Chapter 1390
Ordination Certificate
Chapter 1390 Ordination Certificate (1+12) (Bonus Chapter 37113 for "Hidden Dragon")
Although it was Dangjiang who brought this man up, he himself was clueless, putting on a brave face, and knew nothing about the man's background... However, this guy was incredibly audacious, confident in his connections, and remained calm, saying indifferently:
"Oh?"
He casually sat on the steps, exuding an aura of power, and with what he thought was a solemn and dignified smile, asked:
"Who is this gentleman?"
This question stumped Wu Mu.
'I...I don't know either...'
He actually stood there—the supernatural power of that person back then was extremely terrifying, seemingly at the level of an immortal, as if he had awakened from some ancient world. Of course, he was terrified and only cared about escaping with his life. He had no mind or courage to ask the other party's Daoist name!
But he was, after all, an eight-hundred-year-old demon, and recovered in an instant. His face remained meek and submissive as he sobbed:
"Back then, I was ignorant of the immortals and accidentally encountered the magic on the lake. I risked my life to enter a mysterious palace, vast and boundless, filled with ethereal immortal energy, as if containing all living beings. Above sat a great man... who once asked me a question..."
Dangjiang was secretly puzzled, and said aloud:
"What did they ask you?"
Wu Mu then said:
"They asked me what year and day it was, where Li Qianyuan was... then they asked about my current rank and status. Finally, upon learning that I was a monk, they asked which Buddha was currently in charge, saying that they needed my help..."
He seemed to speak recklessly, but he elevated himself significantly. Dangjiang, upon hearing that he had touched upon the lake, already knew the situation:
"Since it's said that the officials of each prefecture and county have their own schemes, and this involves the lake, then it must be the official in the Heavenly Realm who made the move in the Mingyang game—that is, Li Ximing's backer!"
After this process of sorting things out, he felt his thoughts were clearer, and forcibly resisted the urge to ask the other party if they knew Li Ximing, casually saying:
"So it was someone who bumped into Immortal Li! No wonder they were sent to the Wonderful Land!"
'His surname is indeed Li…'
The two of them, now paired together, had somehow managed to communicate, and Dangjiang said:
"Come on up."
So he stepped forward and began to stroll in this quiet and mysterious place. His five eyes were not clear about what was going on, so he hurriedly followed along. As he went to the high hall, he looked around and became more and more surprised.
'These four places radiate divine light, each a treasure land, yet they are otherworldly and unpretentious, majestic and awe-inspiring. Nothing like them has ever been seen in the outside world, yet they possess profound depth, containing the truths of Buddhism and Taoism in every place. It's truly strange how such a place, without cause or effect, could exist!'
It's no wonder he was shocked. When Lu Jiangxian created this Boundless Wonderland, she had already taken into account the various pagodas and great religions of her previous life, and in terms of profound principles, she had also taken into account various sacred sites. Combining the two, whether in terms of culture or mysticism, this place is just like a sacred religious site that has developed for thousands of years, independent of reality!
Unfortunately, this old fellow Wu Mu had a discerning eye and had been in the mortal world for a long time. He was far more knowledgeable than Dang Jiang, and he not only saw the beauty but also discerned the profound underlying meaning, which made him even more alarmed:
'Such a vast place…where are the other monks and masters? It's one thing to see no practitioners, but there must be tens of millions of followers; where have they all gone?'
He couldn't help but pay more attention and pondered to himself. Fortunately, the two of them stopped in front of the main hall. Wu Mu looked up and saw that the main hall was solemn and had a plaque hanging on it.
【Hengshizhen Hall】.
The abbot finally stopped and solemnly bowed. Wu Mu quickly followed suit and then pushed open the door to enter. Inside, it was pitch black, like a dark and gloomy world. As the abbot pushed open the door, a beam of clear light shone down from the openwork ceiling of the courtyard.
This place was already infinitely majestic, and with the beam of light shining from the river, it became even more terrifying. Not to mention the countless mysterious statues with different faces hidden in the darkness, the two statues on the high place were even more illuminated by the light.
One side was engulfed in black flames, the other a blue-faced, fanged being. Unlike Dangjiang, the moment Wumu witnessed these two revered figures, he felt all the blood rush to his head. Countless profound mysteries and methods flooded his mind through his eyes. He collapsed to the ground with a thud, spitting out a mouthful of blood without hesitation.
"puff!"
It was as if a bell was ringing in his mind, shaking him so much that he was completely disoriented. Only those two faces remained in his mind, and he felt a great terror and danger rising in his heart, even the risk of sudden death!
"clang!"
But Dangjiang reacted quickly, gently tapping the ground with his long staff. The crisp sound echoed outwards, like a clear stream, pulling him back from the brink of death. He spat out several more mouthfuls of blood and almost fainted.
His muddled pupils stared at the ground, the bloody liquid splattered on the bluestone floor, but it seemed to be absorbed cleanly by the floor of the hall like cotton, leaving nothing behind.
As consciousness slowly returned, two words finally surfaced in his mind:
'World Honored One.'
'The image of the World-Honored One.'
This terrifying scene, as if one were directly gazing upon the supreme mystery and entering a sandalwood forest, has surpassed the power of the Dharma form. There is only one possibility—these two are both World Honored Ones!
This thought almost terrified him to death. A continuous stream of wondrous sensations was still assaulting his mind. Sometimes it was a surge of foul fire, sometimes it was a rippling blue water. If his five eyes were a Maha, once he left this world, there would surely be no more obstacles before the fifth lifetime!
Unfortunately, he was only a pitiful person.
'But...none of that matters anymore.'
He wiped the blood from his lips, suppressing the urge to laugh wildly. He didn't know who that person was back then, nor how that person had managed to bring him to this wondrous land where two World Honored Ones coexisted...
'But I... made the right bet... Back then, I said I was willing to become a disciple of the grotto-heaven... and such an opportunity truly came true!'
His heart was quickly filled with reverence for the terrifying power and supreme status. He straightened his posture, bowed respectfully, and whispered:
"Minor cultivators from the lower realms should not disrespect the dignity of venerable cultivators..."
He performed the deepest bow with utmost care, then turned to pay his respects to the abbot, finally ceasing to call him a wicked monk, and wept:
"Thank you so much for saving my life, sir!"
Little did he know that his performance had startled Dangjiang. He hadn't expected the two statues to be so deadly to Buddhist monks. Feeling more confident, he calmly said:
"This is your destiny, no need to thank me."
He was, of course, making things up out of thin air, relying on his impression of Buddhist practitioners and attributing everything to karma. Wu Mu, however, nodded in deep agreement, tears streaming down his face, and said:
"The Immortal has bestowed upon me the virtue of rebirth, and the Lord has granted me the grace of receiving the Dao. I am willing to serve as a minor official in the Dharma Realm... but I do not know... under which venerable one does the Lord rank..."
Dangjiang knew he couldn't reveal his secrets, but he also couldn't lose face. He sighed, turned his head to scan the area, and immediately saw the statue—shrouded in mist, a symbol of life and death, infinitely noble, yet unlike the frightening black statue beside it, it possessed a celestial aura.
So he clasped his hands together, stepped forward, and, leaning against the message he had read from the monument, whispered:
"I, by the grace of the World-Honored One, cultivate in the Immeasurable Mysterious Path, and am known as the [Supreme Manifestation of the Three Incarnations of the Azure Lotus Water]!"
Five eyes immediately recognized the name of the World Honored One beside them. Although it seemed different from the one in the mortal world, it was, after all, a separate realm, so they didn't find it strange. Boundless reverence arose in their hearts, and they bowed deeply, accepting the title with clear conviction, saying:
"So you are the master of this realm!"
But the abbot slowly shook his head and said calmly:
"No—the two World Honored Ones are protecting the Dharma, and the master of my Great Crow Boundless Wonderful Land has not yet returned to his position; he is far in the future."
They stared at him blankly, utterly shocked, to the point of disbelief.
'There are others above?! By the World Honored One…who else could be above?'
The ultimate goal of Buddhism and Taoism is none other than the World-Honored One. There is no higher to climb. Now, the World-Honored One is the only one, residing in the Great Perfection of Meditation. Everyone praises his name, but no one feels that he has reached a position above the World-Honored One.
Strictly speaking, only three people can be recognized as being above the Buddha.
'The Three Venerable Ones…'
The so-called Three Venerable Ones refer to the three World-Honored Ones of the North, Central and South. Because their names are based on geography, they are also called the Supreme One or the Venerable One of the Directions. Apart from these, who would dare to surpass the World-Honored Ones and claim to be the master? The Sandalwood Grove has many forms, so it can only be called a grove, but no one dares to say that they are the master!
'Could it be that the World Honored One behind him is the master of the two World Honored Ones in front? According to the principles of master-disciple relations, it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to call himself the master of this world…'
Dangjiang largely ignored him, gesturing for him to continue down the path. He led him around the entire area, pointing out the names of everything, before returning to the Hall of Inheritance. Only then did his expression soften, and he casually remarked:
"So that you may know, this place is the [Great Crow Boundless Wonderful Land], the abode of the Great Crow Boundless Dharma Path. In this hall are seven Supreme Jiedi, below whom are the Four Heavenly Kings Qinglu, Guangshi, Xuanle, and Baoguang, twelve Vajras of each division, eighteen Sangharama, and thirty-six Arhats..."
"My Dharma name is [Xuanji]. I am honored to be the guardian of this [Great Crow Boundless Wonderful Land] and the abbot of the [Hengshi Zhendian] - receiving the mandate of heaven, observing the great calamity, and gathering all phenomena."
After he finished speaking, for some reason, it felt unusually natural. He casually sat cross-legged, holding a flower and smiling, exuding a sacred aura. The five eyes, finally looking at him less demonic, became submissive and said:
"Where are you gentlemen?"
Dangjiang laughed:
"A person who is free and destined."
These five words came out of nowhere, causing Wu Mu to pause slightly in surprise. He belatedly looked up at him, his heart trembling, and his face flushed slightly as he said:
"Whether it's a catastrophe or a predestined connection, this humble cultivator doesn't understand. Please, sir, explain!"
Dangjiang laughed:
"You, me, him—this is what is meant by... destined people. Great chaos is about to break out in the world. If we are not destined people in this wonderful land, we will eventually return to dust and ashes, scattered between heaven and earth!"
This was the solution he had come up with after much thought!
'The heavens will inevitably be reborn sooner or later, and this wondrous land will surely connect with the human world, leading to a war and a great calamity. Using these words to lure them is perfectly apt!'
What was said unintentionally was taken seriously by the listener. In that instant, the guess that had been lingering in his mind finally came true. A white light suddenly exploded in Wu Mu's mind, and he suddenly realized what the other person meant.
This is going to change the world!
'This is the opportunity that has been given to me!'
'No, to be precise, it wasn't left for me... This lord... Everything behind this lord... actually shows ambitions comparable to the Seven Ministers of the Realm!'
A sense of shock flashed through his mind, but it quickly turned into a sense of bewilderment that came naturally:
'Yes…how could it not be? How could it not be? There are two World Honored Ones present…'
Today, the entire Buddhist and Taoist tradition is openly represented by only one Buddha, the Great Master of Zen!
Even if these two are only statues and their true forms are not revealed, and their condition is unknown, the fact that the statues still possess that aura means they at least still exist in the world…
How quick his mind is!
'Immortal Official Li…Immortal Official Li…is definitely not the same person who captured me back then, but he is most likely one of that person's subordinates. In other words, these two World Honored Ones have joined forces with the Immortal Path and have now summoned me here…'
He was momentarily stunned, kneeling on the ground like a fool. Dangjiang frowned slightly, wondering what he was thinking. He simply clasped his hands together, a smile playing on his lips, and gazed down at the scene below with a deep look.
Wu Mu took a breath and said:
"Next revision... Understood!"
'Once you understand, you understand…'
He nodded with a smile, only to see the monk from outside raise his head, his eyes filled with shock, yet also with intense anticipation, and say:
"May I ask, Your Excellency, what are the venerable positions of the Heavenly King Jiedi and the Arhats and Sangharama?"
This question concerned his response, since he had specifically read all the documents in the Hall of Manuscripts and Inheritance beforehand. He simply smiled and said:
"The four Heavenly Kings correspond to these four treasure platforms, and are the guardians of their respective regions. Each of them is assigned three Vajra deities, four Sangharama deities, nine Arhats, and two Sangharama deities who are the protectors of the Robe and Bowl Hall."
"This Jiedi is quite different. He discusses important matters with me, the abbot, in the main hall. He does not belong to the Four Directions Platform, but he is on par with the Heavenly King, making him especially honorable!"
He paused, deliberately raising his chin, and said:
"As for the position of honor, this Jiedi is only slightly inferior to me!"
Wu Mu was greatly alarmed.
'Slightly inferior?'
He had just come up the mountain and, seeing the abbot's overwhelming presence, had already anticipated that the person before him must also be a Dharma Aspect level figure. Perhaps he was a highly accomplished cultivator who had manifested in countless forms, and one of them had simply landed in this hall to serve as the abbot!
'If you calculate it that way, Vajra and Garan must be at least at the Maha level!'
He knew nothing of this path's cultivation method, and even suspected that the other party had divided it into more detailed categories, without the concept of Maha. Trembling with fear, he immediately bowed down and said:
"Please give your instructions, Abbot!"
Dang Jiang chuckled inwardly, sat back down, crossed his legs, and casually said:
"What level of cultivation do you have in the outside world?!"
Wu Mu lowered his head, slightly embarrassed.
"Just pity?"
"Compassion?"
Dang Jiang's heart sank instantly, and he almost cursed aloud. Deeply disappointed, he remained outwardly calm and said:
"How did it end up in the oil pan?"
Speaking of this, Wu Mu burst into tears, recounting the events in detail, rambling on and on about the past. Dang Jiang listened intently, a chill creeping into his heart.
'He's quite clever... but he got caught up in Mingyang's affair... He also seems to have a good grasp of the situation, willing to spend over thirty years in this cauldron of boiling oil...'
After all, he was the first pawn in his hand. Even though he was in a sorry state at the moment, it was still his first step into the mortal world. Dangjiang quickly accepted reality, and simply nodded slowly, saying:
"Do you wish to escape this sea of suffering and avoid the calamities of heaven?"
'How could I not want to!'
He certainly understood what the other party meant. The day when the Great Void Boundless Wonderful Land would be born was probably near, and it would inevitably clash with the Seven Phases of the Land of Release. Under this great calamity, it was precisely his chance to turn the tables!
So he kowtowed and wept, rambling on and on, but Dangjiang didn't believe him. He stood up, looked down at him, and said:
“You lowly cultivators are burdened with karmic sins. If you cannot offset them with merit, how can you escape the calamity? You don’t need to pledge your loyalty to me. If your merit is insufficient, even if I have a thousand hearts, it will be useless!”
So he picked up two fingers, took a document from the table, and said calmly:
"Write down your name, and see how many sins you have committed!"
'What is this?'
Wu Mu took the paper with both hands. It was only a few sheets of paper thick. When he opened it, it was completely blank. He hurriedly pressed his finger on it, and blood dripped out. Only then did he see the words appear on the top.
Dawuwuliangbu
Ye Xiu Xiao Jingnian 811
The prefecture and river island, the sinful appearance, the empty and false, the master of the Five-Eyed Temple, his sins eighty-eight, permitted to enter the immeasurable wondrous land to cultivate with karma…
Following that were some incomprehensible names, with many blank spaces, seemingly for filling in names for others. This was utterly unheard of. Wu looked them over, muttering to himself:
'It looks more like a legal document!'
The abbot laughed:
"This is called a 'degree certificate'! Never seen one before, have you? It means the place of entry and exit for conversion. You lowly cultivators don't need this, but it is the place of entry and exit for this wondrous land. When the great calamity comes, you will suffer as much as you have sinned... You are eighty-eight years old, and you will have to go to eighty-eight levels of hell before you die!"
They, the Buddhist monks, are experts at torturing people with hellish methods; they're not actually afraid of these things, except for death… Wu Mu broke out in a cold sweat and said:
"What crime is this!"
Dangjiang sneered:
"You people, you became landlords and then wanted to be high monks, you've lived for eight hundred years in vain, you don't even know how many people you've harmed, and you still dare to ask me what crimes you've committed?"
The writing here is not a fabrication. It is Lu Jiangxian's perception of his life's deeds, which roughly indicates that he has done quite well. Wu Mu has not done anything significant in his past lives, and has mainly stayed in the temple to enjoy himself. He can truly be considered a great benefactor among Buddhist practitioners!
Wu Mu felt the world darken, and the ominous premonition that had been simmering in his heart finally surfaced:
'It's over! This really is ancient morality!'
He had seen the immortal back then and had long suspected something was amiss. In recent years, he had deliberately restrained himself, even reducing his enjoyment of pleasures, let alone harming others. Later, he collapsed in a vat of boiling oil and became even less mobile...
'I never imagined I'd still incur so much karma!'
Although he was filled with despair and gloom, he wasn't completely heartbroken. He felt far luckier than his fellow cultivators; if he had remained oblivious and waited for that day to come, countless cultivators in the entire North would have perished! Surprisingly, he wasn't too sad anymore. He silently put his things away and said:
"I will definitely cultivate good deeds and make up for my mistakes!"
Dangjiang nodded in satisfaction. After finishing hitting the target with the big stick on one side, he tossed out a radish on the other, laughing:
"If you have accumulated enough merit and washed away the dust of your past life, you will naturally have a position of honor to worship. If you have enough merit, then you may even be able to obtain the golden land or the heaven!"
Wu Mu was not surprised. He put his hands together, nodded solemnly, and the two exchanged a glance. The monk on the ground was troubled again and said hesitantly:
"There's only one thing... Xiao Xiu is still locked up in prison, submerged in boiling oil, and can't go out to earn merit!"
Dang Jiang was taken aback; his eyes narrowed, and he said in a low voice:
"Is it really impossible to go out?"
"It's...not that bad."
Wu Mu hesitated for a moment before answering:
"But I'll die, sir! They'll definitely push me to the front, out to fight other immortal cultivators. That's one thing, but that Prince Wei... if he wants to kill me... it'll be as easy as a slap!"
This is a foregone conclusion. Although he turned a blind eye to what happened on the lake back then, who knows what the Li family was thinking? If he gets out this time and is forced to go before Mingyang—given the temperament of that Prince Wei, he could send him to his death with a single magical power!
As he spoke, he looked at the other person with hopeful eyes, but unexpectedly, the person in front of him burst into laughter and said:
"What's so difficult about that? Just go and agree to their demands, and they'll let you out. As for Mingyang, I'll pull some strings for you!"
Wu Mu had expected him to bestow some supernatural power or treasure, but instead, he simply said he would pull strings to get him in! He was utterly dumbfounded, only able to stammer:
"Huh? A way?"
Dangjiang, being greedy and calculating, clearly understood his intentions. His smile vanished, replaced by a coldness, and he said indifferently:
"I know what you're thinking, you wish! Your Seven Phases love to collude with those above and below you. How can you not arouse suspicion when you get positions or treasures for no reason? You're not some powerful figure, I have neither the intention nor the ability to enter the realm to save you!"
"You've misunderstood, sir!"
Wu Mu now understood that Miao Tu's attitude towards the outside world was something he couldn't reveal in the slightest. He was secretly alarmed, but immediately knelt down and wept, saying:
"My lord, you have misunderstood me! I only wish to atone for my mistakes and make amends for my virtues. I have no thought of my life. It's just that those bandits on Dayang Mountain are vicious. I thought I would ignore them, but if I were to leave easily, even though we are not currently at war with Mingyang, they might send me to those great masters. That would mean I would lose my life anyway!"
Dangjiang was unaware of the outside situation, only believing that Mingyang and the monk were getting along very well. Upon hearing this, he considered it for a moment and said:
"What's the name of that guy behind you, and what level of cultivation does he have?"
Five Eyes Path:
"The younger one is Kongwudao; that fellow is called Zhelu, and he was already the sixth incarnation of Maha back then..."
"If he falls, do you think you can take his place?"
Dangjiang naturally harbored the idea of having Mingyang eliminate this person so that his own person could take over. He secretly made a mental note of it. When asked about it, Wu Mu was both surprised and delighted, but dared not lie to him, and said bitterly:
"My lord... even the weakest of these is the sixth incarnation of the Maha... I am truly far from reaching that level..."
"okay!"
Dangjiang waved his hand in disappointment, having come to a complete understanding of this person.
'This person has the deepest karmic connections, is quite old, and has had connections with the lake, giving him a double advantage. He's trustworthy and can be brought in to hear news, and treated as a trusted confidant. However, his cultivation level is too low; he's truly unfit to be a right-hand man!'
'Now that I have entered the Pure Land, I should proceed slowly and methodically. How could all the marks within this lotus be expressions of pity? I should gradually erode these seven types of people, planting eyes and ears in every sect and path. Once I have everything under control and have a clear understanding of the situation, I will bring in someone with great supernatural powers to devise a plan.'
'We just need to be wary of him; we can't let him leak the news.'
Unfamiliar with the internal relationships between Buddhism and Taoism, and fearing this man might be tempted to take credit, he picked up the token, gently lifted it, and placed it in the tube on the left. Seeing a flash of light, he said:
"I understand. You stay in that cell for now. I'll go and deal with a few people who are destined to help you. Don't worry, someone will come to rescue you soon!"
"Thank you, sir!"
Wu Mu naturally knelt down with profuse thanks, only to find that the abbot had merely helped him up, and laughed:
“You’ve also seen immortals, and you’re quite different from them, otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered to save you… I’ve been ordered to clean up this place, and you’ll have to supervise the communication, speculation, and prediction of changes.”
His gaze shifted, a fierce glint appearing in his eyes:
"But if you refuse to surrender and ruin my plans, you should know the consequences!"
Wu Mu was no ordinary person; he understood that the abbot must have a mission. His heart was brimming with anticipation, and tears welled up in his eyes. He held the abbot's hand and sobbed:
"The abbot rescued me from the sea of suffering and entrusted me with a heavy responsibility; how could I not repay him! From this day forward, above my five eyes lies only the boundless wondrous land, and in my heart only the abbot's kindness..."
With a push, Dangjiang shoved him back into the boiling oil pot, summoned the blue lotus, and carefully sensed it. He discovered that the name had been left on the ordination certificate, and the other person's life was indeed in his hands.
This way of dealing with things actually made him feel relaxed and at ease, as if this was how he was supposed to be. Some of his suppressed emotions slowly resurfaced, and his face, which was usually so obsequious and fawning, turned cold and sinister, his eyes revealing malice and gloom.
"Wait until I gather you all together... Seven Phases? I won't be worthy of being a celestial official if I don't turn your world upside down!"