Chapter 229
The Thousand-Armed Buddha stood like a colossal golden statue, its entire body radiating golden light. Its expression was a mix of sorrow and bitterness, with eyes closed. At its forehead, a single vertical eye glared menacingly, sending chills down the spines of all who beheld it.
The crowd was left in awe, gasping at the sight.
This Buddha embodied both the sacred and the sinister, evoking unease in the hearts of many.
It was the Thousand-Armed Good and Evil Buddha—a manifestation of both benevolence and malevolence within Buddhism.
Towering hundreds of zhang high, it loomed over the heavens like a mountain. Every movement exuded immense pressure. Previously, the Spirit Monkey’s twelve-zhang golden-armored form had been impressive, but it paled in comparison to this giant.
The overwhelming aura shook everyone to their core.
The Old Celestial Master and others gasped in shock.
They hadn’t expected Buddhism to have such a trump card, far surpassing Bodhidharma’s individual power.
The Land Immortals could see clearly now.
At the Buddha’s chest, the Buddhas sat cross-legged, channeling all their power into Shakyamuni at the center. It was as if Shakyamuni alone wielded the strength of twenty Buddhas.
Such terrifying power!
All eyes turned to Ning Changge, eager to see how he would respond.
Ning Changge’s eyes showed a hint of surprise, then understanding.
No wonder the feedback from the Mountain and River Spirit-Gathering Furnace suggested a flaw in the Myriad Buddha Formation—it lacked a central leader.
But he wasn’t overly concerned.
The Buddha’s majestic voice echoed across the sky:
“The Myriad Buddha Formation is complete. Please instruct us, Little Immortal!”
Layer upon layer of voices rose as the Thousand-Armed Buddha moved. Its countless arms reached out—some wielding palms, others fists or fingers. Some held golden alms bowls, others Buddhist staffs or rods…
Each arm was like a pillar of heaven, stirring the winds and clouds, gathering immense forces of heaven and earth to suppress Ning Changge.
Ning Changge spoke calmly:
“Soldiers!”
The Five Elements Spirit Swords blazed with light!
“Fight!”
“Forward!”
In an instant, the swords transformed into invisible beams of light, weaving through the Thousand-Armed Buddha. Each arm descended with terrifying force.
Where they struck mountains, they shattered; where they struck earth, they cracked; where they struck clouds and rain, they dispersed, leaving clear skies!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The relentless clash echoed across heaven and earth.
The Five Elements Spirit Swords were incredibly sharp, severing arm after arm. But it was clear that this time it wasn’t as easy—the arms were as tough as mystical gold. Only the unmatched sharpness of the swords allowed them to cut through.
More importantly…
The Thousand-Armed Buddha was bathed in golden light. Accompanied by chanting Buddhas, new arms formed from golden light as quickly as they were severed—seemingly endless.
The crowd was dumbfounded.
This was beyond unreasonable.
They intended to wear Ning Changge down through attrition.
On Buddhism’s side were over twenty individuals, including Shakyamuni’s reincarnation with extraordinary cultivation. If brute force failed, they planned to exhaust Ning Changge.
Zhang Sanfeng and others’ expressions changed.
They wanted to help. Though their assistance might be limited, it was better than nothing.
But without Ning Changge’s command, they could only wait.
Ning Changge’s eyes flashed with an odd glint.
Did they think they could outlast him?
Even if this form was merely an avatar of Life and Death Dragon Qi, it wasn’t something they could outlast.
The consumption of true energy resonating with heaven and earth couldn’t compare to the profound mana he wielded.
Even if these Buddhas exhausted themselves to death, they couldn’t outlast Ning Changge.
However…
He had no intention of dragging things out unnecessarily.
Though powerful, the Myriad Buddha Formation wasn’t so formidable that he needed to struggle for victory. Having used his Minor Heavenly Calculation Technique to predict events, he wouldn’t overlook anything.
With a faint smile…
Watching the Five Elements Spirit Swords entangled with the Thousand-Armed Buddha, Ning Changge changed his sword technique. The swords flew back in retreat—some thought they had been repelled by the Buddha’s arms like a net.
But soon…
Their expressions changed.
The Five Elements Spirit Swords hovered in midair—not weakened but glowing brighter!
In an instant, countless sword shadows appeared.
Thousands upon thousands of sword shadows gathered with the original swords—a breathtaking spectacle unfolded before their eyes.
A magnificent sword lotus bloomed slowly—a mesmerizing sight. Each petal contained boundless sharpness; five-colored light shone brilliantly—hearts skipped a beat at its beauty.
Swordsmen witnessing this for the first time were entranced.
“Is this the Five Elements Sword Lotus that defeated the Sword Demon…”
Dugu Jian sighed deeply—feeling inadequate—and an overwhelming sense of awe washed over him at such unattainable heights in swordsmanship.
Rumors spoke of how dazzlingly beautiful the Five Elements Sword Lotus was—but seeing it firsthand revealed its true splendor beyond words—evident from every worshipful gaze among peerless swordsmen present today.
And there was more…
The Five Elements Sword Lotus alone was enough to astound—but Ning Changge performed another technique—the Life and Death Dragons reappeared—not charging at the Thousand-Armed Buddha but coiling around the sword lotus instead.
In an instant…
Black-and-white mist enveloped the lotus—imbuing it with profound life-and-death significance.
This was one of Ning Changge’s recent insights—a way to incorporate life and death into the Five Elements Sword Lotus—enhancing its power!
Shakyamuni felt a chill run through him as he sensed immense danger emanating from the increasingly radiant lotus—his voice boomed:
“Lay down your arms!”
Mountainous palms descended upon the lotus—each bearing seated Bodhisattvas and Arhats—majestic and solemn—some even formed Buddhist kingdoms—striking fiercely!
Their might shook heaven itself—the sky trembled under their assault—Land Immortals shivered at such terrifying power!
But across from them—the sword lotus swayed gently—its petals unfurling gracefully…
Buzz!
Seven-colored light soared skyward—as life-and-death sword qi erupted violently!
Beauty mingled with lethal intent—deathly aura permeated every strike!
Bang! Bang! Bang!