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墨書 Inktalez
“Great Compassion, you are mistaken. The Demon-Subduing Staff crafted by Song Baliang is a Supreme Dao Artifact. You have seen how this child nearly lost his life in the process of forging it; how can you have the audacity to claim it for yourself?” The voice of Great Suffering Zen Master echoed in the air.
Song Baliang vaguely heard voices arguing.
“Hmph, although the core of the Demon-Subduing Staff is Starlight Stone, I want to know where he got so many Dao Artifact Fragments for the core. He must have stolen them from me, shattering my most precious treasures to extract the core of a Dao Artifact,” Great Compassion Zen Master said with a hint of anger.
“Did you not hear what Zhao Yang said? Without evidence, how can you slander my disciple? This Supreme Dao Artifact was clearly crafted by him as a tribute to me. Don’t think just because you are my senior brother that I won’t strike you!” Datong Zen Master shouted furiously, pointing at Great Compassion.
“I am only looking out for Song Baliang’s well-being. Sooner or later, the Demon-Subduing Staff will attract the wrath of the demon clan. It is safest with me; with his current cultivation level, encountering demons would only lead to his demise,” Great Compassion Zen Master’s voice rang out.
“Well then, thank you very much. I believe the Demon-Subduing Staff is better off with me; I do not fear the demon clan,” Datong Zen Master replied.
“I think this is how we should proceed.” At that moment, the host’s voice came through as he slowly walked into Song Baliang’s Meditation Room. “The Demon-Subduing Staff was forged by Song Baliang after all. Neither of you would handle it well, but given that Song Baliang does not yet have the ability to wield its power, let it serve as a Treasure of the Temple for Xuanfo Temple. Once Song Baliang’s cultivation is sufficient to control it, we will return it to him. What do you think?”
“The host speaks wisely; I agree,” Great Compassion Zen Master said.
“I agree as well,” Great Suffering Zen Master added.
Hearing their agreement, both Great Compassion and Datong Zen Master left in displeasure, their sleeves swishing behind them.
The host chuckled softly and stored away the Demon-Subduing Staff. He turned to the half-awake Song Baliang and said, “Song Baliang, the Demon-Subduing Staff will be temporarily kept at Xuanfo Temple. I will inscribe the necessary runes on some Dao Artifacts for you. Just focus on your recovery.”
Song Baliang nodded; he was still weak and not fully awake. However, one thought occupied his mind: once he regained consciousness completely, he must go to Xuanfo Temple's Scripture Repository to read up on books regarding defenses against the aftereffects of artifact forging.
Outside, Cold Mountain stood still, the strong winds having ceased.
In his ears, a melodious chime resonated.
Zhao Yang opened his eyes, a hazy Purple Qi swirling within them, an indescribable sense of wonder filling his being.
“Master, is that you?” Zhao Yang spoke, gazing in a certain direction.
In the distance, Datong Zen Master nodded and said, “I didn't expect your Divine Sense to have grown to such a level. It truly surprises me that you noticed my slight probing into your situation. How has your Easier Muscle Technique progressed?”
Zhao Yang replied, “I have already reached a minor achievement; my meridians flow smoothly like a gentle stream, continuous and unbroken.”
Datong Zen Master nodded and remarked, “Still too slow. The Easier Muscle Technique is one of the most superior martial arts from a certain Buddhist Sect's divine skill. When integrated with Mystical Gate, it remains one of the top Cultivation secrets. At minor achievement, True Qi flows through your meridians like a gentle stream; at Great Achievement, it will surge like a mighty river. Once perfected, it will resemble the vast starry sky, unimpeded by any meridian blockages or constraints of Dao methods, allowing you to perform techniques at will.”
Zhao Yang humbly accepted the teachings and asked several questions regarding cultivation. Datong Zen Master answered each one, providing Zhao Yang with new insights into the Dao.
Having attained Enlightenment for over a century, Datong's understanding of the Dao far surpassed Zhao Yang's. Thus, Zhao Yang held even greater respect for this master. When Datong demonstrated his Ripple of Enlightenment for Zhao Yang to experience, Zhao Yang felt transported to another mysterious and magnificent world—different from his own yet more solid and profound. Although he did not know the exact level of Datong's cultivation, the fact that Datong could achieve Enlightenment indicated he was at least at the Dao Fruit Stage!
After clearing Zhao Yang's doubts, Datong Zen Master continued, “Starting tomorrow, you should go to the Scripture Repository to read. There is a saying that reading a book a hundred times reveals its meaning. Sometimes, a master may not be as useful as countless books. I have already treated Song Baliang ’s injuries; he is nearly healed and will also begin studying at the Scripture Repository tomorrow. The scriptures at Xuanfo Temple are vast and profound; if you can find something you need there, it will greatly benefit your cultivation.”
Zhao Yang nodded. He had long coveted Xuanfo Temple's Scripture Repository. His Divine Sense was particularly unique—not due to its strength or elevation but because of his reading ability; he could not only scan books but also ignore formations and read everything completely!
After long adaptation, Zhao Yang's brain had far surpassed that of an average person. His perception of things had also exceeded that of ordinary individuals, allowing him to accommodate much more information without worrying about mental congestion or even bursting from knowing too much.
The next day, Zhao Yang arrived at Song Baliang's Meditation Room to wake him up. Song Baliang was still a bit dazed and weak, but after taking some spiritual medicine from Xuanfo Temple, he felt much better mentally.
The Scripture Repository of Xuanfo Temple was always open to all disciples. Inside the repository were countless scrolls, and no one could ever finish reading all the books within it, not even the abbot. Stacks of books piled up inside; some looked ancient and weathered, while others were brand new. Most were in good condition, with only a few being damaged.
Some monks sat quietly in the Scripture Repository, engrossed in their reading. "Junior Brother," Song Baliang said, "I want to check out books on cultivation and artifact refining. Our Xuanfo Temple advocates for free education and has no restrictions on reading time. Unlike other sects where only elite disciples can access their Scripture Repository, ours has a vast collection that one could never finish reading in a lifetime. I just can't understand this."
Zhao Yang replied, "What belongs to others always seems better."
He used this point to illustrate a problem of human nature.
Xuanfo Temple's approach was indeed correct, but it might not be suitable for everyone. Other sects had time limits or even restrictions on the number of books one could read, which wasn't necessarily wrong. The reason was simple: human laziness and greed. For example, if one person has ten books and another has one, we are more inclined to read the other person's book first rather than our own ten. The reasoning is straightforward; they fear they might not see the other book again, while they believe their own ten books are safe and won't disappear. Thus, they procrastinate, occasionally glancing at them until eventually none of the ten are read, while they finish the one book belonging to someone else.
Reading has always been a tedious task.
Therefore, the practices of other sects aren't necessarily incorrect; however, such methods can be limiting for certain geniuses who are often labeled as oddities. Their behavior can make others feel uncomfortable. Why is that? Because they are different or far superior to others—so much so that it becomes irritating.
Clearly, Zhao Yang was one of those people. Fortunately for him, both sects he had joined were led by individuals like himself. Myriad Spirit Sect under Ji Wudao also advocated for free education with an open Scripture Repository, just like Xuanfo Temple under its current abbot.
An open Scripture Repository meant that any disciple of Xuanfo Temple could read there anytime and anywhere. Except for matters involving the temple's great secrets, everything else was available for free reading—whether it was tales of cultivation, divine cultivation methods, or insights into cultivation itself.
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