Chapter 839: Subtle connection

In the darkness, Jing Wuzhen, holding the Slaughter Sword, swung it again.

The Slaughter Sword was a ritual implement used for dissecting sacrificial offerings, not a killing tool like the eight-faced heavy sword from before.

Sacrifice is the essence of offering, as it is said: 'Let the Grand Steward, with the祝 and 史 leading the Li clan, offer the sacrifices, grains, jade, and silk, without any prayer.'

Human Race once said: 'Indeed, to take the people of Heaven to attack the cities of Heaven, this is to assassinate the Heavenly people, strip away the positions of the Divine Spirits, overturn the altars of the land and grain, and plunder and kill their sacrifices, then this is not in line with the interests of Heaven.'

In this sentence, the importance of 'plunder and kill their sacrifices' is placed alongside 'strip away the positions of the Divine Spirits' and 'overturn the altars of the land and grain,' showing its significant position.

The altars of the land and grain, in fact, originally meant 'the dwelling place of gods,' and what is called 'shrine' is also like this; the 'she' refers to the temple of gods, and 'ji' refers to the five grains, which broadly means food. Together, they represent the situation in ancient times when Divine Spirits and humans coexisted, living together.

In other words, the Slaughter Sword before them no longer cut real things, but possessed the power to slaughter sacrifices and divide authority.

The Demonic Lords also realized this.

They also realized that Jing Wuzhen's Martial Dao Divine Intent was not merely about blasting things apart.

This Martial Artist is so cunning; she actually used a secret technique to hide her true Divine Intent, making herself seem like a brainless brute, but in reality, she is refined beneath the rough exterior.

Her Martial Dao Divine Intent—it's not about blasting, but about 'sanctioning.'

Sanctioning is divided into two parts.

The violence just now was 'cai,' which means 'to cut' or 'to judge,' implying killing. Hence, there are terms like 'suicide' and 'judgment,' meaning to kill oneself.

With the power of 'cai,' it was the furious bombardment just now, displaying unparalleled killing power. This is the 'power' necessary for sanctioning, a way to maintain Divine Intent through violence.

But the most important aspect is another layer of meaning.

To 'zhi' is to 'cai.' When things are formed and have flavor, they can be cut and judged, and it also means to stop. 'Zhi' and 'cai' are actually interchangeable terms.

And 'zhi' has an even deeper meaning.

Just like the power of the Slaughter Sword to divide sacrifices, the power of 'zhi' is not just killing, but using killing to regulate all things.

This even has a shadow of the Human Race, because 'zhi' is actually the predecessor of 'rules,' and even has the terms 'regulation' and 'system' within it.

However, that's a bit too early; 'regulation' was something that existed before the coexistence of humans and gods.

But… who still remembers that when humans and gods coexisted, before the Human Race had various cultivation methods, they made many efforts to survive in the desolate ancient times? (See Chapter 257 for details)

Among them, the two most important measures were Shaman Dao and Martial Arts.

In the desolate era, the Human Race was weak, living in the shadows of various deities. There were Shamanes who mediated among the friendly deities, but there were also Martial Artists who campaigned against the unfriendly deities. Martial Dao thus came into being.

The Dao of Martial Arts refers to conquest itself, the method by which the Human Race fought against those so-called 'enemies.'

And Shaman Dao was the way people at that time communicated with friendly deities.

Although now it seems that friendly gods are not necessarily good, and man-eating evil gods are not necessarily bad, for the Human Race at that time, survival was paramount, and good and evil were naturally divided as such.

Li Qi, who was behind, also paused slightly.

When Jing Wuzhen's Martial Dao Divine Intent fully unfolded, that Aura was extremely ancient, so ancient that it could be traced back to the initial period when Human Race and Shaman Dao had not yet separated.

At that time, Shamanes were the main leadership of the Human Race, and even the various Human Kings had to listen to the Shamanes' advice, as Shamanes were the most educated group of the Human Race at that time.

And assisting the Shamanes were the Martial Artists of that time.

Originally, the earliest Martial Artists of the Human Race were the Shamanes' initial Dharma Protectors.

And now, whether by coincidence or something else, a Martial Artist whose Martial Dao Divine Intent directly inherited from ancient times, plus Li Qi, a legitimate Shaman, happened to be linked together.

Just like countless eons ago, Shamanes and Martial Artists worked together on the desolate land, striving to carve out a path for the Human Race under the Heavenly Gods.

Although now it is not for the Heavenly Gods, but against the Demonic Dao.

The swinging of the Slaughter Sword was not grand and sweeping; on the contrary, the movement of this sword was very slow, very 'useless.'

This is completely unsuitable for combat, only suitable for viewing.

However, this sense of ritual was not for others to see.

When slaughtering a sacrifice, the ritualistic person must clearly perceive that a life is perishing in their hands, that this life has weight, and the ritualistic person must perceive and bear this weight.

This is also the origin of the earliest concept of 'Karma,' although killing is inevitable, killing itself is still a means that should be revered and even avoided.

For the ancient Human Race, the intense shock brought by cutting flesh with a Sharp Weapon during sacrificial rituals was their way of maintaining reverence for this world.

Of course, the current Human Race no longer cares about such things. The Human Race does not believe in retribution, nor do they believe that the lives of all things have weight; the demon beasts produced on the assembly line in slaughterhouses have already proven this point.

Even the Shamanes themselves have developed a sense of disdain due to their current power, and although there are still Shamanes like Zhong Minglou, Li Qi, while not wantonly killing the innocent, certainly cannot be said to have any reverence for life.

But in front of Jing Wuzhen, it was not like that.

She treated this battle with a serious attitude, just like every previous battle, facing her enemies with an almost pious mindset, and when she killed them, she would also feel sorrow for it.

This is not hypocrisy; this is a necessity.

Killing is necessary in this world; someone must do it. This is to maintain and open up new paths, but this does not mean that killing is right.

For Jing Wuzhen, acting against the Demonic Dao is for a greater good, but this does not mean that her killing is righteous.

Killing is never right, it's just choosing the lesser of two evils.

Therefore, bearing this sin, yet still having to use Martial Dao to clear certain obstacles and 'sanction' certain things in this world, is what Jing Wuzhen's Martial Dao Divine Intent seeks to express.

In Li Qi's view, this Martial Dao Divine Intent was very awkward.

It was like killing someone and then kowtowing to their corpse in apology.

The person is already dead, what's the use of your kowtowing?

However, since our Daos are different, our values are also different, so disagreements are very normal; we should understand each other.

Because this does not hinder the destructive power of the Sanctioning Sword.

The Demonic Dao does not fear the Sword of Slaughter, but it avoids the 'Slaughter Sword' at all costs.

Nothing else, it's just that the 'bearing' displayed by her Martial Dao Divine Intent, this heavy yet restrained state of mind, makes it difficult for demonic thoughtss to invade.

The battle lasted a few seconds. The three Demonic Lords exchanged glances, then quickly retreated.

They were preparing to abandon the Heavenly Demon Lord and run away.

Because Li Qi's ultimate move had already completed its charge, and it looked like its power was not small!

The opponent was sacrificing to the Buddhas, using the power of the Buddhist Heavens within his body to bring about the descent of true Buddha Qi!

First, it was visible that Li Qi, with the power of the Buddhist Heavens, empowered the Sword Qi of the Slaughter Sword, forming an extraordinary restraint against the Demonic Dao. The Slaughter Sword itself is a method that restrains desires and afflictions.

demonic thoughtss entered Jing Wuzhen's mind and thoughts.

Severing and shattering the ears, eyes, hands, feet, five organs, and all bones, item by item.

However—though useful, it wasn't of much use.

This was merely the 'Slaughter Sword' performing its function.

One should know that a person's ears, eyes, hands, feet, five senses, and all bones, when combined, form a mind.

The mind is indeed the master of the form, but the mind is also not outside the form. Every organ and every function of the human body possesses a potential nature.

If a person can, like the keen hearing and clear sight mentioned above, fully develop each and every potential given by Heaven to this body, and bring each of these abilities to its highest possible extent, reaching its extreme, only then can it be called 'fully realizing one's nature.'

In fact, the effort of fully realizing one's nature is not difficult; it only lies in being able to 'practice the form.' What is meant by practicing the form is that a person's body, possessing a form, must possess a nature. A person can practice each form bestowed by Heaven and fully develop its highest potential.

People all have this form, and people all have this mind. Fully realizing one's mind and practicing one's form should be something everyone can know and do. For example, if a person is hungry and wants to eat, they must eat.

In other words, it's actually very simple—

For a Martial Artist, the Physical Body is the 'mind.'

If the Demonic Dao wants to invade Jing Wuzhen's 'mind,' they must break her Physical Body.

And at present, her Physical Body is like Mount Sumeru!

At this moment, she saw Buddha Qi rising within her body.

Under Li Qi's empowerment, her entire body's one hundred twenty-nine thousand six hundred acupuncture points opened, and within each acupuncture point, the Aura of the Buddhist Heavens existed!

The Apsara, the Śrīdevī, the Great Brahma, Dakini Heaven—the power of those Buddhist Heavens that Li Qi had seen in Buddhism, surged into his power.

In the eyes of the many Demonic Lords of the Demonic Dao, Jing Wuzhen's Physical Body appeared like the Spirit Mountain reborn! Countless illusory images of Bodhisattvas and Buddhas ascended from within all her acupuncture points!

Within the acupuncture points, various forms and Buddhas were arranged in their duties. The Śrīdevī, wearing a flower crown, draped in celestial robes, adorned with necklaces, appeared graceful and noble, presiding over the central command.

Her hands were further guarded by Brahma and Indra, who had descended. Behind each of these two Heavenly Gods was a seven-jeweled mountain, and above their heads appeared five-colored auspicious clouds. From the clouds, a six-tusked white elephant emerged, its trunk twisting an agate vase. From the vase continuously poured forth various sounds of sentient beings, as if whispered in the ear.

From her head surged Qi and blood, forming the illusory body of the Goddess of Eloquence, with six arms holding various objects: a fiery wheel, a sword, a bow, arrows, an axe, and a rope. Her two middle arms were clasped together, and at her feet were beasts such as lions, tigers, foxes, and jackals.

Her lower body revealed the Heaven of Precious Light, with various Bodhisattvas residing within its acupuncture points.

Her right hand revealed the Moon Palace Heaven, with all Daoist Masters residing within its acupuncture points.

All the monks and Ancestors of the Stars were arranged in their respective orders.

Behind her, the Dharma Protector supported her, having six heads and twelve arms, holding a bow and arrows, and riding a peacock.

Beneath the Aura of the Heavens, a precious pagoda emerged, and within the pagoda was Vairocana Buddha, possessing three faces and eight arms, with each of the three faces having a different expression.

To be honest, at this moment, Jing Wuzhen, in cooperation with Li Qi, had evolved to a level where a fourth-rank Demonic Lord could not break her defense.

Originally, a Martial Artist was already the top tier of defense and offense. Now, by actively opening her body to accommodate the Buddhist Heavens, she had further suppressed the Demonic Qi to a nearly unmovable state.

The Demonic Lords, seeing the unfavorable situation, immediately wanted to flee.

They had no dignity of fighting to the death. In fact, the Demonic Dao rarely fights head-on; they usually scheme from behind. A Demonic Prince like him is an exception among exceptions.

At this point, it was time for a decision.

Jing Wuzhen turned to look at Li Qi.

Let the one responsible for thinking decide what to do. Should they keep them, or let them go?

Keeping them would require paying a greater price. After all, trying to defeat four orthodox Demonic Dao cultivators with two people would not be without injury; something would have to be left behind.

However, Jing Wuzhen was confident that before she lost her combat ability, she could definitely kill the three opponents and send them into Reincarnation.

That's right, send them into Reincarnation. If they wanted to annihilate their true spirits... the difficulty was still too great. She only had a thirty percent chance of completely destroying their forms and spirits, but a one hundred percent chance of sending them into Reincarnation.

Working with this Shaman was truly pleasant. Although she didn't know his character, the fact that he came to the Demonic Dao's scorching sands to campaign against these Demonic Lords showed he was a righteous person, and he fought cleanly and efficiently.

Although his methods also showed that he was actually a bit indecisive, it didn't matter. After all, he was a Shaman, and she heard they were all wishy-washy.

No one is perfect.

Oh, perhaps on the Human Race side there might be, but such perfect people... it's better not to have them. It's better to have some flaws.

Jing Wuzhen's thoughts raced as she awaited Li Qi's reply.

Li Qi, on his part, pondered for a moment.

Killing those Demonic Lords outright was not impossible. In fact, Li Qi had originally planned to do just that.

Actually, according to his prediction, fighting four on one and killing all of them was quite certain; at least a ninety percent chance of victory, with the remaining ten percent being for some special minor accident.

But even with such a minor accident, Li Qi could guarantee that he would definitely be fine. Although he might get injured, what injury was worth caring about when his inner body spirits were gone?

However, it seemed unnecessary now.

Those things were not needed at all; they were meaningless. On the contrary, letting the opponents go was more in line with Li Qi's subsequent plans.

So, Li Qi waved his hand, signaling a ceasefire, allowing the three Demonic Lords to leave.

Seeing this, Jing Wuzhen lowered her sword, and the Qi and blood around her dissipated.

Everything returned to tranquility.

Boundless Outer Domain was still in darkness. The battle that had just spanned many light-years was merely a faint flash in the vastness of Boundless Outer Domain.

"Li Qi, the Demonic Lords have been driven away. What about that Heavenly Demon Lord inside your body?" Jing Wuzhen returned to Li Qi's side.

"A small matter, no need to worry. the Purification Method was created by the Buddha; it's not something he can escape." Li Qi waved his hand, "Let's talk about something else, like... Jing Wuzhen, why did you come to deal with the Demonic Dao?"

"Why?" Jing Wuzhen smiled, "I regularly sweep through here. That city makes me feel disgusted. What about you?"

"My daughter became a demon," Li Qi said.

"You see, that's the disgusting part. So, what about you? After this battle, are you still going? It was fun fighting with you," Jing Wuzhen said.