Was it his face?
Her disposition had changed in this life, becoming greedy and lustful, as if she had started to favor those with attractive appearances, "red-powder skeletons."
Was it because of Liu Jiangfusheng's face?
As Cheng Hong pondered, she couldn't help but take a closer look at Liu Jiangfusheng's features.
In the eyes of Buddhists, a solemn and virtuous countenance was of superior quality. He was someone who did not focus on outward appearance; by observing the heart and looking inward, he naturally paid more attention to other aspects when viewing people.
But he had not forgotten that Gu Junshi was a woman, and a woman who acted arbitrarily and without regard for rules.
It was true that Liu Jiangfusheng's appearance was superior by worldly aesthetic standards. His eyes were powdered at the corners, the outer corners slanted downwards, his pupils clear and watery, and his lips were crimson. Although his demeanor was as cool as autumn clouds, reducing the inherent allure of his face, such features were undoubtedly those that attracted romantic attention.
Those who rely on their beauty to serve others will inevitably lose favor as their beauty fades, and their love will not last. If Gu Junshi were attracted by the shallowest and most fleeting lust of human nature, then one could simply observe the situation.
"Let me."
A profound and ethereal voice drifted into Cheng Hong's ear.
Cheng Hong paused for a moment, withdrew her thoughts, and said, "As you wish."
Cheng Hong emptied her mind and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, there was a different change.
Looking down upon heaven and earth, upon the myriad of living beings, in "his" eyes, the veil of worldly pretense was lifted, and individuals revealed their true, authentic lives.
It was a kind of profound emptiness in a wise person's brows, drawing one's spirit to follow "his" footsteps, yet simultaneously exuding an unshakeable, solemn aura that made one afraid to even breathe heavily.
"There is no need to wait. Benefactor Liu Jiang, please." His plain sleeves like chains were clasped behind his back, a string of prayer beads held in one hand, his demeanor like the gentle breeze and bright moon, like the green mountains.
Liu Jiangfusheng was most sensitive to spiritual energy. This person seemed somewhat unusual. Wen Churong's furnace-like aura had undergone a qualitative leap, brilliant as if piercing the heavens. Yet, upon closer inspection, it was still the same person, only his aura seemed to have changed. Even a simple glance carried a different kind of presence.
"Since Master Cheng Hong insists, then Fusheng will not force the issue. Fusheng has only just entered the cultivation world, merely three years into my journey. However, I have always heard that Master Cheng Hong is the foremost to attain enlightenment in a century, adorned with countless honors. I suppose Fusheng has been too presumptuous, thinking that if Master were to fight while injured, Fusheng would win unfairly. All of this was simply my overthinking." Liu Jiangfusheng said with a serene smile, his expression unchanged.
The words sounded normal, but upon closer inspection, they were strangely awkward. Further thought revealed that this was practically implying Master Cheng Hong was ungracious and arrogant, looking down on others.
However, those who heard the oddity, upon observing Liu Jiangfusheng's virtuous and upright demeanor, looking as if he had no hidden intentions, began to doubt if they were overthinking.
His eyes, like elegant ink wash, curved slightly. Having dealt with this fair-skinned, dark-hearted Liu Jiangfusheng for so long, he could not mistake it; Liu Jiangfusheng was indeed being sarcastic towards Cheng Hong.
Yet, in the past, he had maintained some pretense and restraint, his flaws not obscuring his virtues. Now, however, he was incorrigible, his true nature emerging.
He had long sensed the occasional leakage of decadent dark tendrils from Liu Jiangfusheng, yet he could present himself as immaculate and remain by Gu Yi's side.
He admitted he was not a clean individual, but what about Liu Jiangfusheng? What was he beneath that facade?
In the eyes of these people, everyone else appeared as a heap of dirty mud, and associating with Gu Junshi would soil her. But they did not know that in terms of ruthlessness, Gu Junshi would rank second to none.
The current Cheng Hong was not the prematurely mature youth of seventeen or eighteen years old. "He" would naturally not quarrel over minor matters of youthful arrogance.
He simply stated calmly, "Time and circumstances change in an instant; there are never equal situations."
Even if he were to recuperate, he would not have recovered to his peak in such a short time. Moreover, Liu Jiangfusheng would not cause him to be what he called "winning unfairly" due to a subtle shift in the situation.
Everything at this moment was fought for by Liu Jiangfusheng, not obtained out of thin air. With danger ahead and safety behind, he had earned the first round bye, just as Cheng Hong had not participated in the "Grand Competition." It was not due to unfairness, but because he had secured victory through his own strength.
Thus, all encounters and experiences were fate, and there was no such thing as "winning unfairly."
"Master's words are as enlightening as the morning bell; they are indeed thought-provoking."
Liu Jiangfusheng expressed his feigned enlightenment, but inwardly, he sinisterly mused, was it with such a seductive, snake-hearted appearance that he drove wedges into others' marital relationships?
The thought that Gu Junshi might have been swayed by him, and had her own plans, which was why she hadn't told him about meeting Cheng Hong, caused his expression to change. His pristine, icy demeanor became chilling, both alluring and cold. He did not use his immortal sword but instead drew the "Flower Spirit" sword gifted by Gu Junshi.
This person's emotions had been unstable lately, and his face often showed duplicity; one moment he might be as pleasant as a spring breeze, the next, cold as frost.
At this moment, the fragile pretense of peace between them was torn asunder, and a tense atmosphere flowed through the air.
"Forgive Fusheng's ignorance, but there is a question I have wanted to ask for a long time. Does Master Cheng Hong's Buddhism concern itself with the private affairs of others behind closed doors?"
The sword light was brilliant and dazzling. He lunged forward, the sword's glare different from before, carrying a threat of a throat-slitting nature. Liu Jiangfusheng seemed to become still with the heavens and earth.
But this did not bring any sense of peace. On the contrary, everyone's hearts clenched tightly.
This was like the calm before a storm.
These words somewhat slandered the reputation of the immortal monk. Cheng Hong had indeed been unaware of Gu Yi's true marital situation initially, acting with genuinely good intentions.
Of course, he later learned of it. The "he" of the first life had arrived and understood the entire cause and effect, and had no intention of retracting his words.
Without engaging in a verbal debate, Cheng Hong pushed aside with one hand. The swirling waves of energy coiled around his body. Without forming seals, patterns of floating runes automatically attached and floated around him, gathering and fitting together like shattered fragments. The resulting barrier was like a cauldron or a bell. The golden light, flowing like water ripples, brushed across his brow, his expression noble and compassionate like a Buddha in a temple.
"Master Cheng Hong cannot answer? Then Fusheng will change the question. Does your Buddha instruct you to tempt another's wife to abandon her husband and become a nun?" The darkness hidden within the soul now greedily drank the rage burning in his blood.
"Or is it not the Buddha's teaching, but all because of your ill intentions?"
This utterance was very soft, almost imperceptible to others eavesdropping, yet it resonated powerfully in Cheng Hong's ears.
"Cheng Hong" should not have been moved, but he instinctively held his breath.
What was there to explain?
No explanation was needed.
"He" swiftly waved his hand. The palm strike resembled a thousand phantom hands. Liu Jiangfusheng met it head-on, moving with swift and unrestrained speed. Each strike heavily impacted the protective runes surrounding "him." The emerald waves surged; under countless sharp blades, each etched mark shattered a piece of rune.
The fierce wind and powerful air currents compressed and tightened every inch of the air. Being caught within it, one felt the sharp sword essence like molten white gold.
Within the spherical pressure zone, "Cheng Hong" was slightly surprised by Liu Jiangfusheng's swordsmanship. It contained the laws of heaven and earth. Although very weak and minuscule, it was truly admirable that someone of his cultivation could touch the power of the laws.
"He" suddenly recalled that Liu Jiangfusheng possessed the Pure Lotus Seed's Heavenly Spiritual Root, a unique rarity in the universe. Yet, such a person would choose Gu Junshi and possess such deep devotion and obsession. A genius in the eyes of others, an ordinary person in the eyes of others, yet such a peculiar couple had truly come together.
"The Buddha says that blessings and calamities are interdependent, as are gains and losses. What is gained may not necessarily be a blessing, and what is lost may not necessarily be a disaster."
Liu Jiangfusheng did not ponder his words transmitted from afar, merely saying, "Whether it is a blessing or a disaster, I will accept it. Since the Buddha cannot bestow blessings upon me, nor calamities, why should I heed its words?"
"All laws are mental laws; there is nothing outside the mind. Circumstances are dictated by the mind. A person's thoughts determine their aura and their destiny. Although the Buddha cannot help or mend people, it can inspire the human heart. All in the mortal world is suffering. A single thought is a cycle; a single thought can create a demon, a single thought can create a Buddha."
"Fusheng's knowledge is shallow, and I cannot compare to Master Cheng Hong's profound and deep Buddhist teachings and grand principles. I only know that all in the mortal world is suffering, and only by self-salvation can one be free. My demon was born because of whom, so I shall sever it for whom. Therefore, what is mine can only be mine. If anyone dares to contend with me..."
His eyes surged like gathering clouds, as if burning away the world's obstructions and resistance, allowing everything to flicker between good and evil, and grow infinitely.
"I will kill Buddha if I meet Buddha."
The red furnace sun hung in the sky, casting brilliant rays as if illuminating the entire sky with the expansive stretch of its mighty skeleton. The spiritual energy within him ignited his combat power, and the vast sword formation beneath his feet constructed a magnificent and stirring scene.
Everyone felt a breathless tremor.
His sword strike mobilized the spiritual energy of a hundred-mile radius. The Eight Directions and Six Harmonies Art—Slaying Karma.
In the instant heaven and earth shifted, a pair of hands like divine jade slowly extended, holding a piece of rose-colored sword hilt in their palms. The sword body gradually turned into nothingness. Simultaneously, a giant sword forged from spiritual energy appeared above him.
Even the majority of the mighty cultivators present felt a tremor. This move, merely initiating its stance, already displayed its world-shattering power. Its sharpness and domineering aura were unprecedented.
They couldn't help but place themselves in the battle. They wondered if, with comparable cultivation to Liu Jiangfusheng, facing this scene, they could evade this move. The ultimate outcome... would be insurmountable.
Yan Tianjiao's eyes hardened, and his chest was filled with intense colliding emotions. Besides him, Dan Ya, Gui Ying, and the others all felt a shock to their souls.
What was this?!
Everyone was stunned.
"What kind of technique is this? It's so terrifying. Did you teach it?"
The Master of Jiuntun Mountain's throat tightened as he asked the Eyebrowless Daoist beside him.
The Eyebrowless Daoist stared intently at the Karma-Slaying Sword about to form and directly retorted, "Did you teach all of Dan Ya's skills as well?"
"..." If he had such ability, he wouldn't have been so utterly humiliated in front of his own disciple.
So, geniuses figured out unique skills and became self-taught. Then what was the use of them as masters?
To take a disciple as an ancestor and be a mere decoration? Or to shout "six, six, six" when they were being awesome?
But what could be done? Even so, their vanity was greatly satisfied, especially when others came asking how they managed to recruit such formidable disciples. They could proudly say—through luck!
"Cheng Hong" stood with one hand in front of him, facing Liu Jiangfusheng's Karma-Slaying Sword. His face was calm and composed, exuding an aura of strategic mastery, a sharp aura of being the peak amidst ten thousand mountains.
There was a distinction between pure and turbid energies. The pure ones had depth, subtle yet revealed, a majesty not expressed in words. This was the current "Cheng Hong." His robes fluttered, a lotus petal appeared on his forehead, his right hand held the Earth Seal, and his left hand held the Samadhi Seal.
Gu Junshi narrowed her eyes, a rapid thought flashing through her mind.
"How is he possibly..."
Cheng Hong could already manifest a double-petaled lotus at this stage?
Although it was only three petals, it signified his entry into the Mingxin realm.
In the fleeting mortal world, the supreme Dao power of twenty-eight heavens transformed into a pool lotus, as large as a cartwheel, emitting seven-colored light. All things are impermanent; it is the law of birth and death. The sound of chanting scriptures filled the air, as if entering an eternal kingdom.
One sword strike—
One seal struck—
Separated by the distance of a martial arts stage, the two engaged in a great clash of abilities, the intense spiritual light engulfing both of them...
Tai Xuan, the sect leader of Xu Kong Sect, his eyes shining with deep contemplation, his horizontally textured muscles taut, regarded this battle, which had exceeded his estimations, with great importance.
The Heavenly Spiritual Root Liu Jiangfusheng...
The Buddha Son of Mohe Zen Temple, born with a Buddha bone and Dao heart...
These two were undoubtedly favored by the Heavenly Dao. Their battles instantly widened the gap between them and disciples of the same age and stage.
The woman beside Nan Yuan Shang Zun saw the Karma-Slaying Sword emerge. The dark jade stone in her embrace became scorching hot, and her expression paled for a moment.
She recalled the divination hexagrams cast by her clan elders. A smile that was difficult to decipher flickered across her veiled, beautiful face, and she whispered, "He is indeed the one I was looking for..."
She had finally found him.
Her fated person.
The entire mountain reflected shimmering golden light, dazzling and resplendent. This clearly signaled that the Buddha's golden light had the upper hand. Time and air fell silent. Just as everyone was speculating who had ultimately won, Gu Junshi suddenly felt the protective curse she had placed on Liu Jiangfusheng activate.
This curse had been placed secretly by her, along with an amnesia curse, as a precaution in case he met with accidental death at the hands of others.
It had appeared once before; this was the second time Liu Jiangfusheng had encountered a life-threatening situation. Could it be that even Karma-Slaying could not defeat Cheng Hong?
This should have been impossible. However, she also sensed that the "Cheng Hong" on the martial arts stage was unusual.
Liu Jiangfusheng had to be the champion of the martial arts competition. After a moment of hesitation, she made her decision. She reinforced the curse with her冥力 (ming li - dark power) and shared some of the damage with her own body...
In fact, "Cheng Hong" was the one who had won unfairly, because "he" was an advanced consciousness of their stage; "he" was bullying the weak.
But Liu Jiangfusheng was indeed very strong. If "he" had not intervened, the Cheng Hong of this stage might truly have been defeated by him. But as "he" had said before—time and circumstances change in an instant; there are never equal situations.