One had deliberately schemed, not wanting it said in the Central Domain that she had tried to kill first, so she intentionally exposed a flaw to lure the other into acting; the other’s killing intent remained unchanged, simply taking advantage of the exposed flaw to strike, so he went along with the plan without any concealment.
All the way from the Central Domain, both had been crafty and false.
On the surface they could maintain apparent peace, but underneath, undercurrents surged violently. Who didn’t know the killing intent each harbored secretly!
At this moment, even that last layer of pretense was torn away.
What Kunwu, Yashan, Buddhist gate, what Central Domain, snowy domain, Extreme Domain, what masters, Dharma Kings, Dakini—everything was cast aside!
Jian Chou’s heart carried no burden whatsoever.
Though she had deliberately schemed and exposed a flaw, if Xie Buchen could restrain himself from killing intent, then she would have no reason to act against him either.
After all, the big picture was paramount.
But since Xie Buchen had cast aside all scruples, what did she have to worry about?
Though these two heavenly prodigies drew attention, no matter what cultivation and achievements they might have in the future, right now they were merely one Golden Core and one Nascent Soul.
The big picture could benefit from their strength, but without them wouldn’t suffer greatly either.
After all, whether Yashan, Kunwu, or even the entire Buddhist gate, all had unimaginably deep foundations. What could individual cultivators matter before reaching certain strength?
Moreover, did Xie Buchen seem like someone who would risk everything for Kunwu or even the safety of the entire Nineteen Continents?
Even master-disciple sentiment was thin—what of other concerns?
Since he didn’t care, Jian Chou had no need to be bound by big picture considerations. Having suppressed herself all this way, it was time to move and exchange blows!
Xie Buchen wasn’t good-natured, and she considered herself no easy mark either.
Having faced Lord Qin Guang on the eighteenth level of hell and escaped safely, how could she fear at this moment?
With the Burning Lamp Sword in hand, Jian Chou didn’t ask what Xie Buchen had gained in this snowy domain, only raising seven-tenths of her circulating power.
In that instant, both moved simultaneously!
Xie Buchen held the Human Emperor Sword, his brow like cold azure mountains, sword energy already coursing as spiritual power flowed into the blade!
His deep red monk robes instantly changed color, becoming the familiar azure robes, moving without wind in hunting waves. Even his previously shaved hair for disguise grew out in the blink of an eye, cascading down.
Originally outside the corridor, he now flew up gracefully like a startled swan, raising his sword to strike down!
The pitch-black sword blade was originally lightless.
But as he swung it, faint dark silver lines were traced out following the blade’s movement. The descending sword body and remaining sword shadow, falling into Jian Chou’s eyes, seemed like an unfolded map of rivers and mountains!
Mountains winding endlessly, long rivers flowing swift!
Simple lines, nearly white sketches, yet within the scroll’s plain elegance lay myriad killing intent!
Ten thousand li of rivers and mountains, all within the sword shadow!
As Xie Buchen’s Human Emperor Sword drew closer, this long scroll of rivers and mountains also swept toward Jian Chou! The magnificent landscape within carried enormous pressure, falling straight down!
The Human Emperor’s first sword—Staining Rivers and Mountains!
Sixty years ago, they had fought before.
In memory, Xie Buchen had used similar techniques, but never so clear, so complete, nor with such overwhelming pressure!
I am emperor—all under heaven must bow in submission!
Jian Chou didn’t need to feel it personally—one glance revealed this sword’s depth. Her brow furrowed as she raised the Burning Lamp Sword to strike back!
“Clang!”
The two swords collided, blade meeting blade—like heaven’s thunder stirring earth’s fire!
The twenty-one precious patterns on the Burning Lamp Sword blazed suddenly, forcibly blocking this mountain-splitting, peak-cleaving Human Emperor sword. A point of flame emerged from the sword tip, flying toward Xie Buchen at the moment of impact!
Simultaneously, the ten-thousand-li rivers and mountains scroll traced by Xie Buchen’s sword shadow suddenly rolled up, wrapping toward Jian Chou!
Their exchange was too fast—at this moment, neither could avoid the other besides their swords themselves.
After visiting the Extreme Domain, Jian Chou’s original Ghost Axe had vanished, replaced by this Burning Lamp Sword of unknown origin.
Xie Buchen was well-traveled and had heard the Precious Mirror Dharma King’s dying cry of “Chan school.”
He could guess this sword had some connection to Buddhist Chan school, having sensed this blade’s aura before, so even though the flame from the sword tip seemed insignificant, he dared not be careless.
As the flame flew swiftly before him, his other hand had already formed a finger seal, flicking to deflect this weak fire.
But unexpectedly, just as his fingertip touched it, about to forcefully deflect it, it exploded!
The weak spark instantly blazed, immediately burning a vast mortal world aura before Xie Buchen, spreading everywhere.
Thus he understood the Precious Mirror Dharma King’s previous experience.
What burned before his eyes—where was this just a flame?
Clearly it was mortal dust, a thread of the past. In this vast smoke, he could see his own past at a glance, see everything he had once loved and hated, see desires and struggles in worldly turmoil…
He heard ethereal voices from this dusty smoke, perhaps from heaven, perhaps from earth, perhaps from his heart.
“Why not let go? Why not let go…”
Soft, grand, voice upon voice, as if layering into his heart!
For an instant, he nearly couldn’t grip his sword, truly wanting to let go. But in his mind, something more definite and clear suddenly surfaced.
All human desires were severed in this moment.
He gripped his sword firmly again, just as in that rainy day in that thatched hut, holding tight the sword that severed everything!
“Hum!”
That spark shattered and extinguished. At this moment, as he re-firmed his resolve and re-gripped the Human Emperor Sword!
Thus countless pasts and scenes became vanishing smoke and clouds.
What reappeared before him was still this narrow corridor, still Jian Chou before him.
Though it seemed long, it was actually brief.
Just the blink of an eye—but in masters’ combat, they fought for precisely such brief moments—the best killing opportunity had quietly passed.
Just as Xie Buchen couldn’t block that weak flame from the Burning Lamp Sword’s tip, Jian Chou also couldn’t dodge the ten-thousand-li rivers and mountains scroll from the Human Emperor Sword’s shadow.
Her vision blurred as she was caught squarely.
The scroll suddenly grew tall and large, nearly enveloping her entire person.
Pressure thus became omnipresent, as if forcing the trapped to submit and become its subjects.
But if Jian Chou would bow easily, why would she act against Xie Buchen today?
Her response was only a cold laugh and golden dragon scales instantly appearing all over her body!
Powerful defense immediately activated!
No matter how domineering this ten-thousand-li rivers and mountains scroll, Jian Chou within remained unmoved!
Then her shoulder moved, her whole body shook, and azure lotus spirit fire accompanied by black wind blades surged from around her. Under her cultivation far exceeding Xie Buchen’s, in just one breath she broke through this scroll!
Her earlier wound had long healed.
Only a bit of undried blood stained the broken scroll, instantly dyeing red a simple line on the ten-thousand-li rivers and mountains map.
Then the scroll collapsed, becoming illusion, returning to attach to the Human Emperor Sword, falling back into the rivers and mountains map on the blade.
But different now was a striking dark red dot!
Xie Buchen’s eyes flashed slightly, killing intent instantly brewing to its limit, so that even his emotionless eyes darkened considerably.
Those who stain rivers and mountains do so only with crimson blood!
One general’s success requires ten thousand bones to wither; an emperor’s hegemony—how many corpses and rivers of blood?
“Clang!”
Sword returning to hand, voice singing again!
Regarding Jian Chou breaking his first sword, he felt no surprise, only regaining control of the Human Emperor Sword with ultimate speed within ultimate rationality.
With a thought, he vanished from his original position!
Teleportation!
Finally unleashed.
Since seeing Xie Buchen use this technique when killing Huai Jie, Jian Chou had been on guard, knowing that when fighting him, he would certainly use it.
Seeing it now, she didn’t panic.
The spiritual consciousness she had suppressed since coming to the snowy domain instantly spread, covering her surroundings!
“Hum!”
From the void one zhang behind her, spatial fluctuations immediately came.
Xie Buchen had appeared, his indifferent eyes hiding endless slaughter. As his sword rose, cold wind howled as if blowing from the frontier!
Hoofbeats sounded, barbarian flutes mourned!
A waning moon hung high in the sky, yet this narrow, deep corridor connected to the surrounding ice-carved, snow-built sacred hall seemed transformed into yellow sand and desert!
As his sword emerged, countless white bones appeared with the sword’s momentum!
All under heaven belongs to the king; all shores of the realm are the king’s subjects!
The emperor’s sword—all seas obey!
Life and death—who dares disobey?
These countless bone skeletons instantly filled this corridor, even forming a massive semicircle, the outermost ones even higher than the entire Dharma King Hall!
All had hollow eye sockets yet different forms.
Some rode horses with raised spears, galloping forth; some wore crowns holding tokens, roaring and howling; others had execution plaques behind their necks, waving heavy shackles and chains, throwing them toward Jian Chou from afar!
Whether the oncoming dark wind or the approaching howls, everything seemed so real that one couldn’t distinguish between reality and illusion, between withered bones and sword intent!
The instant she detected Xie Buchen’s trace, Jian Chou unhesitatingly melded into the wind!
Hundreds and thousands of bone skeletons suddenly lost their target, their movements stalling momentarily, seeming confused. But the next moment, Xie Buchen’s Human Emperor Sword turned and rose mid-course!
Actually chasing a long wind soaring upward through the void, rushing skyward!
Thus the previously stalled bone skeletons immediately followed, surging high into the night sky!
The countless huge prayer wheels lining this corridor all began spinning from the wild wind they stirred departing, their rumbling sounds mixing with clear, chaotic bell tones carrying far.
At this moment, many nearby New Esoteric monks heard it.
And the Chan Buddhist and Old Esoteric monks standing far on the other side of the sacred lake, facing the sacred hall across the water, saw everything crystal clear!
Both sides were originally in fierce battle, even the Baoyin Dharma King and Dakini fighting desperately in mid-air. Initially, the small commotion of Jian Chou and Xie Buchen’s fight, mixed among countless battle sounds, drew no attention.
Moreover, hiding in the corridor beside the hall, they weren’t easily noticed.
But at this moment, the sound of all prayer wheels turning together—how unique and grand?
All cultivators noticing the anomaly looked toward the sound and saw beneath that cold moon hanging high at the horizon’s edge, a clear, cold figure suddenly appeared—snow-white skin, hair like a waterfall!
Wearing moon-white robes, completely different in style from the snowy domain.
Behind her, countless grim, terrifying bone skeletons surged like tide, wielding their respective weapons to attack her!
Xie Buchen’s Human Emperor Sword had left his hand, transforming into a dark light shadow under this moon, vaguely the center of all these phenomena, carrying supreme heavenly might, pointing directly at Jian Chou’s brow!
At this moment—
Beauty like jade, dark hair like waterfall; gentleman graceful, long sword like rainbow!
Even surrounded by countless bones and skeletons, even in the snowy domain’s chaotic battlefield, nothing diminished this scene, these two people’s peerless elegance!
Some New Esoteric cultivators recognized these two and were momentarily astounded; the various masters and Baoyin Dharma King still fighting noticed but couldn’t spare attention; Chanzong’s side immediately saw both wore different clothing from others, guessing they came from the Central Domain.
But according to their knowledge, still in the snowy domain at this time, besides those two heavenly prodigies from Kunwu and Yashan, there was no one else.
Chanzong’s side looked at each other uncertainly.
Liao Kong, standing beside old monk Huinian, had seen Jian Chou before and recognized her at once. Seeing those two figures under the cold moon above the sacred hall from afar, his heart skipped a beat.
Master Yichen had predicted correctly—these two really had started fighting!
Unfortunately, being too far away, he really couldn’t intervene.
However, the few New Esoteric monks closer to the sacred hall all exclaimed upon seeing: “Isn’t this the female demon they mentioned days ago?”
Such appearance, appearing and disappearing mysteriously, wearing moon-white robes—completely matched!
But Jian Chou couldn’t hear anymore.
At this moment, behind her were countless grim bone skeletons, each radiating fierce murderous intent, their hollow eye sockets even faintly showing madness!
As if they acted on orders, quelling rebellion for the emperor, clearing the court for the king!
Truly worthy of Xie Buchen!
Truly worthy of the Human Emperor Sword!
First the ten-thousand-li scroll, blood staining rivers and mountains; now beneath the imperial throne, all ages withered!
This was his Human Emperor Way!
Even heaven and earth he placed beneath his notice—what of people? What of her?
Such a way was too cold, too hard, too decisive, too heartless. The so-called word “immortal” was ultimately most lonely and most absolute!
Xie Buchen’s dao heart was too firm, nearly flawless.
But the more so, the more that cold yet boiling killing intent in Jian Chou’s heart blazed!
What of Xie Buchen?
What of Kunwu?
These high-sounding immortal ways were all just heretical evil paths!
At this moment, Jian Chou only wanted to look up to heaven and down to earth, asking Xie Buchen: Who! Permitted you to achieve immortality through this way?!
Was it this unfeeling, unknowing earth, or this eyeless, heartless heaven?
If earth supports your way, I’ll crush mountains and rivers with my palm!
If heaven recognizes your way, I’ll draw sword to slay heaven!
In her breast, noble spirit and killing intent surged together!
Jian Chou in mid-air suddenly turned without warning, gazing at the myriad white bones surging like a broken dam below, the Human Emperor Sword like dark shadow, and the master of it all—
Xie Buchen!
In her clear eyes, nothing else existed at this moment.
Snowy domain ice plains, magnificent sacred halls—all vanished. At this moment, in her eyes were only billions of stars reversing, and in that trance, the stone thrown into starry sky when leaving the eighteenth level of hell!
Stars shift and time changes—today, it has become one star suspended in this vast firmament, in the brilliant galaxy!
Who says a mortal’s palm cannot overturn heaven and earth?
Jian Chou’s left palm met the wind, raised high with trailing shadows.
But no palm shadow could compare with this palm itself—
Heaven-Flipping Seal!
This was the first time since leaving the eighteenth level of hell that she had unleashed it wholeheartedly without reservation!
Between heaven and earth, endless spiritual energy rushed forth at this moment!
Even the ten-thousand-year unmelting ice and snow on this snowy domain’s ice plains were shaken by this terrifying might, swirling like a storm, gathering above her head!
In just that brief breath’s time, a massive palm shadow covered in ice and snow appeared above the sacred hall!
It was so enormous that even the bright moonlight filling the sky was blocked.
When everyone looked from the side or below, they only felt this palm reflected the cold moon’s radiance, ice-carved and snow-etched, momentarily having an awe-inspiring quality.
Above this snowy domain, above this sacred hall, like a great Buddha descending to the world—Guanyin’s palm!
“Bang!”
One palm fell—heaven collapsed, earth split!
The palm wind alone was like destroying withered trees and rotten wood. Those countless surging skeletons all stopped, and as the palm wind pressed down, they directly turned to ash and smoke!
At this moment, beneath the heaven-flipping giant palm, only Xie Buchen and his sword remained!
“Rumble!”
The terrifying pressing sound spread throughout the sacred mountain peak!
Xie Buchen and the Human Emperor Sword’s shadow were almost instantly buried by this palm’s ice and snow. The Dharma King Hall, positioned directly beneath this palm, collapsed on impact, forcibly slammed into the ground by this palm, leaving a heart-trembling deep pit!
But Jian Chou’s voice was even more heart-trembling and chilling than this deep pit!
“Without my consent—who dares achieve immortality?!”