Great Zhou, Nanyang County.
The ancestral court of the Heart Sect, one of the four Buddhist sects, was located in Nanyang County. The Heart Sect recruited believers here. After hundreds of years, almost everyone in Nanyang County worshipped Buddha. There were more than a hundred temples in Nanyang County alone.
Tiantai Mountain, which was located in the center of Nanyang County, was where the ancestral court of the Heart Sect was located. It was also the sacred ground in the hearts of the Great Zhou Buddhist believers.
Tiantai Mountain would often have a Buddhist glow. No demons or ghosts dared to cause trouble nearby. This made the Heart Sect even more revered by the people. Every day, there would be an endless stream of people coming to worship them.
On this day, there was a spatial fluctuation at the foot of Tiantai Mountain. A figure appeared out of thin air.
There were many people on the mountain path. Most of them were filled with reverence as they went up the mountain to worship. No one noticed that there was an additional person behind the crowd.
Li Mu followed behind these Buddhist believers and slowly walked up the mountain.
Although the Heart Sect's strength was far inferior to the various Daoist sects, in this small Nanyang County, the Heart Sect's influence was greater than the imperial court's. The population of Nanyang County was one of the top thirty-six counties. However, the amount of psychokinesis contributed by the State Temple was one of the lowest.
It was not that the people of Nanyang County were living in an abyss of suffering. Instead, they contributed most of their psychokinesis to the Heart Sect.
They all relied on the people's psychokinesis. This was a conflict between the Buddhist sects and the imperial court. Therefore, the Great Zhou court would never allow the Buddhist sects to expand without limit. The Heart Sect's influence was only in Nanyang County. Outside of Nanyang County, there were very few temples in the Heart Sect.
The crowd discussed softly as they walked up the steps.
"Once one gets old, one's body won't be able to take it anymore. It would be great if I could ask for some medicine on this trip up the mountain."
"I'm here to fulfill a vow. Last year, I went up the mountain to worship the Bodhisattva. This year, my daughter-in-law gave birth to a chubby boy."
"Is it that effective? Then I'll have to pray too …"
"Eh, young man, what are you here to pray for?"
…
Someone asked him. Li Mu smiled and said, "To pray for marriage."
The warm-hearted auntie reminded him, "If you pray for marriage and children, you have to pray to the Bodhisattva. Remember not to pray to the wrong person …"
After chatting for a while, Li Mu became familiar with this group of people. They chatted and laughed all the way up the mountain and came to a temple.
The ancestral court of the Xin Clan seemed to be a slightly extravagant temple. Compared to the other sects, it was slightly shabby. However, this was not the case. This temple was only used to receive ordinary believers. Above the concealment array above everyone's head, there were several huge mountain peaks floating. There were pavilions and towers on the mountain peaks. There were also countless relief sculptures of Buddha. Buddha light flashed and there were sounds of Sanskrit chants.
At the bottom of the mountain, there was a mountain gate. Two young monks stood guard there, looking at the crowd below. However, the crowd below could not see them.
One of the little monks seemed to have noticed something and said in surprise, "Hui Kong, look at that person below. Is he looking at us?"
The other little monk didn't even look. He shook his head and said, "How is that possible? Without level-five cultivation, one cannot see through the array. How can he be in the Dharma Plane?"
The little monk said, "But he was really looking at me. He even smiled at me …"
Li Mu stood at the back of the crowd. He took a step forward and appeared in front of the two little monks.
This young man was still below a moment ago. In the next moment, he passed through the array and appeared in front of them. The little monk was shocked and said with a trembling voice, "Who … who are you? What do you want …"
Li Mu couldn't help but touch his bald head and said, "Don't worry. I'm here to look for someone. Is Master Xuandu here?"
"Uncle … Uncle Xuandu?" Hearing that he was here to look for Uncle Xuandu, the little monk was relieved. He said, "Sir, please wait here for a while. I'll help you pass on the message …"
The little monk with level-three cultivation flew to the mountain peak above. Not long later, a golden light shot down from above and landed heavily beside Li Mu.
A handsome monk looked at Li Mu and said happily, "Third Brother, why are you here?"
Li Mu smiled at him and said, "Second Brother, long time no see."
Xuandu gave Li Mu a big bear hug. Li Mu said, "Congratulations, Second Brother. After not seeing you for a few years, your cultivation has improved again. You're already at the peak of level-five."
Xuandu smiled and said, "Congratulations too, Third Brother. You've advanced so quickly …"
He looked at Li Mu with a hint of shock in his eyes.
He realized that he couldn't see through Li Mu's cultivation. When they first met, he was still a mortal. A small vengeful spirit could take his life. But after a few years, he couldn't even see through Li Mu's cultivation.
For this to happen, it was either that he had a powerful treasure that could hide his aura or that his cultivation was already above his.
Xuandu's common sense told him that it was the former. But he still asked, "What's your cultivation now?"
Li Mu pinched his thumb and index finger and said, "Just a little higher than you …"
Xuandu was stunned. After a long time, he muttered, "Even if you had a fortuitous encounter, your cultivation shouldn't have improved so quickly. It seems like you've encountered a great opportunity."
Li Mu smiled and said, "Let's not talk about this. I came to the Heart Sect this time not only to see Second Brother, but also for an important matter."
Li Mu came here to get the Heavenly Book of the Heart Sect. Although he was the future head of the Fu-lu School and one of the leaders of the Dao Sect, it didn't seem good for him to come and interpret the Heavenly Book for the Buddhists. But there were few free meals in the world. If he didn't pay a price, the Heart Sect wouldn't give him the Heavenly Book.
After Xuandu heard Li Mu's words, he hesitated and said, "The Heavenly Book is the most important treasure of our sect. It's related to the inheritance of the sect. I can't make the decision on this matter. I need to ask the elders first …"
Li Mu smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. I can wait for the elders' reply first."
To completely interpret the Heavenly Book, for any sect that possessed the Heavenly Book, it was a major matter that couldn't be ignored. After Xuandu heard Li Mu's intention, he immediately reported to the elders.
Heart Sect, the Great Hall of Light. There were bursts of discussions.
"Heart of Seven Orifices?"
"There is indeed a rumour that those who possess the Heart of Seven Orifices can understand the entire content of the Heavenly Book. But rumours are only rumours. I have never seen such a physique."
"I'm afraid someone is using this as a pretense to deceive the Heavenly Book. Such a technique is too clumsy."
… …
The Heavenly Book was the most precious treasure of the Heart Sect. Of course, it couldn't be easily given away. A middle-aged monk thought for a while, looked at Xuandu and asked, "Your friend, what is his name?"
Xuandu said, "Uncle Puzhi, his name is Li Mu."
Puzhi's gaze was deep as he said, "According to what I know, the Ling Jizi of the Fu-lu School of the Dao Sect is called Li Mu. Recently, the other four sects of the Dao Sect, for the sake of the Fu-lu School, have offended the number one sect, Xuanzong. This matter is extremely unusual. It seems that the four sects must have received the promise of the Fu-lu School to interpret the Heavenly Book. Ling Jizi possessing the Heart of Seven Orifices, there is a ninety percent chance that it is true."
"There is such a thing?"
"If that's the case, then isn't this Xuanzong's opportunity?"
"But he is a person of the Dao Sect. Why would he help our Xuanzong? Could there be some conspiracy behind this?"
A few Elders of the Heart Sect revealed a hesitant expression. On one hand, this was the Heart Sect's opportunity. On the other hand, this matter was very risky. If the Heavenly Book was lost, it would cause an unbearable loss to the Heart Sect.
In the end, an old monk stroked his snow-white long beard and said, "Although the Dao Sect is not our enemy, the Heart Sect's most precious treasure cannot be given to the Dao Sect. Our esteemed guest has come from afar. Xuandu, treat him well. There is no need to mention the Heavenly Book anymore."
When the Xuanzong Elders heard this, they did not say anything else.
The one who spoke was Elder Puxiang. His cultivation had reached the peak of Dongxuan. When the Venerable One was in seclusion, Elder Puxiang was in charge of all matters of the Heart Sect.
Even the Heavenly Book of the sect was under his control.
When everyone was silent, only Elder Puzhi stood out and said slowly, "I think that this is an opportunity that our Heart Sect cannot miss. We cannot give up on the great opportunity of the Heart Sect's rise just because the person with the Heart of Seven Orifices has the identity of the Dao Sect."
He walked to the front of the crowd and analyzed, "As everyone knows, ever since the Xuanzong Exchange, the Dao Sect that was originally one has begun to split. Fu-lu School has roped in the other four sects, most likely through the Heavenly Book. Xuanzong's strength is too strong. Even if the other five sects join forces, they would not be able to shake him. At this time, Fu-lu School must be anxious to find allies. If not, he would not have come to the Heart Sect. He came here to gain new allies and has no other intentions. If the Heart Sect is suspicious and fearful of him, we will miss this great opportunity …"
Elder Puzhi did not stop and continued, "Now, the reality of the cultivation world is that with Ling Jizi with the Heart of Seven Orifices, the Heavenly Books of the six sects of the Dao Sect will be completely deciphered except for Xuanzong. The five sects will usher in a period of rapid development. The battle between the sects is like rowing a boat against the current. If you don't advance, you will fall behind. If the Heart Sect continues to stick to the old ways, I'm afraid there will be no chance for a comeback …"
Elder Puzhi's words made the elders fall into deep thought.
He knew the situation of the cultivation world like the back of his hand. His analysis was also reasonable. The Heart Sect's rejection of the Fu-lu School's Ling Jizi's suggestion would not be wrong in the short term. However, in the long term, it would be destroying the sect's future.
Since ancient times, the decline of many sects in the world of cultivation was not because they did something wrong, but because they did nothing.
In the cultivation world, there were hundreds of schools of thought contending. When Dao Sect and Buddhism flourished, those schools did nothing wrong and gradually disappeared in the long river of history. Once Dao Sect flourished again, the space left for Buddhism to develop would become smaller and smaller.
Elder Puxiang, who was in charge of the Heart Sect, was obviously moved by Elder Puzhi's words. After thinking for a long time, he said, "Xuandu, invite Ling Jizi over."
Under Xuandu's lead, Li Mu came to a large hall. The first thing he saw were a few shiny bald heads.
The strength of the Heart Sect could not be compared to the other Dao Sects. They only had one person in the seventh realm. At this moment, the four monks in front of Li Mu were all in the sixth realm.
Li Mu put his palms together and said, "Greetings, elders."
When they saw Li Mu, the few elders of the Heart Sect felt waves in their hearts.
Could the gap between Buddhism and Dao be so great? A young disciple of the Fu-lu School actually had a cultivation level that did not lose to theirs …
The young man in front of them not only had unfathomable mana, the few Buddhist powerhouses who specialized in physical cultivation could also feel an incomparably powerful physical strength from him. It was hard to imagine that a cultivator of Dao Sect could have a physical body that did not lose to a sixth realm Buddhist powerhouse.
Clearly, he was a dual cultivator of energy and body. Moreover, he had cultivated both his mana and body to the sixth realm.
Elder Puzhi put his palms together and praised, "Heroes indeed come from the young. With Ling Jizi, it is only a matter of time before the Fu-lu School surpasses Xuanzong."
Li Mu clasped his fists and said, "Elder Puzhi, you flatter me, you flatter me."
When he came, Xuandu had already told him that the Heart Sect did not agree with him interpreting the Heavenly Tomes. It was Elder Puzhi's strong argument that made them change their mind.
Not only was this monk aware of many major events that happened in the cultivation world, but his insight was also very sharp. Even Xuanzong did not know that Li Mu was interpreting the Heavenly Tomes for the other sects. Yet, he was able to guess the truth of the matter just based on Xuandu's words.
At this moment, another old monk walked forward and said, "Ling Jizi is willing to interpret the Heavenly Tomes for the Heart Sect. This old monk is extremely grateful."
Li Mu was very clear that he had delivered himself to Xin Zong's doorstep and let them take advantage of him. Any normal monk would suspect that he had ulterior motives.
He did not bother to be courteous with the old monk and said, "To be honest, I came this time to form a good relationship with the Heart Sect. Xuanzong of Daoism has gone too far. One day, the Fu-lu School will definitely denounce it. Today, I am helping the Heart Sect to interpret the Heavenly Tomes. I hope that one day, the Heart Sect can join the other sects to denounce this unrighteous sect."
Xuanzong and the other elders looked at Puzhi. Elder Puzhi had guessed correctly.
Ling Jizi's goal was indeed to form an alliance with the Heart Sect.
Elder Puxiang thought for a moment and said, "You should know that Xuanzong is not only the number one sect of Daoism, but also the number one sect in the world. Within Xuanzong, there is an eighth realm powerhouse. If there is no eighth realm powerhouse, there is no way to fight against them."
Li Mu said, "Elder, don't worry. If we are not fully prepared, we will not act rashly."
Elder Puxiang thought for a long time and finally nodded and said, "I heard that you have the Heart of Seven Orifices. Can you show it to me?"
Since they were here to interpret the Heavenly Tomes, Li Mu naturally had to show it. Otherwise, these old monks would think that he was taking advantage of the situation. He thought for a moment and said to Taoist priest Puxiang, "Can I take a look at the Heavenly Tomes of your sect?"
Elder Puxiang stretched out his hand and a page appeared in his palm.
If Ling Jizi really had the Heart of Seven Orifices, then the Heavenly Tomes were meant for him to comprehend. There was no harm in letting him take a look.
If Ling Jizi did not have the Heart of Seven Orifices and came here to find an excuse to comprehend the Heavenly Tomes, he would not be able to comprehend anything in a short period of time. Moreover, the Heart Sect would not suffer any losses.
Li Mu closed his eyes and scanned the Heavenly Tomes with his spiritual sense. After a long time, he opened his eyes. After forming a seal, he slowly extended his finger.
In the void, a golden finger condensed.
An elder exclaimed, "Great Nirvana Finger!"
This Great Nirvana Finger was a divine ability from the Heart Sect's Heavenly Tomes.
Li Mu changed his hand seal and pressed down with his palm. Another golden palm appeared in the main hall.
"Prajna Palm!"
They watched as Li Mu executed the second Buddhist divine ability. This level of divine ability was only passed down to the core disciples of the Heart Sect. Normally, outsiders would not be able to understand it. However, this did not exclude the possibility of an accident.
However, the divine abilities that Li Mu used afterward were things that even they had never seen before.
These divine abilities were very powerful. When executed, there was a Buddhist light that appeared. It was definitely from the Heavenly Tomes. However, they had never seen it before. If it was not him comprehending it on the spot, then what was it?
After executing a few divine abilities consecutively, Li Mu's face turned pale. His body swayed and he shook his head, "No, comprehending the Heavenly Tomes is too taxing on the mind. I can only comprehend this much this time. I'm afraid I will need half a month before I can recover my mind and comprehend it a second time …"
Elder Puxiang smiled and said, "There's no hurry. You can stay in the Heart Sect for a long time. I'll let Xuandu prepare a room for you."
Li Mu shook his head and said, "I'm an official of the Great Zhou. I have to manage the Fu-lu School and interpret the Heavenly Tomes for the other four sects. I'm afraid I can't stay here for a long time. If the elders trust me, you can temporarily hand the Heavenly Tomes to me like the other Dao sects. I'll take some time to slowly interpret it. Every once in a while, I'll report back to your sect."
The Heart Sect had never handed the Heavenly Tomes to an outsider. Elder Puxiang hesitated and said, "This, we still have to discuss. Xuandu, bring Ling Jizi around the sect …"
Xuandu brought Li Mu out. A Taoist priest said, "I'm afraid it's not good to hand the Heavenly Tomes to an outsider. What if something goes wrong …"
At this moment, Elder Puzhi walked up and said, "When Ling Jizi was in the Fifth Realm, he already had the power to transcend. Now that he's in the Sixth Realm, I'm afraid only those in the Eighth Realm can stop him. If there's really an Eighth Realm cultivator who wants the Heavenly Tomes, what's the difference if the Heavenly Tomes are with him or with us?"
Puzhi's analysis was very reasonable. After a discussion, Elder Puxiang nodded and said, "What we can think of, the other four Dao sects can also think of. Since they can trust Ling Jizi, why can't we? Puzhi, go and ask Ling Jizi to come back …"
Puzhi nodded and turned to walk out of the hall.
The moment he stepped out of the hall, a faint light flashed in the depths of his eyes.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
