Chapter 717: All Under Heaven Converges on Bianjing: A Reunion with Master Lu Hua

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-August, the sun blazed like fire, heat steamed the air.

Dawn broke earlier each day; by the first crow of the golden rooster, the east was already bright. These past half-months, you have trained diligently, your martial cultivation rising another level.

After entering the Ocean Gazing realm, you devoted yourself to studying the supreme teachings of Buddhism and Demonhood—the Buddhist “Golden Immortal Body Art” has reached the Minor Golden Body state, and the demonic art of Qi Weapons from the “Purple Void Demon Scripture” is now fully mastered.

That night, all was silent.

You sat cross-legged in the courtyard, your true essence surging like rivers, blood and qi churning through your meridians.

Suddenly, a layer of lustrous golden light shimmered across your skin, followed by the deep toll of a temple bell—“Dong—” —the Buddhist radiance erupted violently.

In an instant, a three-zhang-tall Liuli Buddha rose from the courtyard, its golden divine form towering above the walls.

The Buddha sat with hands clasped, its countenance solemn and majestic.

You stood midair within the heart of the golden Buddha, gazing levelly at the ancient wutong tree in the courtyard.

With a flick of your will, the Buddha’s muscles tensed like drawn bowstrings, and it swung a punch as you commanded.

A thunderous “Boom!” echoed—the fist’s wind shattered the air, the sonic boom deafening.

This was the supreme technique of the “Golden Immortal Body Art”—the “Buddha Divine Body.”

Within this three-zhang golden form, ordinary spells could not pierce even a fraction; blades and axes struck like brushing dust, fire and water could not harm it, and all evil forces recoiled.

Moreover, through this Liuli Buddha’s might, every gesture and movement multiplied your power severalfold—shattering mountains and splitting rocks was child’s play—this was the supreme secret art of the Buddhist lineage!

Yet you did not stop there; your will shifted, and your true essence surged violently, transforming from golden Buddhist essence into demonic essence.

Under the operation of the “Purple Void Demon Scripture,” the vast true essence in your dantian turned into rolling demonic qi, dark and menacing.

The void trembled; a long spear with dark engravings materialized out of thin air, wrapped in crackling purple lightning, its demonic aura chilling.

As soon as the spear appeared, the surrounding air twisted as if gripped by invisible force, faint wails of ghosts and cries of spirits echoing through the space.

This was the supreme technique of the “Purple Void Demon Scripture”—the “Purple Void Demon Spear!”

You shifted your will, and the golden Buddha instantly raised its hand, fingers closing to firmly grasp the purple lightning-wrapped Demon Spear!

In an instant, Buddhist light and demonic qi intertwined and churned, violent energy whipping up a storm in the courtyard.

Lightning arcs darted like wild thunder-snakes, exploding into blinding flashes that scorched the blue-brick ground with blackened streaks.

A furious gust swept in all directions, the courtyard walls shuddered, tiles rattled, as if the entire compound would be ripped into the sky at any moment!

Seeing the danger, you immediately ended your cultivation.

The golden Buddha dissolved into specks of golden light, the Demon Spear shattered into wisps of black mist.

Your robes fluttered as you floated gently down from midair, toes barely touching the ground.

Looking around, you saw the courtyard’s dust had been entirely swept clean by the gale, leaving only the patch beneath your feet untouched—thankfully, the house and walls suffered no damage.

Now you had fully comprehended these two Buddhist and demonic killing techniques, awaiting only the breakthrough of your martial cultivation to the Xuan Dan Ninth Stage to unleash their full power—but—

Martial Xuan Dan is no easy feat; even with your talent, it would take at least a year to solidify your foundation.

Only steady, gradual progress could bring natural success. For now, you must proceed with caution.

These past half-months, your Primordial Spirit cultivation had improved slightly, yet it remained far from the Yang Shen realm.

You closed your eyes, suppressed all distractions, and plunged back into cultivation.

At that moment, faint ripples stirred in the water jar in the courtyard’s corner; Madam Ruan surfaced silently.

She stared at the courtyard where the strange phenomena had erupted, her body taut as if facing a deadly enemy, every hair on her head standing like a startled cat’s.

Had she not known you meant no harm, that instant of pressure would have forced her to kneel.

“What kind of art is this?” she thought in awe, “How can it contain both the solemnity of Buddhism and the dread of Demonhood—and even more strangely, how can they blend so seamlessly?”

Recalling how you ingested the essence of the Great Sun Golden Crow during daytime cultivation—that blazing, sunlike yang energy—she wondered what mysterious divine art that might be.

Moreover, the ink-dampened essay on your stone table each day, its lines radiating a sharp sword intent, she had already guessed must be Second Master’s “Nine Swords Legacy!”

But what were the other two arts, seemingly equal to Second Master’s legacy? Madam Ruan had no idea.

The next day, dawn broke.

The path of cultivation is nothing but daily accumulation and refinement; time flies like an arrow—and another month had passed!

Today’s sky was unusually gloomy!

Gray clouds hung low, the air thick with dampness—the sign of an approaching storm.

As your Primordial Spirit cultivation deepened, your sensitivity to heaven and earth grew keener. Whenever thunder and lightning raged or gales surged, your spiritual altar stirred faintly. Your martial cultivation also allowed every pore of your body to sense subtle changes in nature—the flow of moisture, the faint tremor of insect wings—all could be used to predict weather shifts.

Yet recently, the weather had grown erratic and unpredictable.

Within a single day, even within two hours, the sky changed several times.

This morning, thick fog blanketed everything—you had expected a bright, sunny day.

But by noon, dark clouds had pressed down on the city, heavy and leaden, shifting into the unmistakable sign of a coming downpour.

At noon, the thick clouds suddenly parted, blinding sunlight piercing the heavens like swords.

You frowned—months ago, your cultivation allowed you to accurately predict tomorrow’s weather, even for the next half-month.

Now, you could not even forecast today’s rain or shine.

This erratic weather was clearly caused by the chaotic entanglement of heaven’s righteous and demonic energies.

You gazed up at the ever-changing sky, understanding clearly—the great calamity’s heavenly signs were in chaos; none could remain untouched!

The sky, moments ago clear and blue, had turned dark again.

“Observer! News has come!”

Xie Yuan burst into the courtyard, robes flapping, his face tense with urgency: “Both Changsheng Heaven and the Great Sui have sent word—the outcome is clear!”

Xie Yuan handed you two official bulletins; you unrolled the Great Sui’s first, scanning the text—just as expected!

The Great Sui’s Holy Emperor was utterly defeated. In truth, from the moment this emperor, famed for his grand strategy, launched this war, the outcome was sealed!

Who could have imagined that the ruler of an entire nation would meet his end at the hands of his own bedmate?

The bulletin clearly stated: the emperor’s most favored imperial consort was an agent planted by the Three Truths Sect. Even more ironic—the emperor’s most trusted personal eunuch was a devout follower of the Three Truths.

One hundred thousand Three Truths Dao soldiers gathered outside the capital, yet before they could raise their weapons, a meticulously planned palace coup had already toppled the once-mighty Holy Emperor, who died by a woman’s hand, leaving only empty lamentations in history.

The Liu imperial clan of the Great Sui was eradicated root and branch.

This outcome had long been anticipated by the court in Bianjing.

The Three Truths Sect, founded three thousand years ago, has cast its shadow behind every dynastic change since the fall of Yan.

They preach “saving the world and aiding the people,” and the masses have long benefited from their grace—their incense smoke has seeped deep into the bones of the Great Sui.

Xie Yuan shook his head and sighed: “The Holy Emperor was blind to what lay beneath his own lamp. Even children in Bianjing know the terror of the Three Truths Sect—he sat beneath Mount Zhongnan and treated this ancestral Daoist temple as if it were nothing.”

Months ago, such a dynastic upheaval would have shaken Bianjing to its core.

But now, the common folk merely shrugged—it is a time of turmoil; earth-shattering events come one after another!

Xie Yuan’s tone turned grim: “After installing the new ruler, the Three Truths Sect suddenly mobilized over three hundred thousand troops yesterday, charging westward straight toward our Great Qi’s borders—this force is fierce, aiming to reach the Jing Shi Road, perhaps even to storm Bianjing itself.”

“Even stranger—the Three Truths Sect has sealed their mountain. All three thousand of their disciples have descended—something never seen before.”

“For centuries, the Three Truths Sect has withdrawn from the world—yet now, they have entered it!”

Xie Yuan unrolled the other bulletin: “He Lan Yan Yun ultimately slew his own elder brother and seized the khan’s throne.”

His finger traced the text: “Three days ago, Changsheng Heaven’s three hundred thousand iron cavalry departed from Mobei, likewise heading straight for the Jing Shi Road—this posture clearly means they intend to encircle Bianjing with the Great Sui.”

“The Golden Family of Changsheng Heaven and the demonic sects of the grasslands have all mobilized.”

Hearing this, your heart jolted—the simultaneous mobilization of the Great Sui and Changsheng Heaven toward Bianjing was no coincidence.

The Three Truths Sect and the Demon Sects are also converging on Bianjing!

The heavens truly are changing. The Three Truths Sect’s extreme readiness can mean only one thing!

The chance for ascension—their hundred-generation scheme!

You asked, “What of the southern Buddhist kingdom? Any movement?”

Xie Yuan paused, then recalled something: “Oddly, the southern Buddhist kingdom has not moved any troops. But—I heard from several uncles that the Dongsheng Sect recently dispatched a small team northward—only four people, seemingly heading toward Bianjing, including Dongsheng’s own Buddha Son, said to be the first in a thousand years.”

“Observer, it seems the world truly is changing. A few days ago you said the fall of Bianjing was coming—it now feels like prophecy. My right eye has been twitching nonstop.”

“The Great Sui attacks Bianjing, Changsheng Heaven does the same, the Three Truths and Demon Sects gather—when was the last time this happened?”

Xie Yuan sighed, “If the Master were here, and Second Master still alive, what could three kingdoms do?”

“Now the Master is gone seeking immortality, Second Master opened Tianmen with his sword at the Gathering of Flowers and is gone, Great Qi is torn by internal rebellion—the Red-Eyed Army… Bianjing is no longer impregnable.”

After a moment’s thought, you asked, “What has the court decided in response to the news?”

The mobilization of the Great Sui and Changsheng Heaven was like a boulder dropped into Bianjing’s lake—it would stir massive waves.

Even Xie Yuan, a scion of the Nine Surnames, felt the threat—what must the common folk of Bianjing be thinking?

Xie Yuan said, “Minister Su issued an edict this morning: tomorrow, the Nine Surnames will convene in the Zichen Hall.”

You frowned—Minister Su, who now held absolute power, could rule alone—why convene the Nine Surnames?

Even in this crisis, no one in Bianjing dares openly defy this chancellor—his control is so deep, the Nine Surnames have fallen utterly silent.

What is Minister Su plotting? No one knows.

Xie Yuan’s eyes filled with worry as he mentioned the current state of the Xie Fu.

Especially the Second Courtyard—it has become a taboo within the household; even servants avoid it, and no one dares approach at night.

Xie Qi moved out of the Second Courtyard months ago and now resides with her fourth cousin, Lady Zhang.

Wu Tong quietly told you that Lady Zhao’s temperament has changed drastically—she now lashes out at servants at the slightest provocation.

In just half a month, nearly a hundred servants in the Second Courtyard have been beaten to death. When Lady Yuan went to visit, Lady Zhao refused to see her. Rumors in the household say this is because her grief over her son’s death has festered—Xie Renfeng’s death has left Lady Zhao consumed by sorrow.

Meanwhile, in the Grand View Garden, Grandmater Xie has been bedridden for days; all household affairs are now managed by Lady Yuan.

Since Xie Ling’s incident, Lady Yuan has become violent and erratic, striking or scolding servants for the slightest misstep.

Even Xie Yuan, a direct heir, was barred from visiting Grandmater Xie by Lady Yuan, who claimed the old lady needed quiet rest.

Outside the courtyard gate, Xie Yuan prepared to leave: “Mother has been packing these past few days—she’s sending me away from the Xie Fu—not to the Zhuge family, but to the Zhang family.”

He came today not only to deliver the message, but also to warn you to be cautious in all things.

Tomorrow morning, he will set out for the Zhang family.

You nodded slightly, understanding why it was not the Zhu Ge family’s maternal kin.

Recently, the Zhu Ge clan’s upheaval has been the most suspicious—first, Empress Zhu Ge mysteriously threw herself into a well and died; then, several mid-level pillars of the clan, all in their prime, suddenly went mad, wandering naked through the streets of Bianjing.

“Brother Guan, be cautious in all things—these are no longer peaceful times.”

You watched Xie Yuan’s retreating figure, lost in thought.

Great Sui, Changsheng Tian, San Zhen, and the Demon Cult—all will converge in Bianjing!

And the Red-Eyed Army of Jiangnan Dao!

You were about to step into the small courtyard when your spiritual sense stirred.

You turned back, your eyes revealing a rare warmth and delight.

Outside the courtyard gate, three figures approached slowly.

At their head was Lady Gong Sun, graceful and elegant—this courtesan, who had been expected to redeem herself and leave the capital, had returned. She bowed gracefully, her crimson lips parting: “Master Guan, it has been a long time, has it not?”

Your gaze passed over her, settling on the two behind— one of them was the San Zhen nun who had stood beside Crown Prince Liu Yuan by Yanbo Lake that day.

The nun’s eyes met yours, recalling the events at Yanbo Lake, and she flinched slightly.

You paid it no mind, your eyes fixed instead on the final figure—a woman.

She stood tall, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a veil of white gauze that concealed her face, draped in a plain white robe that enveloped her entire form.

“Truly...” You smiled, greeting her, “It has been a long time!”

(End of Chapter)