Chapter 206: Kill the demon monk (II)

A single Sword was unleashed.

The Great River comes from the west, breaking mountains and ridges, roaring for ten thousand miles to touch the Dragon Gate, with surging waves!

Killing Intent moves south, shaking the Kun Axis, a single Qi binds everything, all things lose form, Heavenly Soldiers sever and decapitate the Demonic Monk!

Without the slightest hesitation or reservation, Zhang Lan, empowered by the Formation, unhesitatingly unleashed his ultimate Sword!

He even abandoned his defense.

The power that had been prepared for a month, the Qi and blood condensed for a full month, burst forth, surpassing all limits!

More than a month ago, when Zhang Lan and Li Qi first met, he faced two Rank Eight cultivators of the same Rank alone.

In that battle, he only used Sword Qi and did not draw the Sword from its scabbard at all.

At that time, Zhang Lan said:

"I will use Daoist methods, which I also cultivate, to make them misjudge my strength. At the critical moment, I will use my martial cultivation to get close and draw my Sword. This is where my slim chance of survival lies. I'll kill one first, then fight off the other. According to my estimate, I have a thirty percent chance of counter-killing and saving these tens of thousands of people, and a one hundred percent certainty of perishing with both of them." (See Chapter 168)

From that moment on, Li Qi had a premonition about Zhang Lan's explosive Sword strike.

Zhang Lan's Sword was the Sword of a Knight-Errant.

The Sword of a Knight-Errant, once drawn, has no regrets; it means death, not life.

Unstoppable, conquering all? Eliminate the chief evil, so that Guangyang may enjoy peace!

Exerting too much force, the immense Sword Qi, amplified by the Formation, became even heavier, pressing down on him, making his bones tremble, his skin crack, and his muscles tear apart from within.

Even his heart and lungs showed symptoms of asthma, gasping for breath, constantly taking deep breaths.

But the Sword Qi was incredibly sharp!

Infinite Sword Intent directly pierced through all the Demonic Qi缠绕 around Chan Zhi's body! It aimed to sever the Demonic Monk's head.

However, Chan Zhi smiled.

He didn't even bother with the Sword Qi, shaking his head instead: "The Sword of a Knight-Errant, with disheveled hair and glaring eyes, speaking with difficulty, striking head-on, severing necks and piercing livers and lungs—it's called the Sword of a Knight-Errant, but in reality, it's the Sword of a common man, no different from a cockfight. Once life is gone, it's useless."

"I have a Buddha Country around my body. Can the Sword of a common man sever a country?"

After Chan Zhi finished speaking, the space around him began to expand.

Within the Buddha Country of the mind, there may be a Buddha-land, impure and uneven, because of the afflictions of living beings, such a Buddha-land arises.

The Buddha Country expanded, enveloping the three-inch area around Chan Zhi's body.

A three-inch buddha country, easily shattered by a single finger.

However, upon closer inspection, one could see the vast and extensive appearance of the world manifesting within it.

This three-inch area seemed to gather three thousand worlds, containing various mountains, snowy mountains, Tuo mountains, Xiang mountains, treasure mountains, golden mountains, and black mountains, forming the mountain ranges of the Celestial Mountains.

There were also rivers, streams, and springs, collectively forming the Golden Light Ocean.

And the sun, moon, stars, heavenly palaces, and various divine palaces all appeared within the three-inch buddha country. In the Buddha Country, there were Buddhas from the ten directions, expounding the Dharma, and Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, Upasakas, and Upasikas all came to sit in the assembly.

The Dharma-protecting city, established by the divine power of the Buddhas, was on the periphery of the three-inch buddha country.

Within the Dharma-protecting city, there were celestial beings, each strictly holding various armors and weapons, riding various mounts from the heavens, standing majestically, clad in various precious and adorned armors from the heavens, holding various precious weapons, guarding the Buddha Country.

Zhang Lan's resolute Sword Qi broke through the surrounding Demonic Qi, slaying all Demonic Overlords, and finally reached the entrance of the three-inch buddha country.

Then, the Sword Qi pierced through the Buddha Country.

A loud clang echoed like thunder.

War drums startled the mountains, threatening to collapse.

Sword Intent enveloped the surroundings, transforming into a fierce wind and heavy rain!

The Sword of a common man can slay one person.

But can it slay a country?

Zhang Lan's body was cracking, covered in blood. The Sword Qi entered the Buddha Country, wreaking havoc.

The earth cracked, mountain ranges were severed in the middle, oceans split apart, and the Dharma-protecting city was cleaved open by the Sword Qi.

The Sword Intent continuously expanded within the Buddha Country, and blood-like lava constantly surged from within, looking as if the earth had been torn open, and blood was flowing out of it.

The earth shook, the heavens and earth changed color, and the Buddha Country cracked open.

Sword Qi, like silver snakes, began to wander erratically within the three-inch buddha country. Countless sharp, thread-like Sword Qi continuously penetrated the Buddha Country, spreading relentlessly, attempting to break through that Dharma-protecting city.

These tendrils repeatedly plowed the ground; all larger rocks and houses cracked and then shattered completely. The incessant sounds of impact, like raindrops hitting the earth, never ceased.

However—

Raindrops hitting the earth, though seemingly grand in scale, might even cause torrential floods or mudslides.

But can they truly cause any substantial damage to the earth?

Clearly, it's impossible.

Although the Buddha Country was ravaged and cracked, and countless celestial beings perished, with the three-inch buddha country almost collapsing by two inches, Chan Zhi merely gently pinched his fingers and softly chanted: "With this clear and bright mind, the inner light illuminates, and the ten directions become the color of Jambudvipa. This is called the staining of the mind-soul's spiritual enlightenment, where the mind-light is refined and shines upon all Buddha Countries."

As soon as these words were uttered, the Buddha light around him intensified, and his own Demonic Overlord Dharma Idol receded, replaced by a third Dharma Idol.

The third Dharma Idol was a cross-legged Buddha statue, with kind eyes and a benevolent face, speaking in a gentle tone, surrounded by a faint light, and adorned with golden embroidered beads.

There were precious vases and golden bells, hanging around and chiming. When a gentle breeze blew, the bells and vases resonated, producing a clear, metallic sound audible for over ten miles.

In a short time, Chan Zhi had already displayed three Dharma Idols.

One was the Peacock King Dharma Idol, one was the Heart-Eating Demonic God Dharma Idol, and now this Compassionate Buddha Heart Dharma Idol.

The precious vases around the Dharma Idol flew up and descended into the three-inch buddha country.

A drop of sweet dew flew out and fell into the Buddha Country.

Yet, this mere drop of sweet dew suddenly divided into hundreds of billions of parts, directly enveloping the entire three-inch buddha country!

Sweet rain descended upon the world; its water was sweet and possessed eight merits. It sank into the ground upon falling, soaking the earth without causing floods.

Heavy rain fell, dispelling the clouds and mist. A cool breeze emerged from the water, its moist essence spreading, blowing upon the people, bringing comfort to all who touched it, and further moistening them with the sweet dew.

Thus, the soil within the Buddha Country became fertile, vibrant, and lustrous, just like well-tended land in the world, sprinkled with water to make its flowers and colors bright and pleasing.

Similarly, when the Buddha light appeared in the world, all the land in this Buddha Country naturally became fertile, lush, and moist, as if someone had applied ghee to it, making it rich and unctuous.

The celestial beings who had previously suffered due to the Sword Qi were also relieved. At this moment, nourished by the sweet dew, their former pain was alleviated.

The Buddha Country was restored.

Not a single trace remained.

However, the Sword Qi was already at the end of its strength, unable to pierce even half an inch further.

This battle of Dharma was clearly a complete victory for Chan Zhi.

The Sword of a common man cannot contend with a country.

The Sword's edge, which could cut through everything, was completely suppressed in terms of its nature when facing an entire country, utterly powerless to retaliate.

Since he had already neutralized the opponent's desperate Sword strike, which was empowered by the Formation, Chan Zhi no longer held back and struck Zhang Lan with another palm.

This palm strike was identical to the one he used earlier to cleave open the mountain range.

He would kill this martial practitioner, then abduct Shen Shuibi, and then he could go back and report to Li Qi.

Hmm... but this is probably Li Qi's trap, isn't it?

Chan Zhi had already realized it in his heart.

Li Qi truly hadn't given up yet.

He lured himself out, thinking he would be harmed by such an ambush?

Did he think two Rank Seven combatants could pose a threat to him?

This is... somewhat amusing.

It's like a child's tantrum.

Then he would teach him a good lesson, let him know what a true Rank Seven cultivator was.

Not the current motley Rank Seven, or the pseudo-Rank Seven elevated by a Formation.

However, that Formation did have some merits.

How was it done?

As Chan Zhi struck Zhang Lan, he felt a bit puzzled.

Originally, this was just a large Formation for regulating the Qi of mountains and rivers. Such Formations, though large in scale, were difficult to use for offense; their functions were basically civilian.

They could regulate the weather, then adjust the earth's Qi to ensure good harvests, and also avert some less severe natural disasters, such as ordinary floods, earthquakes, or blizzards. All these could be neutralized in advance by such a Formation.

Of course, Lightning Tribulations, heavenly punishments, or even natural disasters like the reversal of Yin and Yang, were not within its scope of regulation.

Therefore, this Formation, apart from being 'large,' had no other merits whatsoever.

To regulate the largest possible range and area, this Formation was designed to be exceptionally vast. Just three such Formations could cover an entire province.

That's why this place could be hidden. By mobilizing the earth's Qi here, such a vast power, by simply disrupting a portion of it, could easily obscure other Qi, and from the outside, it would appear as nothing more than ordinary earth Qi surging.

But...

How could such a Formation provide supportive power? It should be impossible, unless it had been modified.

However, modification required someone skilled in Formations.

To accomplish such a degree of modification, the Formation mastery would be incredibly profound, almost inconceivable. Was it someone close to Li Qi?

Chan Zhi thought for a moment and decided it was unlikely.

How could someone with such Formation mastery still be at Rank Eight? And there was no one above Rank Eight here, apart from that pseudo-Rank, and Guangyang Sicheng, who had long lost his Battle Intent and was fleeing for his life.

Never mind, thinking too much is useless.

In Guangyang, nothing could threaten him. No matter how many schemes, they were useless.

In the face of absolute strength, let Li Qi see his true power.

Let him truly give up, completely lose all spirit of resistance, and honestly work for him, contributing his knowledge and intellect to solidify his foundation for the Rank Six path.

He wanted to break Li Qi's will, cut off all his侥幸, crush his pride, and use absolute strength to make this clever and astute Genius understand—

The reason Geniuses are called Geniuses is because they are not yet worthy of being called powerhouses.

Being arrogant and proud of the name 'Genius,' playing power games with their minds, and manipulating conspiracies, held no meaning in front of a true powerhouse.

Though much was said, in reality, these thoughts merely flashed through Chan Zhi's mind in an instant, and his attack was not delayed at all.

He struck with a palm, and Zhang Lan, already exhausted from unleashing that Sword, was utterly defenseless. He was about to be shattered into pieces, with no burial place.

However, just as Chan Zhi unleashed that palm strike.

In the sky, another Sword descended.

Chan Zhi's pupils contracted!

Where did a second Sword come from?

A third Rank Seven?

How is that possible?!

However, this was not a question of possibility.

But a reality that had already happened.

A third Rank Seven appeared!

This suddenly appearing third Rank Seven was a... woman?

But Chan Zhi quickly realized that this sudden Sword was not wielded by a person.

Not a person, but a Dharma Idol!

Another Dharma Idol, whose strength had reached Rank Seven, descended upon this place.

It was a female Dharma Idol, a hundred zhang tall, surrounded by ethereal mist, with a clear moonlight and a graceful demeanor. There was a cinnabar mark on her arm, clear light condensed like dew, and her bright moon was smokeless, cool and beautiful.

Behind her, a pale moon had overlooked the human world for a thousand years.

Chan Zhi considered himself well-informed, but he truly couldn't identify whose Dharma Idol this was.

Generally speaking, a Dharma Idol represents a profound understanding of a certain Dharma, having fully mastered it, at which point one can mobilize all the power of that Dharma.

A Dharma Idol is the manifestation of a Dharma. Only by fully understanding and comprehending a Dharma can one naturally form a Dharma Idol.

In other words, if one fails to fully comprehend it, a Dharma Idol cannot be formed.

Therefore, by observing a Dharma Idol, one can learn about the opponent's Dharma. For example, seeing the Peacock King Dharma Idol indicates that the Dharma originated from the Peacock King.

However, no matter how Chan Zhi looked, he couldn't find or think of the origin of this Dharma Idol.

This indicated that the opponent's Dharma was an obscure, little-known one, which was why he didn't recognize the Dharma Idol formed from it.

Although it was somewhat surprising, that was all it was.

He shook his head. The three-inch buddha country still enveloped him. He ignored that Sword.

Even the previously valiant Sword of a Knight-Errant posed no threat to him, so this ordinary Dharma Idol certainly couldn't harm him.

He continued to press down with his palm.

Just as he was about to crush Zhang Lan, the Sword unleashed by the female Dharma Idol reached Chan Zhi's body.

The three-inch buddha country around him shattered, and the Sword pierced directly into his Physical Body!

Chan Zhi's Physical Body was extremely tough, but this Sword directly penetrated it.

The attack was interrupted.

Chan Zhi was sent flying directly.

He tried to defend, but it was completely ineffective; he was directly pierced again and sent flying backward.

A Sword from south to north destroyed all the defensive arrangements of the three-inch buddha country. Seven treasures fell, sweet dew dried up, and Chan Zhi's Dharma Idol was directly shattered.

Chan Zhi was enraged.

He roared in a deep voice.

"Benefactor Shen! My patience is running out!"

"If you don't surrender now, I'm afraid I can't guarantee your complete safety."

Then, he extended his hand again and pressed down!

Within that golden palm, a world suddenly appeared!

The three-inch buddha country transformed into a Buddha Country in the Palm!

The Buddha Country in the Palm spanned heaven and earth, causing the sky to collapse and the earth to crack, completely suppressing Shen Shuibi's Dharma Idol!

But a sharp Sword Intent pierced directly through the sky, splitting open the巽户!

A surge of Grand Yin Qi ascended to the heavens, overturning mountains and seas, causing the seas to boil and mountains to crumble. It forcibly opened a hole in the center of Chan Zhi's palm, shattering all suppression and Seals with a single Sword strike!

Then it directly shattered Chan Zhi's Dharma Idol.

For one who wields the Sword, show emptiness, open with advantage, strike last, but arrive first.

Zhang Lan was merely bait.

This second Sword was the hidden killing move.

The Sword of a common man cannot contend with a country.

But this Sword is the Sword of an Immortal.

The Sword of an Immortal, wrapped in the Four Seasons, governed by the Five Elements, opened by Yin and Yang. When the Sword is unleashed, it reverses the cosmic order, usurps time, and reestablishes Chaos.

Even a single world can be broken by it.

Can a mere country block the Sword of an Immortal?

(Second update)