Li Nanzhu’s sharp rebuttal, a classic case of "using their own methods against them," struck like a rapid-fire cannon. Every word pierced through the logical fatal flaw in Huijue’s "merit theory."
For a moment, the entire area fell silent.
The monks of the Mingguang Sect were dumbfounded, their mouths agape and their faces flushed red, yet they couldn't find a single word to counter her!
Li Nanzhu’s words had been derived entirely from the logic their senior brother had just presented. Were they supposed to deny his profound discourse on the spot? Wouldn't that be like slapping their own faces?
Even the disciples of the Wuji Sect developed strange expressions. Some couldn't help but steal glances at Huijue, wondering how this famously eloquent monk would respond.
This little girl from the Five Elements Dao Sect certainly had a silver tongue!
However, to everyone’s surprise, even after being put in check publicly like this, the compassionate smile on Huijue’s face didn't change at all. There wasn't even a flicker in his eyes. He continued to look at Li Nanzhu peacefully, as if she hadn't just spoken words intended to destroy his argument but was instead sincerely asking for guidance.
This level of composure and sheer thick-skinnedness made Li Nanzhu marvel inwardly: 'This bald donkey can really endure. He’s definitely no ordinary bald donkey!'
"Amitabha." Huijue unhurriedly chanted the holy name again. The smile on his face grew even more benevolent as he nodded slightly, seemingly appreciative of Li Nanzhu’s perception. "The fact that Benefactor Li can ask such a question shows that your wisdom roots are deep. Truly virtuous, truly virtuous."
He shifted the topic, preparing to begin the sophistry he excelled at. "However, there are things you do not know. The Buddha's teachings are vast, and every person's fate is different. The path of charity also has—"
"Enough!"
A cold, emotionless voice suddenly rang out, cutting Huijue off.
Everyone followed the sound to see Ji Yanzhi, who had been silent from the very beginning.
His brows were slightly furrowed, and his face carried an obvious look of impatience. His cold gaze swept over Huijue and Li Nanzhu before finally landing on Zhu Yinxi and Rong Yuying.
"Huijue, we are not here to debate Buddhist teachings," Ji Yanzhi said, his voice bone-chillingly cold. "In a secret realm competition, the winner takes all. Wasting time on words is meaningless."
He was clearly extremely dissatisfied with Huijue’s practice of acting mysterious and stalling for time. His goal was clear: end this quickly and seize the points!
Ji Yanzhi’s words caused the smile on Huijue’s face to stiffen slightly, and a flash of displeasure crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
Seeing this, Li Nanzhu’s eyes darted around. She immediately spoke up to Ji Yanzhi before Huijue could open his mouth.
"Senior Brother Ji, you couldn't be more wrong! How can you call this a waste of time?"
She wore an innocent smile as she said, "Senior Brother Ji, think about it. If we really fight, although you have two Nascent Soul seniors and possess great strength, our numbers aren't small either. If we truly risk our lives, you would certainly win, but it’s inevitable that some of your people would get hurt or even be eliminated, right? Is it really worth letting your fellow disciples be sent out early just for a few points? What if you miss out on a higher ranking because of those few lost points?"
She turned her focus toward Huijue, her tone carrying a hint of instigation and a "doing this for everyone’s good" vibe. "But if we change the method, for example... a debate? We can debate according to that logic of Buddhist teachings and merit that Master Huijue just mentioned! If Master Huijue can use his supreme Buddhist teachings to convince us and prove that making us hand over our points is truly for our own good and a great merit, then we will be thoroughly convinced and take the initiative to hand over all our flags and points! We promise not to resist!"
She patted her small chest, looking very generous. "But if Master Huijue can't win the debate and it's proven that his logic is flawed, then you can't steal our points anymore and you have to let us pass! How about it?"
Li Nanzhu blinked her large eyes at Ji Yanzhi. "Isn't this better? No fighting, no injuries, and no eliminating fellow sect members to decide the points! Everything is determined by logic! Senior Brother Ji, don't you think this is much more civilized than killing and fighting? It saves so much trouble too!"
Her proposal seemed like child's play, but it caused Ji Yanzhi’s eyes to flicker as he fell into a brief silence.
Getting the other party to hand over all their points without lifting a finger?
That was indeed quite a temptation.
After all, as Li Nanzhu said, the other side had quite a few people. If they fought desperately, even if his side won, there would be damage, and people might be eliminated, affecting the final ranking.
This did not align with his principle of maximizing efficiency.
Although he had no interest in Huijue’s empty talk, if he could achieve his goal without shedding blood, it would undoubtedly be the best choice.
Moreover, deep down, he didn't think this little girl could win a Buddhist debate against Huijue, who had been immersed in the path for many years.
Besides...
Ji Yanzhi sneered inwardly. Even if this bald donkey Huijue lost the debate, so what?
There was no third-party referee here. Who would decide who won or lost?
Thinking of this, Ji Yanzhi reached a decision. "Can you represent everyone behind you? If you lose, are the Five Elements Dao Sect and the Hehuan Sect truly willing to hand over all flags and points and eliminate themselves?"
As his voice fell, everyone’s gaze focused on the members of the Five Elements Dao Sect and the Hehuan Sect.
Before anyone else could speak, Duan Xianxing was the first to jump out, his tone firm. "We can! Why wouldn't we! My junior sister's words are the words of our Five Elements Dao Sect! We trust her!"
Liu Qingyang also nodded like a chicken pecking at grain.
While Rong Yuying and the others were initially hesitant, seeing how much the others trusted Li Nanzhu, they felt a stir in their hearts as well.
"The Hehuan Sect has no objections."
Seeing how united the Five Elements Dao Sect was, and that even the Hehuan Sect supported them without hesitation, a flash of surprise and regret crossed Ji Yanzhi’s eyes, but that was all.
Seeing that Ji Yanzhi seemed moved, Huineng, who was standing to the side, couldn't sit still. He hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Ji! Senior Brother Huijue! Do not fall for this girl’s stalling tactic! They are clearly trying to delay for time! Mu Wenyan of the Five Elements Dao Sect must be nearby; perhaps he’s even on his way! Once Mu Wenyan arrives and they have a Nascent Soul cultivator to back them up, they will be even harder to deal with!"
Upon hearing this, Li Nanzhu immediately looked displeased. With a stern face and her hands on her hips, she said, "Senior Brother Huineng! What do you mean by that? Are you doubting the strength of Senior Brother Ji and Senior Brother Huijue?"
She intentionally raised her voice, sounding righteously indignant. "It's true our eldest senior brother is at the Nascent Soul stage, but you have two Nascent Soul cultivators here, Senior Brother Ji and Senior Brother Huijue! Two against one! Are you saying that Senior Brother Ji and Senior Brother Huijue together are afraid of our eldest senior brother alone? You're clearly building up the enemy's prestige while diminishing your own! This is a massive display of distrust toward the two senior brothers!"
As soon as she said this, Ji Yanzhi’s face darkened instantly, and his cold gaze swept toward Huineng.
Huijue’s smile also faded slightly.
Huineng was so choked up that his face turned blue and white. He hurriedly waved his hands. "I didn't mean it like that! I was saying—"
"Enough!" Ji Yanzhi interrupted him coldly. He looked at Li Nanzhu, then glanced at Huijue, who still wore an inscrutable smile, and quickly weighed his options in his mind.
A stalling tactic? Perhaps. But Li Nanzhu’s proposal did offer the possibility of obtaining the maximum result with minimal cost.
Most importantly, Huineng’s words just now had truly touched a nerve—would he, Ji Yanzhi, be afraid of Mu Wenyan? What a joke!
"Fine!" Ji Yanzhi finally spoke, his voice icy. "We will do as you say! Debate! The limit is one stick of incense! If Huijue wins the debate, you will hand over all flags and points and eliminate yourselves! If you win, we will make way!"
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