Within the Qi Sea, the Demonic Sword gradually illuminated from its dark state, the Buddha Sword radiated a vast golden light, while the Jade Sword remained calm and moderate.
Gu Wen gazed at the three distinctly opposing sword techniques; the Buddha and Demonic paths were irreconcilable, while the Jade Sword maintained its independence from both.
The methods of cultivation were inherently exclusionary.
Logically, practicing both the Buddha and Demonic sword techniques simultaneously would lead one to go astray, and a moment's carelessness could result in a fatal outcome.
Although the Jade Sword did not reject either, it also could not fully accept them, leading to a relationship akin to that of the Zhaolie Spear and the Heart Sword.
They did not interfere with one another, and the combined power of one plus one did not equal two, potentially causing distraction.
One offensive technique was sufficient; different types could be said to offer diversity, but the same type was truly tasteless and regrettable to discard.
However, when the three were placed together, the Jade Sword harmonized the irreconcilable elements of the Buddha and Demonic paths, thus establishing a connection with both.
The three stood in a delicate balance, much like the three teachings converging on a single path.
What would happen if I practiced all three swords of Buddha, Dao, and Demon?
Gu Wen could not help but entertain such a thought.
He was vastly different from the heirs of the three teachings, a gap that could not be bridged in a short time.
He did not harbor the arrogance to think he could surpass them in a brief period.
Taking the Jade Sword Buddha, this little nun, as an example, she had nearly achieved the Sixth Layer of Dao Foundation and the Sixth Layer of Perfection.
This indicated that there indeed existed individuals in this world who could attain a complete Dao Foundation purely through innate talent, without relying on external aids.
The heir of the Demonic Sect possessed a Seventh Layer of Dao Foundation and a Sixth Layer of Perfection.
Comparing the two, Gu Wen felt the Jade Sword Buddha was somewhat stronger, not only because he had heard of the Demonic Sect heir being slain and their avatar destroyed, but also because he had closely experienced the almost seamless integration of their Dao Foundation, Dharma Forms, and various techniques.
The Jade Sword Buddha bore no extraneous paths, resembling a weakened version of Yu Hua.
“If I were to match their Dao Foundations, I fear I would still be unable to compete with them.”
Today, upon witnessing the heirs of the Buddha and Demonic sects, Gu Wen felt like a frog at the bottom of a well gazing at the bright sky.
And this was merely the top three of the Human and Earth Rankings; above them were still nine monsters on the Heavenly Ranking.
How could such complacency lead to the first place?
Gu Wen opened his eyes and, in the dead of night, entered Yu Hua's room next door.
Yu Hua was, as always, sitting by the window gazing at Tianquan Mountain, the moonlight casting a cold glow upon her.
On ordinary days, she did not wear a bamboo hat in her room, and her visage under the moonlight made one’s breath slow by half a beat.
She turned her head, a smile blooming like snow melting into water, her voice clear and elegant as she said, “You have obtained the Demonic Sword and the Buddha Sword, while the Jade Clear Sword Technique has another name: Dao Sword. The three swords of Buddha, Dao, and Demon, when combined, form the method of opening the Folded Sword Mountain, yet do not exist within it.”
“The first sword of all ages, a true understanding of the sword path that has no predecessors and will have no successors.”
Gu Wen had not yet spoken, but Yu Hua seemed to know everything.
He asked, “Were these all arranged by you, Dao friend?”
The Jade Clear Sword Technique was given to him by Yu Hua, and the Jade Sword Buddha had a close relationship with her.
The only uncertainty lay with the heir of the Demonic Sect.
The first two were connected to her, so if she had arranged it, it would be within reason.
“No,” Yu Hua shook her head, “I passed you the Jade Clear Sword Technique because it is the best of the Three Clear Dao Sect, and the Jade Sword Buddha passed you the Buddha Sword simply because she wished to. The heir of the Demonic Sect merely seeks to fool you.”
She had not yet grown powerful enough to directly interfere with causality, allowing the strongest sword techniques of the three teachings to converge here.
She merely saw that Gu Wen seemed capable of obtaining something and naturally gave him a push.
If it was not his, Yu Hua might not be able to help him obtain it, but if it was his, no one could take it away.
She had already missed one chance regarding the initial celestial fate; there would not be a second.
“If it were not for you, Dao friend, I fear I would not even be able to meet the Jade Sword Buddha Master.”
Gu Wen shook his head, suddenly feeling Yu Hua's gaze turn slightly cold, interrupting, “Again with the Master and Senior, you certainly know how to draw closer.”
“Uh, when asking a favor, one naturally must speak with respect.”
“Respect as in treating each other like honored guests? I have heard that nuns often have romantic affairs, and coincidentally, men also enjoy these smooth-headed ones, just as succubi delight in seducing monks; taboos always provoke the imagination.”
Yu Hua's voice was calm, as if it were her usual demeanor towards others, but her tone was somewhat softer when speaking with Gu Wen.
Yet there was a strong sense of aggression in her words.
Gu Wen felt a bit embarrassed; he could sense something was off, as Yu Hua seemed to be a bit protective.
Perhaps it was because the competition for talents among the three teachings was quite fierce?
Gu Wen had seen and heard many things, and regarding the conflicts among the three teachings, there were three points: one was differing ideologies, another was the disparity in strength, and the last was the old Daoists snatching away young monks, monks converting demons, and succubi seducing Daoists.
The flow of talents among the three teachings was extremely frequent, akin to the unification of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism in his previous life.
Gu Wen observed the three swords of Buddha, Dao, and Demon and became more convinced that the higher the level of the technique, the more they converged on a single path.
Yu Hua's display of protectiveness was quite normal; no one wished for the genius under their wing to be snatched away.
“I am not as familiar with her as you are, Dao friend, so I cannot speak directly. Moreover, I am determined to become an immortal and have no interest in carnal desires, let alone the allure of women. Furthermore, the Jade Sword Buddha is not even half as good as you, Dao friend.”
In just a single breath, Gu Wen exhibited an exceptionally high emotional intelligence; he naturally understood the difference between intimacy and distance, and he knew how to master the art of pulling others down.
Apologies, little nun!
After all, he had just received benefits from her, and now to belittle the other party made Gu Wen's conscience ache slightly.
Yu Hua's brows relaxed, “The Jade Sword Buddha's appearance among cultivators can be considered as beautiful as a fish sinking or a flower falling; to say she is not even half as good as me is somewhat excessive.”
“Beauty is subjective; whether one is good-looking or not is a matter of personal taste.”
Gu Wen immediately took the opportunity to flatter her, his mind racing with thoughts on how to please his benefactor.
It was only right to make someone happy when receiving their kindness; how could he make her happy?
Gu Wen suddenly remembered that she always enjoyed poetry and songs.
Although she would not recite a poem like a scholar, she always held onto her book of poetry for practicing calligraphy.
Once again invoking the spirit of his ancestors, since he had already copied it, it would not matter to copy a bit more.
“I observe your actions, Dao friend, as graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon. Radiant like autumn chrysanthemums, flourishing like spring pines. Ethereal like light clouds obscuring the moon, drifting like flowing wind returning snow.”
The Ode to the Goddess of Luo, authored by Cao Zhi of the Three Kingdoms, was both the pinnacle of his lyrical composition and the zenith of prose.
With so many renowned critiques, Gu Wen was not a literary master before his transmigration, so he would not comment further on the great achievements of his ancestors.
He knew that the descriptions of the goddess's beauty within were enough to be sung for thousands of years, and coincidentally, this place was also called Luo Shui, with Yu Hua as the celestial maiden of the Dao sect residing in Luo Shui, which aligned well with the original text.
Now, when using it, he naturally would not mention terms like ‘Mi Fei,’ ‘Luoyang,’ or ‘Juan City’; he merely extracted a segment to please the somewhat prickly Yu Hua.
“Grasping the white wrist by the divine marsh, gathering the mysterious herbs by the rushing stream.”
Upon reaching this point, Gu Wen did not continue; going further would turn into a confession.
This would clearly misplace the positioning of their relationship and would not benefit their current situation.
Gu Wen would never engage in romantic talk when he needed to cultivate; he did not even have enough time for his training.
Love was not a necessity, and there would be plenty of time in the future.
Yu Hua remained silent for a long time, and Gu Wen gradually became somewhat anxious, as there was always a risk of exposure when trimming the beginning and end.
The two remained silent for a while, and Gu Wen felt that the best strategy was to retreat, taking a small step back, “I have offended, and I shall not disturb you today, Dao friend.”
“Come here.”
Yu Hua finally spoke, and Gu Wen obediently stepped within three paces of her.
“Come a little closer.”
Gu Wen took two more steps, and they were only a step apart.
Yu Hua looked up at him, her gaze ethereal as if imbued with infinite spiritual charm, reaching out to caress Gu Wen's cheek.
Her voice was unprecedentedly gentle as she said, “Have you ever said this to anyone else?”
“No.”
Gu Wen instinctively shook his head, following an inexplicable survival instinct, a slight chill running down his spine.
“If you say this to anyone else in the future, I will pull out your tongue.”
Yu Hua's voice suddenly turned cold, her gaze fixed on Gu Wen with suspicion, and what arose in her heart was not joy, but an inexplicable worry.
Having too much talent was not necessarily a good thing.
Today, since he could casually express his unsettled heart, he could also deceive countless female cultivators in the future.
Even if he did not actively seek out romantic entanglements, others would come to him, just like the nun who had ulterior motives this morning.
Those with great talent would always be viewed differently wherever they went; if Gu Wen were a prodigy without a sect, he would have long been snatched away by the Buddha Sect.
She earnestly lectured, “Our Jade Clear Sect emphasizes a tranquil heart and few desires. You must understand that lust is a bone-cutting knife; how many young talents have been dragged down by love? I do not wish for you to waste your own talent because of this.”
Did she dislike frivolous words and compositions?
Indeed, techniques were all false; only sincerity could touch the heart, and only through successful cultivation could one win the favor of others.
The superiority of cultivators lies in their cultivation.
Gu Wen felt he had flattered her inappropriately and quickly expressed, “I will heed your teachings; I shall certainly maintain a tranquil heart and few desires, abstaining from romantic entanglements and the allure of women.”
“...”
Yu Hua was silent for a moment before suddenly advising, “There is no need to be so extreme; our Jade Clear Sect does not advocate forgetting emotions entirely.”
(End of Chapter)