World-Honored One's Chan Assembly
The majestic Jinyu Stone Archway gradually disappeared behind us, and before us lay a wide, straight staircase leading to the depths of the clouds.
With a gentle smile and unhurried steps, the Huijue Arhat led the way.
Mountain-Bearing Arhat followed silently behind, his burly body like a moving mountain rock. Although he had concealed his aura, the oppressive feeling of Vajra still lingered faintly.
Qi Yun lagged half a step behind Huijue, his expression carrying a touch of solemnity as he entered the sacred realm for the first time. Zi Guang seemed to calmly glance at the scenery along the way, but in reality, he took in every detail.
Stepping into the Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm is a completely different experience from the outside world.
The steps beneath your feet are neither stone nor jade, but a warm, light golden material with naturally occurring lotus patterns on the surface. Stepping on them, you feel a slight warmth and a sense of tranquility.
On either side of the Heavenly Steps, instead of cliffs and precipices, there are layers of platforms, hermitages, small pagodas, and sutra pillars, all nestled in the mountainside in a harmonious and orderly fashion.
All were enveloped in soft Buddhist light, and the gentle chanting of Buddhist hymns filled the air.
The sandalwood scent in the air became refined and lingering, mixed with the fragrance of exotic flowers and fruits, the fresh scent of Bodhi leaves, and an indescribable "Pure Land aura" emanating from the permeation of Buddhism.
With each breath, not only does Spiritual Qi flow naturally, but even the Divine Soul feels as if it is being gently soothed by an invisible hand.
When distracting thoughts cease, the mind becomes a clear lake.
It was that flash of inspiration again----
Sensing the hidden secret in the air, Qi Yun's expression shifted slightly, but fortunately, his Primordial True Body was mysterious and wondrous.
When this "soothing" power touched the very essence of his Divine Soul, it was quietly dissipated by the celestial light on his forehead.
Only a superficial, illusory sense of comfort remains.
The higher you go, the more magnificent and beautiful the scenery becomes.
Looking up, the Heavenly Staircase seemed to have no end, winding its way into the ever-surging, dense sea of Buddhist light clouds, like liquid gold, higher above.
Within the sea of clouds, one can vaguely see the eaves and brackets of majestic palaces, the solemn outline of a giant Buddha statue, and countless floating lotus platforms and pagodas, all shimmering with Baoguang and displaying a myriad of magnificent sights.
Occasionally, monks clad in colorful brocade robes, with a radiant aura emanating from behind their heads, would emerge from the sea of clouds, their aura profound and their gaze unwavering.
Along the way, you can see many ascetic monks and devout believers, prostrating themselves with every step, slowly ascending along the rough stone path specially left at the edge of the heavenly steps, their foreheads covered in dust, but their eyes burning with fervor and determination.
There were also groups of three or five Buddhist practitioners gathered in open spaces by the roadside, debating scriptures in hushed tones and verifying the Dharma. Small-scale light and shadow phenomena naturally appeared around them, such as golden lotuses blooming and Sanskrit characters floating in the air.
The Huijue Arhat walked at a measured pace, occasionally offering gentle pointers. "Brother Fahai, please look. The grotto on that cliff face is the Sacred Realm Chan Contemplation Grotto," imbued with the Zen wisdom left by eminent monks of the past, greatly beneficial for understanding Buddhist teachings and cultivating one's character.
"The giant tree ahead, with its canopy like clouds and its body like crystal, is the famous [Wondrous Dharma Bodhi] in the sacred realm. It blooms once every three hundred years and bears fruit once every three hundred years."
Its flowers can aid in enlightenment, and its fruit can enhance wisdom.
The next blooming season won't be until ten years from now. If you have the chance, junior brother, you are welcome to come and see it then.
Qi Yun clasped his hands in thanks, his gaze following the direction, but in his heart he was secretly assessing: every blade of grass, every tree, every stone, and every cave in this Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm was probably not naturally formed or randomly arranged.
All of these are part of a grand overall plan, collectively constructing this ultimate training ground.
After walking for about half an hour, we passed through a bamboo forest filled with a pale golden mist, and suddenly the view opened up before us.
A quiet and secluded mountain platform comes into view.
The platform is built against the mountain, with white jade railings protecting its edges. Outside the railings, the sea of clouds rolls and the distant peaks are like dark eyebrows.
"This is Cloud-Resting Chan Monastery," specially designed to receive eminent monks and virtuous masters from all directions, as well as those with profound wisdom and affinity for Buddhism like my junior brother, for quiet meditation and temporary residence.
Huijue Arhat stopped, turned around Qi Yun, his tone friendly.
"My junior brother has just returned and needs a quiet place to settle his mind and body; this place is most suitable."
He pointed to several neatly cleaned rooms in the courtyard. "Junior brother, you may choose any one to stay in."
Several novice monks reside in the monastery; any needs can be met by requesting their assistance. If you have any questions, you can always come to the Golden Summit Prajna Hall to "find me."
After saying that, he took out a light blue token from his pocket, which was neither gold nor jade, and was engraved with cloud patterns and small Sanskrit characters, and handed it to Qi Yun.
"This is a pass and identity token for the Zen Temple. With it, you can walk in most areas of the lower level of the Holy Realm and also go to the Scripture Pavilion to read some basic scriptures on the first level."
"A higher level of authority will be determined after my junior brother finishes attending the World-Honored One's Chan Assembly."
Qi Yun accepted the token with both hands; it was cool to the touch and contained a gentle aura of Buddhist restriction. He clasped his hands in prayer again. "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother. Fahai is deeply grateful."
"Junior brother, you're too kind." Huijue Arhat's smile grew even warmer, a glint of wisdom flashing in his eyes, as if there was something profound in them.
"The World-Honored One's Chan Assembly will begin on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, three months from now."
At that time, the World-Honored One will personally manifest himself at the Little Thunderclap Temple atop Spirit Mountain to "expound the supreme Dharma, elucidate the true nature, and enlighten those in confusion."
This is a once-in-a-lifetime fortuitous opportunity, eagerly awaited by all Buddhas.
Junior brother, you possess the True Disciple of the ancient sect. Your return is perfectly timed; do not miss it.
The World-Honored One's Chan Assembly!
At the summit of Spirit Mountain!
Little Thunderclap Temple!
Huijue Arhat gave him a meaningful look, said no more, and put his palms together, saying, "Junior brother, please settle in first. This humble monk and Junior Brother Tuoshan still need to inspect other places, so we will not disturb you any longer."
Quietly cultivate your mind and await the Zen assembly.
Having said that, he and the ever-silent Camel Mountain-Bearing Arhat turned around and calmly walked away along the same path.
Soon, his figure disappeared into the pale golden misty bamboo forest.
Only Qi Yun remained in front of the Zen temple.
He held the slightly cool token, stood alone for a moment, and slowly swept his gaze across the serene Cloud-Resting Chan Monastery.
Sure enough, there were two or three young, calm-looking gray-robed novices in the courtyard, holding brooms and other items, standing respectfully at a distance.
Seeing him sweep his gaze over, he quickly bowed and saluted, not daring to look directly at him.
Qi Yun did not immediately enter any of the hermitages.
He strolled to the white jade railing at the edge of the platform and gazed into the distance.
Before my eyes, the sea of clouds churned and the Buddha's light shone, completely obscuring the layers of temples, heavenly steps, and ascetic monks below.
Only a blurry outline and the continuous background sound of chanting remain.
Above the sea of clouds, the higher sky was enveloped by an even more intense, almost liquid, golden Buddhist light.
The outlines of the palaces there were even more majestic and mysterious, and the oppressive aura they exuded inspired awe and a sense of insignificance even from a great distance.
That place is the summit of Spirit Mountain, where the Little Thunderclap Temple is located, and also the site where the World-Honored One's Chan Assembly will soon be held.
"Three months----" Qi Yun murmured to himself, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the cloud patterns on the token.
Time wasn't plentiful, but it was enough to do many things.
He did not choose those centrally located, more comfortable, and spacious residences.
Instead, they headed to a relatively simple single room in the far corner of the Zen temple, close to the mountain wall.
Pushing open the door, the interior was simply furnished with a bed, a couch, a table, and a futon.
All of them were clean and dust-free, with a faint lingering scent of sandalwood that could calm the mind and soothe the soul.
After closing the door, Qi Yun walked to the window, opened it a crack, and let in the cool, refreshing mountain breeze carrying a Buddhist aura.
He did not rush to meditate or investigate, but instead used his Divine Sense to scan every corner of the room with extreme caution.
Only after confirming that there were no hidden monitoring arrays or spying methods did they relax slightly.
His thoughts sank into the Purple Mansion.
"Senior Cai," he asked directly, "We've now penetrated deep into the heart of this Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm realm, and Cloud-Resting Chan Monastery's location is quite good."
Could you sense your location more clearly?
After a moment of silence, Cai Shen's solemn thoughts finally arrived, and a golden phantom appeared in his Sea of Consciousness, his small face tense. "No—not only can it not become clearer, but the sealing power feels even more severe and vast!"
I could still vaguely sense it when I was down the mountain.
Now, standing in this Zen monastery, the sensations are as if enveloped and severed by layers of thick golden clouds, intermittent and almost imperceptible.
His tone was more serious than ever before. "This ban—it's no small matter!"
It has almost completely severed my connection with the outside world!
Cai Kun looked at Qi Yun and said firmly, word by word, "It is True Lord!"
Moreover, it was personally arranged by True Lord was skilled in sealing and barrier-type Divine Ability!
It's even possible that the power of more than one True Lord is intertwined within it!
Qi Yun's heart skipped a beat.
As expected! The true form of the Imperial Weapon is here, and it has been sealed away by True Lord -level being with the highest level of protection!
"Can you specify the exact area under lockdown? Is it just on the summit of Spirit Mountain, near the Little Thunderclap Temple?" Qi Yun pressed.
"I can only vaguely sense that the main body is at the highest point of this sacred realm, which basically matches the location of the Little Thunderclap Temple you mentioned." Cai Shen tried his best to sense it, his tone calm.
"But it's completely impossible to tell which palace or which layer of restrictions it's under."
The seal itself is like a flawless cocoon of the Dao, which my perception simply cannot penetrate.
"Unless—I can get extremely close—I can determine a more precise location."
Extremely close distance — Qi Yun remained silent.
At the summit of Spirit Mountain, the Little Thunderclap Temple, the residence of the World-Honored One and the site of meditation assemblies, is undoubtedly the most heavily guarded and terrifyingly restricted absolute core of this sacred Buddhist realm.
Given his current status, let alone getting close, he probably wouldn't even be able to set foot on the outskirts of that area.
"The World-Honored One's Chan Assembly— " Qi Yun murmured, "Perhaps it's an opportunity."
At that time, people from all sides will gather, and perhaps we can get closer to them under the guise of listening to the lecture.
But the risks are also extremely high, as True Lord will definitely be present, and more than one—"
"Not bad," Cai Kun calmly analyzed.
"They mistakenly believe you are the reincarnation of the Great Radiance Sect. You must confirm this identity within the next three months."
In this way, one can use this identity to inquire about the Zen assembly, the core of the sacred realm, and the deeper intentions of overseas Buddhist practitioners.
Especially considering that the "root" of the World-Honored One—above the True Lord —would he truly descend in person?
"Hmm." Qi Yun responded in his mind, his eyes calm yet sharp, "Taking each step with caution, as if walking on thin ice."
For these three months, I have been Fahai.
"And take a look at the myriad forms of life within this sacred realm, and the workings of its rules."
He slowly opened his eyes, the sharpness in them completely disappearing, replaced by a clear and peaceful gaze befitting the atmosphere of this place.
I pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard.
The novice monks immediately stopped what they were doing and looked at them respectfully.
"Do you have any writing materials or scriptures?" Qi Yun asked gently, his tone humble.
An older novice monk quickly bowed and said, "Reporting to the Arhat, there is a small scripture hall in the side hall of the Zen temple, which is equipped with commonly used writing brushes and ink and some basic scriptures."
If the master needs more profound or specific scriptures, he can take the token to the scripture pavilion halfway up the mountain.
"Thank you."
Qi Yun his hands in greeting, then turned and walked toward the side hall that the novice monk had pointed to.
If you're going to pretend, you need to pretend thoroughly.
Studying scriptures, refining Dharma practices, and comprehending "past karma" are precisely what "Fahai" should be doing right now.
Meanwhile, Cai Shen's perception had spread like mercury, starting from Cloud-Resting Chan Monastery and extending outwards in a very discreet manner.
Capturing every wisp of information flowing in the air, observing every subtle change in the expressions of the monks coming and going, and feeling every faint pulse of this Great Sage in operation.
He is the true spirit of Imperial Weapon, a spirit that is neither human nor object.
The True Lord did not consciously perceive it, nor could he detect it.
The Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm in Buddhist light, where Zen chants resonate eternally.
Beneath the Bodhi tree, on the jade platform, a figure in a deep blue robe had entered a meditative state. A circle of pure and clear light naturally appeared behind his head, slowly rotating and blending seamlessly with the Daoist essence of the sacred realm.