: Pushing Open the Buddhist Gate

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2025-01-14

Ning Zhuo immediately reviewed every instance of the activation of the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal, identifying their commonalities.

He quickly discovered that each time the seal was activated, it occurred when he was restless and his mental state was imbalanced.

It happened when he took action, using the heart seal to command the riot of the mechanical monkeys.

It happened when Zhu Xuanji saved Yuan Dasheng.

It happened when Ning Zhuo broke into the backyard bedroom, saw Yuan Dasheng unconscious, and nearly acted on impulse.

It happened after successfully persuading Yuan Er, when Yuan Er refused to hand over Yuan Dasheng, and Ning Zhuo grew so agitated he almost resorted to force.

"Is this the clash of fate, destabilizing my mind? My emotions nearly spiraled out of control. Had I made a mistake, it would surely have given Yuan Dasheng a new lease on life."

"On one hand, I relied on reason to force myself to stay calm. On the other hand, the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal secretly supported me, saving me at least four times."

To save others is to demonize; to save oneself is to buddha-fy!

Upon realizing this truth, Ning Zhuo broke out in a cold sweat once again.

So, this matter was far more perilous than he had imagined, and he had been completely unaware. If he hadn’t learned about the theory of fate from Han Ming, he might have remained ignorant for a long time.

"From this, it seems the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal is likely a treasure that can stabilize fate. Triggering the Buddha statue to save oneself can prevent emotional interference during fate clashes and avoid personal errors."

Ning Zhuo felt a quiet joy. Through this incident, he had discovered another function of the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal.

"However, this casts doubt on my innate talent."

Previously, he had estimated his talent to be top-tier. But now, it might only be upper-tier. His success in eliminating Yuan Dasheng was partly due to Yuan Dasheng being burdened by Yuan Er, and partly because he had the stabilizing effect of the My Buddha Heart Demon Seal.

Ning Zhuo sat cross-legged on a cushion, practicing the Mirror Platform Spirit Awakening Art.

"The clear mirror is unclouded, the vehicle for nurturing the heart. It illuminates the five aggregates as empty, transcending all suffering and adversity, O Sariputra."

"Contemplate the emptiness of all phenomena—neither born nor destroyed, neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing. Reflect on the self-nature. Maintain this mind—without form, sensation, perception, volition, or consciousness; without eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; without sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, or thought; without the realm of vision, up to the realm of no-mind, without ignorance nor the end of ignorance..."

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile on his face.

"Third layer of Spirit Refinement."

"Now, I can push open that Buddhist gate and explore."

After learning about the theory of fate, Ning Zhuo began pondering where his opportunity lay.

The most likely possibility was the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

He cultivated all three dantians simultaneously. Currently, his Qi Refinement and Essence Refinement were both at the third layer. His Spirit Refinement had been slightly slower but had now caught up.

Without hesitation, Ning Zhuo immediately activated the mark of the "Trial Disciple," sending his soul into the Immortal Palace.

Relying on various spells, Ning Zhuo progressed smoothly and quickly arrived before the three gates.

The challenges of the Dao Gate and the Demon Gate were quite difficult. Ning Zhuo wasn’t without hope of passing them, but it would require significant time and effort.

Coupled with the life-threatening crisis brought by Yuan Dasheng, Ning Zhuo had no choice but to address the danger first.

"What lies beyond the Buddhist Gate?"

"I hope it brings a favorable change."

Ning Zhuo pushed the door open and entered.

The room behind the door was filled with coffins.

Not only were there coffins on the ground, but also coffins embedded vertically in the walls. From the ceiling, chains hung several more coffins.

This scene took Ning Zhuo by surprise.

"At least it’s not the obstacles and puppets of the Dao or Demon Gates."

At this moment, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit wore a grave and solemn expression, its gaze piercing through space, fixed intently on Ning Zhuo.

Though it had no desire to give hints, it had no choice. It could only convey critical information to Ning Zhuo’s mind through the Thread of Life.

"Use the Mirror Platform Spirit Awakening Art to sense the spirituality within the coffins. Once successful, the coffin lid can be pushed open."

"Choose one, send it to the furnace for cremation, and obtain a spiritual mechanism artifact."

"Alternatively, transport a corpse from the outside world to the furnace to receive a corresponding mechanism."

"Note: This mechanism requires careful maintenance and can be used to transport in and out of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace!"

Upon receiving the information, Ning Zhuo immediately began his attempt.

His Mirror Platform Spirit Awakening Art had indeed reached the third layer, making it relatively easy to communicate with some of the coffins on the ground.

Soon, he pushed open several coffins, discovering inside a Fire Serpent, a Flame-Furred Mouse, and a Blazing Shadow Flower.

All things possess spirituality.

Ning Zhuo then attempted to connect with the vertical coffins embedded in the walls. Communication was difficult, but he faintly sensed that they contained beasts and spiritual plants from the Fire Persimmon Mountain, albeit with higher strength and底蕴 than those on the ground.

"It seems the hanging coffins likely contain the highest-grade corpses." Ning Zhuo tilted his head, used a hanging ring, and hoisted himself up.

Placing his hands on the surface of a hanging coffin, he channeled the Mirror Platform Spirit Awakening Art with full force. This time, he only sensed a faint, vague, and weak presence.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit monitored the entire process, watching Ning Zhuo’s every move, its claws clenched tightly, clearly tense.

After completing his investigation, Ning Zhuo looked around, his gaze finally settling on a vertical coffin in the wall. "Given my current Spirit Refinement level, the Fire Serpent in this coffin is the best target."

As he thought this, Ning Zhuo tilted his head, lowered himself with the rope, and walked to the target vertical coffin.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit snorted, eager to see Ning Zhuo attempt to sense this coffin.

But Ning Zhuo stopped, hesitating.

The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit grew even more nervous, letting out a low roar and spitting out a flame as if urging Ning Zhuo on.

When Ning Zhuo lowered his head in thought, standing motionless, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit sensed trouble and began scratching the ground with its hind claws, clearly growing agitated.

What caught Ning Zhuo’s attention was a particular line in the information: "Alternatively, transport a corpse from the outside world to the furnace to receive a corresponding mechanism."

The more Ning Zhuo pondered, the more curious he became. "If I captured a Golden Core stage demon beast alive and brought it into the Molten Rock Immortal Palace, could I obtain a spiritual mechanism far exceeding the standard?"

Of course, he couldn’t procure a Golden Core stage demon beast.

Naturally, Ning Zhuo thought of Yuan Dasheng!

Yuan Dasheng’s soul was attached to the Righteous Bone of Golden Firmness, making it difficult to handle. Ning Zhuo had planned to extract the bone to create a mechanism.

But now, a ready-made opportunity lay before him.

He didn’t need to process Yuan Dasheng’s corpse himself. He only needed to bring it into the Immortal Palace and let the palace handle it. In return, he would receive a corresponding mechanism.

The more Ning Zhuo thought about it, the more tempted he felt.

On one hand, it would save him a great deal of trouble and eliminate many potential risks. After all, the sooner Yuan Dasheng’s corpse was dealt with, the better.

On the other hand, Ning Zhuo had always believed his own skill in mechanism arts was not particularly high. He had more faith in the capabilities of the Three Sects’ masters.

"Bring Yuan Dasheng’s corpse inside!" Ning Zhuo made his decision.

But how?

Ning Zhuo silently questioned.

Logically, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit should have provided an answer at this point.

But at this moment, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit tightly covered its mouth. No matter how the fiery whip lashed at it, it stubbornly resisted, refusing to respond!

Ning Zhuo decided to exit the Immortal Palace first and return to the outside world.

He went to Yuan Dasheng’s corpse, thought for a moment, and then infused the essence blood he had previously extracted back into the ape’s body.

He took out two storage bags filled with supplies and placed them on and inside the ape’s body.

Then, he lay down beside the corpse, one hand touching the ape’s body while sensing the Trial Disciple mark.

The next moment, he was back in the room behind the Buddhist Gate, with Yuan Dasheng’s corpse lying beside him.

Success!

(End of )