I will now translate and then creatively polish the provided Chinese text into natural, idiomatic English narrative prose, ensuring the original paragraph structure is strictly maintained.
The Venerable Master Kongjing spoke clearly and slowly, each word a polished gem that pierced directly into the heart.
As if flowers were drifting in the void, scattering down gently and showering over the assembled crowd.
Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes slightly; this was a manifestation of spirit, his voice resonating with the surroundings to form a sensation that was both real and illusory.
This feeling was difficult to distinguish as true or false.
As the blossoms touched his skin, his mind instantly cleared, his entire body feeling a blissful languor that was beyond description.
Li Muzhan sensed the flowers falling upon him; their shapes were indistinguishable, a hazy mass—perhaps roses, perhaps lilies, yet seeming like neither.
These flowers were real yet illusory, illusory yet real; the boundary between truth and illusion existed only in the span of a single thought.
He suddenly realized this was precisely like the Xiang Shen (Corporeal Manifestation) described in the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing (Scripture of Observing Heaven and Divine Illumination).
If he could summon his own Xiang Shen, it would undoubtedly offer a profound and unique experience, but alas, he could not achieve it.
Once detached from the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing, everything dissolved.
The cultivation of this aged monk, Kongjing, far surpassed his own—truly lamentable.
The world was vast, filled with endless extraordinary individuals, especially within the Buddhist realm, where masters of divine techniques were countless.
A spark ignited in his mind.
Suddenly, he brought his palms together, forming a peculiar hand seal, and plunged directly into the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing.
His Xiang Shen manifested, seated cross-legged upon a lotus blossom.
One by one, blossoms drifted onto its crown and instantly merged with the manifestation.
As the flowers merged into the Xiang Shen, it gained clarity and solidity.
After several flowers descended, the manifestation grew substantially firmer, almost indistinguishable from a true being.
As one flower after another settled upon it, the Xiang Shen solidified strand by strand until it was almost identical to the real person.
With a stirring of his will, the Xiang Shen leaped up, soaring towards the bright moon and sun in the sky.
It flew higher and higher, growing weaker, yet flowers continuously fell from the heavens, lending it renewed strength, driving it relentlessly toward the sun and moon.
The Xiang Shen suddenly halted.
After integrating with several heavenly flowers, achieving greater solidity, it abruptly transformed into a streak of light and shot forward.
With a "bang," his own physical body trembled...
like a bolt of lightning striking his crown.
White light flickered before his eyes, flashing three times before clarity returned.
He suddenly felt something strange… his limbs were soft and clear, and a tremendous power surged with every beat of his heart; his body felt stronger than ever before.
He raised an eyebrow and opened his Void Eye.
Above his head, in the emptiness of the sky, hovered a white lotus the size of a meditation cushion, upon which a silhouette sat cross-legged, utterly still.
He could feel the connection between himself and this silhouette… an inexhaustible stream of power flowed from the shadow into him, as if someone were transmitting power directly to him.
At this moment, one celestial flower after another merged into this shadow, causing it to become increasingly substantial.
Yet the shadow remained like a circular lake reflecting moonlight—vaguely round, but shifting and indistinct.
As the heavenly flowers continued to fall… the shadow solidified, and the power transmitted grew more formidable.
This sensation was inexpressibly wonderful—his cultivation, stagnant for so long, began to soar once more.
This, then, was his Xiang Shen; he never expected that under this fortuitous encounter, it would leap clear of the diagram of the Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing, truly manifesting externally.
Li Muzhan frowned and swept a glance over the assembled monks.
They seemed unaware.
He breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately tensed as Master Kongjing tilted his head up to glance briefly at the space above Li Muzhan’s head.
Li Muzhan sighed; it seemed Master Kongjing’s cultivation was indeed profound, for he had noticed.
Master Kongjing subtly shifted his body—now directly facing Li Muzhan—and the blossoms above Li Muzhan’s head grew denser, drifting down in thick clusters.
Li Muzhan received immense benefit, offering a knowing smile and joining his palms in a salute.
By the time Master Kongjing concluded his discourse, Li Muzhan’s Xiang Shen had coalesced into a perfect, circular mirror… bright and perfectly round, like a full moon hanging high in the firmament.
A flash of inspiration struck him; he formed a hand seal, and the Xiang Shen descended, merging back into his body and settling within his mind, suspended in the sky above the Guangming Mountain.
The Wuliang Guangming Xin Jing (Scripture of Boundless Brightness Heart) had manifested as a Guangming Mountain, suspended in the void of his mind.
The light emanating from this mountain was his spiritual power.
Only the women understood the Wuliang Guangming Xin Jing; their collective concentration was finite, only sufficient to keep his spirit from waning, with limited potential for growth.
Even so, he was transformed—no longer subject to the depletion of spirit, fatigue, or the need to sleep like an ordinary person.
Now, the Xiang Shen, transformed into a suspended full moon, shone in opposition to the Guangming Mountain.
This moon also radiated power, far more potent than the mountain's.
Li Muzhan felt the prayer beads upon him grow lighter; the suppression they exerted had weakened considerably, as if a final push would shatter them entirely.
He praised the skill involved, opening his eyes filled with delight.
Master Kongjing brought his palms together and chanted a single Buddhist invocation, then rose and departed.
The other monks remained seated, silently reliving the discourse, their faces etched with profound contemplation.
After a long pause, they slowly rose to leave.
Master Tanming turned, a smile on his face: “Did you gain something, Benefactor Li?” Li Muzhan praised him: “Truly worthy of being called a Great Virtuous Master!” Master Tanming nodded in admiration: “This listening was not in vain; this old monk has benefited greatly!” Chai Xiaoyue suddenly slumped sideways, leaning against Li Muzhan, then awoke.
She looked around hazily: “Is it over?” Li Muzhan chuckled: “Did you have a good nap?” “Indeed,” Chai Xiaoyue laughed.
“I’ve never slept so soundly!” Li Muzhan laughed heartily: “It seems the Princess benefited as well; a good sleep is a benefit in itself!” Master Tanming smiled benevolently and shook his head: “Princess, such an opportunity is rare; you should have listened carefully to the Dharma.
What a pity, what a pity!” “I couldn’t understand it anyway, so what’s the pity!” Chai Xiaoyue waved her hand, smiling: “This old monk’s skills are greater than all of yours; at least when he preaches, he makes people sleep more easily than you!” Master Tanming gave a wry smile and shook his head.
He and Li Muzhan stood up together and walked out.
Just as they stepped out of the main hall, a middle-aged monk approached slowly, pausing behind them to join his palms in a salute.
The three turned back.
The middle-aged monk was powerfully built and tall, with a dignified bearing and an imposing aura; a faint trace of killing intent emanated from him that made the heart clench.
Li Muzhan knew instantly that this man had claimed no fewer than a hundred lives.
“Benefactor, my Master requests your presence,” the middle-aged monk said, palms joined.
Li Muzhan paused, pointing to himself, then looking at Master Tanming.
He discerned from Tanming’s expression that this monk was not from Tianwang Temple; he must belong to Master Kongjing.
The middle-aged monk nodded: “It is indeed Benefactor.” Master Tanming asked: “Brother Wubei, does Master Kongjing seek Benefactor Li?” “Yes,” the middle-aged monk confirmed.
“My Master asks Benefactor Li to join him.” Li Muzhan smiled: “To be summoned by the Master is a great honor.
I shall return shortly; Princess, please wait a moment.” “I’m coming too!” Chai Xiaoyue said quickly.
The middle-aged monk, Wubei, shook his head: “Female Benefactor, my Master only seeks Benefactor Li.” Chai Xiaoyue frowned and glared at him: “Can’t I even listen from the side?……………… Aren’t you monks supposed to be open and transparent in all things?” Master Tanming quickly intervened: “Princess… the Dharma is not transmitted lightly to everyone.
Perhaps Master Kongjing has a destined connection with Benefactor Li and wishes to share secret teachings.
Please wait in my meditation room for now!” Li Muzhan said gently: “Princess… I will go now.” Chai Xiaoyue stomped her elegant boots petulantly and pouted: “Go, go.
See what mischief that old monk is planning.
Be careful not to get sold off!” Li Muzhan shook his head with a smile and followed Wubei to the front of a secluded great hall.
Master Kongjing sat upon the central cushion… flanked by two elderly monks, with three middle-aged monks behind him.
Wubei bowed upon entering the hall and sat down behind Master Kongjing without a word.
Master Kongjing joined his palms, his deeply wrinkled face splitting into a gentle smile: “Benefactor Li’s secular name is Li Wuji, is that correct?” Li Muzhan returned the salute: “It is.
What counsel does the Master offer?” Master Kongjing sighed: “This old monk truly did not expect the Buddhist teachings of the Donghua Kingdom to have reached such a profound level.
May I ask who taught you, Benefactor Li?” Li Muzhan shook his head: “My late master was obscure… and has already passed into Nirvana.” “His Dharma name was…?” Master Kongjing inquired.
Li Muzhan replied: “My late master had no name; he called himself the unworthy disciple expelled from the hall, so he had no Dharma name.” “Expelled from the hall?” Master Kongjing frowned… pondering: “Was it perhaps because he displayed his divine powers that he was cast out of the Buddhist sanctuary?” Li Muzhan nodded.
One must not reveal supernatural powers unless to subdue demons; even when spreading the Dharma, one must not display them, lest one be possessed by heavenly demons and fall into their ranks.
This was a precept of the Esoteric Sect of Buddhism; violators were expelled from the monastic order.
Master Kongjing nodded slowly: “So, you are a master of great divine power.
It seems your cultivation is deep, and this stimulus spurred further progress… a cause for both joy and lamentation!…… Benefactor Li cultivating a Fa Shen (Dharma Body) in this era is rare indeed; this old monk admires you.” Li Muzhan smiled: “The Master flatters me.
I have only cultivated the art of Zen contemplation, focusing solely on this one discipline; I have only casually touched upon other sutras… but have not mastered them.” “To achieve this realm purely through stillness is even more remarkable,” Master Kongjing stated.
“I see you are young, yet you have already glimpsed the Tathagata, awakening your true nature.” Li Muzhan nodded: “Yes.” Master Kongjing mused: “My lineage belongs to the Vajra Lion Sect; our tradition was passed down by the Vajra Bright King.
Is Benefactor Li interested?” Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head: “Thank you for the Master’s kindness.
My late master left instructions before his passing: although I follow the Buddhist path, I am not an ordained monk.
My worldly ties are hard to sever, and I cannot enter the true emptiness of the Sangha.
I am only permitted to cultivate the practice of Zen contemplation until the end of my life.” Master Kongjing shook his head and sighed: “What a pity, what a pity.
Such resolve, such vast wisdom, yet unable to spread the Dharma—this is a great loss to Buddhism.” Li Muzhan smiled: “The Dharma is boundless; it does not lack this one disciple.” Master Kongjing shook his head: “A great sage and awakened one such as you are exceedingly rare.
It is truly regrettable that this old monk encounters you but cannot form a bond.” Li Muzhan offered his thanks.
Master Kongjing pondered for a moment: “Your master instructed you to cultivate contemplation; did he wish for you to remain in this world forever, or to transcend the Three Realms?” Li Muzhan shook his head: “My late master did not say.” Master Kongjing asked: “Does Benefactor know that merely cultivating sufficient practice, but lacking in merit and virtue (Fude), prevents one from achieving Buddhahood?” Li Muzhan’s brow twitched, and he shook his head: “I beg the Master to instruct me.” Master Kongjing chanted a Buddhist invocation and spoke slowly: “The Buddha is the revered being with two feet, possessing both Wisdom and Merit/Virtue.
In this old monk’s view, Benefactor Li’s wisdom and attainment are prepared, but continuing this path alone means you cannot become a Buddha; you will only reside in this world indefinitely, ultimately unable to escape the suffering of reincarnation.” Li Muzhan asked: “What is this Merit/Virtue?” “I see that Benefactor Li has already formed the Fa Shen, but a Bao Shen (Retribution Body) has yet to appear.
To become a Buddha, all three bodies must be complete, and the Bao Shen is solidified by the condensation of vows,” Master Kongjing explained.
Li Muzhan remained silent, deep in thought.
Master Kongjing continued: “Emptiness and existence, emptiness and non-emptiness, non-empty yet not existing—what you now cultivate is the Hinayana path, achieving the status of an Arhat, but not Buddhahood.
If the Bodhi mind arises, gathering the vows of sentient beings… consolidating merit and virtue, then the Bao Shen will be achieved, and you can become a Buddha.
In this old monk’s view… if Benefactor Li dedicates himself to gathering merit and virtue, Buddhahood is within reach!” Li Muzhan smiled faintly, remaining silent.
The path to Buddhahood was indeed a profound mystery.
However, most Buddhas left this world for other realms; it was not that they could not remain, but that they chose not to abide in this realm.
It was like people in later generations buying houses: those without homes eagerly watched those who owned them, imagining the bliss of living there permanently.
But once one owned a house and could stay forever, other thoughts emerged—feeling confined, they desired houses in other places.
If they bought a better house, they would naturally choose the superior residence.
Buddhas are the same; after achieving enlightenment, they could remain eternally in this world, but they could also travel to other realms, which were superior to this one, naturally preferring not to stay here constantly.
After achieving Buddhahood, they would leave to wander elsewhere, dwelling in higher planes, returning to reincarnate only when they had leisure, staying one lifetime before leaving again—coming and going as they pleased, free and unrestrained.
This is what is meant by ‘Arriving by Vow.’ If the vows of believers do not summon them, Buddhas might not visit this realm.
If you own a mansion, why would you choose to live in a tenement? Unless someone truly pleaded, they would only stay for a while, unwilling to reside there permanently.
Thus, they arrive by vow and depart when the karma is exhausted, without lingering—coming and going gracefully.
Li Muzhan contemplated: “I beg the Master to instruct me further: how does one condense vows?” “Faith,” Master Kongjing smiled, uttering a single word, then chanted a Buddhist invocation and slightly lowered his eyelids, entering a meditative state, clearly indicating he would say no more.
Li Muzhan joined his palms in thanks: “Thank you, Master.
I shall take my leave.” He turned and exited the hall, chewing on that single word, "Faith," throughout his journey, sensing a faint glimmer of the path ahead.
Chai Xiaoyue called out sweetly: “What did that old monk say to you?” Li Muzhan looked up suddenly and smiled: “He merely asked about my lineage.” “Only your lineage? Nothing else?” Chai Xiaoyue tilted her head, watching him.
“Then he wouldn’t have summoned you specifically; there must have been a private conversation.” Li Muzhan shook his head.
Master Tanming smiled: “Princess, why don’t you sit in my meditation room for a while? I will recite another sutra for you.” Chai Xiaoyue quickly waved her hand: “Forget it, forget it.
I appreciate the kind offer, but no need to trouble you.
Listening to that scripture for a while was more than enough for me.
Mr.
Li, let’s go!” Li Muzhan nodded and asked with a slight smile: “Master, what is ‘Faith’?” “Faith—?” Master Tanming smiled: “Faith is the arising of conditions; where there is faith, there is efficacy.
Why does Benefactor Li ask this?” Li Muzhan clarified: “The Buddha achieved final enlightenment because of the faith of sentient beings, correct?” Master Tanming pondered for a moment, then shook his head: “That… this old monk has never considered that.” “What are you two talking about?” Chai Xiaoyue asked curiously.
She couldn’t understand a word; it felt like listening to them play charades, which was genuinely frustrating.
Li Muzhan laughed: “Very well, thank you, Master.
Farewell, Princess, let us return.” “Let’s go,” Chai Xiaoyue nodded happily.
She still disliked Buddhist scriptures, though she didn’t actively hate them anymore; she certainly wasn’t fond of them.
She strode out briskly, soon leaving Tianwang Temple.
Li Muzhan looked back at the incense smoke outside the temple, at the Buddha statues enshrined in the main hall—golden forms draped in saffron robes, displaying solemn dignity—while the people prostrated themselves in devout reverence.
“Faith…” He shook his head.
“Ever since you came out of that monk’s room, you’ve been acting mysterious about this faith business,” Chai Xiaoyue observed, tilting her head.
“Did he give you some profound secret to ponder?” Li Muzhan chuckled: “It is a subtle principle of Buddhism, Princess, which you wouldn't understand even if I explained it… Things have been unstable lately with the Four Great Families; do you think the Emperor is behind it?” Chai Xiaoyue paused, giving him an annoyed look: “Why are you asking about that?” Li Muzhan replied: “I suspect the Emperor is stirring things up.
The Dugu siblings and Tang Tang were assassinated, and at the same time, Zhu Lang was attacked.
Only Tang Haoran and Zhao Huairen are left unmolested!” “I honestly don’t know,” Chai Xiaoyue admitted.
The two followed a small path leading to a grove of trees.
Passing through the woods, they reached a river, and crossing the bridge over the river would bring them to the city gate.
As soon as the pair entered the woods, Li Muzhan stopped abruptly.
His essence, spirit, and vigor were at their peak, making his senses acutely sharp.
Halting, he glanced around the vicinity while simultaneously activating his Void Eye.
Seeing Li Muzhan’s expression, Chai Xiaoyue knew something was amiss.
She reached into her robes and pulled out a pair of jade-colored gloves, slipping them on; once worn, they were almost indistinguishable from her natural skin.
Li Muzhan glanced at the gloves; they were clearly made of unique material, and paired with a proprietary martial art, they were likely as formidable as blades or swords.
“Who is it?” Chai Xiaoyue frowned.
“How bold!” Li Muzhan said: “They might be after me.
I apologize for involving the Princess.” “Who?” Chai Xiaoyue asked.
Li Muzhan shook his head.
He found it strange; anyone capable of hiding this deeply, almost undetectable, could not be an ordinary person.
Which divine being had he offended? As he pondered, the two stood motionless.
They were surrounded by a pine forest; though deep autumn, the pines were still lush and verdant, concealing their forms.
Li Muzhan took a step forward: “Does the Princess have a signal mechanism?” “Should I send it now?” Chai Xiaoyue was eager; this was her first time being ambushed, and she found it novel—a chance she was reluctant to forfeit by sending a signal.
Li Muzhan urged: “Send it quickly.
These people are not simple; if we delay, our lives may be in danger.” “You don’t mean it?” Chai Xiaoyue was disbelieving.
“They dare to kill people here?” They were not far from Tianwang Temple, nor far from the city gate.
Li Muzhan sighed: “These are not ordinary people; they are here to kill.
If you don’t send the signal now, Princess, we might not see tomorrow’s sun!” Chai Xiaoyue grumbled resignedly: “How boring!” Li Muzhan commanded: “Let’s secure our lives first, Princess.
Stop dawdling and send the signal immediately!” “Alright, alright.” Chai Xiaoyue reached into her robes.
A piercing "Woo" sound shot toward the sky, followed by a great "Boom," and a purple rose blossomed in the air.
“Attack!” a sharp command cut through the woods, and ten masked figures in black burst out, moving like lightning and smoke, instantly assaulting Li Muzhan.
All ten black-clad figures converged on Li Muzhan, ignoring Chai Xiaoyue, which greatly annoyed her.