Chapter 490: Jialan's Peak Battle

Xu Yang and the other person flew through the air and soon arrived at the summit of Garan Temple's main peak.

Faintly visible, shrouded in mist, was a colossal golden Buddha statue, dozens of yards tall. In a sense, this was already a Buddhist totem representing the highest status within the Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects.

Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun landed gracefully and did not move further, as the tracking spell's trace that Shi Lingyun had provided pointed directly to the location of the massive golden Buddha statue in front of them.

This meant that the culprit who had ambushed Master Ciyun from within the black cloud that day was hidden inside the Buddha statue.

"I'm very curious," Xu Yang began, "is it Master Yunhui, the abbot of your temple, who is hidden within this Buddha statue?"

"Amitabha..."

No sooner had Xu Yang finished speaking than a profound and solemn Buddhist chant echoed from within the golden Buddha statue. It was indeed the voice of Abbot Yunhui.

"I am fully aware of the intentions of you two benefactors," Yunhui's voice responded. "If this karmic entanglement can be resolved with this old monk's life, that would be the most perfect outcome."

The next moment, Master Yunhui's true form materialized. His body was entirely golden, like a true Buddha. His ethereal soul-form quickly solidified, and his demeanor was profoundly dignified. The instant he opened his eyes, everything around them seemed to become peaceful and serene.

Undoubtedly, the Master's mastery of Buddhist dharma was extraordinarily profound. He could certainly be considered one of the continent's foremost supreme experts, at the peak of the Tribulation Crossing realm, perhaps just a step away from true Buddhahood.

Unfortunately, since he was already connected to the black cloud's host, it would be difficult to resolve this matter without some cost.

"Master, if you have a hidden difficulty, please speak freely. We will certainly ensure justice for you," Xu Yang said.

Upon seeing Master Yunhui, Xu Yang was also impressed by his profound cultivation. It was truly rare for humanity to produce such a Buddhist son. Given his standing, he ought to be one of the most revered supreme masters within the entire Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects.

"Amitabha," Yunhui replied. "All beginnings and endings are predetermined. Miss Shi's Nine Aperture Exquisite Heart is not yet complete, and it is the origin of this calamity. If you can let go of the obsession in your heart, perhaps everything will clear up."

Shi Lingyun's expression turned cold. "Master, I have always respected you as a person, but now you haven't even cleared your own entanglements, yet you come to enlighten me. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Both Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun saw the anomaly. Although the Master maintained a solemn expression, Shi Lingyun's spiritual lock was firmly on him. If he truly were innocent, how could this be explained?

If it had been anyone else, Xu Yang might have speculated about Shi Lingyun's stance. However, this girl had just lost her master, and as the possessor of the Nine Aperture Exquisite Heart, her divine ability could not possibly be mistaken. The conclusion, therefore, was that Master Yunhui indeed harbored secrets related to the black cloud entity.

"Very well," Xu Yang said. "Since the Master has something he cannot speak of, I suppose a battle today will be unavoidable."

"Amitabha..."

Another Buddhist chant was recited, and Yunhui raised a single palm, unleashing an immense golden palm print that descended from the air.

The enormous palm print seemed to possess an incredibly powerful aura-locking ability. After targeting Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun, it held them fixed in place.

Given Xu Yang's immense strength, the restraint effect was clearly useless against him. However, the frail Shi Lingyun beside him evidently had no chance of breaking free.

The next moment, Xu Yang's movements flashed, and he immediately appeared beside Shi Lingyun, pulling her delicate body into his embrace. Simultaneously, the earth-shattering sound of the Nine-Colored Qiankun Bell roared forth from his surroundings.

Boom!

In an instant, vast colorful light surged in all directions, sweeping across the entire mountaintop. Even the colossal golden Buddha statue at the peak was impacted by this supreme power, emitting clanging sounds.

Yunhui fixed his gaze, a hint of shock appearing in his eyes.

"The Nine-Colored Qiankun Bell! What incredible fortune you possess!"

Xu Yang chuckled lightly. "Master, I'm very curious. What reason could compel someone like you, who understands right from wrong, to so stubbornly want to protect him?"

Yunhui remained solemn and dignified, refusing to utter a single word related to the topic, and continued to attack Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun.

In reality, Xu Yang had consistently suppressed his power. Otherwise, with his current god-like supreme foundation, it would be no difficult feat to overturn the entire Garan lineage by himself.

However, until the truth was clear, Xu Yang told himself that he had to find the real answer. Killing was not the only solution; the key was to find a way to make Master Yunhui speak.

With the appearance of the Qiankun Bell's power, Shi Lingyun felt no threat from the pressure. Standing by Xu Yang's side gave her an unprecedented sense of security.

In a daze, golden light began to appear across the sky. Yunhui started to activate the Great Sumeru Buddhist Formation hidden around the mountain. Endless golden Buddhist light converged there, clearly intending to use the combined power of this world to suppress Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun.

"Such powerful suppression! Sir, what should we do now?"

Shi Lingyun was clearly flustered. Despite possessing the Nine Aperture Exquisite Heart, her combat experience and abilities were far inferior to those of Xu Yang's team. Essentially, she was a mere ornament when accompanying Xu Yang...

However, while she couldn't offer much help in a fight, Xu Yang knew there was one thing only she could accomplish.

"Soon, I will use my power to withstand this attack," Xu Yang instructed. "When Great Monk Yunhui activates the formation's power, he will concentrate all his focus, leaving no room for soul defense. This is your only chance to act! As I said, to make him speak, we must uncover the connection between him and the black cloud. Attacking his soul body is your sole opportunity!"

Shi Lingyun understood Xu Yang's intention. After a slight nod, she rose into the air, her delicate hands forming a "picking flower" gesture, and the outline of the Nine Aperture Heart Lotus reappeared behind her.

Simultaneously, Xu Yang unleashed his full Asura form. The black Asura totem descended behind him, eclipsing all light between heaven and earth. All radiance was devoured by this boundless darkness, buying Shi Lingyun enough time to find her opportunity.

The next moment, the endless golden Buddhist light merged into one. Countless golden Buddha outlines converged around the void, each striking a golden palm print. More than a dozen palm strikes from the Tribulation Crossing peak realm simultaneously locked onto the central battlefield.

It was clear that, facing an opponent of Xu Yang's supreme level, Yunhui was unreservedly deploying the true ultimate power of Garan Temple.

The Sumeru Array could be considered the supreme protective grand formation of the Garan lineage. And at this moment, its ultimate strike, "Myriad Buddhas Prostrating," was a pinnacle achievement renowned throughout the Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects.

The power of this single strike alone would be enough to obliterate any top cultivator at the peak of the Tribulation Crossing realm on the continent in a one-on-one battle. Unfortunately, such a measurement system would never account for Xu Yang...