Chapter Sixty-One: The Golden Body of the Buddha (Part Two)

Surrounded entirely by countless sword auras with layers of spatial arrays, I now find that I can almost see through them at a glance. Although I have yet to set up such spatial formations myself, recognizing these arrays poses no difficulty for me. Gazing at the intricate formations before me, my heart quivers with a trace of unease.

Where is this place?

Around me, arrays are stacked endlessly, sword auras crisscrossing in every direction. I can distinctly sense the streams of Buddhist light converging into sword auras, darting around the grand formation upon which I stand. The terrifying power of these sword auras within the array is almost palpable.

“Master, you are within the space of the Sword of All Living Things. Though the space inside the sword is still extremely narrow, once I finish refining and absorbing those scattered traces of Buddhist light, I will truly transform into a pure strand of Buddhist radiance. At that time, I will begin comprehending the laws embedded within these rays, unraveling the fragments of the rules hidden inside.”

As I follow his finger and look into the distance, I see a mass of dark golden Buddhist light in the dim, razor-sharp void—like a sun, radiating dazzling rays in all directions. I can sense the Buddhist light surging toward the darkness that surrounds us. Yet, no matter how much radiance swirls in this space, it cannot illuminate more than this formation; the rest of the space feels like an endless, sunless mire.

“Master, these days I have begun to communicate with the Sword of All Living Things. Although it is severely damaged, it still contains many arrays within. These arrays, however, require a truly formidable grand formation to be restored.”

Despite all my past efforts—refining, absorbing spiritual energy, even taking in so much Buddhist light from this treasure trove—I had awakened only a single array, and even then, merely a small pocket within it. Staring at the mass of Buddhist light ensnared by countless vengeful souls, I cannot help but feel a sense of helplessness before the unknown.

Buzz!

Suddenly, the entire space trembles.

“Master, this is bad. The Golden Body of the Buddha is attacking us!”

Golden Body of the Buddha?

Nie Xiaoke nods slowly, then recounts what happened while my eyes were closed. I am left in utter shock.

It is unimaginable—within the blink of an eye, Nie Xiaoke, wielding the Sword of All Living Things, appeared before me, sword auras enveloping me and whisking me away in a fraction of a second, narrowly evading that dreadful Buddha’s palm.

When the Buddha’s palm struck, I lost all awareness. In that moment, thousands of sword auras erupted from the Sword of All Living Things, surrounding me and dragging me over ten meters away. I was flung from the sword, and as I emerged, a sword aura wrapped around me, shielding me. I realized then that Nie Xiaoke had transformed the vengeful souls stored in the sword into sword auras, allowing her to weave sword formations that could trap the Buddhist light continuously invading the sword.

Buzz!

Before me, a vast power suddenly disperses, and I see ripples of force undulating through the Buddhist light’s space like waves beneath the water. The dark golden palm gleams even more brilliantly, encircled by countless rays of Buddhist light. As these rays meet the Sword of All Living Things—also shrouded in sword aura—they transform into golden seals, branding themselves upon the sword.

“Master, take the Sword of All Living Things and use your blood to pierce the golden hand!”

There is no time for thought. The battered sword, still engaged with the golden hand, flies toward me. My hand, almost moving of its own volition, grasps the sword just as the golden hand reaches for me.

Damn!

I cannot help but curse. With no time to hesitate, I bite my finger, tracing a sigil in midair with my blood, hoping it will work—though I am unsure. It is all I can do.

In a flurry of evasions, I lunge at the golden hand with the sword. Though the Sword of All Living Things is but half a blade, a true sword needs no edge to wound invisibly.

Confronted with the overwhelming sword descending upon me, I have no room to dodge; instead, I thrust the sword directly at the golden hand. It is as if the sword senses my desperation—the sword aura around it howls furiously, like an army facing annihilation, summoning the courage and clamor of breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats.

In that instant, I feel the sword’s terrifying power resonate with me. The chains of spells sealing the bloodline formation within my body begin to loosen. Suddenly, a mysterious force surges into my hand, enveloping my body in a heartbeat.

I feel as though the essence blood on my hand is being nursed by an infant, gently licked and drawn out.

But as the golden hand closes in, the battered Sword of All Living Things seems to sense the murderous intent in my heart. Instantly, a blood-red shadow forms along the ruined blade.

With a hiss, I am pulled by the sword, slicing through the layers of Buddhist light and piercing the massive Buddha hand.

At the moment the sword pierces the giant Buddha hand, a voice of astonishment echoes in the void.

“Who are you?”

It is a question, tinged with surprise, but as the word “who” is spoken, the tone flattens, as calm as a still lake.

Following the sound, I see an immense figure before me—so large it fills four-fifths of the grand hall. The countless ancient symbols and Buddhist light climbing heavenward have vanished.

Holding the Sword of All Living Things, my head spins. My legs give way, and I fall to one knee.

Looking up, I see, amid the flickering Buddhist light, a colossal head. Its features, though several times larger than a normal person’s, are otherwise unremarkable. Behind his bald head, rings of Buddhist light ripple outward.