fynovel Chapter 887 A Challenge, A Sea of Suffering!
Chapter 887 A Challenge, A Sea of Suffering!
Chengtian Hall.
on the square.
Silence reigned.
The light of Buddha and the charm of Taoism flowed together.
Just then.
The gaunt old monk chanted a Buddhist prayer in a low voice, his voice like an ancient bell, cleansing the soul.
"Amitabha. This old monk, Kuhai, along with his disciples Jinchan and Fendeng, have come to congratulate the new emperor of the Great Xia on his ascension to the throne and the emperor and empress on their wedding. May His Majesty receive the mandate of Heaven and may the dynasty last long. May the emperor and empress be as harmonious as phoenixes and as united as the moon for a thousand autumns."
As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his right hand slightly, and a golden lotus phantom appeared in his palm.
Within the lotus heart rests a glass relic the size of a pigeon's egg, its color a riot of seven hues, its inner radiance shimmering.
"These are the seven-jeweled lapis lazuli relics left behind by the eminent monks of Vajra Temple after their passing. They can calm the mind and spirit, dispel evil spirits and demons, and are of great benefit to spiritual practice. We respectfully present them to His Majesty on behalf of Vajra Temple as a token of our congratulations."
Then, the golden lotus carrying the relic slowly floated towards the front of Chengtian Hall. Ji Minghao stood up solemnly and received it, and the golden lotus slowly fell into his hand.
As the golden lotus transformed into specks of golden light and scattered, the Seven Treasures Glazed Relic also fell into his palm.
The seven-colored radiance then subsided, and it looked ordinary.
But Ji Minghao could feel a warm and peaceful aura emanating from the relic in his hand, which instantly spread throughout his body, invigorating him.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Master Kuhai," Ji Minghao said, cupping his hands in thanks.
He dared not be presumptuous in the slightest.
Abbot Kukai of Vajra Temple is one of the strongest men in the world.
He was ranked second in the world, alongside his imperial uncle Ji Xuan.
Such a powerful figure is strong enough to talk to the Lord of Great Xia on equal footing, not to mention that the Vajra Temple is standing behind Ku Hai.
Behind the Vajra Temple, everyone knows that there is an even more terrifying force at play.
A world known as the Western Paradise, left behind from ancient times.
Having previously been a prince of the Great Xia Dynasty and now being its ruler, he is even more aware of the Western Paradise, which is also known as the Great Thunder Temple.
This force has been recorded many times in ancient books.
Extremely powerful and terrifying.
at the same time.
West side.
The abbot of Qingxu Temple smiled slightly, swept his whisk lightly, and the clouds in front of him naturally condensed into a jade box.
The box lid opened by itself, revealing two pills the size of longan. The pills were blue, purple and gold in color, and had a strange fragrance that stirred one's energy and spirit, and made one's mind clear.
"This humble Taoist priest, Qingxu, offers my congratulations to the Eighth Prince on his ascension to the throne and to the Empress on her wedding day. These two Three-Turn Heaven-Seizing Pills are refined from the essence of heaven and earth. Consuming them can strengthen one's foundation, prolong life, and also aid in martial arts cultivation. I present them as a congratulatory gift from Qingxu Temple, and hope His Majesty will accept them with pleasure."
The jade box flew through the air and landed in front of Ji Minghao.
Ji Minghao reached out and accepted the elixir: "Thank you, Abbot, for the elixir!"
Even when facing the Abbot of Qingxu Temple, the second strongest person in the world, he dared not be negligent in the slightest.
After all, this Abbot of Qingxu Temple is also the second strongest person in the world.
Moreover, behind it lies the powerful Qingxu Temple.
At the same time, Qingxu Temple is also supported by a celestial grotto.
He, as a prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, also knew about the immortal grotto-heaven behind it, which was one of the Nine Heavens, one of the Three Upper Heavens, and was equally powerful and terrifying.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the square did not relax because of these two generous gifts; on the contrary, it became even more solemn.
After the monks from the Bitter Sea and Qingxu Temple finished presenting their gifts, they did not leave. Their gazes turned in unison to the figure in black robes at the table.
Jiang Ning met their gazes, his expression calm and composed.
Ku Hai's eyes, seemingly capable of seeing through the ways of the world, lingered on Jiang Ning for a moment, a faint and strange smile appearing on his gaunt face: "Amitabha. I have long admired Marquis Jiang Ning of Dongling. At less than twenty years old, you have made great progress in both immortal and martial arts, forging a superior immortal foundation, and standing shoulder to shoulder with Benefactor Ji Xuan. You are truly a rare talent, unparalleled throughout the ages. I was curious and came to see you today. Indeed, your demeanor is extraordinary, truly one of a kind."
His voice was gentle, yet as the sound waves spread, it carried an invisible pressure.
It was not a deliberate act, but a natural manifestation of the difference in life level and spiritual cultivation, which caused many officials present to subconsciously hold their breath.
The abbot of Qingxu Temple smiled slightly, flicked his whisk, and his body was filled with Daoist charm: "Master Kuhai is absolutely right. Yin and Yang as the foundation, the Nine Transformations of the Mysterious Light, such a foundation is rare even in the ancient Daoist canon. I have been studying Taiji Yin and Yang for decades, and today I am delighted to see you, my lord."
At this moment, the words of these two top experts, seemingly praising Jiang Ning, were actually a subtle dig at him.
The minds of all the civil and military officials were as clear as a mirror.
They all understood at this moment that the two of them had come together to congratulate the new emperor, but that was only a side thing; their real target was probably the incomparably powerful Marquis of Dongling.
In their view, only the Marquis of Dongling was worthy of both of these individuals appearing in the capital at the same time.
Just then.
Jiang Ning slowly rose to his feet, his black robes fluttering without wind, yet exuding an air of profound composure.
He bowed slightly to the Abbot of the Bitter Sea and the Abbot of Qingxu Temple, his voice calm and undisturbed.
"Master Kuhai, Abbot Qingxu, you flatter me. I have only been fortunate enough to have some opportunities, and I dare not accept the praise of being 'unparalleled throughout the ages.' It is truly an honor for Great Xia that you two have graced us with your presence to witness the grand ceremony of the new emperor. If you have any guidance, I am all ears."
The abbot of Qingxu Temple smiled without speaking, but his gaze flowed over Jiang Ning like a clear spring, as if he were carefully appreciating the rhythm of Jiang Ning's interaction with heaven and earth at this moment.
Having seen Jiang Ning in person, and although they had not yet fought, he made a judgment: the rumors had underestimated this Marquis of Dongling.
This Marquis of Dongling's understanding of heaven and earth far surpassed the imagination of ordinary people.
"A superior immortal foundation! As expected of a superior immortal foundation!!" he thought to himself.
This was what he once pursued.
But so far, he has not taken that step.
Because this step is extremely difficult.
The difficulty is even greater when one cultivates both immortal and martial arts simultaneously.
Moreover, looking at the world, there are not many fundamental rules of heaven and earth that can lead to the formation of a superior immortal foundation.
The foundation he chose was also based on Yin and Yang.
That's why he was willing to make this trip.
Even without Xia Xuanyan's personal invitation, he was prepared to come to the capital to meet him.
See how Jiang Ning, at such a young age, managed to surpass others and achieve a superior immortal foundation before him.
At this moment, Master Kuhai lowered his eyes and said, "I dare not presume to offer guidance. I have cultivated for hundreds of years, practicing Zen and worshipping Buddha, and have occasionally gained some insights. However, the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth is infinite and boundless. I have heard that Marquis Dongling has achieved a superior immortal foundation by using Yin and Yang as his foundation, and has also obtained the power of Taiyin and Taiyang, possessing profound supernatural abilities, and was able to directly contend with Benefactor Ji Xuan without being at a disadvantage. In my heart, I do have some thoughts of verifying the Dao."
After speaking, Ku Hai paused for a moment, then continued, "Today is a grand occasion, and it is not advisable to start a war rashly. However, exchanging ideas and verifying what we have learned is also a good thing. I wonder if Marquis Dongling could give me some pointers, just enough for three moves, so that this old monk from the mountains can also witness the supreme mystery of a primordial spirit immortal formed from a superior immortal foundation?"
These words shocked the entire audience!
The air in the square seemed to freeze suddenly.
The civil and military officials looked at Jiang Ning with varying expressions, some shocked, some worried, and so on.
They all knew that although Master Kuhai's words were polite, the words "please enlighten me" carried immense weight coming from the mouth of this top expert of the time.
This is not just a simple sparring match, but a test by the second strongest in the world against Jiang Ning, the "newly crowned second strongest in the world"!
They immediately understood why Master Kuhai of Jingang Temple and the Abbot of Qingxu Temple had appeared in the coronation hall of the new emperor of Great Xia today.
It's all because of the news that's been circulating in the outside world lately.
Second in the world, revered by six. Marquis Jiang Ning of Dongling is already one of those six.
at the same time.
Jin Chan, standing behind the Sea of Bitterness, looked at Jiang Ning with a complex expression in her eyes.
All sorts of past events and scenes flashed rapidly through his mind.
Finally, he let out a soft sigh, and then closed his eyes slightly.
At that moment, he knew that his heart was no longer at peace.
On the other side, Ji Minghao frowned under his crown, looking at Jiang Ning with a hint of worry in his eyes.
He knew Jiang Ning was exceptionally strong, after all, he had personally witnessed Jiang Ning contend with Ji Xuan.
But he knew even better that Ji Xuan had not yet unleashed his full strength when he was suppressed by the Martial Saint who had appeared.
Therefore, he was very clear that although Jiangning was strong, it was not enough to truly be ranked second in the world.
At best, they can get close to this level.
After all, he was the only confirmed primordial spirit immortal in the last hundred years.
Furthermore, he was a primordial spirit immortal who achieved a superior immortal foundation.
At the same time, Shen Xiao, Su Qingying, and others also looked solemn.
Su Qingying subconsciously took half a step forward, seemingly ready to make a move at any moment.
Jiang Ning raised his hand and patted her shoulder gently, indicating that she could rest assured.
Shen Xiao was also looking at Jiang Ning, wanting to see what choice Jiang Ning would make.
Faced with the challenge from the second strongest person in the world, Ku Hai, he was a great general but had no way to deal with it.
On the other side.
The abbot of Qingxu Temple stood with a smile, also watching Jiang Ning's reaction; he was in no hurry.
He had just had a brief exchange with the Sea of Bitterness.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Jiang Ning remained calm.
He swept across the sea of suffering, and then across his two disciples behind him, Jin Chan and Fendeng.
There was a brief moment when I visited the Burning Lamp.
Then he scanned the entire room.
His gaze then fell on Ku Hai.
After looking him over, he had already made up his mind.
At the same time, he could sense that the old monk had no intention of killing him, and his malice was not obvious. Instead, he felt more excitement and anticipation!
It's like a mountaineer who has reached the summit and suddenly catches a glimpse of another figure in the clouds, possibly standing shoulder to shoulder or even taller than himself, and is eager to confirm the other's true height.
The thought flashed through his mind, and he smiled, "Master, you flatter me."
The voice was clear and resonant, carrying throughout the square.
He then added, “It is an honor for me to exchange and learn from a senior master like Master Kuhai. However, today is the auspicious day of His Majesty’s ascension to the throne and the Empress’s wedding. To start a fight here would disturb the celebration and is not the proper way to treat guests.”
He paused, "How about we move elsewhere? There's a martial arts arena on the east side of the palace that's quite spacious and can be used for sparring without disturbing the ceremony."
“The Marquis of Dongling has considered all aspects carefully, and this old monk has no objections,” said Master Kuhai.
The abbot of Qingxu Temple also nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Ji Minghao knew that the battle was inevitable, so he said in a deep voice, "In that case, let us do as the Marquis of Dongling said. Minister Xie, lead everyone to the East Martial Arts Arena. The rest of you, the ceremony will continue, and the banquet will be held later."
Minister of Rites Xie Xun immediately bowed in response and stepped forward to lead the way.
Jiang Ning bowed to Ji Minghao and Shen Mengyun, and then nodded slightly to Su Qingying, Shen Xiao, Xiang Yuan, Xiao Wuque and others.
Then, following Xie Xun, Master Kuhai, Abbot Qingxu and his disciples, they headed towards the east side of the palace.
Their movement immediately created a subtle atmosphere in the square.
Some officials were restless, eager to witness this unprecedented showdown, but with the ceremony still ongoing and the Emperor before them, they had no choice but to restrain themselves.
Ji Minghao took a deep breath, sat back on the dragon throne, and signaled for the ceremony to continue.
The sound of ceremonial music then began.
"Your Majesty, this old minister suddenly has an upset stomach and needs to go to the latrine!" Xiang Yuan suddenly stood up, clutching his stomach with one hand, looking pained.
Before Ji Minghao could reply, he cried out in pain and rushed out of Chengtian Palace.
"Your Majesty, my old ailment has flared up again, and I need to go back to my residence to rest!" An elderly man with a frail face stood up.
"Your Majesty, your subject..."
Seeing this, Ji Minghao couldn't help but smile helplessly.
These are all veteran officials, true ministers of the court.
Especially someone like Xiang Yuan, who is beyond the reach of rules and regulations.
They held high official positions, held high noble titles, and possessed great power.
He could only nod slightly.
Seeing this, Xiao Wuque also stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Ji Minghao, and then left.
Su Qingying was the same.
The departure of each person instantly made the banquet seem much quieter.
the other side.
Jiang Ning, along with Master Kuhai, Abbot Qingxu, and their entourage, led by Xie Xun, the Minister of Rites, passed through numerous palaces and soon arrived at the martial arts training ground on the east side of the imperial palace.
The area was vast, with the ground paved with solid blue steel rock, incredibly hard. Eighteen dragon-carved stone pillars stood around the perimeter, their shafts engraved with reinforcing array patterns, strong enough to withstand the aftershocks of battles between top experts. At this moment, the arena was empty and deserted, with only the mournful sound of the wind blowing through the stone pillars adding to the somber atmosphere.
Everyone stood still.
Xie Xun tactfully retreated to the sidelines and stood with Jin Chan and Fendeng, looking nervously into the arena.
Although there were not many spectators today, they both knew that the outcome of this battle would soon spread throughout the world.
Master Kuhai slowly walked to the center of the arena and stood ten feet away from Jiang Ning.
His gaunt figure did not appear tall in the empty training ground, but his aura, as deep as the sea and as steady as a divine mountain, seemed to make him the center of the world.
He clasped his hands together and nodded slightly to Jiang Ning: "Marquis of Dongling, please."
The abbot of Qingxu Temple gracefully landed to one side, his gray robe fluttering, like an immortal, observing from the sidelines.
His eyes were clear, and he was eager to observe this rare clash.
Then, he turned his head to look at his side and saw that King Wu Xiang Yuan had already appeared beside him.
Following them was Su Qingying, dressed in a snow-white dress, followed by Xiao Wuque, the blind old man from the Observatory, and Shen Xiao.
In the blink of an eye, he was surrounded by powerful figures.
Each one of them possessed an extremely powerful aura.
Jiang Ning saw this scene and couldn't help but smile helplessly.
"The instinct to gossip is truly everywhere!" He shook his head inwardly.
He then looked at the abbot of Vajra Temple before him, Master Kuhai, the second strongest person in the world! (End of this chapter)