Chapter 597 - 252: The Pure Land’s Enlightened Spirit, Bright King Guangdu (Part 2)

"Five hundred elite troops of the Celestial Heart Pavilion have already rushed to West Suburban Kuzhu Ridge, encircling Lingming Temple tightly."

Ji Mingyue’s expression was exhilarated.

During this period, the contest of intelligence and courage with the opponent had extended from Jiangdong all the way to Jiangnan, resulting in severe losses for both sides...

The most frustrating part was that even after relentless fighting, they were only battling the opponent’s minions; the true mastermind remained elusive, making Ji Mingyue quite exasperated.

This made her somewhat doubt her own abilities.

Now having located the main culprit, she felt an immense sense of relief and accomplishment.

"One thousand armored cavalry have already blocked Guan City; this time, they won’t escape even with wings."

Han Xiaoru was the type who acted decisively with few words.

Previously at Wind Valley City, she had carried out such an operation to seal off Shenxiao Mountain; she was indeed quite adept at it.

Naturally, she couldn’t handle experts of the Divine Martial Realm.

But as long as it was below the Divine Martial level, and as long as there was an army beside her, she wouldn’t be afraid.

"This time, I rely upon you, elders."

Chen Ping cupped his hands, looking towards the three Daoist-clad men and women beside him.

The middle-aged female Daoist standing on the right was none other than Master Qiuye Ran Qiuye, also the mother of Little Commandery Princess Ji Mingyue. She wasn’t an outsider; since their meeting, she had been smiling at Chen Ping every now and then, as if she couldn’t get enough of looking at him.

Despite Chen Ping’s experience over two lifetimes and his self-proclaimed thick skin, he couldn’t help but get goosebumps from her gaze.

"Rest assured, Your Highness, this person dared to come to Qingwei Sect’s territory to stir trouble, setting traps with ill intentions; how could we possibly let him escape? Uncle Zhongshan and Brother Changfeng, don’t you agree?"

Master Zhongshan and Master Changfeng, with a slight bitter smile on their faces, quickly followed suit, saluting and saying with a smile: "Indeed, if it weren’t for Sect Leader, Senior Brother, sitting in the mountain gate and presiding over the array to guard against Beizhou’s sneak attacks, he would surely have gone down the mountain to obey the orders."

These words were merely for listening.

Chen Ping knew that the Qingwei Sword Sect Leader, Master Qingyun, actually had some similarities in circumstances with Sun Yun, the Primordial Sword Sect Leader.

He didn’t dare to move.

Back when Beizhou invaded and attacked Celestial Gate Pass, the Qingwei Sect was actually on the verge of annihilation.

The reason was simple.

Nearby Celestial Gate Mountain, Celestial Gate Pass City, as well as Yang City and Wenyuan Territory, within a few hundred li, all the people faced the blades of the Hu People directly; Qingwei Mountain, no matter how unwilling it was to move, had no choice.

Because, for their disciples, not to mention all, eighty to ninety percent were from within these three cities’ range.

To put it bluntly.

These over two thousand disciples, most of their families lived in the cities and rural areas.

In such circumstances, defending Celestial Gate Pass wasn’t for Great Li but for their own homes.

King Jinghai might not defend it, and True Martial King might overlook it, but Qingwei Mountain couldn’t ignore it.

Like Master Qiuye and Master Changfeng, they had been stationed at the Celestial Gate without leaving even for a moment, for precisely this reason.

In such circumstances, Beizhou experts certainly had their sights on Qingwei Mountain.

The best way, of course, was direct decapitation, to kill off Qingwei Mountain’s Sect Leader and elders.

Which brings us to Qingwei Sect Leader, Master Qingyun’s level of cultivation; similar to the Primordial Sword Sect, the Qingwei Ancestor had long ascended, leaving the remaining disciples, including the Sect Leader, none breaking through to the Divine Martial Realm.

Even in the Unity Realm, there were only three.

It completely failed to sustain its standing as one of the Four Daoist Sects.

However, superior to the Primordial Sect, when Ancestor Qingheh perished, he left behind a "Qingwei Sword" and a Dewy Mist and Clear Wind Sword Array, capable of injuring enemies across greater realms in a short time.

Even if Divine Martial Realm enemies were to attack the mountain, under the array and Spirit Sword’s assault, they couldn’t guarantee survival.

This was the trump card.

To stand firmly before exerting force.

Thus, Qingwei Sect disciples went down the mountain in droves to defend their homes, free from worries.

Drawbacks certainly existed.

That meant Sect Leader Qingyun was anchored on the mountain, not daring to move.

It’s worth mentioning, this time since Chen Ping arrived near Celestial Gate Pass, Qingwei Mountain showed utmost importance.

Not only did they send Masters Changfeng and Qiuye, but they also sent Master Zhongshan, one of the only three elders in the Unity Realm remaining on the mountain, to descend for assistance, indicating tremendous support.

Even without Ji Mingyue’s connection.

Chen Ping held a favorable view towards this Daoist sect that constantly fought on the frontlines, sustaining heavy casualties.

Hence, he didn’t refuse their goodwill but instead utilized the Qingwei Sect’s local advantage to apprehend members of the Situ Family, finally pinpointing West Suburban Lingming Temple.

Master Zhongshan, wise and prudent, thought for a moment and still said: "Lingming Temple belongs to the Pure Land Sect, one of the Three Sects of Buddhism, traditionally uninvolved in worldly disputes, remaining neutral in the dust-laden struggles of the world.

It is said that Zen Master Mingjing, who presides over the temple, is highly respected; countless in the vicinity of Celestial Gate Mountain benefited from him. It’s uncertain..."

"Indeed, the reputation of this person is exceptional; last time when Beizhou Hu Cavalry broke through Celestial Gate Pass with a bloodthirsty massacre, this person managed to save tens of thousands of civilians."

Ran Qiuye also showed slight hesitation.

Being so close to their neighbors, they naturally understood Lingming Temple’s leader quite well and sometimes interacted without concern.

Somewhat admiring that old monk’s character.

"Pure Land Sect, huh?"

Chen Ping recalled an incident; back when he was protecting Little Commandery Princess Ji Mingyue and fleeing deep into Youx Mountain, he once encountered Yuan Ping, a defector from Pure Land Sect, who had joined forces with the Thirteenth Prince of Beizhou under his service.