Ch. 61Mountain Pass Blockade, Buddha Sword Questions the Heart
Chapter Summary: Mountain Pass Blockade, Buddha Sword Questions the Heart
Key Plot Points and Events
- As the climbers ascend Sword Soul Mountain, powerful figures hidden higher up discuss Xuanyuan Che’s suspected Chaos Body. They covet his origin, believing it could cure their ailments and help them reach the Great Dao, though they fear the protection of Liu Ruyan and Jun Moxie and the karma surrounding him.
- The mountain’s pressure and tangible sword intent intensify with altitude. Liu Ruyan’s protective sound domain remains stable, while Su Wanxing uses the Star Moon Divine Sect’s techniques to help the group endure the climb.
- They reach a stone platform guarded by Shi Ran, the Buddha Sword of Vajra Temple. Shi Ran has established a “Heart-Questioning Sword Trial,” blocking the main route and claiming that he is protecting climbers from the mountain’s dangerous sword intent.
- In reality, the other cultivators suspect Shi Ran is using Buddhist righteousness as an excuse to eliminate competitors and monopolize the opportunities higher on the mountain.
- When a powerful beast-robed cultivator challenges him, Shi Ran subdues him effortlessly with Buddhist sword intent, erasing his fighting spirit without killing him.
- When Liu Ruyan’s group arrives, Shi Ran deliberately targets Xuanyuan Che, claiming that his killing intent must be purified. He secretly launches a Divine Soul attack designed to expose flaws in Xuanyuan Che’s Dao Heart.
- Xuanyuan Che’s flawless Chaos Dao Heart completely neutralizes the attack. He then verbally challenges Shi Ran’s hypocrisy, pointing out that Shi Ran’s checkpoint contradicts Buddhist principles of equality and compassion.
- Xuanyuan Che declares that true goodness matters more than outward Buddhist doctrine and accuses Shi Ran of allowing self-interest and obsession to corrupt his Buddha Sword.
- His words strike at the core of Shi Ran’s cultivation. Shi Ran vomits golden blood, his Buddhist light weakens, and cracks appear in his Buddhist heart.
- Xuanyuan Che then touches the stone stele, causing Shi Ran’s barrier to collapse like an illusion. He, Liu Ruyan, and Su Wanxing proceed upward while the surrounding cultivators erupt in shock.
Character Developments
- Xuanyuan Che demonstrates that his strength lies not only in physical or spiritual power but also in his extraordinary insight into Dao principles. His Chaos Dao Heart proves immune to Shi Ran’s mental attack, and his understanding of genuine morality overwhelms the Buddha Sword’s false compassion.
- Shi Ran is exposed as less spiritually pure than he appears. Though outwardly compassionate, he has mixed his Buddhist swordsmanship with ambition and self-interest. His defeat creates a serious crisis in his faith and cultivation.
- Liu Ruyan continues to protect Xuanyuan Che and shows deep familiarity with Shi Ran’s methods. She is prepared to fight when he attacks Xuanyuan Che but allows Xuanyuan Che to respond himself. She openly celebrates his victory.
- Su Wanxing supports the group during the ascent but remains largely observant during the confrontation.
- The hidden experts on the mountain reveal that Xuanyuan Che has already attracted the attention of powerful enemies because of his Chaos Body.
Significant Themes
- True virtue versus religious hypocrisy: The chapter contrasts genuine compassion with the use of moral language to disguise ambition and control.
- The nature of the Dao Heart: A truly firm and sincere Dao Heart cannot be shaken by superficial techniques or manipulative questioning.
- Appearance versus reality: Shi Ran appears benevolent, but his actions reveal selfish motives; Xuanyuan Che’s seemingly calm challenge exposes the truth beneath his Buddhist persona.
- Strength through insight: Xuanyuan Che defeats Shi Ran not through brute force but by identifying and articulating the contradiction at the heart of his cultivation.
- Jealousy and predation: Xuanyuan Che’s unusual constitution makes him a target for powerful cultivators who view him as a resource rather than a person.
Character Interactions
- Hidden powerhouses discuss whether Xuanyuan Che is the Chaos Body and contemplate seizing his origin.
- Shi Ran confronts various climbers by using Buddhist sword intent to test or suppress them.
- Liu Ruyan and Shi Ran exchange familiar but tense remarks, revealing a prior acquaintance and mutual understanding of each other’s abilities.
- Shi Ran attempts to spiritually dominate Xuanyuan Che, but Xuanyuan Che reverses the confrontation by questioning Shi Ran’s motives and Buddhist principles.
- Liu Ruyan enthusiastically supports Xuanyuan Che, mocking Shi Ran after his defeat.
- The chapter ends with the trio advancing toward the summit as the mountain’s sword cry grows stronger, signaling more intense trials ahead.