The sun was already setting in the west. Beneath the slanting glow of dusk, the so-called Living Buddha of Qinghai caught sight of Tan Wei's beauty—and his heart stirred with vile desire.
Her brows were like distant spring mountains, her eyes clear as autumn waters untouched by dust. A faint blush graced her snow-white face. Her figure was graceful beyond compare, like a celestial maiden descended to earth.
Lust flared within him.
Grinning wickedly, he bared his teeth and said,"Leave the girl here and let her join me in the Blissful Dharma. You may leave now—save your life, if you value it."
Li Jian's anger surged like fire.
"What skill do you have? Show it! Today I'll beat you until you cry for your parents!"
The Living Buddha sneered."Don't say I didn't give you a chance. All of you—attack! Teach this brat a lesson!"
Li Jian's eyes turned cold.
Since these lamas sought death, he would show no mercy.
The lamas charged again, cymbals in both hands like twin blades. Seven or eight rushed forward in the first wave.
Li Jian centered his mind, recalling the Northern Nether Art:
Where the mind leads, qi follows…Gather it, release it—freely…Let it sink to the dantian…Endless, inexhaustible…
With a thunderous shout—
He unleashed a move: "Rivers Across the Land."
His body flashed like lightning.
A block with the left—A strike with the right—A shift—another strike—
He wove through the crowd like a storm wind, his palms striking with unstoppable force.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The lamas' attacks came in waves, yet each one shattered upon contact. Their strikes met only empty air. Before they could even recover their stance—
Li Jian had already moved.
Another flurry of blows—
More bodies flew.
Three waves of assault collapsed in moments. The once-fierce formation dissolved completely. Lamas lay scattered across the sand, coughing blood, their confidence shattered.
None had ever seen such power.
Li Jian, having opened the Ren and Du meridians, was no longer the man he once was.
The Living Buddha's face darkened.
A cold gleam flickered in his eyes.
With a low snort, he spread his hands. A faint golden glow shimmered across his palms. His internal energy surged outward—fallen leaves around him lifted and spun violently.
"So… you have some skill."
He stepped forward heavily—the ground trembled.
A palm strike shot toward Li Jian.
Li Jian shifted aside, meeting the attack with his own.
BOOM—!
Their palms collided. Shockwaves exploded outward, sand and stones flying. Nearby trees cracked and splintered under the force.
The Living Buddha staggered half a step back, frowning.
"What a domineering inner force!"
Li Jian's qi surged through his body, battle intent blazing.
"With such skill—you dare seize innocent women?"
He stepped forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Another strike—
"Flowing Rivers Surge."
The force crashed like a tidal wave.
The Living Buddha was driven backward, barely holding his ground.
Panic flashed in his eyes.
He leapt, attempting to flee.
But Li Jian had already seen through him.
With a few swift movements, he cut off his path.
The Living Buddha flung hidden weapons—
Shh! Shh!
Li Jian dodged effortlessly.
"Where do you think you're going? Don't say I didn't give you a chance!"
"I'm not fleeing!" the Living Buddha snarled.
He leapt high into the air, both palms striking downward toward Li Jian's head with fierce force.
Li Jian remained calm.
He feigned weakness—baiting the enemy.
At the critical instant—
He gathered all his qi into both palms—
And struck.
BOOM—!!!
A thunderous explosion echoed across the desert.
One figure was sent flying backward—
Crashing onto the sand.
Blood burst from his mouth.
The Living Buddha lay still.
Dead.
Silence.
The lamas stood frozen.
They had expected the young man to die—
Instead, their leader had fallen in a single exchange.
Li Jian stood amidst the battlefield like a wrathful deity descended from heaven.
The lamas trembled.
"Demon…!"
"Mahakala…!"
Some fell to their knees, prostrating themselves. Others spun prayer wheels, chanting frantically:
"Om mani padme hum…!"
Li Jian's lips curled slightly.
So—they feared demons?
Then let them fear.
With a thunderous roar, he shouted:
"Mahakala!"
The lamas collapsed fully, trembling, chanting even louder:
"Mahakala… Mahakala…!"
Li Jian strode through them like a divine wrathful guardian, eyes blazing.
Reaching Tan Wei, he took her hand.
As they turned to leave—
He cast one last glance at the man who had tried to touch her—
"Mahakala!"
The terrified lamas chanted even louder.
They led their camels away.
After several dozen steps—
Li Jian suddenly turned back again—
"Mahakala!"
The lamas shuddered violently.
Again—
"Mahakala!"
Only then did he finally stop.
Even as they walked far away, the chanting still echoed faintly behind them.
Tan Wei could not help but laugh.
Li Jian, riding beside her, looked at her quietly.
Under the desert sky, her beauty seemed unmatched—like the Crescent Spring itself.
He found himself utterly captivated.
The sun dipped low.
Golden light bathed her face, deepening the blush upon her cheeks.
She noticed his gaze.
"Jian-ge… don't look at me like that…"
He flushed, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry… you're just too beautiful."
Her heart softened.
"Jian-ge… we've gone through life and death together. I do not fear hardship. Only through storms can one understand love."
Li Jian smiled softly.
"To be understood… that is rare. To be cherished—that is priceless. What have I done to deserve this?"
In this world, love could never be forced.
And yet—
He had been chosen.
Chosen by fate.
Chosen by her.
"Jian-ge… don't say anymore."
Tan Wei urged her camel closer.
Then—
With a light leap—
She spun through the air—
And landed behind him.
Her arms wrapped gently around his waist.
Her cheek rested against his back.
Together, they rode across the Crescent Spring beneath the setting sun.
Silent.
Endless.
As if time itself had come to a halt—
And this path—
Would stretch on forever.