The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 302 Dharma Name
Zhao Ti stared intently at the statue of the Great Free Heaven. If he could inherit the lineage of the Great Free Heaven, that would be wonderful. However, there was one question that puzzled him.

So many positions of gods and arhats have become vacant, not to mention bodhisattvas and Buddhas. What exactly happened within Buddhism that caused so many people to perish?

This is not Nirvana or reincarnation; such a position would not be left vacant. Rather, it is that the person truly ceases to exist, thus rendering these identities meaningless.

Moreover, the situation in Kunlun is extremely abnormal. How could the disciples of Biyou Palace have ended up in Kunlun Mountain? And where did Yuxu Palace go? Who exactly is Huanglong Daoist of Changchun Valley?
Zhao Ti stood in front of the statue, lost in thought. At that moment, the light inside the hall began to become strange and enchanting, with blue light spots floating everywhere. The hall door closed slowly by itself without anyone pushing it.

Then a burst of music began, neither Buddhist nor celestial music, but a terrifying sound that contained the implication of great destruction, annihilation, and devastation.

The sound seemed to indicate that the sky was collapsing, the earth was sinking, the sun was destroying, the moon was dying, all the stars were falling, and everything in the world was being ruined and destroyed.

What Zhao Ti saw at this moment was no longer this grand hall, but an endless ocean composed of eerie blue.

No other colors exist in the ocean, only blue fire burns everywhere, incinerating everything.

Zhao Ti saw that the blue flames seemed to be boundless, and a blurry figure appeared from the farthest distance.

The figure seemed to rise from the sea level, ethereal and slow, filled with indescribable power, tall and upright, reaching to the sky and standing on the ground. With the slightest movement, the blue world showed ripples and cracks, as if it was about to be destroyed and then begin to shatter.

This… Zhao Ti narrowed his eyes. Is this the divine shadow of the Great Free Heaven’s lineage?

The true form of the Great Free Heaven has completely disappeared, but the Dharma lineage he left behind forms a shadow of him, which will be passed on to those who pass the trial steps and enter the temple.

However, this inheritance is not without its barriers. The gate of the main hall is a test. Not just anyone can open the gate. Zhao Ti also had to exert quite a bit of effort to push it open.

Right now, the divine figure of the Dharma lineage is displaying layers of oppressive power, directly pressing down on Zhao Ti's body and soul.

Zhao Ti raised his eyebrows. Although the pressure was heavy, it was not unbearable. He immediately circulated his true energy to resist.

He could only watch as the blurry blue divine form slowly approached him, initially very slowly, but gradually becoming faster, and the pressure spread out like waves.

Zhao Ti activated several internal energies simultaneously, and the divine figure drew closer and closer, eventually changing shape, becoming smaller and more irregular, but its colors became increasingly vibrant and refined.

As time passed, the divine image of the Dharma lineage completely transformed into a pulsating flame, its eerie blue color radiating boundless light, until it drew near...

On the trial steps, the number of people was several times greater than when Zhao Ti left. Not only were the people below climbing again, but also the newly arrived Kunlun and demon monks began to try.

At this moment, Xiao Feng is still at the forefront, having already reached level 107.

Duan Yu and Tong Guan followed closely behind, both reaching the hundredth level.

A dozen or so people followed behind, each at a different level, while Xu Zhu stood on level sixty, panting heavily.

Suddenly, Xiao Feng let out a deafening roar, then abruptly raised his right leg and slowly stepped upwards.

His legs felt like they were filled with lead, looking incredibly heavy, as if weighing a thousand pounds. As he fell, the veins on his forehead bulged and throbbed incessantly.

The crowd below gasped in surprise: Is another Confucianist about to reach the top?
Xiao Feng appeared as if he were carrying Mount Tai, yet he remained incredibly calm and composed. After a dozen or so breaths, he had already stepped onto the 108th step.

He then leaned forward slightly, raised his other leg, and stood on the steps in front of him, a little faster than before.

He then paused for a moment, inhaled and exhaled internal energy, and slowly turned around.

Duan Yu and Tong Guan were watching him from behind. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to the two of them and then nodded vigorously to Xu Zhu, who was not far away.

After the three returned the greetings, Xiao Feng turned around and strode into the Buddhist kingdom.

Seeing this, Tong Guan looked at Duan Yu and whispered, "Young Master, have you rested well?"

Duan Yu said, "That's about enough. We should be able to take another step."

He had the right mindset, but lacked the necessary skills, so he walked and rested intermittently to conserve his energy for the journey ahead.

Upon hearing this, Tong Guan gritted his teeth. He had enough martial arts skills, but not enough mental fortitude. He had only managed to get here by deceiving and bluffing.

His eyes darted around at that moment: "Your Highness, since you are studying Buddhism, do you know how to obtain a Dharma name?"

Duan Yu paused for a moment: "A Dharma name is usually determined by the first character of the lineage in the temple, and then the master determines the second character based on the individual's temperament, whether it is a precept to be observed or a breakthrough to be made, as a reminder to be enlightened."

Tong Guan asked, "What about unaffiliated monks who don't live in temples?"

Duan Yu thought for a moment and said, "That's fine. We can align it with the rankings of the various temples, or we can decide for ourselves. However, it's best if it's related to the Dharma, such as words like wisdom, intelligence, perfection, enlightenment, and awakening."

Tong Guan blinked, looking troubled. "What kind of Buddhist name does Your Highness think I should choose?"

Duan Yu asked in surprise, "Steward Tong, do you really intend to stay and become a monk?"

Tong Guan glanced at him and nodded vigorously: "I just had a realization that everything in this world is ultimately meaningless. Power, wealth, fame, and fortune are nothing but a mirage. I might as well stay here and cultivate myself."

Duan Yu was taken aback: "How could you suddenly realize that all worldly affairs are empty?"

Tong Guan sighed and said, "I've thought about it all. We come into this world naked and leave naked. We bring nothing into this world and take nothing with us when we die. Fighting for power and influence while we're alive is nothing more than trying to catch the moon's reflection in the water or fish in a tree. In the end, we're left with nothing."

Duan Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Steward Tong is absolutely right. You've really grasped the point."

"Your Highness, have I truly attained enlightenment?" Tong Guan revealed a slight hint of joy: "That's why I need to be given a Dharma name, but I don't know what to call it?"

Duan Yu shook his head and said, "Since Steward Tong has realized this on his own, it's not appropriate for someone else to give him a Dharma name. He should choose one himself."

Tong Guan scratched his head: "I have Buddha in my heart, Buddha sits in my heart, but I haven't studied Buddhist scriptures outside, so I'm still not very good at taking them..."

Duan Yu said, "Then let me give you a suggestion, Steward Tong. There are many generational names in various temples and sects. Why not borrow one? Since Steward Tong just had an epiphany, let's use the word 'enlightenment'."

Upon hearing this, Tong Guan couldn't help but say, "The word 'enlightenment' is good, the word 'enlightenment' is good. I just realized that birth is empty, death is empty, coming is empty, and going is empty. So how about calling me Wukong?"

Duan Yu nodded: "This Buddhist name does fit Steward Tong's behavior; it certainly has a Zen-like quality."

Tong Guan was overjoyed upon hearing this, but suddenly his expression changed, and he shook his head, saying, "I just remembered something, so I cannot use this Buddhist name."

Duan Yu asked curiously, "Why can't we use it?"

Tong Guan said with a troubled expression, "Young Master told Miss A Zhu a story called The Monkey King's Journey to the West. In the story, there was a demon monkey who was called by this name and was trapped under a mountain for five hundred years."

Duan Yu asked in bewilderment, "I have never heard of such a legend before. How could a monkey have a Buddhist name?"

Tong Guan said, "The name 'monkey' was given to me by my master after I converted to Buddhism. I heard in the story that the monkey was dull and miserable, so for good luck, let's change the name."

Duan Yu asked doubtfully, "How did you come to be so dull and miserable?"

Tong Guan looked regretful: "That monkey subdued seven beautiful fairies in the Peach Garden, but did nothing but eat peaches. Wasn't that dull-witted? Later, he was imprisoned under the mountain for five hundred years. When he finally escaped, his magic power had been reduced by countless degrees. He couldn't even defeat many minor demons, and he had forgotten many of his old friends. Wasn't that tragic?" Duan Yu said, "He was indeed quite dull and tragic. So, what does Steward Tong mean..."

Tong Guan suddenly clasped his hands together in front of his chest, as if he had made a great decision, his expression firm and resolute: "I think it would be better to call him Wuse as his Dharma name!"

"Wuse?" Duan Yu was stunned, looking Tong Guan up and down for a long time: "Steward Tong, that Buddhist name is... it is..."

"What is it?" Tong Guan asked eagerly, looking at Duan Yu.

Duan Yu nodded vigorously at this moment: "I have studied Buddhism for many years and met countless eminent monks, but none of them are as fitting as Tong Guan's Dharma name... such a perfect match between name and conduct!"

Upon hearing this, Tong Guan was overjoyed and proclaimed in Buddhist chant, "From this day forward, I take refuge in Buddhism, and my Dharma name will be Wuse."

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a sudden lightness in his body, a sudden clarity in his mind, and a surge of joy welled up in his heart.

Tong Guan's expression changed involuntarily. He exclaimed "Ah!" and stepped forward, climbing the next step as if it were nothing.

Then he moved with incredible speed, and in one smooth motion, he reached level 107.

Duan Yu, watching from behind, was dumbfounded and called out, "Steward Tong... Master Wuse, wait for me!"

Tong Guan turned around: "Namo Dingguang Buddha, Benefactor Duan, come here quickly."

Duan Yu mustered all his strength, enduring the excruciating pain that felt like his bones were about to be crushed, and stepped onto the 107th step.

He was panting heavily, almost spitting blood, but looking at Tong Guan who was calm and composed with his back straight, he couldn't help but say, "Master Wuse has truly attained enlightenment."

Tong Guan said with a look of pity, "I have finally realized that I have never cultivated good deeds in my life, but only loved to stir up trouble. Suddenly the golden rope is broken and the jade lock is shattered. Ah, the Dharma has come from within the Buddhist realm. Only today do I know that I am who I am!"

Duan Yu was dumbfounded: "Master Wuse's verse is so profound, it contains great truths."

Tong Guan put his palms together and said, "I heard this from you, young master. It was inspired by a monk in the story you told me, and I changed two sentences."

Duan Yu stammered, "In that case, Brother Zhao, wouldn't you have an even stronger affinity with Buddhism?"

Tong Guan pondered, "Young Master..."

He seemed to remember something as he said this, and immediately changed his words: "Benefactor Duan, you should hurry up and enter the Buddhist Kingdom."

Seeing that Tong Guan had taken another step and was already on the 108th step, Duan Yu couldn't help but exert all his internal energy.

With a muffled thud, he struggled to get up the steps, but fell to the ground, feeling as if his bones were broken and his tendons were snapped.

Tong Guan took a step forward and suddenly said, "Benefactor Duan, come forward; it seems you can recover your depleted internal energy."

Upon hearing this, Duan Yu struggled to his feet, staggering as he walked, his expression shifting: "Just as I thought, it seems to be a reward for those who ascend the steps..."

He struggled forward, his breathing gradually becoming even. Then, gazing at the rows of buildings in the distance, he wondered, "I wonder where Brother Zhao and that Brother Xiao went?"

Tong Guan said, "This place is so big, it may be hard to find. Perhaps you have already received the inheritance."

Duan Yu nodded: "Then let's go search for it too."

Tong Guan said, "Very good, very good."

The two went together and first arrived at the main hall in front. Duan Yu looked at it for a moment and shook his head, saying, "There is Buddhist music and the sound of Buddhist scriptures inside. I'm afraid either the current ruler is on the throne or someone is succeeding him. We cannot enter here."

Tong Guan readily agreed, and the two bypassed each other, continuing their journey into the Buddhist kingdom.

Along the way, he saw many empty temples, but almost all of them housed Arhats. A few times he encountered an empty temple dedicated to a Dharma Protector, but because of the fierce and ugly appearance of the guardian deities, Duan Yu did not want to inherit it and left after closing the temple door.

Tong Guan blinked, feeling somewhat troubled, unsure of which lineage he should inherit.

He knew what Kunlun Qingyangzi meant when he said that in this Buddhist kingdom, it was best to find a God-King to inherit one's throne. However, he hadn't seen many God-King temples along the way, nor the Eight Heavenly Dragons Guardian Temples that Zhao Ti had mentioned before, so he couldn't help but feel anxious.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, a strange hall appeared in the distance, its appearance completely different from those Arhat Halls.

Duan Yu said happily, "These must all be the palaces of the God Kings. There isn't much Buddhist intent emanating from them. Let's go and find a lineage to inherit from them."

Tong Guan agreed, and the two walked quickly. A moment later, a magnificent palace appeared before them.

The hall is surrounded by cloud and water patterns carved from beautiful jade and amethyst, and inlaid with various gemstones, shining brightly and radiantly.

There was no sound coming from inside the hall, only the flickering of pearls or candlelight, clearly indicating that it was an empty hall.

Duan Yu said, "This place is magnificent. Let's see which deity is enshrined here."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and pushed open the palace door. Tong Guan followed and watched as the door opened, revealing the scene inside.

After examining it closely, Duan Yu exclaimed in surprise, "So it's the Palace of the Eight Dragon Gods!"

He glanced at the Nanda Dragon King statue at the very back and frowned. Although he liked the Eight Divine Kings, he didn't really like the image of this Dragon King. Although it wasn't exactly ferocious and ugly, the dragon head didn't look human. He hesitated for a moment.

Just as he was about to ask Tong Guan if he wanted to enter the hall, a huge suction force suddenly came from inside the hall, directly entangling him and dragging him inside.

Duan Yu was shocked, thinking, "How can this be forced?" He struggled desperately, but the suction force seemed to have been prepared, launching a sneak attack with the sinister intention of "come in for me," before pulling him inside. Then the palace door slammed shut with a "bang."

Tong Guan was dumbfounded, unaware that the Dragon God Temple was in a state of agitation after being rejected by Zhao Ti. Upon seeing someone open the temple door, it sensed the situation and pulled the person inside, intending to forcibly pass on the inheritance.

Tong Guan was confused and hurriedly ran away, feeling that the matter was too terrible. The main hall seemed to be impatient and wanted to devour people, so it was best to stay away from this place.

He walked forward, avoiding the main halls on this side, and after a while, he disappeared without a trace.

At this moment, he saw that the surrounding area was almost entirely filled with Arhat halls. After opening a few hall doors, he hesitated and closed them again.

After all, Qingyangzi had previously said that the main focus should be on the protection of the divine kings, and even bodhisattvas should not be tried lightly, lest they be converted and reborn. It is likely that arhats are no different, since arhats shave their heads and wear monks' robes, so they should also have the ability to convert.

Tong Guan was filled with fear and stumbled along for an unknown amount of time before suddenly seeing a palace with an unusual design.

The temple has a circular exterior and shimmers with a soft white light, making it instantly pleasing to the eye.

Tong Guan observed for a moment, and the more he looked at the main hall, the more it resembled a giant, freshly steamed pancake. It was not scary at all, but rather felt approachable, so he walked to the hall door and pushed it open.

The hall doesn't seem very deep, and the tall, plump white statue inside looks like a person, appearing kind and benevolent in a daze.

He gritted his teeth, not bothering to examine the style of the statue's hat and robes—which were clearly different from those of the Arhats—and stepped inside...

(End of this chapter)