Chapter 85: Confrontation
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"Do you know why Daoist Shi came to seek his own death?" Chen Jianmei did not exchange pleasantries with Shen Lian about their time apart, but suddenly brought up this matter.
"I do not know." Shen Lian did not guess, answering quite calmly. The vast sea ahead was full of starlight, and the moon had yet to rise. Because there were neither fish nor aquatic plants, the vast sea appeared exceptionally desolate, with only a faint sound of the wind sweeping across the surface of the water, indicating that this world was not entirely lifeless.
Chen Jianmei fixed his gaze on the rising and falling starlight amidst the ocean waves. Under such a starry night and such a vast scenery, after today, he might not be able to look upon it again.
He was not someone who loved viewing scenery; it was simply that today he particularly wished to take one last look.
It was not that he lacked confidence, but rather that this battle had nothing to do with confidence. Success or failure, gains and losses, over these years, had long become like smoke and clouds—coming and dispersing, dispersing and coming again.
"Because the Guangqing Immortal Sect wanted him to come. The world only knows that Daoist Shi is a rogue cultivator, but they do not realize that he is a guest elder of the Guangqing Immortal Sect. Even that immortal pill which allowed him to achieve the Returning Elixir state was bestowed by the Guangqing Immortal Sect, though they falsely claimed it was obtained from the cave dwelling of a former Earth Immortal." Chen Jianmei was more amiable than in the past, devoid of even a shred of murderous aura. No one would believe that this was actually the peerless sword immortal who had once slaughtered all the demons on a mountain and established the Killing-Daoist Temple.
Shen Lian knew that a Chen Jianmei without murderous aura was likely far more powerful than anyone could imagine.
Once a person begins slaughtering living beings, it is inevitable that they will carry a murderous aura. This is due to the lingering resentment of living beings before their deaths, as well as the cultivator's own mind being misled by the intent to kill, generating murderous thoughts. When used against enemies, murderous aura has the effect of intimidating the opponent's soul. Hence, those fierce generals who have survived a hundred battles can single-handedly enter an army of ten thousand as if no one were there, striking terror into the hearts of their enemies.
There was once a fierce general in the past who single-handedly blocked a bridge and shouted to turn back a million brave soldiers.
However, this still hinders the cultivation of one's spiritual nature. Therefore, Buddhism long ago put forward the theory of karmic retribution from killing, with sayings such as "Sweep the floor in fear of harming the ant's life, cherish the moth and put a gauze cover over the lamp." It is precisely out of fear that practitioners will become so deeply laden with this karmic obstacle that they will find it difficult to perceive their true nature and will sink in the mortal world for all eternity.
It is said that in the depths of the Nine Netherworlds, there is a sea of blood where the ultimate karmic retributions of the world converge. Someone once attained enlightenment in the sea of blood on methods of utilizing karmic retribution from killing for cultivation, becoming a supreme being.
Yet such a method of cultivation still does not erase the murderous aura nor cut off the karmic retribution of killing.
Shen Lian knew that Chen Jianmei had not eliminated his murderous aura or the karmic retribution upon his body; rather, he had restrained them to an extent where even Shen Lian could not perceive them.
Ever since he began his cultivation, Shen Lian had constantly attempted and explored this kind of minute control over oneself. Until now, he found that his attainments in this aspect still fell short of Chen Jianmei's.
Even though his Yin Spirit surpassed his own magic power and allowed for better control, this was clearly not the ultimate state of minute mastery.
Every cultivator's perception of the world is different, but the essence of the world does not change because of perception. The path of seeking the Dao is a process of continuously deepening exploration in this regard.
Chen Jianmei seemed to sense that Shen Lian's heart was stirred, so he paused for a moment. Until Shen Lian had slightly calmed himself, he continued: "Therefore, it is not strange at all that Daoist Shi, entrusted by the Guangqing Immortal Sect, came here today. The Guangqing Immortal Sect does not harbor any personal enmity against me; it is merely that thirty years from now, during the Lingtai Dao Discussion, if Qingxuan loses me, there is a very high probability that we will rank dead last for three consecutive times. Originally, this might not have amounted to much, but the Guangqing Immortal Sect currently boasts five Changsheng True Immortals simultaneously, a flourishing era as vibrant as boiling oil over raging fire. They are not among the Four Great Daoist Sects and cannot participate in the Lingtai Dao Discussion. They have long been dissatisfied with Qingxuan remaining one of the Four Great Daoist Sects, and they intend to use this opportunity to squeeze us out."
Shen Lian could not help but feel puzzled, and asked, "What is meant by the Lingtai Dao Discussion?"
He had heard of the Guangqing Immortal Sect—it was also a great sect of the Profound Gate, though the specifics remained unclear. Hearing that the Guangqing Immortal Sect simultaneously possessed five Changsheng True Immortals could not help but shock him somewhat.
Yet he still seized upon the key point and asked about the "Lingtai Dao Discussion."
"I know not when, in the depths of the ocean beyond the Western Wastelands, a celestial mountain appeared, named 'Lingtai Fangcun Mountain'. Inside there is a cave dwelling that preserves the Great Dao Profound Sound. If one can enter, one can comprehend many extremely powerful spells or cultivation methods, and each is different and extraordinarily wondrous. When the celestial mountain first appeared, we of the Four Great Daoist Sects were the strongest in power, so we monopolized this mountain. The four sects each contributed materials to jointly refine restrictions, created four tokens to seal the mountain, and agreed that every fifty years, we would send disciples to discuss the Dao on this mountain. Only those who entered the top eight could enter the cave dwelling and comprehend the preserved Great Dao Profound Sound." Chen Jianmei's expression was extremely calm, as if even the Great Dao Profound Sound could not arouse much interest in him. He was a swordsman for whom the sword was the self; a thousand spells and boundless wondrous DAOs, placed before him, were no different from raw clay at a kiln's head or the moon's reflection in water—none of them were what he sought.
Shen Lian knew in his heart that since the top eight places were fixed, it was entirely possible for a sect to have not a single disciple enter. Qingxuan had been in decline for over a hundred years; it seemed that in the past two instances, no one had entered.
Chen Jianmei still looked toward the vast sea, his gaze profound, and said, "Actually, not being able to enter is somewhat disadvantageous for those whose goal is longevity. After all, the Great Dao Profound Sound within not only allows one to comprehend Dao methods and divine powers, but also has a certain auxiliary effect in shattering delusions. However, cultivation relies primarily on oneself. There have been many times in the past when other sects had no one enter, yet it mattered not—it merely meant ranking at the bottom, which ultimately hurts one's pride. As for why the sect master did not inform you of this matter, it is because you had not yet reached the Returning Elixir state, and going would have been useless. Right now, the Guangqing Immortal Sect wishes to use this opportunity to replace Qingxuan and become a new member of the Four Great Daoist Sects."
There was one thing in Shen Lian's heart that he did not understand, so he spoke up to ask, "Given the current strength of the Guangqing Immortal Sect, do they still need to care about the reputation of being one of the Four Great Daoist Sects?" In his view, for immortals, such empty reputations were truly not all that important.
Chen Jianmei gave a cold smile and said, "Of course they care. The influence of the Four Great Daoist Sects has been deeply rooted for ten thousand years, invisibly monopolizing sixty to seventy percent of the Profound Gate's Qi fortune. Otherwise, why do you think every time my Qingxuan opens its mountain gates every fifty years, we always encounter outstanding successors?"
Shen Lian suddenly understood in his heart. So there was such a reason. For a Dao lineage, only when outstanding successors emerge in an endless stream can it serve as the foundation for its continuation. Otherwise, just like the Tianhe Dao Sect in the past, which had also simultaneously produced five Changsheng True Immortals, did it not eventually scatter like wind and clouds, disappearing into the boundless heaven and earth?
When a sect's Qi fortune is strong, it can naturally invisibly protect its disciples, and may even enable them to escape death in absolute desperate situations. In the Profound Gate, this is also called blessed retribution.
Understanding this prior cause and effect, Shen Lian finally figured out a few things. Yet, was Qingxuan's Qi fortune tonight sufficient to protect Chen Jianmei through this ordeal against Chan Master Baoguang?
That he could arrive beforehand to block petty individuals for Chen Jianmei was perhaps partly due to the invisible protection of the sect, but the hardest hurdle still required Chen Jianmei himself to resolve.
Shen Lian did not sense that Chen Jianmei had absolute certainty of victory. If Chen Jianmei possessed overwhelming odds of winning, he would not have needed to prepare for so long.
At the same time, regarding Monk Baoguang choosing October 15th for the "Dao Discussion to Annihilate the Spirit," he also sensed that person's boldness.
October 15th is known in the Profound Gate as the "Lower Prime Day," which is the day when the Daoist Water Official dispels misfortunes, and it also carries a bonus of blessed retribution. Monk Baoguang was determined to destroy the majesty Chen Jianmei had established, and thus willingly let Chen Jianmei take full advantage of favorable timing and geographical location.
Chen Jianmei was not hypocritical either, accepting it generously, knowing full well that the other party's cultivation realm was indeed superior to his own. After all, he was hailed as one of the figures with the greatest hope of achieving the Arhat Golden Body. If he were to be arrogantly boastful, it would only invite ridicule.
When a full moon slowly appeared at the horizon where the sea met the sky, Chen Jianmei lowered his voice and said, "Retreat to the distance, and watch closely."
Naturally, Shen Lian did not say more. Silently, he arrived in the distance, casually found a mountain rock, and quietly awaited this "Dao Discussion to Annihilate the Spirit."
A Dao discussion concerns the Dao lineage; annihilating the spirit concerns the destruction of the mind. It was even more resolute and absolute than a battle to the death.
The sea wind stopped at some unknown point, veiling everything in a thin mist. A full round moon rose, and the moonlight dispelled the mist, pouring down like liquid mercury to cover the entire surface of the sea, creating an atmosphere of extreme tranquility that caused one's mind to momentarily wander.
There was no wind, yet waves arose. Layer upon layer of sea waves crashed against the coast beneath Chen Jianmei's feet, and the sound of them beating against the reefs played a unique melody.
On the sea surface, at a certain spot, moonlight continuously gathered, as if there were a crystal-glazed bottle there, filling it to the brim with mercury-like moonlight.
The cultivators and demons scattered around the vast sea all involuntarily felt a sense of fulfillment in their hearts. Seeing this moonlight, their hearts felt satisfied, as if they desired nothing more.
They were all individuals with firm wills, yet they unexpectedly produced such inappropriate feelings in an instant, and their hearts could not help but be shaken.
They all thought that Monk Baoguang was overwhelmingly formidable, not expecting the thief monk's Buddhist dharma to be profound to such a realm.
The place where the moonlight gathered grew increasingly bright. Amidst the clear moonlight, a figure appeared, beyond measure in its solemnity. The moonlight transformed into a lotus pedestal, upon which stood a monk.
A moonlight-colored cassock, a face glowing with compassionate light, and eyes full and warm like two stars.
Chen Jianmei proudly raised his head, his gaze simultaneously meeting with Chan Master Baoguang, who had appeared from nowhere. Instantly, a visible spark of lightning flashed across mid-air. At this moment, the mental energies of the two collided solidly, sparking the fire of wisdom.
When their eyes met, Shen Lian discovered that the two of them had already arrived in another realm, seemingly no longer in the same world as the others.
This was naturally his illusion, caused solely by the fact that the mental qi fields of the two men had monopolized the vast sea, silently locking down the surrounding space to become the battlefield for their decisive duel.
The vast mental energies of the two surged forth without reservation, surpassing the endless tides of the vast sea.
As they continuously collided, the primordial Qi between heaven and earth began to turn chaotic.
Shen Lian discovered that the resonance between the Primordial Void Qi within his body and the primordial Qi of heaven and earth had plummeted to an icy freezing point. At the same time, a muffled groan of pain came from not far away. As it turned out, a demon king, because he was standing too close, was affected by the aftermath of the mental shock and, caught off guard, revealed his true form.
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(To be continued.)