Chapter 157: Chapter 151: Empowerment! Qi Refining Eighth Layer

The Ghost Qi around Qi Yun had yet to dissipate as he held the Soul Refining Banner.

He stepped into the most magnificent, dusky yellow Main Hall.

The magnificent splendor and solemn Buddha statues he had anticipated were nowhere to be seen.

The hall was utterly bare. As far as the eye could see, there was only a void-like expanse.

There were no Buddha statues, no meditation mats, no incense burners—not even a single supporting pillar could be seen.

There was only an endless, dusky yellow backdrop and the omnipresent, heavy pressure of Earth Evil Qi.

"Hmm?" Qi Yun’s brow furrowed. His Divine Sense swept across the entire hall like quicksilver, but it still came up empty.

’Did I guess wrong?’

’Is the core not here?’

’Or could it be...’

Just as he was wondering to himself,

in the center of the Main Hall, the dusky yellow void began to ripple like water.

A speck of golden light appeared, then rapidly expanded and coalesced.

The light was gentle yet carried an undeniable majesty, dispelling some of the surrounding Ghost Qi and the dusky yellow gloom.

The light receded, and a figure quietly emerged.

It was a little monk.

He looked no older than twelve or thirteen, with rosy lips and white teeth. His face was delicate and handsome, and his smooth, shaved head shone with a jade-like luster.

He wore an exceptionally vibrant kasaya, as red as a burning flame, which created a strange contrast with his youthful face.

Despite his youthful appearance, he exuded a vast, pure, and majestic Buddha’s Will that seemed to be one with the entire Earth Temple.

It was an aura that dared anyone to underestimate him based on his appearance.

The little monk placed his palms together, his gaze lowered in a respectful posture. When he spoke, however, his voice carried an ancient peace that belied his appearance, resounding directly in Qi Yun’s Heart and Spirit:

"Amitabha Buddha.

"Benefactor, your body is rife with Evil Qi, yet you were able to pass the barrier of the [Dharma Guardian Monk] outside and reach this place.

"It is clear you have deep roots of wisdom and a profound connection to my Buddha."

His voice was not loud, yet every word was distinct.

It carried a strange, soothing power of persuasion, capable of washing away one’s anxiety and animosity.

Qi Yun’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t answer, quietly sizing up the mysterious little monk. The black energy from the Soul Refining Banner in his hand continued to swirl.

The little monk seemed unconcerned, continuing in an exceedingly sincere tone:

"There is no need to be nervous, Benefactor.

"This humble monk is a cultivator of the Great Brightness Sect. My dharma name is Ming Xin.

"This Shiyi Realm is what this humble monk transformed into after death.

"I have manifested this wisp of will today to find a destined successor and continue the Dharma Lineage of my Great Brightness Sect."

He lifted his clear eyes to look at Qi Yun, his gaze seeming to pierce straight through a person’s heart.

"Benefactor, you are fated with the Buddha.

"If you are willing, this humble monk can bestow upon you the core Dharma Gate of the Great Brightness Sect’s direct lineage—the Great Brightness Glazed Treasure Scripture.

"It is a Supreme Dharma Gate that leads directly to the Golden Core Dao."

He paused briefly, observing Qi Yun’s reaction. Seeing him remain silent, he continued.

"Furthermore, this humble monk can channel the Merit Buddha Power accumulated in this place to cleanse you of your foul Demon Technique.

"It will remove all hidden dangers and reforge your foundation.

"Then, using the method of empowerment, I will instantly raise your Cultivation to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer Perfect Realm."

In just a few sentences, the little monk laid out his promises.

The terms were exceptionally generous, the kind of opportunity countless cultivators could only dream of—a Supreme Dharma Gate, Purification Demon Technique, and an instantaneous leap in Cultivation!

At last, Little Monk Ming Xin stated his request, his tone still calm and sincere:

"What you must do, Benefactor, is not difficult.

"You need only agree to this, and in the future, take the relics left behind after this humble monk’s passing and return them to the Great Brightness Temple, delivering them to my descendants there.

"At that time, you will become the new Buddha Son of the Great Brightness Sect, a position of great reverence.

"With this inheritance, reaching Foundation Establishment will be but a single step away, and a future on the Great Dao will be yours to seize."

His words were earnest, his logic clear.

He calmly explained both the benefits and the obligations.

Every word was spoken with such earnest sincerity that listening to him felt like being bathed in a spring breeze, making it nearly impossible to refuse.

His sincere gaze and majestic Buddha’s Will all silently bolstered the credibility of his words.

The hall fell silent, with only the pure Buddha’s Will flowing gently through the air.

Gazing at the little monk before him—with his rosy lips, white teeth, red robes, and an aura brimming with Buddha’s Will—the solemnity and caution on Qi Yun’s face slowly melted away. The corner of his mouth curled into a slight smile.

Then, under Ming Xin’s expectant gaze, he nodded and casually spoke two words:

"I agree."

Qi Yun’s answer was so crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

It actually made the solemn and dignified Little Monk Ming Xin pause, a nearly imperceptible flicker of astonishment crossing his clear eyes.

He had waited for countless ages and seen too many people with weak wills or insatiable greed.

This was the first time he’d met someone so refreshingly forthright.

But his astonishment was instantly replaced by a deeper satisfaction bordering on ecstasy.

An even more compassionate and serene smile bloomed on his youthful face, as if he were seeing the dawn of his Sect’s revival.

"Excellent! Your decisiveness, Benefactor, is a mark of great wisdom!" Little Monk Ming Xin said, nodding with a smile.

"In that case, please open your Heart and Spirit, Benefactor, and receive my Buddha’s inheritance!"

Before the words had even faded, his form, condensed from pure Buddha Light, suddenly blurred. It transformed into an incredibly concentrated golden Flowing Light, imbued with a vast Buddha’s Will and an ancient aura.

Like a sharp arrow tearing through the void, it didn’t wait for Qi Yun to react.

With a SWOOSH, it shot straight into the space between Qi Yun’s eyebrows!

The next moment, within Qi Yun’s Sea of Consciousness.

The vast, originally calm expanse was instantly thrown into turmoil by the intrusion of the golden Flowing Light.

The golden light dissipated, and the form of Little Monk Ming Xin manifested once more.

He floated above the Sea of Consciousness, his entire being radiating Buddha Light like a miniature sun, brilliantly illuminating Qi Yun’s Sea of Consciousness.

Little Monk Ming Xin’s gaze swept over the traces of Daoist Intent within Qi Yun’s Sea of Consciousness—remnants representing his proficiency in various kinds of Magic. He nodded slightly, his tone holding a hint of praise, but more so a condescending scrutiny:

"Your aptitude is truly outstanding, Benefactor, and your karmic fortune runs deep. To be able to cultivate so many forms of Magic simultaneously, and with such a solid foundation, is remarkable.

"Hmm... not all of your Hundred Acupoints are open, and there is still some stagnation in the flow of your True Essence..."

He spoke as if inspecting a piece of raw jade about to be carved, his tone leaving no room for argument:

"No matter. This humble monk will first act to open all the acupoints in your body and wash away your impurities.

"This way, when you receive the empowerment inheritance later, it will be far more effective, and you will be able to bear more Buddha Power."

The moment his words fell, the entire dusky yellow Main Hall outside began to rumble and shake violently!

From the depths of the hall, an endless, dazzling tide of golden Buddha Light surged forth like a warm flood, instantly submerging Qi Yun’s body.

The Buddha Light was pure and immense, carrying a gentle yet irresistible power.

It forcibly surged into Qi Yun’s limbs and bones, rushing toward the blocked acupoints that had not yet been opened by the Earth Evil Qi.

BUZZ—!

A faint humming seemed to resonate from within Qi Yun’s body.

Under the impact of that irresistible Buddha Light, the acupoints that would have required him to expend painstaking effort and seek out Evil Points to open slowly were now being forced open and cleared with brutal efficiency, like sluice gates blasted open by a flood!

In just a few breaths!

The remaining dozens of Earth Fiend Evil Points in Qi Yun’s body—nearly half the total—were all opened in one fell swoop by the vast Buddha Light!

In an instant!

The aura around him surged violently. The True Essence within him flowed like a river that had burst its dams, and his connection to Heaven and Earth became clearer and more acute than ever before.

It was a natural breakthrough!

At that moment, his Cultivation Realm broke through completely, entering the Qi Refining Eighth Layer: Hundred Acupoints Spirit Communication!

’A Master is a Master, after all. Even a wrecked ship still has three thousand nails worth of iron...’

’To think a mere wisp of a soul could possess such world-altering power.’

Feeling the surging power in his body and the leap in his Realm, even the resolute Qi Yun couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

This direct elevation of power was truly intoxicating.

In the Sea of Consciousness, Little Monk Ming Xin sensed that all of Qi Yun’s acupoints had been opened and his Realm had advanced. The smile on his face grew even more brilliant and serene.

The Buddha Light surrounding him grew ever more resplendent, as if the most crucial preparations were now complete.

He slowly raised his hands. A denser Buddha Light, one imbued with the power of purification and reforging, began to gather in his palms. His tone was filled with an indisputable Compassion:

"The foundation is solid, the shackles are broken.

"Next, this humble monk shall wash away your foul Demon Technique.

"I will uproot your karmic hindrances and sever your worldly ties.

"Your spirit will be cleansed, allowing you to cultivate my Buddhist Sect’s Supreme Holy Method and ascend to Paradise..."

But just as Little Monk Ming Xin condensed his Buddha Light, preparing to strike at the very core of Qi Yun’s Sea of Consciousness—at the Divine Soul Origin that represented his fundamental Dao Foundation—and forcibly scour away all traces of his Demon Techniques, at that critical juncture,

a flat, cold voice laced with a faint, almost imperceptible mockery, suddenly echoed through the Buddha Light-filled expanse of the Sea of Consciousness:

"You little bald donkey, you’ve been dead for ages, and you still want to poach a disciple of my Holy Sect?

"It seems to me that this Buddhist heart of yours is as black as they come!"

Before the words had even faded, on the other side of Qi Yun’s Sea of Consciousness, the void rippled like water, and a figure slowly strode forth.

The man wore the Magic Robe of the Wuji Holy Sect. His face was gaunt, his eyes as deep as an ancient well. It was none other than Qian Xin Master!

The moment he appeared, without even glancing at Little Monk Ming Xin, whose expression had changed drastically, he gave a seemingly casual wave of his wide sleeve.

HUMMM—!

A boundless expanse of cyan light instantly bloomed, carrying with it a strange, chillingly precise Dao Rhyme that seemed capable of analyzing all things and controlling every Heart Thought.

The cyan light surged out like a tide.

Wherever it passed, the brilliant Buddha Light that had filled the Sea of Consciousness and sought to cleanse everything began to sizzle and hiss, as if it had met its bane.

It was forcibly suppressed and driven back, rapidly contracting to a small area around Little Monk Ming Xin.

It could no longer spread an inch.

Seeing this, Little Monk Ming Xin’s pupils abruptly contracted. He had the thought to flee, but discovered that the Sea of Consciousness was still completely sealed, and he couldn’t help but frown.

After effortlessly suppressing the Buddha Light, Qian Xin Master slowly turned his head to look at Qi Yun, who, far from being terrified, wore a faint, knowing smile. The Master spoke irritably:

"You brat, you’re full of schemes and bolder than heaven itself!

"How did you know I had planted a measure within your Sea of Consciousness?"

Qi Yun smiled calmly and cupped his hands toward Qian Xin Master’s phantom form.

"Master Qian Xin, please don’t be offended. This disciple was only guessing. It was just a gamble."

"A gamble?" Qian Xin Master scoffed, his gaze as sharp as a blade. He clearly didn’t believe a word of it.

"Gambling with your own life on a vague possibility?

"You’re as cunning as a ghost, kid.

"You would never have taken such a risk without being absolutely certain."

His gaze swept over Qi Yun’s physical body, which had already reached the Realm of Hundred Acupoints Spirit Communication.

He glanced again at Little Monk Ming Xin, who was suppressed by the cyan light, his face grim. His tone turned playful.

"A mere Qi Refining Body, yet you’ve managed to bait two Masters into fighting for your benefit.

"My Holy Sect hasn’t produced a talent like you in many years.

"Good, good. Very good. Today, I will lend you a hand.

"You’d better be ready to receive this Creation."

...