Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

People were already waiting at Yuhe Temple. This was Cihang Jingzhai's lodging in Chang'an. At this time, Chang'an was in turmoil, and masters from all walks of life had gathered here.

Buddhist masters are not included here. In addition to Zen Master Kong and Cihang Jingzhai, there are four other monks who are the main force of Buddhism.

The four holy monks of the Tang Dynasty, Jiaxiang, Daoxin, Zhihui, and Dixin, once chased after Shi Zhixuan and fought him, achieving an astonishing record.

The four had been waiting for a long time. One of them said, "Disciple Daoxin greets Your Excellency!"

This man was over seventy years old, with long white eyebrows that reached past his ears and a long, snow-white beard that covered his protruding belly.

Upon closer inspection, one can see that while his eyes are bright and piercing, his skin is as smooth as a baby's, with a rosy glow, radiating youthful vitality, and his bald head reflects a dazzling light.

Although he was fat, he was not bloated. He had a leisurely and contented look, giving people a kind and approachable feeling.

Then someone else said, "Disciple Zhihui greets Your Excellency!"

This man was wearing a dark brown kasaya, and was tall and imposing. He had a high, broad forehead, glossy black eyebrows and beard, a long face, and eyes that shone with wisdom.

The last two said, "Disciples Jiaxiang and Dixin greet Your Excellency."

One of the two men held a Zen staff, possessing an elegant and refined demeanor and a robust and imposing physique; the other had white hair and beard, both exuding the air of a high-ranking monk.

After the four people bowed, Li Xiuyuan said calmly, "Amitabha! You don't need to be so polite."

He is the reincarnation of the Dragon-Subduing Venerable, and he is highly respected wherever he goes. Ordinary people even treat him with the respect due to a disciple.

The Four Great Monks were no exception, but the fact that these four old fellows called themselves holy monks gave people a very uncomfortable feeling.

After all, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he is Ji Gong, one of the living Buddhas and holy monks. Not just anyone can be called a holy monk.

Li Xiuyuan asked, "What is the current situation in Chang'an?"

As he spoke, a look of curiosity appeared on his face. Everyone in the arena respected him, and he was afraid that he would be the one to charge ahead in the battle against the Demonic Sect!

But he was destined to disappoint the Buddhist community. Li Xiuyuan came to Chang'an with his own plans.

The wisdom of the four holy monks spoke up: "Venerable one, the forces of the two demonic sects and the six paths have all gathered in Chang'an City, and there is constant strife. Our Buddhist masters have not yet arrived, so we dare not act rashly."

He spoke with a very calm expression.

Come to think of it, there are quite a few powerful figures in the Demonic Sect, and four people alone are no match for them.

But now that all the Buddhist masters have arrived, the demonic sect members are naturally not afraid. Moreover, with Li Xiuyuan joining them, even Ning Daoqi has come.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan said solemnly, "Yes, with all the Buddhist masters gathered here, we must not allow the evil cultists to wreak havoc on the world!"

In reality, he is the greatest demon, but he pretends to be compassionate and merciful.

hum!

Upon hearing this, everyone naturally agreed. This duel with the Demonic Sect must be fought to defeat them. If the Demonic Sect could be wiped out, that would be even better.

But everyone could only think about it, since the Great Tang Demonic Sect originated in the Western Han Dynasty.

After Dong Zhongshu dismissed the other schools of thought and exclusively promoted Confucianism, the various schools of thought that had been suppressed by the orthodox Confucianism began to organically combine.

The Demonic Sect, with Taoist thought as its core, began to form as an early form of Taoism, incorporating elements from Mohism, medicine, witchcraft, and other esoteric arts.

The formation process of the Demonic Sect was similar to that of Taoism, so in the early days, the two had many overlaps and intersections.

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a peerless genius named Cang Qu. Because he was cynical, arrogant, and extreme, he was not tolerated by the orthodoxy. Therefore, he searched through the classics of the world, discarding the dross and keeping the essence of the strange skills and secret techniques, and taking those that were in line with his own way.

He processed and compiled the ten volumes of "The Heavenly Demon Strategy," which marked the beginning of the Demonic Sect. Later, the Demonic Sect split, and the ten volumes of "The Heavenly Demon Strategy" were scattered among the two factions and the Six Paths.

The "Heavenly Demon Technique" and "Great Method of Planting Demons in the Heart of the Dao" in "The Heavenly Demon Strategy" are the final works and the highest mental techniques of the demonic sect.

Chapter 30 The Demon Lord is Unruly

The two demonic sects and six paths in the Tang Dynasty are naturally difficult to eliminate immediately, but if they are suppressed for hundreds of years and unable to rise again, Buddhism will be able to develop even more.

The four monks, Fen Qinghui, and Zen Master Liaokong, among others, responded: "Yes, we obey Your Majesty's decree."

They were confident that they could wipe out all the experts from the Demonic Sect in Chang'an, since the combined strength of the Buddhist Sect was equivalent to that of four Grandmaster-level experts.

In addition, there is a reincarnation of the unfathomable Dragon-Subduing Venerable.

Li Xiuyuan nodded upon hearing this, and the group entered the Jade Crane Temple to further understand the situation in Chang'an City.

…………

In short, the matter of Yang Gong's treasure trove was unexpectedly leaked, and the forces of the feudal lords, mostly experts, gathered here in order to obtain this treasure that was richer than any country.

Furthermore, the news of the Evil Emperor's Relic has attracted many martial arts masters, especially members of the Demonic Sect, causing turmoil in Chang'an.

It's worth mentioning that the person currently in control of Chang'an is none other than Li Yuan.

With so many people gathered, Li Yuan dared not easily send troops to suppress them, so he had to ask his son Li Shimin to seek help from the Buddhist community in order to maintain order in the city.

Fortunately, all the Buddhist masters came out, and the city became very peaceful.

But within this peaceful city of Chang'an, an eeriness permeates everything.

On this day, Li Xiuyuan said, "Feixuan, I feel that I am about to break through and need to go into seclusion. No one is allowed to disturb me."

With that, he got up and went into the meditation room.

Shi Feixuan was puzzled after hearing this, but she still followed Li Xiuyuan's advice.

He then instructed the people in the temple not to disturb them!

Even the Four Great Monks, Zen Master Liaokong, Fen Qinghui, and others were extremely surprised, never expecting that Li Xiuyuan would go into seclusion at this time.

…………

After Li Xiuyuan announced his seclusion, he had actually already left the meditation room.

Li Xiuyuan was dressed in black, as black as ink, with strange light in his eyes, sword-like eyebrows reaching his temples, and a sinister smile on his lips. His appearance changed drastically, exuding an unparalleled demonic aura.

Ask the vast earth, who controls the rise and fall?

I am the Demon Lord, and I have no heaven!

At this moment, Li Xiuyuan transformed into darkness, exuding an eerie light. His black hair, which was originally only a few centimeters long, had grown to be as long as anyone else's.

Even if he stood in front of a Buddhist master, they wouldn't recognize him!

The world is so wonderful!

Li Xiuyuan would not remain alone. He adopted the alias Wutian and his first task was to unify the two sects and six paths of the Demonic Sect.

The two sects and six paths of the Demonic Sect are: Yin Gui Sect, Hua Jian Sect, Butian Pavilion, Xie Ji Dao, Tian Lian Sect, Zhen Chuan Dao, Mi Qing Dao, and Mo Xiang Dao.

Among them, Shi Zhixuan is the leader of both the Flower Sect and the Heaven-Mending Sect within the Demonic Sect. He is also the head of the eight great masters in the Demonic Sect and almost unified the Demonic Sect.

If Li Xiuyuan wanted to take over the entire Demonic Sect, he first needed to make Shi Zhixuan submit, and luckily, he knew where Shi Zhixuan was.

Shi Zhixuan is a top-tier master whom both the Buddhist and demonic sects greatly fear. He once impersonated Pei Ju, an important minister of the Sui Dynasty, to infiltrate the Sui Palace. He also holds the identity of a highly respected and virtuous monk in Chang'an.

At this moment, a great uproar was brewing in Chang'an City, and given the matter of the Evil Emperor's Relic, it was impossible for him not to come.

Moreover, his identity as a highly virtuous and holy monk is known to very few people.

The eminent monk of Chang'an was naturally famous far and wide, and at such a critical juncture, even Shi Zhixuan would not easily appear.

Li Xiuyuan flew along the eaves, and in no time, a temple appeared before him, simple and unadorned, quiet and serene.

boom!

The temple gate flew open as if struck by a palm, and Li Xiuyuan's eerie figure flew into the main hall.

Then a kind-faced, elderly monk wearing an orange-red robe stood up.

His face was calm as he asked, "Amitabha! Benefactor, you harbor such great resentment. I wonder what I have done to offend you."

He was utterly shocked, and the more he looked, the more astonished he became, feeling that the person in front of him exuded an eerie aura.

Even Shi Zhixuan, who considered himself a master of the demonic sect, had never seen such an eccentric person. If they were demons, this person was the most monstrous of demons.

Upon seeing the old monk, Li Xiuyuan chuckled and said, "Oh! Should I call you Shi Zhixuan, or Great Virtuous Monk?"

As he spoke, a sinister light flickered in his eyes.

hum!

Shi Zhixuan was greatly alarmed, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he said in a cold voice, "This old monk doesn't know what you're talking about, benefactor?"

His usually calm and composed face finally changed!

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan's lips curled up in a smile. "Hehe, still won't admit it! Should I call you Pei Ju instead?"

As he spoke, he completely ignored the murderous intent in Shi Zhixuan's eyes. If he dared to come in person, he must be confident of victory.

Pei Ju was another identity of Shi Zhixuan. He served as an official and was in charge of the Western Regions for the Sui Dynasty. In just a few years, he formed alliances and split the powerful steppe empire of the Turks in two, changing the weak situation of the Central Plains since the Wei and Jin Dynasties.

Shi Zhixuan's expression changed again, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Who are you? How do you know so much about my affairs?"

Even Buddhist monks, with temples all over the world as their eyes and ears, would not know these things, but this person in front of them knew them very well.

Li Xiuyuan remained calm and said, "Evil King, if you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place. You don't need to know how I found out."

Chapter 31 Unifying the Demonic Sect

As he spoke, his sinister eyes fixed coldly on the Evil King, sending chills down one's spine.

He paused, then added, "As for my title, I am none other than the Demon Lord Wutian!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Zhixuan's expression changed, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Demon Lord, what arrogance! I'd like to see if you have the ability to back it up."

The murderous intent in his eyes blazed forth without mercy.