Although the Yangwu Gang, Qingpai Sect, Niudao Gang, and others joined forces, they each guarded their own interests, avoiding unnecessary losses. Coupled with the absence of the two masters Zhen Zhengguang and Fang Lianzhèng, and Wan Xilan holding back their strength, it became increasingly difficult to contain the combined efforts of Lin Chaoying and her two companions. Hearing Shi Weigeng’s call, Xiao Ziru changed his target and joined forces with Le Fu to attack Chong Yuwu. This was partly to please Wei, and partly because Chong, who knew too much, could not be spared. Chong Yuwu intended to use Le Fu to block Xiao Ziru's powerful punches, but Le Fu, using Xiao Ziru's attack as an opportunity, withdrew and rushed towards Sun Bole.
Seeing him cast a glance, Le Fu feigned anger and said, "Don't mind me. I don't care about right or wrong anymore. Doing whatever you like is what makes life enjoyable." Sun Bole responded with a hearty laugh. Just then, Gou’er arrived to join them. Le Fu joyfully exclaimed, "Come, let's fight together!" Gou'er nodded. Wu Nanying, realizing her limitations, urged Lin Chaoying, "Quick, go to Senior Brother's side." Sun Bole also anxiously said, "It's the 'Four Heavens Guiding Formation' of the Elder Zen Monastery." Lin Chaoying knew its power and, under the cover of the four, rushed towards the apricot tree.
Shi Weigeng, a lay disciple of the Shaolin Temple, had gone to Mount Shaoshi to seek help from the temple's experts through his master, Master Jingjie. However, the abbot, adhering to neutrality, subtly directed him to the Elder Zen Monastery for aid. The Elder Zen Monastery was built during the Tongguang era of the Later Tang Dynasty by elder monks who were dissatisfied with the management practices of the Shaolin Temple abbot at the time. For over two hundred years, their relationship with Shaolin had been one of alternating friendship and enmity, and after the incident at Fengbo Pavilion, it had deteriorated into outright rupture. The abbot was Master Weicheng, who had long hoped for the imperial court to pacify the north. Furthermore, Shi Weigeng was skilled in observing people's words and expressions, which enabled him to persuade the four most senior monks, who were adept in formation arts, to assist.
As Lin Chaoying approached, she saw the withered leaves and broken branches of the apricot tree, dancing wildly in the wind. Amidst the earth-shattering whip sounds, she heard Mao Ya sneer, "I am the devil spoken of by the Song people, notorious for my sins. Whether you are truly blind or feigning blindness, you need not warn me with your whip before attacking, pretending to be merciful."
Master Sixiang, guarding the apricot tree on the lower right, with his tall, thin build, chanted a Buddhist name and said, "No name is different; all beings coexist in the world, hence the name 'sentient beings.' Loyalty and treachery, good and evil, in the end, all return to purity." He sighed, thinking that although this person was blind, his heart and mind were exceptionally sharp. When he was trapped in the "Qiaojing Tian" formation earlier, he was not swayed by the tempting lures, demonstrating remarkable clarity and emptiness. It was a pity he had strayed into the demonic path. Master Sixiang, on the upper left, with his round face and white eyebrows, had his family destroyed by the Jin soldiers in his early years. He sought refuge with Shaolin and later transferred to the Zen Monastery. He angrily declared, "So you have no excuse, and you will die without regret!" Master Sijing, on the upper right, with his broad jaw and thick lips, curiously asked, "Are you really a fake blind man? No wonder you are so agile and broke through the first level. For the second level, 'Daojing Tian,' you will need to exercise more self-control."
Lin Chaoying, wielding her sword, ventured into the formation. Master Xifang on the lower left, with a sinister aura, wielded his whip like a dam blocking a river. Despite employing the "Suiqu Sibu" technique combined with various sword styles, she was still kept outside the formation.
The "Four Heavens Guiding Formation" was such that when combined, they moved as one, and when separated, each displayed their unique skills. Their coordination and separation depended entirely on the intentions of the four and their years of cooperation, making it unpredictable. Mao Ya inserted his sword into the ground and switched to the "Zhujiu Quanlun" (Boiling Wine Boxing Treatise) technique, adapting to changes. He unleashed "Fire Burning the Red Cliffs," which not only possessed the intensity of a raging fire but also featured consecutive, interconnected moves, allowing for rapid transitions between offense and defense. Although Mao Ya was clearly attacking Sixiang, he suddenly struck Xiqing. However, the "Daojing Tian" formation was adept at neutralizing the opponent's moves, allowing the user to dictate the flow. Mao Ya, unable to gain any advantage, was instantly burned as if by his own fire. Mao Ya immediately switched to the "Jiangliu Bafeng" (Eight Formations of the Flowing River) technique, forming his palms into circles like a river flowing around rocks. Without a fixed form, the three monks' whip formation lost its direction.
The "Suiqu Sibu" incorporated Buddhist dance. Under the pressure of Xifang's Buddhist whip techniques, Lin Chaoying's movements became increasingly graceful, agile, and elegant, her posture a breathtaking spectacle, akin to the Gandharvas of the Pure Land, or the heavenly maidens performing celestial music. Xifang's long whip gradually seemed to obey the heavenly music, losing its guiding power.
Mao Ya listened intently, deducing the situation on Lin Chaoying's side, and sneered at Xiqing. Xiqing was unexpectedly reminded of his home being destroyed by the Jin soldiers. He poured all his strength into the tip of his whip, striking with the force of a shattering river and breaking rocks. Mao Ya found an opening and struck with a palm. Sixiang coughed and arrived with Xijing, both wielding their whips, their moves like stones naturally revolving in a river. With the attack broken, Mao Ya immediately switched to "Liangyuan Huigong" (Liangyuan Tribute Painting). His left palm mimicked a writing brush, and his right fingers acted as colored bristles, the intent of the move originating from Emperor Yuan of Liang's painting of tribute from foreign lands, with each person's face distinct and myriad postures displayed. The multitude of colors and forms had little impact on the serene Sixiang and the simple Xijing, but it stirred up Xiqing's past grievances. Xiqing straightened his eyebrows and, with all his might, unleashed a thunderous force, whipping his whip to clash with Mao Ya. This violated the Buddhist principle of "guiding and transforming" all beings inherent in the "Daojing Tian" formation, thus severing his whip's integration with Sixiang and Xijing.
Xiqing's martial arts surpassed all others in the Zen Monastery. However, Sixiang's original intention was for his more obedient junior brother, Xixiao, to take on this responsibility. The reason was Xiqing's deep-seated resentment towards the Jin Dynasty. The abbot, Weicheng, was to deliver his letter of greeting from the Shaolin abbot. Within the lines, Sixiang discerned three possible intentions: capturing Mao Ya would bolster the Song army's morale for their northern expedition; releasing him later would allow for negotiations with the Jin ruler, seeking favorable terms for the Song citizens remaining in their territory; and after success, the Zen Monastery would gain immense prestige, which could be considered a gesture of goodwill from Shaolin, providing an opportunity to mend their relationship. If Xiqing had not been so insistent, and even instigated Weicheng and others to persuade him, alas... one cannot force destiny.
Mao Ya smiled smugly and swiftly launched his killing move, "Xuanwumen Bian" (Xuanwu Gate Mutiny), blocking Xiqing's five escape routes. He unleashed fierce attacks from three directions simultaneously, aiming to kill in a single blow. At that moment, hearing that Lin Chaoying had broken through Xifang's obstruction, Sixiang and Xijing hurried to assist. They were pleased that everything was proceeding according to plan—concluding that this wrathful monk was the weak link, they would attack and eliminate him first; then, they would join her and break out of this dilapidated formation together, heading far away, never to be separated again.
Xifang suddenly stopped Wang Chongyang, who was approaching, and said, "Wang Shixiong, do not interfere. This is our matter." He intended to scare Mao Ya, but when Mao Ya suddenly heard Wang Chongyang approaching, his heart sank. He thought, This bothersome Song pig, if he forces his way into the formation, I'll kill him, but... would Ying agree? My well-laid plans would be ruined! With a moment's hesitation, Xiqing indeed managed to escape. Sixiang recited, "Without attachment to life and death, how can the body find its true form?" The other three monks chanted Buddhist names in unison, spreading out the "Shejing Tian" (Shedding Realm Heaven) formation to deadly effect. Mao Ya gave a sorrowful smile, his past turned to smoke. Having been born, yet feeling like dead, what meaning could life hold!
Lin Chaoying suddenly felt the formation change from that of a gentle, preaching Bodhisattva to an enraged, demon-slaying Vajra. A murderous battlefield appeared, and the celestial music of the heavenly palace ceased abruptly. The long whip transformed into blood-red tongues, alluring claws, fangs, and ghostly hair flashing from hell. After a few exchanges, Lin Chaoying was actually repelled out of the formation. The whips crisscrossed like ghosts, trapping Mao Ya, which did not yet instill fear in Lin Chaoying. What alarmed her was that smile, filled with the decadence of a broken melody, appearing on his face. Mao Ya's body swayed unstably, falling, leaping, and spinning. The long whips around him seemed like clouds gathering and dispersing, unable to affect him; instead, they were gradually drawn by his movements and shifts in direction.
He had unleashed the true meaning and power of "Yuyu Cheng Yan Shou" (Jade Universe Turns to Smoke Hand)—forty years of a nation in turmoil, loyal souls perishing together in times of crisis, righteous defenders of the land shedding blood, transcending life and death! Sixiang marveled at Mao Ya's exquisite Buddhist heart, but also lamented that he had been immersed in the demonic path for too long. Xiqing, seeing that even the enhanced formation had been defeated, was angered by the demon's peculiar moves that always seemed to counter the formation. "Hmph, I refuse to believe there is no Buddha who can subdue a demon!" He gathered his inner strength and unleashed a killing move deduced from this formation. The whip shot out like a hundred arrows, each piercing the heart. Mao Ya lightly stepped on the whip's shadow, soaring towards Xiqing, striking with—three thousand li of "Shanhe Bieyi" (Mountains and Rivers Parted). His right hand, with the back facing outwards and fingers drooping, formed a loose grasp, while he struck with his left hand. Xiqing's momentum was cut off, his throat choked, his shoulders shattered, and his chest and hips split. Xiqing countered with a whip circling to seal the center, appearing like a black dragon entering the abyss. Xifang's whip was like a swarm of snakes emerging from a cave, attacking Mao Ya's lower body, attempting a "Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao" strategy. Sixiang flicked his wrist, wielding his whip, and ensnared Mao Ya from above, the strands like vines of death.
At that moment, Wu Nanying followed Lin Chaoying into the formation. Meng Han Guang, Jie Wushan, and other members of the Wei Wu Alliance were unwilling to confront Sun Bole. The leader of the Niudao Gang, like Wan Xilan, was shrewdly observing from the sidelines. Fang Lianzhèng pursued Meng Tiankai to a distant location, leaving the Huiyu Gang leaderless. Only the Jing Tian Men, indebted to Xiao Ziru, remained as the main force, but they were incapable of making a significant impact. Wu Nanying, concerned about Mao Ya being trapped in the formation, took the opportunity to rush to his rescue.
Mao Ya calculated that this move would allow Lin Chaoying to break into the formation again. With just one more move, he could dismantle this formation, and then, amidst the chaos, he would take her hand and fly away. Hearing that Wu Nanying was also present, he felt a slight predicament. "I'm sorry!" Mao Ya gritted his teeth and proceeded as planned, spinning his body and unleashing—Fengge Longlou "Lianxiaohang Wang" (Phoenix Pavilion Dragon Tower Connected to the Heavens), resembling a fire phoenix burning the sky in nirvana, and a cloud dragon destroying the earth in annihilation. Theoretically, this should have shattered the connection between the three monks, causing their formation to collapse. However, Mao Ya's intentions had materialized, his thoughts creating life, and life creating a plan, which was precisely what this formation countered. Sixiang regained control, and Lin Chaoying and the other were still blocked outside the formation. Mao Ya was filled with surprise and frustration.
The restoration of the nation was within reach, but the severing of ties was difficult to mend. Mao Ya lowered his head and drew a move—Yushu Qiongzhi "Huazuo Yanluo" (Jade Trees and琼 Branches Turn into Misty Vines). Sixiang was surprised yet sighed, finding this suicidal fighting style evoked his pity. Wu Nanying, heartbroken by his reckless and self-neglecting onslaught, rushed into the formation to help him without hesitation. Mao Ya seized the opportunity as the formation became chaotic, intending to kill the enemy and escape, unleashing—Jǐjǐng "Xigēwūzhǐ" (How Many Times Has It Ceased War?).