Xinru stepped onto the stage on a golden lotus, displaying her extraordinary supernatural Divine Ability, which drew countless cheers and praises, creating a magnificent spectacle.
Zhou Wuji also thought this move was very beautiful and elegant, fully Xinru the wonder of the Xinru cultivation method, and far surpassing Xinkong.
It is important to understand that Xinkong is refined, there is a problem: though one is physically strong, one lacks agility and is clumsy in adapting to changing circumstances.
That's why he was bewildered by the Five Spirit Pouch' transformations, lost his composure, and was easily defeated.
"Fellow Daoist's teachings are profound and insightful, truly refreshing. This humble monk is deeply impressed."
Xinru put his palms together and bowed, his handsome face full of sincerity, and his words were full of admiration for Zhou Wuji.
The monk's humble and polite demeanor was seen as pretentious by Zhou Wuji, because he enjoyed such affectation and was very familiar with it.
Zhou Wuji smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Master, you flatter me. It is truly the responsibility of us cultivators to spread the Dharma to all beings and relieve their suffering."
"The methods of Daoism are indeed profound, but their obsession with seeking immortality and ascension ultimately stems from selfishness, inevitably leading Lower Vehicle."
Xinru sighed softly, seemingly feeling regretful that the Daoist sect's structure was inadequate.
"You bald monk—you really are a wicked person—"
Zhou Wuji cursed inwardly. Xinru came up and even tried to be sarcastic and belittle the Daoist sect. This bald monk was really wicked.
He didn't actually want to argue with Xinru about these things. Monks study sophistry every day, and their rhetoric has become a system. Daoists each have their own way of speaking, and they all mainly talk about ascending to immortality, which puts them at a great disadvantage.
With tens of thousands of people watching, if these people go back and embellish their stories, it will become Xinru's two sentences about Sword Lord Xiaoxiang.
Dharma Master Hongde was speechless.
Zhou Wuji said solemnly, "Monk, you are mistaken. Daoism and Buddhism are both paths of cultivation, only the specific paths are different."
"The so-called Perfected Person has no self, the divine man has no merit, and the sage has no name."
"Our Daoist practitioners pursue the purest and truest Tao, following the natural Heavenly Dao without self or selfishness, without distinguishing between external things, self, and sentient beings; this is called selflessness."
"We suppress the Evil Qi of heaven and earth and protect humanity, but we do not pursue personal gain; this is called 'no merit'."
"We slay demons and monsters, and save all living beings, yet we do not boast of pursuing fame; this is what we call being nameless."
Xinru's handsome face remained calm, but his heart was in turmoil.
He often discussed Daoist doctrines with practitioners from various sects. He had heard a lot about the Daoist way of doing things and could often leave his opponents speechless with just a few words.
Zhou Wuji's rhetoric was extremely grand and contained profound principles, closely related to Daoism, but in practice, it differed in many ways.
Its mysterious nature makes it difficult to grasp, which is similar to the principles of Buddhism.
The key issue was that he had never heard of these things before, and for a moment he couldn't think of a proper way to deal with them.
The monks from Dragon Elephant Temple below the stage all had complicated expressions, and even Puren, the Vajra Hall, had a strange look on his face.
He was not good at debating scriptures, and seeing Zhou Wuji and incessant speech, he couldn't think of a way to debate scriptures.
Puren wanted to offer Xinru few words of advice, but he didn't know what to say.
The other monks were far inferior. Xinru was renowned for his skill in debating and expounding Buddhist scriptures, and was known for his eloquent speech. Xinru had nothing to say, the others were even more at a loss.
Upon seeing this, the cultivators of all the sects of Daoism were all extremely excited.
Buddhist monks, relying on their eloquence, always seize every opportunity to debate and expound on Buddhist scriptures, and they have suffered countless losses as a result.
So during the Dharma assembly, instead of debating, everyone immediately got to work, letting their skills speak for themselves.
Many Daoist practitioners also understand that resorting to violence is ultimately a poor strategy, and it's impossible to fight every time they meet.
Preaching and expounding the Dharma still relies heavily on eloquence.
That's how people are; they only revere the Law Power when they are harmed by demons.
Ordinary people just judge who can say things more nicely!
Zhou Wuji's use of a giant water mirror to preach and teach opened up a completely new method.
Several Daoist True Person were extremely positive about this, believing that the method of preaching and expounding the Tao through the Water Mirror would greatly enhance the status of Daoism and even suppress Buddhism.
Buddhism certainly has its own Water Mirror Technique, but Buddhism follows a path that combines magic and Water Mirror Technique arts, requiring at least Fourth Rank or higher to perform it.
The Daoist sect is different. At the Fifth Rank, one can use the Water Mirror Technique. To simplify, at the Sixth Rank or Seventh Rank, one can activate jade to release the Water Mirror.
The immense power of the giant water mirror far surpasses that of a single person's voice, making it a significant advantage.
On this point alone, the True Person felt it was worthy of a great achievement.
To everyone's surprise, Zhou Wuji was also incredibly eloquent, leaving Xinru the famously eloquent Xinru speechless.
True Person Zhihua was even more pleased. As expected of the talent she had chosen, he really made her proud!
Xinru, who was on the high platform, quickly reacted and said, "Fellow Daoist, your insights are profound; I have learned a great deal."
He said this while bowing with his hands clasped together, displaying humility and sincerity.
Zhou Wuji knew that Xinru must have already prepared her explanation, and that she would then try to reason with him.
"Monks are also reasonable people; it's enough that they understand the principles of our Daoist school."
Zhou Wuji said with a flick of his sleeve, "No need for further words, please."
A seemingly casual flick of the sleeve contains a powerful and profound True Qi, moving silently and without form.
Xinru felt the surging True Qi sweeping over him like a raging tide, and he had to exert all his strength to resist it, but he couldn't utter a single word of the words he had prepared.
"That Daoist priest is really wicked!"
He kept his Xinru to himself, feeling extremely uncomfortable, but he could only muster his strength and unleash the Dragon Elephant Prajna Art, sweeping his staff towards Zhou Wuji.
His Heart Lamp that subtly formed a halo, and the visualized Dragon Elephant was as solid as crystal, with the Root Chakra and Qi Chakra...
True Wheel three wheels moved simultaneously.
A simple sweeping motion of the staff possessed immense power, directly shattering Zhou Wuji's powerful True Qi.
It was like a stick cleaving through an invisible brocade, producing a distinct tearing sound.
Under the bright lights, people could even see the long streaks the staff left in the air.
The devotees of Dragon Elephant Temple cheered even louder upon seeing this.
Puren frowned, knowing that Zhou Wuji was cunning and had taken the initiative to suppress Xinru, leaving Xinru unable to refute.
On the surface, he seemed Xinru and invincible, but in reality, he had fallen into Zhou Wuji's trap and was at a great disadvantage.
"This young Daoist priest is cunning, Swordsmanship, and a skilled swordsman; he's truly a formidable opponent—"
Puren had great faith in Xinru, believing that Xinru would surely win first place at the Dharma assembly!
He was genuinely worried now; Zhou Wuji was truly difficult to deal with.
Xinru he started fighting, he suppressed all distracting thoughts and focused all his attention on wielding the Vajra Demon-Subduing Staff.
This is a very common staff technique in Buddhism, and even outer disciples are qualified to learn it.
The Vajra Demon-Subduing Staff is also very simple, consisting of only thirty-six moves.
The true essence lies in the power generation method of the Vajra Demon-Subduing Staff, the method of True Qi.
Xinru has immersed herself in this staff technique for over ten years, mastering this simple introductory staff technique to a level of unparalleled skill.
When wielding the long staff, one can easily execute various techniques such as pointing, sweeping, chopping, and smashing, displaying a myriad of variations from simple moves.
Zhou Wuji also realized Xinru Xinru's staff technique was superb, so he dared not risk using the Five Spirit Pouch again, nor would he easily use his sword to catch the wooden staff.
Xinkong's staff techniques are simple to change, but he can use a wooden sword to overcome simplicity with complexity.
Xinru's long staff, however, combines qi and strength seamlessly, leaving little room for trickery.
The Dragon Elephant Prajna Art is indeed powerful. Although its True Qi level is far inferior to his, it relies on the unity of qi and strength, and every move has the power of ten thousand jun.
Tens of thousands of spectators below the platform, along with numerous experts from various factions, watched with wide eyes. Zhou Wuji couldn't possibly reveal all his secret techniques.
He didn't even use Thunder Method; he simply relied on the Flowing Cloud Sword to calmly deal with the situation.
The Flowing Cloud Sword moves as gracefully as a cloud and as lightly as the wind, its movements elegant when executed.
Even though his Xinru a long staff, advancing like wind and thunder, Zhou Wuji wielded his sword and moved freely, yet he possessed a refined and untainted elegance.
Although Xinru wielded a powerful long staff, her movements were fluid and controlled, and her flowing white robes added a unique charm.
The two masters engaged in a lively battle on stage, each displaying their unique style, captivating tens of thousands of spectators below the stage.
In everyone's eyes, this was a true duel between masters.
Zhang Dingyang sensed something was wrong. He was only Fifth Rank martial artist, and his insight and knowledge were still far inferior.
He could only turn to Huo Dongling for help. "Brother Huo, are the two of them putting on an act?"
Huo Dongling shook his head. "It's not that bad. It's just that both sides are very restrained, and neither of them is eager to win, so it seems very peaceful."
"However, the two will eventually have to settle their differences. Once they've tested each other enough, the tide of battle will quickly turn—"
Before the words were finished, Xinru a low voice. "All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows."
This Buddhist verse comes from the Diamond Sutra, and even those who don't believe in Buddhism have heard of it; it can be said that it is known to almost everyone.
With Xinru Prajna as the wisdom of enlightenment, one can grasp some of the True Intention of this Buddhist verse.
At this moment, as he recited Buddhist verses and mantras, he entered the wondrous state of Prajna, and the Heart Lamp completely transformed into a perfect halo of light, with the Dragon Elephant Dharma images also entering the halo and flowing uncertainly.
The powerful and unparalleled long staff suddenly transformed, turning into streaks of golden staff shadows, like a giant golden lotus flower suddenly blooming.
The golden lotus, seemingly both real and ethereal, enveloped the entire platform and Zhou Wuji.
This miraculous transformation once again elicited gasps of astonishment from tens of thousands of people in the audience.
The Daoist True Person also became serious. They could all see clearly that Xinru had transformed the fierce Dragon Elephant power into something ethereal and wondrous, demonstrating her ultimate control over the cultivation method.
The seemingly delicate and ethereal golden lotus contains a true power ten times stronger than that of a fierce Dragon Elephant.
This move is incredibly complex and profound; if Zhou Wuji doesn't find a way to counter it, he'll be defeated!
When the golden lotus reached its full bloom, Zhou Wuji steadied himself, and the wooden sword in his hand transformed into a circle.
The wooden sword, imbued with Sword Qi, emitted a bright and clear light, instantly resembling the moon falling from the sky.
A golden lotus flower landed on the bright moon, but the clear moon, deep and ethereal, swallowed the golden lotus flower completely.
Xinru knew something was wrong, so he immediately shouted and unleashed a thunderous roar. The long staff in his hand even transformed into a roaring Form Heaven, tearing apart the perfect moonlight sword light with its dragon's roar.
Just as the Form Heaven was about to strike Zhou Wuji, a faint, perfect spiritual light rose and spun, shredding the surging Form Heaven into pieces.
The broken wooden stick shot out in all directions, section by section. Xinru's long stick broke, but she refused to admit defeat. She formed Dragon Elephant Seal with both hands and struck Zhou Wuji directly.
Zhou Wuji spun the wooden sword in his hand again, and two bright lights, one real and one illusory, rose like the moon. The full moonlight then dissipated and transformed into a sharp crescent moon, which landed on Xinru's chest.
Xinru struck by the sword, his body shone with golden light, causing the wooden sword that struck him to fly high into the air. He was forced to retreat several steps, and unable to catch his breath, he spat out a mouthful of hot blood.
Zhou Wuji, holding the wooden sword, did not pursue, but simply watched Xinru quietly.
He just snapped Xinru's wooden stick, so the outcome was already decided. Xinru was unwilling to accept it, and now his defeat is rather embarrassing.
Although the audience couldn't understand the battle, they all saw Xinru spitting blood, her white clothes stained with blood, clearly...
We lost.
"I lost." Xinru moment, then clasped his hands together. He said with some shame, "Thank you for your mercy, fellow Daoist. I was too stubborn."
Zhou Wuji smiled nonchalantly, his posture elegant and unrestrained as he lightly stroked the wooden sword in his hand.
Watching from below the stage, Leng Wuyou eyes widened. She muttered softly, "Here it comes! This monk is doomed; he's going to be written into a poem!"
Yue Wuying looked at Leng Wuyou with some surprise, but Leng Wuyou did not explain. She just looked at Zhou Wuji with great anticipation.
As expected, Zhou Wuji assumed his posture and recited aloud. "The Dharma Dragon Elephant, how can anger and ignorance see Prajna? I come to preach the Way without saying anything more, my heart is the bright moon illuminating mountains and rivers----"
The audience remained silent, mainly because Zhou Wuji's clear voice carried far and wide, and the poems he recited were extraordinary. Whether they understood them or not, they were all intimidated by his imposing presence.
The people of Dragon Elephant Temple looked even more disgusted. Zhou Wuji won, but he also pointed at the monks and cursed them for being bald; he was utterly despicable!
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