NOVEL NEXT Chapter 223
Sword qi and elemental energies intertwined in a dazzling display of destruction.
Boom!
The collision shook heaven and earth. The deafening explosion left everyone momentarily deafened and blinded as waves of chaotic energy rippled outward.
Even HeavenMan experts struggled to maintain their footing as weaker martial artists were reduced to blood mist by the sheer force of the clash.
When the dust settled…
The golden palm had been severed by the Five Elements Spirit Swords and shattered by the combined attacks of the Daoist Realms.
But victory came at a cost.
The Five Elements Sword Formation dissipated, its energy spent. Many Daoist Realms staggered backward, visibly drained from the effort required to counter such an overwhelming attack.
Though neither side had gained a decisive advantage, it was clear that prolonged combat would favor Buddhism. The Myriad Buddha Formation's efficiency far surpassed that of Daoism's combined efforts.
The Buddhists smirked triumphantly as they prepared for another round.
But before they could act…
Song Yuanqiao stepped forward with a confident smile.
"Master," he said, addressing Zhang Sanfeng, "there's no need for concern. Before I left for Emperor Treading Peak, my junior brother gave me another pouch."
The Buddhists froze at his words, their expressions darkening with unease.
The Daoist Realms exchanged hopeful glances as Zhang Sanfeng chuckled.
"You rascal! If your junior brother gave you something, why didn't you use it earlier?"
"Forgive me," Song Yuanqiao replied sheepishly before pulling out a second pouch from his robes.
As he opened it…
A beam of black light shot into the sky!
Hovering above them appeared a massive black cauldron—the Mountain and River SpiritGathering Furnace—its surface etched with intricate carvings of celestial bodies and natural landscapes.
The crowd stared in confusion.
"A cauldron? What use is that here?" someone muttered skeptically.
Even Song Yuanqiao hesitated for a moment before remembering Ning Changge's unwavering confidence in his arrangements.
Far away on Tianzhu Peak…
Ning Changge sat calmly in Wudang's Scripture Pavilion, engrossed in his studies. The evergrowing collection of Daoist scriptures enriched his understanding with each passing day.
Nearby, Huang Rong approached hesitantly.
"Brother Ning," she began softly, "I've been reading through some scriptures recently and feel… stuck."
"What troubles you?" Ning Changge asked with a gentle smile.
"The scriptures speak of pursuing 'the Dao.' But what is 'the Dao'? Is it merely understanding heaven's laws? Or is there more?"
Ning Changge's eyes gleamed with approval at her question.
"The Dao is vast," he explained. "It encompasses both heaven's laws—wind, lightning, yinyang—and one's personal path. For me, my Dao is immortality."
"And mine?" Huang Rong asked timidly.
"You must discover it for yourself," Ning Changge replied. "Only by understanding your own heart can you walk further along this path."
Back at Emperor Treading Peak…
The Mountain and River SpiritGathering Furnace began to hum ominously as it expanded rapidly—its size growing until it towered over everything like a black mountain looming over the battlefield.
From within its depths emerged an endless torrent of black flames—the Samadhi True Fire—engulfing everything in its path!
### Chapter 126: Nine Dragons Refining Buddhas! The Reincarnation of Shakyamuni?!
The scene of the hundredzhang Spirit Furnace unleashing a sea of black flames was nothing short of mythic.
It was as if a legend had come to life, unfolding before everyone's eyes.
The overwhelming black flames filled the heavens, silencing even the oncedominant Buddhist chants. All that remained was the eerie sound of fire burning in the stillness. Everyone could feel the terrifying aura emanating from the flames, sending chills down their spines.
Indeed, the flames pouring from the Mountain and River SpiritGathering Furnace were none other than Samadhi True Fire.
The Samadhi True Fire was particularly effective against the Buddha Bodies cultivated by the Buddhas. This was why Ning Changge had chosen to make the Spirit Furnace his second pouch for Song Yuanqiao. To ensure its potency, Ning Changge had infused the furnace with a vast reserve of Samadhi True Fire before handing it over.
The result was now on full display—a sea of fire that seemed to consume the heavens and earth.
### The Daoist Realms React
The Dragon Island Masters felt their scalps tingle as their mouths went dry.
They were among the few who truly understood the fire's power.
Back on Peach Blossom Island, they had personally witnessed Ning Changge's Samadhi True Fire. A single flame had effortlessly defeated them both.
But now…
This wasn't just one flame—it was thousands, tens of thousands, forming an ocean of fire!
The two exchanged bitter smiles, realizing that what they had faced back then was merely a casual display of Ning Changge's power.
The other Daoist Realms were equally stunned.
Legends of divine flames and celestial fires had long been part of Daoist lore, but seeing such a fire in person was an entirely different experience. Even though the Samadhi True Fire wasn't directed at them, they could still feel its oppressive heat and destructive potential.
Many couldn't help but wonder if they could withstand such flames themselves—and concluded that they likely couldn't.
Their gazes turned toward Zhang Sanfeng, filled with envy and admiration.
"How did this old man get so lucky to have such a disciple?" they thought.
Zhang Sanfeng, stroking his beard, couldn't help but feel a little smug. Though he maintained a calm demeanor, inwardly he was bursting with pride.
For the onlookers, the sight was nothing short of divine.
They stared at the black flames dominating half the sky as if witnessing a miracle.
"Such methods… truly otherworldly!"
"Even a single spark of that fire could burn me to ashes a hundred times over…"
"The Little Immortal's abilities are truly godlike!"
"It seems he anticipated everything. Sitting atop Tianzhu Peak, he manipulates the Nine Provinces with ease. Such vision and foresight are aweinspiring!"
"And look at those baldies—they don't look too happy about this!"
The crowd whispered among themselves, their earlier resentment toward Buddhism replaced by schadenfreude.
Meanwhile, the Land Immortals watching from afar were deeply shaken.