Chapter 130: Awareness Markings

Xiangguo Temple was built at the foot of the mountain behind the Imperial City; because the area around the Imperial City was heavily guarded with frequent patrols by the Forbidden Guard, Hua Changxi flew directly over on clouds.

On ordinary days, Xiangguo Temple only received imperial relatives and important dignitaries; common folk were not permitted to approach this place.

Not wishing to reveal her identity, Hua Changxi wore the black robe she had obtained in the Ghost Market.

The monks of Xiangguo Temple, worthy of their experience with great figures and grand occasions, remained unmoved and steady as a mountain when faced with Hua Changxi descending from the sky clad in a black robe.

Hua Changxi informed the gatekeeping monk that she had been entrusted by Master Changmei to request an audience with the Abbot; after waiting at the temple gate for a quarter of an hour, a monk arrived to lead her into the temple.

Xiangguo Temple was built along the mountainside; entering from the mountain gate, the terrain rose with each courtyard passed.

Upon passing through the first courtyard, Hua Changxi was captivated by the lotus pond in its center.

The lotus pond was not only rich in spiritual energy but also bloomed with a single, glittering golden lotus.

"Little Master, what is this golden lotus?"

The guiding monk did not stop walking, his face displaying pride: "This is the Merit Golden Lotus."

Walking beside the guiding monk, Hua Changxi asked curiously, "What function does this Merit Golden Lotus serve?"

Hearing this question, the guiding monk merely smiled.

Seeing he would not speak, Hua Changxi asked something else: "Can all Buddhist temples cultivate a Merit Golden Lotus?"

The guiding monk laughed lightly: "Female benefactor, you jest; only temples that have accumulated great merit can grow a Merit Golden Lotus."

Hua Changxi's eyes flashed; she had opened Mount Wuzhi, ignited the alchemical fire in the Dan Sage Hall, explained medical arts at the Qihuang Hall, and unlocked the Lingguang Hall—did these count as merit?

"Can the Merit Golden Lotus only be cultivated by Buddhist temples, or can anyone who has accumulated merit grow one?"

At these words, the guiding monk stopped, turned to look at Hua Changxi, and said: "Countless monks of our temple have gone forward one after another to save all sentient beings before we could cultivate this single Merit Golden Lotus."

Hua Changxi asked: "Is it so difficult to cultivate? Little Master, how exactly is the golden lotus grown?"

The guiding monk glanced at her and shook his head: "This humble monk does not know."

Afterward, passing through several more courtyards, Hua Changxi was led directly to the courtyard where the Arhat Hall was located.

"Female benefactor, please wait a moment; this humble monk will go report to the Abbot immediately."

Hua Changxi stood in the courtyard, watching the guiding monk enter the main hall.

Inside the Arhat Hall, Master Wuchen and Jingliao had not yet left; both master and disciple wished to know the origins of the female Daoist friend who had assisted Arhat Changmei.

Master Wuxiang perceived their thoughts and did not urge them to leave.

After entering the main hall, the guiding monk addressed Master Wuxiang: "Abbot, the female benefactor has arrived." He paused, then added, "The female benefactor asked about the Merit Golden Lotus throughout the journey; she seems to wish... to cultivate a golden lotus."

Hearing this, Master Wuxiang looked surprised, then smiled: "Please invite the female benefactor in."

Soon, Hua Changxi was led into the main hall.

Seeing her clad in a black robe and wearing a Fortune Child mask on her head, Masters Wuxiang and Wuchen exchanged a silent glance, while Jingliao looked at Hua Changxi with curiosity.

After entering the hall, Hua Changxi first paid respects to Masters Wuxiang and Wuchen, then glanced at Jingliao, recognizing him as one of those who had escaped from the Nine Netherworld that day, before handing over the bundle containing Arhat Changmei's kasaya and bodhi prayer beads.

"Master Changmei... sacrificed himself for others; I deeply admire him. These are his remains; please, Abbot, keep them safe."

Master Wuxiang accepted the bundle, opened it, and upon seeing the kasaya and bodhi beads inside, his face filled with grief: "Thank you, female benefactor, for returning the remains of my junior brother Changmei."

Recalling the scene where Arhat Changmei rushed out to block the myriad demons, only to have his spiritual shadow shattered, Hua Changxi still felt a tremor in her heart: "Abbot, please restrain your grief. Since I have returned Master Changmei's remains, I shall not disturb you further."

Master Wuxiang hastily called out to stop her: "Benefactor, please stay."

Hua Changxi asked: "Does the Master have some other matter?"

Master Wuxiang replied: "Jingliao has already explained to this old monk that without encountering you, they would never have escaped the Soul-Devouring Well. Now that you have specially returned my junior brother Changmei's remains, this old monk must express his gratitude no matter what."

Hua Changxi quickly said: "Master need not be polite; I merely acted according to my own conscience."

Hearing this, Master Wuxiang smiled: "The benefactor is a person of profound wisdom roots. Xiangguo Temple possesses nothing else of value, but the Awareness Pool on the Ordination Platform still holds some utility. The benefactor might as well take a walk to the Ordination Platform; perhaps you will gain an unexpected harvest."

Upon hearing the words "Ordination Platform," Hua Changxi instinctively wanted to refuse; Buddhist monks had many strict precepts and rules, and she had no desire to be bound by such regulations.

However, before she could speak, Jingliao, who perceived her intention to refuse, spoke first.

"Benefactor, the Awareness Pool of Xiangguo Temple was nurtured over generations by the sarira of successive Abbots under the care of the Divine Lamp's power. If one can gain something from it, it will be extremely helpful for a cultivator."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi's expression changed slightly.

Sarira, the power of the Divine Lamp...

Hua Changxi looked at Master Wuxiang: "Master, what is the Divine Lamp?"

Master Wuxiang smiled: "It is the Divine Lamp of the Founding of Great Jin."

Hua Changxi asked: "Was it not said that the Divine Lamp was destroyed?"

Master Wuxiang sighed: "The Divine Lamp was indeed destroyed, but Xiangguo Temple has preserved the lotus petals of the Divine Lamp."

Hua Changxi asked: "Does Xiangguo Temple preserve both the white and black lotus petals?"

Master Wuxiang nodded: "Naturally."

Hua Changxi recalled Manager Leng's words, stating that igniting the white flame would allow one to control the black flame; she immediately decided to visit the Ordination Platform: "In that case, I shall accept your kind invitation."

Master Wuxiang smiled and personally led Hua Changxi to the Ordination Platform, with Masters Wuchen and Jingliao following.

The Ordination Platform was the place where monks of Xiangguo Temple received their precepts; upon arriving, Hua Changxi instinctively became solemn.

"Benefactor, that is the Awareness Pool; you need only extend your hand into it."

On the stone of the Ordination Platform stood a transparent vat over a meter high, resembling a glass fish tank; inside the vat was nothing except for a twelve-petaled lotus lamp at the bottom, burning with black and white flames, of which eight petals were white jade and four were black jade.

Hua Changxi leaned closer to examine the lotus lamp carefully: "Is this the Divine Lamp?"

Master Wuxiang replied: "This is merely a part of the Divine Lamp. The Divine Lamp possesses thirty-six white lotus petals and thirty-six black lotus petals, along with a wick and a base. Nearly five hundred years have passed since the Divine Lamp was destroyed, and Xiangguo Temple has only collected twelve lotus petals."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi felt a stir in her heart; she had not expected the Divine Lamp to have so many lotus petals.

Seeing Hua Changxi hesitate to move, Jingliao could not help but remind her: "Benefactor, please quickly extend your hand into the Awareness Pool and try."

Hua Changxi still did not move; she glanced at Jingliao, whose eyes were clear and bright, then looked at Master Wuxiang: "What reaction will occur if I extend my hand inside?"

Perceiving Hua Changxi's wariness, Master Wuxiang smiled: "If the benefactor possesses sufficient wisdom roots, Awareness Markings will appear on your hand."

Hua Changxi asked: "And if I lack wisdom roots?"

Great Master Wuxiang: "Naturally, there was no reaction at all."

Hua Changxi asked again, "Do both Great Masters and this young Master possess Awakening Marks? May I see them?"

Seeing Hua Changxi's heavy wariness, Great Master Wuxiang and Great Master Wuchen exchanged a helpless glance.

Jingliao could no longer hold back; he looked earnestly at Hua Changxi. "Of course we do. It's just that Awakening Marks only manifest at specific times. Benefactor, rest assured. You are my savior; this humble monk would never harm you."

Hua Changxi, having her thoughts laid bare, felt no embarrassment. "I have been deceived before, so naturally, I must be cautious."

Great Master Wuxiang reminded her, "Benefactor, being cautious is not wrong, but do not let yourself be trapped by past events."

Hua Changxi said nothing. Gazing into the transparent vat, she indeed sensed no malice from the three, yet she desperately wished to resolve the matter of the Black Flame. After a moment of silence, she still extended her right hand into the water.

The moment her hand entered the vat, ripples surged in the previously still water. Then, upon the lotus lamp burning with black and white flames, a black fish condensed.

Upon seeing the black fish, both Great Master Wuxiang and Great Master Wuchen's expressions changed, while Jingliao let out a surprised "Ah!"

Hua Changxi, bewildered, had no chance to ask before the black fish darted forward, bit her, and then swiftly vanished into the back of her hand.

"What is happening?"

Hua Changxi's heart jolted. She yanked her hand back just in time to see a black fish pattern, strikingly similar to the black fish in the Taiji diagram, emerge on the back of her hand.

The pattern flashed and vanished, disappearing rapidly.

Hua Changxi looked at the trio, Great Master Wuxiang included. "What is the meaning of this black fish mark?"

Great Master Wuxiang looked at her, his expression somewhat complex. "That is an Awakening Mark."

Seeing that both Great Master Wuxiang and Great Master Wuchen looked grave, Hua Changxi hurriedly asked, "Is there something wrong with my Awakening Mark?"

Great Master Wuxiang and Great Master Wuchen remained silent, saying nothing.

Jingliao scratched his round, shiny bald head in confusion. "How could it be a black fish mark?"

In Xiangguo Temple, the white jade lotus petals outnumbered the black jade ones by double. Logically, the resulting fish mark should have been interlaced black and white, with predominantly white patterns.

Hua Changxi immediately asked, "Then what should it have looked like?"

Jingliao replied, "It should have produced a fish pattern interlaced with black and white."

A thought stirred in Hua Changxi's mind. Recalling the Black Flame within her body, she seemed to understand Jingliao's implication. Glancing at Great Master Wuxiang and Great Master Wuchen, she hesitated briefly before speaking. "I previously encountered people from the Asura Gate. During our fight, they forced the Black Flame into my body."

Hearing this, Great Master Wuxiang and Great Master Wuchen simultaneously showed expressions of realization.

Great Master Wuxiang said, "So that is how it is. Benefactor, you must strictly control the Black Flame; do not let it swallow you."

Great Master Wuchen directly took out a scripture and handed it to Hua Changxi. "This is the Mantra of Pure Heart. Reciting it can control the growth of the Black Flame. Since you saved Jingliao, consider this old monk's token of gratitude."

Hua Changxi accepted the *Mantra of Pure Heart*. Seeing how seriously both Great Master Wuxiang and Great Master Wuchen treated the Black Flame, she too felt a heightened sense of gravity regarding it.

Subsequently, she looked again at the white jade lotus petals in the vat and sensed her body, finding no sign of any White Flame igniting.

"Was it not said that white jade lotus petals can ignite the White Flame? Why have I not been ignited?"

Great Master Wuxiang replied, "Igniting the White Flame requires an opportunity. For some, it is easy; for others, it is difficult."

Hua Changxi frowned. "I have heard that the Black Flame 激发 s the evil aspect of a person, while the White Flame 激发 s the virtuous aspect. Does my difficulty in igniting the White Flame mean I am a greatly evil person?"

Jingliao quickly said, "Of course not! Benefactor, since you saved this humble monk and others, you are a virtuous person."

Hua Changxi looked at him and said nothing more. She had only asked casually; she did not consider herself a bad person. The fact that Xiangguo Temple's white jade lotus petals failed to help her ignite the White Flame was likely due to the short duration, or perhaps it was suppressed by the Black Flame within her?

She would need to obtain a white jade lotus petal herself to test igniting the White Flame on her own.

Afterwards, Great Master Wuxiang gave Hua Changxi a token for entering and exiting Xiangguo Temple, telling her that monks lectured on scriptures on the first and fifteenth of every month, and she was welcome to listen if she had time.

"Thank you, Great Master."

Seeing that night was fast approaching, Hua Changxi did not linger at Xiangguo Temple. Jingliao voluntarily escorted her out.

On the way out through the temple gates, Jingliao once again thanked Hua Changxi for saving his life. "Benefactor, this humble monk belongs to Dixiu Temple. If you find it inconvenient to come to Xiangguo Temple, you may visit Dixiu Temple to hear the monks lecture on scriptures."

Hua Changxi was somewhat surprised. "So you are not a disciple of Xiangguo Temple?"

Jingliao shook his head. "This humble monk's Master and Great Master Wuxiang studied under the same teacher. Thus, this humble monk counts as half a member of Xiangguo Temple."

Hua Changxi asked with a smile, "How did you know I did not wish to come to Xiangguo Temple?"

Jingliao smiled. "Although the benefactor received the entry token for Xiangguo Temple, your mood showed no fluctuation."

Hua Changxi looked at him. "You are quite perceptive."

Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of Xiangguo Temple.

Jingliao watched Hua Changxi depart until she was out of sight, then turned back. Upon returning to the Arhat Hall, he happened to overhear Great Master Wuxiang and Great Master Wuchen discussing the black fish mark Hua Changxi had generated.

"Since the formation of the Self-Awareness Pool, there have only been five individuals whose Awakening Marks were entirely black fish patterns. Thinking of the turmoil those five caused, I still feel some lingering fear."

"That female benefactor was able to severely injure the Nether Dragon; her cultivation is undoubtedly high. Now that we are in such troubled times, let us hope she does not end up like those previous few."

Jingliao walked in. "Master, this disciple feels you are worrying too much. Since the female benefactor acted to save us in the Soul-Devouring Well, she certainly cannot be an evil person."

Great Master Wuchen looked at his disciple. "The black fish mark generated by that female benefactor had even black eyes. She may not be an evil person, but nine times out of ten, she is a person without love."

Jingliao did not understand what a 'person without love' meant. "As long as she isn't an evil person, that should be enough."

Great Master Wuchen sighed. "A person without love turns a blind eye to the suffering of the world. If they were merely ordinary people, it would be one thing. But if they are powerful individuals capable of changing the world, the harm caused by their indifference is no less than that wrought by evildoers."

Seeing his disciple's bewildered face, Great Master Wuchen said no more. "You will understand in time."

After leaving Xiangguo Temple, Hua Changxi did not return directly to the Medical Bureau. Instead, she rode the clouds to the Lingguang Hall. Upon arriving at the main hall of Lingguang Hall, she immediately began examining her body.

Although she had sensed no malice from Jingliao and the other two, the matter of the black fish mark still left her somewhat uneasy.

Hua Changxi checked thoroughly inside and out, even inspecting her dantian, sea of qi, and nascent soul, yet found no abnormalities. The black fish mark that had flashed on the back of her right hand left not a single trace.

"Awakening Marks only manifest at specific times..."

"Then what constitutes a 'specific time'?"