Chương 230: Purple Qi Comes from the East

On the sea, dozens of enormous steel behemoths cleaved through the waves, sailing toward the shore bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

At the same time, several iron monsters resembling eagles flew out from the steel behemoth, whistling as they approached and quickly reached the airspace above the coast. These iron birds did not land but hovered in the air, as if on guard.

Whose ship is it?

"Could it be reinforcements from the Shang Dynasty? I've heard that the Shang Dynasty has occupied a large area of territory next to the Central Plains and has absorbed local military forces."

Those well-informed martial arts practitioners instantly turned pale.

If that's the case, wouldn't those caught in the middle immediately become casualties on the battlefield?

Upon hearing this, those who were unaware of the situation rushed over to investigate. Once those in the know explained the situation, panic instantly spread among the crowd.

"What should we do? We're surrounded by wolves in front and tigers behind. Is Heaven truly determined to destroy our Great Song Dynasty?"

"Let's fight them! Even if our Great Song Dynasty is doomed, we will still take a bite out of them."

The crowd erupted in chaos, children cried, women wailed, and cries of despair and hysterical screams rose and fell in a cacophony of panic.

Some highly skilled martial artists had already begun to retreat slowly, preparing to withdraw immediately should things falter.

Although there were powerful merchants behind them, the territory was vast, and even living like savages was better than being crushed into mincemeat by the aftershocks of the conflict between the two sides.

Just as everyone was filled with panic, several strange birds suddenly flew from the huge steel beast in the distance. These birds had something like blades spinning on their heads, and in the blink of an eye, they reached the shore.

The martial arts masters in Song territory were all on high alert, staring nervously at the strange birds.

"Please do not panic, everyone. I am Huikong from Shaolin. I have come here on the orders of the Central Plains Dynasty to evacuate and rescue you."

The strange bird hovered in the air, and an old monk with long eyebrows stepped out, descending slowly as if on solid ground.

Following him, other masters of Dharma Aspect from sects such as Dong, Huashan, and Kunlun emerged one after another.

Those who recognized Master Huikong immediately exclaimed with delight, "It's Master Huikong from Shaolin Temple! It really is Master Huikong from Shaolin Temple!"

"And Mr. Yue from the Huashan Sect has arrived too. We're saved."

The emotions of the martial arts practitioners in the arena instantly boiled over. What was originally a dead end had now turned into a life-saving opportunity. How could this not be exciting?

Where are the Shaolin disciples?

After landing, Huikong scanned the crowd along the shore and shouted loudly, his voice like rolling thunder, instantly drowning out all the noise in the area.

This terrifying skill left all the martial artists present in awe and speechless.

"Xu Shi'an, a lay disciple of Shaolin, greets Elder Huikong."

"Disciple Kongxiang greets Grandmaster Uncle-Grandmaster—" Soon, dozens of Shaolin disciples, whether lay or ordained, came out with their palms together.

Most of these people were disciples who had been sent down the mountain over the years or who had completed their training and left the mountain gate.

"Disciples, maintain order!"

"I will obey the elder's decree!"

Elders from other sects followed suit, summoning out their former disciples who had been sent out to other sects from the crowd.

Some of these disciples had already established branches and recruited disciples outside, thus becoming unofficial branches of various sects.

Now, summoned by the sect, he immediately responded, his face revealing the pride of a top-tier sect disciple.

In an instant, hundreds of disciples from various sects, along with their followers and relatives, stepped forward, forming a large group to maintain order at the scene.

Seeing the overwhelming momentum of the various factions, many forces in the Guixu realm temporarily avoided confrontation and decided to observe the situation.

Especially some of the Song Dynasty officials, each with a different expression and a gloomy face.

They already knew that if things continued this way, they would have to be mindful of the whims of various sects and factions if they wanted to leave this place.

However, as powerful figures in the imperial court, although they had no military power, they had many talented and extraordinary people under their command, so how could they be willing to humble themselves and act subserviently?

However, the situation is unclear right now, so let's leave this place first.

"Amitabha! We've finally waited for you!"

Just then, a number of martial artists suddenly emerged from the hilltop not far away.

Everyone turned to look and were surprised to find that the person in the lead was actually the sect leader or elder who was left behind by each sect, followed by his disciples and their families.

There were several thousand people in total.

Many of these people were surviving masters from various sects who managed to evacuate in time after the disastrous defeat on the Song Dynasty's borders.

They have done their utmost to defend the territory of the Song Dynasty.

Continuing the fight will only increase casualties.

With the invasion of the Great Zhou army, the various sects could no longer hold their mountain strongholds and had no choice but to abandon their gates and bring their followers to the shore.

They were hoping to receive aid from various factions in the Central Plains.

Seeing this, the nobles' faces grew even darker, and they couldn't help but feel angry: "We knew long ago that these warriors harbored ill intentions. If they had fought to the death, the army might not have been defeated."

"Now so many masters have survived; their intentions are truly despicable."

"Senior brother! Are you alright? Junior brother is late."

Huikong was overjoyed and quickly stepped forward, putting his palms together in greeting to the leading Shaolin monk.

"It's not too late, it's not too late, Amitabha! Will the Central Plains dynasty accept us?"

The abbot of Shaolin Temple, Huiwu, was a thin old monk with no beard, but he had a pair of long eyebrows that reached down to his shinbone.

"The agreement has been reached. These warships were sent by the Central Plains court. Time is of the essence, so let's discuss this further on board."

"Indeed!"

Huiwu put his palms together and said.

This applies to Shaolin Temple as well as other sects.

Upon hearing the news, they were all overjoyed.

We're finally out of danger.

As they were talking, the giant steel ship slowly sailed over, but it was still quite a distance from the shore, since there was no suitable port in the area.

It wouldn't be good if we encountered hidden reefs on our way here.

However, this problem is not difficult for the people of all sects. Not everyone can fly through the air, but walking on water is easy.

"Fellow travelers, board the ship quickly, or things may change."

Upon seeing the ships arrive, Huikong hurriedly announced in a loud voice.

Upon hearing this, the crowd no longer hesitated and used their lightness skills to leap onto the sea like dragonflies skimming the water, walking on the waves and heading towards the giant ship.

Those with low martial arts skills would naturally have the help of others, such as the abbot of Shaolin Temple and other Dharma Masters, who could easily carry dozens of people through the air.

As the people from various sects rushed towards the warship, the crowd on the shore immediately became agitated.

In particular, the powerful and wealthy people of the Song Dynasty encouraged the ordinary people around them to flock to the shore.

As the crowd surged, many people in the front rows were involuntarily pushed into the sea.

"Please be patient and wait calmly; a ship will come to pick you up."

Seeing this, Huikong quickly unleashed the Buddhist Lion's Roar to intimidate the crowd.

"That sounds nice, but you all leave first. Who knows if you'll still be able to save them? We want to get on this ship too."

At this moment, a one-eyed old man appeared out of thin air, his large sword gleaming coldly, his sharp eyes fixed on Zen Master Huikong.

"One-Eyed Demon Lord, you're still alive?"

Huikong was taken aback, then said solemnly.

"Of course. I currently work at Prince Rui's residence, and Prince Rui is a member of the imperial family. Surely he wouldn't be qualified to board the ship?"

"Yes, great monk, as long as you let me board the ship, I will surely reward you handsomely after I get away."

From the crowd, a young man dressed in ordinary clothes but still looking elegant stepped forward and spoke loudly.

Hearing their words, Huikong remained silent.

Although he didn't say it, his silence revealed his thoughts.

Anyone can be saved, but these powerful officials of the imperial court are absolutely beyond saving.

Are we going to leave these old fogies and their descendants behind to wreak havoc on the Central Plains?

Although the Central Plains side didn't say anything, those who were asking for favors couldn't be unaware of the situation.

"How dare you—" Before Prince Rui could finish his reprimand, a sudden commotion was heard from behind.

Everyone turned around to look, only to see a large group of defeated soldiers rushing towards them.

These routed soldiers killed anyone they saw, and then looted their belongings. Immediately, the crowd behind them was thrown into chaos, with cries for help and shouts of fighting rising and falling.

"This, this!"

Prince Rui said in a trembling voice, "A mutiny!"

Everyone panicked when these words were spoken.

Seeing this, Huikong waved his hand, and boundless true energy was released, instantly knocking down a group of defeated soldiers in the distance.

"Board the ship immediately!"

Huikong hurriedly shouted to the newly assembled disciples and outward-bound members of various sects who had not yet evacuated.

"Amitabha! What crime have I, a commoner, committed? Grandmaster Uncle, please forgive your disciple for disobeying the imperial decree!"

At this moment, a monk with long hair suddenly turned around, drew his monk's knife, clasped his hands in a salute, and rushed towards the routed soldiers.

"Amitabha! If a monk can do it, why can't I, a Taoist priest? I have no chance to attain enlightenment in this life, so let this Tao save my life!"

A middle-aged Taoist priest shouted loudly, holding a whisk, and rushed forward as well.

Seeing this, the outer disciples who were preparing to board the ship rushed towards the surging fleeing soldiers.

Upon seeing this, Huikong closed his eyes slightly, and suddenly his mind became as clear as a mirror, crystal clear.

A ray of Buddha's light emanated from him, instantly enveloping the entire coastline.

Those who came into contact with the Buddha's light stopped what they were doing, and one by one, they looked at Huikong with their palms together in a gesture of respect.

Even the routed soldiers in the distance began to put down their weapons and sit on the ground, bewildered and helpless.

Seeing this, the One-Eyed Demon Lord was terrified and retreated rapidly, shouting, "This is the Zen Light Domain! Great monk, you are truly powerful!"

Hidden among the crowd were masters of Buddhist magic, who leaped out of the ranks and kept their distance from the Buddha's light.

With Huikong's Buddha-light domain, the entire coastline instantly quieted down.

Those with kind intentions clasp their hands in prayer, while those with evil intentions have contorted and furious expressions.

One hour later.

The giant ship, fully loaded with people from Song territory, sped towards the depths of the ocean.

Once the giant ship had left, Huikong vanished from the shore.

Meanwhile, the person on the shore, Fang Pang, seemed to wake from a dream, looking blankly at the distant undulating waves.

High in the sky, the experts of the Dharma Aspect Realm who had avoided the Buddha's light exchanged glances and then focused on chasing after the giant ship.

"Demon Lord, how can you abandon me, Demon Lord—" Prince Rui cried out in terror, his voice sounding particularly mournful over the shore!

Central Plains!

At the summit of Mount Tai!

Zhao Rui sat cross-legged on a rock atop Jade Emperor Peak.

He gently made a hand seal with both hands and placed them on his knees. His body was surrounded by true energy, making his figure indistinct.

Suddenly, the eastern sky split open, and a ray of the morning sun shone through the gap onto him.

Zhao Rui was immediately enveloped in a surge of purple energy, and a misty aura arose spontaneously.

If anyone from the Huashan Sect were here, they would surely be astonished, for this purple aura is none other than the Primordial Purple Aura produced by the Huashan Sect's ultimate martial art, the Purple Cloud Skill.

This purple aura is extremely powerful and yang, an ultimate true energy generated by drawing on the true essence of the sun. It is not only incredibly powerful, but it can also improve physical fitness and prolong life.

"open!"

Zhao Rui opened his eyes slightly, and two beams of purple light shot out. Then, he opened his mouth slightly, and a white mist shot out like a rainbow piercing the sun.

It shot directly into the distant sea of clouds.

Instantly, the sea of clouds began to swirl as if swallowing clouds into a vortex.

Zhao Rui flicked his fingers several times in quick succession, and softly shouted, "Sword, come!"

Suddenly, the Broken Tribulation Sword beside him leaped into the air, circled around him twice, and then his body suddenly swelled up, transforming into a golden dragon that rushed straight into the vortex of the sea of clouds.

"All swords return to their origin!"

Zhao Rui shouted, and hundreds of long swords shot out from around the top of Mount Tai, like a sword dragon, plunging into the clouds.

Two long dragons tumbled and intertwined in the sea of clouds, their heads and tails twisted together, resembling a pair of scissors, accompanied by rolling thunder and emitting boundless radiance.

Such a grand spectacle quickly attracted the attention of Mu Huazi and others from the Taishan Sect. When they flew up the mountain and discovered that it was Zhao Rui who had made the commotion, they were all overjoyed.

"This is a long dragon of sword energy. Master Zhao has actually reached the realm of swordsmanship."

"Could this swirling purple aura be the Purple Cloud Divine Skill?"

"Without Zixia, Hunyuan reigns supreme. The two Huashan skills are top-tier martial arts comparable to the Shaolin internal energy cultivation method. I didn't expect that Master Zhao would also have some knowledge of them."

"Is this what they mean by understanding one principle and understanding all principles?"

Everyone couldn't help but shake their heads in amazement, filled with envy.

Others spend decades cultivating a single divine skill, day after day, until they can even enter the inner sanctum.

Not to mention that one person can master several top-tier martial arts and have perfected them all.

Such a period of time would probably take a century to count.

But Zhao Rui, at only twenty years old, has already mastered so many top-notch martial arts.

How can one not be envious?

"Master Zhao is probably a martial arts saint, naturally close to martial arts, and can learn all kinds of martial arts in no time."

Mu Huazi nodded and said with a sigh.

Just then, Zhao Rui suddenly opened his mouth and inhaled, and a long breath shot out from the clouds like a bolt of lightning.

However, its return was not a solitary flight. Instead, because it had been swirling with the sea of clouds, it spun along with the vast sea of clouds and rushed into Zhao Rui's mouth.

Zhao Rui's 108 acupoints, which were already fully connected, opened instantly, and boundless true energy immediately enveloped him.

His entire body was surrounded by swirling clouds of energy as he soared into the air, unleashing wind blades formed from his true energy that raged outwards.

Mu Huazi quickly unleashed a domain of power to isolate the cloud of energy, protecting Qingyang Zhenren and the others behind him.

Even so, Qingyang and the others were still speechless when they saw the rocks around them cut by the wind blades.

A moment later, the wind subsided and everything returned to calm.

Zhao Rui slowly descended and walked towards Mu Huazi and the others.

"Congratulations to Master Zhao on achieving great success in his divine skills."

"It's only the tip of the iceberg. By the way, how's things going on the Ruins of Return continent?"

After Zhao Rui finished speaking, he asked about the situation in Guixu.