Chapter 2467 - 2467: Taking Away the Bodhisattva Seal

The chains are forged from mysterious iron, approximately as thick as an adult's arm. Despite being submerged in water for so long, there's not a speck of rust on the chains due to the nature of the material, proving just how extraordinary it is.

Mysterious iron is typically used to forge famed instruments and is extremely rare, so making even one famed instrument is quite an achievement. Now, seeing someone use it to forge such a hefty chain definitely displays remarkable wealth.

However, Ye Qing had encountered similar situations before. Previously, outside Patriarch Bodhidharma's death chamber, he had seen three such chains. Now, encountering them again in the underground river behind the Sword Saint Sect here truly feels strange.

Grasping the chain, Ye Qing swam forward following its direction. After swimming for about one hundred meters, he saw a flicker of red light in the water. Upon nearing, he realized the red light emanated from a black stele, which was none other than the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal Ye Qing had seen before!

Ye Qing had checked here during previous visits and knew there was an Immovable Bodhisattva Seal in the water. This scenario was similar to what Ye Qing had encountered outside Patriarch Bodhidharma's death chamber, undoubtedly suppressing something powerful, most likely an evil demon of sorts, just like outside the death chamber.

The chain extended directly below the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal, and Ye Qing climbed along the chain to the side of the seal, slowly setting his feet on the bottom of the river. Then, he reached out to embrace the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal.

Though his feet were on the riverbed, it was mainly silt, offering no firm ground. Unable to exert strength repeatedly, Ye Qing abandoned the initial method. He picked up the chain on the riverbed, wrapped it around his legs, and straightened the chain. In doing so, his legs secured the chain, enabling him to apply force with his upper body.

With his feet wrapped around the chain, Ye Qing tightly hugged the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal, exerting tremendous effort to lift it. Surprisingly, even though the seal was quite large, Ye Qing managed to hoist it up when clutched tightly. He firmly embraced the seal, stepping along the chain on the riverbed, steadily approaching the shore. Despite the short distance, it took Ye Qing a full five to six minutes to reach the bank.

Pulling the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal out of the water and placing it ashore, Ye Qing also climbed onto the bank. Standing by the shore, he glanced into the water, noticing a hole now in place where the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal had been, sized almost identically to the seal. This revealed that the cave had been the seal's guarded domain all along.

This situation mirrored that outside Patriarch Bodhidharma's death chamber, undeniably suggesting another hidden realm beyond the cave, safeguarding whatever lay beneath the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal.

Under normal circumstances, Ye Qing would not risk moving the seal recklessly. However, this time, circumstances differed and left him no choice. He held the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal and gradually approached the stone gate, unlocking it to enter once more.

Meanwhile, within the cave's passage, the Sword Saint Sect's four sect leaders and the Wanyan Family's battle had reached a boiling point. Due to the previous draining of force, the sect leaders found their strength severely diminished, barely sustaining their efforts.

"Sect Leader, what do we do now?" The Second Sect Leader nervously queried after dodging another attack from the Corpse Ghost Dragon, assessing the Sect Leader's injuries. With several wounds already acquired, continuing further could lead to their deaths.

The Sect Leader furrowed his brow, glaring at the distant Wanyan Hongfeng, who had yet to engage. They had underestimated the Wanyan Family's power, for aside from Wanyan Hongfeng, the Corpse Ghost Dragon, and the Fifth Sect Leader, there were another three Unity of Heaven and Man experts present. Meaning, the Wanyan Family boasted six such experts, while they had only four, their strength already waning. This battle's outcome was dire.

"Ye Qing has been gone too long, his reliance nothing but a facade!" The Third Sect Master murmured in a low voice, "We can't just sit here waiting for doom!"

"Our deaths are of no consequence, but outside lies the Sword Saint Sect with countless individuals, facing imminent peril!" The Fourth Sect Master cried sternly.

The sect leaders fumed internally, honesty demanding their initial faith in Ye Qing's potential. Yet, they now suspected Ye Qing's escape amidst chaos.

The Sect Leader pondered his dubious trust in Ye Qing, questioning whether this man could save the sect. Why, then, had the patriarch valued him highly?

After a long pause, the Sect Leader commanded, "Order everyone to retreat!"

Following the command, the other three nodded in agreement, and the Second Sect Leader shouted outward, "All Sword Saint Sect members, withdraw immediately!"

Outside, growing anxious with concern, the Sword Saint Sect's disciples erupted in frantic dissent. Their resistance echoed, refusing retreat, vowing solidarity till demise.

The disciples' reaction touched the sect leaders profoundly; amidst their pleas, none showed intent to retreat. Instead, some were clamoring to join the fight, only halted by the Second Sect Leader.

Amidst the Sword Saint Sect's chaotic debate, Wanyan Hongfeng, seated afar without engagement, rose suddenly and smirked maliciously, "I've grown weary of your antics. Once more, will you surrender?"

"Dream on!" retorted the Sword Saint Sect's leader.

"So it's war against my Wanyan Family?" Wanyan Hongfeng sneered coldly, "With my family's strength, do you know the consequence of opposing us?"

"Wanyan Hongfeng, you might kill us, but what of it?" The Second Sect Leader protested, "The Sword Saint Sect fears not death!"

"Death is not my intent," Wanyan Hongfeng laughed cynically, "You underestimate me. Killing you would waste slaves like yours. Rest assured, your cognitive freedom will vanish. Like your Fifth Sect Leader, you won't bear sorrow or worry but work quietly for me."

At this, the sect leaders glanced at the Fifth Sect Leader, their expressions cold. Their companion, now akin to a puppet under Wanyan Hongfeng's Heart Demon Technique, turning against them, deepened their grief. No power could awaken him absent his consciousness.

Anxiety gnawed at the Sword Saint Sect's leaders, realizing Wanyan Hongfeng might reduce them to the same fate as the enslaved puppet that their colleague had become. Ensuring life in servitude felt worse than death.

"Wanyan Hongfeng, mark my vow: if I live, I will repay this injustice to your family a hundredfold!" The Third Sect Master spat angrily, "For what you've done to my Sword Saint Sect, you'll suffer ten times more!"

"Oh really?" Wanyan Hongfeng mocked, "Indeed, you won't die. But you'll diligently serve me. Retaliate? With what?"

The Third Sect Master burned with rage, about to retort when Ye Qing's voice echoed from outside, "Sect leaders, you're free to emerge!"

"Huh?" The Sword Saint Sect's leaders froze, bewildered by Ye Qing's words. Leaving? Wouldn't the Wanyan Family pursue them, spelling doom for their sect?

All eyes turned to the Sect Leader, who remained silent before addressing, "Mr. Ye, we're moved by your intent. Whether you take on the Sword Saint Sect's leadership or not, I beseech you to protect them, leading them afar. We'll keep this passage secure for you. Depart swiftly!"

"Enough of this nonsense!" Ye Qing's voice resonated again, "Emergence means safety; I've discovered the means against the Wanyan Family!"

Meanwhile, Wanyan Hongfeng scrutinized the dialogue, smirking derisively, "You've found a method against my family? Mr. Ye, your words amuse me greatly, but with the Knife Saint gone, what defense could you muster?"

Wanyan Hongfeng's thoughts mirrored those of the Sword Saint Sect's leaders. With the Knife Saint defeated, how could Ye Qing counter the Wanyan Family? Walking out seemed like marching to death.

"Wanyan Hongfeng, our feud will be settled personally by me," Ye Qing replied icily, "If the sect leaders trust me, no harm will come upon exiting!"

At Ye Qing's assertion, the Sword Saint Sect's leaders looked at each other, unsure if truth or falsehood lay in his promise. Despite inner turmoil, they couldn't believe Ye Qing possessed the power to challenge the formidable Wanyan Family.