Chapter 354: Chapter 204: New Passive Skill, Cuckoo in the Magpie’s Nest
Speaking of fate and destiny, it’s actually referring to the national fate of the Liang Kingdom, now bound with Chen Kuang.
This was, in fact, a crucial reason for Chen Kuang’s decision to flee to the Pure Land.
Threatened by the Zhou Kingdom that day, he ultimately counter-attacked and trapped the soul of Ji Wangquan, "Sealing Soul into Shadow" — this was not a power he possessed, yet he used it effortlessly.
At that moment, Chen Kuang suspected that he might be possessed by Su Yu!
No... this was not a possibility.
But a reality in the process of unfolding!
It was at that time that Chen Kuang realized Su Yu, with the national fate of the Liang Kingdom, had existed within him for far too long...
Though to others, Chen Kuang had been in their sight for only over a month, the influence of the "Dao of Time" was actually imposed upon him.
Whether moving backward to the past or forward into the future.
It’s just that due to the influence of the Elixir of Longevity, Chen Kuang would not age with time.
At the same time, Su Yu and the national fate accompanying him, also experienced the same length of time.
Xi Mengquan once disguised as Jiang Wuya, and through a dream, he told Chen Kuang that to strip away the national fate, only by collecting nine celestial fortunes with the Glazed Shadow Lamp and awakening them could the national fate be absorbed.
And, before the fate of the Liang Kingdom changes from decline to prosperity, or before Chen Kuang dies, Su Yu will not revive.
However, what Chen Kuang hadn’t comprehended at the time was another hidden meaning.
Because of the national fate of the Liang Kingdom tied to Chen Kuang, the Little Princess couldn’t restore the kingdom no matter what, but her relentless effort would gradually increase the national fate of the Liang Kingdom.
In other words.
Su Yu, alongside the national fate, might be gradually awakening.
In this process, he might not fully replace Chen Kuang, yet could influence him.
Just like that inexplicably appearing "Sealing Soul into Shadow" Divine Power.
Continuing in this subtle and unobtrusive manner, the consequences are imaginable.
Perhaps one day, Chen Kuang would fulfill Huo Hengxuan’s mockery of him "wanting to become the new emperor", becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
By the time it happens, within the shell of this "new emperor", still resides the soul of the "former emperor".
Even Chen Kuang, who has already slain Martial Saint under his steed, shudders at this thought.
The "nine celestial fortunes" mentioned by Jiang Wuya, with no specific guidance for Chen Kuang, are uncertain when they could be gathered, naturally causing him anxiety.
Hence, hearing about "Exhaustion Command" which severs fates, he can’t help but inquire further.
However, Chen Kuang harbors another idea at this moment.
Huo Hengxuan was also a planner in the war that destroyed the kingdom, being an accomplice of Su Yu.
Originally, he should have been loyal to Su Yu.
At that time, outside the Liang Imperial City, Huo Hengxuan appeared in a fragmented soul state, and Chen Kuang distinctly felt his presence was malicious, possibly intending to aid Su Yu in reviving within Chen Kuang, thus cautious.
But... after being summoned back by Su Huaiying with the "Retrospective Bell", he guided Chen Kuang to Jie Lan Temple.
As a Zhengzhu Disciple, he must have known about the capabilities of Jie Lan Temple’s "Exhaustion Command".
In other words, he might have changed his mind, deciding to assist Chen Kuang.
Perhaps seeing the growth of the Little Princess, or realizing Chen Kuang’s potential?
In the end, Huo Hengxuan chose to betray Su Yu...
Thinking of the old man who endured disgrace in the Celestial Prison, Chen Kuang couldn’t help but sigh.
In front of him, Xiuzhu nodded without hesitation, saying:
"Of course it is possible, ’Exhaustion Command’ jumps out of the cycle of reincarnation, not bound by the Five Elements."
Given the affirmative answer, Chen Kuang fell silent instead.
Resurrecting the dead and causing the living to die, stripping away all karmic fates, was indeed too extreme, making him hesitate.
Seeing his unusual expression, Xiuzhu touched his head and said:
"But... actually, this Sixth Command can no longer be cultivated."
Chen Kuang was startled: "Why? Isn’t it said to be only for the True Saints?"
Xiuzhu realized his misunderstanding, shaking his head and explaining: "The True Saint is not the Saint but an existence surpassing the Saint."
Chen Kuang immediately understood: "You mean... Canliao?"
Xiuzhu hurriedly nodded and said: "I once heard Master say, actually in ancient times, only those at the Canliao Realm were eligible to be called Saints, while those at the Daoist Shore Realm could barely be considered a Quasi-Saint."
"But later, the Canliao Realm ceased to exist, and the title of Saint was then transferred to the Daoist Shore Realm."
"And this ’Exhaustion Command’, in the history of the Pure Land, only the Buddha has ever cultivated it."
Chen Kuang sighed.
Alright, no need to be torn now, it turns out this thing cannot be cultivated at all.
As he thought this, he suddenly froze.
If Canliao Dao breaks... isn’t that the so-called era of the end of Dharma?
The end of Dharma destroys the Celestial Dao, Mara extinguishes Tathagata.
The breaking of Canliao Dao, the scattering of celestial fortunes, Mara has appeared, this prophecy has proven half true...
The Pure Land might indeed face a catastrophe.
...
After sending off the enthusiastic Xiuzhu who introduced the layout of the Pure Land, Chen Kuang lit the oil lamp in the Zen Room.
A solitary lamp wasn’t bright enough, a part of the room was always shrouded in dark shadows.
Chen Kuang picked up a white robe prepared on the bed for consideration; the Pure Land’s aesthetic, despite valuing golden splendor architecturally, was surprisingly simple in clothing, with hardly any embellishments except the swastika pattern.
Donning the robe, he looked already elegant and upright, appearing more slender and pristine in this moon-white monk robe, truly exuding an air of divine restraint.
A matching white Buddhist Bead was also prepared, strung through with gold, representing the identity of a genuine Zhengzhu Disciple of Jie Lan Temple.
This meant that the three Great Zen Masters not only allowed him to practice without shaving his head, but also granted him formal disciple status at Jie Lan Temple.
Yet, looking at his unshaven long hair resting on his shoulders, he felt a sense of incompatibility and absurdity.
Buddhist Five Precepts: No killing, no stealing, no adultery, no false speech, no drinking.
He could be considered poisonous and even a tumor...
But now, without shaving, he openly became a Zhengzhu Disciple of Jie Lan Temple, which is absurd.
To think, back then, Huo Hengxuan was expelled from Jie Lan Temple merely for breaking the precept of lust.
Yet upon realizing those three monsters openly stand among all the monks of the Pure Land, brazenly preaching and teaching, he couldn’t help but laugh.
Chen Kuang gazed at the Bodhi Tree in the courtyard, his expression somewhat solemn.
Did he hear a hallucination then?
That woman’s voice, as if it was coming from the Bodhi Tree?
Still pondering, Chen Kuang found his status bar suddenly triggered again.
[You witness the three great demons replacing the Zen Masters of the Pure Land, successfully gaining their trust, obtaining a passive "Cuckoo Occupies Nest": When you are undercover in the opposing faction, unless you reveal yourself, others will not suspect your identity.]
