As soon as you cross the threshold, you are greeted by a solemn and solemn atmosphere. The most sacred place in Qingyun Gate is still as majestic as before, which is amazing.
There were many people standing and sitting in the huge hall, but for some reason, the first thing Zhang Xiaofan looked at was not these people, but the people in the shadows who looked so far away in the deepest part of the hall. Sanqing statue.
In front of the main hall, the lit incense candle burned silently, with wisps of light smoke floating up.
In the middle of the hall, above the main seat, Daoxuan, a highly virtuous and celestial being with a crane's bones and celestial demeanor, is sitting there. Next to his seat, there is a small coffee table, and what is placed on the table is Zhang Xiaofan's magic weapon, the fire stick.
In the row to his right is the head seat of each lineage of Qingyun Sect. Everyone, including Tian Buyi, is sitting there. And the elders and disciples of the other lines of Qingyun Sect are sitting or standing behind them. As for the familiar Qi Hao, Lin Jingyu and others were also present, and Lu Xueqi was standing silently behind Master Shuiyue. Next to him stood Wen Min, whom Song Daren longed for, with flowing eyes, staring at Zhang Xiaofan's. figure.
To the left of Master Daoxuan, there were many people Zhang Xiaofan had never seen before, including kind-looking monks and gloomy-looking old men. Zhang Xiaofan glanced around and saw only a few familiar faces among the group of people. Among them Tianyin Temple's Dharma minister and Fashan were also there, standing respectfully behind an old monk sitting at the top. It seemed that this kind-looking old monk was probably also a divine monk from Tianyin Temple.
Chang Jian walked over with Song Daren, Zhang Xiaofan and Tian Linger, saluted Master Daoxuan and said, "Master, Junior Brother Zhang from Dazhu Peak has arrived."
The people around him trembled for a while, and their eyes suddenly moved over. Not only Zhang Xiaofan, but also Song Daren and Tian Linger felt a little uncomfortable.
Suru, who was sitting next to Tian Buyi, frowned and said to them: "You guys stand over here."
Song Daren and others breathed a sigh of relief and came over in response. At this moment, Taoist Cangsong who was sitting on top of Tian Buyi suddenly coughed.
The muscles on Tian Buyi's face moved, and the corners of his eyes twitched slightly, but he finally said coldly: "Old Qi, you stand there, the master and the seniors have something to ask you."
The steps Zhang Xiaofan just took seemed to hit a wall, and he stopped suddenly. After a while, he whispered: "Yes."
Song Daren and Tian Linger looked at each other, then looked at Zhang Xiaofan, with worries in their eyes. But after all, they knew that this was not the time, so they had no choice but to walk and stand behind Tian Buyi.
Master Daoxuan looked down expressionlessly, and saw a lonely young man standing there between the crowds on both sides, with slight nervousness and fear in his eyes, and even his hands were clenched tightly.
Is this really the orphan with mediocre qualifications in Caomiao Village back then?
Deep in his heart, he sighed.
"Zhang Xiaofan." Master Daoxuan called out slowly.
Zhang Xiaofan's body seemed to tremble slightly, and he slowly knelt down and whispered: "The disciple is here."
Master Daoxuan looked at him and said: "These seniors next to me are all experts in my righteous way, and they are here for you this time. This is the presiding monk Puhong of Tianyin Temple. Sitting next to him is He is also the divine monk of Tianyin Temple, Master Pukong, and the Shangguan of Fenxiang Valley..."
Master Daoxuan couldn't lose his etiquette, so he naturally had to mention all the famous names behind him, but Zhang Xiaofan had no intention of listening anymore. For a moment, his eyes fell on the two kind-faced people sitting in the front. The gentle old monk, who was wearing a red robe with gold thread and ironing, and his white eyebrows were as white as snow, was also looking at him at this moment.
Divine Monk Puhong ranks first among the four great monks of Tianyin Temple. He has always been ranked as the three great masters in the world along with Daoxuan Zhenren of Qingyun Sect and the owner of Fenxiang Valley. His status is far higher than that of others. He is an ordinary practitioner of Taoism. It is extremely difficult for people to meet him, but this time he unexpectedly broke a century-old precedent and alerted the Supreme Dharma to arrive at Qingyun Mountain.
Not to mention Zhang Xiaofan was shocked, even the Qingyun Sect who received the news was also surprised. This shows how much Tianyin Temple attaches great importance to the unexpected appearance of the "Great Brahma Prajna" true teaching!
Above the main hall, Master Daoxuan's voice stopped at some point, and there was silence. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the figure kneeling on the ground.
Zhang Xiaofan slowly lowered his head, staring at the blue bricks in front of him, and suddenly thought in his heart: Are these monks the same people as Puzhi back then?
In the distance, the fire stick lying quietly on the coffee table next to Master Daoxuan seemed to sense the owner's thoughts, and there was a faint flash of green light.
"Zhang Xiaofan," Master Daoxuan said slowly, "Now I'm going to ask you a few things, and you have to answer them honestly."
Zhang Xiaofan whispered: "Yes."
Master Daoxuan seemed to be thinking about his words, and after a long while, he slowly said: "On this trip to Liubo Mountain in the East China Sea, a Taoist fellow from Tianyin Temple pointed out that the Taoist method you used when fighting the strange beast Kui Niu was actually Tianyin. Is this the true Dharma of 'Great Brahma Prajna' that is never taught outside the temple?"
Zhang Xiaofan did not speak, and suddenly the atmosphere in the Yuqing Palace seemed slightly tense. Tian Buyi turned his head uncomfortably, only to find that everyone was staring at Zhang Xiaofan in silence.
There seemed to be something invisible beating gently in the air.
After a long while, Zhang Xiaofan's voice slowly said: "Yes."
"What?"
Suddenly, there was an uproar in the main hall. Although this answer had been expected for a long time, after Zhang Xiaofan said it, the monks of Tianyin Temple still looked excited. Only Pu Hong and Pukong who were sitting in front, including the ones standing The expressions of the Dharma figures behind them did not change at all, and they were silent.
But here at Qingyun Gate, Tian Buyi's face became more and more ugly, and the faces of Tian Linger and others were also extremely pale. Among the astonishment, only Lu Xueqi looked at the silent figure without saying a word.
Daoxuan Zhenren frowned and glanced slightly at the Tianyin Temple Puhong Divine Monk. However, amidst the excited expressions of all the disciples, Puhong slowly closed his eyes and made it clear that he would not be there for the time being. Open your mouth.
Master Daoxuan snorted coldly in his heart, turned to Zhang Xiaofan, and raised his hand to signal for silence to the noisy crowd.
After all, his status is not trivial. Soon, everyone from the Qingyun sect to the other factions became quiet. Master Daoxuan could only be heard saying slowly: "In addition, some people said that this fire stick in your hand," said , he reached out and picked up the black stick, and continued: "There is an evil blood-devouring bead from the Demon Cult on it, but is it true?"
There was another moment of silence, and Zhang Xiaofan said in a low voice: "Yes."
This time, everyone unexpectedly remained silent. Blood-devouring beads, a word full of bloody evil, actually appeared on the body of a Qingyun Sect disciple!
Master Daoxuan's face gradually darkened, and he said, "Do you have anything to say?"
Although he had already thought about facing today's situation, Zhang Xiaofan's heart was still blank at this moment. The fear of unknown and possible punishment made his body tremble slightly.
"I, I, I..."
Like a desperate but still struggling boat in the sea, he said simple words in a daze, but he didn't know what he wanted to say at all?
Master Daoxuan looked stern and said, "Where did this blood-devouring bead come from?"
The voice suddenly got louder at the end, and the tone turned sharp. When Zhang Xiaofan was shouted at, Zhang Xiaofan's mind buzzed, and there was a sudden confusion. He finally spoke. From this beginning, the following words naturally followed: He has been teased by the monkey Xiao Hui since he was a child. , later on, he and Tian Linger chased him to the deep valley in the back mountain. The blood-devouring bead and the black strange stick suddenly fought with each other, and finally changed into this shape...
In the main hall, everyone looked at each other, even Master Daoxuan, Pu Hong, Pukong, and the old man Shangguan from Fenxiang Valley frowned. The matter of smelting the blood-devouring bead and the soul-sucking bead with blood as a medium was something they, as cultivators, This is the first time for a great scholar to hear that it shows that the world is so big and there are indeed many wonders.
There were quite a few people who were doubtful, but seeing Zhang Xiaofan's eyes slightly dull and his expression lost, it didn't look like he was lying.
Master Daoxuan pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhang Xiaofan and said: "Okay, I will believe your theory of accidental smelting, but before that, the blood-devouring bead was already on your body. How could you, a little kid, do this? Waiting for something evil? Also, the blood-devouring bead has always sucked the essence and blood of living creatures, and it was not smelted with Soul-Destroying Beads at that time, how could you be safe and sound?"
Zhang Xiaofan was speechless. The real reason for the incident was naturally that Pu Zhi used the true Buddhist method to temporarily restrain the blood-devouring beads. Moreover, Pu Zhi also told him to find an uninhabited and remote cliff to throw them away, but Zhang Xiaofan himself Collect this bead as a souvenir.
Speaking of Pu Zhi at this moment is naturally equivalent to saying everything. However, these are the words that Zhang Xiaofan deeply does not want to say.
That kind old monk actually only had a fate with me for one night. I just called him "Master" for the only time when he ran out of oil. However, over the years, he has become a master no matter what. Can't forget that person.
In an instant, it seemed that the eyes and voices of the people around him became so far away, and the scene in front of him seemed to have returned to many years ago. He was facing the old monk, and the little boy said to him stubbornly and firmly: "I know." , I won’t tell you until I die!”
Don’t tell me even if you die!
Not even to death... Not even to death... Not even to death...
"explain!"
A loud shout was heard, and it was Tian Buyi who frowned and stood up angrily, startling everyone. His face was extremely serious, but the look of worry in his eyes was getting heavier and heavier. At this moment, Zhang Xiaofan had already Anyone who admits it is a serious violation of the Qingyun Sect and the righteous Taoist taboos. According to common sense, I am afraid that I will die.
Tian Buyi was shocked and angry, but he saw that this young disciple didn't seem to know that his life was on the line, especially since people from Tianyin Temple and Fenxiang Valley were here. Even if Qingyun Sect wanted to protect it, there was nothing he could do. If this happened again If we go down, I'm afraid Zhang Xiaofan's life will really be in danger!
Helpless, Zhang Xiaofan seemed to be possessed by an evil spirit, and slowly lowered his head without saying a word. Others, like Suru and other people in Dazhu Peak, looked at him growing up and were all dumbfounded. Zhang Xiaofan has always been silent and tenacious. At this critical moment, he seemed to be ignoring everything.
Tian Buyi suddenly took a step forward, but before he could say anything or do anything, Puhong, the abbot of Tianyin Temple who had been silent all this time, suddenly opened his eyes and said: "Donor Tian, if there is something we need to discuss slowly, don't be violent. ."
Tian Buyi was startled. He did not expect that Master Puhong would suddenly speak for Zhang Xiaofan. However, Master Puhong was so virtuous and respected that even he, the leader of the Qingyun Sect, did not dare to disrespect him. So he could only hum. With a cry, he sat back.
Master Daoxuan glanced at Puhong indifferently, frowned slightly, as if he had something in mind, and then said to Zhang Xiaofan: "Also, where did you learn the true Dharma of Brahma Prajna in you?"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone immediately became nervous. The key to this was that it vaguely affected the private undercurrents of the two major factions of the Righteous Path today. This answer must be earth-shattering!
But Zhang Xiaofan still knelt there silently and didn't say a word for a long time.
Master Daoxuan's pupils shrank and he said coldly: "You still don't tell the truth?"
From the beginning to the end, he had been looking at Zhang Xiaofan's Dharma form, and suddenly he lowered his head and stopped looking at him. Even Puhong Pukong, who was sitting in front of him, also looked at each other at this moment. There was a faint light flashing in his eyes, and he didn't know it. What are you thinking about?
The world around him was silent, but it seemed to have turned into a huge invisible wall, sandwiching him in the middle and squeezing him coldly.
Zhang Xiaofan slowly felt out of breath, but he still didn't speak.
Maybe, even he himself doesn't know what he is insisting on?
"boom!"
There was a loud noise, and everyone was startled. Zhang Xiaofan also looked up, and saw that it was Master Daoxuan who slapped the fire stick on the coffee table. He suddenly stood up, frowned, obviously angry, and shouted: "Evil obstacle !Don’t think that I can’t do anything to you if you don’t speak!”
Zhang Xiaofan trembled, his face looked extremely complicated, but he did not speak after all.
Daoxuan was even more angry, and he laughed in anger and said: "Okay, okay, okay, you evil obstacle, today I will let you..."
"Master, calm down!"
Suddenly, a cry came out from the disciples of Qingyun Sect, and the Qingyun Sect became agitated and everyone lost their countenance. Master Daoxuan has been sitting in Qingyun Clan for hundreds of years, and no one has dared to match his power. Unexpectedly, someone dared to stop him today. At this time, even Zhang Xiaofan He also turned around to look.
Amidst the uproar, Lu Xueqi suddenly stood out from the crowd, walked to the middle, stood next to Zhang Xiaofan, and knelt down.
Master Daoxuan was stunned for a while, and Master Shuiyue was also extremely surprised. He stood up and said anxiously: "Qier, are you crazy? Come back quickly!"
Lu Xueqi's face was slightly pale, but she showed no intention of flinching as she knelt next to Zhang Xiaofan. On her unparalleled beautiful face, her white teeth gently bit her pale lower lip, and she said quietly: "Head Master Uncle, Lu Xueqi, a disciple of Xiaozhu Peak, has something to say."
Shui Yue frowned and shouted: "Qier, Zhang Xiaofan is a disciple of Dazhu Peak. He has committed a serious crime. The master has made his own decision. Don't talk too much and come back quickly!"
The corner of Lu Xueqi's mouth seemed to twitch. Zhang Xiaofan, who was beside her, could clearly hear her sudden heavy breathing. It was obvious that the pressure she felt kneeling next to him in front of everyone was definitely not trivial.
However, in this solemn and solemn hall, under the unfamiliar eyes of everyone, this beautiful woman still did not step back.
The mountain breeze outside Yuqing Hall blew in at some point.
A few strands of her hair were swept up and fluttered gently.
Zhang Xiaofan stared at the woman beside him and said nothing.
"Uncle Master, please allow me to say a few words."
Master Daoxuan glanced around and saw that fellow Taoists from other sects were looking at him one after another, so he could only say coldly: "Okay, just say it."
Lu Xueqi nodded and said: "Thank you so much, Master. Master, uncles and uncles, I don't have a close relationship with Zhang Xiaofan, Junior Brother Zhang, but after the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Competition, I went down the mountain with him, and we were at Wanbat Ancient in Kongsang Mountain. In the cave and Liubo Mountain in the East China Sea, I saw with my own eyes that Junior Brother Zhang was fighting to the death with the remnants of the Demon Sect. He was definitely not a traitor within the Demon Sect. At this moment, when outsiders are present, Junior Brother Zhang may have something to hide. Please think twice before you act, please don't... "
"etc!"
Suddenly, a voice interrupted Lu Xueqi's words. Everyone looked around, but it was the old man with the surname Shangguan from Fenxiang Valley who was sitting under the two divine monks from Tianyin Temple. Just now, Zhang Xiaofan's attention was focused on the two divine monks from Tianyin Temple. The holy monk didn't pay attention to him. Looking at him at this moment, he only saw a thin face and a rather slender figure. Even the words he spoke were a bit sharp.
"The outsiders this girl is talking about are probably me, Taoist Brother Puhong, Taoist Brother Pukong and all my fellow Taoists, right? Hey, what happened to the Qingyun Sect, how can you still claim to be the authentic one in the world? Don’t you even want us to see your explanation?”
The faces of Master Daoxuan and the other chief elders suddenly turned ugly. Taoist Cangsong who was sitting next to him said coldly: "Brother Shangguan Ce, since our master has decided to put this person on trial in front of you today, it is To give you an explanation!"
Shangguan Ce sneered twice and said in a sinister voice: "Master Cangsong, there are so many hidden things about this disciple of your Qingyun Sect named Zhang Xiaofan. In addition to possessing evil objects from the demon sect, he is also unfaithful to Tianyin Temple." Dharma, and most of it has something to do with the supreme artifact of our Fenxiang Valley, the Xuanhuo Jian." At this point, he paused, turned his eyes to Daoxuan, and said: "I'll put my words first, the Xuanhuo Jian is We must find my treasure of Fenxiang Valley!"
The more Tian Buyi listened, the angrier he became. He sneered and said, "Brother Shangguan Taoist, since this treasure is so important, why don't you, Fenxiang Valley, think highly of it and throw it around casually? How come it has a relationship with my disciple? So, Those of you who guard the treasures are probably also useless, right?"
Shangguan Ce was furious and Huo Di stood up. Tian Buyi did not show any weakness and stood up too. The atmosphere in the field suddenly became tense.
Daoxuan shouted: "Junior Brother Tian, what are you doing? Sit down!"
Tian Buyi glared at Shangguan Ce, but after all he did not dare to disobey the leader in public, so he had to sit down slowly. Daoxuan turned to Shangguan Ce and said: "Brother Shangguan Dao, we will naturally give you an explanation, don't worry that is."
Shangguan Ce sneered and sat back.
Shuiyue next to her said angrily: "Qier, you're not coming back yet!"
Unexpectedly, Lu Xueqi, who used to obey her master's words and obey everything, seemed to be a different person today. She raised her head and said to Daoxuan: "Uncle Master, no matter what mistake Junior Brother Zhang has made, I kindly ask Uncle Master to investigate carefully, but he Definitely not a traitor who sneaked into my Qingyun sect!"
She looked forward, with a serious expression on her face, as if she was not afraid of the whole world, and said resolutely: "Disciple Lu Xueqi, I am willing to guarantee it with my life!"
Everyone was shocked for a moment!
Even Zhang Xiaofan himself opened his mouth slightly and stared blankly at the woman kneeling with him. On the snow-white skin and the frosty face, suddenly, there seemed to be a vague tenderness.
"Disciple Lin Jingyu is also willing to vouch for Zhang Xiaofan with his life!"
Almost at the same time that Lu Xueqi finished speaking, Lin Jingyu couldn't bear it any longer and rushed out resolutely, kneeling on the main hall. Without even looking at Master Cangsong Taoist, his face suddenly turned into a pig's liver look, as if he was risking his life. , said loudly: "Junior Brother Zhang has risked his life and death for Qingyun, and he will definitely not be a traitor from outside. I have grown up with him and know that there is absolutely no such thing. Please think twice, Uncle Master!"
Master Daoxuan's face looked as ugly as possible at this moment, but he seemed to be stimulated by something at this moment. There was a sudden commotion among the Qingyun disciples. In a moment, the disciples of Fenghui Peak, Longshou Peak and Dazhu Peak were all at the same time. Someone ran out, knelt down together, and said loudly: "Disciple is also willing to vouch for Junior Brother Zhang with his life!"
Everyone turned pale, and when they looked around, they saw that these three people were Zeng Shushu, Qi Hao and Tian Linger. At this moment, in addition to Tian Buyi and his wife, Cangsong Taoist, the leader of Longshou Peak, and Zeng Shuchang, the leader of Fenghui Peak, all stood up at the same time, extremely shocked.
At this moment, the situation in the main hall was in chaos. Master Daoxuan was very angry. Is it possible that these rebellious disciples are going to rebel today? But at this time, many of the righteous comrades are here, so they can't get angry. He, the head of Qingyun Sect, is really I lost all my face, my anger surged into my chest, but I didn’t know what to do?
At this moment, I suddenly heard someone behind me cough slightly, but it was his disciple Xiao Yicai, who said softly: "Master, would you like to go back and have a rest, and deal with it later?"
Master Daoxuan immediately woke up, snorted loudly, and slammed the table. The Qingyun disciples who were in chaos suddenly became quiet and all looked here.
Master Daoxuan said nothing and strode towards the inner hall. Everyone looked at each other in confusion. Only Xiao Yicai stood up with a smile and said to everyone: "Well, there was an urgent matter in the back mountain just now, which needs to be dealt with by my teacher. Please wait a moment." Wait a moment."
Shangguan Ce had a sarcastic look on his face and said: "Master Nephew Xiao, I have long heard that your Qingyun Sect has strict rules. When I see you today, it is indeed extraordinary!"
Anger flashed across Xiao Yicai's eyes, but then he smiled and said, "Senior, you are joking." After saying that, he turned around, coughed slightly, walked up to Cangsong Taoist and other leaders of each channel, and whispered in a low voice: "Masters, uncles." , why don’t you tell them to get up?”
Zeng Shuchang and others reacted, immediately stepped forward to call the disciples back, pulled them aside and scolded them fiercely. Tian Linger was pulled back by Suru, but she was not scolded. Instead, she was full of grievances, with faint tears in her eyes, and shouted: "mother……"
Suru let out a long sigh, shook her head, and signaled her to stop talking. Tian Linger looked at Tian Buyi, only to see Tian Buyi's face was ashen, his brows were furrowed, he didn't say a word, and he sat on the chair in a muffled voice.
Lu Xueqi was forcibly pulled out of Yuqing Hall by her senior sister Wen Min. People around her looked at them with strange looks. Until they reached a secluded corner outside Yuqing Hall, Wenmin complained in a low voice, but Lu Xueqi lowered her head and remained silent. .
After a while, Master Shuiyue slowly walked over.
After all, Wen Min loved his junior sister, so he went up to her, spoke to Shui Yue in a low voice, and tried her best to explain, but Shui Yue's face was solemn and she walked up to Lu Xueqi.
Lu Xueqi didn't dare to look at her, lowered her head and called softly: "Master."
Shuiyue stared at her, her most proud and beautiful disciple, and didn't speak for a long time, then suddenly sighed, her voice was quite helpless, as if there was a touch of sadness.
Wen Min and Lu Xueqi were surprised at the same time.
Shuiyue looked away from Lu Xueqi, walked to the railing outside the Yuqing Hall, and looked out, only to see the mountain peaks reaching into the sky, white clouds floating in the sky, and an awe-inspiring fairy atmosphere.
"Qier, you did something wrong today, do you know?"
Lu Xueqi lowered her head and said softly: "Yes, Master, it is the disciple's fault that I have made things difficult for you. But that Zhang Xiaofan is indeed not..."
Shuiyue suddenly turned back to stare at her and said, "Why did you risk your life to vouch for him?"
Lu Xueqi's face suddenly turned pale and she was speechless.
Shuiyue looked at her for a long time, shook his head and sighed: "What an injustice!"
Lu Xueqi whispered: "Master, I, I am not..."
Shui Yue suddenly said: "Do you know that when I said you did something wrong just now, I didn't mean that you would stop me from stepping down?"
Lu Xueqi and Wenmin were both surprised. Wenmin said in surprise: "Master, what did you say?"
Shuiyue smiled bitterly and looked into the distance again, as if she had also fallen into a long-lasting memory: "You young people don't know the heights of the world. If you show off your courage for a moment, I'm afraid you will push that Zhang Xiaofan to his death. !”
Lu Xueqi's face turned pale and she lost her voice: "Master?"
Shuiyue's voice gradually became lower, as if she was seeing the past buried deep in her memory: "It has been many years, and it has almost passed a hundred years in the blink of an eye! Back then, there was someone like him who made a big mistake, but we , we tried our best to plead for him, but in the end..."
She slowly turned around, met the eyes of Lu Xueqi and Wen Min, and said softly: "Although the situation of that person back then was not the same as Zhang Xiaofan's today, the situation was very similar. But that person has always been in your hands. He is the person that my uncle hates the most!"
Shuiyue spoke in a low voice, even with a hint of pain. For the first time in her life, she showed sadness in front of her disciples. (To be continued)