The footsteps of the Jade Sword Buddha seemed both slow and fast, as if the ground beneath her feet was propelling her forward.
Gu Wen followed closely behind, caught up in the momentum.
The highest realm of body techniques is to shrink the earth to an inch.
Previously, Yu Hua had soared through the skies in the same manner, but it should be at least a thousand times faster.
Gu Wen observed the rapidly retreating scenery around him; each step covered approximately ten meters.
This was already a body technique that involved spatial manipulation, and he had no idea what level it was.
Fourth realm body technique?
As they approached the city wall, they drew closer and closer, while the Jade Sword Buddha showed no intention of stopping.
Gu Wen, not foolish, naturally deduced that the other party could shrink the earth to an inch and walk right through.
The two headed straight for the city wall.
Bang!
Their foreheads collided with the wall, and the two exchanged a glance.
The Jade Sword Buddha, bewildered, asked, “Why didn’t you remind this monk?”
Gu Wen was even more bewildered, staring wide-eyed at her, and retorted, “Why didn’t you stop, senior?”
“This monk tends to get distracted while walking,” the Jade Sword Buddha replied honestly, her eyes, resembling glazed glass, revealing a character of ‘口木’, signifying a Buddha’s essence that remains unchanged.
Gu Wen responded, “I thought senior could shrink the earth to an inch and walk out.”
“This monk’s Buddhist techniques are not sufficient to penetrate tangible objects in the Immortal Realm.” The Jade Sword Buddha touched her forehead, as white and pure as jade, and coughed lightly to mask her embarrassment.
She glanced around, noting the absence of others.
The area near the city wall was under the control of the auxiliary troops, with no one around, and even the stationed soldiers were sparse, indicating the weakness of the southern military forces.
This was quite normal; compared to the chaotic battles in the northern lands, the south was much more peaceful, with the most formidable threats being mere bandits claiming mountains as their kings.
If the affluent southern counties were still strong and well-equipped, the court would not dare to imagine what they might do.
Additionally, influenced by the sects, the south was a reserved territory for the major sects of Dao and Buddhism, which were relatively more harmonious.
This place was suitable for transmitting teachings.
The Jade Sword Buddha asked, “Are you practicing the Jade Clear Sword Technique?”
“Indeed.”
Gu Wen willingly revealed his aura, a flash of sword intent flickering in his eyes.
The Jade Sword Buddha merely glanced at him and shook her head slightly, saying, “Eager for quick success, your sword intent is like scattered sand; you are not even one-tenth of Xiao Yunyi.”
“The junior is foolish; I hope senior can provide guidance.”
Gu Wen was unfazed, as the other party was not belittling him.
After all, he was not originally a swordsman.
It was akin to telling an electrician that his cooking skills were poor—would the electrician be angry? If the Jade Sword Buddha said Gu Wen’s spear techniques were terrible, he would have the motivation to compare.
“Here.”
The Jade Sword Buddha flicked a piece of jade silk from her robe.
Gu Wen caught it and saw it was filled with dense scriptures.
He scanned it with his divine sense, and his vision was instantly overwhelmed by the scriptures, making him feel dizzy.
Ultimately, the scriptures all flowed into his sea of qi, coalescing into a few large characters.
[Buddha Sword True Interpretation]
[Heavenly Essence Unknown]
Gu Wen was unsure if it was due to his lack of understanding of Buddhist teachings, but he found this technique impossible to learn.
Even if he could learn it, this was not the right time!
What he wanted to inquire about was how to refine the Jade Clear Sword Technique, seeking experience regarding the Dharma forms, not to learn sword techniques from her.
How was this any different from throwing a piece of pork at him?
He regained his composure and asked, “Senior, what is this?”
“This is the sword technique created by this monk; you need not worry about any taboos.”
“…”
Gu Wen looked at the nun’s sincere eyes, his smile stiffening as he said, “Actually, the junior does not lack techniques; I merely wish to ask senior some questions regarding the sword path and Dharma forms.”
Even if the Buddha Sword True Interpretation was stronger than the Jade Clear Sword Technique, the gap between top-tier techniques would not be too significant.
Gu Wen could not switch to the Buddha Sword at this moment; looking at ‘Heavenly Essence Unknown,’ it seemed like a futile endeavor.
“Look.”
The fierce visage of the Vajra Dharma form manifested on the Jade Sword Buddha, enveloped in vast Buddhist light.
Three heads and six arms each wielded a sword, each sword distinct, and each one stronger than Gu Wen’s.
“…”
Gu Wen was utterly speechless, recalling how good Yu Hua had been.
The other party had taught him by breaking it down and feeding it to him in the simplest way possible.
In contrast, the Jade Sword Buddha seemed afraid he would understand, and if she hadn’t directly thrown the technique at him earlier, Gu Wen would have suspected she was playing tricks on him.
Watching intently was indeed useful, but how long would that take?
The Jade Sword Buddha explained, “If you can learn the Buddha Sword, you can apply this method to understand the similarities between the Buddhist, Daoist, and demonic teachings; they are essentially the same.”
Gu Wen clasped his hands and asked, “The junior is foolish; I hope senior can directly guide me on how to quickly cultivate the sword path Dharma form. How can I condense sword intent faster?”
He had a rough idea of how to interact with this nun—speak plainly without beating around the bush.
The Jade Sword Buddha stroked her bald head, her expression thoughtful, then suddenly enlightened: “I thought you wanted to ask about the sword path’s true meaning that I previously discussed with Xiao Yunyi. If it’s just about the sword path Dharma form, it’s quite easy; follow me.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the nun grasped Gu Wen’s shoulder and soared into the air, darting towards the city outskirts.
Their speed was astonishing; in addition to low-altitude flight, they also employed the technique of shrinking the earth to an inch, making the surrounding scenery retreat as if they were on a high-speed train.
Gu Wen asked, “Senior, where are we heading?”
“There is a great demon inheritance outside the city. This monk goes to subdue demons and eliminate evil. The essence of the sword path lies in combat; once you see it, you will naturally understand how to condense the sword path Dharma form.”
“Ah?”
Gu Wen looked at the increasingly distant Luodu, suddenly feeling his scalp tingle.
He was now being watched by at least three old monsters at the tenth level.
Ao Tang had gone to fetch his life-saving treasure and hadn’t returned; wasn’t he just walking into a trap by leaving Luodu?
Just as he was having second thoughts, a gentle and elegant voice entered his mind: “No worries, I’m watching. The Jade Sword Buddha will greatly assist you in the sword path; study well.”
Steady.
After about a stick of incense’s time, the Jade Sword Buddha stopped in a mountain hollow near Luodu.
The two stood at a high vantage point, able to see a stone door about a person’s height below, which had already been opened.
Outside the door, three people were confronting each other, surrounded by chaos, with trees broken by Dao techniques and giant stones split apart everywhere.
Among those three was the person Gu Wen had spoken to earlier, the one ranked ninety-eighth, Xiang Caiyuan.
Gu Wen remembered him because he had heard that the other party’s sect sold Dharma robes.
He thought about whether he could buy one next time; after all, every time he fought, his clothes would end up tattered, and who knew when he might end up running around naked after a battle.
Another person was severely injured, while the last one was exuding a sinister aura, radiating an extremely powerful presence.
Possessed?
That was Gu Wen’s first reaction.
He asked, “Senior, is that person possessed?”
“Amitabha, I arrived a step too late.”
The Jade Sword Buddha joined her hands together, her expression filled with compassion.
At this moment, the three below also noticed them and looked up in unison.
The demonic powerhouse sneered coldly, “Hehe, where did this little nun come from? So naive.”
A beam of Buddhist light enveloped the mountain hollow, and a massive Vajra Dharma form swung down a sword.
Boom!
The demonic powerhouse raised his hands in defense but was instantly forced to kneel, half of his body sinking into the earth, his face displaying a look of terror.
The Jade Sword Buddha stepped down through the air, her expression compassionate yet filled with boundless killing intent, saying, “Amitabha, this monk sends you to the West.”
Gu Wen focused intently on this scene, watching as the Buddhist light and sword light intertwined, feeling the Jade Sword within him resonate slightly.
Fifth level of the Jade Clear Sword Technique, reducing five years of Heavenly Essence.
(End of Chapter)