Journey to the head

The group was so captivated by the sacred scene that they were almost lost in its beauty when Xiang Kong's voice brought them back to their senses, leaving them deeply moved.

The Holy Teacher who established the direct teachings, the Eight Manifestations of the Wise King, the Pure Land of the Lotus of Light.
Such warmth, light, compassion, and peace; such grandeur, holiness, and supreme power.
The Holy Teacher of the Direct Teachings is very likely one of the Heavenly Rulers!
Upon thinking of the title "Heavenly Ruler" and the legendary events that caused terrifying disasters, such as the "Stairway to Immortality," Wei Zhaixing felt a tightness in his heart. He snapped out of his state of shock and pondered carefully, his brow furrowing.

Something's not right. At first, we thought we'd been led into this Golden Lotus space, but now it seems...
Wei Zhaixing stretched out his hand, his mental power flowed, starlight condensed, and the surrounding golden space rippled slightly.

"Xuanjizi also discovered it?" Wudi Daoren suddenly said in a deep voice, "This is not a physical space, but something like an illusion. Our divine senses have been pulled into the illusion."

"Moreover, this illusion is very fragile, and we can break free from it at any time if we want to."

Calling it a fantasy is inappropriate; such a vivid feeling, such a profound and soul-stirring spiritual experience, is far beyond what ordinary illusions can compare to.
What exactly is going on?

Just as everyone was wondering, the golden light suddenly shone brighter!
In the center of the lotus pond, on the largest and most dazzling golden lotus, space slightly distorted, and a figure slowly condensed into shape.

This person had a serious and imposing face, and his eyes shone brightly like the rising sun, capable of piercing through all falsehood and evil.

He stood tall and straight, draped in a robe woven from countless golden lotus petals, and sat barefoot on a lotus platform. One hand formed the Abhaya Mudra, soothing all beings and warding off evil, while the other hand gently held a golden lotus bud that was about to bloom, its radiance restrained.

His eyes held a profound understanding of the vicissitudes of time and a deep compassion for all living beings; his aura transcended all cycles of existence, detached from the five elements and surpassing all other living beings.

He's an immortal!

In that instant, the group knelt down without thinking. Their hearts pounded like drums, and they were certain of the identity of the person before them without any further doubt.

Absolutely a true immortal celestial being!
"Boundless Holy Master!" Xiang Kong sensed that vast and boundless aura. Although his appearance was different from the portraits passed down through the ages, he could tell at a glance that this was the Holy Master.

Xiang Kong couldn't help but prostrate himself in admiration, tears welling up in his eyes.

"A follower of the Straightforward Sect bows to the Lord and Holy Master! Now that we have been guided, I have no regrets even in death!"

The figure's gaze slowly swept over the five people, finally landing on Xiang Kong, a slight smile appearing on his lips. A peaceful, gentle, yet supremely authoritative voice slowly rang out.

“In the past, I manifested in countless forms, entering countless worlds to spread the Dao. The Direct Teaching you speak of is one of my lineages.”

"As the days and months pass and the world changes, I am overjoyed to finally meet you, a mere follower."

His gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, and his voice carried a hint of wistful reminiscence.

"I am the thirty-second Heavenly Lord, the Lotus Light King Prajna Heavenly Lord."

The Thirty-Second Heavenly Lord, Lotus Light King Prajna Heavenly Lord!
The name struck them like a thunderclap. He was not only an immortal, but also one of the thirty-three Heavenly Lords who ascended before the catastrophe of the True Immortals!

The Thirty-Two Heavenly Lords are naturally part of the Twenty-Three Immortals' camp. At least it's much better than facing the Ten Heavenly Lords, right?

Wait a minute! According to ancient legends, Prajna Heavenly Lord perished in the final battle of immortals, so what is he now?

Xiang Kong had almost lost the ability to think. He just kept kneeling on the ground without raising his head, his eyes filled with tears, silently reciting the classics of Buddhism.

Wei Zhaixing gritted his teeth, feeling this empty and fragile illusion, and with boundless courage, finally spoke.

"Fan Xiu Wei Zhaixing pays homage to the Heavenly Lord Prajna! It is truly an honor to meet Your Majesty today."

"But after the Luo Tian Forbidden Immortal Tent descended, the immortals were not allowed to descend to the mortal realm. In addition, rumors spread in the mortal realm that the Heavenly Lord had perished in the calamity of the True Immortals."

"Now that we have been summoned, we wonder if the Heavenly Lord can answer our questions?"

Bottomless Taoist, Ye Xiao, and True Man Ding Shu all felt a tightness in their chests, realizing that this question was far too offensive. They were facing a legendary immortal!

But Prajna Heavenly Lord simply smiled.

"What you say is quite true. I have long since perished. What appears before you now is merely a mere remnant of my former self."

"Like a candle in the wind, even you insignificant cultivators could easily blow me away with a gentle breath."

"Holy Master!" Xiang Kong was stunned.

Wei Zhaixing suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. No wonder this space was just an illusion; it was the remnant of the Heavenly Monarch."

"There is no need to grieve. All things arise from causes and conditions and are empty of inherent existence. How can one force them?"

Prajna Heavenly Lord smiled faintly, the golden lotus in his palm trembled slightly, and myriad rays of light appeared.

"It is fate that we meet today. With my last strength, I will speak a few words to you. You must listen carefully, relax your minds, and let go of your delusions."

"This lingering resentment is extremely fragile. If you harbor any thoughts of rebellion, all my efforts will be in vain."

He turned the lotus bud in his hand, and in the golden light, the statue that was being pressed down by the wrathful Vajra appeared, its tone filled with endless sighs.

"The one I suppressed and killed was the Second Heavenly Emperor, the Supreme and Holy Heavenly Emperor of Destiny."

These words caused a great uproar in everyone's hearts. Their divine senses naturally spread out, and the entire Lotus Pure Land began to shake. The body of Prajna Heavenly Lord flickered between light and shadow.

Prajna Heavenly Lord frowned and roared with thunderous fury.

"Hmph! Relax your mind, heed my decree, and do not get agitated!"

The group quickly took deep breaths to suppress their shock, but how could they erase the astonishment from their faces?

The Second Heavenly Ruler, the Supreme and Holy Heavenly Ruler of Destiny!
As one of the Ten Heavenly Kings, he is a taboo title mentioned only in the oldest ancient texts.

According to ancient legend, the Ten Heavenly Kings ultimately failed in the True Immortal Calamity, and four of them perished, with the Second Heavenly King being one of them.

But no one knew that he had actually perished together with the Thirty-Second Heavenly King, Prajna Heavenly King!
Having glimpsed such a supreme secret, everyone felt their scalp tingle and their whole body tremble.

Xiang Kong, however, was filled with sorrow as he turned his prayer beads.

The Holy Master was so weak that even everyone's excitement could hardly be contained.

He quickly said, “Fellow Daoists, the Holy Master’s summons is an unparalleled opportunity. We must open our minds and listen attentively, and not act rashly.”

The group responded in unison, bowed and paid homage to Prajna Heavenly Lord, and each gave their name.

Prajna Heavenly Lord's voice was weary, yet incredibly resolute:
"The Ten Heavenly Kings recklessly committed acts of world destruction. In order to save countless lives, I sacrificed everything and ultimately perished together with the Heavenly King of Destiny. As for the specific story, I am too exhausted to tell it any further."

He paused, glanced at the five people who were still in shock, his gaze containing a soul-cleansing power.

“I was about to return to Nirvana, but Xiang Kong came here and awakened my momentary clarity with the transmission of the Dharma lineage. It is a great destiny.” “Xiang Kong, you have profound wisdom and great compassion. You bear great karma and great vows. I wish to pass on the Dharma to you and let you inherit my mantle. Are you willing?”

He was speechless and his soul seemed to fly away. It was only when Wei Zhaixing pushed him with her spiritual power that he snapped out of it, tears welling up in his eyes as he knelt down on the ground again.

"Disciple is willing!"

Everyone watched with longing, their hearts ache with envy.

Xiang Kong actually had such an opportunity to inherit the mantle of Prajna Heavenly Lord! But speaking of which, his direct lineage was originally one of Prajna Heavenly Lord's lineages, no wonder his various supernatural powers and secret techniques were so powerful and his combat strength so extraordinary.

Prajna Heavenly Lord nodded, then looked at the group and smiled.

“You ordinary cultivators, having come from the void, must be people of the righteous path.”

“I will also preach the Dharma to you and pass on unparalleled divine skills so that you may assist Xiang Kong, carry on my legacy, and uphold the righteous path.”

They were all so excited that they almost shouted out loud. It turned out that everyone had a share, and today we could also glimpse the Heavenly Lord's wonderful methods!

What a great opportunity!
Everyone remembered the Heavenly Lord's instructions. They immediately focused their mental energy to suppress their elation and listened carefully. If they missed even a single word, it would be a regret for the rest of their lives.

Prajna Heavenly Lord gently lifted the golden lotus bud upwards with his palm.

In an instant, the entire Pure Land of the Radiant Lotus emitted boundless golden light.

Above the central lotus seedpod of each golden lotus, there is a halo of light that seems to solidify, containing boundless compassion and wisdom.

"Om Mani Padme Hum!"

The chanting was like celestial music, no longer the faint whispers of before, but a magnificent Daoist sound that resounded throughout the entire space, shaking the souls of everyone present. Countless tiny golden specks of light, like grains of sand from the stars, materialized out of nothingness and fell down in a flurry.

This is not the rain and dew of the mortal world, but "heavenly flowers" transformed from the Daoist principles of heaven and earth!
At the same time, the warm, golden ground beneath everyone's feet rippled like a pool of golden water, and countless golden lotuses burst forth, rapidly growing and blooming.

This is a "golden lotus" formed from the laws of the Great Dao. Its petals are outstretched and sway gracefully, bursting forth with a misty, auspicious glow.

It was as if flowers were falling from the sky and golden lotuses were springing up from the ground!
Golden blossoms fell from the ceiling, bringing boundless enlightenment upon touching the body. Golden lotuses sprang from the earth, radiating auspicious mists, enveloping everyone like a hot spring, bringing complete comfort, clearing the mind, and making one's consciousness operate a hundred times faster. Grand chants, like the evening drum and morning bell, resonated deep within the soul, cleansing away the dust and purifying the understanding of the fundamental principles of the Tao.

Surrounded by endless heavenly flowers and golden lotuses, the figure of Prajna Heavenly Lord became increasingly sacred and hazy.

He did not directly impart the techniques and formulas, but instead preached the scriptures, pointing directly to the true nature of things. He used the supreme realm to evoke the profound charm of the Great Dao, silently permeating the minds and spirits of the five people in the room.

The Bottomless Daoist felt his sea of ​​consciousness churning and his mental power pouring out. His understanding of the Earth element's "bearing," "virtue," "nurturing," and "transformation" grew wildly, as if his body had merged into the endless earth.

Ye Xiao heard the Kunmu's voice transmission and felt the pulse of the earth. All the omissions and errors in his past cultivation of the "Kunpin True Body" were corrected one by one, and his understanding of the Great Dao was instantaneous.

The magnetic force around the True Man Ding Shu was faintly visible, as if it had created a wonderful resonance with the omnipresent stability and purification power in the Pure Land, and his understanding of the Dao of Magnetic Pole was rapidly expanding.

The impact on Xiang Kong was most direct. The jade prayer beads in his hand swirled into a phantom, and various doctrines and mantras flowed, collided, and sublimated within his heart. Great compassion, great wisdom, great courage, and great perseverance achieved a harmonious unity deep within his soul. Under the guidance of Prajna Heavenly Lord, the essence of the direct teachings began to undergo a profound transformation.

His innate divine power surged naturally, and the Demon-Slaying Vajra Dharma Image shone brightly. With a tremor, two more arms grew out, making a total of twelve arms!

Even Wei Zhaixing was completely captivated, feeling as if countless stars were swirling within his mind, and the ancient and profound principles of destiny and fate became clearer than ever before. In a short instant, many difficult problems were solved, and insights into the path of destiny were flooding his mind!
Wei Zhaixing felt a sudden jolt in his heart. An invisible and formless shackle, yet insurmountable and unbreakable, suddenly loosened. In an instant, his white robes fluttered without wind, and countless illusory stars rushed out from his body, forming an endless star map above his head.

In the void, light drifted, and tadpole script, bird script, and fish and insect script descended from the sky, ancient, obscure, and extremely mysterious.

The melodious sounds began: the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, bells and chimes, zithers and lutes, and hymns of praise, all incredibly beautiful and soothing to the soul.

Wei Zhaixing, having reached the Golden Core stage, comprehended the second divine power!
Upon seeing this, Prajna Heavenly Lord's smile deepened.

The five were completely immersed in the baptism of this supreme Daoist charm. This was an irresistible feast of enlightenment; all defenses, hesitations, doubts, and all chaotic thoughts melted away like ice and snow in the vast infusion of Daoist charm.

Every breath they took was equivalent to thousands of years of arduous cultivation. Bathed in this gift from the Heavenly Emperor, they greedily absorbed it, deeply intoxicated, and even forgot their own existence.

Seeing this, the Heavenly Emperor suddenly chuckled, and his expression changed abruptly.

All compassion and peace vanished, and he casually tossed the golden lotus in his hand aside.

"Xiang Kong, I will transmit to you the 'Eightfold Dharma of the Bright King' and make you the Heavenly Lord of the Direct Teachings."

"Without bottom, I will pass on to you a book called 'Earth's Formation,' which will lay the foundation for your eternal path."

"Ye Xiao, your 'True Body of the Female Kun' is also a rare and wonderful transmission, so why can't you cultivate it properly?"

“I have already corrected your mistakes. I will now give you another volume of the true scripture, and you will surely be able to ascend to the wondrous realm soon.”

"I will now impart to you the power of the magnetic poles cultivated by Ding Shu, the 'Five Poles of Magnetic Elements'."

Then the Heavenly Emperor took a slight breath, his eyes filled with longing.

“Wei Zhaixing, you are exceptionally talented and favored by fate. You are truly a rare gem. I have three volumes of ‘The True Explanation of Defying Heaven, Intercepting Fate, and Changing Destiny.’ You must memorize them carefully.”

He paused for a moment, then gave a soft shout.

"Open your minds and listen to my teachings!"

The five of them were startled at the same time, and raised their heads in a daze and with joy. They had completely opened their hearts and revealed their souls without reservation.

The Heavenly Lord stretched out his hand, and a wave began to seep into the souls of the five people, but they were completely unaware of it, still immersed in the joy of the Great Dao's cleansing and the joy of soon receiving the unparalleled divine skills and techniques.

A wildly joyful smile spread across the Heavenly Emperor's face. He clenched his fist, ready to unleash his power—

Suddenly, a voice emerged from the depths of Ye Xiao's soul, a mocking laugh echoing softly in the Lotus Pure Land.

"Those who receive my ordination will be spared from the three calamities."

"By adhering to my law, one will be invulnerable for countless eons."

"Offer your flesh and blood, and ascend to paradise together."

"I offer this sacrifice to your spirit, so that we may ascend together to the celestial realm."

The Lotus Pure Land trembled like a tsunami, and the Heavenly Lord suddenly cried out, "Compassionate and Propagating Dharma Heavenly Lord!" (End of Chapter)