Li Yang and Long Lingling watched the sacrificial ceremony intently, thinking that since they couldn't enter, they would have to wait until the ceremony ended to find the abbot separately.
"Li Yang, look, aren't those people the evil sorcerers we met on the mountain?"
While Long Lingling was observing the grand ceremony, she suddenly noticed several monks standing behind the eminent monks around the altar.
They looked exactly like the evil sorcerers they had encountered before.
As Li Yang looked closer, his expression also changed in shock!
"It really is them. When did they get inside?"
Li Yang murmured in confusion, a sense of foreboding filling him.
Their presence inside must have an ulterior motive.
"I know, they must have learned the secret of the treasure map and want to take the opportunity to attack the abbot!"
Long Lingling pondered for a moment, then suddenly said to Li Yang.
"This matter is of great importance. No matter what their plan is, we must stop them. We cannot let the abbot be harmed, nor can we let him be taken away."
Li Yang said seriously and immediately walked up to the monks who had been standing guard, saying sternly, "Two eminent monks, I have a very important matter to discuss with your abbot. It concerns his safety. Please report to him immediately."
"Sir, we hear excuses like yours countless times a day. If you wish to see our abbot, please wait until the sacrificial ceremony is over."
"I absolutely will not let you in before the ceremony concludes," the young monk stated resolutely.
Li Yang's brow furrowed. He knew it would be disastrous if he couldn't get in.
Those evil sorcerers were skilled in dark arts. If they were to make a move at this time, it would be difficult for the abbot to be protected.
For the abbot's safety, he could not give up any opportunity.
He collected himself and continued, "Eminent monks, it's fine if you don't let me in, but I have a shocking secret to tell you. Do you see those monks over there? They are not from your temple; they are from Sakura Country."
"They are likely to harm your abbot. Inform your abbot immediately and have them expelled. Then you can escape disaster."
"Sir, if you continue to cause trouble here, don't blame me for being impolite."
"Our abbot has ordered that anyone who maliciously obstructs the sacrificial ceremony will be severely punished," the monk announced sternly.
He clearly did not believe Li Yang and thought Li Yang was deliberately causing trouble.
Li Yang tried to explain further, but was immediately blocked by several monks who rushed out, brandishing staffs and holding them at Li Yang's chest.
The monk said sternly, "Please leave quickly, sir."
"Eminent monks, I have said what I needed to say, and you still refuse to believe me. If something happens later, do not blame me. In your temple, only I can save your abbot."
Li Yang had said all he could. Since these monks could not be persuaded, he decided not to press further.
He returned to Long Lingling's side, and she asked curiously, "How did it go? Are they still not letting you in?"
"We have to make other preparations. I suspect they will make a move as soon as they find an opportunity."
Li Yang knew the situation was extremely dangerous and that preparations had to be made.
"But we can't get in. Are there any other ways to save him?" Long Lingling asked, puzzled.
"I see only two exits here. You guard this one, and I'll go to the other. After they succeed, they will definitely take the abbot away. Then we will pursue them and snatch the abbot back from them."
This was the only forceful method Li Yang could think of to save the abbot.
Long Lingling gritted her teeth. Although she knew this plan was risky, she couldn't think of any other way for the moment, so she nodded in agreement.
"No problem, then it's settled."
After Long Lingling agreed, she immediately began to act with Li Yang.
Li Yang went directly towards the other exit to guard it. If they didn't come out from this side but left through the main entrance, Long Lingling would report the news immediately.
Meanwhile, inside the temple, the evil sorcerers from Sakura Country had revealed their intentions. They saw the eminent monks going up to offer incense simultaneously, while the abbot retreated to the side alone.
Their leader suddenly made a few gestures to the others. After the others nodded, they suddenly pulled off their monk robes, revealing knives, and began a massacre among the surrounding monks.
"Murder! Murder!"
As two monks fell quickly, blood pooling on the ground, the monks who witnessed the attackers immediately fled in terror, shouting.
A splash!
At that moment, all the monks in the hall panicked!
Seeing the murderers on the scene, everyone fled outwards in disarray.
The leader of these individuals, taking advantage of the chaos, rushed to the abbot and pressed a knife to his throat, saying coldly, "Old monk, you'd best not move. We won't kill you for now. Come with us!"
"Who are you? What do you want?"
The abbot, full of panic, dared not move and asked timidly.
"Don't talk so much nonsense. You'll know when we get out."
The leader said coldly, then immediately dragged the abbot away.
At this moment, the other eminent monks turned around and saw this scene, their faces filled with rage. They simultaneously moved to rescue the abbot.
But before they could act, the leader threw a handful of shimmering powder into their eyes, causing them instant pain. They all fell to their knees, screaming!
The leader snorted coldly and quickly retreated from the crowd, not forgetting to whistle and call for his companions before leaving.
When the monks inside ran out, the young monks guarding the entrance finally realized that something had happened inside. They looked back and saw that the interior had already descended into chaos, suddenly realizing that what the person had said earlier was true.
But by the time he reacted, it was clearly too late. He began to frantically search for the abbot everywhere, but the abbot was nowhere to be seen.
The entire hall was in turmoil, and no one could see where anyone else was.
Even Long Lingling, searching everywhere for those people, could no longer find them.
However, she knew that as long as she guarded this exit, she would surely find their tracks.
So she began to observe the people entering and exiting, and would immediately report to Li Yang if she saw any of them.
The people inside were pouring out like a swarm. The murderers from Sakura Country had already followed their leader in the chaos and were rapidly retreating through the crowd.
A few minutes passed, and most of the monks had escaped, but there was no sign of those individuals!