Chapter 49: Buddhist Fire Heart-Burning
“……”
Suisui kept her eyes wide open, unlike Old Monk Fayun, who sat in serene meditation with his eyes closed, entering a state of samadhi.
Using her Divine Sense, Suisui sensed Chen Hao’s concerned gaze. She realized that a prolonged battle wouldn’t work; it was Old Monk Fayun’s specialty, and under normal circumstances, they likely couldn’t achieve a swift victory. Tomorrow’s important business couldn’t be delayed.
Old Monk, my apologies, but this young lady doesn’t have time to play with you!
With this thought, Suisui flashed her signature fox-like smile, her two fox tails beginning to sway.
The rules forbade physical movement, but Suisui had a solution: her tails could also unleash spells.
Whoosh…
WHOOSH—!!!
To act discreetly and prevent Old Monk Fayun from detecting her involvement, Suisui devised a clever plan: create a powerful gust of wind that would violently shake the bamboo pole. The old monk wouldn’t be able to endure it, and would naturally give up.
“What the hell! Such a powerful wind!”
“Aaaah~!” A girl in a skirt screamed, clutching her skirt down.
“Guards! Guards! She—”
“Get out of the way! We’ve already subdued the security!”
A fierce wind rose, causing skirts to billow wildly. Chaos erupted among the crowd below, as the sudden gale caught everyone off guard, especially the women in long skirts, who struggled frantically to keep their garments in place.
As for the gentlemen claiming sand had blown into their eyes, they widened their eyes dramatically, feigning innocence.
“!”
Old Monk Fayun, seated above, initially maintained his composure, swaying in unison with the rocking cushion.
But as the oscillations intensified, the old monk gradually lost his composure. Though a spiritual cultivator, a fall from such a height would still inflict injuries. More importantly, physical harm paled in comparison to the loss of face!
Old Monk Fayun’s eyes snapped open, his decision made. With a decisive leap, he sprang from the cushion and landed firmly on the ground.
“Amitabha!”
“Little Benefactor, your unwavering composure in the face of this gale is truly admirable. This old monk is deeply impressed…”
“This round, this old monk has lost!”
Gazing at the bamboo pole standing motionless opposite him, Old Monk Fayun’s eyes revealed genuine admiration. The gap in strength between him and Suisui was indeed vast.
Having the power to summon a raging wind naturally meant one could remain steadfast within it. Suisui smiled faintly as she gracefully descended from her meditation cushion, her movements poised and resolute even as she landed.
Snap!
With a snap of her fingers, the raging wind gradually subsided. Suisui deliberately performed this before Old Monk Fayun to demonstrate that she had orchestrated the entire phenomenon.
Old Monk Fayun naturally dared not object. After all, the rules hadn’t explicitly forbidden the use of supernatural powers to interfere with an opponent. One could only acknowledge Suisui’s superior strength and accept the outcome without complaint.
“Let’s start the second round immediately!”
The following second round was equally predictable. Suisui won effortlessly and swiftly, eager to conclude the matter quickly so as not to delay Chen Hao’s important business tomorrow.
“There’s only one round left. You’d better seize this chance, because this young lady won’t give you any more!”
Suisui crossed her arms, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips as she regarded Old Monk Fayun, showing no intention of holding back.
Old Monk Fayun was under immense pressure, with only one chance left. Failure would mean losing the demon core forever, and likely no such opportunity would ever arise again.
Gritting his teeth, Old Monk Fayun had devised a final, decisive duel—a life-or-death battle. Though, in truth, it was only life-threatening for him; Suisui saw it as no such thing.
“Oh, ‘Buddhist Fire Heart-Burning’? Sounds intriguing. Tell me, how exactly does it work?”
When Old Monk Fayun announced the name of their final duel, “Buddhist Fire Heart-Burning,” Suisui’s face lit up with curiosity.
“Amitabha!”
“This humble monk truly didn’t wish to resort to this for our final duel, but with only one chance remaining, I’m willing to stake it all. Allow me to explain…”
“I trust Little Benefactor has heard of the Victorious Fighting Buddha—an ancient deity of immense power. Born a demon, he was initially wild and untamed, wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Palace before finally being subdued by the Buddha himself…”
“Get to the point!”
“Y-yes, yes, yes!”
“Uh, after being captured, the Victorious Fighting Buddha was imprisoned in Laojun’s alchemical furnace to be refined. In the end, not only was he not refined, but he instead cultivated Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils.”
“The Buddhist Fire Heart-Burning technique draws inspiration from this. Through fire refinement, one tempers oneself…”
“However, this method is extremely perilous. Few dare to practice it. Little Benefactor, please be aware of the risks!”
Old Monk Fayun still wanted to warn Suisui of the dangers first. After all, this magical duel was no child’s play; a single misstep could cost her life.
“Now this is getting interesting!”
Suisui’s eyes lit up. This magical duel was finally starting to intrigue her. The previous rounds had been mere child’s games.
Suisui remained calm, but Chen Hao, who was standing beside her, grew increasingly anxious. “Suisui, let’s not do this, okay? Being burned by fire is too dangerous!”
In ordinary people’s minds, how could anyone withstand the searing heat of flames? It was akin to courting death, even if protected by a vessel. Just look at those crabs—thrown into a pot, they inevitably turn red.
“Don’t worry, Papa. Suisui will be fine! Except for celestial-level flames, ordinary fire can’t harm me at all!”
Suisui patted her chest, assuring everyone she was fine. Then she added, “Papa, remember when you helped me unlock a new skill? It’s perfect for this!”
Chen Hao thought for a moment and recalled how reaching 111 Intimacy Points had unlocked Suisui’s new ability: “Five Elements Affinity.” Come to think of it, fire was indeed one of the Five Elements.
With this realization and Suisui’s reassurance, Chen Hao finally relaxed. True enough, a parent’s concern for their child was instinctive; even when safety was guaranteed, some worry lingered.
“Little Benefactor, follow me!”
They moved to another location: the inner courtyard of Duyun Temple. Ordinary people were barred from watching, as such a scene was deemed unsuitable for public viewing.
Within the courtyard stood two massive alchemical cauldrons, typically used by Duyun Temple to refine medicinal pills, now repurposed to refine humans—a concept unheard of.
“Amitabha!”
“May the Buddha protect us!”
Old Monk Fayun chanted a Buddhist invocation and resolutely entered one of the cauldrons.
To be honest, this was the first time Old Monk Fayun had undergone the Buddhist Fire Heart-Burning Trial. He had only heard about it from older generations; the actual experience was making him quite nervous.
But there was no turning back now. He had to find a way to succeed and retrieve the demon core from Suisui’s grasp.
Suisui followed him into the other cauldron.
Whoosh!
Once the cauldron doors clanged shut, raging flames erupted beneath them—extraordinary flames unlike any other.
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