Yan Shouyi, now holding the Zanpakuto, was far from happy.
He had no interest in the so-called Heavenly Masters of Longhu Mountain. He had enough troubles of his own, how could he have the time to be a Heavenly Master?
But the Divine Dragon and Divine Tiger didn't seem to think so. They were pleased to have found such an "outstanding" successor in Yan Shouyi, as if they would receive some reward.
The Divine Dragon patted Yan Shouyi's shoulder with its dragon claw and chuckled,
"Don't be too happy. There are three Heavenly Master successors like you born every sixty years."
Yan Shouyi was taken aback, "Three? Then I don't have to be a Heavenly Master?"
After all, there were three successors, but only one position as Heavenly Master. If he didn't take it, someone else naturally would.
This delighted Yan Shouyi. All he had to do was hide the Divine Tiger's Secret Script well and let others hunt down the other two successors!
However, the Divine Tiger spoke indignantly, "You kid, you really don't want to be a Heavenly Master? Your abilities, your talent, your aspirations – you're the best candidate for Heavenly Master. Don't give up on yourself so easily!"
Yan Shouyi said humbly, "Thank you for your high regard, seniors. But this junior truly does not wish to be a Heavenly Master. Whether I am a Heavenly Master or not, I can still eliminate demons, uphold righteousness, and benefit the common people. Moreover, I have a pile of messes to clean up myself."
Upon hearing Yan Shouyi's reply, the Divine Dragon and Divine Tiger felt a touch of regret. They lamented such a promising talent as Yan Shouyi but did not regret giving him the Divine Tiger's Secret Script.
Then the Divine Dragon said,
"Regardless, now that the Divine Tiger's Secret Script has been given to you, we will not take it back. Whether you want to be a Heavenly Master or can be a Heavenly Master is your own destiny, and we cannot interfere."
Yan Shouyi nodded and said sincerely, "Regardless, thank you both, seniors."
The Divine Tiger impatiently said,
"Enough, enough, stop your chattering. Aren't you in a hurry to get down the mountain? Scram!"
Yan Shouyi once again saw a shadow of Lü Jing in the Divine Tiger. They even cursed in the same way.
"Then this junior will not disturb you further. I hope to see you again someday!"
Yan Shouyi did not want to linger. He clasped his hands in greeting to the Divine Dragon and Divine Tiger, then retreated with the Zanpakuto on his back.
After he left, the Divine Tiger said dismissively, "That brat, he really just turned and left."
"Didn't you tell him to go?" the Divine Dragon chuckled. "What a shame. We thought we'd found a good seedling this time, but who knew Yan Shouyi didn't want to be a Heavenly Master? This sixty-year cycle's Heavenly Master is likely to be snatched by someone else, and then it won't count as our merit."
The Divine Dragon's implication was that there were other pairs of Divine Dragons and Divine Tigers searching for Heavenly Master successors around the world.
Whichever pair's chosen successor became the Heavenly Master, they would also benefit.
The Divine Tiger felt indifferent. "Even if he wanted to be a Heavenly Master, it's not something he can just decide. Everyone we choose is a dragon among men, each possessing strength, courage, and mettle no less than his."
The Divine Dragon nodded. "In the end, it all comes down to fate... But this kid is truly remarkable, he's very different!"
The Divine Tiger remained noncommittal, but there was still some expectation in its eyes for Yan Shouyi.
"Let's tidy up. We've been in this desolate hillside for over twenty years. It's time to return to the mountain and report."
As the Divine Dragon finished speaking, Yan Shouyi happened to turn his head, wanting to take one last look at the Divine Dragon and Divine Tiger.
But he no longer saw their figures. He only saw the mountain cave, with stones shattered all over the ground, the original appearance of the stone statues unrecognizable.
Everything that had just happened felt like a dream. The only thing that could verify the existence of the Divine Dragon and Divine Tiger was the Zanpakuto on Yan Shouyi's back.
"Seniors, thank you."
Yan Shouyi bowed again, clasped his hands, and turned to descend the mountain.
He reached the edge of the stone mountain and looked down. He only saw the forest shrouded in darkness, but not Yan Chou and the others watching him from within the trees.
Just as Yan Shouyi was about to climb down.
The Zanpakuto on his back suddenly flashed with an eerie light.
Then, the Zanpakuto instantly became as heavy as a thousand catties!
The terrifying weight directly forced Yan Shouyi onto one knee, his knee shattering the stone beneath him!
"What's going on!"
Yan Shouyi's expression changed drastically, and he gritted his teeth, trying to hold on. But it felt as if he wasn't carrying a Zanpakuto on his back, but the entire stone mountain!
The terrifying force pressed down on Yan Shouyi, making it difficult to even maintain his kneeling posture, let alone stand up!
What worried Yan Shouyi even more was that he was already standing at the edge of the mountain. If he couldn't hold on, he feared he would fall to his death!
"The Zanpakuto is indeed not something an ordinary person can wield... this thousand-catty weight, is it malevolent energy? Or killing intent?!"
Yan Shouyi struggled, but his spine bent little by little...
Finally, he could not hold on and fell to the side, tumbling down the mountaintop...
The sound of the wind rushed past Yan Shouyi's ears as he fell. He saw the mountaintop of the stone mountain receding further away.
Just as he was about to hit the ground, a flying tiger claw suddenly shot out from the forest and firmly grabbed his ankle.
The Ma siblings rushed out from the forest, managing to catch Yan Shouyi.
The moment they landed, the Mountain God Yan Ze and the Green Ox suddenly appeared and steadied the three of them.
"Quick, throw away that saber on your back!" Yan Ze warned.
Yan Shouyi rolled off the Green Ox's back, completely pinned to the ground by the Zanpakuto, unable to even catch his breath.
But he did not heed Yan Ze's warning and throw away the Zanpakuto!
Ma Jinxuan thought Yan Shouyi had lost his strength and hurried to help, but Yan Shouyi shouted at her to stop her:
"Don't! Don't touch my Zanpakuto!"
Ma Xingping said anxiously, "Brother Yan, this saber is strange!"
"I know..."
Yan Shouyi gasped for breath and said, "Ordinary people can't wield it, but I definitely can! If I throw it away now, it's like bowing to it, admitting defeat! If I throw it away this time, I'll never have the right to lift it again!!"
Hearing this, the Ma siblings quickly withdrew their hands and stood by nervously, unsure what to do.
Yan Ze frowned and ordered the Green Ox to go and summon Yan Chou and the others.
Yan Shouyi lay on the ground, and the Zanpakuto on his back poured out black malevolent energy, gradually enveloping him.
"Malevolent energy, more malevolent energy!"
Yan Shouyi was slightly annoyed but tried to remain calm. As long as he could avoid being affected by the malevolent energy, he would be able to use the Zanpakuto without reservation!
"Control!"
"Calm down!"
"Stay clear-headed!"
"I cannot... cannot bow to the Zanpakuto..."
Although Yan Shouyi kept reminding himself, he gradually lost consciousness.
The black malevolent energy completely swallowed him, and the Ma siblings could no longer see Yan Shouyi's figure.
"Brother Yan!" Ma Xingping was extremely anxious.
At this critical juncture, a deep and heavy voice, like a bell chime, suddenly echoed in everyone's ears:
"Moo!..."
The sound was ancient and weathered, as if from millions of years ago, capable of purifying all filth in the world and eliminating all stray thoughts in people's hearts!
In that instant, day broke. The surrounding trees disappeared, replaced by an endless expanse of tranquil lake water.
The Ma siblings looked down. The lake water beneath their feet could even reflect their faces.
They felt an unprecedented sense of peace.
What was happening?
Suddenly, the lake water beneath them vanished. When they looked up again, Yan Chou, the Dog Taoist, and the Monk Miaoji had already appeared beside Yan Shouyi!
That ancient voice came from Miaoji!
Ma Xingping was shocked.
When did they arrive?
Why had he not sensed them at all?!
Miaoji clasped his hands together, radiating golden light, appearing like a living Buddha, sacred and solemn.
"Om!"
"Maa!"
"Ni!"
"Bei!"
"Mi!"
"Hum!"
The six-syllable mantra of Buddhism was uttered one by one by Miaoji.
Each mantra formed a golden Buddha seal before him, striking the mass of malevolent energy that enveloped Yan Shouyi!
When the six-syllable mantra was complete, it formed a large net, gathering the malevolent energy!
Yan Shouyi and the Zanpakuto gradually reappeared.
The six-syllable mantra slowly pushed all the malevolent energy back onto the Zanpakuto, finally transforming into a string of Buddha seals, deeply branded onto the blade of the Zanpakuto!
Just as the Tathagata Buddha sealed the Monkey King who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, the six-syllable mantra, like the Five-Finger Mountain, suppressed the malevolent energy of the Zanpakuto!
At this moment, Ma Xingping finally felt Miaoji's terrifying power.
Was he a martial monk?
Judging by his attire, he seemed to be.
But his mastery of Buddhist dharma looked no different from that of a living Buddha!
What was the background of Brother Yan's father and uncles, and how could their strength be so terrifying!!