At a Dharma altar of the Six Sects, a black-bearded sorcerer, on a whim, felt a sense of impending danger. He immediately circulated his Six Ren Divine Calculation, and after a brief deduction, learned that a calamity was about to occur. Furthermore, the source of the calamity was not far, and it could be resolved.
However, he did not know how to resolve it. Meeting them was dangerous, and since they had come with hostility, it was unlikely that the situation would end peacefully today; a confrontation seemed inevitable.
If he showed weakness, they would grow strong; if he showed strength, they would weaken. Thus, the black-bearded sorcerer pondered. For this calamity, it was best to first summon some soldiers to bolster his forces. After all, in ancient negotiations like the Feast at Hong Gate, who wouldn't have five hundred swordsmen in ambush?
Following this, a faint red light emanated from his eyes, and the same occurred in his ears. Soon, he understood much of what was happening. However, his own disciples being captured and interrogated was, in the end, a loss of face.
Moreover, he had also learned about the vague words spoken by that ghost immortal, thanks to the profound and mystical spell he had just cast. In fact, many Dharma sects had similar spells. As long as a disciple established a connection with him, he could remotely know some of the situations they encountered.
But then, he felt the agitation of the Shangqing Dharma Realm. He thought, "Could it be someone from Shangqing?" But immediately after, he faintly sensed the presence of Great Ming imperial might, and his heart chilled.
"How could such a change occur? It seems a great figure has arrived in Dingjia City, and ultimately, they have provoked someone from the imperial court?"
"The Shangqing Sect is bringing imperial sorcerers to cause trouble? Ultimately, Biyou Palace has gone too far. But why have I never heard of such a powerful sorcerer in the Daolv Si of the imperial court?"
The useless gluttons of the Daolv Si, who couldn't even be considered cultivators, competed with the Confucian scholars for a living, and looked down upon even the Dharma sects. Could those people dare to barge into the Mount Mao Dharma Altar so arrogantly?
They probably didn't know how to write the word "death"!
Here, the emperor's reach was far, and the Six Sects were the dominant force in this Dingjia City. Even the city lord and county magistrate had to pay respects to the Dharma Lords of the Six Sects. This place was not near the Forbidden City!
The black-bearded sorcerer's brows furrowed. He immediately used his mind to notify the Dharma Lords of the other five sects. The Six Sects were of one mind and shared the same spirit, all being the main forces among the seventy-two sects of Mount Mao. Now that outsiders were entering to cause trouble for the Six Sects, they would naturally have to face them together.
However, the black-bearded sorcerer also felt that to prevent a mishap, he might not be a match for the opponent alone. But if the Dharma Lords of the Six Sects attacked together, it would be different.
Fierce flames erupted around him, and talismans burned cleanly within the flames. The Dharma Lords of the other five sects immediately received the burned talismans. One talisman, splitting into five directions within the fire, was a kind of "Fire Escape"! m..oΓg
"Displaying great divine power, the Dharma Altar of the Great Brilliant Emperor does not permit outsiders to disturb. Esteemed sirs, first summon the Five Guardians, then summon the Six Ding Heavenly Soldiers."
"Give this imperial master a welcoming gift... to dampen his spirit."
The flames flickered, and the black-bearded sorcerer transmitted his message to the other five Dharma Lords. One Dharma Lord, however, was rather puzzled. Upon receiving the Six Ding Heavenly Soldier talisman, his face was full of confusion.
In his opinion, the Five Guardian soldiers could directly deal with a mere imperial sorcerer. Why bother using the Six Ding Heavenly Soldiers?
"Great Brilliant Dharma Lord, why make a fuss? There are many sorcerers challenging us, and using the Six Ding Heavenly Soldiers is too high a specification..."
Someone voiced their objection.
But the black-bearded sorcerer did not argue with them, merely saying:
"Just do as I say!"
The black-bearded sorcerer held a high position among the Six Sects. The other five Dharma Lords could sense his tension through the flames. It seemed the imperial sorcerer who had arrived today was extraordinary, and they had to entertain him with heavenly soldiers.
The six Dharma Lords simultaneously initiated their spells. To command the Six Ding Deities, one must use the "Supreme Nine Heavens Profound Lady's Evil Slaying Secret Record."
And among the six Dharma Lords, each offered different ritual objects.
An incense burner in the East, a丹炉 (dānlú - alchemy furnace) in the West, a candle in the South, a Dharma bell in the North, and a thunderwood in the center.
"Great Brilliance, honoring Great Brilliant Emperor, second honoring Ji Zhitou Bodhisattva."
"Five Thunder Top Sect, honoring Thunder King Chen Hong!"
"Guanyin Mountain Sect, honoring Green Bamboo Guanyin."
"Guangze Sacred Gate, honoring Guangze Zunwang!"
"Black Fiend Great Sect, honoring Black Fiend Divine Lord, second honoring True Martial Great Emperor!"
"Three Profound Old Lord Sect, honoring Supreme Old Lord."
...
Just as they arrived outside a Daoist sanctuary, the ghost immortal's expression suddenly changed. At this moment, flames erupted from the cracks in the earth and the entrance of the gate. The old sorcerer, with quick hands, grabbed his disciple and threw him into the fire!
The flames engulfed him, and the young sorcerer cried out as he was about to be consumed by the flames!
"Fire Escape!"
The Shangqing Daoist immediately recognized the opponent's spell!
"Among folk spells, Fire Escape is the most popular, but its learning difficulty is extremely high. Many Dharma sects have their unique Fire Escape."
Although his body was weak, he had to act. However, he did not expect Ji Xiang to say softly:
"Still."
In an instant, the young sorcerer could no longer move. Ji Xiang clapped his hand, and the Five Thunder Dharma struck out, directly scattering those flames!
The old sorcerer was grabbed by the neck by Ji Xiang, and Ji Xiang's expression changed slightly.
"Did you think I wouldn't know you were secretly using spells?"
Ji Xiang merely glanced at the old sorcerer. The Inner Scene Divine Tablet, which had been fine before, sensed the opponent's spell circulation and immediately gave a warning. If not for this, Ji Xiang would truly have believed this old man would obediently lead the way.
The old sorcerer's face turned red, and he spoke with difficulty: "You are an imperial sorcerer, you cannot kill indiscriminately, you have no right! The Daolv Si only handles rituals for the emperor. You must act according to the imperial rules, otherwise, your status will not be recognized later..."
Ji Xiang sneered, "You are mistaken. My authority is immense, and killing you will cause no problems."
"Stop playing clever tricks. If you cooperate, you won't have to die."
"You know yourselves what wrongdoings you have committed, and now you are trying to tip off others. You know yourselves."
Of course, Ji Xiang was only trying to scare him. If the Six Sects had not done anything particularly heinous, he would not have acted.
However, some people cannot be given a good face.
The imperial court has always been the "villain" in the martial world, and it's normal for them to take the blame daily. Moreover, Ji Xiang was only trying to scare them and show that arrogant attitude so that they would believe he was from the imperial court.
In this era, the government was indeed arrogant.
Of course, in reality, the matters Ji Xiang had come here to handle had nothing to do with the imperial court. But as the saying goes, let them imagine whatever they want; it had nothing to do with Ji Xiang.
Those who have done wrongdoings and are sought by the imperial court should be the clearest about it themselves.
Ji Xiang silently looked at the two sorcerers, applying a certain amount of pressure. Sometimes, silence was more effective than speaking.
Indeed, after Ji Xiang's disturbance, the old sorcerer's brows furrowed deeply. He felt that besides the matter of the Shangqing Dharma Realm being occupied, perhaps the imperial court had also learned of other matters...
Of course, although the old sorcerer had decent cultivation, he was only a mid-level member of the Dharma sect. He only had a partial understanding of many of the things done by the high-level Dharma Lords and elders.
Ji Xiang looked at the sanctuary, "Is this your main altar?"
The old sorcerer shook his head, "If you want to see our main altar, you can only do so through these sanctuaries. If you can overturn these sanctuaries, you will find the main altar. Heh heh, even I don't know where the main altar is. In short, it's somewhere in the city."
Ji Xiang: "You'd better not do anything to anger me. I'm only not slaughtering everyone here for the sake of the city's common people, otherwise, this city would have been leveled by now."
"If I destroy this sanctuary and still don't know the location of your main altar, then I will kill you."
His tone was chilling, not false at all, which made the old sorcerer feel both shocked and cold. He could only secretly pray that the six Dharma Lords could teach this person a lesson.
Dong dong—
Drumbeats echoed from within the gate. Ji Xiang pushed open the main door, and the two door panels shattered in response. In the sanctuary ahead, groups of Five Guardian soldiers, already arrayed, appeared.
Wearing armor, with golden feathers on their shoulders and dual sabers in their hands, they were imposing.
Red, blue, yellow, black, and white clothing represented the five directions of heaven and earth, and also corresponded to the colors of wood, fire, metal, water, and earth. Wearing masks of the five colors, amidst the sound of gongs and drums, mountain goblins and wood spirits all appeared.
The soldiers were fierce and valiant. The five leading figures all had angry, bulging eyes, brows like blazing flames, and bared teeth!
"The Dharma sect is testing me, giving me a show of force?"
Ji Xiang looked at the old sorcerer, "At the crystallization of the five elements of heaven and earth, there will be a connection between the qi of heaven and earth. If there are ancient graves or trees and stone spirits in this place, then people who die in such territories will transform into Guardian soldiers."
"But haven't you heard that demons and ghosts fear the thunderous Dharma the most?"
Mastering the Five Thunders through the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations!
Ji Xiang raised his hand and unleashed a sea of lightning. The Five Guardian soldiers were scattered by the thick lightning pillars. A thunderous roar shook heaven and earth, causing the entire sanctuary to tremble as if it were about to be overturned!
Although the Five Guardian soldiers were blown away by the sea of lightning, some managed to dodge the attack by lying on the ground. They moved quickly, their footsteps as swift as treading on clouds and chasing fire. They brandished their dual sabers, intending to take Ji Xiang's head!
Bang!
Ji Xiang's palm grasped the face of this ghost soldier. The mark of hell opened, and the ghostly qi of the Abyssal Hell emanated, directly swallowing this Five Guardian soldier!