Chapter 483: Ultimate Perfection, Thorough Insight

That flame was no more than five feet in size, hiding strange light within, and was not dazzlingly brilliant.

Yet upon manifesting, it naturally possessed an indescribable, perfect and wonderful aspect, like the radiance of the sun and moon permeating all Dharma Realms, making one's body and mind feel joyful and attain great peace.

Looking through that firelight deeper inside, Chen Heng saw a stone lamp silently suspended in the void; its stone substance was snow-white, fine, and smooth, so polished it could serve as a mirror, resembling mutton-fat cream.

The flame within the lamp was only the size of a grain of rice.

Yet whether blown by wind or battered by rain, that tiny flame did not sway in the least; it remained steadfast and immovable, like the great Mount Sumeru, eternally present since ancient times.

"So this is the All-Seed Wisdom Omniscient Lamp, the supreme treasure of the Chan Sect personally refined by the Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji?"

Chen Heng could not help but praise:

"With boundless wisdom, it enables people to comprehend the pure true aspect, attaining the realm of unfalse true awakening; truly, its reputation is well-deserved."

All-Seed Wisdom is also called Buddha Wisdom, a vast intelligence that comprehends all matters and principles.

Western scriptures state: There are three types of worldly wisdom: All-Wisdom, Path-Seed Wisdom, and All-Seed Wisdom.

All-Wisdom refers to the wisdom of knowing the empty nature of all dharmas, possessed by Hearers and Pratyekabuddhas; Path-Seed Wisdom refers to the wisdom of knowing the various false aspects and distinctions of all dharmas, possessed by Bodhisattvas.

As for All-Seed Wisdom, it refers to the wisdom of knowing both the empty and false aspects of all dharmas, possessed only by Buddhas!

True to its name, the greatest function of this All-Seed Wisdom Omniscient Lamp before us is not combat or slaughter, but rather, using the Buddha's wisdom, deep and vast as the ocean, to bestow great empowerment upon people, enabling them to achieve ultimate perfection, thorough insight, and surpass all others!

Fu Lao had previously mentioned that countless great masters of the Chan Sect desired to be illuminated by this lamp, and even the Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji regarded it as his trump card.

Now seeing it firsthand, one realizes those words contained not the slightest exaggeration.

Although the lamp has not yet revealed its divine wonders and remains under suppression.

Merely standing nearby, Chen Heng felt his spirit greatly awakened and his spiritual palace clear and bright.

He slightly closed his eyes, attempting to fathom the profound mysteries of the Tai Yi Divine Thunder, and some knots he could not unravel in the past now seemed to suddenly have threads to follow, gradually becoming clear.

After a long while, Chen Heng's eyelids finally twitched; he opened his eyes, revealing a look of contemplation on his face.

"How is it? Is it somewhat interesting?"

Fu Lao stood with his hands behind his back, smiling upon seeing this, and said with some self-satisfaction:

"I have been entangled with this fellow for countless ages; although he is formidable, in the end, this old man proved slightly superior. Borrowing that strand of magic power from our Master and supplementing it with my own abilities, I firmly suppressed him here, ensuring he can no longer stir up trouble; even if he can summon the power of the Buddha Land and occupy excellent geographical advantage, it is ultimately useless. What a pity, though..."

Fu Lao shook his head, and upon reaching this point in his speech, he could not help but sigh with emotion.

The value of a treasure like the All-Seed Wisdom Omniscient Lamp needs no further elaboration.

Back then, Dong Dong Gaozi had clearly defeated the Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji, yet he still had to sit in meditation within this Buddha Land for a thousand years, leaving him no time to spare.

His true intention was to completely refine and assimilate the All-Seed Wisdom Omniscient Lamp, so he could bring it back to the Xiaoming Great Marsh for future disciples to use.

Such a supreme treasure capable of enhancing root nature and aiding enlightenment.

Even looking across the entire Bapailiu Sect, only the "White Carp Yuanhui" of the Northern Polar Garden could compare to it.

However, the "White Carp Yuanhui" of the Northern Polar Garden had its foundation damaged by someone taking advantage of the situation when the Ancient Dao Court collapsed.

Now, in its current state where it has not been re-refined and repaired, every time it is used, it affects the true form of the "White Carp Yuanhui" itself to some degree; therefore, the Northern Polar Garden treats this immortal treasure as their exclusive possession and will not easily lift the ban unless it is a critical moment.

They are this strict even with their own sect members, let alone lending it to outsiders.

In this regard, the All-Seed Wisdom Omniscient Lamp is far more convenient...

"It is a pity that our Master departed in such haste, only managing to leave behind one strand of magic power; if he had been able to stay another hundred years or so, the situation would likely have been different."

Fu Lao silently pondered this, and when he looked at the stone lamp again, he suddenly shook his head.

He was not Dong Dong Gaozi, lacking those supreme means to easily change heaven and earth.

With his capabilities, forcibly suppressing the lamp spirit and seizing half of its true consciousness to heal his injuries and escape the Buddha Land was already the limit of what he could achieve.

As for bringing the lamp spirit back to Xudu Xudu Tianyu, or going all the way and simply destroying this old rival, that would be nothing but the ravings of a fool, absolutely impossible to accomplish.

At this moment, Chen Heng also noticed Fu Lao subtly shaking his head; after pondering for a moment, he suddenly asked about the background of the Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji.

Fu Lao smiled and said:

"The Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji was a figure who made his name in the Ancient Era; it is no wonder you have not heard of him.

This individual was a great master of the Wu Liangguang Tian; do you know that when the Ancient Dao Court collapsed, causing a great calamity to arise in the cosmos of all heavens, even the Xuanji Tianzun of Wu Liangguang Tian shaved his head and took the precepts?"

Chen Heng nodded.

After the Dao Court collapsed, among the Sixteen Great Heavens, shortly after the chaos of the cluster of dragons in Taichang Tian resulted in the assassination of the Taichang Xuanji Tianzun, Wu Liangguang Tian similarly underwent turbulent changes.

A group of ancient Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from different continents joined forces, attacking the Zhizhen Palace of Wu Liangguang Tian; after fighting bitterly for several thousand years, they finally forced the Xuanji Tianzun of Wu Liangguang Tian to voluntarily lower his honorable title and relinquish the authority to govern the world.

However, compared to the Taichang Xuanji Tianzun who died and whose Dao was extinguished, the situation of the Wu Liangguang Xuanji Tianzun, who later shaved his head, took the precepts, and was respectfully addressed as the 'Buddha Cixian Jin Guang,' was far better.

After relinquishing the authority to govern the world, this Buddha Cixian Jin Guang occupied the most fertile continent within Wu Liangguang Tian as his cultivation ground and once again established his own Dharma lineage and faction, known as the Master Shan Xiao Jian Temple.

Up

to the present day, although the Master Shan Xiao Jian Temple hears little of external affairs and rarely interferes in matters outside the temple, guarding only its own gates and appearing obscure in fame within the cosmos of all heavens.

Yet no sect or faction dares to underestimate this great power.

Even the Zhengxu Dao Court has repeatedly extended goodwill toward them, intending to lure that former Great Heaven Xuanji Tianzun from the temple back into their own camp.

Although they have never received a response, often just getting their noses rubbed in the dust, the Zhengxu Dao Court does not resent their behavior; their rituals and offerings have never been lacking, seeming to enjoy this tirelessly.

"Could it be that the Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji is one of the Buddhas receiving offerings within the Master Shan Xiao Jian Temple?" Chen Heng looked at that old monk in the west and asked.

"To say yes would be correct, yet also not... The Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji was a sect founder who opened his own Dharma lineage; back when the group of ancient Buddhas attacked the Zhizhen Palace, this individual contributed significantly."

Fu Lao smiled:

"However, the reason I mentioned that Cixian Jin Guang Buddha who voluntarily lowered his title is precisely because the Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji later unfortunately became lost in a calamity, and it was the Cixian Jin Guang Buddha who, holding no grudges, personally intervened to save him.

Grateful for this kindness, the Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji offered all his learned arts to the Cixian Jin Guang Buddha, personally descended from his lotus throne, and bowed in worship to express his thanks; since then, these two Buddhas have mostly advanced and retreated together, and in the eyes of the world, their relationship has long been extremely close."

Chen Heng's eyes flickered slightly; he said nothing, merely nodding.

"No matter how significant the background of the Buddha Jingzang Jingcang Bianji, he is now a figure of the past; mentioning him further is of no benefit.

In another half year's time, I will have the confidence to completely seize the true consciousness of this lamp spirit; Master Master Kongkong indeed chose an opportune moment to send you here, otherwise, if you had come a few years later, even if you entered this place, you would have seen nothing but a desolate dead land, as I would have already departed."

At this moment, Fu Lao could not help but utter a sigh of emotion.

However, when Chen Heng shook his head and recounted the beginning and end of the Sui Xing Di matter, and Fu Lao learned that Master Master Kongkong had not clarified any specific date or deadline to Chen Heng, it seemed whether Chen Heng came or not mattered little to Master Master Kongkong.

Even with Fu Lao's experience and deep scheming, after hearing this, he felt somewhat baffled and did not know how to react.

"With Master Master Kongkong's insight, when I might be able to swallow and seize that true consciousness certainly cannot escape his perception; it would be as easy as observing the lines on one's palm. This matter, this matter..."

Fu Lao shook his head.

Chen Heng pondered for a moment, then his gaze suddenly condensed; he simply cast this matter aside for now and no longer wasted mental energy investigating it.

Regardless of whether Master Master Kongkong was merely casually doing a favor and cared little for him, or, as he claimed, was simply making a gesture of goodwill.

Or whether he had some other scheme or arrangement, intending to use Dong Dong Gaozi and Jing Cang Bian Ji Buddha to create some side complications...

All such actions were far beyond what his current self could dig to the root and investigate thoroughly.

In any case, this fortune was real and not false; the Lamp of All-Knowing Wisdom of All Seeds was indeed profound and mysterious, and Chen Heng also needed to cultivate the Tai Yi Shen Lei to completion before the Dan Yuan Grand Assembly convened.

Doing so would add a trump card technique to his arsenal.

Since this was the case, he must seize this opportunity before him and absolutely not let it slip away easily!

"I wonder how long this disciple may borrow the power of this lamp spirit?" Chen Heng glanced at the stone lamp in the air, then turned to Fu Lao to ask.

"Allow me to think it over carefully; it should be..."

Fu Lao pinched his fingers, silently calculating for a moment, then said:

"It should be about five years. This lamp spirit is, after all, a famous Buddhist treasure, not inferior to me by much.

Although I can exert myself to suppress him, it is absolutely impossible to completely extinguish his nature light and make him bow completely to me; even if I swallowed half of his true consciousness and my own injuries greatly improved, it would still be utterly impossible.

A span of five years... this is the limit of what this old man can achieve!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Heng was not surprised; he merely straightened his robes and performed a deep bow of gratitude.

Do not look at five years as too short; in the eyes of a cultivator, it is merely the time it takes to enter seclusion.

But this requires Fu Lao to simultaneously suppress the lamp spirit's consciousness, plunging it into a deep slumber in a muddled state, while also seizing the opportunity to cast his Miao Fa, mobilizing the lamp spirit's own mighty power to allow Chen Heng to cultivate with a clear mind and quiet heart.

Such an undertaking is far more difficult than Fu Lao's current simple suppression of the lamp spirit; the difficulty has nearly multiplied several times over!

That he could still leave five years for Chen Heng is already remarkably difficult...

"Regarding this supreme great divine technique, the Tai Yi Shen Lei, thanks to the teacher's guidance and my observation of the Hun Jin Lei Zhu, I already had some realization; when wielding the Zi Qing Shen Lei, I can already manifest a slight appearance of the Two Formless Principles and the Separation of Xue Xuan and Huang.

Speaking according to normal logic, within forty years I should be able to enter the threshold of the Tai Yi Shen Lei step by step; if, while observing the rivers and seas of heaven and earth, the wind, clouds, grass, and trees, my heart feels a resonance, this process will accelerate somewhat.

To be able to borrow the Lamp of All-Knowing Wisdom of All Seeds for five years..."

Chen Heng nodded slightly, his heart finally settling.

Initially, he had only planned that after taking the so-called fortune from Master Master Kongkong, he would continue traveling through the various universes, borrowing the opportunity to comprehend heaven and earth to enter the threshold of the Tai Yi Shen Lei as soon as possible.

However, according to his original assumption, even if he successfully refined the Tai Yi Shen Lei, there would not be many years left before the Dan Yuan Grand Assembly convened.

At that time, even if he wished to continue cultivation and advance his Dao practice to the Jin Dan San Chong Jing, time would not wait for him.

But if he had the assistance of the Lamp of All-Knowing Wisdom of All Seeds.

He could enter the threshold of the Tai Yi Shen Lei within five years...

Just as Chen Heng was pondering, he suddenly felt the sky canopy above his head tremble violently, as if the ten thousand li of vast sky were suddenly about to roll into a ball.

When his thoughts shifted again, he suddenly could not see the things around him clearly; before his eyes appeared only a dense field of Lei Jin Guang.

After a few breaths, that boundless Lei Ting receded like a tidal wave, and golden light emerged like stars, faint and indistinct.

Dazzling and radiant.

"Damn Lei Pai, acting like a petty villain! Without Dong Dong Gaozi's Fa Li Yin, how could you bully me so!"

A male voice bursting with anger rumbled out, shaking the cloud tops, like a lion's roar, making Chen Heng feel the earth beneath his feet trembling violently.

Following this sound, the Lei Ting everywhere scattered even faster, while Jin Jin Guang surged in forcefully; heavenly flowers fell like rain, and a fragrant breeze blew.

"You wish to refine my true consciousness? Wishful thinking! I—"

Before these words were finished, they abruptly cut off; heaven and earth trembled once more, and all the Jin Jin Guang was swept away completely.

At this moment, Chen Heng turned his gaze; he saw he was still within the valley, where green trees cast deep shade, the wind was clear, and the air bright.

Except for that stone lamp which had mysteriously vanished, everything remained exactly as it was before.

Fu Lao muttered:

"This fellow initially acted like a high monk beyond the mundane world; after being suppressed for so long, how has he also learned to jump and curse in the streets?

It is just that his cursing does not hit the painful spot; his skill is still insufficient. If you can occupy the geographical advantage of the Buddhist Kingdom beneath your feet, why can I not borrow the magic power of my master? What logic is there in that?"

Fu Lao looked at Chen Heng again and smiled:

"Do not mind him; this fellow is already a turtle in a jar and will not be able to jump around for much longer. Come, come, sit and drink a few more cups with me, and speak of matters regarding Xu Du Tian. This old man still possesses some Dao practice, and with half a year remaining, I can precisely take this opportunity to instruct you somewhat."

Chen Heng naturally would not go against this elder's wishes; he returned to sit before the table, pondered for a moment, and then selected some crucial matters to recount.

However, when he mentioned the Zhong Lang Catastrophe and the current situation of the Nine Provinces and Four Seas, Fu Lao rarely showed a change of complexion, and several drops of wine splashed violently from his cup.

"Shao Kang Mountain, Lu Lu Yusheng..."

Fu Lao's expression shifted between gloom and brightness; he suddenly fell into deep thought, and after a long while, waved his hand to indicate it was nothing.

"So be it; since that Lu Lu Yusheng dared to commit such an act, there must certainly be someone backing him behind the scenes; perhaps it is those few old rivals. This is already far beyond what I can control.

And it seems you possess an object upon your person that bears a striking resemblance to the aura of the Tai Yi Shen Lei; I wonder if you would allow this old man to take a look."

Chen Heng took out the Hun Jin Lei Zhu; when Fu Lao learned this was refined by Master Master Tongxuan, containing three divine thunderbolts personally struck by Master Master Tongxuan within, and that Master Master Tongxuan was furthermore a figure who had once ascended to immortality, Fu Lao could not help but be startled.

"Trapped here, I have difficulty seeing the splendor of the present age; I wonder how many illustrious figures I have missed?" he sighed endlessly.

And half a year of time passed in a flash.

During this period, apart from occasionally chatting with Fu Lao about heaven and earth, Chen Heng was also studying the methods of the Tai Yi Shen Lei, attempting to practice this foremost killing and punishing divine technique of the Nine Provinces and Four Seas.

On this day, Chen Heng, who was originally closing his eyes to comprehend, suddenly heard a long, drawn-out whistle.

He stood up to look, and not far away, the dozing Fu Lao, who had his eyes closed.

Also stood up similarly and clapped his hands.

"The time has finally arrived."

Fu Lao sighed.