Wandao 25
Morning light filtered through a veil of mist. Thirty miles beyond Niupu Village, deep in the mountains, lay a forest ancient and silent—like a hidden realm sealed away for millennia. Layers of interwoven branches and serpent-like roots made passage difficult. Pools of water lingered in crevices, moss slick and treacherous. A single misstep could mean tumbling into a ravine.
Wan Xiaochuan stepped onto a bed of decaying leaves, casting a shield of spiritual power around him, yet still found his robes snagged by thorny brambles. He frowned and muttered, "This forest is worse than that Thunder Domain trial…"
Behind him, Lin Qixian was panting, spirit insect pouch in hand, the hem of his long robe caked with mud. "No kidding! You say that ancient statue is hidden in a place like this—how in the world did that Vajra cultivator get in here back then? Flew, maybe?"
Suddenly, a crisp laugh rang out from the woods ahead. Leaves rustled gently as a figure clad in violet and azure emerged—it was Renee. Today she wore a short-traveling robe of teal, carrying a food box in one hand and a bundle of neatly tied wild hares and a crimson-scaled fish on her back.
"You two are slow as turtles—I already caught dinner," she said with a cheeky smile, full of spirit and mischief. Walking up to Wan Xiaochuan, she handed him a fragrant biscuit made of loquat root and spirit flower pollen. "These replenish qi and blood. Eat and recover."
Wan Xiaochuan coughed, a little flustered as he accepted it. "How do you… always manage to show up so freely?"
Renee blinked. "I'm one with the Wind-Thunder Sword—appearing or not depends on whether you think of me."
Lin Qixian feigned surprise. "You two… when did things get this cozy?"
Wan Xiaochuan's face flushed, about to explain, but Renee cut in first: "Ever since he picked up that mysterious stone—I've been living in his heart."
After a round of teasing, the trio rested briefly. Smoke curled into the air as the hares and fish were roasted over spirit fire, the aroma mouthwatering. While turning the spit, Renee said, "Do you know who left that ancient statue? It was the seat-statue of Zhan Ti Zun Zhe—the Vajra Sect's ancient sage. Legend has it he once secluded himself here for a hundred years, cultivating the Indestructible Vajra Body—immune to beasts and impervious to all magic."
Soon, they continued onward. The forest canopy thinned, revealing mossy stone steps. The terrain steepened sharply. Behind a rocky ridge stood an immense statue over a hundred feet tall, veiled in vines and moss.
The statue was carved of dark-blue stone—three heads, six arms, with glaring eyes and a chest covered in archaic Sanskrit and seals. Each hand held a different artifact: dharma seal, golden hammer, giant axe, lotus base, divine sigil, and a thunder mallet—each carved with lifelike precision and divine might. Faintly glowing remnants of formation sigils circled its body.
"What a fearsome image…" Wan Xiaochuan stood before it, skin tingling. It wasn't fear—but a pressure from deep within his soul.
Renee's gaze grew solemn. "This statue houses a trace of Zhan Ti Zun Zhe's Vajra Will. If you can resonate with it, you'll obtain the cultivation method of the Indestructible Vajra Body. But… it won't come willingly. You have to awaken it."
Wan Xiaochuan sat cross-legged before the statue, Wind-Thunder Sword across his knees, and began circulating his inner breath. He calmed his mind, spiritual consciousness flowing into the statue.
Suddenly, the statue's eyes flared gold. A deep, thunderous voice exploded in Wan Xiaochuan's mind:
"Is your heart steadfast? Are your bones strong?
Before attaining the Indestructible Vajra Body—break your heart first!"
His entire being shook. His sea of consciousness surged like a tsunami. A golden, blurry figure—three heads, six arms—slowly emerged in his mind's eye. Golden script, ancient and radiant, unfurled one by one, branding themselves into his soul.
Each character was as heavy as a mountain, nearly crushing his consciousness. Gritting his teeth, he endured, sweat beading on his brow.
"Xiaochuan, hold on! These are the script of the transmission—you must remember every word!" Renee shouted anxiously from outside, forming hand seals to stabilize his mind.
Lin Qixian quickly fed him a Concentration Pill. "Come on, brother! If you pass out now, I'll lose a sparring partner!"
Wave after wave of golden script imprinted itself into Wan Xiaochuan's soul, ultimately merging into a phantom image of a fist seal. Thus, the First Entry Chapter of the Indestructible Vajra Body engraved itself into his consciousness.
With a gasp, Wan Xiaochuan's eyes snapped open—gold light flashing within. His skin gleamed with a faint blue-golden sheen, and his aura felt more solid, more grounded.
"I… I've remembered it all," he said in a low voice, deeper and more resolute.
Renee nodded with a smile. Lin Qixian clapped and laughed. "Hot damn! You're a walking iron man now!"
The statue fell silent once more, its divine light fading like a dream. But their journey… was only just beginning.
I nearly blew up my dantian—wasn't trying to be dramatic, just wanted to get stronger so you'd like this book. Still no Library add.