The gates of Lingxuan Temple were wide open, and a dozen or so monks, dressed neatly and with smiles on their faces, stood at the gate, which was about ten feet high, to greet the visitors.
Even though the mountain was bitterly cold, they showed no signs of discomfort. This is what happens when someone has mastered martial arts; their body is protected by true qi, making them impervious to heat and cold.
These monks were all martial artists who had achieved the Qi Condensation stage, and some were even Grandmaster-level martial artists at the Golden Core stage, which shows how much effort Lingxuan Temple put into this matter.
In some smaller factions, martial artists of this caliber are honored guests; they would never do something like this.
Only a power of the caliber of Lingxuan Temple would possess such strength.
"I wonder if all those distinguished guests with invitation cards have arrived yet?"
One of the handsome young monks asked.
"The fierce brothers of the Li family, Cang Xingyun, the third young master of the Cang family, Zhong Xiu, the true disciple of Tai Xuan Mountain, and the colorful phoenix fairy of Xuan Miao Mountain..."
"These people are all geniuses on the Human Ranking, and they have all arrived."
"And there is also Master Huiwen of the Hanging Temple, who came all the way from Yun Kingdom."
The slightly older monk flipped through the register, compared it with the distinguished guests who had already arrived, and slowly spoke.
"However, besides these people, there is one person who is worth noting."
Which one?
The little monk scratched his head and asked, his eyes full of curiosity.
He had practiced martial arts in the temple since childhood and knew very little about the outside world, while the others often came down the mountain and had much more experience, often telling him rumors about the outside world.
"Xiao Xuan, the rising star of Tai Xuan Mountain and the heir of the Marquis of Wei Wu, was poisoned and became mentally impaired in his early years. He was also jilted in his engagement. After recovering, he joined Tai Xuan Mountain and not only gained attention, but also had great opportunities during his training trips, which propelled him to great heights."
"A great opportunity?"
"That's right. It is said that this person inherited the legacy of a spear master from the previous dynasty. He not only obtained a pseudo-divine weapon-level divine spear, but also learned a first-grade ultimate skill, the Heavenly Gang Spear, which is extremely powerful."
"A first-class heir... truly a person of great fortune..."
Hearing this story, which sounded like something out of a novel, amazed the young monks at the gate, their faces filled with envy and longing.
"However, this time at the Lingxuan Conference, I'm afraid there will be a major conflict... I hope Senior Brother Xuankong can stop them."
The elderly monk said with concern.
Why?
A young monk asked in a low voice.
"It's just some... grudges that are not for outsiders to know."
The older monk hesitated for a moment, then, seeing the others gather around, said softly:
"In the past, the Marquis of Weiwu and the Cang family were old friends. When Xiao Xuan was born, the two families arranged a marriage. However, they did not expect that Xiao Xuan would suddenly become mentally impaired and lose his path in martial arts. The Cang family then had the idea of breaking off the engagement..."
break off an engagement?
The group of young monks suddenly realized that there was such a grudge involved.
"The Xiao family was thoroughly ridiculed back then... Originally, the temple didn't plan to invite Xiao Xuan, but some people in the temple thought that his luck might be helpful to that place..."
The so-called Lingxuan Assembly was originally just an event held within the Lingxuan Temple.
However, with many outsiders also participating, the conference has become more like a stage for various forces to showcase their strength.
Yunzhou is quite different from Cangzhou; it not only has many famous sects, but also a lot of independent cultivators and geniuses.
Lingxuan Temple will select the best performers from among those who participate in the conference to enter the Lingxuan Secret Realm.
After all, these geniuses aren't easy to invite.
...
Even before the Lingxuan Assembly began, the atmosphere inside the hall had already become strange.
Xiao Xuan and Cang Xingyun were enemies who met with intense hatred.
The person who looked down on Xiao Xuan the most back then was Cang Xingyun.
On the day the engagement was called off, it was this very man who, accompanied by Xiao Xuan, subjected him to all sorts of humiliation.
"You're like a persistent ghost, Xiao Xuan!"
Cang Xingyun raised an eyebrow, his handsome face full of displeasure.
"Hmph, you overestimate yourself... I've only come here to explore the Spirit Profound Realm, what does it have to do with you?"
Xiao Xuan snorted coldly and launched into a tirade against Cang Xingyun.
Although neither of them made a move, their auras continued to rise, locked in a fierce confrontation.
The collision of the air currents resembled crashing waves, creating ripples in the air.
Li Ming then began to investigate Xiao Xuan's background.
Why did he feel that the other person was like a chosen one?
Annulment of engagement + great fortune.
Name: Xiao Xuan
[Cultivation Level: Eighth Level of Spirit Refinement]
[Entry: Heavenly Gang Spear (Deep Crimson), True Meaning of the Spear (Deep Crimson), Heavenly Gang Body (Crimson), Blood and Qi Like a Dragon (Crimson), Prosperous Martial Fortune (Crimson), Mighty Strength (Crimson), Steadfast Mind (Blue)]
Cang Xingyun, on the other hand, has entered the Divine Power Realm.
Xiao Xuan's ability to maintain his undefeated momentum demonstrates that his strength should not be underestimated.
However, after a fierce struggle, the two were eventually stopped by a monk.
This person is Xuan Kong, a contemporary Buddhist disciple of Lingxuan Temple.
His cultivation has already reached the fifth level of supernatural powers.
Their strength is extraordinary.
"end!"
With just a single chant, the intense confrontation between the two ceased.
"You two should put your argument aside for after the duel. For now, please remain calm."
Xuan Kong said in a deep voice.
He certainly wouldn't say anything to make the two of them put aside their feud.
Do not speak ill of others if you have no experience of their affairs.
...
With the arrival of distinguished guests, the Lingxuan Assembly finally officially began.
The first activity of this Buddhist conference was naturally to discuss Buddhist teachings.
Inside the main hall, several white jade lamps burn eternally, illuminating all directions.
Master Xuan Kong of Lingxuan Temple and Master Hui Wen of Xuankong Temple preached Buddhism on the stage.
In this world, Buddhism teaches not only through Buddhist scriptures but also through martial arts.
"Buddhism emphasizes the way of Zen and martial arts, with Zen mind being the most important."
If one's practice is successful, one can attain the status of Arhat, Bodhisattva, or even Buddha.
On the day the Buddha attained enlightenment, countless celestial demons appeared. He guarded his mind with a meditative spirit and subdued the demons with great magical power…
Huiwen spoke eloquently on stage, and golden lotuses seemed to spring up from the ground.
The various unusual phenomena unfolded as if a true Buddha were preaching the Dharma here.
As a top power in the Yun Kingdom, the Hanging Temple is home to Huiwen, who is also one of its most outstanding members.
When he preached, he secretly used a secret technique, the secret technique of mantra.
Those who cultivate supernatural powers can even achieve the ability to save and transform others.
With just a word, he could even resolve the feud between two enemies and cause a demonic martial artist to lose his murderous intent and convert to Buddhism.
Even those with low spiritual cultivation, upon hearing Huiwen preach the Dharma at this time, will unconsciously develop a fondness for Buddhism and Taoism.
However, those who can sit inside the hall are naturally not ordinary people; each of them has their own understanding of martial arts.
Huiwen merely used secret techniques to create a stir, without actually using his ability to convert people.
Li Ming listened with great interest from the audience, seemingly lost in thought.
The Buddhist community in this world is quite different from that in the previous one.
Many temples have a lineage of Buddhist practitioners who emphasize killing to protect the Dharma, thereby gaining insight into Buddhist teachings, letting go of attachments, and understanding the true meaning of the Dharma.
To attain compassion, one must first commit acts of killing.
Only by seeing through killing, drinking and eating, and even lust can one attain true Zen mind.
Protect your true self, your true nature, and thus transcend and attain freedom.
Their understanding of body refinement is also extraordinary.
To cultivate an indestructible body, one needs not only to refine the body but also the mind, to maintain a diamond-like mind, to eradicate all karmic obstacles, to remain unmoved by anything, and to achieve the tenth stage of enlightenment.
Only then can it be "indestructible, immune to all poisons, indestructible, and flawless".
"The Buddhist way does have many merits."
Li Ming muttered to himself.
However, these claims are too abstract, and Huiwen will not explain the specific methods of cultivation.
These are the true traditions of Buddhism.
Guan Xin, standing nearby, chimed in:
“Master Huiwen is a powerful figure who is close to the level of a Martial Saint. His understanding of martial arts is indeed extraordinary.”
"However, it looks like this is coming to an end... The real show is yet to come."
Li Ming said calmly.
In a golden age of martial arts, nothing is too great.
Naturally, it cannot escape the word "martial arts".
The reason Lingxuan Temple was able to establish its mountain gate here is because they have a strong fist and are skilled in martial arts.
Not because their Buddhist teachings are so profound.
The initial conferences also discussed Buddhist teachings, followed by discussions on military force.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com