Instantly, shouts erupted from the scene.
"Master Kongzhi! Hand over Xie Xun, the Golden-haired Lion King, at once!"
"Since the 'Lion-Slaying Assembly' has been convened, why is Xie Xun nowhere to be seen?"
"Gathering here, yet hiding Xie Xun on the mountaintop, what are the Shaolin sect's true intentions?"
...
Clearly, the people were very disgusted with the Shaolin sect's actions.
Li Huan smiled calmly, waiting to see how Master Kongzhi would proceed.
"Amitabha!"
Master Kongzhi stood on the high platform and chanted a Buddhist mantra.
He declared with righteous indignation, "Xie Xun, the Golden-Haired Lion King, has committed numerous evils and his crimes are unforgivable. Everyone has the right to kill him!"
"Bah!" Wei Yixiao retorted, "It's not that everyone has the right to kill him! Rather, it's that everyone wants to obtain the Dragon-Slaying Saber!"
This instantly caused a commotion at the scene.
"Master Kongzhi! Where does the Shaolin Sect hide the Dragon-Slaying Saber?"
"Today we are holding the 'Lion-Slaying Assembly' not only to see Xie Xun, the Golden-Haired Lion King, but also to see the Dragon-Slaying Saber!"
"The Shaolin Sect must have already obtained the Dragon-Slaying Saber by imprisoning Xie Xun in the dungeon on the mountaintop!"
"Stop talking nonsense! Hand over the Dragon-Slaying Saber!"
...
Master Kongzhi raised his voice: "Distinguished sect leaders, esteemed heroes! This old monk has never seen any Dragon-Slaying Saber! This old monk swears to Buddha that I have never hidden any Dragon-Slaying Saber!"
Zong Weixia of the Huashan Sect stood up and said, "Is the Dragon-Slaying Saber really not in Shaolin Temple?"
Master Kongzhi said, "Monks do not lie. If Master Zong does not believe me, you can lead the disciples of the Kongtong Sect to search the temple carefully."
Abbess Miejue said, "No need to search. I trust Master Kongzhi! Xie Xun must have hidden the Dragon-Slaying Saber in a secret place!"
"Hand over Xie Xun! Hand over Xie Xun!"
Another wave of shouting erupted at the scene.
Master Kongzhi said, "As everyone knows, Xie Xun is imprisoned in the dungeon on the mountaintop, guarded by three eminent monks from our temple!"
"Today we are holding the 'Lion Slaying Assembly.' We invite all heroes to come up on stage and display their unique skills!"
"Whoever is the best in martial arts can go to the dungeon on the mountaintop, challenge the three Shaolin monks, and seize the Golden Lion King Xie Xun!"
The scene fell silent instantly.
In the past month, numerous martial arts masters have challenged the "Three Shaolin Elders" one after another, all of whom failed and more than twenty people died.
Even the combined efforts of Zhang Wuji, Yang Xiao, and the White-browed Eagle King could not defeat the "Three Shaolin Monks".
Today, who dares to challenge the dungeon?
Immediately afterwards, everyone turned their attention to Li Huan.
He Taichong declared loudly, "The leader of the Ming Cult is invincible! If Leader Li makes a move, he will surely defeat the three Shaolin monks and seize Xie Xun!"
"Yes! Master Li is proficient in the Great Universe Shift and the Nine Yang Divine Skill, his martial arts are unparalleled in the world!"
"Master Li once subdued six major sects single-handedly; he is truly the number one in the world!"
"Master Li's martial arts are unparalleled, who can stop him? What's the point of us having a contest? Don't try to teach a fish to swim!"
...
Listening to the crowd's discussion, Master Kongzhi stroked his beard and then spoke.
"All the major sects and gangs want to get their hands on Xie Xun, the Golden-haired Lion King! Today's 'Lion-Slaying Assembly' will determine the heroes through martial arts competition, and only by deciding the winner can we truly convince everyone!"
Zong Weixia shouted, "Master Kongzhi! You know perfectly well that Master Li's martial arts are unparalleled, yet you still let all the sects compete against Master Li, clearly making us suffer!"
This guy fought Li Huan at Bright Peak and was seriously injured; he still feels lingering fear.
Abbess Miejue of the Emei Sect, Yu Lianzhou of the Wudang Sect, the two elders of Huashan Sect, and He Taichong and his wife of the Kunlun Sect were all terrified.
Master Kongzhi said, "Distinguished sect leaders, esteemed heroes, please be patient! Let me finish speaking!"
Everyone fell silent.
Master Kongzhi said, "Today, when we compete on stage, Leader Li must not participate or interfere!"
What? Li Huan isn't allowed to participate in the martial arts competition?
The square erupted in cheers once again.
"Hahaha... Master Li not participating in the martial arts competition is brilliant!"
"Master Kongzhi is wise! Indeed, we should not have allowed Master Li to participate in the martial arts competition!"
"It's only fair and just if Leader Li doesn't participate in the competition!"
...
Li Huan sneered.
Damn it, not letting me participate in the martial arts competition is tantamount to letting all the sects kill each other to fight for Xie Xun and the Dragon-Slaying Saber.
This was by no means Master Kongzhi's idea, nor Abbot Kongwen's plan, but Cheng Kun's conspiracy!
Zhao Min leaned close to Li Huan's ear and whispered a reminder.
"Cheng Kun is up to his cunning scheme again, trying to incite the major sects to fight each other, while Cheng Kun hides in the shadows and reaps the benefits."
Li Huan said, "I already knew about Cheng Kun's little tricks. He won't succeed!"
Zhao Min then reminded him, "If I'm not mistaken, Master Kongzhi has probably been bribed by Cheng Kun."
Li Huan said, "Master Kongzhi was not bribed by Cheng Kun. Abbot Kongwen fell into Cheng Kun's hands, and he used this to blackmail Master Kongzhi. Otherwise, Abbot Kongwen's life would be in danger."
Zhao Min suddenly realized: "That makes sense! Master Kongzhi was forced to preside over the Lion-Slaying Assembly as Cheng Kun instructed!"
Li Huan said, "So, I'll play along and first set up a stall to sell boxed lunches to earn enough money, and then deal with Cheng Kun!"
After saying that, Li Huan leaped up and gracefully flew onto the high platform.
Master Kongzhi was startled and instinctively stepped back: "Sect Leader Li...you...you..."
Li Huan laughed and said, "Don't be afraid, I won't hit you."
Master Kongzhi looked slightly embarrassed: "Master Li is a kind and chivalrous person, how could he bully this old monk..."
Li Huan said, "Today is both the 'Lion Slaying Assembly' and the 'Food Assembly.' I'm using this precious space at Shaolin Temple to set up a stall and sell boxed lunches. Master Kongzhi, you don't have any objections, do you?"
Master Kongzhi nodded: "With all sects and factions gathered here, it's lively and bustling. I have no objection to Master Li setting up a stall to sell boxed lunches!"
Li Huan said, "Since you have no objections, let's each do our own thing and not interfere with each other! You direct the competition, and I'll attract customers to buy boxed lunches!"
Master Kongzhi smiled and said, "That's excellent, excellent!"
Li Huan cleared his throat and said loudly.
"Distinguished sect leaders and heroes! On this auspicious Dragon Boat Festival in May, coinciding with the 'Lion-Slaying Assembly,' I, leading the Ming Cult, have come to Shaolin Temple to join the festivities, setting up a stall to sell boxed lunches and earn some money!"
The crowd applauded and cheered, showing their support.
"Master Li's boxed lunches are incredibly delicious, I must buy several more!"
"I ate a boxed lunch last year, and I still remember it vividly!"
"After the martial arts competition ends, the Kunlun Sect will buy five hundred boxed lunches!"
"My Kongtong Sect, buy a thousand boxed meals!"
...
Li Huan put his hands behind his back, gave a friendly smile, and then said.
"I solemnly promise that I will not participate in the martial arts competition today!"
"However, I have an idea, and I wonder if everyone supports it?"
He Taichong shouted, "Leader Li, please speak frankly! All the sect leaders trust you!"
The six major sects were once rescued from a fire by Li Huan using the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth". How could they not trust him?
Li Huan said, "Today, whoever buys the most boxed lunches will get my help to defeat the 'Three Shaolin Masters' and win the Golden Lion King Xie Xun!"
The scene erupted in cheers!
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