Chapter 492: Rampaging True Steel

As Grandmaster Yun Hui transformed into a sarira and entered Shi Lingyun's body, her Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart, which had previously been imperfect, finally reached perfection. The Dao injuries sustained from her Heaven-Defying cultivation method were completely healed, and the single crack and blemish in her soul also became flawless. The dazzling Nine-Orifice Heart Lotus radiated an unprecedented crystal-like glow.

Shi Lingyun sat cross-legged in the void, her entire being seemingly perfectly merged with the myriad paths of heaven and earth. It appeared as if she had eclipsed all other colors in the world.

Witnessing this scene, even Xu Yang couldn't help but exclaim in his heart: "This is truly the highest soul realm humanity can achieve in this world. Such an innate affinity with the myriad paths of the heavens is incredibly powerful!"

Xu Yang determined without a doubt that if someone could awaken this Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart early, even a mortal physique inherently incapable of cultivation would instantly join the ranks of the strongest in this world. This is the most superior aspect of cultivating the heart realm to its peak: it allows one to break free from the shackles of insufficient physical talent.

Of course, this is easier said than done. Among all living beings, how many can truly achieve it? Undoubtedly, Shi Lingyun was incredibly fortunate to achieve her current realm and accomplishments.

After landing again, Shi Lingyun retracted all her radiance, returning to her usual gentle and refined appearance. However, the way she looked at Xu Yang had completely changed. This man, whom she had never met until a few days ago, had now changed her destiny and even the future of the entire Ciyun Temple! Such a great boon made it impossible for Shi Lingyun to look at Xu Yang as a stranger. This was a very special emotional experience that could not be described as purely romantic love; it was mixed with respect, gratitude, and even reverence.

From Xu Yang's perspective, the matter was much calmer. In his interpretation, this was originally a destined blessing for Shi Lingyun. Since heaven allowed her to achieve the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart, it was certainly not accidental, but the ultimate result of countless choices converging.

"How do you feel now?" Xu Yang smiled at Shi Lingyun, asking about her current state. Shi Lingyun merely pursed her lips, chuckled, and nodded repeatedly. "I feel very good. The numerous Dao injuries I sustained from forcibly trying to reach this realm have now completely healed. I must say, in the end, it was Grandmaster Yun Hui who helped me take the final step. Of course, if not for your continuous help and support, I would have likely died here long ago. I cannot repay your kindness, but I will certainly not disappoint your efforts to bring this to fruition."

Xu Yang smiled and waved his hand. "Alright, since the matter here is concluded, we should return. After all, with Grandmaster Yun Hui's passing, the matter of the dark cloud should also come to an end."

Just as Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun were about to leave the mountain peak, an incredibly violent aura of pressure suddenly descended! Xu Yang was not unfamiliar with this aura; it belonged to the various hall masters of Garan Temple who had previously surrounded the mountain peak. Clearly, they had somehow broken through the flame domain blockade Xu Yang had left behind. This also indirectly demonstrated the powerful heritage of the Eight Hundred Buddhist Lineages! For anyone else, escaping the sealed area Xu Yang had left in such a short time would have been utterly impossible.

"Xu Yang! What exactly have you done to our Abbot Yun Hui?"

The one who spoke was undoubtedly Zhen Gang, the head of the Arhat Hall. Zhen Gang, who possessed a peak Tribulation Transcendence Realm cultivation, had a very volatile temper. As a grandmaster-level figure in the martial monk lineage, it was normal for him to have a temper, as only a handful of people across the entire continent could compare to him in this domain.

For some reason, Xu Yang couldn't help but smile when he saw Zhen Gang, because this fellow's disposition was utterly at odds with the Buddhist lineage's teachings. He probably wouldn't have been able to walk this path if he hadn't been naturally destined for Buddhism.

"Which eye of yours saw me do something to Grandmaster Yun Hui? To be frank, the Grandmaster has already achieved nirvana and ascended to a new realm of existence; one might even say he is immortal."

Xu Yang's words were not meant to be evasive in the slightest. Because, from the perspective of those at their realm, Grandmaster Yun Hui had not perished but had achieved immortality in another sense! Because he transformed into a sarira and perfectly merged with Shi Lingyun's Nine-Orifice Exquisite Soul Body, wasn't that equivalent to another form of immortality? After all, every soul that achieves the Nine-Orifice Exquisite Heart will be eternally indestructible, becoming the only true eternity attainable by humanity in this world!

"You're spouting nonsense! Xu Yang, no matter what, I will obliterate you today to avenge my Master Yun Hui!"

Zhen Gang's words seemed to completely infuriate the surrounding high monks. The other two elder leaders of Garan Temple's various lineages simultaneously soared into the air, flying towards the enormous golden Buddha statue where Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun stood.

However, at this moment, Xu Yang no longer had the desire to continue fighting these people. After all, the conflict here had already ended, and there was no doubt that the dark cloud was Grandmaster Yun Hui's true form. Creating deeper conflicts with them was pointless; Xu Yang had come here to resolve matters, not to stir up trouble! At this point, Zhen Gang, completely enraged, had lost his rationality. His only thought was to avenge Grandmaster Yun Hui and eliminate Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun, whom he saw as great villains.

Shi Lingyun glanced at Xu Yang, clearly at a loss. Although her heart realm had reached the pinnacle of human achievement, in terms of physical ability and cultivation foundation, she was merely at the initial stage of Tribulation Transcendence. Let alone the hall masters before them, even the Eighteen Arhats and other high monks behind the crowd were absolutely not opponents Shi Lingyun could contend with alone. Fortunately, she had Xu Yang by her side, the protection of a mysterious man who seemingly had no limits!

"Heh heh, since you are so aggressive, why don't I leave you with a test?"

Xu Yang merely maintained a calm smile. Suddenly, he gently waved his hand towards the base of the mountain in front of them, and an incredibly dazzling fiery pattern descended from the air, splitting the mountain in two. This single action shocked everyone present! Not only Shi Lingyun by Xu Yang's side, but even the Eighteen Golden Arhats and others on the other side of the mountain were utterly dumbfounded.

"My heavens! Can this guy truly still be considered within the realm of ordinary humans? Even at the peak of the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, I've never seen such power before!"