A streak of morning sunlight pierced the night, dyeing layers of clouds red across thousands of miles, shining into the quiet meditation room and scattering bright light onto the ground.
Sensing the transformation as the sun rose in the east and day replaced night, Meng Qi, seated in meditation, slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was heavy, like golden rays, perceiving a kaleidoscope of colors and purple qi rising into the sky. The chirping of insects, crawling sounds, the wind, and murmuring voices clearly reached his ears, dispelling the night’s tranquility and awakening the pulse of life.
After several days of arduous cultivation, not only had his hearing acuity stabilized, but by leveraging this spontaneous opening, he had also remedied the hidden danger of forcibly opening his visual acuity using pills without sufficient time to consolidate it. He had ascended to a new level.
Just this alone made the arduous cultivation with the Samsara Talisman worthwhile!
Instinctively rotating the rosary around his left hand, Meng Qi noted that aside from the expected slow progress in the Golden Bell Shield and the Shape-shifting Great Art, all other areas had preliminarily achieved his goals. The sole regret was that, despite staying at Changhua Temple for over a month, he had failed to discover any other traces left by Master Yuanmeng or obtain any valuable information. His only remaining clue was still that letter: “Where Lies the Vajra Peak?”
Knock knock knock, someone lightly tapped on the door.
“Master Che and Master Xiang, please enter,” Meng Qi instinctively said, having recognized their footsteps since opening his hearing acuity.
With a creak, Che Wanxiu and her husband, Master Xiang, entered respectfully.
“Master,” Che Wanxiu gently asked, “we heard from Master Xianyin that you will be leaving the day after tomorrow?”
Meng Qi, fingers moving over his rosary, automatically shifted into his “high monk” persona: “Amitabha, worldly ties have ended. I’ve guided those with karmic connections and have no further attachments to the mundane world.”
Che Wanxiu replied regretfully, “Master, your swordsmanship is divine. Learning from you is a rare opportunity. Unfortunately, our karmic connection lasts only forty days.”
She paused, then continued, “I heard Master Xianyin is helping you collect ordinary martial arts manuals, especially those related to acupoint striking. I remembered that our family has a copy of ‘Melted Snow Acupoint Hand’ and brought it for your appraisal.”
Grateful for the “rebirth” favor, she had been thinking how to repay Master Zhending. Thus, she subtly inquired in front of Duan Xiangfei about any unfulfilled wishes the master might have. Duan Xiangfei, a shrewd old fox, immediately understood her intentions upon her first words and deliberately mentioned the acupoint striking manual—Che family’s “Melted Snow Acupoint Hand” was as renowned as their “Falling Snow Saber Technique.”
“Master Che, your kindness is deeply appreciated,” Meng Qi replied, understanding her intentions without exposing them. He indeed needed a decent acupoint striking technique.
Che Wanxiu quietly exhaled in relief. She had been afraid the master might refuse. If she did not repay such a great favor, she would find it hard to sleep peacefully, which would definitely affect her martial cultivation in the future.
Meng Qi took the deep blue-covered manual and casually flipped through it. After a quick browse, he found that although the “Melted Snow Acupoint Hand” was not an exceptional acupoint striking technique, it was still at the level of opening acupoints—certainly better than the basic acupoint striking and clearing methods included with the Golden Bell Shield. It was suitable for short-term use.
“Master,” Che Wanxiu said, “this is a copy. You can study it at your leisure.” Fearing they might disturb Master Zhending’s cultivation, she and Master Xiang left the manual and departed.
Acupoint striking techniques were practical martial arts. Meng Qi’s internal cultivation was already profound, and he had the foundational knowledge and martial arts experience, so mastering the technique was not difficult. As he was immersed in studying the “Melted Snow Acupoint Hand,” he suddenly heard another knock on the door.
“Master Luo, please enter,” Meng Qi smiled and shook his head.
Luo Qing still wore white, expressionless and stern: “Master, these are my sword techniques and insights. They may serve as references for your sword cultivation.”
How many white robes does this guy have to change into… This strange thought inexplicably popped into Meng Qi’s mind. He accepted the gift without refusal, knowing that declining might burden Luo Qing’s heart, preventing him from achieving completeness.
Luo Qing, never one for words, immediately turned and left after delivering the sword insights. Before Meng Qi could lower his head to continue studying the “Melted Snow Acupoint Hand,” another crisp knock echoed at the door.
“Old Duan, come in. Why don’t you all come together?” Meng Qi said with a helpless tone.
Duan Xiangfei entered the meditation room with a long sword wrapped in a pale golden scabbard, smiling: “Gift-giving is better done privately. If we came together, it would be awkward whether the gift is good or not.”
Gifts for repaying great kindness were still gifts. If the gift was less valuable than others’, one would feel ashamed. If it was better than others’, it would embarrass them, causing unnecessary offense. Thus, it was better to meet separately, out of sight, out of mind.
“You always have a reason,” Meng Qi chuckled, shaking his head. Indeed, this old fox was meticulous in his dealings: “So, this long sword is your gift for this humble monk?”
Duan Xiangfei smiled: “Exactly. I noticed you have a good saber but no good sword, so I volunteered to offer this sword.”
He paused, then continued: “This sword has been treasured by the Snow Goddess Palace for generations. It was my sword before I lost five fingers on my right hand, named ‘Ice Gate Sword.’ Later, I passed it to Mingcheng, but his sword skills were poor, and he preferred palm techniques, so the sword became merely a decorative item, unused. Besides, if he wanted a sword, there were several at home.”
Being an old fox himself, he naturally knew that if the gift was too precious, Master Zhending might hesitate to accept it, so he explained in detail.
Meng Qi nodded slightly, raised his hand to receive the “Ice Gate Sword,” and slowly drew it from the scabbard.
As he drew it, the sound of the blade sliding against the scabbard rang out. Just by listening, one could tell it was extremely sharp.
The sword was of ordinary size and thickness, but the blade was faintly transparent, as if forged from ice, emitting a chilling aura.
Extremely sharp, with an innate cold aura, likely causing freezing effects after injuring someone… Meng Qi roughly judged from his perception, then sheathed the sword and placed it aside.
After Duan Xiangfei left, Meng Qi regained his peace and began diligently studying the acupoint striking techniques.
At dusk, during the mealtime, the reception monk entered holding a letter: “Master Zhending, someone sent you a letter.”
After becoming familiar, the reception monk naturally addressed Meng Qi as “junior brother.”
Meng Qi accepted the letter with puzzlement. He had few acquaintances in this world—who could have sent him a letter? Cui Jinxiu? Zhang Zongxian and his wife? The Four Heroes of Jiangnan?
On the envelope, there was a seal—an ink-black palm with clearly defined five fingers, giving an evil impression.
“This is Gai Yuan’s mark,” Duan Xiangfei immediately recognized it. “Unexpectedly, after disappearing for two years, he has returned to the martial world because of the master.”
“Reincarnated Demon King” Gai Yuan? Meng Qi nodded slightly, carefully inspecting the letter before opening it and taking out the letter paper:
“I have heard that your saber technique has ascended to the divine realm, transcending the boundary between mortal and immortal. This brings me great joy, for at last, there is one worthy of testing my full power with all three hidden reserves unleashed. At noon tomorrow, I shall personally come to challenge you. Please await me. Gai Yuan.”
(Note: “秘藏” is translated as “hidden reserves” to convey the sense of concealed power or latent abilities. The name “Gai Yuan” is retained in pinyin as per the instruction.)
“He has unlocked the Spiritual Hidden Treasury?” Che Wanxiu exclaimed in astonishment as Meng Qi read the letter aloud. Previously, Gai Yuan, much like herself, had only unlocked the Vitality and Stamina Hidden Treasuries. Though each possessed unique martial arts, they were still unable to fully defeat masters like Cui Xu who had unlocked the Spiritual Hidden Treasury. Yet now, quietly and without fanfare, he had achieved this breakthrough, becoming the first person in many years to simultaneously unlock all three Hidden Treasuries!
This was undoubtedly the most sensational news in the martial world, second only to Master Zhending!
Duan Xiangfei was momentarily stunned, then let out a deep sigh: “Time spares no one. Compared to Gai Yuan, I’ve lost my former edge. He must have devoted himself entirely to unlocking the spiritual秘藏 during these two years away from the martial world.”
(Note: “秘藏” is retained as is since it appears to be a specialized term or concept that may not have a direct English equivalent. If a specific translation is preferred, please provide additional context.)
Gai Yuan was over a decade younger, at the prime of his life.
Luo Qing remained silent, merely lightly stroking the sword at his waist.
Meng Qi smiled and closed the letter: “Then this humble monk shall await Gai Yuan’s visit.”
As the Reincarnated Demon King, Gai Yuan was notorious for his blood-soaked hands and countless crimes. Meng Qi would not hold back.
“Master, please be cautious. Even though Gai Yuan hasn’t refined his acupoints or opened the innate nine orifices, having all three secret treasures unlocked still makes him terrifyingly powerful,” Che Wanxiu said with concern.
Duan Xiangfei nodded in agreement: “With all three secret vaults opened, he becomes a self-contained system, his martial arts surpassing ours.”
The Snow Goddess Palace had many records on this, and Duan Xiangfei was well-versed in it.
Meng Qi replied calmly: “This humble monk understands and will not underestimate him.”
Perfect, just before leaving, there would be someone to test his blade! Let him try, without using the Self-Sacrifice Decree, just how powerful his full-strength saber strike could be!
Against Anguo Xie, he needed a swift victory. Once his opponent recovered his breath and regained his senses, even if severely injured, he might escape, putting Meng Qi in danger!
Therefore, this battle would serve as a warm-up for the life-or-death confrontation with Anguo Xie!
…
The next day, the sky was dim and overcast as noon approached.
Gai Yuan deliberately spread the news, so everyone in the nearby martial arts world knew he had unlocked all three secret vaults and was challenging Master Zhending, the divine monk renowned for his saber skills.
How could such a grand martial arts event be missed? Thus, all martial heroes and villains who could make it gathered at Changhua Temple, filling the rooftops, trees, and the square’s surroundings.
“Master Nie, do you think the Reincarnated Demon King has any chance of defeating Master Zhending in this challenge?” A curious person asked a relatively famous martial artist.
Master Nie snorted coldly: “Even with all three secret treasures unlocked, Gai Yuan has merely approached the boundary between mortals and immortals. How could he possibly rival Master Zhending, whose saber technique has reached the divine realm and shattered the void? He will undoubtedly lose.”
“I’m not so sure. If Gai Yuan knew he would lose for certain, why would he challenge? He must have some confidence in victory,” another person countered.
“Master Zhending defeated ‘Falling Snow Saber’ Che’s wife without moving a step. The difference in strength between masters is clear,” Master Nie said bluntly, without hesitation.
“That’s true. Probably, Gai Yuan just wants to challenge Master Zhending to hone himself and approach the boundary between mortals and immortals. Hehe, let’s guess how many strikes he can endure before losing?”
“At least ten strikes?”
“With that divine saber technique, ten might not be enough.”
“Indeed, facing such a sword technique, even with all three secret reserves unlocked, Gai Yuan would likely struggle to withstand more than three strikes.”
“Maybe five strikes?”
“You don’t believe me? Let’s bet on it!”
Soon, various bets emerged among the spectators, a common occurrence in such situations.
Suddenly, someone whispered, “The Reincarnated Demon King has arrived.”
On the steps leading to the square, a man in black clothes and black shoes slowly approached. Around forty years old, clean-shaven, seemingly ordinary, yet everyone knew he was ruthless. He had once smashed to death the young son of a righteous martial artist who refused to submit to him, and this was merely a minor incident among his many atrocities as the Demon King.
Gai Yuan ascended the square and stood aside, waiting quietly. The sky grew darker with thick clouds.
“Master Zhending has come out!” Joyful cheers erupted one after another.
From within the Great Buddha Hall slowly emerged a young monk in white monastic robes. His face was handsome, subtly exuding solemnity. His robes, shoes, and socks were spotless, with a dark red precept saber hanging on his right waist and a golden-sheathed sword on his left. He walked forward calmly, exuding an otherworldly aura.
“Truly magnificent!” Innumerable people silently admired.
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