Chapter 740
Apologizing to the Zheng Family
"The True Yang Sword Technique - Ultimate Secret - Sun God Sword!"
A colossal light sword, a thousand feet long, materialized in mid-air, radiating a heat as intense as the sun. This sword was far more powerful than the one wielded at sea, for Zheng Yi was now a true late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
"What kind of sword technique is this?" The elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect felt the power of the light sword, and his face instantly turned as pale as paper.
The world-destroying power it possessed was beyond his comprehension. This was not the power a Nascent Soul cultivator should possess; it was a divine ability approaching that of a Deity Transformation stage expert!
"Go!" Zheng Yi pointed his finger, and the Sun God Sword roared as it slashed towards the Heavenly Dao Sect elder.
"No!" the Heavenly Dao Sect elder cried out in despair, desperately casting defensive spells with all his might.
But against the Sun God Sword, his defenses were as fragile as paper.
"boom!"
The Sun God Sword struck the Heavenly Dao Sect elder with tremendous force, sending him flying thousands of feet away and creating a huge crater in the ground.
"Elder!" the disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect cried out in terror, but none of them dared to step forward to check.
The power of the Sun God Sword was truly terrifying. Even a Nascent Soul stage elder was severely injured by a single strike. For disciples in the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages, going up there would only be suicide.
"Now, it's your turn." Zheng Yi looked coldly at the remaining enemies, without the slightest pity in his eyes.
"Spare us! We know we were wrong!"
"We'll never do it again!"
Please, let us go!
The remaining enemies knelt on the ground, begging for mercy in despair.
Faced with such a terrifying disparity in strength, they didn't even have the courage to resist.
"Spare my life?" Zheng Yi laughed mockingly. "When you attacked my family, did you ever think about sparing our lives?"
"When you harmed my people, did you ever think of sparing your lives?"
"Since there isn't one, then you can all die!"
"The Righteous Yang Sword Technique - Blazing Sun Scorches the Sky!"
The golden sun exploded again, and countless blazing sword lights shot out in all directions like a meteor shower.
This time, Zheng Yi held nothing back; every sword strike contained deadly power.
"what!"
"No!"
"Help us!"
Screams echoed through the sky as the invaders fell one after another under the onslaught of sword light.
In the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn, only a handful of severely wounded and dying survivors remained of the dozens of invaders.
"Now, tell me, which other forces were involved in this attack?" Zheng Yi asked the survivors in a cold voice.
"It was Li Xiaoyao, the sect leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect, who orchestrated this," a heavily injured cultivator weakly replied. "He contacted seven forces, including the Blazing Fire Sect, the Water Cloud Sect, and the Thunder Sound Temple, to form a punitive alliance."
"They said your Zheng family is a cancer in the cultivation world and must be eradicated."
"Anti-Alliance?" Zheng Yi sneered repeatedly. "What arrogance!"
"Anything else? Name all the participants!"
"And...and the Soul Severing Sect, the Poison Scorpion Sect, the Blood Hand Gang," the cultivator confessed in detail, "a total of twelve forces, mobilizing over a hundred cultivators."
“Very good.” Zheng Yi nodded. “Your mission is complete. You can die now.”
"Wait! We've already told you, and you promised."
Before he could finish speaking, a sword light severed the cultivator's head.
Zheng Yi never promised to forgive them; these people are being too naive.
After clearing out all the intruders, Zheng Yi landed in the courtyard of the Zheng family mansion.
"Ancestor!" Zheng Tianhao and the others immediately surrounded him, their eyes filled with tears of excitement.
"Master! I'm so glad you're alright!" Zhang Yunfan excitedly ran over.
"I'm fine, how are you? Is anyone seriously injured?" Zheng Yi asked with concern.
"Several clansmen were injured, but none were seriously," Zheng Tianhao answered truthfully. "Thanks to Yunfan's desperate protection, no greater casualties were incurred."
"Yunfan, you've worked hard." Zheng Yi looked at his disciple with satisfaction.
This time, when he was not present, Zhang Yunfan not only did not back down, but stepped forward to protect his clansmen, a quality that greatly pleased him.
“Master, this is what I should do,” Zhang Yunfan said respectfully.
"Ancestor, what is your cultivation level?" Elder Zheng Tianhe asked cautiously.
"Late Nascent Soul stage," Zheng Yi replied simply. "The power of the Immortal Essence Pearl is even stronger than I imagined."
"Late Nascent Soul stage!" Everyone was shocked.
Although they had sensed Zheng Yi's terrifying increase in strength during the battle, hearing it confirmed with their own ears still excited them greatly.
With a Nascent Soul stage expert in charge, the Zheng family's position in the cultivation world will be even more secure.
"By the way, why weren't you notified?" Zheng Yi asked. "If I had come back earlier, there wouldn't have been so many casualties."
“Ancestor, we don’t want to disrupt your cultivation,” Zheng Tianhao explained. “The Immortal Essence Pearl is a rare treasure, one in a thousand years. We absolutely cannot let external interference ruin all our previous efforts.”
"Furthermore, we want to prove that even without you, the Zheng family is capable of protecting itself."
Hearing these words, Zheng Yi felt both moved and proud.
It is truly fortunate for the Zheng family to have such a clansman who thinks of the greater good.
"This isn't over yet." A cold glint flashed in Zheng Yi's eyes. "Since they dared to provoke us, they must bear the consequences."
"Ancestor, what do you want?" Zheng Tianhao asked tentatively.
"I will make all forces involved in this attack pay a bloody price!" Zheng Yi said coldly. "The cultivation world needs to know that the Zheng family is not to be trifled with!"
"Twelve factions, right?" He turned to Zhang Yunfan. "Yunfan, get ready, we're going to visit these 'friends'."
“Yes, Master!” Zhang Yunfan replied excitedly.
What an honor it is to be able to follow my master to punish those forces that dare to offend the Zheng family!
"The rest of you stay behind to handle the aftermath and repair the damaged buildings," Zheng Yi instructed. "This lesson has taught us that we must further strengthen the family's defenses."
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison. Zheng Yi took one last look at the ruins of his family's home, his anger burning even more fiercely.
After settling the family's affairs, Zheng Yi embarked on a path of revenge with Zhang Yunfan.
"Master, which faction should we go to first?" Zhang Yunfan asked while flying on his sword.
Zheng Yi took out a map and carefully observed the location distribution of the various forces. According to the confession of the cultivator earlier, there were a total of twelve forces involved in the attack on the Zheng family, distributed in various corners of the cultivation world.
“Let’s go to Leiyin Temple first,” Zheng Yi said, pointing to a location on the map. “Leiyin Temple is the closest to us, and as a sacred Buddhist site, their attitude might be more rational.”
"A Buddhist holy site?" Zhang Yunfan asked, somewhat puzzled. "Why would they participate in the attack on us?"
"In the face of self-interest, all Buddhist holy sites are meaningless," Zheng Yi sneered. "However, Buddhism does emphasize cause and effect, so if they are pragmatic, perhaps we can spare their lives."
The master and his disciple sped up their flight and arrived at Lingyin Mountain, where Leiyin Temple was located, about half a day later.
Lingyin Mountain is a renowned Buddhist holy site in the cultivation world. Its peaks soar into the clouds, and its slopes are shrouded in mist. The melodious sounds of bells and chanting can be heard everywhere. On the platform at the summit stands a magnificent temple, the site of Leiyin Temple.
"The Buddhist atmosphere here is indeed very strong," Zhang Yunfan remarked, sensing the surrounding environment. "It seems like a good place for spiritual practice."
"No matter how good-looking you are, if your heart is filthy, it's useless," Zheng Yi said calmly. "Since you dared to attack us, you must bear the consequences."
The master and his disciple flew directly to Leiyin Temple on the mountaintop.
Before they even reached the temple gate, more than a dozen monks in robes flew out to greet them. The leader was an old monk with white eyebrows, whose aura was profound, and whose cultivation level should be around the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
"Amitabha, may I ask what brings you two benefactors to Leiyin Temple?" The white-browed old monk clasped his hands together, appearing very polite on the surface, but a hint of wariness flashed in his eyes.
"I am Zheng Yi, and I'm here to settle accounts with you." Zheng Yi got straight to the point, without any politeness.
Upon hearing Zheng Yi's name, the monks present all paled. They knew, of course, what this name meant, especially given the news that had come back from the front lines just hours earlier, which instilled even greater fear in them.
“Benefactor Zheng Zheng,” the white-browed old monk’s voice trembled slightly, “I wonder what kind of accounting you are referring to?”
"Playing dumb?" A dangerous glint flashed in Zheng Yi's eyes. "You think I didn't know that your Leiyin Temple was involved in the attack on my Zheng family?"
"The old monk with white eyebrows began to sweat," he said. "There might be a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?" Zheng Yi sneered. "Fine, I'll show you what a misunderstanding really is!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Yi unleashed a powerful aura. His late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation was released without reservation, pressing down on everyone in Leiyin Temple like a mountain.
"puff!"
Those monks with lower cultivation levels immediately succumbed to the oppressive force, vomiting blood and collapsing to the ground. Even the white-browed old monk felt difficulty breathing, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"Late-stage Nascent Soul Realm!" The white-browed old monk exclaimed in utter shock, "How is this possible?"
Their intelligence indicated that Zheng Yi was at most at the peak of the Golden Core stage. But what was standing before them now was a genuine late-stage Nascent Soul expert!
"Now you're scared?" Zheng Yi withdrew his oppressive aura and said coldly, "Since you're scared, then confess honestly, why did you participate in the attack on my Zheng family?"
"This...this..." The white-browed old monk stammered, unsure how to answer.
Just then, a Buddhist chant came from deep within the temple:
"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk has come out to greet Benefactor Zheng."
As the Buddhist chant was uttered, an elderly monk dressed in a golden robe slowly emerged from the temple. His face was benevolent, his eyes like stars, and he exuded an unfathomable aura.
"Abbot!" Upon seeing the old monk, all the disciples of Leiyin Temple bowed respectfully.
"Disciple greets Master!" The white-browed old monk also quickly bowed.
"You are the abbot of Leiyin Temple?" Zheng Yi sized up the old monk and found that his cultivation level was also at the Nascent Soul stage, and his aura was relatively stable, so he should be at the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk is Huikong, the thirty-seventh abbot of Leiyin Temple." The old monk clasped his hands together. "Greetings, Benefactor Zheng."
"Enough with the nonsense," Zheng Yi said bluntly. "You participated in the attack on my Zheng family, and now I'm here to collect my debt."
"Benefactor Zheng, it is indeed my Leiyin Temple that was in the wrong." Unexpectedly, Abbot Huikong directly admitted, "This humble monk apologizes to you and the Zheng family."
Zheng Yi was somewhat surprised by this candid attitude. He had originally thought that these forces would deny everything, but he hadn't expected the abbot of Leiyin Temple to be so direct.
"An apology?" Zheng Yi sneered. "Do you think an apology can undo the harm done to my people?"
“Of course not,” Abbot Huikong shook his head, “but this humble monk hopes to make amends for my mistake in other ways.”
“What method?”
"This humble monk is willing to hand over the Thunder Sound Temple's most prized possession—the Thunder Sound Golden Bell—and our sect's core cultivation technique, the Great Thunder Sound Heart Sutra, as compensation," Abbot Huikong said sincerely.
Upon hearing this suggestion, the disciples of Leiyin Temple present were all shocked.
"Abbot! The Thunder Sound Golden Bell is a treasure passed down through our sect for thousands of years!" the white-browed old monk hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
"Moreover, the Great Thunder Sound Heart Sutra is a closely guarded secret of our sect, how can it be..." Another elder also tried to stop him.
"Shut up!" Abbot Huikong shouted sternly. "Those who do wrong must bear the consequences; this is the principle of cause and effect!"
Then he turned to Zheng Yi and continued, "Benefactor Zheng, this humble monk knows that these things are insufficient to fully atone for the mistake, but this is the most precious thing my Leiyin Temple can offer."
"If you are still not satisfied, this humble monk is willing to atone with his life."
As he spoke, Abbot Huikong knelt down, showing great sincerity.
Seeing that even the abbot had knelt, the other disciples of Leiyin Temple also knelt down, saying in unison, "We beg Benefactor Zheng to forgive our mistakes!"
Even Zhang Yunfan felt a little sorry for the scene.
“Master,” he said softly, “their attitude was indeed very sincere.”
Zheng Yi pondered for a moment.
Indeed, Abbot Huikong's attitude surprised him. Not only did he directly admit his mistake, but he also offered to compensate him with the temple's most prized possession and core cultivation technique. Such sincerity was unmatched by any other force.
“Since you’re so sincere, I’ll give you a chance,” Zheng Yi said slowly. “But I need to see the treasures and cultivation techniques you mentioned first.”
“Of course.” Abbot Huikong immediately stood up. “Please, Benefactor Zheng, proceed to the main hall.”
The master and disciple followed Abbot Huikong into the main hall of Leiyin Temple.
The main hall was extremely magnificent, towering dozens of feet high, and could accommodate thousands of people chanting scriptures simultaneously. In the center of the hall stood a huge Buddha statue, with a kind and benevolent face, radiating a faint golden light.
But the most eye-catching feature is a golden bell hanging from the top of the hall.
The golden bell was entirely golden, covered with dense Sanskrit inscriptions, and exuded a strong Buddhist aura. More importantly, Zheng Yi could sense the powerful energy contained within it.
"Is this the Thunderous Golden Bell?" Zheng Yi examined the golden bell carefully.
“Indeed,” Abbot Huikong introduced. “This golden bell is a magical treasure personally crafted by the founding patriarch of Leiyin Temple, and it has a history of three thousand years.”
"The golden bell contains the power of thunderous sound; once struck, it emits a Buddhist chant that shakes the soul, possessing extremely strong offensive and defensive capabilities." (End of Chapter)