Mighty demonic energy enveloped the entire Shaolin Temple, suppressing the ever-shining Buddhist light and casting a terrifying, sky-obscuring darkness.
"Oh? Then try me."
A calm, indifferent voice echoed. Amidst the fearsome demonic energy, a young man emerged, clad in a black robe adorned with nine dragons. His features were handsome and youthful, his demeanor akin to an ordinary mortal.
Seven dragon shadows writhed on his noble robe as if they were real dragons. A long saber and a sword hung from his waist.
He calmly regarded the monk before him, dressed in a grey robe and kasaya, his gaze indifferent.
"Qianyang... Demon Lord..."
The monk, who had moments ago worn a solemn expression and vowed to vanquish demons, suddenly turned ashen, cold sweat streaming down his face.
The reputation of the individual before him was known throughout the land. He was the most astonishing martial prodigy of this era, second only to the Yan Emperor.
With his hands clasped, standing within Shaolin Temple's protective formation, the monk's expression shifted multiple times. Forcing himself to remain calm, he said, "Amitabha! Does Qianyang layman have any business at Shaolin, or are you looking for someone?"
The only person Chen Jiuyang had a connection with in Shaolin Temple was Master Puhui.
Ever since Master Puhui obtained the true Buddhist Dharma opportunity in Canlao Village years ago, he had been traveling the world, comprehending the true meaning of Buddhism. He had not contacted Chen Jiuyang for years.
Chen Jiuyang still owed him a favor.
If Chen Jiuyang hadn't had the help of Princess Shile, nor the backing of the True Demon Sect, with its teleportation arrays leading to the Path of the Human King, he would have been like Master Puhui, traveling the world to nurture his Dao and seek enlightenment.
Chen Jiuyang stood in the void, his expressionless gaze fixed on the monk. Suddenly, a faint, cold curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
"You spoke correctly. I am here to find someone."
"For years, the old monks of Shaolin Temple have used the Yi Jing to assist the Five Great Heretical Paths considerably."
"On several occasions, they have plunged me into life-or-death situations, and caused the death or injury of many disciples and elders of my Sacred Sect."
"For years, I have been cultivating diligently, keeping these matters in mind. Today, I have the time."
"I have specifically come to Shaolin to express my gratitude."
As his voice fell, the monk's face changed completely, his complexion suddenly paling.
This Demon Lord Qianyang had come to Shaolin today for revenge!
"Ring the bell!"
"Prepare for battle!"
The monk let out a long roar!
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
The temple bells of Shaolin rang out loudly.
Dense ranks of martial monks materialized before Chen Jiuyang's eyes.
These monks immediately sat cross-legged, chanting scriptures to strengthen the protective formation.
"Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!!!"
The Buddhist light surged, attempting to dispel the demonic energy Chen Jiuyang exuded.
The demonic energy was being devoured.
Chen Jiuyang's expression remained unchanged. This demonic energy was not his own; it was merely a manifestation of the robe of the True Demon Sect Leader he wore.
"Interesting."
"Then I shall see how many blows your formation can withstand."
"And... how long can you old fellows, Pufa, Xuanyi, Cangfo, and Zhenke, continue to hide."
Pufa, Xuanyi, Cangfo, and Zhenke were the baldasses in Shaolin Temple's Arhat Secret Realm who controlled the Yi Jing.
They had completely sided with the Five Great Holy Lands and had repeatedly targeted Chen Jiuyang.
"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"
Below, the Buddhist light blazed.
Chen Jiuyang extended his arm, his palm transforming into a fist. Thunderous sounds erupted, and sonic booms reverberated!
Then, his formidable personal martial will spanned heaven and earth. His furnace was activated, and the winds and clouds were stirred, making him appear like a god or a demon.
"Boom!!!"
A powerful, fierce fist directly struck the protective formation of Shaolin Temple, which emanated Buddhist light!
"Bang—"
The immense sound caused the entire Shaolin Temple to tremble, as if struck by an earthquake of magnitude eight. The clang of metal echoed for ten miles!
A peerless mighty being, capable of moving the wind and clouds with a single move, capable of altering mountains and rivers!
"Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft!!!"
Within Shaolin Temple, the monks participating in the protective formation turned pale, spitting blood in unison, their eyes filled with terror, as if the person standing in the sky was a world-destroying demon.
"Pufa, Xuanyi, Cangfo, Zhenke, get out here for me!"
His voice, escaping his lips, transformed into thunderous roars that echoed through heaven and earth, accompanied by Chen Jiuyang's incoming fist!
"Rumble!!!"
"Dong—"
With a roar of thunder and dragon's cry, his fist struck the protective formation of Shaolin Temple once more from a distance.
This time, hundreds of monks suddenly spat blood and fainted.
And in an instant, the golden protective formation began to show cracks, as if it were about to shatter like glass.
The monk in the grey robe, standing on phantom lotus blossoms, also bled profusely, his body trembling violently, his eyes filled with dread.
"This demon's strength is too formidable! How can we resist?"
"Where is the Abbot?!"
Shaolin Temple's Abbot held a status similar to that of the True Demon Sect Leader.
He was Puhui's senior brother, Pufa, who had become a Great Master with the blessings of Shaolin Temple's destiny!
Originally, the grey-robed monk had intended to stabilize the situation with the protective formation, hoping Chen Jiuyang would retreat in humiliation.
However, the current situation was completely different from what he had anticipated!
With just two punches, the protective formation had begun to crack. If he were to land two more!
Once the formation was broken and the demon lord broke in, Shaolin Temple would likely be bathed in blood!
Just then.
An ancient staff flew from Shaolin Temple's main hall, radiating Buddhist light, instantly repairing the temple's protective formation.
"Demon, how dare you act so arrogantly at Shaolin!"
The Shaolin Abbot, clad in a golden kasaya, holding a begging bowl, his body radiating a faint golden hue, walked with lotuses blooming beneath his feet. He exuded a sacred and majestic aura.
The cultivation paths were different. Shaolin Temple, unlike the Leiyin Temple tradition of Indrasthan, had forged its own path, leading to later Chinese myths and legends.
"Half-step Buddha, is it..."
Chen Jiuyang's gaze turned cold as he looked at Abbot Pufa. "Shaolin's destiny is indeed prosperous. How long has it been since the Great Era's revival, yet it can already nurture a half-step Buddha."
"Heh, I suppose you must have obtained some ancient Buddha's opportunity and true scriptures from Puhui."
"Presumptuous!" Abbot Pufa's voice boomed like thunder. "Demon, cease your slander and attempts to sow discord!"
A Buddha was equivalent to the Emperor Realm, and the position of Arhat was akin to a Martial Saint, comparable to a Mahayana cultivator in the immortal path.
"Sow discord?" Chen Jiuyang's voice was cold, his eyes filled with disdain. "With only your half-step Buddha status, you are not worthy of my slander."
"For years, you baldasses have colluded with the Five Great Heretical Paths, plunging me into mortal peril numerous times, and causing countless casualties among my Sacred Sect disciples."
"Today, blood must be repaid with blood!"
"First and foremost, I shall slay you, this hypocritical baldass, as an offering to the heavens."
The demonic energy obscured the sky, making Chen Jiuyang appear like a world-destroying demon. Many monks within Shaolin trembled, clasping their hands, their eyes filled with terror, chanting "Amitabha" incessantly.
Abbot Pufa sneered, "Demon Lord Qianyang, you are truly too arrogant!"
"Do you truly think Shaolin is so easily dealt with? Break through my Shaolin formation first, then speak such words."
He was confident that Chen Jiuyang could not break Shaolin's protective formation. It was not without reason.
This staff had been nurtured by generations of abbots and was further empowered by the might of the Arhats.