The Eternal Way-Chapter 185: The Heavenly Curtain

The overwhelming power of an eighth-rank practitioner over a ninth-rank one is undeniable, but that layer of golden body was truly vexing.

Li Qi pondered for a long time, feeling that the golden body seemed highly familiar, yet he couldn't recall why.

After a while...

Zhang Lan was seen throwing Zhang Dailu around everywhere, creating thudding sounds like a bell.

Suddenly, Li Qi had a realization. Why did this sound seem so familiar?

Wasn't this the same sound of the bell ringing he heard at Tianning Temple?

A jolt ran through Li Qi! Cold sweat broke out as various thoughts connected in his mind. A flash of inspiration struck him like lightning!

"Brother Zhang! I remember now! Buddha's Light! This thing is Buddha's Light!"

"I've heard that the six-tusked white elephant carried Shakyamuni in the void, with a golden plate and a sacred pagoda, shaping the body of a monk, washing away all impurities. Every pore and orifice resonates with divine fragrance. As long as one concentrates their mind and adheres to the Dao, they can endure in the world eternally, indestructible and undefeated!"

"This golden body must be the Buddha's Light of a monk's body! How is this possible? Isn't this something unique to Buddhism? Isn't this characteristic of seventh-rank practitioners?!"

Li Qi exclaimed in astonishment.

It was once said that the human body is like a boat, carrying one's Spiritual Essence to journey through the heavens and earth, enduring the battering of external storms. When the boat is damaged by these storms, it begins to break, and when it breaks, the Spiritual Essence leaks out. One either gets obliterated by the storm, scattering their soul, or falls back into the cycle of reincarnation, wiping everything clean, and boarding a new boat.

Practitioners extend their lifespan by constantly reinforcing this boat. Ninth-rank and eighth-rank cultivation are about strengthening this process and gradually gaining the ability to replace parts.

Some doctrines call these external storms the "Sea of Suffering," where the body is the vessel crossing the Sea of Suffering. Other doctrines refer to it as the "River of Time," believing decay is caused by the erosion of time's waters.

By the seventh rank, this boat can exist indefinitely under normal circumstances. The damage caused by external storms no longer surpasses the speed of repair, thus removing the limitation of lifespan.

There are many methods to reinforce and repair this boat. Shen Shuibei's Immaculate Body is one such method. In the Wu Dao at the seventh rank, when the spirit within the body reaches perfection, and the microcosm of the human body becomes entirely independent, it is another.

And now, before them, was one of the methods of the seventh rank.

In Buddhism, the seventh rank is the Body of the Śramaṇa. By following this path, one can ultimately attain different fruits based on their individual circumstances: the Anāgāmi Fruit, the Sakadāgāmi Fruit, the Sotāpanna Fruit, and the Arhat Fruit—these are the four stages on the path to becoming an Arhat.

The ability to form the Body of the Śramaṇa signifies that one's physical body has been purified of all defilements, becoming imperishable and invincible, no longer bound by the limits of lifespan. Typically, such power is only achieved by those at or above the seventh rank in Buddhism.

Hearing Li Qi's words, Zhang Lan turned his head in astonishment. He didn't understand much about the monk's body, but he heard "seventh rank."

He shouted, "What? Seventh rank? How could it appear on a ninth-rank nobody? Even if it's a magical artifact, how could someone like him drive it?"

For a ninth-rank practitioner, being able to wield an eighth-rank magical artifact is already the limit—and even then, it depends on compatibility. If the attributes don't match, even an eighth-rank artifact can't be driven.

Li Qi's eighth-grade metal Qi—he still hasn't fully mastered it yet, still waiting to refine his primordial spirit before he can perfectly control it.

Could a ninth-rank practitioner possibly drive a seventh-rank magical artifact?

This completely exceeded the capabilities of a ninth-rank practitioner.

Zhang Lan looked utterly confused.

Meanwhile, Li Qi suddenly understood everything in that instant.

The sudden appearance of Buddhism, the landscape grand formation, and the legend of The Rat Mound that Shen Shuibei had previously told him about.

Adding to that were the various oddities they encountered earlier, including why Bailin Country gave up resistance and retreated to Zhen Pass, and why he himself was targeted.

And, Li Qi realized something.

Why did Wang Baisan help him? He couldn't figure it out before, but now, seeing the Buddha's Light on the messenger under Situ's command, he understood instantly.

"It's not a magical artifact—it's a blessing! Tianning Temple—it's the monk Chan Zhi from Tianning Temple. That golden plaque was just a decoy. This person appeared here to deliver a message!"

"Brother Zhang! Let him go, we need to escape!"

Li Qi shouted loudly, then spurred Old Horse and ran directly toward Shen Shuibei's direction.

He had already warned Zhang Lan, and he trusted that this eighth-rank senior would run faster than him.

Now, fixating on Zhang Dailu was meaningless. He wasn't here to deliver orders—or rather, delivering orders was just incidental!

Do you remember the legend of The Rat Mound?

A small kingdom's king devoutly worshipped The Rat Mound. When a great power attacked, The Rat Mound intervened and helped repel the invasion.

But if there was no worship, The Rat Mound wouldn't act. (See Chapter 168 for details.)

The Rat Mound was a cluster of exotic beasts from the Western Regions.

Throughout Guangyang Prefecture, and even earlier at the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest, who came from the Western Regions?

The ascetic monk, Chan Zhi!

Only Chan Zhi could bring The Rat Mound from the Western Regions here!

Then, there was the blood sacrifice that Li Qi had heard about repeatedly. Who was the blood sacrifice for?

The landscape grand formation? Li Qi had studied the components of Huangshan Lord's landscape grand formation—blood sacrifices weren't needed.

So who else could use it?

Obviously, it was still The Rat Mound! As long as offerings were presented to The Rat Mound, they would intervene to protect the area, cooperating with the landscape grand formation to resist demons.

The original sacrificial process—when the three eighth-rank demon beasts from The Rat Mound came to claim their offerings—was interrupted by Zhang Lan and Li Qi passing by.

Li Qi and Zhang Lan, meddling as usual, stopped the original sacrificial process!

This directly caught Guangyang City off guard; they didn't even have time to react.

Guangyang's Minister Sima—he wasn't neglecting military affairs. In fact, withholding military supplies and even detaining the commander of the White Rhino Army—these actions were likely known to him. He simply didn't anticipate that someone passing by would save those 100,000 people!

Thus, Wang Baisan, who helped Li Qi, revealed his identity.

Who would come to help Li Qi?

What had Li Qi done to deserve help from a stranger?

What Li Qi did was oppose Guangyang City's officials. Clearly, combining the events concerning The Rat Mound, Wang Baisan's actions, and his faction, he was also someone opposed to Guangyang City's government.

He helped Li Qi because he realized what Li Qi was doing at the moment. Therefore, he also wanted to save those 100,000 people.

Li Qi recalled now—could this person really not produce 300,000 bushels (dan) of grain in one go? He controlled the entrance to that small world. Even if the heavens didn't favor him, preventing farming or cultivation there, if he were willing to pay a price and endure the heavenly punishment of that small world, couldn't he plunder enough to give Li Qi 300,000 bushels?

But none of this happened. Instead, he let Li Qi communicate with the heavens to gain permission from that world, then gave Li Qi the grain.

What did all this indicate?

His Dao Path!

His Dao Path didn't allow him to do such things; otherwise, he would have no reason not to.

Combine this with the subtle sense of restraint people felt around Wang Baisan.

Li Qi suddenly understood.

Humanism! Wang Baisan was a ninth-rank practitioner of Humanism! He belonged to the path of Humanism, and he likely knew of the existence of Wu Deity Mountain. Otherwise, he wouldn't have repeatedly emphasized the "true Shamans and Diviners" to Li Qi.

This emphasis was actually a hint to Li Qi!

Because he believed that only the direct lineage of Wu Deity Mountain counted as "true Shamans and Diviners."

From this motive, what would the outcome be after he helped Li Qi save these 100,000 people?

The Rat Mound didn't receive its offerings and chose to remain uninvolved, refusing to act. Guangyang City would have to face the forces of the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest directly.

And Wang Baisan, in this confrontation, surely had his own plans. Though Li Qi didn't know what they were, just the background of Humanism made it clear.

All the previously fragmented clues—Guangyang's Minister Situ's devout faith in Buddhism, Jinlang Sect's small world, the peculiar circumstances of encountering the landscape grand formation on the road, and the three Buddha statues on the five-story pagoda.

The central statue, resembling a ghost king, was terrifying. (See Chapter 171.)

Thinking further, what did this mean? Recall what Li Qi heard in the previous world—for example, the concept of the Three Times Buddhas: past, present, and future.

The central statue, representing the present Buddha, resembled a ghost king.

What kind of Buddha statue would intentionally be designed this way? And Li Qi had seen the many treasures placed below, including the kapala bowl.

Previously, Li Qi had almost forgotten the things from the other world because many of them didn't apply here. Numerous inconsistencies made them unusable.

But if applied to the concept of the Three Times Buddhas, combined with the current scene...

Now, under this golden Buddha's Light, all the clues connected together, forming a shadow faintly visible beneath the water's surface—still blurry but perceptible.

The moment Li Qi noticed this shadow, he immediately chose to retreat.

Yes, he had contingencies, but escaping was the priority now.

A wise man doesn't stand under a crumbling wall—at least, he shouldn't stay here!

When trapped in a situation, the first step to breaking it is stepping outside.

Li Qi didn't want to play chess with others. If he could use unconventional moves, he wouldn't engage in a direct duel.

Meanwhile, Zhang Lan, hearing this, though not understanding what Li Qi realized, thought carefully. The scoundrel earlier mentioned waiting for his death, and Li Qi talked about characteristics of seventh-rank Buddha's Light.

Though he still didn't know what Buddha's Light or Buddha meant, he understood the term "seventh rank."

Perhaps a seventh-rank existence stood behind them?

Zhang Lan also began to feel a headache. Without delay, he forcefully rammed Zhang Dailu into the ground, then quickly retreated.

Having decided to leave the battlefield, he didn't linger. An eighth-rank martial artist's speed was faster than Old Horse's. He burst backward, rapidly withdrawing.

However, just as he left the battlefield and felt safe...

A martial artist's instinct and sixth sense made him freeze in place.

A shiver swept through his mind, causing Zhang Lan to stop immediately and shout toward Li Qi in the distance: "Stop! Stop!"

Unfortunately, the sound couldn't travel fast enough.

This made Zhang Lan anxious. He swung his sword, releasing a streak of sword light to convey the message.

The sword light was dazzling, shining brilliantly even in daylight with a radiant blue glow.

Li Qi saw the sword light.

He immediately realized that Zhang Lan was warning him, though he didn't know what about.

Were enemies approaching?

Or was it something else?

However, Li Qi soon discovered what Zhang Lan was warning him about.

Because after Zhang Lan left, countless types of Qi rose from the surrounding area.

These Qi... were extremely mixed: demonic Qi, human Qi, mountain Qi, water Qi, Five Elements Qi, Eight Winds Qi, Earth Vein Qi, Four Seasons Qi, and Heaven-Earth Qi, among others.

Heaven and Earth intersecting, myriad Qi blending harmoniously!

Myriad Qi floating in the air, thousands of lights converging in the Taiwei, celestial canopy adorned with clouds, and a light curtain composed of countless Qi rose from all sides, resembling a mosquito net, a canopy, or even... a fishing net.

Covering a vast area, approximately ten square li was enveloped.

Coincidentally, Zhang Lan had just stepped outside this net. When he stepped out, it triggered something, causing the Heavenly Curtain to rise and cover the surroundings.

But while Zhang Lan stepped out, the White Rhino Army, 100,000 commoners, Li Qi, Old Horse, and others were trapped inside.

At this moment, a voice rang out suddenly.

"The Righteous Sword Palace has always maintained good relations with Bailin Country, so I'll spare your life. I hope you reflect on your actions in the future. Go, and never repeat such lawless behavior."

Clearly, this was addressed to Zhang Lan.

Zhang Lan hailed from the Righteous Sword Palace, and this unknown entity, seemingly due to his background, chose to let him go.

Thus, after Zhang Lan voluntarily walked out, the controller of the Heavenly Curtain activated everything.

Inside, Li Qi raised his head.

Riding Old Horse, flying in the air, he looked up at the Heavenly Curtain.

He had heard this voice before.

Inside the five-story pagoda, he had conversed with this voice.

Seventh-rank powerhouse, Guangyang's Minister Sima!

This bastard, wasn't he obsessed with Buddhism?!

Why was he here!?

The freshly organized White Rhino Army, hearing this voice, immediately fell into panic.

The deputy general immediately saluted militarily and shouted toward the sky: "Minister Sima! Where is General Lie? Is he in Guangyang City? Before leaving, he issued us orders to protect the civilians during their evacuation. What is going on here?!"

From the sky, the voice replied coldly:

"Lie Kedi committed treason, falsely transmitting orders and disobeying commands. He has been stripped of his position and imprisoned, awaiting judgment. The White Rhino Army is now under my command. All troops, listen to my orders: reverse direction, rear units become the vanguard, and vanguard becomes the rear. Head southeast to Guangyang City's military camp and await further instructions."

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The deputy general, upon hearing this, froze.

The commander he revered, the true leader of the White Rhino Army, Lie Kedi, had indeed been imprisoned as Mr. Li said, on charges of disobedience?

Seeing the deputy general frozen, the voice from the sky urged, "Why are you standing still? Execute the order quickly. Upon returning to the army, rewards will be given based on merit. The next commander of the White Rhino Army will be none other than you."

But the deputy general didn't move. Instead, he raised his head, gritted his teeth, and asked, "Minister Sima, why?"