Chapter 846: Demon Theory

Inside Li Qi’s Inner World—

He deliberately expanded the proportion of the Buddhist Heavens in his Inner World to suppress the Heavenly Demon Lord.

At this moment, his body even carried a faint Dao Resonance of the Pure Land, which some might even believe to be ‘Dao Resonance’.

These Buddhist Heavens were fully solemn and free from all suffering.

There were no calamities, no evil paths, no mention of demonic afflictions, nor any distinctions of seasons, cold, heat, rain, or darkness, nor any large rivers, seas, hills, pits, thorns, sand, iron mountains, Sumeru mountains, or earthy mountains.

Only natural seven treasures and gold formed the ground, which was vast, flat, and boundless, subtly beautiful, pure, and solemn.

The land was solemn and pure, endowed with all solemnity, forever free from various sufferings, to the extent that even the names of the three evil paths and demonic afflictions did not exist; there was not even a name for all sufferings, calamities, evil paths, and demonic afflictions, let alone their actual existence?

The solemn Buddha-land manifests a Pure Land from the Dharma Body’s inherent nature, which is what the “Rebirth Treatise” means by the solemnity of the land entering the pure state, which is true wisdom and the unconditioned Dharma Body. Precisely because the fundamental nature is true wisdom and the unconditioned Dharma Body, this is the true reality, ‘undistorted, not false’, so all phenomena manifested in this way can resist ‘desire’.

There are many things in the world that evoke love and joy, such as evil fragrances that incite lust, various decadent music, frenzied dances, and all kinds of love-hate relationships that delight the heart and cause desires to run wild. However, this place is different; all scenery is pleasing to the heart without attachment, and both the environment and the mind are ‘pure and solemn’.

Purity means no defilement, and solemnity means possessing all virtues, thus bringing peace to the mind.

This is ‘Purity’, which can completely sever all desires and demonic thoughtss, and naturally suppress practitioners of the Demonic Dao who are themselves ‘demon thoughts’.

Li Qi’s true spirit entered it and said, “If a Bodhisattva Mahasattva does not depart from Prajna Paramita, the Demonic Overlord will again be greatly sorrowful and poisonous, like an arrow entering the heart. At this time, the Demonic Overlord will again release a Great Fire and wind, rising from all four directions, wishing to make the Bodhisattva’s heart sink in terror and laziness—”

This statement is a story from a Buddhist scripture.

It says that when many Bodhisattvas heard the Buddha preach the Dao, and spoke of the profound mystery of ‘Mahasattva not departing from Prajna Paramita’, the Demonic Overlord could not sit still. High-grade Demonic Daos all took action, releasing Great Fire and wind that rose from all four directions, intending to frighten the Bodhisattvas, corrupt their Dao Heart, and drown their Bodhisattva hearts in fear.

As Li Qi recited this, the Heavenly Demon Lord appeared.

The demonic shadow emerged and continued the next line: “Some Bodhisattvas, far from good knowledge, are influenced by evil knowledge and thus do not hear the profound Prajna Paramita.”

This was the later outcome; indeed, some Bodhisattvas were frightened and failed to hear the Prajna Paramita.

“Bodhisattvas who depart from Prajna Paramita and accept evil Dharma are seized by the Demonic Overlord. The Demonic Overlord thinks: ‘These will have companions, and my wishes will be fulfilled.’ These Bodhisattvas fall into the second realm.” Li Qi also continued the next sentence.

Ultimately, these Bodhisattvas were bewitched by the Demonic Lord. The Demonic Lord said, “These will have companions, and my wishes will be fulfilled.” Thus, these Bodhisattvas fell from the Buddha-land and plunged into the Demonic Dao.

Generally speaking, when a Buddha appears, and there is no specific mention of ‘Demonic Overlord’, it refers to the Demonic Lord.

When ‘Demonic Buddha’ is mentioned, it also directly refers to the Buddha and the Demonic Lord.

After all, these two can be said to be the most antagonistic Dao enemies. Even Shamanes and Sages can barely sit together without fighting, but it’s impossible for the Demonic Lord and the Buddha to coexist peacefully.

The Heavenly Demon Lord appeared here: “Why are you bringing up this allusion now, Young Master Li Qi? What are you trying to say?”

“I’m just lamenting the power of the Demonic Dao,” Li Qi smiled, looking at the Heavenly Demon Lord before him.

The opponent was not Human Race. In fact, after the Fourth Grade, the Heavenly Demon Lord was more akin to a ‘concept’ that could transform into any form, indistinguishable from reality.

This was also a Divine Ability, and a very powerful one.

Transformation techniques were quite valuable, unlike ordinary illusion spells. Illusion spells only changed the external appearance, not the essence; the Inner World and various Qi inside remained unchanged.

For example, if a person mastered an illusion spell, he could freely control his external form, but no matter how he changed, the substances that made up his body remained the same. The substances themselves would not change; your Inner World, cultivation base, and so on, would also not change.

In short, only the external form can be changed, not the essence.

But true transformation techniques can change the very substances that make up things, allowing you to completely transform into another form, changing the substances that compose the body entirely, even completely altering the essence, though there are still limits.

And more advanced transformation techniques, such as the Demonic Dao’s ‘Self-Transformation’ and the ‘Seventy-two Earthly Fiends and Thirty-six Heavenly Spirits Transformations’, can even completely change one’s Inner World. If he transforms into a ‘Martial Dao practitioner’, he can truly use Martial Dao Inner Qi; if he transforms into a ‘Daoist’, he can truly write Talismans. It’s a complete transformation from false to true, becoming an entirely different person except for the fundamental Dao path, with cultivation and spells completely simulated.

The Heavenly Demon Lord before him naturally couldn’t master the complete ‘Self-Transformation’, but he had already reached the level of the Thirty-six Heavenly Spirits Transformations, capable of simulating others to a certain extent. Even when transformed into a Martial Dao practitioner, he could use Martial Dao Inner Qi, but he could not surpass his own understanding limit; what he didn’t know, he still couldn’t use.

And now, what the opponent displayed was his most ‘effortless’ form, which was his most accustomed form, his appearance when he was born as a Mortal.

It’s hard to describe what kind of form it was. It had twelve legs, was somewhat chubby and hairy, but those were all fur. In reality, the body was thin and long, black, with a fierce appearance. To call it a spider wouldn’t be accurate… If one had to describe it, it was similar to a shark after spider transformation.

“So, Young Master Li Qi, why have you come here? Are you perhaps trying to spare my life?” the Heavenly Demon Lord laughed, seemingly completely unafraid of dying.

In reality, he truly wasn’t afraid; he didn’t even believe he would die at all.

The Demonic Dao was indeed this confident, confident like a fool, even the Demonic Lord himself was a lunatic.

“Of course not, you’re dead. It’s just that before you die, I want to hear your opinion. Tell me… do we have a ‘Heart’?” Li Qi asked.

“Of course not, you have no Heart,” the Heavenly Demon Lord said.

“If there is no Heart, who can see, hear, perceive, and know? Who knows there is no Heart?” Li Qi retorted.

“Still no Heart. Even if there is seeing, hearing, perceiving, and knowing, it is still the no-Heart that can know no-Heart,” the Heavenly Demon Lord replied.

“If there is no Heart, then there should be no seeing, hearing, perceiving, and knowing. How can there be seeing, hearing, perceiving, and knowing?” Li Qi asked again.

“Although there is no Heart, one can see, hear, perceive, and know,” the Heavenly Demon Lord laughed heartily and then answered.

“If one can see, hear, perceive, and know, then there is a Heart. How can it be called ‘no’?” Li Qi asked again.

This series of questions between Li Qi and the Heavenly Demon Lord was actually a Buddhist maxim. The conversation revolved around the problem that troubled Li Qi, namely ‘subjectivity’, or more simply, ‘Heart’.

The Heavenly Demon Lord’s answer was very simple: to him, all living beings were ‘philosophical zombies’; even if they could hear, perceive, and know, they were still without a Heart. Among all beings, only he himself truly had a ‘Heart’.

Such an answer could not satisfy Li Qi, so Li Qi continued, “Heavenly Demon Lord, this is your chance to turn the tables. You must seize it well.”

This made the Heavenly Demon Lord restrain his smile and turn to look at Li Qi, his expression somewhat strange, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.

However, what Li Qi said was indeed true.

Why should the Heavenly Demon Lord answer just because Li Qi asked? He could completely ignore Li Qi.

So Li Qi offered him a bait, which was to open his mind and accept the Heavenly Demon Lord’s answer.

If the Heavenly Demon Lord could persuade Li Qi, it would be equivalent to planting a demonic thoughts in Li Qi’s Dao Heart, and he could naturally turn defeat into victory immediately, escaping from Li Qi’s Dao Heart. After that, facing Li Qi, he would no longer be bound by the Purification Method.

If Li Qi had demonic thoughtss in his Heart, how could he be ‘pure’?

This was a gamble. The Heavenly Demon Lord would use his knowledge to test Li Qi. If he won, he could escape and even plant a bomb on Li Qi.

But to make Li Qi accept this answer, he couldn’t be perfunctory; he had to bring out some genuine goods. If what he said was unbelievable and Li Qi saw through it at a glance, then there would be nothing more to discuss.

In simple terms, this was fishing.

Li Qi was the fisherman, baiting the hook with ‘freedom’ and ‘counterattack’, casting it into the water, giving the opponent a chance to escape.

And the Heavenly Demon Lord, as the fish, also had a chance. He was no ordinary small fish. As a giant shark of the deep sea, as long as he bit the hook, it was not impossible for him to drag the people on the boat down and feast on them.

“Young Master Li Qi, you’re very bold. Do you usually like fishing?” the Heavenly Demon Lord asked.

“Yes, I quite enjoy fishing. There was a Senior named Shen Yijun who taught me how to fish. He’s still helping out in my merchant guild, but we don’t really connect anymore,” Li Qi told the Heavenly Demon Lord.

“You know what kind of fish I’m talking about, Young Master Li Qi, don’t joke. The depth of the demonic thoughtss on you suggests you’ve fished quite a few Demonic Daos, haven’t you?” the Heavenly Demon Lord said.

This made Li Qi slightly stunned, but he quickly reacted, understanding what the other party was referring to.

The Heavenly Demon Lord in front of him had misunderstood.

These demonic thoughtss on his body were not left behind by these Demonic Lords.

So, Li Qi gently shook his head and smiled, saying, “Heavenly Demon Lord, you worry too much. These demonic thoughtss were left by the Demonic Lord himself. A few Demonic Lords alone probably don’t have the qualifications to mess with me.”

“That is truly interesting. Alright, then Young Master, let us, this Demonic Overlord, properly discuss the Dao.” The Heavenly Demon Lord’s body transformed again, becoming a typical Human Race of the world, and he sat opposite Li Qi.

“Young Master Li Qi, carefully examine and see, what is the appearance of the Heart?” the Heavenly Demon Lord asked.

Li Qi replied, “The Heart has no inherent appearance.”

The Heavenly Demon Lord responded, “Is it without appearance, or is it simply ‘nothingness’? Can this Heart still be called a Heart? Is this Heart within? Is it without? Or is it in between? If you think in this direction, seeking the Heart is unattainable, even if you search everywhere, it is still unattainable. One should know that it is precisely no-Heart.”

Li Qi shook his head: “Not so. The objective existence of subjective consciousness can be observed. This Heart is possessed by all living beings, hence we call it ‘Heart’. It is endowed by Heaven, hence we also call it ‘Heavenly Nature’. Naturally, it is Heaven. The so-called ‘Heaven and Human Correspondence’ and ‘Unity of Heaven and Human’ are precisely this.”

“Heaven? Oh, that’s what Shaman Dao considers natural, right? Then why do you think you’re not a Puppet of ‘Heaven’? Is your ‘Heart’ the ‘Heavenly Heart’?” the Heavenly Demon Lord pressed.

“natural is a state. Since human nature is endowed by Heaven, therefore Heaven exists within humans. Living beings are a part of natural. Since I am a part of Heaven, how could I be a Puppet?” Li Qi shook his head and said.

There is no need to inquire about Heaven’s will and commands, to investigate what natural needs.

There’s no need. Living beings only follow their own nature, acting directly according to their desires, and natural will naturally agree.

Why? Because my nature is endowed by Heaven.

This is the highest and greatest freedom for living beings. If we understand that our nature is derived from the Heavenly Heart and Heavenly Will, then when we follow our own nature, it is nothing less than following the Heavenly Heart and Heavenly Will. Thus, we can understand that this nature is what we should most adhere to, and should not violate.

For if I violate my Heart, this is not only a violation of Heaven, but also a violation of myself.

Why? Because what makes me ‘me’ is precisely my possession of this nature. Because I possess this nature, I am distinct from all other life, and truly become ‘I’.

When I now act according to my nature, this is my Acquired devotion to Heaven. This is also the highest and greatest norm for us humans; everyone should not violate this norm, and at the same time, everyone obtains the highest and greatest freedom.

Therefore, the Unity of Heaven and Human is also the unity of life’s norms and life’s freedom. From this, we can understand the world of Dao and the world of humans, and we can also understand what ‘Unity of Heaven and Human’ means.

This is also the principle of ‘non-action’, ‘natural’, and ‘Unity of Heaven and Human’ that Daoists and Shamanes speak of. There is no need to delve too much into the essence of natural, because the essence of natural is ourselves.

natural is a ‘natural and spontaneous’ state where all things come together.

However, at this moment, the Heavenly Demon Lord shook his head and said, “Living beings are deluded; they falsely give rise to a Heart where there is no Heart, creating various Karmic Obstructions, falsely clinging to existence, which can lead to endless cycles of Reincarnation and death. It is like a person in the dark seeing a stump as a ghost, or a rope as a snake, and then becoming terrified. The false clinging of living beings is also like this: they falsely cling to a Heart where there is no Heart, creating various Karmic Obstructions, when in reality there is no escape from the six paths of Reincarnation.”

This statement was a complete rebuttal of Li Qi’s ‘Heavenly Heart’ theory, saying that Li Qi was attempting to create a ‘Heart’ from ‘no-Heart’, which was actually refuting Li Qi’s understanding of Buddhism.

The Heavenly Demon Lord did not dwell on Li Qi’s understanding of natural, but directly launched an attack from Li Qi’s Buddhist perspective.

The Heavenly Demon Lord continued, “Such living beings, if they encounter a Great Senior, who teaches them to meditate and realize no-Heart, all Karmic Obstructions will be extinguished, and the cycle of birth and death will be severed. It is like darkness in a room; when sunlight shines, the darkness completely vanishes. If one realizes no-Heart, all sins are extinguished in the same way.”

This made Li Qi immediately frown.

Clearly, the Heavenly Demon Lord was telling him that ‘no-Heart’ was a common principle, even within natural.

So… how should he refute it?