Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi

After a speech concluded:

"..."

Zhang Yao’s brow furrowed tightly, remaining silent for a long time without speaking.

The Passing Arhat slowly lowered his palm, remaining silent as if waiting for his decision.

"...I have something I wish to inquire."

After a long silence, Zhang Yao finally spoke:

"Such cruel and heavy truth, you, Master, are willing to reveal to others, surely with the determination to change everything, intending to seek external help."

"But forgive my candor, the Mani Temple is as formidable as a mountain, your little effort seems no more than an ant trying to shake a tree."

This is a very realistic problem:

To change the world, sitting here daydreaming is useless, action is necessary.

But the power of Mani Temple is terrifying; one Passing Arhat, even ten, cannot overturn this Merit System.

"Your concerns are valid."

The Passing Arhat’s expression was calm as he spoke slowly:

"In fact, among the successive Golden Body Arhats who have presided over the Great Awakening Hall, I am not the only one dissatisfied with the Merit System."

"However, forced by the realities, after experiencing a series of processes such as disheartenment, pain, helplessness, despair, and loneliness, they instead became thoroughly enlightened, seeing through all forms, aligning with the true meaning of the silent Bodhi."

"Among these Hall Guardian Arhats, those who ultimately accepted the infusion of Wish Power of All Living Beings and thus achieved the fruit status of a Great Arhat are not in the minority."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yao’s expression shifted, immediately grasping the essence of these words.

Because of helplessness, knowing that there’s no hope of changing the status quo, there are no more inner knots.

Yet the Passing Arhat before him, held by inner knots for over a hundred years, proves he has a way to overturn the Merit System, or at least a glimmer of hope.

Ironically, it is this glimmer of hope that has become his shackle.

"...Wait!"

Seeing the Passing Arhat about to speak again, Zhang Yao suddenly stopped him, calmly saying:

"Master of Passage, I am grateful you shared this with me."

"But I have never agreed to lend you a helping hand to fulfill your grand wish, so there are some things I should not hear."

Once involved in some matters, it’s hard to extricate oneself.

The living beings of Mani Temple are indeed pitiful, but this wasn’t caused by Zhang Yao, and it has nothing to do with him.

Being incited by others until he was passionate, then becoming a pawn and foot soldier for them—such a person wouldn’t even survive in the mortal world.

Mani Temple is a colossal entity, someone like him can’t bear it; it’s better not to get involved.

"Your concerns, I understand."

The Passing Arhat smiled faintly and said:

"But having proactively invited you to meet, I am naturally prepared."

"I am confident that the condition I offer, you will find difficult to refuse."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yao raised an eyebrow, revealing a slightly mocking expression:

"Then I’m curious to see what conditions you can offer."

The Passing Arhat smiled in response, reached into his monk robe sleeve, taking out a small metal bottle, placing it between them.

The metal bottle was roughly palm-sized, silver-white in color, engraved with dense dark golden patterns.

"Regardless of the condition, this is my gift to you as a meeting gesture."

"Whether the matter succeeds or not, whether you agree or not, this object is yours."

"This..."

Zhang Yao glanced at it, his expression stiffening.

Even through the tightly sealed metal bottle, he felt the scorching heat and subtle sting on his skin, realizing almost instantly what was inside.

It was the treasure he longed for, a cornerstone to advance towards the Nascent Soul Dao.

"..."

Zhang Yao’s face twitched slightly, he slowly spoke, his voice showing a hint of dryness.

"Master, have you decided? You truly want to give this Buddhist Supreme Treasure to me?"

He never expected that what he thought he’d endure for many years to obtain, the Precious Luminous Golden Nectar, was now placed right in front of him—so close, so accessible.

Initially intending to question the Passing Arhat on how he knew he needed this item, whether he had investigated him secretly, the words inadvertently changed by the time they reached his lips.

"Certainly."

The Passing Arhat nodded:

"A monk does not utter falsehoods."

"This item, is given to you."

Speaking, he pushed the metal bottle even closer to Zhang Yao.

"Huff, huff..."

After taking several deep breaths, Zhang Yao suppressed the turmoil in his heart, his eyes cooling like an icy lake, and he spoke evenly:

"Thank you for your kindness, Master, but I cannot accept something for nothing."

As he spoke, he reached out and pushed the small bottle further away.

"Please take it back, Master."

He indeed needed the Precious Luminous Golden Nectar but could not be led by the nose because of it; he couldn’t tolerate this.

The gift of Immortality is his greatest asset, meaning he always has an escape route, unlike other cultivators who race against the knife of time, often finding themselves unable to act freely.

"..."

Facing Zhang Yao’s refusal, the Passing Arhat was also surprised, looking deeply at him, then said in a low voice after a moment of silence:

"It seems, without gaining your trust, you won’t have faith in me... So allow me to reveal a little."

"My plan vies for the opportune time, location, and harmony among people, if all is ready, there’s a fifty percent chance of dismantling this Merit System and eliminating this eternal evil."

"From then on, Buddha’s belongs to Buddha, and the living beings to themselves."

"In this process, we will deal only with Golden Core Cultivators; as for those few Great Arhats, they won’t interfere."