Qin Sang suspected that the "Seven Masters Buddhist Seal" might be one of the Nine Great Radiant Seals—the Great Diamond Wheel Seal—but he had little confidence.
The origins of the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal were beyond investigation, so he could not infer anything from that angle. Only by cultivating this Buddhist seal to great completion would he come to know.
Nevertheless, the Western Buddhist sects possessed half an Inner Lion Seal, which was sufficient proof that the Storm Realm had a lineage of the Nine Great Radiant Seals.
"I do not know the origins of the Nine Great Radiant Seals. Venerable, in telling me this, what do you seek?"
Qin Sang remained composed, asking after careful thought.
"The Nine Great Radiant Seals are supreme divine abilities of our Buddhist Diamond Vehicle. There are nine Buddhist seals in all, each possessing its own marvels, all tremendous in power, but unfortunately all have been lost. Now they can only be seen in classical texts..."
Venerable Zhenru sighed.
Qin Sang's heart stirred slightly. In Buddhism, gold was considered the hardest thing in the world; vajra signified indestructibility, and Buddhist scriptures recorded vajra guardian deities—heavenly gods who protected the Buddhist Dharma, holding exalted status.
In reality, based on inference from the two known Nine Great Radiant Seals, the Diamond Vehicle ought to be a body-refining lineage within Buddhism.
Qin Sang understood the power of the Inner Lion Seal deeply, yet he possessed only half a seal. The other eight seals were on par with the Inner Lion Seal; one could well imagine that the Nine Great Radiant Seals were undoubtedly great divine abilities of Buddhism, and Venerable Zhenru's words were not exaggerated in the least.
Just then, Venerable Zhenru fell silent for a moment, then said: "The purpose of this poor monk's journey involves a secret of our temple. I hope Real Person can make a cause-and-effect oath, never to transmit this to outsiders for the rest of your life."
A flicker of unusual color crossed Qin Sang's eyes, and his curiosity grew further, so he naturally had no objection.
After the oath was made, Venerable Zhenru recited a Buddhist name. "Our temple originates from the lineage of the Diamond Vehicle, with the Threefold Vajra Art as its fundamental method..."
Qin Sang listened and nodded. What Venerable Zhenru said were not secrets; he had heard of them when inquiring about Jingtai Temple upon his return.
Jingtai Temple occasionally produced a Deity Transformation high monk and counted as no weak force in Jushan Diocese. Since Buddhism had no talismanic registers, Jingtai Temple also had to receive Daoist talismanic registers and cultivate the Dragon-Tiger Altar.
Buddhism and Daoism were difficult to reconcile, and the Dragon-Tiger Altar had its limitations; naturally, this affected the cultivation of its monks. Jingtai Temple had never produced a holy monk capable of turning the tide and revitalizing Buddhism.
As he spoke, Venerable Zhenru's tone paused, and he said solemnly: "Our temple also treasures a Vajra Stupa! The origins of this tower are unknown; it is very likely a treasure of the Diamond Vehicle lineage, but there are multiple seals inside, and our temple has never been able to break them."
Upon hearing this, Qin Sang understood: "Venerable believes that this poor Daoist's Buddhist seal can open the seals?"
"If the Vajra Stupa is the holy tower of the Diamond Vehicle, then the Great Diamond Wheel Seal, as one of the Nine Great Radiant Seals, even if it is not the key to opening the seals, would have miraculous effects in breaking them," Venerable Zhenru said with certainty.
His gaze toward Qin Sang was somewhat fervent.
Qin Sang knew that what the other party expected was not him, but the Great Diamond Wheel Seal behind him.
Venerable Zhenru believed the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal was created in imitation of the Great Diamond Wheel Seal; if the origins of the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal could be found, there might be clues to the Great Diamond Wheel Seal.
Even if the Vajra Stupa could not be opened, obtaining one of the Nine Great Radiant Seals would be enough to cause great joy.
Qin Sang's expression turned solemn, and his answer caused Venerable Zhenru to show disappointment. "To tell you the truth, this Buddhist seal is named the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal. It was obtained by this poor Daoist hundreds of years ago. At the time, I did not know its origins were so significant and did not take it seriously. Today, it is utterly impossible to trace the origins of this seal. If Venerable does not believe me, this poor Daoist can swear an oath.
"The Great Diamond Wheel Seal is such a great divine ability that it can serve as a foundation for establishing oneself. Venerable is willing to help me find the seal; I would ask for nothing better. This is mutually beneficial, and I have no need to conceal anything."
Seeing that Qin Sang did not seem to be lying, Venerable Zhenru's disappointment deepened, and he murmured: "If so... I only hope the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal can gain the Vajra Stupa's recognition."
Qin Sang still had many questions in his heart. "May I ask what secrets are inside the stupa? Your temple has produced many high monks; surely they have no way to deal with the seals?"
Venerable Zhenru slowly shook his head.
The secrets of the Vajra Stupa had never been fathomed; even what treasure was housed inside was unclear.
But one thing was certain: this tower was very important to them. Once opened, Jingtai Temple might rise to greatness because of it.
"It could be a great inheritance of the Diamond Vehicle, or a Buddhist treasure, or even the Vajra Stupa itself might be a supreme treasure—all are possible. The patriarchs of our temple through the ages have constantly tried, but unfortunately no one could break the seals. They also invited trustworthy Daoist friends from outside the temple to assist, but those who do not cultivate Buddhist methods are rejected; they cannot enter the gate of the Buddha tower, let alone break the seals..."
Inviting a Great Real Person from the Dao Court might forcibly break the seals. But in that case, the Vajra Stupa might not remain in Jingtai Temple.
Qin Sang mused: "Venerable wants me to try entering the tower and help Venerable break the seals?"
Venerable Zhenru nodded, his eyes showing expectation.
Although Qin Sang did not cultivate Buddhist methods, perhaps because of the origins of the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal, he might gain the stupa's recognition.
"If Real Person can help this poor monk break the seals, the inheritance inside the tower will be shared between you and me. If they are all treasures of our Buddhist faith, our temple will also compensate Real Person; we will absolutely not let you act in vain."
Qin Sang's heart stirred.
In the foreseeable future, duels would rely more on power and cultivation. If he could obtain a great divine ability like the Nine Great Radiant Seals in the Vajra Stupa, it would be a great improvement for himself.
If he could obtain a supreme body-refining method of the Buddhist Diamond Vehicle, it would be something Qin Sang dreamed of.
He cultivated the Heavenly Demon Refining Form in a human body. Though it had gone relatively smoothly, hidden worries lay in wait; at any time, he might be unable to continue due to incompatible bloodline.
Qin Sang had long wanted to find a human body-refining method comparable to the Heavenly Demon Refining Form as a replacement when his path reached its end.
The two hit it off immediately.
There was no time to lose.
Real Person Zhijian had gone into seclusion again. Qin Sang informed Sword Slave of his whereabouts, then set off for Jingtai Temple with Venerable Zhenru.
They left Zuodai Pass and continued south.
The Eastern Domain bordered the Demon State; the situation was chaotic, fighting never ceased—unlike the western immortal cities, where small teleportation arrays were connected in a shortcut.
Sometimes they entered cities and took the small teleportation arrays; sometimes they still had to fly. It took them five days to reach Jingtai Temple.
Jingtai Temple stood atop Jingtai Mountain.
This mountain was the highest peak nearby, overlooking the surroundings, and one could even see the border of the eastern Demon State.
However, Jingtai Mountain's terrain was generally gentle, with lush vegetation, and many mortals lived nearby.
Mortals, protected by Jingtai Temple, could withstand demon invasions and live and work in peace.
Two streaks of escape light flew from afar, straight for the mountaintop.
At the summit stood a magnificent temple, its gates wide open, monks coming and going.
Venerable Zhenru did not alarm anyone. He led Qin Sang quietly into the temple and came to the abbot's chamber.
"Please wait a moment, Real Person."
Venerable Zhenru went out alone. Soon he returned, holding a blue, glistening jade bead in his palm.
The jade bead was crystal clear, like a water droplet.
Venerable Zhenru activated the jade bead and said: "This is the recorded image left behind by the Great Diamond Wheel Seal."
Viewing the recorded image had been Qin Sang's request, considered an advance payment. He watched solemnly. He saw white mist emanate from within the bead.
The mist gathered between Venerable Zhenru and himself into a mass, constantly shifting and changing, gradually revealing illusory shadows.
It was a desert: dust billowed, sand and rocks flew, and someone was fighting.
The recorder seemed concerned about being caught in the aftermath, standing very far from the battlefield.
Amidst the rolling yellow sand, two figures were visible.
One was a demon beast shaped like an owl. This beast was enormous; the flapping of its gray wings could easily whip up sand and rocks across the sky.
The other was a person standing in the void, facing the ferocious demon beast without the slightest intention of retreating.
Though the illusory shadows were not very clear, one could still tell that this person wore monastic robes—a tonsured monk.
Most strangely, the monk radiated a faint treasure light, blue as the sky and clear as water.
The light surrounded the monk, clear within and without, shining on all things, illuminating the sand and dust so that everything was clearly visible.
Venerable Zhenru called this the Pure Glazed Radiance, a mark of achieving the Vajra Glazed Body through the Great Diamond Wheel Seal.
The recorded image was silent.
One saw the monk and the demon beast cross paths, then the demon beast, in great fury, spread its giant wings and instantly closed in on the monk. Its sharp claws were like knives, reaching for the monk's head.
Facing the crisis, the monk struck out a palm without panic. The flying sand everywhere was suddenly drawn by an unseen force and began to rotate.
In an instant, a yellow vortex appeared in the void. The demon beast fell into the center of the vortex, frantically flapping its wings.
With a boom, the wind vortex exploded, releasing astonishing power that surged in all directions, carrying sand and dust in a storm that spread with extreme speed. The recorded image immediately cut off.
Seeing this, Qin Sang's eyes flashed with bright light.
That palm—one trapping, one exploding—clearly bore the spirit of the Turning Wheel Seal and the Destroying Demon Seal.
The two seals of the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal seemed like crude versions of these two techniques. No wonder Venerable Zhenru believed they were created in imitation of the Great Diamond Wheel Seal.
The recorded image flashed again and again within the mist.
Qin Sang watched with rapt attention, viewing the recorded image over and over, lost in thought. Venerable Zhenru did not disturb him.
Qin Sang tried to verify the monk's every movement against the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal.
Gradually, Qin Sang made another discovery.
The monk gave him a strange feeling.
The so-called Great Diamond Wheel Seal, when fighting the demon beast, had not displayed extraordinary power. The monk's moves looked very ordinary, yet step by step he drove the beast into a desperate situation, easily resolving even its desperate counterattack.
If forced to describe it, Qin Sang thought of one word: effortless.
Every move was casual and natural, yet each was exactly the best choice for the moment—as if everything on the battlefield were under his control, he himself without flaw, while the enemy's threats were rendered nothingness.
After Qin Sang cultivated the Seventh Seal, Vajra Great Freedom Seal, he had felt something similar. Compared with the monk, however, he had only just entered the threshold.
Of course, the power of the Vajra Glazed Body was surely not limited to that. Perhaps the demon beast was not enough to draw out the monk's full strength; it was a pity the recorded image was too short.
Qin Sang did not know how many times he watched it before finally withdrawing his thoughts.
"How is it?" Venerable Zhenru asked.
Qin Sang nodded. "Venerable's judgment is correct. There is surely a deep connection between the two Buddhist seals. Watching this recorded image is of great benefit to me. Thank you."
These words were not false.
Watching the monk fight had given Qin Sang many insights. After returning to contemplate in quiet, the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal would surely make great progress.
Putting away the jade bead, Venerable Zhenru led Qin Sang toward the back mountain.
The layout of Jingtai Temple was similar to some temples Qin Sang had seen in the Storm Realm. Many Buddhist towers had been built on the back mountain, housing the relics of generations of high monks.
Passing through the pagoda forest, the two continued onward along a narrow, winding mountain path.
Along the way, formations and restrictions were layered thickly. Qin Sang could also sense the auras of high monks; the defenses were very strict.
At the end of the mountain path lay a deep ravine. Venerable Zhenru pointed at the water and tapped it several times, then nodded to Qin Sang before leaping into the ravine.
Qin Sang followed close behind, encountering not the slightest obstruction. He plunged downward rapidly and soon reached the bottom, where he saw a Buddhist tower.
The tower was ancient, hidden underwater, and seven stories high.
This reminded Qin Sang of the Seven-Tier Stupa he had obtained in the Jinghai Sect. The Seven-Tier Stupa and the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal were both connected to the Jinghai Sect.
However, the Seven-Tier Stupa and Xuantian Palace's seven-story pagoda were both refined by Xiaoxiangzi as warning magic tools, and their materials and form differed from this tower.
This Vajra Stupa seemed to be made of wood—a type of unknown black spiritwood.
Venerable Zhenru landed before the tower, pointed to the tower gate, and said to Qin Sang: "Those who cultivate Buddhist methods may enter through this gate. Those who do not cultivate Buddhist methods cannot advance a single step."
The tower gate was closed.
Qin Sang walked up to the tower gate, observed for a moment, and without using any divine ability, touched the tower gate.
At the instant he was about to touch it, golden light suddenly burst forth on the gate. A gentle yet extremely powerful force directly pushed Qin Sang several zhang away.
He was bounced off, and the golden light immediately vanished. The tower gate remained as before, with no unusual fluctuations upon it.
Qin Sang secretly marveled. He returned before the tower, tied a heart seal, used the Auspicious Seal to mobilize his qi and blood, cultivated the Vajra Heavenly Armor Seal—his skin turned a pale gold—and while silently cultivating the Seventh Seal, Vajra Great Freedom Seal, he exchanged a look with Venerable Zhenru and raised his hand again to touch the tower gate.
Watching Qin Sang's movements, Venerable Zhenru could not help but feel somewhat nervous.
If Qin Sang could rely on the Seven Masters Buddhist Seal to enter the Vajra Stupa, then even if their two strengths were not enough to break the seals, they could find a way to exchange this Buddhist seal from Qin Sang and invite a stronger helper.
The secret of the tower would one day see the light of day.
According to past experience, non-Buddhists, at the moment they touched the tower gate, were immediately bounced off by a gentle golden light, just as before. No matter what methods they tried, they could not penetrate the golden light.
Qin Sang's palm touched the tower gate again.
The anxiety on Venerable Zhenru's face instantly turned to surprise. No golden light!
He called out repeatedly, "Quick..."
Before his voice fell, Qin Sang had already, following Venerable Zhenru's earlier instructions, pressed heavily on a certain spot on the tower gate.
The tower gate did not open, but Qin Sang felt as though he had penetrated layer after layer of barrier. His figure flashed, he penetrated the tower gate, and entered the Vajra Stupa.
Immediately, another figure appeared beside Qin Sang—Venerable Zhenru, who had followed closely behind.
Viewed from outside, the first level of the tower was no more than three zhang in diameter, yet the interior space was very broad.
The light here was normal. What met the eye were green jade floor tiles. Ahead, light and shadow interlaced, unclear—it seemed a Buddha statue stood there.
"Real Person, follow behind me," Venerable Zhenru said, stepping forward.
Through the explorations of generations of high monks, Jingtai Temple was already very familiar with the first half of the journey; there would be no danger.
Chapter 1803