Chapter Eighty-Three: The Gate of Demon Hunting

On the raised platform before the Grand Hall of Huaseng Temple, a dark vortex of clouds slowly rotated, its size expanding steadily with each tremor that shook the earth. What began no larger than a palm soon grew to the size of a watermelon, then a tabletop...

A dull boom echoed from beneath the ground just as Jiang Yan approached the entrance to the Grand Hall and gazed toward the platform in the plaza.

Another thunderous rumble followed, shaking the earth so fiercely that the plaza before the Grand Hall quivered. The monks of Huaseng Temple, seated cross-legged, were jolted off balance, many sprawling to the ground.

A resonant chant of "Amitabha" suddenly rang out across the plaza. At its center, with the young novice as the focus, a visible wave of sound swept outward. The force was substantial; Jiang Yan felt a warm sensation pass gently before him.

Wherever the soundwave touched, the trembling earth stilled. The disheveled monks righted their robes, reseated themselves, and fixed their gaze quietly upon the young novice.

“Layman Jiang, Lady Tang, please step forward and observe.” The young novice, who had both suppressed the earth’s shaking and steadied the hearts of those present with his chant, spoke calmly and elegantly without turning his head.

After he spoke, the old abbot standing behind him furrowed his brows, his white eyebrows arching anxiously as he glanced at Jiang Yan and his fellow disciple. The abbot then stepped forward and whispered a few words in the novice’s ear.

The novice waved his hand dismissively and declared in a clear voice, “The way of heaven proclaims: all beings are equal. Whether a third-rank sect or a second-rank sect, a sect remains a sect. Xie Wenyuan is human, and so is Layman Jiang. Though I am abbot of this temple, I am still far from transcending the realm of selflessness and emptiness. Lady Tang, Layman Jiang, please come forward.”

Jiang Yan wondered what the old monk had said to the novice to provoke such a lengthy discourse. Seeing the abbot retreat, his face flushed, Jiang Yan approached without concern, teasing the novice, “Little monk, what tricks are you playing here? Isn’t today the day the Demon Hunt Gate is to be opened? Why are the cultivators from Linqing Prefecture nowhere to be seen?”

He moved to stand beside the novice, shoulder to shoulder. Tang Wan followed, half a step behind, positioning herself just behind and to the side of Jiang Yan and the novice.

“Layman, the Demon Hunt Gate has already been opened. Soon, Xie Wenyuan of Golden Flame Sect will join me to seal this gate; then, the second-rank sects may commence their hunt.” The novice spoke serenely to Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan fixed his gaze upon the swirling cloud vortex atop the platform. So this was the portal to the demon hunt battleground—no wonder so many disciples and monks of Huaseng Temple were gathered here, guarding its threshold.

“The demon hunt battleground is no ordinary place. Wood, stone, water, earth—all may pose dangers. Once you enter the gate, be wary of everything,” the novice quietly advised Jiang Yan.

“Wood and stone as demons?” Jiang Yan’s brow furrowed sharply. Was the battleground truly so terrifying? He was about to ask further—

When suddenly the novice turned with a bright smile and said, “Layman, please step back for now. Let Xie Wenyuan of Golden Flame Sect and I act together to stabilize the Demon Hunt Gate. If we delay any longer, the gate will shift from its portal.”

Jiang Yan retreated a few steps as instructed, just in time to hear a loud announcement from the temple entrance: “The sect master of Golden Flame Sect arrives, accompanied by Foundation Establishment experts Xu Mingyuan and Bai Tong.”

“The sect master of Tianshan Sect, Lu Tiannan, arrives with elders and disciples.”

“The sect master of Xishan Sect, Weng Putian, arrives with elders and disciples.”

As the monks at the entrance continued to announce arrivals, the master of Golden Flame Sect entered Huaseng Temple leading all the second-rank sects from Linqing Prefecture. Behind them, the guest monk at the door began to recite the roster of first-rank sects...

“Master Kongse, it has been months since we last met. I trust you have been well.” The voice, aged and resonant, preceded its owner, echoing from the distant entrance to the plaza.

A procession of yellow-robed figures appeared at the entrance; at their head was a gaunt old man, followed by Xu Mingyuan and Bai Tong, both Foundation Establishment experts Jiang Yan had met before. Behind them trailed a group of Golden Flame Sect disciples, their faces veiled in black gauze.

The novice pressed his palm to his chest and intoned a Buddhist chant, greeting with courtesy, “Thank you, Sect Master Xie, for your concern. I am well. However, Sect Master, you are somewhat late today. The Demon Hunt Gate has already shifted; had you tarried longer, the portal might have expanded greatly.”

A flicker of anger passed over Xie Wenyuan’s aged face. For years, the Demon Hunt Gate had always opened within Golden Flame Sect, but since the novice’s arrival last year, it now appeared in Huaseng Temple. The privileges once granted to Golden Flame Sect by the gate now belonged to Huaseng Temple.

The Demon Hunt Gate opened annually, each time with earth-shattering commotion. After its opening, it required two experts of Foundation Establishment or higher to stabilize it upon the runic platform crafted by symbol masters. Only then could the sects begin their hunt.

If left too long without such stabilization, the gate would drift from the platform’s rune array, potentially collapsing and unleashing a tide of demons upon Linqing Prefecture—an event none of its sects could escape.

Resentful of Huaseng Temple monopolizing the gate’s benefits, Xie Wenyuan had considered absenting himself. Yet the prospect of a collapsed gate compelled him to come, for the sake of Golden Flame Sect, for Linqing Prefecture. With reluctance, he arrived late.

The novice smiled gently, speaking with calm elegance of Xie Wenyuan’s tardiness, showing not a hint of urgency or anxiety. Xie Wenyuan cursed inwardly, “A bunch of feigned composure, bald frauds.”

“Master Kongse, shall we begin?” Though he inwardly raged at Huaseng Temple’s greed and the novice’s shamelessness, Xie Wenyuan maintained a genial smile as he addressed the novice.

The novice swept his voluminous robe with a flourish, responding with boldness, “Very well, Sect Master Xie, please proceed.”

“Shameless!” Xie Wenyuan cursed silently. Huaseng Temple claimed all the advantages of the demon hunt, yet it was Golden Flame Sect who must stabilize the gate in the end. Truly shameless—hoarding benefits and leaving the labor to others.

Anger aside, Xie Wenyuan still waved his broad sleeve, gave a cold snort, and leapt onto the platform, standing beside the vortex of clouds, his knees slightly bent in a martial stance.

The novice’s expression grew solemn as he ascended the steps to the platform, taking his place opposite Xie Wenyuan at the far end of the vortex. His left hand rested behind him, his right raised lightly in the air, all calm and unhurried. He addressed Xie Wenyuan, “Sect Master Xie, please.”

A hint of suspicion flashed across Xie Wenyuan’s face. Wasn’t this little bald monk just angling for advantage? Why invite him to act first? The one who acts first faces lesser resistance from the gate; the second must endure far greater pressure.

“Since that’s the case, I shall proceed.” Though still puzzled, Xie Wenyuan wasted no time. After all, those who act later bear the brunt of the gate’s reaction; before the novice arrived, it took three Foundation Establishment experts from Golden Flame Sect to stabilize the gate.

“Heaven’s cycle, golden flames fill the sky.”

Xie Wenyuan silently recited the incantation for the Golden Flame Technique—the second-rank, lower-tier method he had recently acquired at great cost. Though newly learned, its power delighted him; it was indeed far superior to the first-rank, upper-tier incantation.

A golden flame burst forth from Xie Wenyuan’s hand, shining brilliantly, its radiance flooding the platform. The dazzling light forced those below to shield their eyes from its glare.

The novice’s robe billowed without wind, emanating a gentle blue light that warded off the golden rays aimed at him.

On Jiang Yan’s forehead, beneath a blue cloth strip, the character for “wood” glowed faintly, shielding him from the invading golden light. He shifted his footing slightly to protect Tang Wan behind him from the harsh glare.

Another golden flame flower bloomed in Xie Wenyuan’s other hand. Determined to stabilize the gate, he exerted his full strength.

Casting a glance at the novice, Xie Wenyuan saw him gazing calmly at the vortex, unmoved by the display of his powerful technique, which dampened his enthusiasm.

...

PS: Today’s chapter was a struggle to write—so many hours of overtime, it was truly exhausting. FionaISTJ gave a reward; thank you. Also: everyone, if you have votes, please cast them. If you haven’t bookmarked, please do so—it’s your support that most encourages Hong Yan. Some of you have asked about a readers’ group; as mentioned before, there really isn’t one.