Chapter 320

Chapter 320: The Bodhi Verse (4000 words, combined)

These pursuers are like dogs with super-sensitive noses.

Ming thought he had shaken off these guys, but they came after him again. He doesn’t know how they found his trail.

But Ming isn’t like Shixin.

Shixin would spare their lives, no matter what, refusing to kill them.

However, Ming will send them straight to the underworld—most won’t even get that far because he’ll obliterate both body and soul.

At first, Shixin would say things like, “Spare their lives; stop killing.”

But Ming wouldn’t listen.

Ming’s not a saint, and even if he were, would saints really be so merciful?

Repay virtue with virtue, repay wrongs with justice—that’s Ming’s creed.

Eventually, Shixin stopped trying to persuade him.

Because it was useless.

After Ming killed them, Shixin would help conduct rites for their souls.

To which Ming simply didn’t care.

If someone wants to kill me, I’ll kill them back—it’s my business. Beyond that, what Shixin does is her own affair.

Besides, Ming feels Shixin’s rites are futile since he thoroughly wipes out everything. Not only does he destroy their physical forms, but he also annihilates their souls! Without divine souls left, Shixin’s rites serve no purpose. And those who come to kill him aren’t strong enough to inflict serious damage anyway.

So, Ming fights, rests, and five days later, his wounds are almost healed.

Once his injuries recover, the system voice echoes in Ming’s mind again.

Ming notices a pattern with the system:

If it’s just one-on-one combat and you kill only a few people, rewards come quickly.

But if you kill dozens or hundreds, the rewards are delayed until the system confirms you’ve moved on from the last event or judges that you’re likely to survive.

[Detected Host battling the number one of the Azurecloud List—Yang Yang of the Northern Wilderness: Sword Intent +20, Sword Qi +20, Insight +10, Blood Qi +30]

[Detected Host battling the top young talent of the Southern Demon Realm—Cui Jian: Sword Intent +20, Sword Qi +15, Sword Technique +15.]

[Detected Host obtaining Xiānpǐn Spirit Fruit—the Blood Bodhi Main Fruit: Reward “Bodhi Verse”.]

[Bodhi Verse: The Host can inscribe this poem onto ordinary Qi-enhancing talismans. If the talisman is dissolved into water and consumed, it boosts mental energy by 30%, attack power by 10%, spiritual energy concentration by 10%, Martial True Qi by 10%, and endurance by 20% (can be used by others).]

[Host Achieves “First Acquisition of Xiānpǐn Spirit Fruit”: Host gains +50 affinity with Xiānpǐn Spirit Fruits, increasing efficacy by 20% when consumed.]

[Detected Host killing Zeng Rong and others: Sword Qi +100, Sword Intent +100, Blood Qi +100, Defense +30.]

As the system’s voice fades, Ming’s divine consciousness gradually recovers.

He’s quite satisfied with the system’s rewards this time. This Bodhi Verse isn’t just for personal use; others can benefit too.

The method is simple, the cost minimal, and it could even be applied across an entire army.

Imagine if three thousand members of the Dragon Leopard Cavalry or the Blood Floating Pagoda drank this talisman water—it’d be like activating a mini invincibility mode on the battlefield. However, Ming notices defeating weaker cultivators yields fewer points now, sometimes none at all.

“What’s wrong?”

Shixin, noticing Ming lost in thought for a long time, blinks and softly asks, worried about possible complications from his injuries.

“Nothing,” Ming shakes his head. “By the way, let me tell you a story.”

Looking at the Bodhi Verse, Ming recalls a tale.

He thinks this story won’t shake Shixin’s Buddhist heart but will provoke deep thought. Sharing this verse is also his way of thanking her for helping him during his recovery.

“What story?” Shixin tilts her head curiously.

Ming ponders, “This story takes place in an ancient, distant, and brilliant land, concerning Buddhist principles.”

Shixin nods, intrigued.

Ming organizes his thoughts and begins:

“The story starts with the Fifth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Hongren, who sought to find a successor among his disciples to continue the Zen lineage. He gave them a task: to express their understanding of enlightenment through poetry.

Master Shenxiu, Hongren’s disciple, having followed him for years and being over fifty, was highly knowledgeable about Buddhism. Among all the disciples, Shenxiu was the most expected to inherit the mantle.

There was another disciple named Huineng.

Huineng couldn’t read or write, working as a woodcutter before hearing the Diamond Sutra and deciding to learn Buddhism. He eventually reached Dongshan Temple to meet Master Hongren.

Huineng told Hongren he’d be content serving in the kitchen if it meant learning Buddhism.

Hongren required all disciples to submit poems, and Huineng could participate, though no one noticed him—a mere kitchen worker.

Shenxiu wrote:

‘Our body is the Bodhi tree,


Our mind is the mirror bright.


Polish it constantly without fail,


And no dust will alight.’

These four lines.”

After reciting the poem, Shixin contemplates deeply.

Ming smiles, asking, “What do you think of these four lines?”

Shixin nods, “In my humble opinion, they’re good, but something seems off.”

Ming chuckles inwardly, impressed she’s a disciple of the master from Leiming Temple: “What seems off?”

Shixin frowns slightly, “I cannot articulate it.”

Ming continues the story.

“At the time, everyone praised Shenxiu’s poem, except Master Hongren, who remained silent. He summoned Shenxiu to the hall, judging his verse insightful but lacking true enlightenment, thus asking for another attempt.

Shenxiu tried for days but failed.

Confused, Shenxiu wondered why he hadn’t truly grasped the essence of Buddhism.

One day, Huineng saw Shenxiu’s poem. Unable to read, he asked a senior disciple to write down his own insight.

When the monks read this new Bodhi Verse, they were astonished.

Later, Master Hongren arrived, greatly approving. Learning it was Huineng’s work, he was delighted.

A man who couldn’t read had achieved profound ‘sudden enlightenment,’ rare indeed.

Thus, Hongren passed the robe and bowl to Huineng.

Huineng’s poem went:

‘Bodhi originally has no tree,


The bright mirror is also not a stand.


Originally there is not a single thing,


Where can the dust possibly alight?'”

Upon finishing the story, Shixin’s eyes shine brightly, then dim momentarily.

She moves forward dazedly, her Buddha light flickering, with golden lotus illusions swirling around her.

Ming knows Shixin has entered a state of enlightenment.

He doesn’t disturb her, continuing to walk ahead.

Shixin follows silently.

Half an hour later, Shixin’s gaze regains clarity. The halo behind her head dissipates as her spiritual energy stabilizes, forming a tangible existence floating in her dantian.

This object is called the Golden Core.

“Having formed the Golden Core, you’ve become a true cultivator. Congratulations, Master Shixin, for entering the Golden Core Realm.” Ming smiles.

Shixin blinks, “All thanks to your blessings, sir. I owe you a favor.”

Ming shakes his head, “Not really. I just told a story. Your enlightenment, according to Buddhist terms, is due to your karma.”

Ming isn’t being modest. He merely shared a story. If Shixin hadn’t understood it, she could have reflected on it later—it’s fine either way.

Moreover, Ming feels guilty for teasing her often, nearly causing her to regress multiple times.

Unexpectedly, hearing this story led her to some insights—this truly is her karma.

“Do any ancient texts remain from Masters Hongren, Shenxiu, and Huineng? I wish to study them.” Shixin asks.

Ming shakes his head, “It’s just a story I heard. Whether this dynasty exists or not is debatable, let alone ancient texts.”

Jokingly, this is from another world—how could he produce ancient texts?

Shixin’s eyes flash with disappointment, “That’s truly regrettable.”

“Indeed.” Ming agrees briefly, walking forward.

Shixin adjusts her spiritual energy beside Ming, still needing to stabilize herself after reaching the Golden Core Realm.

“Where are you heading now, Sir Xu?” she finally asks.

Ming himself doesn’t know.

His main goal was to obtain the Blood Bodhi Main Fruit.

Now that he has it, he lacks direction.

“Let’s wander aimlessly.” Xu Ming says.

Since he doesn’t know where to go, wandering randomly works.

If there’s something worth stealing, they’ll take it.

Otherwise, they’ll wait for the Rootless Mystic Realm’s exit to open.

Also, Ming wants to find Yan Han and Qing Wan.

If they need anything, he’ll help secure it.

Plus, this place is dangerous, and he worries about them.

“Alright.”

Shixin agrees readily.

For her, wherever Ming goes, she follows.

They continue aimlessly through the forest.

Suddenly, Shixin looks up and asks, “Sir Xu, will you not join our Buddhist path? I believe great achievements await you if you do.”

Shixin hasn’t given up inviting Ming into Buddhism.

Ming yawns, “I said it already—if you agree to dual cultivation, I’ll return with you to Leiming Temple and become a monk.”

“…”

Shixin lowers her head, silent.

Ming glances at her and notices, compared to the first time he suggested it, her resistance seems less firm now, as if considering its possibility.

“Forget it. Seeing your reluctance, I’ll stay away from monkhood.”

Ming hastily concludes, fearing she might actually agree and mimic the Buddha’s self-sacrifices. The abbot of Leiming Temple would probably suppress him otherwise—he’s heard Shixin is more than a disciple; she’s treated like a granddaughter.

“Since the journey’s boring, how about I tell another story?”

Ming shifts topics, trying to distract Shixin.

“What story?” Hearing another story, Shixin’s eyes light up.

Right now, Shixin resembles a little girl eagerly listening to bedtime tales, looking rather cute.

It’s not because Ming’s stories are particularly captivating but because they contain Buddhist wisdom, provoking reflection.

“Let me tell you a story about an old monk and a young monk…”

Ming pauses, organizing his thoughts.

“Once upon a time, an old monk and a young monk crossed a river and met a woman…”

Ming narrates slowly while Shixin listens attentively.

As they walk through the forest, the sun sets, painting the sky crimson red. The world seems draped in red attire.

The red glow stretches their silhouettes longer and longer…