596: 327 scripture 596: 327 scripture Jing Xuan suddenly froze, his eyes fixed intently on the Starfire Sword, his expression changing unpredictably.
Then, he quickly raised his head, looking deeply at Fang Zhixing, surprised, he asked, “This is the Starfire Sword, why is it in your hands?”
Fang Zhixing did not answer but countered, “May I ask Master, in whose hands should this sword rightfully be?”
Jing Xuan did not answer either, his expression became cautious, and he asked again, “How did you obtain the Starfire Sword?”
Fang Zhixing couldn’t help but sneer in his heart.
It appeared that Jing Xuan wouldn’t act without certainty.
He answered calmly, “I don’t mean to deceive you, Master, but I defeated the Undying Evil Phoenix and snatched this Starfire Sword from his grasp.”
“Oh…”
Jing Xuan had a look of realization, then said after a brief silence, “The Starfire Sword was once the treasured possession of this monastery.
Later, when King Chiming had his grand wedding, this old monk was invited to attend and presented the sword to King Chiming as a wedding gift.”
“Oh, King Chiming!”
Fang Zhixing kept his composure, but a surge of emotion rose within him, and he asked carefully, “How did King Chiming deal with the Starfire Sword, did he keep it for himself or give it away?”
Jing Xuan spread his hands and chuckled, “That is beyond this old monk’s knowledge, one must inquire with King Chiming himself.”
Fang Zhixing understood and inquired, “Master, how do you think I should deal with this Fifth Level treasure sword?”
Jing Xuan laughed and said, “The sword is your battle trophy, naturally, it is entirely up to you to decide.”
Fang Zhixing thought for a moment, then asked, “I wonder if Jihuo Temple has any thoughts of reclaiming the sword?
I am willing to offer it freely, returning it to its original owner.”
Jing Xuan’s expression turned solemn, and he waved his hand, “One should not accept a reward without having done any meritorious service.
After all, this is a precious treasure…”
Seeing this, Fang Zhixing hesitated and said, “I am burdened with heavy killing karma, wrapped in a miasma of evil energy, and have long wished to cleanse myself of it.
I have heard that the Buddhist scripture ‘Diamond Sutra’ can dispel troubles, eliminate karmic obstacles, and increase wisdom and fortune!”
He said earnestly, bowing, “Master, may I have the honor of borrowing the ‘Diamond Sutra’ from your temple to recite and pray for the alleviation of disasters and the purification of all karmic obstacles?”
Hearing this, Jing Xuan’s breathing paused, and a profound expression emerged on his face as he slowly said:
“The ‘Diamond Sutra’ contains the truth of all things in the world, bestowing infinite wisdom, cleansing the body and mind, and encouraging people to do good.
Ordinary people are shaken to their core just seeing the cover of the ‘Diamond Sutra’, intoxicated by it, leading them to convert to Buddhism.
Even if you are a practitioner of Taoism, once you have read the contents of the ‘Diamond Sutra’, you too may be deeply moved and thus change your faith.”
Fang Zhixing listened carefully, surprised in his heart.
This ‘Diamond Sutra’ seemed to have the power to indoctrinate.
Fang Zhixing said earnestly, “Master, I wish to challenge my faith.”
Seeing this, Jing Xuan nodded and said, “Very well, then I shall satisfy your wish.”
The two rose and left the Zen room.
By coincidence, Lian Quan and the others were in the courtyard, teasing a white crane.
“Where are you going?” Lian Quan asked with a smile.
Fang Zhixing simply explained.
Interest immediately piqued in Lian Sheng, who smiled while shaking his fan and said, “The Buddhist scripture, long admired, may we observe as well?”
Jing Xuan replied, “Why not?”
“Thank you, Abbot, for your permission!”
Lian Sheng and his companions were overjoyed and gladly proceeded to follow.
The group, followed by Xigou, headed towards the back courtyard.
Moments later, they arrived in front of a mysterious nine-layered tower.
Strangely, this tower stood not reaching up but hanging downwards.
“Here is the Nine Layer Demon Suppression Tower!”
Jing Xuan introduced with a smile, “Inside it, countless Demon Buddha Evil Cultivators and deeply sinful people are suppressed.”
Fang Zhixing and companions grew increasingly interested.
Jing Xuan led the way, pushing open a door and entering a spacious hall with great strides.
Fang Zhixing followed closely, stepping over the threshold.
Suddenly, he felt a jolt throughout his body as an inexplicable aura enveloped him, assaulting his spirit.
The aura was as vast as the sea, immense and indescribable.
Fang Zhixing paused mid-step, then continued forward.
The deeper he went, the greater the spiritual pressure he felt.
Gradually, a voice began to enter his mind.
Fang Zhixing concentrated, listening intently.
The voice became clearer, sounding like many people chanting simultaneously, yet it was indecipherable.
It seemed to be a kind of Sanskrit, extremely foreign, profound and unfathomable.
As Fang Zhixing walked forward, he suddenly noticed that Xigou was laboring in his steps, his ears drooping, and his tail tucked in.
Fang Zhixing conveyed through thought, “What’s wrong, can you also hear the chanting?”
Xigou slightly lifted his head and replied, “What chanting?
I just feel that the atmosphere here is oppressive, as if many eyes are watching me; it’s very uncomfortable.”
On hearing this, Fang Zhixing turned his attention to Lian Quan and the others.
Lian Quan appeared unfazed, as if basking in the Spring Breeze, relaxed and pleased.
Lian Sheng had closed his fan, his brows locked in a frown, his expression slightly solemn.
Lian Yue’s face was serious, her body tense, as if she was struggling hard against something.
At that point, Jing Xuan stopped.
Fang Zhixing’s eyes flashed, and he soon noticed a large hole in the ground at the center of the main hall.
Jing Xuan led them to the edge of the hole, looking down into it.
Astonishingly, the hole contained nine levels of space, each layer descending further down.
With each level, the environment became worse, increasingly harsher the deeper it went.
The very bottom layer was pitch-dark and bitterly cold, a place unfit for any human.
Jing Xuan turned to Fang Zhixing with a smile that seemed to regard him as prey caught in a trap and asked, “So, Benefactor An, are you certain you really want to see the ‘Diamond Sutra’?”
Fang Zhixing confidently responded, “Such an opportunity is rare to come by; please, Master, do grant my request.”
“Very well!”
With his spirits invigorated, Jing Xuan raised his hands and clapped once.
Clap~
Immediately, a play of light and shadow occurred above the hole.
Fang Zhixing’s pupils contracted when he saw a golden tome suddenly appear, floating mid-air, dazzling with a divine brilliance.