A tremendously powerful wave of energy surged the crack between the barriers of the two worlds.

Fang Lang left the demon world, following Master Ci Yue's lead, and returned to the All-Seeing Buddha Sect.

On the practice grounds, many monks were seated cross-legged. They had already heard the news about the Battle of Pagodas that just ended.

Every single monk in the All-Seeing Buddha Sect was extremely interested in the Battle of Pagodas. After all, if the All-Seeing Buddha Sect lost in the battle, they would have to face the invasion of the two demon world tribes. When the time came, each monk would have to go to war.

When there was war, people would die.

By helping the All-Seeing Buddha Sect win in the all-important Battle of Pagodas, Fang Lang managed to stop a war from breaking out. This was a supreme act of kindness in the eyes of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect.

Hence, all these monks were gathered here in order to greet Fang Lang and to express their deepest gratitude.

Fa Jiao and Fa He was smiling from ear to ear. Today was a day of great celebration for the All-Seeing Buddha Sect.

Fang Lang smiled. He had been invited to participate in the Battle of Pagodas and also gained much from the experience. Not only did the System upgrade after he binded to the sacred maidBai Ling and the archdevilChi Yun, his power also rose.

If Fang Lang completely shared the power of all his binding partners, the force that he could unleash would surpass the fifth-class realm, reaching into the sixth-class realm.

After all, Chi Yun achieved a sudden breakthrough to the fifth-class realm during the battle. Bai Ling was also prepared to do the same.

With their talent and core, even though they were early fifth-class cultivators, their understanding and fighting capacity would allow them to defeat typical sixth-class cultivators with no difficulty. Fang Lang could sense Chi Yun's cultivation rise rapidly. It was frightfully quick.

As they grew stronger, Fang Lang would also become stronger.

Fang Lang understood a little about the partition of the upper fourth-class realm from Wen Ting. The upper fourth-class realm focused on the cultivation and elevation of one's intent. The difference between strengths still existed but it would not be too large,

For example, Wen Ting spent ten years nurturing a single sword. Over ten years, his cultivation did not advance. However, after he unleashed his Sword Nurturing Spell and he was able to grasp his intent, his cultivation level rose drastically until he was stronger than even some of the seventh-class or eight-class cultivators.

His Sword Nurturing Spell was able to reach a level where he could kill a ninth-class warrior from the beginning. The true disparity between power and strength lay in the gap between the ninth-class realm and the transcendental realm.

Master Ci Yue kept his promise and slowly led Fang Lang among the ancient monasteries of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect. The ancient monasteries seemed to sit among the sea of clouds. They were faintly visible among the clouds that were as vast as an ocean.

Gold light shone out between the many ancient monasteries. It was extremely brilliant and dazzling to see. It was like multiple buddhas sitting on the earth as the glow of the evening sun illuminated the sky. Perhaps this was the origin of the name of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect.

Among the ancient monasteries, Master Ci Yue placed a hand behind his back and pointed a finger ahead. He said, "The Circling Lotus Sword is located there."

Fang Lang looked up and could sense a bright and resplendent sword intent shooting out from among the sea of clouds. It seemed like it was about to tear through the skies. The sword intent seemed to bloom faintly, slowly blossoming into a lotus flower.

"The Circling Lotus Sword," muttered Fang Lang.

He stood up straight. A gust of wind blew past, causing Fang Lang to cling to his figure.

"The Blooming Lotus Sword, the Reincarnating Lotus Sword, and now the Circling Lotus Sword"

The four lotus swords were left behind by Xuanyuan Taihua. They were like clues and also another method to summon her.

In his daze, Fang Lang could sense that he was slowly drawing close to the truth, closer to uncovering the truth.

If he managed to gather all four swords, would he really be able to summon Xuanyuan Taihua?

As Fang Lang gained more worldly experience, he got the vague sense that he was a chess piece on a complicated chessboard.

Fang Lang did not continue pondering these inconsequential matters that inconsequential people worried about. At the moment, he was an inconsequential person to those high and mighty transcendental realm warriors.

Master Ci Yue led Fang Lang over a limestone path through a peaceful forest scene, walking past ancient monasteries covered in moss. The world was peaceful and quiet. Everything seemed to be tinged with a buddhist sound.

Fang Lang glanced at the ancient monasteries and felt peace in his heart. The All-Seeing Buddha Sect seemed to have a calming effect. As he walked, Fang Lang could feel the restless, violent energy within him begin to settle. In addition, his moods seemed to improve.

Master Ci Yue gazed deeply at Fang Lang.

"Benefactor Fang, your fate is linked with our sect. It's a shame that you're Xuanyuan Taihua's disciple. Otherwise, if you joined our sect, you would have become the pride of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect."

Master Ci Yue's tone was full of regret. Fang Lang smiled but did not say a word.

The bamboo leaves in the grove rustled in the breeze, sounding like the crash of the ocean waves. The sound seemed to soothe Fang Lang's heart, making it even calmer.

"This is the ancient monastery where the Circling Lotus Sword resides. This is also the heart of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect" said Master Ci Yue.

After that, he pushed open the door of the ancient monastery and the sight of numerous swords tightly packed together. Each sword was stuck into the ground. Some had rusted, others were damaged. There were those that still looked as glorious as ever.

All of the swords were stuck in the ground surrounding an incomparably mysterious and magical levitating sword. This was the Circling Lotus Sword.

There were many monks sitting cross-legged on the ground, surrounding the Circling Lotus Sword in meditation.

The cultivation level of these monks was pretty strong. In fact, all of them belonged to the upper fourth-class realm. They were all in the midst of trying to understand the intent contained within the Circling Lotus sword.

Even though the Circling Lotus Sword did not contain buddhist teaching, the power of the sword intent within it was extremely helpful for the disciples of this buddhist sect.

"This is Xuanyuan Taihua's disciple. He has specially come to retrieve the Circling Lotus Sword under the orders of his master," said Master Ci Yue.

As soon as he finished speaking, the meditating monks instantly stood up, recited a buddhist chant and gave way to Fang Lang.

The eyes of each monk were filled with respect for Xuanyuan Taihua.

"Benefactor Fang, please go ahead. The matter of retrieving the sword depends on one's destiny. Buddha places high regard on destiny and fate. If you're able to retrieve the Circling Lotus Sword, the All-Seeing Buddha Sect will not stop you," said Master Ci Yue.

Fang Lang nodded.

After that, Master Ci Yue's figure went blurry as he transformed into a streak of light and disappeared. When he reappeared, he stood on the summit of an ancient monastery among the sea of clouds.

Master Ci Yue looked respectfully towards the old monk standing in front of him, "Buddha. At the moment, the Tang Dynasty is in chaos. Asi Luoshan has used the name of the third prince in order to cause a revolt among the soldiers. The armies have already begun to subdue the territories. They've even invaded countless cities within the Tang Dynasty."

"All this is connected to the Tang Code in Changan City. The Tang Emperor controls the Tang Code and used it to suppress all the transcendental realm warriors in the Tang Dynasty. Now, Asi Luoshan has joined forces with the transcendental realm warriors with the hopes of ending the rule of the Tang Emperor troubled times are coming."

"If this kid is able to summon Xuanyuan Taihua, it might be a good thing for the world. However, it's an easy feat for him to retrieve the Circling Lotus Sword. The truly difficult sword for him to retrieve would be the Withering Lotus Sword in the Meridian Guild."

"If Fang Lang is really able to retrieve the Circling Lotus Sword that would mean that he's retrieved three swords. Asi Luoshan and his traitorous soldiers will never allow Fang Lang to get his hands on the last sword," said Buddha in an unhurried manner.

Master Ci Yue descended into silence and did not say a word. He was not an idiot. Naturally, he understood that the struggle for the Withering Lotus Sword would be the crux of the matter.

Many people hoped for the return of Xuanyuan Taihua. However, there were also many people who did not want Xuanyuan Taihua to return.

Within the ancient monastery, the Circling Lotus Sword levitated quietly. It was not stuck in the ground. Instead, it floated in the air. The sword tip hung towards the ground but there was a gap between it and the ground.

A lotus flower was carved into the ground surrounding the Circling Lotus Sword by countless blade energy. The dense sword imprints on the ground were slightly shocking to the eye. The swords stuck in the ground seemed to be guarding the lotus flower.

All the monks in the surrounding areas of the ancient monastery wandered a distance away. Some of them levitated. Others stood on top of large trees. There were also some who focused their gaze on Fang Lang in the middle of the monastery.

Many monks were unhappy that Fang Lang was about to retrieve the Circling Lotus Sword. After all, many of them gain an understanding of Xuanyuan Taihua's intent from the Circling Lotus Sword. Through the sword intent, they were able to improve.

However, since even Buddha was not going to stop Fang Lang, neither would they attempt to do so on their own accord.

A majority of the monks were absolutely confident that Fang Lang would be able to retrieve the sword. That was because Fang Lang had already obtained two of Xuanyuan Taihua's prized swords. The first was the Blooming Lotus Sword and the second was the Reincarnating Lotus Sword.

Hence, no one thought that Fang Lang would fail in his attempt to retrieve the Circling Lotus Sword.

Many of the monks merely felt a sense of sorrow that they would no longer have a sword that could help them gain enlightenment.

Fang Lang started to walk under the eyes of the crowd. Fang Lang was a little emotional now that he was about to retrieve the third lotus sword. With the third sword in hand, he was another step closer to the return of Xuanyuan Taihua.

Perhaps then, the truth that had been shrouded this whole time would finally be revealed.

What actually happened to the Tang Code?

What was going on with the Tang Emperor?

Xuanyuan Taihua would know the answer to all this.

The Circling Lotus Sword sat at the center of this ancient monastery, as though it were stuck in the heart of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect.

Many monks attempted to gain an understanding from the sword. However, the closer they approached it, the stronger the sense of oppression they felt. Hence, up till now, there was practically no monk who could approach the Circling Lotus Sword apart from Buddha and Master Ci Yue.

Hence, Fang Lang's arrival to retrieve the sword had attracted the attention of a large number of people.

Atop a large tree outside the ancient monastery, Fa He and Fa Jiao levitated by standing on top of a withered leaf.

"Brother Fa He, do you think that Benefactor Fang Lang will be able to retrieve the Circling Lotus Sword?"

"I've heard that the Circling Lotus Sword contains a unique time sword intent. As one approaches it, one will be able to feel time reverse. You might even get lost and engrossed in the past and struggle to escape."

Fa Jiao chattered away non-stop.

Fa He looked solemn and emotionless. He nodded his head seriously. The proper way to deal with verbal diarrhea was to stay silent and allow that person to speak.

Fa Jiao continued speaking for a long time and slowly lost interest. His gaze landed upon the scene within the old monastery and his eyes slowly lit up.

Fa Jiao felt extremely curious to know how Fang Lang would retrieve the Circling Lotus Sword. Countless monks of the All-Seeing Buddha Sect were unable to retrieve the sword. How would Fang Lang be able to succeed?

Just because he was Xuanyuan Taihua's disciple, did that mean he could do whatever he wanted?

However, Fa Jiao's expression changed instantly a moment later.

Fang Lang felt the sword intent that thrummed in the air. He slowly walked out. His robes fluttered around him even though there was no wind.

A clear sword cry reverberated through the air.

In Fang Lang's eyes, The Circling Lotus Sword seemed to transform into a blooming lotus. He shut his eyes. Fang Lang felt like the Circling Lotus Sword a like a radiant sun hanging proudly in the sky and sword intent shone out of it like sunlight.

Under the glow of the sunlight, Fang Lang felt like he was growing younger, as though he was turning back into a child

This was the ability to turn back time.

Fang Lang was stunned. However, he remained calm and began to activate the time sword intent that he had grasped.

As his time sword intent surged, it seemed as though flowing water swirled around him. Fang Lang stretched out his hand, aiming for the Circling Lotus Sword in the distance.

Fang Lang's time sword intent seemed like a deadly lure, slowly drawing the Circling Lotus Sword towards him.

Ding ding

The swords all around the Circling Lotus Sword began to tremble and quake non-stop. After that, they began to shoot out of the ground and hover in the air, clinking as they crashed into each other.

Fang Lang raised his hand and gestured at the Circling Lotus Sword. The Circling Lotus Sword was like a shy, bashful maiden. Under the protective guard of all the hovering steel swords, it tore through the mud like a clear stream and slowly flowed towards Fang Lang.

In the end, Fang Lang caught it in his hand.

Now that the Circling Lotus Sword was in Fang Lang's hand, it trembled slightly and emitted a clear sword cry. It was like it had returned to its rightful position.

The Blooming Lotus Sword and the Reincarnating Lotus Sword in Fang Lang's scabbard softly responded.

An invisible sword wave spread out. After that, all the hovering swords dropped back into the ground.

All the surrounding monks were dumbfounded. He managed to retrieve the sword just like that?

A large number of monks predicted that Fang Lang would be able to retrieve the sword. Despite this, they never imagined that he would be able to retrieve it in such an easy and relaxed manner.

It was as though he had merely called over a cat to bring it home to look after.

Fang Lang wielded the Circling Lotus Sword. The blade energy and the sword intent contained within it seemed to flow into Fang Lang's body, entering his meridians.

The time sword intent in Fang Lang's energy center seemed to absorb it and a faint change began to occur.

Fang Lang's aura began to rise. His enlightenment in sword intent rapidly rose, helping him to complete and perfect his time sword intent!

Outside the ancient monastery, monk Fa Jiao, who levitated on top of a withered leaf, watched as Fang Lang gently waved his hand and the difficult sword that had eluded numerous monks flew towards him like a swallow returning to its nest.

Fa Jiao buried his face in his hands. He felt as though he had underestimated Fang Lang. After all, as Xuanyuan Taihua's disciple, he could do as he pleased.