In just a short moment, no more than twenty minutes, three pseudo-Sky-Reaching Arhats fell one after another. The Buddha and the Space-Time Sword Saint conversed freely. Somehow, the old monk stabbed Dragon Subduing to death with a single sword. Then, the universe trembled, the heavens and earth overturned, and Sky-Reaching raged.
The old monk left, leaving only sorrow behind.
Breaking through to Sky-Reaching, he thought he could roam the world without restraint. Who would have thought that a decree from Heaven-Watching would shatter his dreams?
He wanted to show off in front of the younger generation and save a few Arhats but ended up being toyed with and intimidated, leaving in disgrace.
The old monk’s eyes were filled with resentment as he departed, almost turning into substance.
The Wilderness fell silent.
Some wavering forces initially thought of siding with the Western Buddhist Kingdom, which seemed to have a better chance of winning. However, after witnessing this scene, Old Ancestor Morning Glow’s emotions were once again in turmoil.
Nations urgently convened meetings, with Old Ancestor Morning Glow narrating the events that transpired within the Buddhist Kingdom’s territory, relaying them verbatim to the heads of the forces for judgment.
Soon.
Thousands of forces in the Wilderness restructured. Nearly forty percent, after careful consideration, chose to pledge allegiance to the Great Jin Dynasty. The heads of these forces personally carried letters of allegiance, traveling thousands of miles to the Imperial Capital of Great Jin. The remaining sixty percent firmly stood by the Buddhist Kingdom.
No matter how monstrous the talent of the Space-Time Sword Saint, he had not yet reached Sky-Reaching. A genius who has not grown up is merely a stronger infant. How could he compare to the Buddha?
…
…
The yellow sand stirred up waves ten thousand feet high. The Bodhi Tree transformed back into the sun, returning to the sky of the Buddhist Kingdom, driving away the darkness with light.
The damp chill in the darkness was evaporated by the scorching heat, creating a mist so thick that one couldn’t see their own fingers.
The Basalt Emperor Formation was in tatters. Under Jiang Canghai’s command, the formation dispersed.
A million soldiers eagerly awaited, their eyes burning as they looked ahead, as if witnessing the arrival of a deity. Their fervent faith converged—this was the Space-Time Sword Saint! This was the Great Jin’s War God!
The words “Take them home” echoed in their minds, like molten iron branding itself deep into their hearts.
A single promise, the Sword Saint slew three pseudo-Sky-Reaching Arhats and forced the Buddha to retreat. How magnificent!
No one spoke; the silence was palpable.
The soldiers stood tall like divine spears. Despite their exhaustion, their momentum grew even stronger.
Su Qingqiu and Wu Die stood at the forefront of the ranks, smiles playing on their lips.
Suddenly, Su Qingqiu’s eyes lit up slightly. Pointing ahead, she said, “Master is back!”
A figure stepped forward, slowly walking towards them, his presence dispersing the mist, parting it to create a path.
His black robe fluttered, long hair flowing, eyes covered by a black silk band, and he held a sword.
The moment he appeared, the mist evaporated instantly, revealing the pitted battlefield behind him. The clouds were scattered, the ground deeply sunken, and the yellow sand covering the surface was gone, exposing the brown soil at the bottom of a ten-thousand-foot-deep pit.
“Master!”
“Master!”
Su Qingqiu and Wu Die rushed forward, one holding his sword, the other tidying his clothes and smoothing his black hair.
“Greetings to Your Majesty, the Sword Saint, welcome back in triumph!”
“Greetings to Your Majesty, the Sword Saint, welcome back in triumph!”
…
A million soldiers moved in unison, a wave of black kneeling on one knee, blades planted before them, right hands pounding their chests, eyes fixed on the black-robed youth.
Even Jiang Canghai, Lin Lu, Minister of War Liang Qu, and other ministers followed suit, kneeling.
This was the highest level of ceremony in the Great Jin Dynasty, reserved only for Empress Qin Liuli. Today, a second person received such homage!
Without any official position, he was worshipped by a million soldiers.
This signified that the Space-Time Sword Saint had completely conquered the Great Jin Dynasty. He would stand shoulder to shoulder with Empress Qin Liuli, known in people’s hearts as the “One-Word King.”
Amidst the kneeling black wave, a lone figure remained standing. Despite the distance, the two seemed to share a tacit understanding, “gazing” at each other.
“Did you know all along?” Dongfang Liuli removed her mask, revealing her stunning beauty, her eyes sparkling.
“Yes,” Meng Qingzhou nodded slightly.
When the Buddha appeared, ordinary Morning Glow Realm cultivators couldn’t spy or eavesdrop on their conversation. But there was one exception.
That was Dongfang Liuli.
She bore the fortune of the Wilderness, recognized by the Heavenly Dao, like a mortal embodiment of the Heavenly Dao.
Within the Wilderness, she was as if aided by the heavens.
Dongfang Liuli felt a bit shy, revealing her true self before her husband for the first time. Her face flushed, she pinched the hem of her clothes, and stammered, “I’m… I’m sorry.”
Standing in the center of a million soldiers, she was like a queen surrounded by stars. Yet at this moment, she showed a shy side, like a Red Spider Lily across the vast mortal world. Though lofty and proud, it was still a flower, retracting its thorns before its beloved, displaying its delicate petals, showing a little woman’s side.
Meng Qingzhou smiled warmly, “It’s alright. I enjoy it. Willingly taking the bait, it’s all voluntary.”
Everyone present was bewildered.
Looking around, no one called for them to “rise.” Looking back, the soldiers were almost scared out of their wits.
The Empress of Great Jin, the current Majesty?!
When did she arrive at the Buddhist Kingdom, standing in the center of the army…
Wait, this outfit looks familiar. Isn’t she the Sword Saint’s maid?!
The Empress disguised herself as a maid to inspect the frontline soldiers?
Everyone’s minds were in chaos, unable to make sense of the situation, so they obediently knelt.
Lin Lu, Minister of War Liang Qu, and other villagers of Present Village were first stunned, then turned to look at the “smiling” Jiang Canghai. His unperturbed demeanor was highly suspicious!
“Old fellow, did you know all along?” Liang Qu, maintaining his kneeling position, moved closer and elbowed Jiang Canghai hard.
“So what if I did?”
“The Empress and the Empress’ Husband have finally been honest with each other, achieving their union. It wasn’t easy. Today is a day of great joy,” Jiang Canghai sighed.
Liang Qu nodded, no longer pursuing the old fellow’s “crime” of withholding information, watching the affectionate exchange between the two with a smile.
…
…
Meng Qingzhou opened his mouth, though he had a thousand words in his heart, he only managed to say four:
“Let’s go home.”
Tears welled up in Dongfang Liuli’s eyes as she gazed at him, wanting to ask a thousand questions but only nodded heavily, softly saying, “Mm.”
Why bother getting to the bottom of everything? The trivialities of the world only add to one’s worries. Sometimes, it’s better to be a little confused.
Forget the troubles, indulge in the present.
“Everyone, rise. Let’s move! The road ahead is clear.”
Meng Qingzhou waved his hand and turned to leave.
Dongfang Liuli caught up to him, walking shoulder to shoulder, and whispered, “Salt Fish, do you need to announce your identity as the Empress’ Husband?”
“No need, just let it be,” Meng Qingzhou shook his head.
Dongfang Liuli pouted in displeasure.
This wooden-headed Salt Fish, if you don’t announce your identity, how can I hold your arm in public? So unromantic.
No choice, the two could only walk side by side.
The soldiers following behind looked at each other, thinking, isn’t the relationship between the Empress and the Sword Saint a bit too ambiguous?
Wu Die was struck like lightning, stunned and almost fainting. She was carried on Su Qingqiu’s back, who followed the young couple step by step, grinning mischievously.
…
…
[End of Volume Three, Volume Four—Sky-Reaching Path]
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