Chapter 836: Yuanli (I)

Li Xuanfeng had risen to great fame during a North-South conflict. His reputation had spread beyond Jiangbei, and even the powers between Yan and Zhao had heard of him and knew his name.

This reputation had been forged through slaying Murong Wu and shattering Yu Qian’s dharma body. So, while he was renowned, he had also offended more northern Dao lineages than he could count on both hands.

The lofty Purple Mansion Realm cultivators and Mahas might not care, but killing direct descendants, those with ties of blood and interest, had vaguely but surely offended a great number of northern cultivators.

Li Xuanfeng understood the grudges he had accumulated. Now, he no longer cared which northern Dao he offended. Whenever he struck, it was with full force, buzzing through the air.

The Buddhist cultivator before him was somewhat unusual. He lacked any sinister aura, and was instead somewhat similar to Luejin of the Great Mahayana Dharma Realm. His dharma light was much gentler and nearly approached Kongheng in purity.

The monk didn’t appear evil, but blocking his path without cause was enough reason not to hold back. As soon as this Buddhist cultivator appeared, Li Xuanfeng merged five arrows into one and shot it straight at his dharma body.

Buzz!

A burst of golden brilliance exploded before Li Xuanfeng, falling like scattered sparks. Sharp, piercing cries echoed like shattered metal. The burly man before him lit up, golden kasaya draped over his shoulders.

He said with a smile, "This humble monk is Jianà. I’ve long heard of your immortal arrows, benefactor. After much contemplation, I found this method to counter them. I was waiting precisely for your golden arrow!"

He had already rolled up his sleeves and now raised the entire dazzling golden kasaya high, displaying the side interwoven with brilliant patterns. Circular gold discs adorned it, emitting curling white smoke and golden mist as he chanted scripture, "Come, Venerable Great Capacity Heaven Receive!"

He spoke Sanskrit, and the layered golden mesh of the kasaya lit up with him. It was bright and immaculate, as if containing endless space within, flowing with golden mantra patterns. The golden light of the arrow buzzed in the air, then fell into the kasaya.

Jianà’s veins bulged as he gripped its corners and pulled his arms down. The golden kasaya floated midair, wrapping tightly around something. A massive bulge inside twisted and jumped violently, like a furious wild snake trapped within, struggling with all its might.

Jianà's face flushed red as he shouted, "Seal!"

All of his mana surged into the kasaya, and he actually managed to restrain the force for a moment. The slender eye-browed, bald monk revealed countless pale golden scriptures across his scalp.

"This..." Si Yuanli stood behind Li Xuanfeng, eyes fixed on the kasaya. A trace of concern rose in his heart as he held the large cauldron in his hands,

Truly strange. It’s like a unique dharma artifact combined with a matching spell, specifically designed to counter flying objects like this. Looks like this bald donkey is no simple figure... not sure if Li Xuanfeng can suppress him...

He lowered his eyes thoughtfully; he was not as helpless as he appeared. The green sword at his waist twitched, its blade already secretly aimed at the monk.

When Master Monk Jianà managed to subdue the golden light, a hint of pride surfaced on his face. His thin brows arched as he lifted and flicked his hands, trying to redirect the golden light elsewhere when he heard a deep, iron-like voice, "Quite bold."

A sudden piercing screech rang in his ears, and his whole body seized up. The fierce man clad in golden soft armor had already appeared before him, the golden bow glowing brilliantly on his back.

Master Monk Jianà recoiled in shock and cried out, "You!"

Li Xuanfeng had only been three meters away; it was just a single step for him. The monk, however, had been too arrogant and focused entirely on guarding against the next arrow. He never expected this move.

His tiger eyes slightly opened, and his terrifying gray pupils flashed. One hand grabbed the monk’s neck, and the other yanked on his dazzling kasaya dharma artifact.

Platinum light gleamed from both arms as he exhaled sharply, "Hah!"

Crack!

Jianà struggled twice, flailing in place, but his neck was crushed like brittle wood, producing a series of crisp cracks.

But the moment Li Xuanfeng had appeared in front of him, his head had already rolled off his shoulders and shot through the air to flee. The kasaya dimmed and burst into golden light across the sky.

Boom!

An instant later, Li Xuanfeng’s fist pierced through his chest, bursting out from his back in a spray of multicolored brilliance. The muffled sound was not loud, but it was especially jarring.

Jianà’s body slumped like mud, while his head darted nearly half a kilometer away, looking back in terror.

The man brushed the golden light away with one hand, dispersing it into nothingness. Five spiritual arrows emerged from the glow, lining up in a row and swimming around his palm like five obedient golden-scaled fish.

Li Xuanfeng glanced coldly at the head in the distance and spoke in an icy tone, "Go."

Buzz...

The five streaks of golden light vanished instantly from his palm. Before Master Monk Jianà could speak, pain exploded through his organs, leaving him reeling. He forced himself to cast a spell and yanked out the gleaming kasaya.

Boom!

But how could this hastily conjured kasaya compare to the one he had prepared earlier? It lasted only a second before the arrows tore into it like a fierce wolf bursting into a straw hut and scattered it to the skies.

Pfft...

Soft, colorful petals rained down from the air, fluttering in every shade. The five golden arrows reappeared at Li Xuanfeng’s side, while Master Monk Jianà vanished without a trace.

Li Xuanfeng raised a sharp brow, unhurried. His gray eyes glinted with sarcasm as he spoke softly, "Since fellow Daoist was so eager to fight, why retreat at the last moment and leave without a word?"

A golden-red arrow had long been waiting, and it leaped eagerly onto his bowstring. Li Xuanfeng’s gray eyes sharpened as he drew his bow back to its maximum and aimed into the distant north.

"Fall."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the golden-red arrow vanished from the string. In the distance, radiant light exploded across the sky. Sizzling candle-like flames rained down, dancing on the lake’s surface before plunging deep into its waters.

Pfft...!

The sound of blood being spat drifted back to Li Xuanfeng on the wind. Many cultivators stood in the air, their expressions varied, but when he glanced down at them, they all quickly averted their gazes, avoiding eye contact.

"Truly living up to his name. That monk was naïve... he ended up as a laughingstock."

Only then did the glow on Li Xuanfeng’s bow begin to dim, and the platinum patterns on his face gradually faded away.

Si Yuanli hurried over and asked in a low voice, "Brother Xuanfeng! Did that bald monk Jianà die?"