Chapter 384
Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly and asked.
"...Hmm?" Earth Immortal Jingguang paused, then said, "This humble monk does indeed think so. As for what the Lapis Lazuli Pure Land lineage thinks, I have no idea."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang asked no further questions.
It seems that he wasn't unaware of the information, but rather unwilling to say more.
His claim of "sending envoys to the far east to resolve the conflict" was probably not sincere.
Not long after.
The group arrived at Great Sumeru Mountain.
Majestic peaks rise atop the sky, ancient trees and pines obscure the clouds, streams murmur, waterfalls cascade, Rosy Clouds rise and swirl, creating a scene resembling a fairyland.
A rich and pure fragrance of incense permeated the entire mountain, intoxicating all who smelled it.
"What a pristine place!"
Xiao Minghuang's eyes revealed an expression of appreciation.
Great Sumeru Mountain is shrouded in mist, filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers; it is truly a paradise on earth.
"The Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss resides atop the mountain, some distance from here. Let me take you there."
Earth Immortal Jingguang pointed to the mountain peak ahead and said.
"Thank you for your help, fellow Daoist."
Xiao Minghuang said politely.
Then, the Earth Immortal Jingguang personally led the way to the summit of the Pure Land of Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
A grand, ancient hall stands atop the clouds, bathed in Rosy Clouds, its majestic appearance inspiring a sense of tranquility and peace.
"Amitabha."
Earth Immortal Jingguang stopped, turned to Xiao Minghuang and bowed, saying, "Princess, please wait a moment while I go in and inform her."
Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly.
Soon.
The Earth Immortal Jingguang appeared again and gestured to Xiao Minghuang, saying, "Princess, please."
Xiao Minghuang nodded and stepped into the main hall.
Inside the main hall.
The fragrance of sandalwood wafts through the air, a delicate and elegant aroma lingering in the air, soothing and refreshing.
In the center of the main hall, a monk dressed in a white robe sat with his back to the hall door.
The monk's aura was ethereal and mysterious; he remained motionless, as if he had merged into the void, making it impossible to discern his appearance.
"Amitabha."
The Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss slowly turned around. His body was withered and thin, his eyes were sunken, his cheeks were sunken, his cheekbones were high, and his eyes were cloudy. He looked much older than ordinary people, and even more frail than ordinary mortals.
He didn't exude any supernatural aura; he seemed like just an ordinary, elderly monk.
However, as the ruler of a realm, Xiao Minghuang's cultivation level was much higher than his opponent's, so he could naturally see that the old monk in front of him was actually a super strong person at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm, probably no less than the Demon Emperor who had severed his own realm source!
"You have come from afar, but this old monk is old and frail and unable to greet you in person. Please forgive me..."
500. Formation, Stasis, Decay, Emptiness
As he spoke, the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss stood up tremblingly. He was thin and haggard, as if he would fall over if a gust of wind blew him down.
However, Xiao Minghuang did not look down on him in the slightest. She said politely, "Abbot, you are too polite. You are an elder, and according to the order of seniority, I should show courtesy to the junior."
As she spoke, she bowed slightly, adopting an extremely humble posture.
"Amitabha..."
The voice of the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss was hoarse and aged, as if he were a candle flickering in the wind. After saying a few words, he seemed to have exhausted all his strength and sat back down.
Xiao Minghuang did not urge him, but waited quietly.
As the ruler of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss of Ultimate Bliss could not have been completely unaware of the changes in the Western Land. However, even after nearly half of the Western Land had fallen, he did not organize his Buddhist disciples to resist. This lack of resistance itself demonstrated a certain attitude.
Xiao Minghuang came here to seek the Buddhist sect's attitude towards the invasion from the East.
Although the Buddhist community is divided into two branches, the Lapis Lazuli Pure Land is in decline, and its followers probably number no more than ten.
The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss is thriving, with the number of registered monks alone exceeding ten million. If we include ascetics, practitioners, laypeople, and other non-registered disciples, the total number is likely to be hundreds of millions!
As the abbot of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss of Ultimate Bliss's attitude represents the attitude of most Buddhist disciples.
The Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss's subsequent reaction to her will determine Xiao Minghuang's future attitude towards Buddhism.
After an unknown amount of time, the voice of the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss resounded once more:
"I've heard that you have some interest in the Buddhist treasure, the Three Lives Stone. Would it be convenient for me to take you there now?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang paused slightly, not understanding why the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss had suddenly brought up this matter.
But since she was already there, she wanted to see what the other party was really up to.
Moreover, she was also somewhat interested in this Buddhist treasure.
"Since the abbot has extended such a warm invitation, I have no reason to refuse."
"Please come with me, benefactor."
The Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss of Bliss coughed lightly and slowly led the way, leaning on his staff.
The two walked up the steps one after the other, and soon they arrived at a dilapidated temple.
Xiao Minghuang looked up, passed through the temple gate, and looked into the courtyard where a Bodhi tree with green vines entwined around it grew.
In early autumn, the branches are lush and the trees provide ample shade.
Beneath the Bodhi tree stands a weathered ancient stele, covered with densely packed Sanskrit symbols that vaguely outline a vast array of patterns.
"Please come in, benefactor."
The aged voice of the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss resounded.
"Um."
As she stepped through the temple gate, she immediately felt a ripple spreading through the surrounding void.
Immediately afterwards, a mysterious and unpredictable power filled the dilapidated temple, completely isolating this space, which was about four or five zhang square, from the outside world.
Xiao Minghuang's eyes flashed, but she didn't pay much attention.
"Buzz~"
Suddenly, a melodious bell rang in her ears.
The bell tolled long and deep, as if it came from the heavens, each strike resonating in her heart, making her blood boil and her spirits soar.
Suddenly, the stone tablet covered with Sanskrit characters emitted light, and a milky white ball of light emerged, transforming into a pure white object the size of a palm.
This object is pure white in color, has three holes, and is oval in shape. It is covered with fine and mysterious Sanskrit characters, with visible ripples spreading outwards.
"This is the Three Lives Stone..."
Xiao Minghuang stared intently.
This pure white, crystal-clear stone, as if carved from mutton-fat jade, is the Three Lives Stone.
"The Three Lives Stone reflects the cause and effect of the past, present, and future. You may inquire about any doubts you may have."
The Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss spoke in a peaceful and gentle voice, recounting the story in a slow and gentle manner.
His voice was hoarse, like a gentle breeze, conveying compassion.
Xiao Minghuang knew, of course, that since the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss had asked her to inquire about the Three Lives Stone, it already revealed his attitude.
The answer he obtained within the Three Lives Stone represents the attitude and stance of the Pure Land of Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Immediately, Xiao Minghuang reached out and pointed a finger at the Three Lives Stone.
In an instant, light surged on the Three Lives Stone, and streaks of divine light burst forth, dazzling and illuminating the void, making this dilapidated temple shine brightly.
A series of bizarre and fantastical scenes appeared in Xiao Minghuang's mind.
She seemed to be in another illusory time and space, witnessing history, discerning truth from falsehood, and watching the endless years and many magical sights.
From the birth of the first star in the vast universe to the flourishing of billions of stars.
She had experienced it all, she had lost it all...
In the end, everything vanished.
The light of the Three Lives Stone gradually dimmed.
After a long while, the radiance faded.
Xiao Minghuang withdrew her gaze, her expression complex.
"Amitabha."
Beside him, the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss clasped his hands together and said, "All conditioned phenomena are like dreams and illusions, arising, abiding, changing, and ceasing; they are formed, abiding, Formation, Stasis, Decay, Emptiness. This is the natural order."
Xiao Minghuang shook his head and said, "This Non-Self opinion. Abbot, just tell me, is the Western Land prepared to resist the westward advance from the Eastern Pole with all its might?"
She wasn't unaware of the meaning behind the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss's words; it was precisely because she understood them so well that she intended to ask clearly and explicitly.
The terms "birth, dwelling, change, and extinction" refer to the cycle of life from birth to death; "formation, Formation, Stasis, Decay, Emptiness, and emptiness" refer to the formation and disappearance of things. If we follow the natural order, then all things are in a cycle of reincarnation. Whether it is birth or death, existence or destruction, everything is circulating in nature.
Therefore, all living beings, whether they exist or perish, are deeply mired in suffering.
They no longer cared about life or death, nor did they care about resisting or not resisting.
In his eyes, the death of all living beings and the destruction of the world are all part of the cycle of reincarnation, natural phenomena like falling leaves, so he would never try to stop them.
"Amitabha Buddha, sentient beings are drowning in the sea of suffering, unable to extricate themselves; how pitiful and lamentable..."
The Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss chanted a Buddha's name and murmured.
"I cannot agree with what the abbot said. All living beings are born and raised here, and whether they experience suffering or joy, they know for themselves. Moreover, we are born into this world only once, and whether we are as great as immortals or as insignificant as ants, there will always be times when we are blessed with good fortune and do things that are to our liking, even if it only happens once in a lifetime, or only for a moment!"
Xiao Minghuang's gaze was calm, and each word she uttered was firm and resolute.
"Amitabha!"
The Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss remained seated and motionless.
Xiao Minghuang knew that what she was saying was completely like talking to a brick wall; neither of them could possibly understand the other's thoughts, and even if they did, neither could be persuaded.
So, there's only one last option left.
In a practical sense, it means forcing the other party to obey one's own will.
Clearly, the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss also understood this, and he slowly said, "What you say is indeed in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people, but this old monk practices the Way of Nirvana and follows the principle of reincarnation, so I'm afraid there's nothing I can do to help you."
501. The Heavenly Dao Succession
Xiao Minghuang's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze becoming increasingly sharp.
"Abbot..."
She had barely opened her mouth, before she could utter a complete sentence, when the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss suddenly interrupted, "Benefactor, you have come from afar, and your wish is nothing more than the Origin of the Western Land. This item is within the Three Lives Stone; please take it..."
Having said that, the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss of Bliss closed his eyes again, his face serene.
Xiao Minghuang's eyes widened suddenly, her eyelids twitched, and her face showed astonishment.
She never expected that the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss would say such a thing.
It should be noted that the Three Lives Stone is a sacred treasure of Buddhism, passed down through countless generations.
Furthermore, as she stated, the Western Land's origin also resides within the Three Lives Stone; giving it to her would mean entrusting the lifeline of Buddhism and the Western Land to her hands...
But just now, wasn't the Great World-Honored One of Ultimate Bliss of Blissful Paradise still in a state of serene emptiness and Kong?
Originally, she came to the Western Lands intending to first help the Buddhist sect defeat the Eastern Great Army, and then negotiate with the Buddhist sect to obtain the Western Lands' Boundary Source.
But to our surprise, the goal was achieved as soon as we arrived.
Xiao Minghuang's eyes flickered, she thought to herself, and then chuckled softly.