His expression became more serious than ever before.

His eyes stared fixedly into the distance.

Logan Brooks felt a bit puzzled.

Then, an old monk suddenly appeared in the manor courtyard, walking toward the bamboo building.

The old monk was tall and thin, his appearance withered, as frail as a bamboo pole.

But his steps did not falter, showing no fear as he walked toward the massive Vajra statue.

Instead, it was the Vajra statue that took a step back in the face of this old monk!

The boundless murderous aura also dissipated.

Everyone from the Great Xia Dynasty felt as if they had returned from hell to the world of the living.

“Bishop Howard!” The governor of Shu Prefecture in Xia let out a long sigh of relief.

The old monk nodded to him: “The title of Dharma King is but a fleeting cloud. However, this old monk has come today precisely to cleanse the lineage of my Great Vajra Sect.”

Inside the bamboo building, Logan Brooks saw this and looked at the Vajra beside him.

Vajra’s face looked terrible, his teeth clenched.

Outside, Bishop Howard looked past the Vajra statue, his gaze landing directly on the bamboo building.

“Baoshu, come, let this old monk see how much you’ve improved in these two years.”

Hearing Bishop Howard address Vajra by this name, the governor of Shu Prefecture in Xia furrowed his brow again: “Master Baoshu?! One of the few young masters in the history of the Great Vajra Monastery, once one of the most outstanding geniuses—he actually defected to the Demonic Sect!”

Inside the bamboo building, Logan Brooks glanced at Vajra from the corner of his eye.

The other was already dressed as a layman.

There was no trace of a monk’s appearance.

Vajra coldly called out to the outside: “When our sect leader destroyed the Great Vajra Monastery, you happened to be traveling abroad and managed to escape disaster. Instead of keeping your head down and living out your days, you actually dare to show up here today?”

Bishop Howard’s aged face remained calm: “With attachments in the heart, it is hard to cultivate in peace. One must sever karma to attain clarity.”

Vajra sneered: “You think you’re worthy to seek out our sect leader to settle karma?”

“If the Demon Emperor is also here, all the better,” Bishop Howard said calmly. “A duel between two emperors, both sides wounded—such a rare opportunity.”

The old monk looked toward the bamboo building: “The Demon Emperor is gravely injured; this old monk has come precisely to settle karma with him.

If his injuries are not serious, then I will risk my life to feed the demon, and make sure his wounds worsen, so that someone will be able to take his life in the future.

If he’s not here, then Baoshu, your retribution has come. Today, I will cleanse the sect—every demon spawn here, not a single one will escape.”

As he spoke, in front of Bishop Howard, golden light condensed into a Vajra statue, its entire body as clear as diamond.

The martial intent radiating from the two Vajra statues was almost identical.

But as soon as the second Vajra statue appeared, its aura immediately forced the first one to retreat!

Inside the bamboo building, Vajra’s face turned pale, then green.

Facing Logan Brooks, he lowered his head in shame.

Qinglong Wu, standing nearby, tried to smooth things over and said, “Sect Leader, Bishop Howard is a senior of the Great Vajra Monastery, who cultivated for many years. Before the monastery was destroyed, he had already reached the eleventh realm, the Martial King of the Divine Realm…”

Logan Brooks recalled the descriptions in “Records of Shenzhou.”

They were both Martial Kings, but those at the eleventh realm, the Divine Realm, had a significant advantage over those at the tenth realm, the Intent Condensation Realm.

Experts in the Divine Realm had a great advantage in perception.

Those who entered the Divine Realm could faintly resonate mentally with their opponents.

As soon as the opponent had a thought, they would sense it.

Their ability to predict changes was almost prophetic, achieving the effect of subduing the enemy without fighting.

Usually, only those in the Divine Realm could contend with others of the same realm.

Vajra’s cultivation was a level lower; if he fought Bishop Howard, his moves would be almost transparent to the opponent.

“Old Fu, Old Lu, and Old Shou are all away right now. Surely a mere Hui Jue, that bald thief, isn’t enough to trouble the Sect Leader to act personally?” Vajra gritted his teeth. “I have cultivated both our sect’s supreme arts and the Great Vajra Monastery’s martial arts. I will… defeat that old bald thief. Please, Sect Leader, leave him to me.”

From your tone, you don’t sound very confident… Logan Brooks muttered inwardly.

Vajra’s earlier words also made his heart sink.

So, among the experts accompanying him, this big guy was currently the strongest.

Any other experts were not by his side.

Distant water can’t put out a nearby fire.

If this big guy lost, as the leader of the Demonic Sect, he would have to step in himself.

But he was new here and unfamiliar with martial arts.

And he was seriously injured.

How could he fight?

If he tried to run, even if he escaped, his prestige would be ruined.

At the same time, his true condition of being seriously injured would be exposed.

By then, would this seemingly loyal Vajra still be as devoted as he was now? That was hard to say.

Chapter 7: Those Who Obey Me Prosper, Those Who Defy Me Perish

He was just happily bathing, eating, and watching the song and dance.

Suddenly, it was a matter of life and death… Logan Brooks cursed inwardly.

He leaned back against the chair, his expression calm in the face of danger, his mind racing with thoughts.

That Xia Dynasty governor was one thing.

But why did this Bishop Howard suddenly appear here?

Was it really just a coincidence?

Besides this old monk, were there other formidable enemies lurking nearby?