Chapter 617: Intimidation

The ape was thrown into the air, with a look of confusion and helplessness on its face.

Qin Mu watched, feeling puzzled. "It seems the big guy hasn't quite come to his senses yet, not knowing he's won, or why he's won."

He turned to look at Elder Ma, thinking, "Elder Ma is known as an honest man in the village. Choosing the big guy for this battle, and having him defeat the Buddhist disciples of the Twenty Heavens of the Buddhist Realm – this idea is truly brilliant. Did Elder Ma do this intentionally, or is the big guy's understanding of Buddhism truly profound? I can't help but feel it's more like the villagers secretly giving Elder Ma some mischievous advice."

Elder Ma had mentioned that the monks' chanting of Buddhist names was disturbing the Buddhas of the Twenty Heavens. That idea came from the Mute, as only he could be so mischievous.

As for sending the ape into battle, that kind of infuriating, unapologetic style seemed more like the work of the flamboyant Blind.

Blind's mind's eye was adept at finding weaknesses. His spear techniques didn't have many variations, arguably no specific moves at all, yet they always struck the opponent's weak points. This was because he could discern the true and false nature of all techniques.

Sending the ape to battle was perfect because the ape was already a man of few words, always speaking one word at a time, perfectly embodying the essence of "not debating is the best debate."

If it had been a true debate, the monks of Great Thunderclap Temple would likely have been unable to out-argue the Buddhist disciples of the Twenty Heavens. Therefore, "not debating is the best debate" became the key to victory.

And the ape was precisely that kind of person.

"However, the big guy does indeed have deeply rooted wisdom; his attainments in Buddhist cultivation are astonishing."

Qin Mu looked at the ape, filled with admiration. He thought, "He doesn't know he's won, nor why he's won. Even in battle, his mind remains empty and clear, oblivious to victory or defeat. This is truly 'War Empty,' the Buddhist disciple. No wonder the Buddhas of the Twenty Heavens have changed how they address him, calling him 'Little Junior Brother.' Speaking of which, Grandpa Blind and Grandpa Mute both advised Elder Ma; where have they gone now?"

Granny Si and Black Tiger God had returned from Mount Luofu, but they were also nowhere to be seen, which made him quite perplexed.

"Eat, strong!"

Qin Mu stayed for a vegetarian meal. The ape constantly urged him to eat more, occasionally clenching his fist and flexing his muscular arm to show Qin Mu how much he ate and how strong he was.

The vegetarian meals at Great Thunderclap Temple mainly consisted of green vegetables, tofu, and steamed buns. In front of the ape, however, was a giant iron bowl, four or five times larger than a regular pot, filled with his favorite pine needles and pine cones.

Qin Mu ate some vegetarian dishes and buns, just enough to be full.

Elder Ma put on his cassock again, resuming his identity as Ma Rulai, and addressed the monks: "The Buddhas have granted us three slots to study in the Buddhist Realm. Of these three, War Empty takes one, Bright Mind takes one, and for the remaining slot, I am somewhat hesitant."

Monk Jingming smiled and asked, "Rulai, what is your hesitation?"

Ma Rulai replied, "Brother, War Empty has deep wisdom roots, and Bright Mind is more worldly. Both would be excellent candidates for studying the Dharma. However, studying the Dharma isn't just about wisdom roots; it's about comprehension – transforming understanding into divine abilities and combat power to subdue demons and overcome future calamities. They have the Buddhist nature, but their combat prowess might not be outstanding; that's my concern. Both War Empty and Bright Mind possess Buddhist nature, but they fall somewhat short in terms of comprehension."

An elder monk said, "If that's the case, why don't you go yourself, Rulai?"

Ma Rulai shook his head. "I am already a Buddha; I cannot cross this world barrier to directly reach the Buddhist Realm. Therefore, I must find someone among the younger generation with extraordinary aptitude and comprehension to go in my stead, to comprehend the supreme Dharma and transmit Buddhist teachings back to us. This person is causing me some difficulty."

The monks of Great Thunderclap Temple also frowned. Although Ma Rulai claimed that the ape and the young monk Bright Mind lacked sufficient comprehension, his requirements were actually too high. The aptitude and comprehension of the ape and young monk Bright Mind were already the most exceptional among the younger generation of Great Thunderclap Temple.

It was simply impossible to select a young monk from Great Thunderclap Temple who surpassed them.

Ma Rulai looked at Qin Mu, who was eating the vegetarian meal. The ape picked up a handful of pine needles and offered them to Qin Mu, inviting him to eat.

The other elder monks also looked over, watching as Qin Mu took the pine needles, kneaded them into a cake, ate it in a few bites, and then had some more steamed buns.

"What do you think?" Ma Rulai asked the monks.

The monks uniformly responded, "A kind man. Rulai's Dharma-eye is peerless!"

"Send me to the Buddhist Realm?"

Qin Mu, having finished his meal, was summoned by Ma Rulai. Hearing his words, he couldn't help but widen his eyes and exclaim, "I am the Heavenly Devil Cult Master, and I've even had past grievances with Great Thunderclap Temple! If you send me to the Buddhist Realm to study the Dharma, won't the Buddhas kill me?"

Ma Rulai smiled. "The Buddhas of the Buddhist Realm have no grievances with you, nor with the Heavenly Saint Cult. The Buddhas achieved Buddhahood and established the Buddhist Realm before the downfall of the Kaihuang Era. The grievances between Great Thunderclap Temple and the Heavenly Saint Cult arose *after* the Kaihuang Era's downfall. The Buddhas are reasonable and will not make things difficult for you."

Qin Mu still hesitated. "This opportunity was won by the monks of Great Thunderclap Temple. If I, an outsider, go to seek the Dharma and study, wouldn't that extinguish the hopes of the monks?"

Ma Rulai shook his head. "Only by sending you is there hope. This journey to the Buddhist Realm is to learn the supreme Buddhist Dharma of Great Thunderclap Temple, Buddhist techniques that lead directly to the Emperor's Seat. I fear that War Empty and Bright Mind may not be able to comprehend their essence, so it is more suitable for you to accompany them."

Qin Mu no longer declined. "What should I pay attention to on this trip to the Buddhist Realm?"

"As for local customs and blending in, you should be quite familiar with them yourself; I don't need to say much."

Ma Rulai said meaningfully, "The Buddhist Realm does not help the Great Thunderclap Temple in the lower realm, not because they are unwilling, but because they are unable. Therefore, you must beware of both open attacks and hidden dangers."

Qin Mu's heart grew cold, and he immediately understood the hidden meaning in Ma Rulai's words.

The Buddhist Realm's caution, besides its fear of the so-called Heavenly Court's power, was likely due to the Heavenly Court having already infiltrated the Buddhist Realm with countless spies and forces.

On this trip to the Buddhist Realm to study the Dharma, the Heavenly Court's spies and forces would definitely target them, these monks from the lower realm!

The bloodshed that awaited them was imaginable.

This was likely also the reason why Ma Rulai insisted on him going.

Although War Empty the ape had deeply rooted wisdom, he had more wisdom than experience. Young monk Bright Mind had enough experience, but his past worldly training only involved serving in the army. In terms of dealing with intrigues and reacting to crises, he was far inferior to Qin Mu.

Qin Mu had experienced more dangers, even directly confronting demon gods like Bhujiro. His ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances was truly outstanding among the younger generation.

Ma Rulai's purpose in sending him, besides comprehending the supreme Buddhist Dharma, was also to ensure the safety of the ape and Bright Mind.

"Do I need to shave my head?" Qin Mu asked.

Ma Rulai chuckled, "Have you seen me shave my head?"

Qin Mu looked at his head and saw that his hair had transformed into fleshy topknots, which were wisdom pearls formed by Buddhist Dharma from his 'three thousand threads of vexation.'

Ma Rulai said, "Some consider vexations to be obstacles that hinder their cultivation, and thus seek to remove all their 'threads of vexation.' But a Buddha transforms vexations into wisdom. The more vexations one has before achieving Buddhahood, the greater their wisdom will be after. Since a Rulai does not shave his head, why should you?"

Qin Mu smiled. "I have learned much."

The various heavens of the Buddhist Realm shone brightly, suspended high above Separation City.

These layers of heavens appeared ethereal and illusory, yet upon closer inspection, they were profoundly deep, containing immeasurable space. Within the Twenty Heavens, great Buddhas appeared one after another, their Buddhist chants swirling. One Buddha extended a hand and pointed, and a beam of Buddhist light pierced down from the Twenty Heavens. The other Buddhas also pointed towards the temple in Separation City, and the Buddhist lights converged into a stream, forming a pillar of light.

Ma Rulai led the monks to the great pillar of Buddhist light, nodded at Qin Mu and the others, and said, "Be careful on your journey."

Qin Mu nodded and stepped into the pillar of light with the ape and Monk Bright Mind. The great pillar of Buddhist light slowly ascended, soon disappearing into the Twenty Heavens of the Buddhist Realm. Qin Mu and the two others, standing on the base of the light pillar, were thus carried into the Twenty Heavens of the Buddhist Realm.

Qin Mu, the ape, and Bright Mind landed on solid ground. Looking up, they saw a grand complex of temple buildings ahead, with numerous stupas, great Buddhas, and countless monks.

Beneath their feet was a magnificent and wondrous mountain. Looking down, they saw Buddhist kingdoms spread everywhere, resplendent in gold and jade.

A single one of these heavens alone possessed a vast territory comparable to that of Yan Kang, with numerous Buddhist kingdoms coexisting peacefully.

A monk greeted them, bowing and saying, "Three senior brothers from the lower realm, Amitabha Temple is straight ahead. Please come in!"

Qin Mu and the other two returned the bow, saying, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for leading the way."

The monk led the way, smiling. "Senior Brother War Empty's mastery of Buddhist Dharma is unfathomably profound; I've been listening all the way and am truly impressed. And who are these two junior brothers?"

Bright Mind announced his monastic name, then said, "This is Layman Qin from Great Thunderclap Temple."

The monk's gaze fell on Qin Mu. "Layman Qin? No wonder he cultivates with his hair."

Qin Mu smiled slightly and asked, "May I ask which great Buddha founded this Amitabha Temple?"

The monk chuckled. "Layman Qin, you might not know, but Amitabha Temple was founded by Dharma King Molun. Dharma King Molun is an enlightened Buddha of the Heavenly Court, with countless disciples and profound Buddhist Dharma. Many senior brothers have already experienced Senior Brother War Empty's Buddhist attainments and now wish to experience his divine ability attainments."

Qin Mu's heart sank slightly. This Amitabha Temple was likely a stronghold of the Heavenly Court, a force embedded by them within the Buddhist Realm!

"Elder Ma found me a good job, alright," he thought.

He couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. They had just arrived in the Buddhist Realm, and the Heavenly Court's forces were already planning to assert dominance. They definitely had hostile intentions!

Monk Bright Mind said, "Senior Brother, we are here to study, not to compete in divine abilities. Once we learn the supreme Dharma, we will return to the lower realm; we do not wish to offend any senior brothers from the upper realm."

They arrived at the gate of Amitabha Temple. The monk chuckled, "Through cultivation and competition, one truly knows their strengths and weaknesses. How could there be any offense? Enter!" With that, he gave Qin Mu and the others a push from behind, shoving them into the temple, and then closed the gate.

Qin Mu, the ape, and Bright Mind looked forward. Ahead was a mountain path, and along both sides of the path, every dozen steps or so, stood a pair of monks, holding staffs, their faces solemn.

At the summit of Amitabha Temple's mountain, a young monk in yellow robes shouted, "Prostrate yourselves in reverence, and ascend the mountain on your knees!"

The ape and Bright Mind frowned slightly. Bright Mind whispered, "Cult Master Qin, what should we do? Do we really have to prostrate ourselves with every step? Our retreat has been cut off."

At the temple gate, many monks stood guard, holding torches and weapons, blocking the way.

"No matter," Qin Mu said with a smile.

Qin Mu smiled. "Don't you two make a move; just walk up the mountain."

The ape and Bright Mind began to walk up the mountain. The young monk at the summit narrowed his eyes and shouted, "Strike!"

Along both sides of the mountain path, the monks swung their staffs down at the three.

Qin Mu's sword pellet suddenly flew out, transforming into a large sphere about three *zhang* in circumference, radiating light and swirling with sword aura. With a hum, it sliced through the robes of the staff-wielding monks. The monks stood there naked, utterly bewildered.

"Senior brothers of Amitabha Temple!"

Qin Mu flicked his finger, and the sword sphere whizzed up the mountain path. Wherever it passed, the monks standing along the path were instantly stripped naked. The monks quickly dropped their staffs and covered their lower bodies.

Qin Mu proclaimed loudly, "Have you ever seen a sarira this big?"