Stepping on the Demoness to become the strongest-Chapter 728 - 15: Standing Out Alone

Within the Buddhist Sect, there are numerous precepts to abide by, such as the prohibitions against killing, anger, stealing, drinking alcohol, consuming meat, and engaging in sexual misconduct, etc.

If one sets aside the more easily amended faults like eating meat, drinking alcohol, and theft, the main focus of the precepts still lies in killing, anger, and sexual misconduct.

The so-called ’sexual misconduct’ does not only refer to the actual act itself, but even a fleeting thought in the mind is considered a violation. For instance, some highly cultivated Heavenly Demons can transform into exceedingly beautiful women, casting a flirtatious glance your way from a distance. Should you harbor even an instant of unbridled desire, their magic will immediately flow through the cracks in your Mental State, manifesting within your Sea of Consciousness and seducing you into a fantastical tryst. Thereafter, your Primordial Yang is released like a burst dam, rapidly withering your physical energy, leaving you drained and powerless by the adversary’s attack.

Therefore, should a Mysterious Realm set forth any tests in this aspect, one must not harbor any fleeting desires whatsoever.

On this issue, women who are more prone to amorous thoughts tend to be at a disadvantage. Take Ningning or Yun Jin, who are preoccupied with sticking close to Captain Zhou—for the moment, unless they undergo specialized training, they can forget about passing such a test.

However, Yan Yu is relatively confident about two girls, Chen Lingyun and Tang Xiaolian.

The former is a cold-hearted Pleasure Seeker. The only romantic entanglement she currently has is with himself, but regarding that entanglement, how much is genuine sentiment and how much is for amusement is difficult to say; as for the latter, Zhou Hongyu’s little fangirl, based on her past life, doesn’t seem to be a lesbian, so there is no fear of any issues arising.

As for Yan Yu himself, with the nature of a man in two lifetimes, his character has long reached a state of perfect harmony, where would he need to fear such minor Mental State challenges?

Advance!

The three arrived at the final stage, only to see that their surroundings resembled the Great Hero Treasure Hall, magnificent and solemn. Directly in front, three great Buddhas sat in meditation, with the Eighteen Arhats assembled on both the left and the right, each one as lifelike as if they were really alive.

Near the incense table before the Buddha, there sat an elderly nun in white, her hands rhythmically striking a wooden fish whilst incessantly chanting sutras.

At the sight of the old nun in her white robes and her head adorned with a white-hooded hat, Yan Yu’s expression instantly transformed.

Joy Sect!

While the Taoist sect contains various heretical paths of the Demonic Sect, the Buddhist Sect also has its cults and heterodox sects. In a past life, the four most rampant Zen practices were the Red Lotus Zen, Subjugation of Demons Zen, Pure Land Zen, and Joyful Zen.

Red Lotus Zen emphasizes enlightenment through killing; the Demon Monks of Southeast Asia who once joined forces with Zhou Hongyu were foreign monks who had received the teachings of Red Lotus Zen. Subjugation of Demons Zen promotes feeding oneself to demons, and within the relics of Subjugation of Demons Zen in the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon Mysterious Realm, Heart Demons concealed themselves, causing significant trouble for Zhenghai and the Huofeng Team.

As for this Joyful Zen, their studied art was all sorts of replenishment evil methods. What was originally meant to be mutual encouragement and each having its own wonders had been perverted by them into a zero-sum game: either you take my essence of Primordial Yang, causing me damage, or I seize your essence of Primordial Yin, leaving you utterly drained. Therefore, they earned the scorn of the four great Zen sects - not fit to be presented at the table!

Yan Yu’s hands formed a Sword technique, ready to strike down this Joyful Sect’s white-robed old nun, but then he heard her say:

"Amitabha, benefactor, there is no need for alarm. In my past life, I erred and strayed onto the wrong path, but fortunately, I was enlightened by Master Fangcun. I have now joined the Mahayana and have been charged with guarding this wondrous site in Taishan, waiting for someone with wisdom."

The old nun claimed to have reformed from her wicked ways… Yan Yu pondered for a moment, reluctantly holding back his Sword technique, waiting to see what she was truly up to.

The white-robed old nun continued:

"This final stage is to test your ability to control impassioned desires. Soon, I will emit the Joyful Sound. If your heart harbors unresolved emotions, unable to control yourself, then it is impossible for you to pass this test. Only when you can see through the illusions of the mortal world and understand the true nature of sensual pleasures, can you inherit the mantle of Master Fangcun from me."

"If you are prepared to face the test, then step forward."

After her slow speech, Yan Yu furrowed his brows and instructed the two girls:

"Did you hear that? If your heart harbors unresolved emotions, unable to control yourself, this final stage will be very difficult to pass. Reflect on yourselves quickly, if there’s anyone you’ve taken a liking to, speak up. Like with the previous two stages, I will help you work through your thoughts."

The two girls looked at each other.

"Yes." Chen Lingyun said with a sweet smile, "I like you."

"Bullshit, is that what you call liking?" Yan Yu ignored her confession outright and turned to ask Tang Xiaolian, "And you?"

"Ahahaha." Tang Xiaolian, somewhat flustered, quickly denied, "I don’t like anyone right now."

"Really?" Yan Yu chuckled, "What about Captain Zhou?"

"I have nothing but pure admiration for Captain Zhou," Tang Xiaolian solemnly lifted her hand and pledged earnestly.

"If you don’t say it now, it will be too late later." Chen Lingyun added with a smile at her side.

"There’s nothing to say." Tang Xiaolian revealed a calm demeanor and affirmed steadfastly, "I have no plans for romance right now, and I don’t like anyone."

"Very good." Yan Yu snapped his fingers and said, "Music, begin!"

The white-robed old nun did not speak but slowly turned around, lifting the white veil to reveal her face.

It was the face of an ordinary and plain woman, yet for some reason, even a mere glance seemed to draw one in irresistibly.

As her vermilion lips parted and the wondrous sound emerged, though they did not understand the sutras being chanted, the three were overcome by the extraordinary beauty of the sound. It was as if a warm current originated from below the abdomen and slowly spread, enveloping them in a comforting warmth.

"If anyone wishes to ask, at that time, the Buddha, with a sound that all beings delight to hear, spoke this clear and pure voice. This voice, known as the ’easy understanding sound,’ the ’straightforward sound,’ the ’clear and pure sound,’ the ’perfect for the ear without fault sound,’ has the power to bring joy to the body and mind, to clear all disturbances like the purity of the moon sound, that continuously flows without end sound, that is not coarse nor forceful sound, that well enters the heart and removes greed, anger, and ignorance sound, inspiring delight and faith sound..."