Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Chapter 337 Taking the Stage

On the high platform, after completing the ceremony, the two monks exchanged a glance.

In this first debate, neither side fielded any particularly skilled fighters; their cultivation levels were around average.

The monk from Lotus Temple, named Qiongda, wearing a yellow vest, suddenly clapped his hands, making a loud sound: "All phenomena are empty of inherent existence, like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows!"

Losang of Hayagriva Monastery stamped his foot, his foot striking the ground like a vajra, and shouted, "If all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, then where do you come from? If they are inherently empty, why are you still here?"

Qiongda immediately replied, "Human beings are inherently empty in nature; they are merely provisional names established due to the aggregation of causes and conditions... If we force them to be called 'dogs,' they are nothing more than stray dogs by the roadside; if we force them to be called 'cows,' they are livestock..."

Losang immediately adopted a demon-subduing posture: "Is the law of cause and effect also empty? Did the Buddha say that cause and effect are also false?"

Qiongda's face paled, and he took several steps back, seemingly intimidated by the imposing manner: "Emptiness is not annihilation, but rather emptiness arising from dependent origination. It is precisely because all phenomena lack inherent existence that they transmigrate according to causes and conditions, and the law of cause and effect is infallible. If they had inherent existence, they would be fixed and unchanging; doing good would not yield good results, and doing evil would not bring evil consequences..."

Losang clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Is Buddha-nature also empty? The Nirvana Sutra says, 'All sentient beings possess Buddha-nature.' If Buddha-nature is empty, how can the Dharma Kings attain Buddhahood?"

Qiongda reluctantly replied, "Buddha-nature is neither empty nor existent, neither born nor dies. It is said to be empty because it has no fixed form or self-nature... It is said to be existent because it is the pure self-nature inherent in all sentient beings, capable of generating all phenomena. Just as the Bodhi Sutra says, 'All forms are illusory; if one sees all forms as non-forms, one sees the Tathagata'..."

Losang's eyes suddenly narrowed slightly, sharp as a hawk's, as if he had grasped something crucial: "You use the *Bodhisattva Sutra* for commentary, which shows that the *Bodhisattva Sutra* originated from the 'Daye Red Lotus Temple' and was written by Dharma King 'Siputha.' This Dharma King is contrary to the Brahma teachings, claiming that even 'self-realization of Buddhahood' is insufficient, how could he bestow it upon a servant? He opposes the teachings of the esoteric Dharma... not only seeking self-realization of Buddhahood but also desiring to attain the Tathagata's fruit, he has already been labeled an 'enemy of Brahma'... You read the sutra of an enemy of Brahma, and you are also an enemy of Brahma! An enemy of Brahma!!"

"I...I..."

Qiongda took a few steps back, as if he had seen something terrifying, and said in a panic, "I am not...the enemy of Brahma..."

Then, blood flowed from all seven orifices...

……

Fang Qing was deeply shocked after hearing a few words.

This true Dharma King of the Secret Realm, whose spiritual attainment is comparable to that of a Perfected Purple Palace, dares not even talk about "realizing emptiness" now.

The two cultivators who had mastered Qi cultivation were quite eloquent in their explanations…

He vaguely remembered that "King Siputuo," whom Sangji described as a mad monk of Tibetan Buddhism.

Furthermore, that set of Sanskrit teachings actually has a certain self-consistent quality.

"You're just a mere cultivator in the Purple Palace realm... yet you dream of becoming a Buddha... You haven't even attained Buddhahood and you're already openly proclaiming yourself the boss... If you don't die, who will?"

Not only will they die, but they'll also be branded as heretics...

Even I, the true lord of this little snow mountain... am still lying low.

Fang Qing shrank back, sensing the inexplicable surge of spiritual energy in the void.

Suddenly, darkness descended, as if countless terrifying images were descending.

No! That is something far more terrifying than any of the many "Great Horrors," and something even closer to the true source of the secret teachings!

The poor man from Lotus Temple had tears of blood on his face, but his expression became indifferent. Suddenly, he drew the knife from his waist, held it to his neck, and like a saw, cut off his own head.

Splash!

Despite the blood pooling on the ground, Losang was overjoyed. He picked up Qiongda's head, used his magic to dissolve the flesh and blood, leaving only a white bone rosary: ​​"Good... since you have realized your mistake and returned to the right path, this white bone rosary will be held in my hand, and I will chant sutras to bless it for you..."

This white bone rosary contains not only Qiongda's cultivation level, but also his destiny!

Upon seeing this, Wuneng Shengduzi laughed loudly: "Losang, you can enter the academy for further study, and one day you will become a guru!"

Although Losang is only a Qi-accepting cultivator, he has received so many benefits, and his chances of achieving Dao Foundation in the future are very high!

Lotus-eyed Mingduzi remained expressionless, but the lotus mark between his brows flickered briefly. Immediately, a master from Lotus Temple stepped onto the platform, and with a gentle flick of his sleeve, the blood on the ground vanished...

Fang Qing yawned, not really wanting to listen anymore.

This is just like his metaphysical discussions in the Eastern Jin Dynasty in his previous life—both are empty rhetoric and grandiose.

The difference is that in the esoteric debates, verbal criticism can really kill people!

"Wait a minute... there seems to be something wrong with these lotus-eye bright red seeds."

Taking advantage of the effect of "Hidden Forest Side", Fang Qing carefully observed the monk from Lotus Temple.

The Hidden Forest is naturally adept at concealment, and its effectiveness is amplified if there are blood relatives nearby.

However, he is now a mid-stage True Person of the Purple Mansion Realm, and even the effects of his supernatural powers are beyond the comprehension of mere Du Zi and early-stage True Persons of the Purple Mansion Realm.

Therefore, he couldn't help but frown: 'Serving monks are merely at the bottom of the temple hierarchy, their highest level being no more than qi cultivation...'

"But the 'certificate of rank' is the foundation of the lineage; not only are there numerous restrictions, but there's also at least a guru watching over it, right?"

How did this Lotus-Eyed Brightness come into contact with that 'lotus platform'?

According to Munakadoko, Rengan Akira did not take the stage without permission and did not get the position through the temple's open selection process.

"A mere cultivator, not even a true cultivator... a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator could kill a whole bunch of them with a single breath."

"Among the many Sanskrit and Taoist scriptures I've read, most don't consider breath cultivation as the standard for spiritual practice; they believe that only after cultivating a foundation for immortality can one be considered to have achieved 'somewhat profound' qualities..."

"So... how did he do it?"

"Is someone secretly helping him? Or does the 'certificate' itself retain some kind of residual psychological influence?"

Let's test the waters first...

Fang Qing secretly consulted the oracle and received an auspicious result, which immediately put his mind at ease.

Within his Purple Palace, the 'Hidden Forest' continued to exert its effects, radiating countless rays of light.

The original "Position of the Wind" supernatural power has quietly transformed into "Position of the Abyss"!

Although "Position Approaching the Abyss" is a supernatural power of the "Zhen Water" rather than the "Ji Water", it is still of the same water element and is suppressed by the Dao-born Pearl, so it can barely operate.

In that instant, Fang Qing's eyes deepened, like the deep sea, and he saw the causal network of the 'Lotus-Eyed Bright Seed' again...

"Hmm... judging from their cause and effect, their fate seems quite normal..."

Fang Qing's vision blurred for a moment, and he saw an ugly servant monk who luckily bypassed the guru and the restrictions, walking all the way into the depths of Lotus Temple...

This was the fate of "Rendan Meidoko".

"It seems like just good luck?"

"but……"

Since he had already used his supernatural powers, he simply began to weave a vast web of cause and effect around the Lotus-Eyed Brightness Seed using the "Position Approaching the Abyss" technique...

"Du Zi is ultimately inferior to a True Person at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm, while I am already at the middle stage of the Purple Mansion realm..."

"If it's clear that Lianyan is incapable of defeating this double-ranked opponent, then I'm just unlucky and destined to lose... but that speaks volumes."

Fang Qing secretly complained.

This is the secret method of the secret sect: shoot the arrow first, then draw the target. If I can influence you with my supernatural powers, it's because your fate is not good enough. If you are not affected by my supernatural powers, then the problem is even bigger...

As he weaves the threads of cause and effect, at this moment, atop the high platform...

"what!"

A noblewoman screamed, only to see the master of the Horse-Headed Vajra Temple sitting cross-legged with his hands clasped together, already deceased.

The master of Lotus Temple stepped forward with a smile, took the relic of this master, and returned to the throne of Lotus Eye Mingduzi.

"good……"

Lotus Eyes Mingduzi smiled broadly, but the lotus flower between her brows had somehow become stained with wisps of grayish-black.

A strange unease stirred within him. Suddenly, he pulled at his robe, his steps graceful and fluid, landing on the high platform: "I have long heard that the incompetent monk is well-versed in the scriptures. Would you be willing to debate with me on the scriptures?"

"this……"

Upon hearing this, not only was the debate master of Lotus Temple, who was originally prepared to go into battle, dumbfounded, but even Wuneng Shengduzi was taken aback.

What kind of trap has been set behind this lotus-shaped ornament?

"Does this mean you intend to fight this old monk to the death?"

Why did it have to come to this? We clearly had an agreement beforehand: let our men die while we sat back and watched...

……

Wu Nengsheng's mind raced with conflicting thoughts when suddenly he heard the Venerable One's voice: "Go!"

His mind immediately settled, and he too ascended the high platform: "Since Lotus-Eyed Brightness has invited me... this old monk will gladly oblige!"

Wu Nengsheng took out ghee lamps, ritual knives, and other sacred implements, giving Lianyanming no chance to regret his decision, and immediately began the rituals of the debate assembly.

Undoubtedly, the debate between the two monks was of a far higher caliber than before, drawing a huge crowd and creating a lively atmosphere.

Even from the surrounding void, an inexplicable force descended, scattering countless celestial flowers and golden lotuses...

"This is... the hidden source? Has the investment increased?"

"Even if Du Zi loses the debate on scriptures, he still has to die?"

Fang Qing nodded to himself, quite satisfied with his own "Position of the Abyss" ability.

Now, "Lotus Eye Brightness" has fallen into the web of fate he has woven. If the Dharma King does not forcefully intervene to break the deadlock, then death will be his only destiny!

Snapped!

Incompetent Master clapped his hands, producing a resounding melody: "Please, Master, offer your insightful opinion!"

Lotus eyes and bright eyebrows, lotus blossoms blooming between the eyebrows, with seven-colored radiance emerging, washing away the gray and black color.

A sudden clarity cleared in his eyes, followed by a wave of fear: "How...how did I just go on stage?"

Although his decision to go on stage to debate scriptures was the result of his careful consideration.

But now, looking back, I feel like slapping myself!

"As a former monk, how many Sanskrit scriptures have I been exposed to?"

"Invincible... Invincible was once a disciple of the Dharma King, having fought his way up through countless battles and debates. He's known for his eloquence and silver tongue... Even if I were to fight him in a battle of magic, I couldn't possibly debate with him..."

Lianyan Mingduzi was speechless, a bead of cold sweat sliding down her temple...

"Emptiness...the view of emptiness...observing emptiness as not empty..."

The nobles and manor owners who were watching were filled with disappointment when they saw that Renyan Mingduzi had lost her composure so badly.

On the contrary, the monks in Lotus Temple immediately split into two groups upon seeing this situation.

The young monks and masters who had been promoted by Lianyanming looked anxious, even fearful...

The elderly monks, however, clasped their hands together, their faces showing the same fear, yet a hint of joy lurked deep in their eyes…