Chapter 285 – The Guardian King’s Pearl (1/2)

The other school leaders were all disappointed. They either rode off on clouds or strode through the air. Just like how they had come, they vanished in the blink of an eye.

In the end, only Ma Buyi remained behind. He let out a deep sigh and said to Xiao An, “Since you’ve already chosen, there’s nothing that I can say. However, the gates to the school of Yin-yang are open to you at all times! Contention is not all that exists among the hundred schools. They also exchange their thoughts with one another, accepting any and all. The One Thought master shouldn’t mind this.”

“Just like what the fellow has said, the hundred schools all have their own specialties, and they don’t hoard it all to themselves like those sects in the wilderness. If you’re interested, Xiao An, you are most welcomed to listen in on school leader Ma’s teachings. You’ll definitely benefit from it.” The One Thought master recovered his usual, cultivated manner. Since Xiao An had joined the school of Buddhism, she would just be a knowledgeable disciple of the school of Buddhism even if she learned from the other schools; this was already set in stone. No one could change this anymore.

Ma Buyi nodded. He glanced at Xiao An once more reluctantly before riding away on the wind.

The One Thought master revealed a smile. The smile gradually grew wider before he suddenly laughed aloud. He said to Xiao An, “Child, come with me!”

Li Qingshan said, “There are still tests in the afternoon.”

The One Thought master waved his hand. “There’s no need to waste any time on them. An afternoon is enough for her to grasp the basics of the Guardian King’s Scripture of Demon Subdual.”

If there were other disciples of buddhism here, they would definitely develop jealousy, which would in turn affect their cultivation. The Guardian King’s Scripture of Demon Subdual was a secret method rarely ever passed to others. Not only did it require an extremely firm foundation in buddhism, but it would normally only be passed onto someone after they had undergone various tests. She was practising the Guardian King’s Scripture of Demon Subdual right off the bat. It truly was quite the starting point.

“Buddhist monks tell no lies. I’ll give this Guardian King’s pearl to you as a gift to welcome you to the school of Buddhism. This can summon a guardian king to protect you. It complements the Guardian King’s Scripture of Demon Subdual. It will bring great benefits to your cultivation.”

The One Thought master took out a golden pearl from his hundred treasures pouch. As it glimmered with light, a glaring guardian king was vaguely visible. From how impressively it shone, it was a true supreme grade spiritual artifact. He erased his imprint casually and passed it to Xiao An.

Li Qingshan sighed with amazement too. Choosing to come to the Academy of the Hundred Schools truly was the correct decision. They had obtained a supreme grade spiritual artifact for free from just showing up. It had to be mentioned that right now, only the Cursive Sword Calligraphy in his possession barely counted as a supreme grade spiritual artifact. Although he could expect it to grow stronger in the future, it was probably not as effective as this Guardian King’s pearl right now.

Xiao An accepted the Guardian King’s pearl, and her mind shuddered. The set of white bones condensed from the Path of White Bone and Great Beauty that hovered within her flesh jolted slightly. She reacted mysteriously to this uncommon buddhist spiritual artifact.

The Guardian King’s pearl flashed, and a six meter tall guardian king immediately appeared around her. Whether it be the crown on its head or the vajra1 in its hand, they were both extremely detailed. Its expression was filled with fury, and it seemed life-like, enough to frighten anyone.

Li Qingshan thought, The power of supreme grade spiritual artifacts truly is startling.

The One Thought master was astounded too. Supreme grade spiritual artifacts needed to be refined before use. Never could anyone use it the moment it entered their hands, and it was all the more impossible with Xiao An’s third layer cultivation.

And, while he did erase his imprint, it was not cleanly removed—a faint connection still remained. Xiao An needed to remove this completely if she wanted to use the Guardian King pearl as she wished.

But earlier, he clearly sensed that the residual imprint had immediately vanished the moment the Guardian King pearl entered Xiao An’s hands; it was like a capable scholar meeting a wise lord, like a beauty meating a romantic, immediately discarding everything and throwing themselves into their embrace, casting aside their old master like an old shoe.

Xiao An stowed the Guardian King pearl away and bowed slightly, expressing her thanks.

The One Thought master smiled bitterly. Despite his cultivation, he actually felt worried that he would not be able to guide or control this child. He said, “Sir Li, if you’re interested, you’re welcome to cultivate in my school of Buddhism too.” With the One Thought master’s status, this was a gesture of great courtesy.

Li Qingshan smiled. “Thank you master, but in my life, I never cultivated goodness, relishing only murder and arson. If I join buddhism, I’ll probably just disturb the peace of buddhism. I’d better find a different path!” His oath was to travel the world with fine alcohol in his hands and beauty in his arms. He was unable to learn buddhist methods of how to eliminate his desires and cleanse his heart, nor did he want to learn.

“In your life, you never cultivated goodness, relishing only murder and arson.” The One Thought master frowned and repeated that before glancing at Li Qingshan deeply again. “This sounds extremely vulgar at first, but if you think about it closely, it also seems to be allegorical. You have a destiny with the buddha. You might not achieve instantaneous enlightenment today, but it may come to you in the days that lie ahead. Xiao An, let’s go!”

Li Qingshan was secretly filled with admiration. Originally, this had been uttered by the Flowery Monk, Lu Zhishen, as he passed away in meditation. “In my life, I never cultivated goodness, relishing only murder and arson. Suddenly, my golden shackles have been opened; here, my jade locks have been pulled asunder. Alas! Hereby the river tide cometh, now I finally realise that I am what I am!2”

He had replied with this absentmindedly, as if something was at work. As for whether destiny actually existed or not, that would be up to destiny!

Xiao An tugged Li Qingshan’s sleeve, looking at him, reluctant to part with him. Originally, she wanted to cultivate with him, which was why she did all of that to come here, so why were they separating again?

Li Qingshan’s heart softened. He crouched down and promised her. “Just go with the One Thought master and cultivate well. Once I’m done here, I’ll come find you.”