Kasyapa seemed nailed to the ground.He quietly opened his eyes wide, a fleeting light passing through them."...Xiao Xi?"Zhongli Xi restrained herself, sniffing slightly. "Brother Kasyapa."The moment the familiar two words left her lips, she could no longer hold back her tears."Xiao Xi, you've grown up. Become an excellent, mature woman." Kasyapa smiled faintly. "Why are you still such a crybaby?"The bond between the three of them was like the Vajra gems enshrined in the celestial halls. No matter how many years passed, it would never fade. A single word was enough to pick it up effortlessly."Because today I finally know," she said, heartbroken, "that you really have... died."His elongated shadow dissolved into black smoke. Kasyapa greedily took in her appearance, then closed his eyes.It was a pity that from the moment life and death separated them, they had moved in opposite directions, growing further and further apart.No matter how deep the bond, they could never return to how they were before."So, today, have you come to send me off?" He lifted his eyes coldly, smiling. "What if I refuse to go? Will you use the bamboo flute I gave you, hanging at your waist, to subdue me?"Zhongli Xi wiped the tears from her cheeks."Brother Kasyapa, after the Comprehender War, the Venerable
One took me to Kunlun. Ostensibly for cultivation, it was actually to help me resolve the knots in my heart. But... I stayed for half a year, and the thoughts in my heart remained the same disdain as back then."She took the bamboo flute from her waist."I disdain cultivation, I disdain Zhoku, I disdain the position of Comprehender... I don't even care to know why you stayed in the human world, why you want to destroy Zhoku. I only want you to return to how you were before."A light, melodious flute song rose. The water of Crescent Moon Lake surged skyward, shooting straight towards Kasyapa."Ananda!" Bensheng cried out urgently. Ananda was still flying near Kasyapa, caught off guard, and was swept up squarely by the water current.Kasyapa's long hair stirred without wind, carrying him high into the air. Black shadows connected to the ends of his hair, lengthening it by several zhang, firmly protecting his sides and blocking the water arrows that turned to ice as they shot towards him.The flute melody changed, becoming graceful and melodious.The sky rapidly darkened. Looking up, vast, heavy clouds gathered densely, churning with rolling thunder and torrential rain. Kasyapa's black shadows were severed by lightning. The closer to the clouds, the more intense the lightning. He had no choice but to land back on the ground.Meanwhile, Zhongli Xi had already placed both hands on the ground. Giant ice spikes erupted from the earth, densely covering the entire sandy area.Kasyapa pressed his palms together, stepping onto the void at the tips of the ice spikes, circling along a 'path'."'Path Beneath Feet'?" Bensheng was momentarily stunned.Zhongli Xi wasn't surprised at all. "I should have guessed. In the last century, only you have mastered these two secret arts. That Bensheng could use them during the Land Exam must be due to you. Although I don't know how you transferred the spiritual power to him..."My secret arts are because of Kasyapa? Bensheng lowered his head, startled, suddenly remembering —Mastering the Three Seals, Kasyapa.That's right! The person who carved the essence on the stone wall was also him!Bensheng listened anxiously, wanting to find a gap to ask, but
Ananda in the water current looked like he was about to lose consciousness. He hurriedly rushed into the water flow, trying to pull him out.But the water seemed to have a sticky force; any object entering it could find no leverage, only drifting with the current. The weeds and dead branches churning in the water scraped his face painfully. Bensheng involuntarily let out a breath. He was about to endure the pain when he realized the sensation was gone.The weeds and dead branches had, at some point, dissolved. This water contained Zhongli Xi's power to dissolve all things.If this continued, he... would die here.Bensheng struggled desperately. However, his mottled fur was already breaking off, floating into the water, and his skin began to prickle with needle-like pain.He opened his eyes in a bloody haze and saw Ananda happening to be washed over by the current. He caught it, having no strength left to move. Just then, a tremendous force struck from outside the water flow, diluting the water wall."Fairy Sister." Bensheng managed to call out with difficulty.Zhongli Xi saw him through the water wall and quickly withdrew her power, the water column splashing down. Bensheng fell straight into her arms."Bensheng?!"Bensheng coughed repeatedly, unable to reply immediately. Zhongli Xi formed a hand seal; under the "Shedding Skin and Bones" art, a white light flashed, and Bensheng returned to human form."S-sorry, I didn't mean to cause trouble."Zhongli Xi shook her head, taking off her outer garment to wrap his naked body. Bensheng looked up and only then noticed the surroundings were in ruins. Countless ice fragments and debris covered the formerly desert terrain, evidence of the fierce battle.The two looked together at Kasyapa, shrouded in black smoke, his expression unreadable."He hasn't made a move yet; he must have a backup plan." Zhongli Xi's expression was serious.Bensheng, having caught his breath, said, "Fairy Sister, let me help you." Although he had no spiritual power to use, his physical constitution remained; he could use the staff to hinder Kasyapa.But the moment this thought passed, the staff buried under the ice flew out by itself, gently landing in a large hand."I haven't yet thanked you, little Bensheng, for bringing my
familiar ritual tool to me."Bensheng was astonished. "How did you know I was thinking..."Zhongli Xi's face changed dramatically. She released Bensheng and stood up slowly."Kasyapa... you, you cultivated the Power of Mind-Penetration?"The Power of Mind-Penetration, one of the Five Spiritual Powers, capable of penetrating the thoughts of others."You clearly cultivated the Power of Divine Hearing back then," Zhongli Xi said hoarsely. "Unless one ascends to Kunlun and undergoes Nirvana again, it's impossible for a single person to master two different Spiritual Powers. You... have truly succumbed and become a demon.""Heh, even now you hold onto a sliver of hope, thinking I merely rely on Mara's power to cling to life in the human world? How could that be... To destroy Zhoku and reshape the world, I naturally need the power of the Spiritual Powers. How could one power alone satisfy me?" Kasyapa pressed his palms together, curling his lips into a laugh. "If I'm doing it, I'll become a true Master of the Five Penetrations!"Eyes seeing a thousand li, ears hearing sounds from all directions, penetrating others' thoughts, predicting future events, even capable of flight, concealment, and transformation at will. Here, 'Master of the Five Penetrations' was no longer the ignorant, greedy term used by commoners.It was, in the true sense, cultivating oneself to the extreme, a state comparable to a deity ruling a realm.Kasyapa vanished instantly. He appeared ghost-like nearby, striking Zhongli Xi and sending her flying.Zhongli Xi spat blood, gritting her teeth as she rapidly shifted her posture mid-air, trying to block and counterattack.But every move was predicted, every thought heard.She was like an ant standing under an elephant's foot."Fairy Sister—!"Zhongli Xi lay collapsed on the ground like a rag doll, without a trace of her former "celestial" air left. The joints of all four limbs had been dislocated.Kasyapa walked towards her without a shred of pity."Xiao Xi. You, I, and Lüqiu — the three of us joining forces could have led the continent to a true golden age."Kasyapa crouched, reaching out to stroke her delicate neck. "Now, there's still a chance."
But she didn't stop; her broken arm still struggled to reach towards the bamboo flute on the ground.Kasyapa sighed."'Those who see my body contemplate Prajna; those who hear my name repent their faults!'" A sharp shout suddenly came from afar.Kasyapa, greatly shocked, instantly flew back. "The Three-Pronged Vajra Sword...?" The Three-Pronged Vajra Sword specifically countered demons. Did Xiao Xi have such backup? Even with his Five Penetrations, he hadn't detected it?However, within his sight, there was no massive, thunderous blade of the Three-Pronged Vajra Sword. Instead, two small figures were hurrying towards the two on the ground."Bensheng! Supervisor Zhongli!"Bensheng turned back, staring in astonishment at Yeluo and Ruoqiao behind him. Without stopping, he rushed with them to Zhongli Xi's side.Yeluo never expected that upon catching up with Bensheng, the first thing she'd see was Zhongli Xi's twisted limbs. Such a miserable sight was utterly horrifying.Supervisor Zhongli was the strongest person in all of Zhoku. Even she... What kind of terrifying enemy could have done this? Yeluo trembled as she reached to draw her sword, only remembering upon touching the hilt. She carried only an ordinary wooden sword, not the Three-Pronged Vajra Sword. Shouting the verse earlier was just a bluff; she truly had no means to face the enemy.A sharp wind assailed them. A green light flashed as Ruoqiao instantly transformed into a giant elephant, blocking in front of everyone and taking a fierce blow from the staff. He couldn't suppress a grunt."Ruoqiao?""I... I'm fine. This bit of pain doesn't matter." Ruoqiao curled his trunk, firmly protecting them. "Yeluo, quickly help Supervisor Zhongli." That was the only option. Yeluo channeled her spiritual power, using the "Sacred Light of the Earth" technique cultivated by the Pharmacist and Bensheng to heal Zhongli Xi.Ruoqiao gritted his teeth, enduring Kasyapa's elusive blows. Yeluo sweat poured down like rain, straining to maintain the light.But they couldn't hold out for long. Kasyapa's power of the Five Penetrations was like divine might descending upon the world... How could humans oppose a god?Bensheng, distraught, held his head and murmured, "It's all my
fault. I lost my power, let Fairy Sister get injured...""Lost your power?" Zhongli Xi opened her clear, penetrating eyes and glanced at Bensheng. "...So that's it."She had already used the Power of Destiny to understand the cause and effect."Silly child, 'In all Dharmas, compassion is the greatest.'" She managed a smile. "You dedicated your power to the earth, so the earth will also repay you."Bensheng's heart skipped a beat. He looked blankly at his own hands. Just an ordinary pair of hands, yet they had once illuminated the earth.And now, could these hands gather light once more...Use the power from the earth to oppose a 'god'?Hesitant and doubtful, he placed his hands on the ground.Closed his eyes and concentrated his spirit.Dazzling Primordial Colored Light gradually overshadowed the light in Yeluo's hands and, amidst her exclamation, enveloped Zhongli Xi and wrapped around Ruoqiao.Kasyapa stopped walking, looking up incredulously at the sacred light riding the wind upwards, piercing heaven and earth before him."This is impossible... How does he possess such immense energy?"The light suddenly dispersed. Before the giant elephant, a young man and woman stood tall. They held the Bodhi wooden sword tightly together.The Primordial Colored Light erupted from the ground, transforming the wooden sword into a thunder sword filled with majestic, righteous energy.Yeluo finally truly shouted: "'Those who see my body contemplate Prajna; those who hear my name repent their faults; those who hear my Dharma discern good and evil; those who know my mind become Comprehenders!'"Majestic righteousness, vast and filling the heavens. Mara's aberrant things, with no path to escape."He... is Kasyapa?!" Yeluo looked at the man lying on the grass, sighing long and deep.Once her arms were restored, Zhongli Xi gritted her teeth and reset her legs herself. Wiping the cold sweat from her brow, she looked down at Kasyapa beside her and smiled wryly."Brother Kasyapa, are you unconvinced by your defeat?"Kasyapa lay motionless. His once black hair had turned
completely white.The black smoke on his body was continuously dispersing. When the smoke vanished completely, he too would cycle into rebirth.Zhongli Xi, enduring the pain, reached out and picked up the bamboo flute from the ground."You thought I wanted to kill you. Actually, I only wanted the three of us to reunite."Kasyapa opened his eyes."You're unwilling to admit defeat? Fine, let's have him judge who's right."She played the ethereal flute melody."Lüqiu..."Kasyapa struggled to prop up his upper body, looking towards the figure gradually clarifying in the mist. The proper, refined youth... was he still the same as before...When their eyes finally met, Lüqiu closed his eyes and smiled. "Kasyapa."Kasyapa stared in disbelief. "How... how did you become like this?"If Lüqiu hadn't spoken, Bensheng and the others would never have associated this kind old man emerging from the mist as a peer of Zhongli Xi and Kasyapa.His beard and hair were completely white, his brows frosty, his face withered. Wrinkles covered his eyes, brows, and the corners of his lips. The lines brought by enduring the winds and frost of time were real and cruel.Kasyapa's heart ached terribly. The years that separated them were decades for Zhongli Xi, centuries for him... For Lüqiu, just how many years had it been?"I thought you had entered the cycle of rebirth back then, so I left Kunlun and traveled through the Six Realms searching for you.""Search for me for what!" Kasyapa roared. "What kind of wretched places are the Six Realms, don't you know?! You should have just stayed comfortably on Kunlun, enjoying your leisure! You..."Lüqiu shook his head slightly. "The reason the inner demons manifested was my fault, yet you gave your life because of me. How could I abandon you?"Kasyapa was taken aback, then flew into a rage. "Who told you not to realize I wasn't dead! Stupid donkey, I was so much stronger than you; of course I could defeat your inner demons!"Zhongli Xi covered her face, laughing until tears streamed down.
"Brother Kasyapa, you've finally returned."The wind ruffled the surface of Crescent Moon Lake and also dispersed Kasyapa's black smoke. Meanwhile, the wrinkles at the corners of Lüqiu's eyes deepened further. The passage of time from traversing the Six Realms had brought him to the end of his life.Zhongli Xi's tears simply wouldn't stop.Kasyapa said, "Looking back on this life, such prime years, such lofty ambitions, yet I haven't accomplished anything for the continent."Lüqiu said, "Xiao Xi, the two of us have become regrets. But you must become a model for future generations, let these children see you as a guiding light."Kasyapa said, "Named as attaining the Way, yet truly nothing is attained. To transform living beings, one may transmit the true Path."Lüqiu laughed. "Even he is reciting scriptures now. Aren't you planning to attain Nirvana yet? The Venerable One... he has been waiting for you."Zhongli Xi bowed her head with a bitter smile. She had already found liberation, her heart knots resolved. With her cultivation and merit, she was fit to attain perfect Nirvana.But after Nirvana, the self is extinguished. These two intimate companions, this deeply engraved bond, would henceforth vanish from her memory.She... was really somewhat reluctant!But it was enough.Zhongli Xi closed her eyes and sat down, entering Nirvana. Her Dharma body turned into starlight and disappeared into the cloudy sky.Lüqiu and Kasyapa looked at each other and smiled. Two figures with broad shoulders and long arms, serene, composed, auspicious, and elegant.Bensheng felt Zhongli Xi's unfinished tears now flowing from his own eyes."Brother Qutan..."Kasyapa opened his eyes, lowered his head to look to the side, and with effort picked up the staff, handing it to Bensheng."Bensheng, I am truly happy that you inherit everything of mine... Thank you..."Flowing clouds rose; starlight fell.Bensheng held the staff tightly, shedding tears.