Chapter 68: Reinforcements

Hearing the old nun admit she was from Emei, the surrounding pilgrims scoffed. The old nun was truly hypocritical—everyone had already figured out she was from Emei when the head monk had guessed, yet she still tried to play coy, ultimately revealing the truth in the end.

Moreover, a nun who still painted her eyebrows and applied makeup was hard for the public to accept.

Once the secret had been exposed by Huo Yuan Zhen, the old nun's anger flared. Although she was furious, she no longer dared underestimate this young abbot.

However, to let Huo Yuan Zhen off the hook was out of the question.

Having experienced the young abbot's quick wit and sharp tongue, the old nun dared not challenge him in terms of Buddhist knowledge. Instead, she shifted the conversation, saying, "Little monk, there's no need to show off with your words. It's said that all martial arts in the world come from Shaolin, such arrogant words—how dare you claim that?"

"Master, you are mistaken. It's true that Shaolin teaches martial arts, and it's also true that people say 'all martial arts in the world come from Shaolin.' I don't believe that's an overstatement. Though our temple's history is short, we've gathered the hearts of many, and I, as a monk, communicate with the Buddha. I often receive insights in my dreams, which helps guide my teachings. Just recently, we won the victory at the Zhengfeng Arena. That's proof enough. As for your claim of arrogance, I am unworthy of such a title."

Jue Mie suddenly laughed loudly, feeling she had finally caught the abbot at his weak point. "Ha! You truly believe you can communicate with the Buddha and receive insights in your dreams? That's the biggest joke I've ever heard! If I don't show you just how small you are, you'll continue being a frog in a well, arrogantly thinking you're the best in your small corner of the world. Lin Yi, bring me my sword!"

The young nun Lin Yi nodded and handed her sword to Jue Mie. With a swift motion, Jue Mie grabbed the "Breaking Heaven" sword.

"Whoosh!" The sword emitted a sound like a dragon's roar, and a cold gleam like autumn water flashed, momentarily blinding the onlookers.

Once the sword was in her hands, Jue Mie's aura surged, and she looked at Huo Yuan Zhen with disdain. "Little monk, this sword is called Breaking Heaven. It has been with me for decades, and I've never met a match for it in the martial world. Tell me, is there anyone in your so-called land of martial arts who can take a few of my strikes?"

Seeing the old nun draw her sword, Huo Yuan Zhen's heart sank. This old nun's skill was definitely above Guan Shan Yue's.

Not only was her own strength above Guan Shan Yue's, but once she wielded the Breaking Heaven sword, she became one of the top fighters in the martial world. This sword was known for its formidable power, and Huo Yuan Zhen could sense its potential.

Jue Mie was at the early stage of the Innate realm, but with the Breaking Heaven sword in her hand, she had defeated even the peak early stage and mid-stage Innate experts multiple times. The sword was one of the three divine swords in the martial world.

Even though Huo Yuan Zhen had mastered the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill and the pinnacle Great Compassion Palm, he was still just a mortal with flesh and blood. Facing such a divine weapon, even the slightest mistake could cost him his life.

"I can't fight this old nun. I need to come up with a plan."

Though his mind was racing, Huo Yuan Zhen maintained a calm exterior and said, "Master, you're being reckless. This is the Buddha's temple. It's not suitable to engage in combat here."

Just as Jue Mie was about to retort, Huo Yuan Zhen continued, "However, since you've come to challenge the martial arts of Shaolin, if I refuse to accept, people might think that Shaolin fears Emei. How about this, come with me, and we'll find a more appropriate place."

"I'll go wherever you lead," Jue Mie responded arrogantly, her murderous intent clear.

Huo Yuan Zhen glanced around. "All of you may continue with your prayers. I'll be back shortly."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and leapt into the air, soaring like a bird toward the back mountain.

Huo Yuan Zhen had left, but Jue Mie was stunned.

This young abbot's lightness skill was extraordinary—this was unfathomable. Could it be that he trained in his previous life?

But at this moment, she couldn't afford to lose face. She told Lin Yi, "Wait here. Once I teach this arrogant monk a lesson, I'll return."

With that, she leapt into the air, chasing after Huo Yuan Zhen.

However, her lightness skill was far inferior to his. In terms of speed, height, and the ability to leverage the air, she was nowhere near his level. It was like comparing an old farmer's pesticide sprayer to a J-20 fighter jet.

As they soared through the air, the crowd below began to discuss.

"This old nun really doesn't know her place, daring to challenge the Abbot of the One-Candle Temple. She won't learn her lesson until she's defeated."

"Exactly, Abbot Huo Yuan Zhen is so merciful. If it were me, I wouldn't have shown her any mercy."

"Look at how high the Abbot flies, so swift and smooth. Now look at the old nun, slow and clumsy, like an old ox. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes."

Listening to the murmurs, Lin Yi felt worried but could do nothing but watch as her master was left behind by the young abbot.

Huo Yuan Zhen sped along, his body moving like a swift boat across the river, quickly leaving the old nun behind.

When he saw that the old nun was about to strike and noticed the Breaking Heaven sword, Huo Yuan Zhen had already started forming a plan.

Shaolin had no one capable of dealing with the old nun. Whoever took action would only meet with failure. The only person who could deal with her was in the back mountain.

The mysterious elder in the cave—only this person could defeat the old nun.

But how to get the elder to fight her was a tricky problem. Huo Yuan Zhen needed to use his wits.

So he ran full speed, leaving the old nun behind, and made his way to the cave to prepare.

In no time, Huo Yuan Zhen arrived at the cave and landed at the entrance. "Senior, are you there?"

"Why are you here again? Did your master send you to pass on a message?" the elder inside the cave asked.

"Senior, no. There's a matter at Shaolin, and I've come to ask for your help."

"Hmph. What matter? What does it have to do with me? Besides, I'm locked in this cave by the Xuan Iron chains and cannot leave. How can I help you?"

"Senior, is there any way to open this lock?"

Huo Yuan Zhen hadn't had the chance to closely examine the chains, so he asked.

"Open it? Haha, how easy do you think that is? When Kong Fan locked me here all those years ago, he damaged the mechanism in the lock. Now, the lock is dead. No key can open it," the elder replied bitterly.

"Can it be cut with a sword?" Huo Yuan Zhen asked.

"Haha, little monk, this is Xuan Iron. No ordinary sword can harm it. Otherwise, with my strength, I would've broken the lock and escaped long ago. Why would I have stayed here for thirty years?"

"Is there no magic sword that can cut it?"

"There is. But there are only five such swords in the entire martial world."

"I would like to hear more."

"The five divine weapons of the martial world—the three swords are Qiushui, Caimao, and Breaking Heaven, and the two knives are Zhanlong and Lie Feng. Any of these can cut the lock that binds me. But these weapons all have masters, and only a few people in the world know I am here. Who could possibly come to save me?"

"Breaking Heaven!" Huo Yuan Zhen's heart leaped with joy. The old nun indeed possessed one of the five divine weapons—the Breaking Heaven sword.

But he remained calm and asked, "Has Senior seen these divine weapons?"

"Caimao is the treasure sword of Mount Wudang. I've seen it before. Lie Feng is the treasure of the Tianshan Sect. I've seen that as well. As for the other three, I don't know who holds them."

Huo Yuan Zhen silently hoped the elder didn't know that the Breaking Heaven sword was in the hands of Jue Mie. With this information, he saw a way forward.

"Senior, may I propose a plan?" he asked.

"You want to get medicine from me? Don't even think about it! I still hope these medicines can help me escape. I won't give you any more," the elder said.

"No, I'm not here for medicine. There's an old nun who wants to kill people at Shaolin. She's in a rage right now. I'm not strong enough to fight her, but if you assist me, I promise I will find the Breaking Heaven sword and rescue you from your predicament."

"Little monk, are you serious? You know where the Breaking Heaven sword is?" The elder's voice was filled with excitement. Thirty years had passed, and he had almost lost all hope. But now, hearing that the young monk knew where the sword was, his spirits were lifted.

"Little monk, if you can help me escape, you can take as many pills as you want from this cave."

Huo Yuan Zhen did not respond immediately. The elder, feeling anxious, continued, "Little monk, why are you silent? Come inside and let's discuss. You can ask for anything you want."

"Senior, the old nun is coming. My only request is that you give her a slap first."

Huo Yuan Zhen did not enter the cave immediately. Instead, he looked down the mountain, where Jue Mie had finally appeared, rapidly heading up the mountain.