Demon Blood

Is the Vajra White Elephant Power hidden within this Buddha sculpture?

Maybe so, but it's definitely more than that.

Those who left didn't know the secret, so after seeing others succeed, they realized they didn't need this method and left, not wanting to waste any more time.

Those who remained were either those who wanted to temper their bodies, or those from Dao Lineage that primarily used the physical body as their means of cultivation.

However, Li Qi had already obtained several Visualization Diagram from this Buddha sculpture, and they were probably all similar methods.

A trap? Or was this the original intention?

Not understand.

So Li Qi decided not to waste any more time there, got up, and walked towards the interior of Fengde Temple.

Having learned the details, it's time to go find...

Just as Li Qi was about to say that, he saw a large monk standing in front of him, who had just come out of the forest and happened to bump into Li Qi.

The senior monk and Li Qi Qixiu were of similar cultivation level, both at the seventh rank, and of similar age, both around thirty years old.

However, the difference is that Li Qi is actually in his thirties, while this big monk most likely looks like he is in his thirties.

After all, for a seventh-grade cultivator, appearance is merely a matter of self-perception or personal interest; they can change it however they want.

What truly limits their appearance is their imagination. After all, not everyone can imagine an exceptionally beautiful face. It depends on the randomness of fate. So, at a higher level, aesthetics generally shift to temperament, while appearance is secondary.

This monk looked like an ordinary farmer, with dark skin and rough, calloused hands.

If he hadn't shaved his head, it would be easy to mistake him for a farmer instead of a monk.

"Benefactor, you wish to see us? May I ask why you have come?" The monk clasped his hands together, bowed, and asked Li Qi kindly.

"That's right, you should already know that?" Li Qi said, taking out the hairpin given to him by the Trumpet Flower God and handing it to the big monk. "This is what the King said, that he wanted to give this to you, and that you would understand naturally."

"Since it was entrusted by the Sovereign of Lingxiao Kingdom, we will naturally not refuse. May I ask what brings you to Fengde Temple?" The monk took the hairpin, seemed somewhat surprised, and immediately changed the subject before returning the hairpin to Li Qi.

Previously, the question was "Why did you come?", but after Li Qi showed the hairpin, it became "What is the purpose of your visit?"

That's a different attitude.

"May I ask your Dharma name, Master?" Li Qi asked.

Since we're going to talk business, it would be better to ask for your name.

"My Buddhist name Weichen. I am speaking rather hastily here. Why don't you come into the temple with me for a chat?" Weichen said politely to Li Qi.

Li Qi naturally agreed and, after nodding, the two walked one after the other into Fengde Temple.

Along the way, Li Qi didn't stop talking and took the initiative to ask, "Master Weichen, I wonder what the origin of that Buddha sculpture is? I just saw that someone inside seemed to have comprehended the Vajra White Elephant Power, which is the power of Chakrasamvara. Could that Buddha sculpture be Chakrasamvara?"

Chakrasamvara has four faces, twelve arms, and is covered in white elephant skin. He possesses immense strength and his body is colored red and blue. Blue represents the "qi" in the human body, and red represents "blood." The two embracing each other represent the interdependence of Qi and Blood. He is a Buddhist Vajra with an extremely powerful physical body.

What does "extremely powerful" mean? It is said that it has reached the level of being invincible among martial artists of the same grade, and even martial artists of the same grade would find it difficult to confront it head-on.

Of course, this is only him personally; he received a small portion of his legacy, and the difference between him and the real person is immeasurable.

Thinking about this, Li Qi couldn't help but sigh.

The difference within the same grade...

Let's take himself as an example.

Back then, the three young masters of Wushen Mountain joined forces and fought against dozens of students from the Tang Kingdom without being at a disadvantage.

Liu Junyi, fighting three opponents alone, only narrowly lost one move.

Ordinary people are far from reaching the seventh rank.

The gap between one seventh-rank official and another seventh-rank official may be even greater.

During the conversation—

"You seem quite curious about this, benefactor? Is there something amiss?" Weichen asked.

"I just think it's rather strange that a natural Buddha sculpture contains some of the lineage of Chakrasamvara, and that it's placed in public for so many people to study and understand at will," Li Qi said as he walked.

He made no mention of the many Visualization Diagram he had noticed, or what was hidden within them.

Upon hearing this, Weichen smiled and said, "You are indeed perceptive, but this matter is not so simple. That Buddha statue is not something we can control. It was placed there by people from the Western Regions. Even I am not sure about its specific effects. It's not that no one in our temple has tried to understand it. I had a junior brother, whose Dharma Xin Ming, who understood something from that Buddha statue. Unfortunately, he refused to say. He just packed his things and decided to go to the Western Regions to seek scriptures."

Xin Ming?

Upon hearing this, Li Qi thought to himself, "Indeed, Xin Ming Xinming came from Fengde Temple."

"A high-ranking monk from the Western Regions? Is this high-ranking monk still in the temple...?" Li Qi asked.

Although he asked the question, Li Qi didn't actually have much hope.

I don't know how long it's been, and the person might not even be here anymore.

However, Weichen said, "You've come at the right time, benefactor. The master is still in the temple. If you wish to see him, perhaps I can inform him. However, this hairpin of the king may need to be used as a token before you can pay your respects, as the other party is of noble status and cannot be treated casually."

"I see. Then let's do it this way. Please." Li Qi said, handing the hairpin over again.

Afterwards, the two arrived at a pagoda in Fengde Temple.

The pagoda has seven stories and is a traditional Buddhist Pagoda.

Li Qi was welcomed to the third floor and then sat down there.

The Weichen took the hairpin and said he was going to report.

Li Qi nodded, indicating that he would wait there.

He found a place, and a monk quickly brought him tea and snacks. He poured Li Qi a cup of tea, then took his leave.

Li Qi sat on the third floor of the pagoda, by the window, looking out.

From here, the view extends over the main hall below, revealing a throng of people, like ants, making their own way of worship on the steps, along the mountain path, and outside the main hall.

It seems that ordinary worshippers cannot enter this pagoda.

Then, Li Qi fell into deep thought.

He began to put his brilliant mind to good use, carefully considering the matter of the Buddha sculpture, so that he wouldn't be at a loss for words and end up in an awkward situation.

Time passed slowly like this.

After waiting for a while, about 45 minutes, the tea had gone cold.

At this moment, Weichen finally returned.

He knocked on the door and said to Li Qi, "Benefactor, Chan Master Kaiwen has arrived."

Li Qi immediately stood up and looked towards the door.

At the entrance stood a young and handsome monk.

Although he had no hair, he was dressed in white, wearing a pale gold kasaya, and his entire body was decorated in white and gold. Even his skin was snow-white and smooth, while his eyes were golden.

His entire body was made up of only these two colors, making him extremely clean and handsome. Li Qi even felt that this monk could be compared to Yan Ke in terms of demeanor.

Of all the people Li Qi had ever met, only Chan Master Kaiwen and Yan Ke were this handsome.

"Greetings Chan Master Kaiwen." Li Qi took the initiative to step forward.

Because, when True Knowledge Dao Charm swept over the other person's body, although she could sense the other person's presence, she could not see through his cultivation level.

This means that the other party is far stronger than us.

Indeed, someone who could arrange such a Buddha sculpture in this place couldn't be weak.

"Greetings, benefactor. I heard that the abbot of this Buddhist temple came to see me, saying that he has an unavoidable request and hopes that I may come to see you. Is that true?" Monk Kaiwen said humbly.

"It is indeed I, young man. I am truly sorry to have disturbed you, Master. Please forgive me." Li Qi then bowed, his face full of apology.

"It's alright, isn't this exactly what cultivation is all about? Weichen, you go and attend to your own business. I'll take care of this distinguished guest," Chan Master Kaiwen said with a smile.

His gentle tone made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze, and his face gave people a particularly comfortable feeling. It was as if just talking to him made people feel especially happy.

"Yes, this junior takes his leave." Weichen put his hands together, bowed to Li Qi and Chan Master Kaiwen, then left, closed the door, went down the pagoda, and stood guard downstairs.

Li Qi could clearly sense that the moment the door closed, the pagoda seemed to activate some special mechanism, sealing the area off.

You can see out from inside, but you can't see in from outside.

Li Qi carefully examined the Chan Master Kaiwen.

However, no matter how many times I read it, the word "thank you" always comes up.

Handsome!

Wow, he's so handsome! It turns out men can be handsome even without hair. It's just that his clothes don't have that ascetic feel. They're not simple at all. Just by looking at them, you can tell they're not cheap.

"Benefactor, why do you keep staring at this humble monk without saying a word?" Facing Li Qi's gaze, Chan Master Kaiwen took the initiative to ask Li Qi.

"I'm just a little curious. After all, all the Buddhist monks I've met before, regardless of their temperament, have always Chan Master Kaiwen's attire and demeanor are a bit strange," Li Qi said.

As he spoke, Li Qi gestured and invited Chan Master Kaiwen to sit at the table by the window to talk. "I'm sorry, I was a bit rude. Please sit down, Zen Master. I still have many questions I would like to ask you."

As Li Qi spoke, he walked to the window.

He found it somewhat amusing; the monk's clothes and attire were so opulent that he couldn't tell he was poor at all, yet he still called himself a poor monk.

"Is it about that Buddha sculpture? If so, please forgive me for not saying much, as I am not very clear about the matter of that Buddha sculpture myself, and I am afraid I might mislead you," said Chanzhi, sitting down opposite Li Qi with a smile.

"There's no need to worry about being misled, after all, the mere existence of that thing is enough to mislead many people. I just want to hear about the origin of this thing. Could the Zen Master please enlighten me? Or is there a reward? Or something else?" Li Qi got straight to the point and asked the question directly.

Whether you want money, goods, or something else, just be direct. I'm here to buy the answer.

"None of that is necessary. Only if you are not afraid of being misled and doing something irrational, and promise to act rationally afterward, will this humble monk dare to speak," said Chan Master Kaiwen.

"Of course, it is only right to act cautiously. I always think things through before I act. In that case, please do not hesitate to tell me your advice, Zen Master. I will remember your help in this matter." Li Qi said with his hands clasped.

Remembering this in your heart means you will repay it in the future; this is a reminder to these monks not to go too far.

Good things will be remembered, and bad things will also be remembered; they will all be repaid.

"Since you are well prepared and have the Sovereign of Lingxiao Kingdom as your guarantor, then this humble monk will speak frankly and without reservation. May I ask where you would like to begin listening?" Chan Master Kaiwen asked with a smile.

"What is the origin of this Buddha sculpture?" Li Qi immediately asked.

"This object is a strange rock from Mount Shamoshana," Chan Master Kaiwen immediately replied.

Li Qi couldn't help but gasp!

Samashana!

He knew about it before, and had even been in contact with it! (See Chapter 189)

Samashana, also known as the charnel ground, is the abode of Black Heaven!

That was the Black Heaven!

Li Qi had also met people from the Black Heaven lineage. The Chanzhi, who left a deep impression on him, was a disciple of Black Heaven.

It took Li Qi more than ten seconds to calm down and ask, "From Samashana... what is the connection between this thing and Black Heaven?"

Chan Master Kaiwen did not hide anything and said directly, "Actually, it doesn't matter. However, Black Heaven has a Kapala Bowl in his hand, which contains blood. Once, Black Heaven accidentally spilled the blood, but fortunately only one drop fell to the ground."

"This strange rock was touched by a drop of blood sprinkled by Black Heaven, which caused some strange occurrences. When Dakini Heaven saw this, he put it away. But recently, I was instructed by Dakini Heaven to place this rock here and wait for a destined person. But I really don't know what he was thinking or what the Buddha statue is for."

When asked about his ignorance of the matter, Chan Master Kaiwen kept shaking his head.

Li Qi extracted even more information from it.

Black Heaven holds a bowl in his hands, Kapala Bowl carved from a skull, which contains the blood of four demons, namely the five aggregates, afflictions, death, and the heavenly demon.

That's right, it even contains the blood of a celestial demon.

The blood in this bowl symbolizes the wisdom of Black Heaven, meaning that he once consumed the blood of the "Four Demons" and successfully neutralized their demonic influence.

However, these are just general accounts, and it is a great pity that we cannot use them to determine the origins of Black Heaven.

In fact, even this knowledge was only accessible to Li Qi because he was the son of the Wushen Mountain. Otherwise, to outsiders, the very name "Black Heaven" would be considered a secret.

Now... Chan Master Kaiwen said that Black Heaven sprinkled the blood of four kinds of demons, which dripped onto this stone.

Is it related to the Heavenly Demon?

Probably not, right? Logically speaking, Black Heaven is Guardian Spirit of Buddhism, responsible for suppressing demons. Although he is a being of Buddha-Demon Unity, he is an enemy of other demons...

But that's the blood of four different demons...