With Countless Qualities Bestowed Upon Me, I Shall Ultimately Become Immortal-Chapter 582 - 534: Cultivation Room, Arhat, Thief!
"Fifty million has been credited to your account, thank you, little master."
"You’re too kind, it’s just a small gesture. Brother Meng taught me the cultivation technique; it’s only fair."
This item is not a simple glazed bead string given by the temple for a blessing and peace of mind.
It is a genuine treasure imbued with Martial Arts spirit.
It is crafted by venerable high monks skilled in blessing, fortified with spiritual power, with the effect of ’Soul Stabilizing’ as a Buddhist magic artifact.
The name speaks for itself, ’Soul Stabilizing’ signifies reinforcing the soul.
Wearing it helps calm the mind, prevent the soul from being stirred by external forces and escaping the body.
The immediate prevention target is the heart demon, Mara.
In the Buddhist Sect, most monks are troubled by the Heart Demon Barrier.
Thus, many such items exist, with various types available.
The inexpensive ones offer little help, not suitable for me now.
The expensive ones...
Meng Chuan checked his pocket, and this bracelet was all he could afford...
Though it’s outrageously priced, he had no choice but to bite the bullet.
Why?
Because his Heart Spirit frequently enters the War Soul space and cultivation technique imprints, requiring the soul to leave the body and act independently in a "different realm."
According to Buddhist teachings, when the soul departs and returns, it can easily attract the heart demon’s attention.
Wearing it now is quite beneficial; spending fifty million was definitely worth it.
Of course, the Buddha who made the Heart Soul Wood Bracelet did not lose either...
The Shaolin Temple also has a small distribution of these items to the outside world.
They are clearly priced at eighty million, and require reservation.
Earlier, Meng Chuan checked, and the queue was eight years long.
This time, he benefited from the little monk’s favor.
It’s the insider price, plus no queue.
If the little monk drank, Meng Chuan would certainly invite him to taste the Wudang Kungfu Wine...
...
The sun hung high in the sky, now at noon.
In the morning, Meng Chuan finished stance training and taught the little monk the Qi Observation Skill.
After lunch, he accompanied the monk deep into the heart of Shaolin Martial Arts University.
The Western Sage Hall.
Here lies the "Cultivation Room" described earlier by Venerable Shi.
Venerable Shi mentioned before, this place allows one to freely exercise their Intention force.
Just as the Molten Core Flame Burst Fist approaches the Limit Breaking, the mind is difficult to control; a treasure ground is needed for training to see what the Cultivation Room truly offers.
Thinking back to earlier when a few punches tore down the monk courtyard, Meng Chuan felt skeptical...
He followed Jue Ming, half a step behind, entering the rows of red-flowered pillar forests.
He reached out to caress the pillar wood, rough wood grain deeply embedded.
An ancient solemn feeling arose instantly, surpassing all previous halls entered.
Exaggeratedly speaking, like the difference between ancient artifacts and modern replicas, the gap is just that wide.
The little monk beside him saw his thoughts and explained:
"This is the most complete and oldest hall preserved in our temple from the Ancient Martial Era until now.
Seven hundred years ago, our temple suffered calamity, heavenly fire burned for seven days and nights.
Except for the Western Sage Hall, nearly all main and side halls were destroyed at that time.
Including the Mountain Gate Hall, Celestial King Hall, Great Hero Treasure Hall, etc., were all rebuilt later."
Understanding this, Meng Chuan nodded and said:
"It’s a pity."
The little monk shook his head, saying it’s also "breaking and then establishing."
He regained his thoughts while walking and spoke:
"The innermost area, initially was the place for Shaolin disciples to temper their body during the Ancient Martial Era, known as the [Training Room].
With the Qi Blood Martial Arts Era, the new Martial Arts University institution emerged, transforming the Training Room into the management of Shaolin Temple’s Martial Arts University.
Now adapted to modern times, it’s renamed as the [Cultivation Room]."
He nodded in response, then surveyed the surroundings, not seeing anything extraordinary.
Just four red walls and a solid concrete ground.
This can’t withstand his fiery Intention.
Recalling Venerable Shi’s words, perhaps moving further in is where the secret lies.
Passing the last vermilion corridor pillar, he stepped onto the ground, reaching the straight path’s end.
An entire wall with the faded yellow painting of Five Hundred Arhats came into view.
Meng Chuan stood still, signaling the little monk to wait before proceeding.
He meticulously explored the paintings, identifying the Eighteen Arhats one by one.
Meanwhile, he lost himself in thought:
"When the demon stain matter concludes and time frees up, perhaps I should extract these demon-stained Arhats from the painting..."
Beside him, Jue Ming quietly waited, seeing him finish viewing the painting, then guided:
"Brother Meng, walk further right, the deepest part is the [Vairochana Pavilion].
Without a high monk’s decree, we can’t enter. If you wish to visit next time, have Master Baibao write one for us."
Meng Chuan was uninterested, as no one invited him to roam the Dharma Realm...
"No problem, inside is... the Tathagata Dharma Body?"
The little monk bowed afar to the right, hands clasped together:
"Blessed are we—indeed it is Shakyamuni Buddha, the Vairochana Buddha’s Tathagata Dharma Body, symbolizing [Perfection of Merit]."
"Understood."
By this view, the so-called Vairochana Pavilion must relate to the Tathagata Dharma Realm.
The entrance complexity is reasonable as well.
Then, he suddenly thought of a matter and consulted Jue Ming:
"Little master, I have a query, not meant to be rude, but a mere observation."
"Speak freely, the little monk is not Master Huaiyuan..."
Both shared a knowing smile, he then asked:
"Dare I ask... how do you interpret the concept of [Small Tathagata False Body]?
What understanding do you have?"
Mentioning the Dharma Body of the Great Sun Tathagata, he thought of the Limit Breaking trait of the Treasure Appearance Golden Venerable Skill, the Small Tathagata False Body.
One big, one small, Mahayana and Hinayana, is there some connection?
The result left him quite astonished...
Seeing the young monk furrow his brows, he slowly asked:
"Brother Meng, where did you hear this term?"
Seeing the other’s surprised expression, he felt a sense of foreboding.
"Is there an issue?"
The young monk led Meng Chuan to the left, moving further away from the Pilu Pavilion, and then softly spoke:
"Brother Meng, let me explain the taboo to you. In the future at Shaolin, try to mention this term as little as possible."
Meng Chuan clasped his hands:
"I would be grateful if you could enlighten me, young master."
"Are you aware that Buddhist teachings are divided into Mahayana and Hinayana, Brother Meng?"
"Of course, I am aware."
"Good, let me explain to you from an outsider’s perspective.
For example, our Shaolin is a staunch supporter of Mahayana Buddhism, with the purpose of universal salvation and the goal of attaining [Right Fruit].
In our view, [Buddha] is the supreme divine existence, even Abbot Xuanmou, the Physical Buddha, is devout to the Buddha.
Hinayana Buddhism, on the other hand, is different. The practitioners are not seeking universal salvation but personal liberation from troubles, with the goal of achieving [Arhat Fruit], which is the biggest difference here.
Besides, the reason why Hinayana practitioners are not favored by our Buddhist sect is that they do not respect the Buddha yet practice the doctrines seeking liberation.
Thus, they are considered thieves of the Buddhist teachings and are the culprits behind the Shaolin fire seven hundred years ago!"
What a heavy accusation, Meng Chuan’s expression turned grim.
"Young master, I researched online that Hinayana practitioners refer to the Buddha as [Teacher], is this also disrespect?"
"They’re just trying to glorify themselves, seeking to cut off all troubles and escape the cycle of reincarnation.
Yet unwilling to serve the True Buddha, they are narrow-minded ones who just want to steal positions of liberation..."
He heard Jue Ming’s voice grow even smaller, like that of a mosquito:
"If their target realm of cultivation is called [Arhat Fruit].
Then the [Small Tathagata False Body] you just mentioned, Brother Meng, is the carrier of the stolen power of the Buddha."
"Obtaining the Small Tathagata False Body leads to achieving Arhat Fruit?"
The young monk shook his head like a rattle-drum:
"I guess the two should be inclusive, with Arhat Fruit being greater than that false body.
Don’t ask me about the rest, Brother Meng, I only have limited knowledge."
"Alright, thank you for dispelling my doubts, young master."
Seeing that he did not want to answer, he did not press further.
The information about the Treasure Appearance Golden Venerable had given him great insights.
No wonder Master Baibao didn’t allow him to practice this skill on the mountain.
According to the young monk, this technique...is it "stolen"?
Will there be any karmic consequences following my Limit Breaking?
He suddenly thought of how, just after he got on the mountain, Huaiyuan attacked him, a Heart Demon invaded, and he almost lost his life.
Could it be...that it’s also due to possessing this technique, leading to karmic consequences?
Thinking deeply about it is terrifying...
But apart from Huaiyuan, he has been quite comfortable in Shaolin.
It shouldn’t be that extreme...
"Before trying to take fruits from the Longhua Tree, I must ask Master Baibao if there are any taboos about this.
If I happen to meet Maitreya Buddha and he considers me a [thief], it would be over...
Meng Chuan pondered for a while and then thought of [Buddha Heart].
"If the trait of Buddha Heart is a Mahayana fruit position, is the Small Tathagata False Body...a Hinayana fruit position?"
No...the two seem not equivalent.
The young monk just said that the Small Tathagata False Body is just a type of power of the [Arhat].
With my advanced trait, there should be a stronger method above it to break the limit, comparable to the Arhat level of the suspected super trait [Buddha Heart].
"I remember Master Dong mentioned before that the old monk who passed his cultivation technique belonged to some sect..."
Searching the old memories in his mind, which takes time, he heard the young monk beside him earnestly say:
"Brother Meng, you always have many ideas and unique thoughts. If you wish to convert to the Buddhist sect in the future, be sure to differentiate between Mahayana and Hinayana."
Jue Ming held Meng Chuan’s Buddhist talent in high regard, worried he might stray off the right path.
Meng Chuan did not take it to heart, believing in nothing.
He’s the greatest thief, taking from all sects equally.
Just a free-loader, believing in nothing.
"Rest assured, young master, I understand."
"Let’s go, Brother Meng, the cultivation room is just over there."
Meng Chuan followed him, pausing for a moment, then continuing.
"Chengshi Sect..."
...
Reaching the end on the left, they exited the passage, and the view opened up.
They found themselves in a garden, with a six-story building at the front.
The overall structure had a wide-to-narrow format, resembling a small hotel from its outline.
"The cultivation room?"
Unexpectedly, there was such a modern building deep in Shaolin.
Anyway, these monks have money, they can do whatever they want, indeed...
"Please, Brother Meng, there’s a world inside."
Jue Ming led the way, and upon getting closer, he took a closer look.
In the center of the hall at the far end, an old monk was sitting in meditation.
In front of him, a desk with a slightly warm tea cup.
"Reception?"
The young monk laughed heartily:
"Brother Meng, just tell this master here how long you need to use the cultivation room."
"Okay."
He approached the desk, noticing the wrinkled eyelids of the old monk flutter, and hurriedly clasped his hands:
"Senior, I wish to borrow the cultivation room."
