A middle-aged man, dressed in a wide-sleeved robe, exuding scholarly elegance and grace, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He seemed to be gazing at the stars through swirling black mist, pondering the ultimate meaning of life.
Suddenly, he lowered his head, fixed his gaze on Meng Qi, and slightly curved his lips into an ambiguous smile.
Then, he raised his right palm and slowly pressed it toward Meng Qi.
As this palm descended, Meng Qi felt the sea of primordial energy he could still access violently collapse. The faintly perceptible laws of heaven and earth and the principles of operation abruptly changed.
Yang became death, Yin became life!
Degradation and heresy took the lead, transcendence of normalcy served as support!
Though the acupoints around Meng Qi’s body were open, he found it difficult to resonate with the power of heaven and earth. The principles he manifested clashed with nature, making it hard for inner scenes to manifest externally.
Within the scope of this palm, the void constricted, the heavens and earth brimming with a sense of decay. Air currents condensed in layers, spreading toward Meng Qi, brewing a terrifying annihilation while also limiting his escape routes.
Though this palm moved with utmost slowness, Meng Qi felt cold sweat bead on his forehead, his entire body numb, as if under a malevolent enchantment with no way to respond.
Sitting firmly in his Mud Pill (Dantian), the Primordial Unity suppressed his thoughts with all his might while activating his inner world. His acupoints manifested illusory forms, converging into the “Nine Apertures and Internal Organs,” with the “Creation of Heaven and Earth” poised and ready.
However, with the principles of the Dharma at odds and the difficulty in resonating with the power of heaven and earth, Meng Qi had an instinctive premonition that he could not break through this palm!
For someone like him, with a sharp mind and a formidable spiritual core, premonitions—unless deliberately disrupted by others—often materialized. And if even his premonitions could be tampered with, the consequences would likely be dire!
What should he do? Meng Qi couldn’t draw his blade, watching helplessly as the palm drew closer, the fingers becoming increasingly distinct. His body seemed to have lost autonomy, unable to move, only his thoughts running wild.
What should he do? What should he do?
In a flash of lightning, intuitive images deemed useful surged into Meng Qi’s mind. Suddenly, he recalled the fissure in the earth slashed by the True Martial Emperor!
Right! The current sensation was so similar to being deep within the Nine Hells!
Without further hesitation, Meng Qi’s body transformed, his aura turning Yin, his face turning ashen-gray like a malevolent ghost!
Buzzing! The acupoints around his body vibrated slightly. He felt the Dharma principles no longer repelling and resisting him but instead aligning and closely supporting him with strength!
Even though the sea of primordial energy nearby remained shattered, Meng Qi now had the heart to swing his blade!
A thin blade of light emerged, like a crack splitting the darkness, separating Yin and Yang, the upper becoming clear and the lower turbid, radiant light bursting forth, illuminating the chaos!
From this light, life began, from this light, the heavens arose. The blade of light surged forward, slicing through layers of condensed annihilating currents, tearing through the constricted void.
The refined middle-aged man, exuding a strange charm of gods and demons, withdrew his right hand and stood with his hands clasped behind his back once more. A thin bloodline appeared from his forehead down to his crotch.
The bloodline thickened, and with a “pah!” sound, he split into two halves.
The swaying figure of the sinisterly handsome scholar followed, but the “he” who had been dismembered by Meng Qi showed no sign of disarray, still composed and graceful, smiling at Meng Qi as if he were a living, sentient “External Demon,” not an illusion conjured by a formation.
This sight made Meng Qi’s scalp tingle, and only after the figure completely vanished did he finally relax.
…
The tortoiseshell flew out, its black and white spots prominent, manifesting myriad phenomena, subtly suggesting the birth of a world, inherently forming its own principles: Heaven’s movement is vigorous, Earth’s condition is docile, Wind follows gently, Thunder shakes gradually.
It radiated golden light, transforming into shifting hexagrams brimming with restraining intent, enveloping the illusory figure of the sinister-faced Dharma.
Wang Bingning, his hair white with age, held the hexagram tray in his hand, his pupil-less eyes reflecting the image of “Dharma.”
As the hexagram tray rotated, a red glow emerged, and the “figure” in his eyes was likewise entwined by red threads, temporarily restrained. The Dharma itself seemed affected, its movements distorted and sluggish, like a puppet bound by strings, giving the tortoiseshell further opportunity to evolve.
Unlike the frail Wang Siyuan, Wang Dezhong exuded a mature, masculine vigor. Holding a three-foot-long green sword, he always slashed at seemingly empty spaces. There was nothing supernatural about it, no outward display of power, yet every strike halted the “Dharma’s” movements, dissolving the “force” formed between the surrounding heaven and earth and the external scene.
Wang Siyuan’s face was frighteningly pale. With his hands joined, he created illusions, and the counting rods floating before him began to evolve, causing the golden hexagrams produced by the “tortoiseshell” to gradually connect into one. The gates of life and death emerged, resembling a seal, tightening more and more!
He was actually able to activate this clearly divine tortoiseshell!
His aura clearly hadn’t crossed the first heavenly threshold!
Duan Rui had spent much time recently mingling with the Wang family, broadening his horizons and expanding his knowledge. Though his strength was far inferior to Wang Siyuan’s, he could still discern a few clues.
He seemed especially attuned to this divine artifact…
Buzz! A faint sound rippled outward from the Dharma’s body, spreading waves of nothingness in all directions.
The numerous hexagrams finally connected into one, resembling a scroll of golden silk inscribed with profound and mysterious characters, wrapping layer upon layer around the Dharma.
Though Duan Rui couldn’t recognize the characters or patterns on it, a single massive word spontaneously arose in his mind:
“Seal!”
The golden silk formed from the profound hexagrams connected with the earth, its energy and power merging, leaving a deep imprint on its surface—the transformed golden Bagua (Eight Trigrams) diagram!
Affected by the spreading waves, nearby black boulders, two zhang tall, crumbled into dust. This was the “Evil Dharma’s” final counterattack before being sealed, but it was ultimately diffused in layers, failing to injure anyone.
Gazing at the continuously shifting golden Bagua diagram, Duan Rui sensed a distinct Dharmakaya presence.
Just as his thoughts were racing, Wang Siyuan’s voice, interspersed with violent coughing, reached his ears: “Cough… go! Cough… cough…”
This was the first time Duan Rui had seen Wang Siyuan so grave!
…
Meng Qi quickened his pace, passing the spot where the sinister man had vanished, continuing upward in hopes of swiftly exiting the “Summoning External Demons” formation. Who knew what else might emerge from behind!
As he approached a black boulder two zhang tall, a sudden golden light appeared before his eyes.
The light vanished in an instant. Meng Qi focused his gaze and discovered a Bagua diagram on the ground, lifeless and devoid of power or aura.
Leaning against the black boulder, Meng Qi felt perplexed. Why had a Bagua diagram suddenly appeared?
The Bagua diagram was ordinary—what did it signify?
Was it a reaction from the formation, or a reward for passing the third layer?
Did it contain the secrets of this mountain peak?
Frowning slightly, Meng Qi dared not delay. After memorizing the Bagua diagram, he continued forward.
The mountain path was steep, but it posed no challenge to Meng Qi. Before long, he exited the “Summoning External Demons” formation. True to his expectations, he spotted a black Bodhi seed placed at a spot that seemed both distant and near.
A demonic Bodhi seed!
Yet it was also cracked, as if it would turn to dust at the slightest breeze.
“If it were intact, considering the demeanor displayed by the previous two external demons, how could it be so weak…” Meng Qi nodded slightly. Especially the latter one—if the demonic Bodhi seed weren’t broken, even if it could only manifest one-tenth of his power, he feared he wouldn’t be able to withstand it!
He paused briefly, recalling the Bagua diagram he had just seen. Combining it with knowledge from the Jade Void Divine Calculation and the Eight and Nine techniques, he carefully analyzed and pondered.
Sometimes, speed wasn’t necessarily better—it could lead to overlooking clues, acting rashly and blindly. As the saying goes, haste makes waste!
…
“This Bodhi seed retains a trace of Buddhist essence, but unfortunately, it has been corrupted.” After exiting the “Summoning External Demons” formation, Wang Siyuan relaxed slightly and remarked with a sigh.
As his words ended, he broke into a violent cough, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, staining the handkerchief he retrieved.
The tortoiseshell above his head withdrew its power, gently floating and emitting a faint glow to help him recover.
Duan Rui felt an unbearable itch in his heart. Such a precious “Demonic Bodhi” seed remained unobtainable.
How could the “Evil Duan Rui,” proud of greed and corruption, endure this?
“The front is the Karmic Crimson Lotus, capable of deceiving both heaven and earth, but the Karmic Formation behind requires careful handling,” Wang Siyuan said after calming his cough, glancing at the three of them.
…
Before him, crimson lotuses bloomed, quietly burning, their fuel unknown.
Meng Qi inhaled deeply, preparing himself for the unbearable karmic fire to engulf him.
At that time, he would directly sever the connection and return, using the karmic fire combined with his blade techniques to kill the Nine Heavens Thunder God, then use another Wheel of Rebirth talisman to return to the plaza and receive the Six Paths’ perfect healing.
Of course, the timing had to be precise—if slightly delayed, he would turn to ashes.
Stepping into the sea of flames, a faint golden glow surrounded Meng Qi, and a layer of black mist emerged, ignited by the karmic fire.
The enemies he had slain, the pangs of guilt—scenes replayed in his mind, growing sharper as they were seared by the crimson lotus flames.
Karma burned, clinging to the golden glow, shaking it violently, yet unable to penetrate!
Crimson lotuses bloomed, karmic fire enveloped him, his golden body remained pure, unmoving like a mountain!
In this instant, Meng Qi felt as if he had transformed into a Buddha, walking through hell with lotuses blooming beneath his feet.
“Indeed, the formation’s core has been destroyed…” He relaxed, almost feeling elated enough to sing, but reconsidered—he lacked such talent…
Treading upon the lotuses, he gradually advanced. As his karma burned away, the flames on his body slowly extinguished.
Before long, Meng Qi exited the karmic hell and saw a “withered” crimson lotus.
Before him lay a dark place, occasionally illuminated by brilliant star-like threads.
The “Karmic Adhesion” formation!
Meng Qi’s thoughts swirled, momentarily stunned.
…
Within an ancient tomb, a sinister, deathly stillness pervaded.
A massive coffin, pitch-black in color, lay at the center of the tomb, exuding an immense weight. Its surface was intricately carved with numerous patterns depicting the Nine Hells. At both the head and foot of the coffin stood two ancient, weathered lamps emitting eerie green flames—as though they were suppressing or prolonging something unseen.
At this moment, a man surrounded by blood-yellow mists stepped inside respectfully, saying, “Master, we have located Kong Wen’s whereabouts. He appeared at Yumen Pass and is expected to enter the Western Regions soon.”
A voice, authoritative and indifferent, emerged from the coffin: “I require a fresh Dharmakaya body to transform Yin into Yang, achieving the ‘Yellow Spring True Body.’ Do not disappoint me.”
“Master, rest assured. Kong Wen is no longer the same as before. Though he may deceive the world, he cannot escape the watchful eyes. Since sealing the Demon Cult Leader, he has not appeared in public for many years. Back then, disciples of the Xuantian Sect and the Jianghu Gang perished before his very eyes, yet he was powerless to save them. Where is the bearing of a Dharmakaya master? He must have suffered grave injuries and fallen from grace, stripped of his former might. This has long been the talk of the martial world!”
The man surrounded by blood-yellow mist cackled coldly, “And this time, the ‘Ruyi Divine Palm’ concerns the Buddha sect’s succession. Whether he wishes to come or not, it will be his death omen!”
Straightening his back, he declared confidently, “Three Supreme Elders have personally embarked, each carrying a bone from the Yellow Spring, capable of forming the ‘Three Paths Formation,’ ensuring absolute success!”
He silently added, if only the plan hadn’t been discovered earlier, it would have been even more assured!
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