The critical moment of form and spirit recovery was interrupted by demonic Buddhas from the human realm, intent on destroying the temple. Ji Xiang sensed the presence of Master Jing Xian, whose aura of Buddha power was incredibly pure, capable of severing worldly烦恼 and doubts, bringing clarity of mind with mere proximity.
Master Jing Xian’s demonic energy, previously purged by Ji Xiang, had completely vanished, restoring his true Arhat identity.
Thus, this potent Buddha power could ignite the “Mani Blazing Fire” within Ji Xiang’s body, which had originated from the Samadhi Fire Wheel’s power, causing these Buddhist fires to surge and operate.
Even the Zhenwu statue itself began to emanate Buddhist light, with halos appearing behind its head.
“Aside from Master Jing Xian’s Buddhist power, there are also many powerful cultivators whose Buddha power and demonic energy have merged. The Arhats have fallen, tainted by defilement, transforming into Chui Ti demons. However, the demonic seed planted in the monks of Lingyin Temple should not have been for long. It’s merely a wisp of demonic energy, not a true Chui Ti demon. This shouldn’t be enough to cause an Arhat to fall into demonhood within just two days.”
“Moreover, there are only sixty-three Chui Ti demons. The monks in Lingyin Temple number far more than sixty-three! Other demonic energies must have been planted as well.”
“There must have been some external stimulus, or someone acted deliberately, to further corrupt Lingyin Temple with demonic influence once more.”
“But, do these things dare to act so presumptuously before me?”
…
“This temple still has a divine lord?!”
Master Guan Dao’s face was half-demonic, half-Buddha. The half of his face with ferocious fangs spat out a deep, layered sound:
“What cultivator dares to slander us! We are Arhats of the Third Fruit, sustained by celestial offerings. How dare you call us demons!”
“You cultivator, disrespecting my Buddha, deserve to be struck!”
The demonic Buddhas did not consider themselves demons at all. In their current perception, the Buddhist practices they cultivated were not flawed. As Arhats, they possessed celestial wisdom, ensuring they would not cultivate flawed Buddhist teachings.
If there were any errors, their Arhat wisdom would have actively alerted them, prompting them to correct these mistakes.
Now, as they cultivated Buddhist Dharma, their bodies and spiritual power had advanced. The Arhats’ inherent wisdom had not warned them, indicating they were on the correct Buddhist path, and there could be no problems!
“The cultivator in this temple… No! It might not be a cultivator. This temple might be hiding a demon!”
“The Silver Bottle Maiden Temple! This is the temple of Miss Yue. I never expected it to become a demon’s lair!”
“Jing Xian! You demonic remnant of Buddha, do you think the demons in this temple can save your life!”
The three demonic Buddha Arhats, though speaking righteously, had already lost their celestial wisdom for judgment. Master Jing Xian looked towards the distant temple. From his position, he couldn't actually see the Silver Bottle Maiden Temple; they were still a considerable distance away.
Master Jing Xian could only face the direction of the temple and shout, “Many thanks for your aid, benefactor! Please help me subdue these demons!”
“Demon? Jing Xian, you demonic remnant, how dare you slander us, the Buddha’s disciples and descendants!”
Master Guan Dao’s half-demonic face contorted with rage. The breath he exhaled formed a ghostly wind. Not a trace of compassion remained on him. The remaining half of his Buddha face also twisted, as if about to transform into the same ferocious state as his demonic face.
The Chui Ti Demon King was originally a great Bhikshu in Buddhism who fell, becoming a demon that even caused a degree of disturbance to Venerable Ananda and Mahakasyapa.
Therefore, for the Chui Ti Demon King, Buddhist Dharma was its best food.
All Buddhist incantations were ineffective against the Chui Ti Demon; they could even provide pure nourishment.
This demon fed on the Right Dharma.
The more profound the Right Dharma, the faster it was assimilated by the demon.
“Senior Brother, why have you become like this!”
Master Jing Xian’s heart was like being cut by a knife. They were fellow monks from the same temple, their Dharma originating from the same source, as close as brothers. He never expected it to devolve into a battle between demonic Buddhas.
It was merely a discourse on Buddhist scriptures, delving into profound depths. All the Buddhist disciples came to discuss the classics within the scriptures. Then, someone suddenly burst into laughter, half their face transforming into a ferocious demonic visage. What was the reason for this?
If he hadn’t been slower in his progress, perhaps he too would have become like this!
“Senior Brother, hold onto your true heart! You must not fall into demonhood!”
Master Jing Xian pleaded with all his might, but Master Guan Dao responded with curses and furious reprimands:
“Silence! We are no longer brothers. You demonic remnant of Buddha, how dare you slander our Right Dharma!”
“We will kill you first, purge the sect, then go to that temple to subdue demons and eliminate devils! Amitabha!”
Master Guan Dao chanted a Buddhist name, but what came out was not Amitabha Buddha. Yet, he was completely unaware. Beside him, the other two demonic Buddhas, Master Zhengxin and Master Chongben, also unleashed their demonic Buddha powers.
“Icchantika!”
The three demonic Buddhas each raised a finger, which grew to be as immense as the sky, crushing towards Master Jing Xian!
This term refers to one who does not believe in cause and effect and slanders Mahayana!
With this strike, they aimed to destroy the true Buddha and uphold the demonic Buddha. Master Jing Xian’s expression changed greatly. The Icchantika Dharma could sever the roots of sentient beings’ goodness and destroy Buddha-nature. If the gap between the two sides reached a certain level, this strike could open the gates of Avici Hell and directly send the opponent’s soul into it!
Those who lost their souls would have their desires and wishes fall into hell, leaving behind only a decaying shell in the human realm. At that moment, Buddhist fire would flash, burning the shell to ashes and giving rise to Buddhist relics.
As the three giant fingers descended, Master Jing Xian performed the Fearless Lion Seal, barely blocking one finger. He was then injured by the other two iron fingers, immediately spitting blood uncontrollably, his physical body severely wounded!
The three demonic Buddhas then repeated their tactic, once again unleashing the three sky-piercing iron fingers!
From the distant Silver Bottle Maiden Temple, the Three Capital Seals once again appeared in the sky!
A deafening roar pierced the clouds! Two of the three iron fingers were destroyed, leaving one. At this moment, the three demonic Buddhas revealed their wrathful forms and redirected their iron fingers, smashing them towards the Silver Bottle Maiden Temple!
“Since you, demon, desire death first, how can we not fulfill your wish!”
The voices of the demonic Buddhas were wild, yet this drew a hearty laugh from the celestial demon!
“Mere minor demons, daring to make such noise!”
Ji Xiang’s voice emanated from the temple. Tremendous power erupted from the Zhenwu statue!
“Mani Blazing Fire!”
The pure Buddhist power within the Samadhi Fire Wheel had long been unable to restrain itself. Ji Xiang unleashed the Mani Blazing Fire, which could burn all impure things, transforming ugly lands into pure earth!
The Buddhist fire broke through the obstacles in heaven and earth. The anomaly emanating from the temple caused the people of Qiantang County to scatter and flee, their cries of alarm unending. The sky turned golden-red, but the three demonic Buddhas, enveloped in flames, merely laughed heartily.
The Mani Blazing Fire did not touch their bodies even slightly, nor did it burn their demonic forms. Instead, the Right Dharma within the Buddhist fire was inhaled by the three demonic Buddhas, causing their spiritual power to surge as if reaching the heavens!
“You demon, you dare to use our Buddha’s Dharma? How can Buddhist Dharma harm us, the Buddha’s children and descendants!”
The three demonic Buddhas shouted sternly. The fact that the Buddhist fire could not harm them further convinced them that their chanted Buddhist scriptures were flawless. The entity before them was the true demon, and they were protecting the Buddhist lineage.
The three demonic Buddhas joined forces!
“Three Evil Paths!”
The Path of Hungry Ghosts, the Path of Hell, the Path of Beasts!
Three of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. Now, the ten evils cause one to fall into the three evil paths of the five uninterrupted kalpas, manifesting the sword trees and mountain of blades, the scorching oil, and the blazing fires!
The power of the Dharma realm was unleashed, and the illusions of the Six Paths of Reincarnation descended upon the world. Thus, the sword-戟凶 mountains appeared like a forest, the silver teeth and sharp trees like stars, along with the hellish cloud formations, and the scorching oil transformed into a vast sea, with blazing fires covering the sky!
Qiantang was on the verge of destruction!
A crimson divine banner suddenly expanded, propping up the sky and halting all the sword mountains, blade trees, and scorching oil!
With a single sound, “Disperse!”
The Dharma of the three evil paths within the Six Paths of Reincarnation vanished without a trace!
The three demonic Buddhas simultaneously vomited blood, their origins injured by the demon-subduing Dharma!
In the heavens and earth, the crimson divine banner propping up the sky gently swayed!
Instantly, a vast heavenly demonic force swept down. The names of the three demonic Buddhas appeared on the crimson divine banner. With just this single sway, the cultivation realms of the three demonic Buddhas were immediately reduced by three levels!
They plummeted from the Divine Refining Realm, down to Innate, then to Yellow Court, until they were knocked down to the Primordial Spirit realm!
“Great Demon, Great Demon!”
The three demonic Buddhas were terrified. The regression of their cultivation was a story that only existed in Buddhist legends!
This was during the era of Shakyamuni Buddha. Among the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Venerable Kudikashyapa had regressed his realm six times!
And Ji Xiang, by manifesting his form and spirit as the white-faced Zhenwu, and by manipulating the gathered heaven and earth vital energy, used the method of the “Middle Scroll of Jade” to form a vast phantom, wielding the Dust-Labor Great Sin Demon-Subduing Divine Banner!
A contemptuous voice echoed through heaven and earth:
“You speak correctly. I am indeed the Great Demon, and the supreme demon among great demons. I am the Heavenly Demon of Jade Purity!”
“Yin spirit, yang radiance, capture souls to wander; Heaven clear, Earth tranquil, move with sacred spirit, unfathomable! Under Yuanshi, Lingbao bestows Dharma, capable of subduing ninety-nine heterodoxies in the human realm, and killing all one hundred and eighty types of demons like you!”
“All you minor demons!”
“How dare you possess human bodies!”