Chapter 48: Xuan Bei’s Reason

Meng Qi’s face twitched. This was an inescapable fate!

Certainly, fantasies were just fantasies, and finding joy amidst hardship was one thing, but he clearly understood that for now, he could only sprint down this “wrong path,” running further and further away. After all, when he entered the Reincarnation World, he had barely any ability to protect himself. For survival, he had no choice but to take this path.

Since he had already chosen this path, he needed to abandon complaints and laziness, and walk it earnestly.

Besides, continuing down this road might not necessarily deviate from his “ideals”!

In recent days, relying on his familiarity with most of the non-native world martial arts listed on the “Exchange Chart,” Meng Qi had already planned the enhancement of his primary cultivation techniques.

He didn’t want to stick solely to the Buddhist path. Therefore, his target was a supreme martial art outside of Buddhism that could perfectly integrate techniques like Tie Bushan and Jin Zhongzhao.

Hehe, it’s alright that Senior Qi snatched the “Hun Tian Precious Sword” first. My real target is the “Eight Trigrams Mystic Technique”!

Seeing Meng Qi’s changing expressions, Xuan Bei smiled and shook his head: “You are not like Zhen Hui. His mind is unified, steady, and focused, in harmony with the true meaning of Buddhism, so I will have him learn the ‘Flower-Picking Finger,’ this supreme martial art.”

Zhen Hui, completely unaware that he was being mentioned by his master, continued to gaze at Meng Qi with an innocent expression. His senior had previously mentioned admiring supreme martial arts techniques such as the Mahachakra Finger, Flower-Picking Finger, Immeasurable劫 Finger, and One Reed Crossing the River. No wonder Meng Qi appeared slightly displeased.

“As for you, your temperament is lively, and you will inevitably encounter danger while traveling the martial world in the future. Coupled with your foundation in Tie Bushan, cultivating ‘Jin Zhongzhao’ and ‘Diamond Indestructible Art’ is the best choice,” Xuan Bei, without any trace of a master’s severity, explained like a kind father. “Among these two supreme martial arts, naturally ‘Diamond Indestructible Art,’ which can achieve the ‘Vidyaraja Dharma Body,’ is superior. However, your mind is not yet settled, restless and impulsive, and you have gained nothing from Buddhist teachings. To rashly cultivate the ‘Diamond Indestructible Art’ and walk the ‘Vidyaraja’ path would easily lead to uncontrollable wrath, falling into the bitter sea of Asura.”

“Therefore, you should first cultivate ‘Jin Zhongzhao’ to temper your impatience and restlessness. If you succeed, it won’t be too late to switch to ‘Diamond Indestructible Art.'”

Seeing that Xuan Bei was genuinely thinking for him, Meng Qi lowered his guard slightly and curiously asked, “Master, why won’t it be too late?”

Senior Qi was afraid that once reaching the External Scene, there would be an opportunity to switch cultivation techniques, but the foundation would be unstable and progress difficult, so he changed his primary martial art now.

Xuan Bei smiled and shook his head again: “It seems you really haven’t put effort into Buddhism. Vidyaraja, also known as Vajra, is the sublimation of the ‘Vajra Dharma Body’ cultivated through ‘Jin Zhongzhao.’ Since it is a continuation of the same lineage, it won’t be too late.”

Meng Qi suddenly understood, slightly excitedly saying, “Master, when can I start cultivating ‘Jin Zhongzhao’?”

Who knows when the next reincarnation task will be? The sooner cultivation begins, the better. My Lingzhi Qi-Replenishing Pill is already eagerly awaiting!

“I’ve already copied these two supreme martial arts for you. You can start cultivating them tomorrow,” Xuan Bei pointed at the two thick stacks of paper on the table. “However, before ‘Awakening,’ you can only see the content of the first four gates of ‘Jin Zhongzhao.'”

In most sects, the transmission of supreme martial arts is handled with extreme caution. Disciples are only granted access to the teachings of the next stage upon reaching the corresponding realm, to prevent betrayal or moral corruption among disciples.

Meng Qi nodded heavily: “Your disciple will obey.”

After clarifying his own matters, Meng Qi turned his attention to his youngest junior apprentice: “Master, what kind of Dharma Body can be achieved through the ‘Flower-Picking Finger’?”

When it came to martial arts rumors and martial arts anecdotes, Zhen Hui always showed keen interest. Since his senior’s matter had already been resolved, he looked at Master Xuan Bei with eager eyes, waiting for his answer.

Xuan Bei, usually deeply melancholic, unusually chuckled this time, as if looking at his joyful child: “‘Flower-Picking Finger’ is the top of Shaolin’s Seventy-Two Supreme Martial Arts, directly derived from the third move of ‘Tathagata Palm’—’Buddha’s Smile.’ Bodhidharma attained the ‘Kasyapa Dharma Body’ among the ‘Arhat’ fruits through it.”

“It has strict requirements; the practitioner must focus solely on it, not allowing distraction to other martial arts. Even so, it is difficult to master. Therefore, throughout history, few monks have chosen it. However, I think Zhen Hui’s temperament is very suitable for it. Learning other martial arts would be inappropriate. What do you think, Zhen Hui? If you disagree, I won’t force you.”

Before Meng Qi could speak, Zhen Hui’s eyes lit up as he said excitedly, “Your disciple is willing! Master Xuan Xin said that ‘Kasyapa Dharma Body’ and ‘Great Bodhisattva’ are both Dharma Bodies second only to the Buddha.”

This guy is always like this! Meng Qi helplessly looked at the ceiling.

Xuan Bei smiled and shook his head: “Then you must prepare to work diligently for decades as if it were just one day.”

Regarding this, he felt more confident about Zhen Hui.

After both had decided on their primary martial arts, Meng Qi felt reassured and curiously asked: “Master, many of the Seventy-Two Supreme Martial Arts were created by Bodhidharma. Then why could he master the ‘Flower-Picking Finger,’ which requires single-minded focus?”

“Part of it was insights Bodhidharma gained while observing the ‘Tathagata Palm,’ which he did not cultivate at first. Only after attaining the ‘Kasyapa Dharma Body’ did he look back and refine and improve it. Some were created after he attained the Dharma Body, and some were mastered before he learned the ‘Tathagata Palm,'” Xuan Bei explained like a master teaching his apprentice.

“I see,” Meng Qi knew that, in fact, he and Zhen Hui were alike, both loving to hear martial arts legends and various secrets.

“Wait a minute, didn’t Bodhidharma also cultivate the ‘Yijin Jing’?” Meng Qi asked.

Xuan Bei showed no sign of impatience: “‘Yijin Jing’ is a rare supreme martial art capable of transforming the mundane into the miraculous. When cultivated alongside most other martial arts, it enhances their quality, allowing the final achievements to surpass their original limits. Moreover, it multiplies the speed of cultivation for those martial arts. However, cultivating ‘Yijin Jing’ alone cannot attain any Dharma Body or develop palm techniques or lightness skills. Its nature allows it to be cultivated alongside ‘Flower-Picking Finger.'”

No wonder… Meng Qi’s “no wonder” referred to the fact that the many listings of ‘Yijin Jing’ on the Exchange Chart did not specify that they could evolve into corresponding martial arts within their own worlds, unlike other Shaolin supreme martial arts. It turned out they were fundamentally different.

At this time, Zhen Hui, whose voice had not yet changed, asked in a slightly childish tone: “Master, can ‘Flower-Picking Finger’ eventually evolve into ‘Tathagata Palm’?”

Meng Qi looked down at the ground. Standing together with this guy was so embarrassing!

Xuan Bei showed no anger, smiling as he replied: “Any Buddhist supreme martial art can evolve into ‘Tathagata Palm’ as long as one ‘sees’ the true meaning of Bodhi.”

“Master, when Master Xuan Xin was telling martial arts stories before, he mentioned the ‘Great Compassion Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Dharma Body’ of Shuimoon Nunnery, saying it belongs to the ‘Great Bodhisattva Dharma Body,’ second only to the Tathagata Dharma Body and Bodhi Dharma Body. I’ve always been wondering what supreme martial arts in our Shaolin could rival it. I just got the answer today. By the way, do you know what other supreme martial arts in the temple directly point to the Dharma Body realm?”

Meng Qi changed the topic, preparing to probe for information to prepare for future exchanges—Xuan Bei’s explanation would definitely be more detailed than the Six Reincarnation Master’s introduction.

Xuan Bei pondered for a moment before replying: “When it comes to Dharma Bodies, the third move of ‘Tathagata Palm,’ ‘Buddha’s Smile,’ is the most prominent. Unfortunately, the complete set of nine palm techniques is missing, and the general principles have been lost, making it impossible to attain the ‘Tathagata Dharma Body.’ The ‘Mahavairocana Subduing Demon Fist’ I cultivate explores the cycle of life and death thoroughly, directly pointing to the ‘Ksitigarbha Dharma Body,’ also belonging to the ‘Great Bodhisattva’ fruit. Unfortunately, lacking the ‘Ksitigarbha Soul-Saving Sutra’ for assistance, it can only reach the realm of ‘Half-Step Dharma Body.'”

“The ‘Great Dream True Sutra’ is the same. Due to missing later parts, it can only attain the ‘Dreaming Arhat Dharma Body.’ If completed, I suspect it would be one of the highest Buddhist techniques—the ‘Dream Enlightenment Great Method,’ capable of attaining the ‘Amitabha Dharma Body.'”

“Among the Seventy-Two Supreme Martial Arts, only eighteen directly point to the Dharma Body realm, known as the ‘Inner Eighteen.’ The remaining fifty-four are either techniques or lower-level martial arts, and the latter can all evolve into the corresponding ‘Inner Eighteen’ martial arts…”

After listening intently to his master’s introduction of the “Inner Eighteen” supreme martial arts, Meng Qi thought of his own situation and casually asked, “Master, is ‘Ananda Breaking the Precepts Saber Technique’ purely saber moves?”

“Yes,” Xuan Bei looked at Meng Qi with puzzlement. “Why do you ask about this?”

Meng Qi had already prepared his reason and smiled, saying, “Master, your disciple has always loved saber techniques and even learned a few sets before. Later, I heard Master Xuan Xin mention this supreme martial art, and I was so eager to learn it that I couldn’t help but ask.”

In the future, he would inevitably practice saber techniques, which would definitely not escape the notice of his master, who was close to the peak of the External Scene. He might as well “explain” himself in advance.

However, when he mentioned his long-standing love for saber techniques, he truly felt heartache!

He had already run further and further down the wrong path!

Xuan Bei nodded slightly: “‘Ananda Breaking the Precepts Saber Technique’ contradicts Buddhist principles, making it extremely difficult for monks in our temple to practice, especially as their cultivation deepens. Throughout history, only a few have truly mastered this saber technique, while most have only used it temporarily during the ‘Awakening’ stage. If you’re interested, you can borrow it yourself after awakening, when you can freely enter and exit the third and fourth levels of the Sutra Pavilion.”

“In your daily practice of saber techniques, if you encounter any difficulties, you may come to ask me. Although I am not particularly skilled in this, martial cultivation principles are interconnected.”

The precepts of Shaolin permit the cultivation of only one supreme martial art before enlightenment. After achieving enlightenment, most monks choose not to learn multiple techniques, as they must focus on their primary martial art. Throughout history, apart from the Dharma Body masters who approached the realm of mastering one principle to comprehend all, the monk who learned the most techniques was Baihui, who mastered thirty-seven. Yet, precisely because of his broad but scattered studies, he ultimately failed to attain the Dharma Body.

After sincerely thanking his master, Meng Qi feigned curiosity and asked, “Master, did you catch Zhen Guan later? Where does that secret passage lead?”

What are the similarities and differences between the secret passages of the two worlds!

“We were a step too late; he had already descended from the cliff, rescued by hidden accomplices. You must be careful if you encounter him in the future; his physical body might have undergone a half-demon transformation,” Xuan Bei did not hide anything. “The secret passage leads to beneath the Stupa that seals the demons. Several demons have already escaped, fortunately discovered early.”

“Unexpectedly, they managed to secretly dig out a secret passage right under the eyes of the guarding monks,” Meng Qi intentionally steered the conversation.

Xuan Bei did not suspect anything, shaking his head: “It’s not like that. They simply used an existing ancient secret passage.”

“An ancient secret passage?” Meng Qi’s heart suddenly quickened.

With Xuan Bei’s strength, how could he not sense the change in Meng Qi’s heartbeat? He became solemn and said, “It’s not a place for you to seek adventures. If you don’t have the strength of the External Scene, never approach it. Enough about this; it’s confidential. Don’t ask too much now. You’ll know when you’re qualified in the future.”

Meng Qi restrained his urge to ask further: “Master, is there anything else you command?”

Xuan Bei nodded: “Return to the Warrior Monks’ Courtyard and pack up, then move here. Zhen Ding, tomorrow I will take you to a special place for cultivation. With your foundation in Tie Bushan, you should be able to quickly master the first three gates of Jin Zhongzhao using this place.”

Huh? What kind of special place? Meng Qi was very curious, but Xuan Bei just smiled without answering, leaving Meng Qi no choice but to reluctantly return to the Warrior Monks’ Courtyard with Zhen Hui.