Jiangnan Sword Pavilion, Earth-Penetrating Abyss.
As the name suggested, this place and the Extreme Heaven Cliff were at opposite ends. One shot straight into the clouds, touching the azure sky wall; the other penetrated deep into the earth's crust, forming an abyss of Yin and baleful energy.
However, precisely because of this, this place was also an excellent cultivation site. Residing deep within, refining swords with Earth Fiend Fire and Yin treacherous demons was almost equivalent to fighting day and night—failure meant death. Therefore, without Foundation Establishment, one couldn't withstand the Baleful Fire and Yin Demons and wasn't even qualified to enter this place.
As for the deepest part of the Earth-Penetrating Abyss, like the top of the Extreme Heaven Cliff, it was once the training hall of a Sword Pavilion Perfected Lord.
After the Perfected Lords went into seclusion, just as Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon presided over the Extreme Heaven Cliff, the Earth-Penetrating Abyss also gained a new master—none other than Perfected One Warding-Evil of the Sword Pavilion.
Rumble!
At this moment, inside the Earth-Penetrating Abyss, rolling Baleful Fire gathered. Fire gathered to generate lightning, they mixed to illuminate the dim abyss as if it were a day.
Bursts of loud noises rang out incessantly.
After a long time, a figure in azure robes finally walked out from the layers of lightning and fire. A distinct, angular face was filled with solemnity.
He had few luxurious adornments on his entire body, not even a Spirit Treasure. Only by observing with divine sense could one see the soaring sword intent on his body, faintly echoing the Earth-Penetrating Abyss. At a glance, it seemed that what stood there was not a person, but a treasured sword forged from flowing fire.
"Amitabha."
Just then, a melodious Buddhist chant suddenly rang out within the Baleful Fire. Then a cluster of Buddhist light dispersed the Yin Demons, and a novice monk walked out.
Buddha Child Guang Ming!
This was still not his true body, even far inferior to his incarnation overseas. It was merely a shadow transformed from a thought. At this moment, he smiled at Perfected One Warding-Evil:
"Congratulations to Benefactor Warding-Evil, your sword intent has advanced further."
"...Not enough."
Facing Buddha Child Guang Ming's praise, Perfected One Warding-Evil shook his head: "My [Sword Intent] is never perfect... How exactly did he do it?"
Buddha Child Guang Ming knew clearly in his heart that this "he" referred to Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon.
There were countless sword cultivators in the history of the Sword Pavilion, yet only Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon added the words [No-Kill] in front of his own [Sword Intent].
Only those who knew the details of the Sword Dao well understood what an exaggerated matter this was.
"The foundation of the Sword Dao was established by the Ancestor himself."
"Later, presided over by Perfected Lord Gangxing Budao, this method of polishing the soul and mind to the extreme was named [Sword Intent], setting its stature."
Don't look at it as just a stature.
In fact, this was also a symbol, originating from a Great Perfected Lord at the Late Stage of Golden Core, giving the name [Sword Intent] the weight of Mount Tai from then on.
Otherwise, since there was sword intent, why were there no other intents in the world?
Blade intent, spear intent, arrow intent... only the weapons used were different; the essence was the same. However, ever since the stature of [Sword Intent] was set, other artistic conceptions disappeared.
Since then, all insights of successive sword cultivators in this Dao were forever confined within the framework of [Sword Intent]. Like pieces on a chessboard, they could only circle within the board, unable to become true players. Ultimately, they would only add bricks and tiles to the formation of the [Sword Dao Fruit].
Yet Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon happened to be an exception.
Although he also didn't jump out of the framework of [Sword Intent], he brought forth the new from the old, transforming it into [No-Kill Sword Intent], truly walking his own path.
If not for this, why would he be valued by the Sword Pavilion?
"Benefactor not need to worry."
Buddha Child Guang Ming chuckled lightly upon seeing this: "This little monk came here to congratulate Benefactor, resolving a matter that has troubled Benefactor for a long time."
"Oh?"
Perfected One Warding-Evil raised his eyebrows slightly upon hearing this. Then he forming his fingers to calculate and instantly understood the cause and effect: "Yun Qingchuan... he actually successfully returned?"
Yun Qingchuan, the Ancestor of the Yun Family.
Previously, he received guidance from Buddha Child Guang Ming, so he was sent to the Refining Arts Secret Realm to find Perfected One Primordial Mu Changsheng to obtain the method of consciousness stripping.
The next second, Buddha Child Guang Ming beckoned casually, and a newborn infant appeared in his palm. His entire body was shrouded in spiritual light.
Although still an infant, he showed the aged state of having weathered many vicissitudes. It was impressively the Ancestor of the Yun Family who had already been awakened from the [Mystery of the Womb].
"Greetings, Perfected One."
The Ancestor of the Yun Family revealed a look of expectation. Then he extracted his divine sense, transforming it into a Dao book and presenting it to Perfected One Warding-Evil— "This old man fortunately did not disgrace the mission."
"Well done."
Perfected One Warding-Evil calmly accepted it but wasn't in a hurry to read it. Instead, he looked at Buddha Child Guang Ming: "Master, you know what I seek is not this object."
Now that Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon presided over Jiangnan, Buddha Child Guang Ming's true body dared not enter. Yet he secretly met with him... Was it just for a consciousness stripping method? What he wanted was Buddha Child Guang Ming's "Buddhist affinity"! Since [White Wax Gold] was a dead end, he wanted to use this to contend for an opportunity to seek the Golden Core!
Just like that King Zhen Nan Wu Taian of the Dao Court.
Therefore, ever since the two met, he hinted to Buddha Child Guang Ming more than once, expressing his willingness to become the disciple chosen by him in Jiangnan.
However, Buddha Child Guang Ming always pretended not to know.
This time was the same. Meeting Perfected One Warding-Evil's gaze, Buddha Child Guang Ming put his palms together: "Buddhist affinity is preordained; Benefactor should not force it."
Are you kidding? Are you worthy?
A waste cultivating [White Wax Gold], whose Dao path was cut off by Sky-Shrouding because of Chen Earth.
You want to be my disciple?
How laughable!
"...Forget it."
Perfected One Warding-Evil sighed, he understood how awkward his current situation was. Only then did he focus his mind on the consciousness stripping method before him.
"This method... no rush to use it for now."
"If Master is willing to help, I still want to contend one more time."
Having said this, Perfected One Warding-Evil suddenly raised his head.
His gaze pierced through layers of obstacles, landing on the Extreme Heaven Cliff, yet he dared not look at the figure atop the cliff.
Vanquishing-Demon... how many more days can you suppress it?
As a fellow Foundation Establishment Perfection, Perfected One Warding-Evil could similarly see Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon's current destiny.
In his view, Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon seeking the Golden Core would happen within these few days.
This matter was not up to him.
The consciousness stripping method was just a backup.
After all, once this was done, it was tantamount to completely giving up on this Great Era of Seeking Golden Core. So unless driven to a dead end, how could he be reconciled?
Moreover, the [Sword Dao Fruit]... I may not be without hope!
With my sword intent, if I switch to sword cultivation again... there is much to be done! As long as Vanquishing-Demon can sacrifice himself to attain it... no, he must attain it!
Looking at Perfected One Warding-Evil's changing expression, Buddha Child Guang Ming chanted a Buddhist name in a low voice.
At this time, he didn't need to say anything more.
Human desire was like a rolling stone from a high mountain; once started, it could never stop. He only needed to give a gentle push, then sit and wait for the good show.
Extreme Heaven Cliff.
Lu Yang controlled the Sword Dao Incarnation to walk out of the ancestral hall. Through the Ancestor of the Yun Family, the plot between Buddha Child Guang Ming and Perfected One Warding-Evil was naturally fully grasped by him.
So that's how it is!
Not only Sky-Shrouding's plot but also Buddha Child Guang Ming's calculation... They colluded with a Perfected One inside the Sword Pavilion to take action against Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon!
Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately drove his escaping light, flying all the way toward the top of the Extreme Heaven Cliff, Perfected One Vanquishing-Demon's seclusion place.
Master! I want to report!
There are bad people in the Sword Pavilion!