Chapter 333 - 324: Tathagata’s Envoy, Good Knowledge, I Think the Master Is Still Not Completely Awake

Chapter 333: Chapter 324: Tathagata’s Envoy, Good Knowledge, I Think the Master Is Still Not Completely Awake

The young girl despised her origins, but she couldn’t bring herself to abandon the noble status she was born into.

Growing up, almost no one had ever dared to defy her.

She had seen countless groveling sycophants and their disgraceful behavior, but this was the first time she had ever met a man who dared to raise a blade and threaten to chop off her leg.

And that blade had truly been swung at her. If Zhong Yin hadn’t burst into action, she might really be walking on one leg by now.

However, she bore the man who tried to cut her down no ill will. In fact, she found the experience rather fascinating, and he had left a unique impression on her.

Faint waves of heat and an intense, searing sensation crept into the Buddha hall. The burning sandalwood incense was no match for the thick, acrid smell of something scorching. The prayer banners flanking the Buddha statue began to show signs of charring, and illusory smoke rose from all corners of the main hall, as if the entire temple had been set ablaze by an invisible fire...

"This is even more terrifying than last time. The Monk has Fallen deeper into Demon. Sooner or later, his ’Burning Temple’ Heart Scene will drag this entire temple into a Fire Prison and burn it to ashes..."

Zhong Yin scanned the strange phenomena materializing within the hall. The thunderous crashes from outside the temple continued to echo intermittently. Even with his strength at the Heart Intent Transformation Realm, he couldn’t completely avoid being affected within the spreading domain of this Heart Scene. A sliver of sorrowful, murderous intent began to sprout in his heart like an invasive weed.

"My Lady, we must leave the mountain immediately after this is over.

Otherwise, the next time the Monk Falls into Demon, he might charge right in. This temple won’t be safe anymore..."

The young girl seemed unconcerned by Zhong Yin’s solemn warning. However, the gradually rising temperature in the Buddha hall was drying out her delicate skin, making her feel uncomfortable.

She took two steps toward the entrance, gazing at the yellow-lacquered temple wall ahead. Suddenly, she spoke. "Zhong Yin, you’re a Transformation Realm expert. How can you not even have the courage to fight that old Monk?"

"It’s not that I’m afraid to fight him. There’s simply no fight to be had."

Zhong Yin shook his head. "In the later stages of the Martial Dao, everything comes down to one thing: ’Borrowing Momentum.’ And that Momentum is the Momentum of heaven and earth.

Human strength is finite, but Celestial Power is infinite.

Of the Three Realms of Heart and Intent, I am merely in the Transformation Realm. The old Monk has already surpassed the Illuminating Void realm and is beginning to confront the Heart Demon Barrier.

If my own strength is a one, the most Celestial Power I can borrow is a ten. But that old Monk... he can probably borrow a hundred, maybe even more.

When he has Fallen into Demon, he loses his true self. Yet his Consciousness, fueled by his obsessions, expands wildly to an unfathomably terrifying degree..."

"The gap is that big?"

The young girl clicked her tongue, slightly surprised.

Zhong Yin gave a wry smile. "The disparity is likely even greater than I’m describing.

My Heart Scene probably couldn’t even manifest within the old Monk’s when he’s Fallen into Demon.

Of course, someone like the old Monk isn’t even the most extreme case. Take the Peak Martial Artists sponsored by the Nine Banners. Knowing they can never pass the Heart Demon Barrier, they simply indulge their Heart Demon, corrupt their bodies with the Fake Internal Energy Method, and use demonic power to Enter the Dao... In a real fight, they’re likely ten times more terrifying than the old Monk.

But those types have completely abandoned their humanity. They can no longer be called human. They are ’living abominations,’ ’Human Demons’..."

"Don’t mention the Nine Banners to me."

the young girl snapped impatiently.

"Yes."

Zhong Yin respectfully fell silent.

Having lost all interest in talking with Zhong Yin, the young girl fell silent. The hall grew quiet, filled only with the faint, crisp crackle of something burning.

That, and the occasional thunderous explosion from outside the temple walls.

After three such explosions, the sound changed. It became a resonant: CLANG— CLANG— CLANG—

It sounded like someone was violently striking a great bronze bell.

Before long, the tolling of the bell stopped. The faint, acrid smell in the Buddha hall dissipated, and the searing heat vanished.

"The old Monk has Fallen into Demon... how did he snap out of it so quickly this time?

Could it be that he killed someone and vented his rage?"

Zhong Yin looked surprised, but then he frowned and shook his head, refuting his own idea. "No, if he had tasted blood, it should have been even harder to pull him back... How strange..."

"We’ll know if we go out and look!"

the young girl said, walking straight out of the Buddha hall without another word.

With the influence of the old Monk’s "Burning Temple" Heart Scene gone and the crashing and tolling silenced, the temple grounds were quiet, filled with an inexplicable sense of peace.

The young girl moved quickly, with Zhong Yin following close behind. The two of them swiftly crossed the temple courtyard.

As she stepped through the temple gate, the young girl looked up—

The sky outside was exceptionally bright, with clouds lazily drifting by.

In the clearing before the temple sat a young man. He was remarkably handsome, with the air of a noble Young Master, and he sat with a casual, relaxed posture.

To his left was a massive, messy crater. To his right rested a mottled Ancient Bell. Its surface was pockmarked, and one side was caved in, as if it had been smashed by something with tremendous force.

The Ancient Bell was completely deformed, much of its rust shaken loose.

Before the man, an old monk was prostrated on the ground, his forehead bleeding and his head covered in lumps.

"Ah!"

The young girl couldn’t help but gasp.

She stared, transfixed, at the scene before her, something stirring deep within her heart.

.......

Fu Juemin looked at Huai Hai, whom he had just forcibly slammed headfirst into the ground three times, then bashed over the head three times with the Ancient Bell to snap him out of his demonic state. As he watched the monk, a sudden understanding dawned on him—

’This old Monk isn’t begging for mercy. He’s repenting.’

’He’s kowtowing to me because I’m the one who dragged him back from his demonic trance.’

’Then again, he’s not kowtowing to me. He’s kowtowing to the Buddha in his heart.’

Realizing these two points, Fu Juemin couldn’t help but reflect with some amusement. ’After reaching Perfection in the Pharmacist Skill and the Dragon Elephant Skill, I really am developing my Buddha Nature. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call myself the Buddha’s Son of this generation.’

"Young Master."

Cao Tian and Zhang Yi slowly approached from behind, their faces still etched with awe and shock that had yet to fade.

The power Huai Hai had displayed after he had Fallen into Demon—the power of a Martial Artist at the Heart Demon Barrier—had deeply shaken them.

When Fu Juemin was wildly bashing Huai Hai’s head with the Ancient Bell, they had retreated a great distance. As such, they were largely unaffected by the "Burning Temple" Heart Scene. Witnessing this battle from a relatively close distance would be of immense benefit to their future Martial Dao cultivation.

Fu Juemin glanced at Mu Tingzhou, who was dangling from Zhang Yi’s grasp like a dead dog, and gave a simple command. "Take him down and get him treated. I’ll be staying here for a while."

"Yes."

Without another word, the two took the unconscious Mu Tingzhou and started down the mountain path.

Just then, Huai Hai, who had been prostrated before Fu Juemin for some time, slowly raised his head.

"Amitabha."

Having returned from his demonic state, Huai Hai’s complexion was ruddy and his expression was kind and benevolent. Despite the crown of purple and red welts on his head, he still possessed a solemn, dignified air.

"If not for the guidance of the Tathagata’s Envoy, the Good Knowledge, this humble monk fears he would have been forever trapped in the great fire of the Burning Temple from a century ago, never to escape..."

Huai Hai’s eyes were sincere, and his words were earnest and filled with gratitude.

Fu Juemin simply smiled. "You’re too kind, Master. It was nothing."

’It really was nothing. He had just lifted his hand toward Huai Hai’s forehead a few times... and then put it down.’

’It wasn’t a particularly remarkable act. Since he was the Buddha’s Son, it was only natural for him to possess a heart of compassion and a desire to deliver all from suffering.’

"I came here on the advice of Master Huai Kong, specifically to ask you for the cultivation techniques for the Bright King Shackles Skill and the Bodhi Golden Body Technique."

Now that Huai Hai was lucid, Fu Juemin decided not to beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

"Senior Brother Huai Kong’s understanding of the Buddhist Teachings is profound. He is closer to the Tathagata than I. He must have foreseen this tribulation of mine and guided you, benefactor, to come and help me..."

Huai Hai’s expression was complex. He placed his palms together and softly chanted, "Amitabha."

’Well, now. A moment ago I was "Tathagata’s Envoy" and "Good Knowledge," and in the blink of an eye, I’ve been demoted to "benefactor."’

’And all the credit for pulling him out of his demonic state has been neatly passed on to Huai Kong, who’s all the way back in Shenghai.’

Fu Juemin was momentarily speechless but couldn’t be bothered to argue the point. He simply tapped his knuckles on his knee and offered a gentle reminder. "The Bright King’s Shackles... the Bodhi Golden Body...

Master, did you hear me?"

"This old monk has heard you, of course."

Huai Hai nodded and spoke slowly. "Benefactor, you have an affinity with the Buddha. Granting you these two Cultivation Techniques is certainly not a problem..."

Fu Juemin’s eyes brightened. But before he could feel any joy, Huai Hai’s tone shifted, and he continued in a low voice, "However, before that... this old monk must first deliver you."

"Hmm?"

Fu Juemin couldn’t help but frown. "You want to deliver me, Master?

What do I need to be delivered from? What are you talking about?"

Huai Hai calmly replied, "Benefactor, your body possesses a natural Buddha’s Rhyme. Your flesh is pure and translucent, and you exude a faint scent of sandalwood... Yet, though you have not practiced the Fake Internal Energy Method, you bear the weight of numerous Demon Souls. Your demonic roots run deep. You have Fallen deeper into Demon than even the average Dirt-Loading Martial Artist.

If I do not deliver you, I fear you will bring disaster upon the world and cause a great calamity in the future.

And I would be too ashamed to face the Tathagata..."

"I see you’re still not thinking clearly, Master."

After listening, Fu Juemin’s gaze drifted to the Ancient Bell standing beside him. His voice was flat as he spoke. "It seems I’ll have to knock a few more times..."