Chapter 1356: Chapter 681: Stirring the Grass to Alert the Snake (Part 2)

As soon as he thought of the murals he had seen before, an image of the abbot gnawing fiercely on the corpse of a child appeared in Lin Beichen’s mind.

Thinking of those innocent children who died tragically, Lin Beichen could no longer stand idly by. He rushed towards the abbot who had his back turned, ready to end this cult follower once and for all.

"Prepare to die!"

He shouted angrily, yet before the words fell, he froze right there.

The abbot, who had been sitting before him, disappeared the instant his hand was about to touch him!

While Lin Beichen was momentarily stunned, he suddenly felt a heavy weight on his back.

A pair of hands rested on his shoulders! This tangible feeling made Lin Beichen realize it couldn’t possibly be a ghostly trick; something real was indeed on his back.

He had walked all the way in, and apart from the abbot, he hadn’t seen any living person. This meant the abbot of Celestial Cloud Temple truly used the cult’s evil technique to cultivate astonishing power, allowing him to evade attack in an instant.

Realizing this, Lin Beichen dared not make a rash move. After all, a moment of carelessness, and the only one to suffer would be him.

But with the abbot on his back, what should he do?

Just then, a sinister laugh echoed in the chamber. The sound made one’s skin crawl, creating a feeling of being in hell.

"Benefactor, are you looking for this old monk?" a strange, hoarse voice called out.

Lin Beichen clenched his fists in anger. Although he wasn’t a follower of Buddhism, he couldn’t tolerate cult followers committing heinous acts under the guise of Buddhism.

"I’ve come this far, do you think there’s any point in pretending anymore?" Lin Beichen spun around and launched a palm strike on the abbot of Celestial Cloud Temple clinging to his back.

Immediately, Lin Beichen swiftly retreated, creating a distance between himself and the abbot. This distance was enough to give Lin Beichen time to respond in case the abbot launched a sudden attack, preventing him from being completely passive.

However, as they distanced themselves, Lin Beichen finally saw the abbot’s face clearly.

Seeing it, he couldn’t help but shiver with disgust!

In the dim light, Lin Beichen realized that although he knew the abbot was a cult follower, he hadn’t expected the abbot might not even be human!

Now, the abbot’s entire body seemed twisted, looking extremely terrifying.

Even separated by some distance, Lin Beichen could clearly see irregular undulations beneath the abbot’s robe, as if his body was undergoing some transformation.

"Benefactor, since you already know, don’t think you can escape!" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The abbot let out a sinister laugh, as if Lin Beichen were already a prey trapped in his snare.

After witnessing the abbot’s body transforming, Lin Beichen finally understood: not only was the abbot not human, but Celestial Cloud Temple might not even be a real temple!

This Celestial Cloud Temple was merely a cover for the abbot’s evil cultivation technique.

As for masquerading as a temple abbot, Lin Beichen thought it was because that role wouldn’t arouse suspicion from others.

Even in this era when deities were seen as superstition, and no one believed Buddhism or Daoism were real faiths that could lead people towards good, hearing "abbot," people instinctively thought of someone pure-hearted and benevolent.

This abbot exploited that trust to commit heinous acts.

In that dark corner, a heinous crime was being unveiled.

Children—innocent lives lured from unknown places—were cooked into soup according to cult secret techniques, becoming sacrifices to enhance cultivation.

Whenever he thought of those tragically slain children, an uncontrollable anger surged within Lin Beichen.

"Hmph, if you want to keep me here, let’s see if you have the ability!" Lin Beichen’s voice was chilling as the wind; his eyes flashed with resolute determination.

Despite being greatly shocked by Celestial Cloud Temple and its inhuman abbot, it couldn’t shake his resolve to eradicate this scourge.

"This is the old monk’s domain; leaving is no easy task, is it?" the abbot sneered, lunging at Lin Beichen with the agility of a reptile, using both hands and feet. His form had long lost any resemblance to humanity, moving in an eerie and unpredictable manner.

Lin Beichen unfolded his body, leaping into the air, and delivered a powerful kick to the abbot, sending him flying.

However, this kick seemed to have little impact on the abbot, as he quickly came back with relentless vigor.

Lin Beichen was aware that although the abbot was with the cult, he had enhanced his power using the corpses and resentful spirits of children, making him a formidable opponent. He remained vigilant, ready for an escalated battle.

"Monster, don’t be arrogant!" Lin Beichen formed a seal with both hands, and struck fiercely towards the abbot’s head.

The head, regarded as the vital point for humans, and even though the abbot was no longer part of the Human Race, Lin Beichen was confident this blow would cause harm.

Yet, as if foreseeing his action, the abbot swiftly raised his hand to block his head, forcibly taking Lin Beichen’s strike. Lin Beichen then quickly retreated, maintaining distance from the abbot. He knew well this abbot’s methods were cunning and unpredictable, making it unsuitable for close combat for now.

In the blink of an eye, the abbot vanished without a trace. Lin Beichen was instantly alarmed and stayed vigilant.

Suddenly, a sound of something slicing through the air reached him. He turned swiftly, only to see black energy gushing out from the abbot’s robe sleeve, solidifying into the shape of a blade, shooting straight towards the room where he stood.

Fortunately, Lin Beichen had been on guard against the abbot. He quickly adjusted his position and narrowly dodged the attack. He realized the abbot’s attack style was unlike any other; there was no need to be close. The black energy seemed capable of tracking him, locking onto him the moment it was launched.

Moreover, the abbot’s strange body appeared to have high defense, leaving Lin Beichen momentarily at a loss to deal with him. He took a deep breath, striving to stay calm as he pondered a strategy.

At this moment, his gaze fell on a copper cauldron suspended by eight thick iron chains beside him.

This copper cauldron seemed familiar. As Lin Beichen pondered, he realized it was nearly identical to the one placed in the center of Celestial Cloud Temple.

However, this copper cauldron bore intricate patterns he had never seen before.

He intended to study the patterns’ meanings when a bizarre cry pierced the air.

Following the sound, Lin Beichen was shocked to see the abbot’s body transforming once more. He had now completely become a humanoid lizard, his form swelling to more than twice its original size.

In the relatively constrained chamber, the abbot’s figure was exceptionally striking.

"Boy, don’t think having some skills means this old monk can’t handle you." The abbot’s voice was filled with smugness, "I’ve already told you, this is my territory. As long as you’re here, there’s no way you can defeat me!"

Lin Beichen’s brow furrowed; he indeed overlooked one thing. This chamber was built by the abbot, and he could sense the heavy resentment permeating here.

This was likely one reason the abbot could maneuver so effortlessly under his attacks.

Nonetheless, he would demand justice for those deceased children today!

His eyes shone with unwavering resolve, prepared to launch his attack again.

Before Lin Beichen could devise a strategy, the abbot rushed towards him suddenly, moving at a breathtaking speed.

Lin Beichen was instantly on alert, realizing his attacks had little effect on the abbot’s bizarre body.

Then, he directed his attention to the Eight-Chain Copper Cauldron he had noticed before.