The Eighth Consciousness Treasure Storehouse

There are no obvious high mountains or steep ridges in the vicinity of this town.

But the earth also has slopes. There is a river in the area, a tributary of the Yellow River, that flows from west to east.

The water quality is not as turbid as the Yellow River, but the current is not slow either.

As the river undulates, it always stirs up white spray on the rocks on the riverbank and the pillars at the ferry crossing.

Several boats were moored at the ferry crossing, some covered and some uncovered, all of which looked rather rudimentary.

The largest of them could only accommodate seven or eight people.

At the bow and stern of the boat sat four monks, disguised as monks, wearing straw hats and carrying wooden oars, bundles, and other items.

These four individuals all belonged to the "Fa" generation. They diligently practiced and trained at Celebration of the Sage Temple, never daring to slack off. When they went out in the Northern Dynasty, their identities were always revealed, and they were treated with great respect.

He kept a low profile this time, which suggested he was quite unhappy.

Fayong sighed at the bow of the ship, "My uncle is really too cautious. This time, the armies of the two dynasties are carrying out their business for too long. Some fools in the nearby martial arts world might have noticed something was wrong and come to get involved in this mess."

"But things are only just beginning these few days. What's wrong with us getting out and stretching our muscles?"

Falai hurriedly replied, "Uncle-Master Shengmie is in the cabin."

Fayong said indifferently, "Uncle-Master has entered a profound state of meditation. As long as there is no malicious intent, it's nothing for us to say a few words."

Falai glanced back furtively and said, "It seems we're being a bit too cautious. Even if we need to find a secluded place to perform our rituals, we should do so discreetly."

"But when those soldiers go to another town to handle some business, we need to follow them there so we can perform the ritual."

"Being separated from the rest of the sect and cut off from contact, yet not too far from the soldiers traveling with you, why force yourself to endure hardship and stay cooped up in this small boat?"

The two men at the stern Fachi Fahe, exchanged a glance, both with forced smiles, and remained silent.

The four of them were originally selected to join the Mount Sumeru Heavenly Soldiers, and were key figures. However, due to their different responsibilities in the formation and their different biases in the techniques they learned, their personalities also changed.

The two at the bow of the boat were getting a little impatient.

The two men at the stern, however, had noticed the atmosphere before departure and knew that this was a momentous event that everyone in the temple was watching closely.

Moreover, when Uncle Shengmie a treasure, once he has successfully refined one, he must first send someone back to the Northern Dynasty to hand it over, and then have someone else take over to make up the number of four attendants.

Those who were among the first to bring the treasure north were the first among the "Fa" generation to have the opportunity to understand its mysteries.

Such a golden opportunity—how could we not seize it?

Fachi and Fahe were completely obedient to the Monk Shengmie, doing their utmost for him.

To be cautious about Shengmie and Fachi, the two madmen secretly took turns administering drugs while traveling with that battalion of soldiers.

After they split up, the drug's effects could remain in the soldiers' bodies for at least seven more days.

If the pawns encounter any major changes within seven days, the Fachi will have a premonition.

This method of surveillance is far more comprehensive than means such as communication devices.

If a powerful enemy were to capture and interrogate the battalion commander, even the commander himself would not know that such changes in the effects of the medicine had occurred within his body.

Even Attaining the Dao beings cannot detect this little trick, which is harmless to the person but has been lurking in the prisoner's body for many days.

Celebration of the Sage Temple holds the position of the number one sect in the world. Its cultivation techniques are constantly being gathered and developed, and the strong become stronger. It has explored all three paths of the Moon Refining.

This leading position is crucial for future competition and an unshakeable foundation for future generations.

Disciples within the sect often unconsciously experience the superiority of the path they have explored and developed within the sect over the outside world, making them even more devoted to the temple.

This also made me realize that the difference between people inside and outside the door is even greater than the difference between people and rats.

"Huh?!"

The two men at the stern, their forced smiles suddenly vanished, and their expressions changed drastically.

When the Fachi realized that the other person's expression had also changed, his own face turned even paler and then blue.

My other half is completely dead!

The Fachi, "Your half?"

Fahe's lips trembled. "In the blink of an eye, all sensation was lost."

With just those four monks of the Fa generation, taking down five hundred old soldiers would be a piece of cake.

However, suppressing five hundred people in a single move is something they could never achieve.

"Uncle-Master!!"

The two immediately lifted the boat curtain.

The cabin was completely black, an unfathomable darkness that instilled a sudden sense of dread.

It seemed that the sunlight outside didn't reach inside at all.

But when a person's gaze falls upon this darkness, the darkness seems to respond, immediately radiating an indescribable, mesmerizing light.

In the blink of an eye.

It seemed as if fifty-two hazy colors and eighty-four crystal outlines, like a dream, all burst forth.

In a small cabin, one could witness a spectacular sight: a rainbow spanning the sky, flowers falling from the ceiling, and jewels gushing forth everywhere.

The two Fachi Fahe, almost forgot what they had been thinking a moment ago.

The two of them grinned blankly, then buried their heads in their hands, ready to plunge into the cabin.

Suddenly, the wondrous sight vanished.

Like a shower of flowers, they gathered into a ball of candlelight.

Inside the cabin was only an old monk in his fifties, his withered hands cradling the ball of colorful light, looking over with an unfriendly expression.

The two monks, Fachi, exclaimed, "Uncle-Master, that entire battalion of soldiers has suddenly lost all contact with the outside world. It seems Attaining the Dao being has intervened!"

The Monk Shengmie's expression changed as he looked at the colorful light in his hand.

"What's the panic?!"

"The Six Patriarchs of the Southern Dynasty, the Five Sages of the Northern Dynasty, and that newly emerged Yama of Denglai Mountain Market —either they are our accomplices, they have been plotted against by our master, or they dare not disturb us."

"The only one who might come to cause trouble at this time is... Xiao Liang."

A slightly excited smile appeared on the Monk Shengmie's face. "The number one swordsman in the world, what a magnificent title."

"Their reputation far surpasses that of the monks of the Sheng generation at our Celebration of the Sage Temple, but the biggest drawback of those who cultivate the External Dharma Nexus is their solidification of cultivation through the refining of magical treasures."

"The number one swordsman in the world twenty years ago? Haha, that was only because there were hardly any swordsmen among the Six Sects and Five Sages. This old monk will have a go at him today!"

The Monk Shengmie took the initiative to step out of the cabin and stand at the bow, holding a colorful light in one hand and placing the other behind his back. He was confident and composed, displaying the demeanor of a master.

Seeing his imposing presence, the four monks couldn't help but feel admiration for him.

Just moments ago, Fayong, but now he was most respectful. "Uncle-Master, could it be that you have already cultivated the Seventh Manas Consciousness?"

No.

The Monk Shengmie seem to care, saying, "I still have the foundation for perfecting the Six Consciousnesses; I'm just a little short."

"But only beasts fight with strength and claws alone; the wonder of wisdom lies in the fact that we don't have to compete purely on our physical attributes."

As he finished speaking, he sensed a murderous intent approaching from afar.

The wind and rain of the sea, a desolate atmosphere.

The four monks of the Dharma generation, seeing how quickly the other party had arrived, looked uneasy. They suddenly realized that even if their uncle abandoned the ship and fled, he would likely not escape the pursuit.

"... Ha, being able to forge iron into swords is already a decent skill, but someone who masters a bow and crossbow can easily kill ten swordsmen if the distance is right."

The Monk Shengmie stared into the distance, his breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

"With my current foundation, and this treasure of the realm of perception, I can easily fool and toy with Xiao Liang, then escape unscathed. Wouldn't I become famous throughout the world in the future?"

Two figures appeared at the edge of the field of vision, approaching with astonishing speed.

Two?!

Shengmie was startled and became cautious.

Xiao Liang had already made his move, raising his right hand as he sped away.

When the finger was flicked through the air, there was no sonic boom or air burst; instead, a plump "water droplet" appeared at the fingertip.

When the hand reaches its full swing, the water droplet, carrying a wave of air, shoots forward through the hole.

The two were about a hundred feet apart.

Only those who Attaining the Dao can maintain the power of their internal energy at such a great distance after it leaves their body, without much loss.

The Monk Shengmie merely flickered the ball of colorful light that he was holding in his right hand.

A figure suddenly appeared in mid-air in front of the small boat.

It was three zhang (approximately 10 meters) from the boat and three chi (approximately 1.

The man, wearing an iron crown and long robe, looked like a young boy. He stretched out his hand and pierced the incoming wave of sword energy.

This finger strike didn't contain much internal force, but the Sword Intent it used was almost identical to that of the Flying Feather Sword.

The internal energy within the sword wave instantly dissipated, vanishing without a trace.

"Hahaha, brilliant!"

Seeing that this method was indeed very effective, the Monk Shengmie was no longer so concerned that there were two people coming, and he burst into laughter.

"Xiao Liang, you were once renowned for your Sword Intent. Can you defend against your own Sword Intent?"

The extra phantom in mid-air was clearly identical to Xiao Liang.

However, the phantom's eyes were upturned at the corners, and its upper eyelids were red, giving it an eerie charm.

Xiao Liang was an unruly person; he was too lazy to smooth out the wrinkles in his clothes, and few people realized that he actually had the appearance of an extremely handsome young man.

And in that illusory figure, even its handsome appearance seemed to have become a way of using Sword Intent.

Is this me?

Xiao Liang paused slightly and glanced intently in that direction.

Chu Tianshu also looked at it with some surprise. Although the Sword Intent was 90% similar, the underlying principles were different.

The Sword Intent from that phantom was clearly a Demonic Dao intent.

"Me, transformed into a demon?"

Xiao Liang's figure suddenly appeared, and he said coldly, "What a worthless counterfeit!"

He suddenly flicked his sleeves, the folds of which rolled in the wind until they reached the edges.

The final crease slipped away from the sleeve, disappearing silently like a sword mark.

The essence of the Flying Rain Sword has never been the rain itself, but rather the desolate meaning within the rain.

Moreover, this chill embodies the essence of all twenty-three forms of the Flying Rain Sword.

The phantom in the air pointed out, then suddenly its form scattered like wisps of cloud.

The four monks of the Fa generation felt a chill in their eyes, the world turned completely black, and a sound like a bamboo shoot breaking through the ground rang in their ears.

The entire boat beneath their feet, from bow to stern, had been torn into long strips, each no wider than a carrying pole.

The moment the four monks fell into the water, their eyes turned bloodshot and filled with pain, making them realize that they had gone blind.

If someone stands under the eaves watching the rain, and doesn't get wet, does that mean they won't feel the desolation of the world?

The moment you see it, a sense of coolness fills your eyes.

The colorful light in the hands of the Monk Shengmie blocked the chill, and the light deformed and wobbled twice like wet dough.

It was at this moment that Chu Tianshu disappeared from Xiao Liang's side.

Suddenly, a phantom image of Chu Tianshu appeared on the right side of the Monk Shengmie's body.

The phantom faced to the right, its body shrouded in black mist, its eyes white with no irises, only pinpoint pupils.

As soon as Chu Tianshu appeared here, he saw this thing and felt as if a mirror had revealed a side of himself that he didn't usually show.

"Would I be this weak after being corrupted by demonic possession?"

Chu Tianshu slapped through the phantom's chest and grabbed the Monk Shengmie's right wrist.

The Monk Shengmie's right palm immediately separated from his right arm.

The phantom's hands were like knives, and it frantically slashed at him twelve times.

Chu Tianshu remained motionless, only a tuft of hair was severed.

The phantom froze for a moment, then shattered with a bang.

Chu Tianshu pulled his hand back from the severed palm, as if holding a rice spoon in reverse.

Above the severed palm, that ball of colorful light still lingered.

The Monk Shengmie couldn't believe it, but he didn't say a word because Chu Tianshu had his other hand on his neck.

If he doesn't want his head to separate from his neck, remaining still is the golden choice.

Chu Tianshu carried him back to the shore, his gaze involuntarily falling on the ball of colorful light.

"Is this a purely mental entity?"

Chu Tianshu could sense that the outermost layer of pain must be coming from the people in the town.

But that newly collected intention only serves as a membrane.

It seems to exist solely to contain the internal elements, enabling them to be grasped and utilized.

Xiao Liang also arrived nearby and exclaimed in surprise, "What exactly is inside? Such high-quality demonic energy, yet it lacks its own persistence and can freely combine into the phantom of others?"

Although the Demonic Dao is adept at change, at the highest level, in order to preserve one's sanity, one must have a steadfast adherence to one's own principles.

The Demonic Dao intent within this colorful light is of almost equal quality to that of Attaining the Dao, yet it is as loose and scattered as powder.

It's as if countless demonic forces, refined and distilled over a long period, without a central core, have formed this state.

Chu Tianshu looked at the Monk Shengmie.

The Monk Shengmie forced himself to remain calm, but couldn't help but utter the message: "Let me inform you both that this is the power of the Eighth Consciousness Treasure Storehouse, discovered through research by my Celebration of the Sage Temple."

The Eighth Consciousness Treasure Storehouse?

Buddhist theories flashed through Chu Tianshu's mind.

According to the practice of Buddhism in China, there are five stages from the cow producing milk to the attainment of enlightenment, which correspond to the Five Consciousnesses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

Once the Five Consciousnesses are perfected, the physical potential and soul are properly coordinated, the five senses become exceptionally sharp, the strength exerted is like that of nine oxen and two tigers, and the endurance far surpasses that of tigers and oxen.

The Sixth Consciousness is awareness. When you reach this stage, you can entrust your five senses to your awareness, and you can even create magical artifacts using ordinary materials.

This is a unique secret of Buddhist weapon crafting.

The Seventh Consciousness is called Manas Consciousness, which represents the boundary between self and Non-Self. Once this stage is achieved, one can begin to understand the connection between the self and the universe, and borrow the power of the universe.

Logically speaking, those who Attaining the Dao possess the Seventh Consciousness, and this state of the Seventh Consciousness can be cultivated almost endlessly.

However, in theory, there is also the Eighth Consciousness, Alaya Consciousness.

The Eighth Consciousness no longer represents individual power, but stores information about all activities and all good and evil deeds of sentient beings.

According to the Monk Shengmie, the Eighth Consciousness may not have existed in this world originally.

Because in the mortal world, there is no medium or carrier that can remain active after recording the information of all living beings.

However, it appeared after the anomaly in the moonlight.

For over a hundred years, only a very small portion of the moonlight that falls between heaven and earth has been utilized by humans, animals, and plants.

Those strange rhythms that have settled in this world become an excellent medium.

However, because ordinary people are unaware of the existence of the essence of moonlight, the resulting connection is too subtle.

Those who follow the paths of "External Dharma Nexus" and "Dao-Seeking Shennong" will also resist, filter, and neutralize the moonlight.

Therefore, what truly exists in the Eighth Alaya Consciousness, is...

Only the records of the lives of those who cultivate the Demonic Dao and those who are Human Furnace are available.

During his spiritual practice, Monk Qingsheng became aware of the existence of the Eighth Consciousness, but he was unable to directly draw power from it, so he devised a plan.

By using war, Demonic Dao cultivators can gather fresh ideas to provide support, and the waves of war will be projected into the Eighth Consciousness.

The masters of Celebration of the Sage Temple, within the realm of the Eighth Consciousness, find the corresponding area, move and stir the things that have settled and solidified there, and thus bring them into reality.

In this way, one can create "Consciousness Realm Sarira" with exceptional internal quality, which can be directly absorbed Attaining the Dao enlightened masters to enhance their power.

"... I know exactly where my master and the others are hiding now, and I also know the locations of the other fellow disciples who came to Heze and Caozhou."

The Monk Shengmie repeatedly said, "I can take you to find it."

Chu Tianshu remained silent, simply staring at him.

After a dozen or so breaths, cold sweat gradually seeped onto the back of the Monk Shengmie's neck.

Do you really know?

Chu Tianshu slowly said, "In order to prevent us from assassinating their commander, they actually did something like not having a camp at all and splitting up their army."

"If even those who conspired with him in the military have such audacity, would the Monk Qingsheng leave such obvious flaws that we could follow the trail?"

The Monk Shengmie forced himself to say, "After all, I am from Celebration of the Sage Temple, so I am more likely than you to find fellow disciples."

"Otherwise, even if you are highly skilled, there are only two of you..."

Xiao Liang said, "Who said there are only two of us?"

The Monk Shengmie said, "If your retainers were to search separately, it would be fine for a pair of ordinary soldiers, but it probably wouldn't be enough to find my disciples from Celebration of the Sage Temple."

"You seem to have overlooked my disciple."

Chu Tianshu looked at the ball of colorful light, "Don't underestimate my disciples."

The Monk Shengmie was stunned for a moment, and even Xiao Liang couldn't help but glance at Chu Tianshu again.

The youths of Pengcheng are, after all, forged through twenty years of trials.

Chu Tianshu's disciples... Seriously?

(End of this chapter)