Chapter 535: White Star Fox King Bodhisattva

Li Qi had heard of the Tathagata's Great Enterprise.

It was a Great Enterprise called ‘Awakening the World’—the Tathagata Buddha hoped to transform all living beings into ‘Awakened Ones,’ and these Awakened Ones would no longer fall into pleasure, would not be entangled in worries, would not be迷 by the Mortal World; they would—forever progress.

Forever progress, what a terrifying phrase.

When a person can only advance and never retreat, Li Qi doesn’t even know how to describe it…

As the saying goes, three days without practice makes one rusty, which is to urge people to review constantly, but not everyone can always persist. Li Qi was already very disciplined, but occasionally he would indulge in pleasures with Shen Shuibi, giving himself a few days off.

But if everyone were ‘Awakened Ones’ of the Buddha-Dharma, they would probably never indulge, never fear demonic thoughts, never fear death, never fear hardship, and no temptation could stop them.

And if the Buddha-Dharma had such a group of terrifying Awakened Ones, would the ‘Ultimate of Dao’ still be far?

Perhaps after that, it would still take hundreds of billions of years to pursue, but Li Qi felt that when the Great Enterprise of Awakening the World was completed, it would be almost equivalent to the completion of the Ultimate of Dao.

Never retreating, never slacking off, this was truly too terrifying.

This made Li Qi suddenly think of something.

Reincarnation, in fact, is not controlled by just one Dao Orthodoxy; although the Buddha-Dharma plays with Reincarnation very skillfully, in reality… the Divine Dao Heavenly Court also likes to engage in Reincarnation, and they like to use Reincarnation to punish others.

For example, the former Marshal of the Heavenly River Navy was once forcibly Reincarnated into the animal realm, which was a form of punishment by the Heavenly Court.

Li Qi had even personally met Da Tu Shaman God and knew that this Shaman God was currently bearing the burden of Reincarnation, resolving the difficult Yin Qi of Reincarnation through sacrificial rites.

As for secondary Dao Orthodoxy like the Ghost Dao, there’s no need to mention it; it’s entirely built upon Reincarnation.

Li Qi didn’t know how many Dao Orthodoxy were related to Reincarnation, but what was known was that the Human Dao and the Spirit Dao explicitly didn’t care about Reincarnation.

Hmm…

It’s complicated.

Hmm, I’ll analyze these things when I’m a bit smarter.

Anyway, I can’t figure it out now.

With a myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind, Li Qi saw two celestials flying towards him.

In Dakini Heaven, everyone possesses the ability to fly; there seems to be no gravity here, and everything floats lightly, yet they don’t drift chaotically. For example, tea placed on a table would certainly not spill out but would remain fixed, yet the lightness of other objects made one feel as if they were in a dream.

At this moment, those celestials flew towards Li Qi using their aerial abilities.

Li Qi noticed that the celestials flying towards him were not the celestials indulging in pleasure around him; these two celestials both had Cultivation and Buddha-Dharma protecting them.

Li Qi understood that these were celestials of a certain caliber, not misled by the blissful life of celestials without worries or troubles, having already shed their attachments and begun to abandon material enjoyment, instead firming their resolve for arduous Cultivation.

The ordinary people in the Mortal World, who experience both suffering and joy, and various competitions, can temper themselves within the Mortal World. The Buddha did not give them a superior life but let them live a plain life with mostly bitterness and occasional sweetness. In that plainness, whether they can still adhere to the Buddha-Dharma should be their test, right?

And these celestials from ‘All Heavens’ needed to resist that endless pleasure. In All Heavens, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas provided them with almost infinite happiness, endless material enjoyment, and even spiritual enjoyment.

Being able to resist such temptation and still adhere to the true Dharma, this was the test for the celestials.

Evidently, the two celestials rushing towards Li Qi had already passed the test; they had completely distanced themselves from the surrounding celestials.

Li Qi stood still, waiting for the two celestials to land.

He saw the two celestials slowly fly before Li Qi, one male and one female, both extremely beautiful.

In fact, celestials are never ugly; everyone is a handsome man or beautiful woman, everyone has a natural fragrance, and everyone emits brilliant light, like a human-shaped light bulb with its own special effects.

One of the celestials bowed to Li Qi: “Young Master Li Qi, Lingxiao Kingdom Lord has already informed us in advance. Please come with us; accommodations have already been prepared for Young Master.”

“That’s good. Lingxiao told me that only by coming here would I truly arrive in the Western Heaven. Now I understand that the land outside was merely a part of Reincarnation. Only by entering All Heavens can one survey the entire Western Heaven,” Li Qi said with a smile.

Western Heaven, Western Heaven, this name already revealed the essence of the extreme western land.

“Young Master is a distinguished guest. Although Dakini Heaven is not large, one can travel through various parts of All Heavens, which is better than being outside. Please come with us, Young Master.” The two celestials bowed and then began to lead the way for Li Qi.

Li Qi immediately followed.

Along the way, the celestials introduced various directions to Li Qi.

Upon arriving at a lotus pond, the celestial explained: “Young Master, please see, beyond this point, one can reach the Great Brahma Heaven.”

Upon arriving at a forest with countless withered bones, the celestials introduced: “Beyond this point, one can enter Mahakala.”

Upon arriving at the giant wheel blown by the wind in the sky, they said: “From here, one can go to Mount Sumeru.”

Upon arriving at a cliff, they pointed to the leather inside the cave and said: “Wearing the leather, one can go to Śrīdevī.”

Upon arriving under a Bodhi Tree, they said: “Sitting under the tree and listening to celestial music, one can go to the Womb Realm.”

Upon arriving under a resplendent glazed pagoda, they said: “Circumnavigating the pagoda upwards, if your body does not fall, you can go to the Pure Glazed Pure Land.”

Upon arriving at a square filled with seven treasures, dazzling and resplendent, they pointed to the giant Dharma circle on the square and said: “If one can push open that door, one can enter the Amitabha Pure Land, never to fall into Reincarnation for eternity.”

Li Qi followed them for about thirty hours, visiting many entrances within Dakini Heaven.

He discovered that the entire ‘Western Heaven’ was like a beehive, with ‘All Heavens’ being the chambers within the beehive, connected to other chambers through various passages.

It was interconnected, similar to… how should I put it…

Li Qi didn’t know how to describe it, but one could travel through All Heavens using various strange methods, feeling like some kind of miniature garden game.

After touring these, the two celestials led Li Qi to a set of palaces.

This palace was extremely luxurious; Li Qi rarely saw such a grand and magnificent palace in the Mortal World, only having seen them in various visions.

Of course, this refers to the decoration style, not the actual grade or class.

If it were about the actual level, there were many superior ones, but putting aside the practical and focusing solely on aesthetics, such lavish and magnificent decoration indeed required a certain level of aesthetic taste; the designer’s skill was quite impressive.

The entire palace covered hundreds of miles, with banners and rows, immeasurable treasure nets, treasure garlands, Dharma bells, and chimes, solemn beyond compare. The ground was sapphire blue, with many treasure flowers and treasure trees blooming, their tree flowers and leaves emitting immeasurable light.

The sky was intricately splendid and exquisite, pure white like snow, emitting a pure, bright light, with subtle lotus flowers scattered all over, cleansing all dust and defilement.

Twenty-four banners hung on all four sides, and at each of the four corners, four wisdom vases were erected, filled with fragrant water. Fresh, exquisite flowers were inserted into the mouths of the vases, with saffron in the middle, and various seasonal flowers, extremely fragrant and pure.

Additionally, four incense burners were placed outside the four gates, burning five kinds of incense, beautifully adorned, with a thousand colors and a thousand flavors, shining like an autumn rainbow, used for offerings.

Li Qi looked around, clicking his tongue in wonder.

This decoration style, this aesthetic quality, tsk tsk tsk, truly impressive!

Moreover, the most crucial thing was that this was not specially prepared for Li Qi; it was everywhere. Similar palaces and thrones were available to every celestial.

Celestials enjoyed extreme material pleasures, and this was no joke; it wasn’t just material, but even spiritual.

Celestials could experience the ultimate enjoyment of all forms, sensations, perceptions, volitions, and consciousness. Love, friendship, and even all emotions or material needs, including curiosity, could be satisfied for celestials.

This was the blessing given to celestials by the Buddhas, and also their test.

“Then, we shall deliver Young Master here. Lingxiao Kingdom Lord has already arranged accommodations and identity for Young Master. Afterwards, Young Master can decide what to do in the Western Heaven as he pleases. We shall take our leave now.” The two celestials put their hands together, bowed to Li Qi like they were worshiping the Buddha, and then bid farewell.

Li Qi also bowed in return, bade them farewell, and watched them leave.

Hmm…

With these celestials gone, the next matters were up to him.

Li Qi didn’t bother with his palace; he had long since detached himself from the pleasures of the Mortal World.

Or rather, he had never indulged in those pleasures. Perhaps it was because of his experience as a researcher? Or something else?

Anyway, Li Qi seemed to have never been immersed in material desires.

Hmm… he had indulged in carnal desires, but unfortunately, the rabbit had strong self-control, so Li Qi also had to exercise self-control, and over time, he managed to break free.

Li Qi glanced around, mainly observing his celestial neighbors in other palaces, who were all enjoying life to the fullest—some playing games, some doing sports, everyone gathered together, laughing, grilling meat, eating fruits, listening to music, and enjoying love, friendship, and family affection.

Almost every celestial had their own palace and their own throne.

However, he didn’t see many Cultivating.

Li Qi shook his head, no longer paying attention to these, and instead directly went out, preparing to do what he had originally planned.

It wasn’t easy to get Lingxiao Kingdom Lord to arrange connections and relationships in the Western Heaven for him to enter Dakini Heaven; he wasn’t here to watch these celestials enjoy themselves.

He came to the Western Heaven to witness the true ‘All Heavens,’ to learn the Buddha-Dharma’s methods of combating Outer Demons, and incidentally to plant some hidden moves and secret agents…

Only then could he calmly proceed to the Outer Battlefield.

However, just as Li Qi stepped out, someone suddenly called out to him.

“Young Master, are you from outside?” A beautiful celestial maiden called out to him.

That celestial maiden was quite different from most celestial maidens; she had a fox ear and three fluffy tails behind her, which were quite cute.

However, there was nothing particularly special about it. This was Dakini Heaven, the territory of Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King. In fact, there were many celestials and celestial maidens with fox features, though they were relatively rare. Li Qi had already seen quite a few when he was wandering with the two celestials, but he hadn’t spoken.

Moreover, almost all of these celestials with fox features had Cultivation and a very clear difference from ordinary celestials.

Li Qi keenly noticed the way she addressed him, so he cupped his hands and nodded: “Indeed, I am Li Qi. And this lady is… How do you know my identity?”

“My teacher sent me; she said she has something to discuss with you,” the celestial maiden said.

Teacher?

This address is usually used by a Junior to refer to an elder with whom they have no direct relationship but from whom they have received education or Legacy, specifically referring to a lecturer.

For example, Li Qi had publicly expounded the Dharma and the Dao to the mountain Anomolus Spirits in Shaman God Mountain and Mount Dushuo. These mountain Anomolus Spirits had no direct relationship with Li Qi, but those Anomolus Spirits who had heard Li Qi’s public expositions could address Li Qi as “Teacher.”

“May I ask who the celestial maiden’s teacher is?” Li Qi had a faint guess in his heart, but he still asked proactively.

The celestial maiden replied: “Naturally, it is the Bodhisattva.”

Li Qi was not surprised but nodded.

As expected.

This was Dakini Heaven, and Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King would naturally publicly preach the Dharma every so often. Everyone could go and listen. For the celestials native to Dakini Heaven to address someone as ‘Teacher,’ Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King was naturally the most likely.

“So, it is Dakini Heaven’s personal invitation. It is… After all, coming unannounced, it’s normal for the Bodhisattva to inquire. May I ask what the Bodhisattva wishes to discuss?” Li Qi was not surprised and directly inquired about the other party’s purpose.

Li Qi now understood many things.

Back in Fengde Temple, the handsome monk with fox tails—Li Qi didn’t believe he wasn’t instructed by Dakini Heaven. That’s why when he came to the Buddha-Dharma, he chose to use Lingxiao Kingdom Lord’s connections to come to Dakini Heaven, precisely to probe the other party’s intentions.

If Li Qi had used this approach to entice other Bodhisattvas, no one would have paid him any attention.

But Dakini Heaven was different.

Dakini Heaven was once a demon concubine who brought disaster to a country, then a heart-eating Yaksha ghost, and finally transformed into the renowned Bodhisattva Bai Chen Fox King, Dakini Heaven.

This boss was a restless character, and Li Qi had guessed that she would respond to him, which was why he acted this way.

After all…

The Human Dao and her had a great enmity, a blood feud of sorts.

Her first life was ended by the Human Dao, and her remnant soul escaped, suffering immense torment, falling to become a Yaksha ghost, and only after being subdued and enlightened by Mahakala did she convert to the Buddha-Dharma.

The most crucial thing was, according to the historical records Li Qi read in Shaman God Mountain, that ancient battle to slay the demon concubine actually had nothing to do with the demon concubine herself.

In Shaman God Mountain’s own records, the demon concubine and the Human Emperor were true lovers. Because in ancient times, humans were under the control of the gods, that Human Emperor actually held a stance of resisting the then Divine Dao Heavenly Court, which is why he died.

Of course, the Human Dao might have a different perspective, but that didn’t matter.

From the demon concubine’s own perspective, her true love was torn apart by others, she was almost killed, reduced to an evil ghost, and her husband completely perished.

Now, with the war between humans and Shamanes breaking out, could she stand idly by?