Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi

Three days later.

In Changle Palace, Zhang Yao rose from his meditation mat and moved to the left side of the hall.

"Buzz!"

As Zhang Yao approached, the exquisite Bright Buddha Realm mural on the left wall shimmered with layers of pale golden light.

"Hmm..."

Instead of rushing forward, Zhang Yao scanned with Divine Thought, carefully observing the fragmented golden spell inscriptions and array veins beneath the mural’s glow.

This was the ’Jialan Murals’ found in each of the twenty-four Demon Caves; activating the mural’s array would manifest a ’Future Dharma Body’ and directly transport one to Mani Temple to partake in the grand assembly.

Mani Temple only initiated the ’Jialan Murals’ once every twenty years. Zhang Yao had waited many years for this chance to feast his eyes.

"Such an exquisite technique. The founding ancestor of Mani Temple who established this system must have been a remarkable Array Master."

A sincere admiration and astonishment arose in Zhang Yao’s heart.

Since coming to Changle Mountain, the intricately nested fourth-grade arrays have broadened his horizons, leaving him amazed time and again.

Over the years, he has used this treasured ground to comprehend many array mysteries, steadily advancing his understanding—drawing closer to the fourth grade.

"Let’s go!"

After studying it for some time, Zhang Yao withdrew his Divine Thought, preparing to head to Mani Temple.

Fourth-grade arrays are outstanding works that stand alone unless one can directly analyze or dismantle them; otherwise, they can only be superficially studied.

Currently, he did not have such extravagant expectations, naturally opting to quit while he’s ahead.

"Boom!"

At the moment Zhang Yao touched the mural, a sweep of golden light enveloped his body from top to bottom.

Then:

The golden light warped and trembled, rapidly coalescing into a phantom that was identical to Zhang Yao in form and appearance, vividly lifelike.

In the next instant, the golden light solidified completely, and the phantom transformed from illusion to reality, standing tall before Zhang Yao.

"This technique seems even more refined than Ancestor Heze’s Incarnation Puppet..."

Zhang Yao circled the ’Future Dharma Body’ several times but didn’t perceive further complexities; he then cast a thread of Divine Thought and Magical Power into the future body.

The Future Dharma Body suddenly opened its eyes, beginning to familiarize itself with its new, semi-real body.

With experience in maneuvering Incarnation Puppets, Zhang Yao adeptly took control of the Future Dharma Body, quickly adapting.

"Go ahead."

Zhang Yao tossed a few pre-prepared storage bags; the Future Dharma Body accepted them, turned around, and swiftly blended into the wall mural.

After the Dharma Body departed, Zhang Yao returned to the meditation mat in the hall, focusing all his attention on the Future Dharma Body.

......

The golden-hued passage was filled with distorted light and shadow.

The Future Dharma Body of Zhang Yao traversed the golden corridor, where before him, intertwining colors shifted.

It seemed to pass in an instant, yet felt like a century had elapsed; the golden light suddenly dissipated, Zhang Yao blinked, finally taking in his surroundings.

In the spacious and bright hall, numerous novice monks and monks bustled about, chanting and reciting continuously, with a faint golden glow cascading like veils upon the earth.

"Dong..."

A heavy and resonant bell toll slowly radiated, clearing one’s mind.

"Amitabha!"

A familiar voice came forth.

Zhang Yao turned his head, seeing Monk Zhenhui, whom he hadn’t seen in years, dressed in a much more formal bright yellow kasaya, hands clasped in greeting, a kind smile on his face:

"Hermit Qingxu, it’s been years since we last met, how have you been?"

"I’ve been well, thank you for Master’s blessings."

Zhang Yao bowed in return and spoke:

"I’m grateful for Master leading me; shall we visit your esteemed teacher now?"

In his view, the passing Arhat was likely just a formal meeting, exchanging pleasantries briefly, then he would hurry to join the assembly.

"There’s no need to rush."

Monk Zhenhui waved his hand and replied:

"To be honest, my teacher is currently meeting with an old friend and might not be available right now."

"He specifically asked me to show Hermit Qingxu around, as it’s your first time attending the Mani Dharma Assembly, to take a proper tour."

"...That’s fine."

Zhang Yao nodded slightly, courteously saying:

"Then I leave it in your capable hands, Master Zhenhui."

"You’re too kind."

Monk Zhenhui humbly responded:

"Please, this way."

......

Mani Temple was vast, larger than many cities.

After leaving the ’Jialan Hall,’ Zhang Yao, led by Zhenhui, embarked on the official tour of Mani Temple.

Passing through large expanses of shaded paths and crossing two stone bridges, the pair arrived on a long road paved with golden bricks, the surface sprinkled with numerous, varied traces and impressions.

On either side stood grand sculptures of various Bodhisattvas and Buddhas, with countless monks and Buddha’s children bowing and paying respects at every pace.

"Truly magnificent!"

Deeply moved, Zhang Yao praised repeatedly:

"Where there’s genuine sincerity, even stone and metal will yield! Today, this sage has finally seen true brilliance!"

He could see at a glance that the golden brick road was genuinely forged from second-grade spiritual objects, undisturbed by ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Among the many worshiping monks on the ground, there were Buddhist Cultivators, but most were ordinary monks, and the cultivators amidst them refrained from using Magical Power, earnestly bowing in reverence.

Accumulate soil to form mountains, gather water to form seas.

With every bow, every homage, each touch with palms, knees, heads against the golden-bricked ground—year after decade, after century... an endless accumulation crafted such a marvel.