Chapter 622: Thirty-Two Appearances

Tianyin Temple is magnificent and majestic, standing tall on Mount Sumeru as if a great Fotu were sitting in meditation. Countless mortals gather from all directions, prostrating themselves before the statues in the temple halls, pouring out their sorrows and joys, and praying for the protection of the Gods. Under the radiance of the sun, the summit of Mount Sumeru emits a ring of Jinguang, resembling the halo behind a great Fotu, appearing all the more solemn and sacred.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The melodious tolling of a bell rings out, accompanied by the chanting of Fotu verses, causing one to instantly shed worldly thoughts and desires for fame and fortune. It is truly:

Morning bells and evening drums, awakening how many travelers of fame and profit in this world.

Sutra chants and Fotu names, calling back those lost in the dreams of the boundless sea of suffering.

Although it is still early, there are already many pilgrims at Tianyin Temple burning incense and paying respects to the Fotu.

Just then, a sound of Fotu chanting comes from the Back Mountain, grand and resonant, not like a human voice, actually drowning out the melodious bell. The crowd of pilgrims and disciples of Tianyin Temple cannot help but look up toward the direction of the Back Mountain.

For a moment, they are all stunned.

They see high in the sky, an entity of a Wisdom King, dozens of zhang tall, looming over them; his muscles are knotted, his eyes are wide with rage, and his eyes burn with raging karmic fire, as if he intends to burn away all the filth in the world.

This Dharma Aspect is truly too grand, carrying a vast and boundless momentum; whether they are pilgrims or disciples of Tianyin Temple, all have the urge to prostrate themselves in worship.

A moment later, another Dharma Aspect appears, which is a kind-faced Guanyin Bodhisattva.

The divine light is abundant, the ribbons flutter slowly, and the folds on the white robes are clearly visible, rippling constantly. Especially that pair of kind eyes, which seem to contain compassion, vivid and approachable.

One after another, Dharma Aspects appear in the human world.

These Dharma Aspects vary in height, some with clearly visible features, others ethereal and blurred. Among them are Bodhisattvas, Vajras, as well as Heavenly Maidens and Heavenly Dragons.

For a time, Jinguang flows between heaven and earth, Fotu chants hum low, Heavenly Flowers Falling in Disorder, and golden lotuses spring from the ground, making people feel as if they are in a Fotu Kingdom.

Whether pilgrims or disciples of Tianyin Temple, all are teary-eyed and prostrate themselves completely. Even those with worldly knowledge become the most devout believers. A truly real Human Fotu Land appears before them; how could it not make one's soul tremble?

High monks like Puhong Shangren on the Back Mountain are also shaken in their hearts. However, due to their profound cultivation and knowing that this scene is being driven by Yu Liancheng, they are able to maintain their composure.

"Thirty-one Dharma Aspects, not yet complete, and all the Dharma Aspects are facing a certain direction; there should be one more, the most magnificent Dharma Aspect..."

Puhong Shangren is worthy of being the abbot of Tianyin Temple; his insight is far beyond that of ordinary people. And just as this thought finishes, he sees Yu Liancheng's Qi becoming even more grand and ethereal, as he chants aloud: "In the great dream, who awakens first? The awakened one is Fotu. In all the heavens, I alone am honored; is it the honor of the heart?"

Boom!

The thirty-second Dharma Aspect appears.

A huge Fotu sits on the throne of Spirit Mountain, one finger pointing to the sky, one finger pointing to the earth. In heaven and on earth, I alone am honored.

The Fotu radiates billions of Jinguang, and the face shrouded in golden radiance reveals a look of compassion; the Fotu's eyes are lowered, observing the three realms and Liudao, and all living beings.

He seems to be at the same height as the other Dharma Aspects, yet also seems to be level with heaven and earth.

Even the tall and majestic Mount Sumeru, compared to him, seems not even a speck of dust.

This is only because this Dharma Aspect is not physically vast, but exists between the heart and spirit, completely filling everyone's soul.

"Thirty-Two Appearances, it is done."

Yu Liancheng exhales softly.

The lingering bell tolls once again, echoing on Mount Sumeru, announcing the beginning of a new day.

Since Yu Liancheng sat in meditation before the Wordless Jade Wall for three years and had a sudden enlightenment, creating the Thirty-Two Appearances, the incense at Tianyin Temple has become increasingly prosperous, with an endless stream of pilgrims.

As for the method of the Thirty-Two Appearances, Yu Liancheng has recorded it all in books and passed them to Abbot Puhong. Currently, it is practiced by the high monks of the 'Pu' generation and a few second-generation disciples.

They have also gradually discovered that these Thirty-Two Appearances are in no way inferior to the Great Brahma Prajna, the handed-down technique, and they do not rely on magic treasures; one can exert powerful battle strength by oneself.

Practicing the Thirty-Two Appearances in conjunction with the Great Brahma Prajna not only has no conflict but actually complements each other.

In fact, whether it is the three major factions of the righteous path or the four sects of the Demon Sect, besides their own sect's techniques, fighting relies more on magic treasures. Without magic treasures, even flying is difficult.

Yet this has jumped out of the limitations of magic treasures, and the Thirty-Two Appearances are not just for fighting; they can be said to encompass everything.

Used for fighting are the "Wrathful Appearance of the Wisdom King", "Heavenly King Appearance", and "Battle Aspect"; used for healing wounds are the "Medicine Master Appearance" and "Glazed Appearance"; used for controlling wind and thunder is the "Heavenly Human Aspect"...

This "Thirty-Two Appearances" is unimaginable for the overall strength improvement of Tianyin Temple.

If it can be passed down like the Great Brahma Prajna, without encountering major disasters, it is very likely to replace the Qingyun Sect and become the number one sect of the righteous path and even Shenzhou.

At this time, Yu Liancheng, who has created the "Thirty-Two Appearances" and has gone from being the "White-Clad Wonderful Monk" to the "White-robed Divine Monk", and Puhong Shangren have arrived outside the Sarira Pagoda.

The Sarira Pagoda is the place where the Sarira of past high monks are stored, standing like a forest, with incense swirling, the misty Qi forming clouds, emitting a sacred aura.

No matter how famous the high monks of Tianyin Temple were in their lifetimes, being worshipped by ten thousand families, after death, they occupy no more than a foot of land.

And among the countless Sarira Pagodas, there is the Sarira of Puzhi, one of the Four Great Divine Monks of Tianyin Temple.

"Junior Brother Puzhi was gifted and intelligent, with deep cultivation. And he spent his life doing good and accumulating virtue, saving countless people; he was more suitable to be the abbot of Tianyin Temple than this old monk. But he was too obsessed with so-called immortality. Formation, abiding, decay, and emptiness; the Liudao cycle—how can it be changed by human power?"

The two each lit a stick of incense and burned it before the pagoda. Puhong Shangren said slowly: "After Junior Brother Puzhi left the Qingyun Sect, he did not return to Tianyin Temple, but only sent a letter, saying in the letter that he would go to the Northwest wilderness to continue exploring the mystery of immortality, and then there was no news. Until half a year ago, when the disciples were patrolling the mountain gate, they suddenly saw a person fall to the ground not far outside the courtyard gate; that person... was Junior Brother Puzhi."

"Junior Brother Puzhi's face was quite haggard, but his cheeks were strangely bright red for some reason. It was not until later that I learned that it was the strange medicine 'Three-Day Must-Die Pill' that Junior Brother Puzhi had taken to temporarily prolong his life. Junior Brother remained in a coma, his internal Qi was scattered; not only was he poisoned, but his body had also been severely injured by someone with extremely profound cultivation, and he had reached the point of exhaustion. If I am not mistaken, it must have been the poisonous hands of the Myriad Poison Sect..."

When Puhong Shangren said this, although a long time had passed, a look of gloom and grief still appeared on his face; clearly, this incident was a great blow to him as well.

"Later, after the treatment of us brothers, Junior Brother finally woke up, but he was already on his deathbed, leaving only one sentence, and then... he passed away and entered Nirvana."

Yu Liancheng's expression tightened slightly; Puzhi had shown him great kindness, and he was also quite heartbroken by this, asking: "Senior Brother Puzhi, what did he say..."

Puhong Shangren looked at Yu Liancheng deeply and said slowly: "He said, Junior Brother Puzhen's guess was right, but unfortunately... unfortunately, the three teachings are one family, not one family; immortality is like a dream..."

Yu Liancheng was silent for a long time, then shook his head and sighed.

If he was not mistaken, Puzhi had sought out experts of the Demon Sect to verify the theory that the three teachings are one family, and encountered people from the Myriad Poison Sect.

Although Puzhi's cultivation was high, his mind was quite simple and honest; encountering the Myriad Poison Sect, who were skilled in using poison, it was easy to suffer...

In the end, although he confirmed that Yu Liancheng's theory was correct, and even saw the hope of immortality, he paid with his own life.

Puhong Shangren did not ask what the guess was, but changed the subject: "By the way, Junior Brother, the news of your coming out of seclusion is known to the entire Fotu community. In half a month, they will all come to congratulate you."

Yu Liancheng shook his head and said: "The Fotu community cannot avoid fighting for fame and profit; I fear they come with ill intent."

Puhong Shangren nodded slightly: "Back then at the Ullambana Festival, you debated until the monks were speechless. Although you achieved the reputation of the White-Clad Wonderful Monk, you were too prominent. I think this time the monks' congratulations have ulterior motives."

Yu Liancheng put his hands together, smiled slightly, and said no more.