Cao Ya condensed his form, transforming into a human figure, and slowly stepped into the Great Buddha Hall.
Upon seeing this, Kongwen Luohan, Wusi Fangzhang, and Xuanbei all beamed with joy.
The three of them are the most powerful in Shaolin Temple, especially Kongwen Arhat, who is a Dharma body at the peak of the human immortal realm.
But in the presence of an indestructible Arhat, even an Arhat who merely hears of Arhats is nothing.
This is the "strongest celestial being" who can rival the ancient overlords!
They used to think that the Undying Arhat had only barely advanced to the Celestial Immortal realm, but now, thinking back, they couldn't help but smile bitterly. Such a view was really too demeaning to the Undying Arhat.
"Has everyone else returned?" Xuanbei asked expectantly.
Cao Ya knew who he wanted to ask.
Meng Qi!
That was Xuanbei's disciple, and also his nephew in the secular world.
"Hmm." Cao Ya nodded, and seeing Xuan Bei's immediate expression of relief, he couldn't help but smile.
"Abbot, I have something to say to you all." Cao Ya turned his gaze, his face calm, and spoke to Abbot Wusi.
“You are not a bad Arhat, so please feel free to speak.” Abbot Wusi smiled with narrowed eyes.
With two powerful Dharma bodies residing within the temple—especially the strongest, the indestructible Arhat, who is invincible in the Dharma body realm and ranks among the top below the legendary level—the pressure on the abbot is undoubtedly much less.
Cao Ya paused for a moment, then glanced at Kong Wen Luohan, who looked thoughtful, as if he had thought of something.
Seeing this, Cao Ya smiled and said softly:
"To tell you the truth, the 'Nine Perfections Warrior' of the Southern Wilderness is actually me. The mysterious avatar behind the Crimson Demon Sect has always been me."
These words shocked the entire hall!
The "Nine Perfect Warrior" is actually an indestructible Arhat?!
The mysterious Dharma body supporting the "Demon Emperor" Qi Zhengyan is actually the Undying Arhat of Shaolin Temple, the strongest Dharma body of the righteous path today?!
"Imperfect Arhat, are you kidding me?" Abbot Wusi's lips twitched, and he looked at Cao Ya, hoping that Imperfect Arhat would nod.
However, he was destined to be disappointed.
"As expected, you are the 'Nine Perfect Warrior'." Kongwen Luohan's expression was also very complicated.
When dealing with various overseas realms, he had met the "Nine-Complete Warrior" and even joined forces against him. At that time, he keenly sensed that this mysterious Dharma body, who often resided in the Southern Wilderness and whose appearance was rarely seen, had some very special characteristics that he was very familiar with.
After careful consideration and considering many candidates, the indestructible Arhat of this temple was indeed one of them.
However, Kongwen Luohan kept these speculations deep in his heart and had never spoken of them to anyone before today.
"Amitabha," Xuanbei chanted, pausing his striking of the wooden fish.
“Undying Arhat, you are the Dharma Body of Shaolin Temple and a pillar of the righteous path. Why support the Crimson Demonic Sect? How could the ideals of ‘Demon Emperor’ Qi Zhengyan attract someone like you?” Abbot Wusi sighed, somewhat puzzled.
Although the actions of the Crimson Demon Sect have had a significant impact on various major forces, they are mainly aimed at the grassroots and middle levels, aiming to undermine the foundations of the major martial arts sects in the world. For the higher-ups, they are not very attractive.
After all, those high-ranking figures each control a resource, possess top-tier methods that lead directly to the Dharma body, and wield various divine weapons, standing at the pinnacle of the world.
Some people have even mastered legendary or higher-level divine skills, such as a certain move of the "Buddha's Palm" or a certain move of the "Seven Swords of Heaven".
The essence of Shaolin Temple lies in the third move of the Tathagata Palm – [The Smile of the Flower]!
How could high-ranking figures like them be tempted by the Crimson Demon Sect's preferential policies?
They knew they couldn't pass the Crimson Demon Sect's test of character either.
Therefore, in Abbot Wusi's view, only ordinary martial artists, poor students, or low- to middle-level martial artists in major sects who are frustrated and neglected would have the idea of betraying their sect and joining the Crimson Demon Sect of the Southern Wilderness, and would actually take action.
As the greatest treasure of Shaolin Temple and the foremost righteous dharma body, the idol of countless martial artists, why would he abandon his own righteous path and betray his master to support the "Demon Emperor" Qi Zhengyan, allowing the Crimson Demon Sect to grow stronger?
"Undying Arhat, why do you do this? Isn't being the number one Dharma Body of the righteous path enough? Why do you insist on supporting a powerful force and becoming a Buddha?"
Abbot Wusi believed that Cao Ya wanted to break free from the influence of Shaolin Temple and even Buddhism, personally promote the rise of a powerful force, and eventually become a Buddha and ancestor, dominating the real world and becoming famous for all time!
Cao Ya glanced at the Shaolin abbot, but since he didn't understand, Cao Ya was too lazy to explain.
“I have my reasons,” Cao Ya said calmly. “I will announce this news, and I will lead the Shaolin disciples who are willing to go south with me to join the Crimson Demon Sect.”
“No!” Abbot Wusi said repeatedly, “Unbreakable Arhat, I will not stop you from going south. Since you have been missing for two years, why not let the identity of ‘Unbreakable Arhat’ die and appear as ‘Nine-Complete Warrior’?”
"In this way, the reputation of my Shaolin Temple will not be affected in any way."
Cao Ya sneered and said:
"I'm not here to discuss this with you, I'm just informing you."
After speaking, Cao Ya turned around, stepped out of the Great Buddha Hall, and his voice echoed in all directions, shaking the gates of Shaolin Temple.
Upon hearing this explosive news, countless monks were stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.
Inside the hall, Abbot Wusi's face alternated between pale and flushed.
"Our Shaolin Temple has always maintained a well-ordered lineage. Disciples with qualifications and talent can be trained and entrusted with important responsibilities. I imagine there aren't many who would be willing to follow the Undying Arhat southward," the Empty Hearing Arhat whispered.
After listening to the old abbot's words, Abbot Wusi thought about it and realized that it made sense.
He immediately felt a little relieved.
“Abbot,” Xuanbei suddenly spoke, saying slowly, “this humble monk has decided to follow the Undying Arhat southward.”
"What, Xuanbei, you..." Abbot Wusi turned around abruptly, looking at Xuanbei in disbelief.
"Are you also going to betray Shaolin Temple?" Abbot Wusi stared intently at Xuanbei.
“Abbot, this humble monk…” Xuanbei had just opened his mouth, seemingly about to explain, when he was interrupted by Arhat Kongwen.
“Since you’ve made up your mind, there’s no need for further explanation,” Kongwen Luohan said softly. “Follow your heart.”
"In this life, the hardest thing to obtain is nothing more than peace of mind."
As Kong Wen Luohan spoke, he stepped forward and stood beside Cao Ya, also speaking in a loud voice:
"Those who wish to stay are welcome by this old monk and Abbot Wusi, and those who wish to follow the Undying Arhat south to join the Crimson Demon Sect will not be stopped by this old monk."
"Your future is your own decision to make."
Whether you stay or leave, we will not interfere or blame you.
Upon hearing that Kongwen Luohan had also spoken, the many monks of Shaolin Temple were surprised and then fell into deep thought.
Neither Cao Ya nor Kong Wen Luohan were in a hurry; they patiently waited for the monks to make their decision.
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