"Practicing to the twentieth level of the Celestial Realm makes one the Tathagata?"
Qin Mu's eyes lit up. Great Thunder Temple truly lived up to its reputation as the highest sacred site of Buddhism, and the Tathagata Mahayana Sutra was indeed a supreme technique worthy of standing alongside the Great Nurturing Heavenly Demon Scripture and the Fourteen Essays on the Dao Sword.
The three great sacred sites truly deserved their fame.
The Yan Kingdom was suffering from snowstorms, but here it was spring all year round. Many refugees from Yan had fled to this place, taking shelter in the various temples. A considerable number had converted to Buddhism.
"This Great Thunder Temple is rather opportunistic," Qin Mu murmured, examining the temples scattered across the mountain peaks.
The Blind Man shook his head. "Mu'er, never mind their intentions. Look at what they've done. Great Thunder Temple saved these people's lives—that is a good deed. Whether they intend to use this to strengthen the Buddhist sect and spread Buddhist teachings, what they've done is still a good thing. If you obsess over Great Thunder Temple's thoughts without looking at their actions, you'd be no different from Li Tianxing."
Qin Mu felt a chill run through him and nodded in agreement.
A person's life is a great cultivation in itself. It's easy to be led astray by extreme thoughts. Any unexamined, uncritical notion can cause one's mind to deviate from the right path.
These days, having been in Li Tianxing's company, Qin Mu had unconsciously been influenced by him.
This former Heavenly Demon Cult master was deeply demonic and extreme in his thinking, yet he was also a grandmaster whose words carried considerable truth. One had to be extremely careful not to absorb his ideas and philosophies involuntarily.
Dragon Qilin arrived at the Golden Summit, the fire clouds beneath its feet growing lower until it touched the ground. The Golden Summit rose above the clouds, mist flowing beneath their feet, and the ground was paved with white jade the same color as the clouds.
Arriving here felt like stepping into a fairy realm.
Qin Mu looked around and couldn't help but silently marvel. Loulan's Golden Palace was luxurious but had the feel of new money. Great Thunder Temple was also luxurious, yet far more dignified, showcasing Buddhist solemnity and culture everywhere.
On the Golden Summit stood numerous Buddhist pagodas, among which one towering pagoda was the most magnificent. Long-browed monks sat within it, some perched on the pagoda's pinnacle and eaves, continuously chanting sutras, their Buddhist voices resonating.
"Could that be the Thousand Buddha Pagoda?" Qin Mu thought to himself.
A female Bodhisattva in white robes approached, carrying a pure vase in her hand. She bowed slightly and said, "Heavenly Demon Cult Master, Horse King, Lady Si, and this old friend—the Tathagata has been expecting you for quite some time. Please, follow me."
Qin Mu said, "Much obliged, sister."
"Sister?"
The female Bodhisattva chuckled. "Cult Master Qin jests. Please."
Qin Mu and the others followed her footsteps. Along the way, they saw high monks on the Golden Summit radiating Buddhist light, each sitting upon the clouds with golden rings forming halos behind them—a dazzling sight.
The Old Tathagata, as head of all the monks, sat at the highest point, his physical body vast and grand. Flanking him were the two honored elders. Below them sat various Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Vajras, and Protectors. Some were the Old Tathagata's martial brothers, possessing extremely powerful cultivation. There were also monks who had attained the Dao from non-human races and did not appear to be of the human tribe.
When Qin Mu and his group drew near, Qin Mu offered a bow and said, "Senior Brother."
The Old Tathagata rose in haste and returned the bow. "Senior Brother."
When he stood, the many Protectors, honored elders, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajras all rose together, crying out in unison: "Senior Brother!"
After exchanging greetings, the Old Tathagata raised his hand and invited Qin Mu to be seated. Qin Mu looked down to see a meditation cushion. If he sat on it, he would be far shorter than these monks floating in the air.
"Mu'er, just sit," Master Ma said.
Qin Mu sat down, and immediately felt a gentle force lift him and the cushion together onto Dragon Qilin's back—a rather impressive arrangement.
The Old Tathagata looked at Master Ma and smiled. "Disciple, have you resolved your worldly ties and intend to return to the mountain?"
Master Ma replied, "Return to the mountain? There is a Mount Sumeru in my heart, but within it, there is no Buddha."
The Old Tathagata laughed. "When there is no longer a Mount Sumeru in your heart either, you will be the Tathagata. Wonderful. Lay aside the wife and child in your heart. I shall pass on and achieve perfect enlightenment before long, and you shall preside over Great Thunder Temple."
Master Ma shook his head. "If I preside over it, I'll slaughter every bald donkey on this mountain."
The expressions of one Protector and Arhat after another changed, and they all cried out in anger, adopting wrathful expressions.
The Old Tathagata said, "You remain stubbornly attached. The last time you came to the mountain, I hurried back but was still too late. You should know that I still held our bond as master and disciple. When you severed your own arm and sent it to me, I was touched and believed you would eventually resolve your worldly affairs and return to Great Thunder Temple. That is why I ordered the monks to place your arm in the Thousand Buddha Pagoda—hoping that the day would come when you would see your errors and return. You should know my intentions."
Master Ma said solemnly, "I know. But my wife and child also died at the hands of Great Thunder Temple. This blood debt must be repaid."
"Foolish child!"
The Old Tathagata struck with a thunderous admonition. "Wife and child, wife and child—they are all dreams, bubbles, illusions! Nothing but foul skinsacks! If you possess Buddha-nature, you should know that all such karmic entanglements ultimately amount to nothing!"
Master Ma flew into a rage and bellowed, "Nothing my ass! I chopped off my own hand and you're still not satisfied? You still wanted to kill my wife and child? What's all this about wives and children being painted skulls and demonic bonds? I love my painted skull, what of it? I call you Master out of respect, because I need your help, old monk! Keep blabbering and I'll overturn your place, bathe this Golden Summit in blood, and beat every bald ass on this mountain to death!"
The expressions of all the monks on the mountain shifted dramatically, and none could sit still.
Qin Mu had never expected Master Ma to erupt so suddenly. Master Ma had always been steady and composed—the most level-headed person in the village, the one the Cripple admired and respected most. He never imagined that once Master Ma lost his temper, nothing could hold him back.
On the Golden Summit, dark clouds descended abruptly. Moments ago it had been gentle breezes and auspicious golden light, but now killing intent saturated the air.
Qin Mu coughed and said with a laugh, "Distinguishing the guest from the host, the guest has overstepped. Senior Brother Tathagata, allow me to make introductions. This is my Grandpa Ma, whom people call Master Ma—two generations above me. This is Granny Si, also two generations above me. This is Grandpa Blind Man, two generations above me as well. Gentlemen, please have no further ceremony."
The Old Tathagata burst into hearty laughter, and the dark clouds filling the sky dispersed. "Cult Master Qin, you and I share a great affinity. You obtained the Khakkhara—that was originally my walking staff when I traveled the world. You came into possession of it, and there was originally a master-disciple destiny between us. This old monk once planned to visit the Great Ruins and seek a connection from the old friends at the Disabled Village, to take you as my disciple under Great Thunder Temple. I didn't expect the fate to be severed, and when I next met the Cult Master, you were already the demonic Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Cult. Truly, such is the way of fate—destiny plays tricks on us."
Qin Mu smiled faintly. "The Tathagata jests. This little brother has come to ask the Tathagata to subdue demons and vanquish evil. Inside Granny Si dwells a powerful expert—the former Cult Master of our Holy Cult, Li Tianxing. Li Tianxing has transformed into a demonic seed and planted it within Granny Si's Dao Heart. Therefore, I humbly request the Tathagata to subdue this demon and eliminate a public menace for the world."
A honored elder whispered, "World-Honored One, this Granny Si is Si Youyou, the former Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Demon Cult. She killed Li Tianxing on their wedding night—she is no good person either. She is a demon among demons."
Many Protectors and Arhats chimed in, "This is the Heavenly Demon Cult's own housekeeping matter. How can we intervene?"
The Old Tathagata raised his hand and smiled. "All sentient beings are equal. Buddhas are sentient beings, and demons are sentient beings too. Since Cult Master Qin requests it, this old monk naturally should help."
Another honored elder's eyes flickered as he whispered, "When we give scriptures to others, we at least collect some incense and oil money. For this demon subduing, perhaps we could—"
The Old Tathagata waved his hand, silencing him. "Lady of the Cult Master, may we see your true face?"
Qin Mu hesitated and shook his head. "Tathagata, perhaps it would be better not to—"
The Blind Man tapped his bamboo staff. "Old Tathagata, it would be best not to see Granny Si's true face. It might ruin the cultivation of your monks on this mountain."
"Mortal entanglements are but passing clouds, and even the most beautiful woman is nothing but a painted skull. My friend, you underestimate the cultivation of our Great Thunder Temple's monks."
The Old Tathagata smiled. "I wish to enlighten Cult Master Li. Without seeing the Cult Master Lady's true face, I cannot offer my aid. Cult Master Li's love bred further love, and within that love arose a demonic obstruction in his heart. This old monk wishes to show him that the object of his deepest affection is nothing special."
Granny Si giggled. "Blind Man, Master Ma, why don't you release my seal? Cult Master Qin, peel away this ugly skin of mine—I want to meet these two-faced monks and test their resolve!"
The Blind Man frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, "Master Ma, what do you think?"
Master Ma hesitated, looking at all the enlightened monks across the mountain, then said, "The Old Tathagata's Buddhist cultivation far surpasses mine. He should have this ability. Mu'er, what do you think?"
Qin Mu thought for a moment. "At this point, we can only try and hope for the best. Both grandfathers, be on guard—don't let Cult Master Li escape."
Granny Si giggled. "I've been sparring with this old bald for years—how could I run from something this interesting? You couldn't chase me away if you tried!"
Master Ma sighed and withdrew the Divine Buddha Primordial Spirit from her forehead, nodding to the Blind Man.
The Blind Man reached out and grabbed, and wave after wave of silver vital energy, dragon-like, flew from Granny Si's body and returned to his own.
Qin Mu stepped forward and gently drew a line. Granny Si's skin cracked open, and within it stood a woman of unparalleled beauty. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall. She slowly raised her head, her bright eyes glancing around as her gaze swept across the faces of the enlightened monks one by one.
The Golden Summit fell deathly silent.
Even the Buddhist chanting from within the Thousand Buddha Pagoda halted in that moment. The enlightened monks' mouths went dry, their hearts pounding wildly, their prayer beads spinning faster and faster with a clattering sound.
Suddenly, the Buddhist halo behind one Bodhisattva's head dissipated, and he tumbled from midair, plunging into the valley below the clouds.
A long while later came the heavy thud of a body hitting the ground.
Thud. Thud. Several more heavy impacts followed—that was the Arhats and Vajras who had fallen one after another.
The Old Tathagata's expression shifted slightly. He looked around hurriedly and saw that the monks' eyes had gone wide, fixed staring straight at the stunning beauty, their prayer beads spinning ever faster, clattering loudly.
"STOP!"
Just as the Old Tathagata was about to shout, a furious roar erupted. An Arhat charged at Granny Si, howling, "This is a monster that bewitches all living beings—a Heavenly Demon! One glance at her and demons swarm my heart—I must destroy her!"
"I shall slay this demon for the sake of the world!" Another Vajra brandished his demon-subduing pestle and rushed forward, manifesting three heads and six arms, charging at Granny Si.
Suddenly, an old monk burst forth, blocking the Arhat and the Vajra. He tore off his own robes, ripped apart his prayer beads, and in a state of madness laughed wildly. "I've always been one for killing and arson, never cultivating proper merit! All these years of eating vegetarian and chanting sutras—I feel like the first half of my life was wasted! Seeing this beauty, I know my entire life has been wasted! I'm returning to the secular world!"
More Arhats rushed forward, and chaos erupted across the Golden Summit.
The Old Tathagata's yellow robes shook, and suddenly the Buddhist chanting from within the Thousand Buddha Pagoda surged. A thousand Buddhas chanted in unison, causing the monks fighting on the Golden Summit to come to their senses. They returned to their seats, secretly ashamed.
"What's the point of eating vegetarian and chanting sutras? What good is achieving proper merit? You still die in the end! Better to enjoy life while you can! I'm returning to the secular world!" An old monk leapt up suddenly, jumped from the Golden Summit, and fled into the distance.