Chapter 130: Awakening Mark
Xiangguo Temple was built at the foot of the back mountain of the Imperial City. Because the guards near the Imperial City were strict and Imperial Guards patrolled frequently, Hua Changxi came directly by cloud.
Normally, Xiangguo Temple only received imperial relatives and some important nobles; ordinary citizens were not allowed to approach here.
Hua Changxi did not want to reveal her identity, so she wore the black robe she obtained in the Ghost Market.
The monks of Xiangguo Temple were indeed accustomed to meeting important figures and grand occasions. Facing Hua Changxi, who descended from the sky in a black robe, they remained unfazed and steadfast.
Hua Changxi informed the gate-keeping monk that she was entrusted by Master Changmei to seek an audience with the abbot. After waiting for a quarter of an hour at the mountain gate, a monk came to lead her into the temple.
Xiangguo Temple was built against the mountain. Entering from the mountain gate, the terrain rose with each courtyard passed.
Upon passing the first courtyard, Hua Changxi was captivated by the lotus pond in the center.
Not only was the spiritual energy in the lotus pond dense, but a golden lotus, shining with a golden hue, was also in full bloom.
“Little monk, what is this golden lotus?”
The monk leading the way did not stop, his face showing pride: “This is the Merit Golden Lotus.”
As Hua Changxi followed the monk, she curiously asked, “What is the use of this Merit Golden Lotus?”
Hearing this question, the monk leading the way simply smiled.
Seeing that he wouldn’t say, Hua Changxi asked another question: “Can all Buddhist temples cultivate Merit Golden Lotuses?”
The monk leading the way chuckled: “Female benefactor, you jest. Only temples that have accumulated great merit can cultivate Merit Golden Lotuses.”
Hua Changxi’s eyes flickered. She opened Five Finger Mountain, ignited the Pill Fire of the Dan Sheng Hall, lectured on Medical Skills at the Qihuang Hall, and opened the Lingguang Hall. Did these count as merit?
“Can Merit Golden Lotuses only be cultivated by Buddhist temples, or can anyone who has accumulated merit cultivate them?”
Upon hearing this, the monk leading the way stopped and looked back at Hua Changxi: “Countless monks in our temple have dedicated themselves to saving all sentient beings, and only then did we cultivate this one Merit Golden Lotus.”
Hua Changxi: “Is it that difficult to cultivate? Little monk, how is the golden lotus cultivated? Does it require seeds?”
The monk leading the way glanced at her and shook his head: “This humble monk does not know.”
Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, Hua Changxi did not ask further. After passing through several more courtyards, she was directly led to the courtyard where the Arhat Hall was located.
“Female benefactor, please wait a moment. This humble monk will go and inform the abbot.”
Hua Changxi stood in the courtyard, watching the monk lead the way enter the main hall.
In the Arhat Hall, Master Wuchen and Jing Le had not yet left. The master and disciple both wanted to know the origin of the female Daoist who had assisted the Arhat Changmei.
Master Wuxiang saw their thoughts and did not rush them away.
After entering the main hall, the monk leading the way said to Master Wuxiang: “Abbot, the female benefactor has arrived.” He paused, “The female benefactor kept asking about the Merit Golden Lotus along the way, and seemed to want to cultivate one.”
Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen exchanged surprised glances upon hearing this.
Master Wuxiang smiled: “Please invite the female benefactor in.”
Soon, Hua Changxi was led into the main hall.
Seeing her in a black robe and wearing a Fuwa mask on her head, Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen exchanged another silent glance, while Jing Le looked at Hua Changxi with curiosity.
After entering the hall, Hua Changxi first paid her respects to Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen. Then, she glanced at Jing Le, recognizing him as one of those who had escaped from the Nine Netherworlds that day. She then handed over the package containing Arhat Changmei’s Kasaya and Bodhi Beads.
“Master Changmei sacrificed himself for others, and I greatly admire him. These are his relics, please accept them, Abbot.”
Master Wuxiang took the package, opened it, and looked at the Kasaya and Bodhi Beads inside, his face filled with sorrow: “Thank you, female benefactor, for returning the relics of Junior Brother Changmei.”
Hua Changxi recalled the scene of Arhat Changmei rushing out to block the demons and his Spiritual Shadow being scattered. She still felt a tremor in her heart: “Abbot, please accept my condolences. I have returned Master Changmei’s relics, so I will not disturb you further.”
Master Wuxiang quickly called out, “Benefactor, please stay.”
Hua Changxi: “Does the Master have anything else?”
Master Wuxiang: “Jing Le has told this old monk that if they had not met the benefactor, they would not have escaped the Soul Devouring Well. Now, the benefactor has also specially returned Junior Brother Changmei’s relics, so this old monk must express his gratitude no matter what.”
Hua Changxi quickly said: “Master, there is no need to be polite. I am merely acting according to my conscience.”
Hearing this, Master Wuxiang smiled: “Benefactor is a person of profound wisdom. Xiangguo Temple has nothing else to offer, but the Awakening Pool on the Precept Altar is somewhat useful. Benefactor might as well visit the Precept Altar; perhaps you will have unexpected gains.”
As soon as Hua Changxi heard the word “Precept Altar,” she instinctively wanted to refuse. Buddhist monks have many precepts and rules, and she did not want to be bound by them.
However, before she could speak, Jing Le, who saw her desire to refuse, spoke first.
“Benefactor, the Awakening Pool of Xiangguo Temple was nurtured by the relics of successive abbots under the power of the Divine Lamp. If one can gain something from it, it is very beneficial to cultivators.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi’s expression changed.
Relics, the power of the Divine Lamp…
Hua Changxi looked at Master Wuxiang: “Master, what is the Divine Lamp?”
Master Wuxiang smiled: “The Divine Lamp of the Great Jin’s founding.”
Hua Changxi: “Didn’t they say the Divine Lamp was destroyed?”
Master Wuxiang sighed: “The Divine Lamp was indeed destroyed, but Xiangguo Temple preserves the lotus petals of the Divine Lamp.”
Hua Changxi quickly asked: “Does Xiangguo Temple preserve both black and white lotus petals?”
Master Wuxiang nodded: “Of course.”
Hua Changxi thought of Steward Leng’s words, saying that as long as the White Flame was ignited, the Black Flame could be controlled. She immediately decided to visit the Precept Altar: “Then I will respectfully accept your offer.”
Master Wuxiang smiled and personally led Hua Changxi to the Precept Altar. Master Wuchen and Jing Le also followed.
The Precept Altar was where the monks of Xiangguo Temple received their precepts. Upon arriving, Hua Changxi instinctively became serious.
“Benefactor, that is the Awakening Pool. Just put your hand into it.”
On the Precept Altar stone stood a transparent tank, about one meter high, resembling a glass fish tank. There was nothing in the tank except for a twelve-petaled lotus lantern burning with black and white flames at the bottom. Among them, there were eight white jade lotus petals and four black jade lotus petals.
Hua Changxi leaned closer and carefully examined the lotus lantern: “Is this the Divine Lamp?”
Master Wuxiang: “This is only a part of the Divine Lamp. The Divine Lamp has thirty-six white lotus petals and thirty-six black lotus petals, with a wick and a base. It has been nearly five hundred years since the Divine Lamp was destroyed, and Xiangguo Temple has only collected twelve petals.”
Hua Changxi’s heart stirred upon hearing this. She hadn’t expected the Divine Lamp to have so many lotus petals.
Seeing that Hua Changxi was hesitant, Jing Le couldn’t help but remind her: “Benefactor, quickly put your hand into the Awakening Pool and see if you can manifest an Awakening Mark.”
Hua Changxi still didn’t move. She glanced at Jing Le, whose eyes were clear and bright, and then looked at Master Wuxiang: “What will happen if I put my hand in?”
Master Wuxiang saw Hua Changxi’s wariness and smiled: “If the benefactor has enough wisdom, an Awakening Mark will appear on your hand.”
Hua Changxi: “What if I don’t have wisdom?”
Master Wuxiang: “Then, naturally, there will be no reaction.”
Hua Changxi asked again: “Do the two Masters and this little monk Jing Le all have Awakening Marks? May I see them?”
Seeing Hua Changxi’s heavy caution, Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen exchanged helpless glances.
Jing Le couldn’t help himself again. He looked at Hua Changxi seriously: “Of course, we do. However, Awakening Marks only appear at specific times. Benefactor, please rest assured, you are my savior, and I will not harm you.”
Hua Changxi’s thoughts were seen through, and she didn’t feel embarrassed: “I have been deceived before, so of course I must be careful and cautious.”
Master Wuxiang reminded her: “Benefactor, being careful and cautious is not wrong, but do not let past events trap yourself, or it will be a loss outweighing the gain.”
Hua Changxi remained silent, looking at the transparent tank. She truly felt no malice from the three of them, and she was very eager to resolve the issue of the Black Flame. After a moment of silence, she still extended her right hand into the tank.
As soon as her hand entered the tank, ripples like water waves appeared in the tank, which had been empty. Then, a black fish condensed on the lotus lantern burning with black and white flames.
Upon seeing the black fish, Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen’s expressions changed, and Jing Le also exclaimed in surprise.
Hua Changxi was confused. Before she could ask, the black fish rushed up and bit her, then quickly submerged into the back of her hand.
“What’s going on?”
Hua Changxi felt nothing unusual, but her heart still leaped in surprise. She quickly withdrew her hand and happened to see a black fish pattern, very similar to the black fish in a Tai Chi diagram, appear on the back of her hand.
The pattern flashed and disappeared quickly.
Hua Changxi looked at Master Wuxiang and the other two: “What is this black fish pattern?”
Master Wuxiang looked at her, his expression somewhat complex: “That is the Awakening Mark.”
Seeing that Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen looked serious, Hua Changxi quickly asked: “Is there something wrong with my Awakening Mark?”
Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen remained silent.
Jing Le scratched his round, bald head in confusion: “Why is it a black fish pattern?”
The white jade lotus petals in Xiangguo Temple were twice as numerous as the black jade lotus petals. Logically, it should have stimulated people’s good intentions, causing them to manifest a black and white fish pattern with more white lines.
Hua Changxi immediately asked: “What should it look like?”
Jing Le: “It should manifest a black and white fish pattern.”
Hua Changxi’s heart stirred. She thought of the Black Flame within her body, looked at Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen, hesitated for a moment, and then said: “I encountered people from the Asura Gate before. During a fight with them, they infused the Black Flame from the black jade lotus petal into my body.”
Upon hearing this, Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen simultaneously showed a look of realization.
Master Wuxiang: “So that’s how it is. Benefactor must be sure to control the Black Flame within your body, lest it consume you.”
Master Wuchen directly took out a scripture and handed it to Hua Changxi: “This is the Heart Cleansing Mantra. Reciting this mantra can calm the mind and, to a certain extent, control the growth of the Black Flame. Benefactor saved Jing Le, so consider this my token of gratitude.”
Hua Changxi took the 《 Heart Cleansing Mantra 》. Seeing how seriously Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen regarded the Black Flame, she also became more solemn about the Black Flame.
Afterwards, she looked at the white jade lotus petals in the tank: “Didn’t you say that the White Flame on the white jade lotus petals can also ignite people’s desires? Why wasn’t I ignited?”
Master Wuxiang: “Igniting the White Flame requires an opportunity. Some people ignite easily, while others do not.”
Hua Changxi frowned: “I heard that the Black Flame stimulates a person’s evil side, and the White Flame stimulates their good side. If I can’t ignite the White Flame easily, does that mean I am a greatly evil person?”
Jing Le quickly said: “Of course not. Benefactor saved this humble monk and others, so you are a good person.”
Hua Changxi looked at him and said nothing more. She was just asking casually, and she didn’t think she was a bad person.
The white jade lotus petals in Xiangguo Temple did not help her ignite the White Flame, possibly because her hand was in the tank for too short a time, or perhaps it was suppressed by the Black Flame within her body?
Regardless of the reason, if she had the chance in the future, she would have to get a white jade lotus petal to try herself.
Afterwards, Master Wuxiang gave Hua Changxi a token for entering and exiting Xiangguo Temple, and told her that monks at Xiangguo Temple lectured on scriptures on the first and fifteenth of each month, and she could come and listen more when she had time.
“Thank you, Master.”
Seeing that it was getting dark, Hua Changxi did not linger at Xiangguo Temple. Jing Le voluntarily escorted her out.
On the way out of the mountain gate, Jing Le thanked Hua Changxi again for saving his life: “Benefactor, this humble monk is from Di Xiu Temple. If Benefactor finds it inconvenient to come to Xiangguo Temple, you can go to Di Xiu Temple to listen to the monks lecture on scriptures.”
Hua Changxi was a little surprised: “So you are not a disciple of Xiangguo Temple.”
Jing Le shook his head: “My Master and Master Wuxiang are from the same lineage, so I am also half a person of Xiangguo Temple.”
Hua Changxi smiled and asked: “How did you know I didn’t want to come to Xiangguo Temple?”
Jing Le smiled: “Benefactor received the entry and exit token from Xiangguo Temple, but her mood did not fluctuate.”
Hua Changxi looked at him: “You are quite astute.”
Soon, the two arrived at the mountain gate of Xiangguo Temple.
Jing Le watched Hua Changxi walk away before turning back. When he returned to the Arhat Hall, he happened to hear Master Wuxiang and Master Wuchen discussing the black fish pattern Hua Changxi had manifested.
“Since the Awakening Pool was formed, there have only been five people whose Awakening Marks were entirely black fish patterns. Thinking of the turmoil those five people caused, I still feel a sense of dread.”
“That female benefactor was able to heavily injure the Nether Dragon, so her cultivation must be absolutely not low. It is a time of unrest, and I hope she does not become like those five people.”
Jing Le walked in: “Master, I think you are worrying too much. The female benefactor was able to rescue me from the Soul Devouring Well, so she must not be an evil person.”
Master Wuchen looked at his disciple: “The black fish pattern manifested by that female benefactor has no fish eyes. She may not be an evil person, but she is very likely a person devoid of love.”
Jing Le did not understand what a person devoid of love was: “As long as she is not an evil person, that’s fine.”
Master Wuchen sighed: “A person devoid of love has a heart like barren land, turning a blind eye to the suffering of the world. Even if they see it, they will choose to be an observer.”
“If such a person is an ordinary person, it’s fine. But if they are a powerful cultivator, once they suffer injustice or unfairness, and feel that the world is dark, they may become even more dangerous beings than evil people.”
Seeing his disciple’s bewildered expression, Master Wuchen said no more: “You will understand in the future.”
After leaving Xiangguo Temple, Hua Changxi did not return directly to the Medical Affairs Department but went to the Lingguang Hall by cloud. Upon arriving at the main hall of Lingguang Hall, she quickly began to examine her body.
Although she felt no malice from Jing Le and the other two, the matter of the black fish pattern still made her uneasy.
She checked herself inside and out, even her Nascent Soul in her Dantian Qi Sea, and only when she confirmed there were no abnormalities did Hua Changxi breathe a sigh of relief. However, thinking of the black fish pattern that flashed and disappeared on the back of her right hand, she still hesitated.
“Awakening Mark…”
“It only appears at specific times. So, what are specific times?”
