Tao Qian appeared, and immediately, a myriad of gazes, both bright and stealthy, swept over him, all emanating a sense of amazement at his outer appearance.
The first to exclaim was the Taiping Army's young general Shi Zhongsheng, who had been subdued by Si Xixin and was known for his loyalty.
"The Master's dharma body is harmonious, naturally endowed with the aura of the Buddha, untainted by dust, free from wicked filth, and not even the slightest trace of mutation is present."
"I, Shi Zhongsheng, have seen many a Buddha's son, but such a high monk and Buddha's son as the Master is truly a first for me. No wonder he has such a reputation."
This young general, holding a treasure sword and divine bow, spoke flatteringly, but his expression was sincere, and one could hear that he meant what he said.
His exclamation was also what others felt in their hearts.
It couldn't be helped!
Who else but Tao Qian, who had mastered the art of sponging off others and clinging to powerful backers, could borrow the Haotian Divine Mirror for his use?
Even if Tao Qian wanted to pose as Buddha or an Arhat, judging by appearances alone, there would be no flaws to pick out.
However, appearances were just that, appearances.
That he had extinguished five anomalies in Evil Lands was a feat of his past exploits.
Among those present, who wasn't cruel and powerful?
Without a personal bout, they would never believe in his strength.
Thus, at this moment, his attempts to mediate the fight were utterly ineffective.
The two fiercely battling individuals each responded in turn.
The Devil Eyes General Yelü Baoshan, unapologetically sarcastic, shouted, "Country bumpkin from the South Sea, what sort of thing are you to ask me to stop? Why don't you call me 'Dad'? Then your Master Yelü might listen to his dutiful son for once."
Qingxu Immortal Zhu Xun, on the other hand, was different. While easily fending off Yelü Baoshan, he shouted, "Master, please wait a moment. I, Zhu Xun, will first subdue Yelü Daoist, then come and meet with you."
In the midst of speaking, Tao Qian also heard waves of battle cries and two very terrifying auras of warfare.
Looking down towards the great earth, it was two Extraordinary Armies embroiled in battle.
A closer look revealed they were the armies of those two generals.
Well now!
Had he arrived just in time to witness the outset of a free-for-all?
As Tao Qian was thinking this, suddenly an intense hostility exploded in front of him. The fearsome aura congealed as if real, turning the area into a field of blood strewn with the wails of ten thousand resentful souls and the dripping sound of pus and blood. He then saw the one riding atop a mountain of flesh, named Gao Tianci, the Evil God, who was now staring fiercely at Tao Qian.
Demon Blade raised in hand, pointing at Tao Qian, he sprayed out furiously:
"Stinking monk!"
"You don't appreciate kindness."
"I, old Gao, have finally learned a thing or two about speaking elegantly to show you respect, yet this stinking monk not only fails to come out at once, but also sets up airs against me."
"Come, fight with me. I really want to see if you, monk, can remain smug under my Blood Pus Blade – you truly deserve a thrashing."
After spouting all this, Gao Tianci suddenly thought of something amusing.
He pointed towards a location on the great earth where another Extraordinary Army appeared, sinister and dreadful.
At the same time, in front of the army was a county with a population of about ten to fifteen thousand people.
Gao Tianci then loudly ordered his army, "My children, do you see that county before us? The ban is lifted, kill if you wish, loot if you wish, there are no taboos!"
Upon these words, the army, comprised of Magicians and Demon Soldiers, erupted into cheering.
Like a swarm of crazed beasts pouring out, they surged towards that county.
This scene greatly satisfied Gao Tianci, who turned to Tao Qian with a smug expression, saying:
"Stinking monk, I hear your Buddhist Sect preaches about karma. I, old Gao, tell you clearly that it's because of you that I ordered my children to slaughter the city. Watch closely now, realize that the deaths of those ten to fifteen thousand Mortals will be because of you."
"Tsk, tsk, truly tragic."
As Gao Tianci spoke, he was completely oblivious to the fact that the Wu Gou Buddha Son before him had his expression turn cold and dangerous in an instant.
Tao Qian hadn't said anything when Yelü Baoshan had taken advantage.
However, when that Blood Demon army, composed of Magicians, was about to massacre the city, a flash of killing intent crossed Tao Qian's eyes.
His form vanished on the spot, and when he reappeared, it was startlingly right in front of the county known as "Zhaolu County."
Looking at the incoming army, those who had long lost their human form, distorted and grisly, their bodies covered in blood, Tao Qian uttered indifferently:
"Om Mani Padme Hum!"
"You've all mutated to such an extent that your suffering must be unbearable."
"Since I have witnessed this, it is only right that I deliver you from your pain."
As the words left his mouth, Tao Qian had already untied the People Species Bag from his waist and tossed it forward.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, as the mouth of the bag opened, it directly absorbed an army of a full hundred thousand.
This act shocked not only the many onlookers
but also made Gao Tianci, who had come to kill Tao Qian, utterly furious. He bellowed, "You rascal, you're looking for death!"
Immediately exerting his True Spicy Hand, he first shook the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, summoning up to ten thousand resentful souls that had been cultivated to possess fierce Divine Skills and were difficult to kill. Their wailing filled the air, instantly creating an area overrun by Ghosts, lunging towards Tao Qian.
He then raised the blade known as Blood Pus Blade and let loose a sticky crimson blade light at an astonishingly fast speed, slashing towards Tao Qian's neck.
As if these two methods were still uncertain of victory, Gao Tianci also urged his mount, the flesh mountain. The hands, feet, and limbs unfurled with a flutter and, like a Heavenly Girl Scattering Flowers, bombarded towards Tao Qian's position.
These multiple methods in an instant crushed that area into dust.
An ordinary Cavernous Mystery Cultivator would likely not even withstand the Ten Thousand Soul Banner.