Chapter 89: The Immortal Sprite
Chapter 89: The Immortal Sprite
By the time the three arrived, the massive field was already packed tightly. Konghuan sat upon a naturally protruding rock platform ahead. It had been carved slightly, and the surrounding area was decorated quite exquisitely. A dark yellow cushion lay beneath him. Before him stood a long table, and beside and behind him stood several young novices, like boys flanking a Buddha or Bodhisattva. He looked composed and peaceful, radiating the majestic aura and profound wisdom of a great Buddhist master!
Though crowds filled the field, it was pin-drop silent. Those who had come wore varied attire, their demonic auras either thick or faint, their cultivation bases high or low. There were even spirits like those from the Dragon Palace, bearing their original monstrous heads. Yet all sat peacefully, hands clasped together, utterly quiet. Only Konghuan’s voice reverberated across the vast space.
“‘Grandeur and Vastness’ signify the Dharma attained. ‘Buddha’s Flower Adornment’ signifies the person capable of attaining it. ‘Grand’ encompasses the essence. ‘Vastness’ signifies pervasive function. ‘Buddha’ denotes perfected fruition and full awakening. ‘Flower’ symbolizes the unfolding of innumerable practices. ‘Adornment’ embellishes the Dharma to perfect the person. ‘Sutra’ signifies threading through the eternal Dharma…”
Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei were completely lost. Already harboring misgivings and lacking sincere faith, they found it hard to enter the profound state. Unlike those spirits who, though equally ignorant of the sutra’s profundity, possessed pure, devout hearts and could be guided by Konghuan’s wondrous Dharma into the Buddhist realm to perceive its mysteries.
Uncomprehending and bored, the two fidgeted helplessly. Seeing their restless state, Qi Wei transmitted a laugh with her voice. “This Master truly has mastered the Avatamsaka Sutra! His explanation is remarkably clear!”
Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei asked in surprise, “What Avatamsaka Sutra?”
Qi Wei explained, “The Avatamsaka Sutra is renowned as the Secret Treasure of all Buddhas, the Ocean of the Tathagata’s nature. Within a single line, it encompasses the Boundless Dharmadhatu, serving as the source of myriad Dharmas. Among Buddhist scriptures, it is the supreme, sacred text. Konghuan has attained its essence; his divine abilities must be immense!”
Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei still didn’t grasp it, but they understood that this monk before them was even more formidable than they had imagined. Nonetheless, bold as ever, they sat upright on the ground. Only after much waiting, as the sun dipped westward, did the day’s lecture finally conclude.
They returned feeling sulky, but Qi Wei seemed to have gained considerable benefit. Late at night, the two concealed themselves and went back to investigate Konghuan’s dwelling.
Xuan Fo Island lay in the East Sea, naturally rich with water vapor. Mu Yuan’s Tianyi Water Evasion technique had finally achieved some success. The Profound Yin Sect also had its own exquisite methods for guarding Qi, suppressing breath, and sealing all bodily orifices. They saw a dazzling Buddha Light rise from Konghuan’s place. It swirled within just three feet above the roof, faintly forming the shape of a Bodhi tree. It shimmered like diamond glaze, adorned with jeweled blossoms and radiant hues. Upon its leaves and branches sat countless tiny human figures, producing barely audible sublime chants and Sanskrit syllables.
“What mystery is that old monk cooking up now?” Mu Yuan thought resentfully, not daring to get too close. After an unknown length of time, a purple-gold alms bowl rose from the house and settled upon the phantom Bodhi tree. Instantly, treasure light rolled upwards like circling Heavenly Dragons. The figures on the leaves moved together, converging into a sea of radiance that ensnared the alms bowl, emitting blinding colorful light. Within the bowl appeared a young boy, wrapped in that light. Green light encased his entire body. Though compressed, it remained incredibly supple and resilient, impossible to invade!
Though Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei were only at the Condensing Evil Energy stage of cultivation after fewer than twenty years of practice, their eyes were sharp. They instantly saw that the boy, though human-shaped, was not truly human. They didn’t know what kind of spirit had achieved such cultivation. Moreover, that green aura surrounding him was both supple and incredibly tough, carrying an unyielding, unending vitality. This sensation was particularly profound for Mu Yuan. The energy radiating from the boy felt even thicker and purer than the Longevity True Qi he had painstakingly cultivated.
Though Chu Yunfei didn’t practice the Longevity Art, prolonged contact with Mu Yuan allowed him to sense the Longevity True Qi. He was also a bit surprised and transmitted his voice, “Mu, that boy… unknown origin! That’s pure Jia Wood Qi, even purer than yours!”
Mu Yuan nodded, signaling he didn’t know either. “Never mind him for now. See? This monk likely has ill intentions. Let’s interfere with whatever he’s doing. But first, we must report to Senior Sister. This monk is far too formidable. If we expose ourselves, we need to escape immediately!”
Chu Yunfei chuckled. “Don’t worry. Controlling the Immortal Sword Tiandu, my speed is immeasurably faster than before. The old monk might not catch us!”
They retreated quietly for about half a mile until the green radiance was no longer visible. Konghuan, this great Buddhist master, indeed possessed fearsome skill. Ordinary wielders of power would inevitably cause brilliant lights soaring to the heavens, lighting up the night. Yet Konghuan could condense his power without dispersal, concentrating his Zhenqi perfectly. In this aspect, they couldn’t compare to him!
Mu Yuan feared delays might cause trouble. He took out the Green Wood Thunderblade and swiftly wrote a message in the air to alert Qi Wei. With a snap of his finger seals, the flying sword shot away. This method of sending messages via flying sword existed in every sect and school. However, it was rarely used unless the matter was urgent. Though fast, it tied up the sword, making it unusable for battle. Still, few could intercept it in flight. Mu Yuan possessed several flying swords anyway. Besides, today’s great foe was a Buddhist. They couldn’t afford to escalate things too much, and naturally, couldn’t use their own sect’s swords.
Thinking of this, Mu Yuan found it somewhat amusing. Recently, whenever he fought others, it seemed he never used his own sect’s swordsmanship—sometimes impersonating the Ice Soul Sect, sometimes the Dragon Palace. His true origins remained completely hidden. It was rather lamentable.
His message was essentially asking Qi Wei to leave the island on her own. He didn’t want to involve others in such matters. Though Qi Wei was a senior sister from his own sect, in Mu Yuan’s heart, he felt less natural with her than with Chu Yunfei. Moreover, the Profound Yin Sect’s actions were inherently disliked by righteous sects anyway. Even if exposed, it wouldn’t be too regrettable!
The two crept back towards the island center. They saw that Bodhi tree shining ever brighter. Though uncertain what kind of divine ability it was, they dared not underestimate it. Mu Yuan jutted his chin towards the alms bowl wrapped in golden Bodhi light. Chu Yunfei nodded. Simultaneously, they unleashed their swords!
Uncertain of their opponent’s cultivation level, they prepared to retreat immediately if their strike failed or if faced a fierce counterattack. Thus, they unleashed their most powerful attack with the Tiandu Minghe dual swords!
The Immortal Sword Tiandu was engulfed by countless thunders, electric sparks flashing bright like divine leashes binding the world. Minghe was encircled by a star-studded Milky Way, seemingly holding countless stars within it, brilliant and dazzling, robbing the eyes of spirit. Both streaked directly towards the alms bowl at the heart of the golden Bodhi tree!
Though their cultivation was inferior to Konghuan’s, their secret arts were profound. Konghuan was wholly focused on refining the boy within the bowl and did not guard against this. The two Immortal Swords stabbed in! The glass-like branches instantly shattered countless pieces, scattering wildly! The swords slammed directly onto the alms bowl!
Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei naturally understood the gulf in cultivation between them and their foe, though the specifics eluded them. Yet, they poured their full effort into this strike. The two Immortal Swords complemented each other perfectly; they were the Qingcheng Sect’s Immortal Demon-subduing Swords, their power rivaling Mount Shu’s Ziying and Qing Suo swords. Only, they had been sealed within the crater of Yu’er Island volcano by a former Qingcheng Patriarch upon his ascension, meant to temper the swords’ fierce Qi. They were then inadvertently discovered by Mount Shu’s Lin Ruofeng and Hua Xu.
Though Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei understood neither Qingcheng’s Qi-refining heart art nor the method of merging the dual swords, the twin blades were forged in the same furnace, their energies harmonious. With the roar of thunder and the swift turn of the Milky Way, combined with the swords’ inherent keenness and fearsome edge, their single strike managed to trap Konghuan’s alms bowl!
An angry-sounding Buddha recitation erupted. Though not loud, to Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei, it sounded like giant bells and chimes, deafening and thunderous! Unprepared, Mu Yuan couldn’t defend. Together with Chu Yunfei, he twisted his sword light. Two crisp cracking sounds rang out! Two cracks split across Konghuan’s purple-gold alms bowl!
This time, shock shot through Konghuan. His purple-gold alms bowl was forged using copious purple gold mixed with quintessence of metals, tempered by years of Buddha Light illumination. It was quite a decent Magical Artifact! No wonder he used it to contain such an important spirit.
He had encountered this spirit quite by chance. With just a few words, he tricked out its origins. Astonishingly, it was a spirit formed from a ten-thousand-year-old Immortal Divine Tree at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains! If fused into himself, he could achieve immediate Eternal Life, freeing himself from the arduous quest of cultivation! Naturally, he felt tempted. With a clever spell, he trapped the boy, intending to refine him. Yet, unexpectedly, the boy proved incredibly resilient. Despite Konghuan employing all manner of divine abilities, nothing worked. Left with no choice, he resorted to his sect’s highest Dharma — initiating a lecture platform to condense the Golden Bodhi Tree. Who knew that today, it would be interrupted!
Konghuan was shocked; Mu Yuan and Chu Yunfei too were surprised. They knew the power of Tiandu Minghe. Their entwining sword rays had only managed to inflict two cracks! Konghuan’s immense divine ability surged upwards from below like a vast ocean, immeasurably surpassing their own power. Just as they braced to resist, they saw a furious green light shoot out from inside the bowl!