stjorthotic Chapter 130 Guang Nian
Chapter 130 Guang Nian
A biting wind howls, battle flags flutter in the wind; the fragrance of sandalwood wafts, and the Buddha's image stands solemn and dignified.
Fang Hongxuan stood on the right side of the martial arts platform, his eyes closed and his sword in hand, waiting for the so-called challenger to step forward.
On the stands
Dao Yuan looked dazed, lost in some kind of reminiscence.
In his eyes, Fang Hongxuan's straight figure overlapped with the image of Zong Du in his mind.
"Zoudu..."
As for the five abbots, they stared at Fang Hongxuan, whose sharp aura was almost unleashed, with frosty expressions.
"Hmph, the tallest tree in the forest will surely be felled by the storm! What's there to be proud of?"
Hui Du coughed twice, then stood up and called out loudly again.
"This is Brother Huikong's prized student, whose secular name is Fang Hongxuan. If he wins first place, the reward from our Da Ruo Temple cannot be too meager."
After discussion with the five abbots, this old monk has unanimously decided that, apart from the fixed share of the Golden Peak Dew Flower, the surplus this year will be divided into three parts, to be awarded to the top three winners of this competition!
After these words, all five abbots except Huijing looked grim, their faces ashen and filled with indescribable anger.
"That damned Huidu, how dare he go back on his word like that!"
The other abbots were understandably furious. According to custom, whichever branch of disciples received the reward, the abbot of that branch would receive 30%.
But Hui Du's words have completely destroyed the rules!
As for the monks below the stage, whose fighting spirit was high, they became even more enthusiastic after hearing this.
"Amitabha! In the five years we've been in this temple, this is the first time we've encountered such a wonderful thing!"
"What is the Dew on the Golden Peak? It is the dew formed by the Holy Salvation Buddha Mother statue on the mountaintop, which gathers the essence of heaven and earth!"
Whether practicing various methods or any of the body-devouring mudras in the "Six Phases of Boundless Devouring Mudra," there are immense benefits.
"Moreover, its greatest benefit lies in stimulating the development of the mind's potential! This is an unparalleled treasure for enhancing one's aptitude!"
"It seems the abbots really went all out for this competition... No, I have to go up and test Fang Hongxuan's abilities first!"
If someone is truly just seeking fame and fortune, then even if they don't win a top-three position, the abbot will likely bestow a reward upon them...
In an instant, the already restless monks were completely ignited with the flames in their hearts.
However, Fang Hongxuan, who was on the Yanwu Platform, remained unmoved, maintaining his peak condition with his eyes closed.
"This Yanwu Platform is quite strange. Ever since I stepped onto it, I have been able to vaguely feel that I am being watched. Even the Four Unheard Figures placed at the four corners of the platform are quite eerie. I have never seen such an evil-smelling sculpture before."
What are the four things that should not be heard?
It simply means to cover your eyes and not look at what is improper; to cover your mouth and nose and not speak what is improper; to cover your ears and not listen to what is improper; and to sit still and not do what is improper.
If this were in any other place, Fang Hongxuan would definitely think that this was praising the highest virtues of a gentleman.
However, this statue of the Four No-Hearings appeared in the Great Ruo Temple, which is about helping others to help oneself, and this was in addition to the Immaculateness that Dao Yuan had seen the fortune teller say earlier.
Fang Hongxuan then realized that, in this place, the Four No Hearings represented the highest realm of purity and innocence within the Secret Realm!
"Those who die on this Yanwu Platform will be filtered by this Four-Unheard Sculpture, their impurities removed, before being used to appease the Holy Mother of Salvation..."
"In that case, it's more accurate to call this an enlarged sacrificial altar than a martial arts training platform..."
...
"I'll fight you!"
The bustling monks immediately fell silent.
Immediately, Guang Nian soared into the air and, with a few quick dips in the water, stepped onto the Yanwu Platform.
"Hmph, this kid actually got the first strike and gained such an advantage!"
Although Guang Nian is considered to be among the top in terms of talent among the eight hundred monks of Da Ruo Temple.
However, talent is not the same as combat power, and there are countless people who are more ruthless and skilled than him.
"Fine, let him test Fang Hongxuan's mettle..."
For those disciples who were cautious and prudent, this was something they were unwilling to use as a pretext for others to test the waters.
"Do you think that arrogant Fang Hongxuan can withstand even an incense stick's worth of time from Senior Brother Guang Nian?"
Some people may look down on it, but others will fawn over it.
Although Guang Nian didn't say much, his lackeys still spontaneously created momentum for him.
"A stick of incense? You overestimate that nobody who popped out from who-knows-where. In my opinion, at most fifty moves, Senior Brother Guang Nian will be able to take his head off."
"Fifty moves is still too conservative."
"This Fang Hongxuan didn't emit the slightest fluctuation of internal energy, and he even walked up to the stage through the corridor. Thirty moves... Guang Nian could probably take him down in twenty moves."
Those monks who lived near Yanwu Terrace and wanted to curry favor with Guangnian naturally discussed the matter openly and without restraint, occasionally letting out laughter.
Huijing, standing on the stands, tried to stop them, but no sound came out despite her attempts to speak.
As for the remaining five abbots, they turned a blind eye and a deaf ear.
"If you tell this humble monk where you hid that yaksha, I might grant you a quick death; otherwise... I will make you wish you were dead!"
Guang held the monk's knife in his hand, brandishing it in front of him. The bloodlust in his eyes was undisguised.
"Hmph, whether you tell the truth or not, I will make you suffer unspeakable torment in this mortal world!"
After two days and two nights of anxious worry and extreme anger, Guang Nian could no longer hide his frustration upon seeing Fang Hongxuan.
"Daoyuan is the Hutuktu of the Secret Realm and the Venerable of the Great Temple."
Although he doesn't care about his reputation now, if I were to get entangled with this nonsensical, futile fight, it would probably tarnish his prestige.
The Breath Concealment Technique can only be maintained for half an incense stick's time. If you want to conceal your presence again, you'll need to adjust for at least a few moments...
If Fang Hongxuan were here alone, he would definitely proceed slowly and deliberately, trying not to attract the attention of others.
However, the main reason for this trip up the mountain was to repay the kindness of Daoyuan.
The reputation of the Hutuktu must never be tarnished.
"It seems we really need to finish this quickly..."
"Hey, I'm speaking to you, why are you so rude?!"
Guang Nian grew increasingly enraged as Fang Hongxuan remained silent. He was about to charge forward with his sword when he was intimidated by the abbot's glare from the platform.
"If you two are ready, the competition will officially begin after the drums sound three times throughout the arena!"
Fang Hongxuan still didn't open his eyes, but nodded slightly to indicate that he already knew. As for Guang Nian, he looked at Hui Du in the stands with some fear.
Guang Nian's move was indeed at Hui Du's behest. Otherwise, he would never have been the first to take the plunge.
...
"According to the precepts, you were already demoted to a monk's slave when you lost the Yaksha... Tomorrow is the Five Chambers Grand Competition. If Fang Hongxuan goes on stage, you must immediately go up and fight him to test his strength... If you survive, then this old monk will let bygones be bygones..."
Guang Nian, prostrating himself on the ground, kowtowed repeatedly.
"Thank you, Abbot... Thank you, Abbot..."
...