The silent confrontation at Purple Mansion Isle's immortal banquet was like a boulder cast into a tranquil lake, its aftershocks rippling through the immortal islands of the East Sea for a long time.
After Xuanji Zi was brushed by Daoist Zhunti's streak of clear light, he barely managed to steady himself. Yet his deathly pale face, trembling hands, and the lingering terror in his eyes—
were like the most glaring labels, silently proclaiming the horrifying truth hidden beneath that calm glance.
Inside the Hall of Immortals, the atmosphere had frozen solid. The immortal music stopped, the divine wine lost its flavor, and even the dancing celestial maidens stood rigidly in place, not daring to breathe.
Countless gazes—suspicious, horrified, wary—were fixed tightly upon Ming Xin, who sat with his eyes closed as though none of this had anything to do with him.
Upon the high platform, East King Duke's composed smile had long since stiffened, and the knuckles of the hand gripping his Dragon Head Crutch had turned slightly white.
He had intended to use Xuanji Zi's words to suppress The West's momentum and display his authority as the Head of Male Immortals, only to kick an iron plate unfathomably deep and laden with deadly killing intent!
The Dao Ancestor had personally judged him to possess Sage's Demeanor, and his Twelve-Petal Bloom did not merely signify talent and foundations—it also signified terrifying methods beyond all measure!
What exactly had that glance been? How could it directly shatter the mind of a peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal?!
Di Jun and Tai Yi exchanged a glance, light flickering within their Golden Crow Divine Eyes.
The Demon Emperor's pride made them disdain using others to probe him as East King Duke had, but the strange ability Ming Xin had displayed without a sound still caused a warning to rise sharply in their hearts!
If this child could not be used by the demon race, he would surely become a great future calamity!
The Three Pure Ones reacted differently. Laozi still had his eyes closed, as though his mind had wandered Outside the Heavens, though the end of his whisk trembled almost imperceptibly.
Primordial Lord of Heaven frowned deeply. A trace of gloom and an extremely faint hint of regret flashed through his eyes. With such foundations, temperament, and methods, Ming Xin should have joined his Chan Sect!
Lord of the Heavens, meanwhile, stared brightly, sword intent faintly emerging as though battle intent burned within him. Yet there was even more excitement at having encountered a worthy opponent.
Empress Nuwa's delicate brows furrowed slightly. Creation aura circulated around her as she looked at Ming Xin with deep scrutiny and a trace of concern difficult to detect.
Fu Xi rapidly calculated with his fingers upon his knee, but his expression grew increasingly grave. Hong Yun opened his mouth.
He seemed to want to say something, but Zhen Yuan Zi beside him grabbed him and shook his head.
"Cough, cough..." Daoist Zhunti gave a light cough. The compassionate smile on his face became gentle once more, breaking the dead silence as though what had happened earlier had merely been a minor interlude.
"Fellow Daoist Xuanji cannot hold his wine. Do not blame him, everyone. Let the immortal banquet continue; do not let a small incident spoil the mood."
With a light sweep of his whisk, invisible force passed through the hall. The frozen immortal music began to play again, and the congealed atmosphere seemed to have been forcibly pried open by a narrow crack.
But everyone knew that some things had changed completely.
The remainder of the immortal banquet appeared as lively as ever, with goblets raised and immortal music drifting through the air.
Yet in secret, the divine-sense exchanges of all the great powers became extraordinarily frequent and covert. Their discussions always centered on that Western Sect's Chief Disciple—Ming Xin!
"That glance had definitely surpassed ordinary soul attacks!
This daoist used a secret art to sense him just now. The Karmic Death Qi entwined deep within Xuanji Zi's primordial spirit was instantly stirred, as though he had been directly locked onto Death Karma!"
"Silent and traceless, striking directly at the origin! Such a divine ability has never been heard of! Could it be a secret teaching of the Dao Ancestor?"
Twelve-Petal Bloom.
His foundations are far too profound! He had only just entered Great Luo, yet his aura was already so heavy and restrained, unfathomable! If he were allowed to grow..."
"With this child, the Western Teachings are like a tiger with wings! Jieyin and Zhunti must be laughing themselves silly!"
East King Duke barely maintained his smile as he repeatedly raised his cup, though the smile looked stiff no matter how one viewed it.
His trusted subordinates were even more silent than cicadas in winter. None dared look toward the Western seats again, especially not in Ming Xin's direction.
The banquet approached its end amid an exceedingly subtle atmosphere. East King Duke forced himself to rise and delivered a grand, dignified conclusion. It was nothing more than talk of immortal Order and unity, but beneath the calm gazes of the three Western master and disciples, his confidence seemed especially pale and powerless.
"The grand gathering has ended. Many thanks to Fellow Daoist East King Duke for his hospitality."
Daoist Zhunti was the first to rise. He gave a slight salute toward the seat of honor, the compassionate smile still on his face. "The West is barren, and we still have important matters to attend to. We shall take our leave."
Daoist Jieyin rose as well. The sorrowful expression on his gaunt face remained unchanged as he gave East King Duke a slight nod.
Ming Xin followed his two masters to his feet, calmly sweeping his gaze across the hall. This time, no scrutinizing or provocative gaze dared meet his eyes!
Whenever their eyes touched his seemingly ordinary gaze, every great power involuntarily felt a chill rise in their hearts, as though they had been entangled by invisible threads of Cause and Effect.
"Take care, fellow Daoists." East King Duke forced out a smile and raised his hand in farewell.
Three streams of light—Desolate Golden Light, Wisdom Silver Radiance, and dense Dark Gold Gray-White Light—shot from the Hall of Immortals without the slightest hesitation.
They tore through the auspicious clouds above Penglai Immortal Island and sped toward The West, leaving behind an entire hall of Primordial World great powers, each harboring different thoughts and unable to calm themselves for a long time.
On the journey back to Mount Sumeru, Daoist Zhunti finally could not resist clapping his hands and laughing heartily.
His laughter scattered the clouds along their path. "Hahaha! Splendid! Absolutely splendid! My disciple Ming Xin, that glance of yours was truly exquisite!
Without lifting a finger, you made East King Duke lose all face and let the heroes of the Primordial World witness the might of my Western Sect's Chief Disciple! The Dao Ancestor's bestowal of 'Sage's Demeanor' upon you truly showed his discerning eye!"
A sincere smile also appeared on Daoist Jieyin's gaunt face, a rare sight indeed. His gaze toward Ming Xin was full of gratification and pride. "My disciple's temperament and methods have both reached maturity.
A divine ability such as Karma Life-Death Eyes is profound and unfathomable, pointing directly at the origin of the Great Dao. However, remember that it must not be abused, nor should you rely on it too heavily.
Within the Primordial World, there are countless extraordinary people and hidden experts. You must always retain a reverent heart."
"This disciple will heed Master's teachings." Ming Xin answered respectfully. He was also reflecting upon what had just happened. The first showing of the Karma Life-Death Eyes had exceeded all expectations.
Xuanji Zi was burdened by karmic sins, and his death line was thick and strong. He had been the perfect target.
With Ming Xin's current cultivation, if he activated this eye technique with all his strength and paired it with the power of the Great Nirvana Killing Buddha Scripture, it was enough to pose a fatal threat to ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortals!
However, this divine ability consumed enormous mental energy. Against those with deep Fortune, extremely tangled Cause and Effect, or special protective treasures, its effects would be greatly reduced.
Master was right. This was a trump card and could not be used lightly unless absolutely necessary.
After returning to the ancient Stone Hall of Mount Sumeru, Ming Xin entered seclusion again. Although he had not fought during this journey to the East Sea, his first use of the Karma Life-Death Eyes—
as well as his brief "encounter" with many of the Primordial World's top great powers, gave him a deeper understanding of his own Dao.
Especially when facing the vast, sun-and-moon-like imperial pressure of Di Jun and Tai Yi, the Killing Origin and Nirvana Buddha Light within his body had faintly stirred, yearning for a clash.
He sat cross-legged within his cave abode. Rather than immediately refining the deeper restrictions of the White Bone Life-Death Sword, he immersed his mind in the core meaning of the Great Nirvana Killing Buddha Scripture—"Kill life to protect life; slay karma, not people."
"Protect life... what life am I protecting? Slay karma... what karma am I slaying?"
"Across the Primordial World, countless races stood side by side. Cause and Effect intertwined like nets, while karmic power ran as deep as the sea.
The conflict between the Wu and Yao had already revealed its signs. Killing Intent filled the air, and tribulation clouds surged in secret... Beneath such a Tribulation, all living beings were like ants. How could one speak of protection?"
"If I wish to protect life, I must first break the Tribulation! If I wish to slay karma, I must first distinguish right from wrong, Cause and Effect!"
"My Slaughter is not for massacre, but for purification! My Nirvana is not for Terminus, but for cleansing!
To wield killing methods and carry out the truth of protection and Transcendence—this is the true essence of my Dao!"
Within Ming Xin's sea of consciousness, the scripture wreathed in dark gold Nirvana Flame shone brilliantly!
Killing Law runes and gray-white Nirvana Dao Rhyme circulated and fused at an unprecedented speed!
The White Bone Life-Death Sword floated before him, its blood-red patterns glowing faintly upon its pale blade. The principles of "life and death" and the true meaning of "white bone Slaughter" contained within it—
also began to merge of their own accord into his comprehension of the Great Nirvana Killing Buddha Scripture!
White bones represented the ultimate death, yet amid the Life and Destruction Cycle, they also contained a Thread of Life. This faintly echoed his core philosophy of "protection within killing" and "seeking Transcendence through Nirvana"!
[ Ding! The host has deeply aligned with the core of the cultivation technique, triggering an origin resonance! The profundity of the Great Nirvana Killing Buddha Scripture has deepened! Comprehension of the Great Dao of Killing has increased to 42%! Comprehension of the Great Dao of Annihilation (Buddha-Demon Fusion) has deepened! The fusion of the White Bone Dao, Great Dao of Life and Death, and the cultivation technique's core has increased! ] [ Refinement of the White Bone Life-Death Sword's restrictions accelerating... The ninth restriction is being refined... ]
Time passed amid his deep enlightenment. Ming Xin's aura grew increasingly perfect and restrained, while the dark gold Killing Buddha Wheel at his brow slowly revolved.
Upon the Nirvana Killing Sword held by the phantom Killing Buddha Dharma Image at its center, there was now faintly an endlessly circulating White Bone Life-Death Dao Rhyme!
He seemed to have become an unparalleled vicious sword hidden within its sheath, all sharpness concealed, yet containing the terrifying potential to sever the Cause and Effect of heaven and earth and destroy the Tribulation!
On this day, as Ming Xin was comprehending the mysterious meaning of the Life and Destruction Cycle, a terrifying aura arose from deep within his bloodline—vast, sorrowful, and filled with unyielding battle intent.
Like an invisible storm, it instantly swept across the entire heaven and earth of the Primordial World!
This aura was not directed at any particular person. It spread through every inch of space, making all living things feel stifled and causing heaven and earth to change color!
"Roar—!!!"
"Cry—!!!"
Immediately afterward, earth-shaking roars and avian cries tore through the sky!
In the direction of Buzhou Mountain, boundless turbid Killing Intent surged into the heavens, condensing into twelve towering
giant god phantoms of differing forms! They were the true forms manifested by the Twelve Ancestral Witches!
At the same time, high above the nine heavens, True Sun Fire scorched the heavens and boiled the seas. Two incomparably enormous phantoms of three-legged Golden Crows appeared proudly, radiating imperial majesty and an aura capable of incinerating all things! Demon Emperor Di Jun! Eastern Emperor Tai Yi!
The conflict between the Wu and Yao races, accumulated over hundreds of millions of years, finally erupted at this moment like a volcano suppressed to its limits! Their first full-scale war had begun!
The Primordial World's earth trembled violently! The sky was ripped in two. One half roiled with turbid Killing Intent and the roars of the Ancestral Witches, while the other blazed with True Sun Fire and billowing demon clouds!
Terrifying battle aftershocks instantly swept across hundreds of millions of miles! Mountains collapsed, rivers ran dry, and countless living beings wailed before perishing amid this sudden upheaval of heaven and earth! Calamitous Killing Intent spread madly like floodwaters bursting through a broken dam!
"The Witch-Demon War... has begun!" Ming Xin abruptly opened his eyes. Nirvana Buddha Flame burned fiercely in his left eye, while the Demon Abyss vortex in his right eye spun wildly. Icy, murderous intent instantly filled the entire cave abode!
He sensed the endless bloodshed and karmic power filling heaven and earth! He sensed the immense Cause and Effect spreading and entwining like a spiderweb, ultimately leading toward Destruction!
These were precisely the karmic sins his Great Nirvana Killing Buddha Scripture was meant to sever! This was precisely the calamity his "kill life to protect life" was meant to confront!
He rose to his full height and stepped out of the cave abode. Upon Mount Sumeru's summit, his two masters, Jieyin and Zhunti, were already standing there, gazing solemnly toward the world-destroying battlefield in the east.
"The Tribulation has begun. Killing Intent reaches the heavens, and all living beings are sinking into misery..." Daoist Jieyin spoke in a low voice, full of compassion and helplessness.
"This is the operation of the Heavenly Dao, and also the fixed course of the Primordial World. Yet within Calamity Qi, there is also a Thread of Life for The West."
Wisdom light flickered in Daoist Zhunti's eyes. He looked toward Ming Xin as he flew over, his tone more solemn than ever before. "My disciple Ming Xin, your Dao is perfectly suited to this Tribulation!
However, the Tribulation is perilous and killing intent lies everywhere. Even with Sage's Demeanor, you must proceed with caution at every step!"
Ming Xin bowed deeply to his two masters. His voice was resolute, carrying icy determination and faith in protection:
"Master, Martial Uncle, rest assured! This disciple, Ming Xin, shall enter this Tribulation! With the sword in my hand, I shall slay karma and protect life!
With my Dao of the Nirvana Killing Buddha, amid the sea of blood of this Tribulation, I shall carve out a Thread of Life for The West's future!"
As his words fell, he no longer hesitated. His figure transformed into a fierce sword beam woven from dark gold and gray-white light, carrying supreme sharpness capable of severing Cause and Effect and destroying calamitous Killing Intent.
He tore through the barren skies of The West and threw himself without hesitation toward the east—the core battlefield where the Witch-Demon War was most brutal and karmic power and Cause and Effect were most deeply tangled!
Kill life to protect life; slay karma, not people!
The Nirvana Killing Buddha entered the Tribulation!
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