Chapter 127: Trial or Calamity

"Stop being so mysterious. If you were truly honorable, why didn't you show yourself earlier? Why follow us from such a distance all this way?"

Ling Qingshu eyed the fast and enigmatic Hawk-faced Man with suspicion. However, Xu Yang, standing beside her, remained calm, seemingly not perceiving the strange-looking individual as a genuine enemy.

Xu Yang observed the Hawk-faced Man with interest and chuckled, "Then tell us, who exactly are you, and which faction do you represent in seeking us out?"

As expected, Xu Yang's composed demeanor impressed the Hawk-faced Man.

"Hahaha, the boss is always the boss, always stronger than these little folks around him."

"To be frank, I am an envoy from the Cloud Void Dao State, sent by the Divine Monk Tianyun of Linghan Temple. The Divine Monk has stated that patron Bai Lianxue had a significant karmic entanglement ten thousand years ago that remains unresolved at Linghan Temple. Once Patron Bai is resurrected and leaves Qi State, I am to come and guide her."

Bai Lianxue was startled. The mention of "ten thousand years ago" undoubtedly referred to the great catastrophe of the Three Thousand Dao States.

As the Hawk-faced envoy spoke, he raised his palm, and a dark-golden divine energy slowly materialized in the center. Xu Yang and the others clearly saw a small golden clay figurine appear in his hand.

"It's it!! There's no mistake..."

At Bai Lianxue's words, Xu Yang and the others immediately understood what she meant: it was a fragment deeply etched in her memory!

The small golden clay figurine represented Bai Lianxue's profound connection to the great secret of the Three Thousand Dao States from that era.

As for why this item was at Linghan Temple, only Divine Monk Tianyun could answer that.

"Very well. In that case, please board the ship, and we shall travel to the Cloud Void Dao State together."

Xu Yang gestured lightly, inviting the Hawk-faced envoy onto the spirit ship.

Along the way, the envoy genuinely refrained from prying or asking questions, purely acting in his role as an emissary. This gradually eased the last shred of doubt and wariness in Xu Yang and the others.

Three days later, guided by the envoy, Xu Yang's group finally entered the territory of the Cloud Void Dao State.

Linghan Temple, a mysterious place renowned throughout the world ten thousand years ago, was also a top lineage of Buddhist tradition. It rarely accepted disciples; every individual with good karma who entered Linghan Temple for cultivation was a rare Buddhist genius, seen only once in a century.

When their surroundings became completely enveloped by an endless mist of immortal light, Xu Yang and the other three were greatly astonished.

"The spiritual energy here is incredibly abundant! It truly lives up to its name as a holy land, a paradise beyond the mortal world. Ordinary people without an immortal affinity would likely never find this place in their entire lives."

The Hawk-faced envoy smiled faintly and nodded, "Precisely. This immortal mist is actually a protective formation. Only those from within can find their way deeper."

Soon, led by the envoy, Xu Yang and the other three finally caught sight of the resplendent Linghan Temple, perched atop a cluster of peaks amidst scenery resembling an immortal realm.

It lacked the imagined grandeur and lavish decorations, yet every brick and tile exuded an irresistible sense of solemnity and sanctity.

"My goodness... This is what truly deserves the name 'Pure Land.' It's incredible!"

It was Ling Qingshu's first time visiting such a place, and she was awestruck by the solemn atmosphere even before entering the courtyard.

"Please wait here, I will go inform the Divine Monk personally."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Xu Yang cupped his hands slightly towards the envoy and watched him enter the temple.

More than an hour passed, but there was still no activity within the temple.

"What's going on? So much time has passed, what about that envoy? Are they playing a trick on us?"

Ling Qingshu grew annoyed. Buddhist practitioners supposedly didn't lie, but the Hawk-faced Man's actions were certainly making her wonder.

Just then, the temple gate opened, and a group of over a dozen monks emerged. The tall, cassock-clad monk leading them appeared to be a robust man in his thirties. The dozen or so monks following him all possessed cultivation at the Primordial Spirit Realm!

This mere display of power immediately calmed Ling Qingshu, who had been a bit agitated moments before.

"Damn... even ordinary monks are at the Primordial Spirit Realm? We can't mess with them..."

"Amitabha! Esteemed guests, we apologize for not greeting you sooner on your long journey."

Xu Yang chuckled lightly and cupped his hands, "Are you Divine Monk Tianyun?"

"Precisely. Please come inside, esteemed guests."

Just as the three women were about to step through the gate, Xu Yang suddenly spread his arm, calmly stopping Bai Lianxue and the other two.

"Master, what's wrong?"

Xu Yang looked at the cassock-clad Divine Monk before him with a half-smile, his eyes filled with amusement.

"He says he's a Divine Monk, and you believe him? As I recall, Buddhist holy sites don't easily permit women to enter. Moreover, while the aura around this person appears truly solemn and without flaw, your eyes betray you. If you claimed to be an ordinary monk, I might have believed you. But to say you are Divine Monk Tianyun, hahaha... I wouldn't believe it even if you killed me!"

The cassock-clad expert suddenly revealed a sinister smile and slowly lowered his previously raised left palm.

"You truly live up to your reputation as one who can dictate the fate of Qi State, I admire you! Unfortunately, you will never see my senior brother, Yuntian!"

Boom!

The cassock-clad monk suddenly launched an attack. His incredibly powerful Buddhist martial arts instantly shattered Xu Yang and the others' formation, forcibly separating their positions.

"Hehehe, since you've come from so far, allow me to properly entertain you!"

A formidable dark-golden aura surged around the cassock-clad monk. It had to be said that this lineage was truly powerful.

If this person truly was Divine Monk Tianyun's junior brother, he would certainly not be someone easy to fool.

Most importantly, Xu Yang and the other three still hadn't fully grasped the situation. Was all of this truly Divine Monk Tianyun's intention, or had something else entirely happened?

Boom!

Xu Yang raised his palm in mid-air, clashing with the mysterious cassock-clad expert.

A terrifying surge of power instantly erupted, as over a dozen early-stage Primordial Spirit Realm experts in the courtyard attacked simultaneously.

"Hmph, outnumbering us? I'm afraid your calculations are mistaken."

Ling Yao scoffed and soared into the air, surprisingly engaging five monks simultaneously by herself.

Now, she was at the Grand Completion of the Primordial Spirit Realm, a Saint Lord-level existence. With the Heavenly Sword protecting her and peak swordsmanship combat prowess, she was absolutely not someone these few monks could handle.

Boom!

Brilliant sword energy fiercely struck down, exerting immense pressure on the monks before her.

"I didn't realize you few were quite so powerful... However, I regret to inform you that any sinner who enters Linghan Temple must be purified by the power of Buddha!"

The cassock-clad expert roared, and a massive swastika symbol quickly converged above his head.

Like the chanting of a thousand Buddhas, a sound reverberated, releasing incredibly potent spiritual pressure.

"Everyone, be careful!"