Not recognizing the true face of Mount Lu, only because one is within it, Meng Qi stood at the foot of Ling Mountain, seeing only the majestic and towering landscape before him, concealing its spiritual beauty, with what lay beyond unreachable.
Surveying the surroundings, Meng Qi couldn’t spot the entrance through which they had entered. However, he wasn’t worried, for upon the arrival of the eighth day, the cycle task would end, and they would leave this place.
“How should we proceed?” Jiang Zhiwei, holding the White Rainbow Sword, remained vigilant against potential ambushes. If this were the normal Ling Mountain, with the compassion of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, she wouldn’t have been afraid. But since the invasion of the Great Sages centuries ago, she had no idea how dangerous the place might have become.
Among the group, Meng Qi naturally had the most knowledge about Ling Mountain, so everyone looked to him.
Holding the plaque of the Great Thunderclap Temple, Meng Qi said softly, “Let’s ascend the mountain.”
After walking five or six miles, they encountered a massive river cutting across the mountains, nearly eight or nine miles wide, with rolling waves flowing ceaselessly.
“There’s a bridge over there…” Luo Shengyi keenly spotted a solitary wooden bridge in the distance, beside which stood a board inscribed with the words “Lingyun Ferry.”
His voice abruptly stopped, for the bridge was broken in the middle. Though half of it still stretched across, the remaining distance to the other side was four or five miles. With their current martial arts skills, crossing such a distance midair was impossible.
“Should we look for wooden planks to use as stepping stones or swim across directly?” Jiang Zhiwei sought Meng Qi’s opinion, as flying was beyond their abilities.
Meng Qi shook his head: “The scriptures record something unusual about this river; we must not be careless. Let’s test it by throwing wood into the water first.”
A prudent suggestion, everyone agreed. Qi Zhengyan found a piece of rotten wood and tossed it into the river.
The wood sank immediately like metal or stone, without any delay, leaving Luo Shengyi and others exchanging glances in disbelief. How could they cross now?
Whether using wooden planks for support or swimming directly, they would surely sink to the riverbed.
Meng Qi had expected this and pointed at the plaque he was holding: “Rely on this. It belongs to the Buddha, beyond the mortal world, and should be able to ferry us across.”
As he spoke, he placed the plaque onto the river’s surface. It floated gently, rising and falling with the waves, yet did not sink!
“Can it support five people?” The plaque was small, requiring them to stand closely together to fit, so Luo Shengyi asked.
Meng Qi replied solemnly: “The Buddha rescues all beings; surely he can carry us five across?”
He stepped onto the plaque first. It wavered slightly but did not sink.
Seeing this, Ruan Yushu stepped on next, back-to-back with Meng Qi. Jiang Zhiwei stood opposite her, with Qi Zhengyan behind her. Finally, Luo Shengyi leaped aboard, standing close to Qi Zhengyan at the edge of the plaque.
With all five aboard, the plaque still floated steadily on the water.
Luo Shengyi emitted true qi to push the plaque forward.
As the plaque drifted away from the shore, Meng Qi suddenly felt a refreshing sensation, as if infinite impurities were being shed from his body. The final acupoint related to the mouth naturally refined itself, and the mouth acupoint opened spontaneously. His heart trembled, becoming stronger and steadier, pumping blood vigorously through his veins, sending impurities to the lungs, which were expelled through the nasal and oral passages.
The liver stored vitality, the kidneys preserved essence, the lungs inhaled fresh energy, and the heart delivered blood. With a strengthened body and the initial removal of impurities, a minor circulation system formed within Meng Qi, marking the beginning of his inner world!
Centered around these, the five internal organs and six viscera harmonized, following the principles of nature to form a “realm.” It felt as if two heavy doors had opened in Meng Qi’s abdomen and chest, allowing an endless flow of essence and true qi—vast and mighty.
His inner world matured, and the two secret treasures of vitality and essence naturally opened!
Combined with the Undying Seal Art, his robust true qi surpassed his peers, making Meng Qi a formidable beast in prolonged combat!
A layer of dark gold emerged on his body’s surface, crackling sounds continuously echoing, as if refining impurities internally. The sixth gate, previously nearing completion under the “Refining True Gold with Fiery Birds,” was now fully accomplished.
Achieving the highest grade!
The vulnerabilities at Meng Qi’s dantian and temples disappeared, leaving only his throat, the space between his eyebrows, and the nine innate apertures as weak points.
The Eighty-Nine Profound Art also advanced, reaching completion, surging toward the ear acupoints, allowing him to hear sounds from all directions with perfect clarity.
Looking back, Meng Qi saw five corpses floating downstream toward the horizon—their own!
“This?” Luo Shengyi and Qi Zhengyan exclaimed in shock and fear.
Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu also showed astonishment, puzzled expressions on their faces, yet they could clearly feel the changes in their bodies and the enhancement of their powers.
Meng Qi smiled slightly: “Congratulations, everyone. We’ve all shed our mortal flesh.”
Though the power enhancement was most noticeable, it was also the least significant. What truly mattered was shedding their mortal forms, harmonizing their souls with their bodies, becoming more lively and agile, greatly improving their innate talents. Had they not undergone the eighty-one trials, nor ridden the Bottomless Boat of Reception, their talents might have equaled those of high-level cultivators who had refined their bodies through cultivation. Even so, the weakest among them, Qi Zhengyan and Luo Shengyi, seemed to have undergone a transformation akin to the merging of inner and outer worlds, no longer inferior to most gifted talents at the Opening Stage.
Meng Qi, who had always practiced the “Muscle and Bone Refining Chapter,” felt a complete improvement in his innate talent, likely no worse than Jiang Zhiwei’s original level. This technique no longer held value for further cultivation.
Of course, Jiang Zhiwei and Ruan Yushu, already exceptionally gifted, became even more outstanding, their bodies seemingly exuding a slight clarity.
Moreover, many special techniques and items were designed for mortals, meaning Meng Qi and his companions were now immune to them.
Normally, shedding one’s mortal form required achieving the Dharma Body. Thus, Meng Qi and his companions’ gains were significant.
Although they had taken a shortcut, not quite matching true Dharma Body experts, their achievements were still extraordinary. Not to mention, they still had the opportunity to attain the Dharma Body and undergo a complete transformation in the future.
Externally, their physical appearances hadn’t seen a qualitative improvement; they still needed to cultivate normally. However, future cultivation would undoubtedly be more efficient!
This was the benefit Meng Qi had anticipated and grasped from the Pure Land of Ling Mountain. Simply crossing this river and shedding their mortal forms made the journey worthwhile. As for what lay ahead, if danger arose, they would no longer advance but instead find a place to hide and wait until their strength improved sufficiently to explore further.
One must not be greedy.
Jiang Zhiwei suddenly understood, pointing at the floating “Meng Qi” and “Jiang Zhiwei” on the river and laughing: “So that’s you, and that’s me!”
“It’s me, it’s me.” Ruan Yushu rarely smiled, her expression like early spring after the snow had melted.
Qi Zhengyan and Luo Shengyi didn’t fully grasp their banter but understood the meaning of shedding their mortal forms. Their physical changes were undeniable, and they couldn’t hide their smiles.
“I’ve opened seven acupoints, and my inner world has just begun, with the two secret treasures of vitality and essence simultaneously unlocked.” Meng Qi roughly described his progress, so his companions would know his current level, ensuring better coordination in case of enemy encounters.
Jiang Zhiwei nodded: “All related acupoints have been refined, needing only one step to open all nine.”
Once she opened all nine acupoints, she could, like Su Wuming before, use the “Sword Without Self” technique twice.
“Just like Meng Qi.” Ruan Yushu spoke briefly.
“I’m half a step away from opening the mouth acupoint, and my “Blue Snow” skill is nearing completion.” Qi Zhengyan also described his condition. He had sensed his improved innate talent.
Luo Shengyi smiled: “My inner world increasingly resonates with the outer world, and my own intent seems capable of slightly influencing nature.”
The so-called sword intent, fist intent, or one’s own intent is essentially a manifestation of the external scenery techniques that trigger changes in the heavens and earth during the enlightenment period.
Why can external phenomena trigger changes in heaven and earth? Naturally, it is because the internal realm manifests externally, intersecting with heaven and earth and communicating with nature. Different inner worlds resonate with and connect to distinct cosmic principles and laws, resulting in varied external manifestations. Some can summon wind and rain, others command thunder and lightning, some perceive causality, and still others achieve mind-to-mind communion.
Why are inner worlds different? It’s because the cultivation techniques and insights one practices vary, leading to different transformations of the inner world. Moreover, these transformations occur subtly and imperceptibly. This is why the Sword Emperor contemplates metaphysical questions such as “What is a sword?” “Why is it a sword?” “What role does it play in one’s life and martial arts?” and “What does it signify within the laws and principles governing the workings of heaven and earth?”
Only by comprehending one’s own answer can the inner world align more closely with a certain aspect of the cosmic principles, thereby resonating with them. This resonance opens the profound barrier between life and death, allowing the internal and external to converge.
Different answers, different paths, different inner landscapes.
Luo Shengyi’s words indicated that he had taken a solid step toward the threshold of the Half-Step External Scenery.
The reason Meng Qi and others could trigger sword and blade intents at the External Scenery level is that the External Scenery or Dharmakaya techniques, combined with moves and artistic conception, subtly harmonize the inner world into a state close to resonance. With a single strike, the heavens and earth naturally respond—though not overtly—it is still far stronger than ordinary enlightenment. Otherwise, how could Meng Qi have resonated with the heart and summoned the Purple Thunder?
“Everyone has improved, and our hope of completing the mission has grown a bit stronger,” Meng Qi exhaled.
Luo Shengyi continued to propel the “boat” with his outward-released true qi. Before long, the group reached the opposite shore, where they beheld towering peaks arranged in intricate formations and jagged rocks stretching into the heavens, their summits lost in the depths of the clouds.
Meng Qi picked up the plaque, carried the Purple Wound, and led the group to continue climbing.
On the opposite bank of the great river, a sudden glimmer of Buddhist radiance appeared, forming an arc and revealing a large-headed fish demon—none other than Benbo’erba.
Relying on this Buddhist treasure it had guarded for centuries, it stealthily slipped through the gates of the Sacred Mountain. It had been tailing Meng Qi and the others all along, refraining from taking action, intending to let them scout the path ahead—who knew what dangers lurked here!
However, upon reaching the river, Fobao sensed an aura beyond the mortal world and suddenly lost control. After several struggles, it finally shattered, revealing Benbo’erba in his true form.
“Shedding the mortal flesh…” Benbo’erba had previously heard Meng Qi’s congratulations and grew increasingly eager for the river, yet it had no means to cross.
“Once they finish scouting the path, we’ll take back the plaque and cross again…” Benborba stirred up waves around himself, avoiding contact with the water for fear of accidents, and flew directly to the opposite shore.
……
After walking for a while, Meng Qi and the others came upon a grand stone gate. Though dilapidated and barely recognizable, it possessed a peculiar quality—it completely blocked all sight and sound from the area behind, making it impossible to discern the true state of the main body of the Spirit Mountain.
“Beyond this gate, we should be able to see the Great Thunderclap Monastery, various Buddhist temples, the Merit Pond, and the blue lotuses from afar…” Meng Qi speculated, though now they might all be in ruins.
Near the dwelling of the Buddha, everyone held their breath and treaded carefully through the stone gate, only to be suddenly enveloped in darkness.
Yes, it wasn’t a sudden flash of light, but rather a sudden darkness. Across the void of the Spirit Mountain, countless black fissures appeared everywhere. A fierce gale rose, transforming into innumerable coiling dragons. Through them, one could faintly glimpse an iron rod—propping up the heavens above and anchoring the earth below, as thick as a mountain peak, with golden hoops at both ends!
Bolts of lightning coiled like serpents around it, while blue lotuses bloomed and withered in succession. Within each flash of thunder and every petal of those lotuses, there seemed to exist entire worlds—born and perishing, stars densely scattered, forming clouds that stretched into boundless galaxies, vast and infinite.
The furious roar rolled in, echoing through the ages and piercing the present moment:
“In this life of mine, I care not for the next!”
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