As Shen Qiang spoke, everyone present looked shocked.

The middle-aged man sneered coldly, "Shen Qiang, you really have no self-awareness. Doushi Temple belongs to the Buddhist order, and you are the King of Demons. Abbot Shi Shengyi died because of you. To knock on the temple gate is already an impressive feat, but you expect them to open the mountain gate to welcome you? That's just daydreaming!"

The middle-aged man's words caused many members of the Dragon Group to show mocking expressions.

"He's really biting off more than he can chew. We, the Dragon Group, have so many people here and are still kept out. Aren't we all upright cultivation practitioners? Even we can't get in, so how could they invite a demon leader?"

"It's laughable; we legitimate cultivation practitioners are completely disregarded by Doushi Temple. They only control some wicked demon paths and think they are impressive."

"Talk about wishful thinking. Even if all Heshenghe's demons came and broke through the mountain gate, there might be a chance. But to expect Doushi Temple to open the gate and invite them is arrogance to the point of forgetting one's own name."

The muttering by the Dragon Group members was loud, seemingly intended for Shen Qiang to hear.

"Shen Qiang, don't pay attention to them. These people just can't stand others being stronger than them," Ye Xiaolei said tenderly, standing beside Shen Qiang.

Ali, who usually liked to oppose Shen Qiang, also said unusually, "Indeed, Shen Qiang's recent performances have been dazzling, so they are deceiving themselves, saying that without Heshenghe's demons, you are nothing at all."

Meanwhile, Qian Shanxue also came to Shen Qiang's side and said, "It's common for ordinary people to see someone more successful and think they have relationships, connections, background, or even unlawful means, but they never consider whether that person worked hard for their success."

Their voices were also loud, and upon hearing them, the Dragon Group members immediately went silent.

After all, in their hearts, Shen Qiang was an evil path reliant on demons to connect with the Dragon Group, so while they outwardly smiled, inwardly they had some disdain for Shen Qiang, believing that in terms of cultivation and ability, he was inferior to them.

Not only that.

They took pride in the fact that Shen Qiang's military rank was only Lieutenant.

Among the Dragon Group, such a small rank is only found in the most basic members.

So rather than respecting Shen Qiang, they feared Heshenghe's demons.

But Qian Shanxue, Ali, and Ye Xiaolei were different.

They had fought their way up, step by step, with real determination, so when they spoke up, many Dragon Group members fell silent.

The middle-aged man, seeing the three women tightly surrounding Shen Qiang, snorted coldly, "If you want respect, you must deliver on your promises. Didn't you, Shen Qiang, brag that Doushi Temple would open the mountain gate to invite you? You don't have to be that boastful, but if you can open the mountain gate, I will bow to you whenever I see you."

Looking coldly at Shen Qiang, the middle-aged man chuckled, "But it seems you don't have that ability."

Shen Qiang laughed.

Beside him, Ke Bizhu calmly retrieved a large redwood Taishi Chair from a Storage Ring and placed it on the ground. It was covered with a soft, warm tiger skin.

Shen Qiang sat proudly on the chair, his gaze calmly fixed on the blue smoke line being pressed low by the wind, drifting at a 45-degree angle toward Doushi Temple, casually raising his eyebrows, "I, Shen Qiang, always keep my word; when I said they would come to greet, they certainly will."

Ch!

The middle-aged man snorted coldly.

Almost simultaneously.

Behind the mountain gate of Doushi Temple.

Fully armed monks stood in a row, filled with murderous intent.

A robust martial monk, in his thirties, not only enwreathed in True Yuan comparable to a Mixed Element Realm cultivator, shouted, "Director Sir, fight now, the Dragon Group only has Qian Shanxue and two strong members. Waiting longer will miss the opportunity."

Another martial monk said, "Shen Qiang is already here. If all Heshenghe's demons arrive, fighting will not guarantee victory. Strike now, scare them, and then sit down to negotiate, so they no longer covet the efforts of Abbot Shengyi."

Upon hearing this, the Doushi Temple director, draped in a Kasaya, sighed, "We have no choice now, everyone, prepare. We must not lose this battle."

In an instant, the monks' True Yuan grew even stronger.

"Director, please give the command!" the robust martial monk said.

The Doushi Temple director slowly raised his hand, and just as he was about to take a deep breath to order the attack.

A strangely elegant yet solemn scent drifted over with the wind.

He froze.

The solemn fragrance entered his nose, instantly turning into a refreshing nectar.

Bang!

In just an instant, the fierce Dragon-subduing Arhat within him collapsed entirely, replaced by a dignified, compassionate Buddha, smiling at him. There were no Buddhist scriptures, no stern rebukes, no admonitions, but Buddha's loving gaze instantly erased his intent to kill without a trace.

"How sinful!"

Director Shi Tongmiao lowered his head, pressed his palms together, and questioned his conscience.

When he reopened his eyes, he noticed clearly that the monks previously filled with agitation, anxiety, and murderous intent now appeared solemn and compassionate, looking at the temple exterior with amazement.

An elderly monk exclaimed in astonishment, "With a foolish thought, wisdom disappears; with a wise thought, wisdom arises. This fragrance in the wind may be Buddha's compassion, guiding those lost."

Upon hearing this, the monks quickly returned to their senses.

The robust martial monk could not help but step forward, exclaiming, "This must be Buddha's scent. I was full of murderous intent due to the monastery's people confusing me, but upon smelling this Buddha scent, I suddenly realized, wind bears no malice, trees harbor no evil thoughts, only my heart bears malice!"

"This scent must be a Buddhist sacred object!" another martial monk said, awestruck, "The incense of Abbot Shengyi is indeed miraculous but only prevents lustful thoughts. Smelling this scent, I've comprehended Buddha's Great Realm!"

"Indeed," an old monk said solemnly, "This fragrance is serene and elegant. Upon entering the nose, it feels like drinking refreshing rain. Besides making the body feel comfortable, it removes all distracting thoughts as if immersed in a blissful pure land. Undoubtedly, it is a precious Buddhist treasure. If this temple can obtain the scent, offering it daily before Buddha will cultivate great merit, forming a Buddhist pure land."

Upon hearing this, Director Shi Tongmiao deeply inhaled, feeling the peace within and the mysterious sense like listening to Buddha's words, solemnly ordered, "Open the mountain gate, monks, follow me to welcome Buddha's Treasure!"

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