Such a simplistic comparison is meaningless; the measurement of value must ultimately be based on specific contexts and needs.
Getting back to the main point, the supreme outline of the " Present Tathagata Scripture " is hidden deep within the Grotto-Heaven of this Universe Bag.
Even if you turn the bag upside down, you would hardly find any trace of it using ordinary methods.
In the original story, Hong Yi accidentally damaged the cloth bag during a life-or-death battle with Hong Xuanji, which led to the general outline being revealed to the world by chance.
However, given Li Qingshan's current level of attainment and supernatural abilities, there is no need for such a complicated process.
With a slight thought, he reached into the layers of space within the bag like an invisible hand, and in an instant, he locked onto that deeply hidden point of spiritual light.
With a soft whooshing sound, a page of scripture, neither gold nor jade, but with an inner radiance and resembling an ancient palm leaf, flew leisurely out of the bag and landed steadily in Li Qingshan's hand.
Above the scripture, a majestic Buddha statue, towering to the heavens and standing tall, is depicted with a brushstroke reminiscent of the Great Dao.
This Buddha stands with his head held high, golden lotuses seemingly blooming one after another beneath his feet. One finger points to the sky, and the other to the earth, his posture domineering over all directions, perfectly embodying the domineering truth of "I am the only one who is supreme in heaven and earth".
Simply gazing at this image evokes a powerful sense of dominating the present and being invincible in this world.
The true meaning of "Tathagata" is "to reach the Other Shore by following the true path."
The core meaning of the " Present Tathagata Scripture " lies in firmly believing in and practicing the use of absolutely powerful and absolutely real force to cleave through the waves, cross the Bitter Sea, and truly reach the Other Shore shore of bliss.
According to this sutra, all things may be as fleeting as dew or lightning, but power is real, undeniable, Eternal.
This sutra was personally transmitted by the World Honored One of the Great Zen Temple, who had attained the pinnacle of martial arts, reaching the ultimate state of " Shattering the Void," and represents the pinnacle of martial arts in this world.
Looking at this great Buddha statue, Li Qingshan couldn't help but think of the World-Honored One in the Shrouding the Heavens World, who also had the title "Tathagata" and the same domineering aura that could swallow the universe. The names were similar, and their domineering aura of self-importance was also connected across different worlds.
The half of the scripture he had previously obtained only recorded the methods for condensing specific acupoints, which belonged to the level of "techniques" and could only be practiced after reaching the realm of Human Immortal.
However, this general outline is completely different. It is like the image of the great Buddha that established all past in the Past Amitabha Sutra. It is the "source of visualization" that carries the soul of the sutra's meaning and is the fundamental source and key to all practice.
As the saying goes, "True teachings can be conveyed in a single diagram, while false teachings can fill countless books."
Without this fundamental Buddha statue containing the true meaning of "now" as a guide, even with all sorts of techniques and formulas, it would be nothing more than building castles in the air, unable to touch the true essence of the " Present Tathagata Scripture," which is domineering and boundless, and grasps the strongest power of the present moment.
Now that the general outline is in hand, not only can one thoroughly understand the essence of this scripture, but one can also glimpse the supreme mystery described in the scripture: the fusion of martial arts physique and spiritual power to ultimately forge the " Tathagata Dharma Body ".
This page of dark gold palm-leaf scripture was gently enveloped by Li Qingshan's spiritual thoughts. With his superior vision and wisdom, he instantly understood all the key points within it.
He "saw" that, besides the central Buddha pointing to the sky and the earth, there were nine other Present Buddha phantoms, identical in form but each with different profound hand seals, faintly arranged in the surrounding void! This scene could not be seen by anyone but those with profound cultivation and divine sense.
These nine Buddha figures respectively embody nine supreme powers that shake the universe, such as reversing the course of heaven and earth, destroying the world, capturing primordial energy, playing with the sun and moon, and chasing the stars.
One Buddha is the essence, and nine Buddhas are the application.
This reminded Li Qingshan of the " Vacuum Great Hand Seal " recorded in the " Past Amitabha Sutra," which has nine mudras.
The " Present Tathagata Scripture " presents ten Buddha images and ten mudras here, subtly revealing the mystery of transcending the extreme number "nine" and containing a more transcendent secret.
Naturally, while the power and principles contained in these hand seals are profound, for Li Qingshan, who has already transcended his own path to supreme enlightenment, they serve more as "stones from other mountains" to broaden his horizons and validate his own path.
Above all the great paths of the heavens, "Those who learn from me will live, those who imitate me will die." Learning from others is acceptable, but copying them blindly is of no use.
As his thoughts flowed, Li Qingshan refined his profound insights and fundamental analysis of the general outline of the " Present Tathagata Scripture," distilling them into a pure and unadulterated divine message free from distractions.
He didn't say much, but gently sent out this wisp of divine thought, transferring it into the sea of consciousness between the eyebrows of the Monk Jingren, who was still in a state of great shock and his mind was wavering.
This move was not made on a whim.
Taking someone's precious treasure, though done by the law, also incurs a share of karmic Cause and Effect.
Li Qingshan acts with self-control, possesses a clear understanding of the Dao, is not bound by material things, and is certainly not a great villain.
Offering this profound and unparalleled interpretation of the scriptures is both a response to this "connection" and a culmination and guidance for the monk who devoted twenty years to upholding his legacy.
The Monk Jingren suddenly received this vast and profound mystery, which went straight to the core. His body trembled violently, and his face was instantly covered with an incredulous and ecstatic expression.
Without further hesitation, he immediately sat cross-legged in the Void, his mind completely immersed in the vast ocean of Buddhist scriptures.
Following the insights and guidance transmitted by Li Qingshan, Monk Jingren immediately began to visualize and imitate the " Fundamental Seal " depicted in the first picture of the general outline.
The Monk Jingren was completely absorbed in the text. He clearly captured the grand and ultimate idea of "moving forward with the greatest wisdom and power, transcending everything, and reaching the Other Shore " projected from the lines of the scripture and the ripples of the Buddha's image. This idea was deeply imprinted in his mind.
He couldn't help but stand up and begin to practice the ten mudras, starting with the " Fundamental Seal," slowly, solemnly, and powerfully, carefully comprehending the supreme meaning and power trajectory corresponding to each mudra.
Gradually, his body seemed to break free from conscious control and enter a strange, automatic state.
The blood and qi within his body surged and roared like the Yangtze River, his muscles and bones vibrated, and he unknowingly stepped into a deep cultivation state of forgetting himself and the world, of "no law and no thought".
All the thoughts and ideas of the soul emanated from the ancestral aperture between the eyebrows, transforming into a clear, flowing crystalline cloud suspended above the head; meanwhile, the abundant essence of qi and blood in the lower dantian rose up, transforming into wisps of extremely yang and powerful blood qi smoke, which intersected and vibrated with the clear light of the soul above the head, forming a wondrous resonance.
" Ten Thousand Buddhas Pay Homage!"
The Monk Jingren's physical body instinctively circulates qi and blood, tempers muscles and bones, comprehends related acupoints, and condenses his own unique martial arts intent.
At the same time, his divine thoughts, honed over many years, manifested as miniature Buddha images, solemnly practicing the Ten Great Seals in the clear light above his head, in sync with his main body's movements.
In an instant, within a radius of several dozen feet centered on his body, it seemed as if thousands of images of the Present Tathagata appeared simultaneously, with faint chanting and swirling Buddhist light, and a domineering and majestic field of thought spread out.
" Present Tathagata, the Primordial Truth Dharma Body, the Fundamental Seal!"
At the same time, Li Qingshan calmed his mind and used his own supreme Dao Realm as a mirror to reflect the true meaning of "grasp the present and be the only one who is supreme" contained in the " Fundamental Seal " of the general outline diagram.
He didn't need to adjust his posture; with a thought, the Daoist aura around him flowed naturally. The domineering image of one finger pointing to the sky and the other to the earth was already perfectly formed, as if he were the source that stood firm in the present and dominated the world.
Ripples arose in the Void beneath his feet, and golden lotus phantoms formed from Dao patterns bloomed and vanished.
The essence of the Ten Dharma Seals of the Present Tathagata Scripture —fundamental, wisdom, great thousand, immeasurable, Nirvana, formless, bodhi, and even the Maha that is said to shake the heavens, supreme and great, gate, the preliminary transcendence, para, and the three seals of the Other Shore —flowed through his mind like a mighty river.
However, he did not immerse himself in practicing its form, but rather used it as a key to question what he had learned.
"Seize the present, dominate the moment; this true meaning of 'the present' is the same as the Heaven-Opening described in my Seven Seals of Yuanshi."
"Isn't the core of the ' Heaven-Opening Seal' that 'establishes order' the same as the 'Heaven-Opening Seal'?" Li Qingshan's mind raced.
The Heaven-Opening Seal can restrain the old rules and evolve into the Heaven-Turning and Wuji, which corresponds to the power of the "present" that replaces the old order with the new order. The Heaven-Opening phenomenon, which is neither a banner nor an axe, resonates with the Present Buddha charm of pointing to the heaven and earth and being the only one who is supreme.
" The Heaven-Overturning Seal Palm shatters the universe, and the destruction of the Three Realms is in his hand. This kind of resolute destruction of the old world and creation of a new era is so similar to the domineering spirit of 'purging the past and focusing only on the present' in his true intention." In his mind, it was as if a giant palm was supporting the sky and pressing down, and the Void trembled.
Immediately, the principles of the Four Symbols Seal came to mind.
In the beginning of Heaven-Opening, Yin-Yang separated, and the earth, fire, wind, and water raged. That was a violent stage from the state of chaos "nothingness" to the state of order "somethingness," until morality brought peace to the world.
This precisely illustrates the fundamental principle that allows the "now" as a spatiotemporal point to be established and for all things to exist clearly.
A phantom jade box, woven from the four fundamental Dao patterns of earth, water, wind, and fire, floated and ebbed within his primordial spirit, illustrating the profound mystery of how Taiji Chi gives rise to all things.
" The Yin-Yang Seal, flowing through life and death, undergoes endless changes. It is the foundation of the existence and movement of all things, and also the fundamental law that allows the present to manifest in countless forms." The illusory image of the Yin-Yang rotates, and the black and white energies circulate endlessly, endowing the present with infinite changes and vitality, and also implying the wonder of restoration and transformation.
" The Void Seal, chaotic directions, vanishing into the void, now" also needs to rely on a stable and traversable spatial framework. The principles of the Void ripple, making the idea of "grasping the present" possible to travel without hindrance.
" The Wuji Seal, the central virtue, is firm and unshakable, and cannot be invaded by any law. This is the foundation upon which the present can stand and not be washed away or eroded by the tides of the past and the future." It is as if an Apricot-Yellow Flag is waving, stabilizing the earth, water, wind, and fire, providing the most solid protection for the true meaning of the "present" that he has come to understand.
The power of " the Primordial Heart Seal, shaking the true spirit, pointing directly to the original mind, now" ultimately stems from the absolute focus and control of the mind's will over the present moment, a manifestation of primal mental strength. The subtle power of thought flows, giving that "I am the only one" state of mind a profound dimension that shakes the soul and dominates one's own thoughts.
The Seven Seals of Truth and the Profound Meaning of "Present" embodied in the Ten Seals of the Present Tathagata Scripture Sutra, under the insightful and profound Daoist perspective of Li Qingshan, mutually corroborate, collide, and inspire each other.
He is like a Creator, examining the supreme principles of "power," "existence," and "rules" in two different systems.
Gradually, a deeper understanding began to emerge.
Whether it's the decisive decision to Heaven-Opening or the current dominance, they all seem to point to a common, more primordial source—a state before everything differentiated, a state without divine secrets, without direction, without past or future.
" The Limitless Seal!!!"
This name naturally surfaced in his mind.
This is a preliminary deduction and creation based on all current insights.
The Limitless Seal embodies the "nothingness" before the creation of heaven and earth and before the birth of all things. It can devour and encompass all rules, is the beginning of all laws, and can also contain the end of all laws, including all possibilities of the past, present, and future.
He vaguely "saw" that the Heaven-Opening Seal, the Four Symbols Seal, the Yin-Yang Seal, the Void Seal, and even the Primordial Heart Seal could all naturally evolve from this " Limitless " prototype.
The ultimate image pursued by the Ten Dharma Seals of the Present Tathagata Scripture Sutra—"to grasp the present with supreme power and transcend to reach the Other Shore "—may truly be realized on the basis of whether one can briefly touch or simulate a trace of this Limitless true meaning of "accommodating all possibilities".
Only by embracing both the "past" and the "future" can the domination of the "present" not be rootless and adrift, but have the potential for true transcendence.
A hazy, ethereal cloud, seemingly capable of absorbing all light and concepts, churned slightly in the deepest part of his primordial spirit before disappearing.
This is not about mastering the Limitless Seal, but about planting a seed of enlightenment, a clear direction.
Using the " Present Tathagata Scripture " as a catalyst, this reflection and sublimation of one's own " Seven Seals of Yuanshi " and even the essence of power is of value far exceeding the sutra itself.
This confirmation is like lighting a clearer lamp on the vast path, illuminating the deeper connections within our own system and the faint path leading to the realm of " Limitless ".
Li Qingshan slowly opened his eyes. The powerful Daoist aura that had been flowing naturally around him due to the surge of his thoughts gradually subsided, returning to an unfathomable calm.
As the light descended, he saw that the Monk Jingren was still sitting cross-legged on the ground, but his aura was completely different from a moment ago.
The miniature Buddha statues had been withdrawn, but the clear light above their heads became increasingly solid, and the blood energy and smoke were even more refined and powerful. A new, unique fist intent, imbued with the flavor of "grasping the present," was stabilizing and growing within his body, clearly indicating that he had initially entered a completely new realm.
Seemingly sensing Li Qingshan's gaze, Monk Jingren was suddenly awakened from his deep reverie.
He looked around blankly at first, then his gaze focused on Li Qingshan. The bitterness, helplessness and forbearance he had felt earlier because of the treasure being taken away had now turned into an indescribable shock and enlightenment.
He knew clearly that the divine thought that had just entered his sea of consciousness, and the subsequent breakthrough in his realm, were far more valuable than the Universe Bag that he had guarded for two thousand years!
Without the slightest hesitation, Monk Jingren suddenly stood up, ignoring the dust on his body, and knelt down with a resounding thud in the direction Li Qingshan had left, bowing deeply with the most solemn Buddhist rites, his forehead touching the ground. "The kindness of your teachings and enlightenment, senior, is greater than being reborn! Jing Ren thanks you, senior!" His voice was loud and clear, filled with heartfelt excitement and piety.
This bow is not a bow to power, but a bow to the grace and opportunity that points directly to the Great Way.
He knew that his obsession with restoring the temple, which he had held onto for twenty years, might still be hopeless, but his personal path had suddenly become clear because of today's encounter, and he had truly touched upon a higher level of the essence of the Great Zen Temple's martial arts.
Li Qingshan accepted the bow calmly, his eyes showing neither sorrow nor joy.
This gift of insight was both to establish the karmic connection for obtaining the Cause and Effect and a guidance given to him according to his own will.
As for whether Monk Jingren and Weilai can use this to reach a higher level, or even influence the fate of the remaining Great Zen Temple, that depends on their own destiny and Fortune.
"This enlightenment has allowed the true meaning of the * Present Tathagata Scripture * to take root in him. The strength and destiny of this Monk Jingren have quietly deviated from their original trajectory." Li Qingshan's thoughts stirred slightly as he considered the potential ripples. "If Yang An, the future Champion Marquis chosen by destiny, were to come and plot against the Universe Bag as in the original story, he would no longer be facing a Martial Saint who could only flee or rely on the terrain, but a formidable opponent who has begun to grasp the domineering true meaning of the * Present Tathagata Sutra* and whose strength has greatly increased. And then there's the Xuantian Pavilion and the Witch-Ghost Dao —the chessboard of this Wild Continent land has, from this moment on, been tainted with new variables."
Thinking of this, a very faint smile appeared on Li Qingshan's lips.
He is not the one who plays the game, nor does he intend to dominate the conflicts in this world. However, the subtle variables caused by his own existence, like the flapping of a butterfly's wings, will create ripples in the predetermined river of fate. This is something worth pondering.
Perhaps, the lucky "courier" Champion Marquis's journey of "delivering goods" in this life will be filled with some unexpected twists and turns and interesting moments.
A brief moment of insight and a casual revelation have come to an end, but the path ahead seems to have become clearer and broader because of this confirmation. The few marks left in this world have also quietly laid the groundwork for future stories.
He didn't linger any longer. He took one last look at the Monk Jingren, whose aura had been completely renewed, then turned and took a step forward. His figure blended into the Xuan paper like ink painting, silently disappearing into layers of Void, completely leaving Heaven-Absolving Mountain.