Chapter 1232: One Thought Prajna Emptiness, Heavenly Mechanism Profound Head Granted

"Array of Mystic Arts!"

"Another surge of Mystic Arts power?"

The spirit refiners on Xu Kong Island were nearly stunned.

They had just recovered from the shocking spectacle of San Xiang Ju Di, and now Mei Yiren, once the Seven Sword Immortals but now sealed as the Sword Saint, was unveiling the Array of Mystic Arts.

What on earth was happening?

Though rumors on Sheng Shen Continent claimed that only Yu Ling Di, the head of the Spirit Department, had mastered Mystic Arts power, everyone believed there must be a second, third, or even more practitioners—it's just that they were rarely seen.

After all, hadn't Xu Xiao Shou displayed multiple Mystic Arts powers earlier? They looked fake, yet felt undeniably real.

If that counted as one, then in today's battle alone, adding Mei Yiren made it three.

On Xu Kong Island, a third Array of Mystic Arts had now appeared!

"When did Mystic Arts power become so commonplace?" Deep down, everyone knew that if the younger generation could cultivate it, the elders and powerhouses certainly could, and likely in greater numbers. Mei Yiren possessing Mystic Arts power was fitting and unsurprising.

But knowing it and accepting it were different. The crowd still couldn't wrap their heads around these elusive, ethereal forces suddenly appearing in droves and so tangibly.

Perhaps it was because the battles they'd witnessed before weren't on this level…

Or because Xu Kong Island gathered the true elite of the continent…

Yet these reasons couldn't suppress the envy, jealousy, and bitterness stirring in the hearts of the island's spirit refiners.

We're all geniuses, so why can someone succeed at something I can't achieve no matter how hard I try?

"The Array of Mystic Arts for Heart Sword Technique!"

On the other side, Xu Xiao Shou was equally surprised, though his astonishment quickly faded.

Compared to the jarring display of "San Xiang Ju Di" from someone like Xiao Da Zui, which created a sense of disparity,

In his mind, Mei Yiren was nearly on par with the eight venerable ones from the previous era. When it came to combat prowess, there was little else to say.

Instead of dwelling on his strength, it was better to ponder why Mei Yiren was suddenly being so ostentatious.

That was what truly surprised Xu Xiao Shou!

In the past, Mei Yiren was like a sheathed and forgotten sword, his edge only faintly showing when the ferocious sword image emerged. But now…

Xu Xiao Shou gazed over.

Even setting aside that dazzling Array of Mystic Arts, Mei Yiren stood in the void, gripping the Tai Cheng Jian, his robes billowing, exuding an aura of spirited confidence that screamed poise.

This was far more natural and fitting for a "Sword Immortal" or "Sword Saint" than Xiao Da Zui's effects-dependent "elegance" through illusionary sword techniques.

"Why the change?"

Xu Xiao Shou furrowed his brow, sensing a stark contrast, for he knew Mei Yiren wasn't this type of person.

Even if he drew his sword or reached the second realm, it should be subtle, like nourishing all things silently, leading to death without a trace.

This level of showiness was completely out of character for Mei Yiren!

Without a doubt, the fully unleashed Mei Yiren not only repelled Yan Wang's Huang Quan and Tian Ren Wu Shui but also made Er Hao raise his guard to the extreme.

Though they faced each other directly, a sensation like a blade at his back arose unbidden.

In the chaos of Zhen Huang Hall, Mei Yiren had only struck three times. Even combining those, he used the eight great sword styles, all at the first realm.

In Er Hao's eyes, none of them posed as great a threat as this single, unsheathed sword.

In that moment, he understood Mei Yiren's intent: full power engaged!

"This old one will strike only once."

With his feet on the Array of Mystic Arts for the sword path, sword intent surging like tidal waves, making the entire Giant Kingdom tremble for him, Mei Yiren still couldn't bring himself to boast like Xiao Kong Dong.

The boldest words of his life were written on his paper fan, not spoken aloud.

He slowly raised the Tai Cheng Jian, lightly flicking it with his fingertip.

"Boom!"

From the nine heavens above, Tai Cheng descended.

The triple radiance of sun, moon, and stars instantly paled before the shadow of that ancient, majestic city.

Man and sword became one!

Mei Yiren seemed to embody the rules of the sword path, merging inseparably with the forces of heaven and earth.

In that instant, to everyone on the island,

The vision of Tai Cheng Jian was illusory, the Array of Mystic Arts beneath Mei Yiren's feet was illusory, and even the ancient structures, people, and everything on Xu Kong Island turned illusory.

In the world, San Xiang Ju Di vanished, leaving only Mei Yiren and Er Hao facing off in the sky.

Even Huang Quan and Tian Ren Wu Shui nearby became mere background, fading unnoticed.

"Teacher, you're incredible…"

Xu Xiao Shou's eyes gained a new gleam, flickering with wonder, stunned by Mei Yiren's fully unleashed presence.

He couldn't tear his gaze away, feeling as if he'd fallen under an illusion, his spirit and will locked entirely on Mei Yiren, unable to focus elsewhere.

Yet, this state wouldn't trigger spiritual awakening.

In other words, Mei Yiren, with just a word and a glance, made everyone feel targeted by him.

No escape!

No retreat!

Not even daring to divert their thoughts or shift their eyes for a second, for that could mean instant death!

Er Hao felt the same.

Or rather, he was the one truly locked in this battlefield.

The blade-at-the-back sensation turned into sitting on pins and needles the moment Mei Yiren spoke.

Er Hao could barely maintain his composure, itching to act and break this momentum of being overwhelmed.

But before he could move, Mei Yiren said lightly,

"This old one will strike only once, so don't dodge, because I still need to teach."

Teach?

Er Hao felt a surge of absurdity.

Using me as your teaching tool—are you insane?

He wanted to strike first, to shatter everything that might follow before Mei Yiren's sword could fall.

But gazing into Mei Yiren's calm eyes, Er Hao restrained his impulse and grasped the meaning:

Mei Yiren hadn't used this sword earlier because the exile countdown had limited him.

Now that he'd cleared the countdown, he was at his peak.

So, would the battle instincts of an ancient sword cultivator from the previous era, forged in life-and-death struggles, be inferior to someone like Dao Qiong Cang, who created the Tian Ji divine messengers?

No!

Thus, Er Hao could strike first, but that would inevitably provoke Mei Yiren's immediate counter and advance.

"Teach…"

Er Hao suddenly felt at a loss.

He deciphered another layer of Mei Yiren's words:

Because it's for teaching, I'll use a gentleman's sword. Block it if you can; if not, die.

With this sword, you can attack or defend, but don't strike first, for Tai Cheng Jian will be faster than you.

And escape is impossible!

For the entire Xu Kong Island might be within this sword's range!

"One sword?" Er Hao asked.

"One sword." Mei Yiren nodded.

So, this was the ancient sword cultivator's gentleman's agreement: I'll always come straight at you; whether you block it is your problem.

"What after one sword?" Er Hao asked again.

Mei Yiren looked at him, silent for a long while, before gently shaking his head. "There is no after."

In other times, Er Hao would know how to respond.

It would just be arrogant bluster, like from someone like Xu Xiao Shou, full of conceit.

But now, Er Hao forced a smile at the corners of his mouth and nodded expressionlessly.

He agreed!

This scene, to outsiders, was almost unbelievable. Xu Xiao Shou's jaw nearly dropped.

In his ears, Mei Yiren's words sounded like… "Stick out your neck, and I'll chop once. Don't dodge, because I need to teach my disciple about killing intent, so whatever you do, don't move."

Anyone with a brain wouldn't just offer their neck for the slaughter, right? Yet Er Hao nodded!

If it were me, I'd use vanishing techniques and soar to the skies, getting as far away as possible. Does Er Hao have no brains?

Others felt it even more acutely; he was the one directly targeted, so he endured it fully and had no confidence in escaping Mei Yiren's sword.

Xu Xiao Shou swallowed hard, his lips drying up.

He glanced at Mei Yiren, then at Xiao Zun Yin, who wore a serious expression mixed with a touch of eagerness, diligently studying the "insights."

The difference was clear!

How had he not realized before that this guy was so superficial in his act? All form, no substance!

"Xu Xiao Shou, watch closely. This old one will demonstrate only once." Mei Yiren twirled the Tai Cheng Jian in his hand.

Xu Xiao Shou was already poised on his sword path disk, ready to learn.

He noticed that Xiao Da Zui beside him was watching even more intently, completely forgetting his current role.

That was a true arrogant one who, in his youth, had dismissed Mei Yiren's sword!

But now, no one paid attention to this eighth sword immortal.

Not only Xiao Kong Dong was learning, but Huang Quan and Tian Ren Wu Shui were also wide-eyed.

Han Ye trembled, as if recalling the fear of being dominated by the "sword," his terror evident.

On Xu Kong Island, whether from Dong Yu Sword God Heaven or other regions, the spirit refiners all widened their eyes.

Some hadn't even cleared the threat of the Distortion Light yet, but upon hearing this, anyone conscious turned their gaze, showing utmost seriousness.

Ancient sword techniques, second realm!

This was something unseen since that guy, who used realms like watering plants and constantly crushed his peers, had "fallen"!

Er Hao's eyes bulged like copper bells, fully focused.

Yet, he saw Mei Yiren's Tai Cheng Jian hadn't moved; instead, a resonant sacred sound descended, clear and melodious, like grand bells tolling:

"Chaotic Dao severs nine swords; I alone honor the heart technique."

"In dreams, spirits bless the nation; all delusions become servants."

"Sinking into body's苦,杂 thoughts cannot be weeded."

"One thought of gods and Buddhas differs; one thought of prajna is nothing."

In an instant, everyone on Xu Kong Island immersed themselves in the world constructed by the sacred sound.

They saw nine sword lights leaping from endless chaos, one slashing toward the heart and thoughts.

Gray plum blossoms fell from the sky; all delusions born in a person's life became chains binding them. Humanity turned into servants of their own mind, allowing these "chains" to morph into "rules," endlessly building layer upon layer of a mental prison, trapping them forever.

Sunk in this sea of suffering, the seven emotions and six desires were devils in disguise as virtues, all thoughts essentially gray.

How could ordinary people, not transcendent beings, see through the shiny exterior to the filthy essence within?

But in this mental nation, it was all laid bare, exposed to everyone's sight.

"Destroy it!"

Everyone yearned, trying to break these gray shackles for liberation.

But how to break them?

How to liberate?

"I know, I understand," yet in this moment, it was a thousand times, ten thousand times more painful than "I don't know, but I can enjoy it and drift ignorantly to death."

In this pain, they glimpsed that sword light capable of cleaving chaos and finally gained insight.

Yes!

The divine nation is a shackle, gods and Buddhas are faith; only by severing them can one be free.

Like the Wang Zuo path of cultivation: sever the dao to sever it, only then become the great void!

This was one way, relying on one's own power to cultivate transcendence, cutting off shackles and faith to reclaim oneself.

So, besides this method, was there a simpler means?

At that moment, it required a transcendent one to strike, helping to sever such a mental prison.

He needed to wield that chaos-cleaving sword!

A strike that surpassed severing faith and gods, directly erasing the entire mental prison, wiping away all traces of its existence!

"Prajna…"

As this thought arose, everyone on Xu Kong Island jolted awake, spitting blood, forcibly ejected from that illusory gray nation. In an instant, hundreds fell.

The remaining, clutching their heads in agony yet clinging to consciousness, suddenly lifted their eyes and finally saw that figure still standing in the void, as if after an eternity…

Mei Yiren!

Had he liberated the innocent from that sword's mental prison in advance?

"Controlled, passive value: 1."

"Illusion afflicted, passive value: 1."

"Threatened, passive value: 1."

With just one sword, Xu Xiao Shou's information panel flashed with over a dozen messages, including "ambush," "threat," "instruction," "shock," "influence," and more.

Even after triggering spiritual awakening, Xu Xiao Shou felt his spirit and will hadn't fully returned.

I've cultivated "all demons in sight," and I can sever them myself!

The image of San Xiang Ju Di's Heart Sword Technique shook violently, and only then did Xu Xiao Shou fully awaken, filled with lingering fear.

His face pale, he saw countless people collapsed on the island, Xiao Da Zui's face full of shock, his eyes shifting from vacant to alert. He also saw Huang Quan, Tian Ren Wu Shui, Han Ye, and others, who had been controlled but liberated early.

Only one remained unpardoned!

Liberated State: Tian Ji Divine Messenger, Er Hao!

"Ugh—ah—"

Er Hao's body, glowing with divinity, hunched like a shrimp, clutching his head, groaning in torment. He should have prepared many countermeasures.

As a Tian Ji Divine Messenger, an artificial being, how could he have thoughts?

No, he was now a mature life form with his own mind.

And with a mind came the ability to think independently, leading to self-judgment, a lifetime of experiences, and inevitable influence from this sword!

Xu Xiao Shou's gaze shifted from Er Hao to Mei Yiren, who stood eternally serene.

Mei Yiren turned with a smile and nodded slightly.

Then, he looked toward Er Hao, who was completely unguarded, not even activating half a move, half a style, or any passive Tian Ji ability, fully submerged in his mental prison.

Tai Cheng Jian stirred.

Upon it, illusory waves shimmered.

"With the heart as master, only I in body and intent, heaven and earth yield—this is cultivating myself."

"With the heart as command, all things can be summoned, all delusions servants—this is cultivating others."

"The divide between I and others, the distinction of thoughts, can become gods and Buddhas, can sever illusions."

Mei Yiren recited like a chant, fully embracing the teaching role, ensuring Xu Xiao Shou understood before casually raising his sword and lightly slashing forward.

"Be liberated!"

"Heart Sword Technique: Prajna is nothing."

I and others… Xu Xiao Shou was dazed.

Receiving the hint, he recalled the sacred sound before the strike and what it described.

Mei Yiren had once told him that Xiao Kong Dong's No-Sword Technique "Empty Boundary" used the "I and others" divide, and when cultivated deeply, it could reach the second realm.

Now, using the same "I and others" divide, Mei Yiren was delivering a true supreme strike?

Plum blossoms filled the city, sword intent turning desolate.

One thought of prajna nothing, Tian Ji's profound head granted.

One sword!

Sword light waved illusorily, like nothingness itself.

After piercing Er Hao without harming his exterior at all, it was as if it carried away his divine soul and will, taking the Tian Ji Divine Messenger and leaving behind a true puppet…

A genuine puppet!