Chapter 963 - 687: The Three Major Powers

The Southern Border is originally a desolate realm wedged between heaven and earth, where miasma and impure air intermingle, a stark contrast to the pristine Brahma Heaven of the Spirit Mountain.

Chen Sheng traveled westward, facing a vast expanse of Black Mountain stretching millions of miles.

The rocks are entirely black, ancient trees are thick and lush, blocking out the sky, with black mist lingering year-round, concealing sun and moonlight.

Demonic winds howl through the mountains, with oppressive malice, even the vegetation exudes a sense of fierceness.

Chen Sheng suddenly paused his steps, a spontaneous insight struck him, his fate resonated.

He lowered his gaze, raised his hand, and pinched lightly with his fingertips, instantly seeing past the hidden threads, his eyes slightly brightened:

"There’s actually such a predestined fate."

"I’m heading to the Southern Border to guard a post, in need of several reliable hands to run errands, perform duties, and share the chores..."

Resolving his thoughts, he lifted his gaze towards the depths of Black Mountain shrouded in mist, and his figure vanished into thin air.

...

In the center of the valley clearing.

A black and a white figure were locked in a life-and-death struggle, fighting fiercely enough to make heavens and earth change colors.

The left creature, a black bear.

With a massive body like a small mountain, muscles knotted, earth and rocks swirling around, the void subtly collapsing, this one had cultivated the Dao Foundation of the [Lord of Mountain Moving].

One punch could bring down a thousand mountains, crushing the void.

The right figure, a white snake.

Entirely white as jade, elegant as smoke, surrounded by watery vapor, waves looming, freezing cold enveloping all directions.

As the Dao Foundation flowed, it resembled an azure sea floating in the air, an Immortal Mountain solidified, it was the Dao Foundation of [Sea and Mountain of Jade].

Every movement unleashed a thousand-mile frost wave, freezing everything in its path.

The two demons were initially low-level demons of the Qi Refining Realm in Black Mountain, with shallow cultivation, yet over a hundred years ago, by a stroke of fate, they uncovered a Cultivator’s cave deep within Black Mountain.

The owner of that cave, a Buddhist grand master who had fallen long ago.

Once the cave opened, the remaining cultivation techniques transformed the two small demons, directly forging their Dao Foundations, leaping to become the twin tyrants of Black Mountain.

However, the three most precious Buddhist relics in the cave remained unclaimed and became the root of today’s deadly duel.

On the stone platform in the valley, three treasures lay silently displayed:

A golden Zen staff, both offensive and defensive, with sharp slaughter intent;

A black lotus cassock, protective against evil, and stabilizing the Dao Foundation;

A white relic, calming the mind and nurturing the Spiritual Sense.

The black bear coveted the black lotus cassock, intending to use this treasure to protect its body and solidify the [Lord of Mountain Moving] Dao Foundation;

The white snake eyed the relic, wishing to leverage its pure energy to enhance the [Sea and Mountain of Jade] Dao Foundation;

The sharp-edged Zen staff was a significant artifact both sought to seize.

With conflicting interests, obsessions entangled, grievances accumulated over decades, today’s clash erupted fully, a fight to the death.

"I discovered this cave’s fortunes first! The treasures rightfully belong to me!"

The black bear roared like thunder, its fists trembling, fully unleashing its Dao Foundation.

Boom——

The ground suddenly rose, thousands of enormous mountain rocks were drawn by its Dao Foundation power, suspended mid-air, cascading like a meteor shower towards the white snake.

The void wrinkled layer upon layer, appearing to push the entire world to collapse.

"Without my guidance, how could you find the cave? How dare you think of monopolizing the treasures?"

The white snake’s figure flashed, transforming into a stream of light, soaring skyward.

Buzz——

A mirage of an azure sea appeared behind it, within the sea, an Immortal Mountain like a jade palace solidified, cold air surged, transforming into innumerable ice blades, spears, and swords, clashing with the descending meteor shower.

Bang——Bang——Bang——

Mountains shattered, ice destroyed.

The violent shockwaves swept through the valley, uprooting towering ancient trees, plowing deep ravines into the hard mountain rock.

The two demons were frenzied with killing intent, leaving nothing in reserve with their Dao Foundation powers, each strike a life-and-death gamble.

The black bear’s punches grew heavier, the Lord of Mountain Moving Dao Foundation operating at its peak, its body rising higher, like a Great Demon able to move mountains and fill seas, its fist winds subtly trembling space:

"If I don’t flay you and draw your bones today, I can’t rest my vexed heart!"

The white snake moved gracefully, the Sea and Mountain of Jade Dao Foundation transforming into an ice-sealed Domain, azure sea solidified, Immortal Mountain descended cold, freezing everything in its path:

"You useless black lump, do you even deserve to guard this fortune?"

One was like a mountain, heavy and suppressive, the other like a sea, nimble and freezing, creating a scene of mountains crumbling and seas cracking, on the verge of deciding life and death.

At that very moment.

Buzz buzz~

A gentle Divine Power enveloped this place, as if heaven and earth were settled, instantly suppressing all chaotic demonic energy and agitated magic.

The black bear’s mountain-moving brute force suddenly froze in mid-air, and the white snake’s miles-freezing icy wave instantly solidified and dissipated.

The two Dao Foundation demon cultivators were entirely rigid, unable to move, all malice, killing intent, and agitation, were instantly, cleanly suppressed.

Chen Sheng stepped slowly out of the void, the golden body of an Arhat appeared, surrounded by the brilliance of divine techniques, he shook his head gently:

"To fight to the death over external objects, blinded by obsession, the energy of wrath disrupts the path, laughable, lamentable."

The black bear and white snake trembled violently,

"Venerable Arhat!"

"How are we deserving of this?"

They received the inheritance from a great master of the Buddhist Sect, possessing some discernment.

Chen Sheng’s gaze fell on the three Buddhist relics on the stone platform, speaking softly:

"These are items of the Buddhist Sect inheritance, yet you two demons let greed, anger, and ignorance flourish, fighting fiercely, wasting the true intention of those who came before."

"Today I pass by this place, it is also a great opportunity for you two demons."

"Are you willing to submit to me?"

"The three treasures can be entrusted to you to alternate holding, meditatively comprehending, and I can also teach you the orthodox heart technique of the Buddhist Sect."

There was a slight pause in his speech, and his pressure lightly descended.

"If you do not comply—considering you two demons are full of wrath and are mired in battles and evil deeds, today you will be suppressed on the spot, and vanish here."

Benevolence and awe combined!

The two demons were wise.

The black bear crashed to the ground, the white snake bowed its head and coiled its body, entirely restraining their fierceness, respectfully kowtowing:

"We are willing to submit to you, Master! We will follow all our lives, dare not betray!"

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, his eyes clear and bright.

With a casual gesture, he made two Buddha seals, gently falling on the foreheads of the two demons, planting a mark of allegiance to prevent rebellion and escape.

...

A day later.

In Tianlong Temple.

This Buddhist venue, located on the border of the Southern Border, though also considered an ancient temple, lacked the abundant treasure aura of Spirit Mountain.

Within the temple hall, an old monk had been waiting for some time.

His appearance was haggard, his posture stooped, surrounded by faint Buddha light like a dying candle, it was the Thousand-Hand Arhat nearing the end of his lifespan.

"Wuchen Arhat has traveled far, this old monk has awaited you for some time."

The Thousand-Hand Arhat slowly stood, pressing his palms together, his voice hoarse yet calm.

Chen Sheng also pressed his palms together and bowed, fulfilling the etiquettes:

"Wuchen comes with the Decree of Great Mercy and Illumination Bodhisattva, to take over the position, causing fellow Daoist to wait long."

The Thousand-Hand Arhat gently shook his head, letting out a soft sigh:

"It’s just finishing the last shift on this post!"

"Before the handover, this old monk will clearly explain the connections and dynamics of this place at the Southern Border to you."

"In the Southern Border, miscellaneous sects, demon race, Witch Gods, and Sea Race are mixed, dragons and snakes rising together, with three factions, absolutely must not be underestimated."

Chen Sheng sat upright on the lotus platform, focusing intently.

The voice of the Thousand-Hand Arhat deepened slightly:

"The first faction is the Bamboo Mountain Sect."

"This sect is the first major sect of the miscellaneous path in the Southern Border, with disciples spread throughout, several Great True Masters of the late Purple Mansion realm preside over it, dominating the Southern Border."

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, noting it in his mind.

"The second faction is the Sea Race of the South Sea."

The Thousand-Hand Arhat looked southward, his gaze seemed to penetrate layers of mountains, seeing the vast oceans:

"The South Sea is vast and boundless, countless Water Demons, dragon species, Sea Race tribes inhabit its depths, including many Great Demon Kings of the late Purple Mansion realm."

"If the Sea Race were not fragmented, their power would exceed that of the Bamboo Mountain Sect."

"The third faction is deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains of the Southern Border—the Witch God Sect."

Mentioning these three words, the Thousand-Hand Arhat’s brow slightly furrowed, seeming apprehensive:

"The Witch God Sect inherits ancient practices, familiar with witchcraft, blood sacrifices, and curse-killing techniques, mysterious and unpredictable, also having Great True Masters within their sect."

"These three forces all have the power to sway a region."

"Our Tianlong Temple here is but a corner refuge, safeguarding local peace, not participating in the three-way disputes."

"As for our old rival, the Taiyi Profound Sect’s branch here—Purple Heavenly View, it too faces a similar situation as us."

Chen Sheng bowed with courtesy:

"Thank you for your guidance, Wuchen will remember it in heart."

The Thousand-Hand Arhat nodded with relief, slowly standing:

"The temple’s scriptures, magical artifacts, property, and register of monks are all orderly and prepared, you can consult them at your leisure."

"This old monk has exhausted worldly ties, it’s time to set out, returning to the small temple where I took ordination, awaiting nirvana."