Chapter 179: No Choice

Hua Wudao was confused. He cupped his fists and said, “Where did the Heaven Choice Temple get their confidence from to challenge the Evil Sky Pavilion?”

“Perhaps, they’re stupid and foolish,” Mingshi Yin replied.

The Heaven Choice Temple could not be compared to the Temple of Great Emptiness. This was especially true in recent years. There had not been a Buddhist grandmaster from the Heaven Choice Temple at all. They merely had a handful of Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm elites and were short of new blood. They were not in the same league as the Temple of Great Emptiness at all. As one of the four great Buddhist temples, the current Heaven Choice Temple was only a pale remnant of its glorious self. Moreover, the temple was showing signs of becoming a subsidiary temple of the Temple of Great Emptiness.

For this reason, Mingshi Yin could not understand why they were so confident as well. All he could think of was that they were stupid and foolish.

“Master, I’m willing to accompany Third Senior Brother to the Heaven Choice Temple and wipe out the bald donkeys there. We’ll show them that the Evil Sky Pavilion is not to be trifled with,” Mingshi Yin said indignantly.

Hua Wudao was speechless.

Duanmu Sheng brandished his Overlord Spear and said, “Eighth Junior Brother went there on orders, and he represents the Evil Sky Pavilion. Now that he’s in trouble, I can’t possibly sit back and do nothing as his senior brother. I’m willing to accompany Fourth Junior Brother there to grind the bald donkeys’ bones into dust!”

Hua Wudao was even more speechless.

Zhao Yue bowed slightly, “I know that I’ve committed sins in the past. However, I’m willing to redeem myself with this mission and fight alongside my two senior brothers. I swear to wipe out the Heaven Choice Temple to vent your anger, master!”

Hua Wudao was confused. He cupped his fists and asked, “Where did the Heaven Choice Temple get their confidence from to challenge the Evil Sky Pavilion?”

“Perhaps, they’re stupid and foolish,” Mingshi Yin said.

The Heaven Choice Temple could not be compared to the Temple of Great Emptiness. This was especially true in recent years. There had not been a Buddhist grandmaster from the Heaven Choice Temple at all. They merely had a handful of Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm elites and w

Hua Wudao was speechless again.

Little Yuan’er was toying with her hair. She seemed to be at a loss.

Hua Wudao did not know what Lu Zhou was thinking at this moment. He was baffled by their reactions. It was on this day that he felt that the Evil Sky Pavilion was behaving like the Evil Sky Pavilion.

Although Hua Wudao did not distinguish between the Noble and Fiend Paths, he was not someone who would kill on a whim. Was it not too violent for them to want to wipe someone else out at the slightest provocation?

Hua Wudao looked at Lu Zhou.

Lu Zhou was slightly speechless as well. He might have rubbed off on his disciples lately, but under these circumstances, it seemed more appropriate for him to act like the old Ji Tiandao.

However, since it was the Heaven Choice Temple’s choice, there was no helping this.

“The Heaven Choice Temple and the Temple of Great Emptiness are of the same line. The Temple of Great Emptiness’s Kong Yuan has been cultivating in seclusion for a long time now. It’s said that he’s achieved a breakthrough long ago… If they join forces, you might not be able to come back from this,” Lu Zhou said.

Mingshi Yin and Duanmu Sheng exchanged glances.

“Master, we’re not afraid of death.”

“I concur!”

“I concur!”

Duanmu Sheng and Zhao Yue chimed in.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “In that case… I’ll visit the Heaven Choice Temple as well.”

“Master, you’re coming as well?” Mingshi Yin was shocked. He immediately started to flatter his master. “With master there, those bald donkeys will be killed with a single palm strike.” If he did not flatter his master while Old Eighth was absent, he would not have a chance in the future.

Lu Zhou only looked at Mingshi Yin indifferently. At this moment, he noticed there was a new mission on the system dashboard. The objective was to retrieve the sable magnolia, and the reward was 1,500 merit points. If he could get his hands on the sable magnolia, he would be able to purchase the Seven Star Soul avatar.

It had been a few months since Lu Zhou transmigrated here. He reckoned that even Ji Tiandao could not have made progress as quickly as he did; from Basic Taiji to Seven Star Soul.

For this reason, Lu Zhou was determined to obtain the sable magnolia.

…

Early the next morning.

The Evil Sky Pavilions cloud-splitting chariot was prepared.

Mingshi Yin, Duanmu Sheng, Zhao Yue, and Little Yuan’er were waiting for their master.

“Elder Hua, you’re advanced in age, and your legs aren’t what they used to be. You should remain in the Evil Sy Pavilion and rest,” Lu Zhou said to Hua Wudao. Then, he turned around and boarded the flying chariot.

Hua Wudao’s wizened face was etched with a shocked expression. He felt like something was amiss. ‘Indeed, I’m old, but I think you’re older, Pavilion Master…’ He cupped his fists and said, “I’ll wait for your good news, Pavilion Master.”

Mingshi Yin nudged Duanmu Sheng and said, “Third Senior Brother… Do you know that there are many benefits to manning the helm?”

“Hm?”

“Manning the helm is a good way to hone the harmonization of your Primal Qi. When steering the flying chariot, its speed and rumbling are controlled by the person at the helm. If you keep at it long enough, it’s good training for your endurance. Besides, the view at the helm is the best,” Mingshi Yin said.

“It’s that great?”

“Of course… I’d never lie to you, Third Senior Brother. Eldest Senior Brother didn’t become as powerful as he is now without a reason. He did not man the helm for ten years for nothing,” Mingshi Yin said.

“That makes sense.” Duanmu Sheng nodded and patted Mingshi Yin’s shoulder. With a serious and sincere tone, he said, “Junior Brother, your cultivation base is weaker. I’ll leave these benefits for you.”

Mingshi Yin was speechless. Was this what it felt like to carry a heavy boulder and to drop it on one’s own foot?

Apart from the four disciples, more than ten female cultivators boarded the flying chariot as well.

An hour later.

The flying chariot arrived at the southwest area of Great Yan’s Jing Province at meteoric speed.

Mingshi Yin maintained steady control over the flying chariot. It sailed smoothly throughout the journey.

“Master, we’re already at Clear Source Mountain. The Heaven Choice Temple is at the peak.”

“Slow down.”

“Aye, aye…” Mingshi Yin turned to look at the others. “Third Senior Brother, Little Junior Sister, how do you find my helming of the flying chariot?” He sounded pleased with himself.

Little Yuan’er gave him a thumbs-up and said, “Fourth Senior Brother, your helming is perfect! You’re a master at this!”

“Your knack for this is amazing, Junior Brother. You managed to keep the flying chariot this steady on your second try,” Duanmu Sheng praised.

Lu Zhou stroked his beard and glanced at Mingshi Yin. He said, “In that case, you’ll be the permanent helmsman from now on…”

Mingshi Yin was rendered speechless.

…

Meanwhile.

At the Mountain Gate Hall of Heaven Choice Temple in Clear Source Mountain.

“Master! The Evil Sky Pavilion’s flying chariot is here!”

It was as though a rock had stirred up a thousand waves!

Wearing a kasaya with a staff in hand, the Heaven Choice Temple’s abbot lowered his prayer beads and stopped chanting the sutras. “Inform the disciples to greet our special guests.”

“Understood.”

Soon after, the bell on the mountain tolled and resounded across Clear Source Mountain.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

The sounds gathered the Heaven Choice Temple’s disciples outside the Hall of Great Strength.

Some of them wielded rods, and some of them came empty-handed. All of them wore monk robes.

A few monks in kasayas sauntered over.

The disciples looked up and exclaimed in wonder at the sight of the cloud-splitting chariot that was slowly making its way over toward them.

The Heaven Choice Temple did not possess such things.

At this moment, the abbot, Grandmaster Xu Jing, appeared on the steps of the Hall of Great Strength.

“Master!”

“Abbot!”

“Senior Brother Abbot!”

The monks were of different statuses, hence, they addressed the abbot differently, but they all greeted him in unison.

Xu Jing looked up and said, “Just as I expected.”

“Master, the Evil Sky Pavilion seems hostile… What do we do now?”

Xu Jing’s gaze swept across the four individuals before him and said, “Our visitor is the greatest villain in the world. Aside from Xu Sheng, Xu Fan, and Xu Hai, the others are to stay silent.”

The disciples nodded.

The cloud-splitting chariot was descending. The dense energy that flowed around the flying chariot amazed the disciples of the temple.

Without waiting for the flying chariot to stop completely, Xu Jing raised an arm and projected his voice with soundwaves, “Heaven Choice Temple’s abbot, Xu Jing, welcomes you, dear benefactors.” His voice was rich and penetrating. It reached the top of the flying chariot.

Mingshi Yin frowned and said, “Master, these bald donkeys are utter hypocrites! How dare they make fun of the Evil Sky Pavilion like that?” He felt the hypocrisy they were displaying now after kidnapping his Eighth Junior Brother and demanding an exorbitant price was nothing but a blatant taunt.

“I had no choice but to do this.”