Legend of Swordsman

“You are me, and I am you. Destiny remains destiny, unchanged by countless cycles of reincarnation!” Red-robed Hu Qing roared, his madness apparent, but his will gradually being consumed, clearly losing ground.

Hu Qing wasted no words. He sat cross-legged on the ground, closing his eyes. Immediately, the manifestation of his current life appeared behind him.

Calling himself Tianji, the manifestation of Hu Qing resembled Tianji in his past life – a Daoist with a tall hat and clear eyes, carrying a peach wood sword, and possessing a stern, majestic face with distinct facial features.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Hu Qing didn’t look, nor did he want to, but in this battle, he had no choice but to face his previous life.

“Destroy him for me! I am the true body!”

Red-robed Hu Qing commanded Tianji, drawing his peach wood sword and striking at Hu Qing.

The figure behind Hu Qings true self lifted a brown staff and leaped into action.

The two manifestations clashed instantly, their battle shaking the very foundations of the world. Gritting his teeth, red-robed Hu Qing desperately strengthened the image of Tianji.

“Tianji, do you remember the promise you made?” Hu Qings manifestation shouted loudly.

This angry shout momentarily stunned Tianji’s manifestation. However, it made the red-robed Hu Qing below stand up in urgency, shouting, “1 am the true body, I am the true body, consume him!”

Silence fell.

Surprisingly, the manifestation summoned by red-robed Hu Qing no longer obeyed him, leaving him utterly dumbfounded.

In his past life, Tianji’s attempt to merge with the Dao had failed, leading to his downfall. However, back then, he had no certainty in his attempt. To be precise, his death was a suicide.

Now, having successfully reincarnated, his memories from his past life had resurfaced. Why wouldn’t he consume Hu Qing and return to his peak to attempt the fusion once more?

Red-robed Hu Qing was utterly puzzled.

Why?

What was the purpose?

Red-robed Hu Qing roared in frustration!

At this moment, Tianji’s manifestation above turned to look at red-robed Hu Qing. His eyes, once stern, now revealed an unexpected gentleness.

“A promise! ”

Even more astonishing was the fact that the manifestation could speak!

Hu Oing smiled faintly, “Yes, the promise we made, the promise to Red Girl, do you still remember?”

Tianji’s avatar turned his head back, his gaze becoming sharp once again as he looked at Hu Qings avatar.

“l have not forgotten!” Tianji replied heavily.

Hu Qing nodded, finally sighed.

When that memory turned into consciousness, he faced his past lives and present life completely. Tianji’s memories had completely merged with him in this life.

30 million years of cultivation made him enlightened about his true self. Even if his past and present lives were mixed together, he could still distinguish them.

Daoist Tianji in his past life was incredibly powerful. He was a formidable figure comparable to an Emperor in human form, the strongest Grand Yan Immortal in Dongyan Realm and countless surrounding worlds.

He possessed extraordinary talents and had personally defeated a tier 1 Emperor.

The Grand Yan Immortal defeating an Emperor was legendary in the Original Universe, The realm difference between Grand Yan Immortal and Emperor was akin to heaven and earth.

However, this astonishing Grand Yan Immortal, without any assurance, suddenly chose to merge the Dao, which was tantamount to suicide.

All of this was a mystery, and when he fell, he didn’t care at all. His origin source collapsed directly, unwilling to linger on.

All of this was because of his Dao Companion, ‘Red Girl’!

At this moment, Hu Qing also understood why he was unwilling to accept that memory, unwilling to face his past lives.

It turned out that he had never changed anything; he hadn’t forgotten what he tried so hard to forget. He had always been himself.

Red Girl was the pain of Tianji’s entire life!

At this moment, both Hu Qing and Tianji’s manifested avatars were teary-eyed.

Time and space rewound, countless epochs before, in the heavenly realm.

Somewhere in an endless continent.

There was a mortal kingdom, the Kingdom of Yue.

In the mountains within the borders of Yue, there was a very famous valley called the ‘Valley of Rebirth’.

In the local area, a legend persisted: those who devoutly worshiped in the Valley of Rebirth would awaken memories from their past lives.

Because of this legend, the temples in the valley were always filled with the scent of incense. People came not only to seek memories of their past lives but also for safety, fertility, wealth, and relief from disasters and hardships.

Unbeknownst to these worshippers, hidden on the mountainside behind the temple was a Daoist monastery. The Daoist monks there were the true Immortals, but due to the prevailing legend, nobody paid attention to the dilapidated monastery; their focus remained on the temples in the valley.

One autumn day, a flood surged from the mountains, swallowing fields of wheat yet to be harvested and small villages. More people flocked to the temple seeking solace, resulting in an even larger crowd than usual.

Inside the Daoist monastery atop the mountain, a young Daoist priest couldn’t comprehend why these people, who could barely afford their next meal, would spend money to worship the Buddha.

The elderly Daoist in the monastery shook his head and muttered, “The heavenly secrets must not be revealed!”

The young priest didn’t understand, but he decided to venture down the mountain to see the temple that haunted people’s dreams. He lied, saying he needed rice, and headed down the mountain.

The old Daoist instantly saw through the young priest’s deception but didn’t stop him. He just watched the young man walk away, shaking his head in sorrow. “Can’t hold him back, he’s just digging his own grave!”

The young priest descended the mountain alone. He was an orphan, raised by the elderly Daoist on the mountain. He knew everything about the mountain but was entirely ignorant about the mysterious temple. Today, he was determined to explore the secrets within that drew so many worshippers.

He followed a winding path down the mountain, his steps light and agile. Each stride covered a great distance, showcasing remarkable stability. If anyone had seen him, they would have been astonished; his movements were akin to the legendary martial arts masters!

However, only his master and he had ever taken this path.

Outside the temple, it was bustling with activity. There were carriage sedan chairs of the local landlords and the simple carts of peasants, all parked haphazardly.

People entered the temple with furrowed brows, but once inside, their faces lit up with smiles. Especially after they worshipped, the transformation was remarkable. The weariness they brought in was replaced by radiant happiness.

Seeing this scene, the young priest became even more curious.

However, his Daoist attire attracted a lot of attention at the temple entrance.

People pointed fingers and gossiped loudly about a Daoist worshipping

Buddha.

Frustrated, the young priest wanted to argue back. But considering his mission, he ignored them and bypassed the main entrance of the temple.

He didn’t want to be ridiculed, so he decided to climb over the temple wall and investigate its secrets.

To see what made this temple so special!

Avoiding the bustling main entrance, he arrived at a secluded part of the temple wall. Glancing around, he felt nervous. He didn’t want to be seen. If his master found out he’d climbed the wall, he feared he might be scolded to death.

The main gate’s courtyard walls were grand and imposing. In contrast, this obscure section was in complete disrepair. It was a shoddy enclosure made of random green tiles and blue bricks, far inferior to the walls of the Daoist monastery.

The worshippers believed this was the monks’ benevolence, leaving the best for their revered Buddha while they resided in humble quarters..