The cultivator from Biyou Palace roared with laughter, "Well done, cultivator. To possess a statue of Zhenwu and play tricks! Watch as I strip you down and force you to reveal your true form!"
He spun the Samadhi Fire Wheel in his hand, unleashing a torrent of intense flames. The statue of Zhenwu stirred, a veil of incense smoke and spiritual energy enveloping its body. It moved through the Samadhi flames unharmed, delivering another heavy blow!
"Damn it all, take this punch from your Emperor!"
The Biyou Palace cultivator hadn't expected the celestial artifact's fire to be ineffective. Struck again by the Zhenwu statue, his fury knew no bounds. He tossed the fire wheel aside and met the blow with his own fist!
The sun-like form of the Pure Yang realm cultivator was vast, stirring the wind and thunder of the heavens. The Zhenwu statue was shattered by the Biyou Palace cultivator's punch, exploding into pieces across the sky!
"Still playing tricks... still daring to hit me!"
The Biyou Palace cultivator spat, while the Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation, still clinging to life, couldn't resist a taunt:
"You have angered heaven and earth! Even Emperor Zhenwu has manifested to teach you a lesson!"
The Biyou Palace cultivator sneered, "Hmph! You're just deceiving yourself here. It's just some heretical cultivator from who knows where possessing a statue. Now I've destroyed it too. Truly a mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating its strength!"
"What, is he your helper?"
"And even if it were the true Zhenwu descending, so what? Heaven's will is supreme. How many Heavenly Hearts do you think this Emperor Zhenwu can contend with?"
The Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation questioned, "Heavenly Heart... what are you talking about?"
Mortal cultivators were unaware of the realms beyond ascension, only knowing that there were differences in strength among Heavenly Immortals.
The Biyou Palace cultivator had no intention of explaining to the Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation. He was already preparing his final blow!
Of course, he had to be cautious with this strike, as the opponent still held a celestial artifact tightly. If they were to unleash a desperate attack before dying, any carelessness on his part would be disastrous.
The Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation clearly showed signs of a suicidal struggle.
"I will claim your celestial artifact. As for your lineage, we will inherit it properly, and then find another heretical Dharma Lord to replace you as the Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation here."
"Dingjia City will no longer need to exist independently after today. I believe other Dharma Teachings of Xiamaoshan, upon hearing of your fate, will be even more cautious regarding the question of betrayal!"
Just as he was about to deliver the decisive blow, a voice echoed from afar. He quickly turned his head to look!
Dingjia City, centered around the Black Fiend Altar, had nearly half its buildings reduced to ashes. And from the distant ruins, a swarm of divine statues leaped up! The Zhenwu statues enshrined in other altars of the Black Fiend Dharma Teaching all sprang to life!
They then flew towards the Biyou Palace cultivator, all shouting in unison:
"Bold villain! Not only have you killed countless people, but you dare to destroy this Emperor's statues!"
"You are not of the righteous path, but a demon of this world! You shall be executed immediately!"
The sudden turn of events startled the Biyou Palace cultivator. He gritted his teeth, "One wasn't enough, and now a whole group? I don't care what sorcery you possess. If you continue to play tricks, I will continue to destroy your statues!"
"Whether it's rogue cultivators or the true Zhenwu manifesting, today, my Biyou Palace is the vast blue sky! I refuse to believe in your evil!"
He charged towards the swarm of Zhenwu statues, wielding the Samadhi Fire Wheel not for its flames, but for its inherent strength, engaging the statues in combat! The outcome was evident. Ordinary statues, while able to withstand instant incineration by the Samadhi True Fire due to someone's spiritual energy, instantly turned to dust upon contact with the celestial artifact!
A whirlwind swept through the heavens and earth. Those Zhenwu statues were all smashed to pieces, scattering into dust. The Biyou Palace cultivator looked at the distant ruins, spun the Samadhi Fire Wheel, and unleashed the Samadhi True Fire.
The celestial fire burned all things, refining myriad forms. The ruins were all consumed by fire, revealing some statues within. The Biyou Palace cultivator manipulated the fire wheel, transforming it into a giant grinding mill and crushing downwards!
All the divine statues were ground into ashes!
"Let's see you cause trouble again!"
.......
[Samadhi Fire Wheel: Buddhist artifact! Burns all realms, purifies all defilements of sentient beings!]
[The Buddhist artifact wielded by Huiji Vajra has two powers and can release three types of flames!]
[Two Powers: The first is subjugation, where the fire wheel spins and enlarges, transforming into a grinding mill to crush all. The second is illusion subjugation, capable of subduing illusory spirits and ghosts, allowing the artifact to touch their true forms.]
[Three Flames: The lowest is Samadhi True Fire, capable of burning only the physical forms of all things. Above it is Mani Fierce Fire, capable of burning all heretical impurities, transforming defiled lands into pure earth. The highest is the Fire of Wisdom, capable of illuminating with wisdom, filling the void, burning away all mental afflictions, returning demons to righteousness, and causing Yin to generate Yang, inverting good and evil (unusable without attaining Buddhahood).]
————
[Imperial Heaven Staff Banner: Celestial artifact! The Imperial Lord opens the way, the four cycles change the spirit, the three passes of refining and deliverance, and the transformation of forms!]
[The celestial artifact wielded by Yuan Huang has one creation and four spiritual powers!]
[One Creation: Refining and deliverance for rebirth, allowing the deceased to regain form and spirit, ascending to the divine path and returning to the human realm.]
[Four Spiritual Powers: The lowest spiritual power is to shake the elemental energy of heaven and earth, provoking heaven's wrath and interrupting the opponent's magic power. The next spiritual power can provoke heaven's fury, disintegrating the opponent's form. The next spiritual power is the red and white divine light, provoking heaven's hatred and destroying spirit. The highest spiritual power can provoke heaven's resentment and descend a fatal tribulation.]
————
"That's enough. I know what I need to know. The shaping technique of the Central Jade Scroll is indeed effective, allowing the statues to move and exert a certain divine power. However, these statues are ultimately ordinary, and cannot possibly restore the true combat power of Emperor Zhenwu as described in ancient texts."
The conditions of both celestial and Buddhist artifacts were now known, and the true name of the Biyou Palace cultivator, as well as the magic he mastered, were completely understood by Ji Xiang.
"A Pure Yang cultivator from Biyou Palace of the Shangqing sect, who also cultivates Buddhist techniques, specifically Arhat Dharma. Is he aiming for dual cultivation of immortal and Buddhist paths to achieve enlightenment?"
"Divine positions: Commander of the Heavenly Mandate who controls thunder and brandishes the axe... a subordinate general under the Heavenly Lord Emperor of the Six Heavens."
"Yingsun Heavenly Lord, Hong Feng..."
"Cultivating the Shangqing Qionghua Five Thunder Method, the Mind Capturing and Refining Great Method, the Flying Light Illuminating Fire Technique, the Green and White Wind Dispelling Technique, the Shangqing Divine Scenery Method, the Arhat Radiant Light, the Arhat Manifestation..."
"The Supreme Buddha's Dharma - Liberation from the Heavenly-Human Trap."
"Fortunately, his cultivation is not profound. He primarily relies on the techniques of the Shangqing sect. Apart from this escape technique of celestial and Buddhist level, the others are not difficult to deal with."
Ji Xiang, hidden within the Xuan Tian Coffin, used its reflection technique to create forms and spirits for those Zhenwu statues, while his own reflected essence continuously shifted among the various divine statues.
But now there was nowhere to transfer, as the divine statues had all been destroyed.
Taking advantage of the fact that the immortals within the coffin had not yet awakened, it was time to strike with full force!
Ji Xiang lifted the coffin lid and emerged. A bolt of lightning descended, sealing the lid shut. Ji Xiang then appeared, riding on clouds and mist, flying into the city!
.......
The Biyou Palace cultivator destroyed all the divine statues, retrieved his fire wheel, and hurled it towards the Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation again!
"Your helper can't make it! Let me see your dying blow!"
He knew he couldn't delay any longer. The Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation seemed to have reinforcements. Of course, the Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation was also very confused, not knowing who exactly had saved him.
And the Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation, facing the Buddhist artifact's strike, knew he could not evade it.
This was how it was supposed to be. Two individuals wielding celestial and Buddhist artifacts could inflict great damage on each other. His own life was like a candle in the wind. Even if he risked his life and activated the celestial artifact, he would hardly be able to kill the opponent.
However, apart from activating the celestial artifact, he had no other choice.
This was the pressure exerted by the opponent. He was in a desperate situation, with no other options!
"Imperial Heaven's Retribution!"
The Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation sacrificed his life, forcibly transcending his level. With his inherent realm and magical power, even activating the second power of his celestial artifact was barely manageable. Now, by forcibly using the third power, his life was rapidly burning away, the color draining from his face. After this strike, whether the Biyou Palace cultivator lived or died, he himself would not survive!
Imperial Heaven Staff Banner, third spiritual power, provoking heaven's hatred, manifesting red and white divine light, destroying spirit and harming the divine!
"Well done!"
The Biyou Palace cultivator was waiting for this very strike!
After this blow, the opponent was certain to die, and he himself would not have to endure it. He now activated his magic. The Buddhist Dharma manifested: Liberation from the Heavenly-Human Trap. The Daoist school speaks of nothingness, the Buddhist school speaks of emptiness. Empty and vast, leaving no trace!
Demonic calamities corrupt all dharmas, leading sentient beings into traps, damaging human nature and destiny, depleting vital energy and life force, harming souls and spirits, and ultimately leading them astray to become demonic offspring. And among the six realms of existence, those who dwell in the mortal world can hardly discern these changes, let alone escape them!
The Dharma of Liberation from the Heavenly-Human Trap was a technique created precisely to counter such demonic calamities!
The Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation's life-sacrificing strike pierced through the void of heaven and earth, yet it did not harm the Biyou Palace cultivator. The red and white divine light deviated from its intended target. The Biyou Palace cultivator was clearly present in the world, but the red and white divine light fell into emptiness. Subsequently, heaven and earth were plunged into darkness, all sounds ceased, and a destructive aura erupted in all directions, before slowly dissipating into the elemental energy of heaven and earth.
"How is this possible!"
The Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation was utterly shocked. The opponent was right in front of him, yet the celestial artifact seemed unable to see him, and the attack it launched could not reach him!
The Biyou Palace cultivator spoke slowly, his voice grand like a Buddhist chant, "What is called liberation is the transparency of the self. Do you think I, as a Pure Yang cultivator, can master celestial and Buddhist artifacts for no reason?"
"I have learned a supreme Buddhist Dharma called Liberation from the Heavenly-Human Trap. For half an hour, I attain the great freedom of a heavenly-human, unbound and unrestrained, not moved by the realms of mortal cultivation, nor fixed by mortal forms."
"Therefore, the me you see is not me, but merely my illusory form. While my illusory form appears as myself to you, to 'see' by unthinking objects like celestial artifacts, I am a part of the natural order of heaven and earth. I both exist and do not exist, and all dharmas cannot touch my true self."
"However, the price is that I cannot harbor any killing intent for this half-hour. If I harbor killing intent, I will be influenced by desires and afflictions again. When I look at you now, my heart is filled only with compassion."
The Biyou Palace cultivator's vital energy was rapidly depleting, and this Buddhist Dharma placed a great burden on his spirit.
Liberation from the Heavenly-Human Trap, although a supreme Buddhist Dharma, was essentially a "trial technique" for lower-realm cultivators to experience supreme Buddhist Dharma, akin to an "enlightenment experience card." Of course, its greatest use was to preserve one's life when facing harm.
By retreating into heaven and earth and returning to the Dharma realm, one could avoid disaster and not be affected by any illusions or deceptions. However, the Biyou Palace cultivator intended to take the celestial artifact, so he would not simply leave like this.
The Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation couldn't help but sigh.
"This is the gap in cultivation. Those in the Dharma Teachings lack grand scriptures and techniques, fighting small against large, using lower-tier methods against higher-tier ones. It's like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, or a bird striking the sky. Even if there's temporary satisfaction, the ultimate outcome is mostly the insect dying in the mud, and the bird falling into the ocean."
His physical body began to shatter. Forcibly using the celestial artifact had damaged his innate physique and primordial spirit. The Biyou Palace cultivator sneered:
"Watching you slowly die fills me with pity."
He voluntarily withdrew from the state of Heavenly-Human Liberation. The mental pressure was released, and he felt a wave of dizziness. Fortunately, he had obtained the celestial artifact and was feeling triumphant when, suddenly, a faint smile appeared on the face of the Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation, which was in the process of destruction.
"Even though I am dead, it may not be a bad thing."
"Have you heard of the art of spirit communication?"
The Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation's physical body and soul completely shattered. The Biyou Palace cultivator frowned.
The art of spirit communication?
What did that mean?
As the Dharma Lord of Great Manifestation died, that strange smile sent a chill down the Biyou Palace cultivator's spine. However, he still said:
"No matter what means you possess, you are now utterly destroyed, beyond resurrection."
"I refuse to believe that a person who is completely annihilated can still stand up and influence me. With your meager abilities, you likely cannot achieve that."
But then, without giving him much time to think,
Wind and thunder suddenly erupted from the ground!
The Biyou Palace cultivator's eyes were obscured by wind and sand. He used his divine eye to break through the haze and saw a young Taoist priest in a dark robe standing not far away, raising his hand towards him. From his five fingers, lightning was unleashed!
Mastering the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations, he commanded the Five Thunders!
The Great Five Thunder Technique overturned the ground, sending it flying into the sky. The Biyou Palace cultivator blocked with the Samadhi Fire Wheel, but in the next moment, a void divine sword appeared on his forehead, instantly piercing his skull!
Ji Xiang attacked from afar, wielding the Tai Xu Treasure Light. With a single turn of the divine light, before the Biyou Palace cultivator could react, he was enveloped by the Tai Xu Treasure Light and instantly turned into nothingness!
"You said it yourself, a person who is completely annihilated cannot stand up and do anything."
Ji Xiang commented on the Biyou Palace cultivator, stating that he was absolutely correct, and now it was time for him to exit the stage!
The Tai Xu Treasure Light returned to his fingertip. Ji Xiang couldn't help but muse that it wasn't that the world was too small, but that the Heavenly Heart cultivators closest to the human realm were too near.
"However, I'm still a bit unclear about the relationship between Prince Lu and them. Why does Prince Lu possess the Dharma Seal of Huiji Vajra, yet oppose Huiji Vajra?"
"Left-right mutual combat?"
Ji Xiang reached out and took the celestial and Buddhist artifacts. However, both artifacts had special seals. Upon touching them, their divine radiance vanished, and the divine objects concealed themselves. Their powers could only be used after breaking the seals.
Ji Xiang was rather brutal. The Tong Tian Ming Yan surged from his body, and in a short while, the forms and spirits of the two celestial and Buddhist artifacts were stripped away, along with their abilities being erased!
Finally, with two clangs, only two pieces of scrap metal were thrown to the ground!