Seeking Gold
Cloud-Resting Chan Monastery, bathed in moonlight like water.
After the Dharma assembly ended, Qi Yun declined the invitations from several Arhat he had enjoyed a pleasant conversation to continue the discussion, and returned alone to his secluded abode on the mountainside.
The courtyard was quiet, with moonlight filtering through the ancient pines like shards of silver.
The temples atop the distant Spirit Mountain were still shrouded in a hazy golden glow, with chanting carried on the wind, never ceasing day or night.
Qi Yun did not enter the hermitage, but sat cross-legged on the familiar jade platform in the courtyard. However, deep within the Purple Mansion, in the [Great Luo Heaven], a completely different scene was reflected.
The chaotic energy flow slowly rotated, and the aura of the divine Divine Soul seated in the center became increasingly lofty and unfathomable, while the [Great Radiance Mahasthamaprapta Dharma Body] beside it was as stable as a star, its radiance restrained.
He benefited greatly from a Arhat Dharma Assembly.
This not only gave me a direct glimpse into the unfathomable depth of Buddhist teachings overseas.
The organizational power, cohesion, and even the highly efficient and pure spiritual ecosystem hidden behind it are all awe-inspiring.
By a twist of fate, under the extreme pressure of being influenced by Buddhism, he realized the true, miraculous power of his own [Primordial True Body] to differentiate into myriad forms and condense the Dharma Body of the Dao Lineage Dharma Body.
The gains have been enormous, but the road ahead is both clearer and more treacherous.
"Well----"
A barely perceptible sigh escaped, carrying a heaviness unlike anything he had felt before, a heaviness that was so different from his usual listlessness.
With a flash of golden light, the golden figure that Cai Kun had transformed into appeared on Qi Yun's shoulder, without swinging its legs as usual.
Instead, she stood with her hands behind her back, looking up at the moon in the sky, which was somewhat hazy due to the halo of the Buddha's light from Spirit Mountain, her little face full of solemnity.
"Young Qi," Cai Kun said, his voice low and unusually devoid of any hint of jest.
"Take my advice, this murky water—we should find another way and avoid it for now."
Qi Yun's eyelashes fluttered slightly, but he did not open his eyes, remaining seated.
Cai Kun continued, his tone cruel and realistic. "From stepping into Southern Yin to this Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm, witnessing the Five Hundred Arhat Dharma Assembly, and feeling the supreme means by which the True Lord sealed my true form—some things don't need to be said explicitly; you should see them clearly by now."
"Overseas Buddhist practitioners are not suffering from minor ailments."
They have been operating overseas for countless years, accumulating vast wealth and profound resources, which is probably enough to directly confront Righteous Path Alliance or any of the Northwest Demonic Sect.
This powerful eastward crossing, using the earth-shattering secret of "above the True Lord" as bait, to take over Southern Yin and rebuild the Buddhist Kingdom—it involves far more than just one or two True Lord!
This could very well be a grand scheme of chess with the tacit approval or even direct participation of multiple True Lord!
He turned his head, his small golden eyes fixed on Qi Yun's calm profile. "In the game of True Lord, all living beings are the pieces."
Although we have infiltrated this place under this disguise and seem safe, in reality we are walking on a thin line along a precipice.
The causes and consequences, the turbulent waves involved, far exceed those of any previous adventure.
One misjudgment, one wrong step, and even Great True Person, let alone someone with your Foundation Establishment cultivation, could be instantly pulverized, and their very soul might not escape.
Cai Kun's words were like icicles, striking at reality.
He was not exaggerating, but rather basing his assessment on the most sober and ruthless observation of the current situation.
The only sounds in the courtyard were the wind, the rustling of the pines, and the faint chanting of Buddhist scriptures.
The moonlight streamed down, casting Qi Yun's long, slender shadow.
After a long while, Qi Yun slowly opened his eyes.
He did not immediately respond to Cai Kun's advice, but instead looked up at the bright moon hanging high in the sky outside the window.
The moonlight fell into his eyes, but it did not reflect compassion or clarity; instead, it reflected a bottomless pool, beneath which seemed to burn calm sparks.
After a moment, he slowly turned his head and looked at Cai Kun was sitting on his shoulder with a solemn expression.
Their eyes met.
The gentle and peaceful demeanor that belonged to "Fahai" in Qi Yun's eyes had completely faded away, replaced by a sharpness that had matured over time, a keen insight into danger that only made him more resolute.
"What you say, senior, is absolutely right," Qi Yun said, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable penetrating power.
"The overseas Buddhist practitioners have grand schemes, and the True Lord's shadow looms large. This situation is extremely dangerous, truly like a dragon's den or a tiger's lair."
He paused, then abruptly changed the subject. "But precisely because of this, senior, I have a plan I'd like to discuss with you."
Cai Shen raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Tell me about it."
He wasn't annoyed by Qi Yun's "stubbornness," but rather felt a surge of curiosity.
He knew that the young man in front of him was no reckless or impulsive person. Since he did not intend to back down in the face of such clear danger, he must have his reasons and reliance.
Qi Yun's self-shine once again shone on the magnificent and mysterious Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm outside the window, and he slowly said, "Only in muddy waters can one catch fish, and dangerous places may hide great opportunities."
Senior, our previous plan was to secretly find your original body, and then use its power to explore clues about that "Fruition Status," using it as leverage to deal with the True Lord Wudao and even break through to the Great True Person realm.
This is the strategy for "obtaining the treasure."
"But now it seems that the path to obtaining the treasure has been firmly blocked by the True Lord; forcibly breaking the seal would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock."
Cai Shen nodded slightly; this was exactly what he was most worried about.
"So," Qi Yun's eyes flashed even brighter, and he said, word by word, "Why don't we change our approach—instead of seeking the treasure, we should—enter the game?"
"Enter the game?" Cai Kun was taken aback.
"Not bad." Qi Yun's lips curled into a very faint smile. "The overseas Buddhist cultivators used this earth-shattering secret as bait to attract the True Lord's tacit approval and devoted themselves to building this Southern Yin Buddha Kingdom and the Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm. Their goal is bound to be earth-shattering."
They need manpower, they need strength, and even more so, they need—their own people.
He pointed to himself. "And now, thanks to this Dharma assembly and the wonders of the [Primordial True Body], I am no longer a simple imposter."
I possessed a [Great Radiance Mahasthamaprapta Dharma Body] that was so realistic that it could be mistaken for the real thing, and I was able to continue to make progress in Buddhism and Daoism. Furthermore, the Huijue Arhat mistook me for the reincarnation of an ancient master and treated me with great respect.
This identity is the best ticket to entry.
Cai Shen seemed to understand something, his small eyes gradually brightening: "You mean—"
"Instead of risking one's life on the periphery to spy, it's better to use this identity to truly integrate into their ranks and strive for a higher position."
"Strive for a higher position?"
Upon hearing this, Cai Shen's lazy expression vanished, his gaze sharpened, and he asked with great interest, "You brat, what shocking scheme are you planning now?"
Qi Yun did not answer immediately.
He slowly rose from the jade platform, his deep blue robe flowing across the stone surface like water without making a sound.
With steady steps, he walked to the half-open carved wooden window of the meditation room, stood with his hands behind his back, and let the sunlight penetrate the sparse shadows of the ancient pines in the courtyard, casting it into a higher and farther place.
Outside the window, the night sky of the Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm was bathed in boundless Buddhist light. The sky was not pure darkness, but a deep, magnificent dome flowing with pale gold.
At the summit of the higher Spirit Mountain, the outlines of the hidden palaces resemble ancient deities in slumber, radiating a vast majesty that commands the homage of all beings.
The chanting, the bells and drums, the wind chimes, and even the whispered prayers of countless beings throughout the sacred realm converge into an eternal background sound, as if this very place itself is breathing and chanting scriptures.
A cool, Buddhist-inspired night breeze brushed against his cheek. Qi Yun slightly raised his head, his profile clearly defined in the hazy light, his eyes deep and unfathomable like an ancient well, reflecting the Infinite Light of the sky.
After a long pause, he parted his thin lips slightly and uttered two clear and calm words, yet they seemed to weigh a ton. "Gold."