A Pawn’s Passage

Chan Buddhism was the most unique, as it was deeply influenced by both Daoism and Confucianism. It had shed much of its primal wildness, instead acquiring the cultural characteristics of the Central Plains. Its doctrines shared common ground with Daoism and Confucianism. This was the very foundation of the unity of the Three Religions.

Due to this, when conflict between Buddhism and Daoism erupted, Chan Buddhism collapsed almost instantly. Seeing no chance of survival, it surrendered outright.

Pure Bodhi bore the same imprint of the Three Teachings, abandoning the short, thick form of the traditional Buddhist precept knife and taking on a slender and elongated form. Compared with the long swords of Fenglin, however, its blade was slightly broader.

Qi Xuansu read on to find Pure Bodhi's detailed description.

Compared with Green Cloud, Pure Bodhi lacked razor sharpness and could not pierce the bodies of Pseudo-Immortals with ease. Compared with Purple Afterglow, it could not summon heavenly thunder to empower thunder techniques, nor could it merge with another blade to unleash boundless sword light.

In truth, the Heavenly Preceptor's Twin Swords were of the type that had few variations yet wielded overwhelming might. It was straightforward, devoid of trickery.

Pure Bodhi was more akin to the Blood-Garbed Immortal Severing Sword, possessing multiple transformative powers.

"Pure" referred to a mind free of distractions, untroubled, and detached from afflictions.

Its first transformation allowed the wielder to enter a state of purity for a short time. By merely holding Pure Bodhi, one could keep the mind clear, banish all distracting thoughts, remain untouched by external influence, and dispel or resist illusions, soul-capturing techniques, confusion, and other negative effects.

"Bodhi" was a transliteration of a Buddhist Sanskrit term, meaning enlightenment and wisdom. It was the sudden clarity as if waking from a dream, a breakthrough into understanding, a flash of realization leading to transcendence.

Its second transformation was to enter the state of Bodhi itself. While holding Pure Bodhi, one could suddenly attain insight into the truths of all blade techniques, elevating one's skill to a master's level.

Chan Buddhism divided Bodhi into three kinds. Ultimate Reality Bodhi, the realization of true nature through understanding ultimate reality; Practical Wisdom Bodhi, the realization of wisdom aligned with truth; and Skillful Means Bodhi, the realization of freedom in guiding and transforming sentient beings.

This blade was named Pure Bodhi, corresponding to the second type—Practical Wisdom Bodhi. It embodied the Three Pure Bodhi Minds. The Unstained Mind did not seek ease for oneself; the Peaceful Mind relieved beings of suffering and granted them peace; the Blissful Mind guided beings toward Bodhi and granted them eternal joy. These three formed the Bodhicitta.

The Bodhicitta was no longer about cultivating oneself but about enlightening others.

Yet there was a Confucian tradition infused within.

Thus, the third transformation of Pure Bodhi was to aid others in attaining purity. However, this purity surpassed even the first transformation of self-purification. It caused one to lose the six senses, as though falling into a vast void, where the world vanished and all phenomena dissolved without a trace.

The so-called six senses were sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and thought.

This technique carried no killing power. It merely severed a person's six senses, casting them into a profound, ineffable state—pure, tranquil, untouched by any external disturbance. It was an excellent state for comprehending Buddhist truths and might even bring unexpected benefits. Yet, in the midst of fierce combat, if one suddenly could not see, hear, speak, smell, touch, or think, one would undoubtedly be left at another's mercy.

Qi Xuansu was quite satisfied with these three transformations. The most crucial point was that although this was a Buddhist blade, thanks to the blending of the Three Religions, it required no special cultivation in Buddhism. As a Daoist, he could still wield it without hindrance.

Since the Supreme Master and Defier were no longer available, Pure Bodhi was an excellent second choice.

As long as it was useful, what did it matter whether it was Daoist or Buddhist?

Having made his decision, Qi Xuansu returned the booklet to Sun Jiaoting and said, "Deputy Hall Master Sun, I wish to claim Pure Bodhi."

Sun Jiaoting was somewhat surprised. "A Buddhist blade? I assumed you would choose Elder Ning's Pure Chill instead."

Qi Xuansu replied, "In Daoism, we emphasize the balance of yin and yang. I have already trained in the Demonic Blade, so if I were to wield Elder Ning's blade as well, it would be overly extreme. It's better to balance it with the purity of Pure Bodhi."

"That makes sense." Sun Jiaoting agreed. Elder Ning had once been known as the Bloody Blade, steeped heavily in slaughter. If the Demonic Blade were combined with the Bloody Blade, it would be far too easy to lose control. So it was indeed not a wise choice.

Sun Jiaoting said, "Please wait a moment, Deputy Hall Master Qi. I will contact the main hall in Jade Capital."

Qi Xuansu nodded. "Thanks."

Sun Jiaoting turned and left.

After all, this was a semi-immortal object, so it required due procedure. Even in wartime, when all was simplified and expedited, it could not be overly casual.

An hour later, Sun Jiaoting returned, holding a stack of documents. He handed them to Qi Xuansu. "Deputy Hall Master Qi, please review these. If there are no issues, kindly sign here."

Qi Xuansu carefully examined them. They were all necessary formalities with duplicates to serve as proof should any dispute arise in the future.

Without Qi Xuansu needing to give instructions, a Daoist priestess brought over a brush, inkstone, clear water, and cinnabar paste for the seal. As she ground the ink, a faint fragrance from her body mixed with the aroma of ink drifted into Qi Xuansu's nose.

Qi Xuansu was no longer just an ordinary Daoist who bought Dragon and Phoenix Eye Series Ammunition. He was now a figure of note.

Within the vast Daoist Order, Qi Xuansu's standing might not yet rank in the top hundred, but he was certainly within the top 200, higher even than some reclusive Sages.

By the time the Fenglin campaign concluded, Qi Xuansu would likely join the ranks of the top hundred.

Qi Xuansu carefully confirmed that the documents contained no textual traps, then signed each one and affixed his seal.

Sun Jiaoting also produced the Tianji Hall's seal and stamped it.

Two copies were made, one kept by each side.

After putting the documents away, Sun Jiaoting said to Qi Xuansu, "Deputy Hall Master Qi, please follow me."

Qi Xuansu followed Sun Jiaoting out of the office into a special chamber. The chamber was empty, without windows, and aside from its doorway, the only feature was a massive stone disk on the floor, more than 3 meters in radius, carved with intricate talismanic inscriptions.

Sun Jiaoting and Qi Xuansu stepped onto the disk and activated the mechanism.

The talismans on the disk lit up one after another, like water flowing through channels. When they were all aglow, four "ropes" formed entirely of shimmering talismans appeared around the edges of the disk.

Then, under the guidance of those ropes, the disk slowly began to descend.

At this moment, Qi Xuansu saw clearly that the chamber was in fact a vertical shaft, with the disk serving as a lift, eliminating the need for stairs and providing greater privacy.

Soon, the disk stopped descending, and a doorway opened before them, light spilling forth.

Beyond the shaft lay a vast underground space, much larger than the structures above. The Tianji Hall had constructed a large Five Ghost Transport Formation, capable of spanning the wide Donghai and much of the Central Plains, directly linking to Jade Capital.

At first glance, the formation resembled the three-tiered altars of the imperial ancestral temples, with its core hidden beneath the platform.

Qi Xuansu handed Monohoshizao and Solar Heaven to Sun Jiaoting.

Carrying the two semi-immortal objects, Sun Jiaoting ascended the altar to its highest tier and placed them upon it.

The entire formation began to move. Countless talismans gradually appeared and lit up with a shimmering blue glow. The rippling light rose and fell, making the whole underground chamber seem like a vast ocean of blue radiance.

The altar had three tiers. The talismans on the first tier flowed from left to right. Those on the second tier, from right to left, and those on the third, from left to right, once again.

A pillar of light shot up from the altar, piercing straight into the void above.

Moments later, the glow faded, and the talismans upon the altar dimmed one after another, returning to silence. The two semi-immortal objects that had been placed on the altar had vanished, replaced by a long blade, clear and limpid like flowing water.

Qi Xuansu ascended to the third tier of the altar and reached out to take the blade.

The blade was cool to the touch, and simply holding it sent a jolt of clarity through Qi Xuansu's spirit. Whether it was an illusion, Qi Xuansu felt as though he were about to step into the serene state of a sage, free of desire or distraction.

The influence this semi-immortal object exerted was truly astonishing.

Sun Jiaoting smiled and said, "Across the entire Daoist Order, most semi-immortal objects are held by second-rank Taiyi Daoist masters. Among third-rank Youyi Daoists, those who possess one can be counted on one hand, and without exception, they are all paragons among the younger generation. Deputy Hall Master Qi, with your repeated battle merits, your future is boundless."

Qi Xuansu smiled faintly. "Deputy Hall Master Sun, you flatter me."

Beyond the exchange for the semi-immortal object, Sage Qingwei also granted Qi Xuansu a special allotment of divine power to replenish what he had expended.

Since entering the Fenglin campaign, Qi Xuansu had consumed a total of 1,300 marks of divine power, leaving him with 4,700 marks. Most of that loss had been spent in his battle against Katsura Yoshiyuki.

Considering that the upcoming decisive battle would demand more divine power, Sage Qingwei reimbursed Qi Xuansu for the 1,300 marks he had already spent.

Such was the might of the Sage Commander. His ability to mobilize resources surpassed that of many small kingdoms. To put it bluntly, even a little spilled from between his fingers was enough to overwhelm Qi Xuansu.

Qi Xuansu followed Sun Jiaoting onto the descending stone disk once more, continuing downward to the second underground level. This was the divine power reserve.

As far as the eye could see, semi-transparent golden pillars stood in neat rows. Their material was unknown but bore the texture of jade, each so thick that four men joining hands could barely encircle one, and within them surged vast waves of divine power.

After replenishing his consumed reserves, Qi Xuansu now had 6,000 marks of divine power.