MTLNOVEL Chapter 328: I Have Attained Enlightenment!
Li Xuanxiao temporarily resided at Cold Mountain Temple.
For some reason, the abbot treated him exceptionally well, visiting his room daily to explain Buddhist scriptures.
"Patron, you have an affinity with the Dharma."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Your Buddha is my enemy," Li Xuanxiao suddenly said.
The abbot showed no surprise at these words, merely smiling faintly.
"There are no true Buddhas in this world."
Li Xuanxiao stared at him in astonishment.
Thus, whether it's the current self-proclaimed sage of the Western Church or anyone else, none of them are Buddha.
Therefore, your enemy is not Buddha."
Li Xuanxiao set down the scripture, slightly furrowing his brow.
The abbot said, "Patron, your hatred over the Mount Shushan incident is too great—it will only harm yourself."
A fierce glint flashed through Li Xuanxiao's eyes as he glared at the abbot with shock and murderous intent.
The abbot pressed his palms together, "Patron Li, we've met before, though you likely don't remember."
Li Xuanxiao clenched his fists.
"Patron Li, vengeance begets vengeance.
Do you truly believe killing all those responsible for Mount Shushan's destruction will bring you happiness?
Will those dear to you return? Will your homeland be restored?
Patron Li, you're fixated on illusions!!"
Li Xuanxiao angrily retorted, "So I should do nothing? Let those who destroyed Mount Shushan and committed countless evils live freely? Should I forgive those who slaughtered my entire family?
Should I keep living under this damned Heavenly Dao?"
The abbot shook his head again, "Patron Li, all is illusion."
"Illusion?"
"Patron, all is illusion.
Your life is false, your hatred is false—all men must die.
Even without your enemies, those familiar to you would still perish with time.
Your happiness, your pain—all false, all illusion.
Only when you understand this will you realize your vengeance is meaningless.
Your enemies will die one day regardless of your revenge.
They'll reap what they've sown.
Yet you'll only burden yourself through vengeance."
The abbot spoke calmly and methodically.
"All phenomena are illusions;
the mind should abide nowhere. You have an affinity with the Dharma—this humble monk wishes to help you reach paradise."
Li Xuanxiao's heart trembled slightly as he murmured,
"Is everything truly illusion?"
"Yes."
"Then what meaning is there in so-called good and evil deeds?"
The abbot replied, "Good and evil are merely your own judgments.
This world has no inherent good or evil—nothing has meaning. Only by realizing this can you transcend worldly troubles."
Li Xuanxiao fell into deep thought.
No distinction between good and evil?
All is illusion?
......
In the following days, Li Xuanxiao devoted himself to Buddhist practice, studying immeasurable Dharma teachings.
During leisure hours, he swept fallen leaves in the temple courtyard.
One night, the abbot led Li Xuanxiao underground beneath the Buddha Hall.
"Patron Li, behold."
This was...
Below the Buddha's gaze stretched eighteen layers.
Each layer teemed with hundreds of sinners—
Some burned in raging fires, others frozen in icy prisons.
Some crushed under massive stones, others entwined by venomous snakes,
Some devoured by evil spirits, others impaled by blades... endless cruel tortures.
Meanwhile, Buddhist disciples had transformed into hellish demons—
Their faces grotesque, wielding instruments of torment to inflict agony upon the sinners.
The scene vividly manifested hell itself.
"Is this hell?" Li Xuanxiao asked curiously.
"Amitabha. These are all sinners—only here can their karma be cleansed."
"Why cleanse karma?"
"Only then can they avoid suffering in their next life."
The abbot pressed his palms together.
Li Xuanxiao stared blankly at the scenes below.
......
Late at night.
Li Xuanxiao tossed and turned.
The chanting of scriptures unsettled his heart.
Tendrils of black energy seeped from his body.
Suddenly, Li Xuanxiao opened his eyes—
Within his Dantian Purple Mansion,
The Myriad Soul Banner lay concealed.
Moments later, the banner shot forth.
Li Xuanxiao grasped it single-handedly.
Slowly, he rose from his meditation mat.
......
Buddhist Hell.
Two gatekeeping disciples blocked Li Xuanxiao's path.
"Patron, halt—"
Before they finished speaking, black energy engulfed them.
Clad in black robes, banner in hand, Li Xuanxiao strode forward.
His gaze swept across—
So this was hell?
Two figures descended simultaneously, barring his way.
"Amitabha."
Li Xuanxiao willed forth tremendous power.
The Myriad Soul Banner activated violently—
Thrumming with unnatural life.
"Boundless Dharma!"
The banner whirled faster under Li Xuanxiao's control.
Its surface emitted dazzling black light—
Weaving into a massive halo that enveloped him.
"Such evil energy—who are you?"
An elderly monk shouted.
Li Xuanxiao remained silent, focusing on the banner.
"Boom!!"
A monk's fist struck Li Xuanxiao.
"Pfft—"
Blood sprayed from his mouth as he tumbled across the ground.
"Amitabha!"
Two recently absorbed monks emerged from the banner.
The elderly monk froze momentarily before manifesting a golden body.
"Who exactly are you?"
Li Xuanxiao sent the two monks attacking—
But they proved weak, quickly slain.
As the elderly monk gave chase,
Li Xuanxiao fell among the tortured masses.
"Cough! Cough!"
"Someone's come to save us!"
"Run!"
The prisoners scrambled for freedom.
Li Xuanxiao watched coldly, activating the banner.
With a flick—
"Boom!"
Those anticipating salvation were instead sucked toward the banner.
Too broken to resist.
As the banner's power grew, so did Li Xuanxiao's control.
"Ahahaha...."
His laughter echoed as his strength multiplied.
The elderly monk gaped in shock—
Watching his enemy grow stronger by the second.
"What manner of treasure is this!?"
The monk unleashed a palm strike—
Met by the spinning banner's counterforce.
The clash sent Li Xuanxiao reeling backward.
Outmatched, he fled while absorbing more souls.
"Argh!!"
Li Xuanxiao fought retreating battles.
"Die, evil heretic..."
Though the aged monk only had Golden Core cultivation, Li Xuanxiao couldn't prevail.
His chest caved in, arm nearing fracture—
Forced to flee desperately into the crowd.
Using prisoners as shields while replenishing strength through the banner.
Though despicable, the tactic worked brilliantly.
The elderly monk refused to kill indiscriminately—
Believing sinners should be punished, not slaughtered.
Discovering this, Li Xuanxiao hurled captives at his pursuer.
The monk struggled mightily—
Most victims were ordinary folk with no resistance.
Darting through the throng, Li Xuanxiao kept flinging human obstacles—
His expression growing increasingly deranged.
......
Cold Mountain Temple burned.
The abbot stood palms-together as the soul banner impaled him.
"Patron, why such persistence?"
"Master, thank you for enlightening me. I understand now—truly understand."
"What has the patron understood?"
Li Xuanxiao said calmly, "I've realized how laughable my past actions were. Thanks to your guidance, I've found clarity."
"Is this sarcasm?" the abbot asked.
Li Xuanxiao shook his head, "No, I sincerely thank you.
These days of reflection—your teachings helped me comprehend my existence's purpose.
Master, I'm grateful. Henceforth, I'll wander no more."
......
Tian Sha Hall.
Di Nü Feng hummed a tune while munching watermelon slices prepared by subordinates.
"This one's not sweet~"
She spat out seeds, arching an eyebrow.
Suddenly, movement sounded behind her.
Di Nü Feng whirled around, exclaiming joyfully, "Li Xuanxiao!!"
On the lotus platform, Li Xuanxiao stirred at last.
He opened his eyes, gazing confusedly at his surroundings.
Di Nü Feng rushed over, "Li Xuanxiao, you're awake!"
"How... long was I asleep?"