Chapter 651 - 263: Eighth Layer

Chen Qing seized the opportunity to ask, "Master, could you impart the rest of the Cultivation Technique to me? I would be eternally grateful."

The Master of the Seven Sufferings heard him out but didn’t agree right away, falling silent once more.

A moment later, he raised his eyes to look at Chen Qing. "To have cultivated the first four layers in such a short time... your foundation is deep and your comprehension is excellent, far exceeding my expectations. Imparting the rest of the Cultivation Technique to you is not impossible..."

His tone shifted, growing grave. "...But, I need you to do a few things for me."

Chen Qing cupped his fists. "Master, what must I do for you to teach me the rest of the Technique?"

He knew full well that there was no such thing as a free lunch. The Master of the Seven Sufferings had already been exceedingly generous in teaching him the first four layers; the rest of the Cultivation Technique would surely come with conditions.

The Master of the Seven Sufferings pondered for a long moment, his fingers slowly moving across his prayer beads.

"First, bring me a Blood Bodhi."

’Blood Bodhi?’

Chen Qing’s mind stirred, and he quickly searched his memory for information about this item.

He had once seen a record of it in the Marvels Collection in the Scripture Pavilion on Ten Thousand Laws Peak.

This item was not a naturally occurring Treasure Medicine.

Legend had it that to create one, you needed the complete Essence Blood of a True Essence Realm master who cultivated a special Fire Attribute Technique. This was used as a catalyst, supplemented by dozens of rare, yin-cold attribute medicinal herbs. The concoction then had to be refined in a place of ultimate yin and cold, using the earth’s telluric yin-fire for forty-nine days. Only then was there a chance of one forming.

It was shaped like a pigeon’s egg and was crimson-red, like blood.

Consuming it could greatly stimulate the potential of one’s Flesh Body, strengthen their qi and blood, and was even miraculously effective for breaking through Body Refining Barriers.

Chen Qing pondered silently. ’Though this item is rare, it’s not like I have no leads.’

’With my current status and resources as a True Disciple, I might be able to acquire one through Wanxiang Hall’s secret channels if I’m willing to pay the price.’

The Master of the Seven Sufferings said slowly, "Second, once you’ve cultivated the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body to the Fifth Layer and your Flesh Body is strong enough to initially resist the Evil Qi of the True Essence Realm, you must regularly enter the depths of the Third Layer of the Black Water Abyss Prison and stand guard for a period of time."

’Stand guard on the Third Layer?’

Chen Qing’s gaze sharpened.

The Third Layer of the Black Water Abyss Prison held True Essence Realm prisoners. The Evil Qi was far denser and the environment far more dangerous than on the second layer.

The Master of the Seven Sufferings guarded this place year-round, purifying the Evil Qi, and seemed to have some connection to the mysterious source of Evil Qi at the prison’s bottom.

’For him to ask me to stand guard... it’s probably not as simple as just resisting the Evil Qi. There might be a deeper meaning, perhaps even involving some secret.’

’However, standing guard on the Third Layer could temper my Flesh Body. It wouldn’t necessarily be without its benefits.’

"Third,"

The Master of the Seven Sufferings’ voice grew even deeper, "when your strength is sufficient in the future... you are to help me sever the ’Evil Fruit’."

’Evil Fruit?’

Chen Qing’s brow furrowed. He had never heard of such a thing.

But just from the literal meaning, this "Evil Fruit" was likely related to some secret of the Buddhist Sect, and the implications would surely run deep.

Recalling Master Luo’s warning to "think things through carefully," alarm bells went off in Chen Qing’s mind.

The first two tasks were difficult but still within an acceptable range. This third one, however, sounded completely ominous.

He deliberated for a long moment, weighing the pros and cons, before saying in a low voice, "Master, I can try my best with the first two tasks. But as for the third... please forgive me, but I am powerless to help."

’The waters are too deep. I don’t want to step into them rashly while my strength is insufficient and the situation is unclear.’

Hearing Chen Qing’s refusal, the Master of the Seven Sufferings showed little surprise, though a complex emotion flickered in his eyes. "Amitabha Buddha... Karma is cyclical. It cannot be forced."

Seeing this, Chen Qing cupped his fist. "If you cannot teach me the rest of the Cultivation Technique because of this, then so be it."

"Very well!"

The Master of the Seven Sufferings looked at him, his gaze becoming as calm as an old well again. He said slowly, "Since you’ve agreed to the first two tasks, I’ll go ahead and teach you the next four layers of the Technique."

Chen Qing’s heart stirred. He found it hard to believe. "Master, are you serious?"

"A monk does not tell lies."

The Master of the Seven Sufferings said calmly, "As long as you can complete the first two tasks I’ve given you, the Cultivation Technique for the Fifth to Eighth Layers is yours."

With this unexpected turn of events, Chen Qing naturally wasn’t going to refuse.

Although he still had to complete the first two difficult tasks, it was far better than being bound by the third.

He cupped his fist solemnly. "Rest assured, Master. Since I have made a promise, I will naturally do my utmost."

"Good." The Master of the Seven Sufferings nodded. He said no more and motioned for Chen Qing to approach.

He reached out a withered finger and gently tapped the spot between Chen Qing’s eyebrows.

It was the complete Cultivation Technique for the Fifth to Eighth Layers of the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body!

The Cultivation Technique was profound and mysterious. The pathways for circulating qi and blood were far more complex and esoteric, and the Visualization Images were grander, containing even greater power.

After receiving the information about the Cultivation Technique, Chen Qing carefully assimilated it. A look of joy first appeared on his face, quickly followed by a flash of doubt.

He couldn’t help but ask, "Master, forgive my bluntness, but does this Dragon Elephant Wisdom Vajra Body... does the secret technique only have eight layers?"

He felt that although the subsequent parts of the Technique were profound, it didn’t seem to be the ultimate form of this Body Refining Technique. There was a sense that something was missing.

The Master of the Seven Sufferings glanced at him and said indifferently, "It’s not that there are only eight layers. Rather, the inheritance I received back in the Zen Sect only went up to the Eighth Layer. Legend says this technique has twelve layers in total. If one could master them all, their Flesh Body would possess the supreme might to subdue dragons and tame tigers. As for the Techniques beyond the Eighth Layer..."

He paused, a trace of melancholy flickering in his eyes. "They are all stored in the deepest part of the Scripture Pavilion in the Great Sumeru Temple, within the Western Desert Buddhist Pure Land. Only those with a fateful connection, who have gained the recognition of a high monk, may ever see them."

’The Buddhist Pure Land! The Great Sumeru Temple!’

Hearing those words, Chen Qing’s brow furrowed tightly.

The Western Desert Buddhist Pure Land was the Holy Land for all Buddhist Cultivators in the world. It was more than ten thousand li away from the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, and the hardships of the journey were unimaginable.

Moreover, as the leader of the Buddhist Sects, the Great Sumeru Temple had extremely strict rules. Obtaining its core secret techniques would likely be far more difficult than completing the three tasks for the Master of the Seven Sufferings.

’This Body Refining Secret Technique is truly one problem after another.’

He sighed inwardly.

’But on second thought, obtaining the Techniques for the Fifth to Eighth Layers is already enough for me to cultivate to an extremely high Realm.’

’As for what comes after... I can always seek it out in the Buddhist Pure Land once my strength is sufficient. It’s not too late for that.’

’You have to walk the path one step at a time.’

Having figured this out, Chen Qing’s mind cleared, and he once again bowed solemnly to the Master of the Seven Sufferings. "Thank you, Master, for the grace of imparting this technique!"

「...」