Heavenly Eye, Trumpet Flower

On the edge of the battlefield where people are fighting for survival, Li Qi watched a little monk bustling about.

This young monk, though only an eighth-rank monk, was able to discern Li Qi's method of Body Merged with Nature, and seemed quite experienced in matters of deliverance.

Is he a proper Buddhist? Or is he just another Chanzhi?

What were the core tenets of Buddhism again?

Li Qi had seen part of it in books, but what he learned from books was ultimately superficial; in reality, he didn't understand it very well.

The battle ended quickly, with twenty or thirty people and a dozen or so demons killed, totaling less than a hundred casualties. The intensity of the battle was very low.

However, Li Qi was standing to the side, still sighed.

No matter how low the death rate is, someone is still dead, but there's nothing we can do about it.

It's impossible for everyone to survive; this is the law of nature, and no one can save so many people.

Even Human Path is merely about selectively sacrificing inhuman beings to allow people to live longer.

But what did those demons do wrong? Is the difference between them and humans really that great? These demons also have joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. If they were given a human body, they would be human too.

Unable to find a solution, Li Qi could only respect the laws of nature.

Perhaps, only the ultimate goal of Shaman Path, that perfect world, can solve this problem.

When the world's great source becomes incomparably powerful, everyone can reach the level of a great sorcerer who can create something from Creation from Nothing, no longer having any needs from the outside world, and even everyone can produce something from the outside world.

Resources are no longer a constraint; for every additional person, there is an additional resource. This is the perfect world pursued by the Shaman Path, where there is absolutely no conflict or competition, and everyone is born solely out of pure ideals.

The more people there are, the stronger they become. They don't need to consume anything from the outside world. It is perfect, harmonious, and the ultimate supreme state. There is no more perfect world than this. It is in harmony with the true Dao and does not consume anything, just like the birth of the universe.

The birth of the universe created this colorful world from nothing.

If everyone could become a new universe, a creator rather than a consumer... then all the suffering we see now would be easily overcome and would never return.

Li Qi imagined that scene, while at the same time watching the young Buddhist monk perform a ritual to deliver the souls of the dead on the battlefield.

The souls of the dead were bathed in the Buddha's light.

Although the souls were in a daze, under the influence of Buddhism, they unconsciously raised their hands and heads.

The young novice monk stretched out his palms, facing upwards, and the souls of the dead were dragged in his hands.

He kept chanting Buddhist Scriptures:

"Upon being reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, lotus flowers will bloom beneath the seats of the ten directions. When the flowers bloom, one will hear the voices of many praising the Four Noble Truths, the Three Knowledges and the Six Supernatural Powers, and all the deceased will attain the Eight Liberations."

"At the time of death, Golden Lotus, like the sun, will appear before the person."

"Upon hearing the Buddha's words, one immediately sees the image of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss..."

As he spoke, the ghosts entered the cycle of reincarnation one by one, perhaps truly reaching the 'paradise'.

The battle is over, both sides have withdrawn, and the battlefield has been cleaned up, leaving only some remnants.

There was hardly anyone around Li Qi and the young novice monk.

Even if there are people around, they can't see each other; they each have Technique Method that allows others to ignore them.

After the ritual was completed, the young novice monk looked at Li Qi and chanted a Buddhist prayer. "Namo Maitreya Buddha, this humble monk Xin Ming greets this senior Shamanic Human."

"You seem very surprised," Li Qi said, looking at the little monk.

The young monk put his hands together, nodded, and said, "Yes, the senior Shamanic Human I met before all looked down on me, thinking that I was wasting my time. They even threatened to kill me. I was chased many times, and I always escaped by the skin of my teeth."

"Only you, senior... not only did you not make a move, but you also helped me. This humble monk is indeed quite surprised."

After saying that, the little monk looked up at the sunlight in the sky.

His abilities are not enough to exorcise the spirits under such intense sunlight; he may not be able to protect everyone.

But just now, the Yang Energy in the sunlight decreased significantly. It was obvious that someone had used Technique Method to isolate some of the Yang Energy, so as to prevent these yin spirits from being scorched to death.

There was no one else around, so it was obviously just this nonchalant Shaman in front of them.

Li Qi waved his hand, indicating that it was nothing, and then asked, "It's nothing, just a small favor. But you, why did you come to the territory of Wushen Mountain? And this place is almost close to Annam. You traveled all the way from the Western Regions to here. You're only an eighth-rank... not simple, right?"

The young monk lowered his head and said somewhat embarrassedly, "To be honest, I have never been to the Western Regions. I am currently on my way to the Western Paradise for pilgrimage."

"This humble monk comes from Baiyue. After hearing about Buddhism, I gained some enlightenment and began to cultivate on my own. However, I always encounter some difficulties in my own cultivation. There are few Buddhists and many shamans in Baiyue. Therefore, I thought of going to the Western Regions to hear about the Great Way. I am currently on my way. I hope you will forgive my futile attempt."

After listening, Li Qi nodded. "It is indeed very difficult. From here to the Western Regions... it will probably take you more than fifteen years."

"If one can hear the Great Way and listen to the true scriptures, what does fifty years matter?" the little monk said with a smile.

Li Qi nodded in agreement.

Indeed, only with such perseverance can one pursue the Way.

Moreover, leaving Baiyue is a good thing.

Li Qi had personally experienced what a awful place Baiyue was.

It's a place of fierce competition for power. It's practically impossible to succeed in cultivation there, as the rulers there are cannibalistic.

"By the way, how did you see me? An eighth-rank official shouldn't be able to see me," Li Qi asked again, addressing the question that had struck him as odd earlier.

Xin Ming Xinming did not hide anything. He bowed his head and said, "Senior, you are wise. This humble monk has some affinity with Buddhism. I have learned it without a teacher and have just begun to understand the basics of the Heavenly Eye. My eyes have some special features."

Li Qi was stunned.

Of course he knew what the Heavenly Eye was.

One of the six famous Divine Ability in Buddhism Heavenly Eye.

It has the ability to "see" all phenomena, to see the suffering and joy of Six Realms Beings who die and are reborn in other realms, and to see all kinds of forms and colors in the world without any obstruction.

If he truly mastered the Heavenly Eye, then this monk's cultivation level would probably be no higher than the fourth rank!

Even Li Qi knew of the Six Divine Ability Powers' reputation. If it were the true Heavenly Eye, it would truly be able to see through the six realms of reincarnation at a glance and perceive all forms and appearances in the world.

And this monk is only an eighth-rank monk!

Li Qi immediately realized something.

Strictly speaking, Li Qi can also be considered a Buddhist cultivator, as he possesses Buddhist and Daoist cultivation.

If he could understand the monk's secret, could he use his Heavenly Eye to see through the demon's illusion?

In this way, his need for the question of 'who I am' will be greatly reduced, and he will have more time to ponder this dangerous question.

Li Qi immediately asked, "Heavenly Eye? You're only at the eighth rank, how did you get started?"

Li Qi's excitement confused the little monk.

Why is this senior so agitated?

He was Shaman and could not practice Buddhism... The Heavenly Eye was meaningless to him unless he wanted to create conflict with the Dao Path.

Oh, perhaps this senior is just curious?

Seemingly thinking Li Qi was a good person, the little monk said, "Uh, well, it's just a matter of Buddhist affinity."

"Buddhist affinity? Did you receive the Dharma in a dream?" Li Qi asked again.

"Although it's not quite as mysterious as obtaining the Dharma in a dream, it's close enough. I once passed by a mountain where there was a Buddha Statue. It was mostly finished, but the two eyes were still uncarved. So I left it and carved them."

"After the day ended, I woke up feeling refreshed and clear-eyed. Later, someone pointed out that this was only a small part of the Heavenly Eye, which still needs to be explored," Xin Ming Xinming said frankly.

The Xin Ming Xinming would never reveal his true nature so easily under normal circumstances, but his Heavenly Eye could see not only the Technique Method to conceal one's body, but also a person's true nature.

It is not just about human nature; the Heavenly Eye can "see all phenomena," which means seeing through all Technique Method, seeing through all life and death, and seeing through all the forms and colors of the world.

Although he was far from reaching that level, he could see that Li Qi was far superior to him and had no ill intentions.

The Unseen, he could also sense the 'Buddhist affinity' of the Shaman in front of him.

Perhaps this senior is truly destined for Buddhism; at least for now, he seems very interested in Buddhism and is actively trying to make contact with it.

Therefore, the monk chose to speak out.

Li Qi was unaware of these reasons. He was surprised by the monk's honesty, but at the same time, he subconsciously began to have doubts.

There was no way around it; he had been schemed against so many times that he couldn't help but become suspicious.

However, after thinking for a while, he felt that no matter what kind of monk he was, it was worth checking out the Heavenly Eye.

Even if he doesn't gain the ability to see the Heavenly Eye, just a glance might be enough to inspire and enlighten him.

Besides, not many people would target him; his only enemy so far is the Mara of Self-Transformation.

Oh, the Heavenly Demon cannot use the word 'that's all'.

"Where is that statue? If it really has such a magical use, then surely people would go there every day?" Li Qi asked.

The Xin Ming said, "The statue is indeed miraculous. I have mentioned this more than once, so many people know about it. It is located in the Lingxiao Kingdom, east of Baiyue, at the Zunfo Mountain."

"Lingxiao Kingdom ...wait, why does that name sound so familiar..." Li Qi felt like he had heard it somewhere before when he heard the name.

When the monk saw Li Qi say this, he replied, "Lingxiao Kingdom does indeed have a reputation. Its name comes from the Trumpet Flower, and its ruler is the Trumpet Flower God."

Upon hearing this, Li Qi suddenly realized what was going on and clapped his hands, saying, "So that's what it is."

He had heard of this.

There are hundreds of flowers in the world, each with its own flower goddess.

For example, the Peony Flower God and the Peach Blossom Goddess each have their own divine powers. Some enthusiasts have even compiled a "Hundred Flowers Ranking," and there are also classifications such as the Twelve Moons Flowers and the Twelve Master Flowers.

Many flower goddesses also like these rankings and often compete for higher rankings or categories.

Because of this temperament, an idiom has been coined, called "fighting for beauty", in which the fight refers to the secret rivalry between the flower gods.

The Trumpet Flower is a victim of this struggle.

In the past, the Trumpet Flower was also known as the flower of the high mountains. However, a School of Names in the Tang Kingdom wrote a poem that ridiculed the Trumpet Flower: "It takes root in the tree trunk and blooms on the treetop. In the morning it is a flower that brushes the clouds, and in the evening it is a piece of firewood that falls to the ground."

The meaning is self-evident: it mocks the Trumpet Flower creeper for being complacent and thinking that no force can shake it, but in reality it is just a parasite that can only grow by clinging to others. Although it can climb very high and bloom in the sky, once its support falls, it can only lie on the ground and go from a 'cloud-blooming flower' to a 'ground-felling woodcutter'.

This poem directly condemned the Trumpet Flower creeper to its lowest point, and from then on, it was ridiculed by many flower goddesses. Even the common people stopped planting trumpet creepers, and no one praised its virtues and appearance anymore.

The Trumpet Flower God was greatly shocked and left the Tang Kingdom, then fled to the Baiyue region.

This is a bit of an anecdote. When Li Qi was scanning a lot of information in the Tang Kingdom, he must have seen something about the Trumpet Flower. Now that he was reminded of it, he immediately remembered it.

"It seems that you, senior, should know about this." The young monk put his hands together in prayer.

Li Qi nodded and said, "Yes, I do know. Since you told me this, I can't let you talk for nothing. It will be dangerous if you go this way. On your original route, going forward from here, the mountain god is an unreasonable howling wolf. You are likely to be robbed by him. Even if you escape, there will be unexpected complications."

"If you go east from here and go around in a circle, that area of mountains is the territory of a seventh-grade mountain god banyan tree. It's more peaceful and safer."

"Thank you for the reminder, senior. Well..." The little monk looked at Li Qi tentatively.

"If there's nothing else, then let's say goodbye." Li Qi didn't linger and took his leave.

Having learned about the Buddha's Buddha's light here and witnessed the unusual monks, Li Qi didn't linger and drifted away, returning to Old Ma's side.

However, he kept his eyes on the little monk.

Anyway, there's nothing else to do. Old Ma is still resting and will need at least a Chen.

Back on the mountain, I watched the monk set off again.

The other party performed the ritual to release the wandering spirits and then left, without ever interacting with the bandits or monsters, and without even asking for a thank you.

Just as Li Qi thought, he was simply passing by and couldn't bear to see the soul perish, so he hid it to help it pass on, without asking for anything in return.

Well, monks aren't necessarily all bad people.

As Li Qi pondered this, he continuously weighed the Tang Kingdom Imperial Academy, the Sacred Flame Realm, the Heavenly Demons, and the new information from the passing young monk before him.

Li Qi has a need to penetrate the upper echelons of the Tang Kingdom society, but he hasn't had time to do so yet.

He originally wanted to hitch a ride with the Imperial Academy and Liu Shenzhi on this road, but the Liu family was very conservative and they didn't get involved, so Li Qi had no chance.

Li Qi wanted to make other friends at the Imperial Academy, but his energy was tied up with the affairs of the grotto.

After returning to Dongtian this time, he was thinking about whether he could sneak in using his classmate Li Lieqi's identity, so that he could also open up the sales channels for Holy Flame.

Now, it seems there's a better option, and we can also take advantage of the opportunity to work on the Heavenly Eye thing.

If I help the Trumpet Flower God restore her reputation and rejoin the struggle among the Flower Goddesses, wouldn't the effect be better?

Even if I fail, it doesn't matter, at least I've managed to get in.