He Lan Tianxia

After the old man pleaded several times, Murong Junlan finally agreed to keep the Vajra Formation manual for safekeeping. As he put the manual into his pocket, the old man slowly said, "I cannot thank you enough, Your Highness. I have another request."

"Please speak." Murong Junlan felt that the old man's condition was not actually that serious. The abbot was probably more worried, but he couldn't refuse because of the old man's repeated instructions.

"Your Highness, the biggest difference between the Vajra Formation and the Silver Vajra Formation is that one seeks tranquility amidst chaos, while the other seeks chaos amidst tranquility."

"Oh?" Murong Junlan found it interesting.

"So, if Your Highness wants to better control the situation outside, you should learn the secret manual now." The old man finished speaking and looked at Prince Murong expectantly.

"I don't think it's necessary yet." Murong Junlan was grateful for the old man's kind reminder, but he felt that his previous martial arts skills should be enough to deal with the situation outside. He reassured the old man, "Don't worry, I'll find a way to save them when I go out later."

To be honest, Murong Junlan's heart was no longer here. He knew the situation outside was dire, but being forced to stay and study the manuals and practice his skills was like being in one camp while his mind was elsewhere; he simply couldn't concentrate. So, he didn't want to waste any more time with the old man and decided to leave. He turned to Yan'er beside him and said:

"My dear consort, you stay here and take care of them. I will go and rescue Guard Jiang and the others."

The woman initially wanted to follow, but seeing the abbot and the old man's weakened state, she agreed. Murong Junlan seized an opportunity and slipped out. Behind him, the old man's words of advice echoed:

"Your Highness, remember to read the secret manual."

It's chaos outside. Jiang Heluoxie and his group are lying there haphazardly, seemingly immobilized by pressure point manipulation. The other monks are scattered about, some standing, some sitting, some lying down, in various postures. The Silver Steel Formation? Seeking chaos within stillness? Indeed, this kind of chaos within stillness can temporarily deceive the eye, causing the opponent to be careless and lose.

Murong Junlan didn't rush to rescue Jiang He and the others; such an unguarded situation was actually the most effective defense. With a flick of his hand, a thin rope shot out, striking the abbot not far away. The abbot was startled, not expecting it to be aimed at him. Fortunately, he still held his staff; otherwise, catching the rope with his bare hands would have been painful.

"Your Highness, watch your step!" No sooner had Jiang He finished speaking than Murong Junlan felt a numbness in his feet. Before he could think, he stumbled forward. At that moment, the monks scattered throughout the area suddenly came to life, their hands moving in unison to the right, and a transparent net appeared. Jiang He's startled cry came from behind.

"Your Highness, retreat." Murong Junlan's legs moved back quickly, but it was too late; the transparent net above his head fell down.

"Close the net!" the abbot shouted with a loud laugh. "Prince Murong, how about I exchange one of your men for the body of a dead man? Do you think that's acceptable?"

Murong Junlan did not answer the abbot, but instead asked, "Why didn't you demonstrate your strength when I came in, but instead sent me back?"

"Because you lived in that old codger's outhouse," the abbot said smugly. "And the abbot just happened to have fainted at that time, so that old codger would definitely come up to see what was going on. What? Prince Murong, are you at peace now? Ha..." The maniacal laughter stopped abruptly, and the abbot said with a ferocious expression, "If you tell me where the abbot's body is, I might spare your life."