......
Seeing this scene,
the already severely injured Zhikong beca so agitated that his head slumped weakly to the ground.
He had fainted.
Lu Ding shook his head.
This ntal resilience was far too fragile.
He had wanted to say more words.
Such opportunities were rare.
Had it been his usual style, Zhikong would have been shattered long ago.
But since he was here representing Lingshun 749's interests,
so survivors needed to be left as witnesses.
anwhile,
Zhide, who had gone to seek reinforcents, had just arrived at Great Compassion Temple.
Originally, he should have stayed with the others to resist Lu Ding together.
But the ssages couldn't be sent out.
749 had blocked all communication across the mountain range.
Glancing toward Moon Toad Temple's direction,
"Senior Uncle, Junior Brother, hold on! Wait for !!"
After saying this,
Zhide hurried up the mountain path.
Logically speaking, Moon Toad Temple should have had at least one Heavenly Perception cultivator present at this ti.
Even in the worst case, they should have been able to hold out until reinforcents arrived.
But... Lu Ding's existence defied all logic.
In the side hall of Great Compassion Temple,
an elderly monk in kasaya robes was expounding Buddhist scriptures:
"The Buddha again told Subhuti: 'Subhuti, if a virtuous man or woman were to fill three thousand great thousand worlds with the seven treasures and give them as alms, if another virtuous man or woman were to receive and uphold even four lines of verse from this scripture...'"
Before he could finish,
a voice arrived before its owner:
"Master Kudou! Aid our Moon Toad Temple!!"
Zhide landed while maintaining proper Buddhist salutation with palms pressed together.
The old monk stopped and stood: "Zhide? What's the matter?"
"Master Kudou, our Moon Toad Temple is under attack! Lingshun 749 has brought Lu Ding from Yunhai 749 to demand explanations."
"They've already surrounded our mountain gate. We beg Master Kudou to aid Moon Toad Temple."
In these two sentences,
the old monk grasped one crucial point:
Lu Ding from Yunhai 749!
If it were rely Lingshun 749, he would have gone imdiately.
But Yunhai 749...
This old monk of Great Compassion Temple could analyze the implications.
Kudou was no fool.
He naturally considered the connections -
behind Lu Ding stood not just Yunhai 749, but also two notorious figures, one visible and one hidden.
Though all were Buddhist,
they belonged to different branches.
After brief consideration,
Elder Monk Kudou understood Lingshun 749's intention.
This was about making an example to intimidate others.
Otherwise, why specifically summon soone like Lu Ding?
Going would an directly opposing 749.
It might bring retaliation upon Great Compassion Temple.
Killing one warns a hundred;
killing two achieves the sa...
But not going... would be unreasonable... and would forfeit the initiative in decision-making.
After triple contemplation,
the old monk decided to go - but not fight, nor bring many disciples, avoiding any appearance of taking sides, first assessing the situation.
If the matter could be resolved through words rather than force, that would be best.
After all, verbal support still counts as support.
"Wuzhen."
The old monk called out.
A monk stood up: "Your disciple is present."
"Accompany !"
"Your disciple obeys."
Seeing this, Moon Toad Temple's Zhide felt assured! The temple's crisis would be resolved!
Their own temple had a Heavenly Perception cultivator.
Plus Great Compassion Temple's Master Kudou was also Heavenly Perception.
That made two Heavenly Perception experts.
And they were bringing Buddhist prodigy Wuzhen!
Against Lu Ding's two Heavenly Perception backers above, and Lu Ding himself below.
Even if there were disparities between Heavenly Perception cultivators,
buying ti should be possible.
With Master Kudou stabilizing the situation, he could summon experts from other temples - absolute stability.
Bowing in gratitude: "Many thanks, Master Kudou. Please hurry while this disciple seeks additional help."
Hearing this,
Kudou's heart tightened.
No!!
Lingshun 749 had clearly declared their stance -
targeting Buddhism.
If too many participated today, would Buddhism have any future in Lingshun?
The situation had changed.
When 749 acted seriously, there was no "safety in numbers."
If they brought overwhelming force, wouldn't everything be ruined?
If this were solely Moon Toad Temple's problem, no matter how bad today went,
at worst he could humble himself - addressing the matter, not the person;
for the temple, not himself.
No sha in that!
Finally setting an example by being first to respond to 749,
highlighting their law-abiding image.
After all, Great Compassion Temple's issues weren't severe - at worst so overreach.
Room for negotiation remained.
Lingshun still needed Buddhism.
Perhaps they could even gain hidden advantages.
Thus for this path, fewer participants were better than more.
Considering this, Elder Monk Kudou stopped Zhide: "Unnecessary, Zhide. Lu Ding is Yunhai 749's investigator, not Lingshun 749's."
"Too many voices might worsen the situation. Yunhai isn't like Lingshun - harder to resolve."
"I alone shall go."
"He'll surely give this old monk so face, agreed?"
Just speculation - better if true;
if not, nothing to be done.
Hands clapped - no more ideas.
Zhide hesitated.
Sothing felt wrong.
Though he'd never t Lu Ding before, he'd heard many stories.
Lu Ding didn't seem the face-saving type.
Noticing his hesitation,
Elder Monk Kudou pressed: "Does Zhide doubt ?"
Well played - trapped by his own words.
When seeking help, how could he voice distrust?
"Dare not, dare not."
"Excellent. Since decided, let's hurry to avoid unnecessary casualties."
As he spoke, Elder Monk Kudou grabbed Zhide's hand.
Golden lotuses materialized beneath their feet,
lifting all three toward Moon Toad Temple.
Now Zhide couldn't go summoning others.
Heavenly Perception speed was trendous.
Soon,
they reached Moon Toad Temple.
Viewing from above,
slash marks crisscrossed the entire mountainside.
The once-glorious temple now lay in ruins.
Lingshun 749's investigators had fulfilled Lu Ding's promise -
every valuable inch of soil would be dug up.
Their gaze settled on the collapsed main hall's ruins.
Seeing Lu Ding leaning casually against his dragon,
they also saw Zhikong barely alive on the ground,
and Senior Monk Jueming cleaved in two within a blood pool.
At this mont!
Zhide's composure shattered!!
Eyes bloodshot, he howled in anguish:
"JUNIOR BROTHER!!! SENIOR UNCLE!!!!"
How could this be!?
So little ti had passed!?
How could this happen?
The noise disturbed Lu Ding.
Looking up, his eyes t Zhide's.
The escaped fish had finally returned.
A smile crept across his lips.
Raising a hand, he blew a gentle breeze carrying razor-sharp slashes that dismbered Jueming's corpse further.
Witnessing this, Zhide could restrain himself no longer.
"LU DING!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!"
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