Within the “Jianghu Teahouse” of the Myriad Realms Universal Knowledge Heaven and Earth, discussions and debates regarding the re-ranking of top-tier forces continued.
A commenter named “Gongzi Yu” wrote: “Since this is the Myriad Realms Universal Knowledge Heaven and Earth, this young master thinks we shouldn’t only rank the True World. In our realm, not long ago, a Taishang Avatar propagated the Dao Virtue’s Five Thousand Words. There are powerful experts everywhere and numerous influential factions, which should be considered…”
“The ‘Undying Demon God’ of the Western Bull Continent, with his formidable and mysterious power controlling numerous demon kings and deities, should be considered a top-tier force. The Northern Julu Continent’s Tian Emperor has a strong background, nearly reaching the legendary level, and has gathered many fierce and mighty experts, making it the scale of a top-tier force. Additionally, Fu Hai and Fan Hai, the two kings descended from ancient great sages, not only have the potential to reach legendary status themselves but also command great respect among the aquatic tribes. Shouldn’t they be counted?” A commenter nicknamed “East Sea Dragon King” expressed his opinion, deliberately pointing out Fu Hai Wang and Fan Hai Wang, two unworthy demon deities, hoping to provoke dissatisfaction among the top-tier forces, who would be ashamed to be mentioned alongside them and might obliterate them outright.
After studying the Myriad Realms Universal Knowledge Talisman for a long time, the old Dragon King finally learned how to “go online.”
As for the actions of the Celestial Venerable of the Yuxu Palace, he found nothing strange, as great figures and powerful cultivators value cause and effect the most. What seems peculiar might actually be compensation.
Unfortunately, once the debate began and the flames of conflict ignited, his and Gongzi Yu’s comments were quickly drowned out, failing to stir even the slightest ripple.
…
At the Yuxu Palace on Kunlun Mountain, when Meng Qi entered the courtyard, Daqinggen was sitting by the window, blowing in the cold wind, lost in thought, appearing lifeless and dull. The room was filled with all sorts of bizarre and strange objects, leaving almost no space to step.
“You’re just a plant; what use do you have buying all these things?” Meng Qi twitched his lips and couldn’t help but advise.
Dagingen’s tone was ethereal: “I am pondering this profound question…”
Suddenly, it shouted, “The Myriad Realms Mall is toxic!” “Toxic!”
Its voice was excited, its expression ecstatic, and its missing branches flailed chaotically, accusing the Myriad Realms Mall, which was as seductive as the temptations of the heavenly demons.
After a while, it calmed down a bit, only to realize its master was standing in front of it, and it immediately panicked: “Master, you’re back so soon? I, I should tidy up first.”
Meng Qi pondered for a moment and said, “Since you hate the Myriad Realms Mall so much, how about I seal off the related functions of your Myriad Realms Universal Knowledge Talisman?”
Dagingen’s expression changed a few times before it suddenly gritted its teeth: “Fine!”
“Thank you, Master, for granting this!”
Meng Qi waved his hand and sealed the shopping function of its Myriad Realms Universal Knowledge Talisman. Then he took out some items obtained from the treasure vault of the Spirit King and gave a portion to Daqinggen: “During this period, you’ve managed the Yuxu Express fairly diligently without abusing the permissions granted by the Myriad Realms Universal Knowledge Ball. This is your reward.”
Dagingen’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and it knelt down abruptly, hugging Meng Qi’s leg:
“Master, I am overwhelmed with gratitude! In the future, I will brave fire and boiling oil without flinching!”
Meng Qi expressionlessly pulled his leg free, gave a few instructions, and then walked into the Yuxu Palace by himself.
Dagingen was now full of energy, humming a little tune, elegantly flicking its branches and displaying the Myriad Realms Universal Knowledge Talisman.
Suddenly, its branches froze in place, its expression changed again, and then its branches flailed wildly, slapping its own face repeatedly, muttering: “Why did you have to open your big mouth! Why did you have to open your big mouth! Why did you seal off the Myriad Realms Mall!”
It paced back and forth anxiously, suddenly struck by inspiration, and opened its contact list:
“Apprentice, hurry! Help your master buy some things!”
…
The lotus flowers had bloomed again, filling the pond with fragrance, each blossom fresh and pure. Meng Qi paused by the pond, gazing silently for a long time before sighing and returning to his meditation chamber, sitting solemnly on the cloud bed.
Before returning to the Yuxu Palace, he had once again returned to the Journey to the West world, trying to trace the whereabouts of the final Dinghai Pearl, but ultimately found nothing, as the clue abruptly ended near a suspected fissure in the Jiuyou Realm.
Perhaps the Dinghai Pearl was hidden in some secret location within Jiuyou.
He formed a hand seal with both hands, each gripping half of the fragment of the Haotian Mirror. Meng Qi closed his eyes, and the surroundings instantly turned dark, concealing layers of universes within that darkness.
His divine consciousness entered the fragments of the Haotian Mirror, drifting through boundless nothingness.
This was the inevitable path to legend.
From Tianxian to Legend was another fundamental threshold, more difficult than the transition from Outward Manifestation to Dharmakaya. It allowed one to overlook the True World from a high vantage point. To break through, one must meet two conditions: first, to elevate oneself, perfect one’s mind, sense the “Other Me,” communicate and connect with them, and establish a link. Once the number of connected “Other Me” reaches a critical mass, the prerequisite is met. Second, to understand oneself, to realize “why I am me.” Otherwise, the merging of the Other Me would lead to chaos and confusion.
Both conditions were extremely difficult for a Tianxian. This could be seen from the comparison between the number of Star Officials and Legendary Adepts. Most Tianxians were unable to advance their cultivation further, lacking treasures like the Haotian Mirror, and thus could not sense the “Other Me,” not even knowing which direction the door to Legend lay. A small portion struggled to see their true nature and understand “why I am me,” fearing to accumulate the Other Me, which would lead to backlash. Only a rare few Tianxians could fulfill both conditions, reaching out to push open the door to Legend, accepting the trials, completing the transformation, and becoming the sole great adept across all realms.
After the incident with Meng Xiaoqi (False Meng Qi) from Earth, Meng Qi had vaguely touched the threshold of seeing his true nature and understanding “why I am me.” As for the number of “Other Me,” he had severed his past, lacking the usual “Other Me,” and could only rely on creating imprints or absorbing Primordial Projections to complete the task.
“For now, don’t rush to collect the Primordial Projections. First, create several Other Me imprints to achieve balance.” As his divine consciousness drifted, Meng Qi had his own convictions, unwilling to let himself become another Primordial Heavenly Venerable entirely, seeking balance. “However, my ‘Other Me Imprints’ must be close to the projections of the Demon Buddha in that universe to be inscribed into the heavens and earth. Yet the projections of the Demon Buddha in different universes are not all known to me, so I must try one by one, which is quite troublesome.”
Just as he was thinking, Meng Qi suddenly had an idea, for he knew of a specific projection of the Demon Buddha!
Yuanmeng Chan Master, who gave him the second small jade Buddha, the Yuanmeng Chan Master from the Twelve-Form Divine World!
“Never mind the others first; turning this projection into an ‘Other Me Imprint’ is the right path.” Meng Qi opened his eyes, and an additional Myriad Realms Universal Knowledge Talisman appeared in his hand.
For the current him, that world was too fragile to directly descend into, but fortunately, the “Shape-Shifting Great Method” had helped him many times before, creating many karmic connections.
With a light flick of his right hand, the Myriad Realms Universal Knowledge Talisman silently slid away, vanishing into the void before him like it had entered water.
…
In a quiet grass hut, hidden in seclusion, Duan Xiangfei still appeared refined and elegant, though his eyebrows and beard were white, and his aged appearance showed signs of frailty.
Gazing at Duan Mingcheng, who appeared middle-aged, he sighed: “Though I learned the secret of being born with nine orifices from Master Zhen Ding, by the time I comprehended it, my physical body had already declined. I possessed the method but lacked the treasure to claim. It seems I am unable to open the Mysterious Pass and ascend to heaven in broad daylight. Now my lifespan is nearly exhausted, and heaven has granted me no more time. I can only place my hopes on you and my descendants.”
Hearing his father’s heartfelt words, Duan Mingcheng suddenly felt a surge of sorrow. In his eyes, his father was one of the few great masters in the world, a wise old fox who had defeated countless strong enemies and completed countless schemes, yet even such a figure had ultimately succumbed to the passage of time.
Was this the message of a father on his deathbed?
Before Duan Mingcheng could speak, a flash of light appeared before him, and he saw a silver shard descending from the sky, directly hitting his father, Duan Xiangfei, on the head.
“An ambush!” Duan Mingcheng blurted out.
Duan Xiangfei saw stars, grabbed the metal shard, and then felt a series of illusions before his eyes. He saw a spiritual mountain peak, atop which stood a Daoist temple named “Yuxu Palace.”
Inside the Yuxu Palace, a Daoist-clad man sat on a cloud bed. His features were handsome, his temples streaked with white, and the vast starry sky surrounded him as if he were the master of heaven and earth.
The familiar face and sensation surged into Duan Xiangfei’s mind, instantly reminding him of the one person he could never forget:
“It’s him!”
As soon as the thought arose, he saw the Daoist-clad man open his eyes. His gaze was profound, his pupils deep and chaotic, meeting Duan Xiangfei’s gaze across countless spaces and rivers of stars.
Duan Mingcheng was alert and vigilant, searching for the culprit. After a while, he noticed his father was dazed and hurriedly whispered a few calls.
Duan Xiangfei snapped out of his trance, stroked his white beard, smiled, and rose: “Mingcheng, accompany your father to Changhua Temple.”
He was full of energy, his gloom completely gone.
Seeing his father, who had previously been waiting quietly for death, suddenly regain his vitality, Duan Mingcheng was astonished and blurted out: “Father, why do you suddenly have renewed vigor?”
Duan Xiangfei chuckled: “Your father suddenly feels that he can still make a comeback.”
He strode forward, his sleeves fluttering, heading straight for Changhua Temple.
Duan Mingcheng was puzzled, hesitated for a moment, and then hurriedly chased after.
…
Without further conversation along the way, when they finally arrived at Changhua Temple after a long journey, Duan Xiangfei stood with his hands behind his back and calmly said: “Mingcheng, do you know why your father came here?”
“To pay respects to Master Zhen Ding?” Duan Mingcheng hesitated in his guess.
“No,” Duan Xiangfei chuckled. “I just figured something out.”
“What is it?” Duan Mingcheng asked, puzzled.
They stood at the entrance, surrounded by passersby and pilgrims.
Duan Xiangfei slowly walked forward: “I figured out why Master Zhen Ding, after attaining enlightenment and ascending to heaven in broad daylight, returned and came to Changhua Temple.”
Master Zhen Ding? Many pilgrims and monks paused slightly; this was the most famous figure of the past few decades.
“Isn’t it a secret of Buddhism?” Duan Mingcheng was still confused.
Duan Xiangfei smiled and said: “No, he had to come, he couldn’t help but come. Only by coming here could he truly understand himself and attain a higher level of enlightenment.”
Numerous ears perked up.
“Father, can you be more specific?” Duan Mingcheng frowned.
Duan Xiangfei stepped over the threshold, his tone filled with emotion: “Because he is the reincarnation of Master Yuanmeng!”
This shocking statement startled the monks and pilgrims into exchanging glances.
Before Duan Mingcheng could ask again, Duan Xiangfei continued: “Only in this way can we explain why Master Zhen Ding attained enlightenment at such a young age and mastered Buddhist techniques.”
“Only in this way can we explain why the small jade Buddha given to me by Master Yuanmeng eventually ended up in Master Zhen Ding’s hands.”
“Only in this way can we explain Master Yuanmeng’s final words, ‘Where is the Sacred Mountain?'”
“Where is the Sacred Mountain? Of course, it’s in the heart, within oneself!”
A series of statements left Duan Mingcheng gasping, and upon reflection, he realized there was indeed such a possibility. Guiding one’s reincarnation through one’s own hand was very much in line with Buddhist philosophy!
Once the “Spiritual Mountain” is found, one naturally beholds the Tathagata!
Who is the Tathagata? The Tathagata is “me”!
These words struck like a thunderclap, making the monks feel as if they had gained insight and secretly agreed with Duan Xiangfei’s judgment.
Duan Xiangfei looked around at the crowd, smiled, and said: “Mingcheng, spread what I just said, and then donate a golden statue of Master Yuanmeng to Changhua Temple.”
“Yes,” Duan Mingcheng dared not disobey and quickly complied.
Watching his retreating figure, Duan Xiangfei chuckled softly, speaking to the air in front of him: “Are you satisfied?”
Before his words had even faded, a crisp “ding” sound reached his ear:
“Your Yuanhuang Coin has been credited!”
…
Inside the Yuxu Palace, Daqinggen suddenly arrived and reported to Meng Qi:
“Master, the abbess of Shuiyue Nunnery requests an audience.”
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