Chapter 1013: Da Sanzang

Maudgalyāyana died.

Kapilavastu was attacked by the Demonic Dao, and Maudgalyāyana went to stop them. He used his Divine Ability to pass through the blockade, intending to save the people of Kapilavastu, but Karma was too strong, and ultimately he failed to save them.

This even exposed his weakness and was discovered by the Demonic Dao. Maudgalyāyana’s Divine Ability was no match for Karma, and he was eventually seized by a Demonic Overlord named Purana, who trapped Maudgalyāyana under a mountain and smashed him to death.

Maudgalyāyana, trapped by Karma and with his Divine Ability失效, ultimately perished there.

After Maudgalyāyana’s death, Kasyapa found the Demonic Prince.

Because, currently, the one who controls the Karma of the Universe most powerfully is the Demonic Prince. He was stripped of the Demon of Karma’s power due to the Retribution of Black Karma of the Heavenly Demon. Now, he presides over a part of Hell, controlling the cycle of Karma Retribution to hone his skills.

“So, what do you want to know from me?” the Demonic Prince asked Kasyapa.

From beginning to end, the Demonic Prince showed no expression.

Kasyapa did not answer directly but looked at the beings in Hell.

The scenery of Hell was just like his expression, unchanged as always, with a dim, reddish-brown sky, as if eternal night would never arrive, and dawn would never appear.

The earth was withered, the sky was lonely, and nothing in the myriad things ever changed.

People often describe something as ‘hellish,’ but when they see Hell with their own eyes, they will probably realize that few people in this world are worthy of the adjective ‘hellish.’

The existence of Hell transcends will; endless chains drag countless Spirit Souls, casting them into different layers.

And the sharp claws that stretched out from Hell due to unwillingness and despair grabbed the arms and legs of every newcomer, rendering them immobile and terrified.

souls screamed loudly here, but in reality, they could not make any sound, because Spirit Souls have no vocal organs. Their screams would only turn into a ‘ghastly’ atmosphere, making people feel chills but unable to find any trace.

Those who frequently visited Hell sometimes lamented that they would rather be buried in a suffocatingly dark tomb than stay in Hell for long.

The pressure of Hell could make all cultivators feel themselves growing weaker, and for those souls punished in Hell due to Karma, even perceiving the outside world became a luxury.

Endless Spirit Souls, either spontaneously or apprehended by ghost officers, were brought to this place, walking on this lonely, withered land, queuing up to receive judgment.

Of course, if there was no Karma, they would leave here quickly, but those entangled in Karma would be delayed here for a very long time.

The Demonic Prince had been in charge of Hell’s Karma until now, and what he saw was always like this. However, compared to the Retribution of Black Karma, these were just a drop in the ocean.

After a long silence, at least seven years, Kasyapa seemed to have seen all the beings in Hell before finally speaking: “Are Sariputra and Maudgalyāyana Reincarnated?”

“Are you struggling alone now?” The Demonic Prince, who was working, looked up and asked.

“Not so, it’s just… the Dao Orthodoxy in my hands lacks sufficient vitality. I am like a stubborn rock in the mountains, able to maintain the existence of Dao Orthodoxy, but unable to help them advance further.” Kasyapa sighed thus.

Kasyapa spoke very sincerely.

Under Kasyapa’s current leadership, Buddhism could only be said to ‘still exist,’ with no vitality whatsoever. Kasyapa did not possess the active and enterprising spirit of Sariputra and Maudgalyāyana. The current Buddhist community is heavily influenced by Kasyapa, with a strong atmosphere of reclusion in the mountains and conservative asceticism.

Kasyapa could endure hardship. Although he couldn’t do other things, no matter what difficulties he faced, he could persevere through them. Therefore, after the Buddha’s nirvana, he took the initiative to assume responsibility for the remaining Dao Orthodoxy, collecting the Buddha’s manuscripts, re-editing the Da Sanzang, and rebuilding Dao Orthodoxy with the help of Ananda and Upali. But all of this was to lay the foundation for the future rebuilding of Dao Orthodoxy.

And the rebuilding of Dao Orthodoxy was something Kasyapa could not do on his own.

He merely relied on his perseverance to maintain the current state of affairs, preventing it from further decline. As for true soaring, it still required people like Sariputra and Maudgalyāyana.

And now, Sariputra had entered nirvana, Maudgalyāyana had died, and no other Buddhist Disciple could shoulder this responsibility. Was this why Kasyapa came to the Demonic Prince?

“The Buddha said that I would achieve the Bodhisattva fruit in the future, but not the Buddha, just like the current situation. I can only be a stone, unable to fly.”

“And you, Shang Fan, the World Honored One personally said that two people could become Buddhas, namely Sariputra and you. Now that Maudgalyāyana is dead, I really want to know why the World Honored One chose you then. If I can see that you have the Aptitude to become a Buddha, I will have no regrets.” Kasyapa said.

The Demonic Prince sighed and said, “I don’t know what Aptitude I have. You don’t have to worry about it. If the World Honored One Tathagata was truly infallible, Buddhism wouldn’t have perished. There’s no need to take his words too seriously.”

These words left Kasyapa speechless for a moment.

Kasyapa was actually very tired.

He was called ‘First in Asceticism,’ and asceticism actually means ‘austere practice.’ When the World Honored One entered nirvana, all Buddhas went into seclusion, and the great Bodhisattvas were busy with their own affairs, it was always Kasyapa who ran around for the remaining Buddhist community.

Many billions of years had passed.

Kasyapa had experienced countless things that even he couldn’t count. In this dark Universe, supporting the remaining sangha to continue was something that required contending with many things.

Internal divisions within Buddhism, other Dao Orthodoxy coveting his compiled Da Sanzang, various dangers, Karma Retributions, and even suppression from other forces.

It had been a very long time since the World Honored One entered nirvana. In the current Buddhist community, Kasyapa already felt he had reached his limit.

The only reason he could still persevere was because he knew there was still hope for the future.

Sariputra might one day be resurrected.

Maudgalyāyana might be freed from Karma, attain enlightenment, and return to the sangha.

Ananda would grow up one day.

Rahula might awaken from his madness.

Then, with the help of Upali, he might be able to restore Buddhism to its former glory.

But ultimately, Maudgalyāyana’s death deeply impacted Kasyapa, and also made him realize that he might not be able to hold on until then, leading him to seek out the Demonic Prince, whom the World Honored One said would definitely become a Buddha in the future.

If the Demonic Prince was destined to become a Buddha in the future, then he might also be a figure like Sariputra.

But upon hearing the Demonic Prince’s reply, Kasyapa merely pressed his palms together: “So that’s how it is. I understand now.”

“What do you understand?” The Demonic Prince was puzzled.

Kasyapa replied: “Perhaps I still care too much. Obsession is in my heart, and I cannot be liberated. Perhaps this is why the World Honored One said I could not become a Buddha.”

The Demonic Prince only felt that it was nonsensical, so he said, “If you’re so idle, hurry back to work and don’t bother me.”

Kasyapa then performed a Buddhist礼, then turned and prepared to leave Hell.

The Demonic Prince felt that he had wasted seven years.

However, looking at Kasyapa, perhaps the current Buddhist sangha was indeed not in a good situation.

Sariputra’s death was a significant blow to them.

But the Demonic Prince didn’t really care much.

What he was currently thinking about was mainly in the Desire Realm.

However, seeing Kasyapa’s back, for some reason, the Demonic Prince suddenly said, “Wait a moment.”

Kasyapa turned around, looking at the Demonic Prince in confusion.

“I heard you are compiling the Da Sanzang,” the Demonic Prince said.

The Da Sanzang, which is the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutra Pitaka, and Abhidharma Pitaka.

Although the Buddha had entered nirvana, his teachings had not disappeared but had been continuously passed down.

Even though after the World Honored One entered nirvana, all records about him completely vanished, disappearing along with all existence itself. In this world, no substantial existence even had the qualification to ‘record’ the World Honored One. The World Honored One completely erased his own existence, leaving no trace whatsoever.

However, substantial existences could break this. Although the Buddha’s existence had disappeared, and all his interventions were completely traced back, his teachings were passed down by the Buddhist Disciples through their own memories.

Finally, after the Buddha entered nirvana, Ananda recited the Sutra Pitaka, Upali recited the Vinaya Pitaka, and Maudgalyāyana compiled the first Abhidharma Pitaka from the Sutra Pitaka. Ultimately, these materials were personally compiled by Kasyapa into the ‘Da Sanzang,’ serving as the current ideological system of the remaining Buddhist community and thus inherited.

“It has already been compiled,” Kasyapa replied.

“I would like to see the Da Sanzang, if I may?” the Demonic Prince asked.

Kasyapa showed a surprised expression, then pressed his palms together, performing a Buddhist礼 while saying, “Of course.”

“Isn’t this your secret? The many teachings spoken by the Buddha and remembered by you, aren’t they very precious?” The Demonic Prince was somewhat surprised by the other party’s straightforward agreement.

“You are the one whom the World Honored One personally stated would become a Buddha in the future. There is no reason to refuse you, no matter what,” Kasyapa said.

“En.” The Demonic Prince nodded, then temporarily put down what he was doing and left Hell with Kasyapa.

He was still very interested in the Buddha’s guidance and philosophy.

Especially since he still controlled the Heavens of the Formless Realm, reading these books compiled by the Buddha’s Disciples would certainly benefit him, and...

There had been no progress on Li Qi’s side yet, indicating that he had indeed encountered problems.

So, he couldn't just wait around; he needed to find some possibilities for Breakthrough.

————————————

As for Li Qi, what he didn’t expect was...

Zhu Fengdan did not go directly to Shamansan but instead brought Li Qi to visit someone Li Qi had been searching for a long time.

Immortal Heaven!

That’s right, Zhu Fengdan actually had a way to contact Immortal Heaven.

But thinking about it carefully, it was also normal.

Originally, it was Zhu Fengdan who was responsible for contacting Immortal Heaven, so it was normal for him to have Immortal Heaven’ contact information.

However, Li Qi was a bit confused, so he asked, “Teacher, why are we looking for Immortal Heaven? Do you think Immortal Heaven will help us?”

“How could that be? Immortal Heaven is incredibly stingy. It would be strange if they helped us.” Zhu Fengdan curled his lips, his face full of disdain.

Clearly, he was very familiar with Immortal Heaven’ habits.

“Then, when I was looking for Immortal Heaven back then, I made quite a commotion. Why didn’t you tell me you could contact Immortal Heaven?” Li Qi asked somewhat helplessly.

“?” A question mark appeared above Zhu Fengdan’s head.

And it really did appear; his thoughts materialized into reality, so the surrounding Spiritual Qi and space clearly twisted into the shape of a question mark.

Li Qi waved his hand: “Alright, I understand. Let’s keep going.”

The question mark on Zhu Fengdan’s forehead disappeared, revealing his usual smile. Then, they continued to travel through the void.

After approximately sixty thousand years of felt time, they finally passed through this void.

However, felt time is usually not counted. For a second-rank, their felt time can be completely disconnected from others’ felt time.

They might go to a certain place to fight for thousands or tens of billions of years, and after coming out, the time in the Reality Universe might have actually moved backward.

Time, as a subjective sensation, is very ethereal and insubstantial. It can only be used as a metric to describe motion, not as a true absolute reference frame.

The classical absolute space-time view had long ceased to be effective at this stage.

Soon, the master and Disciple arrived at a… hard-to-describe ‘branching space-time.’

The reason it was a branching space-time was because its composition was quite complex.

Normally, a person can only make one choice, one choice corresponds to one reality, and other unmade choices disappear into the sea of possibilities.

But some space-times are not necessarily so. Here, people can simultaneously make all possible choices, no matter how small the probability, these possibilities will occur simultaneously, thereby generating endless ‘branches.’

This creates a space-time form called ‘tree-like space-time,’ where endless possibilities generate endless branches every second, and endless branches in turn generate endless subordinate branches.

Infinite of the infinite of the infinite, cycling endlessly.

However, infinity plus infinity is still infinity.

Aleph-null to the power of aleph-null is still equal to aleph-null.

As long as aleph-one, or ‘new possibilities,’ which produce new properties that aleph-null absolutely does not have, are not reached, then no matter how many infinities are stacked together, there will be no change.

Infinity to the power of infinity sounds very powerful, but it's no different from ordinary infinity.

Therefore, although Li Qi could not traverse the entire infinite, he could easily deduce the properties encompassed within all infinities. With these properties, he could determine the position of every point within the infinite, approximating an understanding of infinity itself.

So, Li Qi looked at this abstract infinite space-time and said, “Is this… Immortal Heaven’ new creation? He seems to be controlling history. This should be something one learns at the third-rank—no.”

Li Qi suddenly realized.

Immortal Heaven, at the very beginning, was still studying fifth-rank moves.

But after all these years, seeing him again, he was actually studying third-rank moves.

“Is this… growth?”

“Of course, it will grow,” Zhu Fengdan replied.