Chapter 390: Time to Make a Move

The Immortal Demon war was in full swing, with half of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect’s disciples already on the battlefield.

Despite this, the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect decided to send another half of its remaining disciples as reinforcements.

The other sects were all deeply moved by the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect’s righteous deed.

But on the eve of their departure, Ting Chan received news that the major sects’ offensive had weakened that day, as if they were slacking off.

The sect elders were displeased when they heard. "Given how they’re acting, Supreme Elder, wouldn’t it be better to cancel the reinforcements?"

The others nodded in agreement. "That’s right. This war is between the Cultivation World and the Western Demon Realm. If they don’t want to put in the effort, there’s no reason we should have to risk more than half our sect!"

"I’ve felt from the beginning that sending more reinforcements was a bad idea. This just gives us a reason to back out. Supreme Elder, cancel the reinforcements!"

As the group tried to persuade him, Ting Chan’s expression turned cold. "What have you all been learning in your Buddhist practice?"

"The Ten Thousand Buddha Sect’s principle is to love all of humanity. How can we be compared to those who only care about their own gains and losses?"

"Hmph. Their cowardice is their own business, but we cannot be the same!"

"My mind is made up. We will proceed with the reinforcements as planned. You need not say another word!"

The elders didn’t expect Ting Chan to be so stubborn, especially while hiding behind the banner of universal love. They exchanged glances and, in the end, could only sigh in resignation.

On the day of departure, half of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect’s disciples assembled. The group was too large for Ting Chan to transport by tearing open the void, so they traveled by Flying Boat.

The Flying Boat traveled for a day and a night, leaving the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect far behind. It would still be another two days before they reached the battlefield.

At that moment, however, a Spell suddenly descended from the sky, smashing into the Flying Boat and forcing it to a momentary halt!

The massive impact jolted everyone inside the Flying Boat awake, and they rushed outside to investigate.

Ting Chan frowned as well, spreading his Divine Sense. A moment later, his eyes shot open. ’Xie Ningyuan!’

At that moment, Xie Ningyuan stood alone before the Flying Boat, his posture solemn.

The Ten Thousand Buddha Sect disciples on the Flying Boat soon got a clear view of him and gasped in shock. "The Buddha Son... It’s the Buddha Son!"

Because of the wanted notice the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect had issued for Xie Ningyuan, everyone—regardless of whether they believed the accusations—had complicated feelings seeing him again.

For a moment, they couldn’t decide whether to attack, and a stalemate ensued.

This lasted until Ting Chan appeared.

He stood at the bow of the ship, his cold gaze locked with Xie Ningyuan’s. "Traitor! You dare show your face before me!"

Xie Ningyuan met his gaze calmly and said flatly, "Ting Chan, you’re the one who murdered my master. Why would I not dare to show my face?"

"You should have known this day would come after you failed to capture me back then."

"Today, I will kill you and avenge my master!"

The moment Xie Ningyuan finished speaking, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

’What? The Supreme Elder is the one who really killed Xie Ningyuan’s master? How could that be?!’

Though they all thought it impossible, their gazes couldn’t help but drift toward Ting Chan.

Ting Chan, however, remained unfazed by the accusation. He only sneered. "Absurd! Utter nonsense!"

"Since you dared to come, I will cleanse the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect of your stain today! Disciples, hear my command! Control the Flying Boat and annihilate this traitor!"

Hearing the order, the disciples didn’t act immediately. Instead, they exchanged uncertain glances, seemingly hesitant.

Ting Chan turned around, furious. "What? Are you telling me that after a few words of provocation from a traitor, you truly suspect that I killed Ming Jue?"

The spiritual pressure of the Body Integration Realm radiated outward. The disciples all lowered their heads, left with no choice but to obey Ting Chan’s command and control the Flying Boat to kill Xie Ningyuan.

Xie Ningyuan, of course, had no intention of waiting to be killed. Before they could act, he launched another attack on the Flying Boat.

However, the Flying Boat was protected by a defensive Array. Xie Ningyuan’s attack failed to break through it directly, merely causing the vessel to shudder.

Even so, Ting Chan immediately noticed something was wrong. "Your cultivation... it has returned to the Body Integration Realm?"

He narrowed his eyes, shocked.

He knew that Xie Ningyuan had previously suffered a backlash from his Cultivation Technique, causing his Realm to drop to the Divinity Transformation Stage. ’How has his cultivation recovered after only a few short months?’

It was incredible. He had never heard of any Buddhist Practitioner recovering from a Cultivation Technique backlash!

’What secret is Xie Ningyuan hiding?’

Ting Chan’s eyes flickered. He suddenly no longer wanted to simply kill him.

’I must capture him alive and use the Soul Searching Technique to learn his secrets!’

With this in mind, he stopped hiding behind the Flying Boat’s Array. He flew out and roared, "Let me test your strength myself!"

He and Xie Ningyuan were both at the Body Integration Realm, but he had reached it many years earlier. There was no reason he wouldn’t be a match for him, especially with the Flying Boat providing support from behind!

He engaged Xie Ningyuan with full confidence, never expecting someone else to suddenly charge in from the side!

Ting Chan’s attention was entirely focused on Xie Ningyuan; he never imagined another person would be there. As a result, he was caught squarely by Duan Xingyun’s sneak attack!

A powerful Spell slammed into him, and he immediately coughed up a large mouthful of blood.

But Duan Xingyun had only just advanced to the Body Integration Realm, and his Cultivation Technique hadn’t quite caught up yet. So while the blow had the power of the Body Integration Realm, the actual damage it inflicted was somewhat lacking.

As a result, Ting Chan wasn’t as seriously injured as he might have been. When Xie Ningyuan followed up with another strike, Ting Chan didn’t take the hit, but immediately counter-attacked and blocked it.

"Duan Xingyun? You’ve reached the Body Integration Realm?"

Ting Chan’s voice was filled with astonishment. He looked Duan Xingyun up and down, then sneered. "So what if you’ve advanced? You’re still too weak!"

"No wonder you had the courage to challenge me. So, you thought you’d found yourself a powerful ally?"

Contempt filled Ting Chan’s face. "Then let’s see if the two of you together can actually defeat me!"

With that, he wasted no more words and swiftly attacked them both.

Just as Ting Chan had said, the two of them ganging up on him didn’t give them a definitive advantage.

Especially with the Flying Boat on his side, which harassed them intermittently, the two sides were more or less evenly matched. They were locked in a stalemate, and it was impossible to tell how long it would take to determine a victor.

The people on the Flying Boat grew anxious watching the scene unfold. They couldn’t help but take out their Communication Talismans to contact the sect and request reinforcements.

They were far from the sect, but not too far—just the right distance to give them hope.

It was no surprise, then, that they would call the sect for help, which was exactly what Xie Ningyuan and his allies had hoped for.

At this distance, it would take at least half a day for reinforcements from the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect to arrive, which was more than enough time for them.

This would draw out another portion of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect’s forces and focus all their attention on Xie Ningyuan’s group, making it safer for Lu Sangjiu and her team to make their move.

As the Ten thousand Buddha Sect’s reinforcements rushed from the sect, Shen Yuzhao, who had been observing in secret, sent a message to Lu Sangjiu.

"Little Junior Sister, it’s time to make your move!"