My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion
Chapter 212 - 191: Raising the Stakes

Chapter 212: Chapter 191: Raising the Stakes

"Looks like they’ve entered."

In front of Qin Qingluo was a bowl of water held by a luminous glass vessel. The surface of the water swirled murkily, gradually sketching out fleeting images.

"Through Buddhist vision, one can see 84,000 creatures in a single bowl of water."

This was a divine ability of the Buddhist sect, allowing one to glimpse events miles away through the water’s surface, akin to possessing clairvoyance.

On the water’s surface, Chen Yi and Yin Tingxue had just entered the Buddhist Pagoda, studying the "Celestial Maidens Scattering Flowers" mural.

Qin Qingluo lightly brushed the water’s surface, causing ripples to distort the image. The scene abruptly shifted to focus on the female crown and Donggong Ruoshu.

Within the startling upheaval of the four Heavenly King’s statues, the group had scattered in all directions.

"Well then, you all should make your move." Qin Qingluo said without turning her head.

Chou Gang nodded. At his waist hung the insignia of the An Nan Royal Mansion.

Chen Yi’s head was not only meant to avenge Youxu’s death but also served as a token of allegiance.

Zhang Xuqu glanced at the image in the water and spotted Donggong Ruoshu. He froze briefly before saying:

"Wait, the girl must be lured away first."

As he spoke, he pointed to Donggong Ruoshu on the water’s surface.

The Princess of An Nan, addressed as "Aunt Zhu," frowned and asked:

"Why go to such lengths?"

Qin Qingluo also replied:

"If it doesn’t matter, wait for Chen Yi to take the bait and kill them together. Mr. Zhang, do you have other concerns?"

Their words carried the same meaning; after years together, the couple’s minds were in sync.

They had even forged a Divine Sect blood covenant, sharing senses. If one was hurt, the other would feel the pain as well.

Zhang Xuqu shook his head and chuckled:

"You don’t know the girl’s background."

"What background?"

"... A direct disciple of the Broken Swordsman. Is that enough to warrant my caution?"

After speaking, Zhang Xuqu added:

"Not to mention my acquaintance with him, but simply this young girl who isn’t even of age—how do you know she doesn’t carry a trace of the Broken Swordsman’s Sword Intent?"

At these words, the group couldn’t help but frown, the air thickening slightly.

After a pause, Qin Qingluo softly replied:

"If that’s the case, then lure the girl away first, and use the Princess of Jing to bait Chen Yi."

Then, she turned her gaze toward the woman in black.

"Ye Ming, you go as well."

The woman in black nodded slightly.

No one opposed Qin Qingluo’s plan. This ambush was bound to succeed.

Zhao Bai stood beneath the Buddha statue, his palms pressed together, remaining silent throughout.

In this vast Buddhist Hall, he was both its master and its most powerless inhabitant.

Only after the group finished their deliberations did he turn and utter a chant: "Namo Original Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha."

Qin Qingluo, noticing this, said calmly:

"One moment debating the Tao, the next chanting the Buddha—what mysteries lie within?"

Zhao Bai responded just as evenly:

"The Buddhist and Taoist paths are inherently intertwined. Especially during this era of the semblance of Dharma, where all teachings reflect one another. Do you recall the Buddhist-Taoist conflict decades ago? It ended in an unexpected draw."

"The solitary monarch has heard of it."

No longer hiding her role as the Prince of An Nan, Qin Qingluo referred to herself as "the solitary monarch."

Turning back, Zhao Bai asked rhetorically:

"Would the Prince be curious why my Joyful Sect was exterminated?"

Qin Qingluo said evasively:

"The solitary monarch has already met Master Zhihui."

Zhao Bai lowered his gaze slightly and whispered:

"It appears the Prince already understands the reason."

Why was the once-mighty Joyful Sect exterminated?

The reason was simple: a plot by celestial beings and Buddhas.

The tall woman observed Zhao Bai, who seemed lost in thought. For the Joyful Sect’s remaining embers, there were two paths. One was to follow the Broken Swordsman upon his arrival, sever ties, and seek closure. The other was to carry the sect’s fortune to the Southern Border and join the Ming’an Divine Sect, becoming a pawn for celestial beings and Buddhas, waiting for Heaven’s Gate to crack open.

The first path was tough; the second, easy.

Even if the world’s sixth greatest could protect him, Zhao Bai was but rootless grass before their arrival.

Born with snake-like eyes resembling dragons and pythons, the tall woman could clearly see Zhao Bai’s reluctance to become a pawn. His only desire was to pass on the sect’s cultivation technique. Though he feigned indifference, Qin Qingluo was not deceived.

Zhao Bai turned suddenly, asking:

"Does the Prince know that this Buddhist Pagoda hides an Inch of Luminous Light?"

"Oh?"

Qin Qingluo, intrigued, wanted to see how Zhao Bai would barter for a sliver of hope.

Though she intended to personally extinguish that hope.

Both ends of the chessboard—it was how the An Nan Royal Mansion maximized its gain.

"This Inch of Luminous Light originates from the Buddha of Medicine’s realm, the Eastern Pure Luminous World. Whoever obtains it gains immortality, immune to calamities."

Zhao Bai began raising the stakes slowly.

"And what seals this Inch of Luminous Light, preventing it from escaping, is Wuxiang Zen Master’s vestment robe."

As these words fell, the tall woman’s snake-like pupils narrowed vertically.

...............

"In this mural, people are facing the Buddha statue, chanting and meditating. It seems to be Pure Land Buddhism."

Yin Weiyin identified.

Donggong Ruoshu scratched her head, gazing at the mural. She could only discern a group of tiny figures worshipping a towering, majestic Golden Buddha Statue, unable to understand its deeper meaning.

"What’s the difference between Pure Land Buddhism and Zen Buddhism?" Donggong Ruoshu asked. Regarding Buddhism, her focus was Zen.

The Princess of Jing, who had cultivated the Tao for over twenty years since childhood and had considerable knowledge of Buddhism, explained eloquently:

"The difference is significant. Zen was transmitted by Bodhidharma and emphasizes sudden enlightenment; with one moment of awakening, one becomes Buddha.

Meanwhile, Pure Land Buddhism was first introduced to the Western Region from India, then brought to the Central Plains. It doesn’t emphasize sudden enlightenment but rather focuses on the Other-Power Vow."

Donggong Ruoshu still seemed puzzled.

Yin Weiyin, noticing this, continued:

"The Other-Power Vow refers to all beings relying on the vow power of Amitabha Buddha for salvation, attaining rebirth in His realm."

Donggong Ruoshu now understood, exclaiming:

"So, chanting Buddha’s name leads to liberation?"

Her words weren’t inaccurate, prompting Yin Weiyin to nod slightly.

"That’s rather simple. I’ll chant more someday."

Donggong Ruoshu swung her feet and kicked the luminous ground casually.

Yin Weiyin merely smiled, withholding any comment.

Seeing this demeanor made Donggong Ruoshu feel it was all the more transcendent.

Yin Weiyin caught Donggong’s expression, a thought forming as she instructed:

"Miss Donggong, if you happen to find the Joyful Sect’s cultivation technique in this Buddhist Pagoda, inform me immediately."

"I can...but why though?" Donggong Ruoshu asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Why else? Such an evil technique must be eradicated from the world."

The female crown spoke with unwavering righteousness, making her statement unimpeachable.

Donggong Ruoshu agreed without hesitation.

The two continued forward, rounding a corner. Ahead lay a complex area, filled with winding paths and branching routes. Lotus patterns adorned the base of the walls.

Donggong Ruoshu glanced sideways and noticed writing carved into the walls on both sides, seemingly excerpts from Buddhist scriptures, with "Maitreya" frequently appearing.

Her steps unconsciously slowed.

Suddenly, faint sounds came from behind.

Donggong Ruoshu abruptly turned, stopping completely.

From around the corner emerged a somewhat familiar figure.

It was Zhang Xuqu, the Tongbei Divine Ape.

"Monkey Zhang?"

Donggong Ruoshu exclaimed in shock, entirely unprepared to encounter her master’s friend here.

She failed to notice, however, that she had unknowingly gotten separated from Yin Weiyin.