Celestial Host

Over several months, Li Qi traversed 150,000 li, personally visiting twelve countries, each with its own unique scenery.

Different mountains and rivers produce different things, and different customs and habits exist.

Along the way, they passed various Buddhist sects, and Li Qi killed several of them.

Some small countries, only a thousand miles from east to west and six hundred miles from north to south, are rich in resources. They are suitable for millet and wheat, have japonica rice, produce grapes and pomegranates, and have many pears, crabapples, peaches and apricots. Li Qi ate many familiar fruits here.

Along the way, we also saw a place where Dragon Steed originated, called the Great Dragon Pool. Legend has it that dragons transformed into human form and mated with mares here, thus giving birth to Dragon Steed. There are many Dragon Steed here, among which the strong ones are difficult to control, but the offspring of Dragon Steed are easy to tame, so this country produces many fine horses.

There is another country called 'Shini Country', whose land is covered with sand and stones, sparse forests, and few flowers and fruits. The climate is cold and harsh, and the customs are fierce and brutal. They are ruthless in killing and preoccupied with theft. They do not know etiquette or morality, nor do they know good or evil. They are confused about future fortune and misfortune and fear present disasters. Therefore, they are cruel and inhumane to outsiders and often plunder. However, they are also extremely devout, and many people devote their entire possessions to offering incense.

Some are similar to Chanzhi, practicing Buddha-Demon Dual Cultivation, emphasizing bloodshed and terror. The people in their kingdoms are violent and impatient, unaware of sin and merit, ugly in appearance, and lacking in manners and etiquette. They are ignorant of learning skills, but fear Buddhist monks and enjoy using Blood Sacrifice to please monks and the Buddha. They are also skilled at making 'Five Nectars'.

When Li Qi passed by, he concealed his cultivation level, so he was ambushed by the enemy, who wanted to capture him and refine Li Qi into blood bones.

Therefore, Li Qi killed them all, shattering their souls so that they could not enter the cycle of reincarnation.

Li Qi was also puzzled by what he was doing...

It's said to be Buddha-Demon Dual Cultivation, but there's neither Buddha nor demon involved; neither the Buddha nor the demon sect is this low-level.

The demonic path is indeed despicable, even hateful, and has been hated by countless people because it is built upon the suffering of other cultivators.

However, the skills and power of demonic cultivators are enough to make other Dao Lineage acknowledge their status, and even allow them to occupy one of the Nine Lands of the World.

Even the demonic path wouldn't stoop to things like Blood Sacrifice, looting, or offering incense, just like the difference between a petty thief and a notorious bandit.

The Buddhist community would be even less likely to endorse such behavior; this so-called "Buddha-Demon Unity" is so low that neither side wants it.

However, Buddhism does not care about temporary death or life, so it does not have any special measures to deal with them. All right and wrong will be clarified in time.

Let alone the life and death of ordinary people, many Buddha Child in the past liked to reincarnate ten or even nine times. For example, a man named Golden Cicada finally attained enlightenment after ten reincarnations. Life was not that important to them.

It is precisely because of this that Buddhism almost completely ignores these matters.

Since they don't care, then Li Qi will take charge.

They killed quite a few people along the way, but it didn't matter anyway. Since death wasn't the end, killing people wouldn't be a sin.

Although killing does seem to be a Buddhist precept... I don't know what they were thinking.

Anyway, Li Qi wasn't a monk, so it didn't matter to him; he didn't care about these things.

Kill if you must.

Because of these things—murder, sightseeing, and hearing about Buddhism—Li Qi was delayed on the road for about half a year. But after half a year, Li Qi finally arrived at his destination.

This is also the location of the connections that the Sovereign of Lingxiao Kingdom introduced to Li Qi.

Dakini Heaven.

Because someone had introduced it to him, Li Qi specifically searched for numerous documents and ancient texts within Wushen Mountain to find information about the place.

After many twists and turns, I have finally gained a basic understanding of this place.

Dakini Heaven, also known as the Dakini Pure Land, is ruled by the legendary White Chen Fox King Bodhisattva, or, according to Buddhist custom, simply referred to as 'Dakini Heaven'.

In Buddhism, it is a common practice to name highly accomplished individuals without special titles after the 'gods' they govern.

Since the White Chen Fox King Bodhisattva is in charge of the Dakini Heaven, then we should call her Dakini Heaven, including the Black Heaven as well.

Black Heaven's real name is Mahakala, and he is called Black Heaven. Other deities, including Lakshmi, Shiva, Mahesvara, Great Brahma, and Heaven of No Thought, are all called Heaven of Infinite Space by this name.

Dakini Heaven himself is a member of Black Heaven's retinue, one of the Yaksa, and possesses Divine Ability powers. He is one of the four guardian deities. Huilin Yinyi, Volume 35, states. "Dakini is the general name for demons, who can bewitch people and communicate with them."

Like many of the Heavenly Beings, Bai Chen Fox King has a shameful past. He was later enlightened and converted to the faith. He can foresee the life and death of others, but he used to enjoy feeding on human hearts, making him a filthy and infamous strange deity. However, since being enlightened, he has not caused any trouble and should have reformed.

It is said that she was originally a bewitching concubine who brought ruin to the country. In ancient times, she bewitched a High Antiquity emperor, causing a great upheaval that directly led to the destruction of the Human Race by the Heavenly Court, and many powerful Human Race either turned to the path of gods or died.

So, after a series of twists and turns, they were killed by the Human Race. Although their bodies were shattered and their souls were annihilated, some of them still managed to escape and fled to a small island in the East Sea. They transformed into ghosts and demons and were eventually subdued by Black Heaven, converted to Buddhism, and became the current Wisdom Dakini, White Chen Fox King Bodhisattva, Dakini Heaven.

The place that the Trumpet Flower God introduced to Li Qi was this very spot.

It is said that the handsome fox monk who was accepted by Fengde Temple, Li Qi forgot his name, came from the Dakini Heaven.

It's a pity about this monk. Li Qi actually had a good impression of him, but it is said that he died in that demonic attack.

Fate is unpredictable.

With that in mind, Li Qi arrived at the Buddhist temple in Dakini Heaven.

This Buddhist temple is located in the Udyana Country, which is over 5,000 li in circumference. The forests are lush, the flowers and fruits are abundant, the weather is mild, and the wind and rain are in harmony. However, the people there are timid, the worldly affairs are treacherous, they are studious but not practical, they make a living by incantations, they like to wear white clothes, they revere Buddhism and believe in Mahayana Buddhism, and there are 18,000 monks. There are many temples dedicated to the White Chen Fox King Bodhisattva.

Li Qi casually entered a temple, just like an ordinary worshipper.

However, following the instructions of the Sovereign of Lingxiao Kingdom, he sat cross-legged in front of the statue of the White Chen Fox King Bodhisattva, lit incense, and began to meditate and chant incantations.

There were quite a few monks around, but seeing how familiar he was with the place, they didn't approach him too much, since Li Qi looked like an expert.

In fact, he is quite skilled. In the past six months, he has visited at least a hundred temples and is very familiar with what to do. He doesn't even need a welcoming monk anymore.

While chanting sutras and burning incense, Li Qi observed the statue of the White Chen Fox King Bodhisattva. He could see that it was generally a kind-faced female statue, riding a white fox. It looked much like most Bodhisattva statues, except that it was somewhat alluring, but overall it was still dignified and proper, and one could sense a solemn aura from it.

Li Qi observed the Bodhisattva statue. As the incense burned, smoke swirled around him, enveloping him in a bluish haze, and his mind seemed to be clouded.

Li Qi immediately stopped reciting Buddhist Scriptures and looked around.

Unbeknownst to them, the surrounding Buddhist temples disappeared, and only this Bodhisattva statue seemed to remain before their eyes. The world beyond the swirling incense smoke seemed to have vanished.

It's really gone.

Beyond the wisp of smoke, where there were originally monks, pilgrims, various creatures, and buildings, all had vanished into nothingness, turning into pitch blackness, leaving no trace. Li Qi stared wide-eyed, trying to find some clues, but still couldn't see anything.

This insecurity even made him want to unseal the True Knowledge Dao Charm.

However, he held back and continued to slowly recite Buddhist Scriptures, waiting patiently.

This darkness lasted for some time.

After a while, the smoke dissipated, and suddenly a lot of fragrance appeared around him. It wasn't the kind of fragrance that was tacky, but rather a very fresh and elegant herbal scent.

The surrounding scenery reappeared, and the Buddhist temple reappeared, but the monks and worshippers were gone, and it seemed that only Li Qi remained.

Li Qi got up from the prayer mat, only to find that the Bodhisattva statue in front of him had also changed.

No longer with that kind and gentle appearance, but instead... extremely, seductive?

Li Qi couldn't quite describe what it looked like, because... it was a very mixed bag, but there was no denying that... it was extremely beautiful.

Instead of the solemnity commonly seen in Bodhisattva statues, there is a beautiful female statue.

With hands crossed and clasped together, head raised, chest and waist thrust forward, and lower body seated on a lotus platform. Accompanied by various flowers, incense, burning incense oil lamps, banners, and melodious music, one assumes the posture of a Vajrasana (lotus seat).

If it were an ordinary Bodhisattva statue, this posture would be quite normal. Li Qi knew that this was a special physical practice called 'Yoga'.

But this White Chen Fox King Bodhisattva's figure was just too alluring; even though he was doing something proper, it just didn't look proper at all...

Li Qi considered himself calm and unaffected by ordinary temptations, but when he saw the Bodhisattva statue, he still felt something was amiss.

She truly deserves to be called a femme fatale who brought ruin to the country...

I heard that before he attained the Bodhisattva Fruit Position, he was able to seduce the human emperor. He was a typical peerless demon Demon King. He was already like that in that era. Now he has even attained the Bodhisattva Fruit Position. Moreover, the Buddhist Scriptures specifically say that he "can charm people".

If a mere statue can evoke such a reaction, then that's truly...

Li Qi shook his head, forcing himself to look away from Dakini Heaven, then walked to the entrance of the Buddhist temple and pushed the door open to go out.

The moment the door was pushed open, a bright light burst forth from outside.

Li Qi immediately felt light, as if he was no longer bound by gravity.

This is... a blank line?

As his eyes gradually adjusted to the light, Li Qi opened them again, and everything before him was so dreamlike.

The earth rests on the water. The water is stopped by the wind. The wind is stopped in the sky. Sometimes a great wind rises in the sky, turning into Giant Wheel.

Elephants, horses, chariots, golden wheels, palaces, temples, fine clothes, and delicacies floated in the air.

Countless Celestial Person live freely there, their clothes and food are all adorned with fragrance and jewels, and there are banners and subtle sounds.

The dwellings, palaces, and pavilions that one may reside in, according to their shape, color, height, size, or whether they contain one or two treasures, or even countless treasures, can appear at one's command and upon one's thought.

The ground was covered with a variety of precious garments, which were walked upon by all the Celestial Person. A net of countless precious stones covered the Buddha, all made of gold thread, pearls, and hundreds of thousands of other rare and wonderful treasures.

The Celestial Person floated happily in the air, enjoying themselves at will, without a trace of sorrow or trouble. Some were talking about love, some were singing softly, some were enjoying delicious food, some were drinking fine wine, and some were creating paintings. Every Celestial Person was enjoying themselves to the fullest.

This place is filled with unimaginable abundance. Beautiful Heavenly Maiden roam around, and melodious heavenly music plays from time to time. Exquisite flowers and leaves flourish, their fragrance permeates the air, and fruits are plentiful, smooth, and sweet. Treasures are everywhere, and beautiful cities built of gold, silver, coral, and glass are scattered all over the land.

Compared to the mortal world, the scenery here even surpasses that of Chang'an.

Li Qi looked at all of this, and it seemed like a life of paradise in legends.

Yes, those beings here are 'Celestial Person', or 'Celestial Host'.

These heavens, such as the Dakini Heaven, the Mahesvara, and the Indra, are inhabited by beings called 'Celestial Host', which is the 'celestial class' in the Eight Legions of Devas and Asuras.

"Celestial Host" are the beings living in various "heavens" whose lives are far superior to those of humans, and whose lifespans are also much longer.

You can see the victory; look at the beautiful scenery around here.

There was endless delicious food, and the houses were made of the seven treasures. The Celestial Person lived freely and without worries or sorrows. It was a very prosperous place.

But...

Over the past six months, Li Qi has talked with people like Shakya Zaba more than once and has also read many Buddhist Scriptures in depth. Naturally, he also knows that the Celestial Person do not enjoy pleasure forever.

The Celestial Person are still in the cycle of reincarnation, but their previous lives' cultivation yielded results, allowing them to be reborn as Celestial Host and enjoy a blissful life.

If they do not seize the opportunity to cultivate themselves, they may fall directly into hell when they die, suffering hardships that correspond to their current happiness.

When the lifespan of Celestial Person comes to an end, it is known as the "Five Signs of Demise for Celestials".

Their clothes will become filthy, their hair ornaments withered, their armpits sweaty, their bodies foul-smelling, and they will no longer enjoy their seats. The beautiful heavenly music will cease to play, and the natural radiance emanating from their bodies will gradually fade away. Other Celestial Person and Heavenly Maiden will also leave them, ultimately causing them to die a painful death.

While Celestial Person are alive, they experience no suffering. However, if they indulge in pleasure and fail to cultivate the Dharma, they will suffer a thousand times more than mortals after death.

This is also one of the methods used by Buddhism.

If you accumulate good fortune in the mortal realm, you can be reborn Celestial Host and enjoy good fortune. When your good fortune is exhausted, you will fall into hell and suffer.

If one retains all memories, then after just a few times, even a donkey would probably learn ascetic practices.

Practitioners forged in this way will likely lose interest in all suffering and joy, because they have seen it all, and all that remains is a steadfast heart for ascetic practice.

Buddhism... it's really scary.