Form Transformation Successful, Becoming a Disciple of the Two Sages of the West

RUMBLE—!

High above the corrupted earth veins of the west, the grayish calamity clouds spanning ten thousand li gaped like the maw of an ancient demon god, brewing the deathly stillness and annihilation of all things!

Bolts of Nirvana Demonic Tribulation lightning, each as thick as a mountain range, pale gray in color and entwined with viscous black threads, tore through the sky with a chill that froze the soul and a fury that shredded all things, crashing down with savage force!

Their target was the Slaughter Buddha Seal embryo, buried deep in the core of the earth veins, trembling violently as it reached its limit of accumulation!

"Here it comes!"

Ming Xin's consciousness condensed as never before, like cold iron tempered for eons.

Facing this terrifying heavenly might, enough to scatter even a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal's soul, he did not flinch—instead, he erupted with soaring battle intent!

"The path of Form Transformation—how can a heavenly tribulation stop me?! Break open!"

HUM—!

The Slaughter Buddha Seal's main body suddenly blazed with unprecedented Dark Gold light!

The ancient seal embryo swelled instantly, expanding to a hundred zhang in size. On its body, neither metal nor jade, the layer of grayish Nirvana light membrane spun to its limit!

The blurred seated figure on the seal knob sharpened abruptly; though its face remained indistinct, it bore the resolute will to face the calamity head-on and sever fate itself!

"First tribulation! Break!"

BOOM—!

The first bolt, the thickest of the gray-black tribulation lightning, slammed into the Slaughter Buddha Seal's main body like a world-ending demonic dragon!

Unimaginable force and annihilating energy exploded in an instant!

The terrifying might, enough to extinguish stars, poured out wildly! The gray Nirvana Power froze time and space, while the black demonic miasma corroded the very origin!

The Slaughter Buddha Seal shook violently; the gray light membrane on its surface flickered madly, and countless fine cracks spread in an instant! The core Killing Origin buzzed with furious hums!

Yet it was, after all, the main body of a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure! Driven by Ming Xin's full will, the seal body endured the fatal blow!

The Nirvana Buddha Light and Killing Origin worked together, forcibly absorbing and breaking down the terrifying tribulation lightning energy, transforming it into a surging force to propel its own evolution!

"Not enough! More!" Ming Xin roared through the searing pain, actively driving his main body to meet the even more violent bolts that followed!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

One after another, thicker bolts laden with demonic deathly stillness crashed down! The Slaughter Buddha Seal rose and fell in the sea of lightning.

Like a reef in a storm, each strike dimmed the seal's light a fraction more and widened its cracks, yet the unyielding will and the resilient essence of a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure

grew purer and more condensed under the mad tempering of the tribulation lightning!

The seal body began to melt and deform within the lightning glow, and a blurred human silhouette coalesced furiously at its core!

When the ninth bolt fell with world-destroying momentum, the hundred-zhang seal suddenly collapsed inward!

"Now! Great Killing Hand Seal—!"

A clear, yet icy voice, cold as ten-thousand-year-old profound ice, pierced through the deafening thunder!

From the collapsing core, a slender hand with distinct knuckles, radiating endless slaughter and finality, thrust out boldly!

The moment this hand appeared, it stirred the laws of heaven and earth. In its palm, a massive blood-red hand seal, formed from pure Killing Law and edged with dark red karmic fire, materialized out of thin air!

The hand seal emerged, and heaven and earth changed color! Even the terrifying calamity clouds faltered! Pure killing intent, the will to sever karma and end reincarnation, condensed into this single strike!

"Break!"

The blood-red Great Killing Hand Seal surged upward, carrying the domineering will to shatter stars and annihilate all souls, and slammed fiercely into the ninth world-ending tribulation bolt!

CRASH—!!!!

An indescribable thunderclap erupted! No explosive clash of energy—only absolute, crushing obliteration!

That terrifying tribulation lightning, imbued with the dual power of Nirvana and demonic miasma, shattered like fragile glass before the Great Killing Hand Seal, breaking inch by inch into gray-black motes of light that dissipated!

And the blood-red hand seal, its momentum undiminished, drove onward with residual force, stamping deep into the thick calamity clouds!

BOOM!

The calamity clouds were punched through, leaving a massive hole! Countless gray-white lightning bolts and black electric serpents wailed and scattered at the edges of the hand seal!

"Second divine ability! Buddha-Demon Dharma Form—condense!"

Seizing the moment the clouds were breached, the humanoid form at the core solidified completely! A young man in gray hemp robes, tall and straight, with a handsome yet eternally cold face, stood proudly amid the shattered void! His eyes opened and closed—the left eye burning with Nirvana Buddha Flame, the right eye spinning with a Demon Abyss vortex!

With a low shout, an indescribably vast phantom suddenly manifested behind him!

Ten thousand zhang tall! Reaching heaven and earth!

The left half of the Dharma Form was a solemn Buddha's golden body! Clad in a crystal kasaya, with a compassionate expression, it radiated pure gray Nirvana Buddha Light, faint chants echoing, carrying the liberating intent of transcending life and death!

The right half, however, was a roaring, world-dominating demon! With curved horns on its head, black demonic scales covering its body, crimson karmic fire clinging to it, and destructive lightning swirling around, its demonic eyes brimmed with chaos, violence, and the desire to annihilate all!

Buddha and Demon! Sanctity and Bloodshed! Nirvana and Destruction! Two extremes of opposing power, perfectly yet paradoxically fused upon the same Dharma Form!

This was Ming Xin's innate divine ability, awakened with the Slaughter Buddha Seal as its foundation, merging his own Buddha-Demon unity—the Buddha-Demon Dharma Form!

"Suppress!"

Ming Xin pointed a finger skyward like a sword!

Behind him, the ten-thousand-zhang Buddha-Demon Dharma Form suddenly moved! The left half, Buddha-body, held a flower; the right half, Demon-body, clenched a fist!

Even more staggering, the void around the Dharma Form trembled, and a full one hundred and eight Dharma artifact phantoms of varied shapes and imposing auras manifested simultaneously!

Fifty-four on the left were Buddhist treasures—Vajra Pestles, Demon-Subduing Rings, Nirvana Lotus Thrones—golden light flowing; fifty-four on the right were demonic artifacts—Demon Blades, Bone Banners, Ten-Thousand-Soul Locks—demonic energy surging to the heavens!

The one hundred and eight Dharma artifact phantoms, following the Dharma Form's motion, transformed into one hundred and eight streaks of light tearing through the sky.

Bearing the tyrannical will of Buddha's light delivering all beings and demonic might annihilating the world, they slammed fiercely into the core of the tribulation cloud that was just beginning to reform!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Like heavenly drums madly beaten! The entire Western Demon Lands trembled!

The tribulation cloud, riddled with holes from this overbearing assault, churned violently, and countless lightning bolts were forcibly scattered before they could take shape!

Violent energy turbulence swept in all directions, tearing even more bottomless ravines into the already shattered Western earth!

"Final strike! Nirvana Killing Seal!"

Ming Xin's eyes were cold as frost. His hands formed an arcane, profound seal before his chest—neither Buddha nor Demon, yet containing the pure True Meaning of Slaughter that severed all things and ended all existence!

Behind him, the ten-thousand-zhang Buddha-Demon Dharma Form moved in sync. Its enormous Buddha-Demon hands clasped together, and endless Nirvana Buddha Light and raging demonic energy, under the dominion of the Killing Law, converged madly!

At last, it condensed into a colossal seal that blotted out the sky—half gray-white with burning Buddha flames, half pitch-black with entwining demonic thunder!

At the seal's center, an ancient character "Slaughter" radiated a terrifying aura that froze heaven and earth!

"Sever!"

The enormous Nirvana Killing Seal, like the guillotine blade of the Heavenly Dao, fell with the resolute will to end this tribulation and shatter all obstacles!

Riiip—!!!

Like a hot knife through butter! The thick tribulation cloud covering ten thousand li was split cleanly in two by this ultimate seal!

Gray-white Nirvana Power and pitch-black destructive demonic thunder madly eroded and annihilated the tribulation cloud's essence!

Rumble...

After a reluctant, low growl of thunder, the terrifying Nirvana Demonic Tribulation cloud, like a popped bubble, rapidly dissipated and disintegrated in the storm of gray-white and pitch-black energy!

The suffocating, terrifying heavenly might receded like a tide.

Sunlight—though it was the murky, yellowed sunlight of the barren Western lands—shone clearly for the first time upon this earth that had just endured a baptism of destruction.

It also shone upon the figure standing proudly in the void, whose aura was steadily stabilizing.

Ming Xin! Successfully completed Form Transformation!

He wore simple gray hemp robes, long hair black as ink, features handsome yet cold. In his left eye, Nirvana Buddha Flame lay hidden; in his right, a Demon Abyss vortex lurked; between his brows, a faint gray-black vertical mark flickered in and out of sight.

A powerful, condensed wave of magic power, carrying the contradictory aura of cold slaughter and Buddha-Demon unity, radiated from his body like a tide—clearly reaching the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal Middle Stage of the immortal cultivation system!

Having taken form from a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, his foundation was immense, his magic power pure and refined, far surpassing ordinary innate beings—truly a top-tier origin!

He slowly exhaled a turbid breath, the air carrying a hint of gray-white Nirvana chill.

Feeling the surging power that was entirely his own, an unprecedented sense of control surged within him. He was no longer an embryo buried deep underground, at others' mercy!

Just as his mind relaxed slightly, savoring the mysteries of his new form—

"Amitabha!"

"Well done!"

Two voices, containing boundless compassion, wisdom, and the true meaning of Nirvana liberation, like spring rain nourishing all things or an evening drum and morning bell, sounded without warning in Ming Xin's ears.

Instantly, they soothed the chaotic energy fluctuations left by the heavenly tribulation.

Space rippled faintly, and two figures appeared out of nowhere, as if they had always belonged there.

On the left was a gaunt figure, his face bearing endless bitterness, as if carrying the poverty and suffering of the entire Western land. He wore simple gray cloth monk's robes and held a string of prayer beads neither metal nor wood—Daoist Jieyin.

His eyes, bearing the vicissitudes of ages, fell upon Ming Xin, especially sensing his pure Nirvana Buddha-nature origin and formidable Primordial Unity Golden Immortal Middle Stage foundation.

Instantly, they blazed with an uncontrollable, fervent light, like one discovering a rare treasure!

On the right was a figure with a clear, gaunt face, his expression peaceful and compassionate, wisdom-light flowing around him. He held a horsetail whisk, his aura rounded and free—Daoist Zhunti.

His gaze swept over Ming Xin's unique Buddha-Demon aura and the lingering Slaughter Dao rhythm. A sharp glint flashed deep in his eyes, and the compassion on his face deepened, yet carried a knowing look of "just as expected."

Daoist Jieyin's dry lips parted, his voice gentle yet carrying a strange power to soothe the heart, instantly dispelling the trace of bloodlust lingering in Ming Xin from his recent tribulation:

"Young friend, what a profound origin! A top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure taking form is rare through the ages—a great fortune from heaven!

What's more, you took form here in our Western lands. This is Heaven's will, a karmic bond with the West from a past life!"

Daoist Zhunti nodded with a smile, lightly swaying his whisk, wisdom-light enveloping Ming Xin. His tone grew even warmer and more natural, as if stating something self-evident:

"Indeed! Young friend possesses supreme Buddha-nature. Though stained by demonic tribulation, it only highlights your steadfast Dao heart."

You must understand that the West is barren, deeply shrouded in demonic miasma—it is precisely someone like you, young friend, bearing great karma, great perseverance, and great divine power, who is needed to cleanse the demonic aura and build a paradise together! A bit of demonic energy?

Ha, in the West, carrying a trace of demonic energy is precisely the finest nourishment for tempering the Dao heart and illuminating the mind to see one's true nature! Nothing more normal than that!"

The two spoke in unison, their tones gentle, their attitudes warm, without the slightest air of peak Daluo experts, instead filled with appreciation for a "talented junior" and a sense of kinship as "fellow Daoists."

As if the demonic energy on Ming Xin, which would make ordinary cultivators keep their distance, was merely a speck of dust in their eyes—harmless, even praiseworthy.

Ming Xin's heart tightened, instantly recognizing these two famed future sages. Suppressing the instinctive wariness stirred by their overwhelming auras, he kept his expression calm, bowed slightly, and spoke in a steady voice:

"This junior, Ming Xin, pays respects to the two seniors. Might I ask if you are the Daoists Jieyin and Zhunti of Mount Sumeru in the West?"

Daoist Zhunti's smile was warm as a spring breeze brushing the face: "Indeed, we are the two of us, brothers. Young friend, your wisdom runs deep, to recognize us."

Daoist Jieyin's sorrowful face also squeezed out a faint, gentle smile, his gaze burning as he looked at Ming Xin: "Since you know us, young friend, you must understand that the West thirsts for talent.

Observing your origins, fortune, and divine abilities, they all align with the Western teachings' principles of nirvana, liberation, subduing demons, and upholding the Dao. This is a predestined master-disciple bond!

Young friend, would you be willing to bow to us as your masters and become our joint Founding Disciple, the first under both Jieyin and Zhunti? We will pour out all we have to teach you and help you attain supreme Bodhi!"

Founding Disciple! The only one! The joint first disciple of two sages!

The weight of this was heavier than a thousand jun!

Thoughts raced through Ming Xin's mind like lightning.

The Two Sages of the West! The future founders of the Buddhist path! Their reputation for "shamelessness" and declaring everything "destined for the West" was something he knew well from novels in his past life—the ultimate "karmic causality weapon" of the Primordial Era.

But he also knew deeply that these two had spent their lives unwaveringly, exhausting all their efforts to revitalize the barren West, with brotherly affection between them that never wavered or split.

In contrast, the Three Pure Ones of the East, though Pangu's Orthodox Lineage, ultimately fractured over doctrinal disputes and even conspired with outsiders against their own brothers...

These two before him, though calculating, had a genuine will to revive the West and a true bond of brotherhood.

The sincere appreciation and longing in their eyes at this moment were no act. What did becoming their Founding Disciple mean?

It meant an unrivaled position in the future Western Teachings! It meant the full nurturing and protection of two sages!

It meant having the firmest backing and the most orthodox lineage inheritance in this perilous early Primordial Era!

As for the reputation of "scrounging for resources"—in this world where strength reigns supreme, being able to "scrounge" resources to strengthen one's own Dao lineage was itself a skill!

Besides, his path was the Slaughter Buddha Path of "killing to protect life, severing karma not people"—it was never purely Buddhist to begin with, and he was not bound by worldly views!

The West was barren, lacking resources—it precisely needed a disciple like him, decisive in slaughter, able to "fight" and "contend"!

With this thought, Ming Xin's heart had no more hesitation!

He did not drag things out, nor did he put on any pretentious airs!

Under the eager and slightly tense gazes of the future sages Jieyin and Zhunti (after all, a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure Form Transformation, at Primordial Unity Golden Immortal Middle Stage, a first disciple with Buddha-demon unity, was far too rare).

Ming Xin suddenly flipped the hem of his gray hemp robe and knelt heavily with both knees on the Western earth, still bearing scorch marks from the heavenly tribulation just passed!

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Nine kowtows, solid and forceful, so hard that the ground trembled slightly!

Each kowtow represented a resolute acknowledgment and belonging!

"Disciple Ming Xin! Pays respects to First Master! Pays respects to Second Master!" His clear, firm voice rang out across the sky that had just fallen silent.

Silence!

Jieyin and Zhunti, even with their sage-like Dao hearts, could hardly contain their immense surprise!

Looking at this newly accepted first disciple, with top-tier origins, a decisive nature, and such solemnity in performing the apprenticeship rites.

They felt as if the dawn of the West's great rise had never shone so truly before their eyes!

"Good! Good! Good disciple!" Daoist Jieyin's gaunt face seemed to have its eternal sorrow lightened by several degrees.

He said "good" three times, his voice trembling with a barely perceptible excitement, and stepped forward quickly. His withered hand, yet filled with infinite power, personally helped Ming Xin rise.

Daoist Zhunti, meanwhile, clapped and laughed heartily, his gaunt face full of joy and relief: "Hahaha! Heaven blesses the West! Heaven blesses the West!

Ming Xin, my disciple, rise quickly! From this day forth, you are the only Founding Disciple under Jieyin and Zhunti! The future pillar of the West!"

He too stepped forward, lightly sweeping his fly whisk, and a gentle, radiant light of wisdom merged into Ming Xin's body, instantly soothing the last trace of hidden injury from the tribulation and leaving behind a mark of soul protection.

The two future sages, one on each side, helped Ming Xin up, their gazes filled with undisguised appreciation and expectation. On the barren, demonic soil of the West, a new master-disciple bond was thus forged.

And Ming Xin, bearing the Slaughter Buddha Seal, a fusion of Buddha and demon, had officially stepped into the grand game of the Primordial Era, where heaven and earth were the chessboard.

His future was destined to be tightly bound to these Two Sages of the West and the soon-to-rise Western Teachings.