The Eternal Way-Chapter 209: Auntie’s Big!

On the other side, Bo Yue's forehead was covered in sweat.

Things had gone south.

Li Qi had deceived him!

Wasn't this supposed to be an unclaimed mountain-water grand formation? Why was someone contesting for control?

Bo Yue prided himself on his sharp mind, superior calculation abilities, and excellent heritage, so he wasn't afraid, even if the opponent was a Rank Eight—he believed he could easily handle it.

Li Qi's intelligence indicated that all Rank Sevens would be detained by him.

This guy was hateful!

But lamenting about it now was too late.

The urgent task was to hold on.

The battle had begun.

Almost visibly, two different wills started spreading throughout Guangyang.

Animals, unaware of the conflict, felt their spines tingle and their fur stand on end, as if the mountains beneath them had suddenly gained consciousness.

Woodcutters in the mountains woke up suddenly, feeling the ground shake, though there seemed to be no actual movement.

Many woodcutters took out their water pouches to observe if the water trembled.

There was no sign of shaking; the earth remained stable. But why did they still feel like it was moving?

Frequent visitors to the mountains and hunters were puzzled.

As the acting mountain god, Li Zhufang experienced it more clearly.

Each local deity—the mountain gods and river gods—could sense that the power they contributed should have merged into one under the aid of the mountain-water formation, then gathered in the hands of the person controlling the formation to be directed accordingly, transforming into various spells.

But at this moment, it was like a giant whose left and right hands refused to cooperate, fighting each other instead.

This outcome meant that the mountain-water formation was cracking.

Intense internal strife caused the earth's energy to uncontrollably churn.

If this continued, the mountain-water formation would soon dismantle itself.

That was likely the opponent's plan—not to control the formation but to destroy it!

Once the mountain-water formation was destroyed, no one in Guangyang could stop Chan Zhi anymore.

He could easily deal with Rank Eights, and what about Rank Sevens?

A Rank Seven, if specialized in sacrifices, might fall quickly.

No matter how talented, there was still a gap in raw strength.

In the battle over who could claim more nodes of the mountain-water deities, combat power wasn't the most crucial factor—it was the speed of calculation.

However, a significant realm gap meant a disparity in computational power.

A Rank Seven existence had a stronger personal microcosm, making their brain operate faster.

In other words, the opponent's computational power far surpassed Bo Yue's.

It was like a supercomputer battling an ordinary computer—a qualitative difference.

"But... there is still a chance." Bo Yue gritted his teeth.

As a Young Master of Wu Deity Mountain, he was truly a favored son of heaven.

Unlike Li Qi, who grew up feral, he had always received the best education.

Thus, he understood what "genius" truly meant.

Cleverness and wisdom were two different things.

Someone could be very clever, learning quickly, remembering everything, and calculating swiftly, but that didn't equate to wisdom.

A computer could instantly perform countless arithmetic operations but couldn't invent calculus.

Genius represented wisdom!

Physical constitution, brainpower, physical talent, even innate Dao resonance or bloodline, could all be changed with enough resources.

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Sufficient heavenly treasures could enhance constitution, and many rituals could change bloodlines.

Even if some defects couldn't be changed, one could simply reincarnate, with a great shaman ensuring rebirth into the best possible body.

Those were external factors.

But wisdom belonged solely to oneself!

All great shamans chose disciples based not on innate holy bodies or Dao resonance, which could be given postnatally, nor on forcibly reversing innate traits.

These were superficial.

Wisdom, or ways of thinking, were always the first standard of genius—an unchangeable talent.

In other words—

If computational power was lacking, he would compete with algorithms!

If current algorithms weren't enough, he would write a new set on the spot!

Bo Yue hardened his resolve. Even if the opponent was Rank Seven, it was clear they could only rely on computational power. He sensed that this person knew nothing about conducting sacrifices or organizing the mountain-water veins.

He was the expert!

So, a Rank Nine defeating a Rank Seven—it would happen today!

---

Meanwhile, on the main battlefield, Chan Zhi unleashed formidable power!

With cultivation damage as the cost of full exertion, the Rat King alone couldn't hold him back!

Disasters descended upon this place!

Hungry Ghost Path beings, driven by hunger and thirst, devoured everything—earth, rocks, even glass-like ground, and any remaining life forms indiscriminately!

Asura Path beings, filled with murderous desires, acted foolishly, following false paths, chasing after desires, and starting self-inflicted battles. More importantly, they spread outward!

They wanted women, wealth, and to annihilate and plunder everything. The entire Guangyang was their target, spreading continuously!

Beast Path beings, ignorant and dark, suffering severed heads and endless torment, ran instinctively in all directions, overwhelming everything due to sheer numbers.

These Beast Path beings continually died, turning into flesh and blood, their souls wailing, becoming food for Hungry Ghosts and Asuras, simultaneously replenishing Chan Zhi's consumption!

Interconnected and capable of incredible expansion, they could also replenish their own losses.

A great black storm blew, instantly disintegrating those caught in it.

Surrounded by hot sand and raging flames, countless hungry ghosts and Asuras moved in all directions.

Darkness and terror descended.

The Rat King's fur stood on end as he fled!

He didn't want to risk his life against Chan Zhi!

But Chan Zhi wouldn't let him go.

Chan Zhi sat down.

Chanting began:

"All beings in the world must return to death."

"Even if longevity is boundless, it must eventually come to an end."

"The wheel of suffering is endless, flowing without rest."

"Fearful evils and sufferings of aging, sickness, and death torment."

"This body is a collection of suffering, all impure."

"Forever severing all bindings, today I enter Nirvana."

Chan Zhi opened his eyes, his face contorted yet speaking kindly to the Rat King: "Meeting you, I shall send the Rat King into Nirvana, severing all bindings and freeing you from life's suffering."

The Rat King shivered but forced a smile: "Dead monk, since you're risking your life, how can I fight you head-on? Someone else is here to kill you! I just need to stall you!"

With that, the Rat King burrowed underground to avoid disaster.

Chan Zhi shook his head, sighing: "Rat..."

He no longer bothered with the Rat King, maintaining the gate while redirecting most Asuras and Hungry Ghosts towards the distant location where the controller of the mountain-water formation was!

Guangyang Sima, his puppet, hadn't joined the battle but served as a reserve force, effectively blocking Li Qi's lethal strikes.

With this, victory was assured.

Kill that person.

Cut off Li Qi's last hope.

At this moment,

Chan Zhi saw a cloud of aura rising ahead, seemingly preparing to block him.

The aura, vibrant and shining, formed the shape of a sacred beast—Bai Xi (White Rhinoceros).

Under Bai Xi's banner, an eighth-rank cultivator watched the approaching Hungry Ghosts, Asuras, and Beast beings.

He sighed: "Mr. Li Qi indeed foresaw this, ordering us to station here. Sure enough, the demon monk came this way. How did he calculate it?"

Beside the general, the deputy commander of Bai Xi's army, often communicating with Li Qi, worriedly looked at him: "General, you've just been released from prison... Be careful of your health."

Indeed, this was Lie Kedi, the imprisoned commander of Bai Xi's army!

Somehow, Li Qi had freed him. Around him, several legions totaling twenty to thirty thousand soldiers surrounded the area.

Lie Kedi waved his hand, indicating he was fine, then gripped the military flag, slamming it onto the ground.

A resounding sound echoed.

All soldiers of Bai Xi's army stood solemnly, awaiting orders.

Lie Kedi held the flag, saying calmly:

"Mr. Li Qi and Mr. Zhang Lan have taken the lead. Now, as ambush forces, we must block the demon monk's path. Fear not, the seventh-rank Rat King will handle seventh-rank attacks. We face the Hungry Ghosts and Asuras."

"This battle is not only to repay Mr. Li Qi and Mr. Zhang Lan but also to save Guangyang. Without stopping this fiend, Guangyang will be devastated!"

"Do you wish to die with me?"

Soldiers drew swords and spears, shouting: "Victory for the General!"

"Victory!"

Their voices echoed, Bai Xi's banners fluttering, forming a martial spirit ascending into the sky.

Guangyang's soldiers aimed to halt the seventh-rank's advance.

A month ago, the deputy commander of Bai Xi's army defied orders, predicting this situation. (Refer to Chapter 186)

Thirty years ago, Guangyang faced a major thief named Bai Yue, who mobilized a state's worth of people to rebel. No one could stop him until Lie Kedi led troops to resist, holding off Bai Yue for ten days until the ruler of Bai Lin arrived, ultimately preventing disaster.

Recalling these events, Lie Kedi looked towards the terrifying horizon.

Hungry Ghosts and Asuras carried bitter poisons, crying bitterly, bringing all manner of toxins, descending hellish terrors upon this place.

Stopping a seventh-rank's advance...

Had been done thirty years ago.

And now, once again.

Thus, he slammed the flag, rallying his troops:

"Order! Prepare! Engage the enemy!"

---

Minutes earlier,

Inside the five-story pagoda, the true mastermind, Li Qi, sat on the first floor, watching Arhats subdue demons.

Here, 108 Arhat statues and corresponding demon statues flashed in balance.

Arhat statues balanced demon statues.

When demons showed signs of rampaging, Arhat statues increased their power to maintain balance.

Maintaining this balance was effortless for Chan Zhi.

Though Li Qi didn't know the battlefield's status, he judged that Chan Zhi hadn't exhausted his powers.

Despite not knowing the battle's progress, preparations were complete.

Human efforts done, the rest depended on fate.

Li Qi wished to observe the battle, but his divine projection, made of incense essence, was fragile. Speaking was possible, but getting close to the battlefield was impossible; he'd be blown away like dust.

Thus, he remained unaware of the outside world's developments.

From observing the pagoda, Chan Zhi retained over half his power to maintain the Buddha-Demon balance.

Chan Zhi feared and guarded against Li Qi.

This five-story pagoda was his foundation for enlightenment.

Upon completing the seven-story pagoda, he would reach sixth rank.

In other words, this pagoda was more important than his heart.

He fortified it heavily, even living there mostly, fearing any mishap.

Moreover, there was a strange aura here.

Through True Dao Resonance, he sensed its essence rivaled his Great Sacrificial Divine Aura.

It was likely Chan Zhi's trump card, as a disciple of a major sect and having reached seventh rank, receiving protective trumps from elders was normal.

He kept it here as protection rather than carrying it around.

Thus, using the Great Sacrificial Divine Aura to break his foundation was difficult.

Indeed, well-prepared.

No wonder he easily suppressed a region—a cunning opponent with both intellect and wisdom.

His layout revealed much. From known information, it was easy to deduce that Chan Zhi had long targeted Li Qi.

During Li Qi's journey,

But despite calculations, Chan Zhi missed one point.

Li Qi had good luck, possessing a trace of Heavenly Demon Dao Resonance.

When Li Qi obtained it, he tested it—it could easily make all demonic thoughts submit and vanish.

Initially, Li Qi planned to overwhelm Chan Zhi's trump with sheer quantity of Great Sacrificial Divine Aura.

Now, he had a better plan, albeit risky.

Holding this resonance, Li Qi waited.

He observed Arhat and demon statues fluctuating.

Sometimes demons rose, sometimes Buddhas rose, but overall, balance was maintained, with Chan Zhi conserving power.

After an hour and a quarter, the battle's intensity peaked.

Chan Zhi finally pushed all his power, reaching his limit!

Now!

Releasing the resonance, suppressing demonic thoughts!

Demonic thoughts dissipated, while Chan Zhi's Buddhist thoughts remained unchanged.

In the pagoda's first level, Arhat statues became immensely large, while demon statues shrunk to grain size.

The Buddha-Demon balance broke!