First Entry into the Spiritual Void 45. The Monk Vanished into Emptiness!

As the figure drew nearer, Nangong Yan finally saw his face clearly. “It’s him?” Nangong Yan exclaimed in terror. “Impossible! His meridians were shattered—how could he still be alive?” Yet not only was Mo Dao alive, at this very moment he had set foot on the island and was standing before Nangong Yan.

“Nangong Yan, you killed Senior Sister Bai Jie. You owe a blood debt, and I am here to collect!” Mo Dao declared, drawing his spiritual sword. Instantly, his entire aura surged, and Nangong Yan sensed danger. He hurriedly summoned his flying sword. “What are you trying to do?”

Mo Dao did not answer. He slowly raised his sword hand, murmuring something under his breath. Suddenly, his blade swept toward Nangong Yan, channeling a torrent of spiritual energy that coalesced into pure sword intent, enveloping Nangong Yan in an instant.

Nangong Yan’s expression hardened; his flying sword shot forward to meet Mo Dao’s strike. Yet, in Mo Dao’s presence, Nangong Yan’s sword was as feeble as a child’s toy. It lasted only a moment before Mo Dao’s spiritual sword shattered it into fragments.

The overwhelming sword intent descended like a mountain, pressing down on Nangong Yan. In that moment, he wished to flee, but it was too late. Where the spiritual sword’s intent swept, devastation followed. Several disciples from Jade Void Palace nearby were caught in the storm and slaughtered.

Mo Dao sheathed his spiritual sword and made his way toward the large ship by the shore. The vessel was deserted. Mo Dao found a spare boat, untied it, and leapt aboard. Casting one last glance at the island behind him, he shook his head and began to row away.

Bai Jie’s death weighed heavily on Mo Dao’s heart. He rowed back to the shore. He could not return to Three Flavors Academy—if they learned he came back first, the deaths of Nangong Yan and his followers would surely be blamed on him.

After some thought, Mo Dao decided to find somewhere to lay low. Famen Temple was the best refuge; after all, he had shaved his head for them last time, making him half a disciple there. With this in mind, Mo Dao headed toward Famen Temple.

All the way, Mo Dao was cautious, afraid the Jade Void Palace men would find him. Yet clearly, he was worrying needlessly. Among so many travelers, who would notice an ordinary passerby? Arriving at Famen Temple, he found the gate guarded by new disciples. Mo Dao stated his purpose, and a young monk went in to report.

Soon, the young monk returned, accompanied by Master Yuan Hui. “Benefactor Mo, what brings you here?” Yuan Hui greeted him with joy. Mo Dao sighed, “Let’s go inside and talk.”

“Very well, please come in.” Yuan Hui led Mo Dao to a meditation chamber. Abbot Tianhong was chanting sutras, but upon hearing of Mo Dao’s arrival, he hurried to greet him. “Benefactor Mo, please come in!”

“You are too kind, Abbot. I have come today because I am in trouble once more,” Mo Dao replied awkwardly.

“Sit, and let’s discuss. Famen Temple is willing to help relieve your worries,” Abbot Tianhong smiled warmly.

“Since the master is so generous, I will recount everything to you,” Mo Dao said as he took his seat.

“I am eager to hear it,” Abbot Tianhong replied calmly, waving to dismiss the young monks. Mo Dao then relayed all that had happened with the Jade Void Palace on the island over the past days.

Abbot Tianhong listened, his white brows arching in surprise. “Is that so?” Mo Dao nodded. “It seems Jade Void Palace is gilded on the outside but rotten within,” Abbot Tianhong sighed. He then said, “Benefactor Mo, Jade Void Palace likely won’t suspect you, and as for the matter at hand, they will probably trouble Lady Bai first.”

After pondering, Abbot Tianhong added, “But Lady Bai has already left, so it will be a while before they turn their attention to you. In their eyes, you are but a minor figure. Stay here for a while, Benefactor Mo.”

“Thank you, Abbot Tianhong!” Mo Dao said gratefully.

“Benefactor Mo, it is Famen Temple that should thank you. Had you not risked your life for us last time, there would be nothing left of the temple but us old monks,” Abbot Tianhong exclaimed, moved.

“The master healed my wounds; helping your temple was only right. I hope to maintain good relations with Famen Temple in the future,” Mo Dao smiled. Now that he had offended Jade Void Palace, it was wise to find a powerful ally.

“Rest assured, from now on, Famen Temple will be your most reliable ally!” Abbot Tianhong declared with laughter.

After chatting for a while, Abbot Tianhong instructed Yuan Hui to guide Mo Dao to a guest room—the same one as before, though the hole in the floor had been repaired. Mo Dao thanked Yuan Hui, closed the door, and looked around the familiar room with a sigh.

He sat cross-legged and entered his sea of consciousness. With nothing else to do, he decided to continue practicing the Six Harmonies Fist. This time, it took only a moment for him to comprehend the third form. Reflecting that he used his spiritual sword more often, he began practicing the Six Harmonies Sword Technique.

Curiously, while other sword arts had dozens of forms at minimum, the Six Harmonies Sword Technique had only six. For reasons unknown, it felt simpler than the Six Harmonies Fist—though the forms were complex, Mo Dao found them understandable.

He did not know how long he trained in his sea of consciousness, but eventually mastered the first three forms. As he was about to study the fourth, his spiritual sense detected Yuan Hui approaching. Mo Dao returned to himself and opened the door.

“Benefactor Mo, the abbot requests your presence at the meal,” Yuan Hui said, palms pressed together. Mo Dao replied in kind and followed him to eat. Though the temple offered many dishes, they were exceedingly bland and strictly vegetarian. Used to rich fare, Mo Dao found the meal unsatisfying.

But as a guest, he could not complain—demanding meat would surely get him chased out by a throng of monks. As the monks ate, a young monk rushed in.

“Abbot, Master Liaokong has returned!” he announced joyfully.

Liaokong the Hermit? Mo Dao’s eyes lit up. To see this legendary figure in his lifetime was a blessing. A hearty laugh echoed from afar, resonating through Famen Temple like the evening bell, lingering for a long while.

Looking outside, Mo Dao saw a towering old monk in scarlet robes approaching. He pressed his palms together and intoned a Buddhist greeting. Abbot Tianhong hurried forward, “Disciple Tianhong greets Master Liaokong!”

“Disciple greets Master Liaokong!” The temple rang with voices.

Liaokong waved his hand, and a disciple brought him a stool. Liaokong sat down. “I’ve heard of the recent events. Have you discovered which sect the black-clad man belongs to?”

“Master, the man was bizarre; neither his weapon nor his techniques revealed his origins,” Abbot Tianhong replied, face flushed.

“Very well. Do you have a portrait?” Liaokong asked slowly.

“Yuan Hui, fetch Master the portrait of the black-clad man,” Abbot Tianhong ordered. Yuan Hui hurried to retrieve it.

“By the way, Master, this is Mo Dao, our benefactor. Last time, it was he who helped us avert disaster,” Abbot Tianhong introduced, gesturing to Mo Dao.

Clearly, the abbot wished to acquaint Mo Dao with Liaokong. Mo Dao stepped forward, “Mo Dao greets Master Liaokong. I have long heard your reputation. Meeting you today proves your fame well deserved!”

“I am but an old monk who has lived a few extra decades. The title ‘Master’ is more than I deserve,” Liaokong replied, stroking his beard. “Master, the portrait is here,” Yuan Hui said, presenting it.

Liaokong reached out and the portrait floated into his hand. He unrolled it, his brows tightening. “These two weapons are rarely used. Tianhong, recount the events for me once more.”

Abbot Tianhong nodded and described everything to Liaokong.

“You say the black-clad man mentioned Luo Wuzhou?” Liaokong’s voice suddenly rose.

“Yes, it seems he has a grudge against Luo Wuzhou, which implicated our temple,” Abbot Tianhong confirmed.

“To find this man, we must start with Luo Wuzhou. Do you know his recent whereabouts?”

“I do not. Luo Wuzhou has likely changed his name. I have sent people searching for days, but no trace has been found,” Abbot Tianhong sighed.

“Let’s set that aside for now. By the way, you said even Tian Tai could not withstand his palm?” Liaokong asked in astonishment.

Abbot Tianhong sighed in shame, “Even Brother Tian Xin could not withstand him.”

Liaokong said no more and continued studying the portrait.

After a while, Liaokong spoke. “Let’s not dwell on this. Recently, mysterious white banners have appeared among the major sects in the martial world. I was uneasy, so I returned to check.”

“Master, our temple received one as well,” Abbot Tianhong said, taking a white banner from his robe.

Liaokong examined it. The banner was three feet long and two feet wide, inscribed at the top with two large red characters: ‘Vengeance’. The calligraphy was bold and powerful, like a dragon breaking from the sea. Below were a few brief, yet arrogant sentences:

“When the white banner arrives, doom follows;
Within three months, the martial world will be slaughtered;
With crimson brush comes execution;
Heaven demands retribution.”

After these lines, it was signed ‘The Victim,’ though the identity of the victim remained unknown.

“Master, do you know what this banner means?” Abbot Tianhong ventured to ask.

Liaokong shook his head. “It appears to declare enmity against the entire martial world. But who could possess such audacity?”