When attacking the White Lotus Temple, Yue Hongling was glad that she had been cautious enough when observing and did not directly take action.

Although the temple seemed to have only a few monks, around a hundred or so, each one of them was an elite powerhouse. Fa Yuan and Gong Chaoqun were evenly matched. Despite the sudden and hasty battle, they were able to resist and retreat towards the back of the temple under the full force attack of the Zhenmo Division.

If it weren't for the hundreds of archers that the army had sent for support, the Zhenmo Division alone would not have been able to clear out this troublesome temple hideout. No wonder Gong Chaoqun had trouble accomplishing anything in the past.

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Yue Hongling found it difficult to understand why the monks of the White Lotus Temple were so strong.

Unlike the major sects and families that cultivate their own talents from a young age, or the Zhenmo Division that selects righteous martial arts experts from all over the world to join their ranks, their "soldiers" mostly came from persuasion. Some were bandits, some were from respectable families, and only a few had their own martial arts skills. The majority were poor farmers and fishermen, many of whom were already middle-aged or even elderly. How did they manage to train all these diverse sources to break through the Xuan Guan levels, with the lowest being at least at the first or second level, and the highest reaching the sixth or seventh level? Were they all Zhao Changhe?

Moreover, due to their doctrine of "killing to become a Buddha," each and every one of these monks was fierce and had shed blood and killed people. They were not honest farmers who had never fought with others.

The power of the White Lotus Temple was not limited to just this temple. It was spread throughout Jiangnan. Once they made a move, it would be earth-shattering.

Not to mention the entire Jiangnan, even in the current situation at the White Lotus Temple, Yue Hongling doubted whether they could stop Fa Yuan if he decided to run, relying solely on the archers outside.

"Swish!" Yue Hongling's sword swept across the throat of a White Lotus Temple disciple, then she covered her shoulder and frowned slightly.

Although this injury didn't affect her movements much, it still slowed her down in actual combat. It was worse than she had estimated.

Looking up, she saw Fa Yuan leading a few core monks, retreating towards the back of the mountain under the attack of Gong Chaoqun and others.

It was late at night, and once they entered the mountains, it would be very easy for them to escape. Zhao Changhe had the most experience in this regard.

They couldn't let such a leader escape!

Yue Hongling gritted her teeth, enduring the slight pain in her shoulder, and leaped up, thrusting her sword forward.

Fa Yuan was engaged in a fierce battle with Gong Chaoqun. He knew how formidable Gong Chaoqun was, and even in a one-on-one fight, he might not win, let alone now when the opponent's momentum was overwhelming and their own side was in chaos. But Fa Yuan was confident that he could escape. In the darkness of the night, as long as he found an opportunity to enter the mountains...

He raised his guard and brandished his sword, dazzling blade energy enveloping Gong Chaoqun's vital points. It was the opening move of the White Lotus Purifying World, the ultimate skill of the White Lotus Temple.

Gong Chaoqun slightly shifted his weight backward, focusing his attention and preparing to defend.

He knew how powerful this attack was. Countless illusions and simultaneous assaults, the lotus petals turned into blades that attacked from all directions. He had to stabilize his spiritual platform, break through illusions, and be able to withstand such an attack.

However, just as he took this half step back, the blade energy suddenly disappeared, and Fa Yuan had already retreated, it was just a feint!

"The Zhenmo Division is nothing more than this! Hahaha..."

A sword light descended under the moon, and Yue Hongling's figure appeared like a moon palace, descending from the sky.

"Clang!" Fa Yuan forcefully blocked with his sword, stopping his retreat. He was so angry that he cursed, "Yue Hongling! If there comes a day when I catch you, I'll make you kneel on the ground and beg me like a dog..."

Before he could finish his words, an arrow shot through the sky with a terrifying whistling sound, aiming for his throat!

Fa Yuan didn't even have time to finish his harsh words. He quickly turned his body, and the arrow grazed his shoulder, scraping off a large piece of flesh.

Yue Hongling had a faint smile on her lips as she relentlessly attacked with her sword once again.

Behind her, Gong Chaoqun had already launched a sword strike towards Fa Yuan's back.

With attacks coming from three sides, how could Fa Yuan withstand it?

Blood splattered from his left shoulder and back at the same time. Fa Yuan staggered and retreated to the side in a very sorry state, angrily shouting, "Maitreya descends, killing oneself to become a Buddha!"

As he spoke, the other high-ranking monks of the Zhenmo Division who were resisting also chanted in unison, "Maitreya descends, killing oneself to become a Buddha..."

Yue Hongling was about to deliver another blow to Fa Yuan when she saw a monk with bloodshot eyes rushing towards her like a mad tiger.

Yue Hongling stabbed her sword into the monk's chest, intending to force him back, but unexpectedly, the monk didn't dodge and allowed the long sword to pierce through his chest. He grabbed hold of her sword tightly.

He had gone mad.

Yue Hongling tried to pull her sword back, but for a moment, she couldn't retrieve it.

Looking around, she saw that all the monks had gone mad.

Each and every one of them used their own flesh and blood to block the Zhenmo Division's blades, holding on tightly and refusing to let go.

They were no longer just fanatical believers; they seemed to have lost even their sense of pain. This secret technique had deprived them of their sanity, turning them into beasts who would give everything for their faith.

Was this their true paradise? It was indeed blissful because there was no pain.

When people withdrew their blades from these beasts, Fa Yuan had taken advantage of the momentary chaos and disappeared into the mountains, leaving no trace.

Gong Chaoqun was furious, his anger rising. "Search the mountains! He's heavily injured and can't hide his bloodlust. He won't get far!"

Yue Hongling weakly covered her shoulder and took a few breaths. The sword strike she intercepted from Fa Yuan earlier had aggravated her injury due to the recoil. She had been suppressing it, but now she couldn't hold it back anymore. The wound started to burst, and blood flowed out profusely.

Thinking of the timely support from the arrow earlier, Yue Hongling felt an indescribable emotion in her heart as she looked towards the temple, searching for Zhao Changhe's figure.

Zhao Changhe didn't participate in the siege because he had his own opponents to deal with, mainly the familiar Nianhua Tian Nu.

When he had already subdued Nianhua Tian Nu during the archery competition, he had just provided support with an arrow and hadn't had time to rush over when the situation suddenly changed and Fa Yuan had escaped.Zhao Changhe pressed the Dragon Sparrow on the shoulder of the Flower Picking Fairy, forcing her to kneel on the ground helplessly. She sighed, "You're doing this to me because of what Fayuan said to Yue Hongling? There's a clear distinction between the debtor and the debt, why must you do this?"

Yue Hongling, who was flying over to discuss with Zhao Changhe, paused her steps and looked at him with a complicated expression, not approaching.

In fact, Zhao Changhe did have the intention to take revenge on Yue Hongling's behalf, but that wasn't the only reason.

Through their previous interactions, he felt that the Flower Picking Fairy's faith was not as fanatical as others. She would cover up for herself with small tricks and wasn't completely devoted to the sect. This act of pressing her down was also a test. If she were like the other beasts who willingly sacrificed themselves, she wouldn't kneel but would rather commit suicide by holding the Dragon Sparrow.

However, she knelt down, which meant she wasn't a brainwashed fanatic. She could be persuaded to change sides.

The Flower Picking Fairy continued, "Our Holy Sect has always treated you well, wanting to absorb you into the sect. Why do you act like this?"

Zhao Changhe finally spoke, "Absorb? Join the sect? Like these beasts who go to their deaths?"

The Flower Picking Fairy hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "You won't... You're a potential dragon with infinite potential. The sect will only want to cultivate you, it's not the same."

"There's no difference. Sending someone disguised as Miss Yue to 'preach' to me, isn't that just a hidden intention to control me with secret techniques?"

The Flower Picking Fairy said, "The degree is different. Fine, if you think that way, I have nothing to argue."

Zhao Changhe said, "I'm not trying to debate with you. On the contrary, I think you're not quite the same as them, not brainwashed into fools or madmen, and can communicate. I'll be straightforward. With the injuries Fayuan has sustained, it's impossible for him to escape under the siege of Gong Chaoqun. If everyone can't find him, it means there must be a secret cave or passage hidden in the mountain. I suspect that while everyone is still searching in the mountain, he has already escaped several miles away."

The Flower Picking Fairy's eyes flickered with surprise.

Zhao Changhe continued, "So I didn't guess wrong, did I? A demon sect's lair that has been operating for so long must have some secret caves. Just tell me where this secret passage is, and I can spare your life. You can change your appearance and live somewhere else, and never get involved with the Maitreya Sect again... Don't you have any doubts about their fate? Being a tool in normal times and going to die when needed, I can't help but sigh for you."

The Flower Picking Fairy asked curiously, "You... could have used torture, or even treated me like Fayuan threatened Yue Hongling. Why do you want to let me go and persuade me to turn over a new leaf?"

Zhao Changhe's face turned slightly red, and he lowered his voice, "You... once helped me hold her and even took a whiff of her scent."

The Flower Picking Fairy's eyes widened, and the panic of being captured almost disappeared. She almost laughed out loud.

Zhao Changhe was annoyed and embarrassed, "Hurry up and tell me, or I'll really torture you!"

"There's no need for that." The Flower Picking Fairy smiled, "Not only do I know where the secret passage is, but I can also take you there right now."

Zhao Changhe was surprised, "You're so easy to talk to?"

"Because you're right, I don't want to end up like them." The Flower Picking Fairy smiled, her voice becoming more charming, "And... you're very cute. The bloodthirsty Asura in people's hearts is actually such a little brother... Besides, I'm not just a tool, you know."

"What does that have to do with me?" Zhao Changhe felt a bit humiliated and subconsciously looked around, only to be shocked to find Yue Hongling standing not far away, listening.

Zhao Changhe: "When did you get here?"

"I just arrived." Yue Hongling walked over expressionlessly, and for some reason, she kicked the Flower Picking Fairy, "Where's the secret cave? Tell me quickly."

Did she really just arrive?

Zhao Changhe turned his head, pretending not to guess.

The Flower Picking Fairy laughed, "Actually, there's a secret underground chamber and passage in the temple. It's used for secret rituals and also for escaping to the back mountain. You came so suddenly that they didn't have time to enter the temple's secret passage and could only retreat to the back mountain. Now it's the opposite. If he enters the secret passage from the back mountain, he can actually come out from the temple. If you focus your search on the back mountain, he might really escape from here."

Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling exchanged glances, their awkwardness instantly thrown to the back of their minds.

The Flower Picking Fairy added, "By the way, there are many recovery items down there. The Holy Sect's recovery methods are far beyond your imagination. I suggest you don't give him a chance. You should act as soon as possible."

PS: The last chapter was short, so this one is longer. There will be more tonight.