Chapter 810: Chapter 748: The Deepest Desire
Zhao Changhe had long known of this technique.
Originally considering Kong Shi, who is Bodhisattva, as his imagined enemy… What is Bodhisattva? Buddhism’s designated Heavenly Demon, enticing the hidden evils within human hearts. It would be strange if He didn’t play mind techniques.
Back when Yue Hongling was traveling alone in Kunlun, she had already fallen for His tricks more than once, and of more than one kind. She first fell for an incredibly real Mirror of Inquiry, attempting to absorb her soul, but after Yue Hongling broke free, her inner thoughts were also read, resulting in her seeing illusions of fake products many times in the Kunlun Secret Realm, which she then broke through one by one.
However, at that time, it was still early; the heroes’ dragon-slaying hadn’t started yet. Bodhisattva seemed to have not recovered much, and due to the mixed fish and dragons in Kunlun, He was afraid something might go wrong, so He didn’t dare to directly attack, instead only using illusions from afar. Yue Hongling successfully completed her training, laying a solid foundation for subsequent breakthroughs.
Up until now, Zhao Changhe had never undergone a trial of psychological illusion techniques. He once thought what Yin Kui performed was an illusion, but surprisingly, it was actually Lie climbing out from the intent of Blood Evil, nearly resulting in deaths. Does what happened yesterday in Jiuyou count? Not quite, as that was caused by powerful oppression and hallucinations from the desolate Silent Annihilation.
But it didn’t matter that he had no experience; through Dual Cultivation, Yue Hongling had already shared all her battle experiences clearly, making Zhao Changhe’s understanding of Bodhisattva’s tricks seem like a personal experience.
At the first moment, he guarded his Spirit Platform with the Diamond Sutra, maintaining a heart as solid as gold.
Mind techniques like this don’t even necessarily require you to be strong; the results with or without preparation are completely different.
In the next instant, the scene before him changed completely. Kong Shi was gone, the bustling streets were gone, the noisy fire was gone, and the crowds completely disappeared. Before him was a slippery hot spring, the water tinkling, with mist wafting around, vaguely showcasing a lotus platform, as if it were in the middle of the water.
A beauty draped lightly lay on the lotus platform, her spring light faintly visible.
— If there’s no surprise, this reflects Zhao Changhe’s deepest inner desires. As long as he sinks into this desire, his soul will become Bodhisattva’s servant. These tricks are common in various works, but common implies they are effective.
Everyone has their seven emotions and six desires, love and separation, resentment and encounters, unfulfilled desires… The more they are unfulfilled, the more they are clung onto, leading to demonic entry. Apart from disguise and alteration, Bodhisattva excels at this.
Zhao Changhe was even a little curious about what his deepest inner desires were. In theory, he had no special desires left—surrounded by beauties, wielding power over the world, apart from wanting peace in the world, it seemed only returning home was left… But if he wanted to return home, what’s the use of seducing him with it, knowing it can’t be done…
Curiously parting the mist to look inside, the beauty’s figure and features grew increasingly clear.
Her jade-like toes stood tall, like pearls and flesh, dreamy and ethereal within the mist, like Sisi.
Looking upwards, her straight long legs lay slightly bent, making them appear even more slender and graceful, yet unlike Yue Hongling or Vermilion Bird, they were supple without bone, warm like jade, making one want to lightly stroke upwards to feel the elasticity and softness.
Further up was a round hip, a wasp waist, and a mountain peak full, glancing at which brought San Niang to mind, making one want to handle and play with those graceful curves.
Continuing upward, her sharp little chin, white crystalline skin faintly revealed a pinkish blush, sexy lips slightly parted, appearing simultaneously joyful and annoyed.
Zhao Changhe’s heart skipped a beat. The lower half of this face, it looked exactly like Jiuyou, just colder.
Could it be that his deepest underlying desire was actually Jiuyou? Nonsense, am I familiar with her? Just because I’ve kissed her hand? That’s not plausible…
Looking further upwards, that earlier heartbeat suddenly turned into a giant drum pounding wildly, roaring loudly.
The beauty’s eyes were gently closed, serene as the night, with short, tidy hair. As she laid sideways supporting her chin, a few strands swept across her forehead, leisurely and elegant.
It’s not Jiuyou; it’s Blind!
It’s just that Blind always wore black clothes covering herself tightly, never seen like this with a faint silk appearance. Not even having thought about her in this way, yet upon seeing the whole picture, Zhao Changhe’s heart surprisingly had a feeling of “As expected.”
My inner desire, is it actually to obtain her?
Indeed… If the subconscious inner desire is her, it wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest, although his heart raced many times faster.
In a certain sense, obtaining her and “going home” could be considered the same thing. As long as he got her, wouldn’t going home be a choice at his pleasure?
Lying slightly on the lotus platform, Blind softly chuckled and uttered bewitchingly, “You’ve come… What do you want me to do?”
Knowing full well this is an illusion based on his inner desires, should he fall into it, it’s over. Such things aren’t simply overcome with “knowledge” and “will”; that’s the capability of the Heavenly Demon, pulling one into eternal fall, how could it be easily countered? At this moment, Zhao Changhe nearly forgot everything he knew, instinctively leaning forward, gently extending his hand to stroke Blind’s jade-like face.
Outside on the clouds, Blind had just rolled around laughing at Jiuyou, yet in minutes, she found herself in a pickle, gritting her teeth as she watched Zhao Changhe fall into the illusion, tightly clenching her delicate hand.
You smeared my face wasn’t enough? Turns out you really want me!
She slowly raised her hand, just waiting for Zhao Changhe to dare to bite down on her to smack him, even if it meant exposing her existence. If this fool really bit down, he would realize he wasn’t chewing her, but being devoured by the Heavenly Demon, merging his soul.
No matter if you die or not, even if this is the fake me, I’m not for you to chew on, go to hell, you!
Thinking this way, she saw Zhao Changhe stroke the woman’s face, softly speaking, “What I want is… for you to open your eyes and let me see? We’ve known each other for so long, yet haven’t seen your full appearance. This might be the regret lingering in my heart. I think even if I go back, I might return to find you, just to fulfill this regret.”
Blind was stunned, her raised hand hanging in the air.
Just like this…
Unsure if his words truly represented his inner desire. If it was, it was still quite dangerous; the opponent could easily follow through with enticement: “Is it? Then it’s very simple, as long as you heed my words, I’ll open my eyes for you to see. How about it?”
Just say “yes,” and it’s game over.
The blind man held his breath, planning to strike to wake him up.
But then Zhao Changhe’s tender affection suddenly vanished, his face tightened as he said, “Just looking at your eyes, I have to listen to you? Even a top supporter can still check things out before tipping, do you take me for a fool?”
Bodhisattva: “???”
No, why can’t I understand what he’s saying?
The blind man’s face turned red, not knowing if it was from anger or something else. Who do you want to see?
Zhao Changhe grinned: “Performing a Mind Invasion requires full concentration, right… Sorry, but you’re just a whetstone for my Breakthrough, I’m not here to discuss martial morals with you.”
Bodhisattva’s heart skipped a beat. In the next moment, Yue Hongling’s sword and the Vermilion Bird’s claws slammed into his body simultaneously.
In the eyes of the onlookers, they naturally couldn’t see the battle deep within the Divine Soul. All they saw was Kong Shi clasping Qin Jiu’s Black Sword with both palms, as if competing in Inner Strength, stalemating for a moment. Then, the two women attacked in perfect harmony, taking advantage sneakily, paying no heed to martial morals. Before anyone could even react, let alone stop them.
As Zhao Changhe said, this kind of spiritual invasion requires intense concentration. Bodhisattva never expected that the supposed “Buddhist internal strife”, with outsiders told not to interfere, would lead to these two women suddenly striking!
His spirit was caught by Zhao Changhe, leaving him powerless to defend elsewhere. With the attacks of the two women approaching, he could only raise the Golden Bell Shield to withstand the blow. At the same time, the Galaxy Sword’s light surged, controlled by Xiao Xinghe, and the ferocious Galaxy Sword Qi pierced through his hands’ barrier, viciously stabbing him in the front.
“Bang!”
The assault of three Imperial Realm experts is no laughing matter. Enduring it with all one’s might leaves no room for holding back or pretense; a single misstep would result in being torn apart!
The Golden Bell Shield that glowed brightly in everyone’s eyes abruptly turned black, losing its righteous attributes. Even the giant Buddha Dharma Image behind became hideous and twisted, with fangs exposed. The incense of Buddhism was tainted with a stench, the air warped and eerie.
“It’s the Heavenly Demon!” In Chang’an, with many Buddhist followers cultivated by Yuan Cheng, it was recognized at once: “A Heavenly Demon disguised as a Buddha, the Demon Bodhisattva!”
“Boom!” Even with full might, the now Black Bell Shield of defense was bombarded and shattered by the family trio, but the powerful corrosive and counterforces also sent the three flying back.
Kong Shi’s originally middle-aged benevolent Divine Monk appearance turned feral and vile, emanating a sinister black Qi, swiftly fleeing. With its true nature exposed, Chang’an was no longer safe; it would be better to return under a new identity…
Zhao Changhe, in retreat, abruptly turned his head towards Yuxu. Logically, Yuxu should not remain idle.
Yet, at that glance, Yuxu’s expression was more menacing than ever, shouting fiercely: “That’s a demon, and you stop me!”
As if receiving some response, Yuxu was furious: “He’s the enemy of Buddhism, thus our friend? What nonsense is this, you even dare to call yourself the Tao Venerable!”
“Rumble!” The Tai Chi Illusion exploded around him, as if some cage shattered piece by piece.
The initially slow as cloud and water actions of the old Taoist suddenly became as swift as lightning, almost like an Instantaneous Movement, to the side of Bodhisattva who had just fled beyond Chang’an, delivering a mighty slap.
Sky Flipping Seal!
Yuxu, even at the risk of breaking with the Tao Venerable, was determined to slay this Heavenly Demon today!
The sky darkened abruptly, as if plunged into boundless night.
This strike seemed to hit the firmament, stirring violent ripples, yet failing to accomplish its full aim, as Bodhisattva, still with strength, parried the blow with a palm strike, fleeing while coughing blood: “Yuxu, the next one to die, is you.”
Yuxu wished to pursue, but the Tao Venerable’s pressure struck again, holding him in place. He turned his head angrily, looking towards the origin of the darkness. On the distant Chang’an palace rooftop, Jiuyou stood calmly, watching him with a slight smile, then turned away, uninterested in glaring at Yuxu.
But just as she was leaving, a golden light, like a meteor chasing the moon, closed the ten-plus mile gap, catching up to Bodhisattva from behind.
Zhao Changhe, Dragon Soul Bow!
Jiuyou halted, Bodhisattva turned back. Yuxu rejoiced, snapping his fingers.
Another Tai Chi unfolded beneath Bodhisattva’s feet; he tried to escape, but as if trapped in a mire, couldn’t move an inch.
The golden light pierced through his shoulder, bringing forth a spray of black blood.
On the rooftop of Vermilion Bird Boulevard, Zhao Changhe stood with his bow, speaking to himself silently: “Attacking my Qing’er, and disguising yourself as a blind man, how dare you!”
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PS: Monthly ticket year’s end rank #9. Thanks to Brother Wuye, Mushroom, Su Mu, Aunt Chen, Monkey, Car, and a bunch of old friends for their strong support, and also to all readers for enthusiastically voting. The asses have been propped up, though a bit relaxed, let’s take turns.
Today is the first day of the new year, wishing everyone a Happy New Year. The tickets shall be left to fate… mostly because I can’t add anymore, truly a bit tired.