Chapter 470: Visualization

Li Qi's thoughts were simple.

Since he was here, he had to probe the situation, whether it was Monk Jingmo or someone else, it was all the same.

Monk Jingmo coming to see Old Ma on his own initiative already displeased him greatly, so it was better to pull him along as a witness to see things clearly.

Furthermore, Amitabha was known as a benevolent Buddha, a Buddha who delivered all sentient beings, and his reputation was very good. He wouldn't necessarily try to kill him, would he? The safety factor should be guaranteed.

Therefore, it was worth trying to see what this Visualization Diagram was all about.

Unexpectedly, Monk Jingmo instead tried to persuade Li Qi. He put his palms together and said, "This matter started because of me. Although this Monk is not clear why a bestowal from Amitabha appeared, it was indeed through my hands. This Karma, this Monk will not avoid. If there is any need for this Monk, please feel free to instruct Donor Li and Donor Ma."

"This Monk also knows this matter is peculiar. Normally, Amitabha, who pursues the enlightenment of all sentient beings, would not use methods like bestowing blessings. He has always pursued self-awareness and self-salvation for all sentient beings. It is absolutely impossible for him to bestow such meaningless 'blessings.' Blessings given casually are not true blessings; instead, they are the temptations of demons."

"Therefore, as a Buddha's son, this Monk also has the obligation to seek the truth. It's just that I am merely a Puppet, with dull thoughts and rigid ideas. I can do things, but thinking about these matters is not my strong suit. I can only ask Young Master to put in more effort."

Monk Jingmo looked at Li Qi candidly.

"Alright, but Great Master, how did you determine that this is a bestowal from Amitabha, and that no other entity is disguising itself?" Li Qi asked.

"The Buddha-Qi within it is absolutely impossible to disguise, just like how you perceive the Qi of a Shaman God. Can such a thing be faked?" Monk Jingmo retorted.

Li Qi nodded slightly, agreeing with the Buddha's son before him.

Some types of Qi were indeed impossible to fake.

"Good, since that's the case, let's see what this Visualization Diagram represents. Old Ma can't see it, so how about you and I perform a visualization?" Li Qi looked at Monk Jingmo.

He felt that if there was a trick, Monk Jingmo couldn't escape responsibility for it. So, it was better to let the other party join in directly. After all, when visualizing these Visualization Diagrams, there was no way to cheat.

If he tried any small tricks to escape the visualization, Li Qi could easily see through them.

However, Li Qi saw that Monk Jingmo didn't hesitate at all, nodding directly: "It should be so. Then this Monk will begin to comprehend first."

With that, he directly observed the Visualization Diagram, entering into deep thought, beginning to ponder the diagram. At the same time, strange phenomena emerged around him.

As he directly entered the visualization state, five-colored light immediately radiated around him, covering the sky like a canopy, reflecting the sun and illuminating all. Heavenly music rained down, and there were four kinds of flowers. The music was clear and resonated through the air, while the flowers drifted down and covered the ground. Flowing light and radiating flames intersected high and low, and heavy cloud palace shadows were seen, with two statues standing solemnly. Four God Kings and their tents and seats simultaneously ascended, smoke and fire supporting each other, suddenly rising far into the distance.

He truly entered a state of enlightenment directly, and many strange phenomena appeared around him, enough to prove that Monk Jingmo was not vague at all, truly dedicating himself wholeheartedly to it.

Seeing the other party's demeanor, Li Qi could no longer continue to suspect. He observed for a while longer and found that Monk Jingmo had no guard against him, seemingly genuinely feeling that this matter was related to him, and thus fully immersing himself in it, wanting to resolve the issue.

Li Qi couldn't find any flaws, so he had no choice but to sit down and begin visualizing the Visualization Diagram on Old Ma's back.

As soon as he entered the visualization state, Li Qi was instantly immersed in it as well.

It seemed that an old Monk was chanting Buddhist scriptures in his ear.

The source of the mind, originally pure, the mind turns with the environment, and delusive thoughts arise.

The scripture speaks of Sakyamuni, who came from Sravasti, translated by Kumarajiva, obtaining the details of language and text; the elephant teachings spread widely, unifying the correct outlines and origins. Truly, it is the treasure torch of the Zen gate and the golden rope of the path to enlightenment. However, these subtle words have ceased to resonate, and those who recite them cannot fathom their beginning; the profound meaning is deep, and those who explain it cannot glimpse its extent.

If one does not delve into old annotations, gather from various schools, refer to the gains and losses, and reconcile the differences, then even if one recites ten thousand times and writes ten thousand copies, it will be difficult to attain samadhi and enter samapatti.

Therefore, having long indulged in Zen joy, with dull roots yet untransformed, I have perused it during my leisure time for years, and have seen how Emperor Chengzu of Ming compiled this diagram, explaining everything without omission, and unraveling it endlessly.

Li Qi suddenly felt as if a great void appeared before his eyes, forming an obstruction; like a precious mirror covered in dust, its brilliance dimmed.

From this, one falls into illusion by following conditions, how can one return from delusion to truth?

Only the Tathagata, with supreme perfect enlightenment, made the great compassionate vow, pitying the confusion of the mundane world and the ignorance of sentient beings, spoke this scripture, opening up great convenience. To untie bonds and release fetters, to cleanse defilement and depart from dust, to exit the path of birth and death, and ascend the Bodhi shore; to transform stubborn confusion into wisdom, and to dispel darkness into light.

Then, what appeared before his eyes was the truth of that Visualization Diagram.

Everything depicted in the Visualization Diagram was a dialogue between a True Dragon and a Bodhisattva.

This Dragon, burdened by accumulated past karmic actions, was born blind. When the Tathagata was about to proceed from Zhengjue Mountain to the Bodhi Tree, passing by its dwelling, the Dragon's eyes suddenly became clear. It then saw the Bodhisattva approaching the Buddha Tree and said to the Bodhisattva: "Benevolent one, you will soon attain perfect enlightenment. My eyes have been blind for a long time. When a Buddha appears in the world, my eyes become clear. During the Bhadrakalpa, when the past three Buddhas appeared, I gained sight. Now that you have arrived, my eyes have suddenly opened. Therefore, I know that you will become a Buddha."

Thus, the Ilibhadra Dragon King Pond was formed, about a hundred paces in circumference. Its water was clear, and various colored Lotuses flourished with different splendors. The water flowed clearly, gurgling and rushing, with Dragons, fish, and aquatic creatures dwelling and swimming within. Four-colored Lotuses covered the clear pool. A hundred fruits flourished, coexisting with different colors. Forests and ponds reflected each other, truly a delightful place to visit. Beside it was a monastery, long devoid of Monks.

This Dragon was the Bhikkhu who destroyed the Ilibhadra Tree during the time of Kasyapa Buddha. Therefore, when people in that land pray for rain or clear weather, they must go to the pond with a Shramana, snap their fingers in greeting, and their wishes will surely be granted.

At the same time, the scene before his eyes became more and more real, more and more vivid.

The details on the True Dragon's body—its Dragon scales, Bloodline, fur, skin, and even the rhythm it emitted with every movement—became increasingly real. From this, one could seemingly infer the source of the True Dragon's power.

Li Qi even couldn't help but stand up and began to simulate the True Dragon's movements with his human body. A certain rhythm reappeared on his body.

But as he threw a punch, he suddenly felt a huge force surge from his spine, but his body was too weak to bear it. The sound of bones cracking followed, clattering loudly.

Li Qi grunted, directly falling to the ground, forced to awaken from his visualization state.

"My body doesn't conform to a Dragon's. Forcibly simulating such an operation caused a backlash," Li Qi immediately muttered to himself, analyzing the reason.

The injury wasn't serious; it was just that the bones from his spine to his arm were shattered, which for a seventh-rank body would heal in a few seconds.

As long as it wasn't a Dao injury, it was all fine; even regrowing an arm was not difficult.

However, he also realized that he was starting to touch upon the cultivation method hidden within the Visualization Diagram.

It was indeed a True Dragon's cultivation method, a method of Dual Cultivation between a True Dragon's body and the true meaning of Buddhism. Moreover, it had a certain strengthening effect on the body. For Old Ma... this was simply tailor-made.

Li Qi glanced at Monk Jingmo beside him, only to find that this mechanical Monk was also moving his body. With every movement, he seemed like a Dragon soaring through the sky. His Puppet body was extremely strong, much more powerful than Li Qi's small frame. When moving according to the divine will in the Visualization Diagram, he was actually able to withstand that heavy pressure.

Furthermore, what Monk Jingmo comprehended was not purely the True Dragon's potential. The Bodhisattva's potential corresponding to the True Dragon also seemed to be within his visualization range, so the results he obtained were somewhat different from Li Qi's.

Since that was the case...

Li Qi nodded slightly, sat down, and then re-immersed himself in the Visualization Diagram.

Then, he no longer moved his body but began to deduce the various methods within the Visualization Diagram through 'imagination,' observing every tiny detail of the True Dragon's posture.

Without the cooperation of the body, purely relying on imagination, progress would be slower, as hands-on learning was the best.

But Li Qi's body couldn't withstand this overbearing cultivation method. Just practicing it was enough to break his bones and tear his tendons, so he could only rely on imagination. Fortunately, Li Qi's mind was quite effective, so his progress didn't fall too far behind.

Monk Jingmo and Li Qi, each from the True Dragon's posture in this Visualization Diagram, pondered the cultivation method hidden within this Visualization Diagram.

Li Qi deduced bit by bit, and Monk Jingmo also advanced little by little. The two began to try to fathom every detail of this Visualization Diagram, from the Bodhisattva's expression, the divine light she emitted, the aura on the True Dragon's body, to all the surrounding scenery.

The Dragon Pond was clear and pure, always without increase or decrease, with wind and rain pouring down, thunder and lightning obscuring the sky, fire flying smoke, and sand stirring stones.

There was also the Bodhisattva's Divine Power, her mind roaming the true realm, thoroughly exploring the profound intricacies of internal and external scriptures. Her Divine Power illuminated all, and her spiritual wonders were clearly manifest.

Until a day passed, Li Qi and Monk Jingmo opened their eyes almost simultaneously.

"How much has Donor comprehended?" Monk Jingmo asked.

"Half," Li Qi replied.

"This Monk has also comprehended half, so... can Dragon Dharma and Buddha-Dharma be combined into one?" Monk Jingmo asked again.

"Shall we try?" Li Qi didn't know the answer either, so he could only offer this suggestion.

Monk Jingmo nodded: "Then let's try."

Old Ma, who had been lying on his back, exposing the Visualization Diagram on his back, stood up at this moment. Earlier, he hadn't dared to move, fearing that his movement would interrupt the two's visualization process.

Now, looking at their expressions, it seemed they had made some progress?

But Li Qi and Monk Jingmo ignored him and sat facing each other, beginning to explain to each other.

Li Qi said: "Dharma does not arise in isolation. Who names it? The verse says: The Great Dharma King, neither short nor long. Originally not black or white, it appears blue and yellow everywhere. Flowers bloom to see the morning's beauty, forests wither with the evening's frost. Why is the swift thunder so urgent? The fleeting lightning is also not light. Even sages are hard to fathom, how can Dragons and heavens be measured? People of ancient and modern times do not recognize it, so it is temporarily called Vajra."

Monk Jingmo continued: "Speaking of wisdom. It is good at breaking all afflictions and transforming them into wondrous functions. Paramita is a Sanskrit word. It means reaching the other shore. Not clinging to any forms is called the other shore. If one clings to forms, it is called this shore. It also says that a deluded mind is this shore, an enlightened mind is the other shore. Sutra is a path. It is the path to seeing one's nature."

Li Qi further said: "There is a Dragon dwelling in a palace, capable of raising clouds. There are people who look up and see palaces. One should know that this is a Gandharva city. A Gandharva city is the Gandharva. The remaining Qi manifested by sea Dragons and mirages. People see lofty buildings, which suddenly disappear. This refutes the sentient beings' deluded attachment to the five aggregates as real."

Monk Jingmo nodded upon hearing this and continued: "Originally, it is one pure essence, divided into six harmonies. One pure essence is the one mind. The six harmonies are the six sense organs. Each combines with its corresponding dust. The eye combines with form, the ear with sound, the nose with smell, the tongue with taste, the body with touch, and the mind with Dharma. In between, six consciousnesses arise, forming the eighteen realms. If one realizes that the eighteen realms are nonexistent, and everything is empty, then one binds the six harmonies into one pure essence. This is the enlightened person. Only the true mind is vast and pure. Subhuti, Bodhisattvas should practice generosity in this way, without dwelling on forms."

Li Qi continued: "The Dragon fighting for the pearl under its chin opens the wondrous gate of the ancient sages, providing a path for later learners to advance. Releasing a single thread, if spoken, fully reveals the essence of Dharma; if silent, it uniquely reveals the true constant. When in motion, it is like a solitary crane and a piece of cloud; when still, it is like stable mountains and arrayed peaks. Taking one step is like the Elephant King looking back; retreating one step is like the Lion's roar. When the Dharma King's decree is to be executed, he can be at ease with the Dharma."

Li Qi spoke of the Dragon, and Jingmo spoke of the Buddha.

The two went back and forth, one saying half, the other saying half, mutually verifying what the other had comprehended from this Visualization Diagram, attempting to piece it together into a complete whole.

However, as they conversed, Old Ma, who was nervously lying nearby, suddenly felt... a certain power.

A power that suited him.

He became engrossed in the conversation between Li Qi and Monk Jingmo. He was only ninth-rank, and the discussion between two seventh-rank experts was already profound enough for him.

He began to feel and comprehend a kind of Divine Power originating from his Bloodline.

Old Ma unconsciously followed the power of the 'True Dragon,' beginning to circulate the Bloodline within his body. At the same time, he used Buddha-Dharma as a guide.

Unbeknownst to him, amidst the conversation of the two seventh-rank experts, Old Ma only felt himself growing more and more drowsy, yet at the same time, increasingly clear-headed.

Drowsiness referred to his perception of the outside world becoming increasingly dull, to the point where it was as if he had fallen asleep, seemingly unable to sense external things.

Clarity, however, referred to his increased and clearer understanding of his own body, the circulation of his Bloodline, the movement of his muscles, and the coordination of various types of Qi.

This was an extremely profound cultivation method.

Although Old Ma did not see the Visualization Diagram on his back, through the conversation between Li Qi and Monk Jingmo, he seemed to vaguely perceive the appearance of a True Dragon.

As the True Dragon arrived, Dragon Qi surged, even shedding into the flat plains, or in fields, or on plateaus, or in lake islets, faintly rumbling, with a spiritual glow like dew, like the so-called black moon sinking into the river, its light in the reflection, with fine horizontal lines, round and curved.

Old Ma seemed to feel it, felt that 'perfection.'

An indescribable perfection, every movement, every stretch of the head and retraction of the tail, the Dragon's back like myriad mountains, the Dragon's head standing tall towards the vast sky.

Li Qi suddenly stopped speaking and looked at Monk Jingmo.

Monk Jingmo also stopped, put his palms together, and awaited Li Qi's choice.

Li Qi closed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then said, "When the Dragon appears, sacrifice."

The ancients said:

When the Dragon appears, sacrifice, for the spirits have arrived.

The sacrificial animals are excellent, their Divine Power magnificent and awe-inspiring.

For all sacrifices, at the awakening of insects, sacrifice in the suburbs; when the Dragon appears, sacrifice, for the body of the Azure Dragon constellation, appearing in the east at dusk, signifies the beginning of the flourishing of all things, awaiting rain to grow. Therefore, sacrificing to heaven is for the distant prayer for nourishing rain for all grains.

Li Qi intended to sacrifice to Old Ma with the ritual of sacrificing to a True Dragon!

Thereby completely laying the foundation of Dao for Old Ma!

That's right, Li Qi wanted Old Ma to transform into a Dragon.

A Dragon Steed? No, in the future, he would be a demon dragon!