The Venerable Master Wuguo did not create any personal profound techniques to place within the Profound Realm. Feng Dao Du also searched.

But few cultivators in the Core Condensation stage could open up a Profound Realm, so Feng Zikang wasn't overly concerned about this. As expected, after much thought, Master Wuguo could not devise a suitable spot and began to look distressed.

Feng Zikang’s eyes darted. "Master, if there’s truly no other way, why don't we hide the bowl beneath the Buddha statue enshrined behind us? After all, the spiritual energy of this statue should suppress the treasure and prevent any leakage of spiritual essence. As long as no one knows, there’s no risk of it being lost!"

Master Wuguo was overjoyed. "Exactly! Exactly! You always think things through more thoroughly!"

The Buddha statue enshrined in his simple hut was something he carried with him, imbued with Buddhist nature and quite miraculous. Hiding it here would prevent easy discovery.

Seeing the Master clasp his hands and bow to the statue, Feng Zikang carefully lifted the image and concealed the purple-gold bowl underneath. Although Master Wuguo was somewhat stubborn, he was not a fool. Before hiding the bowl, he subtly scanned his surroundings to ensure no one was watching.

Feng Zikang inwardly smiled faintly. After watching him secure the item, he spoke, "Master, you must be tired from this journey. Perhaps you should rest early."

Master Wuguo nodded, lay down to one side, and soon drifted into deep sleep.

Feng Zikang tiptoed over to the Buddha statue, quietly retrieved the purple-gold bowl, and glanced back. Master Wuguo was still deeply asleep. He smiled faintly.

He transformed, leaving his physical form behind, and returned to Lizhou City.

The fact that he obtained the treasure so easily struck him as slightly odd, but no matter what, the item was now in his possession, so he let the strangeness go.

He reverted to his own appearance and returned to his resting place. Taking out the purple-gold bowl, he examined it closely.

The object pulsed with a treasure aura; it was indeed no ordinary artifact.

Feng Zikang gently caressed the surface of the bowl, watching the spiritual light shimmer. He could faintly sense the immense power contained within.

"This thing is quite remarkable."

Feng Zikang’s Nascent Soul slowly submerged into the bowl. He felt a boundless, majestic power, as if it contained an entire world within—truly extraordinary.

"Master Wuguo wasn't bragging when he said this thing could gather the waters of all the seas!"

Monks do not lie; Master Wuguo truly hadn't deceived him.

However, Feng Zikang still couldn't figure out how to use it. Since the item had been in Master Wuguo's hands, its restrictions had been completely broken, yet he couldn't grasp the method of activation. If he simply tried to summon it, it seemed it could only serve as a crude bludgeon, unable to unleash that vast sucking power.

"It seems most magic artifacts are like this," Feng Zikang frowned. He now possessed two truly formidable magic treasures: the Star River Shuttle gifted to him by Luo Lianxin long ago, and now this purple-gold bowl. Yet, he couldn't unlock the power of either, which was intensely frustrating.

The Star River Shuttle required breaking its seals, which he had done several layers of after reaching the Core Condensation stage, but using it smoothly was still a distant prospect. This purple-gold bowl was even more vexing; it had no seals, yet he couldn't activate its divine abilities—a true puzzle.

"Could there be some specific incantation required?"

Feng Zikang frowned. Seeing the sky beginning to lighten with no progress made, he decided to set the purple-gold bowl aside for later study.

The next day, Master Wuguo was furious. Although a high monk of great spiritual attainment, seeing the corpse of his disciple ignited a thunderous rage within him. He stormed onto the battlefield to issue a challenge.

"Hui Xing was merely a mere novice monk! If you had engaged in genuine combat on the field, that would be one thing! But to resort to such underhanded means—what kind of principle is that?"

"Nonsense! We are all cultivators; why would we bother killing some insignificant little novice like your monk?"

Mou Canglang had failed to defeat Master Wuguo yesterday and was feeling anxious, so he jumped in before others could reply.

Master Wuguo had secured the purple-gold bowl yesterday, but upon waking this morning, he found Hui Xing missing. A chilling dread struck him; he initially suspected the novice monk had stolen the treasure and fled. Frantically searching, he found the young monk's corpse outside the camp, filling him with urgency and fury.

When he moved the statue aside, the purple-gold bowl was indeed gone, escalating his rage to the heavens.

"You fiend! You murdered my disciple, stole my treasure, and now you dare talk back!"

This time, Master Wuguo held nothing back. Raising his staff, his anger flared, and a furious barrage struck. Mou Canglang couldn't withstand the assault and was forced to retreat repeatedly.

"What treasure did I steal? What disciple did I kill? You are a venerable monk; stop spouting nonsense!" Mou Canglang privately despaired. He had no idea why this monk had suddenly gone mad. He certainly hadn't stolen any treasure; he didn't even know what treasure the monk possessed, let alone how to steal it! As for killing a novice monk, he hadn't done that either.

However, since attaining the Dao, no one had dared to directly call him a demon in his presence. How could he endure such an insult? He unleashed a savage counter-attack, clashing fiercely with Master Wuguo in a flurry of blows.

"Senior Brother Feng, you haven't entered the fray yet, yet Brother Mou rushes in first. You certainly get to relax," Mr. Xu Wan chuckled, pointing at the battle below the city walls as he spoke to Feng Zikang.

Feng Zikang smiled faintly. "Daoist Friend Mou is supremely capable. Since he is willing to give his all, there is no need for me to show off."

"That might not be the case," Mr. Xu Wan shook his head. "From the looks of it, Master Wuguo’s cultivation is a cut above Mou Canglang’s. If both unleash their ferocity, Brother Mou might not be his match. By then, it will still be up to Brother Feng to step in."

Feng Zikang repeatedly waved his hand dismissively. "It's not that I'm unwilling to exert myself—it's just that Daoist Friend Mou's cultivation is slightly superior to mine. If he cannot win, why do you still have faith in me, Mr. Xu Wan?"

Mr. Xu Wan smiled slyly. "While I cannot discern your true depth now, based on my understanding of Senior Brother Feng, your overt strength is never more than thirty percent. The other seventy percent must be hidden beneath the surface. If you unleashed a full ten parts of your true capability, this mere Master Wuguo surely wouldn't warrant your notice?"

"Mr. Xu Wan flatters me," Feng Zikang shook his hand but offered no further argument.

"You can't discern my true depth now... meaning you could before?" Feng Zikang smiled faintly. That casual remark by Mr. Xu Wan allowed him to form an assessment of Mr. Xu Wan’s cultivation level.

It seemed Mr. Xu Wan was at least in the middle stage of Core Condensation; otherwise, he wouldn't be so clear about Feng Zikang's deliberately concealed strength. However, since Feng Zikang had ascended to Core Condensation, he had expended much accumulated potential; the hidden strength was no longer as vast as seventy percent. If Mr. Xu Wan’s statement was true, his cultivation should be similar to Feng Zikang’s.

How could such a young, unknown figure be a master nurtured by which faction? Feng Zikang's mind raced, but he couldn't draw a definite conclusion.

"Brother Mou is in trouble!"

Just then, Mr. Xu Wan suddenly frowned and let out a low cry. Feng Zikang paused, turning back to look down at the battle. The two were circling each other rapidly on the open ground below the city. Master Wuguo, wielding his Zen staff, relentlessly hammered away, forcing Mou Canglang into constant retreat.

In this situation, Mou Canglang’s momentum had waned, leaving him no room to turn the tide.

Feng Zikang frowned. Although he hadn't favored Mou Canglang’s chances, if he lost this fight, it would be a severe blow to Lizhou's morale. He adjusted his robes and smiled. "It seems Daoist Friend Mou is unwell today and has fallen behind. Since that is the case, allow me to descend and take up this battle, letting Brother Mou return to the city first!"

Mr. Xu Wan smiled faintly. "Then I shall trouble Senior Brother Feng!"

On one side, the city sounded the retreat gong; on the other, Feng Zikang leaped down.

Mou Canglang already felt the monk was fighting like a possessed demon and was difficult to handle; he had long been thinking of retreating but held back for the sake of face. The sound of the gong from the city walls coincided perfectly with his desire. He unleashed a few fierce strikes against Master Wuguo, then retreated.

"Monk, I will fight you another day. I am returning to the city now!"

As Master Wuguo prepared to pursue, a streak of sword light shot through the air, blocking his path. Mou Canglang paused, looked back, and saw Feng Zikang leaping down from the wall, the sword light being one he had unleashed.

"Oh? So it is Brother Feng taking up this fight?" Mou Canglang asked with a half-smile. Feng Zikang stepping in seemed like he was undermining Mou Canglang’s authority. However, upon closer inspection, Feng Zikang was only at the initial stage of Core Condensation, weaker than Mou Canglang himself. He had no chance of defeating the monk; if he fled in embarrassment later, it would actually save Mou Canglang face! Therefore, he wasn't angry, merely snorted coldly, nodded at Feng Zikang, and returned to the city on his own.

One left, another arrived. It still counted as one-on-one, not a group brawl. While there was a hint of attrition warfare, it was only a single substitution.

Master Wuguo glanced at him, and the anger on his face subsided slightly.

"Master Wuguo, I am Feng Zikang, a disciple of the Military Strategist School's Little Bamboo Grove from Dragon Tiger Mountain. I pay my respects, Master!"

"Oh? Indeed, it is Martial Nephew Feng!" Master Wuguo nodded. The Military Strategists and the Buddhist Sect were allied, and he was aware of some of the secrets discussed among the various schools. Even if they met on the battlefield, there was no need to completely sever friendly ties.

"Master, in which monastery do you cultivate? I know Master Wule of the White Horse Temple. Is he related to you...?" Master Wuguo nodded. "He is my senior brother. He also spoke highly of Martial Nephew Feng in front of me. Meeting you today, I see you truly are a hero among the young; the reputation is well-deserved!"

"I dare not accept the praise!" Feng Zikang cupped his hands in thanks, maintaining proper deference.

Master Wuguo's anger eased, replaced by a calm smile. "I am the Abbot of Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang. I recently visited Master Yuanyuan and met Senior Brother Wule then."

Jinshan Temple?

The name sounded somewhat familiar. Feng Zikang recalled that it was the place where the monk Fahai, famous in legends from his previous life for fighting the White Snake, cultivated. And didn't Fahai’s primary tool involve a begging bowl? Could this monk be one of Fahai’s descendants?

"So, Master presides over the ancient Jinshan Temple—my apologies for my lack of respect. I heard there is a monk named Fahai at Jinshan Temple. Is there such a person?" Since it was just casual small talk, Feng Zikang didn't mind asking about the existence of this individual.

Master Wuguo's expression changed, and his anger flared again. "Martial Nephew Feng, how did you know the Dharma name 'Fahai'?"

Feng Zikang was momentarily stunned, wondering why the monk was angered again. "I just heard someone mention it..."

"Nonsense!" Master Wuguo slammed his staff down, his rage blazing. "The Dharma name 'Fahai' is what I intended to bestow upon the novice monk Hui Xing when we officially ordained him upon returning. In this current age, only I and a few of my senior brothers know it. Where did you hear it?"

"Ah?" Feng Zikang was dumbfounded. He never expected that the young novice he had killed last night was actually Fahai! The death of this novice had already enraged Master Wuguo, and now the mention of 'Fahai' brought up his fury again. Even though Feng Zikang was a disciple of the Military Strategists, meeting on the battlefield, there was no point in maintaining civility.

Feng Zikang smiled and waved his hand. "Master, please do not be angry. Perhaps I misheard. You said yourself that only you and your few senior brothers know it in the world; how could I have heard it? It is truly a pity that the young novice Hui Xing died prematurely, but it has nothing to do with me."

Of course, he was lying blatantly. He had clearly split the young monk’s head with his sword, but now he would deny it to the death.

Master Wuguo considered this. Since the name 'Fahai' had not been spread publicly, even the novice Hui Xing himself didn't know it. Therefore, his suspicion that Feng Zikang had killed Hui Xing was baseless. Perhaps he had indeed misheard.

Feng Zikang, however, began to ponder in his mind. If Fahai died by his hand, then the love between the White Snake Lady and Xu Xian would face no obstruction in the future—perhaps that counted as a good deed. However, this world was not identical to his original world. He didn't know if a thousand-year-old serpent demon and that hopelessly dull scholar existed here.

In truth, the history of this Main Profound Realm bore a subtle resemblance to the histories he had passed through previously. Dynastic changes were similar, and major events aligned. The processes differed, especially since the Main Profound Realm was rich in spiritual energy, granting longer lifespans. The reigning Emperor of any dynasty was specially protected by Dragon Qi, leading to longer periods of rule for each dynasty. There were also significant divergences in detail.

For example, the current era in the Main Profound Realm was the Tang Dynasty, under the second emperor, Li—but he was not Li Shimin, nor did he claim the throne by forcing his brother out. Thus, Feng Zikang hadn't initially associated it with the Tang Dynasty history he knew. He had merely assumed he had arrived in a purely cultivation-focused world.

But later, when rumors spread that the Wu family would usurp the Tang, he grew suspicious. Then, after he even killed the Crown Prince, Wu Ji rebelled against the Tang. This differed greatly from the history of Wu Zetian ascending the throne, causing him to set that suspicion aside again.

It was only during the War of Investiture of the Gods, the second great calamity, after he obtained the Investiture of the Gods list, that his understanding of the Main Profound Realm deepened. This period of historical transition, though slow, possessed a discernible pattern. According to the Yin-Yang School, this was the Cycle of Five Virtues, constantly revolving, with calamities and fortunes predetermined. Therefore, the history of the small profound realm he had passed through largely mirrored the Main Profound Realm's history in major strokes.

Yet, inadvertently, he had become a destroyer of history. For instance, beating Prince Li Zhi to death meant that the Wu Zetian of this world—if that woman even existed—lost the opportunity to marry the Crown Prince, become Empress, and eventually ascend the throne. This was why Wu Ji rebelled against the Tang, initiating the prelude to a world-shaking calamity.

"Hmm... if Miss Wu succeeds to the throne, wouldn't she be Wu Zetian?" Feng Zikang smiled faintly, recalling how he had dragged the young Miss Wu across the southern wilds, treating her like a servant girl without even asking her name. If she truly became a generation’s Empress, it would be interesting. Now that he had killed Fahai, the love between the White Snake Lady and Xu Xian would have no obstacle. He wondered what their relationship would evolve into.

However, if the general trend of the world remained unchanged, even if Wu Zetian attained power through other means, the Tang Dynasty would likely be restored eventually. And if Fahai was gone, surely there would be another cultivator to hinder Xu Xian and the White Snake Lady’s romance.

"It is these predetermined threads that are truly terrifying," Feng Zikang sighed, completely forgetting he was on a battlefield, lost in thought.

"Martial Nephew Feng? Donor Feng?"

Master Wuguo was both exasperated and amused. He coughed lightly, calling his name.

Feng Zikang snapped back to awareness and smiled. "Nephew was momentarily distracted by other thoughts. Master, please forgive me!"

Master Wuguo shook his head with a wry smile. "Martial Nephew Feng, although our two families are allied, today we are on the battlefield, each upholding our duty. A fight is inevitable. If there are any improprieties, I ask for your forbearance."

He was speaking too much for a military engagement, but since the Military Strategists and the Buddhists were allied, and hostilities hadn't been fully declared, and given his senior status, his words weren't excessive.

Feng Zikang smiled faintly. "Master need not worry. I certainly won't be ruthless, but we must determine the victor." If they both held back out of respect for their families, the fight could drag on for years without resolution, which would be pointless. Directly settling the matter through combat—the loser departs, causing less trouble.

"Yes, we absolutely must determine the victor," Master Wuguo sighed. "If that is the case, let us have a match. If I cannot defeat Martial Nephew Feng, I will naturally withdraw. But if Martial Nephew Feng is defeated, you must also leave and never concern yourself with the affairs of Lizhou again."

He knew Feng Zikang was the individual destined for this calamity, though he didn't know Feng Zikang possessed the Investiture of the Gods list. If he could defeat Feng Zikang here, even if he couldn't recruit him, at least he could prevent him from favoring Lizhou, thus securing the destiny of the Calamity-Fated one, making the Imperial Court's campaign significantly easier.

Feng Zikang knew exactly what he was planning and smiled faintly. "That sounds excellent. I ask Master to go easy on me, lest we damage the harmony between our two families!"

"Naturally!" Master Wuguo patted his chest and agreed readily.

Feng Zikang smiled coldly, knowing his plan had succeeded! Master Wuguo believed his cultivation was a step above Feng Zikang's and intended to hold back—this sealed his inevitable defeat!