A Scroll of Scripture!

Hearing Qi Yun's words, which were devoid of any emotion and were purely inquiring, the Crown Prince of Southern Yin understood.

The person in front of me is the typical type who "won't act until he sees a rabbit," or even "will weigh the pros and cons before acting, to see if there's a trap."

Without tangible and substantial benefits presented, no matter how eloquently you speak or how many oaths you make, it will be difficult to truly move their hearts.

The hem of the gray monk's robe was gently fluttered by the pure Buddhist breeze flowing down the steps.

Immediately, he spoke slowly, his voice lowered, yet each word was clear and went straight to the heart of the matter. "Fellow Daoist, have you ever considered why my father, who possessed the vast lands of Southern Yin and enjoyed all the honors of an emperor, would announce thirty years ago, without any warning, that he would renounce his throne and become Buddhist Order?"

This question, seemingly unrelated to the current cooperation, is like a key, attempting to unlock the door to deeper secrets.

Qi Yun's eyes flickered slightly, but his steps remained steady. He responded telepathically, his tone calm as if discussing the weather. "Oh? Could there be another hidden story?"

This humble monk has always believed that Your Majesty possesses profound wisdom, and in a moment of enlightenment, saw through the illusions of worldly power, thus enabling you to make such a decisive and courageous decision.

"Oh.

A very soft, ambiguous laugh escaped from the throat of the Crown Prince of Southern Yin, carrying a deep sense of irony and—

An indescribable chill.

"Wisdom? Sudden enlightenment?"

He shook his head, his ordinary face showing neither sorrow nor joy.

"In the end, it's all for a single scroll of scripture."

"A scroll of scripture?" Qi Yun's eyes flickered slightly.

"Um."

The Crown Prince of Southern Yin lowered his voice, as if he were recounting a long-forgotten taboo.

"A scroll personally copied by the World-Honored One, imbued with the supreme True Intention of his Dharma—the Heart Sutra."

World-Honored One!

I copied it by hand!

These words, when put together, exploded like thunder in Qi Yun's heart!

The World-Honored One- Honored One is the origin of Buddhism and Daoism. It is said that he has already transcended this world, and his existence itself is a legend.

The value of the scriptures he copied by hand is simply immeasurable.

"The World-Honored One- Honored One is the founder of Buddhism and Daoism, and also one of the few supreme beings in the Xuanhuang Home Realm who are clearly recorded as being above the True Lord."

Crown Prince of Southern Yin continued, his tone carrying an indifferent air of knowing the truth.

"His handwritten calligraphy, especially the Heart Sutra, a classic text that directly points to the core of Buddhism, may very well contain remnants of a higher realm—the essence of the Way, insights, or even—the path!"

"However, after this scripture was secretly discovered by overseas Buddhist practitioners, it was sealed and hidden by several bodhisattvas through their supreme Divine Ability and vows."

Its exact location, how it is hidden, and even how to open it are all top secrets.

Apart from those few bodhisattvas, no outsider could possibly know this.

Upon hearing this, a series of flashes of inspiration in Qi Yun's mind, like pearls strung together, instantly formed a clear and striking outline: Why would the Southern Yin Emperor suddenly announce his decision to become a monk?

Why were overseas Buddhist practitioners able to cross the sea to the East so smoothly and establish a Buddhist kingdom on Earth in the Southern Yin, with all the Heavenly True Lord tacitly approving and even subtly supporting it?

Why was this World-Honored One's Chan Assembly arranged with such grandeur and mystery, attracting the attention of the entire Xuanhuang Realm?

Everything points to that scroll— the Heart Sutra!

"So—" Qi Yun's voice also lowered a bit, with a hint of realization.

"The Southern Yin Emperor resolutely renounced his throne and joined the Buddhist Order, not for any Buddhist practice, but rather—to gain trust and thus have the opportunity—to access that scripture!"

"The True Lord tacitly approved the eastward journey of the Buddhist monks and the transformation of Southern Yin into a Buddhist kingdom."

Their true target was also that scroll of the Heart Sutra, which might contain secrets beyond those of True Lord!

On the ordinary face of the Crown Prince of Southern Yin, a deep sarcasm flashed in his indifferent expression. "That's right, for a True Lord has already reached the pinnacle of this realm, with a long lifespan but no future path, what could be more tempting than the possibility of reaching a higher realm?"

Let alone the mere Southern Yin Dynasty, even if they were to hand over the entire fertile land of the Central Plains and hundreds of millions of lives, in their eyes it would be nothing more than exchanging a sliver of hope—a negligible price.

He paused, his tone becoming even more sarcastic, even tinged with a chilling coldness: "Of course—"

"This also includes me—my foolish father."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun paused almost imperceptibly in his steps.

For the first time, with a hint of surprise, he turned his head and scrutinized the ordinary-looking, calm-looking "gray-robed Arhat" beside him.

For the sake of that elusive secret of "above the True Lord," for that scroll of scripture that might contain unparalleled mysteries—

Are they willing to abandon the nation and its people, which have been passed down for thousands of years?

Are they willing to place hundreds of millions of people in a situation of faith reconstruction and spiritual "reorganization"?

Would they even risk becoming a pawn in a larger game, one that could be discarded at any moment?

Qi Yun suddenly felt that he might need to reassess his feelings towards this former crown prince.

To be able to so calmly, even with a hint of sarcasm, point out the "foolishness" of his father's actions—this Crown Prince's ruthlessness, keen insight, and grand ambitions are truly remarkable.

It's probably far more complex than just "restoring the kingdom."

Their eyes met briefly in mid-air.

Qi Yun's eyes held scrutiny and surprise.

In the eyes of the Crown Prince of Southern Yin, there was a bottomless calm, and beneath that calm lay a dark ambition that seemed capable of swallowing mountains and rivers.

At the end of the Heavenly Staircase, the outline of the golden roof of Little Thunderclap Temple can be faintly seen amidst the surging auspicious clouds and blazing Buddha light.

The bell for the Zen assembly is about to ring.

When the final step, carved from a single piece of flawless white jade and spanning thousands of feet, came underfoot, a breathtaking view unfolded before my eyes.

All the Arhat who were climbing, regardless of their State of Mind, couldn't help but hold their breath and concentrate, their eyes filled with shock and boundless awe.

Little Thunderclap Temple!

It is embedded in the void at the highest point of Spirit Mountain!

Below, a surging sea of seven-jeweled clouds, formed from pure vows and Buddha's light, supports this incredible and magnificent architectural complex.

The entire temple is forged from the seven treasures of Buddhism, and even more indescribable, wondrous materials that radiate the brilliance of the Great Way!

Every inch of it flows with a warm yet eternal luster, subtly resonating with the immense power of the entire Spirit Mountain Sacred Realm and even the Southern Yin Buddha Kingdom below.

Its sheer size has surpassed ordinary comprehension.

The main hall is tens of thousands of feet high, piercing the clouds. Nine layers of gilded treasures are stacked on top of each other. At the edge of each treasure is hung relics and vajra bells the size of the sun, moon and stars. They move without wind and emit eternally wonderful sounds that cleanse the Divine Soul and suppress inner demons.

Above the treasure peak, circles of seven-colored Buddha light wheels slowly rotate, within which seem to appear and disappear countless Buddha lands and billions of Bodhisattvas Arhat, evolving the supreme and wondrous realm of Buddhist Order.

The hall has countless giant windows shaped like lotus flowers on all four sides.

Around the temple stand eight towering golden pillars, their shafts entwined with the majestic images of the Eight Classes of Devas and Nagas!

In front of the temple lies a vast, boundless golden plaza, its surface as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the celestial phenomena and the temple's radiance, and faintly revealing miniature light and shadow of the three thousand great worlds.

At the edge of the square stand 108 enormous golden statues of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhat, each with a different form and a solemn and dignified appearance, radiating a vast and powerful aura of authority and salvation, inspiring piety in all who behold them and calming their minds of all distractions.

This is the ultimate Buddhist center built over thirty years by overseas Buddhist practitioners, gathering immeasurable vows and efforts!

"Buzz--!!!"

A deep, resonant sound, like the grandest bell, resounded without warning deep within the Sea of Consciousness Purple Mansion every Arhat!

Immediately in front of Little Thunderclap Temple.

Brilliant Buddhist light emanated simultaneously from all six directions: east, south, west, north, up, and down!

The Eastern Buddha light, a clear and transparent blue-green color, contains endless vitality and the meaning of wisdom and liberation. Within the light, the phantom of a Bodhi tree that blots out the sky appears, and beneath the tree, it seems that the Buddha holds up a flower, Kashyapa smiles.

The Southern Buddha Light, a fiery golden light, is intense and domineering, carrying the supreme power to burn away afflictions and subdue all Outer Dao. Within the light, Wrathful Wisdom King with three heads and six arms, standing on a flaming lotus platform, and holding various magic Law Artifact floats.

The Western Buddha light is pure white and flawless, holy and solemn, flowing with the compassionate vows of immeasurable life, Infinite Light, and guiding all beings to be reborn in the Pure Land. Within the light, a compassionate Bodhisattva appears, with lowered eyebrows and eyes, holding a vase and willow branch.

The Northern Buddha Light is a deep, dark color, as solid as a mountain, radiating a firm will to suppress all demons, protect the righteous Dharma, and be indestructible. Within the light, one can vaguely see the outline of a Vajra warrior standing tall and upright, holding a vajra pestle and covered in armor.

The Buddha's light above shone with seven flowing colors, ever-changing and unpredictable, seemingly encompassing all laws, evolving through the heavens, and containing infinite wonders.

The supreme Buddhist principle of emptiness and non-duality manifests countless scenes within the light, seemingly containing countless Buddha-lands Pure Land that are subject to birth, death, Lunzhuan.

The Buddha's light below was a dark golden color, thick and heavy, like the earth bearing all things, or like the Nine Nethers receiving karma, carrying the profound Daoist rhyme of reincarnation, nirvana, and salvation from all suffering. Within the light, the wheel of the Six Paths of Reincarnation seemed to be slowly rotating.

Immediately, the six rays of Buddha light rapidly converged and condensed.

Within that frozen void, six figures materialized!

Six Shakyamuni Bodhisattvas!

Six Bodhisattvas stood in the six directions, their gazes peaceful yet seemingly able to see through all illusions, quietly "watching" the Arhat below, who resembled a swarm of golden ants.

There was no word, no action.

But an invisible, undeniable will had already permeated the entire venue:

The World-Honored One's Chan Assembly is about to begin.

Those who possess this document shall await the imperial decree.

Those who act rashly----

Erase!

The area in front of the Little Thunderclap Temple was shrouded in a deathly silence, yet filled with an absolute solemnity and supreme majesty.

The Buddha's light remains brilliant, and the chanting of sutras echoes eternally.

But the air had frozen solid like ancient ice.