Chapter 618: Moonlight Prince

In the temple outside the city, Ma Rulai and numerous high monks watched as Qin Mu and his companions were guided by Buddhist light into the Buddhist realm. The high monks' cultivation was too profound; it was unlikely they could be easily drawn in. Only Qin Mu, Devil Ape, and Mingxin—three practitioners of divine powers whose cultivation was neither exceptionally high nor low—could readily enter.

"Rulai, there won't be any danger in letting them go, will there?" asked the old monk Jingming.

"Naturally, there will be danger, but not great danger. The Heavenly Court will undoubtedly monitor the Buddhist realm, attempting to control it, and will certainly suppress our disciples from Great Thunderclap Temple, preventing them from returning with scriptures."

Ma Rulai smiled. "That's why I sent Cult Master Qin along. With Cult Master Qin accompanying them, there won't be much danger."

Jingming pondered for a moment, unable to grasp the intricacies, only sensing peril. He said, "Please, Rulai, clarify."

Ma Rulai explained, "The Buddhist realm is, after all, still the Buddhist realm. They are there to obtain scriptures. Even if the Heavenly Court intends to harm them, they won't directly 'bully the weak with the strong,' otherwise the Buddhas would intervene. With the Buddhas of the Buddhist realm present, some etiquette must still be observed. If they don't resort to overwhelming force, Cult Master Qin can handle it. As a boxing saying goes: 'Deliver one punch to deter a hundred.' Cult Master Qin is the one to make that first move."

Jingming mused, then smiled. "So, Mingxin will be the mediator."

Ma Rulai nodded. "Cult Master Qin will fight, Mingxin will mediate. If the opposing side intends to use 'reason' to legitimately eliminate them, then Zhan Kong will step in. In a debate on Buddhist law, Zhan Kong can render them speechless."

Jingming was deeply impressed and respectfully said, "Rulai truly lives up to his name of great wisdom."

In the Buddhist realm, on the holy mountain of Amitabha Temple, a colossal "sarira" spun its way from the mountain gate to the summit. A young monk standing before the main hall of Amitabha Temple at the peak couldn't help but be astonished and enraged. Waving his hands, he unleashed the Dragon Elephant Tiger Three Grappling Arts, manifesting divine abilities in the form of dragons, elephants, and tigers around him, exuding immense power and dominance.

*Whoosh—*

The light from the "sarira" engulfed him. Instantly, his clothes disintegrated, scattering like butterflies, leaving him stark naked save for his shoes.

The young monk, who had been arrogant earlier, ordering Qin Mu and the others to kneel and ascend or face punishment, instantly lost all his bluster. Seeing the situation turn dire, he was about to flee, when suddenly two beams of light flashed from the "sarira." His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to move.

Ashamed, the young monk quickly prostrated himself, not daring to show his face.

On the golden summit, the figures of great Buddhas appeared in the void, seated high and still, looking down with deeply furrowed brows.

A Buddha flicked a finger. The young monk immediately felt his legs regain movement. He hastily covered himself front and back and scurried away.

Suddenly, a Buddhist chant resonated, and a shimmering golden hand flew out from the main hall of Amitabha Temple, moving to meet Qin Mu's "sarira"—a manifestation-type divine ability.

The golden hand clashed with Qin Mu's "sarira," producing a metallic clang that reverberated through the mountains.

A white-robed monk, seated beneath a great Buddha, had a halo of auspicious clouds steaming from his head. The divine golden hand had flown from this cloud, blocking Qin Mu's sword pellet. "What sarira? It's just a sword pellet!"

The white-robed monk looked at the colossal "sarira," smiling, "Petty magic, merely an amusement! Watch me take your sword pellet!"

Another lotus flower flew from the auspicious clouds above his head, heading towards Qin Mu's giant sword pellet. Layers of lotus petals descended, enveloping the sword pellet.

Suddenly, the mountain shook violently. The white-robed monk felt the tremor underfoot. Before he could even hear a sound, he saw Qin Mu whistling up the mountain path to the summit. His speed was so immense that clouds steamed from his sides. Though ascending, he resembled a fierce tiger descending, punching through the air with a thunderous roar!

The entire Amitabha Temple seemed to plunge into a sea of thunder. As Qin Mu unleashed his punch, cracking thunder and lightning erupted everywhere!

The white-robed monk raised his hand to block. Instantly, his limbs and bones felt as if they would explode, his brain seemed to be flying out of his skull, and his mind went blank. With a loud boom, he smashed hard into the Holy Temple!

Qin Mu raised his hand, and the sword pellet flew back, spinning. As for the white-robed monk's golden hand, lotus, and other divine abilities, they had long been shattered by his sword pellet.

The white-robed monk barely opened his eyes, which were bloodshot. He was dazed and couldn't see Qin Mu clearly.

"Brother, your Buddhist cultivation is lacking." Qin Mu's voice entered his ears. "Divine abilities are not the purpose of cultivating Buddhist dharma. The purpose is to cast off vexations, gain wisdom, and comprehend life and death. Divine abilities are merely external paths. Since they are external, what difference does it make if I use a sarira or a sword pellet?"

The white-robed monk tried to speak but spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed weakly.

In mid-air, a corpulent Buddha with large ears spoke in a deep voice: "Heretical sophistry. You are not a Buddhist disciple; how dare you flaunt divine abilities before our Buddhas?"

Qin Mu activated the Rulai Mahayana Sutra, his appearance solemn and dignified. He bowed to the Buddhas and said, "Buddhism? Your disciple is ignorant. Does a Buddha need a 'door' to block beings from outside?"

That Buddha laughed, "Smooth-tongued." But he did not directly answer Qin Mu's question.

In the sky, great Buddhas sat unmoving. Qin Mu looked around, unable to identify which one was Mahlune Dharma King.

Another Buddha laughed, "Indeed, a Buddha doesn't need a door; beings do. But you stripped monks' clothes upon arrival, made my young disciple kneel, and now you've injured my disciple. Are you here to seek dharma or cause trouble? Even Buddhas can have righteous anger; aren't you afraid?"

"This is Mahlune Dharma King!" Qin Mu's gaze fell upon Mahlune Dharma King. This Buddha was tall and slender, with a kind face that made one feel refreshed like a spring breeze.

"May I ask, Dharma King, do Buddhas require disciples to kneel and kowtow?" Qin Mu asked.

Mahlune Dharma King shook his head. "No."

Qin Mu asked, "Then why were we told to kneel and kowtow on the way up?"

Mahlune Dharma King smiled slightly, heavenly flowers scattered, golden springs gushed from the earth, and he was about to explain, when he saw Monk Mingxin, with Devil Ape Zhan Kong, finally reach the summit. Monk Mingxin hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Qin has offended the Venerable Buddhas, your disciple apologizes!"

Mahlune Dharma King slightly frowned, about to speak, when Mingxin hastily kowtowed to a great Buddha, both surprised and delighted. "Your disciple greets Yama, King of Hell!"

That great Buddha smiled, "You recognize me?"

Mingxin replied, "The Rulai Mahayana Sutra contains the Dharmakaya of Yama, King of Hell, so your disciple recognizes him! Your disciple greets Sakara Dragon King!"

Another great Buddha smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgment.

Mingxin then kowtowed to Mahlune Dharma King, saying, "Your disciple greets Mahlune Dharma King, Emperor of the Moon Palace!"

Mahlune Dharma King smiled. "You've already bowed to me. Let's get to business..."

"Your disciple greets the Emperor of the Sun Palace!""Your disciple greets Marici!""Your disciple greets Hariti!"

Monk Mingxin continued bowing until he reached Sakra. He looked up but did not see Brahma, so he gave up, thinking, "I can't stall any longer."

Mahlune Dharma King patiently said, "Young monk, you are here to learn and seek Buddhist dharma, not to worship Buddhas. Your senior brother came up and hit my disciple, and then uttered heretical words. If I don't rectify this, wouldn't this mountain become chaotic? How can we propagate Buddhist dharma then?"

Monk Mingxin, respectful and honest, said, "Buddha, your disciple is clumsy with words and not good at speaking. Please let Senior Brother Zhan Kong explain the reasoning here. Senior Brother Zhan Kong, please debate with the Buddha."

Devil Ape Zhan Kong stepped forward, planted his Gap-Abandoning Zen Staff to the side, and placed his large hand upright before his chest in a gesture of greeting, but said nothing.

Mahlune Dharma King frowned deeply, looked at the various Devas and Buddhas around him, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter. "Junior Brother Zhan Kong, you don't need to speak. I understand everything already."

Qin Mu and Monk Mingxin exchanged glances and both sighed in relief.

Mahlune Dharma King also sighed in relief, thinking, "I received an imperial decree to serve as a Buddhist official in the Buddhist realm. I usually study Buddhist dharma less and research it little, so I can't compare to the Buddhas here. This dark monk Zhan Kong's eloquence is unimpeded. He debated all the way from Yama's Heaven to Brahma's Heaven, unmatched by anyone. Even the Buddhas call him Junior Brother. If I debate with him, I'll definitely be humiliated!"

Mahlune Dharma King smiled. "This matter truly isn't the fault of this Layman Qin. You are indeed here to seek dharma and knowledge, and should not be obstructed. However, Buddhist debates are merely verbal disputes; one must also consider one's own cultivation and comprehension. Dark... Junior Brother Zhan Kong's Buddhist attainment is unparalleled, and his divine abilities must also be astonishing. Many Buddhist disciples in the Buddhist realm have experienced Junior Brother Zhan Kong's eloquence and now wish to experience his divine abilities."

Monk Mingxin was about to speak when Mahlune Dharma King continued, "This is Moonlight Crown Prince. Moonlight Crown Prince is my descendant. I was originally the Emperor of the Moon Palace and the Moon Kingdom. I comprehended Buddhist dharma, and with one enlightenment, I gained a hundred insights and instantly became a Buddha! After I became a Buddha, I left behind the Moon Kingdom, which became the Moon Palace Heaven among the Twenty Heavens. Moonlight Crown Prince is my disciple, and his Buddhist dharma is profound."

Qin Mu, Mingxin, and Devil Ape looked at Moonlight Crown Prince. He practiced cultivation with hair, wore clothes as white as snow, had a hair bun, carried a treasured sword at his waist, and a bright moon behind his head. With a slight tremor, the bright moonlight illuminated forward, casting a brilliant light.

Monk Mingxin told Qin Mu, "This Moonlight Crown Prince debated with Senior Brother Zhan Kong. He recited many Buddhist scriptures. Senior Brother Zhan Kong said one word, and after thinking for a long time, he conceded defeat. However, Moonlight Crown Prince's skill is indeed astonishing. Rulai said he has refined his sword into light, transforming it into the bright moon behind his head, which is called 'Bright Moon Sword Light'."

Qin Mu felt grateful, knowing Monk Mingxin was guiding him, explaining Moonlight Crown Prince's abilities so he could be prepared.

*Thump.*

Monk Mingxin knelt again, kowtowing to Mahlune Dharma King, saying, "Dharma King, as the Emperor of the Moon Palace, you must be magnanimous. My Senior Brother Zhan Kong has already debated across the Twenty Heavens and is exhausted. Your disciple would like to ask Layman Qin to take his place. Thank you, Dharma King, for your indulgence!"

Mahlune Dharma King frowned, looking at Qin Mu.

Sakra laughed, "Dharma King, if that's the case, then please let Layman Qin from the lower realm take his place. Moonlight Crown Prince's skill, inherited from your unique learning in the Heavenly Court, has few rivals among his peers. A discussion with this Layman Qin would also allow us to see the level of divine powers and dharma in the lower realm."

Mahlune Dharma King had no choice but to nod. "Moonlight, do not harm our esteemed guest from the lower realm."

Moonlight Crown Prince bowed slightly and said, "Your disciple obeys." He then walked towards Qin Mu and calmly stated, "In the Moon Palace Heaven, among my peers, I am unrivalled in the world, and I deeply feel the loneliness and hardship of it. Therefore, I entered the Heavenly Court to study, learning swordsmanship at the Sword Heavenly Palace for three years." He said nothing more.

Qin Mu was awestruck and said, "I learned swordsmanship in the Disabled Elderly Village. The one who taught me was a wretched old man with no limbs. I never... I didn't go to any Sword Heavenly Palace or similar places to learn swordsmanship; I figured it out myself. Please!"

Moonlight Crown Prince stood still and said, "The lower realm, after all, rarely sees grand spectacles. I can let you have one move."

Qin Mu held a Yang seal with one hand in front and a Yin seal with the other hand behind. He bowed. The Yin-Yang Overturning Hand was executed in a stacked manner. Moonlight Crown Prince thought Qin Mu was bowing to him and calmly accepted the gesture. Suddenly, a thunderous boom was heard. Moonlight Crown Prince was blasted dozens of miles away, crashing into a large mountain, creating a deep hole.

Qin Mu's Yin hand flipped to Yang, and his Yang hand flipped to Yin, flipping more than ten times in an instant. Twenty to thirty Yin-Yang Overturning Hands were unleashed consecutively, violently smashing the mountain into a sheer cliff face!

Qin Mu withdrew his hand, waited for a moment, then helplessly asked, "Dharma King, do you have any other crown princes?"