Chapter 2530: No Self Under Heaven
There were not many cultivators Zhang Ruochen held in high regard, but Que was one of them.
At this moment, the two of them walked side by side across the vast white stone square outside the demon hall. Other cultivators, such as Yan Huangtu, Yan Zhexian, Bore, Xuan Qingying, Xuan Zehai, and so on, all consciously refrained from following.
This was a dialogue between the two most outstanding representatives of the new generation!
Que said, "After breaking through to the Thousand Questions Realm, I reached the late stage of the Thousand Questions Realm in a single day. With my state of mind and previous accumulation, I could have directly entered the peak of the Thousand Questions Realm and glimpsed the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm. However, your image appeared in my mind, and I ultimately stopped here."
"Still brooding over the Imperial Grade Sacred Intent Pill?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Que replied, "Somewhat, but that's not the main reason."
The Imperial Grade Sacred Intent Pill was used to assist in cultivating a single type of Sacred Intent, while Que had already cultivated nine types of Sacred Intent. What he lacked was the fusion of a perfect Second-Rank Sacred Intent, and what he needed more was a Quasi-Imperial Grade Sacred Intent Pill.
With an Imperial Grade Sacred Intent Pill, he could attempt to break the rules of heaven and earth and fuse a tenth type of Sacred Intent.
However, the chances of success were extremely slim.
Therefore, although losing the Imperial Grade Sacred Intent Pill had affected his state of mind to some extent, the impact was not too significant.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I understand. You want to fight me and defeat me."
"Before coming to the Hundred Clans Royal City, I indeed held that thought, and I wanted to defeat you at the same cultivation level," Que said.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "And now?"
Que's face showed no expression. He stopped in his tracks, looked up at the vast and expansive sky, and said, "I already know that at the same cultivation level, I fall far short of you, so there's no need to humiliate myself."
Suddenly, he added, "On the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, the appearance of you, Yan Wushen, Lan Ying, and Yan Huangtu caused me to lose the Imperial Grade Sacred Intent Pill, but it also gave me immense pressure, thereby tempering my state of mind."
"I overcame the pressure, held my state of mind, and before breaking through to the Thousand Questions Realm, I fused a perfect Second-Rank Sacred Intent."
A hint of surprise appeared in Zhang Ruochen's eyes.
Clearly, Que on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield was like Bai Qinger now. They were both making efforts to impact the Eon-level genius level, constantly polishing themselves.
Que said, "With a perfect Second-Rank Sacred Intent, even without breaking through to the Thousand Questions Realm, I could kill the Chi Emperor with a single sword strike. And that's the Chi Emperor without any restraints."
Zhang Ruochen said, "With your sword technique and the Way of Nothingness, combined with a Second-Rank Sacred Intent, it should indeed have such power."
"Would you be willing to receive this sword strike?" Que asked.
Zhang Ruochen was fearless, "Just one strike?"
"One strike is enough to determine victory or defeat. But if you cannot withstand this strike, it might also determine life or death," Que said.
Zhang Ruochen said, "After this strike, can our grievances be settled once and for all?"
"Regardless of the outcome, the grievances are settled," Que said.
"Alright!"
A perfect Second-Rank Sacred Intent was rare in the world, and Zhang Ruochen was eager to test it out.
"Shua!"
"Shua!"
The two of them turned back, transforming into two streaks of light, and rushed into the demon hall.
With a bang, the doors of the demon hall closed.
All the cultivators knew they were about to duel, and they were extremely curious, wanting to watch. However, the secret that Que had cultivated a perfect Second-Rank Sacred Intent could not yet be exposed, so naturally, they had to be kept outside.
Yan Zhexian frowned slightly, "It's not going to be another life-or-death duel like the one with Yan Wushen, is it?"
"What? Worried about Zhang Ruochen?" Yan Huangtu teased.
Yan Huangtu had learned from Yan Yu that Zhang Ruochen had saved him and Yan Zhexian, and his goodwill toward Zhang Ruochen had increased.
Yan Zhexian snorted, "I just think that the top talents of the Hell Realm shouldn't fall due to internal conflict."
"Don't worry, Que has already broken through to the Thousand Questions Realm. With his proud nature, how could he possibly propose a life-or-death duel with Zhang Ruochen?" Yan Huangtu said.
Yan Zhexian asked, "Fifth Uncle, who do you think will win this battle?"
A thoughtful expression appeared in Yan Huangtu's eyes, "Before seeing Zhang Ruochen fight the group of cultivators from the Death God Temple, I would definitely have bet on Que. But now, it's hard to say. The Zhang Ruochen we see now is somewhat monstrous. No cultivator has ever been as strong as him at the Hundred Shackles Realm. Perhaps, as Grandfather said, Zhang Ruochen might surpass all previous Eon-level geniuses, reaching a level that even Eon-level geniuses must look up to."
Yan Huangtu felt somewhat despondent. Born with the Innate Imperial Dao Divine Bone, he should have been invincible in his era, but now he was being overshadowed by one monstrous talent after another, which was hard to bear.
...
Inside the hall.
Que summoned his Rule Emperor Artifact, the Shadow Dan Sword, and slowly raised it. Over fifty billion Sacred Dao Rules surged out from within him, filling the entire hall.
Zhang Ruochen attempted to use his Spiritual Power to attack, but found that his sixty-eighth-level Spiritual Power could not even get close to Que.
It was either shattered by the sword intent or erased by nothingness.
Zhang Ruochen understood that Que, at this moment, had no flaws, as if standing inside an eggshell, unassailable. Only when Que showed a flaw could his sixty-eighth-level Spiritual Power injure him, or only after Zhang Ruochen truly mastered Spiritual Power techniques could he break through.
Similarly, at the sixty-ninth-and-a-half level of Spiritual Power intensity, Granny Haitang was far stronger than others at the same level because of her superior application of Spiritual Power and mastery of many ancient techniques.
"Shua!"
The Abyssal Ancient Sword appeared in Zhang Ruochen's hand.
A hint of surprise appeared in Que's eyes. He hadn't expected Zhang Ruochen to use a sword to receive his overwhelmingly powerful strike. Based on his understanding of Zhang Ruochen, Zhang Ruochen's palm techniques, leg techniques, and various Supreme Sacred Artifacts were his main reliance.
Zhang Ruochen closed his eyes, sensing carefully, "Such powerful sword intent. You should be about to cultivate the Heavenly Sword Soul, right? Actually, I have also created a sword technique, currently only one move, integrating the Sword Dao, Time, and Space."
The sword intent erupting from Que surged dramatically, suppressing Zhang Ruochen's sword intent like a candle flame in the wind, on the verge of being extinguished.
In terms of sword intent and Sword Dao attainment, Zhang Ruochen was clearly inferior to Que.
"You'd better use your true abilities, or you won't be able to withstand this strike, and you will die," Que's voice came from all directions, as if thousands of him were speaking.
Zhang Ruochen sank into a mysterious state of self-enlightenment, merely holding the Abyssal Ancient Sword without a word.
Que said no more, silently reciting, "Sacred Intent unites with the Sword Dao, No Self Under Heaven."
In the demon hall, everything scattered like quicksand and disappeared, transforming into a square void space.
Only Zhang Ruochen and Que remained, suspended in the void.
Que thrust his sword out like lightning, his body gradually becoming ethereal until it completely merged with the void.
Both the person and the sword merged with nothingness.
How could such a sword technique be blocked?
This single strike would likely make even a Supreme Realm Great Saint cautious, unwilling to easily counter it.
Zhang Ruochen felt a great crisis, death approaching rapidly. At this critical moment, a flash of inspiration struck his mind.
With his sword, he traced a circle along the ground.
The six hundred and seventy million Burial Gold Rule Divine Patterns he had obtained from Zangjin Baihu naturally surged forth, seamlessly merging with the Sword Dao Rules, Time Rules, Space Rules, and even the Yin-Yang Five Elements Sacred Intent.
Previously, Zhang Ruochen could only control one hundred million Burial Gold Rule Divine Patterns, but after reaching the sixty-eighth level of Spiritual Power, he could fully control them.
"Thank you for helping me create the second move."
The circle Zhang Ruochen drew on the ground turned golden, surging up a layer of golden divine light, protecting him at the center. On the golden divine light, Time Imprints and Space Rules flowed, and a Yin-Yang Taiji imprint spun beneath his feet.
When Que's sword touched the golden divine light, it emerged from nothingness.
In that instant, Zhang Ruochen struck first, thrusting his sword forward. The golden divine light, Time Imprints, Space Rules, and Yin-Yang Taiji imprint all disappeared, merging into this single strike.
The tips of the two swords collided.
A force like a mountain and sea surged through the Abyssal Ancient Sword, striking Zhang Ruochen and sending him flying backward.
Half of Que's body emerged from nothingness, "It's not that simple."
The Shadow Dan Sword, which had been clashing with the Abyssal Ancient Sword, split into nine streams of Sacred Dao Rules on its blade, forming nine swords, all stabbing at Zhang Ruochen simultaneously.
At such close range and such speed, even Bai Qinger would be unable to dodge. Of course, Bai Qinger wouldn't need to dodge either.
Just as the nine swords were about to strike Zhang Ruochen, suddenly, the silent and void demon hall was filled with dazzling Truth Light, and the sound of swords surged dramatically.
...
The crowd waited anxiously outside the hall.
Suddenly, the hall doors opened, and Zhang Ruochen stepped out, his face quite pale, his steps unsteady, as if he could barely walk.
"It's over so quickly?"
Yan Zhexian was surprised, unsure if she was talking to herself or asking Zhang Ruochen.
"A bit quick."
Zhang Ruochen smiled, then hurried away with Er Sikong and the others.
Que followed closely behind, his face also pale, his steps unsteady. He looked in the direction Zhang Ruochen had left and asked, "What is the name of this sword move of yours?"
"Burial Flower!"
Zhang Ruochen also asked, "Is your Sacred Intent called No Self Under Heaven?"
"That's right."
Que thought for a moment, then said, "If you plan to use the Imperial Grade Sacred Intent Pill to impact an unprecedented Third-Rank Sacred Intent, you could choose the Sword Dao."
Zhang Ruochen did not reply, disappearing at the edge of the square. Under the guidance of a maidservant, he entered a courtyard with a beautiful environment. The courtyard was filled with Blood Apricot Sacred Trees with red leaves, and blood qi flowed like dragons around the trunks.
Entering the room, Zhang Ruochen's Flame God Armor dispersed, revealing his semi-transparent body. He sighed softly, "As expected of a perfect Second-Rank Sacred Intent, as expected of the Way of Nothingness. Even wearing armor couldn't block it."
Zhang Ruochen took out two Divine Stones and began to recover his depleted Saint Qi while refining the power of nothingness that had invaded his body.
...
Que still stood outside the demon hall, his body motionless.
"How did it go?" Bore walked over and asked.
"Pfft!"
Que spat out a mouthful of blood, on the verge of collapsing. The Shadow Dan Sword flew out, and he gripped the hilt with one hand, supporting himself. He smiled bitterly, "In the end, he still won."
Zhang Ruochen had taken his nine swords and still managed to leave with his injuries.
But Que could only force himself to the door of the hall, unable to take another step.
The outcome was clear.
In the final exchange, Que's sword technique changed, splitting into ten, with nine striking Zhang Ruochen.
However, Zhang Ruochen's sword strike also changed, merging with the Way of Truth, instantly unleashing thirty times the attack power. Not only did it shatter the main blade of the Shadow Dan Sword, but it also pierced through Que's body.
As it pierced through his body, the power of Time, Space, Sword Dao, and the mysterious Ultimate Burial Gold Force all exploded within him simultaneously.
Even with his "No Self Under Heaven" Sacred Intent, which nearly completely voided his body, he still suffered severe injuries.
In fact, Que did not know that Zhang Ruochen had won quite luckily.
Because the final fusion of the Way of Truth and the Sword Dao was not controlled by Zhang Ruochen; rather, the Sword Dao and the Way of Truth seemed to be stimulated and automatically combined.
Just like the six hundred and seventy million Burial Gold Rule Divine Patterns, before this, Zhang Ruochen had never combined them with the Sword Dao; they had naturally merged.
Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged beneath the Sundial, spending a full half month to completely expel the power of nothingness that had invaded his body, restoring it to a solid state.
During this half month, he also figured out why the Way of Truth and the Burial Gold Rule Divine Patterns automatically combined with the Sword Dao.
It should be related to his Dao of "All Rivers Flow into the Sea, Embracing All Things."
The sword follows the heart; whatever the heart thinks, the Sword Dao becomes.
The Nether King had taught him that the Sword Dao must be pure.
However, Xumi Saint Monk had merged the Sword Dao with Time, creating the "Time Sword Art."
Que's master had merged the Sword Dao with Nothingness, creating the "Nothingness Sword Art."
Why couldn't Zhang Ruochen merge the Sword Dao with the Burial Gold Rule Divine Patterns to create a "Burial Gold Sword Art"? Or merge the Sword Dao with the Way of Truth to create a "Truth Sword Art"?
Or perhaps, merge all the various Sacred Daos he had cultivated into the Sword Dao, creating an unprecedented "Ten Thousand Daos Sword Art"?
But to cultivate the Sword Dao Sacred Intent to the Third Rank, at this stage, he clearly could not be distracted. He must fully immerse himself in the Sword Dao and become a pure sword cultivator.
The more he thought, the more confused Zhang Ruochen became.
Never at any moment had he so desperately wished for a supreme Sword Dao teacher by his side to tell him what was the right path.
Relying solely on his own exploration could easily lead him down a wrong path.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen thought of something. He immediately took out the stone sword form of the "Wordless Sword Manual" and the five scrolls that Granny Haitang had lent him.
These five scrolls were left behind by five Sword Dao prodigies from the Kunlun Realm since ancient times. They had always been stored in the Sword Pavilion, and ordinary cultivators were not even qualified to read them.
Zhang Ruochen picked up the first one and saw the ancient and familiar characters on the cover, his heart startled: "Biluo Essays!"
In the Kunlun Realm, only one person dared to claim the name "Biluo."
He was Biluozi, who was as famous as the Dragon Lord and Xumi Saint Monk.
"Hua!"
The four characters on the cover suddenly transformed into four figures in Daoist robes, each performing a profoundly mysterious sword technique. Zhang Ruochen blinked, and the four figures disappeared, reverting to four ancient characters.