Chapter 1 The First Shout of "Stop!"
The first shout of "Stop!" was filled with fury, uttered by Yang Zhong.
Seeing Yang Guang sent flying backward, Yang Zhong did not move. He even frowned in disdain. It was Yang Guang's own fault for being inferior in skill and deserving his injuries.
However, for the big fellow to pursue and try to kill after achieving victory was utterly intolerable.
Especially since the one being pursued was his own grandson.
Yang Zhong flashed forward, appearing before Yang Guang. He raised a single finger, aiming it at the big fellow's elbow joint.
The second shout of "Stop!" was directed at Yang Zhong.
The speaker was Zhuan Jing Fa Wang, the Grand State Preceptor of Meng Yuan.
Upon hearing Zhuan Jing Fa Wang's words, the big fellow immediately halted.
Yang Zhong found himself unable to press his finger down.
"Old State Lord Yang, a skirmish between juniors, you cannot interfere."
An old monk with white eyebrows and beard took a step, appearing before Yang Zhong with an appearance of slow movement that was actually swift.
The old monk's eyes were full of compassion, and there was no aura about him, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.
Yet, no one present dared to underestimate him.
This was a Heavenly Human realm expert.
Yang Hong, among the crowd, narrowed his eyes. This old monk was not Heavenly Human realm.
He was at the Foundation Establishment realm, and at least a grandmaster of the late Foundation Establishment stage.
"Playing the pig to eat the tiger!"
This was Yang Hong's second thought.
The old monk's cultivation was fully revealed under Yang Hong's divine sense observation. He possessed late Foundation Establishment cultivation but deliberately suppressed his aura, projecting only the early Qi Refining stage, which appeared as early Heavenly Human.
This old monk was clearly a cunning old fox.
"Grand State Preceptor Zhuan Jing, since you acknowledge it as a spar between juniors, why did you have your subordinate strike with such heavy hands?"
Yang Zhong's expression was grim. He was currently only at late Xiantian, not yet restored to Grandmaster.
Even a Grandmaster would not be the opponent of this old monk who looked as if he could be blown over by the wind.
The Heavenly Human realm had transcended the definition of human.
A Grandmaster and a Heavenly Human were practically different species.
"Heh heh ~ All juniors, occasional slip-ups are normal."
Zhuan Jing Fa Wang wore a benevolent smile, but his words were utterly unreasonable.
The big fellow had already won and was still trying to finish off his opponent; how could that be an "occasional slip-up"?
"Grand State Preceptor Zhuan Jing's ability to talk nonsense with his eyes wide open is truly unparalleled in this world."
Yang Zhong retorted with sarcasm, unafraid. This was the imperial palace of Da Sui, and he was the host; he could not show weakness.
"Old State Lord Yang flatters me. This humble monk is merely speaking the truth."
Hmmph, talking nonsense with eyes wide open.
Yang Hong once again witnessed the shamelessness of this old monk.
Perhaps sensing Yang Hong's disdain and contempt, Zhuan Jing Fa Wang's half-closed eyes shifted towards him.
Upon seeing Yang Hong, his eyes widened considerably, a glint of light flashing within them.
"This young benefactor possesses great fortune and is imbued with great merit. He is naturally fated to my Buddhist sect.
Would the young benefactor be willing to take me as his master? I am willing to impart the entire inheritance of Vajra Temple to you."
Seemingly detecting something special about Yang Hong, the old monk immediately flashed past Yang Zhong, appearing before Yang Hong with an expression of urgency.
He even extended his hand, as if to grasp Yang Hong.
Yang Hong appeared startled and inadvertently took half a step back.
This half-step was enough to evade the old monk's grasp.
Yang Hong raised his hand to shield his chest, looking at the old monk with a frightened expression, like a young girl encountering a hooligan.
"Old monk, I will not become a monk. I am already married, I have broken the vow of celibacy, and cannot be a monk."
"Heh heh ~ Young benefactor need not worry. My Vajra Temple practices a combination of Esoteric and Zen Buddhism, and does not prohibit marriage."
The old monk took Yang Hong's half-step back as a reaction of fear and did not mind.
While speaking, he continued to reach for Yang Hong.
"Are you a lustful monk?
Don't come near me!
I am male, I like women, I don't like men, and I certainly don't like old monks."
Yang Hong retreated while speaking. He noticed that those around him were being pushed away by an invisible aura. Yang Zhong was struggling to advance, his face reddened.
'This cunning old fox has created an aura wall with his true energy. Let's see how I break it.'
Seeing the situation around him, Yang Hong immediately guessed Zhuan Jing Fa Wang's methods.
"Old monk, the big fellow behind you has a great physique and immense strength; he must be suitable for you. Go find him, you won't go wrong with him."
Yang Hong yelled and retreated erratically, occasionally dodging past others to prevent the old monk from catching him.
"Old monk, I see one of your feet is already in the coffin. You should focus on cultivating your mind and spirit, and stop looking for young men.
It's truly not good."
"Holy hell, your Dragon Claw Hand is amazing. This brother's clothes are all torn!"
"Old monk, you're too thirsty~"
"Silence!"
Under Yang Hong's nonsensical ramblings, even the extremely self-controlled Zhuan Jing Fa Wang's composure broke.
He let out an angry roar that shook nearby onlookers, causing them to cover their ears.
Yang Hong followed suit, covering his ears, but he was still able to continue his backward evasion.
Seizing this opportunity, Yang Zhong rushed forward, blocking Yang Hong behind him.
"Zhuan Jing Fa Wang, you are too shameless! A Heavenly Human expert bullying a child who cannot cultivate martial arts.
Where is your face?"
Yang Zhong directly pointed at Zhuan Jing Fa Wang and berated him, no longer even addressing him as Grand State Preceptor.
"Heh heh ~ Old State Lord Yang misunderstands. I saw this child's profound destiny and wished to take him as my disciple.
Old State Lord Yang can persuade this child.
As long as this child takes me as his master, Da Yuan will immediately withdraw its troops, and as long as I live, I will ensure that the Da Yuan Imperial Dynasty does not invade the Da Sui Dynasty."
Zhuan Jing Fa Wang continued to stare intently at Yang Hong, and even when speaking to Yang Zhong, his attention was fully on Yang Hong.
Golden light occasionally flashed in his eyes, a sight that even Yang Zhong now noticed.
"Hmph ~ No need for the Grand State Preceptor to trouble himself. My grandson has his own destiny and will not be taking you as his master."
Yang Zhong protected Yang Hong and retreated another two steps.
As for taking a master, that was out of the question.
Yang Hong was forbidden from cultivating martial arts, a command issued by several major sects.
"Old State Lord Yang may not know the foundation and power of my Vajra Temple.
My Vajra Temple possesses 3,000 martial arts, with 300 advanced techniques, all divine skills that can be cultivated to the Heavenly Human realm.
If this young benefactor takes me as his master, I will not only impart all my knowledge but can also bestow upon him the position of Abbot of Vajra Temple."
Zhuan Jing Fa Wang still stared at Yang Hong, his expression suggesting he was about to drool.
The others nearby were stunned, not just those from the Da Sui Dynasty, but even those from Meng Yuan were taken aback.
Vajra Temple!
The strongest sect in the Da Yuan Imperial Dynasty. Even when the emperor of Da Yuan changed, Vajra Temple's approval was required.
Once Yang Hong became Zhuan Jing Fa Wang's disciple, it would mean Yang Hong could control more than half of the Da Yuan Imperial Dynasty.
A vast imperial dynasty ten times the size of the Da Sui Dynasty.
All the people of Da Yuan, including those Grandmasters, watched Yang Hong with red eyes, their envy, jealousy, and hatred written plainly on their faces.
However, they only dared to envy and be jealous; they did not dare to speak.
Because Zhuan Jing Fa Wang was the most powerful being in Da Yuan, the heavens of Da Yuan!
A god whom they could not defy.
Everyone looked at Yang Hong with envious eyes, this stranger who had suddenly appeared.
This included Yang Guang, who was spitting blood and being helped up by guards.
Everyone was waiting for Yang Hong to accept Zhuan Jing Fa Wang's offer of discipleship.