Chapter 302: Took the Blood-Devouring Pearl

"All dharmas are empty and formless; they neither arise nor cease, neither defile nor purify, neither increase nor decrease. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no feeling, perception, volition, or consciousness..."

Puti's gaze held compassion as he imparted the secret teachings of Tianyin Temple entirely to the boy before him, hoping his vision of Buddhist-Daoist unity might break the mystery of immortality.

"You must practice this incantation once daily, and never study it in front of others."

Monk Puti gave careful instructions.

Zhang Xiaofan's face was set with determination.

After Zhang Xiaofan had mastered the incantation, Puti stirred, took out the Blood-Devouring Pearl, and handed it to Zhang Xiaofan, saying, "Keep this pearl safe. Do not let outsiders see it. When you are settled in the future, find a deep valley or cliff and throw it down."

Puti thought of his grave injuries and the need to suppress the poison of the seven-tailed centipede; returning to Tianyin Temple, he feared the black-cloaked man might intercept him and seize the Blood-Devouring Pearl. Thus, he taught it to Zhang Xiaofan, intending to return to Tianyin Temple himself while Zhang Xiaofan disposed of the pearl.

Having given all necessary warnings, Zhang Xiaofan kowtowed to Puti and called him Master. Puti smiled kindly, tapped Zhang Xiaofan's body, and sent him and Lin Jingyu both into sleep.

Puti turned his prayer beads, suppressing the seven-tailed centipede's poison. Though deadly, the poison had no antidote, but as one of the Four Holy Monks, as long as the poison had not reached his heart and no enemies were near, he would not die.

Yet after imparting the secret to Zhang Xiaofan, Puti turned his prayer beads, pondering how to get Zhang Xiaofan into Qingyun Gate.

Zhang Xiaofan's talent was unremarkable...

If Zhang Xiaofan became an orphan, Qingyun Gate might take him in out of pity for his orphaned state.

In an instant, Puti's murderous intent flared—but as he rose, he saw Gu Qing standing outside the thatched temple. Their eyes met. In the darkness, Puti felt as if bathed in broad daylight, surrounded by radiant clarity, and suddenly felt a deep shame.

"The Qingyun Gate man has already left."

Gu Qing spoke suddenly.

Puti turned his prayer beads and nodded. "Thank you, young friend, for your aid last night."

Had it not been for Gu Qing's two flying daggers, Puti would have been forced into a final, fatal battle with the black-cloaked man.

"To be kind to others is to be kind to yourself."

Gu Qing accepted Puti's good karma without hesitation and chuckled, "Confucians say a gentleman is cautious when alone—when no one watches, evil spirits strike. Old monk, you'd do better to travel with company."

"A gentleman is cautious when alone" means that when alone, one tends to lower one's standards and give rise to wicked thoughts!

Puti was about to retort when cold sweat broke out—he only then realized why he had felt exposed before Gu Qing's gaze, as if standing naked under the noon sun: just now, his wicked thought had nearly brought annihilation to the thatched temple village.

"You are right, sir!"

Puti accepted this, offered Gu Qing more good karma, and said, "My Buddhist heart has grown lax—I nearly committed grave sins. I shall return to Tianyin Temple and seclude myself in deep cultivation!" With that, Puti walked away from the thatched temple.

"Master Puti."

Gu Qing warned, "You should still report the incident with that demon last night to Qingyun Gate."

Puti paused, then nodded in agreement.

Gu Qing entered the thatched temple, looked at Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu lying on the ground, reached into Zhang Xiaofan's robe, and took the Blood-Devouring Pearl without hesitation.

Little Fan, Uncle Gu speaks plainly: the Blood-Devouring Pearl is a supreme demonic treasure—you cannot control it.

Gu Qing collected the bamboo tube and silken thread, summoned true fire, and burned them to ash. Then, within the thatched temple, he sat cross-legged and meditated on the Great Brahma Sutra.

The Great Brahma Sutra is Tianyin Temple's supreme secret, like Shaolin's Yi Jin Jing. This method has many wonders, but Puti taught only the cultivation aspect, not its applications. Zhang Xiaofan's practice of it improved his endurance and strengthened his meridians, aiding his cultivation of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao.

Along his journey, Gu Qing had cultivated many Buddhist methods. Through constant exposure, he had internalized numerous sutras. Combined with Puti's recent teachings to Zhang Xiaofan, Gu Qing faced no barrier to practicing the Great Brahma Sutra.

Unaware, dawn approached.

When Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan awoke, they saw many Daoists outside the thatched temple. The foremost was Cang Song, tall and solemn. Most of the others were his disciples. The young man they had met the previous night—Gu Qing—was speaking with Cang Song.

"Is the message left by Master Puti true?"

Cang Song asked coldly.

Qingyun Gate had received word that one of their own had forged a demonic weapon and attacked Master Puti. Daoxuan Zhenren took this very seriously.

"Beyond doubt."

Gu Qing said, "Master Puti said the Qingyun Gate man used a seven-tailed centipede and some kind of banner to ambush him, but was driven off by Puti. Still, Puti was badly wounded."

Gu Qing gave a brief account. Lin Jingyu realized he had been entangled in something far greater than he'd imagined.

"This matter is too grave to ignore. We must report it directly to Daoxuan Zhenren."

Gu Qing looked at Cang Song with perfect sincerity.

But to Cang Song, these words sounded like pure threat.

"Indeed, we must report this to Elder Brother."

Cang Song's voice was cold as he reached for Gu Qing's wrist, preparing to seize him. Yet at that moment, Cang Song saw Gu Qing's calm demeanor—offering no resistance, letting himself be grabbed.

Aren't you afraid to die?

Cang Song probed Gu Qing's meridians, seeking to uncover his true nature. Gu Qing's two flying daggers the previous night had deeply unsettled him. Now, as Taiji Xuanqing Dao energy flowed into Gu Qing's meridians, it met no resistance. In his perception, Gu Qing was a celestial body—every meridian unblocked, no obstruction, naturally absorbing heavenly and earthly qi.

Such talent likely surpassed even Qingye, the founding ancestor of Qingyun Gate.

Cang Song met Gu Qing's gaze and saw no fear—only hidden strength. Slowly, he withdrew his hand and called, "Yin Yi, take him to Longshou Peak... I will take him as my disciple when I return from Tongtian Peak."

One of Cang Song's disciples immediately obeyed, gestured, and a flying sword appeared before him, signaling for Gu Qing to mount.

Gu Qing stepped onto the sword. After several twists and turns, this was his first flight. The sword, guided by Yin Yi, trailed icy mist, slicing through clouds. In moments, the houses below shrank to fist-sized, and the heavens and earth opened wider than ever before.

"Young brother, you're so high up—aren't you afraid?"

Yin Yi asked curiously. When he first flew, he'd climbed too high and his legs trembled.

Because Cang Song intended to take Gu Qing as a disciple, Yin Yi called him "young brother."

Gu Qing paused, then asked curiously, "Do you want me to hold onto your waist?"

Yin Yi dared not ask more and accelerated.

(End of Chapter)