Shaolin Temple, the Great Hero Hall, many senior monks and elders dressed in yellow robes and red kasayas stood solemnly.
Kong Wen, his eyebrows as white as snow extending beyond his face, held a nine-ringed staff and gazed westward, sighing, “Amitabha, there is another manifestation of Buddha’s light in Tahan. The Buddha’s inheritance must not fall into the hands of evil. This old monk has no choice but to return to the mundane world once more.”
His face bore a faint golden hue, all his energy hidden within, appearing utterly ordinary. He looked around and said, “Wusi, you ask Senior Disciple Kong Hui to enter the Stupa behind the mountain to guard the ‘A-nan Blade.'”
Though phrased as guarding, in reality, it meant Kong Hui, who had previously guarded the Sutra Pavilion, would now take charge of the sacred weapon to safeguard the sect.
Wusi was the head of the Bodhi Monastery, his form like withered wood, his beard and hair gone: “Master, the general principles of the Divine Palm are of utmost importance and must not be taken lightly. Please take the sacred weapon with you to prevent people like the Great Asura from seizing the opportunity.”
Kong Wen smiled and shook his head: “What I gain is my fate; what I lose is my destiny. There’s no need to endanger the temple for this. Wang’s intentions are hard to fathom; we must remain vigilant.”
In his conversation, he seemed confident about the upcoming struggle for the Dharma Body, worthy of being ranked third on the Heaven List, a high monk who once sealed or killed a Dharma Body cultivator!
“Amitabha, this disciple will obey your command.” Seeing Kong Wen had made his decision, Wusi did not urge further.
Kong Wen softly chanted a Buddhist name: “This matter is of no use to many people. Senior Disciple Kong Jian, Junior Disciple Wu Jing, you two shall accompany this old monk.”
Though he only mentioned two names, they represented more than twenty percent of Shaolin’s elite forces!
Excluding Kong Wen himself, who had achieved the Dharma Body, Shaolin ranked among the top three sects in the cultivation world in terms of the number of Zongshi-level experts, with outsiders estimating at least seven!
Among them, six were renowned worldwide: Kong Hui of the Scripture Pavilion, Kong Jian, the head of the Dharma Hall, Wusi, the head of the Bodhi Hall, Wu Jing, the head of the Precepts Hall, Wu Wang, the senior elder of the Dharma Hall, and Xuan Bei, the senior elder of the Bodhi Hall. Another was suspected to be a senior monk of the Kong generation who had long practiced wall-gazing meditation in the Withered Zen tradition.
Kong Jian was at the peak of the Outer Manifestation realm, while Wu Jing had reached the eighth heaven, surpassing ordinary Zongshi experts. Kong Wen clearly valued quality over quantity!
“Amitabha, Junior Disciple Wu Jing is the head of the Precepts Hall, responsible for the temple’s purity and should remain here. Master, let this disciple accompany instead,” Xuan Bei stepped forward.
As Kong Wen’s direct disciple, he volunteered.
Moreover, his reasoning was sound; as the head of the Precepts Hall, he should obviously remain in the temple unless there was no one else to send.
Kong Wen waved his hand: “You still have regrets in your spiritual passageway and your foundation is unstable. You need to retreat into deeper cultivation to seek a chance for Nirvanic rebirth. Wusi must assist Senior Disciple Kong Hui in managing the temple affairs. Other heads and elders are not as capable as Junior Disciple Wu Jing. Haha, discipline lies in the heart, not in the person. Whether or not there is a head is of no consequence.”
With his word final, Xuan Bei could only accept.
“The Divine Palm will not appear for some time yet. We shall proceed slowly, observe the changes first, and avoid being controlled by others,” Kong Wen glanced at Kong Jian, the head of the Dharma Hall, and Wu Jing, the head of the Precepts Hall.
…
Inside an ancient tomb filled with a sinister and deathly aura.
A man surrounded by blood-red mists stood respectfully before a huge coffin.
This coffin was two zhang long, wide enough for a person, dark in color, and extremely heavy-looking, carved with intricate patterns of the underworld and the Yellow Springs.
At both ends of the coffin were placed a green lamp, ancient and worn, with a small, eerie green flame.
“Master, the target has moved,” the man surrounded by blood-red mists respectfully reported.
A calm, authoritative, and low voice came from inside the coffin: “Proceed according to plan.”
There seemed to be the sound of flowing water within his words.
…
“The Ten-Hearted Ascetic” had a faint weariness between his brows, evoking curiosity and sympathy, possessing a unique charm.
He looked at Jiang Zhiwei’s sword-wielding hand, a sincere smile emerging through his fatigue: “Young lady, your hand is white and strong, graceful yet not frail. Observing your hand is like observing your character. You must be just like it. Why not join this humble monk in practicing the Joyful Chan, enjoying the ultimate pleasures of the world, and attaining the supreme Dao?”
His voice was magnetic, low and soothing, making one feel immersed in a warm spring, experiencing indescribable comfort and relaxation, with a slightly dazed mind.
Jiang Zhiwei felt the same way but quickly regained her senses. Compared to the “Mortal Immortal Realm” of the Xuan Nu, he was still far behind!
Seeing Jiang Zhiwei momentarily stunned, seemingly captivated by his enchanting Chan sound, “The Ten-Hearted Ascetic” smiled more broadly and flew over, continuing to speak: “Heaven has yin and yang, people have male and female…”
Upon seeing “The Ten-Hearted Ascetic,” Xue Lengjiao was as if struck by a paralysis spell, her whole body trembling, her strength vanishing, unable even to flee. At this moment, hearing the demon sound of the Ten-Hearted Ascetic and seeing Jiang Zhiwei’s daze, she couldn’t help but speak out, trying to awaken her. However, as if anticipating this, the Ten-Hearted Ascetic turned his gaze toward her.
His eyes were indifferent, his lips slightly curled, smiling yet not smiling. Xue Lengjiao immediately lost even the strength to speak. The person before her seemed to be her master, the master of her joy and pain, someone she could neither resist nor wanted to resist!
It was a vast shadow she could never escape!
Just then, a sword light flashed, and the sky completely darkened, as if all light had been drawn into it. Besides this, there was nothing else in the world—no self, no other!
Even the usual phenomena of sword qi crisscrossing and the surrounding resonance with sword qi were absent!
Only purity, only brilliance, only the sword yet to be drawn, its intent already arriving!
The Ten-Hearted Ascetic felt a sharp pain in his brow, his soul quivered. Wanting to raise his hand, it became slow. He could only watch helplessly as the sword light approached!
Bad, he had been tricked!
The sword of “No Self”!
He no longer cared for anything else. Suddenly, all the acupoints on his body opened, emitting a glazed light mixed with specks of pink. Behind him appeared a golden-bodied Buddha statue with a fierce expression!
This statue was almost tangible, sitting cross-legged, hands spread wide, embracing a woman.
The woman was completely naked, her skin as white as snow, her figure curvaceous and enticing, her beauty unparalleled, yet her face constantly shifting, remaining in a state of illusion. She straddled the Buddha’s lap, facing him in an intimate position.
Only by absorbing enough women of sufficient quantity or quality could she become solid, thereby intertwining with the Dao’s principles and ascending the second tier of the heavenly ladder!
As soon as this statue appeared, its eyes opened instantly, clear and bright. It changed its posture, placing its hands together behind the woman.
Desire is emptiness, indulgence is emptiness, all nature is emptiness!
The Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s hands followed suit, raising to press his palms together before his face!
All is emptiness. The pure sword light vanished, and the sword was precisely caught between the Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s hands!
Zizi, the sword light surged, and the golden Buddha statue’s palms bore numerous sword marks. The Ten-Hearted Ascetic flew backward, avoiding the follow-up attack.
Facing Jiang Zhiwei’s well-prepared “Sword of No Self,” though he had the advantage in cultivation, he still suffered a setback.
It was her!
The Sword Immortaless!
Thinking of her legendary radiant beauty and formidable strength, the Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s anger transformed into lust, burning his Joyful Qi!
Others had gone to where the Buddha’s light was rising, and they wouldn’t return for a while. There were no powerful experts here to stop him!
Su Wuming was indeed terrifying, but he had no attachments. He had long been pursued by experts from sects like the Snow Mountain Sect. Since Su Wuming wasn’t a Dharma Body cultivator capable of remote projection, what did he have to fear?
At worst, even if he succeeded, he could hide in the depths of the Vast Sea or the God-Burying Desert. Could Su Wuming really stand guard forever?
This was the difference between those of the Nine Evil Paths and the aristocratic families or court experts—they were more lawless, more unrestrained!
But clearly, the Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s mind had been clouded by lust, otherwise the Abbot of the Joyful Temple wouldn’t have deliberately provoked someone like Su Wuming, who had the potential to become a Dharma Body cultivator!
Jiang Zhiwei’s first sword strike failed, but she didn’t hesitate and launched another fierce attack. Raising her sword high, she slashed through the sea, filling the surrounding air with sword intent, parting the airflow as if nothing could resist!
The fierce golden Buddha statue behind the Ten-Hearted Ascetic changed posture again, one palm striking out, pulling the Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s right hand along.
This palm strike was unremarkable, with no other phenomena, only the true qi forming an identical golden giant hand ahead. However, its five fingers moved like swimming fish, carrying an indescribable eeriness. In a breath, it pierced through Jiang Zhiwei’s sword formation, aiming for her chest.
The “All-Penetrating Palm”!
The Joyful Temple’s famous ultimate technique!
Having landed a successful strike, the Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s lust burned even hotter. His palm movements were ethereal and ever-changing, leaving Jiang Zhiwei unable to defend and unable to fight back in kind.
Suddenly, Jiang Zhiwei’s sword light curved back, inexplicably sweeping downward before her, as if cutting something.
The layers of palm force vanished, all changes disappearing, revealing a golden giant hand. It struck forward without flourish, naturally blocked by the sword.
Clang! Jiang Zhiwei and the Ten-Hearted Ascetic both flew backward simultaneously.
How could he have so easily blocked my All-Penetrating Palm? The Ten-Hearted Ascetic was surprised. Suddenly, he recalled a sword technique:
One of the nine killing moves from the “Supreme Sword Sutra,” “Cutting Off the Future”!
It cuts through the Dao, seeing self, no self, no other, no past, no future, no present! All nine killing moves are derived from this!
Once this sword is unleashed, all changes vanish, and there is no future!
Originally meant for offense, Jiang Zhiwei used it defensively this time, which was perfectly appropriate.
“She has only recently ascended to the Outer Manifestation realm, yet she has already mastered the second Dharma Body sword move?” The Ten-Hearted Ascetic now understood just how extraordinary Jiang Zhiwei’s sword talent was. Yet, thinking of such an outstanding woman submitting to him, his lust burned even hotter!
Cutting off all changes, eliminating the future—no matter! I’ll confront you directly, overpowering you with my cultivation!
Behind the Ten-Hearted Ascetic, the golden Buddha statue chanted a Chan verse, lotuses blooming in midair. Raising his right hand again, he struck out with little variation, yet the force made the void itself tremble!
The Joyful Buddha’s Original Vow Power!
Clang! Jiang Zhiwei blocked this palm strike again with “Cutting Off the Future,” but blood seeped from her nose and mouth, clearly sustaining internal injuries.
…
After finalizing the details with Yun He Zhenren, Meng Qi calculated the time and walked to the door, pushing it, only to find the Myriad Manifestations Gate unmoving.
As per the agreed time, Jiang Zhiwei should have retrieved the Myriad Manifestations Gate from the Mustard Seed Ring by now!
Could something have happened outside?
Meng Qi’s mind stirred, glancing at Yun He Zhenren. His acupoints opened, revealing the golden crow and chaotic void, stars and suns appearing within, then returning to the myriad heavens, which traced back to the past, converging into chaos!
Coming to see Yun He Zhenren, he naturally used the identity of Su Meng’s true body!
…
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds of palm and sword clashing echoed through the sky. Jiang Zhiwei continuously flew backward, blood flowing from all seven orifices, desperately holding her ground against the Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s Dharma Body power and slight Daoistic principles.
Seeing that a quick victory was unattainable and fearing the return of the Sword Pavilion’s top experts, the Ten-Hearted Ascetic subtly vibrated the void and transmitted his voice to Xue Lengjiao: “Jiao’er, why are you still hesitating? Come assist this humble monk!”
Startled, Xue Lengjiao instinctively shook her head, pointing her sword instead at the Ten-Hearted Ascetic.
As the Ten-Hearted Ascetic forcefully attacked with the “Joyful Buddha’s Original Vow Power,” his spirit extended, sweeping over her body.
Instantly, Xue Lengjiao’s entire body felt numb and weak, her mind muddled. When she saw the Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s ever-unchanging indifferent eyes, she could no longer resist. Recalling past joys and pains, she turned and aimed to strike Jiang Zhiwei from the side.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Zhiwei abandoned her attempt to fight alone. She retrieved an item from her Jiezi Ring and hurled it toward the Ten-Hearted Ascetic!
So she does have a secret treasure! The Ten-Hearted Ascetic had been prepared. The Buddha’s chanting grew more lascivious, light spots entwining, his arm becoming extremely thick, delivering the most powerful and overwhelming strike to the object!
Rectangular, carved with many patterns, it was—a door!
Though the Ten-Hearted Ascetic had seen much, he had never encountered a door used as a secret treasure!
Could it be a defensive item?
Peng! The golden Buddha statue, along with the Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s hand, struck the door.
With a creak, the door opened. The Ten-Hearted Ascetic felt his palm force vanish into emptiness!
At this moment, he saw a blade of light flash, cutting through darkness, cutting through chaos, cutting through everything, as if the world began anew!
What a terrifying blade!
He was about to activate the Joyful Buddha’s Dharma Body when he suddenly found himself seemingly bound by chains, unable to move.
How could this be?
How could this be!
The sword light descended upon him, cleaving from head to toe, layer by layer—no radiance could halt its advance. The Ten-Hearted Ascetic’s eyes widened in shock at this abrupt turn of events!
Pah! Two pieces of his blood-soaked corpse fell to the ground.
Xue Lengjiao stood frozen, staring at the ground where the terrifying evil monk, who had made her unable to escape and unwilling to escape, lay in two pieces, as if in a dream.
The terrifying evil monk who had always cast a shadow over her, causing her to have nightmares—was dead?
Dead without any grandeur or struggle…
She looked up, seeing a long saber wrapped in azure lightning, drops of blood quickly turning black and dissipating.
Looking further up, she saw a handsome, masculine young man striking a pose, stroking his chin, puzzled as he looked at the corpse below whose eyes remained open, asking the woman facing him:
“Who’s this monk? He seemed pretty strong.”
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