"Buddha power… a monk of the Buddhist path."
Yi Tianxing's pupils narrowed as he coldly spat out the words.
That aura was unmistakably that of a Buddhist cultivator. The rhythmic resonance it emitted carried the tone of Zen chanting, even subtly influencing him—a clear sign that this newcomer was no ordinary monk.
Suddenly, fragments of a conversation with the King of the Underworld resurfaced in his mind.
In the Eternal World, many powerful beings and masters of great divine powers would send a split soul into reincarnation, living a second life. Once that second self matured, they could reunite with the original, bringing about an explosive increase in cultivation and even a fundamental transformation.
Such events were considered nothing less than the descent of a saint.
Yi Tianxing had never held a good impression of the Buddhist path. Back on Skyhawk Island, his encounter with monks from Jixiang Temple had left a sour memory. Many Buddhist cultivators preached compassion and mercy, but in secret? Who could truly say what filth they hid?
The Buddhist sect was known for their silver tongues, twisting death into life and convincing you that you'd always been bald.
Anything was possible.
Swish!!
Outside Xuanhuang City, a man in a Daoist robe and cloth shoes stepped forward. With each step he took, a golden lotus bloomed beneath his feet, lifting his body ever higher.
"Born of Western ancestral roots, wisdom manifests innately.The seven treasures forge wondrous arts, enlightenment grants eternal life."
He sang softly as he walked. With each step, lotus flowers bloomed. His bearing was truly mesmerizing—dignified and charismatic. A strange aura flowed from his entire being, subtly influencing all those who beheld him.
"I am Bodhi, and I greet the Emperor of Great Yi."
The middle-aged Daoist stopped mid-air, standing opposite Yi Tianxing. Between them floated the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda. With a smile, he clasped his hands respectfully toward Yi Tianxing and spoke with unshaken calm.
"Bodhi Daoist," Yi Tianxing muttered, eyes narrowing as he examined the figure before him.
Though dressed like a Daoist, the unmistakable aura of Buddhism still lingered. This was no ordinary visitor. Worse, he had set his sights on the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda—his life-bound treasure. There could be no reconciliation.
"My life-bound treasure—when did it become 'fated' to be yours? What nerve, thief. How dare you try to deceive me?"
Yi Tianxing rebuked him sharply, without the slightest pretense of civility.
"All treasures of the world belong to those of virtue," Bodhi replied, still smiling. "Now that this treasure has evolved into an Innate Spiritual Treasure, shedding its mortal shell, it is clearly destined to be mine. I ask the Emperor to part with it—my thanks in advance."
Not a hint of anger showed in his expression. His determination to seize the pagoda was unshakable.
"COME!"
Without hesitation, Bodhi reached out his hand. It rapidly expanded, transforming into a heaven-covering palm that grabbed toward the pagoda—completely without pretense or courtesy.
Fated with me—then I shall take it.
"Thieving Daoist—YOU DESERVE DEATH!!"
Yi Tianxing's eyes turned cold. The instant Bodhi attacked, he made his decision. He didn't care who this was—if he was an enemy, he would die. Especially within the territory of Great Yi, even a reincarnated great power would be slain as an example.
"Will of Heaven as Blade—SLASH!!"
🔹 Heavenly Emperor's Creation Hand – Will of Heaven as Blade (天意如刀)
Yi Tianxing swung his arm. A blade formed entirely from the will of heaven materialized. At the same time, the Will of Heaven Blade shot out from the Hongmeng Pagoda, fusing with his martial divine ability and amplifying its power.
A flash of white light appeared above Bodhi's head, aiming directly for his throat.
A hit would mean certain death—head severed, blood splashing through the void.
"I am Bodhi, wisdom vast as the sea—my Sword of Wisdom is untainted. I have never defied Heaven's will, thus Heaven cannot destroy me."
🔹 Sword of Wisdom (慧剑)
Bodhi smiled calmly. A golden light shone between his brows, and from his forehead emerged a golden sword. The moment one saw it, one could instinctively sense its boundless sword intent—deep as the sea.
This was the Sword of Wisdom, nourished by immense wisdom. The greater the wisdom, the stronger the sword.
— With great wisdom, it could see through all flaws—one slash, nothing can block it.— With great wisdom, it pierced the origin—one strike, devastating.— With great wisdom, it discerned karma—one swing, severed cause and consequence.
A real sword—and yet an illusory one.
The Will of Heaven Blade clashed with the Sword of Wisdom, emitting a crisp ding.
Despite its power to slice even innate spiritual treasures, the Will of Heaven Blade's connection to Eternal Heaven was distorted. Only the heavenly will within the Hongmeng Pagoda's inner world remained, weakening the slash. Both weapons rebounded from the impact.
Yi Tianxing immediately redirected the blade, striking at Bodhi's massive palm instead.
The giant hand recoiled in response. The blade sliced through a finger—the ring finger—clean off, spraying blood. Heavenly Will energy sealed the wound, preventing regeneration.
"Good blade," Bodhi praised, though his expression darkened.
His body was no ordinary vessel. Being wounded so easily by a single slash was a testament to the blade's power.
"That's not for you to say. DIE!!"
Yi Tianxing sneered. A golden dragon-patterned war robe enveloped him as the Chaotic War Dragon Robe appeared. His presence surged, becoming a peerless Heavenly Emperor.
With a thought, the Hongmeng Pagoda turned into a beam of light and merged into his body.
He stepped forward and swung his arm once more.
"Heavenly Emperor's Creation Hand – Star-Shattering Hammer!!"
🔹 Star-Shattering Hammer (碎星锤)
His fist transformed into a hammer, crashing down toward Bodhi with the full might of destructive martial will. The true Star-Shattering Hammer fused with the technique, making it even deadlier. The space beneath twisted like fragile glass.
"Great hammer!" Bodhi's eyes gleamed. The Sword of Wisdom slashed again—plain, direct, and forceful.
BOOM!!
The sword clashed with the hammer's overwhelming force. The destructive power had doubled compared to before. Though the sword trembled, it held firm, sending the hammer rebounding once more.
"BREAK!!"
Yi Tianxing stepped forward, momentum building. The Will of Heaven Blade and Star-Shattering Hammer spun behind him, amplifying his aura.
With a roar, he reached forward and summoned a bronze war spear—jabbing with lethal precision.
"Heavenly Emperor's Creation Hand – Heaven-Piercing Spear!!"
🔹 Heaven-Piercing Spear (破天矛)
This spear combined the power of the previous two techniques and struck with terrifying force. But again, the Sword of Wisdom appeared, intercepting the spear.
Both weapons rebounded, but this time, Bodhi was forced back a step.
"Such powerful martial arts—each move stronger than the last," Bodhi muttered, eyes filled with awe. He had seen through the terrifying nature of Yi Tianxing's battle technique—the Heavenly Emperor's Creation Hand—an art where each strike stacks upon the last.
Now truly taking the battle seriously, Bodhi formed a hand seal.
"Bodhi's Nirvana – Divine Needle of Great Annihilation!!"
🔹 Divine Needle of Great Annihilation (大寂灭神针)
Grey divine light erupted, filled with the will of annihilation. These lights turned into grey divine needles, raining down like a storm. The very air fell into silence, heaven and earth seeming to wither in the face of annihilation. Even the soul risked succumbing to the ecstatic chant that echoed from the attack.
"Heavenly Emperor's Creation Hand – Gate of Space!!"
🔹 Gate of Space (空间门)
Yi Tianxing shouted. With a wave of his arm, four silver-white portals appeared around him, each radiating a vortex that sucked in the incoming divine needles, devouring them completely before they could touch him.
Even the surrounding divine needles were pulled in and destroyed.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
Yi Tianxing's figure flickered. He strode forward, warping the void with each step—launching one devastating battle technique after another toward Bodhi Daoist.