Chapter 424: Chapter 142: Under the Bodhi Tree, Buddhist Zhen Ru
As one travels from east to west, approaching the western part of Liangzhou Province, the mountains grow ever taller.
By the time one reaches the western side of Broken Sky Gorge, the towering mountains can block out the sun and the moon, making it difficult to see them outside of noon and midnight. With a gloomy and overcast glow, there is no distinction between north and south winds, only the difference between up and down.
Logically speaking, such areas where daylight is scarce should be rarely visited by people, and even wild animals may not prefer to dwell there for long. But for beings that are not ordinary, such as demons, ghosts, and monsters, that is altogether another matter.
The main stronghold of the Devil God Sect in Wushan lies within these mountains.
In the dark forest, Jiang Li’s figure flickered erratically like a ghostly apparition, with Great Light manifesting around him, illuminating the shadows.
"As I have heard..."
Enigmatic, resonant Buddhist chants filled the air, Buddha Light shone everywhere, projecting majestic scenes as if they were mirages of a bustling city.
Jiang Li was amidst this setting, riding the Sword Light, with a silver-white kasaya unfolding around him and golden characters swirling about, arranging themselves into columns of scripture.
Without a doubt, he was delving into the understanding of the "Moluo Sword Manual."
The entire content of the Sword Manual he obtained consisted of verses from the "Diamond Sutra." Using the text as a medium, it manifested marvelous scenes. Readers would feel transported through time to when the Buddha preached in the Qishu Geiguduyuan of Savasti, listening under the Buddha’s seat.
A sentiment of pure, clear emptiness filled one’s body and mind, conjuring in a person a sense of detachment, free from desire or needs, seeking only the austere life of the Buddhist path, severing ties with the worldly dust.
’Cleansing the heart and confusing the mind, the demonic nature is profound indeed – truly worthy of the name Moluo,’ Jiang Li sensed the all-permeating Buddhist intent and couldn’t help but reflect with clarity and insight.
The Buddhist practice emphasizes understanding your own mind and seeing your true nature. However, the noble scene this Sword Manual portrayed was one that bewildered the mind, thoroughly concealing one’s true nature. Though it seemed noble and pure, in fact, it concealed demonic intentions.
If one truly believed to have comprehended the Buddha’s intent and merged with it, immersing oneself in this supreme state of emptiness and clarity, it would instead be falling into the trap, being brainwashed by the meanings within the scriptures, completely losing oneself, becoming a zealot devoted to Buddha.
’However, for the followers of Buddhism, venerating and seeking Buddha is a rightful intention—why would they reject it? Moreover, the Buddhist intent contained in the scriptures is not false. If one could comprehend this meaning, it might truly advance their Buddhist cultivation,’ Jiang Li opened his eyes, contemplating the evolving scenes around him and whispering to himself.
He suspected that the "Moluo Sword Manual" was deliberately left by Karma Tathagata in Buddha Country for the people there to interpret.
There has never been a shortage of the overconfident in this world, and over the years, there’s likely been no small number of people in Buddha Country misled by the Sword Manual. Moreover, even if they didn’t use it for interpretation, taking the Sword Manual to convert followers would still be seen as a blessing.
For some in Buddha Country, the existence of the "Moluo Sword Manual" might not be such a bad thing.
’This Sword Manual is essentially a Demon Realm, a Demon Realm left by Karma Tathagata for Buddha Country,’ Jiang Li looked at the kasaya fragments floating in front of him, his gaze fluctuating, before suddenly speaking, "Give me the essence of the Sword Manual."
After perceiving the true nature of the "Moluo Sword Manual," Jiang Li abandoned the idea of trying to comprehend it and chose instead to demand directly from the kasaya fragments.
Karma Tathagata might have intentionally left the Sword Manual behind, and he was not at all afraid of his cultivation technique being interpreted by others; on the contrary, he perhaps wished that more people would interpret his technique. What was needed to learn the "Moluo Sword Manual" was not perception but a heart that sees through illusions, an ability to bear the essence.
Thus, there was no need to interpret. Simply asking for it would suffice.
If this truly was a Demon Realm, then naturally, the Demon Realm would provide what was sought.
As soon as these words were spoken, the scene that was evolving suddenly exploded into countless characters, flying into Jiang Li’s body and bringing waves of illusions.
In a daze, it seemed he saw a great Bodhi Tree with two people sitting opposite each other. One, dressed as a layman in white clothing and white hair, with a face like a celestial being, and the other, a shadowy figure, like a specter, ever-shifting and indistinct.
Jiang Li shook at the sight of the man in white; he recognized him and had even met him once, ’Buddhist Zhen Ru.’
The layman he had encountered in Yong Province, Zhen Ru, who had given Jiang Li the Great Brightness Mantra, appeared in the evolving illusion, sitting under the Bodhi Tree.
At that moment, the blurry figure opposite Buddhist Zhen Ru spoke up, laughing, "In the times of the End of Dharma, Devil’s Child and Devil’s Grandson will don kasayas, enter temples, and commit devilish acts in the name of Buddha."
The voice was neither hurried nor slow, soft and gentle, as if expounding on a principle that couldn’t be more normal. At the same time, the blurry figure transformed, gradually taking shape, and a face identical to that of Buddhist Zhen Ru appeared. The two looked at each other, mirror-like, indistinguishable from one another.
"And now," the transforming figure revealed a smile, "it is the End of Dharma."
Boom!
It was as if thunder roared within his heart, streams of information flooded his mind, bringing all sorts of Essence, connecting Essence, Qi, and Spirit, with thoughts transforming, and a peculiar sensation emerging.
It was as if... wishes could come true!
Jiang Li suddenly extended his hand in a sweeping motion, Sword Qi shot out, bursting with Thunder Sound, leaving trails of Buddhist chant.
This was Buddha Country’s Great Thunder Sound Sword Technique.
But Jiang Li did not know the Great Thunder Sound Sword Technique.
He had simply wielded the Innate Wood Qi Thunder Method, releasing a bolt of Thunder Sword Qi. As for that thunderous chant of the Buddha, it was merely a thought in his heart.
He imagined his Sword Qi should look like this, and it did, appearing just like the Great Thunder Sound Sword Technique.
Then, it was Yuan Zhen’s Geng Metal Sword Technique.
Platinum sword light suddenly appeared, sharp and unmatched, effortlessly carving sword marks on the ground.
’Its essence was still Golden Qi, but whether it was Qi Mechanism or appearance, it had become Geng Metal Sword Qi,’ Jiang Li revealed a look of bewilderment, ’It feels like playing a game with a new skin.’
In his heart, countless thoughts flashed by, and the Sword Qi in his hand changed a thousand times in an instant, sometimes righteous or evil, sometimes hard or soft, and even gradually becoming abstract, with numerous streams of Qi Mechanism blending into one.
With one thought, one change, the disorderly thoughts caused the Sword Qi to transform, and even inversely affected the Sword Qi, leading to disordered Qi Mechanism, and signs of Qi deviating from its path, risking demonic possession, which even caused his Physical Body to swell.
But then, the Heavenly Escape Sword Intent swept through his heart, dispelling all distracting thoughts, and the changes in Qi Mechanism and his Physical Body instantly stabilized.
[The thoughts of the human heart are ever-changing and difficult to control. "Moluo Sword Manual’s" greatest unpredictability lies in how thoughts can influence Essence, Qi, and Spirit. Yet, I happen to excel in this regard. As the heart desires...]
As the lines of text recorded the situation, Jiang Li reached out and grasped, solidifying an ethereal sword shadow into a tangible Iron Sword, which fell into his hand.
He flicked his finger lightly, and the sword rang out, proving its high quality.
’Whether in shape or touch, it is exactly like an Iron Sword, but in essence, it is still my Innate Qi.’
From abstract to concrete, controlling the heart as one controls the sword, this is the "Moluo Sword Manual."
Essentially, it is an extremely whimsical Cultivation Technique, whimsical to the point that it can be executed simply by thinking about it. Yet, it is precisely this whimsy that can lead to a loss of control. If Jiang Li had not cultivated the Heavenly Escape Sword Skill and created the Heart Demon Secret Sword, he might have become one of the uncontrollable ones too.
’It’s like an illusion, but to be regarded as a forbidden sword of Buddha Country, there should be more to it.’
As Jiang Li walked, thinking, the Qi in his hand was constantly changing, sometimes like Buddha, sometimes like a demon, unpredictable and mysterious.
The three people traveling in the same direction as him looked on with different expressions, especially Ashuren, whose ugly face twisted with unmistakable clarity.
’I’ve pondered for many years and only then grasped the technique of transformation, yet he’s already surpassed me. This... feels like a stupid mistake.’ Ashuren cursed inwardly.
Too fast, the pace was too fast.
Ashuren couldn’t help but suspect that if Jiang Li had been given the complete "Moluo Sword Manual," he could master it instantly.
Is this the realm that Taibai True Monarch transformed into?
Why did Ashuren feel like he was more like Karma Tathagata?
Rashamon and Holy Infant King also had their own diverse thoughts, occasionally glancing at Jiang Li.
The four travelers each had their own thoughts, and in this way, they emerged from the dense forest. A vast expanse of fiery light appeared ahead, brightening the dark mountains, and a mountain city came into view.