My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Master Huiming remained unperturbed, only shaking his head slightly: "You are jesting, benefactor. This place is certainly not Spirit Mountain Treasure Land; however, the unique Buddha's appearances that both of you possess make my humble temple glitter and shine."

Yin Tingxue was expressionless, her gaze detached, seemingly indifferent, as if she had expected this.

"This female benefactor has the Medicine Buddha's appearance, a concealed compassion, deeply connected with the Luminous Buddha."

Chen Yi's eyes slightly narrowed, hiding sharpness, as the monk turned to him and slowly said:

"And you, benefactor, possess the Joyful Buddha's appearance."

As he spoke these three words, Chen Yi's pupils slightly contracted, and Yin Tingxue's perpetually indifferent expression showed an almost imperceptible change.

This so-called "Buddha's appearance," upon hearing, sounded not at all like the proper teaching of the Buddhist Sect.

Master Huiming chanted a Buddhist hymn, then continued: "Greed, anger, and ignorance, passions in abundance, vexations are Bodhi, worldly ties remain unsevered, Buddha Nature resides hidden."

Anyone hearing these words, if not modest, would be joyful,

Yet Chen Yi frowned and impatiently interrupted Master Huiming: "Old bald donkey, stop your mystical tricks here, chattering on. What Buddha's appearance, we ourselves don't understand; how can you, an outsider, see clearly? If you don't comprehend, then don't speak recklessly."

"You!" The young disciple glared angrily, almost rushing forward.

Master Huiming remained calm, blocking the disciple with his hand, his gaze deep as he looked at Chen Yi and Yin Tingxue, his tone peaceful yet undeniably resolute: "Amitabha Buddha. Whether you believe, benefactor, or whether I speak falsely, during the upcoming ceremony, the truth will be revealed. At that time, it is not I peering at you, but in the cycle of ignorance and karmic ocean, all beings reveal their appearances without concealment. Your Buddha's appearances will be as clear as the moon hung in the sky, unmistakably seen."

Chen Yi disregarded him, unwilling to be entangled further with the old monk, grabbing Yin Tingxue's wrist directly,

"We're leaving."

With those words, he turned, pulling her as they ignored all gazes and clamor behind, striding through the crowded throng, walking swiftly toward the temple outskirts.

Meanwhile, inside the Sunlight Bodhisattva statue being worshiped, Donggong Ruoshu distinctly felt that he was rapidly distancing himself.

Never once having missed his midnight snacks, Donggong Ruoshu, just now relying on familiarity with Chen Yi's aura, realized he was there, now seeing him leave, she became anxious, using all her strength to bang on the wall, a few muffled thuds echoed, yet it was all futile.

In the end, she sank down again.

Just wait slowly.

Chen Yi had left the temple with Yin Tingxue but didn't go far, stopping at a secluded spot near the mountain gate shaded by trees.

As soon as they halted, Yin Tingxue freed herself from his grip, her voice cool and crisp: "The affair in the temple earlier, I've experienced it before."

Chen Yi turned to look at her.

He knew that in this World of Ignorance, most scenes were manifestations of her memories and emotions, so her having experienced similar situations was no surprise, but her willingness to mention it now, did it mean within her complex and inscrutable emotions, her trust in him had slightly increased?

Yin Tingxue's gaze extended towards the still noisy direction of the temple, narrating calmly:

"That year, Mother brought me to participate in this ceremony. It was also this monk who publicly stated that I had a Buddha's appearance." Her eyes flickered with a very slight undulation, "At that time, Mother immediately shielded me, confronting that monk. I was ignorant then, unaware of the depths, hearing people praise my Buddha's appearance, I even felt faintly... fortunate."

"And then?" Chen Yi pursued.

Yin Tingxue's lips curved into a smile devoid of warmth, a bit self-mocking: "Then? Following the ceremony, for reasons unknown, I liberated those people. Consequently, I became entangled with the Medicine Buddha's karma. This ceremony, called the Medicine Buddha Disaster Relief Grand Ceremony, since I performed the Medicine Buddha's act of liberating the masses, imperceptibly taking on His mantle, thus destined to achieve the Medicine Buddha's fruition."

Upon hearing, Chen Yi fell into silence for a moment.

So that's how it was, the Little Fox's seemingly abrupt transformation in the previous life, indeed its root was here, a Buddha Fruit forcibly imposed upon her.

In truth, he had long suspected, now finally confirmed.

Suddenly, he chuckled softly, gazing at Yin Tingxue,

"What Buddha's appearance, Buddha Fruit, I never believed in that. Little Fox, do you remember, back in the Joyful Sect, I prevented you from liberating others?"

Yin Tingxue's eyes flashed with a quick, inscrutable look, complex and unreadable, but she quietly lowered her head, choosing not to respond.

Seeing her like this, Chen Yi secretly smiled to himself, oh, so the Little Fox can be prideful too?

Funny how she always poked fun about this to him, even if only with few words, it was still annoying.

Witnessing this, Chen Yi decided not to further provoke the Demon Sect Saintess, whose thoughts were unpredictable and easily agitated at the moment, merely speaking lightly: "Don't worry."

He then waved his hand, without more words, turned and strode towards the path down the mountain.

Yin Tingxue stood still, gazing at Chen Yi's slowly descending silhouette, that fleeting unusual color in her eyes emerged once more, growing ever clearer.

It wasn't some kind of gratitude or warmth, quite the opposite, the vigilance and fear held within, now more intense than ever.

Joyful Buddha's appearance…

So that's how it is,

He has come... to liberate me?

Yin Tingxue's gaze deepened, Chen Yi had long died, slain by her own hands, this was no illusion, yet now another Chen Yi unexpectedly appears, neither a manifestation of ignorance, yet skilled in martial arts and profound in Taoist skill...

Thus, those filthy, disgraceful memories now find their explanation.

Yin Tingxue's hand slowly clenched, her guard raised to the utmost, the appearance of Chen Yi, his actions and words similar to Mother's, are all part of the Medicine Buddha's scheme, intended to "liberate" this non-conforming Demon Sect Saintess.

An indescribable anger and chill rose in her heart, she wore a bitter smile,

Why is it… those self-titled Bodhisattvas and Buddhas transcending the sea of suffering, do they… still refuse to spare her?

......…

That Master Huiming claiming he saw Buddha's appearance in him, Chen Yi didn't take it seriously.

In one ear out the other, it barely caused a ripple in his heart.

He admitted to being deeply immersed in the Lower Body, even his master, Sword Armor Zhou Yitang, couldn't sever it, only soften it, but this was entirely different from whatever nonsense "Joyful Buddha."

He was not completely ignorant, aware that the Western Secret Sect indeed had a notion of "Joyful Buddha," essentially portraying the union of Ming King and Consort Ming as a blend of technique and wisdom, spinning complex philosophies of form and emptiness indistinguishable, just like the Buddhist Scripture writes "first lured by desire, then led into Buddha's wisdom."

But his actions are always guided by his heart; desire when it comes blazes like wildfire, he knows not what Buddha's wisdom is, the joy between man and woman is simply that joy, nothing more, he never thought deeply, much less sought enlightenment from such.

Among Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, he least favored the Buddhist Sect.

Thinking further, Master Huiming perceived his Joyful Buddha's appearance, perhaps...

As thoughts whirled, a detail he had nearly forgotten rushed into his mind, Chen Yi vividly recalled the Physical Relic Soup once administered by the Empress Dowager.

Previously exchanging life spans in the underworld, currently devoid of the crisis of near-death life, step by step ascending in realm, he had overlooked this matter, the Physical Relic Soup sourced from Western Regions, Master Huiming mentioned seeing his Joyful Buddha's appearance, possibly rooted here.

Understanding this point, Chen Yi couldn't help but smile slowly and said: "This Master Huiming doesn't seem that accomplished in cultivation."

At this time, the solemn and sacred chanting heightened, surging like a tide, shaking the soul.

From the direction of the Great Hall, the towering Medicine Buddha Glowing Statue, alongside the Bodhisattva statue standing with it, was carefully lifted with custom racks by dozens of strong Firework Taoists, steps steady and devoutly placed on the already prepared outdoor altar.

The ceremony was about to begin.

From the direction of the Great Hall, the towering Medicine Buddha Glowing Statue, alongside the Bodhisattva statue standing with it, was carefully lifted with custom racks by dozens of strong Firework Taoists, steps steady and devoutly placed on the already prepared outdoor altar.