Chapter 453 - 233: Break the Formation! Spare None

Chapter 453: Chapter 233: Break the Formation! Spare None

"Arrogant!"

"Insolent!"

The echoes of Chen Sheng’s ultimatum—as cold as ice and brimming with killing intent—had yet to fade when several furious shouts suddenly shattered the deathly silence before the Golden Spring Temple’s gates.

Xuanming, Xuan Ku, and several other First Seats were flushed with rage, their eyes practically spewing fire as they glared at the dark figure outside the array.

’A bloodbath at Golden Spring Temple?’

’This sacred ground of the Buddhist Sect, sentenced to annihilation with such contempt?’

Such arrogant words were a complete trampling of Golden Spring Temple’s dignity.

"Arrogance requires strength to back it up."

Chen Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, a cold, mocking smile playing on his lips as he faced the monks’ furious glares.

"And I... happen to have it!"

As if to prove his point, a chilling sound of countless mechanisms being drawn taut suddenly erupted from the dense military formation below.

In the front ranks of the three-thousand-strong Military Preparation Army, rows of menacing Divine Arm Crossbows and Breaking Gang Crossbows were raised in unison. The tips of their cold-forged steel bolts glinted ominously in the sunlight, all locked on the mountain gate.

Over a thousand Ti Qi from the Jingwu Bureau drew their blades simultaneously, the polished steel reflecting a blinding glare.

The longswords of the Iron Sword Sect’s Sword Cultivators hummed softly, the blades and shields of the Wang Clan’s private soldiers CLANGED, and the disciples of the Danxia Sect stood ready... The killing intent of nearly eight thousand people converged into an invisible torrent that surged skyward,

causing the massive golden bell’s light shield to ripple faintly.

Monk Kongxu, the abbot of Golden Spring Temple, his expression as hard as stone, softly chanted a Buddhist name.

His gaze traveled past Chen Sheng to land on Nie Xuanfeng and Li Qianzhou at his side. His voice held a final note of persuasion and intimidation:

"Donor Nie, Donor Li, you are both reasonable men. You must know that once this conflict begins, Ning’an will be drowned in a river of blood and its people plunged into misery. Who can possibly bear such a sin?

Our temple’s ’Golden Bell Heaven-Covering Array’ is a Tier Four wonder, connected to the ley lines of the earth and unbreakable. Even with an army of thousands, what can you do to us? It would be better to withdraw your forces and each take a step back.

I can promise on behalf of the Celestial Dragon Upper Sect that from this day forward, Golden Spring Temple will do everything in its power to assist the Government Office and maintain stability in Ning’an. This is a solution that benefits everyone. I urge you both to reconsider."

’In Kongxu’s eyes, the only ones who could truly represent the Ning’an Government Office, weigh the pros and cons, and make the final decision were still the real power brokers, Nie Xuanfeng and Li Qianzhou.’

’Chen Sheng was just a blade—an exceedingly sharp one, capable of causing harm, but a blade nonetheless.’

’And ultimate control lay with the one who wielded it.’

However, Li Qianzhou’s next words were like a basin of ice water, extinguishing the last of his hopes.

"Fellow Daoist Kongxu, you are mistaken."

Li Qianzhou’s expression was calm.

"All of Ning’an’s military and political affairs are now decided by Inspector Chen’s word alone. Since Lord Chen has already issued the order, we can only obey. Whether there is to be war or peace... you should discuss that with Lord Chen."

’Inspector?!’

’In charge of all military and political affairs?!’

At these words, not only did Monk Kongxu’s pupils shrink, but behind him, Xuanming, Xuan Ku, and even Monk Kongjian, who had just steadied himself, all turned pale with horror.

’The young man who, just a few months ago, had to look up to them and rely on cunning and ruthlessness just to get by, had now climbed to such a lofty position, holding the power of life and death in his hands?’

’No wonder the Government Office was so uncompromising this time, their mobilization so decisive.’

A bone-deep chill instantly flooded the hearts of all the senior members of Golden Spring Temple.

’Their old grudges with Chen Sheng, his vengeful nature, and now this sudden, immense authority...’

’Today’s matter would absolutely not end well!’

"Donor Chen!"

Monk Kongxu could no longer maintain his transcendent air. His eyes locked onto Chen Sheng, his voice low and urgent, carrying a final warning:

"Making a move against Golden Spring Temple means making a sworn enemy of the Celestial Dragon Temple. Even with the Nie Family backing you, you could never withstand the torrential wrath of a top-tier sect.

The Nie Family would certainly not enter a blood feud to the death with the Celestial Dragon Temple for you alone! Do you truly understand the stakes? Are you determined to act so willfully?"

"I am responsible for my own actions."

Chen Sheng’s tone was indifferent, as if he were stating a trivial fact that had nothing to do with him. The chill in his eyes intensified.

"If the Celestial Dragon Temple wants to get involved, let them come. I’ll be waiting. Now, I ask you one last time—"

His voice suddenly rose like a clap of thunder, carrying an unrivaled killing intent that rolled across Golden Spring Mountain:

"Golden Spring Temple! Today, will you surrender, or not?!"

Monk Kongxu took a deep breath. The surging anger, fear, and indignation in his chest finally dissolved into a long sigh, which then hardened into the resolute fury of a Vajra’s Furious Gaze.

With a SNAP, he clenched the Buddhist Beads in his hand so tightly his fingertips turned white. He looked up, his gaze like lightning.

"Amitabha Buddha... In that case, this humble monk will see for himself, Donor Chen, what methods you possess that make you dare to utter such arrogant words!"

VMMMM—!!!

Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, the phantasmal, pale-gold bell covering the entire temple erupted with an unprecedented and dazzling radiance.

Countless Sanskrit characters swirled and flickered across the bell’s surface as if alive. A vast and solemn Buddhist chant materialized from thin air—grand and dignified, yet containing a piercing, murderous aura.

The power of the entire Grand Array was pushed to its absolute limit. Golden Light flowed across its surface, rendering it seemingly indestructible.

"Wait!"

At that critical moment, just as the fires of war were about to be kindled, a clear, resonant cry came from the horizon.

A streak of plain white light tore through the sky at astonishing speed, landing in an instant outside the Golden Bell Grand Array, facing Chen Sheng and the others from a distance.

The newcomer had the white hair of a crane but the complexion of a youth. His features were lean, and he wore a spotless white Daoist Robe, holding a silver-threaded Duster. His bearing was that of a celestial immortal—it was none other than the Temple Master of Qingfeng Temple.

Daoist Qingxu’s expression was exceptionally grave. His gaze swept rapidly over the impressive Government Office army at the foot of the mountain, then turned to the monks of Golden Spring Temple, who stood in formation within the array, ready for battle.