Monk Hai Chan's eyes revealed a trace of disbelief. He only felt as if he were possessed, not knowing why he had stolen the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror, nor why he had tricked and framed Longevity Ancestor.
However, he knew that because of his actions, there would inevitably be great turmoil outside, very likely leading to the outbreak of a great battle.
No matter how he thought about it, the situation seemed wrong, very wrong!
But he had no attention to spare for the situation outside because a bigger trouble was right in front of him. He had to first save his own life.
The endless yellow sand blew in, continuously dancing in the sky, seemingly containing a peculiar power. It constantly attacked his magical power, suppressed his Primordial Spirit, and restrained the apertures throughout his body, attempting to wash away all his extraordinary powers, reducing him to a mere powerless mortal ant.
"This array must not be stayed in for long. I must break the array and escape, or else if I delay any longer, my cultivation and Dao practice will turn into running water," Monk Hai Chan thought in horror. He wished to utilize Divine Techniques to flee but, after transforming into a Golden Light and flying for dozens of breaths, he halted his Escape Light and stood upon the endless yellow sands once again.
He knew his Escape Light could span hundreds of miles in a thought, and the array merely covered a kilometer. Logically, he should fly out in a single breath. Yet, having not flown out after dozens of breaths indicated that the array was enveloped by the Power of Space, rendering all his efforts futile unless he broke the array before him.
"But how should I break the array?" In Ancestor Hai Chan's hands appeared a Vajra Pestle. Gazing at the endless yellow sand, he hurled the Vajra Pestle towards the sand.
Upon hitting, the sand trembled, and the Vajra Pestle sunk directly into the yellow sands upon impact.
"My Vajra Pestle!" Seeing it sink into the yellow sand, Monk Hai Chan's expression changed abruptly. He hurriedly rushed forward to retrieve it, but the Vajra Pestle disappeared without a trace the moment it fell into the sand, leaving him helpless despite his attempts to dig it out with his hands.
"The venerable Ancestor is truly enthusiastic, learning to play with sand like a child. One cannot help but feel admiration,"
As Ancestor Hai Chan desperately dug through the sand, he suddenly heard a cold sneer echoing through the sands. The voice was familiar, causing him to break into a cold sweat: 'How could there be living beings within this array?'
Turning quickly, he saw Zhang Chen, with hands in his sleeves, standing amid the sandstorm, watching as Ancestor Hai Chan dug in the sand with great interest.
"It's you!!! How could you appear here?" Ancestor Hai Chan's voice was filled with disbelief.
"I set up this array, why can't I appear here? However, it is you, Ancestor, appearing here that I find intriguing," Zhang Chen said with a smile.
Various thoughts flickered through Ancestor Hai Chan's mind as he quickly sorted it all out: 'This person is a Daoist Child of the Five Villages Temple. His presence here represents the Longevity Thief Dao. It seems the Longevity Thief Dao indeed seeks to plot against me, aiming to seize the Immortal True Spirit! Hence, they are striking ruthlessly against me!'
"Little Daoist brother, I know you are here under the orders of Daoist Changsheng, but if you open up the array and let me out, you may name any condition. If you release me today, I'll rally the other Ancestors to support you in replacing Daoist Changsheng with all he possesses, promoting you to become the new Observatory Master of Five Villages Temple, allowing your cultivation to break through, entering the same realm as ours," Monk Hai Chan's voice was filled with temptation, secretly employing Buddhist Divine Techniques to affect Zhang Chen's mind.
Hearing this, Zhang Chen chuckled softly, "Abbot, your demeanor was not like this when you broke my arm before."
This remark caused Monk Hai Chan's expression to freeze. Indeed, circumstances have flipped, yet bowing one's head when under another's roof is unavoidable.
He then spoke, "Here, I apologize to you. When I get out, I'll surely compensate you to the fullest, no matter what treasure you desire, I will find it for you without objection."
He was now terrified by the Nine Bends Yellow River Array, willing to promise anything for escape, even disregarding his dignity, throwing it to the ground to be trampled upon.
Hearing Monk Hai Chan's words, Zhang Chen scrutinized him closely, "Are you sincerely apologizing?"
"I, the little monk, swear to the heavens, truly could not be more earnest," Monk Hai Chan raised his fingers solemnly as he vowed.
"Since you are earnestly remorseful, you must show me your sincerity, else how can I believe mere words?" Zhang Chen replied.
"How might I express my sincerity?" Monk Hai Chan, seeing a chance, quickly asked.
"Previously, you broke one of my arms; now, I want half a pound of your blood. Is that alright?" Zhang Chen said with a grin.
Monk Hai Chan remained unfazed, "Little Daoist friend has keen insight. I am a Primordial Alien Species; my blood contains Creation. Soaking in my blood might allow you to develop Innate Divine Techniques."
As he spoke, Monk Hai Chan slit his wrist, witnessing the blood spurting from the wound, the golden blood converging into a ball in the air, not dispersing.
Seeing this, Zhang Chen was overjoyed, immediately opening his mouth to employ Devouring Space, swallowing the blood whole, adding another essence to his gathered blood.
"Does this suffice to show the little monk's intent and offer my apology to Your Honor?"
Once one discards dignity, they become shameless; the idea of dignity is simply a matter of perception.
"Kneel!" Zhang Chen said with a smile.
"What?" Ancestor Hai Chan was momentarily stunned, scarcely believing his ears.
"I said kneel and kowtow in apology to me. After all, didn't I once kowtow to you?" Zhang Chen calmly stated.
Hearing this, muscles on Monk Hai Chan's face twitched continuously, a slight tremor in his eye corners; fists clenched tightly in sleeves, eyes fixated on Zhang Chen. Yet, considering his entrapment within the array, should he die, it would be the end; then dignity would be trivial.
"If I have a chance to escape, I will definitely kill this brat, grinding his bones to dust!"
Realizing this, Monk Hai Chan forced a smile, "Indeed, Buddhism teaches equality among all beings. My greed, anger, and ignorance led me astray; kneeling before you restores cause and effect, justice demands it! Justice demands it!"
With that, he knelt on the ground, kowtowing to Zhang Chen, his face filled with respect and humility.
Watching the monk kneel, Zhang Chen felt a chill in his heart. No matter how well the monk masked it, Zhang Chen perceived the hidden bitterness. Inwardly, Zhang Chen spoke to the Great Freedom Celestial Demon, "Is it done, you rascal?"
"Done! This old fellow, usually so high and mighty, is utterly broken under your humiliation. My Celestial Demon has been born in his heart. Even if he escapes your Nine Bends Yellow River Array later, he would only become my puppet," the Great Freedom Celestial Demon's voice was filled with pride.
You think Zhang Chen was merely toying with the monk for revenge, to return the disgrace? Zhang Chen is not so trivial!
Zhang Chen lacks trust in his Nine Bends Yellow River Array, lacks trust in his Golden Scissors. Given the 'Fruit' realm of his opponent, and after the prior escape of the Innate Peacock, how could Zhang Chen not fully prepare?
He wouldn't give the opponent the slightest chance, deploying every possible means to ensure they perish in despair.
And the Great Freedom Celestial Demon was Zhang Chen's pre-planned ultimate trump card!