Chapter 798: Chapter 522: Preaching the Dao Before Ascension
"Sect Master, what has happened in the Hanhai Realm?"
A graceful figure draped in the White Cloud Robe soared over. She was at the Fifth Realm, Middle Stage in cultivation, standing apart from the world like a sword man untouched by dust.
It was Long Yue.
"Someone has attained enlightenment in the Hanhai Realm, akin to the Dragon Elephant Swordman and the Ruyi Master. They are the reincarnated forms of powerful beings from the Three Thousand Worlds who have descended into this realm."
The middle-aged swordsman’s tone was calm.
Long Yue recalled that rumor.
"It must be the Faceless Monk."
"Indeed. This individual has only emerged for thirty years, ascending from the Second Realm, breaking through four great realms in succession. Such progress can no longer be measured by ordinary talent—this must be an incarnation of some peerless powerhouse, perhaps even the reincarnation of a Great Power."
Long Yue could not help but sigh. "I once thought that reaching the Fifth Realm at a hundred years old made me a peerless genius among the Three Thousand Realms, but faced with such progress, I am naught but insignificant."
The middle-aged swordsman spoke:
"Do not belittle yourself needlessly. The path of the Qi Refining Sword Cultivator is arduous indeed; to reach the Fifth Realm by the age of a hundred—in the Great Wilderness, Great Powers would fight to take you as a disciple. It’s merely that you were born in an inopportune era. The Desolate Immortal Sword Mansion will soon emerge. As a first-tier sword cultivator genius, if you can seize the opportunity and inherit the legacy of the Desolate Sword Immortal among the Five Immortals, you will soar to the heavens in a single leap."
After the Divine War, the Sword Realm was scattered throughout the heavens.
Countless inheritances were discovered by mortals.
Ordinary inheritances, to the eye of the middle-aged swordsman, were of little value; what he truly coveted were the legacies of the Four Sword Immortals and Emperor Xuan. To obtain any one of them was to ascend to the summit of all.
The Desolate Immortal Sword Mansion was one such legacy.
Long Yue nodded.
"I shall do my best."
She could not help but think of those from the Water Mansion trials.
"Li Jue’s talent is no inferior to mine, and he walks the path of the Sword Formation Dao—he should also be at the Fifth Realm by now... Osi’s Beidou Realm, on the foundation of the Heavenly Fighting Sect’s cultivation method, created the Fierce Fighter system, foregoing part of lifespan in pursuit of advancement; surely, he too has reached the Fifth Realm. Lu Chenzhou’s Martial Artist system of the Xia Realm is much like the Fierce Fighters—given his aptitude, if he has not perished, he must also be at the Fifth Realm."
Somewhere within the Hanhai Sect.
Within a cave.
A bald swordsman gazed intensely.
He was the Tuo Tian Head Monk, who had joined the Hanhai Sect.
He walked the path of the Heart Sword among sword cultivators.
"Could it be... Fellow Daoist Lu has become a Heavenly King?"
...
The anomalous phenomena faded away.
Lu Chenzhou stood as a Saint Buddha.
The facelessness made him all the more mysterious and awe-inspiring.
The Sajia Ancestor spoke:
"Congratulations, Daoist friend, on advancing further."
The Divine Weapon Pavilion Master hastened to offer his congratulations as well.
"Surely you are now a Divine Person. With the two Demon Emperors already vanquished, may I ask what you intend next, senior?"
Lu Chenzhou gazed upon the world.
After the devastation wrought by demons and monsters, all things flourished anew.
He departed, his figure soaring towards Lantuo Temple.
"Seven days from now, I shall lecture and transmit the Dao at Lantuo Temple; all living beings of this realm may come to observe. The Dao I transmit will not be confined to Heart Cultivation, but shall also encompass methods of the physical body."
The Faceless Monk departed far away.
The Sajia Ancestor and the Divine Weapon Pavilion Master were left awe-struck.
"Teaching and transmitting the Dao to all under the heavens, with no discrimination—"
What magnitude of resolve was this?
...
Lantuo Temple.
"At last, I’m leaving the beginner’s village."
Having exterminated all the demons and monsters from Lantuo Temple, Zhen Ding strode from the mountain gate, gazing over the vast earth, challenging the world to see who reigns supreme!
"I, Zhen Ding, have arrived!"
He howled skyward.
Thereafter, he searched for a long while.
Only to find himself bewildered.
Aside from a few weak demons,
not even a Third Realm Demon could be found.
Where had all the monsters gone?
Aureate light swept the sky as the Faceless Monk descended calmly and unhurried.
"Zhen Ding, it has been a long time."
"Fellow Daoist Lu, you—you’ve broken through the Sixth?"
"Yes. I am no longer in the Xia Realm. The story is long; suffice it to say, I have severed the monsters and their origin from this world," the Faceless Monk replied serenely.
Zhen Ding was dumbfounded.
I’d just left the beginner’s village—
but you’ve already completed the main quest?
The Hero has vanquished the Demon King.
After weathering myriad trials, only thirty years have passed.
"Then what of my Heart Sutra cultivation?"
"The cultivation of the Heart Sutra is not limited to slaying demons and monsters. Such acts are but means to transform and refine this world, thereby gaining spiritual energy. In truth, every meritorious deed in this world that creates benefit quietly enhances one’s spiritual cultivation."
Lu Chenzhou explained the principle of the Heart Sutra to Zhen Ding in clear terms, granting him a sudden sense of illumination.
"So that is how it is."
The Faceless Monk gazed at the blood moon in the sky.
"I wish to reopen the gates of Lantuo Temple in this world. Zhen Ding, you now have Fourth Realm spiritual cultivation and can serve as sect master in my stead, spreading the Dharma of this world and enlightening the masses.
The Forbidden Zone is not yet destroyed, and the source of the monsters has not been eradicated. Through the invisible portals of the blood moon, they will return someday. To give a man a fish is not as good as teaching him to fish. If I can popularize the best Martial Arts of my Da Xia here, combine it with this world’s remarkable magic artifacts and the path of the Heart Sect, there is much that can be achieved."
Zhen Ding understood.
"That does sound intriguing."
...
Seven days later.
The news that the Faceless Monk had purged the realm of monsters, slaying the Blood Teeth Emperor and the Hundred-Eyed Emperor, spread among all the mighty.
The Faceless Monk stood second to none in renown. Hearing that he would lecture on the Dao, disciples from all the great gathering places of the Hanhai Realm—including the two holy lands, Sajia Temple and the Divine Weapon Pavilion—flocked to the once-deserted Lantuo Temple, which now bustled with unprecedented crowds.
The Faceless Monk sat in tranquil composure upon auspicious clouds in the void.
Zhen Ding stood before the mountain gate, welcoming guests from all cardinal directions.
"The Chief Seat of Sajia Temple has arrived!"
"The Divine Weapon Pavilion Master has arrived!"
"The Priest of the Five Elements Temple has arrived!"
Figures of great renown in this world arrived one after another with smiles and offerings, expressing gratitude to the Faceless Monk.
"The Sajia Ancestor has arrived!"
The arrival of a middle-aged, white-robed monk caused all eyes to shine with wonder—the appearance of such a legendary, heaven-toppling figure revealed the status of Lantuo Temple’s current master!
Lantuo Temple itself was once a branch of Sajia Temple.
Yet now, the disciple outshone the master.
"A Divine Person, truly."
"An Arhat alive in this world."
"The True Buddha incarnate."
Such was the crowd’s appraisal of the Faceless Monk.
When most of the world’s elite had gathered,
The Faceless Monk opened his eyes and gazed around him.
"Evil demons and heretics—how dare you come to listen to the Dao!"
He shouted, flicking his wide sleeve.
The sound of dragon roars and tiger howls echoed through the void.
Amid shafts of invisible power, 1,024 demons and monsters—some masquerading as humans, some who had seized human bodies—had both their bodies and souls reduced to dust by a single thunderous shout from the Faceless Monk.
A powerful figure turned, staring at the unmasked true form of a companion.
"You... You were a demon all along?"
A mother held a child in her arms—
yet it was, in fact, a ghost.
A Sajia Temple monk, too, revealed his demonic body.
All present stood in shock and awe.
In that instant, they gained a profound understanding of the Faceless Monk’s might. With enlightened eyes, he could pierce all disguises of demons and ghosts—like the Buddha Himself!
Even the Sajia Ancestor was astounded.
There were some monsters he had discerned,
But some with flawless disguises escaped even his notice.
"Though we are both at the Sixth Realm, why is the gulf between us so vast? Is this what they call a Supreme Buddha Country powerhouse?"
According to the legacy he inherited from the Snow Mountain Bright Buddha, it is said that every True Buddha, upon passing, is received by the Buddha to ascend to the Supreme Buddha Country, where one enjoys undying, eternal life.
A True Buddha means the Heavenly Realm.
Lu Chenzhou sneered inwardly.
These fiends had indeed grown arrogant.
It appeared that his purging of the monsters here had not gone unnoticed by the Forbidden Zone, which now sent demons to investigate the matter—but he feared them not. With the Dragon Roar and Tiger Roar Technique and the Vibration Dao, all within his attack range—no matter how many demons came—would die.
This martial art was designed precisely for clearing minions and spies, and not only works on the body, but the soul as well. Thus, those demons who seized human bodies might escape others’ perception, but could never evade the soul-destroying ripples of the Vibration Dao.
It had been by this very method that he purged a great number of spies hidden within Aurora Palace. Currently, Da Xia was also studying the Vibration Dao, as many demon monsters could perfectly mimic human frequencies—these could not be destroyed otherwise. In short, the struggle between Dao and demons would never end.
When all quieted,
Lu Chenzhou uttered words as lotus flowers blossomed from his mouth.
"The method I have founded—first, [Martial Arts]—strengthening the body, breaking through limits, cultivating essence, qi, and spirit together. Though there are myriad cultivation methods, I will transmit only four foundational techniques. Though their rank is not high, if you press forward with determination, you will certainly extrapolate higher methods from them.
First, the basic martial art ’Four Symbols Heaven-reaching Fist’—to take on the form of man, to learn the feathers of the Phoenix, the scales of the True Dragon, the shell of the Xuanwu, and the mane of the Qilin. Among all, it is us of the Human Clan who lead.
The Four Phases Fist is a fist technique that integrates offense, defense, and movement technique, encompassing all phenomena. Do not constrain yourself to the Four Phases alone; those possessed of wisdom may deduce countless methods from it.
Second, the demon-subduing martial art ’Dragon Tiger Skill.’ Comprehend the vibration of all things—should you master it fully, like me you may slay a thousand fiends with a single roar of dragon and tiger.
Third, the spiritual martial art ’Great Dream Scripture.’ This is a spiritual cultivation method, and can be cross-validated with the Heart Sect’s method.
Fourth, the ’Martial Arts General Outline.’ It encompasses Pile Skill, Inner Strength, and numerous other basic cultivation methods, the very foundation of Martial Arts."
With a wave of his hand, four streams of light shot into the pillars of Lantuo Temple’s gate, imprinting vivid, mythic images with the power of his formidable Martial Arts Will and Dao Essence.
Before the crowd’s astonished gaze, a golden bridge reaching heaven sprang up before the Faceless Monk. The monk strode eastward along the bridge, his ethereal song echoing throughout the Four Seas.
"All is but a dream; eternally awakened, Lantuo’s own."
The monk vanished.
Showers of radiance fell from the sky—countless magic artifacts, accumulated in the monk’s thirty years of demon-slaying and purification—ranging from low-grade items to magical treasures, gathering into a tower.
Some, overwhelmed by greed, sought to seize the artifacts, but were hurled a hundred miles by an unseen surge of spiritual power.
Zhen Ding assumed the Arhat form, declared with authority:
"This is the Merit Golden Tower. The artifacts were bestowed by the Founding Ancestor, and only those who cultivate diligently, slay demons and monsters, and accumulate good deeds are deemed worthy. None may snatch or covet them."
The Sajia Ancestor added gravely:
"Do not let the Faceless Monk down."
At once, order was restored among the crowd.
One among them asked:
"By the way, we still do not know the Faceless Monk’s true name. I would like to return home and worship in his honor."
"Such great merit; could a nameless man have achieved it? For thirty years he has suppressed demons—let’s call him the Demon Suppressing Ancestor."
Someone suggested.
Zhen Ding started in surprise.
Oh no, I forgot to ask Lu Chenzhou’s Dao name.
All this time, and I still don’t know his title.
He coughed and said:
"The Ancestor cares not for fame or incense; your best gratitude would be to devote yourselves to study and cultivation."
Thus the Hanhai Realm began a new Chapter.
Posterity recorded:
"In the first year of the Ascension Era, there was a Faceless Monk who, over thirty years, suppressed demons and brought peace to all the land. Afterwards, auspicious omens descended, merit rained as showers; from Lantuo Temple, the monk spread wondrous Dharma, then ascended, styling himself ’Demon Suppressing Ancestor.’ Martial artists called him the ’Formless Master,’ cultivators of the heart revered him as the ’Great Dream Ancestor,’ but of his true name none knew, and so it remained a mystery for the ages."