Ji An was certain that a great war would inevitably break out between cultivators and Buddhist cultivators. The more he learned about the enemy now, the calmer he would be when dealing with them later.
"The information I know was compiled by various factions. It can only give you, Fellow Daoist, a general understanding of Buddhist cultivators. There are bound to be errors and omissions, so take it merely as reference."
True Lord Tianyan first offered a "disclaimer." Their beliefs were fundamentally different, and cultivators would never embark on the path of Buddhist cultivation. Moreover, after the bloody battle with the Buddhist cultivators, vast numbers of their jade slips and scriptures had been destroyed, leaving much of the information incomplete and one-sided.
Ji An cupped his hands and smiled gently. "Please, Fellow Daoist, speak freely. My understanding of Buddhist cultivators is truly too limited. Even a reference would be valuable."
True Lord Tianyan pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.
"We cultivators absorb the spiritual qi of heaven and earth to strengthen ourselves. We cultivate longevity. Buddhist cultivators use prayer power as the foundation of their cultivation. They cultivate transcendence, seeking to escape the cycle of life and death.
"In truth, the results are rather similar. Both seek to live as long as heaven and earth.
"Whether mortals or cultivators, all carry wishes in their hearts. Mortals make it easier to understand. Those without wealth seek wealth, those without children seek children, and the sick seek health.
"All living beings possess countless desires. Buddhist cultivators guide such people to temples deep in the mountains. Those seeking wealth are granted a luminous pearl. Those seeking children spend a night in the Buddha hall behind the temple. The sick are bathed in Buddhist light by eminent monks.
"Once their wishes are fulfilled,