Covering the Sky: The Years I Was the Empress's Strictest Master

Speculation, covetousness, greed, fear...

A mix of emotions swirled in the shadows.

however,

The Chixia River was infamous; its "accelerated aging" field still covered most of the area, and even the Great Sage couldn't last long inside.

The fact that the old demon was able to survive for several days was probably just a coincidence that he entered some kind of "safe zone," or perhaps his own cultivation technique and physique created some kind of resistance against that strange aura.

No one dared to act rashly without sufficient certainty.

However, there are always those who are not afraid of death or who are confident that they can resolve the crisis.

In the Eastern Wilderness, in the Northern Region, on an unnamed, desolate mountain.

A woman draped in a five-colored feather robe and standing barefoot on a crystal lotus platform stood quietly atop the mountain, gazing towards the direction of the Crimson Cloud River in the southern region.

She was tall and graceful, with an extremely beautiful face, but not the gentle beauty of a human woman. Instead, she possessed a unique temperament that intertwined holiness, majesty, compassion, and etherealness.

Her skin was as white as jade, and a bright red cinnabar mole between her eyebrows added to her dignified and majestic appearance.

What is most eye-catching is her long, colorful hair that reaches her waist. The strands are crystal clear and have a subtle shimmering light, like the most dazzling tail feathers of a peacock spreading its tail.

Her eyes were also a rare iridescent color, with a wisdom-like light flowing between them, capable of seeing through people's hearts, and seemingly containing endless compassion.

She was not human, but a quasi-emperor from the ancient star Amitabha, a five-colored peacock in human form.

He later converted to Buddhism and practiced Buddhist teachings. He was revered as the "Peacock King Buddha" and some Buddhist followers also called him the "Great Peacock King".

His cultivation has reached the peak of the seventh level of Quasi-Emperor, his Buddhist teachings are profound, and he also possesses innate divine abilities, making his strength not to be underestimated.

At this moment, her multicolored, glassy eyes gazed towards the direction of the Crimson Cloud River, a strange light flickering within them, as she whispered:

"Within decay lies nirvana, beneath annihilation lies life; profound Daoist principles flow, and divine secrets are hidden..."

The Taoist atmosphere here subtly resonates with the profound truths of "Nirvana and the cycle of the five virtues" in the *Great Bright King Sutra* that I study.

That unknown halo seemed remarkably similar to the true meaning described in Buddhist scriptures…

It is also like 'pure and immaculate,' 'transcending the celestial realm'... How wondrous! How wondrous! This is the key to my path!"

She had already made up her mind to enter the Crimson Cloud River, explore its secrets, comprehend the true meaning of Nirvana, break through her bottleneck, and strive to reach the eighth level of Quasi-Emperor!

…………

Chapter 304 Chi Xuan's Sermon and the Second Descent into the Abyss (6K Chapter, Please Subscribe!)

However, having cultivated to this level, she was naturally no reckless person.

The Crimson Cloud River was infamous, and many great saints who had entered it had barely survived. Although she was a quasi-emperor, she dared not be arrogant.

Especially that unique and terrifying field, which involves all the great principles, is extremely mysterious and unpredictable. With her own cultivation and Buddhist teachings, she could easily wander around its outer perimeter without any problems.

However, if one wants to delve into that legendary abyss, it may not be possible to completely resist it.

"I need a supreme treasure to protect myself, suppress evil spirits, and solidify the principles of the Dao..."

The Peacock King Buddha pondered.

Among all the Buddhist sects, none possesses such power and has the deepest connection to the lineage of the ancient star Amitabha, except for the one located on Mount Sumeru in the Western Desert of the Big Dipper.

It's the Vajra Pestle enshrined in the Great Thunder Temple!

The Vajra Pestle is the supreme weapon of their Buddhist sect. It was personally crafted by the Great Emperor Amitabha Buddha in the past. Later, it spread the teachings to the Big Dipper and established a lineage in the Western Desert, where it remained.

Its nature is extremely strong and yang, specializing in overcoming strange and evil spirits. It can calm the mind and break all laws, making it the perfect choice to deal with the special environment of Chixia River.

"The Great Thunderclap Temple and Amitabha Ancient Star share the same lineage and origin. Although they haven't been in contact recently, borrowing their tools shouldn't be difficult..."

Having made up his mind, the Peacock King Buddha's crystal lotus platform beneath his feet flashed with light, transforming into a streak of seven-colored light that tore through the void and headed towards the Western Desert.

……

Western Desert, Mount Sumeru.

This mountain is vast and boundless, towering into the clouds. Beneath the vegetation and soil, its entire body faintly appears dark gold, as if it were cast from pure Buddhist gold, radiating a soft and eternal Buddhist light.

Temples and pagodas stand tall on the mountainside.

The sound of bells and chanting of Buddhist prayers never ceased day and night, and the power of incense and prayers converged into a vast ocean, the ocean of faith reflecting a pale gold hue across the entire western desert sky.

This place is one of the two major ancestral temples of Buddhism.

It enshrines the golden statue of Amitabha Buddha, which carries on the most authentic Buddhist path.

whoosh...

At this moment, the Peacock King Buddha, riding his lotus platform, arrived before the Buddha light barrier surrounding Mount Sumeru. He did not rely on his cultivation level to directly break in.

Instead, it manifested the form of a seven-colored peacock, chanting Buddhist mantras in a melodious voice, containing the supreme meaning of Buddhism, which instantly spread throughout a small part of Mount Sumeru.

“Amitabha Ancient Star, the Peacock King of this world, has come to pay homage to the Big Dipper.”

wow...

She had barely finished speaking

Soon, the barrier of Buddha's light opened up, creating a passage.

Immediately afterwards, an elderly monk with a kind face, wearing a brocade robe and holding a nine-ringed staff, slowly walked out.

Upon seeing the Peacock King Buddha and sensing the pure and vast Buddhist power emanating from him, as well as the noble aura of the Peacock King, his expression immediately became solemn, and he clasped his hands in reverence.

"It turns out to be the Venerable King of Light from the ancient star of Amitabha. This humble monk, 'Huian,' greets you. Venerable, please follow me. The abbot is already waiting for you in the Great Buddha Hall."

"Thank you for your help, Vajra Huian."

The Peacock King Buddha returned the salute, concealed his divine form, and followed the Vajra of Wisdom through numerous temples and pagodas.

All along the way were devout monks chanting sutras and believers kneeling and praying for blessings. The Buddha's light shone everywhere, and the sound of chanting was vast and resounding. It truly deserves to be one of the most sacred Buddhist sites.

The main hall is magnificent and grand. Inside, there is a golden statue of Amitabha Buddha, which is over a hundred feet tall. Its solemn appearance inspires awe in all who behold it.

Several eminent monks were already seated in the hall. The one at the head was an old monk wearing a purple and gold robe, with a gaunt face and eyes as deep as an ancient well.

He is the current abbot of the Great Thunderclap Temple, the holy monk Liaoyin, whose Buddhist teachings are profound.

In this great era of enlightenment, his cultivation had reached the quasi-emperor level in previous years. However, he was old and his potential had been largely exhausted, making him incomparable to the newcomer.

"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk Liaoyin greets the Venerable King of Light."

"Your Excellency has come from afar; I apologize for not being able to greet you properly."

The Venerable Monk Liaoyin rose, put his palms together in a gesture of respect, and spoke in a calm voice that carried a Zen-like quality that brought peace to the mind.

"Abbot Liaoyin is too kind; it is this humble nun who has taken the liberty of disturbing you."

The Peacock King Buddha also returned the greeting with palms together, his posture both holy and elegant.

"This humble nun has come here with a request."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two sides moved to a side hall, where they took their seats as host and guest, and a young novice monk served them tea.

The Peacock King Buddha didn't beat around the bush and directly stated his purpose:

"To be honest, Abbot, I recently discovered a mysterious place in the southern part of the Eastern Wilderness of the Big Dipper."

The Daoist principles permeating that depths resonate deeply with my practice of 'Nirvana and the Five Virtues Reincarnation,' and may help me break through my current bottleneck.

However, I came from beyond this realm. After arriving at Beidou, I heard along the way that this place was dangerous, shrouded in a special field that could cause people to "age." Even ordinary quasi-emperors would find it difficult to endure for long if they ventured into it.

Therefore, I have come to Mount Sumeru specifically to borrow the Vajra Pestle to protect myself, suppress the 'danger' within, and explore the interior.

After the matter is completed, I will return it intact, and I am willing to offer three volumes of my treasured Buddhist scripture commentaries, which I brought from the ancient star of Amitabha, and three five-colored Bodhi seeds imbued with the true blood of the Vidyaraja as a token of my gratitude.

"Southern Regions of the Eastern Wilderness?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of understanding and caution flashed across the usually calm and composed eyes of the Holy Monk Liaoyin:

"But what about Chixia River, which has been rumored to be unusual in recent years and has gradually been called another 'forbidden zone of life'?"

May the King know that this place has a deep connection with the lineage of the immortal golden body from long ago, and is even suspected to be related to the holy spirits, supreme beings, and two great holy bodies who perished there in the past.

Rumors are circulating that after countless ages, the path to immortality will begin here...

There have been frequent changes and unpredictable events recently, making the outcome uncertain.

"The host has a discerning eye."

The Peacock King Buddha nodded:

"It is precisely because of its connection to the indestructible golden body, and perhaps even to the secrets of the path to immortality in the great universe, that this humble nun is even more eager to explore it."

Our Buddhist tradition emphasizes the importance of opportunity; perhaps this place is where my opportunity lies.

As for the dangers, this humble nun is well aware of them. With the protection of the Vajra pestle, the chances of success on this journey will be much greater.

Upon hearing this, the holy monk Liaoyin pondered for a moment.

Immediately afterwards, he communicated quickly with several highly respected elder monks in the hall using divine sense.

The Peacock King Buddha originated from the ancient star Amitabha, sharing the same roots and origins as the Western Desert Buddhist sect. Moreover, his cultivation was profound and his Buddhist teachings were pure, so borrowing his treasure was not out of the question.

Those three volumes of Buddhist scripture commentaries and the three five-colored Bodhi seeds bearing the true blood of the Vidyarajas are priceless, and will greatly benefit them... cough, Mount Sumeru.

Most importantly, the Vajra Pestle is an extremely powerful artifact, possessing a spirit that conceals itself; if the opponent harbors malicious intent, it is impossible for them to activate it...

Of course, since the death of the Great Emperor Amitabha, there have been many "heretics" emerging within the Buddhist sect, including some highly accomplished individuals who want to establish their own sects, so we must be wary of them.

"Amitabha."

After much deliberation, the holy monk Liaoyin finally uttered a Buddhist chant, saying:

"The ancient star and my Northern Dipper and Western Desert are originally one family, so why talk about 'borrowing'? Since the Bright King has personally spoken, my Mount Sumeru has no objection."

However, the Vajra Pestle is, after all, a powerful artifact left behind by the Great Emperor, and this matter is of great importance. Therefore, we request that the Wise King make a vow of Buddhist faith and clearly state its purpose.

Furthermore, after exploring the sacred mountain, they must be released back within three years.

"That's how it should be."

Knowing the reason, the Peacock King Buddha solemnly agreed, immediately making a vow with his own Buddha-heart. Golden light shone, and Buddha patterns appeared, signifying the vow's validity.

Upon seeing this, the holy monk Liaoyin rose and led the Peacock King Buddha to a hidden Buddhist cave behind the main hall.

The grotto was bathed in a divine light, so intense that it seemed as if a vast ocean of faith, surging and undulating within it, had materialized into a tangible form.

The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. In the center of the vast ocean, on a nine-tiered golden lotus platform, lay a six-foot-long, dark gold, heavy vajra (penetrating demon) that was neither copper nor iron.

The pestle is simple and unadorned, yet it is engraved with countless intricate Buddhist Sanskrit characters and demon-subduing patterns, with faint phantom images of dragons and elephants entwined around it.

It exudes an extremely powerful and yang aura that suppresses evil spirits and cleanses the universe.

Just one glance is enough to make one feel calm and secure, and all evil will retreat, as if facing a wrathful Vajra walking among men.

"This is the Vajra Pestle, Your Majesty, please make yourself at home."

The holy monk Liaoyin gestured.

The Peacock King Buddha immediately stepped forward, his expression solemn and dignified. He chanted the true sutra, clasped his hands together, and respectfully bowed to the vajra. Only then did he extend his hands and slowly grasp the vajra.

hum!

The vajra trembled slightly, emitting a deep dragon's roar and elephant's cry, as if the deity within the vessel was scrutinizing the borrower.

A moment later, the pestle shone brightly with Buddhist light, took flight on its own, and landed in the hand of the Peacock King Buddha.

despair……

It was incredibly heavy when I picked it up.

It felt as if she were holding an ancient divine mountain, and pure and vast Buddhist power surged into her body through her arm, invigorating her spirit and making her body shine with even brighter Buddhist light.

"Thank you, host, and fellow practitioners of Mount Sumeru!"

The Peacock King Buddha once again expressed his sincere gratitude:

“This humble nun will certainly not fail in her trust and will return this item within three years.”

"May the King of Light's journey be successful, and may he attain enlightenment soon."

Finally, the holy monk Liaoyin clasped his hands in farewell.

Without further delay, the Peacock King Buddha, holding the Vajra pestle and standing on a crystal lotus platform, transformed into a dazzling seven-colored Buddha light, tearing through the void once more and speeding towards the southern region of the Eastern Wilderness of the Big Dipper.

With the ultimate weapon, the Demon-Subduing Pestle, in hand...