The problematic individuals whom Lu Yang had previously captured were all confined in the abbot’s chamber. Master Duanchen was questioning them one by one to understand the whole story before deciding how to deal with them.

Hearing the news from Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, he shot to his feet, his eyes wide.

“What?!”

Why are there so many incidents during the Buddha Bathing Festival this year?

May the World-Honored One bless us. Fortunately, I had the foresight to invite Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou; otherwise, the chaos at this festival would likely have been far worse.

“Quick, tell me! What’s the situation?!” Master Duanchen couldn’t care about interrogating the lecherous monk anymore; in any case, they were locked up here and not going anywhere.

“Great Master, just extend your spiritual consciousness, and you’ll know.”

Master Duanchen released his spiritual consciousness. Although its range was not as wide as that of Lu Yang’s and Meng Jingzhou’s, it was sufficient to perceive the abnormality among the populace.

Everyone wore blank expressions, identical to the symptoms of those who had consumed the Emotion-Forgetting Pill in the three-eyed ghost monk’s memories.

“According to our speculations, the problem likely originates from the Transport River water. The Heartless Creed must have dumped a large quantity of Emotion-Forgetting Pills into it.” Lu Yang shared his conjecture.

As he spoke, Master Duanchen’s face grew increasingly grim.

I was careless. It never occurred to me that something would go wrong with the Transport River water. This is indeed a silent and efficient method to spread the Emotion-Forgetting poison throughout Kaihuang City.

Master Duanchen realized the gravity of the situation. “Benefactors, what do you suggest we do?”

“The immediate priority is to stabilize the populace. On our flight here, we’ve already witnessed countless heartless acts such as abandoning spouses and children. If we wait any longer, I’m afraid a greater disaster will erupt!

“Old Meng and I discussed this on the way. The airborne Emotion-Forgetting poison is far less potent than a full pill. For Foundation Establishment cultivators, it’s uncertain, but Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators should be able to recover quickly by simply holding their breath and ceasing to absorb the poison.”

The highest cultivation allowed in the Buddha Bathing Festival’s tournament was the Golden Core Stage. Hence, the number of Golden Core cultivators in Kaihuang City was far higher than usual; they could be a major source of support.

“Old Meng and I will find a way to stabilize the populace and make these cultivators hold their breath.

“As for you, Great Master, temporarily close Kaihuang Temple and stop admitting pilgrims. Please lead the monks to maintain order throughout the city.”

“Alright, I will do so at once. But how will you two benefactors stabilize the populace and make the cultivators hold their breath?” Master Duanchen was puzzled. With the city’s inhabitants and cultivators stripped of emotion, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou’s influence and power to rally the people will be significantly diminished. Will they still obediently listen?

“That’s simple.”

Lu Yang produced a bodhi seed, inserted it into the soil, and used the Tree-Planting Mantra to create a bodhi clone. He then took out a black robe emblazoned with a golden skull from his identity jade tablet and draped it over the bodhi clone.

~~~

“Old hag, you’re just my mother. Don’t think I’ll do whatever you say. I don’t need you to decide my future.”

“I’m doing this for your own good.”

“How could I harm myself?”

“You’re an ungrateful white-eyed wolf. I’ll take it as though I never had a son like you.”

Such conversations were ubiquitous.

Emotions and self-interest were the two pillars holding society together. When emotions were stripped away and only self-interest remained, the fabric of society would teeter on the brink of collapse. And Kaihuang City was on the brink of collapse.

Suddenly, a muffled sound echoed from afar, like a fist striking the earth. The ground shook, and clouds of sand and dust billowed.

The resonant hum of a sword split the air, breaking the sound barrier like a thunderclap.

“Scoundrel, don’t flee!”

Three figures flew out from the dust, the fighting sounds intensifying as they drew nearer. Finally, they descended over Kaihuang City, their auras awe-inspiring.

Only then did people see who the three figures were.

“It’s Sword Immortal Lu and Buddha Scion Meng.”

“Who’s the other person?”

“They’re wearing a black cloak; I can’t make out their face.”

Meng Jingzhou executed Arhat Fist. His fist seal blazed more blindingly than the sun.

At the same time, he secretly tore over a dozen talismans. Grand Buddhist chants reverberated through the sky, as if hundreds of thousands of people were singing Meng Jingzhou’s praises and reciting sutras. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Behind Lu Yang’s head, a halo formed from countless golden sword qi appeared, making him appear as divine as an immortal.

“The two of you truly have some skill.” From beneath the black cloak, the bodhi clone let out a cold, sinister laugh.

“Who are you?!” Lu Yang angrily rebuked, not swayed by the flattery.

“The Skeleton Divine Creed Leader, the White Bone Young Lord.” The bodhi clone released boundless oppressive pressure. It felt as if the sky was collapsing and the earth was sinking. The whole Kaihuang City was enveloped in this overwhelming force. From Nascent Soul cultivators down to commoners, all prostrated themselves on the ground.

The common people had no idea what cultivation level the White Bone Young Lord was at, but the Nascent Soul cultivators knew.

This must be a Fusion expert!

“Sounds like a heretical creed.”

The bodhi clone flew into a rage. “How dare you insult our divine creed?! Then let this city be sacrificed! Forest Hell Sword Array!”

A sword array of little power but grand display was laid down, fixed in the void. Above Kaihuang City, an array resembling a pagoda appeared, tapering as it rose, resembling a forest of hell!

“You dare slaughter the city?! Yellow Heaven Immortal-Slaying Fist!” Meng Jingzhou bellowed.

“Immortal-Exterminating Sword!” Lu Yang raised the Qingfeng Sword high, its sword qi stretching a hundred meters long. It could cleave even the massive vessels of the East Sea in a single strike.

The two unleashed the gamut of abilities, engaging Lu Yang’s clone in battle.

Everyone in Kaihuang City looked up at the aerial battlefield, fearing that a stray attack from the White Bone Young Lord would strike the city and hit them.

Meanwhile, under Master Duanchen’s command, the monks of Kaihuang Temple began sectioning off the city, aiming to minimize contact and movement among the populace.

After hundreds of rounds of bloody combat, the bodhi clone finally showed signs of fatigue and could no longer persist. A ruthless glint flashed in its eyes. “Well, well, well, as expected of the legendary Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. You truly live up to your reputation!

“You want to protect the people of this city, eh? Let’s see how you do it!

“Long live the divine creed!”

The bodhi clone swelled rapidly. The change was too sudden. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had no time to stop it. With a thunderous explosion, the bodhi clone self-detonated. Thick black smoke billowed and scattered through the air.

Lu Yang’s expression shifted dramatically. “Oh no! This is the legendary Corpse Bone Poison, born from mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Inhale even a single breath, and your organs will disintegrate; even immortals can’t save you!”

They tried desperately to disperse the smoke, but only succeeded in spreading it everywhere.

Hearing what they said, the commoners rushed indoors, while all the cultivators held their breath.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged a glance. Settled.

Similar to what they had predicted, as soon as the Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators stopped inhaling the Emotion-Forgetting poison, they would quickly metabolize it and return to normal. They would also recognize their own abnormal behavior and the city’s unusual state.

Just as Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou thought they had the situation under control, two figures ascended to the sky and stared coldly at them.

“As expected of the Taciturn Daoist Priest’s disciple. You have some skill.”

Although Lu Yang didn’t recognize them, he easily deduced their identities. “Heartless Creed members. So you are the ones who released the Emotion-Forgetting Poison?”