The Heart Sutra and the Tribulation Plan

Ji Ning’s heart tightened. He could see that there was conflict between his master, Bodhi, and Old Man Yuan. Would he be forbidden from studying the Heart Sutra?

“What did Daofather Yuan pass on to you?” Bodhi asked.

“The Heart Sutra,” Ji Ning said, not daring to hide anything. “It contains senior Old Man Yuan’s many methods and techniques for applying Heartforce, as well as a smattering of methods from a few other Daofathers. They aren’t a complete, systematic record, but they’ve been of great help to your disciple. In particular, there is a technique within for using Heartforce to direct the soul. It has been very helpful in allowing me to control my great sword formation, and it will also be helpful in overcoming the Heartfiend Tribulation.”

Bodhi glanced at Ji Ning, then a faint smile appeared on his face. “Your master is not a stubborn, hidebound fool. Since Daofather Yuan has bestowed this technique upon you and hasn’t forcibly accepted you as a disciple, then go ahead and learn it! If, in the future, Daofather Yuan stands on our side, you will naturally have to repay his kindness. But if he stands with the Seamless Gate… then, when the two great camps clash, there will be no room for quarter. Even if he had personally taught you the entirety of his arts, we would still have to fight to the death.”

Ji Ning felt a chill run through him. He immediately said, “Your disciple understands.”

This was a cataclysm!

A cataclysm that no one could escape.

“I hope that senior Old Man Yuan will stand on our side,” Ji Ning silently prayed. Those who had shown him kindness… Lord Cui of the Netherworld had taught him the Nuwa Diagram, and Lord Cui, as the First Judge, was clearly on Nuwa’s side. His other master, who he had never met, ‘Daoist Threelives,’ was also on Nuwa’s side. The seven Empyrean Gods of the Starseizing Realm were the same. Master Bodhi was the same. Daofather Crimsonbright and the Xia Emperor were also the same.

When combined with his own enmity with the Seamless Gate…

And he also disapproved of the methods the Seamless Gate used to rule the world. If the Seamless Gate ever gained control, they wouldn’t bother with order at all. Instead, they would encourage endless slaughter.

“This Daofather Yuan is indeed formidable,” Bodhi said to Ji Ning. “His power is, I fear, not inferior to your master’s. He enjoys studying many different arts and is well-versed in a hundred schools of thought. In terms of Heartforce, he is probably second only to Houyi, and in terms of breadth and diversity, he surpasses even Houyi. You must study this ‘Heart Sutra’ well, especially the technique you mentioned for using Heartforce to direct the soul. You absolutely must comprehend it. Once you comprehend it, your chances of overcoming the Empyrean Tribulation will increase by several percentage points.”

“Your disciple understands.” Ji Ning nodded.

Heartforce was the general, the soul was the army.

Once Heartforce could direct the power of the soul, externally, it would allow one to control more magic treasures; internally, it would make it harder for Heartfiends to invade. For a cultivator with a weak soul, even a simple heartfiend illusion could be constructed to be terrifying. But for a cultivator with a powerful soul, it would be far more difficult to construct a strong heartfiend illusion. In fact, for some truly terrifyingly powerful souls, heartfiend illusions couldn’t even invade at all.

Once Ji Ning learned this technique for directing the soul with Heartforce, the stability of his soul might increase by more than ten times. This meant that the heartfiend illusions generated by the ‘Heartfiend Tribulation’ of a Heavenly Tribulation would be correspondingly weaker.

“Your disciple has a vague premonition. If I comprehend this Heartforce-soul technique, then the tribulation for my Primaltwin will have almost no danger at all.” Ji Ning said. “I wonder if I should postpone the day of my tribulation?”

“There’s no need,” Bodhi shook his head.

Ji Ning looked at his master, confused.

“If you comprehend the Heartforce-soul technique, it is true that the tribulation for your Primaltwin will be very easy.” Bodhi nodded. “But for one thing, there is no telling when you will comprehend this Heartforce-soul technique. This is a matter of controlling the soul with Heartforce, something quite different from applying it to your sword-fingers or flying swords. For another, although your Primaltwin undergoing the tribulation is a tribulation for you, it is also a rare opportunity for tempering.”

“An opportunity for tempering?” Ji Ning’s expression flickered.

“You survived the Karmic Hellfire Tribulation, and your Heartforce increased dramatically,” Bodhi said. “By the same logic, the ‘Heartfiend Tribulation’ during your Primaltwin’s Heavenly Tribulation can also serve as a tempering experience, allowing you to strengthen your Heartforce and firm your Dao-heart. If you were to comprehend the Heartforce-soul technique first and then undergo the tribulation, it would be too easy, and you would lose the tempering effect.”

“Remember this.”

“Your Primaltwin undergoing its tribulation is a minor matter. What is most important to you is still your true body’s tribulation.” Bodhi looked at Ji Ning. “Your true body has trained in many divine abilities and has far greater potential than your Primaltwin. After all, when comparing Ki Refining to Fiendgod Body Refining, the body is a huge disadvantage. Look at the very peak of the Three Realms. Every single one of them possesses a powerful divine body.”

“Take Threelives, for example. He clearly never fully comprehended a Heavenly Dao, yet he still managed to kill several Daofathers.” Bodhi looked at Ji Ning. “It’s just like you. Even if your Primaltwin becomes a Pure Yang True Immortal, it will probably only be average among Pure Yang True Immortals. But if your true body were to become an Empyrean God, you would immediately be among the top-tier of Empyrean Gods and True Immortals. After a short period of training, you would likely be able to catch up to the supremely lucky Lü Dongbin. That is the advantage of the Fiendgod path! Look at the most famous figures of the Three Realms—Houyi, Nuwa, Pangu, Old Man Yuan. Even your master here… which of us is solely a Ki Refiner?”

Ji Ning nodded.

“The more monstrous the talent, the more terrifying the tribulation will be. I have no idea how powerful your Empyrean Tribulation will be. I only know that it will definitely be shocking,” Bodhi said, looking at Ji Ning. “So right now, the most important thing for you is to prepare for your upcoming Empyrean Tribulation.”

“Your disciple understands.” Ji Ning said solemnly. “I will have my Primaltwin undergo the tribulation in three days.”

“Good.”

Bodhi said with satisfaction, “If the tribulation succeeds, and your Primaltwin becomes a Celestial Immortal, it will temper your Dao-heart. That is a good result. But even if it fails, and you lose your Primaltwin, you will at least have experienced the Heartfiend Tribulation. Failing in it would be a tremendous tempering experience in itself.”

Ji Ning nodded.

Everything was for the sake of his true body!

“When I undergo the tribulation, do I need to go to Daofather Crimsonbright?” Ji Ning asked.

“No need,” Bodhi shook his head. “Undergoing a Heavenly Tribulation is a major affair. As your master, I will naturally ensure that you are not disturbed by outside forces while you undergo it. I had originally planned to be at your side, protecting you, but who would have thought you would go looking for that Xia Mang kid first.”

Even Bodhi did not maintain his ‘Dream of the Three Realms’ technique constantly. He had only learned of Ji Ning’s meeting with Xia Mang later.

“Undergo the tribulation at Mount Yan,” Bodhi said. “Rest assured. Your master will not show himself, but I promise that no one will disturb you.”

“Thank you, Master.” Ji Ning immediately said.

“This Heavenly Tribulation is just a tempering experience. Do not be negligent. It is your Empyrean Tribulation that is the most important,” Bodhi said solemnly.

If he became an Empyrean God, Ji Ning would be considered a truly major figure in the entire Three Realms.

“Calm your heart and prepare to undergo the Heavenly Tribulation. Although this tribulation for your Primaltwin is not comparable to your Empyrean Tribulation, it is still no small matter.” Bodhi smiled, then vanished into thin air, unable to be seen again.

…

Ji Ning remained at Mount Yan, quietly preparing. He also took the time to visit the Xia Emperor, informing him that his Daofather master would be his protector, so there was no need to trouble Daofather Crimsonbright. The Xia Emperor nodded. If trouble could be avoided, it was best to avoid it.

During the three days before the tribulation.

Ji Ning visited the West Prefecture City where he had lived as a child. He traveled to the Eastmarsh Swamp where he had once adventured. He went to that mountain range where he had killed that Beizi Shan… Following the footprints of his past, Ji Ning’s heart grew calmer.

On the cusp of spring and summer, in the early morning, there was a crisp, cool clarity in the air.

Atop a solitary peak within the borders of Mount Yan, the true body of Ji Ning and the black-robed Ji Ning were both seated cross-legged, their bodies covered in dew. The true body and the Primaltwin had been sitting here all night, their hearts as calm as still water. On a distant mountain peak stood Uncle White, Qingqing, Mu Northson, the Diancai Immortal, Autumn Leaf, and Yu Wei, who was with child. They all watched nervously, for Ji Ning was about to undergo his Heavenly Tribulation.