Chapter 534: Celestial Beings

Over several months, Li Qi traversed 150,000 li, personally visiting twelve countries, each with a different landscape.

The mountains and produce varied, and the customs and temperaments differed.

Along the way, he passed through various Buddhist Schools, and Li Qi also took action to kill a few.

Some small countries, though only a thousand li from east to west and six hundred li from north to south, were rich in produce, suitable for millet and wheat, had japonica rice, produced grapes and pomegranates, and had many pears, plums, peaches, and apricots; Li Qi ate many familiar fruits here.

On the way, he also saw a birthplace of Dragon Steeds, called Great Dragon Pool, where it is rumored that Dragons transformed and mated with mares, giving birth to Dragon Steeds; Dragon Steeds are numerous here, and the strong ones are hard to tame, but the offspring of Dragon Steeds are easy to train, so this country produces many good horses.

There was also a country named 'Śikhi-ni Country,' where the land was covered in sand and stones, trees were sparse, and flowers and fruits were scarce. The climate was harsh and cold, the customs were fierce and brave, they were tolerant of killing, engaged in theft, knew no etiquette, recognized no good or evil, were confused about future misfortune and fortune, and feared present calamities, so they were cruel and merciless to outsiders, often plundering, but also extremely devout, and not a few offered their entire wealth as incense offerings.

Some were similar to Chan Zhi, practicing Dual Cultivation of Buddha and Demon, emphasizing blood and terror; the people in their subordinate countries were violent and impetuous, ignorant of sin and blessing, crude in appearance, lacked proper customs, and knew no arts, but they feared Buddhist Monks, enjoyed using blood sacrifices to please Monks and Buddhas, and were skilled at making 'Five Nectars.'

When Li Qi passed by, because he had concealed his Cultivation, he was ambushed by them, who wanted to capture him and refine him into blood and bone.

So Li Qi executed all of them, shattering their Spirit Souls, preventing them from entering Reincarnation.

While doing these things, Li Qi was also very puzzled…

They claimed to practice Dual Cultivation of Buddha and Demon, but there was neither Buddha nor Demon in it; neither the Buddhist nor Demonic Dao was this primitive.

The Demonic Dao was indeed detestable, even to the point of being hateful, and was hostile to countless people, because the Demonic Dao itself was built upon the suffering of other Cultivators.

But the abilities of Demonic Dao Cultivators, their power, were enough to make other Dao Orthodoxys acknowledge their status, even allowing them to occupy one of the Nine Lands Under Heaven.

Things like blood sacrifices, plunder, and incense offerings were scorned even by the Demonic Dao, just like the difference between petty theft and grand banditry.

And the Buddhist School was even less likely to advocate such behavior; this so-called 'Buddha-Demon Unity' was truly so primitive that neither side wanted it.

However, the Buddhist School did not care about temporary death or life, so they had no special countermeasures against them; all right and wrong would be clarified by time.

Not to mention the life and death of these ordinary people, in the past, many Buddhist Disciples liked to undergo ten or even nine Reincarnations at the drop of a hat; for example, one named Jin Chanzi only attained the Dao after ten Reincarnations, so life was not that important to them.

It was precisely because of this that the Buddhist School almost completely ignored these matters.

Since they didn't care, Li Qi would take care of it.

He killed many along the way, it didn't matter anyway; since death was not the end, killing would naturally not be a sin.

Although killing seemed to be a Buddhist precept… he didn't know what they were thinking.

Anyway, Li Qi was not a Monk, so it didn't matter; he didn't care about these things.

Kill when necessary.

Because of these things—killing, sightseeing, listening to Buddha-Dharma, and so on—he was delayed for about half a year on the road, but after half a year, Li Qi finally arrived at his destination.

This was also the location of the connections introduced by the Lingxiao Kingdom Lord to Li Qi.

Dakini Heaven.

Since it was introduced by someone, Li Qi specifically searched through numerous documents and internal texts of Shaman God Mountain, specifically looking for descriptions of this place.

After much tribulation, he gained a preliminary understanding of this place.

Dakini Heaven, also known as the Pure Land of the Sky-Goers, is governed by the legendary Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King, or, according to Buddhist custom, directly referred to as 'Dakini Heaven.'

It is a minor Buddhist custom to name some Great Powers without special titles after the 'Heavens' they govern.

If Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King governs Dakini Heaven, then she is called Dakini Heaven, and this includes Mahakala.

Mahakala's true name is Mahakala, and since he governs Mahakala, he is referred to by that name. This also applies to Śrīdevī, Great Self-Existent Heaven, Great Brahma Heaven, Heaven of No Thought, and Heaven of Infinitude of Space.

Dakini Heaven herself is one of Mahakala's retinue and a Yaksha ghost. She possesses the Divine Ability of self-mastery and is one of the Four Gate Gods. The Huilin Yinyi, Vol. 35, states: “Tujini is a general term for ghosts who can enchant and have intercourse with humans.”

Bai Chen Fox King, like many Deva, had a sordid past and was later enlightened and converted. She could foresee the life and death of others but once enjoyed eating human hearts, being utterly defiled. She was an infamous and peculiar spirit monster, but since her enlightenment, she has not caused any trouble and should have reformed.

It is said that she was originally a demoness who brought disaster to the country, bewitching an ancient Human Emperor in ancient times, causing immense turmoil that directly led to the Human Race being defeated by the Heavenly Court, with many Human Race Great Powers either joining the Divine Path or dying.

Therefore, after some twists and turns, she was slain by the Human Race, but although her body was shattered and her Spirit Soul annihilated, a part of her fortunately escaped to a small island in the East Sea, transforming into a ghost and demon. Finally, she was subdued by Mahakala, converted to Buddha-Dharma, and became the current Wisdom Sky-Walker Mother, Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King, Dakini Heaven.

And the place Lingxiao Flower Goddess introduced to Li Qi was here.

It is said that the handsome fox Monk whom Fengde Temple accepted back then—Li Qi forgot his name—came from Dakini Heaven.

It was a pity about that Monk; Li Qi actually had a good impression of him, but it is said that he died in that Demonic Dao attack.

Fate is fickle.

Thinking this, Li Qi arrived at the Buddhist temple in Dakini Heaven.

The location of this Buddhist temple was in Udyāna Country, which was five thousand li in circumference, with lush forests, abundant flowers and fruits, temperate climate, and orderly winds and rains. However, the people were timid, their customs cunning and deceitful, they loved learning but did not excel, practiced incantations as their art, liked to wear white clothes, revered Buddha-Dharma, believed in Mahayana, and had eighteen thousand Monks, many of whom had temples dedicated to Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King.

Li Qi casually entered a temple, just like an ordinary pilgrim.

However, following the Lingxiao Kingdom Lord's method, he sat cross-legged before the Bodhisattva statue of Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King, lit incense, and began to meditate and chant mantras.

There were many Monks around, but seeing how familiar he was, they didn't approach too much, as Li Qi clearly looked like an experienced practitioner.

In fact, he was indeed experienced; in the past six months, he had visited at least a hundred temples, so he was very familiar with what to do, not even needing a welcoming Monk.

While chanting scriptures and burning incense, he observed the Bodhisattva statue of Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King. Li Qi could see that it was generally a benevolent-looking female statue, riding a white fox, not much different from most Bodhisattva statues, though somewhat enchanting, but generally dignified and proper, and he could perceive a solemn aura from it.

Li Qi observed the Bodhisattva statue. As the incense burned, smoke swirled around him, and the blue smoke enveloped him, seemingly obscuring his spirit.

Li Qi immediately stopped chanting Buddhist scriptures and looked around.

Unbeknownst to him, the surrounding Buddhist temple had disappeared, and only this Bodhisattva statue seemed to remain before him. The world beyond the swirling blue smoke seemed to have vanished.

It had truly vanished.

Beyond the blue smoke, there were originally Monks, pilgrims, various living beings, and buildings, but now they had all turned into nothingness, becoming pitch black, with no trace to be seen. Li Qi widened his eyes, wanting to find some clue, but still saw nothing.

This sense of insecurity even made him want to unseal the True Knowledge Dao Resonance.

However, he still restrained himself and continued to slowly chant Buddhist scriptures, waiting patiently.

This darkness lasted for a while.

After a moment, the light smoke dispersed, and suddenly many fragrances appeared around him. It was not a vulgar fragrance, but a very fresh and elegant scent of plants.

The surrounding scenery reappeared. The Buddhist temple reappeared, but the Monks and pilgrims were gone, as if only Li Qi remained.

Li Qi rose from the meditation cushion, only to find that the Bodhisattva statue before him had also changed.

It was no longer that benevolent-looking form, but had become… extremely, alluring?

Li Qi couldn't quite describe what it looked like, because… it was very mixed, but it was undeniably… extremely beautiful.

Instead of the usual solemnity of a Bodhisattva statue, it was a statue of a captivating woman.

Her hands were crossed upwards, clasped together, head raised, chest and waist thrust forward, lower body seated on a lotus pedestal. She was in a posture of meditation, with various flowers, fragrant ointments, burning incense, oil lamps, banners, and exquisite music presented around her.

If it were an ordinary Bodhisattva statue, this posture would be normal. Li Qi knew it was a special Cultivation technique called 'Yoga.'

Yet, the posture of this Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King was too enchanting; although she was doing something proper, it looked improper no matter how he viewed it…

Li Qi considered himself to be composed and immune to ordinary temptations, but upon seeing this Bodhisattva statue, he still felt something was amiss in his heart.

As expected of a demoness who brought ruin to a country…

It is said that before she achieved Bodhisattva status, she could seduce Human Emperors, a typical peerless demon king. If she was already like that in that era, now she has achieved Bodhisattva status, and the Buddhist scriptures explicitly state: “She can enchant people.”

Just a statue was already like this, then it truly was…

Li Qi shook his head, forcing himself to avert his gaze from Dakini Heaven, then walked to the entrance of the Buddhist temple and pushed the door open.

The moment he pushed the door, a strong light burst forth from outside.

Li Qi immediately felt his body lighten, as if no longer bound by gravity.

This is… Sky-Going?

As his eyes gradually adjusted to the light, Li Qi opened them again, and everything before him was so dreamlike.

The earth is on water. Water rests on wind. Wind rests on space. In space, mighty winds sometimes arise, turning the supreme great wheel.

Floating in the air were elephant-horses, treasure chariots, golden wheels, palaces, splendid robes, and delicious food.

Countless Deva lived freely within, their clothes, food, and drink all fragrant and adorned with garlands, accompanied by subtle sounds of banners.

Their residences, dwellings, palaces, and towers, according to their form, color, height, and size, were made of one or two treasures, or even immeasurable treasures, and could be reached instantly at will.

Furthermore, the ground was covered with various precious and exquisite garments, upon which all Deva walked, and immeasurable treasure nets covered the Buddha, all made of gold threads, pearls, hundreds of thousands of various treasures, and wondrous rarities.

The Deva floated happily in the air, enjoying everything at will, without a trace of worry or sorrow. Some were talking about love, some were singing softly, some were enjoying delicious food, some were drinking fine wine, some were painting and creating; every Deva was fully enjoying themselves.

This place was filled with unimaginable abundance, beautiful Deva-maidens roamed everywhere, and delightful heavenly music played constantly, while graceful flowers and leaves flourished, exuding fragrance, and fruits were abundant, pure and sweet. Seven treasures covered the land, and beautiful cities built of gold, silver, coral, and lapis lazuli were everywhere.

Compared to the Mortal world, the scenery here even surpassed Chang'an.

Li Qi looked at all this, a life like the legendary Heaven.

Yes, the beings here are 'Deva,' or 'Heavenly Beings.'

These various Heavens, like Dakini Heaven, Great Self-Existent Heaven, Indra's Heaven, and so on, have beings called 'Heavenly Beings,' which are the 'Deva' of the Eight Legions of Deva and Dragons.

“Heavenly Beings” are sentient beings who live in various “Heavens”; their lives are much superior to those in the human world, and their lifespans are much longer.

Their superiority is evident; just look at the beautiful scenery nearby.

Endless delicious food, houses made of seven treasures, Heavenly Beings living freely within, without worries or sorrow, very prosperous.

However…

Li Qi had conversed with people like Shakya Zhaba more than once in the past six months and had deeply read many Buddhist scriptures, so he naturally knew that Heavenly Beings do not enjoy pleasure forever.

Heavenly Beings are still in Reincarnation; it is just that their previous lives' Cultivation bore fruit, allowing them to be Reincarnated as Heavenly Beings and enjoy a happy life.

If they do not seize the opportunity to Cultivate properly, then upon death, they may directly fall into Hell, enduring suffering commensurate with their current happiness.

And the end of a Heavenly Being's lifespan is the so-called 'Five Signs of Decay of a Heavenly Being.'

Their clothes will become soiled, the flowers on their heads will wither, sweat will flow from their armpits, their bodies will emit foul odors, and they will no longer enjoy their seats. The wonderful heavenly music will cease, the natural radiance emanating from their bodies will gradually fade, and other Heavenly Beings and Deva-maidens will leave them, ultimately causing them to die in pain.

While Heavenly Beings experience no suffering during their lives, if they indulge in pleasure and do not cultivate the True Dharma, then after their death, they will suffer a thousand or ten thousand times more than Mortals.

This is also one of the Buddhist School's methods, perhaps.

If you cultivate good karma in the Mortal world, you can be reborn as a Heavenly Being and enjoy the blessings. Once the blessings are exhausted, you will fall into Hell to suffer.

If one always retains memory, then after a few cycles, even a donkey would learn to cultivate diligently.

Cultivators forged through this method would likely lose interest in all suffering and all joy, because they would have experienced it all, leaving only a firm heart of diligent cultivation.

The Buddhist School… is truly terrifying.