I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1252 - Chapter 1252 Chapter 544 Crossing

Chapter 1252: Chapter 544: Crossing Chapter 1252: Chapter 544: Crossing “`

Demonic energy surged violently, murderous intent crisscrossed, and from the ink-colored lotus seat emerged thirty-six pitch-black lotus seeds, transforming into thirty-six faces filled with rage and resentment. The whispering lingered in Gu Han’s ears, causing the Corpse Monk’s dark face to constantly shift, the skin quivering uncontrollably, unspeakably ferocious.

The Buddha Son, Yanshan, as clear as crystal, watched everything that unfolded before him without any action, merely gazing at Gu Han.

As the most talented spirit child of the Jushe Mi Sect, Gu Han’s defection had wounded the hearts of countless venerable ones. Yet, like the other Buddha Sons seeking their path, the Jushe Mi Sect did not issue an assassination order but instead publicly declared that the spirit child Zhihan had passed away young from illness.

How could a peerless genius who had moved the Esoteric Sect be seized by demonic intent? Yanshan had great confidence in Gu Han.

With the burgeoning of demonic energy and murderous intent, the clouds shrouding the Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy grew denser. Many of Chaochang’s noble families also noticed the anomaly at the academy.

Among them was the nearby South City Commerce Association. The new president, Tang Yao, upon hearing Wind Media’s report, pondered for a moment, then ordered, “Send someone to keep a close eye on Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy. The moment any anomaly spreads to the South City market area, notify me immediately!”

“As you command, President!”

In the current chaos of Chaochang, each family only cared for the snow on their own doorstep, indifferent to the affairs of others.

Thus, the orders issued by noble families were mostly similar to that of the South City Commerce Association, largely monitoring and surveying, with few inquiring in person.

After all, the demonic energy covering the sky above Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy was clearly not something to be trifled with. The Xiang Family, normally responsible for the order in the city, now had their own troubles and couldn’t manage. In such times, who would wade into these troubled waters?

However, in the Lower City East Market, Tang Luo faintly sensed a powerful spiritual intent from the south and often gazed into the distance.

“What’s the matter?”

Yun Xiu followed Tang Luo’s gaze towards the distant southern sky to no avail and turned to ask, “Is something happening over there?”

“There’s a strong demonic energy that’s appeared over there; it’s probably my ally arriving.”

Remembering that he had not mentioned this to Yun Xiu, he took the opportunity to explain, “It’s the assassin from the Ancient Blood Tower. Judging from the aura, it should be the Corpse Monk.”

“Then let’s go, you’re not needed here anymore.”

Yun Xiu nodded and responded nonchalantly.

Considering he had knocked out all the Wind Media of the Xiang Family and that the Xiang Family could not organize any specific countermeasures in the current chaos, Tang Luo felt it should be fine to leave Yun Xiu alone in charge of the overall situation. Yet he still fussily instructed, “I’ll head over then, you be careful here by yourself. If something feels wrong, hide in the Spirit World Passage. Don’t risk your life for the sake of the people in East Market!”

“I got it, I got it, hurry on your way.”

…

Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy

The sky was oppressively dark, and not a glimmer of light remained on the training ground. Gu Han’s pupils were pitch-black, devoid of whites and irises, like two ink beads set in his eye sockets.

This was a sign that Zen Heart was shaken, verging on demonic possession. At this moment, the Corpse Monk’s consciousness had sunk into the Sea of Consciousness, revealing images from when he was a young boy practicing Zen meditation.

“Master, can the central scripture of the Jushe Mi Sect allow one to attain Buddha?”

“Why do you wish to become Buddha?”

“Because becoming Buddha is blissful.”

“Then you will not attain Buddha.”

“Why not?”

“Because what you want is bliss, not Buddha.”

“Then I don’t want bliss!”

“You still won’t attain Buddha.”

“Why is that?”

“Because Buddha inherently exists in bliss.”

“`

“Master, you’re lying!”

Tang Luo’s face turned bright red, “If you can’t become a Buddha by seeking absolute bliss, and can’t become a Buddha without desiring it, then isn’t this Buddha just an illusion?”

“The Buddha is right here.”

The Elder of Jushe Mi Sect pointed to his own heart and said, “When you understand that form is impermanent, sensations are impermanent, perceptions are impermanent, mental formations are impermanent, and consciousness is impermanent, you will have attained the ‘anatta’ or non-self heart, where no evil can invade.”

“With the heart of impermanence, can I become a Buddha?”

Tang Luo’s eyes were bright and eager.

The Elder laughed heartily as he patted the young monk’s bald head and said, “At that time, you will be able to practice the path of the Arhat!”

“Just an Arhat, no, no!”

Tang Luo brushed the Elder’s hand away from his head and said indignantly, “I want to become a Buddha!”

To become… a Buddha…

People always think they are growing, that they have been transformed over time.

But the deepest attachment buried in their hearts, planted in their youth, hasn’t progressed at all.

In this world of absolute darkness, void of even a speck of light, Gu Han looked down to see his hands but could discern nothing.

Proudly considering himself a once-in-a-lifetime genius of the Esoteric Sect, by age ten he could rattle off the five aggregates and seventy-five elements of existence by heart.

Yet the obsession of becoming a Buddha in his heart did not diminish; it only grew more stubborn until he chose a dangerous path to simultaneously cultivate the demonic Buddha’s methods, eventually earning the formidable reputation of the Corpse Monk of the Ancient Blood Tower.

To become a Buddha? Ha…

Gu Han gave a self-deprecating laugh, as the boundless darkness had long swallowed up the arrogant and egotistic spirit of the Esoteric Sect child prodigy. He had already strayed far from the Buddha’s way, so might as well let this rampant demonic intent consume him.

Before him, the Corpse Monk, who was cloaked in pitch-black darkness, opened his heart, allowing the deadly aura of the Ink Lotus to roam within, for his world had long been devoid of light.

With demonic energy flourishing and Zen Heart weakening, the radiant visage of the Arhat Golden Body instantly covered with cracks, the thirty-six deathly faces of glee surrounded the golden body eagerly gnawing at it.

The crunching sound wasn’t just the golden body being chewed by demonic teeth, but also the shattering of Zen Heart’s essence, which Gu Han ignored completely.

Falling into the endless darkness, he no longer had the strength to rise again, as if embracing a dream, unable to exert any force.

Gu Han no longer wanted to struggle; he closed his eyes, allowing the darkness to engulf him.

But within those tightly shut eyelids, there was a sliver of light, a faint Buddha light.

Has the true Buddha not given up on me?

When he practiced the demonic powers of death and evil, others accused him of countless murders; when he pretended to be ruthless, the world spread tales of his brutality; when he feigned detachment, he was seen as heartless and unrighteous;

But when he was agonized by the forces of life and death, and couldn’t help moaning in pain, people thought he was moaning without illness.

The path of demons is so cold and merciless. He thought he had grown accustomed to it, but when the Buddha light penetrated the darkness, he finally felt a long-lost warmth.

In an instant, Gu Han’s face was wet with tears, for he thought he had resigned himself to sinking, but upon seeing the Buddha light, he realized he had never given up.

He was Gu Han, the most outstanding spirit child of the Jushe Mi Sect in a century, not any heretic, demon, outsider, or villain!

The two hundred and six pieces of Buddhist bones shone brilliantly, the Arhat’s face, gnawed beyond recognition by thirty-six ghostly faces, revealed a light smile. A brilliant Buddha light emerged from the cracks of the golden body, as if touched by true fire, the fierce deathly demonic visage had no choice but to shrink back into the Ink Lotus.

A radiant Buddha light shone brightly, the Arhat’s golden body underwent nirvana, its visage filled with great joy, and behind it appeared a halo of golden flames.

The blazing light that surged toward the heavens cleared the overcast skies above Tianyuan Martial Arts Academy, and the falling embers did not harm any creature, merely reducing all the corpses within the academy grounds to ashes.