Chapter 45: The Sutra of Guiding the World
"Descendant of the Purple Abode, Zi Shiqing, greets Wang Ancestor."
The boy enveloped in dense purple aura spoke with deep respect towards Wang Heng.
Wang Heng nodded slightly in response.
"Wang Heng greets Zi Daoist."
Beside him, a young monk also spoke up.
"From Mount Sumeru, Kong Jue, greets Patron Wang."
He pressed his palms together, revealing six neat burn scars on his head. His face was delicate, with rosy lips and white teeth, and his eyes shone with an extraordinary brilliance, exuding an air of transcendence. Staring into his eyes felt as if one could see through worldly desires.
Wang Heng's spirit was exceptionally strong, far surpassing that of his contemporaries, granting him a sharper intuition.
He could sense an unusual aura from the young monk, Kong Jue, which naturally calmed one's spirit, dispersing all restless emotions like dust blown away.
Vaguely, it seemed he could hear the chanting of an ancient monk, softly murmuring the profound truths of the Dao.
The profound truths of this great path are shrouded in mystery, immensely profound, and remarkably alluring.
Merely listening to a segment, Wang Heng already harbors a desire to delve deeper, spurred by an intense curiosity. Consequently, he dismisses all that surrounds him, concentrating solely on the recitation of this scripture.
The sound grows increasingly louder, gradually becoming overwhelming, resonating powerfully within his heart and mind. Wang Heng feels a slight tremor in his heart, causing his entire body to shudder inexplicably. Suddenly, a luminous flower of Buddha's path blooms atop his head, glowing and spreading radiance.
Then, at the base of the flower, endless roots sprout, reaching toward Wang Heng's head, seemingly seeking to connect with his scalp.
However, as soon as it touches his scalp, the Supreme Soul Seed long dormant in his lower dantian erupts suddenly, shaking violently.
Immersed in the ancient monk's scripture, Wang Heng abruptly hears the crisp sound of the great path in his ears, startling him awake immediately.
"Crack!"
The light of Buddha's path shatters instantly, flower petals breaking apart with a mighty roar, transforming into tiny droplets of light that fall gently.
Wang Heng's gaze fluctuates as he watches the golden-bodied ancient monk sitting cross-legged before him vanish into nothingness.
In the lineage of ancient monks, those who possess a majestic golden body are invariably powerful ancient monks with immense divine abilities.
The source of the scripture chanting that could be heard was none other than a creature who had achieved a majestic golden body of six zhang. As Wang Heng's spirit approached, the creature endlessly recited Buddhist scriptures, attempting to persuade Wang Heng to forsake worldly desires and embrace the monastic path, exploring the principles of Dharma and the cycle of reincarnation.
Though his primordial spirit was strong, he found himself irresistibly drawn to the intimidating sound of the scriptures.
Fortunately, the Supreme Soul Seed alerted him in time, allowing Wang Heng to extricate himself from that quagmire.
In an instant, all scenes vanished without a trace, and figures like Zi Shiqing, Kong Jue, the four prodigies, and descendants of the True Immortal appeared before Wang Heng, making it seem as though everything he had just witnessed was but an illusion.
Caught off guard and nearly converted, Wang Heng neither grew angry nor showed any signs of rage, for he understood that, as the progeny of the Celestial King, the Xumi Mountain dared not take liberties with him.
What had transpired was simply an accident; he had overheard a fragment of ancient monk scripture and, intrigued by it, had actively chosen to listen.
“Your sect's Scripture of Deliverance is indeed profound. I've gained much from it,” Wang Heng responded with a smile, his countenance unchanged, having already regained his composure.
“The Scripture of Deliverance... One of the most powerful texts from the ancient monk lineage. It is said to be capable of converting all beings in the world. The renowned white jade dragon elephant and the fearless lion of Xumi Mountain are famous for having listened to this scripture and thus joined Buddhism to become holy guardians,” someone remarked with astonishment, their face somber and extremely wary of the so-called Scripture of Deliverance.
It must be known that the white jade dragon elephant and the fearless lion are no ordinary creatures. Although they have not reached the Celestial King realm, they have long stepped into the True Immortal domain and possess terrifying powers.
“The Scripture of Deliverance is indeed unfathomable, but ultimately, it depends on the person using it. The one capable of converting peerless powers like the white jade dragon elephant and the fearless lion is no ordinary ancient monk,” Yucheng Zun commented.
"What Benefactor Yu said is entirely correct. It is our most powerful figure, the Immortal Monk King, who guides the two sacred guardian beasts of our sect. Only when he chants the Scripture of Deliverance can such a feat be accomplished," the young monk Kong Jue nodded as he spoke.
Mentioning the Immortal Monk King from the lineage of ancient monks of Mount Sumeru, the expressions of the young prodigies present immediately turned solemn. The reason was simple: he is among the most legendary supreme beings of the ancient world, unbeaten since youth, rarely meeting a worthy adversary, and having left countless unsurpassable myths.
Wang Heng, too, revered this supreme figure, his mind speculating about the identity of the ancient monk he had just witnessed, one who possessed the golden body one fathom in height.
Suddenly, the young monk with the monastic name "Kong Jue" walked over with a serene expression, pressing his palms together in a bow towards Wang Heng.
"Benefactor Wang, you have a connection with our faith."
He spoke with a smile, revealing a row of immaculate white teeth that appeared innocent and without guile, making it impossible to feel any wariness.
Naturally, Wang Heng did not hold such a simple view. Mount Sumeru, what a mighty force of Immortal King level! How could a successor from such a sect be uncomplicated?
"Why does Daoist Kong Jue say this?"
His expression was like a still ancient well, unmoving, giving the impression of unfathomable depth.
With a smile, the young monk replied, "When Benefactor Wang was listening to the Scripture of Deliverance just now, a flower of Buddha and Dao bloomed three feet above your head, blossoming in mid-air."
"Not everyone can witness such a phenomenon. It only occurs to those who share a significant affinity with the ancient monk's teachings."
"An affinity with the ancient monk's path... What does that imply? Does it mean that if I continue to cultivate on your Mount Sumeru, my future achievements will be even greater?"
Kong Jue shook his head and explained.
"Affinity is not limited to just one interpretation. Perhaps, in the future, the benefactor will by chance ascend our revered Mount Sumeru, finding enlightenment there, or perhaps it is some other destiny related to the ancestral legacy of the ancient monk. In essence, the Flower of the Buddha's Path will neither appear nor bloom without reason."
"Perhaps."
Wang Heng remarked, reflecting on his findings, "I have always been intrigued by the cycle of reincarnation researched by your ancient monk lineage. Perhaps it's this interest that has caused the Flower of the Buddha's Path to manifest."
"I witnessed the battle between Wang Ancestor and Brother Li earlier," said Wang Heng, "and both I and Daoist Kong Jue saw it as well. The power of the Primordial Spirit Sword Technique is genuinely terrifying. If I were to withstand that strike, my end would likely be the same as Brother Li’s."
"The Purple Abode has concealed me for many years, placing high expectations on my debut, hoping that I would secure the title of first in the Dao Realm and continue the unparalleled legend of the Primal Purple Energy Seed."
"But now..." Wang Heng sighed, "such aspirations seem utterly laughable; the first position already has its rightful claimant."