A Buddhist Forbidden Incantation, Master of Duzhen Hall

Duzhen Hall! Luo Chen looked up at the plaque suspended high above the grand hall, an emotional expression flickering across his face. He had visited Mount Cangwu three times in total, and every single time, this had been his lodging. In some mysterious, fateful way, an affinity bound him to this place. Ahead of him, Youquan led the way. After traversing the main hall, she guided him past several courtyards and palaces along a path that felt quite familiar to him. It led straight to the immortal's cave where he had resided during his previous visit. Sure enough, before long, he stood once more before that familiar dwelling. "Stay here for now and await the Monarch's orders." Youquan fixed Luo Chen with a complicated stare, her eyes boring into him as if trying to see right through him. Luo Chen knew leaving Mount Cangwu would not be so simple. Thus, despite his burning desire to return home, he raised no objection. He merely made an audacious request just as Youquan turned to leave. "Intelligence on the Mountain Sea Realm?" Youquan scoffed coldly. "Just wait!" Luo Chen smiled wryly, unsure whether she would actually deliver it to him. He did not press the matter; he simply did not wish to step outside completely blind to the world. Once Youquan departed, Luo Chen turned and stepped into the cave dwelling, which was steeped in dense spiritual qi. Upon entering, the familiar layout and furnishings greeted his eyes, virtually unchanged from when he had left. This cave dwelling—comparable to that of Vice Hall Master Youquan and second only to the rumored abode of the Hall Master of Duzhen Hall—seemed to have remained vacant all this time. "Convenient enough!" Luo Chen chuckled softly and settled in. In the battle of the Glazed Pure Land, his demonic might had been awe-inspiring and his spoils abundant, but it had by no means been as effortless as it appeared on the surface. The massive drain on his dharmic power and origin power was undeniable. Having such a high-tier spiritual vein to recuperate on was truly a godsend. Over the next few days, Luo Chen remained indoors, devoting all his focus to restoring his dharmic power within the cave dwelling. During this time, Youquan delivered a jade slip with an utterly sullen attitude. It recorded general intelligence regarding the Mountain Sea Realm at present, focusing primarily on the Eastern Desolation and the Central Plains, while also noting major events that had transpired across other territories. From this alone, one could see the sheer intelligence-gathering prowess of Mount Cangwu! After perusing it thoroughly, Luo Chen gained a rough understanding of the Mountain Sea Realm's current situation. Once his condition had recovered by seventy to eighty percent, Luo Chen commenced another task. "*Moonlight Heart-Clearing Incantation*." Looking at the jade slip in his palm, Luo Chen murmured under his breath. This was one of the rewards Master Xuan Du had granted him. According to Xuan Du, this incantation possessed the miraculous effect of forcibly condensing a primordial spirit. Even within the Hanging Temple, it was a rare and profound method that offered a glimpse into the threshold of the Soul Formation stage. Precisely because forcibly condensing a primordial spirit was fraught with danger, despite its modest grade, it had once been classified as a Buddhist forbidden incantation, forbidden to anyone who did not possess an exceptionally powerful soul. With the profound foundation of Luo Chen's divine soul, he could naturally ignore that restriction. "If the condensed primordial spirit is solid and stable, perhaps I won't have to risk going to the Tianyuan Dao Sect to retrieve my life soul, and can simply charge straight into the Soul Formation stage in the future." The Tianyuan Dao Sect was a dragon's pool and a tiger's den. In thousands of years, Monarch Qixia had been the only one daring enough to storm their mountain gate. Unless absolutely necessary, Luo Chen had no wish to take that gamble. The *Moonlight Heart-Clearing Incantation* was one of his fallback plans. In the dead of night, after a meticulous study, Luo Chen began his first attempt to master the technique. All sentient beings suffer vexations; all vexations are suffering. Vexations are neither born nor destroyed, neither defiled nor pure, neither increasing nor decreasing. The formed arises from the formless; nothingness gives rise to being, and being returns to nothingness. The spirit arises from the heart; if the heart is pure, the spirit settles naturally. When vexations do not cling to the body and do not obstruct the mind, the formless must be transformed into the formed—such is the profound mystery of condensing the ethereal soul into a tangible primordial spirit. "Namo ratna-trayaya... Bodhisattvaya, Mahasattvaya..." His initial cultivation was halting and awkward. Luo Chen had little understanding of Buddhist terminology, making the circulation of his soul power in coordination with the chanting exceedingly arduous. Yet as he persevered in his recitation, the incantation flowed with increasing ease, and his state grew steadily better. Even his restless heart gradually settled into tranquility. Outside the cave dwelling, the night was deep and serene. A crescent moon cast a wide swath of brilliance across the mountain ranges. The cave dwelling where Luo Chen resided appeared especially hazy, like a surreal dream. A pair of cold eyes, separated by a hundred li, stared toward Duzhen Hall without the slightest trace of emotion. ... Half a month later. Looking at the brand-new entry on his attribute panel, Luo Chen revealed a satisfied look. He had reached beginner mastery in the *Moonlight Heart-Clearing Incantation*! Though it was not yet enough to condense a primordial spirit, it was sufficient for now. So long as he persisted in his practice, the breakthrough would naturally arrive when the right opportunity presented itself. Furthermore, during these days of cultivation, he was surprised to discover that the incantation also possessed the effect of tempering the divine soul. On Broken Soul Cliff, he had absorbed so many soul stones that his soul had swelled dramatically. Even though those soul stones were exceedingly pure and free of impurities, such a sudden surge in soul foundation inevitably fostered a lingering, restless fiery edge. This incantation was perfectly suited to clearing the heart, steadying the spirit, and purging that inner restlessness. For this benefit alone, the time he had set aside to cultivate it had been well worth the effort. "Perhaps I can try merging this incantation into the *Micromote Origin Art* in the future?" Luo Chen had a sudden inspiration. As his cultivation realm climbed higher, the *Micromote Origin Art* he had created back then could no longer keep pace with his progress. Even though he had incorporated numerous arts capable of severing stray thoughts, such as *Calming the Tempest*, their grade was simply too low in the end. On the other hand, the soul-tempering methods contained within the *Soul Splitting Art* and the *Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture* were of far too high a grade, making them incompatible with the *Micromote Origin Art*. By comparison, this Heart-Clearing Incantation was of a relatively lower grade, meaning it would not be terribly difficult to integrate. At the very least, by Luo Chen's assessment, long-term practice of this incantation would drastically reduce the emergence of inner demons and mental tribulations. For Luo Chen, who had long suffered from the threats of inner demons and mental tribulations, this was undoubtedly a tremendous improvement. After pondering carefully, Luo Chen chuckled softly. "There's no rush, either. I should at least wait until I cultivate this technique to the Master or even Great Perfection level before conducting any experiments. As for right now..." Luo Chen exhaled a long breath of turbid qi and looked straight ahead. His gaze seemed to pierce through the thick stone walls of the cave dwelling to the outside world, fixing upon two figures approaching at an unhurried pace. Now that his condition had returned to its peak, it was time to depart Mount Cangwu. Yet the question remained—would Monarch Qixia let him go? The answer lay with the two approaching visitors. ... Along the covered corridor, two silhouettes advanced unhurriedly. Youquan walked in front, her cheeks puffed out in an expression of deep discontent. Behind her followed a stunning woman with a shapely figure and a distinct temperament. She held a tray with both hands, keeping her head lowered so her expression remained hidden. Youquan suddenly halted her steps and glanced back at the gorgeous woman. "Xiaoyue, are you disappointed? Lord Monarch clearly promised it to you, yet in the end, it fell to that wretched man." Keeping her head down, the beautiful woman replied calmly, "Everything is for Lord Monarch to decide. This servant dares not question her." "Hmph!" Youquan snorted. "Fine words, but you even handed over the spirit treasure, the Myriad Beasts Chart, and walked away with nothing in the end. I refuse to believe there's no resentment in your heart." The beautiful woman kept her head bowed, neither agreeing nor refuting her words. Evidently, when Monarch Qixia bestowed the promised object upon another, she may not have voiced her displeasure, but deep down she was undoubtedly aggrieved. Youquan curled her lip, not bothering to needle her any further. If anyone had a right to be dissatisfied, she was the one who was most aggrieved. She had served as the Vice Hall Master of Duzhen Hall for so many years, only to have the prize plucked away by an outsider in the end. Resuming her stride, she soon arrived outside the cave dwelling. Yet before she could send a sound transmission inside, the protective formation veiling the cave dispersed on its own, as if the occupant had anticipated their arrival. This sight caused Youquan's delicate brows to arch. "How does this fellow manage to grow stronger every time? Putting aside how he instantly defeated Leiyu, his divine soul has become even sharper. He actually sensed my presence beforehand." Muttering under her breath, Youquan did not pause and walked straight into the cave dwelling. The white-robed man had already been waiting for some time. The moment they met, Youquan waved her hand. "Take them!" The woman behind her stepped forward, presenting the tray. Luo Chen did not examine the objects immediately; instead, he glanced first at the woman standing with downcast eyes. Moon Hermit! Only then did he turn his attention to the tray. It held quite a few items. The most dazzling was a feather fan as crimson as glazed crystal, followed by a white feather robe, a large seal, a bamboo slip, and a scroll. Luo Chen's gaze swept past the feather fan, lingered intentionally on the large seal that emanated the aura of complex formations, and finally lifted to look at Youquan. "What are these?" Youquan snorted. "From this day forward, you are the Master of Mount Cangwu's Duzhen Hall. You are hereby bestowed the Duzhen Seal and the Hundred Feathers Robe, and granted charge over the Demon Cultivator Registry." Master of Duzhen Hall! For a fleeting moment, Luo Chen almost thought he had misheard. Yet as his eyes swept over the seal, the feather robe, and the bamboo slip upon the tray, he knew she was not joking. Steadying his mind, he ventured, "Is this the Monarch's intention?" "What, do you intend to refuse?" Youquan countered. Luo Chen gave a wry smile. "I am a cultivator of the human race. How could I possibly hold an office in the sacred land of the Feathered Clan?" Youquan curled her lip. "Now you're being so meticulous about the distinction between humans and demons. Where was that self-awareness when you cultivated the *Heavenly Phoenix Nirvana Scripture*?" Without waiting for Luo Chen to explain, she tucked her hands into her sleeves and paced slowly across the hall. "Let me enlighten you on just how immense the benefits of becoming the Hall Master of Duzhen Hall are." "The renown of Mount Cangwu's three halls stretches far and wide across the demon race. Should the master of any hall travel to any demon settlement in the Mountain Sea Realm, they will be received with the utmost courtesy. Under normal circumstances, no one will dare make things difficult for you." "By commanding the Demon Cultivator Registry, all demon powerhouses across the Million Mountains of the Eastern Desolation who have submitted to Mount Cangwu will be yours to command." "Finally, how is the spiritual qi of this cave dwelling?" Luo Chen was still digesting the implications of the first two boons, so when he heard the question, he replied instinctively, "Superb! It is the most exquisite fourth-tier cave dwelling I have ever seen in my life!" Youquan halted her steps and pointed at the large seal. "Superb, but still not good enough. If you become the Master of Duzhen Hall, you can use this seal to unlock a fifth-tier cave dwelling. In the future, when you wish to advance to the Soul Formation stage, you can directly enjoy a dwelling established upon a fifth-tier spiritual vein." *Crack!* The sound of spiritual wood snapping echoed in the room. Luo Chen glanced toward the noise and saw Moon Hermit lowering her head once more. The instant she had bowed her head, her gaze had been locked squarely on that large seal. Beside them, Youquan sneered, "Lest you remain ignorant, the position of Master of Duzhen Hall has sat vacant for a millennium. Countless demon powerhouses have coveted it to no avail. Originally, the one with the greatest hope of claiming it was Moon Hermit right in front of you. Yet now, Lord Monarch has bestowed it upon you." "Why..." The word "me" remained unspoken. Luo Chen closed his mouth, for the answer was already glaringly obvious. His appointment as Master of Duzhen Hall was almost certainly thanks to Qingshuang. At present, he and Qingshuang shared life and death; they prospered and suffered together. Since Qingshuang was the Master of Zhoukong Hall, it was hardly surprising that Monarch Qixia, extending her affection by association, would appoint him as the Master of Duzhen Hall. As for whether his strength and cultivation realm had been factored into the decision, Luo Chen had no way of knowing. Perhaps they were, but likely only to a minor degree. After all, no matter how formidable Luo Chen appeared, compared to a mighty figure like Monarch Qixia who could annihilate sacred lands at a whim, he was merely a drop in the ocean. Taking a deep breath, Luo Chen shifted his gaze to the remaining glazed fire fan that emanated a powerful aura. "And what is this?" Youquan shrugged. "Lord Monarch feared that if your strength proved inadequate, you might perish out there in the world, tarnishing the renown of our Mount Cangwu. Therefore, she specially bestowed this fire-attribute pseudo-spirit treasure upon you. Its name is the Blood Jade Three Flames Fan. Crafted using fifth-tier blood jade coral as its primary material, a portion of Fire Origin was forcefully fused into it, allowing it to contain three distinct flames. Each fan stroke imbued with a flame amplifies its might. If all three flames are unleashed at once, the power is no weaker than a strike from an ordinary Soul Formation cultivator! In fact, the stronger the housed flames are, the more terrifying its might becomes!" Hearing this description, even Luo Chen's tranquil heart could not help but flutter with excitement. If that was truly the case, then if he incorporated the Wither-Bloom Divine Fire—which could already threaten Soul Formation figures—and the Nirvana Holy Fire derived from fifth-tier roots, to what heights would its power soar? Monarch Qixia had gifted him this treasure ostensibly for self-defense, but in truth... *She simply fears that my death out there would drag Qingshuang down with me!* Luo Chen murmured inwardly. Seeing his pensive expression, Youquan looked displeased. "With all this hesitation, do you actually think the esteemed position of Master of Duzhen Hall is beneath you?" Luo Chen smiled helplessly. How could it be beneath him, and how could he possibly refuse? Having reached this point, he had to accept it whether he wanted to or not. If he did not take up the mantle of Master of Duzhen Hall, Monarch Qixia likely wouldn't permit him to leave Mount Cangwu at all. His gaze fell upon the final scroll. "And what might this be?" With a flick of her hand, Youquan caused the scroll to unfurl slowly before Luo Chen. "See for yourself!" Luo Chen looked over, and four large characters atop the scroll instantly caught his eye. **[Armistice Treaty]** Luo Chen's gaze suddenly froze. ... Youquan and Moon Hermit had already departed. Inside the quiet cave dwelling, Luo Chen sat alone upon the prayer mat. Before him lay the tray with one corner broken. Upon it, five treasures radiated brilliant light. Amidst the silence, Luo Chen beckoned casually with his hand. The Hundred Feathers Robe, woven from the plumage of a hundred kinds of spiritual birds, draped over his shoulders, while the Duzhen Seal and the Demon Cultivator Registry settled into his hands. This signified that from this day forward, he, Luo Chen, was one of the three Hall Masters of Mount Cangwu! Sensing their properties briefly, Luo Chen's expertise as an artifact refiner quickly yielded the general information of both treasures. The Hundred Feathers Robe offered little defensive protection. Aside from standard dust-repelling and cleansing properties, its sole special effect was augmenting escape speed. As for the Duzhen Seal, it contained numerous restrictions and formations; it served as the control hub for all formations throughout Duzhen Hall and held little combat utility. Though both were of the True Artifact tier, their significance as tokens of office far outweighed their practical function. After a brief appraisal, Luo Chen paid them no further heed, turning his attention instead to the Demon Cultivator Registry. Infusing his dharmic power into it, the jade slip quivered, and a light screen promptly manifested before him. Luo Chen looked up, and over twenty brilliantly glowing names entered his sight. The very first was Youquan, which was entirely within expectations. As for the rest... **[Niugui, Bi Zheng, Juan Kuang]** Luo Chen smiled.