INE Chapter 115: The Way of Heaven

Mei Lixue fell silent.

The title of Sword Saint was known to all in the cultivation world.

However, the Sword Saint had perished a century ago, so how could Ji Rong possibly be the reincarnation of the Sword Saint?

Seeing that Mei Lixue remained silent, Kongji spoke softly, "The sword technique used by Daoist Ji earlier was similar to the one the Sword Saint used a hundred years ago during the Hero Conference. Though time has passed, I cannot be mistaken."

Mei Lixue exchanged a glance with Kongji, her expression shifting for a brief moment.

If Ji Rong truly was the Sword Saint reincarnated, then her mission to eliminate the evil demon would become much more difficult.

Then, she thought of another question: if Ji Rong was the Sword Saint, who was Gu Baiyi?

It was well-known that the Sword Saint had four disciples.

The third disciple, Chu Changli, was notorious for his evil deeds, and was the very demon seed that the Way of Heaven sought to eradicate, rejected by the world.

Earlier, Kongji mentioned that Gu Baiyi had a connection with Chu Changli, and Gu Baiyi had also played the Jinse.

Could it be that Gu Baiyi was actually Chu Changli?

With this thought, Mei Lixue looked at the Chixiao Sword in Gu Baiyi's hand.

The demonic sword was gripped tightly, and not only did it not repel her, but it seemed oddly docile.

Mei Lixue thought to herself, whether Ji Rong was the Sword Saint or not, the master of the demonic sword would certainly be an enemy of the Way of Heaven.

She then said to Kongji, "Master, have you considered that if Gu Baiyi is truly the reincarnation of the former Demon Lord, what should we do about this world?"

Kongji looked at Mei Lixue, silent for a long moment.

Mei Lixue gestured towards the two people huddled together and calmly asked, "If these two join forces, is there anyone in this world capable of containing the demon seed?"

Kongji pondered for a moment before speaking, "Sect Leader Feng is at the top of the rankings."

His meaning was clear: no matter how powerful Gu Baiyi might be, she was still only at the Stepping on the Moon realm. With Feng He around, there shouldn't be any immediate danger.

"Feng He, no matter how strong he is, is ultimately just one person."

Mei Lixue shook her head indifferently, "But the Sword Saint had four disciples, and the other three were all powerful figures in the rankings. Now, with the Demon Sect in power under Bai Yushuang, if the Wanjian Sect and the Demon Sect were to reconcile and form an alliance, would there be any other sects left in the world to stand against them?"

Kongji was rendered speechless, for Mei Lixue's words were indeed the truth. If these two forces united, it would be difficult to find anyone who could contend with them.

Mei Lixue continued, "Furthermore, as far as I know, Chu Changli has extraordinary talent. At a young age, he reached the peak of the Absolute Intent realm. If Gu Baiyi can control the Chixiao Sword, even if she's not the reincarnation of Chu Changli, she could very well become the next Chu Changli."

"Master, the situation is not yet decided, and we still have a chance." she said, looking at Kongji with unwavering determination. "Our success or failure hinges on this one move."

Kongji's brows had never been furrowed so tightly before.

The Samsara Beads were not wrapped around his wrist, but Mei Lixue had placed the burden of saving the world upon his shoulders.

Even the pure land of the Buddha could not escape the muddied waters of the mortal world.

After a long time, Kongji looked at Mei Lixue and slowly said, "Saintess, if I were to strike against the Sword Saint now, it wouldn't just be me. All the disciples of the Bodhi Sect would bear eternal disgrace."

Mei Lixue said calmly, "You protect the weak and save the people, eliminating demons for the world. How could that be disgraceful? Moreover, the true enemies of the righteous path are always the evil demons, not the Sword Saint. All you need to do is eliminate the demon seed of Heaven."

"By killing just one person, you can save millions and bring peace to the world. Why not take this course of action?"

After hearing this, Kongji closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his gaze was filled with pity, and he pressed his hands together, saying, "Amitabha."

The ancient music has twelve tones, and thus the Brahma Music Formation has twelve layers.

Earlier, Ji Rong had destroyed the Samsara Beads. However, the incantation of the array still remained, and it needed to be broken before the array could be dispelled.

Now, Mei Lixue was exhausted of spiritual energy, so the task of breaking the array fell to Gu Baiyi.

But this Brahma Music Formation was not a challenge for Gu Baiyi, who wielded the Chixiao Sword.

With one hand on the sword and the other holding Ji Rong, she struck swiftly. In an instant, the silver light of the sword flew like snowflakes, and she broke the last layer of the array.

However, when she severed the last remaining array flag and looked up, she did not see the light of the sky but rather a golden Zen staff.

At the top of the staff was an engraved pagoda, with three boundless Buddhas, and six copper rings hung from the edges.

It was the treasure of the Bodhi Sect, the Zen staff Guiyi.

Kongji had long since distanced himself from worldly affairs, spending most of his time reciting scriptures and worshipping the Buddha, rarely engaging in combat with others.

Even when Jiang Fei fought him years ago, it was only a clash of palms, never involving weapons.

But at this moment, he had used the Zen staff Guiyi.

When Guiyi appeared, the light of the Buddha enveloped the Chixiao Sword, and the demonic flames on the blade were instantly weakened.

Since Gu Baiyi had already exhausted much of her inner energy when breaking the array, and Kongji was a master at the Chasing Clouds realm, under the influence of the Guiyi, she found herself at a disadvantage.

Seeing this, Ji Rong yanked the little fox, which had been tightly clinging to Gu Baiyi's leg, off, ensuring it would not hinder the fight.

As the two fought, she also went through a process of self-exile.

At this moment, Ji Rong was sitting on the barrier formed by the little fox's demonic power, meditating to restore her spiritual energy.

The look in Wu Yan's eyes was full of deep sorrow, momentarily disturbing her thoughts.

Ji Rong glanced at Wu Yan and impatiently said, "Your leg is cold, and you won't survive either."

At these words, Wu Yan turned her gaze away, obediently holding up the barrier with her paws.

However, she thought to herself, If you two are finished, this fox still has plenty of ways to survive.

With her legs and arms freed, Gu Baiyi became much more composed.

The technique she practiced, Wuying Fengyue, had already reached perfection. Every time Kongji swung his staff, she left behind a shadow, skillfully dodging the strike.

In truth, it wasn't that Gu Baiyi was too fast, but that Kongji was not aiming properly.

Kongji hesitated.

On one hand, he was close to Mei He. If Ji Rong truly was the reincarnation of the Sword Saint, she would be betraying Mei He and the Sword Saint herself.

On the other hand, if what the Saintess of the Divine Sect said was true, and Gu Baiyi would one day follow in Chu Changli's footsteps, then if he did not eliminate her now, would he not be failing the people?

Caught between these two conflicting factors, Kongji found himself distracted.

He cultivated in the way of Zen, and was ranked ninth in the Cultivation Ranking, relying on his pure Zen heart.

Now that her mind was in turmoil, her moves became erratic, and she could no longer concentrate her energy to fight.

Mei Lixue stood to the side, watching the battle with a furrowed brow.

In the past, all she had to do was issue orders, and countless followers would rush forward to serve the Heavenly Dao.

But now, Feng He was unreliable, and Kongji was no loyal servant of the Heavenly Dao.

She could no longer stand aloof, indifferent to it all.

It seemed that to defend the Heavenly Dao, she would have to take matters into her own hands.

With that thought in mind, Mei Lixue took action.

As the Saintess of the Divine Sect, the Heavenly Dao’s emissary, she didn’t even need to draw her weapon at this moment.

To carry out the Heavenly Dao’s will, she relied on the Heavenly Dao itself, drawing upon its power.

Mei Lixue raised her hand coldly and said, “Thunder, come.”

As her words were spoken, the law followed, only a powerful expert at the Immortal Realm could perform such a feat.

Although Mei Lixue’s cultivation was only at the Mid-Moon Realm, through the Heavenly Dao’s power, she could summon the wind and rain, displaying strength far beyond her own cultivation level.

The sky cracked open, a rift forming as clouds gathered above.

Thunder rumbled, dark clouds pressed down upon the city, brewing a fierce murderous intent.

The green phoenix that had been circling in the sky dispersed, leaving only a vast expanse of heavy cloud cover.

The people of the city stood dumbfounded, staring up at the chaotic sky.

“This... could it be that some mighty being is crossing tribulation, about to ascend to immortality?”

But ascension was impossible.

Ji Rong had already recovered some of her spiritual power. As she watched the bolts of lightning descend from the sky, she cursed Mei Lixue for such unorthodox behavior. How could she be from the same family as Mei He?

Then, Ji Rong thought, since her opponent was already breaking the rules, why should she follow them?

A rogue should be dealt with by another rogue.

So, Ji Rong raised her sword and struck at the sky with a sword move.

The sword intent shot straight up into the clouds, tearing through the thick clouds.

It was as if a spark had flared upon the prairie.

In an instant, brilliant light filled the sky, spreading like wildfire, turning the dark clouds into golden rays.

The passersby below were forced to close their eyes, tears dripping from the corners of their eyes.

How could mere mortals look directly at the sun?

Someone covered their eyes and cursed aloud, “What’s with these cultivators fighting each other? Why must they stir up the heavens like this?”

A cultivator holding a sword squinted, seeing something deeper in the light. “Brother, that light earlier... seemed like a sword move.”

“A sword move? How could it have such power?”

“If I’m not mistaken, that sword move is... the most basic of sword forms.”

Divine Sect wasn’t far from Xuanji City.

Jiang Fei stood under a parasol tree, watching Feng He and Mei He spar while also gazing at the dazzling rays in the sky.

“That’s ‘Subdued Light, Flowing Dust’." she murmured to herself.

Jiang Fei was curious. Who could possibly use the basic sword form Silent Mountains and Rivers to such perfection?

Then, she smiled slightly. If she ever met this person, she would be sure to give them half of her candied plums.

After all, the sword intent was pure and powerful, leaving her feeling invigorated.

The sword move Ji Rong casually executed instantly broke Mei Lixue’s decree.

A trace of surprise appeared on Mei Lixue’s face.

She had borrowed the power of the Heavenly Dao for that attack, so how could Ji Rong be stronger than the Heavenly Dao?

A storm of emotions surged in her heart, a mix of anger and fear.

She was angry that someone dared to disrespect the Heavenly Dao. She was terrified that someone who disrespected the Heavenly Dao could even break its power.

Fury and fear crossed Mei Lixue’s face, her expression twisting.

Gritting her teeth, she drew her sword and, aiming at Ji Rong across the way, struck with all her might.

Ji Rong raised an eyebrow when she saw this.

Although her spiritual power was nearly depleted, blocking Mei Lixue’s furious strike was still more than manageable.

She prepared to raise her sword to parry, but just then, a red figure suddenly flew in and stood before her.

The figure had flowing black hair, and the sword she held was etched with the pattern of a sacred lotus.

Gong Yu stood in front of Ji Rong, striking down a sword move to intercept Mei Lixue’s blow.

Countless lotus petals softly fell, and Mei Lixue’s face grew even paler.

“Elder Gong, are you also going to betray the Heavenly Dao?”

Gong Yu didn’t respond to Mei Lixue. She turned around and fixed her gaze on Ji Rong.

After staring for a long while, her lips trembled, and she finally asked in a voice full of hesitation, “Changqin, was that peach blossom rain you summoned just now?”

Ji Rong met Gong Yu’s gaze, and for a moment, a mix of emotions swirled in her heart. There were many things she wanted to say, but when the words reached her mouth, she didn’t know what to say.

In the end, she could only nod and answer, “It was me.”

She sighed. It seemed that the disguise she had been wearing was finally coming off.

Though Gong Yu had expected this, her face still turned deathly pale.

After a long pause, she regained her composure, pointed at Gu Baiyi on the other side, and softly asked, “Then...”

“Master, who is she?”