[Buddhist Immortal Ranking – Rank 4]
[Tan Zong]
[Force: Shaolin Temple of Tang Dynasty, Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land]
[Cultivation: Half-Step God Demon Realm Land Immortal]
[Technique: Tathagata Divine Palm]
[Reward: 10x Intermediate-Tier Bodhi Seed (Enhances Buddhist cultivation techniques and comprehension), 1x Intermediate-Tier Buddhist Skill, 1x Intermediate-Tier Buddhist Divine Weapon]
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"What?"
"Tan Zong?"
Jia Xu was not too surprised that Tan Zong made it onto the Buddhist Immortal Ranking.
But he was completely shocked by his background.
In addition to being a member of the Tang Shaolin Temple, he was actually from the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land.
The same origin as Shi Guanyin and the Founder of Emei Sect.
In other words, he knew both of them.
This monk who looked so "honest" had hidden his identity this deeply.
Even he had been deceived.
But soon after, a smile of interest tugged at the corners of his lips.
He figured that from now on, Tang Emperor Li Shimin and the Bad Marshal Yuan Tiangang would no longer trust him.
The Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land was a mysterious and unfathomable force.
Friend or foe, no one could tell.
Without a complete understanding, necessary caution must still be exercised.
Especially Yuan Tiangang. With his personality, it was inevitable that he would end up competing with Tan Zong.
Li Shimin wanting to deal with Tan Zong the same way he dealt with the foreign-surname kings would not be so simple anymore.
If he provoked the force behind Tan Zong, the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land, the Tang Dynasty would face unimaginable disaster.
"Perhaps I can stir the pot a bit from the shadows!"
"The Tang Dynasty and my Vast Sea Dynasty are enemies, not allies. Sooner or later, we'll clash!"
==========
"Marshal! This... this Master Tan Zong hid too well. Even our Bad People couldn't detect anything about him!"
Elsewhere.
Bad Marshal Yuan Tiangang and his subordinates also saw the ranking high in the sky.
"Indeed! I underestimated him!"
The Bad Marshal's gaze was incredibly deep, his tone cryptic.
"Half-Step God Demon Realm! With my realm, I still couldn't see through his true cultivation."
"And this Tathagata Divine Palm must also be a powerful Buddhist Cultivation Technique."
"It should've come from the so-called Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land!"
"His status in the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land is definitely not low!"
"Marshal, how should we deal with him in the future? Should we infiltrate the Tang Shaolin Temple?"
Yuan Tiangang shook his head and sighed.
"It's too late. He's been working with our Bad People for a long time and surely knows our methods very well."
"Ordinary tactics won't escape his eyes."
"Looks like we'll have to think of another approach!"
"This unstable piece, Tan Zong, could very well pose a threat to His Majesty and the interests of the Tang Dynasty in the future."
"Marshal, are you planning to kill him yourself?"
"He is already Half-Step God Demon Realm, and with the Heaven Dao Reward, he could advance to God Demon Realm at any moment."
"Trying to kill him will be extremely difficult!"
The Bad Marshal remained silent.
==========
Tan Zong calmly looked at the ranking.
As expected, he was ranked.
And he landed at Rank 4.
He didn't know whether to feel happy or troubled.
With the exposure of the Golden Ranking, he indeed gained substantial benefits.
But from now on, he would also be plagued by endless trouble.
Knowing the personalities of Li Shimin and the Bad Marshal, it would be impossible for him to live a peaceful life again.
Originally, he intended to return to the Tang Shaolin Temple as quickly as possible.
But after a moment of thought.
He changed direction and headed toward the Northern Song Shaolin Temple.
Those who survived, especially the nameless Sweeping Monk, could not be allowed to die just like that.
Otherwise, if that one in the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land found out he stood by and did nothing, it would certainly breed discontent.
Forget it.
He would save them.
With a flick of his body, he turned into a streaking afterimage and vanished.
==========
Northern Song Shaolin Temple.
The Sweeping Monk had finally gathered all the survivors in one place.
Ready to face the next challenge.
"Murong Fu!"
The Shaolin Temple Abbot gritted his teeth as he looked at the figure standing before the defeated remnants.
Hatred nearly drove him mad.
He was all too familiar with Murong Fu.
Once, there were Beiqiao Feng and Nan Murong.
A generation of outstanding talent.
Now, he has become a lackey.
His actions were disgraceful.
If he had known this day would come, he would've broken his vows to kill him back then.
"Hahaha!"
Just then, two arrogant laughs echoed.
Hearing the voices, everyone present, including the Sweeping Monk, immediately changed expression.
The intruders were definitely Mythical Realm cultivators.
The Sweeping Monk had previously killed two of them, and his strength was now down to one-tenth.
Moreover, he was heavily injured.
How could he stand a chance against these two?
Was Shaolin Temple really going to be wiped out here?
"Old monk, how dare you kill our people?"
"You deserve death!"
"Enough. Why waste words?"
"Kill them. We have more important things to deal with!"
"He's at the end of his rope. Let's attack together!"
"Fine! Prepare to die!"
The next moment, the two Mythical Realm cultivators launched a joint attack, disregarding any martial code.
Intent on killing the Sweeping Monk in one move.
As for the so-called remnants of Shaolin Temple, they didn't even spare a glance.
Just as the Sweeping Monk was about to fall to their hands.
A powerful shout rang out.
"Tathagata Divine Palm, Descent of the Heavenly Buddha!"
In the next moment.
A massive Buddha phantom appeared.
Over ten zhang tall, solemn, imposing, and majestic.
Its righteous aura was untouchable.
With a sudden motion of the phantom.
A terrifying Buddhist force surged forth.
Its target, the two Mythical Realm cultivators from the Han Dynasty.
"Not good, this is Half-Step God Demon!"
"Defend quickly! If it hits, we're dead for sure!"
The two Mythical Realm cultivators abandoned their attack on the Sweeping Monk.
Their faces changed drastically, filled with terror.
They unleashed their strongest defensive techniques to resist the Buddha phantom's assault.
Boom boom boom!!
Pfft pfft!
Two jets of blood sprayed out.
Their bodies flew uncontrollably backward.
"Ah! I can't accept this!"
"How are you so strong? Why? You're no weaker than a God Demon Realm cultivator!"
"Tathagata Divine Palm, Ten Thousand Buddhas Pay Homage!"
Unfortunately, Tan Zong in the distance ignored their cries completely.
He unleashed his most powerful attack once again.
Preparing to kill them both.
The final move of the Tathagata Divine Palm was unleashed.
The two heavily wounded Mythical Realm cultivators couldn't even utter final words or beg for mercy.
They died miserably on the spot.
Even though it wasn't the full power of the Tathagata Divine Palm, it was still far beyond what mere Mythical Realm cultivators could withstand.
In the future, once Tan Zong advanced to the God Demon Realm.
The power of the Tathagata Divine Palm would increase countless times again.
Even among the God Demon Realm, he would be a formidable foe.
Yuan Tiangang, watching from a distance, gave up on his previous assassination plan.
Given Tan Zong's current display of strength, even if he himself were at God Demon Realm, he might not be able to kill him.
He might even be fatally threatened by Tan Zong instead.
That alone showed the terrifying might of this move.
Once Tan Zong stepped into the God Demon Realm, even Yuan Tiangang might not be his match.
Unless he could ensure a 100% kill, the Bad Marshal would not act personally.
Otherwise, once enmity formed, it would bring catastrophic disaster to the Bad People and the Tang Dynasty.
Other means must be considered!
Perhaps, letting Li Shimin continue to win over Tan Zong.
As long as he didn't threaten the Tang Dynasty, cooperation might still be possible.
Previously, Tan Zong and the Shaolin Temple were merely tools in their eyes.
Their positions were never equal.
But now that Tan Zong's identity and strength were exposed.
The Tang Dynasty could no longer proceed like that.
They had to treat him with respect.
No more condescension or insults.
They might even offer great rewards to bind Tan Zong to the Tang Dynasty's cause.
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"This place is no longer safe. You should take the remaining survivors and leave the Song Dynasty at once!"
"The one who destroyed Shaolin Temple was the Stitched Cloth Guard."
"Their power is far greater than imagined!"
"And they harbor unspeakable goals!"
"As fellow Shaolin monks, this is all I can do to help!"
"Fellow Buddhist, if fate allows, we shall meet again!"
"Farewell!"
Tan Zong nodded politely to the monks, then spoke calmly to the Sweeping Monk.
Before they could respond, he turned and left.
However, upon seeing the panic-stricken Murong Fu and others again.
A look of disgust flashed across his face.
Burning Shaolin Temple was an unforgivable crime.
Even if it wasn't the Tang Shaolin Temple, he was furious.
Without a second thought.
He unleashed a Buddha palm, casually descending upon Murong Fu.
With a crack.
Murong Fu was smashed into the ground.
All his bones and organs were destroyed.
Blood poured from his seven orifices.
He didn't even have time to utter a sound before he died on the spot.
Once a famous talent of the Song Dynasty, descendant of the prestigious Murong Clan, Murong Fu now died miserably here.
It was a tragic end.
But none who witnessed it showed much regret.
There was little sympathy.
In fact, many looked on with disdain.
Tan Zong didn't spare another glance at Murong Fu's corpse. With a leap.
He vanished.
Aside from God Demon Realm cultivators, no one could sense how he left.
The scene instantly fell into eerie silence.
Even the Sweeping Monk and others weren't stopped from leaving.
Who knew if they acted, that terrifying Tan Zong might strike again?
They had to remain vigilant!
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Ming Imperial Palace.
Zhu Houzhao also received an urgent report about the Northern Song Shaolin Temple.
"These Stitched Cloth Guard are really arrogant!"
"Dark One, has the Shaolin Temple within my Ming Dynasty Territory encountered any trouble?"
Zhu Houzhao didn't care much about Shaolin Temple's survival.
But if the Stitched Cloth Guard truly destroyed Shaolin Temple, wouldn't that be a slap to his face?
For the sake of his authority, Zhu Houzhao would not allow Shaolin Temple to fall like that.
"Your Majesty, not long ago, a strong force indeed tried to raid the Shaolin Temple."
"But we were prepared in advance."
"Moreover, Lord Yin Zhong personally acted and wiped out all intruders."
Zhu Houzhao's expression turned cold.
What a brazen group, these Stitched Cloth Guard from the Han Dynasty!
No.
They should be called Black Cloth Guard now.
To dare stretch their hand into the Ming Dynasty.
How bold of them.
Since they dared to do so, they must bear his coming wrath!