Understanding the Sword of Cause and Effect

Chapter 442 Understanding the Sword of Cause and Effect

The clamor, cries, kneeling, and the lingering echoes of the ancient temple collapsing at the foot of Mount Song were all left behind by Li Xijun.

He took a step forward, his figure merging into the void, and when he reappeared, he found himself in a completely different world.

East China Sea, Jianmen Pass.

The moment Li Xijun appeared in the void above the sea outside the Sword Gate's protective formation, a reaction immediately occurred within the Sword Gate.

The sword intent shrouding the mountains rippled slightly and then parted on its own to create a wide passage.

Inside the passage, preparations had already been made.

At the mountain gate, banners fluttered and swords stood in rows!

Thousands of Jianmen disciples, dressed in uniform blue and white sword robes, lined up neatly on both sides of the winding stone steps leading to the main peak, "Tianjian Peak," according to their cultivation level and branch.

At the front of the disciples' line were several Dharma Aspect Grandmasters with a deep and dignified aura, their bodies radiating a subtle sword intent, as well as three Grandmaster Elders who, simply by standing there, seemed to be subtly in harmony with the sword intent of the surrounding world, making them too intimidating to look directly at.

Fairy Jinghong was also among them. She wore a light purple dress and was still as beautiful and refined as ever. However, the way she looked at Li Xijun at this moment was far more complex and difficult to understand than when they first met in the capital or when the sword was passed on at the Sword Gate. She felt a sense of shock and déjà vu.

However, what is most striking is not this already top-level welcoming ceremony.

Rather, it was beneath the mountain gate archway that stood a solitary figure, as proud as a snow-capped peak and as aloof as the cold moon.

The Sword Sect's Dharma Body, Ye Wuqing, was actually waiting here in person!

He was dressed in a blue robe, carrying an ancient sword on his back. His face was as cold and stern as ever, but when he looked at Li Xijun now, his eyes no longer held a pure scrutiny or the expectations of a senior for a junior. Instead, they held a sharp light that suggested an equal discussion of the Dao and even contained a hint of the thrill of seeing a predator.

This scene, witnessed by everyone in the Sword Sect, was not seen as amiss by anyone.

The number one on the Heavenly Ranking, having personally arrived with the prestige of slaying an Arhat, deserves this honor!

In fact, if Ye Wuqing hadn't personally intervened, the presence of only a few Grandmasters and Elders would have made it seem as if the Sword Sect had been disrespectful to this now formidable figure.

"The arrival of the Star Lord brings glory to Jianmen." Ye Wuqing's voice was not loud, but it clearly drowned out the sea breeze and the faint sound of swords.

He stepped forward and bowed to Li Xijun with the courtesy due to an equal.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Li, on reaching the top of the Heavenly Ranking." The tone was calm, yet carried a sense of solemnity.

As Ye Wuqing made his move, all the elders, disciples, and even Fairy Jinghong behind him bowed in unison, their voices converging into a solemn torrent: "Welcome, Your Majesty! Congratulations on Your Majesty's ascension to the top of the Heavenly Ranking!"

The cheers were filled with heartfelt reverence. Many young disciples were so excited that their cheeks flushed. To be able to see this legendary new number one in the world was something they would talk about for the rest of their lives.

Those Dharma Masters, Grandmasters, and Elders were filled with countless emotions.

Most of them had witnessed or at least perceived the scene when Li Xijun first came to Jianmen a year ago. Although Li Xijun had already shown his talent at that time, he was still considered to be of the same generation as them.

Who could have imagined that in just one year, everything would change so drastically, and the other party would rise to a height that they could only look up to!

Upon seeing this, Li Xijun showed no arrogance whatsoever; instead, a gentle smile appeared on his face, as if he were reuniting with an old friend. He returned the greeting with a bow, his posture humble: "Senior Ye's personal welcome is too much for me. The Sword Sect has been kind to me in imparting knowledge and skills; esteemed elders..."

"These fairies are all old acquaintances; there's no need for such formalities."

His gaze swept over Fairy Jinghong and the others, and he nodded slightly in greeting. His attitude was no different from when he came to comprehend the Sword Intent of Time last time. This composure, which he maintained even after gaining immense power and influence, reassured Fairy Jinghong and the others, and they felt even more favorably disposed towards him.

A barely perceptible hint of approval flashed in Ye Wuqing's eyes. He straightened up and said, "Fellow Daoist is too modest. Your presence today is surely for the final sword strike of the 'Three Lives Cycle Sword Manual.' This is not the place for detailed discussions. Please follow me."

He turned around and said to the crowd behind him, "I have important matters to discuss with the Star Lord. You may all disperse and return to your duties."

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison and retreated in an orderly fashion, with no one lingering. Only Fairy Jinghong hesitated slightly and looked at Ye Wuqing.

Ye Wuqing nodded slightly: "Jinghong, you should come too. You once protected Fellow Daoist Li and have some understanding of the 'Instant Eternal Calamity Sword Chapter,' which may be of some help."

Fairy Jinghong was overjoyed and respectfully agreed.

Ye Wuqing stepped to the side and made a "please" gesture to Li Xijun, his posture natural and completely like that of a fellow traveler leading the way.

Li Xijun followed calmly.

Without saying much, the three transformed into streaks of light, instantly passing through layers of sword peaks and clouds, and once again arrived at the Sword Enlightenment Cliff, located atop a solitary peak, perpetually shrouded in fierce gales and invisible sword intent.

The scenery on the cliff remains the same: jagged rocks and ancient pines leaning precariously.

The only difference was that the ancient cave that carried the highest inheritance of the Sword Sect seemed to radiate a more alluring light in Li Xijun's eyes than ever before.

Stepping into the cave, that familiar, oppressive feeling, imbued with the endless mysteries of swordsmanship, once again assailed me.

Li Xijun's gaze, almost involuntarily, instantly locked onto the third sword mark, a chaotic color that seemed to exist between existence and non-existence. Just one glance at it made one dizzy and felt as if one's mind was about to fall into a maze of countless threads of cause and effect.

The third sword of the Three Lives Tribulation Sword Manual is the "Inextricable Karma and Destiny Sword Chapter"!

Even through unconscious perception, Li Xijun felt his soul, which had been tempered by lightning and the baptism of darkness, tremble slightly.

The "Yin Fengdu Emperor Image" that had begun to take shape within his body resonated with a silent longing.

He understood that if he wanted to truly perfect the "Heaven, Earth, and Man" trinity in this world and take the final step towards the Dharma Body Realm, the Sword of Cause and Effect was an indispensable key!

Ye Wuqing took in Li Xijun's reaction without finding it strange at all.

When he first attained the Dharma Body and was full of vigor, he lingered here for a long time, trying to glimpse the supreme mystery of this causal sword path.

However, no matter how clear his sword mind and how insightful his Dharma body were, he could never grasp the true essence of the sword, as if looking at flowers through a fog. In the end, he realized that the sword was not entirely compatible with his path of cultivation, and that forcing it would be futile.

"Fellow Daoist Li,"

Ye Wuqing's voice pulled Li Xijun back to reality. His expression turned serious. "Your battle in the heavens, which drew upon the power of the Buddha and the Demon, may have been a great victory, shaking the world, but you must know the dangers involved better than I do."

He paused, then continued, "I know a little about the origins of that 'Buddha-Demon.' It was a terrifying being from ancient times, comparable to immortals and Buddhas, whose demonic thoughts and Dao fruits were strange and unpredictable."

The ancient Thunder God, a hero of unparalleled valor, wielding divine punishment, yet ultimately succumbed to its corrupting influence, becoming powerless and ultimately a vessel for calamity—a lesson from the past that must not be ignored.

Ye Wuqing's gaze was like a sword as he stared directly at Li Xijun: "I know you have amazing courage. You must have something to rely on to take such a risky move. But the demonic influence and entanglement of cause and effect are the most difficult to guard against. Perhaps you will be fine for the time being, but there is no guarantee that you will not become a major threat in the future, or even—repeat the fate of the Thunder God."

Upon hearing this, Li Xijun's expression also became serious.

Although he was confident that the Great Luo Mark was enough to suppress all external demons, Ye Wuqing's words were indeed out of concern for his ally and senior, and pointed out a key point—cause and effect.

This is exactly what Li Xijun desires most.

Seeing that he had taken it to heart, Ye Wuqing softened his tone and pointed to the third sword mark: "Our Sword Sect's 'Unbreakable Karma and Destiny Sword Chapter,' though no one can truly master it, has a lofty purpose, directly pointing to the essence of karma and destiny. If you can truly comprehend it, you might be able to comprehend the 'Sword of Karma' —"

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "When you have mastered the swordsmanship, with the help of the Dharma Body realm, you may be able to sever all unnecessary karmic ties between you and that Buddha-demon with this Dharma sword."

"Even if we cannot completely eliminate that hidden danger, we can still ensure that your true spirit remains undisturbed, your path is pure, and you are not taken advantage of by external demons!"

A startling light suddenly shone in Li Xijun's eyes!

Sever the cause and effect!

If one can truly master this method, it will not only complete one's own path of Dharma, but also have infinite uses for dealing with enemies like Mimirna, the Cyclops King, who are well-versed in destiny and cause and effect, in the main world in the future!

"I will forever remember your noble character and the profound kindness of the Sword Sect!"

Li Xijun bowed deeply. This reminder and gift went beyond the scope of ordinary allies and could be described as a timely help in need.

Ye Wuqing waved his hand, his expression returning to its usual coldness: "No need for formalities. The stronger you are, the more beneficial it will be for my Sword Sect and for the future changes in this world. Go, calm your mind and meditate. I will protect you here, no one can disturb you."

After saying that, he moved slightly and retreated with Fairy Jinghong to the vicinity of the cave entrance. They sat cross-legged, their eyes slightly closed, and invisible sword energy appeared around them, completely isolating and protecting the entire Wujian Cliff cave.

Without further hesitation, Li Xijun took a deep breath and adjusted himself to his best condition.

He stepped forward and slowly sat down cross-legged in front of the third chaotic sword mark.

His gaze was fixed on the mysterious and ineffable marks, and his mind was completely immersed in them. He began to try to communicate with, understand and capture the supreme sword essence contained in the sword marks, which was about cause and effect, destiny and endless cycle.

When Li Xijun's divine sense touched the third chaotic sword mark, which seemed to exist between existence and non-existence, there was no flowing silver sand in the secret realm of time, nor did the mark of the gray-robed sword immortal manifest.

Instead, there is a strange feeling that is deeper, more abstract, and more direct to the root of all things.

His consciousness seemed to be gently drawn away from his dependence on "form" and "image," plunging into a boundless, chaotic sea where only countless tiny "threads" intertwined and shimmered.

There is no up, down, left, or right here; there is no past or future.

Only "connection".

Endless, intricate threads, shimmering with various colors of light, constitute everything in this space of consciousness.

Some of these threads are thick and solid, like pillars of fate; others are thin and fragile, as if they met by chance; some are bright and dazzling, symbolizing vigorous vitality and deep bonds; others are dark and murky, entwined with sin and resentment; and still others are eerily grayish-white, exuding a cold, fatalistic, "pruned" or "guided" aura—

Li Xijun instantly understood.

Here, the projection of the Sea of ​​Cause and Effect, the invisible network of interconnected things and intertwined destinies, is presented to him in a way that can be perceived and understood, under the profound power of the Enlightenment Stone.

Each thread represents a cause and effect, a connection, and a branch of possibility.

In the center of this chaos, where endless threads of cause and effect intertwine, there is no clear figure.

Only one "sword intent," composed purely of "reason" and "thought," which cannot be described in words, stood quietly, like a stabilizing pillar or a heaven-opening blade that cleaved through chaos.

It has no physical form, yet it seems to sever all illusory connections and connect all reasonable destinies; it can trace back every "cause" of the past and glimpse the vague "effect" of the future; it even faintly exudes a kind of arrogance and sharpness that defies predetermined fate and opens up a path that belongs only to itself among countless possibilities!

This is precisely the most fundamental essence of the swordsmanship in the "Inextricable Karma and Destiny Sword Chapter"!

Ordinary martial artists, even those with exceptional talent like Ye Wuqing, would be like blind men touching an elephant when faced with this chaotic sea composed purely of the abstract concept of "cause and effect" and that invisible sword intent. They would have no idea where to start and would find it difficult to grasp the basics.

The principle of cause and effect is profound and mysterious, far exceeding the scope of ordinary martial arts' understanding of spiritual power, life and death, and even time.

But Li Xijun is different!

Just as his consciousness was immersed in this sea of ​​cause and effect, facing the invisible sword intent—

Deep within his soul, the precious memories and insights that had been triggered on the brink of life and death during the Blood Kun Killing Game in the main world, and that he had personally "seen" his own causal lines being manipulated and trimmed by the Cyclops King Mimir using the laws of destiny, were like a dormant volcano suddenly awakened!

"That's the feeling!" Li Xijun was shocked.

In that chaotic sea, countless shimmering threads of cause and effect were no longer completely abstract and incomprehensible concepts in his eyes.

Because he experienced it firsthand!

He "remembered" the subtle changes in the causal lines around him as he was influenced by that cold, fateful force and walked toward the causal trajectory of "inevitable" encounter with the Blood Kun—other possible branches were weakened, but the "dead end" was quietly strengthened and guided.

At this moment, with this unique personal experience of interference from higher-level laws as a "frame of reference," the originally chaotic and abstract sea of ​​cause and effect suddenly becomes much clearer and more orderly!

He can vaguely distinguish which threads represent "strong causes and strong effects" and which represent "weak causes and thin connections"; he can vaguely sense the "good thoughts" or "bad karma" flowing in some threads.

He could even "see" a few threads that resonated faintly with his consciousness, connecting them to the distant horizon—

There lingers the resentment of Buddhism from Mount Song, the sword-wielding aura of the East Sea Sword Sect, the dragon energy of distant Kyoto, and even—

There is an unseen connection to the depths of that thunder blade, an even more obscure and terrifying causal entanglement!

The invisible sword intent standing in the center of the Sea of ​​Cause and Effect seemed to sense Li Xijun's "special" nature.

Based on the resonance, they began to actively interact with it.

There were no specific demonstrations of the moves, nor were there any step-by-step explanations of the techniques.

Yes, there were streams of fundamental concepts and swordsmanship principles about how to perceive, understand, and even influence cause and effect, flowing directly into the depths of Li Xijun's mind like a gentle stream or a resounding bell.

"Cause and effect are not lines, but nets, an ocean, in which all living beings are like fish, struggling—"

"A swordsman should possess discerning eyes, able to perceive the threads of cause and effect—"