Devour

Chapter 425: Bone Sword Tomb

Bidding farewell to the people from Jingtao Sect, Cheng Bai piloted his Black Blade Flying Armor and flew southeastward towards Wangchen River at lightning speed. A journey of millions of miles was completed in just half an hour.

At the tea table in the cabin, Cheng Bai Anxin brewed a cup of ginseng tea, the delicate aroma lingering and soothing. Master Li closed his eyes, practicing Qigong, regulating his breathing and resting his mind. Bei Tingjun sat quietly beside him, sipping his tea and leisurely munching on snacks.

Cheng Bai had many questions in his mind and wanted to ask for advice, but when he saw that Master Li looked tired, he knew that he had consumed a lot of energy in the blood erosion and it was not appropriate to disturb him.

Beitingjun was tired of eating and drinking, and couldn't suppress his curiosity, so he asked softly: "Your Majesty, where are we going?"

Cheng Bai had just finished a large pot of tea and leisurely brewed a new one, chatting and laughing, "The Master said that we should first go to the sword tomb on the bank of the Wangchen River to find the power he left there in his early years."

Bei Tingjun was surprised and said, "Bone Burial Sword Tomb? I heard it's one of the ten great sword sects. Compared to other large sects with a long history, it seems to be in a very special situation."

Cheng Bai became interested and asked in detail, "What's so special about it?"

Bei Tingjun smiled sweetly and said, "The Bone Burial Sword Tomb has only a few masters, but its reputation is immense. Rumor has it that many of the famous swords from the Heavenly Treasure List were sent here for burial after being discarded. Nearly fourteen hundred samsara epochs have accumulated there, so countless sword spirits lurk within the sword tomb."

Cheng Bai listened carefully, his ears twitching as he inquired, "This span of time is roughly equivalent to tens of thousands of years in the mortal world. Compared to other ancient sects, the Sword Burial Bone Tomb is indeed relatively young. I wonder how many famous swords they have hidden away... Oh, I mean, the famous swords of the past."

Beitingjun thought for a moment and replied, "I don't know the exact number. The replacement of famous magical swords is often due to the defeat of sword cultivators. Each sword has its own unique story. When sword cultivators return their swords to the sword tomb, it is not only to find a suitable home for their beloved swords, but also to hone their own state of mind."

Cheng Bai was somewhat puzzled and asked curiously, "Why send the sword to be buried in the sword tomb? Why don't they melt down the damaged sword materials and reforge it?"

Bei Tingjun didn't quite understand and said vaguely, "I have always believed that humans are accustomed to welcoming the new and discarding the old, so I don't think recasting will be beneficial."

"If the Holy Lord Baidi wants to delve into the reasons behind this, let the Confucian scholars explain it." Master Li showed great interest in their topic and interrupted with his eyes open.

"Every sword cultivator experiences a painful failure when their precious sword is broken. If the reforged sword cannot surpass the original, they will inevitably repeat the same mistakes when facing difficulties in the future. Therefore, cultivators usually try every possible means to find better natural treasures and more skilled refiners in order to break through the limitations of the past."

"Furthermore, even if a sword is successfully reforged, its master will always regard it as an ominous sign. Sword cultivators' obsession with powerful swords is deeply ingrained, and only one in a hundred can truly understand it."

Master Li smiled slightly as he spoke, then concluded, "To cultivate the Dao, one must first cultivate the mind. Cultivating the mind forges the sword. The sword of the mind slashes through the mortal world. Without a sword, there is also no dust. Every sword cultivator faces a similar journey."

Cheng Bai was even more puzzled upon hearing this. He asked, "I believe that all paths lead to the same destination. Why would you bother to bury the sword in the Sword Tomb?"

Master Li's voice was resounding and powerful. "You are not a sword cultivator, so it is difficult for you to understand our faith in the sword. To most sword cultivators, the sword is like a close comrade, a companion who has fought on the battlefield and shared life and death. Resolving to bury the sword is not only about burying the old sword, but also about severing a past obsession from our hearts."

Cheng Bai thought about it, then questioned, "The change from the Heart Sword to the Swordless One. If burying the sword is to sever one obsession, then insisting on sending the sword to the Sword Tomb is also forming another obsession, isn't it?"

Bei Tingjun chuckled and said, "How many people have such noble sentiments? Legend has it that the Sword Burial Mound got its name from the remains of a sword master, and sword practitioners can worship and pray for blessings. Those who come here to bury swords are actually mostly taking the opportunity to make a pilgrimage, and may not actually send a sword in."

Master Li felt a mixture of laughter and tears, but he also acknowledged Cheng Bai's reasoning and added, "They also wish to worship the sword spirit, and at the same time, they hope that the new sword will inherit the sacred power and open up a broader future for the sword!"

"I see!" Cheng Bai gained a deeper understanding of the underlying reasons. "Over time, worshiping sword spirits has evolved into a unique cultural custom among sword cultivators of the Five Continents. It's certainly worth a visit."

While chatting, the Black Blade Flying Armor had already passed through the clouds and flew over the Wangchen River, its speed gradually slowing down.

The shimmering river, its numerous tributaries flowing endlessly like a long, silver ribbon, meanders towards the vast East China Sea. Several boats drift leisurely on the river's surface, like delicate accessories adorning it.

Cheng Bai looked out at the beautiful scenery and exclaimed, "What a broad river! If it hadn't been explained, I'd have mistaken it for an inland sea!"

The river between the two continents of Donghua Shangzhou and Beiling Bingzhou is vast, with the closest point between the two banks exceeding ten thousand meters. It can be said that the vast expanse of smoke and water is freely flowing, and one can sit back and watch the river and sky with ease.

Bei Tingjun responded with a joking smile, "The Wangchen River winds for over a million miles. The rivers on Qiongqi Continent seem much smaller in comparison."

Master Li pointed to a weathered ancient city nestled between mountains and facing the water by the river. A complex expression flashed through his eyes as he said softly, "That's the Sword Burial Tomb. The sword energy within the city is fierce. We'll stop outside the city and walk in."

Seeing the grandeur of the city, Cheng Bai gradually felt a sense of pride and said with a smile, "It's called a sword tomb, but it's actually a large city on the river. Judging from its awe-inspiring aura, it's definitely not a place where ordinary people can enter and exit at will."

The Bone and Sword Tomb can be called a strange and heroic city.

The city walls, a dark hue, coiled like a giant python around a mountain ridge, exuding a faint, invisible pressure within the vastness and depth. The sturdy buildings, reflected in the sunlight, stood out like swords, their blade-like azure gleaming, a chill piercing the heart. The wind whistled through the city walls, the clinking of swords piercing the air with a low whistle, as if warning any swordsmen who might advance.

There were no defenders, no banners, and no flags at either end of the city walls. The gates were shut, and no carriages or horses passed. Although the surrounding towns were inhabited, the people had all stayed away. The entire city was silent and gloomy, like a vast, eerie tomb.

Not far from the city gate, a jade-white spiritual boat sat quietly anchored. Approximately ninety-five meters long, its hull covered in dark golden runes and prohibitions. Its precious light flowed along simple, flowing lines, its form solemn and awe-inspiring, its bearing unbending.

Cheng Bai couldn't help but take a closer look and said in surprise, "Look! Which sect's spirit boat has such an extraordinary appearance? The style looks a little familiar, but I'm sure I've never seen it before."

Master Li said bluntly, "That's the Hui'an Spiritual Boat of the Buddha's teachings. It always looks so formal. Ordinary disciples aren't qualified to ride it. Could it be that a Dharma King, or even the headmaster, has personally visited the Sword Tomb?"

Cheng Bai ordered the weapon spirit: "Xin Nong, stay away from that spirit boat before landing."

The Black Blade Flying Armor slowly came to rest on the bank of the Wangchen River. Cheng Bai was the first to step out of the armor, took a deep breath, and sighed, "Also, the water vapor is thick, but it's comfortable and pleasant. Donghua Shangzhou is much warmer than the North Sea."

Beitingjun licked his cherry-red lips and said lazily, "River water doesn't taste as good as sea water."

Master Li turned around, looked into the distance, and warned, "There are some monks gathered ahead, seemingly arguing. The atmosphere is strange."

Cheng Bai put away his Black Blade Flying Armor, frowned slightly, and muttered softly, "Look at those faces, they're all old acquaintances. Are they sitting by the river, planning to discuss Zen and Taoism? Let's go over and catch up, and ask for advice."

The two men and the demon walked along and saw many monks sitting cross-legged on the basalt on the shore, divided into two camps and confronting each other. Some of them looked nervous, while others were in deep thought. No one could break the deadlock for a while.

There were only two monks on one side. One of them was handsome and graceful, and he was the Dharma King Miaoyin. The other was fierce-looking and burly, and he was the Great Mighty King Xiangen.

The opposing team had diverse backgrounds, consisting of the current leaders of the three major sword sects, Dongsang, Zhenyue, and Beiling, and their favorite disciples, a total of six sword cultivators.

The swordsmen seemed to be silent for a long time. Yao Shuang, a disciple of Beiling, was the most impatient. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and shouted, "Hey! You two Zen masters, outsiders, why are you making things difficult for the cultivators of the world and blocking the pilgrimage to the Buried Sword Tomb?"

Dharma King Miaoyin smiled calmly and said, "I've already made it clear. If you can answer this humble monk's question correctly, you may enter the Sword Tomb. Otherwise, please wait for the return of our sect's headmaster. Then, fellow Taoists, whether to stay or leave is entirely up to you."