Chapter 1541: Forgiveness

When he left the Azure Cliff Academy, Jiang Wang's face was wooden.That scoundrel Mo Ci harbored no good intentions.What 'verifying the self', that utter nonsense.Mo Ci had turned it entirely into live teaching!Every disciple of the academy who came forth would first discuss strategy before battle, receive guidance during the fight, and a detailed summary after the battle. This whole process made Jiang Wang's purpose perfectly clear.He had come to seek a sword, to engage with powerful cultivators of this realm, to verify their respective learnings, and to pursue the extreme of the Outer Mansion realm. In the end, he had served entirely as a sparring partner for the Azure Cliff Academy's disciples!Seventeen teaching battles.They were fought with meticulous detail, utterly exhausting both body and mind.Especially mid-battle, Mo Ci would occasionally call a pause. Then, with much rambling and commentary, he would say "continue."In the post-battle summaries, he would even drag Jiang Wang over to speak from his own experience—"Look, if he had done this and this at that time, wouldn't you have done this and this..." and so on.Jiang Wang felt like a puppet crafted by the Mohist school, no, worse than a puppet. At least puppets cost money!But him?He painstakingly taught them, letting the academy's disciples "see the world," and had to thank them! He was just short of paying for the 'verification of self' expenses...Although these seventeen battles were crushing victories, winning every single one. Although the Outer Mansion disciples of Azure Cliff Academy each possessed their own unique styles, and he couldn't say he gained nothing during the battles. Although he had made a rather resounding name for himself within the Azure Cliff Academy... Jiang Wang felt no joy in victory, only the bitterness of being exploited.It was too bitter.Coming to Azure Cliff Academy this time felt like being an old ox.Eating grass, selling blood.It was only when Jiang Wang hastily said his farewells and fled like a refugee that he suddenly realized, in his trip to Azure Cliff Academy, he hadn't even had a single sip of water, just endlessly contributed!Who said Azure Cliff Academy was relaxed and natural?What gave him the illusion that Xu Xiangqian's senior brother could actually be a kind-hearted person?Xu Xiangqian plucked hairs as he passed by, Mo Ci utilized things to their fullest.If they weren't from the same family, how could they enter the same door?Detestable! Hateful!While organizing the Azure Cliff sword techniques he had secretly learned during their exchanges, dissecting the parts that could be utilized and integrating them into his Human Dao sword style... Jiang Wang was filled with indignation.Harboring resentment towards the unscrupulous disciples of the Azure Cliff Academy, he set forth once again.Heading directly northeast, straight for the East King Valley.Along this road, of course, there were many states and sects, but none were worth his stopping.The East King Valley is located further east of the Duanhun Gorge, its reputation is formidable, yet those outside the sect have little understanding of their dwelling place.This is because they reside in a remote area, and coupled with the gathering of venomous creatures and the spread of miasma, living beings dare not approach.The cultivators of the East King Valley themselves are not very ostentatious, or rather, to dilute the sense of opposition with Qi State, they have deliberately maintained a low profile in recent years.However, some affiliated sects often display their prowess outside.Within the territories controlled by the East King Valley, there are also many ordinary people living. With the thousand-li toxic miasma locked down, it is truly a self-contained state.However, the populace within the East King Valley's ruled area is not allowed to migrate outwards.Even the East King Valley's own interactions with the outside world are mostly conducted through Shen State or other affiliated sects.Of course, ordinary people without the protection of extraordinary power basically do not have the ability to migrate.None of the believers in the Suspended Temple's territory wished to migrate to other countries either.Many ordinary folks, throughout their lives, might only travel around the small town where they were born. Many even never left their village in their entire lives.It's just that the East King Valley's control might be stricter... and that's all.The Benevolence Hall is, of course, a great sect of the world.Yi Tang's influence is also very effective here.When Jiang Wang produced Yi Tang's letter of recommendation, he was immediately surrounded by more than a dozen people.Each one carried a sabre and sword, brimming with enthusiasm.They sincerely offered greetings and eagerly invited him for a few cups of lingering wine.Jiang Wang politely refused, stating that he had come at Yi Tang's recommendation and bore a mission, so he could not accept any favors. He kindly advised young children not to drink and reiterated that he was here to see their elder...In short, after a friendly exchange.A large group of people "escorted" him closely to find Xie Junmeng—the foremost Outer Mansion realm cultivator of the East King Valley, explicitly named in Yi Tang's letter to be visited.This was a man of handsome appearance, though his complexion was a little pale, slightly sickly.When Jiang Wang saw him, he had just emerged from a dark, gloomy cellar.He wore a green robe, his long hair hung down, and in his hand, he held a constantly twisting twin-headed strange snake, raising it to examine it closely in the sunlight.The fine scales were dark and black, and when they turned over, there were dense layers of snowy waves.The large group that had escorted Jiang Wang there did not speak.So Jiang Wang also did not speak.After examining the strange snake closely for a while by himself, Xie Junmeng casually tossed it back into the cellar.Only then did he smile at Jiang Wang and say, "You've been waiting! I heard you were looking for me?"Jiang Wang repeated his usual line, "I have long admired your esteemed self...""What is your relationship with Yi Tang?" Xie Junmeng directly cut him off, then raised his hand and gestured outwards, saying to the others, "You all may leave first."The teeming mass of East King Valley disciples left without a single word of nonsense, just as they had arrived.This was a person with an extremely strong personality, and his temper was probably not very good.Jiang Wang made this judgment in his heart, while saying out loud, "We are merely acquainted."Xie Junmeng smiled, his smile carrying a strangely eerie chill. "What, you're not enemies?""Hahaha, not really." Jiang Wang tried to ease the atmosphere to transition to the topic of sparring later. "Brother Yi actually said that his letter of recommendation might cause me trouble, but I believe that the East King Valley is a great sect of the world, and Brother Xie, as a true disciple of a renowned family, would not displace your anger onto me. Actually, I came here..."Xie Junmeng nodded, speaking to himself, "Since he would give such a reminder, then he should be considered a friend.""Ha! This kid is so idle, and he just casually writes a letter to trouble me. It just so happens that I've developed a new type of poison, wouldn't it be appropriate to test him using you?"The more he spoke, the more he felt his idea was excellent. Looking at Jiang Wang, he said, "Don't be nervous, I will leave enough time for you to rush back to the Benevolence Hall. As the second largest medical sect in the world, their medical skills are very good!"As he spoke, he raised a finger and pointed it at Jiang Wang. "But it's best not to struggle, or if I happen to get the dosage wrong... you'll die a very ugly death."As his words fell, a wisp of black smoke shot out from his fingertip, swiftly flying in a line, attacking Jiang Wang with extreme speed!He didn't say another word, but first tested Jiang Wang with poison.At this moment, Jiang Wang wore his bamboo hat and straw cloak.His appearance was concealed, and he spoke no more words.He simply displayed his momentum in an instant, his eyes turning fiery gold.Azure Sun Crimson Eyes, triggering the Samadhi True Fire!Indeed, there was no need to speak further. Whether the Benevolence Hall or the East King Valley was the foremost medical sect was irrelevant to him. Xie Junmeng casually using people as test subjects also naturally angered him somewhat. But a battle triggered in this manner under these circumstances suited his intentions more than a proper sparring match, and it could also better verify his cultivation.He had nothing to say; the only thing that needed to be responded to was the battle itself.Where his gaze fell, there the flames rose.That wisp of black smoke line that had attacked, while still halfway there, had already ignited, emitting strange sizzling sounds, like a group of extremely tiny living creatures!But it was instantly incinerated.An empty gaze.Xie Junmeng's eyebrows lifted, and he said coldly, "You are in big trouble!"His voice at this moment had a peculiar rhythm, like a flute's sound, but it played an irritating noise.Behind him, a large expanse of black mist suddenly surged out, steaming and spreading. Within the black mist, twisted forms of mist snakes writhed. They were like a flowering snake coiled around him, passing him by and rushing towards Jiang Wang in unison.Some bared fangs, others flicked their tongues, forming various grotesque shapes.Before this, the foul, fishy smell had already approached one step ahead!And Jiang Wang directly sealed off his sense of smell and stomped his foot!He stomped out blooming flames everywhere and fiery sparrows filling the sky.A glorious world of fire opened around him, leaving no gap in all directions.He knew well that the East King Valley's methods of using poison were difficult to guard against, so he first isolated himself to ensure he wouldn't fail in a ditch.Then his vision shifted, his eyes guiding the crimson fire, igniting the attacking mist snakes one by one.The mist snakes burned into fire snakes, and strange sizzling sounds filled the air.In the world of fire, Jiang Wang's crimson eyes shifted slightly, already looking at Xie Junmeng.And so, ignited!At the same time that the Samadhi True Fire fell upon Xie Junmeng, he had also used his gaze to meet Xie Junmeng's gaze.Instantly triggering a battle of divine souls!One breath in the external struggle, a thousand years for the divine soul.In the world of divine souls, the diagram of a lone cavalry charge breaking through formations, inherited from the Xiang clan of Great Chu, swiftly unfolded.It seemed as if war drums were beating, and the sounds of battle arose.Jiang Wang's figure, in his bamboo hat and straw cloak, was imprinted upon it, and then using this as a bridge, he immediately charged into Xie Junmeng's Tongtian Palace!At the same time that his divine soul manifestation attacked.Hiss, hiss, hiss, hiss, hiss.Innumerable divine soul hidden snakes also burrowed into the Tongtian Palace.Using the hidden snakes in the divine soul world to retaliate against the mist snakes in the external world!There were also divine soul flame sparrows, flying under the dome of this Tongtian Palace. They chirped and pecked at the local Dao Yuan.In an extremely short interval, Jiang Wang had already completed a comprehensive invasion on the divine soul level!Within the Tongtian Palace, Xie Junmeng, standing on the head of a giant emerald-eyed toad, looked quite surprised. "Who gave you the courage to dare to kill into my Tongtian Palace?"As he spoke, he bent his middle finger and flicked it forward. The scattered divine soul power in front of him instantly condensed and gathered into a silver needle, shooting out like lightning, swiftly piercing the air.This was a divine soul needle with faint silver light wrapped around its head and tail, and with three clearly visible bright nodes on its body.Its speed was not fast; in the world of divine souls, it could even be considered slow.But it brought with it a sharp whistling sound, like a ghostly wail.The truly terrifying aspect was...The moment it appeared, regardless of the divine soul hidden snakes, each displaying its grotesque form and scurrying everywhere, or the divine soul flame sparrows flying chaotically through the sky, they all stopped and were unable to move!The fierce divine soul invasion, before this needle, turned into a static image.Even Jiang Wang, who had manifested the spirit of his Chang Si sword, felt that his divine soul condensed body was locked by an invisible force, his body shackled, unable to break free.Evidently, in this divine soul battle, Jiang Wang had hit a hard wall.Xie Junmeng's mastery of divine soul usage was no less exquisite than his, perhaps even surpassing it.Neither side knew the other's trump cards beforehand, and in the increasingly fierce exchange of moves, the battle gradually escalated to a climax.This is the unpredictability of battle, and also the brilliance of battle.And this needle of Xie Junmeng's is called Soul Settling.The Twelve Needles of the East King - Soul Settling!Its name is such, and so is its reality.A needle descends, settling the soul and also killing the soul, shackling both gods and ghosts.Jiang Wang's divine soul condensed body was not only confined by an invisible force. Moreover, every inch of it could feel an intense stabbing pain! It was as if thousands upon thousands of sharp needles were piercing his entire body, bringing pain that was almost beyond the limit of willpower endurance!His divine soul was almost collapsing.However, in the next moment, Jiang Wang's entire body shone with light!His divine soul manifestation emitted a fierce, sun-like light.His body glowed red, radiating light in all directions for a moment.This Tongtian Palace of Xie Junmeng's was also illuminated, bright throughout.His body transformed into a blazing sun, as if reenacting a scene from mythology, the sun falling to the human world, thus ushering in the end of days. The Soul Settling Needle, which had insistently come to fix everything, was directly blasted away. The blazing sun, covered in fiery red, directly charged towards Xie Junmeng.In an instant, guest and host were reversed, attack and defense shifted.The human world had changed.Divine soul killing technique, Setting Sun!At the same time, the divine soul flame sparrows and divine soul hidden snakes that had invaded this Tongtian Palace all gained freedom. They were like the spirits naturally residing within this space, even more at ease than Xie Junmeng's emerald-eyed toad.In the midst of frantic biting, one after another they exploded violently, each time detonating at critical nodes where divine soul power gathered, causing earth-shattering sounds within the Tongtian Palace.Although Jiang Wang's own divine soul manipulation techniques were not as subtle as the peerless needle techniques passed down by the East King Valley over millennia, the intensity of his divine soul, honed by the Red Makeup Mirror, was incomparable to Xie Junmeng's.Despite not having an advantage in technique, he did not hesitate to consume several times the amount of divine soul power to engage in a divine soul battle with Xie Junmeng, immediately overturning the Soul Settling Needle!The emerald-eyed toad Xie Junmeng was stepping on, which was his Dao vein true spirit, also nearly failed to stand firm under such a shock.His always confident gaze finally showed a look of fear."Yi Tang's divine soul couldn't possibly be this strong! Who in the world are you?!"Of course, surprise was genuine, but fear was impossible.The astonishment in his eyes leaped out, and from this astonished emotion, it transformed into a flying needle carrying five-colored flowing light, like a dream.Among the world-renowned Twelve Needles of the East King, three needles specifically target the divine soul: Soul Settling, Soul镇 (Zhen - Suppressing), and Dream Startling.The Soul Settling Needle had already been overthrown. Before Jiang Wang's vast divine soul power, the Soul Suppressing Needle would also be hard to use effectively.Therefore, this needle is Dream Startling!It was as if it rolled up a dream, a dream that intoxicates, a dream that makes one sink, a dream from which one does not wish to escape.In the lonely long night, it gives you temporary solace and momentary peace.And then, it pierces with one needle!The bombardment of flame sparrows filling the sky seemed to fall silent.The biting of hidden snakes everywhere seemed to cease.That burning, glorious sun seemed never to have risen.This Tongtian Palace, belonging to Xie Junmeng, seemed to have always been this calm.In the midst of this divine soul battlefield's slaughter.Xie Junmeng awoke with the startling dream, completely escaping the difficult divine soul situation.Jiang Wang's vast divine soul power retreated like a tide, as if it had never appeared.Considering the result, this battle on the divine soul level should have been Jiang Wang's disadvantage.Because he had consumed a lot of divine soul power in vain and returned without success. But with his divine soul power far surpassing Xie Junmeng's, this level of consumption did not affect the battle situation at all.It was merely that if it didn't bloom here, it would bloom elsewhere.At this very moment, outside the world of divine souls, Samadhi True Fire had already covered Xie Junmeng's body. The fire was violent, and in the blink of an eye, it had incinerated him, turning him into a piece of charcoal that fell. As it fell, the charcoal was also burned away.Xie Junmeng was certainly not a wood demon in human form, so this piece of charcoal was naturally not him.Xie Junmeng was no longer here. The real Xie Junmeng emerged like spring grass breaking through the soil, drilling out in a beam of green light.After the substitution, it was another year of spring grass growth.As the green light flowed, he, cloaked in a green robe, raised his hand and pressed. Thousands of strands of green light suddenly seemed to gain sentience, directly piercing into the world of fire, and immediately invading!His green light was a power of "life," but within its vibrant vitality, there was also a hidden murderous intent surging. Terrifying toxins were contained within it, growing within it.The green light invaded the burning world of fire.Constantly being incinerated, yet constantly growing.It seemed endless, it seemed it would never dry up.It dyed the flame sparrows green, and permeated the blooming flames.With terrifying tenacity, it spread through this world of crimson fire, frantically transforming everything it came into contact with.Turning the crimson color into green.Within Jiang Wang's chest and abdomen, the five mansions opened in sequence, radiating intense light together, already manifesting the Celestial Abode Body!In this state, the Azure Sun Crimson Eyes had been activated. His left hand formed the Bi Fang seal, and the one-legged divine bird roamed the world of fire. The Samadhi True Fire, which had originally been just the kindling for this world, instantly filled the entire world of fire, replacing the fire of Dao arts and becoming the base color of this world of fire!Samadhi True Fire is far from ordinary fire.Master its samadhi, and then incinerate it.Almost in the blink of an eye, the green light in the world of fire was completely consumed.However, at this very moment, a wisp of frantic killing intent suddenly flashed in Xie Junmeng's eyes!This wisp of killing intent was very vivid, very concrete. It seemed to have a spirit of its own, and it suddenly leaped out, sweeping horizontally outside. This needle had no form, but through Xie Junmeng's gaze, it instantly struck before Jiang Wang's eyes. Before any other movement was made, Jiang Wang's Azure Sun Crimson Eyes already felt the pain of cracking!This was not the end.At this moment, Xie Junmeng would not believe that he could defeat his opponent with a single needle.He simultaneously bit the tip of his tongue, and a line of tongue-tip blood flew out. This thin and pale thread of blood was also a needle, xuyên (piercing) heaven and earth, and also destroying everything. Before the needle even arrived, Jiang Wang's blood had already begun to heat up, his blood vessels gradually scorching and curling, gradually becoming unconscious, weak in qi, and depleted in strength... The qi and blood in his body seemed to be withering away!In the midst of such a terrifying offensive, Xie Junmeng's hands were also busy. He raised his right index finger and pointed it towards Jiang Wang's heart. No needle appeared, no magical mark was seen, but Jiang Wang's heart began to ache, began to convulse, and a sense of cracking inch by inch arose, as if it were about to shatter!Xie Junmeng's right little finger also flicked up, like a nimble snake emerging from its hole, too fast, too sudden, too precise. Nothing was seen in his field of vision, only that lightning-fast snake's kiss. When the fangs appeared, it was a needle of suspended life!Killing has never ceased throughout the ages, life and death are intertwined, and medicine and poison are indistinguishable.Xie Junmeng's left thumb pressed forward at the same time, like pressing a handprint, pressing towards Jiang Wang's glabella from a distance.Firm, powerful, imbued with a certain authority.This finger press seemed to sign a contract of life and death, to set an unchangeable document of demise, and to involve the rules concerning life and death!There shall be no life!Cracked Eyes! Burning Blood! Shattered Heart! Suspended Life! Transferred Life!The Twelve Needles of the East King, all reaching the limits of the principles of heaven and earth. Xie Junmeng unleashed five consecutive needles, each more vicious than the last, vowing to kill his enemy here and erase all of his opponent's vitality.These five needles each possessed killing power, and they were also connected to each other. They surged like a tide, flowed like a sea.The glorious inheritance of the East King Valley over countless years was now truly and authentically displayed before Jiang Wang.The number one person below the Divine Abode realm in the great sect of the East King Valley truly displayed his unreserved killing power.The world of fire surrounding Jiang Wang, even with the full blessing of the Samadhi True Fire, collapsed in an instant. The spiritual form of the Bi Fang divine bird also perished along with this world, shattered into pieces.But in the midst of this collapse, the person within the world of fire was still moving forward.In this destruction where all things shattered, a beam of sword light shone!It was too dazzling!It was the journey forward, the unyielding spirit in adversity, the commitment to one's word, the sincerity of this heart, the persistence in moving forward in confusion and bewilderment to seek the answer to life.The answer to life cannot be found externally.Everyone can only question themselves.He and his sword moved forward together.He himself was the character "Ren" (人 - Human).The person who walked through fire with his cloak.The person who cleared away thorns and obstacles.Not perfect, having done many foolish things, but a truly authentic person.His sword drew a diagonal stroke to the left and a diagonal stroke to the right, also writing a large character "Ren".This sword is this heart, this heart is this person.After heaven and earth collapsed, the character "Ren" opened the sky anew!What of the myriad ages of chaos? What of the end of all methods?This person is also "Ren", this sword is also "Ren".The Cracked Eye Needle, this sword received it.The Burning Blood Needle, this sword received it.The Shattered Heart Needle, this sword received it.The Suspended Life Needle, this sword received it.The Transferred Life Needle, this sword also received it!This strike of the Human character sword truly embodied Jiang Wang's life from birth until now.The power of the entire collapsing world of fire, mixed within this unparalleled sword momentum, surged forward mightily, completely leveling everything with a roar!Only five crisp sounds of "ding, ding, ding, ding, ding" were heard.So powerless amidst the whistling sound of the creation of heaven and earth.And then, together, they fell silent!The collapsing world of fire disappeared, and the roaring, dragon-like sword intent was quietly contained.This heaven and earth, having been destroyed, was reborn, everything clear and fresh.Xie Junmeng, in his green robe, stood dumbfounded on the spot, his face only a pale blank. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead.Jiang Wang held his sword, its tip stopped just before Xie Junmeng's throat.Beneath the low-hanging bamboo hat, Jiang Wang's face was hidden by his mask.But the coldness in his eyes was so clear."A promising disciple of a renowned family, acting like a side-gate unorthodox practitioner, it is truly regrettable!"Before that drop of cold sweat fell.The cold light was gone.Jiang Wang sheathed his sword.Only a sigh of regret, nothing more.Then he turned around.Behind him, Xie Junmeng gritted his teeth and asked, "I wanted to kill you, why didn't this sword strike down?"Jiang Wang did not turn his head, leaving behind a flat voice, which, like his sword, was etched in Xie Junmeng's mind—"When you can forgive, do forgive."That figure in the bamboo hat and straw cloak walked out alone.A bit of loneliness, a bit of solitude, a bit of carefree abandon.As the saying goes—"The wonderful and divine secrets of the Rotten Log True Formula, how many springs have passed in one game?""Since emerging from the cave, unrivaled; when you can forgive, do forgive!"(P.S.: The original author of this poem is an unnamed Taoist.)(Yesterday, a reader told me that someone was impersonating me in some writing groups, charging money to guide new writers. I would like to ask everyone to be vigilant.I do not feel I have the ability to teach writing, nor do I believe that writing can be taught. I do not participate in any writing groups, nor in any author groups outside of the editors' organizations. I have no time, and I certainly would not charge money to teach people. Please, those who are aspiring writers, do not be deceived.Writing is about reading more, thinking more, writing more, and polishing more. Beyond that, it is all about talent. Among those who sell writing courses, there are eleven scammers out of ten. Do not pay! Do not pay! Do not pay!)