Chapter 428: 434. Chapter 434 Divine Ability

434. Chapter 434 Divine Ability

Time passed day by day.

Unbeknownst to them, the 'possession' had already happened a month ago.

During this month, Mo Li did what the former prefect's daughter would do: upholding justice, helping the oppressed, and speaking out for the common folk.

The difference, however, was that the former prefect's daughter was naive and romantic, believing her acts of justice could bring some hope and positive change to the common folk, whereas Mo Li knew that without changing this corrupt world, the common folk could not gain hope, let alone see any improvement.

The grain the former prefect's daughter gave to the common folk would be seized right after she handed it out.

As soon as she wiped out one bandit gang, a new gang would seamlessly move in to occupy the bandit's lair.

All changes were merely temporary, fleeting, and would provoke a backlash.

After doing a good deed, the former prefect's daughter would pat her butt and leave, and those common folk she had helped would instead suffer even harsher exploitation.

Mo Li does not engage in patchwork solutions that only treat the symptoms.

If she is going to act, she will do it more thoroughly.

Coincidentally, her mission is to infiltrate enemy territory, sabotage from within, and attack the Buddhist remnants from both inside and outside.

The more she can destabilize the situation, the greater her chances of completing the mission.

Therefore, under the guise of righteousness, Mo Li attempts to build her own armed force by distributing money, spreading ideas, seeking like-minded allies, and employing some coercive measures.

Whether in the war records of the wizard civilization or in casual chats with her husband Lin Ke, the same principle is emphasized:

Power grows out of the barrel of a gun.

To accomplish anything, to achieve great deeds, one must hold sufficient power in hand.

Otherwise, no matter how sound the reasoning, no one will listen.

Of course, a month is still too short; this endeavor has only just begun and has seen little effect so far.

On the other hand, another matter brought an unexpected joy.

Mo Li went through several layers of intermediaries, set up multiple shell companies, bought a bookstore that came with its own printing shop, and hired some dissatisfied scholars whose lives were unhappy and who resented the Buddhist sect's excessive exploitation of the lower classes; she had them write pamphlets according to her instructions, which she then sold or gave away.

Those pamphlets preaching grand principles—such as self-reliance, freedom, and the inviolability of life and property—naturally had little sales or feedback.

Not even a ripple was made.

After all, life is already so bitter; making people understand why they suffer, and then seeing little hope of overturning the great mountain above them, only makes it more bitter!

However, a few booklets about the scandalous and humorous tales of monks and nuns in brothels suddenly went viral.

Even if they were not given away for free but sold at a markup, many people would still be willing to pay.

Thinking about what she intends to do in the future, she knows it cannot be done without strong financial backing, so this money is not to be sniffed at.

Mo Li immediately told those scholars to drop everything and focus on writing this kind of scandalous booklet, figuring out how to make it captivating.

The only requirement was to insert, in a subtle way, the fact that all the world's good things—fine wine, food, beauty, and scenery—were being monopolized by the non‑productive monks and nuns.

These scholars were already dissatisfied and resentful of the Buddhist sect, so they would hardly refuse Mo Li's request.

They wrote them with great vigor.

In the actual brothel, Ai Ruisi had been secretly building her own strength while, on the side, giving the other sixteen girls 'lectures' to help them understand their surroundings and the state of the world.

That day, the lessons in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were completed.

Old Man Gui, for some unknown reason, suddenly became benevolent and actually allowed the girls to end their day's studies early.

After a month of subtle influence, Ai Ruisi had established herself as the supreme authority in the hearts of the sixteen girls.

When she says 'one,' the other sixteen girls will not say 'two.'

When she goes east, the other sixteen girls will not go west.

Thus, after Ai Ruisi finished her evening meal, she had everyone talk about their hometowns, and the sixteen girls eagerly began to recount theirs.

After all, they are only twelve or thirteen years old and have received little education; they are naive and have not deeply grasped the concept of a hometown.

In the minds of the sixteen girls, a hometown is nothing more than a thatched hut cold in winter and hot in summer, perpetual poverty, endless suffering without hope, and unending hunger.

Yet even so, the hometown holds many fond memories.

There was the guard dog, the old yellow ox, the wrinkled‑toothless grandparents who always smiled, the parents who wore a weary face yet never shortchanged them a bite, and the companions who worked the fields together, gleaning wheat and watching cattle on the hills……

All of these, whether good or bad, were completely severed from them the moment they were sold into the brothel.

As they spoke, tears began to flow one after another.

Ai Ruisi watched them coldly for a while, gave them time to vent their emotions, then spoke indifferently: 'You have left your worldly homes behind, so there is no need to grieve. Today I will tell you what is the Pure Land of Rebirth, the Void Homeland, the White Lotus Pure World, and the Parents of No Birth.'

'Senior Brother, I have found no records concerning Master No Birth in the Sutra Pavilion.'

In the White Horse Zen Temple, Lin Ke proactively sought out Monk Chen and asked, 'Senior Brother, do you know where I can learn about the life and teachings of Master No Birth?'

Liao Chen, who was standing in a stake‑holding posture at the moment, heard Lin Ke's question, curled his lip, and said, 'Junior Brother, this is the how many times this month you've asked me this?'

'The thirteenth time.'

Lin Ke replied indifferently.

During this month, thanks to his foundation in human‑immortal martial arts and his partial knowledge of the divine civilization, Lin Ke quickly became familiar with the cultivation left by his previous self and swiftly learned the Sumeru Palm.

According to the rank divisions of the Buddhist remnants, the levels are: Samanera (wizard apprentice), Vajra (official wizard), Arhat (sage), Bodhisattva (great sage), and Buddha.

Lin Ke is now able to launch an assault toward the Arhat realm.

At nineteen years old, an Arhat (sage) is a one‑in‑a‑billion rarity even among the wizard civilization.

Still, the original owner could only be considered above average in the White Horse Zen Temple, which in this world is merely an ordinary power.

In a world like this, there are still eleven Buddhist remnants.

With such a strong talent pool and training speed, why has the Manifest Civilization reduced them to just this one obviously patched‑together star system?

There must be a problem somewhere.

Therefore, Lin Ke wants to find this problem and then target it.

Since the first fate‑sense that arose is related to the White Lotus and to Master No Birth, it is only natural not to let this clue slip by.

The white lotus can be associated with the White Lotus Holy Mother whom one once encountered, or it can be not associated.

After Great Master Wusheng attained the Bodhisattva fruition, he came to White Horse Chan Temple to stay, and the matter of him planting a lake of white lotuses cannot be simply overlooked.

Therefore, over the past month, Lin Ke has been searching for information about Great Master Wusheng.

Unfortunately, he found nothing.

He went to ask Monk Yuanzhi once, but Monk Yuanzhi only said this is not something Lin Ke should know now.

Lin Ke could only turn his head and disturb Monk Liaochen.

You also know you've asked thirteen times.

Monk Liaochen sighed helplessly, "Senior Brother, I really don't know."

Really?

Lin Ke responded indifferently, then said, "But I heard Senior Brother is well-informed and knows everything."

Monk Liaochen sighed again, annoyed, "Which bastard spread rumors about me?"

Lin Ke kept silent, just staring steadily at Monk Liaochen.

There's no way; Monk Liaochen doesn't want to be disturbed anymore, so he can only give a hint: "The selection at Bodhidharma Hall is about to start; if you can enter Bodhidharma Academy, you can then apply to go to Bodhi Academy to study Buddhism thoroughly."

He paused, then Monk Liaochen emphasized his tone: "Great Master Wusheng's Buddhism is profound; do you understand?"

Understood. Thank you, Senior Brother.

Lin Ke put his palms together and sincerely thanked the good person Monk Liaochen, then left.

The selection at Bodhidharma Hall is today; although Lin Ke is confident he will surely pass, he must not be careless. Even when a lion fights a rabbit, it uses full strength.

What should be prepared must be prepared; never capsize in the gutter.

That would be laughable.

Moreover, the karma left by the original self needs to be settled.

After watching Lin Ke's departing back for a while, Monk Liaochen finished his standing meditation and sought his master, Monk Yuanzhi.

"Monk Wufan came to ask you about Great Master Wusheng again?"

Monk Yuanzhi sat cross-legged on the futon, his hands forming the meditation seal, but he was not in meditation.

Seeing Monk Liaochen enter, he directly asked this.

Yes, Master.

Monk Liaochen nodded, then asked, "Master, is the junior disciple truly the reincarnation of Great Master Wusheng?"

Master does not know.

Monk Yuanzhi slowly closed his eyes, shielding the pain and torment in them, and said in a faint voice, "Based on various signs, it is possible, or it may not be."

The disciple is dull and does not understand; please, master, dispel my confusion.

Monk Liaochen frowned, thought for a while, still couldn't understand, and sincerely asked.

"Which three Buddhas are present in the world today?"

Monk Yuanzhi did not answer directly, went around in a circle, and posed a question.

"Medicine Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha."

Monk Liaochen immediately gave the answer.

"This is common sense; not knowing it would be strange."

Monk Yuanzhi said, "This is the Horizontal Three Ages Buddha, anciently transmitted; there is also the Vertical Three Ages Buddha."

"Master, what is the Vertical Three Ages Buddha?"

"Past, present, future—these constitute the Vertical Three Ages. The past Buddha is the Burning Lamp Buddha, also called the Blazing Light Tathagata Buddha; the present Buddha is Shakyamuni Buddha; the future Buddha is Maitreya Buddha."

"The disciple is dull and does not know how the Vertical Three Ages Buddha relates to Great Master Wusheng and the junior disciple."

"Maitreya's descent, the Bright King's emergence—have you heard of this?"

"I have heard of it."

"Just as Shakyamuni Buddha once broke free from the calamity from the belly of the Peacock Great Bright King, so too does Maitreya Buddha's descent require tribulation and protection."

"This time, the Peacock Great Bright King is not the tribulation but the protection."

"With the Bright King in the light drawing attention, Maitreya in the darkness saves and guides souls to the next life."

"Only then can the future world of light arrive."

"So, Great Master Wusheng or his reincarnation is the Bright King?"

"What did Great Master Wusheng plant?"

"White lotus."

"White lotus purifies the world."

"The disciple understands."

"Understands?"

"Understands."

"Having understood, go look at your junior disciple; whether he is Great Master Wusheng's reincarnation or not, he is related to Great Master Wusheng."

"Yes, Master."

Leaving Monk Yuanzhi's meditation room, Monk Liaochen, like a towering vajra, regained his simple and honest appearance.

After walking a while, Monk Liaochen came to Bodhidharma Hall.

The selection had not yet officially begun, but the disciples wishing to enter Bodhidharma Hall had already gathered and were waiting.

Lin Ke's version of Monk Wufan was also among them.

Monk Liaochen at once saw Lin Ke standing in a secluded corner.

"Junior disciple, why are you standing so far away?"

Monk Liaochen waved a palm as big as a palm-leaf fan, forcibly cleared a path through the crowd, and came to Lin Ke's side, "Why don't you stand a bit further up?"

Lin Ke opened his mouth, about to answer.

Suddenly a voice came from beside: "Senior Brother Liaofan, long time no see, how are you?"

Monk Liaochen and Lin Ke turned their heads simultaneously at the sound, and saw a handsome monk with delicate features and a smile constantly at the corners of his mouth.

"Thank you for your concern, Junior Brother Liaoxin, Senior Brother I'm already much better."

Monk Liaoxin lightly patted Monk Liaochen's arm to signal him not to get angry, and Lin Ke calmly said, "Junior Brother Liaoxin, how have you been lately? Have the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion been eliminated? How is your Buddhist practice?"

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for your concern."

Monk Liaoxin pressed his palms together, bowed slightly, and said with a smile, "Thanks to the Buddha's blessings, I, Junior Brother, have made vigorous progress in my Buddhist practice this period, gaining much."

"Really?"

Lin Ke withheld comment, then said, "Then during the assessment later, please ask Junior Brother to go easy on me and not accidentally hurt me again."

"What do you mean by that, Senior Brother?"

Monk Liaoxin straightened his body and said in surprise, "Senior Brother, could you have misunderstood something?"

Lin Ke chuckled, "Whether it's a misunderstanding, we'll find out later."

As the words fell, Lin Ke's eyes narrowed slightly.

Although the wizard's power cannot be brought in, his knowledge and vision remain.

Through this month's familiarity and practice, Lin Ke has come to understand the cultivation system of the Dharma-protecting warrior monks, remnants of Buddhism spreading in this world.

In the practice of Sumeru Palm, he also pointed out Heavenly Eye, Heavenly Ear, Knowing Others' Minds, Spiritual Foot, Knowledge of Past Lives, and Extinction of Outflows—among the Buddhist Six Supernormal Powers, he pointed out Knowing Others' Minds and Knowledge of Past Lives.

Normally, this is something only an Arhat (Sage) can do.

Lin Ke happens to be a Fifth-level Sage, and having studied the True Spirit Witchcraft school, he has experienced many events related to the concept of fate; pointing out Knowing Others' Minds and Knowledge of Past Lives is thus within the normal range.

Through Knowing Others' Minds, Lin Ke sensed from Monk Liaoxin an extremely well-concealed malice and murderous intent.

Through Knowledge of Past Lives, Lin Ke determined that it was indeed Monk Liaoxin who harmed Monk Liaofan.

This karmic debt lies on Monk Liaoxin; once it is settled, Lin Ke can confidently strive for the Arhat realm.

In enemy territory, strength is the only guarantee.

The earlier one attains the Arhat realm, the earlier one can possess stronger self-defense ability.

Thinking of this, Lin Ke's mind suddenly felt a refreshing coolness.

The Extinction of Outflows, said to be able to sever attachment and worries and escape the cycle of rebirth, was achieved.

The greatest obstacle to attaining Arhat fruition has disappeared.