Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

”This map contains dozens of Sword Concealment Methods, nearly a hundred Sword Drawing Methods, and even more Sword-Prompting Burst Methods.”

”Its Sword Control Methods are simply exquisite!”

As he carefully studied the Ten Thousand Swords Map, comparing it with his Five Elements Sword Point, Zhu Ju’s eyes flickered.

’Divine Soul Sword Control allows for fluid, versatile movements, completely at one’s will, like an extension of one’s own limbs. Compared to the Qi Sword Control methods of the Main World, it is clearly far more refined and agile.’

’Just the dozens of Sword Concealment Methods alone would seem incredible and entirely unnecessary to the Cultivators of the Main World.’

’The Sword Control Methods of the Main World focus on pre-emptive strikes. They use Qi to generate immense power. A person with profound Cultivation can cleave mountains and part seas with Sword Qi alone. They are domineering to the extreme, far surpassing this world in that regard.’

’If I could combine the advantages of both...’

’I’m overthinking it!’

Composing himself, Zhu Ju tried the methods recorded on the Ten Thousand Swords Map to control his Jade Hairpin, making it dance nimbly around his body.

Compared to the Object Controlling Technique of a Magician, the methods recorded on the sword map were clearly more sophisticated.

Previously, when Controlling Objects, the more Divine Soul Power he consumed, the faster the object would move. Now, with Sword Control, there were various distinct methods to accelerate, turn, and burst with power.

The two could not be mentioned in the same breath.

His powerful Divine Soul Power even allowed the hairpin to create trails of afterimages as it circled him, displaying a dazzling array of wondrous maneuvers.

But,

’This is just the basics!’

Zhu Ju mused while Controlling Objects:

’Whether it’s Sword Concealment, Sword Drawing, or Sword-Prompting, the methods on the Ten Thousand Swords Map are all fundamentals of Sword Control Skill. There must be more profound Sword Techniques built upon them.’

’The Sword Sect!’

’A Fallen Demon Cultivation Sect!’

’Looks like I’ll have to investigate it if I get the chance, but... why do I have such a bad feeling about this?’

*

*

*

The biting wind was sharp, and a murderous aura filled the air.

Bamboo Mountain Temple.

The Great Heroic Hall.

A group of Monks was gathered together.

Kongjue, known as the ”Buddha’s Son,” knelt in the center of the hall, his palms pressed together, murmuring words of compassion.

He had regular features, a fair complexion, and could be considered handsome. His eyes were clear and transparent, like those of a young child, and he regarded everything with a pure, innocent curiosity.

Or...

Ignorance!

”Amitabha Buddha!”

The Abbot of Bamboo Mountain Temple, Yuanye, took a trembling step forward and looked at Kongjue.

”Was it really you?”

”Master.” Kongjue looked up and bowed with his palms pressed together.

”This disciple saw the suffering of all living beings and could not bear it. And because my nature is hard to change, I committed such a sin.”

The Monks erupted in an uproar.

No one could have imagined that Kongjue, the so-called ”Buddha’s Son,” was actually a Parasitic Demon Bee.

But,

how was that possible?

A Demon’s aura is difficult to conceal, especially in a Buddhist Holy Land, unless someone had cast a spell to hide it for him.

As this thought crossed their minds, the Monks couldn’t help but look toward Abbot Yuanye.

The only one at Bamboo Mountain Temple capable of such a feat was this Great Mage who had attained the Buddhist Sect’s ’Arhat Attainment’. However, they suspected the Abbot was not the only one in on the secret.

”Bastard!” Ming Jing, the Abbot of Miaoxin Nunnery, who was standing to the side, berated him furiously.

”You, a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, have committed vile acts of debauchery, rape, murder, and adultery, yet you dare blame it on the suffering of all living beings?”

”Reverend Abbess, there are things you do not know.” Monk Yuanle, the kind-faced Monk in charge of the Scripture Pavilion, whispered.

”General Wan was desperate for a son and killed thirteen of his wives and concubines in succession. The matter caused a huge uproar in Yidu back then. He only stopped the slaughter after a concubine finally bore him a son.”

”And what about Qingfeng Escort Agency?”

”Chief Tang, in order to continue his bloodline, resorted to an Evil Technique involving a ghostly fetus. This humble Monk pleaded with him to no avail and, left with no other choice, stepped in to help,” Kongjue said with his head lowered, his voice deep.

”You are a Demon!” Abbot Ming Jing, who loathed evil as a personal enemy, turned a deaf ear to his explanation. She glared at him and said:

”These are all just excuses! A Demon’s nature cannot be purged!”

”Abbot Yuanye, I told you long ago that he should not have been allowed to join the Buddhist Sect! A Demon will always be a Demon!”

The faces of the Monks showed various expressions as they began to chant Buddhist mantras.

”Amitabha Buddha...”

”There are things you all do not know.”

Yuanye bowed with his palms pressed together toward the group of Monks who were unaware of the inner story.

”Thirty-seven years ago, a Parasitic Demon Bee was hunted by the previous abbot for its countless crimes. On the verge of death, it cast a spell and hid itself inside a baby’s body.”

”The previous abbot could not bring himself to kill the infant, so he brought him back to the temple and entrusted him to this humble Monk to raise. This is how we have the Kongjue of today.”

”Since childhood, Kongjue possessed a Buddha Heart. He grasped the Buddhist Sect’s Zen Techniques without being taught. He is a natural-born Buddha’s Son.”

”My Buddha is merciful, delivering all living beings...”

”In ancient times, the Buddha enlightened a venomous dragon and turned it into a Venerable. Why can we not enlighten Monk Kongjue, who is a Half-Demon, today?”

His face was full of compassion and his voice was slow. His words brought realization to many, who couldn’t help but nod repeatedly. However, some others had strange expressions and lowered their heads in silence.

”Nonsense!” Ming Jing said angrily.

”He had an affair with a married woman and fathered a demon spawn! He has harmed others and himself! And you are still covering for him at a time like this?”

”Yuanye!”

”Are you trying to get every Monk in Bamboo Mountain Temple killed?”

GONG...

The sound of the bell echoed.

The Monks fell silent.

An army surrounded the mountain, its killing intent permeating the air. Even their Zen Hearts, cultivated over many years, could not help but ripple with disturbance.

Now, the slightest misstep would lead to the destruction of the mountain and the annihilation of the temple.

And it was all because of this master and disciple pair before them!

”Kongjue.”

Yuanye’s eyes were complicated.

”How many women did you have affairs with in total?”

”Master,” Kongjue said.

”There were forty-six in total.”

”Amitabha Buddha!”

The faces of the Monks in the hall changed drastically. Whispers broke out, and some even showed looks of fury.

Kongjue’s status was special. The people who could get close to him were either rich or noble.

’Those forty-six people...’

’It meant forty-six bottomless pits of trouble!’

Even Ming Jing swayed and couldn’t help but ask:

”By fathering demon spawn, the secret was bound to get out sooner or later. Did you not consider the consequences?”

”It wouldn’t have.” Kongjue shook his head.

”The children I father are stillborn. After two years, they merge with their mothers and will never cause them any backlash.”

”But how do you explain what happened with the Tang Family?” someone asked.

”At that time, the parasitic bee larva had not yet died. It was stimulated by Miss Tang’s hostility and reacted because of it,” Kongjue said.

”That was the only exception!”

”One case is still a crime, let alone forty-six!” Ming Jing shouted.

”Take him down the mountain and have him apologize to General Wan. Hopefully, he won’t hold it against Bamboo Mountain Temple.”

”Amitabha Buddha.” Kongjue nodded, showing no intention of refusing. On the contrary, he seemed to think it was only natural, and said in a calm voice:

”If this humble Monk’s death can resolve the crisis for Bamboo Mountain Temple, then this humble Monk is willing to atone with my life.”

”No!”

A black-faced Monk in the hall shouted:

”Wan Zhengyang has sent his troops to besiege Bamboo Mountain Temple for more than just killing Kongjue! Our only path to survival is to fight our way off the mountain. Handing over Kongjue would be like cutting off our own arm!”

”Yuanchen.” Ming Jing frowned.

”This is the only way.”

”I say it’s not!” Yuanchen said angrily.

”An army has surrounded the mountain. There’s no way they’ll retreat without bloodshed. We must unite as one and make Wan Zhengyang understand that he cannot bear the consequences of attacking Bamboo Mountain Temple. Only then will he withdraw his troops and lift the siege.”

”Demon Monk!” Ming Jing roared.

”Stop your seditious nonsense!”

”The Art of War says: ’Throw your soldiers into a perilous position, and they will survive. Plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will live.’” Yuanchen’s eyes flew wide open.

”I was a soldier! This is a principle you people don’t understand!”

”Surrendering voluntarily will only lead to Wan Zhengyang slaughtering us all! We have to show him what we’re made of!”

”Silence!” Ming Jing swung the Duster in her hand.

”Are you trying to rebel?”

HUPH... Yuanchen brandished his Zen Staff and engaged her in battle.

”A woman’s misplaced compassion! What do you know?”

Both sides held to their own views and had their own supporters, and the scene descended into chaos.

Kongjue looked on with a blank expression, not understanding how things had escalated to this point.

”Amitabha Buddha!”

”My Buddha is merciful...”