Chapter 220: 216 Chapters Eight Heavenly Dragons and Great Power Bodhisattva
"Ahem, ahem, ahem..."
Hui Lun coughed violently, his white robe stained with bright red blood, losing his Celestial appearance, yet his demeanor remained undiminished.
However, Hui Lun was not concerned about his injuries but looked straight at Jiang Li, "Where exactly does this Great Brightness Mantra come from? It does not belong to the Buddha Country."
Able to suppress his "Heavenly Dragon Roar," the origins of the Great Brightness Mantra were undoubtedly extraordinary. Yet, Hui Lun had considered all the powerful beings in Buddha Country but could not associate this mantra with any of them.
Among the Self-awakened and below in the Buddha Country, there were two third-grade Great Masters, six fourth-grade Bodhisattvas, and additionally an unofficial fourth-grade King Zhuanlun. Hui Lun had interacted with these powerful beings and, due to their propensity for preaching, he was quite familiar with their Buddhist Laws and their cultivation pathways.
In theory, after directly encountering the Great Brightness Mantra, Hui Lun should have been able to identify its origin.
But now, he could not.
This result left only two possibilities, either the Bodhisattvas and Great Masters had hidden their foundations, or the origins of the Great Brightness Mantra were not from Buddha Country but some other power.
The former possibility was small because, as one moved up the Buddha Attribute Dao Fruit, there was generally a necessity to transmit the Dharma, and the Bodhisattvas and Great Masters would widely spread their Buddhist Law rather than hide it.
The latter possibility was more likely.
Because, apart from them, Buddha Country had another enemy well-versed in the Buddhist Law — the Fire House Buddha Hell.
If the Great Brightness Mantra came from the Fire House Buddha Hell, perhaps even from the hands of Karma Tathagata, then this Five Finger Mountain needed deeper consideration.
Faced with Hui Lun’s question, Jiang Li indeed wanted to answer; Buddhist Zhen Ru had quite an interest in Jiang Li, and naturally, Jiang Li wanted to spite him. However...
’Facing such a profound and inscrutable leader is not worth it. I should act according to my heart.’
With this thought, Jiang Li smiled slightly and said, "Buddha said, ’It cannot be spoken.’"
An expected answer.
Hui Lun looked deeply at Jiang Li and responded, "Since it is unspeakable, this little monk will not insist further. However, I hope the benefactor will act cautiously and not take a wrong step, falling into others’ traps."
With that said, Hui Lun joined his palms together, "Amitabha, it seems that the Ghost Gate is not destined for this little monk. Everyone, this monk takes his leave."
He had no desire to stay longer, controlling the white dragon to twist around his body and departed through the void.
’Hui Lun seems very urgent, the origins of this Great Brightness Mantra... the waters are deep indeed.’
Jiang Li pondered in his heart and likewise gracefully exited the scene.
He had received a hit from the "Heavenly Dragon Roar," and although he had used the Great Brightness Mantra to suppress it, he had still sustained some damage that shook his spirit, causing his brain to throb, though he appeared unharmed on the surface.
Jiang Li returned to his original spot, sat cross-legged, fetched a bottle of Nourishing Yuan Pill, and a bottle of Revitalizing God Dew, consuming each. Innate Qi mingled with him, digesting the medicine and recovering his injuries and True Qi.
’After the battle with Hui Lun, only Zhong Shenxiu and Yuan Zhen have yet to make a move. Next will undoubtedly be their confrontation, and after them...’
While recovering, Jiang Li looked at the two from the Daode Sect, ’If Yuan Zhen wins with his current mental state, defeating him won’t be hard. As for Zhong Shenxiu, he poses some difficulty. However, it’s not impossible.’
The two from the Daode Sect were utterly thrown into disarray by Jiang Li’s confusing words, now caught in how to guard against their nephew’s favored Dragon Yang, and one worrying about the future of the sect, both severely distracted.
Though the Ghost Gate was appealing, it could not compare to the stability of the Daode Sect.
Moreover, even if Yuan Zhen could suppress the distractions in his mind, Jiang Li was not without ways to defeat him.
His Divine Sense reached into the protective bracelet on his left hand, touching a rock-like Battle Sword—Cliff Sword, sensing the Dao Fruit within.
[Fifth Grade Dao Fruit: Overlord]
[Category: Demon]
[Fitting Conditions: Sixth Grade Dao Fruit, having Dragon Clan Bloodline]
[Promotion Ceremony: Carry a weight of over one hundred thousand catties, unchanging for ten years]
[Divine Skills: Carry Mountains and Cross Seas, Eternal, True Dragon Bloodline, Monument Suppressing Mountains and Rivers, Longevity and Fortune]
Amongst them, the Divine Skill [Monument Suppressing Mountains and Rivers] was a foundational ability of the Cliff Sword; simply by activating True Qi and using the Cliff Sword, one could suppress a region, drastically increasing its gravity, especially against flying objects, making it a nemesis of flight.
In this domain, Yuan Zhen’s Sword Orb threat would be greatly reduced, coupled with his flawed mental state.
If he still managed to defeat Jiang Li after all these, then it would just indicate that Jiang Li truly wasn’t up to par, and he should just return to his sect and embrace his master’s jade legs, never thinking of surpassing others again.
Thinking this, Jiang Li couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle; then, he stilled his heart as an image gradually emerged in his Sea of Consciousness.
Hui Lun hadn’t lied; he really had seen the True Dragon form, which allowed him to visualize his Dharma Manifestation as vividly resembling a True Dragon.
During his defeat, Hui Lun decisively threw out the memory involving the True Dragon to give Jiang Li a chance to relax before detonating part of his spiritual power, preserving the rest of his memories.
And this related memory—
Jiang Li stored that wisp of Essence Qi stolen to his Middle Dantian; in his Sea of Consciousness, green mountains and blue waters appeared. Between two mountains, a deep ravine flowed with water, its clear waves reflecting the setting sun.
Suddenly, the clear waves stirred, the fierce current raging.
It was like a thousand-foot wave crashing jade, a pool echoing the gentle breeze among the ravines. Amidst, the White Dragon ascended, driving waves, leaping from the cliff, its Dragon Claw playing with wrapped clouds, dancing across the heavens, entirely showing the True Dragon form.
Simultaneously, the name of the White Dragon appeared in his mind as if to be imprinted in his spirit.
—Eight Heavenly Dragons Guangli Bodhisattva.
This White Dragon was astonishingly one of the six great Bodhisattvas of the Buddha Country, embodying the Dao Fruit of the Eight Heavenly Dragons and Guangli Bodhisattva, a fourth-grade expert.
The fourth-grade expert demonstrated the True Form of the Dragon, exuding an infinite sense of power. The White Dragon soared between heaven and earth; its formidable presence filled the universe, making people overlook the sky and the rivers, their minds entirely captivated by its True Form.
On the other side, Zhong Shenxiu and Yuan Zhen exchanged glances from afar, each making their move.
Yuan Zhen suppressed the distractions in his mind, achieving Man and Sword Integration. In the blink of an eye, his upright figure had reached the center.
Zhong Shenxiu, with his hand on his long blade and feet unmoved, drifted like a pole of bamboo to face Yuan Zhen.
"Confucianism’s Thousand-Mile Walk, such exquisite qinggong," Yuan Zhen thought to himself.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; this qinggong is aptly named "Thousand-Mile Walk," emphasizing its focus. It is a technique suited for long-distance travel, unmatched in its speed and agility.
Yet Zhong Shenxiu also displayed outstanding mastery in this less favorable aspect, showcasing the depth of his qinggong skills.
However, Yuan Zhen was a Sword Cultivator, a Sixth Grade Sword Immortal. If he were to practice Sword Flight...
"Your mind is disturbed," Zhong Shenxiu said calmly.
Yuan Zhen’s mind was indeed disturbed, thinking about countering Zhong Shenxiu with Sword Flight.
Using one’s strength against the enemy’s weakness wasn’t inherently wrong, but being too passive was detrimental to the sharpness required for a Sword Cultivator and potentially harmful to the reputation of the Daode Sect.
Such negative thoughts sprang from Yuan Zhen’s realization of his poor state, a disturbed Mental State, subconsciously fearing that he might not prevail.
Zhong Shenxiu’s mention of Yuan Zhen’s disturbed mind was like a sharp blade piercing his spirit.
Yuan Zhen was instantly shaken, using years of static cultivation to suppress the distractions and simultaneously wielding the Sword Cultivator’s Dao Fruit Ability "Sword Heart Clarity." His human heart and Sword Heart resonated. Sword Light circled his body, revealing a piercingly cold white hue.
At this moment, Yuan Zhen finally demonstrated the demeanor of the current leading disciple of the Daode Sect, suppressing his distractions, integrating with his sword. Geng Metal Sword Light moved with his sword finger, directed at Zhong Shenxiu.
"Please," Yuan Zhen called out loudly.
"Please."
Zhong Shenxiu responded, his well-defined and perfect facial features reflecting earnestness. With his hand on his long blade and eyes sharp as daggers, he maneuvered around Yuan Zhen.
Like a Flood Dragon lurking in the river sizing up its prey or the invisible currents beneath the water’s surface, enveloping him completely, poised to exploit any flaw to unsheathe his Observation Blade and overcome the mighty foe.
Yuan Zhen shared the same thought that once crossed Jiang Li’s mind; Zhong Shenxiu was sizing him up.
Yet, as a Sword Cultivator known for his fierce and dominating approach, he couldn’t escape physically like Jiang Li and counter with transformation.
For a Sword Cultivator, there was only one response—to break through with the sword.
Without hesitation, Yuan Zhen struck with his sword. The Sword Light was as fast as a meteor chasing the moon, incomparably swift, striking directly at Zhong Shenxiu’s forehead.
Noted for its sharpness, the Geng Metal Qi in Yuan Zhen’s sword was also unrivaled in fierceness, yet faced with such a sharp sword, Zhong Shenxiu showed no intent to dodge.
"Clang!"
The long blade was drawn, the blade light dreamy as dew and quick as lightning, seemingly real and illusory, electric and bright. Although clearly a Confucian scholar, the move carried a hint of Buddhist mystique.
Blade against sword, attack against attack, speed against speed. Zhong Shenxiu, acting second, chose to meet force with force, the blade light and sword light like two parallel lines, each racing towards the opponent.
Moreover, Zhong Shenxiu, though reacting second, struck first. His blade light was slightly faster than the sword light.
No, it had already hit.
"Sword Intent."
Zhang Daoyi’s pupils contracted and dilated; looking again, there was no blade light, and even the Observation Blade was half sheathed, revealing only a bright slice of its blade, like snow.
This was Sword Intent!
Sutra·Same Nature Spirit.
Suddenly, a phantom pain struck Yuan Zhen’s heart, making him feel as if a piece of his spirit had been pierced, bringing back the lurking worry.
"Yuan Zhen, assist the Taiping Sect in gaining momentum, breaking the impasse," the Majestic Daoist instructed.
This was the past.
"Don’t come any closer!" Zhang Daoyi showed a guarded expression.
This was the present.
"Has the Daode Sect also strayed from the path?" asked the master softly.
This was the future.
The cultivation of static skills was pierced by the Sword Intent, and suppressed worries and distractions surged back, leaving Yuan Zhen momentarily bewildered.
The fierceness of the Geng Metal Sword Light thus diminished slightly. Zhong Shenxiu cocked his head, easily dodging the Sword Light, closing in like the wind. The powerful Gang Wind transformed into Wind Blades, surging violently.
"Dance of the Dancing Yu."