It was at this moment that Li Miao finally learned the name of the realm beyond the pinnacle.
“Celestial Human Realm.”
To be honest, Li Miao had found it a bit awkward to always refer to it as “beyond, beyond” before.
However, he had no foundation, and all his martial arts were self-taught in seclusion, so he had nowhere to ask.
Having received this answer today, Li Miao felt his trip was already worthwhile.
Xing Chi continued, “This monk speculates that the reason these Celestial Humans fall from their lotus pedestals isn’t due to insufficient cultivation.”
“Rather, it’s because their cultivation is too ‘full’.”
“Water overflows when it’s too full, revealing a flaw.”
“He can no longer contain his cultivation, so he can only wither and return this cultivation to Heaven and Earth.”
“Therefore, the path after the Celestial Human Realm should not be one of continued increase.”
Li Miao nodded, “I also vaguely had a similar conjecture, but I couldn’t verify it at the time.”
“Please enlighten me, Master.”
Xing Chi nodded, “Lord Li, there’s no need to be so polite. This monk’s thoughts are merely conjectures, to be discussed with Lord Li.”
“In that case, this monk shall continue.”
Li Miao made a gesture of “please” with his hand.
Xing Chi nodded and said,
“The so-called ‘Celestial Humans,’ in our Buddhist scriptures, are actually divided into three types, residing in the ‘Desire Realm,’ ‘Form Realm,’ and ‘Formless Realm’ respectively.”
“Among them, only the Celestial Humans of the Desire Realm and Form Realm will experience the ‘Celestial Human Five Declines’.”
“The Celestial Humans residing in the Formless Realm only have ‘consciousness’ and no physical body, and will never encounter death.”
Li Miao noticed Xing Chi’s emphasis.
“Consciousness.”
Li Miao had long suspected this, and now he finally had confirmation.
The three paths of the Celestial Human Realm were Vajra, Sumeru, and "Jiezi".
Vajra was body, "Jiezi" was skill, and Sumeru was Qi.
Only a “spirit,” or rather “mind,” was missing.
The martial arts of Great Shuo particularly emphasized one’s mental state. If one’s mental state was not aligned, it was difficult to unleash the power of martial arts.
Why, upon reaching the Celestial Human Realm, was there no longer a requirement for one’s mental state?
Seeing Li Miao’s expression, Xing Chi burst into laughter, “Hahahaha, this monk knew it! Lord Li also had this conjecture long ago!”
“With both our insights confirming each other, what this monk thought back then was probably correct!”
“A dying man, with another worry resolved, truly is a blessing from the Bodhisattva!”
Li Miao smiled, “Master, there’s no need to be so polite. Without your conjecture, I would have found it difficult to confirm.”
“I already know what Master wants to say.”
Li Miao took over the conversation, looking at Xing Chi, who was smiling silently opposite him, and spoke slowly.
“The Celestial Humans of the Formless Realm have no physical body and no Celestial Human Five Declines. The Celestial Humans of the Desire Realm and Form Realm have physical bodies and experience the Celestial Human Five Declines.”
“The difference between them lies in the connection between the physical body and consciousness.”
Li Miao sighed deeply.
“Cultivating life but not nature is the first illness of cultivation. Cultivating nature but not life, the yin spirits of ten thousand kalpas are difficult to enter sainthood.”
“Nature does not leave life, life does not leave nature.”
“It means preserving the spirit and Qi, refining the subtle within existence, perfecting the physical form to enter the formless, thus living without death, becoming a celestial immortal.”
“I finally know what this missing piece was.”
Xing Chi, however, feigned anger and asked, “This monk has been explaining Buddhist scriptures to Lord Li for a long time, but Lord Li concludes with a Daoist text.”
“Could it be that you look down on our Buddhism?”
After conversing with Xing Chi for only half an hour, Li Miao had already understood his personality.
He was not a high monk in the traditional sense at all, but rather an open-minded, clear-sighted, and cheerful old man.
One could imagine that if others knew such secrets, they would surely guard them jealously, keeping them as treasured heirlooms. Yet, Xing Chi, having known Li Miao for only half an hour, had revealed everything.
Such a mental state truly showed an understanding of the Buddhist truth of “emptiness.” Not only secret treasures and dojos, but even life and death, Xing Chi had probably already let go of.
But he had let go of everything, yet he alone could not let go of others’ lives.
He had already understood the key to crossing the Celestial Human Realm, yet he had damaged his foundation to save people back then, destined to be confined to the pinnacle for life, unable to advance an inch.
He had clearly achieved perfect merit, yet he was still willing to sacrifice his own life, forcefully raising his realm to contend with Ji Tianrui, leaving himself with only three days to live, just so a few more Shaolin disciples could survive.
Thinking of this, Li Miao stood up and bowed deeply to Xing Chi.
“Master, my skills are entirely self-taught, without sect or school.”
“Today, discussing the Dao with Master, I have benefited greatly and should perform the disciple’s Thank you.”
Xing Chi quickly stood up, supporting Li Miao’s arms.
In one glance, no errors!
“Lord Li, there’s no need for such ceremony. Discussing the Dao with Lord Li today has also resolved a long-standing concern of this monk.”
“Moreover, my unworthy disciple was also listening nearby, which also leaves a legacy for our Shaolin.”
“This monk should also pay his respects to Lord Li.”
The two yielded to each other for a while before finally sitting down together.
Xing Chi then said, “Lord Li, this monk has an impolite request, and hopes Lord Li can agree.”
Li Miao was now utterly satisfied, feeling that this trip out of the capital had been incredibly fruitful, and he held great respect for Xing Chi, speaking frankly.
“Master, please speak your mind. I will agree to anything.”
Xing Chi nodded, then pointed to Yongjie, who was still deep in thought beside them.
“This monk intends to transmit his cultivation to this unworthy disciple. I trouble Lord Li to act as my protector.”
Yongjie, hearing this, was stunned, then suddenly stood up, waving his hands repeatedly.
“Master, absolutely not!”
“I, I can’t do it. I became a monk halfway through life, and I still have blood debts to repay. How can I accept your power?!”
“There are many senior brothers in the temple who are cleaner than I am. Why must Master choose me?”
“Absolutely not, absolutely not!”
Xing Chi was benevolent when speaking to Li Miao, but he was very fierce with Yongjie. His eyebrows shot up, and he slapped Yongjie directly on the back of his head.
Slap!
Yongjie’s bald head, when struck, produced a crisp sound.
“Is it your place to speak? Shut up!”
Li Miao found it amusing and didn’t interject.
Xing Chi had only three days left to live, but his tendons and bones, stronger than a perfected “Vajra,” were still there. At this moment, his arms swung with fierce wind, leaving Yongjie bruised and swollen, groaning incessantly.
After a while, Xing Chi stopped, not even out of breath, and turned to smile at Li Miao.
“I’ve made Lord Li laugh.”
Li Miao waved his hand, “No matter, no matter.”
“Let’s return to the main topic. When does Master plan to transmit the cultivation? I have other matters tonight, and I’m afraid I won’t be free for a while.”
Xing Chi nodded, “This monk also needs to prepare.”
“This monk’s Celestial Human Realm was achieved through secret techniques within the sect and cannot be passed down. But the true Qi from this arduous cultivation cannot be wasted.”
“At present, there are no pinnacle experts within Shaolin. Only this unworthy disciple, who was already a pinnacle expert before converting to our Buddhist cultivation method. His meridians and bone structure can accommodate my power.”
“Three days from now, this monk will invite some martial arts comrades to witness this event, and incidentally pass on the abbot position to this unworthy disciple.”
“At that time, I will need to ask Lord Li to act as my protector.”
Li Miao nodded, seeing no objection.
With this matter settled, it was time to meet Zhu Zai outside the temple.