Full-Level Fierce Person
Chapter 605 - 330 Conflict_2

Chapter 605: 330 Conflict_2

Jing Xuan led everyone to leave this place and return to Jihuo Temple.

En route, Jing Xuan walked shoulder to shoulder with Fang Zhixing.

At this moment, Jing Xuan seemed like a completely different person, his face filled with a kind and benevolent smile, brimming with goodwill.

"Benefactor, you have a connection with Buddha, and if you were to enter the Buddhist sect, you would certainly attain the ’fruition.’"

Jing Xuan extended his invitation openly.

Fang Zhixing couldn’t help but ask curiously, "What is this ’fruition’?"

Jing Xuan explained carefully, "The methods of cultivation in Buddhism are not like those in Taoism. Taoism emphasizes that the path is endless, while Buddhism speaks of the boundless Dharma, and the fruition is unique!"

Fang Zhixing listened with a half-understanding.

Seeing this, Jing Xuan continued, "Let me give you an example. There are a vast number of disciples in Buddhism, but there are only nine Vajra Dharma Forms, which means that many people will cultivate the same Vajra Dharma Form.

But what is the end of the Vajra Dharma Form?

The answer is Buddha, becoming a Buddha!

What is Buddha?

Buddha is the ultimate, Buddha is the unique!

That means, one radish, one hole!

The same Vajra Dharma Form cannot give birth to two true Buddhas!"

Fang Zhixing took a breath, his expression changing repeatedly, and said in astonishment, "Then who will become a Buddha? If someone has already become a Buddha before, wouldn’t the people following have no chance to become Buddhas?"

Jing Xuan shook his head, his smile meaningful, "No, everybody can become a Buddha!"

Fang Zhixing was initially startled, then suddenly shivered with enlightenment, exclaiming, "You mean, it’s a fusion of similars!"

"Exactly!"

Jing Xuan nodded repeatedly, "The end of cultivating Buddha and the only true Buddha merge into one, transforming into the truth, becoming eternal, becoming supremely revered!"

Fang Zhixing drew in a sharp breath, suddenly enlightened.

Buddha is not one person, but a confluence of countless individuals who have reached the culmination!

Aggregating all beings in one entity, thus Buddha possesses boundless wisdom, boundless mana!

After thinking it over, he noticed an inconsistency and asked, "Are there only nine true Buddhas?"

"Of course not!"

Jing Xuan replied gravely, "There are far more than nine Vajra Dharma Forms. For instance, the Buddhist scriptures have mentioned more than once the ’Tathagata Dharma Form.’

It’s just that we only have three parts of the ’Diamond Sutra’ that have survived in the world, and what the other Dharma Forms look like is temporarily unknown."

Fang Zhixing understood clear and asked further, "What is the difference between Buddha and Bodhisattva?"

Jing Xuan answered with a smile, "The difference lies in the rank of fruition. Buddha is the highest, followed by Bodhisattva, and then Arhat, Vajra, and others follow after."

At this point, he mentioned, "After consuming a Bodhi Fruit, the effect is to unlock supreme wisdom and infinite potential, thereby setting one on the path to becoming a Buddha."

He remarked sentimentally, "Without the Bodhi Fruit, no matter how one cultivates, it’s impossible to become a Buddha."

Fang Zhixing realized this and his thoughts drifted.

At that moment, Jing Xuan suddenly changed the topic and asked, "During this grand Buddhist event, do you know who your biggest enemy is?"

Fang Zhixing was stunned for a moment and frowned, "I’m just here to observe the ceremony, not intending to cause trouble; where would I have an enemy?"

Jing Xuan continued, "The conflict between Buddhism and Taoism has not been resolved overnight. Whenever the Buddhist and Taoist sects meet, a fierce battle is inevitable.

However, for your Five Elements Sect and Taiyi Sect, the biggest enemy is not the Buddhist sect, but the Heavenly Master Sect."

Fang Zhixing raised his eyebrows, puzzled.

Jing Xuan explained seriously, "The Five Elements Sect and Taiyi Sect were born in this dynasty, but the history of the Heavenly Master Sect is much older, beginning in the former dynasty or even further back, and there is evidence indicating that the Heavenly Master Sect was once the state religion of the former dynasty!"

Fang Zhixing’s gaze flickered as he pondered, "I have heard several times before that there is a saying, ’the authentic Taoist doctrine resides in the Heavenly Master Sect.’"

Jing Xuan nodded, "According to our Buddhist investigation, the Heavenly Master Sect and the Sky Observation Department have intricate connections.

There is even a notion that the Heavenly Master Sect was actually established by the Sky Observation Department and acts on its behalf.

And the reason the Five Elements Sect and Taiyi Sect emerged is that some within the Heavenly Master Sect were unwilling to be commanded by the Sky Observation Department, hence they left and established their own sects.

Because of this, the Heavenly Master Sect regards the Five Elements Sect and Taiyi Sect as traitors, always domineering and scornful towards you."

Fang Zhixing clicked his tongue in amazement, having not expected that the relationship between the three major Taoist sects was so complex.

The implication was that the Heavenly Master Sect was very likely to cause trouble for him.

"Hmm, I’ll be careful!"

Fang Zhixing thanked Jing Xuan and then returned to the other courtyard.

He called over Lian Quan and two others.

Fang Zhixing looked at Lian Sheng and asked, "The Heavenly Master Sect, how much do you know about it?"

Lian Sheng swayed his paper fan and said leisurely, "The Heavenly Master Sect, claiming themselves as ’Heavenly Masters,’ firmly believes in destiny and can foresee the future. Moreover, they are extremely skilled in deducing formations, and a profound Heavenly Master can even lay out a formation with a single thought, killing enemies invisibly."

Fang Zhixing fell silent for a moment and asked, "Do we have a good relationship with the Heavenly Master Sect?"

"No!"

Lian Yue interjected with anger, "The Heavenly Master Sect considers itself orthodox and despises our two sects, showing a very hostile attitude."

Fang Zhixing nodded and said softly, "We’ll try our best not to provoke trouble and hope the Heavenly Master Sect does the same."

The night passed quickly.

The next morning, the weather was clear.

Fang Zhixing and his group left Jihuo Temple to attend a grand gathering in Qian State’s capital, "Yuan Ye City."

Jing Xuan brought with him four guardian monks.

The group, traveling on a Five-Colored Auspicious Cloud, chatted and laughed along the way, creating an exceptionally harmonious atmosphere.

Suddenly, an immensely huge city came into view, its scale far surpassing that of the Dai State capital.

"As expected of the Ancient Imperial City..."

Fang Zhixing exclaimed in astonishment.

Lian Sheng smiled and said, "Yuan Ye City was built around the former dynasty’s Imperial Palace. When the former dynasty fell, a great fire burned down the entire city, leaving only ruins. The structures we see now were all built later on."

Jing Xuan nodded and said, "The old capital has long since disappeared into the dust of history, leaving only the name ’Ancient Imperial City.’"

At this point, Jing Xuan twirled his beard, smiled, and continued in a lowered voice, "However, though the old capital is gone, not everything has disappeared with it, such as the Restricted Area!"

Fang Zhixing turned his head and asked, "How many restricted areas are there in Yuan Ye City?"

Jing Xuan answered, "There is only one, named ’Ancient Imperial Forbidden Zone,’ rumored to be an exclusive royal restricted area.

It seems that in the former dynasty, only members of the Royal Family and those permitted by the Emperor were qualified to enter that restricted area."

Fang Zhixing exclaimed, "Why is it just a rumor? Hasn’t anyone ever entered to see?"

Jing Xuan laughed, "You guessed right. Ever since the Ancient Imperial City was destroyed by fire, that restricted area has been in a dormant state, never again opened, with no one able to enter to explore.

About five hundred years ago, the entrance to the restricted area was briefly opened for a few days, and then it fell dormant once again."

With that said, Jing Xuan no longer held back and whispered, "I won’t keep this from you, let me reveal some insider news early; the ’Ancient Imperial Forbidden Zone’ is about to open again."

Fang Zhixing and the others were all startled and said in amazement, "Could it be that the reason Buddhist is hosting this grand event is to explore the Ancient Imperial Forbidden Zone?"

Jing Xuan nodded and said, "Exactly, the Emperor has assigned this task to Wanfa Temple and appointed Prince Chu to oversee it."

Fang Zhixing blinked, puzzled, and said, "For such an important task, you could have carried it out secretly. Why invite people from Taoism as well?"

Jing Xuan sighed, "There are many obstacles to good deeds! Once the Heavenly Master Sect heard about this, they wanted to get involved, and later they got the support of the Sky Observation Department.

With the backing of the Sky Observation Department, the Emperor, under pressure, had no choice but to agree to the requests of the Heavenly Master Sect."

Fang Zhixing’s eyes twitched, speechless, "So, the reason the Five Elements Sect and Taiyi Sect are involved is because..."

Jing Xuan gave a bitter smile, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend! Honestly, we’re not sure what the Heavenly Master Sect is aiming for but, out of desperation, we pulled you in too, just to thoroughly muddy the waters."

Fang Zhixing was completely speechless, realizing after all the commotion, the Buddhist initially didn’t come with good intentions.

What a situation!

Wanfa Temple and the Heavenly Master Sect were at loggerheads while behind them it was the Emperor and the Sky Observation Department in contention!

The Five Elements Sect and Taiyi Sect were merely pawns!

"It seems that the reason the Emperor strongly supports the Buddhist might be to counterbalance the Heavenly Master Sect fostered by the Sky Observation Department..."

The Emperor and the Sky Observation Department, on bad terms?!