For Seven Steps

Taishu Hall fell as silent as the arrival of the monk shrouded in a layer of mist. He resembled a snowflake blending into the misty rain. He ambled as though he was on a night stroll in the green wilds. Only when he pushed open the main doors to Taishu Hall did the moonlight give him a physical form.

His eyes under his black veiled displayed emotions of pity and compassion, the sort of gaze the world believed a messiah chosen at birth would have. He held his hands in prayer with the utmost sincerity to move people to tears.

“All men have their sufferings.”

His voice that indiscriminately entered ears could’ve convinced criminals to turn over a new leaf, but it was ineffective against the young man before him. The silver rays cast on the young revealed a slightly tugged-up corner of his lips. The monk knew that the young man would never surrender or allow another to use him as a tool. He also knew that the young man, who wasn’t supposed to be present, was a tribulation he had to face. In the worst-case scenario, the young man should’ve been away from the capital on travels or sneaking around to fulfil a secret mission. Only two people weren’t surprised he was present.

The scholar in black set down his book and gave the usual sharp condescending look that suggested he didn’t have room for the world rather than the world not having a place for him. The young man’s refusal to submit or take orders made him an excellent collaborator as he’d be the best ally for as long as they could both reap benefits from each other before the alliance was off.

The monk was in agreeance with the scholar – although for a different reason.

The scholar formed his judgement based on personal experience, while the monk knew he’d need the support.

“Greetings, Tianhu,” expressed the monk, sounding as cordial as though they were meeting on a chilly mountain somewhere far away from the capital on a clear day.

The indifferent youth had his interest piqued once he put a name to the monk’s appearance. He expected to see the monk here at this time as little as the monk expected to see him. “Venerable Monk? You revolting?”

“You are still within range.”

There was no room for more words for the monk had made his move.

A green glow and black glow collided. Visually, it looked as though the green a swarm of fireflies devouring the darkness. There was no need for two people of their calibre to waste time feeling each other out. They pitted their supreme mental cultivations and might against each other without reservations.

As Tianhu closed in, a black hand choked Venerable Monk, yet the latter recited, “Amitabha.”

Venerable Monk expanded his green energy radius, forcing the black energy around back and deleting the hand around his throat from existence.

For once, Tianhu’s unique attack failed, and he wasn’t showing his usual thrilled smile in the heat of battle. He always smiled against entertaining opponents; it made no difference what their status was. He’d lose interest in the matter if he didn’t see an opportunity to throw down with a White Prince, but he looked emotionless this time. He didn’t derive any joy from fighting the monk. As a matter of fact, he didn’t even feel he was fighting a human being, which was a first for him.

Tianhu turned his black energy into a sword and spear that could transform at will. Despite him having surpassed human limitations, the unmoving monk didn’t arm himself with his energy for a while. Notwithstanding them using different mental cultivation disciplines, Venerable Monk was somehow able to replicate Tianhu’s form with his energy.

“Karma Path” was one of the unique abilities to Divine Realm adepts. Once it was imprinted in one’s mind, their intelligence would improve by leaps and bounds. Advanced monks would also gain a weak version of looking into the past and futures on top of the heightened intelligence. Unlike divination, they either received visual images, hints or feelings. That was why Venerable Monk expected Tianhu and was able to defuse Tianhu’s techniques easily.

Tianhu knew it was futile to continue fighting using techniques, which was why he switched to attacking with Enlightenment. He turned his black energy into a black fox that he had circle the monk.

“Why are you here?” questioned Tianhu.

“Amitabha, this one is here to take seven steps.”

Tianhu didn’t ask for clarification since he knew he’d receive an elaboration.

The monk took his first step, spawning a green lotus from the dirt beside his feet that grew into a giant lotus. In a flash, the green energy devoured Tianhu’s black energy.

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