PART I: THE BLOOD AND THE BLIND REALM
The Old Forces, realizing their initial tribulations had failed to break the unyielding resolve of the righteous, unleashed their most insidious malice upon the Divine Land. Driven by desperation to impede the Fa-Rectification, they empowered the Blood-Shadow of Wrathful Long in higher dimensions while bestowing dark energy upon the Sovereign of the Divine Land—a tyrannical monarch who was the earthly reincarnation of a venomous Toad Demon—and his inner circle of sycophants, granting them maximum power to suppress the Great Fa and its practitioners. Under this sinister influence, the dark regime devised a monstrous deceit: they recruited condemned convicts and addicts, instructing them to stage fake self-immolations in the central square of the Capital. The perpetrators were taught secret techniques to endure the flames long enough for royal scribes and painters to record the horrific spectacle, framing the Great Fa as a tragic cult. To erase all evidence of their conspiracy, the authorities executed the very proxies they had hired, slaughtering them in secret and unleashing a wave of venomous propaganda that poisoned the minds of the deluded populace.
It was during these darkest hours that Lac Son’s beloved was released from the imperial dungeons. Though she had not yet formally stepped back onto the path of cultivation, her heart remained pure. While imprisoned, she had overheard corrupt guards plotting the fraudulent immolation, detailing how they intended to frame the practitioners of the Great Fa. Reunited with Lac Son and the others, she revealed the treacherous conspiracy.
With unwavering devotion, Lac Son, Giang Long, and their fellow practitioners worked through the night, hand-writing the truth onto small parchment flyers to clear the Master’s name and awaken the deceived citizens. Armed with nothing but compassion, Lac Son walked into the bustling markets of the Capital to distribute the sacred flyers.
Tragedy struck in the cold alleys of the city. Brainwashed by the imperial propaganda, confused citizens turned on Lac Son, shouting accusations and summoning the royal guards. Dragged to the deepest dungeons, Lac Son faced horrific tortures designed to break his spirit. Yet, through every agonizing blow, his mind remained anchored in the Light. When his physical body finally succumbed, suffering absolute brain death under extreme torment, his mortal journey ended—but his primordial spirit did not perish. At the exact moment of his physical demise, the glorious Fashen (Law Body) of the Master manifested in the subtle realm, gently cradling Lac Son’s radiant primordial spirit and bearing it away to a safe, celestial sanctuary to await the final cosmic reckoning.
PART II: THE AWAKENING OF THE FA-TREASURES
The grief of martyrdom hung heavy over the Capital, and the oppressive dark qi surged like a black deluge, threatening to swallow the remaining cultivators. Yet, amidst the suffocating darkness, their resolve did not flicker; it crystallized into diamond.
One crisp dawn, as Giang Long sat in deep Samadhi beneath ancient pines by the eaves of the dilapidated Taoist temple on the outskirts of the capital, the Jade of Celestial Whispers hidden within his robes vibrated with intense fervor. This tremor arose from a primordial resonance emanating from the profoundest dimensions of the new cosmos, fueled by the ultimate sacrifice of Lac Son and the unbroken faith of the righteous.
From the minuscule ancient seal-script characters etched upon the jade's surface, streams of emerald radiance erupted, converging into a translucent, golden effulgence. The sphere of light swirled in mid-air, coalescing into the form of a long blade.
The weapon's body gleamed like immemorial jade, its edge devoid of the chilling aura of a worldly blade, radiating instead a pure Dao-rhyme. As the Blade of Righteous Thoughts fully materialized, Giang Long opened his eyes, exclaiming in quiet awe: “This… is by no means an instrument for slaughter. This is the light of my own heart, crystallized.”
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Deep within his consciousness, a celestial reminder reverberated: “Should a single tremor of doubt or wavering arise within thy heart, this divine edge shall instantly dim. But if thou maintainest Righteous Thoughts as steadfast as diamond, it shall shine eternal, coeval with heaven and earth.”
Giang Long reverently lifted the sacred blade. Its body felt cool like water from an ancient spring, free from any murderous intent or resentment. The moment the youth stirred his Righteous Thoughts, golden radiance flared magnificently, sweeping away the final traces of stray thoughts in his mind and sundering the dark qi that enveloped the capital.
The birth of the Blade of Righteous Thoughts acted as a bronze bell, instantly awakening the divine Dharma-treasures of fellow practitioners meditating around him. Throughout the dilapidated sanctuary, those who had emerged victorious from trials of blood and fire witnessed their own Dharma-treasures manifesting from microscopic dimensions onto the surface realm.
The Sword of Righteous Principles materialized in the hands of the steadfast, emitting a white radiance that tore through slanderous lies. Golden Divine Armor adorned the bodies of the enlightened ones, rendering them firm as bedrock against all onslaughts. The Bow of the Righteous Heart was drawn, launching arrows of light that pierced through thousands of miles of void, shattering distant malevolent thoughts and dark interference.
Each celestial artifact possessed a distinct form and unique power, yet all shared a common origin: they were crystallizations of Righteous Thoughts, of a pure Dao-heart, and a profound comprehension of cosmic laws. A fellow practitioner, gazing at the shining sword in his hand, spoke with emotion: “Brother Long… each of us has been bestowed our own unique Dharma-treasure. Is this not the grand mission for which we forged our ancient vows?”
Giang Long nodded, his eyes burning with resolve: “Celestial Dharma-treasures manifest not for us to display, boast, or contend for supremacy. They appear solely to assist Master in saving sentient beings and protecting the eternal Righteous Fa in this Dharma-Ending Age.”
In the profound Samadhi that ensued, the Master’s compassionate guidance manifested within Giang Long’s consciousness, radiant with golden effulgence: “Take compassion as the root, and forbearance as the foundation.”
The youth deeply etched this supreme Fa-principle into his heart, silently vowing: “I shall utilize this sacred energy to awaken and deliver lost souls within this deluded realm, by no means permitting darkness to overshadow the golden light.”
One night, when oppressive aura and degenerate thoughts from beyond the Three Realms surged to besiege the Taoist temple—like a black deluge threatening to engulf the Righteous Thoughts of true cultivators—Giang Long resolutely stirred his intent. Raising high the Blade of Righteous Thoughts, he stepped directly onto the front steps of the hall.
The emerald radiance from the blade erupted, spreading across spatial dimensions like the morning sun unleashing its divine prowess. It instantly dissipated dark qi enveloping the capital like fading smoke. Wherever the power of the divine blade reached, sentient beings walking the capital's streets felt an unburdened lightness in their hearts; long-harbored fears and doubts evaporated without a trace.
Witnessing this spectacle, fellow practitioners turned their gazes toward Giang Long, their eyes burning with the unyielding flame of diamond-like faith. They understood with absolute clarity that from this moment onward, they had attained great wisdom and divine powers. Armed with sufficient strength and protective Dharma-treasures to safeguard the light of Truth, they stood ready to embark upon the arduous journey of salvation that lay ahead.
CANTO XXXVIII: THE FIRST DHARMA-TREASURE
Blood paints the market, truth disguised in fire,
A martyr falls beneath the tyrant's ire.
Yet light converges, the jade blade glows,
Not for slaughter, but to shatter karmic foes.
Fellow cultivators awaken, Righteous Thoughts arise,
Divine powers erupt, safeguarding sacred skies.
The Master, in His mercy, the sacred treasure bestows,
Delivering sentient beings where the boundless journey goes.
Giang Long wields the blade, dark qi disperses wide,
The capital shines resplendent, where eternal springs abide.