The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS-Chapter 1228 - 253: Dao Conflict
Three days later, in Xuanzhou.
Invited by the Buddhists, the Taoists and Mystical Sect confronted each other for the first time, leading to their initial conflict.
The leader of the Taoists this time was unexpectedly someone unusual, the third son of Heavenly Master Zhang of Dragon Tiger Mountain—Zhang Yuanfeng.
This person had previously traveled to Northern Zhou with his brother Zhang Yuanlu and nephew Zhang Yangping to investigate the Dragon Head Young Master Yu of the Azure Dragon Association. Due to certain individuals' machinations, their whereabouts were exposed, and they fell into an ambush.
His brother Zhang Yuanlu was encircled and killed by those in the Divinity Realm of the Great Zen Temple, his nephew Zhang Yangping died at the hands of Qing Yu, and he himself had his Martial Arts destroyed and his Mental State shattered by Xin Hui, the head of the Arhat Hall of the Great Zen Temple.
It was unexpected to see him today with his Martial Arts fully restored, having entered the Divine Communication Realm.
On the Mystical Sect's side, the leader was Lin Zixiao, the Dao Master of Shenxiao Dao. He led his followers from Yan Province to Xuanzhou, eliminating all traitors along the way and intimidating those sitting on the fence, arriving amid a storm of blood.
Today, Lin Zixiao intended to exterminate the Donglin Sect, which secretly colluded with the East Province Taoist School, but unexpectedly, there were people from the East Province Taoist School coming to support.
"The remnants of Dragon Tiger Mountain," Lin Zixiao shook his head slightly, "why not hide? Why come out to court death? Xuan Venerate has long forgotten you defeated dogs. If you had kept hiding, you might have secured your lives, but coming out to seek death only results in merciless actions from our hands."
Xuan Venerate refers to Qing Yu.
Having split from the Taoists, he could no longer use the title of Daoist Master; otherwise, it would be seen as inferior to the Dao Ancestor.
After much debate within the Mystical Sect, Qing Yu adopted a new title—Xuan Venerate.
Though the title now only circulates within the Mystical Sect, as the Mystical Sect builds its reputation, it will soon spread across the world.
However loud one's name may be, enemies will not care, especially rivals like Dragon Tiger Mountain.
"Bah, a demon is a demon, calling himself Xuan Venerate," Zhang Yuanfeng said disdainfully, "Shenxiao Dao is also a heritage from Dragon Tiger Mountain. Lin Zixiao, how can you be so shameless?
The actions of that demon Qing Yu, how can you not know? Slaughtering the world, causing great calamities, and now splitting the Taoists, how is he worthy of claiming reverence!"
Others might shy away from Qing Yu's fierce reputation, but Zhang Yuanfeng would not. His father was compelled by Qing Yu to disband, his uncle Daoist Feng Yun was casually slain by Qing Yu, and his nephew also died at Qing Yu's hands. The age-old legacy of Dragon Tiger Mountain was brought to ruin by Qing Yu; the enmity is immense, unclean even by the Three Rivers and Five Seas.
It all boils down to one word: death. Zhang Yuanfeng was prepared for death even before stepping down the mountain.
"You traitors to the Taoists, assisting evildoers, will meet an ill fate. Lin Zixiao, Dragon Tiger Mountain is ashamed to share origins with your Shenxiao Dao." Zhang Yuanfeng scolded.
"Each person has their aspirations, the paths of the Great Dao differ," Lin Zixiao replied casually, "just as Shenxiao Dao separated from Dragon Tiger Mountain, so too did the Mystical Sect split from the Taoists because our paths differ.
Paths that differ cannot collaborate. Why must Daoist Zhang clench so tightly onto the word 'traitor'? We, as descendants of later generations, though bearing the name of Taoists, have never sworn allegiance to the Dao Ancestor.
To truly speak of traitors, those who once swore allegiance to Xuan Venerate and now betray, are the real traitors."
Lin Zixiao's words were quite reasonable. The Dao Ancestor, after all, was an ancient figure from millennia ago. Even if he founded the Taoists, no one dictated that those of the Taoists millennia later must live and die for him, right?
Ultimately, those people believed the Dao Ancestor was incredibly powerful, and to avoid destruction alongside Northern Zhou, they sought to board a different ship or reach shore before Northern Zhou sank.
But no matter how reasonable, Zhang Yuanfeng as an enemy would not heed it. He and Qing Yu were mortal enemies, his hatred would not be quelled by mere reasoning.
Thus, a great battle was inevitable. Instantly, thunder and lightning clashed.
Dragon Tiger Mountain and Shenxiao Dao shared roots; both practiced Thunder Skill, leading to a battle filled with constant thunder and lightning.
This was the first clash between the Taoists and Mystical Sect, the first direct confrontation between those under the Dao Ancestor and Qing Yu.
Because of this great battle, both sides' Tao Realms were watching attentively.
Above the Heavenly Vault, a mysterious Xuan Yuan Qi inexplicably appeared, manifesting the form of the Dao Ancestor. Opposite was the slowly emerging figure of Qing Yu.
Neither appeared in true form; instead, they manifest through avatars formed by Divine Thought infusing True Qi.
"Profound upon profound, the Door of All Wonders," the Dao Ancestor intoned the foundational teaching of the Mystical Sect, looking at Qing Yu, "the profound is the ancestor of nature, the great origin of all differences. Qing Yu, you truly are someone who can constantly surprise. Even though we secretly hindered you for eight months, we failed to gain the upper hand."
In the world today, the major trend lies with Zhou. With Northern Zhou's support, though the Mystical Sect is newly established, it is on par with the Buddhist and Taoist sects in terms of orthodoxy.
As long as the Tao Realms do not intervene, the rise of the Mystical Sect cannot be halted.
This may well be due to Qing Yu's foresight. Although he instigated great calamities, his path was not like the Three-faced God or Ghost Emperor, who fought against many with few.
Qing Yu, though capable of single-handedly slaughtering the world, also established the vast power of Northern Zhou.
With Northern Zhou, Qing Yu has the largest foundation, securing the most advantageous position.
"The advantage of information disparity allows you and Buddha to gain the upper hand everywhere. However," Qing Yu chuckled lightly, "this doesn't mean I'm inferior to you. The fact that I, Qing Yu, can verify the Dao and break through the realm, standing shoulder to shoulder with you, places us on the same tier.
If you underestimate me, don't regret it when you lose."
"Underestimating you is as if underestimating myself; I have never underestimated you," the Dao Ancestor shook his head, "as for losing, it is too early to say. I don't believe I will lose." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
The two stared at each other, Daoist Essence subtly moving beneath the Heavenly Vault, as if undercurrents were surging, causing the Gang Wind in the sky to become more violent and chaotic.
"In the end, the struggle over orthodoxy is secondary. The true victory or defeat will be decided among the Tao Realms. For now, it's a temporary truce between us, but once the truce ends, we will ultimately decide life and death."
The Dao Ancestor looked at Qing Yu, revealing a smile with deep meaning, "This time will not be long."
The struggle for orthodoxy is a long and distant matter, but the battles within the Tao Realms are not far off.
The Dao Ancestor and Buddha were not born to wage an orthodox struggle, but for a greater goal.
Qing Yu, too, had an inkling of this. If guessed correctly, it should be for a breakthrough to a higher realm.
Considering this, Qing Yu said, "It seems you re-established an orthodoxy to leverage the resonance of Martial Arts to swiftly recover from the injuries of the previous battle. In this case, I must actively strike at your orthodoxy to delay your recovery."
"Ha," the Dao Ancestor laughed, "these words are true but can only buy some time. Do not, in your efforts to delay mine and Buddha's recovery, neglect your own cultivation."
