Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

She and Shi Feixuan were both outstanding disciples at Cihang Jingzhai, but Li Xiuyuan only helped one of them break through. She was already old and frail, so even if she broke through, her future achievements were probably not great.

But Shi Feixuan is different. She is still very young. If she can reach the level of life and death in the Sword Manual, her future achievements will be limitless.

Given the question of who is stronger, the obvious choice is Shi Feixuan!

Moreover, Fen Qinghui had watched her grow up, and although they were master and disciple, their relationship was stronger than that of a mother and daughter. She would also give her the good things.

Upon hearing this, Shi Feixuan exclaimed in surprise, "Master!"

She hadn't expected Fen Qinghui to give up this opportunity, and she was incredibly grateful.

Fen Qinghui said, "Feixuan, there's no need to say more. My mind is made up."

As she spoke, she waved her hand to stop Shi Feixuan from saying anything more.

Li Xiuyuan asked, "Qinghui, have you thought this through?"

Fen Qinghui said respectfully, "Yes, Venerable One. This disciple has thought it through. I beg you to help her break through the life-and-death barrier in the Sword Manual."

She had already thought it through clearly while Li Xiuyuan was in seclusion.

Seeing Fen Qinghui's resolute attitude, Li Xiuyuan said, "Alright! I will help Feixuan break through the life-or-death barrier in three days."

He was naturally very confident in his abilities.

Fen Qinghui said gratefully, "In that case, we disciples thank you very much, Venerable One!"

…………

Soon, the three-day deadline arrived!

In the meditation room, Li Xiuyuan and Shi Feixuan sat cross-legged on the ground. He said, "Feixuan, relax your mind and don't resist. I will help you break through."

As promised, Li Xiuyuan helped Shi Feixuan break through her cultivation level. The two were in a meditation room at Cihang Jingzhai, where no one would disturb them.

Upon hearing this, Shi Feixuan replied, "Yes, Venerable One."

As she spoke, her thoughts drifted away.

When Li Xiuyuan circulated the Great Sun True Sutra to its fullest extent, the golden Buddha image in his upper dantian slowly emerged from it, accompanied by bursts of chanting Buddhist sounds.

The image of the Great Sun on his back became even brighter, radiating Buddha light, filling the entire meditation room with golden light. After the golden Buddha image was separated from his body, it resembled a small sun.

The True Sutra of Vairocana Buddha!

A golden Buddha image slowly merged into Shi Feixuan's fair forehead.

Ultimately, the golden Buddha statue and Shi Feixuan's soul completely merged together.

…………

Memories flooded back as the golden Buddha statue continuously read through them. All the big and small things that happened to Shi Feixuan since childhood, from learning martial arts to practicing the Cihang Sword Manual, were brought to light.

Li Xiuyuan's understanding of Shi Feixuan was no less than that of Shi Feixuan herself.

She is truly simple and honest, kind-hearted, and exceptionally intelligent. She has a strong commitment to truth, a compassionate heart, and a desire to resolve the world's conflicts and disputes.

Of course, that's not all. The two people are spiritually connected, cherish each other, and understand each other very well.

Li Xiuyuan knew Shi Feixuan inside and out, understanding every inch of her skin, even her hair and cells. More importantly, Li Xiuyuan could see right through Shi Feixuan's inner world.

In addition, Shi Feixuan also learned some things about Li Xiuyuan through the golden Buddha statue.

For example, the various good deeds Li Xiuyuan did during his three years at Lingyin Temple, the circumstances of the awakening of the memories of the Dragon-Subduing Venerable, and his friendship with Xiaoyaozi along the way.

All that Shi Feixuan knew was the kind side, while Li Xiuyuan's Heavenly Demon was the other side. As for the bad things he did, the other party was unaware of them.

Suddenly, Shi Feixuan let out a soft moan, her lips parting slightly as if she were about to speak.

Li Xiuyuan's expression was dignified, and he said calmly, "Feixuan, there's no need to say more. As Buddha said, the body is just a shell, so there's no need to care too much about it."

As he spoke, his spirit and Shi Feixuan's spirits merged completely, becoming one, inseparable!

Upon hearing this, Shi Feixuan's expression changed. She thought to herself that her body was just a shell, but she was still an unmarried young woman who had never been with a man and never showed any interest in any man.

Although, as Li Xiuyuan said, the body is just a shell, she still found it difficult to calm down.

In the end, Shi Feixuan could only stop thinking about it and carefully read the memories of the golden Buddha statue, which allowed her to find peace and no longer be affected by any fluctuations.

Li Xiuyuan saw through Shi Feixuan's thoughts. He did not forget his purpose: to help Shi Feixuan enter the life-and-death level of the Cihang Sword Manual.

The Compassionate Sword Manual – The entire volume is divided into thirteen chapters, with “stillness”, “guarding”, “emptiness”, and “nothingness” as its main themes.

Second only to the Death Gate is the Scattering Technique. Chapter Thirteen of the Sword Manual records a kind of withered meditation that hovers on the edge of death, called the Death Gate. If someone with insufficient cultivation tries to practice it, their entire body's essence and blood will explode and they will die.

The Cihang Sword Manual progresses from a meeting of minds to a clear understanding of the sword, and then to a final, perilous challenge.

Chapter 27 Ning Daoqi, the Recluse

Throughout history, only a handful of people have been able to achieve the level of "sword mind clarity," and as for those who have faced the life-or-death crisis, only Di Ni, the creator of the Sword Manual, has ever achieved it.

Under Li Xiuyuan's guidance, Shi Feixuan completely revolved around him, and the two became spiritually aligned.

Shi Feixuan's pure Yin energy, combined with her virginity, seemed to transform into a bright moon.

Li Xiuyuan's Great Sun True Scripture is based on the Great Sun. If one practices it to the highest level, one can transform into a golden crow.

A sun and a bright moon converged, and the two were so engrossed in each other that they seemed to be enjoying a beautiful moment.

The spirit nurtured by the sun and moon, their hearts intertwined, their minds in perfect harmony, sowing the seeds of life between the sun and moon, the image of the great sun on Li Xiuyuan's back appearing and disappearing.

The fusion of Yin and Yang, the forgetting of emotions and self, brings about wondrous changes; they are in the interplay of Yin and Yang.

The final barrier of life and death in the Cihang Sword Manual was suddenly broken through, and Shi Feixuan's understanding of the sword manual became clear.

Suddenly, a cry of alarm rang out. Shi Feixuan wrapped herself in her clothes, pushed open the door, and fled without a trace.

Li Xiuyuan stood up. He originally only wanted to read Shi Feixuan's memories and obtain the Cihang Sword Manual from them, but he did not expect the two of them to become so engrossed in each other.

The interaction of yin and yang is no less than cultivation, except that they cultivate through the mind.

Fortunately, I obtained the Cihang Sword Manual!

As for spiritual cultivation with Shi Feixuan, Li Xiuyuan didn't suffer any loss anyway, so he naturally didn't care.

Moreover, he suffered no loss whatsoever; those insignificant memories were simply forgotten.

As for Li Xiuyuan's memories from his previous life, his identity as a demonic cultivator, and his Holy Buddha system, they were all well hidden. In short, Shi Feixuan would not know anything she shouldn't know.

Because the spiritual cultivation of the two people is mainly based on Li Xiuyuan, things that he subconsciously does not want Shi Feixuan to know will not leak out.

"Hmm, and there's also the Cihang Sword Manual. I need to study it carefully," Li Xiuyuan thought to himself.

…………

Since his last cultivation session with Shi Feixuan, Li Xiuyuan has rarely seen her. It seems she is avoiding him. Perhaps it's because she's a girl and can't hide her shyness, so she doesn't dare to face her.

Li Xiuyuan also gained some insights from the Cihang Sword Manual, creating the Fifteen Deadly Swords, which were completely under his control.

However, Li Xiuyuan could not use it on Emperor's Peak. In addition, he had practiced Iron Shirt to the seventh form and was only one step away from breaking through.

On this day, a special guest arrived at Cihang Jingzhai. Led by a female disciple, Li Xiuyuan walked into Cihang Hall.

Fen Qinghui, Zen Master Liaokong, and Shi Feixuan were all present. Upon seeing Li Xiuyuan arrive, they respectfully greeted him, "Disciple greets Venerable One."

As he spoke, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

Li Xiuyuan was staying very well at Cihang Jingzhai and showed no intention of leaving. Naturally, the people there did not ask him to leave and served him respectfully.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan calmly replied, "Hmm!"

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Shi Feixuan, but he saw that her two dimples were flushed with a large blush, and she dared not look him in the eye.

At this moment, Li Xiuyuan suddenly spoke up and asked, "Feixuan, has there been any breakthrough in the Cihang Sword Manual?"

As he spoke, he revealed a curious expression.

Shi Feixuan blushed upon hearing this, but she remained calm and said, "This disciple thanks the Venerable One for his kindness. I have already gained something!"

Since her last cultivation session, she has made great progress in the Cihang Sword Manual, reaching the level of life and death. At this time, Shi Feixuan is already a Grandmaster-level expert.

They rose to the top ranks in the Tang Dynasty.

Li Xiuyuan nodded and smiled, "It's good that you've made a breakthrough!"

That kind smile is a bit puzzling.

Fen Qinghui said, "Your Excellency, this is Ning Daoqi, a master from the Daoist sect. He has heard of your illustrious reputation and has come to pay his respects."

As he spoke, he reached out to greet the old Taoist priest.

The man was an elderly man with a tall hat and wide belt. He had a long beard and an ancient and simple face. He was dressed in a thick brocade robe, which made him appear much taller than ordinary people. He had a majestic and imposing aura, as well as a hermit-like air of otherworldly elegance.

Ning Daoqi said, "The Daoist sect, Ning Daoqi greets the Venerable One."

As he spoke, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

Although Ning Daoqi belonged to the Taoist sect, he was very close to Buddhism. In addition, out of respect for Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Chan Temple, he also bowed and paid his respects.

Moreover, Li Xiuyuan is, after all, the reincarnation of the Dragon-Subduing Venerable, and holds a revered position in Buddhism. Although we cannot control him, we should still be polite since we have the opportunity to meet him this time.

Li Xiuyuan remained calm upon hearing this and said indifferently, "Amitabha! So you are a Taoist. May I ask what brings you to Cihang Jingzhai?"

Ning Daoqi was the number one martial arts master in the Central Plains of the Tang Dynasty, a grandmaster of Taoism, and possessed unparalleled martial arts skills.

He, along with Fu Cailin, the martial arts master of Goguryeo, and Bi Xuan, the martial arts master of the northern frontier, were known as the three great masters of the Tang Dynasty.

While it may seem that there are few eminent Buddhist figures here, the power of Buddhism is actually the greatest in the Tang Dynasty. First of all, the Chan Master Liaokong, the foremost figure in Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty, is a grandmaster-level expert.