Chapter 245: Dharma, Technique, Momentum

When this ecstatic and enthusiastic attitude appeared, Chen Hang could not help but be startled, raising his eyebrows slightly.

And at this moment, He Manzi had already tossed his Dharma sword into his sleeve pouch and walked toward Chen Hang with large strides.

His eyes were burning, putting on an appearance of wanting to talk and laugh with him arm-in-arm.

"I observed that Chen Xiao Shixiong did not use the sword escape technique just now. Is Xiao Xiao Shixiong also in the third realm of Sword Dao?"

When He Manzi was close, he bowed heavily and, in front of all the cultivators, earnestly asked for advice:

"But clearly I had kept my mind on defense. How did Xiao Xiao Shixiong avoid my Opening Yang Fire and silently deliver that sword to cut off the crown on my head? I pride myself that my spiritual sense is no weaker than others. Why did I not perceive it at all?"

Seeing He Manzi sincerely seeking advice, without any defenses,

Chen Hang returned the salute and replied:

"This is merely the momentum of hiding form and concealing shadow, not some profound Dharma method. Moreover, I first used Daoist techniques to seize the momentum and capture your mind, which is why this sword succeeded.

The so-called mixing of sword and Qi, without revealing true form, is how form can always be hidden in emptiness..."

Within Sword Dao,

it is divided into three grades: Dharma, Technique, and Momentum.

The first to third realms use Momentum, the fourth to sixth realms practice Technique.

As for the seventh to ninth realms, they operate Dharma.

Technique is stronger than Momentum.

And Dharma is stronger than Technique—

Dharma is the pivot of the Dao; it has no peer, thus it is called the pivot of the Dao.

Its subtle flavor is profound, microscopic yet not apparent, continuous and distant, incomparably miraculous; it is the mother root of heaven and earth's creation.

Being able to cultivate to the seventh realm of Sword Dao means one is a person who operates Dharma.

The sword in hand is controlled by the five elements, discussed by punishment and virtue; opened by yin and yang, held by spring and autumn, acted by autumn and winter. This sword, when pointed straight, has nothing in front; when raised, has nothing above; when pressed, has nothing below; when moved, has nothing to the side; it decides the floating clouds above and cuts the earth's records below.

Once this sword is used,

it can open heaven and earth and give birth to all things; it is truly the Dao of heaven!

And Technique is the natural straight principle, the path of the Dao, and the source of wisdom.

Cultivating to the fourth realm of Sword Dao means one is a person who practices Technique.

The sword in hand, when pointed straight, also has nothing in front; when raised, also has nothing above; when pressed, also has nothing below; when moved, also has nothing to the side; it models the round heaven above to follow the three lights, models the square earth below to follow the four seasons, and harmonizes the will of the people in the middle to pacify the four villages.

Once this sword is used, it is like the shock of thunder; within the four borders, there is no one who does not submit and obey orders!

As for Momentum, it is power.

Once this sword is used, it cuts the neck and collar above, decides the liver and lungs below, its power shakes the sky, killing demons and monsters!

Operating Dharma, practicing Technique, using Momentum—

This is also the three-fold difference in Sword Dao attainment.

At present, although Chen Hang and He Manzi are only people who use Momentum, they cannot yet talk about practicing Technique, let alone operating Dharma.

But the path of using Momentum

also hides many keys and secrets, vast as the sea, making it difficult for people to exhaust.

For example, the momentum of hiding form and concealing shadow is a secret method of the Ciqing Zhen clan, recorded in the "Divine Fierce Sword Scripture".

And he has the True Dharma Realm in hand, which can observe the mental state of others.

By relying on this,

the keys to using Momentum that Chen Hang obtained, let alone ordinary people,

even those talented geniuses from noble clans are far from being able to compare with him!

After hearing these words, He Manzi closed his eyes for a long while.

Expressions of doubt appeared on his face from time to time, and sometimes he revealed an appearance of enlightenment.

Chen Hang glanced at Shen Cheng's direction, and for the sake of that Five-Direction Spirit-Suppressing Talisman, he sold a favor, his lips moving slightly, conveying the essence of the momentum of hiding form and concealing shadow from beginning to end to He Manzi's ears.

He Manzi was initially full of disbelief, but afterward, his expression changed suddenly, his eyes flickering.

If it could be said that he only had respect for a worthy opponent before, now he was truly convinced!

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong's magnanimity is extraordinary. In front of you, I, He Manzi, provoked you without reason, instead appearing like a clown..."

He bowed deeply and sighed long, laughing aloud:

"Since that is the case, I cannot take advantage of you in vain. I also have a secret method of using Momentum, which was passed down by my sect. I invite Xiao Xiao Shixiong to take a look!"

The key to using Momentum that He Manzi spoke of was teaching people how to switch at will between refining the sword into steel and refining the sword into silk.

In terms of value,

it was actually above the momentum of hiding form and concealing shadow.

Ordinary sword cultivators, even if they have cultivated the changes of steel and silk, want to transform the sword momentum between the two, which also requires a pause to collect their divine intent, making it difficult to do so in an instant.

It is still fine in ordinary times.

But in a battle with an enemy,

this pause is undoubtedly an obvious flaw.

If a clever opponent notices this scene, they can take the opportunity to turn the battle around, causing the situation to reverse!

However, this secret method of using Momentum that He Manzi spoke of,

Chen Hang had already practiced it through his mental state, and now it was just listening to it one more time.

Seeing that the two were no longer in a state of swords drawn and bows bent, but were actually sitting and discussing the Dao,

Shen Cheng and the others were not surprised, clearly knowing He Manzi's temperament.

Only after the two finished speaking did they laugh and invite them, and everyone returned to the hall.

This time,

it was a case of both host and guest being happy.

He Manzi changed his previous cold and arrogant posture, frequently urging wine, with the red-browed Daoist interjecting with jokes and telling strange stories, and Shen Cheng throwing out some insights on cultivation, the atmosphere being different from before.

And until several hours later, the wine in the pot was empty.

The cultivators dispersed, cupping their hands in farewell.

Under the guidance of a red-clothed girl who looked seventeen or eighteen years old,

after Chen Hang left the Bright Virtue Hall, he turned through several corridors and passed through a large stone forest before stopping in front of a side hall.

"Chen Xiao Shixiong, please."

The red-clothed girl turned back and smiled softly.

Now located in the cave heaven palace, everything seen along the way was an ancient object from ten thousand years ago.

Chen Hang looked up and saw that the form of the side hall was clearly very different from the present; it was wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, shaped like a sharp cone, not close to the ground, but supported by several golden pillars in the four cardinal directions, suspended in the air.

He took a glance, nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and did not say much.

And after pushing the door and entering,

he saw that the room was empty, the four walls were clean, and there were no furnishings, only a large jade couch lying in the corner of the wall.

Chen Hang flicked his sleeves and did not do anything else, sitting cross-legged on the couch, closing his eyes, absorbing spiritual breath through his mouth and nose, and silently adjusting his breathing and cultivating here.

And this closing of eyes and collecting of breath,

was interrupted by someone after only three hours.

He collected his mind and heard a light knocking sound coming from outside the door.

"Please."

Chen Hang opened his eyes and said,

"Disturbing Chen Xiao Shixiong, this poor Daoist bows here."

The red-browed Daoist laughed, pushed the door and entered, and bowed slightly.

Chen Hang immediately stood up, returned the salute, and also smiled:

"Sorry to trouble Xiao Xiao Shixiong to lead the way."

"Where... where."

Seeing that he clearly had not stated his purpose, yet Chen Hang had already guessed it in advance.

A strange expression flashed across the red-browed Daoist's face, but he still collected his mind, gestured vaguely, and said please.

The two followed the palace path, returned all the way to the Bright Virtue Hall, and walked straight to the wall on the east side of the hall, stopping only when there was no road left to walk.

At this time, the red-browed Daoist gently pressed his hand, and only heard a clicking sound.

The entire east wall seemed to suddenly turn into a mass of soft mist, no longer having a hard state, swaying, as if it could be passed through at will.

"Chen Xiao Shixiong, please."

The red-browed Daoist stepped back a few steps and pointed to the east wall:

"The Water-Fire Well is inside here. Xiao Xiao Shixiong Shen Cheng has been waiting for a long time!"

Chen Hang nodded slightly and walked inside with large strides.

And after passing through the east wall, it was as if he had been moved out of thin air to an unfamiliar territory, suddenly standing on a golden bridge, his wide sleeves blown by the wind, fluttering.

Chen Hang fixed his gaze to look carefully. Below the golden bridge, red water surged, turbid waves rolling urgently, hot wind hitting his face, scorching him very much.

And twenty zhang above his head,

it was seamless mountain rock, with not a trace of light leaking from outside.

His gaze flickered slightly, but he did not look much, walking for a mile on the golden bridge, when a very wide and open stone platform came into view, and Shen Cheng was sitting cross-legged on the stone platform.

Seeing Chen Hang approach, his expression was gentle, and he said:

"Chen Xiao Shixiong, there were too many eyes and ears in the Bright Virtue Hall just now, so it was inconvenient to talk much, and some important words were inconvenient to mention. This place is a very good place to talk."

"Thank you, Xiao Xiao Shixiong Shen."

Chen Hang smiled upon hearing this, walked off the golden bridge, and arrived at the stone platform.

He looked at the small well beside Shen Cheng and could not help but wonder:

"However... is this the Water-Fire Well?"

In the four corners of this palace, there are four Water-Fire Wells.

Being able to refine this object and get it in hand means mastering the initiative to enter and exit the underground palace!

And even if he had prepared in his heart beforehand,

but seeing it truly,

still made Chen Hang sigh at the mystery of the Dao method...

The well mouth is about a hundred inches square, very wide. Looking down, it is bottomless, but red and black colors float and sink within. When it makes a sound, the momentum is like ten thousand horses galloping, truly having the power of thunder.

Suddenly smoke light goes up, the Qi is extremely majestic, wind and water collide, flying foam is like fire sparks, heat is surging.

And suddenly water cold flourishes greatly.

Within a radius of ten zhang, it is all cold to the bone, cold air is dense...

"That's right, this is the Water-Fire Well. To guard it, I spent a lot of thought. Once all four Water-Fire Wells are refined, that is the underground palace—"

Shen Cheng pointed down and shook his head:

"The day it truly opens!"

He looked at Chen Hang:

"What does Xiao Xiao Shixiong think the creation in the underground palace will be?"

"Elixirs, Dharma money, Dao books... it is nothing more than these few types of things." Chen Hang replied.

Shen Cheng shook his head and smiled, saying: "Before entering the Flowing Fire Liuhuo Liuhuo Honghua Fan Dongtian, I was secretly instructed by my master that in this cave heaven, there is a Dao book used by the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu after he turned to cultivate the side-door immortal Dao. Initially, to find that Dao scripture, I almost turned this palace upside down, and for this, I fought several battles with Xiao Xiujing, Liu Guan, and others, but the result was nothing.

Until I found the Water-Fire Well and discovered that there was still a palace deep underground.

I then woke up that the Dao scripture might not be on the ground, but located underground..."

Chen Hang was not too surprised upon hearing this, but pondered for a moment, thoughtful.

The reason why the disciples of the four courtyards can enter the Flowing Fire Liuhuo Liuhuo Honghua Fan Dongtian to train.

In the final analysis,

it was actually because an Upper True One of the Yuchen Sect won a gamble, and then earned this small cave heaven from the Chiming Sect.

And although that Yuchen Upper True One did not look down on this small cave heaven.

But with his ability, the so-called arrangements in this cave heaven naturally could not escape his Dharma eyes.

This human relationship is difficult for even immortals who have feathered and transcended to avoid, and cultivators still in the world find it even harder to be an exception.

In this way,

it is not surprising that Shen Cheng could be reminded by his teacher and know that there is a side-door immortal Dao classic hidden in the cave heaven.

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong Shen wants to compete for that side-door immortal Dao Dao book?"

Chen Hang asked with a smile.

"Naturally, although it belongs to the side door, the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu proved the Pure Yang Dao Fruit because of this, so that Dao book is definitely not ordinary!"

Shen Cheng's gaze was solemn:

"However, it is not me, but us. If that Dao book can be obtained, there will naturally be a share for Xiao Xiao Shixiong!"

Without waiting for Chen Hang to say anything,

Shen Cheng waved his sleeves and said freely:

"I know what Xiao Xiao Shixiong means. We are all cultivating the Dao in the ancient Xuan Sect, determined to pursue longevity. Since that is the case, then the side-door Dharma lineage, no matter how precious, is not very useful.

But even if we don't use it, can't we exchange this book for merit? In Yuchen cultivation, Dao merit is an indispensable thing. Whether practicing Upper Dharma or exchanging for external cultivation objects, merit is required. Who would think there is too much of this?"

Opportunities are not easy to come by. Isn't it a pity to miss it! I wonder if Xiao Xiao Shixiong is willing to help me and share this piece of the pie together?"

Although there was no lack of motivation to advance in these words,

the inner thoughts were also revealed without doubt.

Although the side-door Dharma lineage is not very useful for everyone's cultivation, that scroll of Pure Yang Dao book can, after all, be exchanged for merit.

If it appears, I think there will be no lack of life-and-death struggles.

The dangers involved,

there is no need to say more...

And after Chen Hang pondered for a moment, he did not hesitate much, nodded and agreed, making Shen Cheng feel happy and clap his hands and laugh.

After completely setting this agreement, the two chatted for a while, and Chen Hang said goodbye and left.

However, just as he was about to step onto the golden bridge,

Chen Hang seemed to remember something, stopped, turned around and said:

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong Shen, this poor Daoist still has one thing unclear. If there is any presumption, I hope you will forgive me."

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong, just say it."

"In the underground palace, besides that scroll of side-door Dao book, I don't know what else is there?"

Shen Cheng was not too surprised upon hearing this, smiled, and said:

"According to my master, there should also be creation related to innate monsters. However, this kind of thing depends on fate. As long as I can get that scroll of Dao book, I will be satisfied..."

"Innate monsters?"

Chen Hang's eyelids drooped slightly, he cupped his hands to say goodbye to Shen Cheng, boarded the golden bridge, and left the Water-Fire Well.

And not many days later,

the news that Chen Hang and Shen Cheng were helping each other spread quickly in the cave heaven.

Everyone heard this news, and their reactions were different.

Sect disciples were fine.

The noble clan side, however, caused quite a few waves.

At the same time, noble clan Refiners like Yin He and Ji Yuetan, who had not occupied the Water-Fire Well, also bit the bullet and came to the Bright Virtue Hall to harass them.

And since he had an agreement with Shen Cheng first, Chen Hang would not sit on the sidelines. Joining forces with Shen Ming and others, not only did they easily defeat them, but they also left several lives from the noble clan side.

After this battle, many forces were shocked, and the thoughts they originally had also dissipated by more than half.

The situation in the Flowing Fire Liuhuo Liuhuo Honghua Fan Dongtian was just like this.

In the blink of an eye, more than a month passed...

This day.

Cave heaven east position.

The Yi Luo Hall where Xiao Xiujing was in seclusion.

Suddenly, there was a whistling sound, and when looking up, there were over a dozen escape lights coming in a line!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 246 =====