Chapter 227

Clang!

Just as Bai Mulin was expressing his thanks, Sangji, who had been in constant communication with the Venerable One and understood his intentions, suddenly spread out his divine sense.

The White Bone Sarira in his hand was already in motion.

Whoosh!

The white bone prayer bead transformed into a streak of light and smashed heavily toward the side of Moonlight White Duzi.

A figure abruptly appeared.

Countless ripples of water unfolded outward, blocking the White Bone Sarira from advancing further.

The newcomer had an aged face, while his lower body was entwined with thick, gnarled vines.

It was none other than Spiritual Master Bai Mu!

Moments earlier, he had employed his divine ability, "Hidden Forest Bank," to secretly approach the Dharma Kings and Duzi attendants, preparing to launch a surprise attack.

"Hidden Forest Bank" could conceal one's form, aura, and even fluctuations of divine abilities. Even Purple Mansion cultivators found it difficult to detect.

Furthermore, Spiritual Master Bai Mu was a mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivator. Combined with his ability to hide his presence and strike unexpectedly, even an early Purple Mansion cultivator would suffer greatly if caught off guard.

As for Duzi and Dumu attendants, a direct hit could kill them outright. Their true spirits might even fail to reincarnate.

Among the three present, Fang Qing's qi-blood surged like a dragon, and he possessed a Purple Mansion treasure. His combat strength was clearly formidable and difficult to deal with.

Peacock Dumu was similarly troublesome. Five-colored divine light gathered around her body, and as a member of the demon race, her physique was exceptionally powerful. A single surprise attack was unlikely to succeed.

Thus, Spiritual Master Bai Mu's primary target had been Moonlight White Dumu.

In such a brief span of time, this mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivator had accurately grasped the entire battlefield situation.

A veteran of countless battles indeed.

Had Fang Qing not deliberately thrown Bai Mulin into confusion with his words and nearly caused a major incident, forcing Bai Mu to intervene secretly, the White Bone Dharma King would never have noticed anything amiss.

Yet despite missing his attack, no trace of regret or disappointment appeared on Spiritual Master Bai Mu's face.

It was as though all emotion and thought had been hidden away.

What Fang Qing and the others faced was merely a void of complete emptiness.

"Homage to the Esoteric Venerable!"

Moonlight White Dumu softly recited a Buddhist invocation.

Mystic power gathered around her, transforming into countless tranquil crystal lotus blossoms. A serene moonlit radiance descended from above.

Peacock Dumu formed a seal with one hand.

A Golden Dharma Aspect appeared behind her.

Its face was ferocious, covered in golden feathers and scales. Clearly, her demonic nature had not yet been fully refined away.

The golden figure roared and threw a punch.

Five-colored light surged forth, accompanied by flickering strands of azure flame that scorched the very void.

Fang Qing's response was the simplest of all.

With a furious shout, he swung the Bronze Ge in his hand, releasing overwhelming Divine Might.

Divine Might stood as mountains.

Divine Grace flowed like oceans.

The moment Spiritual Master Bai Mu's ambush failed, he immediately found himself besieged by the combined attacks of the Duzi and Dumu attendants.

In truth, the greatest threat was still the White Bone Sarira itself.

Compared to the others, Sangji, whose strength rivaled that of a Purple Mansion cultivator, posed the greatest danger.

True Personage Bai Mu remained expressionless.

A ring of divine power blossomed behind his head.

Splash... splash...

A gentle spring rain began to fall.

At some unknown point, countless fine threads of rain had already filled the surrounding area.

The rainfall carried the silent, nourishing quality of moisture soaking into all things. It seeped directly into the divine powers of the Duzi and Dumu attendants.

The crystal lotus blossoms froze in midair.

The golden figure's punch came to a complete halt.

Even Fang Qing felt the Bronze Ge in his hand suddenly become incomparably cold and heavy.

'The divine ability "Long-Awaited Sweet Rain" of [Ji Water] can actually be used this way?'

'This seems to be a variation of the profound principle of "Transforming Turbid into Pure."'

'If it can transform the turbid into the pure, then naturally it can also transform the light into the heavy.'

'Movement into stillness.'

'I really want to see the Bai Family's Long-Awaited Sweet Rain scripture.'

'It must be far superior to the Observation of Black Mausoleum Book.'

During his previous visit, Fang Qing had already learned that the Eastern Water Bai Family was renowned for the divine ability Long-Awaited Sweet Rain.

Clearly, the Bai Family's version differed from his own Ji Water Dao Foundation.

The divine ability had been cultivated through a seventh-rank or higher true qi and was supported by a profound scripture that included methods for refining a Dao Foundation into a divine ability.

Yet despite that, Fang Qing's attainment in [Ji Water] remained superior.

Watching Spiritual Master Bai Mu fight now, he immediately gained numerous insights.

'No wonder when cultivation realms are similar, battles depend primarily on Dao attainment.'

'This Spiritual Master Bai Mu has led his family through countless hardships as a Purple Mansion cultivator. His combat experience is incredibly rich.'

Fang Qing sighed inwardly.

'Furthermore, Duzi and Dumu attendants are simply too weak. Against any true Purple Mansion cultivator, they are essentially no match.'

'At best, they can provide support and distraction.'

'The newly promoted attendants like us are like this. Those serving beside the Dharma Kings of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain are probably not much different.'

'At most, our presence serves to strengthen the appearance of the force being deployed.'

Although that was the reality, merely participating in a Purple Mansion battlefield and helping restrain a Purple Mansion cultivator was already a feat that ordinary Dao Foundation cultivators could scarcely imagine.

"ROAR!"

Under the freezing rain, all three attendants found their movements restricted.

In reality, Peacock Dumu and Moonlight White Dumu genuinely found themselves powerless.

Fang Qing, however, was mostly putting on an act.

Because Sangji had already moved.

Accompanied by a roar like that of a primordial god or demon, the White Bone Sarira suddenly erupted with dazzling brilliance.

Sections of jade-like bone rapidly expanded.

In an instant, they transformed into a colossal White Bone Divine Demon of immense strength.

Its body was covered in countless Sanskrit secret runes that formed unique bone patterns.

Its appearance was terrifying beyond words.

Opening its enormous maw, it lunged at Spiritual Master Bai Mu and bit down viciously. Within that single bite, even space itself seemed as fragile as glass.

Under the pressure of the white bone fangs, the void emitted a strained, mournful cry.

Spiritual Master Bai Mu's eyes shifted slightly.

His figure suddenly vanished without a trace.

'He's concealing himself with the divine ability Hidden Forest Bank, not entering the void realm.'

'What a pity.'

'If the Void Realm were not sealed, combining this divine ability with void traversal would make him a perfect Purple Mansion assassin.'

A thought flashed through Fang Qing's mind.

Then he shouted:

"Everyone, spread out!"

Sangji immediately responded, retreating far into the distance while pulling away from the others.

The rest quickly followed suit, widening the battlefield and preparing for the next exchange between the Purple Mansion cultivators.

Moonlight White and Peacock Dumu hesitated somewhat. Facing a powerful enemy, would splitting up not simply invite defeat one by one?

Yet they heard Fang Qing shout:

“Those who dwell ‘Beside the Hidden Forest’ must have something upon which they rely. A lone tree does not make a forest. Without a forest, where could one hide? I invite Spiritual Master to reveal himself!”

“Hm?”

The void flickered.

A figure appeared beside Fang Qing. It was none other than Spiritual Master Bai Mu. For the first time, a trace of surprise appeared on his usually emotionless face.

“If Fellow Daoist cultivated the [Ji Water] lineage, your attainment would likely be no weaker than this old man's…”

“So this so-called ‘Beside the Hidden Forest’ is somewhat akin to the Buddhist concept of the Obstacle of Perception. Hidden among the crowd, one becomes impossible to distinguish.”

Sangji pressed his palms together. The radiance of [Nu Earth] shone brilliantly, complementing the towering White Bone Mighty Divine Demon beside him.

“Alas... if this old man's divine ability had not been damaged, how could its power be reduced to such a degree?”

Spiritual Master Bai Mu sighed. Vines wrapped around both of his arms as he lunged toward Fang Qing.

Earlier, he had chosen to conceal himself and launch a surprise attack against Moonlight White Dumu because she represented the enemy's weakest point.

Now, however, he had shifted his target to Fang Qing.

His intention was to make this Duzi lower his guard, believing that his true targets remained Moonlight White or Peacock, the two comparatively weaker Dumu.

Yet Fang Qing had exposed him with a single shout. His ambush had been ruined, forcing him into a direct assault.

“Haha... Spiritual Master underestimates me too much.”

Fang Qing laughed loudly.

His qi and blood surged like a boiling sea. Behind him, the faint image of the Horse-Headed Wisdom King Dharma Protector manifested.

His blood flowed like a dragon.

His stride thundered like an elephant.

Raising the Bronze Ge in his hand, he unleashed his divine ability.

[Divine Might]!

The Bronze Ge smashed downward, striking the withered vines directly.

Boom!

The blow landed with the sound of striking rotten leather.

The vines shattered inch by inch, revealing Spiritual Master Bai Mu behind them.

Yet the old cultivator merely smiled faintly.

He allowed the Bronze Ge to crash into his body.

The Dharma Body instantly exploded into countless droplets of water, scattering into the fine rain surrounding the battlefield.

The White Bone Divine Demon roared furiously, extending its razor-sharp claws.

The radiance of [Nu Earth] gathered within its grasp as it tore apart the curtain of rain.

A muffled grunt sounded from within.

When Spiritual Master Bai Mu appeared again, he had already retreated inside his Purple Mansion grand array.

This was the advantage of being the defender.

The moment he fell into a disadvantageous position, he could withdraw into the array, recuperate, and slowly recover his injuries.

“Benefactor, if you are willing to surrender now, the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain will treat you with the status of a Dharma King.”

Sangji pressed his palms together. His voice carried far across the battlefield.

Then he added: “Attack! Break the array!”

Roar! Roar!

The White Bone Divine Demon knew no fatigue.

It raised its enormous fists and smashed them repeatedly against the shimmering water-light array.

...

Within Lone Tree Forest.

“Ancestor?”

Bai Mulin dripped several drops of Sweet Rain Spring water into his ears, instantly restoring his hearing.

He knelt before an ancient banyan tree.

Half of Spiritual Master Bai Mu's body emerged from the trunk.

His complexion was ashen and lifeless, carrying an unmistakable aura of death.

His flesh had split open, exposing countless vines growing beneath his skin.

Bai Mulin immediately lowered his head, not daring to look further.

It was obvious that his ancestor's signs of Dao Transformation had grown even more severe.

This all-out battle had not come without a price.

Moreover, Sangji possessed a [Nu Earth] divine ability and had wounded him with it.

Earth nourished wood.

As a result, the old injuries within his body had worsened considerably.

“This old man will not die.”

Spiritual Master Bai Mu's cold voice descended from above.

“Immediately request reinforcements from the Blissful Union Sect.”

“Ah?”

Bai Mulin froze.

“This old man dragged this broken body onto the battlefield and fought several Purple Mansion cultivators for the sake of the upper sect. I am now not far from complete Dao Transformation and death. If the sect cannot compensate me or send reinforcements, then they cannot blame this old man for lacking loyalty.”

Spiritual Master Bai Mu paused before continuing.

“Great Spiritual Master Xinyi is a reasonable person. She will not act in such a manner. Reinforcements will certainly be dispatched to relieve us. You need only wait. This Purple Mansion grand array will not be breached anytime soon.”

“However... our Bai Family must begin making preparations early.”

A thought stirred within Bai Mulin's heart.

‘Could it be that Ancestor's participation in today's battle was largely an act?’

‘If the upper sect takes pity and grants a single stalk of Golden Peony Yang Essence, Ancestor's chronic afflictions would vanish completely. He would be able to continue guarding Eastern Waters.’

‘Even if they cannot provide such a Purple Mansion spiritual flower, sending several Purple Mansion cultivators to break the siege would still be enough.’

Then another thought emerged.

‘But with the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain and the Blissful Union Sect now locked in open war, what path remains for our Eastern Waters Bai Family?’

His thoughts drifted back to how the Vajra Strength Duzi had toyed with him earlier that day.

A strange look appeared in his eyes.

‘That Vajra Strength Duzi and Moonlight White Dumu once visited our family in person...’

‘Although much time has passed, perhaps that bit of friendship may prove useful in the future?’

Yet...

The moment he considered the price involved, even Bai Mulin found it difficult to make a decision.

After all, what the other side desired was the Bai Family's ancestral cultivation technique.

Allowing outsiders to obtain the family's inherited arts might not cause immediate disaster, but sooner or later it would leave endless hidden troubles.

Unless the family truly stood on the brink of destruction, he simply could not bring himself to make such a choice.

As for asking Spiritual Master Bai Mu to divine karmic threads and seek a path of survival for the family?

In a war between Golden Core sects, involving dozens of Purple Mansion Spiritual Masters of differing statuses and destinies, all gathered together in one place, the heavenly secrets had long since become a chaotic blur.

No matter how many divinations were performed, no clear answer could possibly be obtained.