Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: The Successor of Bodhidharma

Page 9

He turned to Qiao Tian, ​​his gaze earnest: "Tian'er, whatever the reason, just tell me."

Qiao Tian was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I can stop, but I have one condition."

He looked at Xuanci and said, "I ask Shaolin to swear that what happened today will not bring harm to my parents and family."

Xuan Ci pondered for a moment and nodded: "Alright. I swear in the name of the Abbot of Shaolin that I will never implicate your family."

Qiao Tian looked around at everyone and said loudly, "I will say it again, the martial arts I possess are indeed the result of my own personal enlightenment."

Before the doubts arose, he raised his voice: "It's not about stealing, but about integrating the true meaning of Buddhism and tracing back to the source!"

His gaze swept over the monks: "You all only know how to study the 'skills' passed down by Bodhidharma. Have you ever thought about why, since the Patriarch, no one has been able to master all seventy-two skills? Even practicing several skills at the same time can lead to the danger of going into qi deviation?"

This question directly addresses a centuries-old puzzle for Shaolin, and all the monks' expressions turned solemn.

“Because you have lost its ‘spirit’!” Qiao Tian said decisively. “Bodhidharma’s martial arts must have been born from his understanding of the ultimate principles of heaven and earth in the vast Buddhist scriptures. The seventy-two unique skills are merely ‘traces’ of the patriarch’s enlightenment expressed in the form of martial arts.”

"Future generations will abandon the essential and pursue the trivial, merely imitating the 'traces' while forgetting to trace the 'source.' Isn't this like trying to catch fish by climbing a tree? Being obsessed with technique while forgetting the essence is to fall into a lower realm!"

These words struck the hearts of all the monks like a morning bell. Xuan Nan looked thoughtful, Xuan Ku's eyes flashed with understanding, and even the head of the disciplinary hall was speechless for a moment.

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Qiao Tian knew the time was right. He looked at Xuan Ci and said in a deep voice, "If Abbot Master still doesn't believe me, would you dare to speak with me alone? I have a testimonial to prove my sincerity."

Xuan Ci gave him a deep look, then slowly raised his hand: "All junior brothers, please step back for now."

After the monks had retreated outside the courtyard, Qiao Tian lowered his voice and asked, "May I ask, Abbot, is the Sanskrit copy of the Lankavatara Sutra in the temple still safe and sound?"

A glint flashed in Xuan Ci's eyes: "That is indeed true."

Qiao Tian nodded slightly: "Does the abbot know that there is a pure and peaceful Shaolin internal energy cultivation method hidden in a certain commentary of this scripture? Although it is not as good as the Yi Jin Jing, it is a top-grade method for building a foundation and cultivating vitality. It is likely that a senior monk had some insights while studying the scripture and casually wrote it down."

Xuan Ci's expression changed drastically: "What?!"

Could the Lankavatara Sutra contain internal energy cultivation techniques? He had never heard of such a thing! Yet Qiao Tian knew even the smallest details, such as the title of the sutra and that it was a rare Sanskrit copy. How could he know this unless he had truly understood it from the sutra?

At this moment, Xuan Ci's doubts began to waver. He looked at the young man before him with an incredibly complex expression.

Chapter 29 Inside the Sutra Repository, the Sweeping Monk Appears

Inside the meditation room, the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air, and the words spoken earlier about "self-enlightenment of Buddhist principles and tracing back to the source" seemed to still echo in the air. Abbot Xuanci looked at Qiao Tian with deep eyes, pondering for a long time.

“Amitabha.” Xuan Ci spoke slowly, “Qiao Tian, ​​although your words seem to have Zen principles, the secrets of martial arts contained in the Galatiana Sutra are related to the very foundation of Shaolin and are of no small matter. This old monk needs to verify them with my own eyes before I can dispel my doubts.”

He stood up and said to Qiao Tian, ​​"Wait here for a moment." After saying that, Abbot Xuanci pushed open the door of the meditation room and went out. A moment later, he was heard calling out loudly in the courtyard, "Junior Brother Xuannan, Junior Brother Xuanku, please come to the courtyard for a chat."

Qiao Tianjing stood in the room, but his mind had already flown to the legendary pavilion. What was bound to happen would eventually happen. His greatest secret—that the Nine Yang Divine Skill came from the Lankavatara Sutra—had been cleverly revealed, half-truthfully, and now was the time to verify it. But… the Sutra Repository. Those three words struck his heart heavily, stirring an indescribable wariness and a barely perceptible excitement.

Soon, Abbot Xuanci returned, followed by Xuan Nan, the head of the Bodhidharma Academy, who looked doubtful, and Xuan Ku, who looked worried. "Qiao Tian, ​​come with us to the Sutra Repository." Xuanci's tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable determination.

"Yes, Abbot." Qiao Tian clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his heart filled with awe.

The group of four passed through numerous halls and pavilions, heading towards one of the most central and forbidden areas of Shaolin Temple—the Sutra Repository. Along the way, the monks, seeing the abbot and two senior monks traveling together, bowed respectfully and gave way, their gazes sweeping curiously over Qiao Tian, ​​who was silently following behind.

The closer Qiao Tian got to the ancient pavilion, the more tense he became. His powerful spiritual senses allowed him to vaguely perceive an indescribable, profound aura within the seemingly tranquil pavilion. He was almost certain that the legendary figure in Jin Yong's world was inside.

Abbot Xuanci stopped in front of the pavilion and called out loudly, "Where is the manager of the Sutra Repository?"

The voice was not loud, but it clearly entered the pavilion.

After a moment of silence, only the faint sound of footsteps could be heard from within, unhurried and unhurried, as if stepping on time itself.

From the shadows of the inner chamber, an elderly monk in a worn grey robe, with white hair and beard, slowly emerged, holding a long broom. His face was gaunt and wrinkled, his eyes cloudy yet calm, like an ancient mountain well, utterly still. He gently placed the broom against the door, clasped his hands together, and gave a slight bow to Xuan Ci and the others. His movements were slow and natural, showing no sign of internal energy surging, yet possessing an indescribable harmonious charm.

"Amitabha. May I ask what brings the Abbot and other senior monks here?" The old monk's voice was aged and hoarse, revealing the awkwardness brought on by years of silence.

Qiao Tian's gaze instantly fell on the old monk. His heart was in turmoil, but he tried his best to maintain calm on the surface, even showing a hint of just the right amount of curiosity. It was him! It really was him! The Sweeping Monk! He carefully observed him, trying to glimpse the astonishing source of his cultivation beneath his ordinary appearance.

Abbot Xuanci clearly didn't have much of an impression of this old monk, assuming he was just an ordinary old servant who managed the scriptures. He said gently, "Please trouble you, senior brother, to fetch the original Sanskrit version of the Lankavatara Sutra."

"Yes," the old monk replied, bowed again, and turned to walk unsteadily toward the inner scripture shelf. His movements were slow and leisurely, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.

Qiao Tian's heart was in his throat. He stared at the old monk's retreating figure, his mind racing. This was an opportunity!

When the old monk returned with a thick palm-leaf scripture, he respectfully handed it to Xuanci and then stood aside with his head bowed, like a silent piece of furniture.

Just as Abbot Xuanci was about to wave him away, Qiao Tian suddenly stepped forward and solemnly bowed to the sweeping monk.

This action startled Xuanci, Xuannan, and Xuanku, who were all puzzled.

Qiao Tian ignored them and turned to face the three eminent monks. His tone was filled with indescribable admiration and solemnity as he said loudly, "Congratulations, Abbot! Congratulations to Shaolin! With such a divine monk residing here, our precious temple has nothing to worry about!"

"Oh?" Xuan Ci frowned slightly, looking at the unremarkable old monk. "Qiao Tian, ​​what do you mean by that?"

The sweeping monk kept his eyelids down, as if he hadn't heard.

Qiao Tian stared intently at the Sweeping Monk, his voice clear and resounding: "Master, your inner energy is perfectly harmonious and clear, reaching the supreme realm of purity and clarity, a state of perfect stillness. If my perception is correct... the path you have comprehended has already pointed directly to the fundamental and profound truth of the Yi Jin Jing, hasn't it?"

The moment the words "Yi Jin Jing" were uttered, it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky! Xuan Ci's expression changed drastically, but his eyes suddenly sharpened (because the unique copy had always been in his possession). Xuan Nan and Xuan Ku's faces also changed drastically, their gazes shooting like lightning towards the sweeping monk! The Yi Jin Jing is the supreme internal energy manual of Shaolin, and no one has mastered it for hundreds of years. The unique copy in the abbot's possession is an absolute secret. How could this person possibly have glimpsed its profound mysteries?

The sweeping monk's usually impassive face seemed to twitch slightly. He raised his cloudy eyes and looked at Qiao Tian for the first time, a barely perceptible hint of surprise flashing deep in his gaze.

The most impatient of them all, Xuan Nan stepped forward, his voice booming like a bell: "You... how did you come to know the wonders of the Yi Jin Jing? Who exactly are you?!"

Faced with the astonished, scrutinizing, and even slightly horrified gazes of the three Shaolin leaders, the sweeping monk slowly raised his head. His face showed neither panic nor pride, only a sense of peace and calm understanding that came with experience of life's vicissitudes.

He clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Amitabha. This young benefactor has keen insight; this old monk is truly impressed." He actually admitted it directly!

Before Xuan Nan could ask any more questions, he continued calmly, “This old monk is not a martial arts prodigy. In my youth, I was just a down-on-his-luck scholar. Having severed all worldly ties, I was disheartened and thus joined Shaolin Temple, seeking only a quiet place to spend my remaining years with the lamp and ancient books.”

"The vast sea of ​​books in the Sutra Repository is just what I wanted. At first, I only read Buddhist scriptures and had no interest or talent in martial arts. I only used the basic breathing techniques in the temple for physical fitness and did not study them in depth."

"However, after reading many Buddhist scriptures, especially the Diamond Sutra which says, 'One should abide nowhere and yet give rise to the mind,' and the Heart Sutra which says, 'Form is emptiness, emptiness is form,' the principles of 'formlessness,' 'non-abiding,' and 'neither increasing nor decreasing' contained therein often make this old monk ponder deeply. Over time, I occasionally gained insights in meditation, and the energy within my body naturally flowed accordingly, cleansing away impurities and clearing the meridians. At that time, I did not know it was internal energy, but only felt a sense of lightness and peace in my body and mind, and a clear mind."

At this point, he paused slightly and looked at Xuanci: "As for the Yi Jin Jing... I have never had the good fortune to see the rare copy protected by the abbot. However, in the Sutra Repository, there are also many fragments of scrolls from India, which contain scattered records of the inspiration that the Buddha had when he created this skill, including his visualization of the eight classes of gods and dragons and the harmonization of earth, water, fire and wind. There are also fragments of words from senior monks who comprehended the way of 'washing away the marrow'."

"This old monk is dull-witted, but he can only compare these scattered chapters with the supreme Buddhist principles such as 'emptiness' in the Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra, 'perfect harmony' in the Avatamsaka Sutra, and 'concentrating the mind and arousing wisdom' in the Surangama Sutra, and deduce their possible original paths in reverse."

"Over time, I have actually found my own path. Although this method may not be as profound and complete as the original Yi Jin Jing, it grew out of my own Buddhist foundation and is most suitable for me. To this day, I have just reached the grandmaster state of 'the body is Bodhi, and true qi flows naturally', and it has been two years since then."

His tone was calm, yet it resonated like thunder in everyone's ears! The realm of a Grandmaster! The Shaolin Temple actually harbored a peerless monk who had attained the realm of a Grandmaster on his own! And all of this stemmed from his understanding of Buddhist scriptures and his deduction of lost texts!

The sweeping monk's gaze swept over the shocked Xuanci, Xuannan, and Xuanku, and he slowly said, "Only now do I truly understand that the essence of the Seventy-Two Shaolin Arts is by no means a killing technique."

“Every unique skill, in its method of exerting force and circulating internal energy, corresponds to the essence of one or more Buddhist scriptures. They are all meant to verify a path of compassion for saving the world and subduing the mind. For example, the Flower-Picking Finger corresponds to the profound truth of ‘mind-to-mind’ in the Nirvana Sutra, where the Buddha holds up a flower and Kasyapa smiles. It cultivates the control of the subtle particles of the mind and the concentration of compassion. If one only pursues the power of the finger to penetrate stone, it is putting the cart before the horse and will inevitably suffer the backlash of inner demons.”

"If one practices martial arts not to verify the Dharma and promote compassion, but only for the purpose of fighting, killing and slaughtering, then no matter how high one's talent or how deep one's cultivation, it will be like a tall building without a foundation, with endless troubles. At best, one's meridians will be disordered; at worst, one will go mad and die. This is not the fault of martial arts, but rather the reason why the practitioner's mind has deviated from the fundamental principles of Buddhism."

He spoke eloquently, explaining the relationship between martial arts and Buddhism with unparalleled clarity. The most shocking part was his journey from Buddhism to martial arts, and his self-realization of the Great Dao!

Qiao Tian listened, his mind reeling, his scalp tingling. Only one thought echoed wildly in his mind: "Holy crap... this is the real way to enter the Dao through martial arts! Compared to him, my little bit of foresight and the Nine Yang Divine Skill are like taking a shortcut! His path is the true path to enlightenment that is in line with the essence of Shaolin!"

Inside the Sutra Repository, a deathly silence fell, broken only by the echoing, calm yet resounding words of the sweeping monk, and the profound shock and introspection felt by the four listeners. Holding the Lankavatara Sutra, Xuan Ci suddenly felt that whether or not the sutra contained martial arts secrets was no longer so important, compared to the principles expounded by the old monk before him.

Chapter 30 Little benefactor, you're such a pity.

The sweeping monk's words about "entering martial arts from Buddhism and becoming a grandmaster on one's own" struck Xuanci, Xuannan, and Xuanku like a morning bell, shaking their minds. Many of their past doubts about the obstacles in martial arts seemed to have been answered, and their gazes toward the old monk changed from surprise and doubt to utter shock and awe.

Abbot Xuanci took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and respectfully handed the Sanskrit Lankavatara Sutra to the sweeping monk, his tone more humble than ever before: "Master, your insight is as sharp as a torch, and your understanding is profound; I admire you greatly. This young benefactor Qiao Tian said that his martial arts skills also came from his own enlightenment of Buddhism, and further pointed out that this sutra contains a profound internal energy cultivation method. I wonder... I wonder if Master could verify it for me?"

Upon hearing this, the sweeping monk's cloudy eyes revealed a clear look of surprise for the first time. He looked at Qiao Tian, ​​seemingly wanting to see through this excessively young yet astonishingly eloquent boy more thoroughly. He accepted the scripture with both hands and said, "Amitabha, this old monk will take a look."

He flipped through the scriptures slowly, his fingers gently brushing the ancient palm leaves, his gaze calm, pausing occasionally as if savoring their profound meaning. The room was utterly silent; you could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath, awaiting the grandmaster's judgment.

After a long while, the sweeping monk closed the scripture, sighed softly, turned his gaze to Qiao Tian again, shook his head slowly, and revealed a very obvious look of regret on his face.

"What a waste of talent... truly a waste..."

Qiao Tian's heart skipped a beat, and a thin layer of sweat instantly broke out on his back. "Damn it, what the hell? Did they see through my secrets? Or is there a side effect to my forced practice of the Nine Yang Divine Skill? Impossible! The original Zhang Wuji was fine, and I even incorporated the Marrow Cleansing Classic and modern concepts, so I should be even more well-rounded!"

The sweeping monk stared at Qiao Tian and slowly spoke, his voice carrying an indescribable emotion: "Benefactor, may I ask, have you cultivated the techniques recorded in this scripture?"

Qiao Tian forced a smile and nodded in admission: "This junior has indeed consulted the commentaries in the scriptures and has studied them."

"Indeed," the sweeping monk sighed. "This skill is indeed remarkable, a top-tier technique of our time, extremely powerful and yang, irresistible. If my perception is correct, you have cultivated it to an unprecedented level, not only resolving its potential drawbacks of heat and intensity, but also incorporating the supreme principles of yin and yang in harmony, and even... vaguely touching upon the essence of the Yi Jin Jing in tempering bones and transforming form. At your age, with such cultivation, you truly deserve the title of 'extraordinary talent.' It would not be an exaggeration to say that you have attained enlightenment and mastery of Buddhism."

Hearing the praise, Qiao Tiangang breathed a slight sigh of relief, but the sweeping monk's next words made his heart jump again.

“However, forgive my bluntness,” the sweeping monk changed the subject, his regret growing, “that you would use this merit as the foundation for your path is… truly a pity.”

"What a pity?" Qiao Tian was taken aback, and Xuan Ci and the other two also looked puzzled.

“Indeed.” The sweeping monk’s gaze seemed to pierce through Qiao Tian’s dantian. “Your talent and comprehension are unparalleled in my life. You have a great potential to be like me, to break free from all the old ways and directly comprehend the ‘Tao’ that is unique to you and most in line with your own heart and body from the origin of Buddhism. Young benefactor, your wisdom and potential are boundless.”

"No matter how good the technique is, it is still the 'traces' of predecessors, the path that others have walked. Even if you can reach the peak, it is difficult to truly transcend its framework and constraints. On the other hand, the path of self-enlightenment may be difficult to begin with, but it is like a source of living water, inexhaustible. What height you can reach in the future depends entirely on yourself, and no one can limit it."

He gently handed the Lankavatara Sutra back to Abbot Xuanci and continued, "In my humble opinion, what is recorded in this book is indeed a martial arts manual left by a genius of the past. This person attempted to forcefully verify the grand vow of 'the compassionate power of the Tathagata dissolves the five poisons' recorded in the Lankavatara Sutra through martial arts. His heart is admirable, and his talent is truly one in a thousand years."

"This skill is extremely powerful and yang. When mastered, it can generate true qi that is inexhaustible and permeates the whole body. It is immune to all evils and has the power to subdue demons like a Vajra."

"However," the sweeping monk shook his head again, "this skill was probably a 'failed product' of that senior monk, or a work done halfway through, which is why it was not passed down. He may have wanted to use extreme masculine power to forcibly cleanse all gloomy demonic obstacles, thus simulating the state of 'the Buddha's compassionate power to save all sentient beings.' But extreme masculinity is easily broken, and excess is as bad as deficiency. Although this method has 'power,' it has lost the true essence of the 'Kalachakra Sutra's' original meaning of 'compassionate resolution' rather than 'forceful destruction,' falling into a lower level and deviating from the true meaning of Buddhism. If one's mental cultivation is insufficient under forced practice, not only will it fail to resolve the five poisons, but it may also burn oneself with the fierce power, even generating inner fire and falling into extremism. Therefore, although this skill is high, it is a dangerous path, not the right path."

He looked at Qiao Tian: "It is truly fortunate that you were able to integrate the Yin-Yang principle with your supreme wisdom, making up for its deficiencies and achieving Yin-Yang harmony. This also shows your extraordinary talent. However, your foundation is already set, and you are ultimately following someone else's path. It is a pity that you have the spiritual insight that could have created your own world. My words are not to say that your cultivation is wrong, but... I lament the loss of another possibility."

These words sent chills down the spines of Xuanci, Xuannan, and Xuanku. It was not only because they learned the truth about the Lankavatara Sutra's divine skill and its potential flaws, but also because the Sweeper Monk's understanding of the relationship between martial arts and Buddhism, as well as his "self-enlightenment of the Great Dao," had completely exceeded their imagination.

Qiao Tian stood rooted to the spot, his mind reeling: "Holy crap!!! So that's how it is?! In this world, the Nine Yang Divine Skill is actually a 'failure'? A half-finished product? Zhang Wuji was fine because of his protagonist's halo! What the Sweeper Monk meant was... I chose a path that, while leading to the peak, might have its limits locked in my pursuit of quick mastery? I had the potential to forge my own path like him?!" A profound sense of loss and shock washed over him, along with an unprecedented awe for the Sweeper Monk's profound understanding. This old monk saw things too clearly!

Inside the Sutra Repository, a deathly silence fell once more. Only the Sweeper Monk's calm yet pensive words echoed in everyone's hearts, completely reshaping their understanding of martial arts.

Chapter 31 That old geezer scared me half to death

After listening to the Sweeper Monk's words, the three eminent monks, Xuanci, Xuannan, and Xuanku, were deeply shaken and unable to calm down for a long time. Their gazes towards Qiao Tian were no longer filled with doubt or scrutiny; instead, they were filled with an indescribable complex emotion—a mixture of shock, admiration, deep regret, and a touch of guilt.

Abbot Xuanci sighed deeply, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply to Qiao Tian: "Amitabha. Young benefactor Qiao Tian, ​​today we realize what it means to be a frog in a well, sitting on a mountain of treasures without knowing it. Our Shaolin Temple is not skilled enough to comprehend the true essence of martial arts, and instead we doubt a genius like you who appears only once in a thousand years. It is truly... I have wronged you, benefactor, and I am ashamed."

Xuan Nan and Xuan Ku also looked ashamed and bowed in unison. At this moment, in their hearts, Qiao Tian and the sweeping monk in front of them were both rare treasures of Shaolin Temple. To be able to see one of them was already a great blessing, but Shaolin actually had two of them at the same time (although Qiao Tian had already left the temple). How fortunate they were!

Seeing that the misunderstanding between the two sides had been cleared up, the sweeping monk nodded peacefully. He looked at Xuanci and the other two and said slowly, "What the abbot is worried about is nothing more than the fear that Shaolin martial arts will be spread outside and shake the foundation. In fact, there is no need to worry about this."

His voice was not loud, but it carried a calm understanding of the world: "Our Shaolin Temple has stood for hundreds of years, weathering storms. Its true foundation has never been the killing techniques, but the vast Buddhist teachings and the compassionate heart to save the world."

"For hundreds of years, countless people have coveted the seventy-two Shaolin arts. But have you ever seen any of them truly spread far and wide and flourish?" The sweeping monk shook his head slightly, his tone resolute. "I can say frankly: there was none before, there is none now, and there will never be one in the future."

"Why?" he asked himself, his gaze seemingly piercing through the river of time. "It's because those extraordinary skills all originate from corresponding Buddhist teachings. If no one uses the corresponding Buddhist teachings to resolve the attachments, resentment, greed, and anger hidden within them, forcing one to practice them will either lead to demonic possession and death in a foreign land, or it will cause one's mind to be taken away, ultimately leading one to lay down the butcher's knife, see through the illusions of the world, convert to Buddhism, and return to the Shaolin Temple to seek liberation. This is the supreme wisdom laid out by Bodhidharma when he founded the school; it is an unsolvable dilemma. Outsiders only see it as a divine skill manual, but they do not know that it is also a raft to ferry people to Buddhism, and a shackle to bind the inner demons."

These words were like a sudden awakening, or a thunderclap!

Xuanci, Xuannan, and Xuanku were all shaken, their eyes blazing with disbelief! So that's how it is! So this is the greatest secret of Shaolin martial arts! The wisdom of Bodhidharma is so profound?! This is not a simple inheritance of martial arts, but a grand system of self-selection and enlightenment! Their worship of the founder reached an unparalleled level, and their hearts were suddenly enlightened. All their worries about the transmission of martial arts vanished at this moment.

Abbot Xuanci took a deep breath and solemnly said to the sweeping monk, "Master's words today are like a morning bell and evening drum, resounding and enlightening! I believe they will have a profound impact on the future of Shaolin. I earnestly request that you, Master, often hold sermons in the future to enlighten these disciples in the temple who have been obsessed with martial arts for half their lives, to cleanse their hearts with the supreme Buddhist teachings, and to guide them back to the right path."

Upon hearing this, the sweeping monk surprisingly showed a hint of embarrassment on his face. He clasped his hands together and bowed slightly: "Abbot, you flatter me. I am a useless person. For many years, I have been taken in by Shaolin Temple, which has allowed me to study Buddhist scriptures in this quiet place and preserve my life. It is my honor to be able to contribute my meager strength to Shaolin Temple. I will certainly comply."

The matter has now been resolved satisfactorily.

Seeing this, Qiao Tian stepped forward, bowed deeply to the sweeping monk, and said sincerely, "Master, I have benefited greatly from today's instruction. I still have many questions in my mind. Would you be so kind as to spare some time to guide me?"

Xuan Ci and the others exchanged glances, knowing that these two "geniuses" must have something important to discuss, so they tactfully took their leave and quietly left the Sutra Repository, leaving only Qiao Tian and the Sweeping Monk behind.

The pavilion returned to silence.

The sweeping monk looked at Qiao Tian and spoke first, his voice gentle: "What you wish to ask about, benefactor, is the matter of your own path of cultivation?"

Qiao Tian didn't mince words and spoke frankly, his face showing a hint of undisguised disappointment: "Master, you have insightful eyes. I just want to confirm once again, what you said... that path of 'self-enlightenment of the Great Dao,' leading directly to the Grandmaster level, is it really completely blocked by the Nine Yang Divine Skill, leaving no possibility for me?"

The sweeping monk remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "What you are saying is ultimately just my opinion. The laws governing all things are mysterious and unpredictable; anything is possible."

But he immediately changed his tone, becoming extremely certain: "However, as far as my Shaolin lineage is concerned, emphasizing Buddhist principles over martial arts is fundamental. Those who are fixated on the 'techniques' themselves and attempt to glimpse the Great Dao by practicing the unique skills of their predecessors, I can say frankly and with certainty, have absolutely no chance of reaching the level of a Grandmaster."

His gaze was like a clear mirror, reflecting Qiao Tian's heart: "Young benefactor, this old monk can see that although your understanding of the Buddhist realm is extremely high, far surpassing that of ordinary people, you have an obsession in your heart, an extremely deep and heavy obsession. Your martial arts foundation is also deeply rooted in Buddhist techniques. The two should complement each other, but because of your obsession, 'Tao' and 'technique' have become stagnant within you. The road ahead... is indeed almost cut off."

Seeing Qiao Tian's eyes dim instantly, the sweeping monk softened his tone and comforted him, "Young benefactor, please don't be too disappointed. You should know that the Grandmaster realm is a rare talent that appears only once every five hundred years, enough to make one look down on the world. And the Great Grandmaster is a peerless figure who has forged his own path and established his own school. It cannot be reached by talent and comprehension alone, but also requires temperament, fate, and even luck."

"Many people in the world are exceptionally talented and insightful, yet they spend their entire lives stuck at the threshold of becoming a master, simply because they followed the paths of their predecessors and became trapped in 'technique.' On the other hand, there are those whose talent seems ordinary, but because of their pure hearts and when the time is right, they are able to forge their own 'path.' This is something that cannot be forced by human effort."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Tian felt extremely bitter. Could it be that he had transmigrated, was familiar with the plot, and painstakingly planned, only to ultimately squander his own greatest potential?

Just then, a seemingly unintentional whisper from the Sweeping Monk struck Qiao Tian's mind like a lightning bolt piercing the darkness:

"...Unless, my benefactor, you possess immense wisdom and courage to completely abandon the 'form' and 'intention' you have learned in the past, not by entering martial arts through Buddhism, but by finding another path, such as...entering martial arts through 'learning,' and then proving the Dao through martial arts...But in this world, can one truly find a field of study that can rival the Shaolin Buddhist teachings and support a path to heaven? It's difficult, extremely difficult..."

From 'learning' to martial arts! And from martial arts to prove the Way!

A different path! On par with Shaolin Buddhism!

These words exploded like thunder in Qiao Tian's mind, instantly dispelling all his gloom and despair!

"That's it! That's it!!" Qiao Tian shouted inwardly, trembling with excitement. "That old geezer talked for so long, scaring me half to death! The road isn't blocked! It's just that we can't take the ready-made Buddhist path of Shaolin! I still have a chance! I still have the treasure trove of knowledge of an entire world!"

"Buddhism is supreme, but Taoism follows nature. Tai Chi and Yin Yang are the true origin of Chinese culture! Lao Tzu sought to comprehend Tai Chi himself, integrate modern physics, create Wudang, establish the Way of Yin Yang and Tai Chi, and deploy the True Martial Seven-Section Formation! He established his own lineage and founded a school!"

An unprecedented surge of pride and enlightenment instantly filled his heart! The road ahead was not only not dead, but had become even wider and more magnificent!