Chapter 1334: Bodhisattva Takes Action

Jiang Fan was utterly stunned.

It turned out that Venerable Xin Nie had kept him by his side to deliver his last words, ensuring his life's accumulated knowledge would not be lost. For a moment, Jiang Fan didn't know whether he should draw his sword against him.

Holding the storage ring, his heart was conflicted: "Master, must everyone who cultivates the Void Current Thunder Force die? Why must you risk your own life to find him?"

A hint of warmth appeared in Venerable Xin Nie's eyes. Jiang Fan was the first disciple to show him such concern. He patted Jiang Fan's shoulder: "I appreciate your good intentions, my disciple. However, this is the Young Emperor's command, and I have less than five days left. If I can't kill him, the Young Emperor will kill me. In this world, one is often not in control of their own destiny! Now, do everything as I instructed."

Venerable Xin Nie raised the wish paper, his expression quickly turning cold: "You little beast, you've forced this old man to expend his life force to find you. If I find you, I will surely raze your nine clans and slaughter your entire family to vent my hatred!" He immediately blew on the wish paper, declaring, "Let the paper ashes fall upon the Void Current Thunder Force!"

In an instant, Venerable Xin Nie's life force rapidly drained away; already old, his body quickly withered. Wrinkles visibly deepened on his face, his eyes quickly yellowed, and his hair fell out in handfuls. His figure involuntarily stooped dramatically. Even for a Venerable, using the wish paper required paying a corresponding life force price.

Jiang Fan gazed intently at Venerable Xin Nie. If he were to perish now, everything would be over. If he succeeded, then... it would be the moment of master-disciple rupture, a confrontation of arms.

Under Jiang Fan's tense gaze, the wish paper finally began to burn, and Venerable Xin Nie was still alive. Although his aura was weak and his life force was dwindling, he had still survived. The wish had succeeded!

Venerable Xin Nie grinned, watching the wish paper in his hand burn to ashes. These ashes would fly towards the cultivator of the Void Current Thunder Force and, as wished, land on the target. By simply following the ashes, he would find his target and complete this mission that had lasted for over half a year.

With a soft whoosh, the wish paper completely turned to ash, circling above his head, searching for the location of the Void Current Thunder Force.

Suddenly, the ashes abruptly stopped! It had found the location of the Void Current Thunder Force!

Venerable Xin Nie sneered: "You little beast! The game is over!"

Jiang Fan's heart also gave a sudden, heavy thump. Indeed, it was over! The battle between him and Venerable Xin Nie was upon them!

However, just as the ashes were about to move and fly towards Jiang Fan, from Baima Temple not far away, Buddhist chants and golden light suddenly permeated the air. A slow, magnetic, grand, and solemn voice slowly reverberated: "There is a thing, older than heaven and earth, formless, originally solitary. It can be the master of all phenomena, and does not wither with the four seasons." It was none other than Bodhisattva!

His Buddhist chant was like divine music, bringing peace to one's mind, making them forget both favor and disgrace. All past events seemed like fleeting clouds, and greed, hatred, and delusion flowed away like water. The soul became ethereal and thoughtless, forgetting everything. Not only Jiang Fan was dazed and motionless, but even Venerable Xin Nie lost himself in it.

After several breaths, he suddenly broke free, exclaiming in horror: "Tian Ting, what are you doing?" It was no wonder he was terrified. A battle between Venerables could be decided in a single thought. Yet, he had been lost in a daze for so long. If Bodhisattva had intended him harm, he would have been killed already!

"Amitabha, to seek is to suffer, to be without seeking is joy," Bodhisattva's voice gradually faded, becoming like a mosquito's buzz by the last word. "Donor Xin Nie, do not force all things."

Venerable Xin Nie frowned: "Why did he suddenly appear... Oh no! The ashes!" He looked up; where were the ashes? They had already flown away while he was in a daze!

"Tian Ting!" Venerable Xin Nie roared in fury. The wish he had made, expending more than half of his life force, had been ruined by Bodhisattva Tian Ting's four-line Buddhist verse! Furious as he was, he dared not bother Bodhisattva Tian Ting. A single Buddhist chant from the other party had almost 'collected' him entirely.

Jiang Fan was secretly astonished. What was going on? Where did the ashes go? Shouldn't they have landed on him, Jiang Fan? But he had been dazed moments ago and had no idea what had happened.

Chen Jing also shook his head, looking bewildered: "Master, what just happened?" Just as Venerable Xin Nie was about to locate the Void Current Thunder Force cultivator, Bodhisattva suddenly appeared!

Venerable Zhen Yan ignored him, instead casting a relieved glance at Jiang Fan. Since Jiang Fan was safe, she had no reason to stay. "Jiang Fan, I'll be leaving now." Jiang Fan bowed respectfully: "Farewell, Senior."

Venerable Zhen Yan nodded and ascended into the sky. Seeing this, Venerable Xin Nie quickly asked: "Fellow Daoist Zhen Yan, did you see where the ashes went just now?" Venerable Zhen Yan shook her head: "No. Chen Jing, let's go." Chen Jing glared fiercely at Jiang Fan, then reluctantly left with Venerable Zhen Yan.

Venerable Zhen Yan flew high into the sky. She occasionally turned her head to look at Jiang Fan on the ground, a hint of loss gradually filling her eyes. From this day forward, she and Jiang Fan would be strangers. Everything from the past had ended.

Chen Jing saw this and felt displeasure: "Master, is Jiang Fan so important to you?" Venerable Zhen Yan replied without hesitation: "He holds some significance."

Chen Jing clenched his fists. Jiang Fan had only been in Taicang Great State for a short time, yet he had unknowingly carved out a place in his Master's heart. He asked: "Then, between me and Jiang Fan, who do you prefer?"

Venerable Zhen Yan said: "Don't compare yourself to him." Chen Jing gritted his teeth: "I want to know! Otherwise, I can't cultivate in peace!" After a moment of silence, Venerable Zhen Yan said: "Of course, it's him."

*Boom*— Chen Jing felt as if five thunderbolts had struck him. His Master actually preferred Jiang Fan? Was it just because Jiang Fan had physical contact with her? This was unfair!

Venerable Zhen Yan then added: "But you are more important, because you are my disciple." Only then did Chen Jing's jealousy subside, and a comfortable smile appeared on his face. No matter how outstanding you are, Jiang Fan, can you surpass the place I, her disciple, hold in Venerable Zhen Yan's heart?

His eyes darted about, and he pressed on while the iron was hot: "Master, I don't like Jiang Fan. In the future, can you sever all ties with him?"

Venerable Zhen Yan looked at him coldly. Although she was already doing so, Chen Jing's explicit demand made her feel repulsed.

Chen Jing snorted: "Master, you promised me years ago that you would help me break through to the Soul Transformation Realm. Now my state of mind is affected by Jiang Fan; if you don't cut ties with him, it will be difficult for me to reach Soul Transformation. Your domain will be damaged if you break your vow." Was he even resorting to threats?

Venerable Zhen Yan felt an unspeakable aversion in her heart. Chen Jing, now filled with rebellious intentions, had completely changed from his former self. She said indifferently: "Very well, I agree."

Chen Jing was secretly overjoyed. Venerable Zhen Yan would absolutely never break her promises. If she said she would sever ties, she would certainly do so. Hahaha, Jiang Fan, Master Zhen Yan is mine alone. You can forget about her for the rest of your life, haha!

But just then, Chen Jing suddenly caught a faint scent of decay. He followed the source of the scent, his body jolted, and he stammered: "Ma-Master, your divine halo..."