Chapter 32: Sarira
Upon hearing Lu Yi’s words, Ying Tong sneered inwardly. It was not just a matter of causing trouble; this person was on the verge of exterminating the entire Cangqiong Realm.
Among all the unworthy descendants, Ying Xuejian could definitely rank among the top three.
After listening to Lu Yi’s suggestion, Ying Tong was actually moved.
Looking around, it was evident that many individuals with demonic hearts and bones had invariably become ruthless demon lords.
Among them, half even possessed suppressive items, such as Bodhi bones, which should have allowed them to live peacefully, but none of that mattered; those who were destined to turn dark would still do so.
However, just as this thought crossed her mind, a mysterious force suddenly surged within Ying Tong, seemingly preventing her from taking such action.
Sensing something, Ying Tong looked up; it was Tiandao that was stopping her.
Fine, if she wouldn’t kill, then she wouldn’t kill.
However, Ying Xuejian’s demonic heart and demonic bones indeed posed a tricky problem. Throughout history, no one had found a solution to this issue; even Bodhi bones could only suppress the darkness temporarily.
To seek a solution for the demonic heart and demonic bones, Ying Tong went to the library.
This place housed countless ancient texts, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that if a book could not be found in the Ying family’s library, it would be even less likely to be found elsewhere.
Ying Tong spent three months in the library.
During this time, she almost searched through all records related to demonic hearts and bones, finally finding a clue in a yellowed ancient book.
“Sarira?”
Wasn’t this something from the Buddhist teachings?
It was said that only after a highly attained monk passed away would their ashes form sarira, which were incredibly precious.
Ying Tong had never heard of anyone possessing sarira.
Ying Tong pondered whether to burn a few monks to gather some.
Given Ying Xuejian’s situation, a single sarira from the ancient texts would likely be sufficient to subdue her, but she would need to burn a few more.
Buddha beads typically had a specific numerical requirement; losing or gaining even one would disrupt the spiritual quality of the entire string. She wondered if sarira followed the same rule.
Ying Tong calculated the renowned monks within the Buddhist sects who might possess sarira within them.
After a moment, she shook her head. “It’s simply not enough.”
“I know where there are sarira,” a voice suddenly echoed in Ying Tong’s ear.
Turning around, she saw a girl who had appeared behind her at some point. With platinum-colored hair and eyes that shone brightly even in the dim light, she was truly dazzling.
“Lan Feng, you know where there are sarira? Is that for real?”
“Of course it’s real,” Lan Feng said, nodding her little head.
“Do you remember two years ago when Lingxiao Sect sent a letter to you?”
Wasn’t this about the sarira? Why was she suddenly bringing up Lingxiao Sect?
Still, Ying Tong recalled that there had indeed been such an occurrence.
“I was in the midst of crucial cultivation at that time, so I didn’t pay it any mind.”
Lan Feng smiled and nodded. “I happened to have time back then, so I went in your name. What did I see when I got there?”
“Stop beating around the bush and get to the point,” Ying Tong urged.
“Okay, okay.” Lan Feng pouted. “The reason Lingxiao Sect sent the letter was that they obtained a string of Buddha beads in an ancient secret realm.”
“The beads radiated a Buddha light, clearly not an ordinary item. The people from the Buddhist sect even sent someone to request it, but they were refused. During the struggle, one of the beads was shattered, and in an instant, the entire string lost its radiance, turning into ordinary beads.”
Upon hearing Lan Feng’s words, Ying Tong suddenly understood. “No wonder the relationship between Lingxiao Sect and the Buddhist sect has worsened over the past two years, reaching a point of hostility.”
You go straight to the door to ask for the treasure that they themselves have obtained, and when they do not give it to you, you destroy the treasure.
Ying Tong struggled to describe these monks. If one were to say they were virtuous, it would be true that they sought the welfare of sentient beings, but sometimes their actions left much to be desired.
“You’ve said so much; what does that string of beads have to do with the sarira?”
“Oh, come on! Are you really that slow? That string of beads is made from sarira,” Lan Feng replied.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course! I still have that much discernment,” Lan Feng said. “That string of beads should still be in Lingxiao Sect’s possession. Once it lost its Buddha light, it became no different from ordinary beads. If you ask for it, they should agree.”
“Then we should go!”
Since there was already a lead on the sarira, a trip was definitely in order.
Before setting off, Ying Tong prepared plenty of good items; she wasn’t going to approach it like those monks, going in empty-handed.
Just as Ying Tong was about to depart for Lingxiao Sect, she suddenly remembered something she hadn’t done yet.
She found Ying Xuan and sent him along with a few other talented members, including Ying Ming, into the white tower for training in temperament.
Ying Xuechen witnessed this scene and was surprised to see that the Venerable Yunhuang had an artifact in her possession.
“Venerable, will Brother Xuan and the others be in any danger?”
“They should be fine,” Ying Tong replied ambiguously.
This time, Ying Xuechen accompanied her to Lingxiao Sect as well.
“Venerable Yunhuang, may I ask why you are coming to Lingxiao Sect?”
Although Lingxiao Sect specialized in alchemy, the Ying family didn’t lack for elixirs or alchemists. Even if they were genuinely in need of medicine, they only had to give a command, and Lingxiao Sect would proactively deliver it; there was no need for them to come in person.
“When asking for something, one must naturally go in person to show sincerity,” Ying Tong replied.
Before long, the two arrived at Lingxiao Sect.
The vast Lingxiao Sect was established among the mountains, nestled by water. From a distance, it seemed to connect with the sky, surrounded by white mist that added a touch of mystery to the sect.
Thus, Ying Tong’s arrival caused quite a stir within Lingxiao Sect.
Many peak masters and elders, upon hearing the report from their disciples, even doubted whether they had misheard.
“Venerable Yunhuang is right outside the sect?”
After confirming repeatedly, almost everyone’s hearts raced in anticipation.
Who was Venerable Yunhuang? She was the foremost figure in the Cangqiong realm, having reached the transformation stage before the age of twenty and being just a step away from ascending. No one had ever done this before, and likely no one would again.
The sect leader of Lingxiao Sect couldn’t understand why Venerable Yunhuang had come. Was she here to ask for elixirs?
What a joke! The alchemists of the Ying family were certainly no less capable than those of Lingxiao Sect.
Now, the only connection the sect leader could think of between Lingxiao Sect and Venerable Yunhuang was the invitation they had sent her two years ago, which she had completely ignored.
**TN
Śarīra – a generic term referring to Buddhist relics, although in common usage it usually refers to pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects that are found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters.
Tiandao – Will of Heaven or Way of Heaven
