"Mò shàng huā kāi jìng qīng lián!"
It was shattered by a projection of Emperor Hongxuan, its power so immense that the air itself felt fractured.
Sensing Mingzhi Tian's lack of compliance, Emperor Hongxuan struck him on the back!
"Pfft!…"
Mingzhi Tian felt his head spin, nearly collapsing to the ground.
Elsewhere, sensing an unprecedented pressure trembling, Master Shikong uttered softly, "Yí hǎi wú fó…"
He instantly vanished from his spot, reappearing before Emperor Hongxuan's projection.
Master Shikong, clad in simple cloth, was enveloped in golden light. He clasped his hands, chanting, "Yí hǎi wú fó…"
A surprise intervener, Emperor Hongxuan raised a palm, "Old monk, this is no place for you. Begone!"
"Yí hǎi wú fó………"
Master Shikong did not retaliate. He absorbed the full force of the palm strike, his body effortlessly shedding all power, standing as if unharmed.
Emperor Hongxuan recognized the extraordinary nature of the person before him. "May I ask, who are you?"
Master Shikong clasped his hands. "Yí hǎi wú fó… To save a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story stupa. Show mercy where you can. The sea of Buddha is boundless; enlightenment through self-reliance is the true path."
Emperor Hongxuan said, "Today, for your sake, I shall spare his life."
The projection vanished. Master Shikong clasped his hands. "Yí hǎi wú fó……… Good, good. It is virtuous that you chose to pull back from the brink. Heaven's compassion extends to all beings. This is most excellent."
Mingzhi Tian bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Senior Master Shikong, for saving my life a second time. I, Mingzhi Tian, have no way to repay you!"
"Yí hǎi wú fó………" Master Shikong glanced at Mingzhi Tian. "All things are governed by fate. When destiny arrives, challenges are overcome. When it does not, the time is not yet ripe. Yí hǎi wú fó………"
Master Shikong came and went swiftly. Before Mingzhi Tian could express his gratitude further, he was gone.
No sooner had Master Shikong departed than Emperor Hongxuan's projection reappeared.
Mingzhi Tian inwardly cursed Emperor Hongxuan for his lack of martial integrity.
A purple, invisible hand shot out from the projection! It seized Mingzhi Tian entirely!
Just as Mingzhi Tian prepared to unleash his Blood Demon technique, a streak of orange sword light flashed across the sky!
Emperor Hongxuan's entire purple, invisible hand was severed and fell! Mingzhi Tian was freed.
"Who?!"
Emperor Hongxuan felt a surge of anger. He detested those who repeatedly toyed with him like jesters, especially when the jester was an Emperor himself!
The response was a second sword strike!
"Crack!"
The projection was bisected diagonally! A man in a dragon-embroidered cloak landed lightly. His face was obscured, only his back visible.
Emperor Hongxuan realized something. "The Howling Heaven Luoshen Slash! You are a God Catcher, Wan He?!"
The projection vanished. Mingzhi Tian looked up to see the man walking towards him, extending a hand:
"I sympathize with your plight. If you do not mind, the gates of the God Catchers are always open to you."
Mingzhi Tian took his hand, and was pulled to his feet.
Looking at the man who seemed to radiate light, Mingzhi Tian felt as though he had found salvation. He nodded desperately, agreeing to everything.
"My name is Wan He, the ruler of the God Catchers. You may also call me the God Catcher. I sincerely invite you to join our great family of God Catchers. Will you?"
Mingzhi Tian nodded. The God Catcher continued, "Your only path now is to join us, for neither the Six Realms and Eight Wastes nor the Three Divine Palaces and Ten Immortal Palaces have a place for you. They cannot protect you. Only we, the God Catchers, can give you a true home, and you will become one of us."