Chapter 638: Heavenly Knowing
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Courage rose within He Jiu, spurring the continuous change between ford and formless and the sprouting of Sword Qi. He alternated between dodging and blocking attacks while resisting the terrifyingly forceful electric lights. Suddenly, darkness enveloped his vision and he lost sight in his opened Eyes Aperture. There was nothing but silence in his ears.
The raging gale and numbing electric light earlier seed to have disappeared at the sa ti!
Suddenly, He Jiu could no longer tell top from bottom, left from right, even front from back—he had lost all fras of reference!
“This—” Before a thought could fully form, he detected a faintly discernible breath—a breath unchanged since ti immorial—on a boundless sea in the depths of the darkness. The breath gave an impression of superiority over everything in the world as it overlooked the past, present, and future. Feelings of reverence would inevitably rise when coming across this breath, quelling all intentions to rebel!
Suddenly, splendid streams of saber radiance illuminated the darkness and dyed He Jiu’s vision purple. Color returned and he could finally see.
The purple saber radiance, like a curved Thunderclap, created an irregular wound above the “darkness”. Light, noise, and astral winds burst forth from the wound.
His Vital Spirit opened its eyes. Since heaven and earth were alive, it was only natural for all living things to evolve!
The saber radiance was so fast that it arrived at He Jiu’s face the second he detected it. Instinctively, he could only shift from ford to formless and attempt to dodge it.
Crack!
The “void” split open with a dull sound like tearing brocade. The vague, hazy sword light tore through the “void” just like that.
A stunned He Jiu continued to shift between ford and formless, unleashing all his potential. Sharp, quick-witted sword Qi sprouted and interweaved layer upon layer to produce a sword formation.
Pfft!
The sword formation shattered, causing He Jiu’s Qi and blood to rage inside him. Losing the strength to maintain the Formless Sword Qi, he returned to his human form. Blood gushed from the Aperture acupoints all over his body including his eyes, ears, and nostrils. The blood then turned into a red Sword Qi that struck the saber radiance, bringing about a mutual obliteration.
“If Su ng cos at with another strike right now, I won’t be able to endure it!”He Jiu absorbed all the Heaven Qi and Vital Qi he could in order to recover as soon as possible. Their tense exchange of blows earlier had brought him close enough to touch the first step of the Celestial Ladder. In fact, he was close enough to step into it yet lacked sothing to push him forward. He wanted to borrow the pressure of a final battle to do it. Even so, he knew that if ng Qi’s condition was even a little better than his and he was struck again, he would not even have the chance to gather his strength!
The Vital Qi, like a vast sea, existed in every nook and cranny of the world. It perated He Jiu’s body, aiding his recovery.
Suddenly, he felt the sea of Vital Qi on his left turn scorching hot. The sea began to boil as a Grand Sun rose, dying the sky red. Simultaneously, on his right was the cold sensation of pure and clear moonlight.
“This is...” He stopped in his tracks to sense his surroundings. Innurable twinkling stars dotted the night sky that stretched to infinity. Golden Crows fluttered inside the stars, towering over the images of Gods.
Then, everything began to contract as they collapsed within themselves. It was as if there was a vortex ahead, warping and breaking down all of them until they were fused.
It was not till now that He Jiu finally saw ng Qi. As usual, the latter was clad in black while carrying his huge saber, Heaven Inflicted Pain. The Aperture acupoints all over his body radiated great rays of light. Behind him was an imposing image of a “human” dressed in a wide-sleeved loose robe. The image seed to be the sa “vortex” that engulfed all phenona.
When he focused on the image, he realized it had ng Qi’s face!
Moreover, it was as if the force of heaven and earth was imbued in every part of the image. The force was ford out of the interweaving of ng Qi’s genuine Qi with a variety of Dharma and Logos. It was so abstruse that it stupefied all who saw it.
“How could he materialize his own form?” Stunned, He Jiu could not look away from the image.
Upon closer inspection, he vaguely felt the image collapsing, beginning with the tiniest fragnts of the Dharma and Logos. The collapse continued incessantly until it seed to be forming a Dark Dot. The dot was so tiny that it appeared to have neither top nor bottom, neither front nor back, yet contained all possibilities. Neither the past nor the future could be discerned from the dot. It was sothing indescribable. In fact, it was a dot that could not be considered a “Dark Dot”!
The greatest of forms bore the desired shape!
“Illusion?” He Jiu restrained the probing. When he took another look, he found the imposing, impressive human image still there. It still bore ng Qi’s “face”.
He took a breath before slowly expelling it along with all of his fighting desire. He saluted ng Qi. “Back then, I borrowed your strength to make a breakthrough. Today, I’m returning the favor by helping you cross the first step of the Celestial Ladder. Sigh, to live life with such carefreeness! Congratulations, congratulations indeed!”
He knew he would have to concede if ng Qi was not preoccupied with making a breakthrough. Moreover, the latter had already crossed the first step of the Celestial Ladder and scaled the Four-fold Heaven realm. It would be aningless to continue their fight.
The Dharma Form behind ng Qi gradually vanished, as did the rays of light peeking out from the Aperture acupoints all over his body. He smiled when everything returned to normal. “It’s a pity that you ca up just a little short, Young Heightslord He.”
Following the initial interweaving of the Dharma Form and the Dharma and Logos, it would co close to a tangible form. Heavenly Knowing abilities such as Providential Sight and Mind Connection Bead would arise after the form was fed to the Vital Spirit and physical body. It was the inevitable outco after reaching a certain threshold in one’s martial arts cultivation. It was also a sign of true strength. Earlier, ng Qi had garnered a portion of such abilities.
First was the “Wind-like Changes” —a deviation technique for the Vital Spirit that was capable of neutralizing the abilities of items like God-tying Rope. The second was the “All-seeing Stare”, which resembled Providential Sight more than it did the Bodhi’s Stare. It allowed one to see the minute details as well as connect with those with discernible breath within a hundred-mile area. For now, the latter produced relatively vague images. If ng Qi was far stronger than the other party, the image would be clear enough for him to determine the latter’s location. The third was the “Prival Golden Lotus” that resided in ng Qi’s Mud-pill Palace. It was connected to his Vital Spirit and capable of weakening an opponent’s spiritual attacks and confuse karma for a short ti. This was to guard against the effects of karmic secret techniques.
ng Qi guessed the reason the disguised Immortal Primogenitor Form wore his face—unlike others whose Forms took on the faces of Gods or the manifestation of the Dharma and Logos—had sothing to do with the impartation of the Gist of Trueness.
Though he did not major in it, an impartation of such level would most certainly have an effect on the minute details.
“I, the Unique and Righteous, et myself!”
“I’m close to a breakthrough as well. It’ll take half a month at most.” He Jiu bore no grudge against ng Qi.
He did not engage ng Qi in further conversation, knowing the latter must consolidate his breakthrough. Neither did he ask him about his Dharma Form. He turned around and flew back to the Ruan family manor in Langya.
Looking at He Jiu’s disappearing figure, ng Qi recalled how He Jiu had challenged him, Yan Chong, and the others. Ti had truly flown, so many things had changed. Though he was not in entirely good spirits, he was excited about his achievent.
“Heh. I’m now just about strong enough to occupy the bottom of the Black List for real.” ng Qi thought optimistically.
Overhead, the sky was crystal clear and the sunshine dyed the sea of clouds a radiant gold.
...
When ng Qi scaled the west hill the next day, he saw Wang Siyuan enjoying his tea under a Bodhi tree. He was in his usual plain robe, his face as pale as white paper. His figure was as thin and frail as ever as if he would collapse with the gentlest sweep of wind. He coughed every now and then, causing a deep heartache in his frowning servant girl.
“You again!” She glared at ng Qi. ” Each ti Young Master ets this wastrel, his cough would get especially worse!”
Grinning, ng Qi took the seat opposite Wang Siyuan. “Master Wang, how elegant of you to sit under a Bodhi tree in front of an ancient Buddhist temple. Could you be interested in Buddhism?”
Wang Siyuan glanced at him before smiling faintly. “If you have questions, go ahead and ask. Otherwise, just drink your tea.”
He seed to be saying, “There’s no need to beat around the bush and play gas with a reckless fool like you.”
With a raised eyebrow, ng Qi reached for his sleeve with his right hand as if rolling up his sleeves in preparation for beating up soone.
“I crossed the first step of the Celestial Ladder three months ago,” Wang Siyuan said placidly. His lips were entirely bloodless.
“What a coincidence!” Naturally, ng Qi did not plan on beating anyone up. He was just trying to liven up the atmosphere. He laughed when he heard what Wang Siyuan said. “Since you’ve already crossed the first step of the Celestial Ladder, you wouldn’t be at a disadvantage against Blue-blooded People of the Exterior level. So why are you staying in the west hill instead of going to the Ruan family manor?”
Wang Siyuan moistened his throat with tea after coughing twice. “My presence wouldn’t make a difference,” he said slowly.
“People who speak in riddles are the most despicable!” With his fingers, ng Qi began making a deduction using the Jade Virtual Divination.
Wang Siyuan’s gaze shifted downward as if glancing at ng Qi’s right hand. His expression eased as he said, “With the Book of Luo putting up obstruction, you won’t learn anything no matter how you try to augur it. But there’s not much to discuss since it’s not my setup. Everything will be clear in a couple of days.”
Evidently, his tendency to escape after having his fun was limited to his sches.
ng Qi dropped the issue. Picked up his cup and sipped the tea. He then left with a smile.
Even though Wang Siyuan did not reveal anything, his words “the Book of Luo”, “my presence wouldn’t make a difference”, and “everything will be clear in a couple of days” were enough to tip ng Qi off.
...
Upon return to the Three-clearness Monastery, ng Qi t Friar Jiedu who was grinning from ear to ear.
Friar Jiedu, who was dressed in a dusty frock, ran up to him with gleaming eyes. “I’ve thought long and hard about it and finally recalled sothing. That’s the seal my Master used to secure the door. Though it’s now shabby and fairly powerless, it’s nevertheless a treasure.”
“You would’ve already pawned it if it has any value.” ng Qi chuckled.
Friar Jiedu scratched his shaven head without blushing. “You’re too kind. It’s just that I often neglect the item due to its ordinary appearance.”
He took out a newspaper-like yellowed paper as he spoke. The grease-stained paper was deeply wrinkled as if it was often crumpled. Six Sanskrit characters were written on it:
“Om Ma Ni Pad Hum!”
“The six runes?” ng Qi subconsciously raised his head to look at Friar Jiedu.
The Five Pillars Mountain had just appeared in his Journey to the West mission and now Friar Jiedu was sending him the Talisman of the Six Runes!
“Is this a coincidence or a deliberate move?”
With a tempestuous heart, ng Qi looked at the monk with a growing impression that the latter was a mysterious, enigmatic person.
“What do you think?” the monk asked fawningly.
“Where did you get this seal?” ng Qi asked with an unchanged expression.
“This is sothing my Master left behind. How would I know where he got it from?” The monk looked at him incredulously.
“Who’s your Master?” ng Qi asked.
Friar Jiedu chuckled. “My Master died a long ti ago. He bore no title and not even I know his na.”
The monk continued to be evasive in answering ng Qi’s next few questions.
When he saw how tight-lipped the monk was, ng Qi said, “If you’re unwilling to tell the details, I’m afraid I won’t be of help.”
The monk once again looked anxious. “I really have no idea.”
“Not even Buddha’s Palm is enough to tempt him?” ng Qi narrowed his eyes and said, “I see. I’d like to help but my hands are tied.”
This was now a contest of persistence!
Friar Jiedu sighed as he put away his talisman. He turned around, about to leave.
ng Qi suddenly said, “Hold on, Master...”
The monk turned around happily. “So you agree to help, Donor?”
“No. Since you’re close to Senior He Qi, I have so questions about the Ruan clan’s resistance of the Blue-blooded People.” ng Qi would never concede so easily.
The monk grinned. “It’s nothing serious. You’ll find out in a couple of days.”
“A couple of days? Again?” ng Qi frowned.
Seeing ng Qi’s refusal to ntion Buddha’s Palm, the monk kept looking back as he left with great reluctance.
“Just where did this monk co from...” ng Qi stared at Friar Jiedu as he left, experiencing the sa doubt that often ca to many masters in Jianghu.
Since nothing major was unfolding in the Ruan Clan and things would be clear in just two days, ng Qi decided to wait and see.
...
Two days later, sowhere in the East Sea where the water was as blue as a gem.
“This is the trench.” A simple, unadorned tortoiseshell hovered in mid-air, its shell dotted with black-and-white spots as well as figures of the Five Elents of Yin and Yang. Like a book, in its simplicity was its complexity. The speaker was a middle-aged man under the tortoiseshell.
Evidently, the man had been very handso in his younger years. Even now, his looks were extraordinary and his temperant was particularly striking. However, his face was so pale it was as if he was suffering from a chronic illness.
Under the cover of the tortoiseshell, Old Master Ruan, Third Childe of the Ruan Clan, and the others were hovering next to the middle-aged man. Old Master Ruan was staring at the surface of the sea with grim eyes. When he heard the middle-aged man’s words, he turned to look at the latter who was hovering restlessly. The latter had a head of white hair but his skin had no wrinkle. He looked sowhat similar to He Jiu. It was none other than “Sword Maniac” He Qi!
“Then let’s get started!” He Qi said, relaxing the muscles in his limbs.
The three families had long determined the roots of the Blue-blooded People. Inviting the Master of the Wang family and the Book of Luo to Langya with such fanfare was a facade. They did not want the Blue-blooded People to escape in advance after catching wind of the news.
Currently, the Ruan family manor was essentially deserted. They had rely paralyzed the Blue-blooded People to give them the impression that they had yet to expose themselves. The main force, all the n and horses, had long been gathered here without anyone knowing!
How could a clan capable of maintaining such power and influence be easy to handle?
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