Bodhidharma was no longer in Bodhidharma Cave. Only legends passed down through generations remained. These legends, along with Bodhidharma's spirit, were Shaolin's greatest secret and source of strength—the lineage through which Shaolin's flame had been passed on.
To understand Shaolin's foundations and secrets, one had to understand Venerable Bodhidharma, who had come from a foreign land and become a disciple of Bhadra, Shaolin's first abbot.
By now, the many relics and Spiritual Remnants left behind by Venerable Bodhidharma had all been preserved within Bodhidharma Cave, infused with Bodhidharma's power through the blessings of generations of Shaolin's eminent monks.
When Jiang Dali and Ying Yuan arrived outside Bodhidharma Cave under Hui En and the others' guidance, they immediately saw an old monk sitting motionlessly outside the cave.
The old monk's nine ordination scars had all become nine relics. His brows and beard were white, long, and thick. His face was solemn and dignified, his eyes closed as he meditated devoutly. Dust and fallen leaves had piled upon his robes, as though he had maintained that posture for a very long time without moving.
"Senior Brother Hui Jing!"
At the sight of the old monk, Hui En and the others all wore solemn expressions and respectfully bowed.
"Amitabha. The setting sun shines, yet all is full; empty emerald shadows fall over the courtyard. See how pure the lotus is, and know its heart remains unstained. Ying Yuan greets this Hualekhan!"
Ying Yuan also pressed his palms together and bowed to the old monk with shock and reverence. Clearly, he had been impressed by the old monk's realm.
Hualekhan was actually a Tantric term. If one did not eliminate deluded thoughts, one could only be reborn according to karma, unable to choose for oneself, endlessly revolving and endlessly lost without realizing it. Only