Chapter 301

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Sacred Monument of the Absolute Realm (Empty): Reflects One's Dao Path, Imprints the Dao Path, Projects the Dao Path (The Master wishes to inscribe all his paths and methods upon this object, for disciples to study, hoping all successors may transcend the bounds of the Star Sea and roam countless worlds. Remember: Those who learn from me live; those who imitate me die. — Anonymous Poem)

"What the hell?" Su Lin frowned, staring at the only item drawn from these three draws.

It was a translucent stone tablet, pale amber in hue, five meters tall, two meters long, and two meters wide.

He could understand the first two skills as being drawn through Bai Zunzhe's luck because he needed them—but what was this Sacred Monument of the Absolute Realm?

"Demacia!"

"Go, special forces."

"Young Lady has arrived!"

Su Lin walked to the wooden railing, glancing down at Emperor Yufeng, the prodigal disciple, idling among bookshelves lined with cultivation techniques, still playing three different games at once.

"Could it be… I've always wanted to be a good teacher?" Su Lin's eyes widened slightly; a sense of responsibility—transmitting the sect's legacy, passing the torch—arose spontaneously.

It was a noble emotion beyond base pleasures, elevating his originally radiant, holy heart.

So this is how it is? A master must be revered for teaching to be effective.

I, Su Lin, have always carried the sect's duty of transmitting the Dao, teaching, and resolving doubts in my heart.

This is truly…

"Total rip-off."

Su Lin muttered, slammed the door shut with a bang, and turned back into his zen-filled room.

Its only use now is to study how to proceed next; imprinting his path onto this sacred monument would make it more intuitive.

He could also practice the newly acquired Dharmakaya—anything that boosts combat power, whether Buddhist, Daoist, or Western Omegadeth, as long as it doesn't harm him.

Following the instructions, he infused a speck of his true spirit into it, establishing a connection between himself and the sacred monument.

Then, Su Lin felt as if he passed through layer upon layer of resistant barriers; behind him, the Six-Winged Jin Dan, along with the ethereal shadows of his essence, qi, and spirit, manifested as luminous wings; his Dantian's Infant emerged, wandering the Great Void; a halo of merit glowed behind his head.

Sutras echoed; white lotuses bloomed in bud.

The Six Yang Lingxiao True Scripture and Gu Tianwang activated simultaneously; soon, Dao resonance flowed, and light like a great sun burst from Su Lin's body. His expression remained blank, his eyes holding only the ultimate truth of Heaven, devoid of any emotion; his aura subtly merged with the world.

Almost forgot—the pregnant gaze bestowed by the Confucian Sage.

Thus, Su Lin's left eye and the corresponding position on the faintly forming Dharmakaya's left eye glowed with an eerie light; runes continued assembling, brimming with latent power.

At this moment, imprinting had begun; Su Lin also began gathering his Dharmakaya.

In the formless void, Su Lin sat cross-legged in midair, palms joined; his partially mastered Formless Buddha Dharmakaya emerged through his true self. Tiny, brilliant, pure sparks of light floated up from the void, gathering around him and gradually forming a colossal silhouette.

Pale golden radiance continuously converged; as the Dharmakaya neared completion, Su Lin's true self fully revealed itself before him.

Formlessness is the fundamental nature of the mind; on the prerequisite of confronting one's true heart, Su Lin had long since entered this realm.

In the Dragon World, while activating Gu Tianwang to ascend the Throne of Light, later facing his own self, and then, through the antics of Artificial Intelligence #217 in the one-time fusion-evolution device, he had accidentally glimpsed his true heart once more.

But one thing he understood clearly: those past shadows were all today's self—but today's self was not those past shadows.

I walk alone now, everywhere I meet him.

He now is me; I am not him.

In the reflection of flowers and the water's moon, if you see all forms as formless, you see the Tathagata.

"Unborn, undying, undefiled, unpure, neither increasing nor decreasing…"

White lotuses bloomed fully; their fragrance filled the air, purity arising naturally.

The Dharmakaya took preliminary form: a golden Buddha, expressionless, neither sorrowful nor joyful, yet his eyes brimmed with redemption; his hand seal instantly burst forth with boundless light.

Su Lin smiled faintly, turning into a streak of light that merged with the golden Buddha.

In that instant, the Buddha became blinding; radiant light poured from him, and an infinite sea of luminosity emerged, waves crashing as countless feathered lights drifted slowly down; a dark cloak appeared on the Buddha's form, and thunderous voices of the Dao echoed endlessly from the void.

Congratulations—it seems the Dharmakaya has successfully formed, aside from the heavy cost, nothing amiss.

Su Lin: "."

Congratulations?

"Seriously, enough already."

Su Lin muttered to himself: "That entrance was already cool enough. Can you two things just crawl farther away?"

No response—because fundamentally, the Jin Dan and the Infant were parts of his body, parts of his Dao path.

"What the hell kind of Buddha is this?"

The Buddha dissolved into the cosmos; the sacred monument, its imprint complete, turned opaque, its interior swirling with chaos and flashes of light.

Su Lin stared blankly at the ceiling above, sinking into another round of contemplation.

"Why don't you take a form?" Su Lin said to the Lustrous Ten-Thousand-Character Seal: "We could play mahjong."

In his mind-sea, a phantom Lustrous Ten-Thousand-Character Seal appeared; though he hadn't actively trained, consuming spiritual fruits had significantly boosted him. He hadn't reached the Divine Awareness realm, but the mental strength required for the Infant stage had reached perfection.

Under the abundant influx of resources, his mental sea had naturally become vast beyond measure.

As if responding to his request, a golden Buddha silhouette surfaced on the Ten-Thousand-Character Seal.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Su Lin clapped his hands, his eyes losing their luster, a strange smile on his lips; he stepped out, ascending the staircase toward the upper levels of Wangshu Pavilion.

"Why do I always refer to myself as 'the Master'? Naturally, because I am the future Emperor," Emperor Yufeng was still chatting with netizens, utterly unaware of his master's odd state.

On the rooftop of Wangshu Pavilion, Su Lin gazed at the distant blue sky and white clouds, opened his arms, and stepped forward.

Don't misunderstand—Su Lin certainly didn't jump; he merely stepped onto empty air, walking above the heavens, strolling while checking the system store.

"Can't play anymore… can't go on like this."

A Dharmakaya this chaotic has zero aesthetic value—damage aside, being cool is a lifelong matter.

If enemies across countless worlds can't see my handsome face when I unveil my Dharmakaya, what's the point besides smashing them?!

"Sigh"

Su Lin sighed, strolling through the sea of clouds while browsing shops, hoping to exchange for something better, with higher value-for-money, that could solve his current problem.

Without realizing it, he had begun treating it like a shopping app—though he didn't place any orders, his purpose had shifted to satisfying curiosity and the craving for novelty.

Sky Nexus

Flashy and gaudy; even Hua Jing Peak could make something like this with a little effort. Sure, it has a dimension-travel function, but selling it for 1.39 million? I can cross worlds using my chat group.

Genesis Beginner's Guide

1.7 million just to enter? Really? It doesn't include Genesis cultivation—only knowledge. My apologies.

Eternal Sovereign's Wisdom Soul (1/1): Consume one thread of the Eternal Sovereign's lingering fate to summon the sealed fragment-soul space for guidance; after guidance, the fragment-soul may return to the original body.

(Still troubled by an uncertain future? Try consulting the Great Eternal Sovereign, who will illuminate a path tailored precisely to you—perfect, flawless, and with exceptional growth potential.)

By the way, we only handle enlightenment and early education. No combat requests. For fighting, seek the War Soul. No soliciting. —Eternal Sovereign

(PS: If guidance is incomplete, the Eternal Sovereign's Wisdom Soul space will remain indefinitely until completion.)

One million? You dare charge one million and refuse to fight?!

Su Lin idly scrolled past it, but his steps suddenly halted. He stood frozen in the sky for over ten seconds, until a plane flew past him.

"One million… a path ahead… is it really necessary?" Su Lin hesitated. "But I can't keep relying on lucky draws forever."

Su Lin never considered the issue of loss. Anything produced by the system, except direct exchange for permanent cultivation, had its own justifiable value.

Try to salvage my aesthetic.

Use / Cancel

"Use."

Above the azure sky, a delicate ornament of unknown material emitted a faint glow. Before Su Lin, space tore open into a massive scar.

Su Lin followed the light emitted by the ornament into the scar. The instant he entered, he felt as if he had plunged into the Nine Heavens of Darkness; the thick, overwhelming stench of blood made him wrinkle his nose.

Without much time passing, a figure appeared ahead—dressed in silver-gray armor, gender indistinguishable, with a neutral face and a strong scholarly aura.

The place he stood was the only illuminated spot in this dark space; before him stood a uniquely styled metal square table.

"I originally thought all my backup measures had been destroyed," the Eternal Sovereign's Wisdom Soul wrote on a white sheet without looking up, though Su Lin saw no words. "As thanks—and to sever this bond so I may return to my original body—reveal everything you possess. I sense the aura of Immortal Dao leaking from you."

His expression brimmed with confidence and arrogance—a posture of looking down from above.

"Harmonizing your body with the Dao is commendable, but there remains considerable room for growth. For your current civilization, this may be the peak."

"You are fortunate, young man."

The Eternal Sovereign's Wisdom Soul paused the object that could be called a 'pen,' raised his head, and smiled: "I can effortlessly find you a path forward—not through brute hierarchical power, but through profound knowledge."

The voice of the Eternal Sovereign's Wisdom Soul grew fainter; his smile twisted into something unnatural.

Because at that moment, the Su Lin before him revealed without reservation everything he knew.

"What kind of thing are you?"

In Liyue Harbor, nestled against mountains and facing water, like a paradise beyond the world.

Even before the most important day arrived, mischievous children had already released sky lanterns in broad daylight.

On the bustling streets, people came and went; children held brand-new toys, adults carried newly purchased cloth and ingredients toward their homes.

In the dense cluster of street vendors, squads of Qianyan Soldiers marched in perfect formation through the crowds, patrolling to maintain order.

This time of day happened to be the favorite of thieves and unscrupulous merchants.

"Hey! Zhongli! Oh, Young Master is here too." The white-haired emergency rations floated in midair, waving over here, accompanied by a golden-haired boy.

"So it's Paimon and Kong," Zhongli said, stepping out of Liuli Pavilion, with Dada, still bewildered after paying a high deposit, trailing behind him.

"We've found the Meng Nie bamboo shoots!" Paimon crossed her arms, standing tall. "We searched all of Liyue and couldn't find you—Hu Tao even asked us to deliver a message for you!"

The matter of the Meng Nie bamboo shoots was a quest Zhongli had assigned to them during his last return to Liyue, timed according to the game's plot—he truly needed the item for stewing soup.

"Hmm, thank you. I was just about to return to Wangsheng Hall," Zhongli said with a gentle smile. "I appreciate your effort."

"We searched for you for so long, and you're here in Liu Li Ting eating delicious food! Hmph," Paimon crossed her arms, turning her head aside, scrutinizing Young Master. "It was definitely your money, wasn't it?"

"Hahaha, why do you say 'again'?" Dada offered an awkward yet polite smile. "That kind of preconceived notion leaves openings in battle."

"Here are your bamboo shoots," Kong handed them over, then asked Dada: "Did you just finish eating?"

"No, we're just placing an order," Dada ruffled his hair and asked Zhongli: "Mr. Zhongli, is this enough? Do I need to pay anything else?"

Zhongli thought for a moment and said: "Please go alone to Xinyue Pavilion and invite a head chef to join in cooking. Also, Xiangling from Wanmin Hall—she should be in Liyue at this time."

"Alright," Dada sighed, waving at Kong. "You guys chat first—I'll run this errand."

Dada walked past the group toward Xinyue Pavilion.

"Whoa! Zhongli, what are you planning?!" Paimon's eyes sparkled, as if envisioning some incredible scene; she frantically wiped her mouth. "Are you two holding a Liyue Cooking King Championship?! Don't tell me—I'm a professional judge!"

Seeing Paimon's greedy expression, Kong smiled helplessly—but also felt puzzled.

"A group of friends are visiting Liyue, so I want them to taste Liyue cuisine."

Zhongli made no effort to hide it; he crossed his left arm over his chest and raised his right hand naturally to explain:

"Liu Li Ting specializes in Li dishes, excelling in mountain delicacies beyond compare in Liyue."

"Xinyue Pavilion specializes in Yue dishes—the indispensable cuisine of Liyue. With Liyue's abundant seafood, Xinyue Pavilion surpasses all others in seafood preparation."

"Wanmin Hall represents the most authentic taste of Liyue's common folk—even their home-style dishes are the best. You and I both know Xiangling's culinary talent; she can even create dishes full of fresh innovation."

"The first two represent tradition and Ju Zhengzong, while Wanmin Hall is ordinary yet extraordinary, brimming with novelty."

Gulu gulu—

"You just finished eating," Kong said, pressing his forehead as he pulled out a Mondstadt potato pancake from a space item.

"But—but it's practically a feast!" Paimon suddenly found her steaming potato pancake less appetizing, yet her stomach growled louder. Then she suddenly realized:

"Wait! Why is Young Master paying?!"

"Naturally, because I don't have that much money," Zhongli said as if it were obvious.

Kong: "..."

"That makes perfect sense." Paimon nodded, took two more bites of the potato pancake, then choked: "Cough! Wait a minute!!! Have you finally evolved into someone just like that drunk poet?!"

"The time is tentatively set for the day after tomorrow; if you two are free, you're welcome to come." Zhongli paid no mind to Paimon's words and smiled: "This banquet is co-hosted by me and another friend. I just asked him—he's very interested in you two and wants to meet you."

"Really?!" Paimon stomped her foot in excitement. "That's amazing!"

She didn't notice Zhongli had said he had just asked.

"Won't it be a bother?" Kong asked.

"Probably just an admirer who's heard of my name and the Traveler's," Paimon crossed her arms, happily saying: "What a great person! We can take photos then!"

"Paimon, mind your manners," Kong reminded.

Zhongli: "I'm heading back to the Wangsheng Hall now. I'll go ahead."

Zhongli: "Tonight there will be singing performances at the Lantern Festival. Those interested may come and watch."

Su Lin looked at this chat log and turned to ask the Wisdom Soul of the Eternal Sovereign: "Still not done? It's almost six hours—can you even do this?"

The Wisdom Soul of the Eternal Sovereign clutched his head, screaming: "Just refund me! Let me go back into my seal! What the hell are you even?!!!"

I've seen chaos, order, divinity, Immortal Dao, magic, Buddhist Dao—but never have I seen these things mashed together without collapsing?! Why is a pile of this nonsense standing in front of me speaking human language?!

This thing wants to cultivate the Dao?! I'll cultivate you! $%! ## BEEEEEEEEP—

(End of Chapter)

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