Master Mingtong of Shuiyue Nunnery?
Sudden realization flashed in Meng Qi’s eyes, and the meditation room was once again bathed in light, as if the sunlight from outside had finally pierced through the darkness.
He had no prior connection with Mingtong; what could she possibly want by visiting him?
Shuiyue Nunnery, the lineage of Guanyin Bodhisattva… Could it be because I just beat up her goldfish disciple, and now she’s sending someone to confront me? Meng Qi suddenly felt like he had beaten up a child, only to be confronted by the parent. Of course, a “troublesome kid” like Linggan Dawa must be punished severely, no matter how much face the Bodhisattva might have!
He smirked slightly and slowly said, “Please Master Mingtong inside.”
Dressed in gray robes, Mingtong waited outside the Yu Xu Palace. Not long after, she saw a peculiar, oddly-shaped green gatekeeper swaying its branches, strutting arrogantly and declaring, “The Patriarch invites you.”
Mingtong, with a serene and enlightened heart, did not take offense. She clasped her hands together, softly recited the name of the Bodhisattva, and followed the green creature through the palace gates, past the screen wall, along the corridor, and finally arrived at the main hall, which exuded the fragrance of lotus flowers for ten miles.
Inside the main hall stood a statue of the Primordial Heaven Lord. To its left was a door leading to a quiet chamber, where a table and an incense burner filled the air with sandalwood, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
Behind the curling incense smoke sat a Taoist on a cloud-like couch, dressed in flowing robes. His features were handsome and youthful, hidden amidst swirling mists, giving him an ethereal aura that softened the lines of his aged temples and eyes.
This was the renowned Patriarch of Yu Xu Palace, the Celestial Sovereign Su Meng? Mingtong felt as though she were standing before a celestial being.
When she had first gained fame, he had not yet been born. Now, one was a celestial being, the other merely mortal—how truly lamentable.
“Greetings, Master Su,” Mingtong clasped her hands together again, her expression calm, her eyes filled with compassion.
“Master Mingtong, there’s no need for such formality. If anything, I should be considered the junior,” Meng Qi smiled politely. “You’ve come all this way—what urgent matter brings you here?”
Mingtong softly chanted the name of the Great Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva and retrieved a leaf from her ring. It resembled a willow leaf, fresh and glistening, with white mist swirling around it, concealing a faint glow.
“Please look, Master Su,” she said, waving her hand. The willow leaf naturally disintegrated, transforming into golden fragments that formed a round mirror.
The mirror emitted a soft golden glow, translucent and exquisite. Ripples passed across its surface, revealing a dark and gloomy landscape occasionally illuminated by flashes of lightning. Deep within stood a towering golden staff, defiant and proud. Around it, flowers bloomed and withered, lightning flashed and faded, as if the universe itself was in constant flux.
“Lingshan…” Meng Qi murmured, certain of what he saw.
This was Lingshan after the fall of countless Buddhas!
Even if reduced to ashes, he would recognize this place. He had entered twice, each time with different emotions, entangled with countless memories and lingering fears. In the end, he had wielded the most resolute and decisive sword and blade.
This was not just Lingshan—it was also his inner journey.
One day, he would return to Lingshan—not because of the Yellow Springs bones left behind, but because the Demon Buddha was sealed there.
The scene drew closer, and Meng Qi once again saw the golden-bodied Buddhas at the mountain peak, their eyes shedding two streams of blood. They stood tall and immense, their purity still faintly discernible, yet tainted by grayish-white mist and dark, filthy vapors, a mixture of death and corruption.
Amidst this forest of golden corpses, the earth trembled violently, and a tall figure in gray robes emerged. His hair was disheveled, his beard thick and black, his eyes pale and expressionless. Around his chest hung a string of white-bone crystal beads—it was none other than the Sand Monk, Sha Wujing!
He had actually come to Lingshan? Meng Qi was greatly surprised.
Since their parting at Yu Xu Palace, he had never heard of any actions taken by the legendary Sha Wujing. Based on the three sentences he had passed on, Meng Qi had deduced that he had gone to the Journey to the West world. Now it seemed he had been half right—but only half. Sha Wujing had not only gone to the Journey to the West world, but had also entered the ruined Lingshan!
Sha Wujing’s posture was somewhat odd; his back was slightly hunched, and each step caused the mountain to tremble. Meng Qi focused his gaze and realized that the monk was carrying something—a mass shrouded in strange black mist, impossible to see through.
Judging from its shape and characteristics, Meng Qi suspected it was a corpse.
Had Sha Wujing ventured into the perilous, ruined Lingshan, where countless Buddhas had fallen, just to carry out a corpse?
And this corpse seemed so heavy that even a legendary figure like Sha Wujing had to bow under its weight, as if the broken Lingshan itself could no longer support it.
Whose remains were these? Meng Qi’s heart was filled with shock. He activated the Dao Yi Glazed Lamp, harnessing the power of all causes and effects. Yet the eerie black mist obscured everything, and with his current level of cultivation, he could not discern the truth.
Could it be the remains of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?
Or perhaps the mysterious Golden Cicada, also known as the monk Xuanzang, as spoken of by the Golden Emperor?
Of course, there were other possibilities he had yet to consider.
Deng, Deng, Deng—Sha Wujing stepped forward, each footfall shaking Lingshan, accompanied by the continuous roar of the Buddhas.
As he passed the golden staff, he paused slightly, turned his head to gaze at it, as if lost in thought. Unconsciously, two drops of murky tears gathered at the corners of his eyes.
Even the Buddha could weep; even legends could shed tears. No matter how complete one’s heart might be, without ultimate liberation, there would always be sorrow and regret.
Sha Wujing turned his head and continued to carry the heavy corpse toward the outside of the great Buddha formation. As he passed the coiled white dragon corpse, he clenched his teeth tightly and reached out with one hand to grasp the dragon’s horn.
A heavy, grating sound rang out as the white dragon corpse was dragged forward. Sha Wujing became even more strained, yet he did not give up—he was determined to pull the dragon’s remains out of this polluted, corrupted place.
Step by step, swaying with each movement, Sha Wujing carried the corpse and gradually left the mountaintop. Of the five companions from the Journey to the West, only he remained. His solitary figure was filled with an indescribable loneliness.
The mirror shattered piece by piece, its light fading into nothingness, revealing no further scenes.
Indeed, it must have been the projection of a great being or mighty cultivator that conveyed this vision… Meng Qi nodded thoughtfully, not immediately guessing it was Guanyin Bodhisattva. After all, the strongest figure in Shuiyue Nunnery now was only at the Half-Step Law Body level, and it was possible that another great being had obscured the truth. However, judging from the unique nature of the willow leaf, there was a seventy to eighty percent chance it was the Great Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva.
If so, then the Undying Demon God must be the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra?
But it was also possible that the message had been sent by the Undying Demon God himself…
“What was he carrying? Whose corpse was it?” Meng Qi’s mind raced as he asked directly.
Mingtong shook her head: “The Bodhisattva did not mention it, only saying that this matter is of utmost importance, and Master Su should be aware.”
I hate riddles and cryptic words the most… Meng Qi inwardly spat, pondering what “of utmost importance” could mean, while casually asking, “Did the Bodhisattva have any other message?”
Mingtong rarely showed a slight smile, adding a touch of warmth to her otherwise serene face: “The Bodhisattva told Master Su to be careful, for there are factions that do not wish to see you achieve the Legendary realm, or wish to delay your progress.”
“Oh? How do they plan to interfere?” Meng Qi temporarily set aside the matter of Lingshan.
Becoming a legend was a very “personal” journey, rarely relying on external objects or disturbances. The connection was only between “self” and “self.” Moreover, the only external object he had was a fragment of the Houtian Mirror, which he already possessed. How could others possibly slow down his progress?
If they simply wanted to prevent him from reaching the Legendary realm, they could just attack him directly and kill him. But if they wanted to delay his progress, where would they start?
Mingtong maintained her gentle smile: “They could create a ‘virtual other self,’ forming a connection mark, requiring you to feel the changes gradually, adjusting little by little. Each adjustment would take a long time to yield feedback, making the process both time-consuming and laborious. However, if you had the ‘other self’ projection of the Demon Buddha Anan as a reference, since the Demon Buddha is you, and you are the Demon Buddha, your ‘other self’ and his ‘virtual other self’ would be very similar. If you could refer to his, it would greatly shorten the time needed for your journey to the Legendary realm.”
“Right, Master Mingtong, you’re absolutely correct,” Meng Qi admitted candidly.
This was indeed his method, but he couldn’t directly absorb the Demon Buddha’s “other self” projection like he did with the Primordial Projection, because it was merely an imprint, not a mark. After all, aside from himself, every “other self” of the Demon Buddha was sealed within Lingshan alongside him. Even after the seal was weakened and re-established, figures like the Demon Lord and Master Yuanmeng remained the same. Could the Buddha’s seal be so easily bypassed?
For a figure like the Demon Buddha, being able to leave an “other self” outside essentially meant breaking free.
Mingtong continued: “The universe is vast, Master Su. You don’t know many of the Demon Buddha’s ‘other self’ projections, which greatly hinders your path to becoming a legend, doesn’t it?”
Meng Qi immediately understood her meaning and his expression brightened: “So what you’re saying is, someone knows a lot about the Demon Buddha’s ‘other self’ projections?”
Mingtong’s smile faded, and her expression turned solemn: “The Demon Buddha is Anan. Originally, his ‘other self’ projections should have equaled Anan’s ‘other self’ projections plus the Thunder God’s. However, the Overlord lost control and achieved the Legendary realm, so Anan was unable to merge with the Thunder God’s aspect.”
Meng Qi nodded slightly, understanding. Similar to splitting a body during reincarnation, the “other self” also divided. Otherwise, others would have noticed long ago. Taiyi Heavenly Venerable, Medicine King Buddha, and the Green Emperor, if not connected at their roots, would be completely different and independent mighty cultivators.
Mingtong then shifted the topic: “The demon race has pursued Anan and those practicing his forbidden blade techniques across countless generations. Even when given the opportunity and capability, they would not spare ‘Anans’ from other universes—that is, Anan’s ‘other selves.’ They must have accumulated a vast amount of information. Even if each ‘other self’ varies from generation to generation, they can still enable you, Master Su, to glimpse the essence, making your efforts more efficient.”
Meng Qi was momentarily stunned. The Demon God truly bore an unyielding grudge. Generation after generation of reincarnated Anans, countless “Anan other selves”—compared to this, even the phrase “unyielding hatred” seemed trivial.
Yet it also proved a saying: often, your enemies understand you best. When it came to seeking out “Anan’s other selves,” no one was more “professional” than the Yaozu…
“I wonder what the stance of the demon race is?” Meng Qi inquired solemnly.
Since Mingtong had come to deliver the message, she must know a lot.
Sure enough, without hesitation, Mingtong replied directly: “The demonic races are not a unified whole with a single stance; there are divisions among them. They neither wish to see the Demon Buddha achieve completeness due to your death, nor do they want you to grow stronger and interfere with their plan to rescue the remaining Great Sages from Lingshan.”
“Rescue the remaining Great Sages from Lingshan?” Meng Qi was startled.
The golden staff pierced through Lingshan, shielding the remaining Great Sages of the demon race who were sealed within?
These were truly mighty beings who once commanded the winds and rains of antiquity. Should they break free, they could instantly sweep through both the Mortal Realm and the Deification Realm, leaving humanity utterly defenseless. Only by mighty cultivators sacrificing themselves and awakening prematurely could they be opposed.
This was truly a massive plan made in silence!
“Can they find the entrance to Lingshan?” After his initial shock, Meng Qi asked gravely.
Mingtong shook her head: “Not yet, but the Luo Sect is reaching out to them, seeking an alliance. The Vacuum Homeland embraces all beings and governs all things.”
The Mother of All truly has grand ambitions… Meng Qi sighed inwardly, acknowledging her perfect timing.
For instance, in the case of Sha Wujing’s early awakening, she used Gu Xiaosang’s weakness as leverage. Any excessive reaction would be easily accepted, avoiding the ignition of a tense atmosphere. After awakening, Sha Wujing’s movements were secretive, heading straight to Lingshan without the aggressive interference Meng Qi had anticipated in the Real World. Thus, his actions remained within the tolerance limits of other great figures, sparing them the need to sacrifice their own cultivators and legends.
After Sha Wujing returned from the Journey to the West, he would surely demonstrate his power subtly, reorganizing folk beliefs and expanding the Luo Sect without provoking the Zhou Dynasty or the Pure Land Buddhist Kingdom. Who, then, would dare to challenge the might of a legendary cultivator? Even if he had awakened early, his strength was merely a shadow of its former self!
As thoughts swirled in his mind, Meng Qi said, “I guess the Luo Sect won’t easily reveal the entrance to Lingshan to the demon race.”
“Master Su speaks truly. The Luo Sect certainly wouldn’t want to see their current favorable situation ruined by the true Great Sages of the demon race breaking free. The two sides are currently engaged in a strategic game. Similarly, although the Mother of All wishes to use you to test other great figures and uncover some secrets, she absolutely does not want you to quickly grow into a legendary cultivator. It would be best if you break through only after she fully awakens, thus preventing any unexpected incidents.” Mingtong analyzed the Luo Sect’s stance.
Such words were truly not what one would expect from a Half-Step Dharmakaya.
Meng Qi nodded slightly; this was more or less what he had thought. But how could one possibly guess the thoughts of those beyond the threshold?
He had guessed wrong once before when taking the Chaos Green Lotus Seed from Yu Xu Palace.
As the saying goes, the will of heaven has always been high and difficult to question. What is the will of heaven? It is the will of those who have crossed the threshold!
“After today’s matters, I shall take my leave. May Master Su successfully achieve the Legendary realm and once again display the miracles of an immortal,” Mingtong clasped her hands together and chanted the name of the Guanyin Bodhisattva.
She had revealed some things, analyzed others, but throughout had never offered any suggestions.
Meng Qi sat quietly on the cloud bed, watching her leave. He saw through the intentions of Guanyin Bodhisattva—or rather, the Buddhist sect—as clearly as if they were laid bare before him.
They did not want to see him driven to desperation, taking the quickest and simplest path of absorbing the Primordial Projection, becoming another Primordial Heaven Lord—a choice that could determine the “destination” of the Apocalyptic Dao Fruit!
As time went by, the Amitabha lineage of Buddhism had already changed their attitude toward him several times.
There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.
After sitting on the cloud bed for an unknown amount of time, Meng Qi analyzed the stances of the emerging factions and had already formulated a preliminary plan. First, he would make contact with the demon race to test whether he could alter their position. If successful, gaining access to their accumulated knowledge of “Anan’s other selves” could reduce his originally decades-long process of creating the “other self mark” to just ten years. If he combined this with at least thirty percent of the Primordial Projection for balance, the timeframe could be further shortened.
But how should he contact the upper echelons of the demon race?
This question somewhat stumped Meng Qi. Since returning from the Middle Ages, the demonic races seemed to have vanished, rarely making any moves. Whether it was the Peacock Demon King Tai Li or the Demon Saint’s disciple, the little fox, they no longer appeared in the world. As for those foolish demon kings and demon gods in the Journey to the West world, clearly they were not qualified to hold such secrets.
As thoughts swirled in his mind, Meng Qi suddenly had an idea and thought of a place:
The East Sea Abyss!
Not the abyss connecting the Fengshen World to the seven seas and twenty-eight realms, but the abyss in the Real World, whose destination was unknown.
As recounted by the elder Su Wuming, it was there that he lost sight of the Demon King Peacock Taili during the pursuit.
And when he had encountered the Green Emperor while sailing at sea, the deity had also vanished from there.
Now, with his current strength and cultivation level, he should be able to pass through that abyss, shouldn’t he?
He quickly made his decision but did not set off immediately, instead continuing his retreat.
A full month later, the phantom of an old monk suddenly emerged beside Meng Qi, stepping forward and merging into his Dharma Body—it was the “Other Self Mark” of Master Yuanmeng!
Only then did Meng Qi open his eyes and leisurely head for the East Sea, his demeanor becoming increasingly ethereal.
…
The abyssal vortex churned with a roaring sound, its hue dark and fathomless, its destination unknowable. The unknown and the mysterious are the most terrifying of all.
Meng Qi pushed his fan-shaped cloud cap, revealing the Primordial Heaven’s Supreme Ultimate Canopy. His body was enveloped in a faint glow as he stepped forward calmly.
Splash!
The water was heavy, crushing everything, tearing at all things, yet Meng Qi, having traversed black holes, moved as if strolling through a courtyard, descending deeper and deeper, step by step, gradually concealing his form, for who knew if there were enemies or ambushes on the other side.
No one knows how much time had passed when suddenly his vision cleared. He saw swirling mist and chaotic energy. Light emanated from an ancient and obscure palace, its plaque inscribed in demonic script.
Meng Qi, hiding his form, carefully examined it, reading each character one by one:
“Yao, Huang, Dian…”
“Yao Huang Dian (the Emperor Demon Palace)!”
He was startled, countless thoughts racing through his mind:
The same Demon Emperor Palace guarded by the demons in the Xiao Qian Cave of Mount Yuxu in the Investiture of the Gods world?
The Demon Emperor Palace mentioned by the chatty Chuiyizi?
No wonder the Peacock Princess disappeared into the depths of the East Sea!
But why had the Green Emperor come here?
Perplexed and on guard, Meng Qi grew even more cautious. He carefully distanced himself from a spring near the palace gate, fearing it might be a demonic stronghold guarded by slumbering Great Sages of the demon race, such as Yuan Hong.
He circled around and observed for a while, when something strange occurred—the Emperor Demon Palace seemed to have only one side, always facing him, showing only the main gate and the plaque.
“Indeed, there is something strange here…” Meng Qi noticed no enemies around and observed more carefully.
Just then, the long-sealed door creaked open with a bang, and a round object rolled out.
“Wasn’t it just a single miscalculation in counting steps? Did they really have to throw me out like that?” the round object bounced up, grumbling.
It was as large as a water buffalo, perfectly round, covered in black feathers, with two enormous wings several zhang long flapping behind it, creating gusts of wind—it seemed to be a bird.
But this bird was very ugly, its beak resembling that of a fish.
As soon as Meng Qi saw it, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter. This was none other than the loquacious Chuiyi whom he had met at Shaolin Temple!
So he had finally escaped and made it to the Emperor Demon Palace he had always longed for?
Who was he talking to?
Chuiyi could talk from dawn to dusk. Meng Qi listened for a while and finally realized that he wasn’t talking to anyone—he was simply furious that the Emperor Demon Palace had expelled him for violating its forbidden laws.
A thought struck Meng Qi, and he revealed his form, walking up to Chuiyizi.
“I am the descendant of the Kunpeng, the last remaining Kunpeng between heaven and earth. I’m not some stray cat or dog to be treated this way!” Chuiyi Zi was still seething with anger.
“Right, you shouldn’t be treated like this,” a deep voice suddenly echoed in his ear.
“You see, someone agrees with me, uh…” Chuiyi suddenly froze, turned his head, and saw a familiar yet more mature face beside him.
“You… you… you… how did you find this place?” he recognized Meng Qi, jumping eight zhang high in shock, his words stuttering.
Meng Qi smiled slightly and said, “You guess.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage