Chapter 140 - Three Days
“Buddhist Bone Relic?”
Chen Fan's ears picked up every word of the conversation between Brother Wang and his friends, even though they spoke in hushed tones. His eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information.
Among the accomplished Buddhist monks, a phenomenon existed where their essence condensed into Buddhist Bone Relics upon their death in the lotus position. These relics possessed extraordinary and miraculous properties.
That Brother Wang had claimed it could create a Yuanfu realm powerhouse. He wasn’t lying.
Unbeknownst to Chen Fan, a Buddhist Bone Relic could also miraculously resurrect the dead and regenerate flesh on bare bones.
Buddhists greatly emphasized merit and virtue, exemplified by the Zhu Clan’s ancestor, who sacrificed himself to suppress the Thousand Year Corpse King.
Although very few Buddhists in the Yuanfu realm could condense a Buddhist Bone Relic after death, the profound merit earned by the old ancestor made it possible to condense it.
“If there really is a Buddhist Bone Relic, Father’s injuries...”
Chen Fan’s gaze suddenly turned sharp.
His father, Chen Zhengqing, once a genius and a Yuanfu realm expert, suffered a severe injury under mysterious circumstances. His primeval vessel, the power source for a Yuanfu realm expert, had shattered and couldn’t be restored.
Consequently, his cultivation had plummeted to the ninth level of Qigong, reducing him to a Qi Grandmaster.
Chen Fan vividly remembered his father sighing in solitude during his youth.
Had Chen Zhengqing’s primeval vessel not been broken, the Chen family might have settled in a grade-2 city instead of Xuanyang City, a grade-3 city.
Despite the clan's persistent search for elixirs to help Chen Zhengqing, none proved effective.
Although pills capable of restoring a shattered primeval vessel existed, the Chen Clan lacked the strength to acquire them.
If Chen Fan could obtain the Buddhist Bone Relic, there would be a glimmer of hope for Chen Zhengqing's recovery.
......
“I see. I wondered why so many Qi Grandmasters were coming to our Zhuxian Town; they all had their sights on the Zhu Clan. A Buddhist Bone Relic, huh? A stepping stone to the Yuanfu realm. Which Qi Grandmaster could resist the temptation?”
The black-robed youth sighed, then looked at Brother Wang and said, “Brother Wang, your Wang Clan has Qi Grandmasters, too. Are they planning on joining the competition?”
Brother Wang chuckled, shook his head, and said, “Compete for what? Our Wang Clan doesn’t have any grand ambitions. We’re content with protecting what we have here.
“Also, my old man said that the Buddhist Bone Relic isn’t a blessing but a disaster. Given the presence of numerous Qi Grandmasters, even those at the peak stage, involvement could lead to our demise with a slight misstep.
“It wasn’t easy for our Wang Clan to grow to our current size. We have no desire to see it ruined. Moreover, whether a Buddhist Bone Relic will be born is still uncertain.”
Brother Wang adopted a stern tone as he told the black-robed youth and others, “I consider you my brothers. I advise you that it’s best for your clan not to get involved in this. [1]
“That Thousand Year Corpse King was only heavily injured and suppressed. The golden Buddhist light could be a ploy to lure people and break its seal, allowing it to return to the world. At that time...”
The group quivered when he presented the grim scenario, fear etched across their faces.
The looming prospect of the Thousand Year Corpse King returning to the world invoked a chilling image—Zhuxian Town transformed into a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
“Let's hope Brother Wang's apprehensions don't materialize," the black-robed youth muttered, visibly retracting his neck.
“Whether it's a trap set by the Thousand Year Corpse King or the emergence of a Buddhist Bone Relic, I must intervene for my father's sake.”
A sharp light flashed in Chen Fan’s eyes with determination.
Several Qi Grandmasters had arrived in Zhuxian Town. He had already spotted at least five, presumably drawn by the allure of the Buddhist Bone Relic. Still, Chen Fan remained unperturbed.
After all, he was a Qi Grandmaster with the strength to kill Yuanfu realm experts. No matter how many Qi Grandmasters came at him, they wouldn’t be Chen Fan’s match.
He wasn’t afraid of the Thousand Year Corpse King either. Even if he wasn’t a match for it, the corpse king certainly couldn’t stop him if he wanted to leave.
......
Zhu Clan’s residence:
Three silhouettes stood together in the living room, their expressions grave and ugly.
These three people were none other than the Zhu Clan's trio of Qi Grandmasters.
As a martial clan once developing in a grade-2 city, although they had fallen, their accumulated foundation remained formidable.
The elder among them, positioned in the middle, was a peak-stage Qi Grandmaster. The Zhu Clan held enough power to dominate other martial clans in Zhuxian Town.
“Father, our reports indicate a surge in experts gathering in Zhuxian Town over the last two days, particularly numerous Qi Grandmasters. It's clear they're targeting our old ancestor's Buddhist Bone Relic!” exclaimed Zhu Xiaohu, the Second Master of the Zhu Clan, his frustration evident.
A hundred years ago, Zhu Clan’s old ancestor had sacrificed himself to suppress the Thousand Year Corpse King. The subsequent decline forced the clan to relocate from Yunfeng City to Zhuxian Town for redevelopment.
The forbidden land in the rear mountains, where the old ancestor had sealed the Thousand Year Corpse King, remained dormant for a century.
However, an unexpected golden light shot into the sky three days ago, attracting attention. Despite their swift attempts to suppress it, the news spread like wildfire.
The sudden activity acted as a magnet, drawing rogue cultivator Qi Grandmasters and those from martial clans to Zhuxian Town.
What initially seemed like an opportunity for the Zhu Clan's revival had now transformed into a crisis.
Zhu Yuanqing, the elder at peak-stage ninth-level Qigong, furrowed his brow. The waning strength of his qi and blood added to their predicament.
Now that so many Qi Grandmasters had come, every one aiming for the Buddhist Bone Relic, their Zhu Clan had fallen into a dire position.
Should they open their doors to let those people fight for it together?
Their Zhu Clan might not be able to obtain it in the end. If they couldn’t get it, then their Zhu Clan couldn't rise again.
Should they keep their doors shut and keep everyone out?
If those people joined hands to charge the Zhu Clan, the three combined couldn’t stop them. It could end their clan.
A fierce light flickered in the First Master, Zhu Xiaolong’s eyes. “Father, Second Brother, news of this matter has already spread, so more people will come to Zhuxian Town. There might even be Yuanfu realm experts interested in it.”
“Our Zhu Clan can’t guard it! If we keep those people out, I’m afraid our clan will be destroyed. Why don’t we allow them inside and let them fight for it?”
“Despite the golden light in the forbidden land, remember, our old ancestor only suppressed the Thousand Year Corpse King. The corpse king isn't dead; this commotion might be its ploy to lure more people and break our ancestor's suppression method.
“If that is the case, then why don’t we play along and let those people fight it out? We can act when both sides are weakened and take advantage of the situation!”
Zhu Yuanqing and Zhu Xiaohu eagerly embraced the idea.
“Xiaolong, you have a point. We're uncertain if it's our old ancestor's Buddhist Bone Relic or the corpse king's scheme. If it truly is the corpse king’s scheme, hmph, we’ll let them fight it out. Our Zhu Clan can also avoid a disaster. If it’s our old ancestor’s Buddhist Bone Relic, we’ll move after both sides are heavily injured, taking advantage of the situation!” [2]
Zhu Yuanqing said, “Xiaolong, I entrust the detailed arrangements to you.”
“Alright!” Zhu Xiaolong's eyes gleamed with cunning.
The next day, news circulated from the Zhu Clan, suggesting that the golden light in their forbidden land likely signaled the emergence of a Buddhist Bone Relic. Acknowledging their inability to seize the treasure, the Zhu Clan announced they would open their doors in three days, inviting people to enter the forbidden land together and break the prohibition.
Zhuxian Town buzzed with excitement upon hearing the news.
In the Sunset Inn, Chen Fan also got wind of this news, and his eyes shone. “Three days later, huh? I’ll wait three days, then.”
1. Wang Xiong sounds similar to Brother Wang ?
2. It’s both the father and brother speaking at the same time. I know, it’s a long paragraph, it’s impossible for the two to be in sync the whole time but whatever. ?
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