Chapter 201: Lack of Confidence

Emperor Repose Temple lacked the grandeur of Xiangguo Temple, but it carried its own peace and serenity that soothed the heart. Walking through the temple, one’s restless mood seemed to vanish entirely.

Tong Yao, who had been frowning because of the renewed lockdown at the Artifact Refining Workshop, now found his brows relaxing.

Hua Changxi also clearly felt that after entering Emperor Repose Temple, her mind was no longer wandering unsteadily.

Before entering the temple, she had been thinking about Jingliao’s eye-purification matter, wondering why her father and brother were not on duty outside the Artifact Refining Workshop, and also considering how Jingliao would help her ignite the White Jade Lotus Petal later—her thoughts were tangled and chaotic.

But now, she was only thinking about igniting the White Jade Lotus Petal.

Jingliao led Hua Changxi and Tong Yao into the meditation room where he usually did his lessons. The room contained only a few straw cushions, and nothing else.

After the three sat cross-legged on the cushions, Hua Changxi took out the White Jade Lotus Petal and handed it to Jingliao.

Jingliao held it in his hand for a moment, looked at it, and nodded: “This is indeed a Divine Lamp fragment.” He then looked at Hua Changxi. “Benefactor Hua, may I ask where you obtained this White Jade Lotus Petal?”

Hua Changxi initially did not want to say, but recalling that the nine-tailed fox was a yao, and that the yao had infiltrated the center of the Artifact Saint Palace’s formation to cause destruction—possibly also disrupting the formations of other sacred sites—she pondered for a moment and said: “Before I answer that question, I have one I want to ask you first.”

Jingliao paused for a moment, then nodded: “Please go ahead, Benefactor.”

Hua Changxi: “Is Emperor Repose Temple a sacred site ruins?”

Jingliao glanced at Tong Yao, who shook his head at him—he had not told Fellow Daoist Hua about this.

“Yes, Emperor Repose Temple is the ruins of the Talisman Saint Pavilion.”

Hua Changxi’s gaze shifted slightly: “Last time at Kunmen Pass, so many yao were pursuing you—was it because you took the Talisman Saint Pavilion’s divine artifact, the Talisman Brush?”

Hearing this, Jingliao thought of the long-browed arhat who had passed into nirvana, and his face immediately showed self-reproach.

“Ahem~”

Tong Yao coughed lightly, looking at Hua Changxi: “Fellow Daoist Hua, if I remember correctly, the one who ultimately attracted so many yao last time was you.”

It was because Fellow Daoist Hua released the Vermilion Bird Flame, which aroused the fear of all the yao.

Hua Changxi fell silent, then looked at Jingliao: “This White Jade Lotus Petal of mine fell from that nine-tailed fox.”

As expected, Tong Yao’s expression immediately turned serious, and he quickly relayed to Jingliao the events of the great battle with the nine-tailed celestial fox, Bai Li, at the center of the Artifact Saint Palace’s formation.

Jingliao: “The Divine Lamp fragments have scattered everywhere. It’s not surprising that the yao have collected some.”

Tong Yao looked very grim, his face full of worry: “The Divine Lamp fragment can not only assist in cultivation but also control others. I wonder how many the yao have?”

Hearing this, Hua Changxi quickly asked: “Assist in cultivation and control others? How do they assist, and how do they control?”

Jingliao looked at her: “Most living beings are chaotic, living by instinct. In the torrent of the seven emotions and six desires, they lose themselves without even knowing it. People either overestimate themselves or belittle themselves, muddling through life, ending up bruised and battered, only to gain nothing in the end.”

“The Divine Lamp burns black and white flames, using the seven emotions and six desires as fuel. It is a sacred object that helps all living beings open the gate of their hearts and ignite the lamp of the heart.”

“When the heart-gate opens, one no longer stagnates or rigidifies; when the heart-lamp ignites, the flame burns the body, allowing one to clearly perceive how the seven emotions and six desires control and influence oneself.”

Jingliao looked at Hua Changxi’s right hand: “Benefactor, since you have imprinted the Awareness Mark, you should have a deeper understanding of your own passions and desires.”

Hearing this, Hua Changxi felt some of her doubts dissolve at that moment.

Before, she had never understood why the black flame suddenly grew larger. Now she knew—she herself was feeding the black flame!

Jingliao continued: “However, when the Divine Lamp shattered, its seventy-six black-and-white jade lotus petals scattered everywhere. Some people obtained black jade lotus petals, and others obtained white jade lotus petals.”

“Black jade lotus petals fuel the black flame, while white jade lotus petals fuel the white flame. The black flame represents evil thoughts, fear, degeneration, and destruction; the white flame symbolizes hope, light, goodness, and love.”

“The black and white flames are also called the Yin and Yang flames. They emphasize balance between Yin and Yang, just as all living beings are a mix of good and bad.”

“All living beings seek survival. The fear fostered by the black flame stimulates the desire to survive, thus accelerating the pace of becoming stronger. But if only the black flame burns without control, one will eventually be completely devoured by the dark side within.”

“Hope, light, as well as goodness and love, are what living beings yearn for. They can purify and dispel all darkness. However, if there is only goodness and love without the power to protect, one will eventually be plundered bare. Therefore, those who burn only the white flame will ultimately turn into fuel for the Divine Lamp.”

Seeing Hua Changxi silent, Tong Yao summarized directly: “What Jingliao means is that in all things, going to extremes is as bad as falling short—balance is key.”

Jingliao nodded and smiled: “In fact, whether cultivating Buddhism or the Dao, they all do the same thing—cultivating one’s own self.”

“Although we encounter many external stimuli in daily life, in the end, everything is decided by ourselves—how we face our seven emotions and six desires, as well as gain and loss.”

Tong Yao sighed: “So it’s true—one’s greatest opponent is oneself.”

Hua Changxi also vaguely perceived this. She looked at Jingliao: “What if I can’t control my seven emotions and six desires?” Just like she could never control the black flame.

Jingliao smiled and said: “This is a lifelong journey of exploration. If you cannot control them, then simply go and perceive and understand them, time and time again, and then learn to coexist peacefully with them.”

Tong Yao shook his head. "It's too hard to get past the hurdle of lust and desire. Might as well just cultivate the emotionless Dao."

Hua Changxi somewhat agreed with this, yet also felt that a person without emotions, even if granted immortality, what meaning would that have?

Jing Le chuckled. "The Buddha said: 'Being free from vulgarity is the bone of immortality; having deep affection is the heart of a Buddha!' Whether an emotionless person can achieve the Great Dao, this humble monk does not know. But this humble monk does know that sentient beings cling to this world because there is love in it."

Upon hearing this, Tong Yao and Hua Changxi both fell silent.

Hua Changxi: "Master Jing Le, please help me ignite the White Flame."

Jing Le nodded, held the white jade lotus petal, closed his eyes, and silently chanted scripture.

Soon, white flame covered the white jade lotus petal. In an instant, the meditation room became warm and cozy, like spring sunlight.

Hua Changxi's expression lit up with joy. He eagerly watched Jing Le, waiting for him to channel the White Flame into his body.

However, an accident occurred.

The White Flame could not enter Hua Changxi's body!

Jing Le tried several times but failed.

Hua Changxi grew anxious: "What's going on?"

Tong Yao, standing by, was also very puzzled.

Jing Le looked at Hua Changxi with a complicated expression, was silent for a moment, then said: "Benefactor Hua, in a moment, you hold the white jade lotus petal, and I will raise my hand to support yours. Let us try again."

Hua Changxi did not understand what was happening and could only do as Jing Le said.

After the white jade lotus petal returned to Hua Changxi's hand, Jing Le supported her hand, closed his eyes again, and silently chanted scripture.

This time, the white jade lotus petal did not even ignite the White Flame!

Jing Le opened his eyes and looked at Hua Changxi: "Benefactor Hua, it seems you do not trust this world very much."

Hua Changxi was taken aback, then immediately denied it: "I don't distrust it."

Jing Le sighed: "Outwardly, you do not trust the world, but deep down, you do not trust yourself."

Hua Changxi retorted at once: "How could I possibly not trust myself? In this world, the one I trust the most is myself."