Chapter 1505: Well Done

Within the quiet chamber, no excess objects were present.Only a hanging scroll painting and a three-legged beast-shaped incense burner.In the painting, sinking clouds floated above distant mountains, and from the burner, blue smoke transformed into flying birds.Two straw cushions sat side-by-side.To the left and right, sat two Buddhist nuns.One was bronze-skinned, with a face radiating Buddha's light.The other wore a black monastic robe and cap, yet could not conceal her peerless beauty.From the distant mountains in the painting, a voice drifted faintly, like the tolling of a bell—"Buddha is merciful."This soft chime resonated in the ears, reaching deep into the heart.It broadened the five senses and cleared the mind and spirit.A true sound of the Great Dao.The two kneeling nuns clasped their hands and chanted: "Buddha is merciful!""All dharmas are born from the harmonious convergence of causes and conditions; without the emptiness of self-nature, they cannot exist."The voice from the distant mountains in the painting continued to drift: "Therefore, it is said, all dharmas are born from causes and conditions, and all dharmas cease from causes and conditions.""Therefore, it is said, from true emptiness arises wondrous existence."The nun with bronze skin was enraptured by the divine radiance.The nun of peerless beauty lowered her eyelids, silent.Dependent arising and emptiness is the Buddha's enlightenment, an eternal classic. But few could truly grasp its profound meaning and expound their own path from it."The Great Dao is like a tree; mortals each grasp but a single leaf.""Everyone possesses the Dao, everyone possesses true awakening.""They rely on these leaves to contend, yet know not that leaf differs from leaf.""This is also like the Barbarians colliding with the Touchers."The voice in the painting said: "The past is already empty, the future is yet to come. We, as Buddha's disciples, should illuminate the mind and awaken the path, comprehending cause and effect. Can you awaken now?""This disciple has long since awakened," said the nun of peerless beauty, hands clasped. "Please proceed, Honored Ancestor."Though her voice was calm and her eyes peaceful, there remained a captivating hint of indolence.She sat in such simple meditation, yet she made one perceive the rolling dust of the mundane world, and eons of wasted time."Wait," the nun with bronze skin looked up at the painting, gazing beneath the floating clouds, deep into the distant mountains: "This disciple has changed her mind. This long journey has brought another realization."She prostrated herself on the ground, utterly devout, saying: "This disciple asks herself from the heart, and no longer desires Yuzhen's body. I humbly beg the Honored Ancestor's discernment."Yuzhen turned her head, looking at her with some surprise.But Yuetiannu did not lift her head after all.Silence settled in the quiet chamber for a moment.Then the spirits of Yuetiannu and Yuzhen suddenly leaped from their bodies, light and ethereal, each landing upon a flying bird formed of blue smoke.Their cultivation level was still at the Outer Tower stage; spirits could not leave the body, nor interfere with reality. To violate this would result in damage at best, and the spirit's demise at worst.But here existed new world rules.New definitions of spirit.On the level of reality, the blue smoke flying birds were small and illusory.On the level of spirit, the blue smoke flying birds were noble and vigorous.The manifestation of the two individuals' spirits was momentarily so small. This small quiet chamber, at this moment, was so vast.The blue smoke flying birds carried the two small figures, free and agile, lightly flapping their wings, passing through a barrier between the tangible and intangible, and had already flown into the landscape scroll painting.Heavenly wind was free, flowing clouds gentle.The blue smoke flying birds soared in the sky, passing through layers of clouds, plunging into the distant mountains.There was true meaning between heaven and earth, received by the five senses, and wandering in the heart.Closer.The lush green mountains drew near.The fragrance of馥鴦flowers floated through the senses.Yuetiannu perceived all this familiar scenery, moved by a feeling that made her want to weep.The blue smoke flying birds landed on a mountain peak.A cluster of green bamboo was planted on the peak, and before the bamboo grove was a small hut.A plump silver-gray raccoon lay on its back in the grass outside the hut, basking lazily in the heavenly light. Its round belly rose and fell with rhythmic regularity.Yuetiannu carefully avoided it and continued forward.A Buddhist nun with an indistinct face sat cross-legged on the bamboo steps before the hut.She looked over.That gaze seemed to possess infinite compassion. As if it could understand all your inner thoughts, comprehend all your anxieties, and offer eternal comfort and reliance.But at this moment, it carried a hint of doubt."Tell me your reasons," said the voice like the distant mountain bell.At this moment, Yuetiannu faced all this alone, but she knew that Yuzhen was in another painting at this time.Guiding spirits into a painting was already a divine technique. To spread out two worlds within a single painting was an even more unimaginable divine ability.But for the existence before her, it was truly nothing."Honored Ancestor," Yuetiannu clasped her hands and bowed her head in礼.Then she said: "Because my body was destroyed and my soul scattered back then. The sect had no choice but to appoint the Godly Presence stage Yumíng as the head of the Miaoyou Hall. This was the sect's helplessness, and also Yumíng's burden...""To not tarnish the sect's reputation, she was eager for quick success, and in a state of insufficient preparation, she forcibly attempted to break through to the Cave True stage, thus encountering the calamity of her demise. Otherwise, with her aptitude, if she could have settled her mind, she would have had hope for the Cave True stage.""All of this is this disciple's sin."The nun meditating on the bamboo steps offered no comment, quietly waiting for her to continue."This disciple's remnant soul only remembers these things," Yuetiannu said. "Many things are forgotten, but these things, these pains, have not subsided for a moment... I feel shame in my heart.""I have read through all the classics, seeking salvation but finding none. I wholeheartedly atone, but the other shore is hard to see and harder to reach.""You possess supreme compassion, but I cannot comprehend it.""Lord Yu sent a letter, and you instructed me to see the mountains and seas, to witness the foremost elegance of the Chu land.""I also resolved to use the jade of another mountain to refine my own stone, and upon my return, to cross the sea of suffering using Yuzhen's body."Yuetiannu sighed: "That child, Shunhua, when she was young, I once played with her using a puppet body. She even remembered, thinking Yuetiannu had grown up... But how could there be a Yuetiannu in this world?""But after leaving the Mountain Sea Realm, I thought, there is already a Yuetiannu in this world.""That Yuetiannu experienced many things. She followed the prodigies of the Chu land, followed people like Jiang Wang and Wang Changji, who are destined to be very dazzling, and together witnessed the legends of the Mountain Sea Realm. She met Kong Yuan, Ga Xuan, and thus knew there could be nine types of phoenixes, and that living beings compete for freedom...""There are too many astonishingly talented and peerless figures in this world, and how many stories have risen and fallen in the long river of history.""Huang Weizhen will transcend above the peak, returning from fantasy. And Yuetiannu has also left her mark at this historical juncture.""Being remembered by Qu Shunhua was the first time, witnessing the legends of the Mountain Sea Realm was the second time. In this world, Yuetiannu already exists.""I have already harmed Yuming, I cannot harm others again. I have already failed the sect, I cannot fail Yuzhen again.""I cross the sea of suffering, seeking nothing else."Yuetiannu sincerely said: "Honored Ancestor, this is my shallow contemplation, my insignificant Zen heart."The nun meditating on the bamboo steps, her face between visible and invisible, showed no curiosity towards names like Jiang Wang, Wang Changji, Kong Yuan, Ga Xuan, and was even indifferent to the news of Huang Weizhen about to transcend above the peak.That was the world outside the painting, not the truth of this place.She simply looked at Yuetiannu, with eyes of ethereal and illusory compassion, looking at Yuetiannu.Feeling Yuetiannu's pain, understanding Yuetiannu's feelings.Then she said: "Yuzhen once dwelled among evil cults, slaughtering the innocent. Her heart was chaotic, devoid of good and evil.Transferring her body to serve Buddha is to dispel karmic obstructions.Seeking all desires is to cleanse worldly ties.All done willingly is to be without cause and effect.I wished to save her, hence she faced this tribulation.Cixin, your refusal of her skin is not saving her, but harming her."The generation of disciples in Wash Moon Nunnery for this cycle are characterized by the words "Hóng kāi zhì jìng dēng yuán xī, Chóng cí yù zhàn huì gǔ jīn."The heads of the three halls of Wash Moon Nunnery, and even the current abbess of Wash Moon Nunnery, are all Zen practitioners of the "Cí" generation.And "Cixin" was the Dharma name of the previous head of the Miaoyou Hall. Her remnant soul combined with this puppet body is the current Yuetiannu.The current head of the Miaoyou Hall, Zen Master Yumíng, has already collapsed her Spirit Nourishment Palace due to a failed attempt to break through to the Cave True stage, and is counting the days until death.Speaking of which, this is truly not a very auspicious position."Please forgive this disciple's presumptuous words, Honored Ancestor."Yuetiannu said: "Bodies are all skins; karmic obstructions cannot be dispelled by transferring bodies.Trading one for the other is precisely the difficulty in severing worldly ties.To say it was voluntary proves that infatuation has not ceased.This disciple believes... that in this way, she cannot be saved."The plump raccoon lying on its back tilted its head to look over here, seemingly somewhat curious.The nun meditating on the bamboo steps simply said: "Have you thought it through? This body of Yuzhen is the fruit of an evil deity's path, pure in essence, with the opening of a stainless lotus. If you obtain it, respond to it, and complete it, you will soon be able to mend your flaws and cultivate the Stainless Glassy Body again.""This disciple understands clearly," Yuetiannu said. "The remnant soul cannot be found again, nor do I wish to find it. The old body has perished, there is no need for a new life. However marvelous the Stainless Glassy Body or however good Cixin, did they not also perish with body and soul scattered?"Her voice was like a Sanskrit chant, her body gradually blossoming with precious light: "Today I am tomorrow I, today's body is tomorrow's body. The flesh body is a skin, the puppet body is also a skin... Cixin is already silent, the spiritual source is reborn. I am Yuetiannu, the puppet body is the true body, the self is the spiritual boat.""Crossing the sea of suffering by oneself, thus is my Buddha."At this moment, she clasped her hands together, displaying infinite solemnity. Her sacred countenance was stern, revealing a heart of compassion. Centered on her, bright radiance flowed like water, rippling in all directions. This was Buddha's light, and also moonlight.Wherever the radiance passed, it seemed as if a brand new world was being born within the existing world.And faint virtual images of puppet Buddha statues were vaguely visible within it.In a trance, Sanskrit chants arose—"Deep low Di Túsū ZhāĀ Ruò Mì Dì Wū Dū ZhāDeep Qí ZhāBō Lài DìYē Mí Ruò Zhā Wū Dū ZhāJū Luó Dì Zhā Qí Mó ZhāShā Pó Hē!"This is the Stainless Moon Puppet Pure Land.Still on the mountain peak.Still within the bamboo grove.Still a plump silver-white raccoon.However, here it was not lying on its back with four paws in the air, but was held down on the bamboo steps by one hand of the Ancestor on the steps, unable to move.Despite this, it focused intently on the nun in front, its eyes wide and unblinking.From its direct gaze, one could tell.If its voice hadn't been sealed, it would never be so silent.Yuzhen appeared before the small hut on this mountain peak, still with some lingering doubts.She had already made preparations to exchange this body for a puppet body.This was not a tremendous price.To intervene in the open and covert struggles between the two great hegemonic nations, Jing and Qi, and to interfere with Jing State's Mirror World Terrace pursuit... such a price was truly negligible.The physical body was of course a person's foundation, and of course it was the greatest price she could pay.But compared to this world of sunrise and moonset, eternal and unchanging, she was too insignificant.She knew her insignificance long ago—when she was thrown into a pack of fierce beasts with only a dagger in her hand.And she learned her preciousness very late.That was on a remote mountain peak in a remote city domain of a remote small country.Someone said, "What I pity is that little girl lost and panicked in the heap of fierce beasts."So she could be pitied.And not just desired, lusted after, used, and craved.So, there were also people who would fight with their lives for her.Not charmed by her, not sinking into her schemes.But a genuine choice made under clear will.At this moment, the doubts in her heart were unresolved.She didn't understand why Yuetiannu suddenly refused her body again—to ensure the harmony of body and soul, and the spiritual exchange, they had spent some time together and understood each other, exchanging many stories. She understood Yuetiannu's desires very well.To bear her responsibilities sooner, Yuetiannu was willing to try anything. Including residing in a puppet, including the flow of both Buddha and ink... There was no reason to give up at this final step.But she was Yuzhen after all.Looking at the unfathomable Honored Ancestor before her, she appeared very calm.If a person can accept the worst outcome, then there is nothing left to fear."Honored Ancestor," Yuzhen said softly, "This disciple pays her respects."Yuzhen and her senior sister Yuhua shared the same master, namely Abbess Cimíng of Wash Moon Nunnery.But Yuzhen was actually different; she was more nominally under Abbess Cimíng's tutelage, while in reality, she was personally taken in by this Ancestor before her.Of course, Abbess Cimíng taught her impartially, no different from her fellow disciples. It was just because of this karmic缘分 of entering the sect that her status within Wash Moon Nunnery was naturally subtly different.Others only felt that she was very favored by the Abbess. Few knew of this relationship she had with the being in the painting.The nun on the bamboo steps sat in meditation like a Bodhi tree. The hand resting on the plump raccoon seemed very casual, yet it possessed a naturally formed Dao principle.She looked at Yuzhen and said faintly: "Although you and I had an agreement, the causes and conditions are dissipated, gains and losses balance each other. But Yuetiannu herself gave up the body exchange, so you have fulfilled the agreement."Yuzhen naturally knew what she had kept and what she had lost.Her face showed neither joy nor sorrow, she simply said: "Yuzhen is at the Ancestor's disposal."The nun on the bamboo steps then said: "I know you are a person with your own ideas, so I must ask your intentions as well. Will you continue to handle the matters of the Three Parts Fragrance Pavilion? Or will you let go now, build a hermitage in this bamboo grove from now on, and cultivate with me?"The plump raccoon being held down immediately brightened its eyes.Yuzhen said softly: "One should always see things through from beginning to end. Yuzhen is also willing to cultivate in solitude, and also to traverse the mundane world."The nun on the bamboo steps sighed: "You were originally a person of thousand charms and ten thousand graces; excess is as bad as deficiency. The Three Parts Fragrance of the world is not your dwelling place. But you desire both heart incense and sandalwood incense... Why, and for what?"Yuzhen merely smiled.With this smile, the nun of ancient lamps and desolate Buddhas became a beauty who could charm all sentient beings."I'm greedy," she said with a smile.Yuetiannu and Yuzhen, here and there.Two scroll paintings, the figures of two Ancestors.Spoke simultaneously—"Excellent."