Chapter 333

"I..."

Xuan Feng's face flashed with a hint of embarrassment; she had messed up—her room still had discarded ironware that hadn't been thrown away!

Not only did she end up with a soot-covered face, but she also failed completely—her talent for forging was practically ruined beyond repair!

It was clear as day: when she first started forging, her hands didn't even feel like her own.

"Forget it, you don't need to go get the pot."

Suddenly, Nüwa spoke again.

"Ah, ah?"

Xuan Feng looked utterly bewildered—if she didn't go get it, what would she eat for this hotpot? She hadn't even ordered her meal today.

Before Xuan Feng could react, Nüwa directly summoned a piece of Vajra Shenghuo; in the next moment, fierce flames erupted from her palm, clinging to the Vajra Shenghuo.

The rolling heat waves made even Xuan Feng, several steps away, feel scorching and unbearable.

Xuan Feng's pupils contracted—this flame's temperature, even if it were the divine fire of their Phoenix Clan, the South Ming Li Fire, couldn't compare!

Truly worthy of being the Mother Goddess!

But... what is the Mother Goddess doing? Feng'er wondered in her heart, eyes fixed unblinking on the Vajra Shenghuo in Nüwa's hand.

Only to see the Vajra Shenghuo, under the scorching heat, continuously shifting shape—from a block into a disc, then beginning to bend and arch upward.

After a while, the flames died down, and the Vajra Shenghuo was entirely burned to a glowing red.

This wasn't over yet—Nüwa, holding the Vajra Shenghuo aloft, began to have white frost condense on her palm; the Vajra Shenghuo quickly cooled, turning into a pitch-black color.

With another palm, she gently flicked— the surface layer of black began to peel off in layers, revealing the metallic hue beneath.

"Take it, use this."

Nüwa pointed her finger, pushing the forged Vajra Shenghuo toward Xuan Feng.

Xuan Feng stared intently— the more she looked, the more familiar it seemed; her mouth slightly opened, her eyes also filled with astonishment.

This... this is!

This is the pot from Manager Chen's blueprint—hurrying forward with quick steps, Xuan Feng picked up the pot and examined it carefully, not a single detail off!

Xuan Feng's heart filled with joy; she quickly bowed to Nüwa: "Thank you, Mother Goddess."

"No problem."

Nüwa said lightly, watching the joyfully leaping Xuan Feng, when suddenly a thought crossed her mind.

"Feng'er, haven't you eaten your hotpot yet?"

"Yes."

Xuan Feng nodded: "Earlier, because I didn't have a pot, I couldn't eat it."

"Then today, you can eat it with me."

Nüwa spoke gently, the corners of her lips slightly lifting, a beauty that captivated the soul.

She had originally also wanted to order hotpot today, but then changed her mind at the last moment—perfect, she could first taste the flavor.

Hearing Nüwa's words, Xuan Feng looked troubled, not immediately agreeing, but instead hesitating and fumbling.

"Mother Goddess, I..."

Xuan Feng pressed her lips together, her hands tightly gripping her sleeves, a sense of desolation growing in her heart.

She only gets this one meal every two days—could it be that the Mother Goddess also wants to take it? Now that the Mother Goddess doesn't grant Holy Person's Power, her future essence blood will need to be restored by herself—this hotpot meal has already become her last moment of leisure!

Nüwa gently pushed her own meal box to the center of the table: "I won't eat yours for free—my portion, you can also have."

"But, Mother Goddess..."

"I'll give you Holy Person's Power every day."

Nüwa didn't even lift her eyelids.

"Mother Goddess, please enjoy your meal slowly."

"...'Fate is self-made, appearance arises from mind; all phenomena in the world are mere manifestations—if the mind does not move, all things do not move; if the mind does not change, all things do not change.'"

At a discussion ground on Ling Mountain, a group of monks wearing the host's monk's robes sat in a circle on futons, each wearing a respectful expression, silently listening to the words of the person in the center.

The central figure was also a monk, though he had red lips, white teeth, and a face like a jade crown; his entire body was draped in a golden monk's robe, revealing a unique and pure aura.

At the corner of his mouth lay a faint smile, as if everything was already clear in his heart.

Jin Chanzi, the second disciple of the Tathagata.

"Sitting is Zen, walking is Zen— one flower, one world; one leaf, one Tathagata; in spring, flowers naturally turn green; in autumn, leaves drift and fall; the boundless Prajna heart is at ease; speech, silence, movement, stillness— the body follows nature."

Jin Chanzi held his Buddhist beads in his left hand, speaking softly.

As his words fell, seeing the crowd frowning in deep thought, Jin Chanzi smiled slightly, rose to his feet, and walked outward.

"Dharma arises from conditions; understanding gained, whether much or little, is all due to affinity— there is no need to force it.

When the heart is still and pure, understanding will come naturally."

The originally dazed and intoxicated monks quickly opened their eyes, returning Buddhist salutations to Jin Chanzi's departing back.

"A Mi Tuo Fo"

The stirring in the hearts of several people needed no words.

Though in the Mortal Realm they were abbots of great temples, nearly all of them had low cultivation,

and some had no cultivation at all.

They had thought it fortunate to witness, in their lifetime, the grandest Buddhist Dharma Assembly— being able to study Buddhist Dharma to enhance cultivation, or even gain some cultivation affinity, would be a blessing.

But who would have thought that after enduring countless hardships to reach Ling Mountain, they discovered that, aside from being allowed to enter and receiving only the simplest daily meals and drinks, they could fundamentally do nothing.

Although they saw the true form of the Golden Body Relic enshrined in past temple halls, those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were all Immortal Ascension Realm beings— where would they come to teach the Dharma to them?

Every time, before they could even approach, they would be stopped by their personal Imperial Attendants.

For several consecutive days, it was the same; later, these fellow sufferers could only gather together to discuss.

Until this master appeared, the first Buddhist principle he spoke made them deeply convinced.

Then he further lectured on sutras and discussed the Dao, resolving all their doubts; his mastery of Buddhist teachings was the highest they had ever seen in their lives.

When they could no longer see Jin Chanzi's figure, one host murmured: "This master looks like he should also be a cultivator of high attainment; his entire Buddhist teaching is truly extraordinary."

"Why have I never seen you in my temple's Golden Body Buddha statue? Do you know?"

The temple he presides over is considered especially grand in scale, with Buddha statues so complete they include even Arhats, yet he has never seen that master just now.

Upon hearing this, the hosts of other temples also shook their heads; their temples likewise have none!

Usually, those with some reputation, though they have never seen the true person, can still recognize one or two from the Buddhist lineage and the Golden Body statues.

However, this master who appears quite young, they have never seen before.

Jin Chanzi left the meditation hall, wandering aimlessly on Ling Mountain; when he encountered some Buddhas and Bodhisattvas engaged in lively discussion, he had no intention of stepping forward.

These people are truly boring—each claims mastery of Buddhist teachings yet cannot refute him, and still refuse to acknowledge him.

Instead, they all focus on criticizing the new principle he has realized, considering it heretical.

Unbeknownst to them, he triumphs using existing Buddhist principles, interwoven with his own understood words—this is his habit.

Jin Chanzi believes he is correct; his lack of recognition is not due to shallow reasoning, but because he is not a Buddha.

Only upon attaining Buddhahood can his words become Buddhist principles; these people only accept that.

Debating Buddhist teachings with them? Jin Chanzi's jade-like warm face showed several more degrees of contempt—merely wasting time.

Rather than this, he would rather do as before, teaching and resolving doubts for the monks from the mortal realm.

Since Ling Mountain announced the Dharma's message, many who cultivate Buddhism have arrived early, wanting to study Buddhist teachings; these past few days, he has been doing this.