At that time, almost all the known human martial arts masters of Snow Province had gathered there.
When it’s late in the morning, the Sect Grading Meeting officially started.
To some people’s disappointment, the new Holy Palace of Mysterious Frost inspector Ding Honglei didn’t show up. The event was hosted by another elder with grey hair and beard and an imposing appearance from the Holy Palace of Mysterious Frost. Ding Hao secretly let out his Divine Awareness to explore and found out the man’s strength was on par with the deceased Zhuo Feifan, a great master.
The opening ceremony was long and tedious.
Having survived on this dangerous land for a long time, human tribes had many ancient rituals. Towards the end of the Grading Meeting ceremony, the ancestor worshiping rite was held. The nine sect heads along with the elder known as Grandpa Chen slaughtered 11 Demon Commander level monsters and offered monster blood to worship the deceased ancestors.
Ding Hao was not interested in such a ceremony at all.
For the most part of the morning, he was practicing in a tent in the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect area.
After the combat with Jiang Disheng that night, Ding Hao lost a lot of Qi. He made the best use of every minute to recuperate and build up energy. He finally felt the Qi inside his body was saturated after absorbing three Highest Grade dark crystals. The Fat Cat Evil Moon lay next to Ding Hao snoring, listless after days of playing and eating outside.
The whole morning was full of various long ceremonies.
The real grading competitions started in the afternoon.
As the most promising talent of the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect, Ding Hao was naturally the main force in this competition. According to the sect’s arrangement, he would compete in the young generation group in the Martial Arts and inscription categories.
Huang Xiong sent a junior disciple to serve as Ding Hao’s personal attendant, responsible for reminding him of his match time.
“Great Uncle Master, your first martial arts match is in 30 minutes and your opponent is a disciple unknown from the Zero Thought Sect. It depends on the Zero Thought Sect’s combat arrangement…” The junior disciple Huang Lei said respectfully.
Shouts and yells outside the tent could be heard faintly like the spring thunder of the tidewater rolling and sloshing. Matches must have become quite intense.
Ding Hao nodded.
Half an hour flew by and Ding Hao stepped out of the big tent, following Huang Lei to the contest ring.
Ding Hao’s appearance was received by the audience warmly with mad cries.
The most eminent talent at that time, Ding Hao enjoyed great popularity. Many martial artists considered themselves lucky to be able to witness such a high-level match from close up. Numerous young fans of Ding Hao hoped to learn from their idol’s combat and help their own practice.
Ding Hao stepped into the void as if walking up a flight of stairs and casually entered the ring.
Three zhang above the ground was a round red platform smooth without stairs. Crowded with people, it was very lively with screams and shouts non-stop.
On the observation platform in the distance sat 11 unfathomable senior masters respectively from the nine major sects and the Holy Palace of Mysterious Frost as the judges and witnesses of the contest.
“Senior Brother Ding, this is Sweet Sound. Thank you in advance for your instructions.” A very pretty young nun stood there like a lotus flower that just rose from under the water.
She was Ding Hao’s opponent in this match.
Ding Hao saluted with his hands folded.
All disciples of the Zero Thought Sect were monks. This nun had a similar style to the Little Buddha Lei Tingchan but was not as powerful. Ding Hao glanced her quickly with his Divine Awareness and knew she was only half step to the primordial grandmaster realm, much below his level.
The senior management of the Zero Thought Sect should be aware of his strength. They had pretty much given up on this match by sending such a disciple to confront him.
“Sweet Sound knows I’m no match for Senior Brother Ding. I’ve heard Senior Sister Chan speak highly of Senior Brother Ding. Sweet Sound feels very lucky to have this opportunity to learn from Senior Brother Ding.” The young nun praised with a smile.
In a pure white dress, she had skin smooth like jade and eyes bright and clear like a mountain spring. The loosely-fit dress fluttered in the wind. It wrapped tightly on her delicate, fascinating body, making her look extremely charming.
Countless people in the crowd lamented that a pretty woman like her would waste all her life by an oil lamp and the ancient Buddha.
“Master Sweet Sound is too modest. The Zero Thought Sect is exquisite with no match when it comes to Buddhism classics and specialized in a different field from the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect. We share and learn from each other.” Ding Hao waved his right hand through the void and performed the Taixuan Sword-seeking Scripture, his body giving off an intense stream of Qi like a sharp sword.
At this Sect grading meeting, Ding Hao wanted to stick to the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect’s methods.
The faint smile never faded on Sweet Sound Nun’s face. Behind her soft long neck was a wild silk yarn horsetail duster. Her tiny hands reached out of the loose sleeves and formed a Buddhist Emblematic Gesture, tamed and obedient. She began to chant the sounds of Sanskrit quietly, graceful and elegant with golden beams faintly projected in all directions. A Buddha figure appeared behind her, bearing a holy and merciful air.
“Umm? A combination of the Suryaprabha Bodhisattva Incantation and the Acalanatha Seal. These are very extraordinary Buddhist combat skills… Strangely, Buddhism started in the west desert and the Zero Thought Sect, a minor sect in the northern Snow Province, has mastered such incredible Buddhist Magic Skills… Interesting.”
The thoughtful voice of Sword Master sounded in his head.
Ding Hao remained calm and undisturbed. He carefully observed the Buddhist practice performed by Sweet Sound.
With the Mind Essential refined to the Body Oven Realm, his seventh sense had become extremely sharp and comprehending extraordinary. He could see through the secrets of many exercises after observing it once. The Suryaprabha Bodhisattva Incantation and the Acalanatha Seal were exquisite but Ding Hao hoped to grasp some after this match.
This was one of the true goals of Ding Hao’s participation in this Sect Grading Meeting.
Meeting with experts from the nine major sects and some individual cultivators could widen his field of vision and give him an opportunity to learn other sects’ unique techniques and ultimacy. Combining and lapping the essence of various schools to refine and deepen his martial arts skills was the way he must take to reach the Martial King and Martial Emperor realm in the future.
No one else would have thought that Ding Hao had secretly practiced the unusual Invincible Fighting Method. This event was a golden opportunity for Ding Hao.
The match went on for one hour.
Sweet Sound Nun exerted the tricks of the Suryaprabha Bodhisattva Incantation and the Acalanatha Seal to the full. Her Sanskrit chanting went on and on as the golden Buddha palm blasted down from the void with great force controlled by her hand. The entire ring shook violently. Ding Hao repeatedly cast the Lightning-Chasing Central Swordsmanship with the Dark Frost Divine Sword and remained unmoved like a chief cornerstone in the midst of the surrounding sounds of Sanskrit and endless Buddha’s aura.
In the end, Sweet Sound admitted her defeat helplessly, having realized she could hardly reach within one meter of Ding Hao.
“Senior Brother Ding’s swordsmanship is exceptional and cultivation solid. Sweet Sound has learnt.” The nun’s robe flew as she saluted with one hand, elegant and unconventional despite her defeat.
In many people’s opinion, the much superior Ding Hao finished the match in such a way to save face for the pretty nun. He could have defeated her with one slash violently. Sweet Sound herself shared this thought and showed sincere respect in her words.
Ding Hao secretly felt abashed and saluted with a smile.
What was to come from the nun Sweet Sound really took Ding Hao by surprise.
“A while ago, Senior Brother Ding fought side by side with senior sister Tingchan against the two Demon Kings and wrote two Buddhist hymns with your inscription skills which showed your profound Buddhist attainments. The two hymns have since spread far and been praised wide. The senior masters of our sect speak highly of Senior Brother Ding’s Buddhist hymns. Our sect head is certain that Senior Brother is a man of a Buddha-nature and great wisdom. Today Sweet Sound has the fortune to meet Senior Brother Ding. Here I boldly request a Buddhist hymn from Senior Brother Ding. Much thanks in advance.”
Sweet Sound Nun bowed slightly, extremely sincere.
“Err…” Ding Hao was stunned. He didn’t expect Sweet Sound to make such a request.
Those two Buddhist hymns Ding Hao plagiarized when he was seized by a whim. The astonishing power was beyond his expectation. He thought that would be the end of it but that day Sweet Sound brought it up and requested another hymn. Could Buddhist hymns be this precious in this world?
Ding Hao had no idea for Buddhism followers on the Land of Infinity, a Buddhist hymn of their own was very hard to come by. In legends and tales, it was not unusual for a Buddhist hymn to enlighten a Buddhist sage.
After getting those two Buddhist hymns, the Little Buddha Lei Tingchan had been pondering and comprehending. Her strength and Buddhist attainments both progressed and numerous disciples of the Zero Thought Sect felt jealous of her. Having this opportunity to engage Ding Hao in a match, how could Sweet Sound miss this fated chance?
Since even the head of the Zero Thought Sect praised the two Buddhist hymns strongly and remarked on Ding Hao’s Buddha-nature and great wisdom, of course, she would give it a try. After all, the potential effect on her cultivation was limitless.
Seeing an impression of embarrassed, Sweet Sound’s face lost some color. She said, “Senior Brother Ding, please don’t feel uncomfortable. Sweet Sound’s request is a bit too much. Please just forget about what I just said.”
Ding Hao responded with a gentle smile, “Sister Sweet Sound, you are misunderstanding. Ding Hao is not feeling uncomfortable. Buddhist hymns are natural and coming only by chance… Well. I’ve come up with some thoughts these days and I’ll write down these shallow words for Sister Sweet Sound to have a read…” As compensation for secretly learning her Buddhist combat techniques, Ding Hao reached out to draw in the void.
If a man could see that his body was not real, his view would be Buddha’s view.
If a man could understand his heart was an illusion, his comprehending would be Buddha’s comprehending.
…
If a man could realize that the nature and essence of all bodies and minds were void and unobtainable, what would be the difference between a man like this and Buddha?
The Buddhist hymn written in Chinese characters took the shape of a flame and gave off the light of Buddha in the void. For those who couldn’t read Chinese characters, they understood nothing of this hymn. But the Buddhist meanings within were increasingly profound for those Buddhist masters.
Even those who never practiced any Buddhist method all stared at the hymn thoughtfully.
Faintly, a limitless ancient Buddha was chanting in the void. Even the heads of the nine major sects felt suffocated upon seeing the vague Buddha figure.
After Ding Hao finished writing, he gave it a gentle push and the Buddhist hymn transformed into beams of Buddhist light, entering Sweet Sound’s body.
“Ah…” Sweet Sound cried with joy, feeling blessed to the heart and learnt to the soul. Her face was full of excitement and for a long time she couldn’t calm down. She said in the most respectful way, “My master indeed has a sharp pair of eyes. Senior Brother Ding, your Buddha-nature is deep. If you practice Buddhist combat methods, your future will be…” She suddenly realized Ding Hao was a disciple of the Swordsmanship-seeking Sect and stealing a talent so openly like this was very improper. She realized she had said the wrong thing and rushed to correct it. “Sweet Sound dares not forget about Senior Brother Ding’s generous gift today. The entire Zero Thought Sect is grateful for Senior Brother Ding’s generosity. Please visit the Zero Thought Sect and discuss Buddhist with us when you have time.”
The invitation was sent as the head of the Zero Thought Sect had ordered via his Secret Acoustic technique.
“Sister Sweet Sound, you are flattering me.” Ding Hao saluted in return.
The Buddhist hymn he had just written was very important and influential. It was composed by the well-respected Kakusandha and recorded in Buddhist classics on the earth. Kakusandha was a Buddhist legend in the previous life with limitless powers and extremely honorable status. The wisdom in his hymn was certainly a great deal.
Sweet Sound thanked again and again and finally left the ring with satisfaction.
Ding Hao was pondering on something at that time.
It seemed that some things from his previous life on the earth truly had incredible powers. Could that Buddha figure be the Dharmakaya of Kakusandha? Displaying the spiritual essence of earth in inscription had such amazing magic. His exploration of the magic powers of Chinese character inscriptions was far away from enough.
…
As many had expected, the match ended with Ding Hao’s victory.
…
The only pity was the lack of confrontation throughout the match. It was totally understandable since no one could launch a fatal strike at such a delicate, gorgeous young nun. Among all the stories of Ding Hao, one more piece was added that he had a tender heart for women.
However, the Mysterious Sign emerged from Ding Hao’s Buddhist hymn after the match and Sweet Sound’s dramatic expression of excitement gave the audience a different kind of thrill not less than any of those brutal, bloody fights.
As the saying goes, amateurs watch the scene of bustle. For average martial artists, the Buddhist hymn’s Mysterious Sign strengthened the mysterious color around Ding Hao. A true talent could always do something that set the world on fire and they were far from his level. Other top young masters were overshadowed by Ding Hao’s performance.
And the wolf knows what the ill beast thinks. Numerous senior masters were dazzled by Ding Hao’s performance. Some of the powerful elders secretly guessed that Ding Hao might be the incarnation of some great Buddhist sage. In such a short time composing three Buddhist hymns, all wonderful classics, was a bit too wicked.
…
Back in the tent, Ding Hao secluded himself for refining and meditating at once.
The Suryaprabha Bodhisattva Incantation and the Acalanatha Seal were extremely profound and exquisite Buddhist magic skills. Ding Hao watched carefully for an hour but it was still impossible to completely comprehend. Fortunately, Ding Hao came prepared. He was particularly interested in the Ultimacy where the Sanskrit sounds disturbed the opponent’s mind and the handprint enhanced strength. He grasped a few.
Time flew by.
The next morning, Ding Hao participated in another contest.
His opponent was a female disciple from the Heavenly Sound Valley a minor sect outside the nine major ones.
The Heavenly Sound Valley was known for its use of sound waves, not as powerful as the nine major sects but definitely not weak. Armed with a Chinese zither, this female disciple Li Wushuang was highly skilled in killing with the sound of her instrument.
Ding Hao couldn’t wish for a better rival.
Yesterday he observed the Buddhist sound fight technique Suryaprabha Bodhisattva Incantation but there were still some key points he couldn’t grasp. Today, he came across another opponent specialized in a sound fight. It was perfect for him to learn and hopefully to comprehend by analogy.
Probably due to her years of practicing the sound wave fight skills, Li Wushuang had a very refined temperament despite her average appearance. In a white palace dress, she was glamorous like a fairy with jade bones and ice skin, giving off a sense of holiness that could only be viewed from afar and even the slightest blasphemy couldn’t be forgiven.
Countless people fell into Li Wushuang’s beautiful music. The sound combat technique was terrifying not only because of its direct lethality but also how it could control the audience’s thoughts and emotions. Li Wushuang was actually quite well-known among the young generation in Snow Province as the Heavenly Zither Fairy.
Ding Hao entered Dhyana to the sound of the zither.
He pinched a flower with a charming smile, listening quietly to the mystery. His mind was firm like the monolith and his smile lasted till the end of the song.
“Senior Brother Ding samadhi is profound and solid. Wushuang’s skills can’t shake brother’s mind. Wushuang accepts this defeat.” The Heavenly Zither Fairy opened her lips slightly, her voice pleasing and fascinating like strings of pearls rolling on a jade plate.
Ding Hao opened his eyes with a clear understanding in his heart and purity in his pupils. “Fairy Li’s flattering me. This heavenly music is truly amazing. If you carry on playing, I wouldn’t be able to suppress my inner demon.”
A smile blossomed on Li Wushuang’s face. She hailed and responded. “Yesterday Senior Brother Ding composed a Buddhist hymn and the entire Snow Province was amazed by your talent. Wushuang was told Senior Brother Ding was well versed in music and performed excellently an erhu classic the Moon Over a Fountain during the Battle of the Mirror Lake. Even the Demon King with Magical Eyes was full of praise. Today Wushuang has the fortune to stand in the same ring with Senior Brother Ding. I can’t help following the example of Sister Sweet Sound to pray for a Chinese zither music sheet…”
Holy cow!
Ding Hao was stunned. “Does another one come to ask for something? Has my talent already enchanted all the female disciples in Snow Province? Isn’t this too exaggerated?”
