Chapter 366: Devil blood

“The Buddha statue contains the power of the Vajra White Elephant?”

“Perhaps, but certainly not just that.”

Those who left didn’t understand the profound mystery within, so after seeing someone succeed and realizing they didn't need this method, they all departed, unwilling to waste more time.

Those who remained were either seeking to temper their Physical Body or belonged to minor Dao Orthodoxy that primarily used the Physical Body as their main cultivation method.

However, Li Qi had already obtained several contemplation diagrams from this Buddha statue, and it was likely that similar methods were hidden within them.

A trap? Or was this its original intention?

He didn't understand.

Thus, Li Qi stopped wasting time there, rose, and walked towards the interior of Fengde Temple.

Having understood some of the background, it was time to find…

Just as Li Qi was about to say this, he saw a Great Master appear before him, having just emerged from the mountain forest, coincidentally encountering Li Qi.

The Great Master's cultivation was similar to Li Qi's, both being Seventh Rank, and their ages were also similar, both appearing to be in their thirties.

However, the difference was that Li Qi was genuinely in his thirties, while the Great Master most likely only appeared to be in his thirties.

After all, for Seventh Rank Cultivators, their appearance was merely a matter of self-perception or personal preference; they could change it as they wished.

What truly constrained their appearance was their imagination, as not everyone could envision a peerless countenance. This aspect still depended on the randomness of fate, so at higher ranks, aesthetic appreciation generally shifted towards temperament, with appearance being secondary.

This Great Master looked like an ordinary farmer, with dark skin, rough, calloused hands.

If he hadn't shaved his head, he could easily have been mistaken for a farmer rather than a monk.

“Benefactor, are you looking for us? May I ask why you have come?” The monk clasped his hands together, bowed, and kindly asked Li Qi.

“Precisely so. You must already know?” Li Qi said, taking out the hairpin given by Lingxiao Flower Goddess and handing it to the Great Master. “The Lingxiao Kingdom Lord said to give this to you, saying you would naturally understand.”

“Since it is entrusted by the Lingxiao Kingdom Lord, we naturally will not refuse. May I ask, Benefactor, why you have come to Fengde Temple?” The monk took the hairpin, seemingly surprised, and immediately changed the subject, then returned the hairpin to Li Qi.

Previously, he had asked “why did you come,” but after Li Qi showed the hairpin, it became “what is your purpose.”

The attitude was different.

“May I ask Great Master your monastic name?” Li Qi asked.

Since they were going to discuss matters, it was better to know his name.

“My monastic name is Weichen. It’s a bit rushed to speak here. Benefactor, why don’t you come into the temple with me for a discussion?” Monk Weichen politely said to Li Qi.

Li Qi naturally didn't refuse. After nodding, the two walked one after another into Fengde Temple.

Along the way, Li Qi wasn't idle, taking the initiative to ask, “Great Master Weichen, what is the origin of that Buddha statue? I just saw someone comprehend the power of the Vajra White Elephant within it. That is the power of Cakrasamvara. Could that Buddha statue have been passed down by Cakrasamvara?”

Cakrasamvara has four faces and twelve arms, draped in white elephant skin, possessing immeasurable strength. His body is red and blue; blue represents the ‘Qi’ within the human body, and red represents ‘blood.’ Their embrace symbolizes ‘Qi and blood interdependence,’ making him an extremely formidable Buddhist Vajra in terms of Physical Body.

What does ‘extremely formidable’ mean? It is said that he has reached a level of invincibility within the same rank, where even martial Dao Cultivators of the same rank would struggle to confront him directly.

Of course, this only applied to him personally. Gaining a small part of his Legacy meant that the gap between the recipient and him was immeasurable.

Thinking of this, Li Qi couldn't help but sigh.

The disparity within the same rank…

Take himself as an example.

Back then, the three Young Masters of Shaman God Mountain jointly faced the students of Tang Nation; three of them fought dozens without falling behind.

And Liu Junyi, fighting three opponents alone, only barely lost by a slight margin.

Ordinary people are far from the Seventh Rank.

The gap between one Seventh Rank and another Seventh Rank could be even greater.

In the midst of their conversation—

“Benefactor seems very curious about this? Do you feel something is amiss?” Monk Weichen asked.

“I just find it strange that a natural Buddha statue, which also contains some Legacy of Cakrasamvara, is placed in plain sight, allowing many people to freely comprehend it,” Li Qi said as he walked.

He didn't mention the many contemplation diagrams he had noticed, nor the hidden elements within them.

Monk Weichen smiled upon hearing this and said, “Benefactor is indeed perceptive, but this matter is not that simple. That Buddha statue is not something we can control. It was placed here by someone from the Western Regions. Even I am not very clear about its specific effects. It’s not that no one in our temple has tried to comprehend it. Previously, I had a Junior Brother, Xin Ming, who comprehended something from this Buddha statue, but he refused to say what it was. He merely packed his things and resolved to go to the Western Regions to seek scriptures.”

Monk Xin Ming?

Li Qi thought, upon hearing this, that it was indeed true; Monk Xin Ming had indeed come from Fengde Temple.

“A Great Master from the Western Regions? Is this Great Master still in the temple…?” Li Qi asked.

Although he asked, Li Qi didn't hold much hope.

It had been an unknown amount of time, and the person might not still be here.

However, Monk Weichen said, “Benefactor has arrived at an opportune time. The Great Master is still in the temple. If you wish to see him, perhaps I can inform him. However, this hairpin from the Lingxiao Kingdom Lord might need to serve as a token to gain an audience, as the other party’s status is extraordinary and cannot be treated casually.”

“I see. Then so be it. Please.” Li Qi said, handing over the hairpin again.

Afterward, the two arrived at a Pagoda within Fengde Temple.

The Pagoda had seven layers and was a traditional Buddhist pagoda.

Li Qi was welcomed to the third floor and sat down there.

Monk Weichen took the hairpin and excused himself, saying he was going to inform the Great Master.

Li Qi nodded, indicating he would wait there.

He found a spot, and a guest-attending monk quickly brought tea and refreshments, then poured a cup of tea for Li Qi, before excusing himself and leaving.

Li Qi sat on the third floor of the Pagoda, by the window, looking out.

From there, his view perfectly cleared the main hall below, allowing him to see the ant-like crowds outside, prostrating themselves on the steps, mountain paths, and outside the main hall.

It seemed that ordinary pilgrims were not allowed into this Pagoda.

Then, Li Qi fell into contemplation.

He began to use his Genius mind to carefully consider the Buddha statue, so as not to be caught without an explanation later, feeling awkward.

Time slowly passed like this.

After waiting for a while, about two quarters of an hour, the tea had grown cold.

At this moment, Monk Weichen finally returned.

He first knocked on the door and said to Li Qi, “Benefactor, Kaiwen Chan Master has arrived.”

Li Qi immediately rose and looked towards the door.

At the doorway stood a young, handsome monk.

Though bald, he wore a white robe with a light gold kasaya. All his adornments were white and gold, even his skin was snow-white and smooth, and his eyes were golden.

His entire being was composed solely of these two colors, exceptionally pure and exceedingly handsome. His demeanor was such that Li Qi even felt this monk could rival Yan Ke.

Among the people Li Qi had met, only this Kaiwen Chan Master and Yan Ke were handsome to this extent.

“Greetings, Kaiwen Chan Master.” Li Qi proactively stepped forward to greet him.

Because when his True Knowledge Dao Resonance swept over the other person’s body, although he could sense their presence, he couldn't discern their cultivation.

This indicated that the other party was far stronger than him.

And indeed, someone capable of setting up such a Buddha statue in this place could not be weak.

“Greetings, Benefactor. I heard that the abbot of this Buddhist temple came to find this humble monk, saying there was an unavoidable request, hoping that this humble monk would meet the Benefactor. Is this so?” Monk Kaiwen humbly asked.

“It is indeed this Junior. I apologize for disturbing Great Master, and I hope for your forgiveness.” Li Qi immediately bowed, his face full of apology.

“No matter. Isn’t cultivation precisely this? Weichen, you may go about your own business. This esteemed guest will be handled by me.” Kaiwen Chan Master said with a smile.

As he spoke, his tone was gentle, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. Coupled with his face, it gave a particularly comforting feeling, as if merely speaking with him brought great joy.

“Yes, Junior bids farewell.” Monk Weichen clasped his hands together, bowed to Li Qi and Kaiwen Chan Master respectively, then left, closing the door, and descended the Pagoda, standing guard downstairs.

Li Qi could clearly feel that the moment the door closed, this Pagoda seemed to activate some special mechanism, sealing off the area.

Inside, one could see outside, but outside, one could not see inside.

Li Qi carefully observed this Kaiwen Chan Master.

However, no matter how many times he looked, the only feeling was one word.

Handsome!

Truly handsome. A man can indeed be very handsome without hair. His attire, however, didn’t have the ascetic feel of a renunciant; it wasn’t simple at all. Just by looking at his gold and white monk’s robe and kasaya, one knew it was far from cheap.

“Benefactor, why do you keep looking at this humble monk without speaking?” Facing Li Qi’s gaze, Kaiwen Chan Master took the initiative to ask Li Qi.

“Just a little curious. After all, the Buddhist Cultivators I’ve met before, regardless of their temperament, all had an ascetic appearance. It’s just that Kaiwen Chan Master’s attire and demeanor are a bit unusual,” Li Qi said.

Saying this, Li Qi extended his hand, inviting Kaiwen Chan Master to sit at the table by the window to talk: “My apologies, I was a bit impolite. Chan Master, please sit. I still have many questions I wish to ask you.”

Li Qi spoke as he walked to the window.

He found it somewhat amusing that this monk, despite his opulent attire, showed no hint of being 'poor,' yet still referred to himself as a humble monk.

“Is it about that Buddha statue? If it is, please forgive this humble monk for not being able to say much, because I am not very clear about the Buddha statue myself, and I fear I might mislead the Benefactor.” Kaiwen Chan Zhi sat opposite Li Qi and said with a smile.

“There’s no need to worry about misleading, as that thing’s mere existence can already mislead many people. I just want to hear about its origin. May I ask if Chan Master can clarify? Or does it require compensation? Or something else?” Li Qi asked straightforwardly, getting straight to the point.

Money, goods, or something else, just state it directly. I’m here to buy answers.

“None of these are needed, of course. Only if the Benefactor is not afraid of doing something irrational after being misled, and promises to always act rationally afterward, then this humble monk dares to speak,” Kaiwen Chan Master said.

“That is natural. Acting cautiously is only right. I always think thrice before acting. Since that is the case, I ask Chan Master to kindly inform me. I will naturally remember this assistance in my heart.” Li Qi cupped his hands and said.

“Remembering in my heart” implies that he will repay it later, which serves as a reminder to these monks not to go too far.

Good deeds remembered in the heart, and bad ones naturally will be too; all will be repaid.

“Since the Benefactor is prepared and has the Lingxiao Kingdom Lord’s guarantee, this humble monk will naturally speak without reservation. May I ask where the Benefactor wishes to begin listening?” Kaiwen Chan Master asked with a smile.

“What is the origin of this Buddha statue?” Li Qi immediately asked.

“This object is a strange stone from Mount Śmaśāna,” Kaiwen Chan Master immediately replied.

Li Qi couldn't help but gasp!

Śmaśāna!

He knew about it before, and had even encountered it! (See Chapter 189)

Śmaśāna, also known as the charnel ground, is the abode of Mahakala!

That is Mahakala!

Li Qi had also encountered people from the Mahakala lineage; that Monk Chan Zhi, who left a deep impression on him, was a disciple under Mahakala.

It took him more than ten seconds for Li Qi to calm down before he asked, “From Śmaśāna… then what is the connection between this object and Mahakala?”

Kaiwen Chan Master did not conceal anything and stated directly, “Actually, there’s no significant connection. However, Mahakala holds a kapala bowl containing blood. One time, Mahakala accidentally spilled some blood, and fortunately, only one drop fell to the ground.”

“This strange stone was touched by that single drop of blood spilled by Mahakala, causing some unusual phenomena. Dakini Heaven, seeing this, collected it. But recently, I was instructed by Dakini Heaven to place this stone here, awaiting someone destined. However, as for the specific intention or the effects of this Buddha statue, this humble monk truly does not know.”

When he spoke of not knowing this matter, Kaiwen Chan Master kept shaking his head.

Li Qi, however, extracted more information from his words.

Mahakala holds a bowl, a kapala carved from a skull, containing the blood of the Four Demons: the five aggregates, afflictions, death, and heavenly demons.

That’s right, it even contained the blood of heavenly demons.

The blood in this bowl symbolizes Mahakala’s wisdom, meaning he once consumed the blood of the “Four Demons” and successfully resolved the demonic thoughts within them.

However, these were all just general accounts, making it impossible to determine Mahakala’s true origin from them, which was a great pity.

In reality, even this knowledge was accessible to Li Qi only because he was a Young Master of Shaman God Mountain; otherwise, to outsiders, the very name Mahakala could be considered a secret.

Now… Kaiwen Chan Master said that Mahakala spilled the blood of the four evil demons, and it dripped onto this stone?

Is it related to heavenly demons?

Probably not, right? Logically, Mahakala is a Dharma Protector deity of Buddhism who suppresses demons. Although he himself embodies both Buddha and demon, he is hostile to other Demonic Overlords…

But, that was the blood of the Four Demons…