Chapter 111: When Not To Show Off If Not When You’re Winning?
It was precisely in the instant that the seven God-Slaying Long Swords shot out that Jiang Ce felt his body lighten. Not only did the pressure brought by Buddha Asks Kalas suddenly disappear, but even the voice that had lingered unrelentingly in his mind seemed to have gone dormant.
In the flash of lightning and flint, even Jiang Ce himself didn’t react to what had happened, only to see that a long sword was inserted into each of the seven orifices of the huge Bodhisattva Golden Body behind Xue Yuan.
Xue Yuan turned back in horror, only to see that the Bodhisattva Golden Body had lost connection with him. The Golden Body was no longer pure and sacred; instead, it was like a fallen demonic Buddha, filled with a ferocious and decadent aura.
The Bodhisattva’s head twisted and turned jerkily, like a walking corpse.
Pfft!
Finally, the Bodhisattva’s head exploded like a shattered watermelon, turning into a headless Bodhisattva.
The seven God-Slaying Long Swords stood on the severed neck, controlling the headless Golden Body. It stretched out two huge hands and slapped toward Xue Yuan, as if to swat a fly.
Facing his own Buddha’s Palm, Xue Yuan had no power to resist. As the huge hand approached, his eyes turned completely black, his face became dazed, as if he was being converted in reverse.
At that moment, Ci En could no longer sit still. In an instant, he flickered to Xue Yuan’s front as if traversing space, shattering the demonic Buddha with one palm, then trying to restrain the seven long swords.
But just as he touched those long swords, he shuddered and withdrew his hand.
He perceived the same divine aura that the Old Celestial Master had sensed from Jiang Ce in the Celestial Master’s Hall.
Ci En gravely turned his head to look at the coldly watching Jiang Ce, expressionlessly hiding the hand that had touched the long sword behind his back.
There was a clear red mark on his palm.
If not for Jiang Ce’s cultivation being too low to wield the divine material, this hand would have suffered even more severe damage.
Meanwhile, Xue Yuan was suffering torment from his inner demon. Even with Ten Generations of Buddha Heart, he could not block it.
The seven God-Slaying Long Swords returned to Jiang Ce’s side, hovering around him, watching covetously.
“Abbot Ci En, you broke the rules, didn’t you?” Jiang Ce asked coldly.
Only at this moment did the people in the venue finally come back to their senses, all exclaiming in shock.
Ci En personally intervened?
Ci En sighed, putting his hands together: “Amitabha, your baleful aura is too heavy. If I hadn’t acted, Xue Yuan would have died.”
“Heh.” Jiang Ce sneered and shook his head: “He didn’t go easy on me either. How is he more precious than me?”
Ci En did not answer, merely saying calmly: “The Buddhist Sect has lost.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ce said no more and turned to leave.
At this point, he was like an arrow at the end of its flight, his steps unsteady. Although he wanted to angrily rebuke Ci En’s hypocrisy, he truly had no extra strength left.
The seven God-Slaying Long Swords merged one by one into Jiang Ce’s body. With every step he took, one of those extremely ferocious long swords disappeared until they were all gone, and the killing aura on Jiang Ce finally subsided.
He returned to the viewing platform and sat boldly back in his original seat, saying nothing, silently chewing compressed spiritual medicine to replenish his consumption.
The people from the Buddhist Sect all had unpleasant expressions. The way they looked at Jiang Ce was either hostile or indignant, with none of the previous disdain.
The Daoist Sect representatives felt regretful, because they all knew Jiang Ce was not from the Daoist Sect.
With Buddha Asks Kalas broken, the sky suddenly brightened. True Person Qin looked at the groove left by Wang Chu Fan, his face showing contemplation.
The divine-connecting sword intent within had completely disappeared.
He reminded Jiang Ce: “There’s a problem with your Seven Star Sword Formation. It incorporated too much sorcery, turning the star chart into an inverted heptagram.”
Jiang Ce nodded and thanked True Person Qin, but did not ask how to correct it.
He was already accustomed to such things. If the sorcery he cultivated did not turn evil, he would be unaccustomed.
True Person Qin pursed his lips and said no more. He had wanted to help Jiang Ce correct the star chart to make him owe another favor, but since Jiang Ce did not ask, he could not bring it up proactively and had to let it go.
The Old Celestial Master stood up and announced to everyone with a hearty laugh: “In this Daoist Grand Ceremony, the Daoist Sect has achieved the final victory.”
Daoist priests everywhere in the venue cheered sincerely.
Only the Daoist Sect knew what this simple statement meant.
It meant that for a long time to come, the Daoist Sect would suppress the Buddhist Sect. The Buddhist-Daoist struggle had a result today.
Jiang Ce silently watched the Old Celestial Master’s generous back as he gave his speech, a cold laugh rising in his heart.
Enjoy it. You’ll have more to enjoy later.
Not long after the grand ceremony, the Buddhist Sect people left early under some pretext. They had come arrogantly, but left dejectedly.
The Daoist Sect then held a grand banquet.
Jiang Ce was naturally arranged to sit with the Daoist Sect’s core figures.
Amidst the clinking glasses, everyone was all smiles, presenting a harmonious scene.
After getting acquainted with Jiang Ce, everyone praised him profusely, even the usually most reticent True Person Wang greatly admired Jiang Ce.
“You actually comprehended some true meaning from the divine-connecting sword intent left by Wang Chu Fan. Though it’s just superficial knowledge, with time, you might become the next sword god. Not unworthy of being Wei Men Shen’s disciple; your talent is indeed extraordinary.”
Though it sounded like flattery, True Person Wang said it very seriously. Only those who knew him understood that saying this meant he truly thought so.
Jiang Ce smiled humbly: “True Person Wang overpraises me. I haven’t even comprehended sword intent. I was just lucky to have learned the Seven Star Sword Formation, perhaps resonating with Daoist Wang Chu Fan’s sword intent, and by chance obtained some true meaning. Just luck.”
True Person Qin smiled without speaking. He practiced the Seven Star Sword Formation himself. If the sword formation could resonate with sword intent and absorb it, wouldn’t he know?
Mentioning swords, Li Xi was somewhat depressed and asked Jiang Ce discontentedly: “Speaking of which, is that how you use the Object Manipulation Technique I gave you? Using a perfectly good sorcery for a sneak attack, really—”
Jiang Ce awkwardly scratched his head: “What sneak attack? Daoist Li makes it sound so bad. It was clearly openly repairing the plank roads while secretly crossing the Chencang Pass.”
The Old Celestial Master benevolently watched the harmonious scene, full of smiles.
Young disciples or representatives from small sects occasionally came to toast and thank Jiang Ce. He always had a smiling face, no airs, and could chat with everyone.
Finally, the banquet ended, and everyone left one after another.
After most people had gone, the Old Celestial Master had Jiang Ce go with him to the side hall.
Jiang Ce set down his wine cup and dropped his smile.
The main event was here!
In the side hall, only the Old Celestial Master and Jiang Ce were present. The Old Celestial Master sat in a chair, took out a small jade bottle from his bosom, handed it to Jiang Ce, and said kindly:
“This is the Five Thunder Pill. It can wash away the residual Righteous Qi in your body, refine your physique, and enhance your constitution. After taking it, use spiritual energy to channel the medicinal power throughout your body. At first, there will be some numbness, but once your whole body heats up, you can reforge new Righteous Qi.”
Jiang Ce toyed with the jade bottle, uncorked it, and looked inside. A small silver-white pill was within.
He joked: “Old Celestial Master, this Five Thunder Pill isn’t expired, is it?”
The Old Celestial Master chuckled in amusement: “How could it be?”
Jiang Ce said “oh” and then sat down beside the Old Celestial Master on his own, ignoring the slight change in the Old Celestial Master’s expression, and said with a half-smile: “So you don’t even want to put on an act? You said the materials were rare and it would take time to refine, but now you pull it out directly. Isn’t that inconsistent?”
The Old Celestial Master still smilingly explained: “Actually, I prepared it for you long ago. This was to motivate you to do your best for the Daoist Sect to win, but even if you lost, I would still give it to you.”
“So that’s how it is.” Jiang Ce nodded: “Actually, there were several times I could have directly conceded, but thinking of my promise to you and for the Five Thunder Pill, I persisted. To be honest, it was truly perilous.”
The Old Celestial Master sighed: “It’s my fault too. I really didn’t expect Xue Yuan’s Ten Generations of Buddha Heart. A mere Jianghu sorcerer being able to cultivate Buddha’s Palm is truly astonishing, but fortunately, your skill prevailed, and you won. Otherwise, the Buddhist Sect would have gained the upper hand.
Don’t worry. You’ve taken such a big risk this time. The Five Thunder Pill now seems insufficient as reward. Later, I’ll find some more pills and sorceries useful to you as compensation.”
“Since the Old Celestial Master is so sincere, I won’t refuse. I’ll accept it. Thank you, Old Celestial Master.”
Jiang Ce cupped his hands.
The Old Celestial Master waved his hand: “No need. This is only right.”
Jiang Ce nodded, then suddenly changed the subject: “I helped you deal with the Buddhist Sect, you gave me the Five Thunder Pill. One matter settled, now let’s settle another account.”
“Another account?” The Old Celestial Master looked puzzled: “What other account?”
“The account of you intending to kill me in the Celestial Master’s Hall and repeatedly standing by without helping during my match with Xue Yuan, wanting to borrow the Buddhist Sect’s hand to eliminate me.”
Jiang Ce said calmly.
The Old Celestial Master remained composed, smiling as he countered: “When did I ever do that?”
“No need to play dumb.” Jiang Ce sighed: “Actually, I didn’t want to say it so bluntly. I won’t mention the Celestial Master’s Hall—whether it was just questioning you that annoyed you, or you really wanted to kill me, you know better than me.
Just take the grand ceremony today. When Ci En acted to save Xue Yuan, there was a moment when he wanted to kill me. You should have sensed it, right?”
The Old Celestial Master looked blank: “Such a thing happened?”
“Haha, you really are impervious.” Seeing the Old Celestial Master’s demeanor, Jiang Ce couldn’t help laughing: “Fine, even if you didn’t notice that, when I stepped on the divine-connecting sword intent left by Wang Chu Fan, you must have sensed it, right?
It can’t be that a Perfect Enlightenment like you has worse perception than True Person Qin and True Person Wang, both at Return to Origin Limitless, right?”
“If the account you’re settling is just picking a fight, then even though you helped me greatly, I’m afraid I can’t be friendly toward you.”
The Old Celestial Master shook his head, looking at Jiang Ce as if disappointed.
“You’ve already wanted to kill me. Do you still have any friendliness toward me?”
Jiang Ce shrugged and spread his hands:
“If you put it that way, then we can’t talk. Among the sects Wei Lao sent me to as envoy, there are Buddhist Sect ones. If they knew I’m a Gatekeeper, not some Daoist priest, whether they’d trouble you—I can’t guarantee.”
The Old Celestial Master’s gaze turned cold: “Are you threatening me?”
Jiang Ce shook his head: “Not a threat. I just hope you’ll be more honest.”
“Fine, fine.” The Old Celestial Master sneered: “From your attitude since entering, you really don’t take me seriously. Since you say I wanted to kill you, and now it’s just us two in the room, aren’t you afraid of dying here?
Why don’t you guess: if you die, will Wei Wen Zheng trouble me for you? Young man, don’t think too highly of yourself. Many things aren’t as simple as you think.”
Jiang Ce suspiciously sized up the Old Celestial Master: “You know what I’m thinking?”
“Nothing more than using this to extort more benefits from me.” The Old Celestial Master showed contempt: “I originally thought you were a talent worth cultivating, but now it seems, though you have some talent, you’re fundamentally shortsighted.”
“Oh, if that’s what you think, then you’re truly mistaken.”
Jiang Ce curled his lips and said faintly:
“Dealing with the Gluttonous Ghost has always been the Gatekeeper’s job. I can’t imagine why you and Ci En suddenly hit it off. I always assume the worst intentions of others.
The only possibility I can think of is that you plan to wipe out the Gluttonous Ghosts and replace the Gatekeeper’s status. Then either Ci En leads and you follow, or you lead and Ci En follows—either way, the world will be ruled by the Buddhist Sect and Daoist Sect.”
The Old Celestial Master frowned, somewhat impatiently: “I’ve said it already. Wei Wen Zheng knows about this, and neither he nor Cao Gong inquired. On what basis do you question?”
“Didn’t they send me here?” Jiang Ce smiled and countered.
The Old Celestial Master’s expression changed.
Jiang Ce pointed at himself: “I asked Xuan Qing. In the Celestial Master’s Hall when I questioned you, you were initially just dissatisfied, not furious. But later, you suddenly developed killing intent toward me.
The shift from dissatisfaction to killing intent was quick. I can only guess you discovered something on me, deeming me a threat to your and Ci En’s plan to replace the Gatekeeper.
Secrets you can discover, Cao Gong and Wei Lao can naturally discover too. So they sent me here—not just for the Five Thunder Pill, but more to warn you with my presence not to have extra ideas, right?
As for why you didn’t act, probably because you still can’t beat Cao Gong, huh?”
Jiang Ce smiled at the Old Celestial Master: “So go ahead and try now. See if the Celestial Master’s Mansion will still exist after you act. As far as I know, though Shenxiao Sect is not as strong as Celestial Master’s Mansion, it’s not far off, but back then, Cao Gong wasn’t even a Half-Immortal.”
The Old Celestial Master’s expression flickered uncertainly. He initially thought Jiang Ce just had some persecution complex and wanted to extort him this way, so he could feign ignorance nonchalantly.
Only when Jiang Ce laid it out did he realize Jiang Ce had truly seen through it.
“I truly underestimated you.” The Old Celestial Master forced a smile.
Jiang Ce shook his head: “It was too obvious. The timing was too coincidental. And thinking carefully, there’s no reason Cao Gong couldn’t solve my problem but only you could. To put it bluntly, even Half-Immortals are helpless—on what basis could you?”
The Old Celestial Master’s expression darkened. Though Jiang Ce’s words were harsh, the fact was so.
He had been in a high position too long and perhaps truly thought too highly of himself.
“So, coincidences, viewed from another angle, are actually a kind of inevitability.”
Jiang Ce leaned close to the cold-faced Old Celestial Master and sneered:
“That’s why I say you’re impervious. It didn’t have to come to breaking faces—we’re all family, how nice. But you insist on everything being spelled out before talking properly. Do you look down on me too much? Or yourself too highly?”
