From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 316 Red Lotus Fire
At noon, the sun shone brightly.

The sound of flowing water as ice and snow melted could be heard in the surrounding mountains and forests of Wenchantai, and a light mist rose up under the scorching sun.

The two players separated immediately after the first touch, each scrutinizing the other.

Meng Yuan used the Comet Strikes the Moon technique to rush forward, but Jin Hai blocked the killing move with the method of transcending tribulation and reincarnation.

Then Meng Yuan invoked the Bodhi Extinction Path again, and Jin Hai still used the method of transcending tribulations and reincarnation.

For a moment, both were surrounded by surging Buddhist light, and neither could gain the upper hand.

Meng Yuan's Comet Attack on the Moon technique was taught to him by Yingmei in the red cloak. This technique is extremely demanding and consumes a great deal of jade liquid, but its power is also extremely formidable. This technique first conceals itself, then shines brightly, like a comet streaking across the night sky, and then attacks the enemy with extremely swift force.

Once a comet strikes the moon, the energy is locked in, making it difficult to escape. Those affected by this technique can hardly avoid it and can only endure it.

This method is explosive, and Dugu Ying has achieved many successes using it.

But this time, after Meng Yuan activated it, Jin Hai blocked it with ease. Although he was lower in realm than Master Zhihe and Ding Chonglou, he was no less powerful.

Moreover, the Golden Sea Monk's Tribulation Reincarnation and Meng Yuan's Bodhi Extinction Path are both martial arts supernatural powers of Buddhism. The former comes from the Buddhist Kingdom, and the latter comes from Lanruo Temple. One experiences the cycle of life and death, using it to break through many Dharma gates; the other uses great perseverance and great compassion to destroy the four directions of the world.

Both involve changes in mindset, and if used excessively, they can easily lead to demonic possession.

Among the spectators today, there were many knowledgeable people who could see that the two of them were completely normal, and their expressions didn't even change much. They knew that the two of them were in good spirits and were just testing each other's abilities.

Meng Yuan had already noticed the unusual nature of the other party. This person was not as calm and composed as he appeared; there was always a sense of compassion in his actions.

But just as Dugu Kang could immediately recognize the identity of the bald monk who had untied his screen, Meng Yuan could also see at a glance that this person was calm yet mad.

Moreover, the method of transcending tribulation and reincarnation he just used was only one of his many unique skills; it seems that there is still a fire hidden within him.

Meng Yuan felt that the path this person sought was similar to his own, as he too had attained enlightenment through fire.

Both of their "fires" have the meaning of being inexhaustible and difficult to extinguish, but in essence, they are different.

Meng Yuan couldn't see the difference, so he could only try it slowly.

Monk Jinhai had indeed tested Meng Yuan's abilities; he could see that this young man, whose talent was comparable to his own, truly possessed extraordinary skills.

Leaving aside the strength and resilience of his body, both internally and externally, and the abundance and quantity of his vital essence, his will alone makes him an extraordinary person. He not only deeply understands Buddhist principles but also possesses a heart of great compassion.

"Amitabha." Monk Jinhai showed no signs of nervousness or urgency, but instead put his palms together in a gesture of respect and said, "Benefactor Meng's compassionate heart is exactly what our Buddhist sect desires."

Monk Jinhai stepped forward and earnestly invited, "I have heard that Benefactor Meng is a disciple of Miss Ying. In that case, Benefactor Meng, why not first enter my Buddhist sect to cultivate? In the future, we can help Miss Ying attain the Bodhisattva status together."

Meng Yuan had seen many monks and had been recruited by many, so he was no longer surprised by it.

"Since you intend to ferry Miss Ying San across, why don't you ferry me across first?" Meng Yuan asked.

“Amitabha, Benefactor Meng has lost his way and does not know how to return.” Monk Jinhai sighed, then put his palms together and bowed his head in respect, saying, “Since that is the case, this humble monk will use the old methods to guide you to enlightenment.”

As he spoke, Jin Hai's body darkened, and then he pointed his fingers out, his figure surging like stars before bursting open, completely obscuring Meng Yuan.

"It's Flying Stars!" Lin Yan recognized Xi Yisheng's special skill at a glance and immediately shouted it out.

That night in Qingtian County, Xi Yisheng displayed his extraordinary power, which many people witnessed firsthand.

Ning Qufei remained silent. Mo Tingyu glanced at him casually, then turned her head away, staring intently at Ning Qufei.

The monks Xuanbei and Jueming watched from a distance, each with a sorrowful expression.

Li Wujiu of Qingyang Palace had a gloomy face, but he didn't remain silent.

Meng Feiyuan in the arena neither dodged nor evaded, his whole body radiating a bright Buddhist light, clearly using his indestructible golden body to block.

The Flying Stars Technique wasn't particularly powerful; it was a sudden thrusting attack. After being blocked, Monk Jin Hai suddenly raised his body, and his robes immediately began to flutter wildly.

“Amitabha, this is the vast expanse of sky.” Monk Jueming sighed and said softly.

Sure enough, as Jin Hai moved, there was no wind or rain around the Zen Platform, and not even a sound could be heard, as if the world was completely still.

In an instant, those watching the battle felt a sense of clarity, both internally and externally; sorrow and joy vanished, leaving only a state of emptiness and thoughtlessness.

Jin Hai's figure seemed to disappear into the clear sky, leaving no trace.

"This is the signature skill that made Xi Yisheng famous." Lin Yan took the opportunity to teach Zhou Ying and Fan Ye, saying, "But Xi Yisheng couldn't stump my junior brother with this, so this bald monk is even less of a match for it."

As expected, Meng Yuan remained calm and composed, just like the monk Jueming from Qingtian County that night, pointing out with his hand.

All the people saw was Meng Yuan standing tall and immovable like a mountain, surrounded by a Buddha-light, and the great compassion emanating from him seemed to carry an indescribable violent power.

In an instant, all kinds of Buddhist light surged and gathered at the fingertips, then burst forth, as if thousands of worlds were sinking and turning into sand at the fingertips, until they disappeared without a trace.

In the vast sky, Jin Hai's figure suddenly appeared, and with a flick of his finger, the Buddhist light instantly dissipated.

“Benefactor Meng is more like a monk than I am.” Monk Jueming looked at him from afar and couldn’t help but recall that night in Qingtian County when he used Bodhi to extinguish the path and block Xi Yisheng’s night dew and vast sky. As a result, the other party broke through the power of Bodhi to extinguish the path in one fell swoop, so that the dust in his heart accumulated and he almost had chaotic thoughts that burned his heart.

At this moment, the might of the monk Jin Hai, who could traverse ten thousand miles of sky, was even stronger than that of Xi Yisheng, but when he faced Meng Yuan's Bodhi Extinction Path today, they were evenly matched.

"My junior brother used to eagerly ask me about Xi Yisheng's abilities, but now he has not only killed Xi Yisheng, but also faced someone even stronger than Xi Yisheng. No wonder the Third Miss is so proud of him!" Lin Yan muttered to himself. He glanced at the scene and couldn't help but tilt his head to look towards Yunshan Temple.

Elder Miaoyin still had a smile on her face, pointing at Meng Yuan and Jin Hai in the arena, talking to Xuanjizi.

Cangshan Jun stood behind Miaoyin with his head down, not daring to utter a sound, as if he dared not provoke Elder Miaoyin, much less provoke Xuanjizi.

"I heard Commander Meng say that killing the three families of Prince Xin was just a fluke, but now it seems that Meng Feiyuan was too modest." Zhou Ying blinked her big eyes and saw the two people in the arena separate after a brief confrontation. Then the monk Jin Hai remained silent, and then his robe fluttered and he disappeared without a trace.

Seeing that Meng Yuan remained unmoved, waiting for the monk Jin Hai to come up with another ingenious method, Zhou Ying couldn't help but tilt her head and glance at the Dugu sisters.

Dugu Ying's petite figure was hidden in a red cloak, her eyes rarely showing joy or sorrow. Mingyue, on the other hand, was a person who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She held the hilt of her sword, glancing at Meng Yuan on the field one moment and then at Dugu Ying the next.

Just then, the bright sun, which was cloudless and windless, seemed to darken slightly.

“It’s thunder shaking the heavens.” Dugu Ying looked up at the sky.

Sure enough, a thunderclap exploded in the clear sky. In an instant, the thunder came from all directions, seemingly approaching from afar.

Those watching looked up at the sky, but there was no sign of Jin Hai. It was as if a thunderclap had struck; they heard his voice but could not see his shadow.

In a daze, a sense of dread arose in everyone's hearts, because it was so sudden and unexpected, and their minds were startled.

Just then, a figure stepped out from the lightning. The figure was surrounded by the imagery of thunder and chaos, exuding an aura of vastness. His entire body was enveloped in lightning like a bolt of silk, surging towards Meng Yuan with countless thunderclaps. Thunder flashed and then shattered with a deafening roar. Meng Yuan was engulfed in the thunder, his form completely obscured.

Thunder rumbles in the heavens, and this is what it means.

Seeing the monk Jin Hai sweep away everything in his path, as if a god or Buddha had descended to earth, all the onlookers were terrified.

Some people of lower cultivation levels were so shocked that their faces turned pale and their legs even went weak.

The lightning struck down with a deafening roar, and everyone could no longer see Meng Yuan's figure.

"How does it compare to Xi Yisheng that night?" an old Taoist priest asked beside Li Wujiu.

Li Wujiu's expression was not good. He said, "In terms of details, he is no match for Xi Yisheng. Xi Yisheng is like a businessman, calculating every single advantage. But this monk Jin Hai is like a playboy, who doesn't care about the details at all and just goes all out."

Upon hearing this, the old Taoist priest nodded slightly and said, "The clouds are in the blue sky, and the water is in the bottle. One of these two is using all his methods to attack, while the other is sitting firmly like a mountain to defend. If Jin Hai has no more brilliant moves, then the outcome is already decided."

Sure enough, the lightning subsided and silence returned.

The nearby pine trees were mostly scorched. Meng Yuan held a long sword in his hand, his clothes were tattered and he looked a little disheveled, but he was ultimately unharmed.

The monk Jin Hai's robes fluttered as he frowned slightly, sizing up Meng Yuan.

“Benefactor Meng sat still, protecting himself with his indestructible golden body, and was able to withstand this attack from me. This shows how abundant the Jade Liquid is.” Monk Jinhai put his palms together in a gesture of respect.

“If you have no other brilliant ideas, then it is time for me to make my move,” Meng Yuan said.

"Amitabha." Monk Jinhai smiled and said, "This humble monk has not even exerted his strength yet, how can he speak of superior techniques?"

As he spoke, Monk Jinhai's aura suddenly surged, creating a sense of oppressive power.

Meng Yuan had long suspected that Jin Hai had other special skills, so he was on guard and kept a close eye on the monk Jin Hai.

Then, the monk Jin Hai separated his clasped hands, adopting a slowly lifting posture.

In an instant, an image appeared on the left side of Monk Jinhai: various kinds of Buddha light, which gave people a sense of clarity and peace; while on his right side, there was also an image: a red and black mist intertwined, with a sharp and sorrowful sound.

Among the spectators were many experts who immediately recognized that Monk Jin Hai had finally revealed the power of his three dantian.

Now, the two images, one of Buddha and the other of demon, have been activated by the two dantian, but one more is still missing.

"This humble monk will slay the demon today," said Monk Jinhai, his voice carrying a hint of age.

Lin Yan watched in disbelief from afar. He couldn't help but look at Master Jiujie, only to find that Master Jiujie didn't seem to care much and was still playing chess with Abbot Zhiguan.

"Are you a Buddha or a demon?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

“Naturally, it is the Buddha.” Monk Jinhai spoke slowly, saying, “Having the heart of a Buddha, one should use thunderous means, even demonic means, to perform acts of compassion.”

Meng Yuan pressed his hand against the knife, remaining silent and waiting for his opponent to make a move.

"Master, what kind of magic is this?" Dugu Ying asked Master Liaoxian of Yunshan Temple.

"Amitabha." Liao Xian focused his attention and said, "This person has three dantian operating simultaneously, and two of them have already been activated. One should be the 'Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage' transmitted by the Western Buddhist Kingdom. As for the other image, I don't know its origin."

“It is to feed the demons with one’s own body.” Elder Miaoyin suddenly spoke up. “If I don’t go to hell, who will? The people of the world suffer, and the demons and monsters in hell also suffer unspeakable pain. It is easy to save people by giving them gold and silver and relieving their difficulties. But demons devour hearts and are greedy without reason. They can never be satisfied.”

"Is this a method that brings about a nirvana and rebirth?" Mingyue asked.

"No." Elder Miaoyin nodded slightly, but then shook her head. "It is because he transformed into a demonic body, and his body and mind endured all kinds of chaotic thoughts, which made his own power stronger."

“That is the Ephemeral World,” Dugu Ying sneered. “However, the Ephemeral World requires years, even decades, of accumulation, while this method can be activated in a single day, which will inevitably lead to endless troubles.”

"Whether the consequences will be endless depends on who uses it." Elder Miaoyin made a lot of sense. "For example, that young friend Meng has repeatedly activated the Bodhi Extinction Path, yet his heart remains free of worldly dust. The method of feeding the demon with one's own body is even more malevolent than the Bodhi Extinction Path, but since Jin Hai dares to use it, he must have a way to deal with it."

Upon hearing Elder Miaoyin's words, everyone turned to look at the scene.

The monk Jin Hai showed no signs of joy or sorrow; he was surrounded by Buddhist light and demonic sounds, and his figure seemed to have grown a little taller.

The robe fluttered, then tore into dust.

Sure enough, as Monk Jinhai stepped forward, flames were clearly visible in the images on his left and right sides.

Thousands of red lotuses fluttered about, seemingly burning away all the karma in the world.

Everyone saw it clearly and felt that the firelight was unusual. Upon looking at it, it seemed as if their own mistakes were being stirred up, and they felt a desire to bow down and repent.

Looking at the combination of the "Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage" and the intention of feeding the demon with one's own body, everyone felt a sense of reverence and worship.

The flames raged around the monk Jin Hai, obscuring the Buddha's light and the demonic voice, as if not only burning away his many evil deeds, but also taking away the evil deeds of those watching the battle.

"What kind of fire is this?" Meng Yuan asked, frowning.

"Karmic fire," Jin Hai said.

Meng Yuan had seen a lot of karmic fire. In the past, Qing Guangzi had used karmic fire to gather many people to work for him without having to worry about his information being leaked.

In Buddhism, karma, whether good or bad, is considered karmic force that influences one's destiny.

Driven by karma, sentient beings endlessly transmigrate through the six realms, unable to extricate themselves.

Karmic fire is the endless suffering of reincarnation caused by karma.

Generally speaking, evil deeds create karmic fire, and only then will one suffer the pain of being burned in body and mind, from which it is difficult to escape.

"What kind of karmic fire is this?" Meng Yuan asked again.

Monk Jinhai did not answer, but simply stepped forward.

"It is the Red Lotus Karmic Fire," Elder Miaoyin answered everyone's questions.

The Red Lotus Karmic Fire is one of many karmic fires. It is a fire that burns the soul. It is formless and intangible, and it is nurtured by all kinds of sins. As long as the sins are exhausted, the fire will not go out.

In Buddhist scriptures, if a person commits many evil deeds in life, they will be sent to the eighteen levels of hell after death to suffer the burning of the red lotus fire. However, if they can withstand the burning of the fire, no matter how many sins they have committed in the past, they can be wiped clean and they will be reborn.

In an instant, raging flames and countless red lotuses bloomed.

Only then did everyone understand that Monk Jinhai had burned away countless karmic forces with the Red Lotus Karmic Fire. From then on, these three methods were used together, increasing their power without harming himself. They were truly in harmony and complemented each other.

(End of this chapter)