Covering the Sky: I Prove the Great Dao Through the Gate of Immortality

"That's right. Among the five heinous crimes in Mahayana Buddhism, there are also those who disrupt the assembly of monks, cause the Buddha to bleed, kill an Arhat, and break the vows of a person who has been ordained as a monk," Li Chenzhou said, agreeing with Ba Liming's statement.

"Haha!" Baliming became more and more interested as he listened. "That's right, there was indeed a person in Zen Buddhism who made the Buddha bleed. He was Devadatta. He destroyed the Sangha and wanted to kill the Buddha and the monk Utpalavarna. However, it is written in the Lotus Sutra that Devadatta did not fall into eternal damnation. This means that even the five heinous crimes of Mahayana Buddhism are all illusions of form and emptiness. Only a pair of iron fists can break the heavens and the earth."

"Let's drink a big cup." Ba Liming gulped down several more mouthfuls of medicinal wine. He never expected that this young man would be so well-versed in Taoist and Buddhist scriptures. He was not the kind of person who only knew how to read books and talk about things on paper. Instead, he was a master who had experienced many vicissitudes and had seen the joys and sorrows of the world, yet still adhered to his own path.

"Our discussion on philosophy is also a form of spiritual practice," Li Chenzhou said with a smile.

The two continued their conversation.

Once the conversation started, it got out of control.

From day to night, and from night to day, the two exchanged martial arts experiences, becoming more and more excited as they talked, showing no signs of fatigue whatsoever.

The two talked about everything from Confucianism to military strategy, from Taoism to unorthodox doctrines, and then extended their discussion to ancient and modern religious beliefs, philosophy, speculation, feng shui, astrology, and fortune...

The moment their words met, it was as if an invisible fuse had been ignited.

From the first light of dawn to the fall of dusk, and then to the first light of day, the two grew increasingly energetic, showing no signs of fatigue, focusing solely on exchanging their profound insights and training experiences in martial arts.

From the Taoist principle of "overcoming strength with softness" in boxing, to the Buddhist practice of "enlightening the mind and seeing one's true nature" in Zen, and then to the secret techniques and arts of various schools and sects around the world for tempering muscles and bones, circulating qi and blood, and forging the spirit... the topics flowed like a river, endlessly.

Li Chenzhou already possessed a vast knowledge of Daoist principles, and now, as he clashed and exchanged ideas with this martial arts king, every word they uttered was like the clash of metal, sparking intellectual insights.

Ba Liming's understanding of martial arts is so profound that it is astonishing. Any rhythm of his breathing or the slightest adjustment of his stance can cause his internal energy and blood to surge like a tide, either accumulating like a mountain or erupting like thunder.

Their discussion about martial arts lasted for three days and three nights.

During this time, she moistened her throat with medicinal wine and did not eat a single grain of rice.

The spirit, however, is like a real fire in a furnace, burning ever brighter and flowing endlessly; this conversation itself is the most profound form of spiritual practice.

For three days and three nights, both of them were deeply engrossed in their thoughts.

As the first rays of dawn pierced the twilight and entered the prison cell, Ba Liming and Li Chenzhou seemed to be of one mind, simultaneously silencing their words.

An indescribable sense of satisfaction filled my heart, like drinking fine wine or basking in a spring breeze.

"Three days and three nights to lay the foundation for the Dao." Li Chenzhou remained silent for a moment until the room was filled with golden light, illuminating everything, before slowly getting up.

His vital energy was contained within, yet a divine light seemed to shine between his brows. "None of us have reached the legendary state of living on wind and dew, abstaining from grains. These three days and three nights, using medicinal wine to cleanse our internal organs, regulate our body and mind, and expel acquired impurities, have already reached our limit. Going too far is as bad as not going far enough, and will only harm our very essence."

"The practice of breathing exercises and fasting is ultimately just a legend. The mundane world and the cycle of the five grains are the natural way of life." Ba Liming stretched his muscles and bones, his movements were smooth and unhindered, and his breath was deep and long like a secluded pool in a deep valley. He was not tired at all, but rather radiant, as if he had just experienced the deepest slumber.

"This discussion on the Dao has been incredibly fruitful." Li Chenzhou stretched his arms and legs, moving them freely. His seemingly simple gestures and movements actually stirred the blood and qi throughout his body like a dormant dragon, with the sounds of wind and thunder rumbling between his muscles and skin.

This discussion was truly exhilarating, and its benefits far surpassed those of a life-or-death battle with a top expert.

Li Chenzhou's gaze swept across his surroundings, and the world appeared different to him. Every table, chair, stone, and piece of wood was no longer an inanimate object.

He seemed to be able to "hear" the subtle "breathing" of the building structure under the weight, to "see" the "force" contained in the dust tracks in the air when the sunlight fell, and even to sense the extremely subtle changes in "qi" transmitted when the breeze blew through the branches and leaves of the grass and trees outside the courtyard.

Everything has its own "momentum" and its own "principle," and everything subtly resonates with the martial artist's own qi, blood, and spirit.

His connection with this world had never been so close and vibrant. It was a spiritual leap, a profound feeling of martial will touching a higher dimension.

Only those who have undergone countless trials and tribulations and possess a clear mind can truly glimpse this realm.

His martial arts skills have advanced further.

"The interaction between Heaven and Man is profound and the Great Dao is unfathomable. Through our discussions on the Dao, I have also made further progress." Ba Liming cupped his hands and said, "I am not worthy to be your master; you are my fellow Daoist."

"I can pass on all my skills to you."

……

The stars had not yet faded, and Li Chenzhou, like an ancient pine tree, took root. He rented a small courtyard near the prison.

What he was displaying was the starting move of Bajiquan's killing move—the Heart-Piercing Elbow!

This is not an ordinary training method. Instead, it involves twisting all the strength of the body into one force, which explodes from the heels, climbs up the spine segment by segment, and finally gathers at the tip of the elbow!

This move is fierce and violent, putting a great strain on the muscles and bones. If one tries to practice it without sufficient martial arts skill, it can easily tear the muscles and even injure the internal organs!

Li Chenzhou closed his eyes slightly, his breath sinking into his dantian. With each subtle adjustment, his muscles, fascia, and bones hummed, exuding the aura of a grandmaster.

Only when a golden crack appeared on the eastern horizon did Li Chenzhou slowly withdraw his attack.

White steam rose from his head, condensing and refusing to dissipate. Beneath his exposed skin, large, bluish-black veins seemed to twitch slightly, and each heartbeat brought a drumming sound. The bricks beneath his feet had been worn into two shallow pits, finely cracked.

"Hey!"

With a deep shout, not an exhalation, a condensed white rainbow shot out from his mouth, piercing through the morning mist three zhang deep, and lingering for a long time.

"It's time to learn some boxing!"

Li Chenzhou strode forward, covering more than ten feet in one step.

With each step he took, not a speck of dust rose from the ground, yet cracks spread across the floor tiles. His entire body maintained a strange rhythm as he moved.

He traveled without hindrance. The guards and even the warden, who had received much guidance from Ba Liming, knew that if he wanted to leave, the prison could not hold this true dragon. Just like last time, they did not stop this fellow Daoist from stopping him.

Before the door was even opened, a scorching, sulfurous smell rushed out through the crack!

Inside the iron gate, the same environment exists, but it doesn't resemble a prison cell; it's more like the core of an abandoned boiler room.

Ba Liming sat slumped down, shirtless, his veins throbbing violently. For a master like him, cultivation had long since transcended the need for equipment; the exertion of meditation was no less than that of physical exercise. This "Martial Arts King's" skin was as red as a branding iron, and the sweat that had just seeped from his pores instantly evaporated into white steam!

His muscles were bulging and taut, like countless ferocious giant pythons writhing and strangling!

The air was violently distorted and boiling. As soon as Li Chenzhou stepped in, he felt his breath catch in his throat. His exposed skin felt as if it were being pricked by countless fine needles. That was the invisible pressure formed by the other party's violent and unparalleled life magnetic field and scorching aura!

The person before me doesn't resemble flesh and blood at all; he is clearly an active volcano spewing forth magma!