Power of the Buddhist Path

Power of the Buddhist Path . . . 

Qin Wentian cast a sweeping glance at his surroundings, his curiosity now piqued. In a flash, his silhouette darted forward, eager to explore the mysteries that this desolate corner within the sacred academy held.

The expanse stretched endlessly before him, a tranquil sanctuary far removed from the bustling tumult of the outside world. Here, an ancient castle stood as a solemn sentinel, its grandeur juxtaposed with a profound simplicity. Towering stone pillars, each reaching nearly a hundred feet in height, supported the weight of history. As Qin Wentian approached, a harmonious blend of majesty and austerity washed over him, an ambiance intensified by the castle's isolation amidst the desolation.

Crossing the castle's threshold, he ascended a regal staircase that seemingly sought to pierce the heavens themselves. Each monumental stone column exuded an awe-inspiring presence. Standing within the palace's hallowed confines, Qin Wentian was consumed by a profound sense of reverence—a sentiment that welled up spontaneously and uncontrollably.

Continuing his exploration, he eventually reached the heart of the ancient palace—a central grand hall. Enclosed by stone walls, it resembled a weathered and venerable temple. As Qin Wentian ascended the steps to the grand hall, his gaze was drawn to a single character, '真' (Truth), etched prominently upon the wall.

The character for truth loomed large, its essence shrouded in a peculiar aura. Qin Wentian perceived a fleeting beam of light cascading down upon him, yet any attempt to grasp it eluded him. The enigmatic aura dissipated, leaving behind a character that now appeared entirely mundane, bereft of its former mystique.

Puzzled, Qin Wentian surveyed his surroundings, finding nothing more than the scattered holes that pocked the castle's roof, allowing sunlight to filter in. Though on the cusp of enlightenment, he found the elusive insight slipping through his grasp.

"Truth. Why just this single character?" Qin Wentian mused aloud, pondering the significance of the solitary inscription.

Exiting the ancient castle, he yearned to explore this enigmatic realm. However, as time passed, he recognized the staggering vastness of this desolate landscape. Taking to an immortal weapon, he soared through the area, yet encountered little more than a few solitary trees. Barrenness stretched endlessly in all directions.

"Could I have been deceived?" Qin Wentian muttered under his breath, a growing sense of frustration gnawing at him. This desolation bore an uncanny resemblance to the infinite expanse of the immortal sea. Was this a mere repetition of the previous trial? But to what end?

"No, that can't be right," he reasoned silently. "I've arrived at the Heavenly Dao Sacred Academy, and my ability to penetrate the veil of illusion allowed me to see beyond the facade of the immortal sea. It's inconceivable that the academy would subject me to a test built upon the same premise." The Evergreen Immortal Emperor's intent was to bring him here for cultivation, and the academy's emergence had triggered a frenetic rush of immortal kings and immortal-foundation figures eager to gain entry. It signaled a new era—a transformation of profound significance. It seemed implausible that the academy would resort to a mere reiteration of past trials.

His presence here must hold a deeper, more profound purpose.

"Truth. The pursuit of truth... Could it be that unraveling the enigma of the immortal sea led the sacred academy to send me here because my path of Dao is one of seeking truth?" Qin Wentian mused, his voice barely above a whisper. He gazed skyward, fixating his gaze on the boundless expanse before him. "Is this the essence of it?"

The void remained devoid of response, leaving Qin Wentian to silently question the authenticity of the greater demon's earlier conversation. Had it truly been an encounter with a real entity or a mere illusion?

After a protracted period of introspection, Qin Wentian resigned himself to the absence of answers. He cast his mind back to that wondrous sensation he experienced upon entering the ancient castle—an undeniable resonance with the tenets of the Buddhist path.

The mysteries of the Buddhist way had always been formidable and elusive, requiring an extraordinary level of insight to fathom. Typically, only those who had achieved enlightenment or possessed an innate intuitive connection could hope to unravel its profundities.

Could there be a Buddhist mystery concealed within this realm?

Reflecting on his journey through the immortal sea, he recalled his ability to peer through the illusion, seeing beyond the veil of the sea to the underlying truth. The transformation of the Dao had cast doubt upon the very existence of the sea. 'Am I not already within the sacred academy? Why must I venture elsewhere?' These words, uttered in the wake of his enlightenment about the immortal sea's riddle, bore the unmistakable essence of Zen, the Buddhist path.

Could this be the reason for his presence here?

As Qin Wentian pondered this possibility, a wry smile crossed his lips. He recognized that he now needed to unravel the enigma concealed within the '真' character to unlock the truth.

"Let's proceed, then," Qin Wentian resolved. Guiding his immortal weapon with precision, he streaked through the sky like a bolt of lightning, returning once more to the ancient temple that housed the character. This time, he allowed himself to be fully immersed in the profound aura that enveloped him upon entering. As he reached the central grand hall, he approached the 'Truth' character once more.

"Truth. What secrets lie within this word?" Qin Wentian muttered softly, closing his eyes and extending his immortal senses, delving into the enigmatic aura.

Intermittently, Qin Wentian could faintly discern traces of that elusive aura. Yet, it remained tantalizingly elusive, slipping through his grasp.

In the course of his many years of cultivation, Qin Wentian had come to understand that true progress was a gradual journey. As his cultivation advanced, so too did his heart and character mature. He possessed the confidence to follow the path he believed to be right. Even if it ultimately proved to be a misstep, he knew he had the time and determination to begin anew.

In the midst of an ancient castle, Qin Wentian assumed a tranquil posture, gazing intently at the enigmatic ancient truth character that lay before him. Despite dedicating a full year to deciphering its mysteries, he hadn't witnessed a significant enhancement in his cultivation. Still, he persevered, unwavering in his determination to delve deeper into its secrets. In bygone days, this sort of relentless patience would have eluded him.

Yet today, Qin Wentian awoke.

For an entire year, he had maintained this meditative stance, his eyes locked onto the solitary character before him. Contemplatively, he murmured, "In the annals of antiquity, the supreme practitioners of the Buddhist path would meditate for millennia, striving to attain enlightenment. Here I am, having meditated for just a year, seeking to unveil the enigma concealed within a single word. Although the complete truth remains elusive, I've managed to glean fragments of understanding." Qin Wentian's voice was hushed, devoid of any hint of impatience.

"Truth-seeking, truth-seeking. The ability to penetrate all illusions... Or perhaps I should shift my perspective and begin with self-reflection to unearth my own truth?" He pondered, closing his eyes once more to resume his meditation.

Qin Wentian ruminated at length. Why was he so resolute in his pursuit of cultivation? The answer lay in the fact that his strength determined his destiny, affording him the power to safeguard those dear to him. In the past, he had endured countless hardships in Sky Harmony City, and ultimately, it was his strength that had resolved everything. There were moments in his relationship with Mo Qingcheng when life and death seemed poised to separate them, yet it was their shared strength that had ultimately allowed them to be together. In the immortal realms, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor had ignited a war in his particle world, resulting in the deaths of countless innocents. The Skymist Immortal Empire had also exerted pressure on the Evergreen Immortal Empire, attempting to seize their princesses through force.

From the very beginning, he had been uncertain about the whereabouts of his parents, let alone their survival. All he knew was that he owed a blood debt to his father's clan, one that he would have to repay sooner or later. All these motivations fueled his pursuit of strength.

In this world, the lives of the weak were as fragile as weeds, easily uprooted. His determination to grow stronger was unwavering; no one could shake his resolve. This was his truth.

He contemplated his family, friends, and his own character. He delved into thoughts about his lineage, the elemental energies he cultivated, his astral souls, and his immortal foundation.

Today, starting with a meticulous examination of the elemental energies he had mastered, he embarked on a profound journey of introspection, retracing every step of his cultivation path since its inception.

In this barren expanse, the passage of time held no sway over him. There were no distractions to divert his focus.

Three years had slipped by since Qin Wentian had ventured into this realm from the immortal sea. Yet, within this timeless domain, he remained seated cross-legged beneath the sheltering boughs of an age-old tree. His entire being radiated with runic glows, a testament to the power of his bloodlines and the fiendgod body refinement art. His defenses were nearly impenetrable.

Over the years, Qin Wentian's physical form underwent a gradual transformation, evolving through a series of refining experiences. His journey of physical refinement began with the sacred luminance and his encounters in the illustrious City of Ancient Emperors. When he ascended to the realm of immortality, a new surge of energy bathed his physique in celestial radiance. And it didn't end there; within the sacred confines of the God Hand Mountain Manor's ancient mountain, his body underwent yet another profound metamorphosis as he delved into the secrets of God's Hand through a golden figure.

With each passing experience, Qin Wentian's physical vessel grew closer to perfection. This was particularly evident when he harnessed the energy of God's Hand. As he activated this power, a mesmerizing tapestry of ever-shifting runes would envelop his body, embodying the essence of every law he had mastered. Qin Wentian held a deep conviction that the resilience of his body was on par with his legendary saint-grade immortal foundation, making him an unrivaled force within the immortal realms.

As another day drifted by, Qin Wentian summoned his immortal foundation amidst the desolate surroundings. It was a flawless masterpiece devoid of any imperfections, capable of shifting and unleashing formidable might aligned with the laws he had mastered. With a mere thought, he could transform his perfect immortal foundation into the majestic form of a great roc, unlocking the tremendous power of the supreme demon attack techniques he had acquired within the treasured cauldron pilfered from the black dragon during his time in the City of Ancient Emperors.

The relentless march of time brought no change to Qin Wentian's cultivation level, but his strength was steadily undergoing augmentation. Self-reflection played a crucial role in this process, allowing him to refine his control over the laws he had mastered.

While Qin Wentian often ventured through the vast expanse, he predominantly found solace in the central grand hall. There, he sat alone, his gaze fixed unwaveringly upon the truth character. Day by day, he diligently endeavored to unravel its enigmatic depths, gaining incremental insights with each passing moment.

Occasionally, thoughts of Qing'er and Qingcheng would occupy his mind, along with concerns for his other close friends. Qin Wentian yearned for the day when he would reunite with them, though the uncertainty of when that would occur weighed on his heart. Nevertheless, for the time being, his focus remained entirely on his introspective quest for the path of truth.

The desolate realm remained immune to the passage of seasons, and as time flowed inexorably, Qin Wentian lost all sense of its passage.

Then, on this particular day, the ancient truth character began to emanate a resplendent, immortal light. This once-simple yet profoundly mysterious character grew increasingly luminous, exuding an otherworldly aura.

With closed eyes and a heart devoid of distractions, Qin Wentian remained blissfully unaware of the transformation unfolding before him. As the radiance intensified, the truth character's shadow cast itself upon the unassuming stone walls, gradually permeating their surfaces. Moments later, the entire chamber bathed in radiant runic light.

Bit by bit, the walls of the grand hall became brilliantly aglow with golden light, emanating from that ancient truth character. It seemed to detach from the wall, taking on a corporeal form embodying the Great Dao. Expanding in size, it advanced towards Qin Wentian's body, and upon contact, an influx of profound mysteries surged into his consciousness.

Mystical sounds, reminiscent of the harmonious echoes of the Great Dao, resonated abruptly, as the space around him transformed into a multidimensional realm adorned with countless intersecting runic characters. In this ephemeral moment, the seemingly modest grand hall radiated with resplendent buddhic light. Qin Wentian's mind was flooded with a myriad of ancient characters, suspended in the air, each possessing profound depths.

In that transcendent moment, Qin Wentian grasped the truth. The path he had embarked upon all those years ago had been right from the very beginning. Today, he had finally completed his transformation.

"Could this be the supreme power of the Buddhist path?" Qin Wentian's heart quivered. At this very moment, the complexity and profundity of this newfound power seemed on par with the might of God's Hand itself!