Chapter 783: Chapter 156: The Embryo of Saint Path, Long Time No See_2
If it’s about the foundation of the other side’s Saint Path, once the dialectics fail and the Saint Path collapses, the cultivation will also plummet, and the Incense Fire will be extinguished. Returning from being a Saint to the Dao, it’s imaginable how tragic that is.
Buddha Venerate heard Li Hao’s counter-question, his expression still compassionate and gentle, unable to fathom his emotions:
“The Yogācārabhūmi Śāstra says, there are four kinds of demons: first, Aggregate Demons. Second, Trouble Demons. Third, Death Demons. Fourth, Heavenly Demons.”
“The so-called Aggregate Demons are the form aggregate, sensation aggregate, perception aggregate, volitional aggregate, and consciousness aggregate, which are our body and mind.”
“Trouble Demons are all the troubles of the world, desires, lust for form, and no-thoughts, etc., all have troubles.”
Buddha Venerate softly said, “Demons reside in the hearts of all beings. Heart Demons breed and will ravage, kill, and cause chaos in the world, no different from Demons.”
…
“The Demonic Path is the same, rushing for quick success and seeking power without considering the consequences, and in the end, it will inevitably backfire.”
“To cultivate in comfort is to never achieve Buddhahood!”
“Only by severing all thoughts and penetrating the sea of suffering can one transcend and attain Buddhahood. This is the difference between Buddhists and demons.”
He is both answering Li Hao and preaching, spreading the Buddhist Law to everyone in the Canglan Realm.
Li Hao’s thoughts surged, and at this moment he didn’t mind being used by others as a tool to promote Buddhism, and said:
“If that’s the case, all beings are demons, and within even the Buddhists’ hearts there are unsevered demons. I’m afraid the countless disciples of Buddhism are also on the path of slaying demons.”
Buddha Venerate smiled and said, “Slaying the Heart Demon is a lifetime of cultivation, but for them, it’s an inner demon, whereas benefactor, you have been deeply influenced by the Demonic Path and have completely fallen.”
Li Hao sneered inwardly; he knew very well what it meant to absorb the resentment from slaughter, and this Buddha Venerate must know better than anyone yet still insisted on saying so, wiping away any reverence he had in his heart.
Knowing that the other party was fabricating, he wouldn’t let this preaching affect him.
“The Buddha often says, all beings are equal, but in my view, beings have never been equal!”
Li Hao’s eyes were cold as he said, “Scholars and noblemen, comparing them with commoners and beggars, can they be equal?”
“The titleholder compared with the scholar, can their status be equal?”
“Dragon Clan Demons, compared with spirits of flowers and trees, can their strength be equal?”
“Sun and moon, can their brilliance be equal?”
“Some are born with stunning beauty, cherished by the world, while others with unsightly features are despised and scorned, where does equality come from?”
Buddha Venerate smiled slightly, as such questions could even be answered by a Semi-Saint of Buddhism for Li Hao.
“It’s all because of the havoc of the Heart Demons, that it feels unequal.”
Buddha Venerate said, “Scholars and noblemen, all will die, no different from commoners and beggars. Learned scholars whether a titleholder or a mere scholar are all scholars. It’s only the differences in fame and wealth that lead to greed and envy, and the desire to outdo others. The Dragon Clan Demons and the spirits of plants all have spiritual nature, all can cultivate, what difference is there?”
“Sun and moon shine together; if there were no moon, who would know the brilliance of the sun?”
“Beauty and ugliness are mere flesh; you too are attached to appearances.”
Li Hao laughed and said, “You avoid the important and dwell on the trivial. If beauty and ugliness are but flesh, then why does Buddhism insist on the Golden Body?”
“Scholars and noblemen and commoners all will die, but their lives are worlds apart!”
“Some are born strong, others weak and frail; you speak of equality, where does this equality come from?”
Buddha Venerate indifferently said, “What benefactor speaks of is all influenced by greed, hatred, delusion, and desires. Once all attachments are released, one will see that all is true nature, and true nature is the heart. Those born strong may be cowardly; those fragile in body may have a strong spirit.”
Li Hao said, “Is that so, then even cowardice and firmness have differences, how can there be equality?”
“You view everything as the work of Heart Demons and desires, but the things of the world inherently have differences. There are countless types of flowers, each with its beauty. You don’t see winter plum blossoms in early spring, nor fresh bamboo shoots in the winter snow.”
“If they are not the same, how can they be equal?”
Buddha Venerate slightly furrowed his brows. Li Hao’s words were previously just common discontent of worldly people, but now his words carried some profound reasoning.
Especially this “If they are not the same, how can they be equal?”, setting aside levels of desires like greed, anger, delusion, and striking to the core.
“The world is an ocean of suffering, all hardship stems from not having transcended to the other shore. Standing in the ocean of suffering, naturally life is suffering; if you stand on the shore, you’d realize the ups and downs of the sea of suffering are all beings’ appearances,” said Buddha Venerate.
Li Hao shook his head and said:
“If the world is an ocean of suffering, some are indulging and struggling, while others are building ships to wander leisurely; the flowers on the other shore may be dazzling, but those sitting on the boats might not even want to go ashore to pick them.”
“The world is inherently unequal, the eagle and the sparrow by nature are predator and prey.”
“The local tyrants and the wealthy exploit the commoners, it’s the same.”
“But the eagle has its sharp talons, the wealthy have their means, and the power of kingship has its strength.”
“If you seek equality, you can only pluck the eagle’s talons, break the hunting dog’s fangs, otherwise, how can you make them docile like rabbits? This is like you wanting to rid the world of Heart Demons, making the powerful humble themselves, seeing them as ordinary folk, and having the commoners also worship Buddha. In Buddha’s world, there’s no power or hierarchy, but paradoxically it has Bodhisattvas and Arhats, and differences among Buddhas.”
“When your disciples meet you, how can they not bow?!”
Hearing the back-and-forth dialogue between the two, countless people were stunned, feeling bewildered.
The words of Buddha Venerate resonated with the Great Dao, and they understood them very well, but Li Hao’s words seemed abstruse to them, leaving them somewhat confused, yet they vaguely felt there was some profound truth to them.
Literary Saint’s corner of the mouth held a smile, with a look of appreciation in his eyes.
He was the Literary Saint, who did not believe in Buddha. The All Heavens Saints all regarded their own Saint Path as the supreme Dao. What they cultivated in their lives was to complete this Dao.
In layman’s terms, other than one’s own Saint Path, everything else is nonsense.
Chapter 784: Chapter 156: Saint Path Embryo, Long Time No See_3
“But the problem is, All Saints think so.”
“At this moment, Li Hao’s denial of Buddha’s Path aligns with what the Literary Saint is thinking, so he nods repeatedly.”
“Past and present lives are all predestined. Little benefactor, you only see this life, not knowing that everything has cause and effect, everything is destiny. Today’s eagle might have been a sparrow in a past life, paying off debts of karma. Today’s royalty might have been a beggar in a past life, gain and loss are determined by fate.”
Buddha Venerate said.
This is also another part of Buddhism that complements the construction of the Saint Path, the karma and reincarnation.
Thus, the notion that all beings are equal can be completed.
…
Upon hearing this, Li Hao slightly smiled, knowing that Buddhism speaks of past, present, and future.
“I cultivate only this life, not my past lives, nor do I concern myself with the past. Living in the moment, I only recognize this moment as mine!”
Li Hao said: “Moreover, since you said it’s the destiny of past lives, there is cause and effect, meaning the consequences are not the same, which also implies an admission that there is a distinction between an eagle and a sparrow. It’s just that past and future karma compensates and converts. If we only talk about this life, then everything is distinct!”
“A grain of sand, a Buddha Country, you only glimpse one flower but do not see the entire leaf.”
Buddha Venerate calmly said.
“I only know that though the world is unequal, I still cherish it.”
Li Hao gazed at him, and word by word said:
“Everything has its flaws, why seek perfection!”
“I know that flowers, grass, trees are not comparable to dragon beasts, birds, and I wouldn’t claim flowers or grass could compete with them, but I still cherish them.”
“I know that commoners and beggars do not equal landowners and the wealthy, but I still desire to discuss the Dao with them, drink and paint together.”
“I know the moonlight’s brilliance will never equal the sun’s, but I marvel at the moonlight’s purity.”
“Things are unequal, but it is this inequality that makes everything brilliant and fascinating, and I appreciate the power of Dragon Demons, the beauty of flowers, the subtlety of flowing water, the scenery of mountains!”
“Things are unequal, and it is because of this, that I cherish them!”
His words rang out loudly, and between heaven and earth, there seemed to be a faint humming of Dao.
By Li Hao’s side, there was also a faint thunder-like resonance of the Dao.
Many people, hearing Li Hao’s words, felt a sense of trance and shock.
On that platform, the young man stood on Buddha’s Child and debated with Buddha Venerate, his posture as if piercing the heavens, emanating a powerful and upright aura.
This scene deeply imprinted in countless people’s minds.
Moreover, with that deep humming of the Dao, they seemed to have also grasped Li Hao’s Dao Thoughts.
Sun and moon, clear or cloudy, everything has its flaws, yet everything has its strengths.
The naturally strong surpass ordinary individuals, that is their advantage.
If everyone were equal, it would bare everyone’s fangs, making all mediocrity.
This concept contradicts Buddhism’s teaching that all beings are formless, all beings are me, I am all beings.
And Li Hao’s Dao Thoughts in his words, were that all beings are indeed beings, I am just one of them, everything in the world, is also just a part of the beings.
Each shining brightly, no need to compete for brilliance, each shining on their own.
Compared to the Buddha’s path, many suddenly felt an aspiration and fondness for Li Hao’s Dao Thoughts.
Hearing the great Dao’s thunder resound next to Li Hao, Buddha Venerate’s eyes, filled with compassion and a smile, suddenly slightly receded, signaling that Li Hao’s words were not just bluster, but had gained recognition from the heavens and earth, beginning to form the embryonic shape of the Saint Path.
In the Buddhist Holy Land, there are Thunder Sound Towers, named after the great Dao’s thunder, which is a necessary process for stepping into Semi-Saint.
“He actually already possesses his own Dao Thoughts, almost forming the embryonic shape of the Saint Path!”
“Buddhism’s ‘all are me’, he is ‘singularly me’, wonder what path it will be if the Saint Path solidifies?”
“Debating with a Saint, proving through the great Dao’s thunder is too exaggerated, what kind of once-in-an-epoch Monster is this!”
Countless people witnessing this scene were utterly shocked.
This situation, even compared to the Supreme Genius Battle among All Heavens, might not match.
It’s hard to imagine, if this young man goes to participate in that struggle among All Heavens, how spectacular it would be.
In the Buddha Hall, Sword Saint’s expression slightly intensified, he practices the Sword Dao of all living beings, and the great Dao thunder resonating from Li Hao’s words seemed to add a new glimmer to his own Sword Dao.
In the distant Sword Ancestor Holy Land, behind the Sword tower at the edge of Sword Cliff, the Sword Master clothed in soft silver garments sat upright, not Fishing.
At this moment, he seemed to hear something, his lips slightly curved into a faint smile.
The allocated battle is conducted in the Buddhist Holy Land, with the laws of that land relaxed, his probing was naturally not considered offensive.
“This young man, truly surprises me.”
Sword Master, smiling in his eyes, reminisced about the days spent with that youngster. Qiu Wuhen came here to Borrow Fishing to comprehend the Sword Dao, was this youngster accompanied him all day to comprehend the Saint Path?
But recalling the excited expression when the other party got a bite Fishing, he secretly shook his head in denial.
However, with such a disposition, it seems he had inadvertently, let him understand this Saint Path.
“Junior brother, this child’s words, should take your Sword Dao to the next level…”
Sword Master drifted towards that distance, his eyes slightly squinted, passing a sharp Sword Intent.
Different from the Sword Dao of All Living Beings that Sword Saint practices, he practices the Sword Dao of Heaven and Earth.
Establishing a sword with heaven and earth, unaffected by all things.
“No wonder he was ambushed under Supreme Saint Gate, this talent, if made an enemy, is indeed frightening…”
Sword Master muttered to himself, suddenly slowly standing up, slightly raised his hand, projecting from the Sword Tower a spirit resembling the shape of the Sword Tower.
This spirit, like a ghost, moved out from within the Sword Tower, then abruptly contracted, transforming into a sword-like spirit.
Chapter 785: Chapter 156: Saint Path Embryo, Long Time No See_4
At the same time,
at the Buddhist Holy Land, Li Hao heard the resounding Daoist Thunder and was momentarily stunned, soon perceiving a vast Dao Thought from within the thunder.
It was a sense of identification, giving him a feeling of resolute conviction.
“Could my idle thoughts also achieve the Saint Path?”
Li Hao was stunned and couldn’t help but mutter to himself.
It wasn’t that he underestimated himself, but the Saint Path is a great path that has been renowned through the ages. Although Li Hao disliked the Buddhist sects, he knew that countless lost souls found salvation in Buddhism.
…
Any Saint Path has a profound impact on the world, like the Sword Saint who embodies the pinnacle of Sword Dao, the mountain peak for all sword cultivators in the world.
The Literary Saint represents the ultimate cultivation of scholarship, and the Buddha’s Path is the same.
Though they may vary in strength, each has its own influence.
As for himself, a carefree heart wandering the world, he never held himself too high, nor did he belittle himself; he just never thought that, apart from upgrading his panel, his intentions could also be recognized by Heaven and Earth.
The myriad paths in the world all have their wonders.
Li Hao gained some sudden insights, feeling a sense of sudden enlightenment.
At this moment, there seemed to be a power condensing inside him, the nascent form of the Saint Path.
Once fully formed, he could step into Semi-Saint, surpass the limitations of Dao laws, use the Saint Path as a bridge, and establish a conduit with Heaven and Earth Power.
This feeling was similar to Transforming to Immortal, but different; Transforming to Immortal is about merging oneself while this is about building a bridge.
Suddenly, Li Hao felt that some Extreme Realms are similar to a later realm; if one could open up an Extreme Realm, it would be equivalent to mastering a part of the powers of a certain realm in advance!
For example, Returning Ruin Instantaneous Movement is just at the Fifteen Li Extreme Realm, but mastering it in the Fifteen Li Realm means its instantaneous movement is terrifying, completely surpassing the Daoist Charm Instant Teleportation of the Four Stands Realm!
And Transforming to Immortal by summoning Heaven and Earth Power seems similar to a Saint establishing a bridge and borrowing power from Heaven and Earth!
But since one’s personal will is limited, even though one merges with Heaven and Earth, the borrowed power is finite, unless one reaches the Final Realm, the Celestial Venerable.
Only then can one command Heaven and Earth with unimaginable mighty power to manipulate all laws and powers of the world.
By establishing a bridge using the Saint Path and borrowing power, as long as the Saint Path is stable, the power flows incessantly; hence one can reflect on All Heavens at will, and with a mere thought, transform into avatar form.
Li Hao’s eyes became slightly absent as his thoughts stretched to infinity, but soon, a chanting of Buddha’s name reverberated in his Sea of Consciousness, disrupting his many thoughts, and he came back to his senses.
Looking up, he saw Buddha Venerate with a compassionate expression, softly speaking Buddish scriptures:
“Little benefactor, your Demon Thought is profound, invoking the great Dao Thunder, forming your own Dao Thought. If you delve deeper, there will be another Demon Lord in the world!”
His body burst into Buddhist Light, and the Merit Wheel behind his head became even more dazzling:
“I have a method of Buddhist Law, the Eight Heavenly Dragons. If you can subdue them all, you can eliminate your karmic obstacles, achieve true fruits, and your cultivation will ascend further!”
As he spoke, he raised his hand and from the kasaya sleeves, eight magnificent auras flew out, each unique, emitting pure Buddhist Light.
“With your heart confirming the Dao, little benefactor, let’s see how your heart’s Dao is?”
Buddha Venerate smiled, appearing to assist Li Hao.
But Li Hao felt a terrible threat from those eight auras, his expression suddenly changed and said:
“As a revered Buddha Venerable Saint, are you making a move against me?”
“Little benefactor, this Buddhist Law talks about the Dao, not the merits, you need not worry. Even if you fail, I will use Mahayana Buddhism to enlighten you and eliminate your karmic obstacles.”
Buddha Venerate said with a smile.
Not many understood these words, but seeing the compassionate nature of Buddha Venerate, including his deeds like cutting his own flesh to feed eagles, and feeding himself to demons, it seemed that Buddha Venerate was indeed helping Li Hao.
Li Hao was furious and worried; this was to destroy his Dao Heart, to suppress the nascent form of his Saint Path!
“I follow my Dao, you cultivate your Buddha, why must there be a distinction between right and demon?”
“Where there is Buddha, there is demon, if Buddha is called demon, then what is demon called?!”
Li Hao roared heavenwards, letting out a roar. The seed of his Saint Path had just sprouted, yet they wanted to sever his Dao Thoughts, such actions, though not aiming at his life, were crueller than destroying Incense Fire.
“Little benefactor, if you really cultivate the great Dao, this Buddhist Law won’t affect you.”
Buddha Venerate said.
Li Hao didn’t believe these words, but Buddha Venerate clearly also meant this for the beings of the Canglan Realm to hear.
Many Buddhist disciples below praised in unison, chanting about the compassion of Buddha Venerate.
Jue Ming watched Li Hao coldly, knowing this rising star was about to fall; whether it was the aspect of demons or Buddha, they were all without form, and if it was formless, its fall was negligible.
Li Hao stared at Buddha Venerate, clenching his teeth. If it weren’t for the attention of the myriad at this moment, Buddha Venerate would probably do more than just destroy his Saint Path.
If he could not escape, better to die standing than live on his knees.
Besides, having previously left behind Divine Blood, cutting off his life was not an option, it was merely a battle for a Dao Fruit!
Swish!
Eight auras suddenly rushed towards Li Hao, carrying a massive breath, the Buddhist Light painting out Lotus Platforms and flowers, blossoming lotuses in the void.
Li Hao issued a roar, his Extreme Realm manifesting, but those eight auras appeared to transcend power levels, originating from the Saint Path, only the Saint Path could confront them. Such tactics could even be considered a serious contest!
Literary Saint and Sword Saint saw this, their brows slightly furrowed, but they remained silent. Given Li Hao’s qualifications an
Chapter 786: Chapter 156 Saint Path Embryo, Long Time No See_5
“Hahaha…”
As the eight beams of light converged to form a Buddha Palm that seemed to connect heaven and earth, aimed to suppress everything below, suddenly, a loud and resounding laughter bellowed across the land.
This laughter, coming from afar and growing closer, traversed the sky with a howling sound. Almost immediately, there appeared a blinding and terrifying white lightning, tearing apart that Buddha Palm.
Thunder roamed like serpents all around, and the wind and clouds underwent a violent change.
At the same time, a figure in a green robe approached with leisurely steps from a great distance. Though his gait was slow and unhurried, with every step he crossed vast spans of space, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived at the Buddhist Holy Land, above the Buddha Hall, standing in opposition to the three Saints.
His long gray hair fluttered in the wind, and the green robe he wore billowed. Topped with an ordinary wooden hairpin, he bore a slight smile on his face.
With hands clasped behind his back, he looked indifferently at Buddha Venerate, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Then, he looked down at the young man on the battle platform whose expression went from shock and anger to stupefaction, and with a toothy smile, he said:
“Little Hao, long time no see.”
The familiar voice and words sent Li Hao into a trance.
It felt as though his blood had begun to surge and boil, stirring excitement in his heart.
He knew that figure all too well; although the temperament had changed somewhat—more ethereal and transcendent—Li Hao would neither mistake nor misrecognize him. It was… Feng!
Thief Saint, Feng Boping!
Turbulence filled Li Hao’s heart. He had not expected to encounter Feng here.
Previously, when he went to Mo River and released Feng’s soul thought, while Feng’s soulless body remained at Heavenly Gate Pass, Qianqian informed him that Feng had departed, waiting for him in the Land of All Saints.
Li Hao had not yet had the chance to look for him, yet Feng had found him first—to encounter each other here!
“Who is this man?”
“A Saint, he is a Saint!”
“Fortunes gather, and Dao surrounds him; which Saint might this be?”
Many people were dumbfounded and shocked at the sight of Feng Boping.
Literary Saint and Sword Saint recognized him at once—it was the Thief Saint!
Over a decade ago, it was heard that this Thief Saint had stepped into the Three Calamities Saint Realm in a single stride, had transcended the Heavenly Tribulation, and his method of transcendence was extraordinarily extravagant. While other Saints resisted the Heavenly Tribulation, he actually stole the power of the Heavenly Tribulation and used it to confront the Heavenly Tribulation!
That dazzling power of the Tribulation Light was his doing.
The Heavenly Tribulation of a Saint, turned into his method of attack—indeed terrifying!
Could it be his Sect… Literary Saint pondered with a flicker in her eyes, having suspected earlier that a Heavenly Pride like him must have a great figure behind him, but she didn’t expect it to be this Saint.
Far away within Sword Ancestor Holy Land, by Sword Cliff, the figure holding the Sword Tower’s Artifact Soul narrowed the eyes slightly, then smiled indifferently, causing the Sword Soul to dissipate and return to the Sword Tower.
He did not say anything, and then sat down leisurely, drawing out his wine gourd to take a sip.
In the Buddhist Holy Land, however, it was now a scene of alarm and commotion, as no one had expected another Saint to appear, and moreover, to take action for Li Hao, shattering the Buddha light.
Buddha Venerate’s face lost its smile as he fixedly gazed at Feng Boping.
Next to Sword Saint, Bian Ruxue’s mind was buzzing wildly. Since her sudden insight and heartbreak, the unfolding events before her were beyond her expectations.
That childhood figure, once hovering in the Mortal World, now stood right before her eyes.
Not long ago, he had come to her Holy Maiden Peak to give her a Pill.
Was he truly Li Hao?
But why hadn’t he recognized her?
Did he not recognize her, or was it… an unwillingness to acknowledge?
She felt her Dao Heart trembling. Despite having severed all ties, his appearance, right before her and even a hundred times brighter and more astonishing than the image from her childhood, caught her off guard.
Defeating a Semi-Saint with a single sword strike while standing on a Buddha Child, the embryonic form of the Ultimate Sword she sought seemed to be embodied by Li Hao.
Wasn’t he someone who never cultivated the Sword Dao, who never enjoyed sword practice—could it be that he sought to follow in her footsteps?
A multitude of thoughts raced through her mind, and within the shattered ice of her Dao Heart, subtle cracks began to form.
Sword Saint seemed to notice the tumultuous Daoist Charm around Bian Ruxue, something surprising that deeply drew his gaze.
Realizing the rift in her Dao Heart, Bian Ruxue was suddenly alarmed, and her expression shifted slightly, yet she simply gazed silently at Li Hao.
“Feng!”
At that moment, Li Hao could not help but call out excitedly.
Feng Boping chuckled lightly, his eyes also showing some excitement. For a Saint to smile so brightly was already a great display of emotion.
He laughed and said: “I had anticipated that with your talent, you would inevitably reach the Land of All Saints. I even thought of sending someone to greet you after transcending the tribulation. Yet I heard of your demise ten years ago. That Void Saint was despicable, a Saint ambushing someone of the Dao Law Realm, utterly unworthy of the title!”
While talking, he looked at Li Hao and smiled again: “Good that you didn’t die, good that you didn’t. I knew you were lucky, Little Hao. You may not be cherished by your parents, but you certainly have a great fortune!”
Li Hao responded with excitement and a touch of helplessness, reluctant to bring up the past and curious, he asked:
“How did you find me?”
“I thought you were dead. I looked for the place where that Void Saint took your life, but he had slain you in the vacuum, and being a master of that domain, he covered his tracks, making them untraceable. My arrival here is mainly due to that unfinished business from the Mortal Realm that still needs to be settled!”
Feng Boping mentioned this with a hint of chill in his eyes.
Although it was with the help of Buddha Lord’s hand that his avatar had the opportunity to enter Mo River, which led to Li Hao entering as well and thus acquiring a true heart to transcend and overcome the Three Calamities, he did not feel grateful. Otherwise, how could he justify Li Hao’s true heart willing to die for him!
