Translator: Cinder Translations
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In response to the mocking tone of Monk Xiao Chan, Song Wen paid it no mind and continued transmitting his words with spiritual sense.
"Monk Xiao Chan, you'd better think carefully. If you don't allow me to establish a sect on Tian Cang Mountain, I'll go to the Nine Palaces Sect. At worst, I can make Nine Palaces Sect my subordinate sect. I'm sure they'll be willing to have a demonic sect like mine control the entire Yishi Ridge and serve as the vanguard of the demonic path."
Monk Xiao Chan's expression froze for a moment, and the smile on his face gradually faded.
After a brief period of contemplation, he also transmitted his voice via spiritual sense.
"I can agree to giving Tian Cang Mountain to you. However, you must first receive a blow from me."
With that, a great deal of Buddha light erupted from Monk Xiao Chan's body, shining like the rising sun, illuminating the surroundings as if it were broad daylight.
"Retreat!" Song Wen shouted sharply.
He was ordering Zhou Siyi and the other Golden Core cultivators to retreat further, to avoid being affected by the battle.
The six flying ships immediately withdrew, quickly moving several hundred meters away.
At the same time, Song Wen's body emitted a massive amount of corpse energy, transforming into a three-meter-tall zombie with sharp teeth and claws.
After breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, Song Wen cast the "Undying True Corpse Transformation", completing it almost instantaneously, without needing the usual one or two moments of preparation.
Using the corpse path against Buddhist techniques was somewhat disadvantageous.
However, with the Blood Sea Seal and Blood Escape Technique, which had already been used before in front of Mi He, and the fact that he had worked with Hao Kong to forge Lei Yue's magic weapon into a high-grade thunder-type weapon, Song Wen had exposed his capabilities.
This meant that to hide his true identity and avoid suspicion that "Cui Huo" and "Ji Yin" were the same person, he had no choice but to face Monk Xiao Chan as a corpse path cultivator.
Monk Xiao Chan suddenly produced a ten-foot-long Zen staff, tossing it high into the air.
The staff rapidly expanded in midair, transforming into a massive golden rod ten feet in length, wrapped in dense Buddha light, exuding an aura of solemnity and majesty.
Monk Xiao Chan clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddha name, hurling the giant rod towards Song Wen, now transformed into a zombie.
Song Wen showed no fear. Without dodging, he charged straight toward the Zen staff.
His claws, as hard as gold and iron, struck the staff with immense force.
The collision of Buddha light and corpse energy created a thunderous explosion.
The violent aftershock swept outward.
Fortunately, Song Wen was high enough in the air that the residual force didn't affect Tian Cang Mountain below, only shredding the clouds and mist above.
Song Wen's body was sent flying backward by the blow, his left hand's flesh peeling off in large chunks, revealing the bone beneath.
The "Undying True Corpse Transformation" truly lived up to its reputation as the strongest close-combat secret technique of the Blood Gate. Despite Song Wen's only being at the early Nascent Soul stage, his flesh and blood body withstood the full force of Monk Xiao Chan's attack from the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
However, if Monk Xiao Chan continued attacking, even with the power of the "Undying True Corpse Transformation", Song Wen's physical body might eventually collapse.
Monk Xiao Chan's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. His Zen staff was a high-quality magic weapon that had been nurtured over many years, imbued with supreme Buddhist power, which had a strong restraining effect on ghosts and zombies.
Seeing Song Wen in front of him, actually withstanding the staff's blow in his zombie form, his physical strength was shocking.
Realizing that he couldn't kill his opponent with his full-force strike, and if his opponent tried to escape, he would likely have difficulty stopping him, Monk Xiao Chan's expression returned to the gentle demeanor from before.
He raised his hand and waved, forming a massive soundproof barrier around him and Song Wen.
"The strength of your physical body is truly rare, I must commend it."
Song Wen sneered coldly, his left hand, which had been burned by the Buddha light to the point where its bones were exposed, began to gradually regenerate as the decaying flesh restored itself.
"Monk Xiao Chan, the first blow has passed. How do we proceed with our agreement?"
"The Ji Yin Sect's alliance with my Mixed Yuan Temple would indeed be an excellent outcome. However, I'm curious, what form does this alliance take?" Monk Xiao Chan asked.
"We will exchange cultivation resources." Song Wen replied.
"Your sect has just been established; I wonder what resources you can offer Mixed Yuan Temple?" Monk Xiao Chan's tone carried a hint of mockery.
"In terms of cultivation resources, the Ji Yin Sect indeed cannot compare with your temple. However, I can provide intelligence on Yishi Ridge. If one day your temple comes into conflict with the Corpse Demon Sect or the Nine Palaces Sect, the Ji Yin Sect will stand with you. Your temple supports the Si family and seeks to recruit loose cultivators; this is nothing more than an attempt to plant a foothold in Yishi Ridge. Should the Ji Yin Sect not be able to do the same?" Song Wen said.
"Good. On behalf of Mixed Yuan Temple, I agree to this alliance with the Ji Yin Sect."
Monk Xiao Chan's expression shifted, and he continued, "However, the Si family's ancestors have a deep connection to me. I wonder if you, Song Wen, would be willing to spare their lives, allowing them to remain only on Tian Cang Mountain?"
"The Ji Yin Sect has seized Tian Cang Mountain, and thus we have become bitter enemies of the Si family. When dealing with enemies, how can one let the tiger return to the mountain?" Song Wen replied.
"What if I refuse?" Monk Xiao Chan said coldly.
The powerful aura around him, which had just subsided, began to build up once more.
"Then the alliance between the Ji Yin Sect and Mixed Yuan Temple shall be dissolved. If you retreat now, the Ji Yin Sect will withdraw as well. However, I wonder how long you can protect the Si family?" Song Wen's eyes flashed with murderous intent.
Monk Xiao Chan sighed, looking towards the Si family members on Tian Cang Mountain with a sorrowful expression, as if pitying them.
"Spare those you can spare. Why create more killing karma, Ji Yin? I am willing to offer a top-grade spirit stone to buy the lives of the Si family, all of them."
"To eradicate the root, one must strike it down completely, only then can future troubles be avoided." Song Wen firmly rejected.
"Two top-grade spirit stones. I hope you, Ji Yin, will show mercy." Monk Xiao Chan raised his offer.
"The Si family cultivates evil Buddhist secret arts, indiscriminately killing innocents, committing countless atrocities that are impossible to record. The Ji Yin Sect seeks to enact justice for the heavens by eradicating the entire Si family." Song Wen declared.
"Three top-grade spirit stones. This is the highest offer I can make. If you still do not agree, the alliance between Mixed Yuan Temple and the Ji Yin Sect shall be over." Monk Xiao Chan said, clearly reluctant to go further.
"Master, your compassion for the Si family's impending demise, I will fulfill your wish." Song Wen's tone shifted, and he continued, "However, Si family cultivators must not take anything from Tian Cang Mountain. They may only take their personal belongings. Important locations such as the spirit fields, scripture towers, and the library must remain intact."
"Then it's settled."
Monk Xiao Chan, as he spoke, tossed a storage bag to Song Wen.
Song Wen caught the storage bag and checked it with his spiritual sense, nodding in satisfaction.
He stepped out of the soundproof barrier and infused his spiritual energy into his voice, speaking to Yu Wen and the others outside.
"Come over here."
Yu Wen and the others, having witnessed the exchange between Song Wen and Monk Xiao Chan, felt uneasy. While they didn't worry about Song Wen himself, they were more concerned for their own lives. They had already made up their minds—if Song Wen showed signs of weakness, they would flee at the first opportunity.
However, upon seeing Song Wen withstand Monk Xiao Chan's strike, their mood shifted. They were overjoyed.
The stronger their sect grew, the more advantageous it would be for them.
(End of the Chapter)
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