Chapter 27: The Great Ming Emperor's Seal

  According to legend, the nine seals of Buddhism correspond to the nine-character mantra: Lin, Bing, Dou, Ze, Jie, Chen, Lie, Zai, and Qian.

  There is a one-to-one correspondence: Lin: unmoving Ming Wang seal; Bing: large Vajra wheel seal; Dou: outer lion seal; Zhe: inner lion seal; Jie: inner binding seal; Zhen: outer binding seal; Lie: wisdom fist seal; Zai: sun wheel seal; Qian: treasure vase seal.

  The Nine-Character Mantra and the Buddhist Nine Seals are both supreme methods of cultivation, containing profound principles that encompass the enlightenment of the Great Way and numerous methods for cultivating one's character and nature, and are highly revered by many cultivators as a supreme secret method.

  When encountering things, have an unshakeable and unwavering will; silently recite the unmoving heart of the Three Treasures' Bright King.

  Prolonging one's life and restoring energy by silently reciting the wrathful mind of the Three Lower Realms' Clear Light King.

  Fighting bravely and fiercely, silently reciting the mantra of Mahavairocana's Vajrasattva.

  One freely manipulates his body, silently reciting the wisdom of Mahavairocana.

  Everyone freely controls others' minds, and thus cultivates 'telepathy'.

  Listen to the voice of the spiritual realm, concentrate on the power of reverence and love, silently recite the compassionate heart of Mahavairocana.

  Having cultivated oneself to perfection, one attains the power to rescue and protect others, thereby acquiring the divine ability of clairvoyance.

  Soaring through the void, flying in the air, silently reciting the self-power of Mahavairocana.

  Having completed his spiritual practice, he entered the realm of the superman and from there entered into Nirvana as Mahavairocana Buddha.

  The nine seals corresponding to it are the methods of cultivation, which is the supreme method for refining one's mind and clarifying the Tao. Of course, in addition to this, Buddhism also has some great Dharma seals, such as the Preaching Seal, the Fearless Giving Seal, the Meditation Seal, the Demon-Subduing Seal, the Wish-Fulfilling Seal, the Wisdom Fist Seal, etc.

  Buddhism advocates for great wisdom, fearlessness, and purity, which can transform people's minds and lead them to take refuge unknowingly, so many practitioners fear Buddhism like a tiger.

  The Akshobhya Buddha Seal, also known as the Great Brightness Seal, has the meaning of immovability. It transcends three lives and three worlds to attain namelessness.

  A spark of divine consciousness entered it, and Xiao Gu began to comprehend this true meaning.

  The Buddha's voice is heard everywhere, and lotus flowers bloom in the void. Three thousand arhats chant scriptures on the great Tao, and the supreme Buddhist kingdom bathes in golden light. This is what is meant by rebirth in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. The Buddhist scriptures are vast and profound, with infinite merit. Countless bodhisattvas and arhats shine with golden light, lotus flowers blooming beneath their feet.

  Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, practicing profound Prajna Paramita, saw that all five skandhas are empty... The sound of reciting sutras filled the entire mind.

  Unconsciously, Xiao Gu began to chant along, his body emitting a faint golden light, as if he would be sent to the Pure Land and become a Buddha at any moment.

  Enduring all hardships, Shariputra, is the empty appearance of all things, not born and not destroyed, not defiled and not pure...... Unbeknownst to him, the ancient chanting voice grew louder, golden light shining brightly, even the mournful cries of the Human King couldn't interrupt it, and even Xing Wuji beside him was subtly affected.

  Xiao Gu's face showed a compassionate and merciful expression, while his hand formed a Buddhist mudra, resembling that of the Buddha.

  "It's no good, young one, you must hold on tight, absolutely cannot be swayed," Old Wang anxiously jumped up and down.

  Golden Buddha light, invaded Xiao Gu's sea of consciousness, bit by bit dyeing the entire sea of consciousness gold, leaving only a few empty spaces in the center, with a hint of clarity. The golden Buddha light, without any gaps, poured towards the only pure land at the same time in the next moment.

  However, boom!

  A purple glow suddenly spread across the sky, and at the moment when the Buddha's light met the purple light, it melted away like ice and snow. In the blink of an eye, the golden Buddha's light disappeared without a trace, and Xiao Gu also woke up.

  What a close call! Xiao Gu's forehead was beaded with cold sweat, and at the same time, he was furious. This strange Buddhist chant had almost unknowingly brainwashed him.

  Since you won't let me appreciate it, then I'll just take it away!

  Roar, Xiao Gu's furious roar, this time not in the realization of Buddha's seal, but in the forced plunder, the entire temple was shaking, the golden Buddha's seal shining with golden light, the chanting voices echoing in the void, wave after wave impacting Xiao Gu.

  This is to ferry people, to ferry oneself, and to ferry all living beings, so that Xiaogu can take refuge in me, learn my Dharma gate, and enter my teachings. Xiaogu is like a small boat on the stormy waves, swaying left and right, tossed about by the wind and rain.

  Ka ka ka, the sound of shattering echoed, the golden light gradually dissipated, and the Buddha's voice also disappeared. The Buddhist seal finally faded and shattered.

  Xiao Gu's expression was no longer ferocious, but instead turned into a calm and peaceful one.

  "Abnormal kid, everyone else is passing down, he actually dares to plunder," Old Wang muttered to himself.

  Although they all learned the same Indian method, the meanings are vastly different. Enlightenment is getting someone else's way and then learning something from it, in other words, picking up someone else's wisdom. Plundering represents the strong possession of the overbearing way, that is to say, this thing has nothing to do with you anymore, no cause and effect.

  Although seemingly identical, in reality, on the path of self-cultivation, a difference of a single hair's breadth can lead to an error of a thousand miles.

  A moment later, Xiao Gu opened his eyes, and the ancient well was calm and peaceful, neither sad nor happy, which had just grasped the true meaning of stillness.

  "Ming Wang Yin, Xiao Gu suddenly let out a loud shout," and then both hands received the seal, Da Wei Ming Wang condensed into a virtual shadow, following Xiao Gu's handprint movement, three feet three inches motionless Ming Wang, following Xiao Gu's one hand pressed down, making the same action.

  The human-like creature that was wailing under the oil lamp suddenly trembled all over, and a thick black mist emerged from its body, eventually turning into a puddle of flesh.

  Splash!

  A gray shadow suddenly entered Xiao Gu's body, giving him a big shock. However, he soon calmed down again because the gray shadow was unable to enter his sea of consciousness, as if it had been suppressed by something.

  "Little one, I mean no harm, I just want to borrow your body," Grey Shadow's thoughts came through.

  "Is that so? Then why did you let your subordinates attack me? If not for the seal, I'm afraid you would have made a move against us long ago. Your words are deceiving," Xiao Gu sneered.

  "Little guy misunderstood, I suppose you also saw that pile of flesh and blood, it was my residual after my physical body was broken, originally my consciousness was nurtured in it, but later it was occupied by a skull king, I was too seriously injured, could only hide, until today his mind was burned to death, I managed to come out." Grey Shadow explained.

  "Oh? You've been hiding for so long and no one has discovered you?" Xiao Gu was clearly skeptical of his words.

  "Hmph, I am a powerful being from ancient times. How can a mere vengeful spirit compare to me? If it weren't for the severe injuries I suffered back then, which caused me to lose all my cultivation and nearly destroyed my soul, this little vengeful spirit would be nothing but a fleeting thought that could be extinguished with just a flick of my wrist." Gray Shadow said disdainfully.

  "What you said is good, but unfortunately I can't believe you," Xiao Gu didn't believe him at all.

  "Little guy, you're so heavy-hearted. Alright, now I'll say something and you probably won't believe me anyway. Let me temporarily reside in your left armpit for a while, we'll talk later," said Gray Shadow with a smile.

  Xiao Gu considered for half a moment before finally agreeing.

  Boom! The seal platform shattered, a silver divine light shot up into the sky, and a silver longbow appeared, hovering in mid-air, trembling non-stop.

  Xing Wuji was overjoyed and went all out, but unfortunately, Shen Bing Wushuang was unbeatable, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't subdue him.

  However, in the end, Xiao Gu taught him a handprint that could subdue it. Although Xing Wu Jin was curious about how Xiao Gu knew how to tame this thing, he also knew that it might involve Xiao Gu's secrets, so he didn't ask further.

  As for how Xiao Gu knew, it was naturally told by Hui Ying.

  It was greedy, the heart moved endlessly, the divine bow had no hope, and turned to pounce on the ancient oil lamp. Unfortunately, three times in a row, they were all bounced back, and fell with four legs facing the sky.

  "Dead King Ba, you're too greedy," Xiao Gu laughed loudly. Just now, the gray shadow told him that this oil lamp was an unimaginable treasure. It was also because he secretly helped that Xiao Gu could use it smoothly. Old Wang Ba couldn't get close to it, naturally because of the existence of a divine object's restriction.

  Failed to get the oil lamp and divine bow, old Wang Ba greedy heart is not enough, this four weeks of the temple was dismantled messy, unfortunately, ultimately still nothing was gained.

  Reluctantly leaving the temple, the white skeleton no longer appeared, and the two of them left the place smoothly.

  Xiao Gu quietly asked the gray shadow that had been there before, "What does it mean to wait for them for a long time?" But was told that it was his own words, and he had influenced the consciousness of the Undead King with his divine sense.

  This result made Xiao Gu roll his eyes greatly, fortunately he was suspicious of ghosts and gods before!

  Returning to his temporary residence, Xing Wuji bid farewell, and the two agreed that in the future if either of them had any matters, they would help each other as allies.

  Xiao Gu was preparing to find a secluded place to break through the fifth layer of Nie Fan, and this period of training had already made him perfect.

  This place was originally the best place to hide the marks on Xiao Gu's body, but recently it has been discovered that monks have arrived here, so I had to choose another place to avoid being disturbed, especially those who want to kill me.