Chapter 776: The Death of the Six Desires

“At last.”

Meng Qi, disguised as the Evil Heaven Devil and doing his utmost to incite internal strife with the Yuanxin Seal, felt a sudden sense of danger from Sa Ren Gao Wa’s calm demeanor and confident tone.

Even if he himself were surrounded by Grandmasters, he would certainly act in such a pretentious way to shake the enemy’s mind, undermine their momentum, make them suspect they had fallen into a trap, thereby creating opportunities for himself to break through. Mental warfare and aura confrontation had always been the hallmark of the strong!

But at this moment, the Ba Jiu Xuan Gong’s sense of danger surged so intensely and clearly. Combined with Sa Ren Bo Wa’s attitude, the truth was self-evident!

Although he had four Grandmasters on his side, they belonged to various heterodox sects, scheming against each other, none willing to die for the others, just like the Qing Sanren, the Flame Demon, and the Luo Hun Xiao he encountered at the Mountain God Temple during his awakening. They were disunited with many exploitable weaknesses, making true unity impossible. It was better to pursue their own paths.

Within a brief moment, Meng Qi made his decision: the best policy was to retreat. Instantly, he transformed with the wind, his hair clone replacing his true self while his true form quietly escaped.

Gu, the mysterious and unpredictable girl, had formidable survival skills; it was hard to say who was stronger between them, so there was no need to worry about her… Yet, the thought of her several life-saving favors and their previous entanglements made Meng Qi hesitate slightly, but the moment this thought arose, he sensed something amiss!

Sa Ren Bo Wa had set up an ambush in Bayan, how could she be certain that Gourdo was currently locked in a confrontation with Master Lu and Senior Chong He, unable to act? If Gourdo or another Law-body had arrived, she would have been throwing herself into the tiger’s mouth!

No one would be so foolish or naive as to rely entirely on luck when setting a trap, so the only explanation was the presence of a traitor or insider. Thus, when the “investigation team” set out, she was certain the opponent wouldn’t be a high-ranking Law-body.

Who was the traitor?

Just then, as Sa Ren Bo Wa finished speaking, she extended her right hand. A dreadful, murmuring sound arose from the air, ethereal and fleeting, yet conveying the content of a dozen breaths in an instant:

“There is a ‘monster’ hidden within me, craving blood, craving slaughter.”

“I once had blood-stained hands, having killed countless lives, but I finally renounced killing. Today, I shall resume the path of bloodshed.”

“Monster, lend me your strength.”

Every acupoint on her body simultaneously lit up, emitting a dark, eerie glow. These lights connected and extended to her right hand, forming a three-foot-long blade. No Dharma manifestation appeared besides this.

This eerie dark blade, three feet, three inches, and three tenths of an inch long, was entirely dull and black, without any pattern or ornamentation, exuding a primitive yet sinister aura. As soon as this sword appeared, the surrounding dead branches and fallen leaves around Jie Sha were instantly pulverized, and cracks spread across the ground toward the distance.

Where the cracks spread, lush grass and trees withered, and the shimmering waters of the Dorensu Sea spewed out rows of dead fish, with the underwater plants turning yellow and withering.

The cracks rapidly extended to the Hailasu tribe of Gegen Gao Le. One by one, the herdsmen, martial artists, and livestock fell to the ground, eyes wide open, dying without peace, leaving an area of over a hundred miles devoid of life, silent and dead.

Wu!

The black, bizarre sword emitted a joyful hum. The heavens darkened completely. Even the mere power bestowed by the “monster”—an entity condensed from pure light—was formidable to such an extent. The Six Desires True Buddha and his companions sensed a murderous aura piercing their consciousness, their spirits overwhelmed by killing intent, momentarily frozen in place. Even Meng Qi’s true form experienced a wave of dizziness, as though countless sword energies were stabbing into his Primordial Spirit. Fortunately, he swiftly visualized the golden Buddha, fingers pointing to heaven and earth, proclaiming himself the sole Supreme One, thereby regaining clarity.

No wonder he had repeatedly escaped pursuit and only suffered severe injuries from Ulhan, a former top-three Grandmaster on the Earth List. Jie Sha Dao Ren was indeed extraordinary, likely ranking within the top forty of the Earth List. As this thought flashed through Meng Qi’s mind, he suddenly noticed the land undergoing further transformation.

Originally just cracked, still with fertile soil, now the moisture evaporated at an unimaginable speed, and the soil rapidly dried into sand. The wind blew, raising yellow sand into the sky.

The desertification spread rapidly. The withered grass outside Bayan Valley scattered in the wind, and the vast waters of the Dorensu Sea visibly receded. From here to Gegen Gao Le, the grasslands turned into deserts. The Yin winds swirled around the Hailasu tribe, the corpses of the dead shriveled and dehydrated, releasing indistinct Yin souls that cried out in anguish, carrying their resentful Qi, merging into the sand, and being drawn into Bayan Valley by successive whirlwinds.

A tall, gaunt old man emerged behind Meng Qi and the others. His head was wrapped in black cloth, and he wore a white robe, his back slightly hunched. His eyes bore double pupils, with the corners drooping like those of a weeping man. Around him swirled the souls of the wronged dead, their piercing wails capable of damaging Yuan Shen, unsettling the minds and spirits of all present.

The Crying Elder?

Ranked seventh on the Black List, fluctuating between advancement and retreat, yet still holding the thirty-third place on the Earth List—the Crying Elder!

Meng Qi, who had not yet managed to escape, was blocked by the Crying Elder. He quickly moved sideways, alarmed that his two greatest enemies had joined forces. Was this all a prelude to their collaboration?

“Namo Joyful Venerable Buddha.” Red and white lotuses emerged one after another, illuminating a pink, ambiguous “pure land” amidst the chaotic sand and killing darkness. Each blooming lotus revealed a man and woman in various dual cultivation postures. All the men bore the image of the Six Desires True Buddha, while the women varied, representing those he had cultivated with over the years.

The Six Desires True Buddha, the strongest among them, recovered first. Without hesitation, he manifested the golden Buddha and celestial maiden behind him. Taking a step forward, lotuses bloomed beneath his feet, intending to use the Divine Foot Technique to exit Bayan Valley and break free from the encirclement. Once free, he would have the advantage to decide whether to fight or retreat.

He was not afraid of the Crying Elder. Although there was a gap of over twenty rankings between them, they shared the same cultivation level, had fought many times before, and knew each other well. He was confident in escaping unscathed. As for Jie Sha, although terrifying, he was still a Grandmaster. His side still had three Grandmasters remaining. With combined strength, victory was assured unless the enemy produced one or two more Grandmasters.

Knowing each other well, as the Six Desires True Buddha took his first step, the Crying Elder, with a heart as still as a dead lake, stepped on the yellow sand and struck a palm. It appeared to block him but had already manifested above the Six Desires True Buddha, descending with deep resentment.

Pah! The Six Desires True Buddha raised a golden giant hand to intercept the strike, but black qi seeped into the gold, taking a while to expel.

“Crying old man, do you really think you can stop me?” The Six Desires True Buddha’s mind reflected the surroundings. Sa Ren Gao Wa had already charged forward with her sword toward “Mother Shaman” Tuoya and the “Evil Heaven Devil.” The Great Luo Holy Maiden seemed to intend to come to his aid. A slight smile curved her lips, her jade-like face revealing a faint dimple, exuding playful charm. Her eyes sparkled with deep allure, subtly seductive, surpassing even celestial maidens descending from heaven, stirring the deepest desires and cravings in men’s hearts.

Suddenly, long-suppressed desires broke free. The Six Desires True Buddha was instantly consumed by lust, his golden skin erupting with invisible flames, his eyes turning crimson. Although not yet truly succumbing to madness, he was momentarily dazed.

I want her! I want a woman!

Both Grandmasters were at the peak of the Outer Manifestation realm. This brief daze became the source of deadly peril.

“Six Desires, you ultimately die by my hands!” The Crying Elder cackled and struck downward. Countless twisting dark shadows pierced the Six Desires True Buddha’s protective golden light, scattering it.

Meng Qi’s clone was severed by Jie Sha’s sword strike. His true self was about to escape the valley when suddenly, he felt the surrounding void becoming viscous, as if turning into countless shackles binding him.

Void Seal?

Gu Xiao Sang?

Meng Qi’s heart sank, fearing his identity had been exposed. His long saber appeared in hand, but instead of cleaving forward to open the sky, he hastily blocked behind.

Dang! A pure, delicate hand struck the Tianzhi Shang blade. Through spatial displacement and layered force amplification, it suddenly unleashed terrifying power. Even Meng Qi, known for his strength, felt his right hand go numb and his body grow heavier.

As if air exploded around him, the cliff walls collapsed entirely, filling the air with dust and causing Meng Qi, who had been climbing stealthily, to fall.

Flaming thrust pierced forward. After being ambushed and his Qi disrupted, Meng Qi barely managed to parry in time.

The pure, delicate hand bent three fingers, with the index and middle fingers resembling short swords. At their tips, dark whirlpools formed, drawing in layers of air currents and collapsing space inward. Meng Qi’s Liuhuo sword naturally moved toward it, its hundreds of sword lights following suit.

This finger strike, besides resembling the return to emptiness, also absorbed Yuan Shen, making the surroundings dim and indistinct, as if returning to a mother’s embrace—the beginning and end, the “Nothingness.”

At this moment, Liuhuo trembled violently, undergoing countless changes in an instant.

Pu!

Layered flames extinguished. Meng Qi flew backward, crashing into the collapsed cliff. Fortunately, at the last moment, he used his micro-manipulation skills to mitigate some of the force, while the Ba Jiu Xuan Gong absorbed the rest, sparing him serious injury.

In his pupils, a white, ethereal figure emerged, her features exquisitely drawn beyond description, her expression half-smiling yet lacking liveliness, filled with coldness. Her eyes, brimming with starlight, radiated genuine killing intent.

Pah!

The Six Desires True Buddha’s ultimate technique was shattered by the Crying Elder’s palm strike. However, he had not yet recovered from his daze, helplessly watching the deadly hand imprint on his forehead. His flesh withered into sand, and his Yuan Shen was sucked out. His Mind-Reading, Divine Footwork, All-Penetrating Palm, Seven Emotions and Six Desires Technique, and the Amitabha Buddha’s Vow Power all failed to manifest.

In his dazed state, his Yuan Shen echoed with Gu Xiao Sang’s melodious voice like flowing spring water: “Your husband painstakingly manipulated Tao Ges’ remaining attachments, suddenly striking you and nearly shattering your mind, thus successfully implanting a heart demon. After obtaining the secret, I naturally made good use of it.”

What husband? What heart demon? The Six Desires True Buddha’s primordial spirit darkened, consumed by resentment, transforming into the Weeping Elder’s most formidable vengeful spirit!

It was truly Gu Xiao Sang! Floating amidst the collapsed cliff, Meng Qi remained fully alert, staring at the white-clad woman brimming with genuine killing intent. Suddenly, her words from their last parting surfaced in his mind:

“I am a demon girl, adept at unpredictable moods, heartless betrayal, and senseless slaughter. When we meet again, I might kill you.”

How had she recognized him?

Gu Xiao Sang smiled slightly: “My husband is the most special and outstanding in my heart. Even if you turned into dung, I would recognize you instantly.”

“Besides, we are bound by karma, connected by blood and flesh. How could I fail to distinguish you?”

She gently touched her flat stomach, smiling cheerfully, yet her eyes remained cold and murderous, startling Meng Qi.

“This entire scheme was aimed at my husband. I intended to attract Gourdo’s attention but couldn’t find Sa Ren Bo Wa, so I spread rumors that the Moonlight Clan possessed the secret of the Tian Zhu Axe. When the righteous and evil battle began, the Law-body and Semi-Law-body cultivators would be occupied. Those coming to search would mostly be righteous heroes like my husband, full of chivalrous spirit.”

“My husband, would you mind if I kill you?”

A thought stirred in Meng Qi’s heart. Something was amiss. If the demon girl Gu had recognized him back at the Golden Tent, with the Ferrying Dharma King and Gourdo present, she could have simply called for help, and he would have been captured, allowing her to kill him at will. Why go through such an elaborate scheme?

Although the logic of a madwoman was hard to comprehend, this contradiction was enormous!