Chapter 217: Invulnerable to All Techniques
"After Tathagata opened up Mount Sumeru, he built a temple within the mountain." The White-Robed Little Nun, though claiming that this string of relic prayer beads carried the aura of a Buddhist traitor, still turned them over and over, wishing she could pluck them off one by one to examine closely.
"What happened later?" Ye Fan pressed.
"What later?" The little nun answered absentmindedly, carefully fiddling with the prayer beads.
"Naturally, what happened to Shakyamuni afterward." Ye Fan smiled as he looked at her.
"Oh, you mean him. There is no later." The little nun held the prayer beads up to the sun, concentrating on them, clearly unwilling to continue.
"How could there be no later? Little master, the Buddha once said, 'Do not speak falsely.' How can you not tell the truth?"
"Everything I said is true." The loli nun pouted, very dissatisfied. No matter how she looked, she couldn't see the mysteries within the relics. Finally, she pulled out a bundle of jade flowers and tapped them against the relics. A fragrant scent wafted through the air, and tiny rays of multicolored light shot out like thorns, slashing toward the relics, with faint sparks flickering.
Yet, the six relics remained unchanged. Despite the tiny rays striking and sparks flashing, they lay there motionless.
Ye Fan quickly reached out to stop her, saying, "What are you doing? Stop it."
"I want to cut them open; there seems to be something inside." The little nun persisted, shaking the jade flower bundle. Blades of light danced, engulfing the relics.
"Those are my prayer beads."
"I didn't say they were mine," the little nun muttered in response, still trying.
Ye Fan's forehead darkened with lines. "If they're not yours, you still want to cut them open?" He moved swiftly, reaching out to grab the beads back.
"Don't be so stingy. Let me have them a little longer." The little nun's white robes fluttered. In her delicate jade palm, a hazy little world seemed to appear, covering the prayer beads.
The Holy Maiden Yao Guang was astonished. "Is that a secret technique—the Palm Heaven and Earth?"
When Ye Fan's hand reached out, it entered that miniature world but couldn't touch the prayer beads at all, always falling just short, as if he would never grasp them.
He smiled and instead reached for the little nun's wrist, aiming to seize her vital point. But that hazy little world moved like a swimming dragon, appearing around her wrist, blocking his fingers again.
"Forgive me." Ye Fan's palm and fingers shifted, forming a seal shaped like a dragon's head. Nine rays of light shot out, each like a heavenly dragon, charging toward that little world.
"Ah, this is..." The little nun was startled.
Ye Fan's seal released nine small heavenly dragons, so similar to the imperial dragon qi coiled around her brother that they could almost pass for the real thing. Their power was immense, and they surged into the illusory space in her palm, shattering it. As she was distracted, he snatched the prayer beads back.
"What secret technique is that?" The Holy Maiden Yao Guang, standing nearby, had seen everything clearly and was deeply shocked.
It was a life-slaying grand art from the Nine Secrets. Ye Fan had used it lightly, channeling it through his palm and fingers, naturally displaying extraordinary power that outsiders could hardly discern.
"Let me see it one more time," the White-Robed Little Nun pleaded.
"Tell me what happened to Tathagata," Ye Fan said with a smile, holding the prayer beads in his palm.
"I really don't know what happened after that. It's as if that name was erased from historical records. I can't find any trace of him anymore." The White-Robed Little Nun looked honest.
"I don't believe you." Ye Fan gently rolled the prayer beads and shook his head with a smile.
The White-Robed Little Nun puffed out her cheeks and glared at him with wide eyes. "Fine, fine, I'll tell you everything. It's nothing important anyway."
"Then speak in detail. I'm all ears."
"From then on, there was no Tathagata in Buddhism!" The young princess of Great Xia said solemnly.
"What do you mean?" Ye Fan pressed for details.
"This is the conclusion I reached after reading many Buddhist scriptures. I've searched through all kinds of texts, piecing together every clue, and in the end, it comes down to just that one sentence." The White-Robed Little Nun spoke very seriously.
"Little master, you're lying," Ye Fan shook his head.
"I swear by the World-Honored One that every word is true. This is the conclusion I drew from examining hundreds of Buddhist texts. Moreover, I once asked others... A great Buddhist master also shook his head and sighed, saying, 'From then on, there was no Tathagata in Buddhism.'" The little nun looked like she absolutely had to be believed.
"From then on, there was no Tathagata in Buddhism..." Ye Fan stroked his chin. That sentence could spark endless speculation. What had happened?
Was Tathagata no longer the original Tathagata, or was Buddhism no longer the original Buddhism? Who was the one on Mount Sumeru now?
The Holy Maiden Yao Guang was also pondering. She knew even less, but from various clues, she too was gradually touching a vague outline.
"Let me see the prayer beads again." The White-Robed Little Nun reached out her small hand.
Ye Fan toyed with the prayer beads. "Your brother changes color at the mention of Tathagata. He must know some secrets. How could you not?"
"What could he know? It's just that the elders warned him not to mention that name." The little nun curled her lip.
"Why such a warning?" the Holy Maiden Yao Guang asked.
"How would I know?" The White-Robed Little Nun tilted her head. "I've read all sorts of ancient texts in the imperial dynasty... and I came to the same conclusion: 'From then on, there was no Shakyamuni in the world.'"
"From then on, there was no Shakyamuni in the world." Ye Fan had many speculations in his mind, but each was hard to prove.
"Your Highness!" The guards nearby hurriedly bowed.
The Great Xia Prince, with black hair flying, tiger-like eyes full of authority, iron armor gleaming, and nine dragons coiling around him, strode forward with the imperial bearing of one who rules the realm.
His sword-like brows raised slightly, and his tiger eyes shot divine light, clearly displeased with the guards.
"Your Highness, calm your anger. It was the princess who ordered us not to approach," the guard commander quickly explained.
"Yao Xi greets the prince." The Holy Maiden Yao Guang's smile could captivate a city.
The Great Xia Prince responded politely, without any of the airs of an heir to an immortal dynasty. "Fairy, you are like the bright moon in the sky. If you were to befriend my imperial sister, it would truly be a fortunate thing."
Ye Fan received no such treatment. The more the Great Xia Prince looked at him, the more annoyed he became. Frowning, he wanted to kick him away from the White-Robed Little Nun.
"Boundless Heavenly Venerable... This poor Daoist came to deliver the Imperial Heavenly Scripture. Since Your Highness doesn't appreciate it, I'll go find another destined person. Farewell." Ye Fan turned to leave.
"Hey, hey, hey, Daoist, let me see that string of prayer beads again," the White-Robed Little Nun called softly.
The Great Xia Prince said nothing, only glanced at his sister. The pure and beautiful little nun muttered something and fell silent.
The Holy Maiden Yao Guang also took her leave, drifting away gracefully. She caught up to Ye Fan lightly and said, "Daoist, this way, please."
"I understand." Ye Fan knew that the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi had invited him, and Yao Xi was merely relaying the message.
Passing through rockeries made of piled stones and crossing a small stone arch bridge over a flowing spring, the two arrived at a quiet courtyard.
Here, cobblestone paths led through groves of bamboo. In the grove, a stone table stood with four stone stools beside it, peaceful and secluded.
The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi was performing a tea ceremony. Her delicate hands moved gracefully, each motion embodying the natural Dao, fully merging with the scenery. The faint fragrance of tea drifted on the wind.
"The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi's tea art, like her zither skills, approaches the realm of the Dao, but she almost never displays it. This is truly rare. She clearly regards you as an honored guest." Yao Xi's immortal form swayed, her skin white as jade and sparkling. She turned back with a smile that radiated a hundred charms.
Such peerless beauty naturally reminded Ye Fan of their past battles, when her immortal body and jade-like form had been nearly fully exposed, an infinitely alluring scene.
"Daoist, have you truly cultivated for over three hundred years?" Yao Xi chuckled.
"I am ashamed. This poor Daoist has wasted his years, living over three hundred years in vain, achieving nothing." Ye Fan recited his Daoist title.
Yao Xi pursed her lips in a light smile, her hair strands dancing. "I think the Daoist has a young heart."
Ye Fan's heart tightened. In that brief moment of distraction, she had sensed something unusual. She was very sharp, forcing him to be cautious and careful not to reveal himself.
"For a fairy of such peerless beauty, even a thousand-year-old elder would find it hard to remain calm at first sight. It's only natural that this poor Daoist was slightly distracted."
The two entered the bamboo grove.
The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi moved gently. Her fingers, like scallion shoots, traced beautiful arcs, a visual delight. The tea set on the stone table seemed to come alive, and the fragrance of tea spread everywhere.
"Daoist, please have some tea." The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi's pleasant voice came. Her delicate hand lifted a teacup and offered it to him.
Ye Fan thanked her and asked, "May I ask what the fairy requires of me?"
"You're too polite, Daoist. There are indeed some matters where I need your help," the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi said softly.
"The Yao Chi has a long heritage, standing above the clouds. What matter could it not resolve? This poor Daoist's abilities are limited; I'm afraid I'll disappoint the fairy." Ye Fan remained calm, speaking evenly.
"I would like to invite the Daoist to Yao Chi."
"For what purpose?"
"There are some mysterious stone materials, quite extraordinary. I would like to ask the Daoist to appraise them." The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi revealed only this much, but it was enough to shake Ye Fan. Those stone materials likely had astonishing origins.
"Couldn't Yao Chi just cut the stones directly?"
The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi shook her head. "We cannot cut them until we understand what they are."
Ye Fan became even more certain that those stone materials were no small matter.
"By then, it will likely be a grand stone-appreciation gathering," Yao Xi laughed.
"Indeed, many people will be invited to Yao Chi. Many distinguished guests will come," the Holy Maiden of Yao Chi replied.
Without a doubt, it would be a grand event, with many extraordinary figures entering Yao Chi.
"Unfortunately, this poor Daoist has important matters to attend to and cannot spare the time for now," Ye Fan declined.
"No matter. If the Daoist has urgent business, I cannot force it." The Holy Maiden of Yao Chi took out a jade pendant. "However, if the Daoist finds leisure, you may take this pendant to any Yao Chi Immortal Stone Workshop in the Northern Domain at any time. They will surely guide you into Yao Chi."
Ye Fan quickly thanked her. "If I miss such a grand event, it would be a great regret for this poor Daoist. Once I finish my urgent matters, I will definitely visit."
When Ye Fan left the bamboo grove, the people outside had already dispersed.
He didn't see Wu Zhongtian or Tu Fei after coming out, but he didn't go looking for them either. He left the city directly.
Outside Kunyun City, flames shot into the sky. Even from a distance, one could sense the terrifying aura.
Ten li outside the city, a great battle was underway. Many cultivators flew toward it.
"The Holy Son Yao Guang is truly invincible!"
"This is too terrifying!"
Many were discussing it. Soon, Ye Fan spotted Wu Zhongtian and Li Heishui among the spectators.
Ahead, in the center of a stretch of reddish-brown earth, the Holy Son Yao Guang stood alone. His whole body radiated golden light. He was like a furnace of heaven and earth, scorching all directions. His powerful aura made many tremble.
At his feet lay two corpses, both white-haired elders of the older generation.
In the sky, three more old men were roaring as they charged at him.
But the entire sky was shrouded in holy light, like a bronze furnace refining the world, unbreakable. The Holy Son Yao Guang stood there like a god!
He was invulnerable to all techniques, as steady as a mountain, unmoving. He was also like a bright sun, shining brilliantly, his light too dazzling to look at directly.
"Boom!"
He punched toward the sky. Divine light blotted out the sun, and the heavens shook, with the momentum to swallow heaven and earth! An elder who charged at him was instantly shattered into pieces.
Another man shouted, diving down. The terrifying weapon he sacrificed lit up the sky like a comet, tearing through the void, killing toward the Holy Son Yao Guang. His battle power surged, and killing intent shot to the heavens.
But the holy light of the Holy Son Yao Guang was truly unstoppable. Mountains and rivers trembled. Blazing beams filled the sky. The heavenly furnace refined the world!
The holy light surged, piercing the clouds. Beneath the sky, everything was dazzling.
"Boom!"
The sky was filled with light, blazing and intense. The terrifying weapon vaporized on the spot, and that elder evaporated instantly, completely melted away.
When the third man arrived, the Holy Son Yao Guang's body flowed with golden light. His hair, like gold, danced wildly. Two beams of golden radiance shot from his eyes. He let out a soft shout.
"Kill!"
"Bang!"
The elder in the sky shattered into pieces on the spot, his corpse falling, dead in an instant.
"This... is too terrifying!"
"Five experts, all having cultivated to the third secret realm, were all killed! The Holy Son Yao Guang's divine might truly intimidates his generation!"
"Terrifying, awe-inspiring! At this level, he's nearly invincible among his peers. The Holy Son Yao Guang is truly a prodigy of this era."
"Even if Ji Haoyue shines like the moon and the Jiang family has a divine body, they probably can't overshadow the Holy Son Yao Guang's invincible style. Even a divine body can't suppress someone like him."
At this moment, the Holy Son Yao Guang truly resembled a deity. His whole body emitted light, even his hair strands, purifying the entire world.
His blood and qi surged, boiling like magma, making it impossible to approach. He was like a bronze furnace that could refine this world!
"I can't stand this aura!" A cultivator groaned, feeling weak all over, retreating.
"His life force is too vigorous, almost covering half the sky. His blood and qi are like blades, naturally emanating, enough to harm others' souls."
The Holy Son Yao Guang was exactly as they described. The blood within him was like blades and rainbows, forcing everyone to retreat.
Wu Zhongtian sighed. "I am no match for him. Once the Holy Light Art is unleashed, he's truly invincible among his peers. Such a sacred art is unmatched in the world. Unless Jiang the Divine King's Battle Saint Art appears, no one can contend with him."
"Invulnerable to all techniques, surging holy light, refining heaven and earth, supreme alone. He's far more terrifying than the young Saint Lord of Yaoguang!"
"Right now, the only one who might be able to stand against him is the Great Xia Prince, who cultivates the *Supreme Emperor Scripture*!"
"Unfortunately, Jiang the Divine King's offensive sacred art has vanished forever..."
Continuing to wish all readers a happy New Year. May you enjoy your holiday and have a pleasant time. May the Year of the Rabbit bring great success.