Chapter 173: Chapter 170: Demon Teacher Wounds Vidyaraja with a Single Sword Strike Chapter 173: Chapter 170: Demon Teacher Wounds Vidyaraja with a Single Sword Strike It was said that the cohort of brothers from Flower-Fruit Mountain found themselves in a predicament on Mount Meru when Peng Demon King was about to self-destruct. That was when the Demon Teacher Kunpeng arrived.

Kunpeng was the master of Peng Demon King. When his disciple was in trouble, he naturally had to take action. Even though Mount Meru was a den of dragons and tigers, he still had to make a breakthrough.

The Tathagata was confident in his status, and since Kunpeng had long been renowned, if the Tathagata himself were to intervene and lose to Kunpeng, it would be a considerable loss of face. How could he then continue to be the Respectful Ruler of the World? People would look at him and say, “Oh, the Tathagata, he was defeated by Kunpeng.” Just as now with the Jade Emperor, when people mention him, they say, “Oh, the Jade Emperor, who was beaten by a monkey.”

He is the Lord of Ten Thousand Heavens, the Great Heavenly Master!

He was beaten by a monkey.

He is the Jade Emperor, who reigns over the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and the Underworld’s cycle of reincarnation.

He was beaten by a monkey.

He is the High God of the Mysterious Firmament, worshiped by kings in the mortal world with incense offerings; he is the Lord of Heaven!

He was beaten by a monkey.

He governs the Thirty-Three Skies, possessing infinite power over the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals in the Celestial Palace, his authority overwhelming; even the Three Pure Ones and the Buddha Ancestor must greet him with respect.

He was beaten by a monkey.

He…

He was beaten by a monkey.

Clearly, the Tathagata did not want to fall into such a state. It would be extremely embarrassing if people said, “The Supreme Tathagata of the Buddhist sect, so and so,” and then end with, “He was defeated by Kunpeng.” Wukong’s Havoc in Heaven was orchestrated and planned by someone, and it was clearly the Three Pure Ones. They did it to weaken the Jade Emperor’s divine authority, and most of the experts in the Heavenly Court revered the Three Pure Ones as Patriarchs. No matter how great the power of the Jade Emperor, it was not as effective as a single word from the Three Pure Ones.

So, he was beaten by a monkey.

The first of the Five Great Wisdom Kings is Acala, who embodies the wrathful thoughts of the Buddhas and exists solely to subjugate demons and quell evil spirits. Although he holds the rank of Bodhisattva, even All Buddhas pay him homage when they see him.

The Ox Demon King couldn’t help but whisper, “This is bad, really bad! It’s going to be exciting to see the battle between the Master of Ten Thousand Demons and the Esoteric Sect’s Acala.”

The Macaques King scratched his head and said, “Demon Teacher Kunpeng, purifier of the heavens, instructor to demons everywhere, has accumulated an immense amount of merit. His mana is as profound as that of Demon Emperor Taiyi! But Acala is also no ordinary being. It’s rumored that he is the Dharma Body of the Tathagata, formed from the Buddha’s wrath, commanding the Buddhist sect’s Karmic Fire, and certainly not a vegetarian. The outcome of this magical combat is truly uncertain! We can only hope that the Demon Teacher prevails and defeats Acala, for only then will we have a glimmer of hope.”

Peng Demon King said, “My master will certainly not lose to this so-called Acala, just watch!”

The Peng Demon King was very clear about Kunpeng’s capabilities. Although at that time Kunpeng’s injuries had not fully healed, after such a long period of recuperation, he had completely recovered, and his mana had even advanced further; Peng Demon King naturally believed Kunpeng would not lose to Acala. Nevertheless, Acala was no trivial opponent. The outcome was still uncertain, but all the Demon Kings and those seeking the Dao present hoped for Kunpeng’s victory. Otherwise, they would have to resign themselves to perishing on Mount Meru.

In Kunpeng’s hand appeared a Divine Sword, named Fish Intestine. “When Zhuan Zhu assassinated Wang Liao, it was like a comet striking the moon,” This Divine Sword also had an imitation in the mortal world, used by Zhuan Zhu to assassinate Wang Liao, hidden within a fish stomach and thereby became famous. The genuine article, however, was held by the Demon Teacher Kunpeng, rarely seen by outsiders.

The Fish Intestine Sword was extremely fierce. As soon as Kunpeng drew it, boundless Sword Qi surged to the sky, and an immense and terrifying murderous intent shrouded the entirety of Mount Meru. All Buddhas’ expressions changed, Bodhisattvas trembled, Arhats were startled, and Vajras cowered. The murderous aura emanating from the sword was truly horrifying, having been stained with the blood of the Twelve Demon Gods and used to slay countless mighty figures of the Witch Clan. On it, one could even see mottled bloodstains — the blood of powerful members of the Witch Clan that could not be washed away, becoming a permanent “Dao Mark,” as another extension of “Dao.”

“Stabilize!”

Suddenly, the Medicine Buddha raised a Sharira into the air, emanating Buddha Light that enveloped the entire Mount Meru, finally suppressing some of the murderous aura, allowing everyone present to breathe a sigh of relief.

Acala was enveloped in Karmic Fire, which signified the Buddhas’ wrath and also Karmic Fire. Enshrouded in infinite karmic forces, anyone who touched it could be reduced to ashes. However, Acala was not afraid in the least and even used Karmic Fire as his Magical Treasure — a truly terrifying ability.

Acala made the first move, forming a Dharma Seal with his hands, performing the Great Lion Seal. Suddenly, a Golden Lion appeared above his head; the Three Flowers surfaced, and he stood upon the Three Flowers. A roar of the lion shook Mount Meru, this was the might of a Semi-Saint. Such terrifying power from just one Dharma Seal was enough to cause a colossal mountain to collapse.

Kunpeng naturally would not show weakness. Wielding the Fish Intestine Sword, he unleashed a torrent of murderous energy, pressing forward.

The lion roared furiously. The sonic waves it emitted were like the waves of an ocean, clashing fiercely with the murderous energy of the Fish Intestine Sword. Instantly, there was a thunderous explosion, making heaven and earth tremor thrice.

The two were merely testing each other; Acala wielded the Sword of Wisdom, while Kunpeng grasped the Fish Intestine Sword. A fierce battle ensued as they charged at one another.

Their clash brought a grim and sullen atmosphere that made the sky and earth lose their color.

“Fuyao technique!” Kunpeng let out a fierce roar, sweeping his sleeves with a crackle, unleashing a terrifying gust of wind.

Kunpeng soared straight up ninety thousand miles, and the wind at that altitude was unimaginably fierce. This strike, channeling such a fearsome wind, could even tear apart the physical body of the Great Mighty Celestial Dragon Bodhisattva, let alone others. This was the formidable power of a Semi-Saint.

“Karmic Fire Shield!” Acala was seen pinching a spell, igniting mana that transformed into a vast shield before him, blocking the dreadful gusts flung from Kunpeng’s sleeves.

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”

The Karmic Fire howled as a crack appeared on the shield.

Kunpeng formed a spell with his hands, and shouted, “Beiming Ice Technique!”

Kunpeng hailed from Beiming, where the waters were so cold and deep that the seas at the bottom had frozen into Beiming ice. This ice could instantly freeze a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal to death, even their Primordial Spirit. With Kunpeng’s immense mana and the cold absorbed from the bottom of the Beiming Sea, he unleashed a breath of cold air that instantly wreaked a storm of snow and wind. It hit the Karmic Fire Shield, instantly freezing it solid.

“Prajna Paramita Immovable Honor!” Acala recited the spell, and as his words followed the Dharma, each syllable manifested into a piece of Sanskrit, resembling scriptures.

Kunpeng’s expression grew slightly solemn, not expecting Acala to possess such a skill, to the extent of manifesting Dharma with words. Once the spell was uttered, the Karmic Fire around Acala grew hundreds of feet, sweeping toward Kunpeng!

Kunpeng retreated several steps, exuding frigid air from his sleeves, mouth, and nose. The icy blast enveloped the raging Karmic Fire, freezing it in the sky. Then, with a flick of his finger, Kunpeng released a sword Qi that shattered the ice with a crack, dispersing the Karmic Fire within.

Karmic Fire was no small matter, feared by all but the Asura Clan. Even Saints would not touch it lightly, laden as it was with too much karmic force and causality.

While Saints were not stained by causality, excessive karma could still invoke a reckoning from the Heavenly Dao. For instance, slaying an emperor of the Human Path was a tremendous karmic act, liable to celestial reckoning.

“Roar!!!”

Suddenly, Acala let out a formidable roar, the roar of a Vidyaraja. It was the sound of Vairocana Buddha, also known as Mahavairocana — the Righteous Dharma Body — while Acala represented the Teaching Mandala Body. Under the command of Mahavairocana, Acala used this roar to awaken beings and annihilate evil demons.

The power of the Vidyaraja’s roar was terrifying. Had the Medicine Buddha not anchored this place with a Sharira, the roar might have collapsed Mount Meru and burst the Primordial Spirits of all present.

Kunpeng’s brow furrowed slightly and, forming a spell with his hand, a Dharma Body rose behind him, spreading its wings three thousand miles wide. From the Dharma Body came a sharp whistle.

The roar of the Vidyaraja versus the whistle of Kunpeng.

Kunpeng purified the heavens and devoured the earth. His roar was even stronger than that of the Vidyaraja, reversing the fearful soundwaves back onto Acala himself, causing him to spew golden blood as his Primordial Spirit nearly ruptured.

Kunpeng’s sword technique changed again. He tapped the Fish Intestine Sword, declaring, “Heaven-Swallowing Sword Technique!”

Kunpeng had the power to engulf the heavens and the earth. As he executed a thrust, darkness enveloped all, the heavens and earth as if consumed, and a tremendous killing intent coupled with sword Qi rolled forward, gathering into an even more dreadful Sword Gang.

Acala raised his Sword of Wisdom, channeling mana and charging toward Kunpeng. When their swords clashed, a thunderous explosion echoed. Acala grunted, his Karmic Fire flaring behind him and surging toward Kunpeng.

Kunpeng, having wounded Acala with his sword, saw the rising Karmic Fire and could only retreat. Swift as lightning, a mere spread of his wings carried him ninety thousand miles. In his swift recoil, not even divine senses could lock on to him.

A sword gash appeared on Acala’s chest, splashing golden blood. His battered appearance coupled with his facial expression made him look extremely fierce, like a ghastly specter.

Tathagata frowned slightly, thinking Kunpeng truly deserved his reputation as the famed Demon Teacher appointed by the Eastern Emperor. Having instructed ten thousand demons, how could his strength not be sufficient?

At the same time, he felt relieved that he had not intervened himself; otherwise, it would have been difficult to back down without drawing upon more Power of the Heavens!

After all, contests between Semi-Saints are fraught with unpredictability, and victory or defeat remains uncertain. Please tune in next time to find out. (To be continued. If you like this work, please support it by casting your recommendation and monthly tickets at Starting Point (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)