Chapter 123

The Sweeping Monk was about to make another move when a mocking voice stopped him. “Tsk tsk, after all these years, you’re still up to your old tricks, putting people into suspended animation and then reviving them to showcase your Buddhist prowess?”

Everyone turned to see a white-haired, white-bearded Daoist in a Taiji robe, holding a whisk. His seemingly casual words mocked Shaolin’s deceit.

Some recognized him and gasped, “It’s… it’s Wudang’s Master Zhang!”

“I heard Master Zhang was in seclusion at Wudang. Why is he here in Song?”

“You’re behind the times! Master Zhang recently ascended to the Land Immortal realm!”

“Wow! Something big is about to happen!”

Those in the know were excited. Zhang Sanfeng, newly ascended to Land Immortal, appearing at Shaolin, coupled with his mocking words and the recent conflicts between Shaolin and Wudang, made everyone anticipate a major showdown.

Xiao Feng looked around, not seeing any other Wudang members, especially the Little Immortal, Ning Changge. He was puzzled. If Wudang was here to confront Shaolin, why would their patriarch come alone? He didn’t know Zhang Sanfeng had snuck out to fight without telling his disciples.

Shaolin disciples were also shocked, especially those from Ming’s Shaolin, who felt like they were seeing Ning Changge again. The Sweeping Monk regained his composure and greeted Zhang Sanfeng with a Buddhist salute, “So it’s Master Zhang of Wudang. Congratulations on your ascension to Land Immortal. However, your words just now were somewhat biased. Shaolin has always acted with integrity…”

“Integrity? Does that include bullying my disciples while I was in seclusion?” Zhang Sanfeng sneered. The Sweeping Monk was speechless. Are you sure it was me bullying him and not the other way around? I lost a Buddhist relic there and took a long time to recover…

Before he could speak, Zhang Sanfeng continued, “As for my so-called bias, why don’t we let the martial world of Song see for themselves?” He suddenly pointed, and a wave of Taiji true power fell on the seemingly lifeless bodies of Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo.

The next moment, everyone gasped. The two ‘dead’ men suddenly opened their eyes, looking bewildered. “What… what happened to me?” Xiao Feng was furious, “Shaolin’s actions are despicable!”

The martial artists present voiced their disapproval, their eyes filled with disdain. Putting people into suspended animation and then reviving them to make them ‘enlightened’ was far from honorable.

Shaolin monks, faced with such contempt, looked embarrassed. Some even lowered their heads, chanting scriptures to lessen their guilt.

Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo, realizing their situation, were enraged. The thought of being brainwashed into becoming Shaolin monks terrified them. But they couldn’t resist a Buddha’s power. They could only express their gratitude to Zhang Sanfeng, “Thank you, Master Zhang!”

The Sweeping Monk sighed, knowing Shaolin’s plan had failed. Two potential Heaven-Man experts were lost. All because of Zhang Sanfeng’s interference.

He looked at Zhang Sanfeng, his tone losing its previous politeness, “Master Zhang, what brings you to Shaolin?”

Despite facing another Land Immortal, the Sweeping Monk remained calm. He had lived for over two hundred years and had been a Buddha for more than sixty.

Zhang Sanfeng had just ascended; how could he compare? When he was a supreme expert, Zhang Sanfeng hadn’t even been born. Calling Zhang Sanfeng ‘Master’ was a courtesy due to their shared status as Land Immortals. Otherwise, Zhang Sanfeng was just a junior.

With this in mind, the Sweeping Monk’s demeanor grew colder. Zhang Sanfeng, having disrupted Shaolin’s plans, was in a good mood. But this was just an appetizer. He coldly replied, “I heard Shaolin’s Buddha mentioned having karma with my disciple Changge. Today, I, Zhang Sanfeng, will settle this karma on his behalf!”

“You came to Tianzhu Peak to bully my disciple. Now, I will do the same to you. If I win, Shaolin’s gates will not stand today!”

The martial artists were stunned, gasping in shock. “Is he planning to crush Shaolin’s gates alone?” They were amazed by Zhang Sanfeng’s audacity. This was Shaolin, home to a Buddha. Where did Master Zhang get such confidence? But they couldn’t help but admire his loyalty to his disciples.

Shaolin monks were equally shocked and then enraged. This was a direct challenge to Shaolin’s honor. Abbot Xuanci couldn’t help but shout, “Master Zhang, we respect you as a Daoist master, but this behavior is unbecoming!”

Zhang Sanfeng snorted, “Whether it’s becoming or not isn’t for you to decide. Today, I’m here to settle karma!”

“You came to Wudang, bullied my disciple. Today, I will crush Shaolin. This is our karma.”

He focused solely on the Sweeping Monk, his true power surging. The martial artists quickly retreated, knowing they couldn’t withstand the aftermath of a battle between two Land Immortals.

Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo’s feud had to be set aside. Everyone knew the main event was now the clash between two Land Immortals.

The Sweeping Monk sighed, “Why force this karma upon yourself?” He chanted a Buddhist mantra, golden light enveloping him, his true power surging, the sound of chanting filling the air, captivating the onlookers.

“You wouldn’t understand,” Zhang Sanfeng replied, his Taiji true power forming a Taiji diagram behind him, Yin and Yang intertwining, filled with profound mysteries. The two were ready to clash, the sky darkening, clouds swirling.

Meanwhile, at Tianzhu Peak’s Sutra Pavilion, Ning Changge opened his eyes in surprise, “Why is Master fighting a Land Immortal?” Zhang Sanfeng had borrowed Ning Changge’s Bi Shui Sword, which was now highly spiritual, almost a spiritual weapon, and constantly nourished by Ning Changge’s true power. Even without using a soul-binding technique, Ning Changge could sense it.

When Zhang Sanfeng’s true power clashed with the Sweeping Monk’s, Ning Changge immediately sensed it. Realizing where his master was and who he was fighting, he was stunned. “Master really…”