Yinshan Record

Chapter 910 A Storm Rises from the Ground (Part 2)
Being blind, deaf, and mute for thirty-six lifetimes—what kind of bullshit punishment is that?

The Taoist scriptures say: "The five colors blind the eye, the five sounds deafen the ear, and galloping and hunting drive the mind mad..."

For spiritual practitioners, sensory perfection is sometimes worse than sensory imperfection. Observing the "truth" of the world based on divine thought is far more in line with the essence of spiritual practice than the "illusions" built upon the senses.

Moreover, after Mulan was reincarnated, she was close to the level of the Buddhas and so-called Earth Immortals in the Hungry Ghost Realm. Although she was said to be bearing sins, she was actually being favored.

This is not a punishment, it's clearly a reward.

Being blind in both eyes, how does that hinder him?

Using such methods to deceive heaven and earth is only possible because Buddhism possesses the supreme supernatural power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

Fifth Lun looked at the young novice monk in front of him, hesitating whether to send him to reincarnation with a single sword strike.

Back in the East Sea, he had many interactions with Master Mulian, and they even fought each other a few times.

They grew tired of each other; this is the best way to describe it.

But if I were to strike with this sword, wouldn't I fall right into the trap set by those bald men, thus avoiding the arduous practice of thirty-six lifetimes, or would I be sacrificing myself for the Dharma, thus accumulating more merit?
As a disciple of the Sword Palace, Fifth Lun knew all too well that Buddhism's interpretation of the Nine Laws of Heaven and Man had reached a point of near distortion.

Within the sphere of Buddhist influence, the concepts of "good and evil, merit and demerit" are essentially decided in a single sentence. The interplay of yin and yang is eroded, moral thought is severed, and even the distinction between reality and illusion is barely discernible…

While his approach to the Nine Laws of Heaven and Man, based on spiritual understanding, was unrestrained and free, it still appeared somewhat crude compared to the methods used by the Buddhist school.

The young novice looked over, his eyes filled with a mixture of dread and anticipation.

"Since that's the case, let's give it a try."

Lin Xiu glanced at Cui Shouzhuo: "Since the Buddha wants to wager a match, I, Lin, will gladly oblige. What do you think, Brother Cui?"

He was by nature hot-tempered, with a fiery temper, and he also hated evil as if it were his enemy. The fact that the Wanling Sect treated living people as human pigs and raised poisonous insects was truly a taboo for him.

Back then, the various sects of Xuanmen risked their lives and fortunes because they couldn't stand seeing the ancient demon gods treat human lives like dirt.
"I have long heard that the Six Realms of Reincarnation are the foundation of the Ten Dharma Realms, but I have never had the chance to see them. Now that I have the opportunity, I must not miss it."

Cui Shouzhou addressed the crowd behind him.

"This trip will likely cause another disturbance, so please proceed according to your capabilities."

Seeking an explanation from the Buddhist community is one thing, but gambling with the Buddha is quite another.

The former can only be described as offending the other party, but one can still rely on the principle of "the law does not punish the masses" to make excuses.

The latter is when the other party has clearly intended to bully the weak, yet the victim stubbornly resists. Losing is secondary; there's nothing shameful about not being able to defeat the Buddha.

If one's vital energy is damaged, one's foundation is weakened, or even one loses one's life, then the loss would outweigh the gain.

"Senior brother, don't underestimate people."

Su Che snorted coldly.

"As the saying goes, it's better to be a broken piece of jade than a whole piece of tile. Now that I've come this far, there's absolutely no reason for me to back down. Brother Ye, you are a learned scholar, don't you agree?"

If it weren't for any lingering hope for the Longevity Sect, Ye Yin would have already started cursing them out.

The conflict between Buddhism and Taoism is none of your business, and it has nothing to do with me.
The "World Honored One" referred to in Buddhism refers to a person who has attained longevity and is at least at the level of a Pratyekabuddha or higher.

The "Buddha" or "World Honored One" mentioned by the young novice could only be one of the three Tathagatas who govern the hungry ghost realm, or even the result of a pre-arranged agreement among the three.

As long as they are in the Hungry Ghost Realm, they are three powerful beings equivalent to Earth Immortals.

Does a mere cultivator at the Void Step stage really think he's qualified to gamble with someone?

They're just giving you an explanation; they absolutely refuse to hand over the person.

"Elder Yang is absolutely right. However, a wise person knows when to yield and a shrewd person knows when to accept their fate. Fellow Daoists, please act according to your abilities. The truth behind this man-made disaster at the Myriad Spirits Sect is not solely Bai Ningzhi's responsibility. We must have other methods..."

“These big headscarves are all talk and no action. Little monk, I’ll go scout ahead for you.”

Fifth Lun unleashed a sword beam, his figure swaying as he plunged into the thick fog. The refined sword intent cleaved the boundary between Yin and Yang, and all tangible material structures lost their ability to sustain themselves before this sword intent.

All matter manifests in its most primitive form: earth, water, fire, and wind. The various states that shape phenomena are constantly evolving, and the Fifth Cycle breaks through this gap, directly entering the realm of hungry ghosts.

"Such pure sword intent."

Su Che was also a skilled swordsman, so he could naturally see the power of Fifth Lun's sword intent. Fifth Lun's sword intent was not only pure, but also had a long and deep aura, and his strokes on the laws were crisp and clean.

If we look at it from the perspective of severing the laws to attain immortality...

At most a hundred years, this Fifth Lun will likely be able to cut through the tribulation lightning and attain immortality.

No wonder they had the confidence to venture into the realm of hungry ghosts.

Lin Xiu was the second to make a move. Lightning surged around him, coalescing into a thirty-three-story glazed pagoda above his head. Countless lightning used this as a base, emanating and disappearing outwards. Wherever it went, there was only a clear expanse of lightning, nothing else.

He roared.

"Travel through the six realms and survey the eight directions."

Bu Xu of Shenxiao Sect rushed into the thick fog.

They're all ruthless people.

Su Che watched the two figures suddenly disappear into the Hungry Ghost Realm and couldn't help but sigh.

Those with such cultivation are all chosen ones, only a hair's breadth away from immortality.

No wonder Yan Wugui and Xue Qingluo were so polite to them when they bumped into each other; it was all due to their strength.

While I was pondering this.

Su Che looked up and noticed that Cui Shouzhuo was looking at him, intentionally or unintentionally.

"Brother Cui probably recognized me. He said he came on the orders of the Patriarch, so the Patriarch must have given me some teachings."

"Fine, I might as well go it alone and see what the Buddhist sect is really up to."

Su Che didn't dare use the demonic powers, but instead used the Creation Sword Intent to condense into a pool of clear water to gently protect his body, and stepped into the Hungry Ghost Path.

"Sweeping the floor might harm the lives of ants, and we cherish the moths by covering lamps with gauze. Are so many human lives less valuable than ants and moths? I dare to ask the Buddha for an explanation."

What is Junior Brother Su doing?
Cui Shouzhou was somewhat bewildered.

Was my hint not obvious enough...?

When Cui Shouzhou recalled his grandmaster's instructions and his teacher's admonitions, he immediately felt that he had been too cautious.

The teacher explained in detail that Junior Brother Su has a monkey-like temperament; if he isn't chained up, he'll try to climb the tree to touch the peaches.

I was only thinking about playing it safe and forgot about this part.

Whatever.

A golden talisman rose above Cui Shouzhuo's head, surrounded by the Great Sun True Fire. He exchanged a brief fist salute with the remaining Void Step practitioners and then followed them inside.

After the four of them went in, the remaining Void Steps looked at each other in bewilderment.

Even someone as intelligent as Xue Baizhi knew that the Hungry Ghost Path before her was not a place for ordinary people to enter.

For a moment, everyone remained silent.

"If you do not wish to meet the World-Honored One, then I will not see you off."

The young novice monk standing beside the stone tablet raised his oil lamp, turned around, and walked into the deep fog.

(End of this chapter)