Mount Tongtian of the Main Path Guild.

The Main Path Mausoleum.

A strapping man in armor left through the skies with the power of an entire army, stirring the clouds and turning the skies blood-red.

On the ancient stone steps of the Main Path Mausoleum, the old cultivator stood quietly. The old and tattered robes of his billowed with the breeze.

Zhao Taifeng's eyes glittered. His conversation with the strapping man caused him to go deep in thought.

At that moment, the situation in the Main Path Mausoleum changed. Strands of energy were stirring within it. As the energy rippled, it flowed into Zhao Taifeng's body like threads, causing his energy to recover. All the clouds around Mount Tongtian were surging.

However, as his energy recovered to a certain stage, it stopped and did not continue to surge.

The suppression of the Tang Code that floated above Changan City remained. He did not dare to risk it. In order words, he did not dare to gamble away his life which he struggled hard to preserve.

The appearance of the armored general has caused Zhao Taifeng's heart to waver. He could be sure that a problem had happened with the Tang Code. However, he could not confirm if it would be a huge problem or not. He did not dare to assume. If he was the head of the operation, would he become the person in power?

Hence, he dared not act. However, with the appearance of the armored general, it gave him the drive and opportunity.

"Xuanyuan Taihua"

"The Tang Dynasty"

His eyes shone with light. Zhao Taifeng stood on the mountain peak, the winds causing his robes to flutter and wrap around his figure.

All of a sudden, Zhao Taifeng's eyes became immeasurably deep. He seemed to see across the endless skies, through the layers of mist, into Linjiang City that was located hundreds of miles away.

Huh?

Zhao Taifeng's eyes narrowed when he saw the piles of corpses in Linjiang City and the rivers of blood flowing through its streets.

Countless Main Path Guild disciples were injured or dead.

Even though Zhao Taifeng did not know these disciples well, they were still disciples of the Main Path Guild. These disciples that have lost their lives were like a harsh slap from Fang Lang on the face of the Main Path Guild.

"This kid cannot be spared."

Zhao Taifeng recalled Fang Lang's sharp eyes. There was absolutely no trace of fear in his eyes even though he was facing a transcendental realm warrior.

A feeling of threat for the future grew in his heart.

"The monks of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect"

Zhao Taifeng narrowed his eyes. In the next moment, he raised his hands brusquely. With a bend of his waist, his robes tighten abruptly like a rope that was being pulled. It loosened suddenly and the sound of an explosion broke through the air.

After that, a wordless tablet within the Main Path Mausoleum made a roar that broke apart energy waves. It seemed to contain the power to move mountains as it headed in the directions of Linjiang City!

...

Linjiang City.

The battle outside the city had stopped.

Everyone's gaze was focused on the scene happening within the city. That was especially true for the Main Path Guild warriors. They were all feeling extremely tense and were ready to cast runes at any moment.

By contrast, the Sword Guild warriors were more relaxed. Many of them let out a sigh of relief and wore smiles on their faces.

That was because the appearance of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect was like a heavy bargaining chip, causing the power balance to tip the other way. That old monk easily broke through the rune set by countless Main Path Guild seventh-class and eight-class spell masters.

That feat was enough to prove the sheer power of the old monk.

At the moment when the rune that barricaded Linjiang City was torn apart, a terrifying vital energy surged out of Linjiang City. That proved that the old monk was extremely powerful in martial arts.

The monk of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect was not only proficient in spell mastery. He was also a martial arts cultivator with unparalleled vital energy. Buddhist martial arts was extremely well-known across the entire Tang Dynasty.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the area in front of the Linjiang City gates.

The old monk pressed his palms together. The vital energy on his body surged and it seemed to cause the area around him to change color.

Fang Lang, in his bloody robes, quietly followed behind the old monk, taking step after step to leave Linjiang City.

The heaps of dead bodies were everywhere within the city. Li Yuanzhen and the other disciples whose confidence had been completely crushed sat numbly on the ground and looked dazed as Fang Lang walked out of the city.

Close to a thousand Main Path Guild disciples had surrounded Fang Lang. How did such a laughable ending come to be?

Fang Lang calmly followed behind the old monk.

The old monk was extremely powerful. Fang Lang could sense it from the vital energy hovering in the air!

The old monk invited him to participate in the Battle of Pagodas of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect.

Fang Lang used the opportunity to take part in the battle to escape Linjiang City. If not, Fang Lang would have struggled to come up with a plan to escape.

Even though the Sword Guild was strong, before Xuanyuan Taihua returned, Chao Xiaojian was the only powerful warrior they had. That might not be enough to defeat the Main Path Guild, who had Zhao Taifeng's protection.

Hence, participating in the Battle of Pagodas was a great escape opportunity.

The light suddenly darkened. The aura on the old monk quietened down. A deathly silence descended over the area as everyone stared fixed at the old monk and Fang Lang walked out of the city.

The Main Path Guild warriors looked extremely furious.

"What is the meaning of this!?"

In the skies a distance away, Zhao Zhenshi blocked Huang Zhihe's attack and asked fiercely.

The old monk smiled and pressed his palms together. "I just wish to bring Benefactor Fang away. Benefactor Fang has an appointment with the All-Seeing Buddha Sect. We have a request for Benefactor Fang. Hence, our guild will guarantee Benefactor Fang's safety from now on," said the old monk calmly.

His voice was not loud but it had an undisputed authority.

"Has the All-Seeing Buddha Sect forgotten the humiliation caused by Xuanyuan Taihua?"

Zhao Zhenshi looked extremely livid.

Fang Lang was a cornered prey. He never expected that the All-Seeing Buddha Sect would suddenly appear.

"Amitabha First Sword Taihua has only humiliated the Main Path Guild. Our All-Seeing Buddha Sect has no enmity with First Sword Taihua In fact, our destinies are joined," said the old monk.

Behind him, Fang Lang rolled his eyes. 'Senior You need to focus!' he thought.

Fang Lang has truly experienced the charm of his master.

Zhao Zhenshi's face was filled with embarrassment and anger. The old monk's words were not offensive but extremely humiliating.

What did he mean by only the Main Path Guild was humiliated? Was the sword stuck in the All-Seeing Buddha Sect there for nothing?

The old monk smiled and shook his head.

"Xuanyuan Taihua is a genius who managed to advance to the transcendental realm within 200 years of cultivation. The sword that she left behind is a treasure. The sword intent contained within it is a matchless treasure. It is the foundation of power inheritance."

"If the disciples of our sect can gain an understanding of the true intent of transcendence, it would be a stroke of good luck and also a huge benefit."

"So, did Benefactor Taihua leave behind a gift or a humiliation? Buddha tells us to be more open-minded," continued the old monk.

Fang Lang was stunned that Buddha said something like that.

Zhao Zhenshi looked ashen. However, he did not want to continue arguing with the old monk. He was not a match for the All-Seeing Buddha Sect monk in debates.

"It does not matter. We must capture Fang Lang today! This kind has killed hundreds of Main Path Guild disciples. He's slaughtered an entire generation of the Main Path Guild! This is an unforgivable offense!"

"Attack! Get him!" shouted Zhao Zhenshi fiercely!

As soon as he finished speaking, the Main Path Guild warriors in front of the city doors shouted in unison.

All of a sudden, a terrifying quake rang out. A stone tablet tore through the skies to appear before them.

It was like a speedboat speeding over the ocean, sending gushing waves into the skies!

Air was displaced by a terrifying force that seemed like a mountain was crushing down from the sky!

Everyone paled.

In the sky, Chao Xiaojian, who was in a face-off with Zhao Longshi, suddenly frowned. He was surrounded by countless sword rays and with his cultivation realm, he could sense that Zhao Taifeng was responsible for that.

Zhao Zhenshi, who was battling Huang Zhihe, looked extremely happy.

The Sword Guild warriors in front of the city walls looked extremely grim and serious.

Wen Ting gripped his rapier. He felt the suffocating sense of oppression that was contained within the stone tablet.

A look of worry appeared on his face.

The stone tablet flew through the air towards Fang Lang. It was like a huge mountain that was about to crush down upon him.

The Reincarnating Lotus Sword in the scabbard on Fang Lang's back seemed to sense the threat and was quivering gently.

However, the force on the stone tablet changed suddenly. It instantly transformed into a rune. The rune filled the sky and blotted out the sun. It looked like it was about to seal the entire world.

The Five Phase Rune that the Main Path Guild was most skilled in had unlimited forms. At the moment, the Earth Phase was dominant. Naturally, it transformed into a mountainous world. It was a forbidden rune that was about to trap Fang Lang!

Since the old monk stood very close to Fang Lang, he was also enveloped by the rune.

The old monk, dressed in monk robes, pressed his palms together. His expression was calm, like still water in an ancient well.

The sound of a buddhist chant rang out.

Instantly the old monk stretched out a fist and threw a swift punch at the stone tablet crashing towards them!

Every cell in his body vibrated as he threw his punch. Vital energy surged as golden lights shot into the clouds to transform into a Thousand-Armed Luohan behind him!

His punch was like Luohan's punch as it crashed into the mountainous world!

It was a clash between the top forces in the Tang Dynasty!

At that moment, everyone went pale.

Even Fang Lang was shocked. The old monk's power was terrifyingly strong!

In the distance, the young monk who was left behind by the old monk was red-faced as he cheered, danced and punched his first into the sky!

A single punch versus the stone tablet. Vital energy clashing with divine sense!

Zhao Taifeng's realm-transcending power was worn down by the old monk's vital energy. In the end, with a slight bend of his leg, the old monk drew a circle with his foot, holding the stone tablet as it crashed to the ground.

The earth shook violently. It was like there was an earthquake. The stone tablet that was around four meters tall crash landed on the ground like it was diving into the earth.

"Amitabha. Benefactor Taifeng. Be merciful and forgive others wherever possible," said the old monk with his hands pressed together.

The vital energy on him was still like a withered tree. There was nothing exceptional about it.

In that manner, this unimpressive-looking old monk managed to stop a transcendental realm blow.

Hundreds of miles away.

Mount Tongtian. The Main Path Mausoleum.

Zhao Taifeng placed his hands behind his back. His eyes were dark.

His vision leaped across hundreds of miles to see that old monk. That old monk was not a realm-transcending warrior but he managed to block his attack.

There was no doubt that the All-Seeing Buddha Sect possessed a powerful foundation that rivaled the Main Path Guild.

The old monk was only a hair's breadth away from achieving transcendence. He was about to overcome the obstacles of transcendence at any moment.

Zhao Taifeng did not continue to attack since the old monk was protecting Fang Lang. If he offended a realm-transcending warrior of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect, it would not benefit the Main Path Guild in any way.

He went on to think about the plan of the armored man.

Zhao Taifeng decided not to continue attacking in the end.

"Fang Lang"

"To have killed so many disciples of my Main Path Guild. The retribution for today will surely be dealt with."

Zhao Taifeng stammered out.

His voice rang out like a great bell, traversing hundreds of miles to reverberate in the skies above Linjiang City.

In Zhao Taifeng's eyes, Fang Lang was weak and pitiful. He was merely a fourth-class. Even if Fang Lang had many tricks under his sleeves, it did not amount to much in Zhao Taifeng's eyes.

Even though Fang Lang's talent and natural ability were pretty decent, once he becomes a transcendental realm warrior, the world might have undergone a huge change before then.

Fang Lang would not have the time to become a transcendental realm warrior. If he did not manage to transcend, he would be no match for Zhao Taifeng.

Fang Lang's bloodied robes billowed around him. He revealed a mocking smile.

"I, Fang Lang, will always remember this gift of a city blockade. I will be sure to return the favor in kind with interest in the future," said Fang Lang intently as he shook out his bloody robes.

As Zhao Taifeng said, "The retribution for today will be dealt with one day!"

The old monk was like a withered tree. He stretched out his arm and placed it on Fang Lang's shoulder.

"Benefactor Fang, it's not good to delay. We should head off," said the old monk.

As soon as he spoke, many of the Main Path Guild warriors were about to stop them. However, the old monk brought Fang Lang with him as he transformed into a roaring enormous gold dragon. His vital energy surged in the air as it soared across the mountains like a fierce python!

The strong winds gusted without ceasing, agitating plumes of rubble!

The numerous Main Path Guild warriors did not dare to stop him and quickly stopped what they were doing. They were in shock.

What was the cultivation level of the old monk!?

He was extremely powerful. It seemed as though he was likely a peak ninth-class and was just a hair's breadth away from the transcendental realm.

No one dared to stop him. No one could stop him!

In the skies, Zhao Zhenshi, who battled Huang Zhihe, was extremely frustrated.

That happened under his command. Yet now, so many disciples have lost their lives and even their most stellar fourth-class realm disciple, An Fan, was dead!

Despite all that, Fang Lang still managed to escape unscathed!

"I can't let this kid leave like this. Ancestor, please do something!"

Zhao Zhenshi was unwilling to accept the result. He shouted for Zhao Taifeng to act. However, Zhao Taifeng seemed to have some qualms and ignored him.

The old monk appeared to have transformed into a real dragon as he soared over the road outside Linjiang City. He picked up the cheering young monk and disappeared over the horizon.

Countless blade rays descended. Chao Xiaojian soared in the skies while his white hair fluttered around him. His hands were behind his back and there seemed to be a single leaf on the tip of his toes.

Zhao Longshi did not continue fighting Chao Xiaojian among the sea of clouds. He merely let out a long sigh.

Even though ancestor Zhao Taifeng was a transcendental realm, he lacked boldness. The longer he lived, the more he feared death.

Since Fang Lang was allowed to escape, he would surely become a huge misfortune for the Main Path Guild waiting to happen.

Huang Zhihe was panting like a dragon but he broke into a huge grin. The countless steel blades behind him transformed into a sword hammer.

Today was extremely fun!

Even though Huang Zhihe never thought that the battle would end in that manner. He was caught by surprise when the All-Seeing Buddha Sect warriors came to save Fang Lang.

Huang Zhihe connected the dots and recalled that Xuanyuan Taihua's Circling Lotus Sword was in the All-Seeing Buddha sect. It must be Xuanyuan Taihua's backup plan!

"A genius move, befitting of Xuanyuan Taihua!'

Huang Zhihe was extremely grateful. His eyes were filled with appreciation and madness.

The Sword Guild warriors in front of the city walls let out a sigh of relief.

Wen Ting, Elder Ji and the others gazed at Fang Lang disappearing into the distance and slowly exhaled.

After that, the Sword Guild disciples stopped fighting and swiftly retreated.

The battle would have ended with both guilds killing wantonly, resulting in the death of numerous disciples. Hence, the fact that the battle ended in that manner could be considered good news for the Sword Guild.

Of course, the Main Path Guild was extremely outraged.

As a result of the fight, all the Main Path Guild disciples that were of the fourth-class realm and below have been wiped out. A whole generation was killed. That was a huge blow to their strength and vitality!

Inside Linjiang City, the common folk looked around the city, hardly daring to make a sound. They would always remember the youth who slayed a person every ten steps on their streets, causing his white robes to turn blood-red.

Owner Wu and the others inside the Jade Pavilion stared at the youth who managed to break the stalemate and leave the city in shock. Owner Wu was relieved. She was relieved that they did not offend that youth.

That youth walked out of the Jade Pavilion and threw out money extravagantly, destroying the restaurant and killing until blood flowed through the streets like a river. That scene was imprinted on their minds.

Numerous homing pigeons flew swiftly out of the city, heading in all directions all over the Tang Dynasty. The news spread like wildfire. The raging fire continued to surge as it rolled out in all directions.

Changan City was enveloped in falling snow.

Snow was falling in the Royal City. The buildings were covered in a thick layer of white snow.

There were palaces within the rear palace where it was green all year round. A maid agily retrieved the message pouch tied around the homing pigeon's leg and took out the letter from within it.

Inside the building, there was a figure behind the curtains.

Empress Pei looked like a painting as she read the news within the letter. She was surprised.

When Jiang Linglong, who was quietly sitting to the side, heard the news from the maid, she could not help but gasp.

"That kid he's really exceeded expectations by managing to escape after being cornered by the Main Path Guild. I was actually planning on sending Pei Liao to save him."

Empress Pei took a sip of hot tea and said that with a smile. Every smile and expression of hers was filled with charm.

The fifth princess by her side smiled sweetly. "He's truly a surprising little fellow."

Jiang Linglong felt a huge weight crushing her heart disappear. She instantly felt a lot more relaxed.

Empress Pei glanced at her and said with a smile, "Does that mean that you'll be able to learn sword intent in peace now?"

"Your heart needs to be calm and undisturbed to better grasp sword intent Ling'er, Fang Lang has already advanced to the fourth-class, sword-intent realm. If you don't work harder, you're going to be left behind."

When Jiang Linglong heard her words, she instantly stood up. She was a little anxious and stressed.

"I understand. I've already mastered the essence of the Four Seasons sword intent. I will definitely be able to successfully master it over the next day or two."

"Aunt, will Fang Lang be in danger now that he's going to the All-Seeing Buddha Sect? I've heard that sect leader Taihua previously defeated the All-Seeing Buddha Sect with one attack. Will the All-Seeing Buddha Sect harm Fang Lang?" asked Jiang Linglong, porting out the worries of her heart.

Empress Pei did not get the chance to answer when the fifth princess said with a laugh, "You can relax, Ling-er. If I'm not mistaken, Master Ci Yue of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect personally brought Fang Lang to the sect because the Battle of Pagodas is about to start. Fang Lang should be participating in the Battle of Pagodas as one of the external assists."

"The Battle of Pagodas?" Jiang Linglong felt as though she might have heard about this before but she did not truly know what it was about.

"The Battle of Pagodas is an agreement between the All-Seeing Buddha, the devil tribe and the demon tribe in the demon realm. The battle will be between the younger generation who are of the fourth-class and below. The result of the battle will determine the movements of the pagodas."

"This battle is extremely important for the peace of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect region that spans over 10,000 miles."

"Fang Lang has killed An Fan, so the external assist position would naturally go to Fang Lang."

The fifth princess knew a lot about secret accounts such as this.

"It's a pretty good training opportunity to battle the geniuses of the demon world. It's an opportunity that most common people would never get."

"This year's Battle of Pagodas is unique because the rumor is that the sacred maidens of the demon tribe and the archdevils of the devil tribe will be taking part. The All-Seeing Buddha Sect's chances of winning this Battle of Pagodas were already slim. Even with Fang Lang as their external assist, it might not be enough."

"The sacred maidens and the archdevils all possess divine cores. They're more gifted than Xuanyaun Taihua in her youth. If Fang Lang goes up against them, the odds of victory are extremely slim."

"With regards to his safety, there's no need to worry about that. The All-Seeing Buddha Sect is protected by a top realm-transcending warrior. Even if they lost the Battle of Pagodas, they would be able to retreat safely."

The fifth princess's words helped Jiang Linglong understand the situation. She nodded but felt as though the pressure on her heart had increased.

This was because after Fang Lang goes through the Battle of Pagodas, he would surely become more powerful. In that case, she was going to be completely surpassed by Fang Lang.

Without her realizing, the gap between her ability and Fang Lang had increased.

Jiang Linglong swiftly got up, said her goodbyes then continued to train hard.

Empress Pei and the fifth princess exchanged looks. They could not help but share a smile.