The Heavens Start to Reverse Fate from Martial Arts

Chapter 143: Strange Thoughts at the Fountain of Youth
Laughing at the King of Hell in his palace, and attaining immortality in the Changchun Valley.

In the southwest of Dali, the mountains are endless and shrouded in clouds and mist, like a paradise on earth.

On the winding mountain path, an old monk in gray was walking steadily, followed by an ugly young monk with sweat all over his forehead.

"Abbot, the imperial court has ordered Shaolin Temple to close its doors. If we leave without permission... what if... what if..."

“Xu Zhu, closing the mountain does not mean being trapped. Even if the imperial court knows about it, they will turn a blind eye. Just calm down…” The Sweeping Monk had a calm expression and did not stop walking.

Xu Zhu panted and raised his hand to wipe the sweat off his face, his worry still showing: "But... along the way, many temples were banned by the academy, and many monks were ordered to return to secular life... If the court finds out, they will inevitably be questioned."

The sweeping monk was indifferent for a moment, and said calmly: "You reap what you sow. The imperial court has done such perverse things, and will suffer the consequences. The Song Dynasty will be destroyed."

Xu Zhu was stunned and asked in confusion: "Ah? Master, isn't it that the evil Taoist Taiyi is causing chaos in the government?" That's what the monks in the temple said, and he thought so too.

"He..." The sweeping monk's eyes wavered for a moment, and he said calmly: "The Thirteen Supreme Saint Monks and others have designated you as a Buddha's son. You should understand that the Taiyi Demon Dao is the enemy of Buddha and a demon that is causing chaos in the world. Just like the Song Dynasty, it should be destroyed."

As he spoke, murderous intent flashed in his eyes. This time, the imperial court's purge was even more brutal than the Three Wus and One Zong's destruction of Buddhism.

The imperial court, Taoism, gangs...all the powerful forces in the world participated in the feast of dividing up Buddhism.

The golden body was turned into a clay body, the bronze statue was turned into a stone statue, the monks were dismissed and returned home, the temples were converted into academies, the tenant farmers were given land to live in... After all these measures, the only thing left in Buddhism was the ancient Buddha with the green lamp!

It's not like destroying Buddhism, but more like destroying Buddhism. Without secular offerings, the decline of Buddhism is inevitable. If the current situation is not reversed, Buddhism may never have a chance to turn around.

Xu Zhu scratched his head and said "oh" in confusion.

The Sweeping Monk said nothing more, and led Xu Zhu quietly through the forests and mountains, heading deep into the mountains.

……

In the vast mountains, there is a hidden valley surrounded by mountains. The valley is full of lush vegetation, exotic flowers and plants, and the air is filled with a faint fragrance that makes people feel relaxed and happy.

In the center of the valley, there is a clear spring, surrounded by several stone houses. The spring water is clear and fishless, with a clear spiritual energy lingering around, and wisps of mist surging back and forth, exuding an inexplicable Taoist aura.

Five pieces of bluestone were placed in five directions, and on them sat a Taoist, a monk, an emperor, a middle-aged man, and a swordsman respectively.

The five people had smooth faces like babies, auras like the deep sea, and a glittering light flowing on their skin, which made them look different from ordinary people. They each practiced their profound skills, inhaled and exhaled the spiritual energy released by the spiritual spring, and refined the internal energy of their Dantian.

"Hmm... the Qi of Yi Jin Jing Zhen Qi... Master Fu Ju, the Zen master is coming, I'm afraid something big has happened."

The five people slowly opened their eyes and looked towards the forest in the east. The swordsman in a gorgeous white robe exclaimed in surprise.

Master Fuju's eyes glowed with golden light, and his body was filled with a strong Buddhist spirit, as if the real Buddha was sitting here. He pondered for a moment, frowned, and said, "Unless the Zen sect is in danger of being destroyed, you must not come here. This is the rule set by this old monk."

"I invited eighteen masters to practice and deduce for three years before I created the 72 Shaolin Kung Fu. With this foundation, plus our arrangements in the outside world, how can the Zen sect be in danger of extinction?"

Master Fuju said this, glancing at the emperor who was intimidating without even getting angry: "Donor Zhao, could it be that your descendants have had some inappropriate thoughts?" If there really was a danger of the Taoist orthodoxy being destroyed, only the current Song court would have the resources to do so.

Zhao Kuangyin was dressed in a golden dragon robe, with a flash of domineering fist intent in his eyes. He raised his eyes and said calmly: "With the national policies I have set, future kings do not have the power to make arbitrary decisions. Even if they have any ideas, they will not be able to destroy the Zen sect."

Given the temperament of those scholars and officials, it is impossible for them to allow the current monarch to commit the foolish act of destroying Buddhism.

Master Fuju frowned but said nothing more.

With the arrangements made by them in the outside world and the environment of heaven and earth, it is hopeless for warriors to seek the truth. So, apart from Song Ting, who has the power to destroy the Zen sect?

The other three people looked at each other in different ways, and did not interrupt the argument.

The five of them had restrained each other, and they had lived in harmony until now for the chance of immortality that was beyond their reach. If possible, everyone wanted to monopolize the immortal spring in front of them, but no one dared to move rashly because the spring was easily destroyed.

Soon, the sweeping monk led Xu Zhu through the dense forest and slowly came to the bluestone where Master Fu Ju sat. He clasped his hands together very cautiously, bowed and said, "The third generation of guardian monk Ling Jue brings the contemporary Buddhist disciples to see Master Fu Ju."

As the third generation Zen monk, he was well aware of the horror of the old monk in front of him, as well as the horror of the other few people, so naturally he did not dare to be disrespectful at all.

"Huh?" The five people exclaimed in surprise at the same time, their eyes all fell on Xu Zhu.

Xu Zhu shrank his neck and quickly hid behind the Sweeping Monk, stealing glances at the five people sitting on the bluestone, curiosity and fear revealed in his eyes.

"Buddha's calamity has begun, and Buddha's disciples have emerged... Tsk, what taboo has the Buddhist sect violated again?" Xiaoyaozi, who was wearing a plain Taoist robe, smiled and said with a sigh. He gave people the feeling of being easy-going and free and easy, and people felt close to him when they saw him.

"Is Buddhism really obsessed with the Buddhist kingdom on earth? Aren't the lessons of past dynasties enough?" Zhao Kuangyin's eyes immediately turned cold.

Murong Longcheng was wearing a star robe and smiled coldly, "Sitting alone on Lingshan Mountain and saving all living beings, what a wonderful vision! It's more comfortable than being an emperor. As long as there is a chance, how can Buddhism let it go?"

Duan Siping straightened his back, tapped the hilt of the sword at his waist, and said slowly: "Don't be too arbitrary, listen to what these two people have to say first."

Master Fuju looked at the sweeping monk and said calmly, "Tell me what happened in the outside world?"

The sweeping monk nodded solemnly, thinking for a moment, and then began to narrate, "About three years ago, a Taoist priest walked out of the mountain and called himself Taiyi..."

He slowly recounted Wang Yi's experiences over the years, from Leigu Mountain to Tianlong Temple, then to Yanziwu, Xingzilin, Bianliang...

When talking about Xingzilin and Shaolin Temple, some Spring and Autumn style writing was used to filter out some unsightly content.

These are the information that the Buddhist sect has collected with all its efforts in the past three years. The shortcoming is that they are not detailed enough and it is impossible to analyze the origin of Taoist Taiyi.

As he spoke, the expressions of Xiaoyaozi, Duan Siping, Murong Longcheng, Zhao Kuangyin, and Master Fuju all became solemn.

He is a martial arts grandmaster, and a leader among the grandmasters. But given the current environment, how did he manage to break through?

When talking about the means of suppressing Buddhism, such as changing the golden statue into a clay body, changing the bronze statue into a stone statue, dismissing the monks and returning home, converting the temple into a college, and dividing the land for tenant farmers to live in, Master Fuju's face darkened instantly, especially when he heard that the Shaolin Temple, the ancestral temple of Zen Buddhism, only had two or three cats. Even with his Zen heart, he couldn't help but glare at Zhao Kuangyin and Xiaoyaozi who looked strange.

Murong Longcheng and Duan Siping also had strange expressions on their faces. The Taoist sect had a ruthless person. How much did he hate the Buddhist sect? That was why he would do such a thing... without any mercy.

Zhao Kuangyin coughed lightly, interrupting the Sweeping Monk's narration. He looked at Master Fuju and shrugged, saying, "Master, don't look at me like that. It is obvious that this generation of Emperor Song was coerced."

He felt that he didn't have enough time to seek immortality, so how could he care about the troubles caused by the younger monarchs? Moreover, this matter was beneficial to his pursuit of immortality, so naturally he had no intention of interfering.

Xiaoyaozi nodded slightly: "For the strongest people like us, it is normal to do whatever we want without the restraint of the strong people of the same level."

Murong Longcheng and Duan Siping lowered their eyes and watched the situation develop. They hoped that the three of them would fight so that they could seize the immortal spring in front of them.

Master Fuju looked gloomy. He looked at the sweeping monk and asked, "Are you the only master in Zen Buddhism now?"

The sweeping monk quickly replied, "There are two more. One has mastered thirteen unique skills, and the other has mastered the Yi Jin Jing. The two are now in charge of the Bodhidharma Cave and are considered the next guardian monks of the Zen sect."

Murong Longcheng's eyes flickered, and he said meaningfully: "Master, please don't forget our agreement."

The immortal spring was limited, only enough for one of them to advance. The five of them were not much different in strength, and no one was willing to give up the chance of immortality. After many fights, the current stalemate was formed.

In order to prevent the rise of powerful people from the future, they tacitly made many arrangements and also made several agreements with each other. The most important one was that if anyone got their hands on the immortal spring, the five of them had to work together to kill him.

"Hmph! I know." Master Fuju snorted and frowned in thought. He didn't want to leave Changchun Valley, but as the most powerful person in Buddhism, he couldn't do nothing when the Buddha calamity was in front of him. This would go against the Zen mind he had cultivated for a lifetime.

Xiaoyaozi, Duan Siping, Murong Longcheng and Zhao Kuangyin looked at each other, and then watched the show leisurely.

On one side is the opportunity for immortality, on the other side is the future of Buddhism. They want to see what choice Master Fuju will make?

Master Fuju's brows were furrowed, his heart was in turmoil.

As the strongest person in Zen Buddhism, he shoulders the future and hope of both. But the Immortal Spirit Spring is the only chance to advance to a higher realm and become a golden arhat.

The Sweeping Monk and Xu Zhu stood with their heads bowed, not daring to breathe, for fear of disturbing the Zen master.

Master Fuju closed his eyes and thought deeply. His mind was full of thoughts. After thinking for a long time, he gradually sorted out the thoughts in his mind. He opened his eyes, put his hands together in a salute, and sighed:
"From entering the temple at a young age to becoming a Zen master, every step was full of hardships and difficulties. The reason why Buddhism has been passed down to this day is precisely because of the sacrifices and contributions of countless senior monks."

"If I do nothing in the face of the Buddha's calamity, even if I enjoy the eternal spring alone, I will not be able to take that crucial step if my Zen mind is shaken."

As he spoke, he sighed softly, "Forget it, forget it. As the most powerful person in Buddhism, I should take the rise and fall of Buddhism as my own responsibility. It doesn't matter if I don't have this opportunity to transcend, it doesn't matter if I don't have it..."

Master Fuju slowly stood up and looked at Xiaoyaozi, Duan Siping, Murong Longcheng, and Zhao Kuangyin. He smiled bitterly and said:

"Everyone, with the Buddha's calamity in front of you, I can only retreat helplessly. I hope that when we meet next time, one of you will have reached that mysterious and indescribable realm. Don't forget to come and see me, and let me appreciate the scenery of that realm..."

After saying this, he probed again, took a step forward, picked up the Sweeping Monk and Xu Zhu, and flew away. He tapped the treetops lightly with his toes and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Xiaoyaozi, Duan Siping, Zhao Kuangyin and Murong Longcheng were all indifferent, and the atmosphere became subtle for a moment.

"What a good move to retreat in order to advance!" Zhao Kuangyin narrowed his eyes slightly. This old monk seemed to be generous and brave, but in fact he was a cunning and treacherous devil. As an emperor, what kind of people has he not seen? Naturally, he could not hide this trick of the other party.

But even if they knew, what would it matter? With the four of them restraining each other, the balance was still difficult to break. Unless one more person withdrew, even if it was just a pretense.

Murong Longcheng's eyes flashed with a gleam of light, and he looked at Xiaoyaozi and said slowly: "Brother Xiaoyao, you are a Taoist master, and the opportunity to destroy Buddhism is right in front of you. Why don't you go out and help?"

Xiaoyaozi smiled slightly and waved his hand, saying, "You are too kind. I am just a wandering monk. As for this matter, it is better to let nature take its course. You cannot force it, and you cannot force it."

Duan Siping raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "That's wrong. Driving Buddhism out of the Central Plains has been the long-cherished wish of Taoist masters throughout the ages. Taoist Taiyi is just like us, both are great masters and the most powerful. If the two of you join forces, you can destroy Buddhism overnight."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "Master, this is something that can be done easily, it can't be considered forced...would you really like to consider it?"

Xiaoyaozi smiled calmly: "Everyone's thoughts are connected, there is no need to talk nonsense, just wait and see, everything will be determined."

The atmosphere fell silent again, and several people turned their eyes slightly, thinking about ways to break the current stalemate.

Duan Siping frowned slightly and said unhappily, "If the four of us continue to be deadlocked like this, wouldn't it be a waste of this great opportunity?"

Zhao Kuangyin coughed lightly, and when he saw the three people looking at him, he said in a deep voice: "In my opinion, we should first find out the situation outside. Most importantly, aren't you interested in why Taoist Taiyi was able to break through?"

"Also...if Master Fuju uses immortality as bait to lure Taoist Taiyi to come and disrupt the situation, how should we deal with it?"

"Young people can't compare to the patience of us old guys. If we get impulsive and destroy the eternal spring in front of us, it will be too late for us to regret it."

When the three of them heard what Zhao Kuangyin said, they all frowned slightly.

As the strongest people in the world, their strength is almost the same. When facing an opponent of the same level with unknown origins and unknown means, they will be defeated if they are not careful.

Xiaoyaozi nodded slightly and said calmly: "This is a very kind thing to say. We must be on guard against this, so as not to fall into the evil scheme of the old monk Fuju."

Duan Siping raised his eyebrows and said, "Why bother with so much trouble? Why don't the four of us join forces to kill Old Monk Fuju and Taoist Taiyi together. After getting rid of the two, we can fight for the Immortal Spirit Spring according to the situation."

Murong Longcheng shook his head and retorted: "It is easy to defeat someone of the same realm, but it is extremely difficult to kill him. This is not right. Let's first find out the situation outside."

Zhao Kuangyin said in a deep voice: "Since that's the case, let's each take action."

Xiaoyaozi and the others nodded slightly, and their figures disappeared in a flash. Soon, dozens of pigeons flew out of the stone house and spread their wings in all directions.

(End of this chapter)