Chapter 1067: I Am God and Buddha, Law of Heaven and Image of Heaven

"There is a renowned sword art named Mo. The Way of Mo commands myriad swords, capable of wounding the true self."

Grasping the red plum, Mei Jiren's former gentleness vanished. His gaze sharpened, his body becoming a sword, and his aura pierced the sky. With a *whoosh*, a vortex of energy unfurled a hundred miles away.

Then, numerous azure Mo Swords, responding to Mei Jiren's words, materialized from thin air. They transformed into a raging river, swirling and roaring, instantly overwhelming Jiang Buyi's Saint Domain!

The torrent of sword energy transformed into endless azure light, pouring into the red plum held at Mei Jiren's fingertips. Immediately, the red plum became like a sword, its fragrance replacing the sound of a sword's hum, wafting for thousands of miles.

"Mo Sword Art, First Realm: Azure River Sword World!" Xu Xiaoshou's eyes widened in astonishment. He recognized this sword technique; Gou Wuyue had used it during his battle against Ba Zun'an. But Mr. Jiren could also wield it? And his mastery of the "Azure River Sword World" was so profound it could even shatter a Saint Domain?

"Are you insane?!" Xu Xiaoshou clutched his head, his eyes wide with profound shock. Was this the true worth of an ancient, master sword cultivator? Was this the ability possessed by a sword cultivator from the same era as Old Man Youtu, the former hall master of the Seven Sword Executions Saint God Temple? A Sword Immortal, capable of contending with a Half-Saint?

So... Old Gou was, after all, just "Little Gou," perhaps not worthy of representing the Mo Sword Art? Just as this thought crossed his mind, Mr. Jiren, still holding the red plum, erupted like a sword drawn from its sheath, his sharp edge fully revealed. His chilling killing intent completely tore through Jiang Buyi's oppressive aura.

"Sword World Walk, Sword River Cleaves Clouds..." "Break!" Uttering a final, decisive word, Mei Jiren casually tossed the plum. The red plum flew, and just before the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light descended, it transformed into a blossoming red sword-flower, completely resisting the impact of the saintly power.

"Even if a Sword Immortal's power is immense, theoretically, it shouldn't surpass saintly power, right?" Just as Xu Xiaoshou's heart pounded with trepidation, the red sword-plum that was resisting the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light trembled slightly. Then, as if responding to Mr. Jiren's true words, numerous azure Mo Swords erupted from within it.

"Swish, swish, swish—" The red plum, having absorbed the countless Mo Swords from the entire Azure River Sword World, firmly resisted the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light's oppressive and evil-purging power, and even managed to counter it!

The cloud-attributed saintly light could not obscure Xu Xiaoshou's gaze. He watched as the Mo Swords, with an indomitable force, pierced through the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light completely from below, upward!

"Hiss." Xu Xiaoshou gasped, drawing in a sharp breath. Even Yao Yao's Profound Azure Divine Sword couldn't withstand the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light! Mr. Jiren's Mo Sword Art could actually break a Half-Saint's move from Jiang Buyi? This could no longer be called "Mo Sword Art," could it? Or perhaps, the "Mo Sword Art" he had witnessed previously were all inferior techniques?

"Mo Sword, Mo Sword..." Xu Xiaoshou suddenly realized something. The greatest ability of Mo Sword Art was its capacity to bypass defenses and inflict true damage. This meant it wasn't that Gou Wuyue was weak, but that cultivating Mo Sword Art to Mr. Jiren's level allowed one to break even saintly power with a single plum? Challenging opponents beyond one's rank was generally considered normal, but a Grand Void realm cultivator overcoming a Half-Saint... could *that* be considered normal? He wasn't entirely sure and decided to watch more closely.

"Xu Xiaoshou, watch carefully..." The words Mr. Jiren had spoken before unsheathing his sword flashed through Xu Xiaoshou's mind, and he finally understood Mr. Jiren's true intention. Was he going to teach him how to break saintly power, just as Elder Sang had done that day?

Xu Xiaoshou began to feel a surge of excitement. Previously, he hadn't paid much attention to the nine great sword arts of the pure ancient sword cultivators, believing his "Sword Skill Mastery" meant he didn't need anyone to teach him. However, his journey had shown him otherwise.

"Sword Skill Mastery" was akin to having an entire sword dao library forcibly crammed into his mind. Yet, how to effectively utilize it and unleash the full power of its knowledge required specific sword moves to activate. Undoubtedly, the nine great sword arts, eighteen sword flows, and three thousand sword daos practiced by ancient sword cultivators were the very keys to unlocking this vast library.

Having experienced so much, Xu Xiaoshou had long desired to seriously consult Ba Zun'an regarding the sword arts, sword flows, and sword daos of the ancient sword cultivators. However, Ba Zun'an never appeared, and now Mr. Jiren had given him another opportunity, coming before him and personally demonstrating these techniques.

"Mo Sword Art..." "What Mr. Jiren is demonstrating now is the Mo Sword Art; he's teaching me its highest level of power..." "No, perhaps it's not even the 'highest level,' but using Grand Void level Mo Sword Art to combat a Half-Saint—that's already incredibly advanced, extraordinarily so!"

Xu Xiaoshou watched intently, his gaze fixed on the azure Mo Swords emerging from the red plum. He felt as though each illusory Mo Sword was being broken down into sword dao insights within his mind. These insights, in turn, could all be verified and explained by the knowledge stored within his "Sword Skill Mastery." He was like a greedy sponge, frantically absorbing the information he needed at that moment.

"Mo Sword Art represents 'opening,' 'distinction,' 'independence,' and 'unwavering advance'..." "It validates the 'Penetrating Way' among the Three Thousand Sword Daos, signifying 'defense-ignoring' and 'true damage'..." "This is the sword cultivator's second sword, originating from a parallel dimension. All physical defenses in the current dimension are utterly incapable of withstanding its attacks; even saintly power should ideally be no exception..."

As Xu Xiaoshou pondered, Hidden Bitterness unconsciously appeared in his hand. He didn't even realize that at that moment, Hidden Bitterness's black blade, twisting wildly in excitement, had acquired a faint azure glow. He looked towards Mr. Jiren.

The unrestrained and flamboyant purple-robed sword cultivator, at this moment, embodied the most magnificent and peerless image of a "Sword Immortal" in Xu Xiaoshou's mind. That grand, sweeping aura was completely different from the meek, unhurried old man he had seen in the past!

Xu Xiaoshou looked thoughtfully at Hidden Bitterness, and the azure hue transformed into a sword shadow, appearing beneath Hidden Bitterness's blade, becoming his second sword. And then... this Mo Sword also began to twist frantically! Xu Xiaoshou: "???" "What is wrong with this thing?!" He immediately shattered the azure Mo Sword, carefully put Hidden Bitterness away, and dared not experiment recklessly again. "It must be wrong, it must be wrong. Indeed, this sword dao must be taught hands-on; one cannot comprehend it alone!"

As he returned his gaze to the battlefield, Xu Xiaoshou felt he finally understood why there was such a vast difference between Gou Wuyue's Mo Sword Art and Mei Jiren's. A sword cultivator's will could indeed influence the sword in their hand. Mei Jiren was a truly free man, a venerable old master with disciples spanning the world. He had no need to placate anyone and was utterly unconstrained. This unburdened state was the most perfectly suited for the Mo Sword Art.

In contrast, Gou Wuyue, during his battle with Ba Zun'an, was constrained by their past friendship and burdened by the pressure of the Saint God Temple. While he could also perform the Mo Sword Art, he was ultimately still lacking something to reach its second realm—the Sword of Unrestrained Desire. He simply couldn't compare to Mei Jiren, who was unburdened and perfectly attuned to the Mo Sword Art's requirements.

Unless... "Unless Gou Wuyue can break free from the shackles of the Saint God Temple and rediscover his 'freedom.' If he could, his achievements in sword dao would undoubtedly soar. But is that even possible?" Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts drifted.

On the battlefield, the red sword-plum and the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light clashed fiercely. Even Jiang Buyi was startled by Mei Jiren's sword dao mastery. Could a mere Sword Immortal truly withstand an attack of saintly power?

"Mei Jiren," Jiang Buyi sneered, "this Saint must admit that, having lived longer, you indeed possess more knowledge and deeper attainments than some juniors. However, the chasm between a Sword Immortal and a Half-Saint cannot be bridged by time." If Mei Jiren, even at his full power, believed this was the extent of Jiang Buyi's ability, he was gravely mistaken. The Saint-Slaying Cloud Light was merely a preliminary test.

The reason he still employed this move against a Sword Immortal was simple: below the Half-Saint realm, why use an ox-slaughtering knife to kill a chicken? Yet, Mei Jiren was not like Yao Yao; his ability to endure the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light proved he was no pushover. However... no matter how strong an ox, how much stronger could it truly be?

Jiang Buyi raised his hand again, and the saintly effigy behind him hummed, erupting with brilliant saintly light. Heaven and earth stood still in that instant; the entire Forest of Miracles ceased its trembling, which had been activated by its Forbidden Land attribute. The next second.

"By my decree!" Dark clouds gathered, inverting day and night. Gray-black clouds obscured the bright moon—Void Island originally had no moon, only daylight. But under Jiang Buyi's will, the sky transformed, and moonlight naturally materialized.

"Clouds cover the moon, the Dao reverses the ritual..." Jiang Buyi's lips remained still, yet his will surged around him, emanating a profound saintly sound. Angrily, he formed a hand seal, conjuring a move that settled upon the previously summoned Saint-Slaying Cloud Light. "Hand of Saint's Judgment!" With his shout, thunder boomed from the nine heavens. A dense aura of saintly tribulation surged, and dark lightning struck the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light. The previously bright and clear saintly light instantly turned a grim gray-black.

The red sword-plum, which had been enduring immense pressure and carving through the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light, at this moment finally failed to withstand the Half-Saint's furious blow, now transformed into the "Hand of Saint's Judgment," and shattered with a bang. Jiang Buyi let out a relieved smile.

The "Hand of Saint's Judgment" was a strike intended for Half-Saints. Jiang Buyi had shown Mei Jiren significant respect by employing such a powerful move, though he wondered if his opponent could truly withstand it. "Seven Sword Immortal, Mei Jiren..." Jiang Buyi mused, "this Saint is truly curious. How much do you know, and how much can you accomplish before this Saint?"

As the seemingly vast and infinite Hand of Saint's Judgment descended, accompanied by Jiang Buyi's sneering laughter, Xu Xiaoshou, in his hidden state, felt his head buzzing and his sanity nearly scattered by the oppressive force. It turned out that Mei Jiren's red sword-plum had resisted not only the Saint-Slaying Cloud Light but also the Half-Saint's will, which affected everyone in this space. With the red plum shattered, even Xu Xiaoshou, still hidden, was in immense agony. He couldn't imagine the sheer pressure Mr. Jiren was enduring, facing the Half-Saint directly!

Half-Saint Jiang Buyi, with his towering saintly effigy looming behind him, stood in stark contrast to the isolated and seemingly helpless Mei Jiren, who remained alone on a single pillar. "Suppressed, Passive Point +1." Xu Xiaoshou's eyes widened with panic; he felt that even if Ba Zun'an were to arrive, he might not fare much better in this situation.

That sickly fellow... Xu Xiaoshou's knowledge was insufficient to recall even a single move Ba Zun'an had ever demonstrated that could counter the Hand of Saint's Judgment before him. This wasn't the inner island of Void Island with its seals and restrictions, nor was he facing Gou Wuyue, who was already a step weaker. Mei Jiren was confronting the full might of Half-Saint Jiang Buyi, a strike fueled by rage!

The Hand of Saint's Judgment—though only several feet in size—appeared, in the eyes of Xu and Mei, to cover the entire Forest of Miracles, its power boundless and immense.

"How much do you know?" "How much can you accomplish?" On the solitary earth pillar, Mei Jiren softly murmured, raising his gaze upward. In his eyes, there was none of Xu Xiaoshou's panic or helplessness. He simply smiled, responding to Jiang Buyi's words: "This old man knows little, merely the Way of the Sword; and can accomplish little, merely saving people."

Having spoken, Mei Jiren lowered his gaze, his eyelids drooping. "Om—" A clear, piercing sword hum, at that instant, resonated throughout the entire Forest of Miracles. Jiang Buyi's pupils contracted. He saw that after Mei Jiren lowered his eyelids, like a Buddha statue filled with compassion for all beings, a faint aura of power, one that even he found unnerving, emanated from his body.

"What is this?" Jiang Buyi couldn't believe it. Could Mei Jiren, a Sword Immortal at the Grand Void level, possess such formidable will? Half-Saints only feared two types of power: the power of a Saint Emperor and the power of ancestral origin. Could it be that what Mei Jiren displayed with that lowered gaze was one of these two powers?

"Jiang Buyi," Mei Jiren declared, his eyes, previously lowered, now snapping open like those of an enraged Vajra, "are you bullying this old man because he hasn't yet become a Half-Saint and lacks a saintly effigy?" Instantly, the azure hairpin holding his topknot shattered, and he floated upward, his long hair streaming. "If so, you are mistaken, gravely mistaken!"

He formed his hands into sword-fingers, joining them in a seal before his chest. Mei Jiren's voice deepened, the surrounding dao principles fractured, and a dense saintly aura suddenly erupted from his body! Yes, it was saintly aura!

To merely possess the will of a saint without yet being one usually held little practical use, only demonstrating a person's potential to achieve sainthood in the future. Yet, with Mei Jiren... his will was a direct manifestation of power! And his saintly will appeared to be far superior to that of Half-Saint Jiang Buyi standing before him!

"There is a renowned sword art named 'Heart'. The Way of the Heart knows no gods, no Buddhas, no laws, no heaven." Mei Jiren spoke each word distinctly, his saintly voice echoing throughout the boundless heavens and earth. Finally, his entire will condensed, bursting forth with an angry roar, manifesting from pure imagination, taking form by imperial decree.

"Because..." "I am God and Buddha, I embody Heaven!"

The Forbidden Land attribute of the Forest of Miracles seemed to have its growth stifled at this moment. Amidst an unprecedented explosion, a colossal, terrifying phantom image of a god-demon formed behind Mei Jiren, rising to its full height, several times larger than Jiang Buyi's saintly effigy!

"I..." Xu Xiaoshou stumbled mid-air, staring blankly at what Mr. Jiren had summoned... a phantom, a *phantom* image? He wasn't a Half-Saint yet, so he didn't possess a true saintly effigy; therefore, this had to be a phantom image, right? But...

What kind of monstrous entity was this?! It possessed the most magnificent and vibrant colors, so breathtakingly beautiful it seemed like an illusion from a realm of pure imagination. Nine peerless heavy swords surrounded it, imbued with a strong mundane aura, forming a world of their own. It trampled upon the Ten Kings of Hell, while myriad swords paid homage to its head. Its hands wielded nothingness, yet were azure, making one know, even without seeing them, that they were two invisible swords!

"Oh my goodness..." Xu Xiaoshou's head went numb. He suddenly realized that this wasn't merely a phantom image; it was a fusion of a phantom image and another sword art. This was something Mei Jiren's "Heart Sword Art" had conjured! And this monster was called the first realm of Heart Sword Art—"God-Buddha Before My Eyes"!

But Xu Xiaoshou knew about "God-Buddha Before My Eyes." Ba Zun'an had used it when fighting Gou Wuyue, but it was nowhere near as exaggerated as what Mr. Jiren was demonstrating now. Could this ferocious giant monster possibly be conjured by the same will as the gentle and elegant Mr. Jiren?

The more Xu Xiaoshou looked, the more he felt something was amiss. Suddenly, his eyes widened, as if he had finally understood the true meaning behind Mr. Jiren's "God-Buddha Before My Eyes." "The splendid robes signify 'Illusion,' the heavy swords number 'Nine,' the mundane world represents 'Emotion,' the Kings of Hell belong to 'Ghosts,' 'Myriad' swords pay homage, wielding 'Nothingness,' and the azure color represents 'Mo'..." "Damn it, isn't this seven out of the nine great sword arts?"

"And this is merely the first realm of Mr. Jiren's 'Heart' Sword Art. If this 'God-Buddha Before My Eyes' truly reflects Mr. Jiren's inner self, then his usual demeanor perfectly embodies the final sword art—'Hidden'!" "All nine great sword arts, gathered in one entity, this 'God-Buddha Before My Eyes,' truly rivals a Sword God..." After comprehending the nature of this monstrous entity, Xu Xiaoshou's entire body went numb, not just his head.

He recalled Mr. Jiren's earlier words: "This old man knows little, merely the Way of the Sword; and can accomplish little, merely saving people." So... Ba Zun'an's casual "Do you take me for a god?" was immediately followed by him summoning Void Island; and Mr. Jiren's humble "I know little" was then followed by him manifesting a "God-Buddha Before My Eyes" that was a culmination of the nine great sword arts. Were all ancient sword cultivators truly like this?!

"Startled, Passive Point +1." The Saint Domain was broken, and the Hand of Saint's Judgment was forcefully pushed aside by Mei Jiren's "God-Buddha Before My Eyes." Xu Xiaoshou could see... terror? in Half-Saint Jiang Buyi's eyes. With his "Perception" active, he could clearly see that the greater part of the Forest of Miracles was also trembling at this moment.

The Forbidden Land attribute of the Forest of Miracles had already been activated, but now, with the appearance of the "God-Buddha Before My Eyes," ancient trees shattered once more, the earth disintegrated again, and all living beings were subdued by the overwhelming sword energy, bowing their heads in reverence. Everything that had been restless returned to silence. At this moment, the entire Forest of Miracles resembled a strict secular academy. When a fiercely strict teacher walks into the classroom and slams down their teaching materials, even the most mischievous beings must quietly settle down, rise, cup their hands, perform the student's bow, and utter a respectful and awed greeting: "Greetings, Mr. Jiren."