Nine Zen Sound Diagrams

"Fellow Daoist Zhuge, you are truly a formidable young man..." In the most magnificent and imposing Dharma Hall of Heavenly Dragon Temple, a high-ranking monk who looked to be about thirty years old, dressed in a bright red robe with gold trim, looked at Zhuge Xiang as he entered the Great Hall, sized him up, put his hands together, and spoke to Zhuge Xiang with admiration on his face.

"Greetings, Abbot..." Looking at the young monk, who appeared to be around thirty years old, Zhuge Xiang wore a solemn expression. He also clasped his hands together and returned the greeting. The abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple, like his Master, looked so young. This was a sight that could only be seen when one's cultivation had reached a certain level and one was relatively young.

"On that day, when Fellow Daoist Luo accepted a disciple, this humble monk was preoccupied with some trivial matters and was unable to attend in person. If I had known earlier that Fellow Daoist Zhuge was so far removed from my Heavenly Dragon Temple, this humble monk should have gone there no matter what..." The abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple looked Zhuge Xiang up and down and exclaimed in amazement.

With the Heavenly Dragon Temple Abbot's discerning eye, he could naturally tell that Zhuge Xiang was only in his early twenties, yet his cultivation had already reached the Void Core Stage Realm. Such a cultivation speed was extremely rare in the entire Cultivation World. More importantly, he could sense the pressure emanating from Zhuge Xiang, which was far beyond what a Void Core Stage Cultivator could achieve, and was even comparable to that of a Void Returning Stage cultivators.

"As the abbot oversees the entire Heavenly Dragon Temple, it's only natural that he's extremely busy. Thank you for your kind words, abbot," Zhuge Xiang replied with a calm smile to the praise. The other party was of the same status as his Master, and it was merely a matter of accepting disciples; it was normal that the other party hadn't gone.

"I've heard that Fellow Daoist Zhuge was fortunate enough to learn the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound of my Heavenly Dragon Temple, and even pushed it to its highest level. Since Fellow Daoist Zhuge has come to visit today, and this humble monk has also dabbled in the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, I hope that Fellow Daoist will not hesitate to teach me." After exchanging a few polite words, Heavenly Dragon Temple was ultimately most concerned about the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, so they went straight to the point and asked Zhuge Xiang.

"They've arrived..." Upon hearing the words of the Heavenly Dragon Temple Abbot, Zhuge Xiang was overjoyed. Heavenly Dragon Temple's purpose was related to his Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. Zhuge Xiang had come to Heavenly Dragon Temple for the same reason. The other party wanted to know how to Mastery Level the Nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sounds from him, while Zhuge Xiang was after those Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram.

"Not bad. By some stroke of luck, you obtained the Illustrated Chart of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. However, so far, you have only mastered five of them. Reaching the highest level that day was merely due to the use of special Dao Item," Zhuge Xiang said, nodding as he suppressed his anticipation and excitement.

"Fellow Daoist, your ability to learn five Heavenly Demon Zen Sound as Asura Sect Disciples is enough to prove that you possess Buddha-nature," the abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple said with admiration and amazement upon hearing that Zhuge Xiang had mastered the five Heavenly Demon Zen Sound.

Ultimately, the Asura Sect is a demonic Sect, while the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound is Sacred Buddhist Art, especially known for its ability to persuade Evil Demon to lay down their weapons and turn back to the right path. Therefore, in the abbot's view, Zhuge Xiang possesses a deep Buddhist nature, which is why he was able to comprehend the essence of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound as a disciple of the demonic sect.

Buddhist Sect Cultivation Technique usually require practitioners to have a compassionate heart and possess Buddha-nature in order to cultivate. However, the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound is different from other Buddhist Sect Cultivation Technique. The reason why Patriarch Bodhidharma created the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound was to save all evil in the world and lead them to turn back to the right path. Therefore, if Evil Demon were to lay down their weapons and cultivate the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound during a moment of enlightenment, they would actually achieve twice the result with half the effort.

The abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple back then was a man who hated evil and punished the wicked to promote good. However, he killed too many people, which caused him to lose his true nature and earn him the reputation of a demonic monk. Fortunately, with the help of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, he laid down his sword and returned to Buddhist Path. His cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, and now he has become the Heavenly Dragon Temple Abbot, one of the top cultivators in the Cultivation World of the Great Qin Empire. Zhuge Xiang, as a disciple of the demonic path of the Asura Sect, was able to successfully cultivate the five diagrams of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound at a young age. He even demonstrated the Heavenly Demon Zen Heavenly Demon Zen Sound at Great Accomplishment with the help of Dao Item. He has Xiantian advantage for future cultivation of Zen Sound. Naturally, in the eyes of the Heavenly Dragon Temple Abbot, Zhuge Xiang's achievements may even surpass his own. He even had the idea of taking Zhuge Xiang as his disciple, even though he already knew that Zhuge Xiang was a disciple of Luo Ba, the Asura Sect Luo Ba.

"Regarding the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, I have indeed gained some insights. However, I have only mastered five versions of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, which I cannot express in words. I wonder if the abbot could place all nine versions in front of me so that I can properly organize my understanding?" Upon hearing the abbot mention the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, Zhuge Xiang spoke up and asked directly.

"This..." Before the abbot could answer, several high-ranking monks from Heavenly Dragon Temple, dressed in Crimson Kasaya, exchanged bewildered glances. Although Zhuge Xiang had mastered the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, it was a closely guarded secret within Heavenly Dragon Temple, forbidden to anyone except the abbot. Zhuge Xiang's request, however, put the people of Heavenly Dragon Temple in a difficult position.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuge, didn't you receive the inheritance of the Nine Diagrams of Heavenly Demon Zen Sound? Wouldn't it be the same if you took out your own Nine Diagrams?" The abbot asked Zhuge Xiang with surprise after hearing his request.

This question left Zhuge Xiang speechless for a moment. Indeed, if he possessed the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram, why would he ask Heavenly Dragon Temple for it? Did he merely want to verify whether there was a difference between the two versions of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram? Even he himself didn't believe that, and besides, the flaws were too obvious.

The dilemma was only momentary. Fortunately, Zhuge Xiang reacted quickly, answering in a flash, half-truthfully. "Back then, I obtained the nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram, but only glanced at Illustrated Chart briefly before they fell into the Flame and turned to ashes. Now, my memory of the other four diagrams is already blurred. That is why I have this request."

Zhuge Xiang's words were half true and half false. Although he did not reveal the news about the Heavenly Dragon Town Evil Pagoda, he frankly admitted that he did not have the last four pictures. His words did not arouse any suspicion, and at the same time, the senior monks of Heavenly Dragon Temple suddenly realized why he had asked for the last few pictures.

"No, the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound is a closely guarded secret of our Heavenly Dragon Temple. Since you are unaware of the subsequent Cultivation Technique, it means your connection with this Cultivation Technique has ended. We cannot release the subsequent Illustrated Chart. Please forgive us, fellow Daoist," one of the high monks said before the abbot could even speak, directly refusing Zhuge Xiang. They had initially thought that Zhuge Xiang had mastered all the Cultivation Technique, and that the fact was irreversible. But now that they knew Zhuge Xiang was unaware of the subsequent Cultivation Technique, there was still a chance. They were determined not to let all of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound be passed down.

"Indeed, that makes sense..." As the high monk finished speaking, the other high monks, dressed in Crimson Kasaya, nodded in agreement. They agreed that there was still a chance, and they certainly couldn't let all the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound leak out.

"I can share the subsequent Illustrated Chart with you, but the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound is a secret of my Heavenly Dragon Temple. I hope you can join my Heavenly Dragon Temple," the abbot said after a moment of contemplation, though he did not refuse outright.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of several high monks dressed in Crimson Kasaya changed slightly. The Heavenly Demon Zen Sound was not only a secret technique of Heavenly Dragon Temple, but also Cultivation Technique that only the abbots of successive generations were qualified to practice. It was fine if Zhuge Xiang was an outsider, but if he became a disciple of Heavenly Dragon Temple, it would mean that he would succeed the Heavenly Dragon Temple Abbot.

However, although they were alarmed by the abbot's words, considering Zhuge Xiang's age and achievements, the monks remained silent. In any case, bringing Zhuge Xiang into Heavenly Dragon Temple would definitely be a worthwhile endeavor.

"Let me join Heavenly Dragon Temple?" Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback, not expecting the other party to make such a request. However, Zhuge Xiang didn't even consider it, shaking his head directly and resolutely refusing, "Thank you for your kindness, Master, but my Master has treated me well, even passing on the Demon Luo Scripture to me. I absolutely cannot betray the Asura Sect."

After a slight pause, Zhuge Xiang continued, "Besides, since these eminent monks address me as a fellow Daoist, how could I possibly become a disciple of Heavenly Dragon Temple? Wouldn't that just be lowering myself by a generation?"

"Oh? Fellow Daoist Luo actually passed on the Demon Luo Scripture to you as well? It seems your good fortune is truly enviable." The Heavenly Dragon Temple Abbot's expression changed slightly. He naturally knew about the Demon Luo Scripture, one of the Three Great Divine Techniques of the Great Qin Empire. The Demon Luo Scripture was famously mysterious, and even the cultivation requirements were unknown to anyone. However, he did not expect that Zhuge Xiang had already obtained the true teachings of the Demon Luo Scripture Asura Sect of the Asura Sect.

Because of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, even though Heavenly Dragon Temple was grooming Zhuge Xiang to be the next abbot, the Demon Luo Scripture of the Asura Sect was also clearly grooming him to be the next Sect Master. In this light, Zhuge Xiang's refusal was understandable.

Both the Asura Sect and the Heavenly Dragon Temple are among the Nine Great Sects of the Great Qin Empire, yet they both groom Zhuge Xiang as their next successor. If this were to get out, it would surely shock many people. Even the high-ranking members of the Heavenly Dragon Temple were secretly impressed. However, considering Zhuge Xiang's achievements in the Great Tang Dynasty, it proved the saying, "Gold will shine no matter where it is."

"If it's really inconvenient, then let's just drop the matter of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. In any case, being able to obtain the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound is a kind of karmic connection between me and Heavenly Dragon Temple, and I will certainly not forget this kindness." Zhuge Xiang thought about it and gave up the idea that they would only take out the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram if he was asked to join Heavenly Dragon Temple.

Although Zhuge Xiang wanted to Great Accomplishment the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, he couldn't betray the Asura Sect for it. The Heavenly Demon Zen Sound was good, but for him, even if he couldn't get the later Illustrated Chart now, he could always get them in the Heavenly Dragon Town Evil Pagoda as his cultivation improved. There was no need to betray the Asura Sect for this.

"Wait, there's no need to jump to conclusions so quickly." Even though Zhuge Xiang had already given up, the abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple spoke up, clearly indicating there was still a chance. (To be continued...)