够带起一道道罡风，凝丹期以上的还好，那些老凑热闹的低阶修士，几乎是沾之即死，犹如被砍瓜切菜一样。
If they fought alone, he wouldn't have full confidence in victory. A name carries its reputation; indeed, the abbot of the Arhat Hall from the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect was no ordinary figure.
The giant monster was surrounded by cultivators, and their conflict was irreconcilable. With a surge of spiritual energy, massive stones rained down like hail as both sides engaged in combat!
Lin Xuan hid among the crowd, casually releasing an ordinary flying sword without drawing attention.
Unlike his previous encounter with the giant monster, this time its aura had fully recovered, reaching late-stage婴期. Its innate abilities gave it a fighting power far beyond that of ordinary human cultivators.
Its towering figure could generate powerful gales with each step. While those above Condensation Core stage managed to survive, lower-ranking cultivators who lingered out of curiosity were almost instantly killed, like vegetables being sliced in half.
"Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, Heavenly Ingenuity Gate?" Lin Xuan's pupils constricted slightly as a hint of surprise appeared on his face. "Could it be that these are the Seven Great Forces?"
"That's correct," the young cultivator nodded. "This giant monster is unknown to us whether it belongs to an alien race or a demon. Since its appearance, countless commoners and even cultivators have fallen victim—billions of lives lost. If left unchecked, this would be a disaster for all of Cloud Province, especially concerning how its power grows with each cultivator it devours. In just a few years, there might not be anyone capable of stopping it. Therefore, the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect and Heavenly Ingenuity Gate have convened to seek assistance from fellow daoists in hopes of eliminating this menace."
Lin Xuan remained silent, deep in thought.
The Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, as its name suggests, is the largest Buddhist sect among the Twelve Cloud States, boasting formidable strength. Apart from the abbot, elders from the Arhat Hall and Bodhi Institute are also late-stage婴期 cultivators.
Though they usually remain inconspicuous, rumors circulate that in a competition of power, the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect could outshine all others, ranking at the top among the Seven Great Forces. However, these are merely rumors. As the saying goes, no wind without a wave; it's likely that this sect houses many Separation Stage cultivators.
In contrast, the Heavenly Ingenuity Gate ranks lower in the Seven Great Forces but is the most mysterious. The techniques they practice are diverse—ranging from alchemy to weapon crafting and array formation—but their most famous skill is puppetry.
Lower-grade puppets aside, high-grade condensation core puppets are highly sought after in the Secret Market. Even late-stage婴期 cultivators sometimes purchase them for self-defense. While they may not be useful in everyday life, a determined puppet could alter the outcome of a battle against an equal opponent.
As for higher-grade infant puppets, it's rumored that the Heavenly Ingenuity Gate can also create such powerful constructs, but the materials and high-grade crystals required are astronomical, making them too expensive to sell in public markets. In short, they're valuable but not easily available.
Recalling his encounter with an infant后期 puppet that attacked Qin Yan, Lin Xuan couldn't help but think of the Heavenly Ingenuity Gate as a prime suspect for creating such terrifying constructs. However, he didn't believe it was them responsible.
For one, there's no conflict of interest between the two sects, and even though Qin Yan is merely an early-stage婴期 cultivator, her unique status as the first female cultivator in Cloud Province would surely spark intense conflict if anything happened to her. The Heavenly Ingenuity Gate wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
Most likely, someone was framing them. Qian Yan understood this too; otherwise, relations between the two sects would be at an all-time low.
Though Lin Xuan had anticipated that the giant monster's rampage would become a thorn in the side of cultivators, he didn't expect it to attract the attention of the Seven Great Forces. With the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect and Heavenly Ingenuity Gate rallying forces from across the land, this monster might not fare well. "That makes sense!"
Lin Xuan glanced at the oily-looking cultivator. "Since you provided useful information, I won't make things difficult for you. I advise your daoist friend to leave as soon as possible. Some conflicts are best avoided. With that said, Lin Xuan's body was enveloped in a green glow as he flew forward.
"Senior!"
The unnamed cultivator hesitated, standing still. After about half an hour, he finally gritted his teeth and turned back towards the original location. Although curious to see the outcome of the battle, he agreed with the senior's words; as a mere Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, he lacked self-defense capabilities. It wouldn't be worth risking his life for such entertainment.
Over the next few days, Lin Xuan encountered more cultivators, some even late-stage婴期. Among them were many Condensation Core and Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, blending in without drawing attention.
One morning, while traveling, he heard a commotion. Far off, colorful flashes of light streaked towards the front. "Hurry! The monster is surrounded by Cloud Stream Manor. It's said that many late-stage婴期 seniors have rushed there."
"Is this true?"
"It must be," another cultivator replied. "The leader of this mission is the abbot of the Arhat Hall from the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect, a late-stage婴期 monk named Kongsyan. With his intervention, that monster will surely meet its end regardless of how formidable it may seem."
"Humph! That's not certain," another cultivator interjected. "I heard several late-stage婴期 were killed by this giant monster before. Even if Kongsyan personally intervenes..."
The man stopped mid-sentence, fear evident on his face. He remembered that Kongsyan was one of the highest-ranking elders in the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect; it wouldn't be wise to comment lightly. If these words reached the wrong ears, the saying "misfortune from one's mouth" would come true.
However, Lin Xuan, hidden in the crowd, heard every word clearly. The giant monster had indeed been surrounded by cultivators. This was interesting. He muttered under his breath and continued flying forward.
Cloud Stream Manor was only a few hundred miles away. Though he didn't push himself to the limit, it took him just a moment to reach the location.
The area was bustling with over ten thousand cultivators, many of whom were late-stage婴期. Among them stood an elderly monk, his white beard and hair contrasting sharply against his benevolent face—yet he was a formidable late-stage婴期 cultivator, one of the most powerful Lin Xuan had ever seen. His eyes widened.
If they fought alone, he wouldn't have full confidence in victory. A name carries its reputation; indeed, the abbot of the Arhat Hall from the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect was no ordinary figure.
The giant monster was surrounded by cultivators, and their conflict was irreconcilable. With a surge of spiritual energy, massive stones rained down like hail as both sides engaged in combat!
Lin Xuan hid among the crowd, casually releasing an ordinary flying sword without drawing attention.
Unlike his previous encounter with the giant monster, this time its aura had fully recovered, reaching late-stage婴期. Its innate abilities gave it a fighting power far beyond that of ordinary human cultivators.
Its towering figure could generate powerful gales with each step. While those above Condensation Core stage managed to survive, lower-ranking cultivators who lingered out of curiosity were almost instantly killed, like vegetables being sliced in half.