Witnessing countless golden streaks surge toward him, the monk, hands clasped in mantras, remained utterly unmoved. Han Li heard this and let out a cold sigh. The flying swords emitted an even more brilliant glow, their power surging another third. "Puff, puff!" The golden streaks flashed and vanished upon impact with the luminous screen, yet each produced a dull, hollow sound—like striking dry timber—causing the green barrier to tremble and waver, yet failing to pierce through. Han Li's expression shifted slightly, but beneath his calm, he subtly pressed a sword seal. Instantly, the hundreds of sword beams near the silver-robed monk trembled and then surged upward, converging into a radiant dome. For a moment, the scene shimmered with golden light, and a sun-like orb rose from the void. When the glow subsided, a golden sword several dozen feet long materialized in place. At that moment, Han Li moved decisively, lightly pointing at his opponent. A sharp crackling sound erupted, and the golden sword's brilliance dimmed, revealing a layer of milky, cold radiance. Thick, crystalline ice swiftly formed, expanding into a colossal ice blade stretching over fifty feet in The sword was crystal clear and translucent, its sheer size leaving everyone in awe the moment they saw it. The silver-robed monk who had been chanting below looked up, his face instantly pale with shock. At that very moment, Han Li raised his hand horizontally and swept the space beneath with a cold, steady utterance of the character "Chop." As the ice sword swayed, it plunged downward with great force. Before it truly struck the green light barrier, visible ripples began to form in the surrounding space, and a piercing, high-pitched hum rose to a crescendo—like an entire ice mountain bearing down with unstoppable momentum. Though the monk trusted his green barrier to be impossibly resilient, he dared not meet this blow head-on. He uttered a prayer, and as his white lotus beneath him spun smoothly, he vanished entirely, enveloped in seven-colored Buddhist light. The massive sword then struck the empty space, resonating with a deep, continuous hum. At that very moment, a flash of white light appeared several zhang away from the massive sword, and the lotus flower spun into place. Simultaneously, the monk materialized on the white lotus, his hand seal transforming instantly, radiating an astonishing surge of spiritual pressure. A towering phantom, several zhang high, suddenly emerged above his head. This phantom shone with a golden glow, its face fierce and imposing, crowned with flowing hair and half-extended, perfectly matching the legendary image of a Buddhist Dharmakaya warrior. But Han Li hurriedly examined the ice sword closely, and was startled. For where the great sword had been struck by the golden ethereal image, the ice layer had cracked in thin, delicate fragments, revealing the gleaming golden sword body within. What kind of technique was this? It seemed different from the Ming Wang Ju, yet somehow related! He felt a touch of wonder. Nevertheless, after the last time he had refined his flying sword, the amount of Xu Yu incorporated had reached a point that was truly astonishing—each infusion had pushed the sword's capacity to its very limit. Thus, the intense cold of the Qing Zhu Feng Yun sword naturally could not have been confined to just this single strike. With a mere thought, Han Li's spirit, the seemingly partially shattered ice sword flashed with a few pale white glimmers, and the broken sections restored themselves instantly. Then, without hesitation, the ice sword swept horizontally and struck the silver-robed monk to the side. The immense power of the great ice sword remained unchanged—seeming as though the earlier severe blow had never even occurred. This time, the silver-robed monk found himself utterly at a loss. His face darkened, and instead of employing a teleportation technique to evade, he expanded his form, causing his arms to suddenly swell thick and broad. With a swift motion, he brought both hands together, meeting mid-air as the massive ice sword approached. With a resounding "thud," the Dharma phantom, in perfect synchrony, managed to precisely clamp the ice sword in mid-air with his two arms, halting it completely from descending further. After all, though the Dharma phantom was not small in size, it truly seemed like a mere child in comparison to the ice sword! Thus, it appeared as though a mantis had blocked its own arm—completely stopped by the sturdy Dharma phantom. Han Li's eyes narrowed, and he felt genuinely astonished. For not only did the ice sword possess immense force, but the extreme cold generated by the ten-thousand-year-old jade also had the power to freeze any defensive artifact or tool in place. Yet the Dharma phantom, with no sign of strain or disruption, effortlessly held the sword steady with just his hands. Such a technique was truly extraordinary. Of course, with a single glance, Han Li also noticed the silver-robed monk below, though he seemed less at ease than the one with the celestial dharmakaya aura above. Although his arms remained still, his body subtly bent lower, and the golden glow on his face flickered continuously, indicating he was clearly exerting himself. Han Li's brow furrowed slightly. This monk's secret technique appeared somewhat similar to the Liu Ji Zhen Mo Power, yet fundamentally distinct. While the Liu Ji Zhen Mo Power also manifested six spectral demonic figures behind him—formed through the external infusion of ancient demonic essence drawn from the true demonic qi of the primordial demon ancestor—the monk's celestial dharmakaya figures seemed to emanate directly from his own internal spiritual energy. Furthermore, the strength of this secret technique was intricately complemented by the power of the Ming Wang Decision. Otherwise, even without mentioning anything else, if that monk had not cultivated the Ming Wang Ju to the fourth stage, the massive sword strike just now—equal in size to a small mountain—would have caused the physical form of the Dharma phantom to collapse, even if the phantom could withstand it. Han Li was deeply impressed. However, the Qingzhu Fengyun Sword possessed far more capabilities than that. With a simple gesture of his hands, he activated another divine function of the flying sword through his spiritual awareness. As the thunder roared, the ice sword suddenly emerged with several thick golden arcs, each as wide as a human arm, which instantly transformed into several golden electric serpents, charging straight toward the phantom. "Ah!" The silver-robed monk was startled, clearly unprepared for the multitude of powers displayed by Han Li's flying sword. Without hesitation, he suddenly drew in a deep breath and forcefully expelled it toward the front. Though nothing tangible came out of his mouth, the Dharma phantom under his control responded differently—emitting waves of golden radiance from its mouth as a result of the same action. In an instant, the electric serpents were flipped and blown aside, unable to draw near at all. At the same time, the silver-robed monk roared, and the pair of golden, hazy hands gripping the ice sword suddenly exerted a tremendous force, causing a massive crack to split the sword right down the middle. Under the brilliant glow of the hands, the crack rapidly widened, and shards of ice shattered and fell like snow. It seemed the monk intended to completely break the sword in two with his indomitable, bodhisattva-like strength. Yet, the high-ranking disciple of the Lei Yin Sect, clearly had his plans mistaken. Seeing this, Han Li chuckled and changed his hand seal. Suddenly, the original ice sword trembled violently, then emitted a clear chime as it dissolved into strands of golden silk, scattering freely from the ethereal hands. Though the bodhisattva form reached out and grasped it twice, each golden thread seemed to possess its own spirit, spiraling gracefully and evading the grasp entirely—leaving the monk with no success at all. "Transforming the sword into silk!" It appears Master Han is indeed a master of sword techniques! The monk beneath the shadow paused, murmuring softly, "I must admit, my current skill falls far short of being considered a true swordmaster. It is Master Yuanzhi's secret technique that has truly opened my eyes—could you tell me the origin of this divine power?" Han Li smiled gently, summoned all the flying swords back with a single gesture, and asked calmly. After all, it was not yet a matter of life and death; he need not press his advantage with relentless pursuit. "A mere minor technique, nothing extraordinary—merely a small art that complements the Ming Wang's decision," the silver-robed monk chuckled, speaking vaguely, clearly unwilling to reveal any specifics. Han Li shook his head with a quiet smile. "Indeed, the Buddhist arts are no ordinary thing. With ordinary means, we would likely find it difficult to secure a decisive advantage in the near term. As for me, I shall now draw upon several powerful artifacts. Master Yuanzhi, please be cautious." Han Li's expression returned to its usual composure, and he added with evident intention. After speaking these words, Han Li first snapped his fingers ten times at the monk across from him, sending ten slender red threads that flashed swiftly before vanishing instantly, each one suddenly trembling and fading. Then, with a shake of his sleeve, a cluster of three-colored light flames tumbled out and coalesced into a three-colored fan, which floated in his hands. The fan spun smoothly before he caught it firmly with one hand, channeling a surge of spiritual energy and gently sweeping it toward the monk. A sound like a phoenix's call resonated, and a three-colored fire phoenix, several feet in size, burst forth from the fan, spiraling before darting straight at the monk. At that moment, Han Li opened his mouth again, expelling a round, milky orb that immediately expanded under the wind, growing to a size of a foot. Strange purple cold flames emerged in waves on the surface of the orb. Han Li made no further movements—merely gently brushing the orb with the edge of his long robe, directly at its surface. Suddenly, a vast sea of purple flames materialized before him, surging upward into towering waves several zhang high, rushing fiercely toward the opposite side with overwhelming force and spectacle. Upon seeing the determined and vigorous action of Han Li this time, the silver-robed monk grew visibly serious, immediately flipping his hand once and producing a small, brilliantly silver bottle in his palm. However, before the monk could cast the object, a flash of red light appeared before the金刚's ethereal form, and ten slender streams of fire shot forth, striking the phantom simultaneously. Upon impact, a series of sharp metallic clinks echoed as the two forms collided—the fire filaments failed completely to penetrate the golden ethereal form. The monk remained unmoved, his full attention fixed on the three-colored fire birds hurtling toward him, his expression now grave and serious. Although he had never seen the San-Yan Fan before, the astonishing spiritual power radiating from the three-colored fire bird made him feel as though facing a formidable opponent, and he could not afford to look down upon it at all. (First chapter! Starting from the 28th, double monthly subscriptions will apply—so now each subscription counts as two. Hehe! During this period, please subscribe for a few more ordinary people!) ------------ Volume Seven: Dominating the Human Realm Volume Seven: Dominating the Human Realm Yet something completely unexpected happened to the monk! Though the ten strands of fire did not pierce the golden phantom, they suddenly flashed with a brief crimson glow and instantly transformed into thick, robust red fire chains. These chains then whirled like lightning, swiftly encircling and tightly binding the golden phantom. The monk stared in astonishment, then, without hesitation, raised his hand and launched a swift thrust toward the sky. A beam of white swordlight shot forth from his fingertip, cutting straight toward the fire chains and striking them with force. With a crisp, pleasant sound, the crimson and white lights briefly intertwined, and the swordlight was deflected like a ball bounced off a wall, scoring only a small, bean-sized gash on the thick fire chain—far from fully severing it. At this, the silver-robed monk grew serious. Seeing the three-colored fire birds and the purple fire waves approaching in succession, he urgently pressed his single foot firmly into the white lotus beneath him, then emitted a long, resonant roar reminiscent of a dragon's cry, simultaneously drawing his arms out with a steady, weighty gesture. The immense golden form seemed to sense the monk's growing agitation, instantly radiating a brilliant golden glow and swelling dramatically—growing nearly half its original size, now reaching seven or eight zhang in height, as if determined to snap the fire chain instantly. Yet, a development that deepened the monk's concern followed immediately. As the golden form expanded, the fire chain responded and grew in tandem, showing no sign of strain at all. The monk pressed two palms again, and at that moment, the golden phantom within the luminous glow suddenly shrank by half. The fire chain likewise contracted and thinned, clinging tightly to the phantom as if an inseparable parasite, unable to detach. This time, the silver-robed monk truly grew pale. Seeing the three-colored fire birds truly approaching, he momentarily set aside the phantom above his head and swiftly threw the jade bottle into the air. The silver bottle spun once, then its mouth aligned directly with the charging fire birds. As the silver glow spread out, a series of Sanskrit chants emanated from within the bottle, followed by a surge of seven-colored Buddhist light pouring forth in broad sheets, sweeping directly toward the approaching fire birds. The fire birds, in response, exhaled streams of their three hues of flame, spread their wings, and attempted to break through the radiant light, soaring all the way up to the monk’s head. Immediately upon contact, the Buddha's light surged and radiated brilliantly, rotating in seven hues. As it spun continuously, it wrapped the fire bird within and drew it back, sealing it into the vessel. The entire process unfolded smoothly and effortlessly—seeming as though the vessel had always been a natural adversary of the three-colored fire birds! The silver-robed monk first startled, using his spiritual awareness to scan the silver vial, only to discover something astonishing—immediately gasping in surprise. Then, as if by a sudden motion, the high priest of Leiyin Sect had his feet's white lotus shimmer once more, and in an instant, he vanished from view, leaving behind a steadily rotating lotus several feet in diameter floating in the void, and the golden ethereal form suspended above. As for the White Lotus, it was even more disastrous. As soon as it was enveloped by the three-colored flames, it instantly vaporized. At another spot some thirty zhang away, a flash of white light revealed the figure of the silver-robed monk. Yet, at the very instant the Dharmakaya phantom was extinguished, his face suddenly paled several times, and from his mouth he expelled a small spurt of pure blood. At the same time, the pale golden hue of his skin dimmed noticeably, revealing a clear depletion of vital energy. The Dharmakaya phantom had indeed been as intimately connected to his life essence, spirit, and vital qi as his own soul artifact. Han Li, however, remained expressionless. With a slight adjustment of his hand seal, the steadily advancing waves of purple flame instantly changed direction, coalescing into a long,十余-zhang-long purple serpent, its mouth bearing a white pearl, and charging directly toward the fleeing silver-robed monk. Even before reaching the monk, a strong cold wind surged up around him, and the temperature plummeted to an extreme, creating a strange sensation as if the very space around him were about to solidify from all directions. The silver-robed monk's feet flashed with white light, instantly manifesting another lotus flower identical to the one before—his feet remaining still. As the light danced several times on the lotus, he then stepped back十余 feet, emitting a series of weary chuckles: "Stop! There's no need for further competition. Brother Han truly possesses extraordinary prowess—old monk bows to you!" Surprisingly, even after just a single formal exchange with Han Li, the monk had already decided to yield, his eyes fixed on the spot where the silver screen had been shattered. A deep sense of regret crossed his face. That silver screen had been a top-tier Buddhist treasure he had painstakingly acquired years ago—now destroyed in a mere sparring session. How could he possibly continue? Even though neither party had exerted their full strength, Han Li's evident mastery clearly outshone his own. With his own energy now depleted, he naturally had no desire to continue the contest. Upon hearing this, Han Li's gaze flickered several times before he smiled and raised a hand toward the distance. The purple flame serpent instantly froze in place, then rolled over and dissolved into a swirling mass of purple flame, leaving only a white orb floating in the air. Under the prompt of Han Li's divine awareness, this treasure, together with the fire chain restored to its original filament form, was swiftly shot back. The two treasures shimmered a few times before vanishing completely into Han Li's body. Han Li then extended both hands in a bow to the monk across from him, calmly said, "Thank you," and slowly descended. At the temple gate, the crowd greeted Han Li with expressions of profound reverence. Though both were great cultivators, Han Li's decisive strike had so easily injured Yuanzhi the Monk, which surely came as a surprise to everyone below—including Canku. Even the young flame bamboo monk, upon meeting Han Li's gaze, now appeared slightly uneasy, no longer as composed as before. "The contest between the two of you has truly been most enlightening," said the monk. I truly hope that one day Cán will also reach such a lofty level! Since Friend Han has emerged victorious, I naturally won't fail to keep my word—so I'll have someone go and prepare the secret technique for crafting the vow-belt space. Though the silvery-robed monk was defeated by Han, the Master of the Tianji Pavilion smiled warmly, showing no sign of disappointment. In fact, before Han even had a chance to speak, he promptly took the initiative to propose this matter. "Then I shall be most grateful, Master Cán," Han replied with a gentle smile. Cán, with a steady stream of "It's nothing," quickly drew out a token from his robes and handed it to a Jiadian cultivator standing beside him, giving clear instructions. The man immediately took the token in both hands and hurried away, rushing downward toward the ground at high speed. Beyond the celestial pavilion floating in the sky, there were numerous elegant pavilions and towers spread across the ground, each one refined and graceful, with faint signs of people moving about. Yet it seemed these individuals had already been instructed, so that even during the great clash between Han Li and the silver-robed monk just now, no one dared to step forward and intervene. The person who had taken the token and flown off vanished instantly into one of the pavilions below. Only then did Han Li turn his gaze back. At that moment, after briefly adjusting his breath in the air, the silver-robed monk descended and withdrew a white vial from his sleeve, poured out a crimson pill, and swallowed it. "Master Yuanzhi, are you all right?" Han Li naturally asked. "I'm fine," the monk replied. "With just a few months of rest and recuperation, I'll be well. As for you, Friend Han, your fan—is it not a common treasure? My own Luohan Golden Body is a top-tier artifact, and even when struck by it, I would not suffer any serious damage. Yet this fan has withstood only a gentle touch and still caused an effect. Clearly, it is not a genuine spiritual treasure, but rather a replica of one." "With this fan in hand, few beings in the human realm would dare to meet your attack head-on." Seeing Han Li approach, the senior monk from Lei Yin Sect smiled calmly at Han Li, as if completely unconcerned about the injury he had sustained at Han Li's hands. Instead, he spoke with ease and asked, "Master, your keen observation is truly impressive. This treasure I hold is indeed a replica of a spiritual artifact." Han Li chuckled lightly, showing no particular concern. Upon hearing this, the silver-robed monk, whose face had previously been composed and distant, now broke into a gentle smile. As he opened his mouth to speak further, Canku stepped in and took over. "Both of you, why not discuss your matters in the hall at length? By the way, I've just obtained a bottle of ancient elixir wine known as 'Jin Long Yin.' It's said that even a common cultivator can match a full month of rigorous practice simply by drinking a single sip. More importantly, the taste of this wine is absolutely exquisite and hard to describe. I'd be delighted if all of you would take a moment to taste it." The stout elder rubbed his hands and said warmly. Now, Canku seems nothing short of a warm-hearted country elder, completely shedding any trace of his former dignity as a dignified guest master. "Jin Long Yin? I've heard of this magical wine before. It's said to be brewed from several rare fruits that have long since vanished from the mortal realm—this wine is renowned for its rich, exquisite aroma, far surpassing today's ordinary elixirs. Hehe. Don't be surprised, friend. Though I am a Buddhist monk, I still hold a deep affection for fine wines. In fact, back then, Canku once hosted me as a guest senior monk, using dozens of ancient elixirs to do so. But, friend Han, don't take that as a sign that I've become a mere wine-and-food monk. I still uphold the rest of my vows." Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhi was delighted. Yet, as he glanced at Han Li's expression, which seemed slightly astonished, he half-joked, his tone full of genuine warmth and friendliness. Han Li was momentarily stirred by what he heard, yet remained smiling without speaking. Together, they entered the great hall once more... (This is the second update from yesterday!) Sorry, we suddenly developed a high fever last night and only felt better after taking some medicine. Now, finally, we've managed to finish this chapter. Please rest assured—we'll make sure to deliver today's chapter as well, and won't miss any updates!