Chapter 893: Swordping Sanshou (1+2/2)

Guan Gongxiao, sweat beading on his forehead and clearly terrified, quickly said, "Reporting to the Venerable Master, we have already engaged them. These monks and spiritual masters can dissolve my spells. When they illuminate an area with their spiritual light or colorful radiance, it's as if a tall building has its foundations removed – it collapses and disperses, forcing us to submit. They are difficult to deal with."

"However, these individuals are poor with magical artifacts. Although their bodies are sturdy, they are unarmed. When it comes to spell combat, they aren't overly troublesome."

Guan Gongxiao undoubtedly knew the strengths and weaknesses of his own sect. He likely understood long ago that the Vanguard lineage struggled against Buddhist cultivators. Now, answering Li Ximing's question, he spoke with clarity.

"Spell nullification... I haven't heard that Ye Gui possesses as many spells as Changxiao. He only has a pair of spiritual artifacts that can generate flames and thunder. The Vanguard lineage is commonly said to employ methods of ghosts, gods, and mountain spirits. It's normal for them to be incompatible with Buddhist magic and slightly weaker."

As he finished speaking, the cultivators from the Duxian Sect, trembling with fear, drew closer. Leading them was the swordsman Gongsun Baifan, who bowed respectfully upon approach, saying, "Greetings, Venerable Master."

Li Ximing glanced at him and asked, "How is the Song family?"

The mention of the Song family undoubtedly referred to Song Yunbai, who was the most cultivated among the Venerable Master's associates. Guan Gongxiao's face dimmed as he replied in a low voice, "Reporting to the Venerable Master, she has already been taken away by another Venerable Master. We don't know his identity, but from his clothing and the wooden clogs on his feet, we estimate he is a cultivator from the Southern Wu Kingdom, from Qize."

The Song family were loyal supporters of Duxian, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator being quietly taken away was certainly not a good sign. It was akin to the Fei family of Wangyue Lake; when Fei Qingya, who wasn't deeply connected, left, Li Ximing was already tempted to throw the entire Fei family into Huyu Mountain. How much more significant was it then, given that Song Yunbai was one of the Song family's foremost leaders?

Furthermore, Qize, being the largest marsh in the south, had cultivators who mostly relied on Changhuai Mountain for support. Only a handful of Venerable Masters and the Sword Immortal Duoling were considered rogue cultivators; most were likely affiliated with Changhuai Mountain, the foremost power in the Wu Kingdom!

'Changhuai Mountain is even stronger than the Golden Feather Sect... geographically, it dominates its corner, proclaiming itself the Changhuai orthodoxy, with all its followers honoring Changhuai as the true lineage. No wonder he's feeling uneasy.'

Li Ximing, who enjoyed observing unfolding events, listened casually. Just then, several streaks of light cut through the sky.

Leading them was naturally Kuiqi, the current head of the Grand Xiukui Monastery, with a long face and refined eyebrows. He still wore his black robe, a black rope artifact tied at his waist, and carried the mottled green Grand He Kui Bronze Sword.

Accompanying him was Tinglan, who had been in seclusion for years healing her injuries. She looked well, her brows furrowed as she spoke. It seemed to be a formal occasion, as she no longer wore her favored autumn-yellow robe, but instead was clad in purple, holding the Purple Seat Muling Pavilion in her hand.

Behind them, on one side, was Hou Fu, who had a cloth bag tied to his waist. Having a connection with Li Ximing from overseas, he nodded in greeting from a distance. On the other side was the gentle and captivating Ning Wan, holding the Great Snow Absolute Edge.

These four individuals were the Venerable Masters of the Sun Daoist orthodoxy currently active in Jiangnan. Not to mention those who disliked or refused to appear, these four alone could determine the fate of more than half of the Yue Kingdom.

Guan Gongxiao, who was kneeling beside them, dared not lift his head. The cultivators around him were nearly collapsing to the ground, and Chilu, who had been in the Void, had naturally already fled. Li Ximing casually instructed, "Take your people and guard the west. When the fighting starts in the south, and the people on the lake move north, you should also bring your forces westwards."

After speaking, he withdrew his divine ability, rose on a beam of light, and bowed first, saying, "Many thanks to all fellow Daoists!"

The four Venerable Masters returned his courtesy. Kuiqi was the most gracious, extending a hand forward in a gesture of invitation, and declared, "Zhaojing, there's no need for such politeness. Let us proceed together. We must not allow the Seven Phases to linger and defile the lands north of the river."

Li Ximing thanked him, took a step forward, and advanced alongside them. Seeing the Great Snow Absolute Edge in Ning Wan's hand, adorned with the image of Profound Snow and Lunar Ascension, he secretly mused, 'A sword cultivator from Jiangnan would likely die without regret if they could just touch this sword...'

Hou Fu noticed him looking at the Great Snow Absolute Edge and chuckled, "This sword is unique under heaven. Besides Venerable Master Donghua's 'Bieli,' this is the only one to speak of. Compared to it, Situ Huo's long blade 'Blood Fierce Tower,' which he wishes he could sleep on like a pillow, is mere scrap metal, and Guo Shentong's 'Jubo Waves' would also be at a disadvantage, three levels inferior."

As he finished speaking, Tinglan, who was nearby, chuckled, "You can't just compare them casually; these are all extraordinary individuals..."

The Purple Mansions advanced with their divine abilities. Kuiqi listened to Venerable Master Hou Fu's casual talk, his tone relaxed, yet one hand rested on his sword, rubbing it, as he sighed, "They are incomparable!"

Although Venerable Master Hou Fu seemed at ease in his casual conversation, Li Ximing still detected Kuiqi's subtle hesitation. He appeared somewhat anxious, as if worried about something.

'After all, they are facing Zhelu Daisun of the Void sect, and at least Pijia Nuzhi of the Great Desire sect is present. Although it's unclear what losses the Buddhist cultivators sustained in the previous skirmish or how many remain, there's also a Purple Mansion from the Helian family nearby, not to mention the Compassionate Ones within the Buddhist lands.'

Although the Compassionate Ones are not as powerful as Purple Mansions, they are troublesome enough in groups of three to five. Moreover, if there are two or three disciples of the Golden Lotus hidden among them, capable of spells and experienced in combat against immortal cultivators, it would be even more problematic.

He followed the group forward, and soon saw the radiant Buddhist lands in the sky. Golden clouds drifted over Tangdao Mountain, and primordial magnetic forces shimmered.

This mountain was already towering and rugged, and two colossal golden statues stood upon it. One was covered in ten thousand eyes, utterly terrifying, while the other had twelve arms and three heads, enveloped in colorful light. Its eyes sparkled like stars reaching into the clouds, and its hands, like suspended mountain peaks, were adorned with brilliant colored clouds, truly immense in size.

These two golden effigies were only slightly shorter than the highest peaks, using Tangdao Peak as a high-backed immortal seat, sitting steadily before them. One faced west, the other east, and their sides were filled with seated Compassionate Ones, appearing magnificent under the dense, colorful light.

The Venerable Masters were like ants before these golden effigies, yet their presence made the colorful clouds swirling here temporarily pause. Some of the reclining or standing Compassionate Ones on either side immediately rose on the wind, joining their hands as they approached.

"Venerable Masters, it seems you have leisure to visit my Dayuan Guangyin Temple!"

Li Ximing immediately recognized the two figures: one was Zhelu, the Sixth Generation Master of the Void Buddhist Land, and the other was Pijia, the Fifth Generation Master of the Great Desire Path!

These two Mahas were no strangers. When Tinglan and Qiuhu were ambushed years ago, these two Mahas were the main force, only retreating due to the intervention of Venerable Master Ling Mei of the Sword Gate. For them to personally guard this place, it seemed that the Dayuan Guangyin Temple, established on this mountain through the combined efforts of the Void and Great Desire sects, was indeed of utmost importance!

Venerable Master Kuiqi's expression was displeased. Seeing the two Mahas in the mountain acting ostentatiously, remaining silent and only sending a Compassionate One, he naturally felt angry and said coldly, "The Northern Buddhist Sect has occupied Tangdao Mountain, transforming it into such a colossal form. Do you intend to cross the mountain and approach Baijiang Stream?"

"Back then, the True Monarch, wielding his sword, nearly slew the Desire Sea Maha Liangli, who then swore a great oath not to cross the river for three hundred years. Do you now intend to violate that oath?"

Li Ximing understood clearly. Pijia, unlike Zhelu, was not the primary figure. Behind him was the Desire Sea Maha Liangli, who presided over the Buddhist Land, likely possessing even higher cultivation. 'So he was once slain by the True Monarch Shangyuan.'

Speaking of this matter, Pijia appeared indifferent. His twelve hands unfurled behind him, and his voice boomed, "My Great Desire Liangli sought guidance from Yu Zhen and benefited greatly, for which I am very grateful. Naturally, I will not violate my oath. It is simply that the Void sect is moving south, and I have come myself to offer a little assistance."

Li Ximing secretly pondered: 'I haven't heard of this matter... Could it be because the Great Desire Dharma Body intervened to protect someone?'

He hesitated slightly; this guess was quite plausible. After all, True Monarch Shangyuan was the Jade True Sword Immortal; anyone who died by his hand was likely truly dead. It wasn't impossible for a Dharma Body to intervene and save someone, and if a Dharma Body did intervene, even if witnessed, its influence might be diminished. Moreover, True Monarch Shangyuan was not one to boast.

Kuiqi couldn't be bothered to argue further and merely pressed his sword, saying, "There's nothing more to discuss. Golden Feather Sect might not govern Tangdao Mountain, but Baijiang Stream is our immortal land. If you insist on crossing the river, the outcome will be decided today."

Then, Zhelu in the mountain finally spoke, his thousand eyes blinking, his voice echoing eerily: "The Great Snow Absolute Edge possesses astonishing power; it is truly formidable, and even more so in Ling Mei's hands. However, regarding the matter of Baijiang Stream, without a battle, nothing will be clear."

"As for you, girl, you're probably not in your true form!"

His words were pointed directly at Tinglan! "Your sect's Transfer Edict... our Buddhist path has seen it before!"

If Tinglan was indeed a transformation from a Transfer Edict, meaning her injuries were actually not healed, then they would effectively be one person short.

As soon as these words were uttered, Li Ximing knew the matter could not end peacefully. Tinglan, however, acted as if she hadn't heard, smiling as she looked at him. Then, the sky shimmered with brilliance, and two more golden effigies appeared in the skies on either side!

Daisun and Nuzhi!

Yet, this was far from all. Rolling malevolent energy rose from the earth, and ground flames erupted, soaring and weaving through the air, quickly coalescing into a middle-aged man dressed in pure white feathered robes, adorned with glazed ornaments.

The man was handsome, holding an entirely black, long-handled polearm—neither quite a saber nor quite a spear. His snowy white feathered robe fluttered in the wind, his hair was unbound, and eighteen glazed precious beads adorned his waist. He lifted his eyes and laughed, "So this is what southerners look like, nothing special!"

Just by his appearance, Li Ximing knew he was skilled in artifacts. He heard Ning Wan sigh beside him, "Helian Wumeng."

The sky was filled with awe-inspiring Buddhist demons, yet the Sun Daoist orthodoxy's side reacted with composure. The first few Venerable Masters at least observed, while Hou Fu simply lowered his head, admiring the malevolent energy at his feet.

Strangely, despite the imposing display from the opposing side, none of them charged forward either. Only a few Compassionate Ones flew up, preparing to form a battle array, perhaps also waiting for Ling Mei.

Kuiqi gazed at the golden effigies from afar, then subtly turned his body, revealing Ning Wan behind him.

Then, the Void resonated. Ning Wan stood holding her sword, and before her, a man appeared.

The man was eight feet tall, lean and upright. His robes were black and white, and he wore only a gourd at his waist. His brow bones were prominent and sharp, his beard and hair neatly tied up like a crown. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his eyes, below his brows, were calm as he stared at the golden effigies.

His demeanor was not extraordinary; were it not for the dense spiritual radiance emanating from him, he might have seemed like a village schoolteacher. But as he stood before the group, all the direct descendants of the Sun Daoist orthodoxy bowed together, respectfully saying, "We respectfully welcome the Grand Venerable Master!"

This person was none other than the Grand Xiukui Venerable Master, a contemporary of Zipai and Sanyuan, and the Sword Immortal Lou Xing, renowned for his combat prowess!

Back then, the Sun Daoist orthodoxy shone brightly with countless talents: the Three Yuans stood side by side, and the Two Zis shone equally. And even in that era, this Venerable Master Lou Xing was already famous for his skill in combat!

One must know that even the Ziqi Daoist orthodoxy, which was not known for combat but for its profound spiritual cultivation, had Venerable Master Zipai who, even before his death, could make Buddhist cultivators retreat three paces. How much more formidable was the one standing before them now?!

Instantly, the clouds and mists of heaven and earth ceased their movement, and the colorful and precious lights halted. Helian Wumeng, filled with dread, extinguished his malevolent flames. Daisun and Nuzhi, terrified, stopped their transformations. Seeing that fair hand grasping the sword, no one dared to make the first move.

'He's here! He's personally come to our doorstep! The confrontation hasn't even begun... Not a single piece of land north of the river has been lost, only a Tangjin Gate, and the Sun Daoist orthodoxy has already brought out a Sword Immortal?!'

The Sword Immortal raised his brows, lifted his gaze, and his entire aura changed completely. His spiritual sense had already locked onto all the cultivators, pressing down like Mount Tai, unshakeable. His voice was calm: "You have wanted me to come north of the river for a long time..."

Holding the Great Snow Absolute Edge, he seemed to be savoring the moment: "That monk was right, without a battle, nothing will be clear. I knew you were forcing me to appear. Since that's the case, you will have to pay the price for my appearance."

As soon as these words were uttered, Zhelu on the mountain instantly bristled. Disregarding the imminent danger of being struck down with any movement, his body erupted in a blaze of splendor, and his thousand hands and thousand eyes simultaneously emitted a pink light. The other figures, seeing someone else bear the brunt of the attack, felt as if they had received a grand pardon. Who would pay him any mind? Each one turned and fled!

But the Sword Immortal moved his sword in an instant.

A fierce, swirling snowy sword force surged skyward. The patterns of Profound Snow and Lunar Ascension, and the scene of heaven and earth intertwining as autumn turns to winter, all appeared simultaneously. After several centuries, the Great Snow Absolute Edge finally displayed before the cultivators the peak of divine mystery combined with sword intent, and Lou Xing's swordsmanship and cultivation further extended its reach to its widest extent!

'Unless Jingzhan or Murong Xia were here, who could face this sword without vomiting blood and despairing!'

The falling snow scattered, echoing his ultimate divine ability. In an instant, all the cultivators present were uniformly suppressed, unable even to open the Void. The Thousand-Eyed Maha, Zhelu of the Sixth Generation, frightened out of his wits, flew up from his spot, but suddenly froze in place.

Although the sword light was fierce, piercing his Dharma body with cracks, it was not aimed at him!

Instead, Pijia, who had just risen and was about to leave, didn't even have time to change his expression or defend himself. Staring at the terrifying sword light rapidly expanding before him, locking onto his soul and Dharma body, he was terrified to the core: "Ah?"

The sky was filled with wind, clouds, and thunder. After one sword strike, the several Mahas and that demon finally managed to connect with the Void. The Thousand-Eyed Maha on the mountain, having narrowly escaped with his life, would he still offer assistance? Naturally, it was a case of 'better a dead bald monk than a living one,' so he immediately released boundless illusions and fled in an instant.

"Crack..." Immediately after, whatever trump card or precious artifact this Maha possessed was shattered. All around, the sound of shattering glass echoed from within the Void, vibrating incessantly, rising and falling.

In an instant, the pink light and sword light vanished together. The cold moonlight withdrew, the Maha's true form disappeared, and the Sword Immortal too vanished without a trace. A rain of brilliant pink light fell from the sky, and three enormous heads, trailing vast clouds of dust, slid downwards, hurtling towards the ground amidst flickering primordial magnetic light, obscuring the sky and sun. Precious light shone like stars, and dark energy like night!

The surrounding dozen or so Compassionate Ones had not yet reacted, pinned in place by the falling snow. Against this backdrop, the descending heads were like fiery meteorites. Li Ximing advanced on a beam of light, hearing Kuiqi's sharp cry: "Seize this opportune moment!"

Although the Maha had departed, Compassionate Ones in the sky were still suppressed by the sword light, unable to escape!

Although Li Ximing did not know where Pijia and the Sword Immortal had gone, Pijia had lost half his life. He could not fail to see the excellent situation before them. Was Lou Xing's sole purpose merely to kill someone? This sword strike did not consolidate its power into a single point but rather dispersed its might, suppressing the entire Tangdao Mountain in its wake. Was this not precisely for such a scenario?!

Greatly pleased, he thought: 'Every one killed now reduces future pressure!'

Almost immediately, Tinglan's avatar in the sky vanished. Instead, her true form appeared at the highest point of the horizon, her robes fluttering, holding a small gray-white pot in her hand.

The High Phase Pot! The lid had already opened, and a ball of fiery light immediately leaped out. Azure and cerulean, the two cosmic forces shimmered together as the long-prepared Immeasurable Water-Fire poured down, transforming into a sky-filling rain of fire.

The Immeasurable Water-Fire was precisely the special spiritual flame that severed the Void! Enhanced by the High Phase Pot, it had been accumulating in the Void for an unknown duration, and in an instant, it unleashed thousands of fire lights, falling upon almost every Compassionate One.

However, the Immeasurable Water-Fire was ultimately a spiritual flame, not meant for swift victory. Even with the spiritual artifact's enhancement, it was still a step slower than Purple Mansion-level speed. The shattered void rapidly expanded. At this moment, the four direct descendants of the Sun Daoist orthodoxy simultaneously struck: purple pavilions soared through the void, white snow fluttered, black ropes bound, and radiance descended!

"Boom!" Li Ximing's Heaven-Approaching Gate, trailing massive radiance, descended from the sky. Seizing this excellent opportunity, it crashed down onto a golden pavilion at the foot of Tangdao Mountain!

Three Compassionate Ones had originally been seated cross-legged there. Suppressed by the terrifying power of the Great Snow Absolute Edge, they barely managed to fly up. Only one, a more formidable four-armed, two-headed figure, who was further away, barely managed to shift his position.

"Boom!" Purple flames and heavenly light interwove. The other two had no time to move and were simultaneously suppressed beneath the Heaven-Approaching Gate. Bright auric flames surged up, causing the ground to explode and the cliffs on both sides to shatter and slide down in torrents.

The four-armed, two-headed Compassionate One beside them only reacted to the rapid developments, narrowly avoiding the Heaven-Approaching Gate. A wave of chilling dread instantly enveloped him: 'If I'm suppressed by him now, my Dharma body will surely be lost!'

Yet, the despairing situation extended far beyond this. His maneuver barely avoided the Heaven-Approaching Gate, but he had no time to retreat into the Void. The azure and cerulean two-yin energies were already right before him.

'Senior Brother Huakong!'

With the loud warning from his two junior brothers in the formation, all traces of the Void within the spiritual consciousness of the four-armed, two-headed Compassionate One vanished with the arrival of the flames...

'Damn it... it's that Immeasurable Water-Fire again!'

The Immeasurable Water-Fire's power was too dispersed; by the time it flew over, most of its might had been expended, so it wasn't truly a threat to Huakong. The real difficulty, however, lay in its ability to sever the Void, which was truly nauseating!

Fortunately, Huakong still knew two spells. He urgently pressed both palms to his chest and instantly transformed into three golden effigy phantoms on the spot. They were perfectly lifelike, with identical movements and actions, but each occupied a different position.

The High Phase Pot was not incapable of discerning true forms, but the distance was too great and its affected range too wide, making it beyond reach. Influenced by the two bodies on either side, it could only gently pass through the central gap and drift away.

The Compassionate One Huakong felt a flush on his face, but no hint of relief in his heart. He lifted his head with a touch of despair. The man in the white-gold Daoist robe had indeed abandoned the Heaven-Approaching Gate and now arrived before him, stepping on light. Rippling blue-yellow light emanated, and Huakong's originally perfect and harmonious Dharma body suddenly sank as if falling into a swamp.

The scope of these mountain and river patterns was enormous. Not only did they bind him, but even his two junior brothers, who were within the bright light, were troubled by the blue-yellow radiance!

'Zhaojing Li Ximing!'

The light of Shichuan rippled in the air. The Compassionate One felt a surge of anxiety in his heart, yet detected waves of wondrous responses. Junheng!

Shichuan's blue-yellow light paused briefly, but with a slight halt of this spiritual ruler in mid-air, the Compassionate One's two clones vanished completely, like melting snow meeting a scorching sun.

Huakong wished he could vomit blood. He freed two hands to press together at his chest, while his other two hands summoned a pair of golden hammers, which he aimed directly at the Daoist.

However, the Venerable Master in white-gold robes subtly moved his lips, and a stream of red and white intertwined flames immediately surged forth from his mouth. It swiftly reached the hammers, swept past them, and descended as brilliant golden-yellow light.

The Three-Watch Xu Xuan Fire!

Meanwhile, his two hands simultaneously conjured bright, radiant white light of Li Fire. The Sun Responding to Li technique operated, attaching to his palms. He raised both hands and caught the swinging golden hammers.

"Clang!" With the Heaven-Approaching Gate enhancing his Dharma body, the Sun Responding to Li technique resonating, and Shichuan's empowerment, the two golden hammers, clumsily swung by his opponent, only exploded with a burst of Li Fire's white light in his palms. Their momentum greatly slowed, they were held firmly in his hands.

But the Three-Watch Xu Xuan Fire had already poured down copiously, like molten lava, streaming down the Compassionate One Huakong's cheeks, scalding him and eliciting a scream. Furthermore, thick, lacquer-like liquid, resembling golden paint, flowed down his chest.

"Hum..." Then, the gray-white High Phase Pot in the sky finally ceased spewing flames. This highly spiritual artifact faithfully executed its master's command, scanning the mountain range. Whether out of furious indignation or because it still retained some spiritual connection to Li Ximing, its spout once again aimed at the four-armed Compassionate One, who had dodged the flames but failed to escape into the Void.

The four-armed Compassionate One felt a chill shoot up to his head: 'Damn it!'

Li Ximing naturally seized the opportunity. A ray of light shot out from his glabella in an instant, and the Upper Radiance Subduing Light was unleashed fiercely. It swept directly across the man's face, both at close range and with overwhelming righteousness.

The Upper Radiance Subduing Light followed the path of illumination. When unleashed directly like this, its power surged invisibly. The Compassionate One before him could only cry out in despair: "Misery! I've fallen into his trap!"

The vast Upper Radiance Subduing Light passed directly through the brilliant light that he desperately sprayed from his lips to block it, landing precisely on his glabella, which was already covered in flowing golden lacquer from being scorched by the Purple Mansion True Fire.

"Pffft!" With a dull thud, his head was abruptly pierced. A chill ran through him, and only one thought remained in his mind: 'Suicide!'

He had endured two spiritual fires and one subduing light, all striking at his points of helplessness. The Immeasurable Water-Fire severed the Void, preventing communication with the Buddhist Land. If he were hit by this fire again, he would surely perish completely!

"Boom!" He was remarkably decisive. Almost immediately after the subduing light, a dense golden light exploded. The azure and cerulean two-yin energies streaked for several miles, adding fuel to the fire, landing a moment later on the Dharma body he had left behind.

Li Ximing secretly sighed. This aspect of Buddhist cultivators was truly annoying. Unless ambushed in advance, even with unique spiritual artifacts like the High Phase Pot and Immeasurable Water-Fire, as long as they had a shred of will to escape, they were difficult to kill easily. At most, they would just lose a Dharma body.

'What a pity!'

"Swoosh!" With Huakong's body perishing, a pink radiance immediately mixed with the original splendor, surging skyward. It then transformed into scattered pink petals, falling downwards, only to be completely incinerated in the dazzling flames, leaving no trace behind.

As the flower petals fell, Li Ximing glanced, then withdrew, landing back on the Heaven-Approaching Gate. With his boots treading the gate, divine power surged into it, solidifying the Heaven-Approaching Gate, which had just begun to waver. Immediately after, he joined two fingers and sent the Three-Watch Xu Xuan Fire beneath the Heaven-Approaching Gate.

Li Ximing did not personally wield his divine ability; instead, he divided his attention to suppress them. These two Compassionate Ones were not entirely without a chance to break free. If the four-armed Compassionate One hadn't been so unlucky as to perish instantly, Li Ximing would have had to return to suppress them.

As a result, these two Compassionate Ones, who had just begun to waver, felt a sudden weight on their shoulders and a chill penetrate their hearts. Then, streams of red and white flames, turning golden, rushed into them: 'Senior Brother Huakong has been slain by him!'