In a valley within Nanhua State, a group of monks marched slowly from the distance, tapping their wooden fish instruments and chanting Buddhist scriptures.
At the center of the procession, eight monks carried a sedan chair containing a golden Buddha statue.
Leading the procession were two renowned Buddhist monks, Zhenku and Liao Fan.
Both were second-stage Star River Realm experts, highly respected in the martial world.
Suddenly, the entire procession came to a halt as all eyes turned to the path ahead.
A woman in a red dress had appeared, blocking their way without anyone noticing.
Zhenku and Liao Fan exchanged wary glances.
"Amitabha. Lady benefactor, why do you block our way?"
The red-dressed woman chuckled coldly. "Naturally, to kill you all."
Before the last word left her mouth, a crimson radiance erupted around her. Countless blood-red skulls materialized and surged toward the monks like a tide.
Zhenku's expression changed drastically. "The Blood Crimson Skulls?"
"You are the Great Star Lord of the Demon Cult?"
Moments later...
The entire valley fell silent. Not a single living soul remained save for the Great Star Lord.
She approached the sedan chair, raised a palm, and crushed it along with the golden Buddha statue inside. With a cold snort, she leaped away, disappearing into the distance.
Meanwhile, at Yemotian Temple...
Bang!
A deafening crash shook the temple as a black coffin descended from the sky, landing heavily in the temple's courtyard.
From the coffin erupted an endless black mist, killing every living thing it touched. Grass withered, and all life was extinguished.
"It's the Ghost Duke of the Demon Cult!"
The monks of Yemotian Temple were terrified out of their wits, scattering in all directions.
But none survived.
Elsewhere, a towering man shrouded in black mist held a severed head in each hand.
"Hmph, so these are Buddhist Protectors? Nothing special!"
In Amitabha Monastery, flames soared into the sky, engulfing the mountain and valley.
The air was filled with the monks' harrowing screams.
In the distance, a petite girl with fiery flames dancing at her fingertips stood watching the burning monastery, her childlike laughter echoing eerily.
After the Netherworld Ghost King was wounded by the Buddhist Sect, the Demon Cult launched a full-scale retaliation against the Buddhist factions in Nanhua State.
Within days, dozens of Buddhist sects—including Huashu Monastery, Amitabha Monastery, Guardian Hall, Serenity Hall, and Ciban Temple—were wiped out completely.
All 36 Protectors of the Buddhist Sect in Nanhua State were killed.
In just a few days, over 30,000 monks were slaughtered.
The Demon Cult's aggressive assault shocked not only the Buddhist Sect but the entire martial world.
Buddhist experts from other states flocked to Nanhua to support the local Buddhist factions.
For a time, the martial world was plunged into chaos as the Demon Cult and Buddhist Sect clashed incessantly.
This prolonged battle continued even when Ye Xuzhang returned to Taihua State, and it showed no signs of abating.
In fact, the conflict had begun to spread to Taihua State.
As Ye Xuzhang traveled, he frequently encountered martial conflicts and fierce battles among experts.
He made every effort to avoid getting involved to keep his abilities and identity hidden.
But trouble still found him...
Taking advantage of the turmoil, many bandits and outlaws arose, committing heinous acts of robbery and violence.
Near Cangxi City, less than 700 miles away, a group of black-clad bandits blocked Ye Xuzhang's path.
"Boy, judging by your fine clothes, you must be a rich Young Master," one sneered.
"Hand over your money!"
Ye Xuzhang chuckled coldly, preparing to strike when the sound of something slicing through the air reached his ears.
In an instant, the bandits fell to the ground, blood spurting from their mouths.
Leaves had pierced their throats like knives.
At the same time, a girl in a purple dress landed in front of Ye Xuzhang.
Petite and delicate, her eyes held an icy sharpness devoid of emotion.
A thin veil covered her face, concealing her true features. Yet her facial contours suggested she was an unparalleled beauty.
"These are dangerous times. You'd best stay indoors," the girl said coldly before vanishing as swiftly as she had appeared.
Ye Xuzhang shook his head with a wry smile, mounted a white horse he had purchased along the way, and continued his journey home.
Meanwhile, the purple-dressed girl entered a bamboo hut nearby and began writing a letter.
"Cult Leader, the Young Master has returned home. Please come quickly!"
She tied the letter to a bamboo cylinder on the leg of a falcon and released it into the sky.
Days later, Ye Xuzhang finally returned to Cangxi City.
As soon as he entered the Ye Estate, a familiar figure he had long yearned for rushed into his arms.
"Husband!"
"Husband, why were you gone so long? I was so worried about you!"
Tears streamed down Qi Yixuan's face, soaking Ye Xuzhang's shoulder as she sobbed uncontrollably.
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