CHAPTER 553: CHAPTER 508: BODHIDHARMA, MUSCLE-TENDON CLEANSING, AND WHERE DID THIS WILD KID COME FROM?

Just now at Book Cliff, I witnessed the martial charm of Kashyapa with my own eyes.

To enshrine the deceased in the Mahavira Hall, what does it imply?

Upon seeing this scene, Meng Chuan couldn’t help but speculate in his heart:

"Is it possible that people can still receive incense offerings after death and transform into Immortals and Buddhas who can wield Incense Fire Divine Power?"

To create Immortals and Buddhas, truly becoming Buddha on the spot?

Indeed, there is a place for Incense Fire Immortals and Buddhas.

Could it be... in the future, I still have a chance to visit Kashyapa’s Dharma Realm...

Returning to his senses.

Clearing away idle thoughts, Meng Chuan continued to observe with reverence.

Whether Kashyapa can become Buddha, Master Bai Bao surely can provide me an answer.

No hurry to resolve temporary confusion, don’t get stuck in a dead end.

The effect of enhanced comprehension is quietly evident here.

Then he looked around.

On the left side of the hall, there is a statue draped in a plain monk robe, sitting in a meditative pose, its face serene, eyes filled with abundant Zen intention.

The person on the right side holds a fire stick, stands tall, with sharp and fierce eyes, exuding a heavy aura of majesty.

Seeing these two, Meng Chuan was certain of his speculation, no need to ask Master Bai Bao anymore.

He murmured to the statue:

"A person existing in reality can truly receive incense offerings and instantly become Buddha..."

Why is that?

Because both are figures recorded in the real "Historical Records."

They are clearly documented as ancient martial era’s "martial giants" of the Buddhist sect.

The one in the plain monk robe is the founder of Central Earth’s Zen Sect, Bodhidharma Ancestor Master.

His status is equivalent to Celestial Master Mansion’s Ancestor Celestial Master Zhang Daoling.

Ancestor Bodhidharma was the founder of Shaolin Inner Power and Fighting Technique, also the initiator of the core teachings and fist skills of the Buddhist sect.

He combined martial arts with meditation, leading monks to abandon Kashyapa’s spiritual cultivation path, establishing the foundation of Shaolin’s "Zen and Martial Settled, Spirit and Flesh United."

He is also one of the pioneers of modern Qi Blood martial arts.

A legendary figure in martial arts, Meng Chuan immediately bowed in great respect to the predecessor.

Afterwards, he rose.

Looked to the majestic figure on the right, revered as, King Kinnaraya Bodhisattva.

Also a martial giant of Shaolin during the Yuan Dynasty era, protecting temples through hardships, later honored as Shaolin’s guardian deity.

He passed down nearly a hundred martial arts like [King Kinnaraya Fist] and [King Kinnaraya Staff Technique].

These foundational martial arts can be learned on the Martial Arts Association’s website for a fee...

Shaolin’s Mahavira Hall, perhaps like Wudang’s Yuxu Palace, is used for ritual purposes.

If these two genuine ancient figures can stand here, whether incense can nurture into Buddha needs no speculation.

"It seems Ancestor Zhang Sanfeng must still be alive, achieving Martial Arts Great Saint.

Otherwise, he would’ve already been revered as immortal beside the True Martial Great Emperor by Wudang."

Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Celestial Master Mansion’s Ancestor Zhang Daoling naturally the same.

To become a saint while alive, to become immortal when gone...

Meng Chuan deduced what was in his heart.

Then hurriedly tossed those disrespectful remarks to the back of his mind...

"Peace, peace..."

Afterwards, Meng Chuan stopped examining and speculating.

He circled the hall with hands together, offering prayers to various Buddhas, bowed then prepared to leave.

He thought:

"Buddha, bless me to become a Martial God fiercer than Demon God, destroy the Celestial Demon Realm, turning it into a human interplanetary colony..." Just said casually since he was here.

He doesn’t believe in these, affecting his martial arts spirit.

Fake reverence and incense offering wouldn’t be beautiful.

However, Meng Chuan did not expect.

After he left, a robust monk with broad shoulders and strong bones emerged from the dark room behind the statue of the Three Buddhas.

He stared sharply like an eagle at Meng Chuan’s departing figure.

A moment later, his expression softened.

Then he took out a clean cloth, carefully wiping away all traces left by Meng Chuan.

While wiping, he murmured:

"Which disciple’s child, or a wild kid from outside?"

Meng Chuan’s bald head indeed had a certain deceptive quality...

After wiping clean, he stood upright.

Then dismissed idle thoughts, with an immensely devout attitude, circled several Buddha statues, kneeling and bowing alternately.

Hands together, bending forward, crouching, slowly kneeling to kowtow...

This is to seek forgiveness on behalf of the "careless one."

After repeating three times, he then rose.

Exiting the hall, his expression instantly turned grim:

"Buddha is merciful but cannot tolerate such disrespect..."

The mystical nature of the Mahavira Hall shields all perceptions.

Meng Chuan naturally was unaware that after he left, a Shaolin zealot had targeted him...

...

Seeing the sky turning dark.

Meng Chuan no longer lingered in the Thousand Buddha Hall area, heading toward the Moon Terrace Garden by the mountain.

Next to it is Shaolin’s Martial Arts University headquarters and its monk institute, to be visited another day.

In the rear mountain, ancient trees stand tall and scattered, the atmosphere silent and tranquil.

This environment affected his mood, immediately collecting his thoughts, and his face involuntarily carried a hint of solemnity.

Master Bai Bao truly deserves the title of Celestial King Monk.

Before even reaching the mountain’s summit, this scene of mountain and forest Zen intention had already tested him.

Upon reaching the peak, the Moon Terrace Garden.

Meng Chuan saw a monk dressed in a moon-white robe already waiting there.

This monk’s appearance made it impossible to discern age.

Only felt a clean face, eyes like pools, devoid of aura, yet faintly exuding a transcendent and unworldly aura.

This "presence," he hadn’t sensed even from Ancestor Kashyapa back at Book Cliff.

Returning to his senses, without much thought, Meng Chuan bowed with hands together:

"Greetings, Master Baibao."

His mentor had previously reminded him that upon meeting the Divine Monk Baibao, he should address him simply as Master.

Master Baibao turned the prayer beads in his hand, glanced at him, and said softly:

"I am Baibao, and this is Xiaomeng, correct? You look much leaner than your mentor Luo Guanyun described."

Luo Guanyun had said that his disciple’s robust physique could rival that of two Shaolin warrior monks, standing side by side yet appearing broader...

Meng Chuan slightly released himself, and his body instantly expanded, becoming rock-solid once again...

He then laughed and said:

"Master Baibao, is this how it is?"

Such a playful demeanor was intended to draw closer to him.

Meng Chuan could tell that Master Baibao seemed to have an inexplicable obsession with Hard Skills...

Baibao smiled without speaking, inviting Meng Chuan inside for a chat.

This child indeed shares a lineage with his mentor Luo Guanyun.

For both of them have similar virtues...

...

Inside.

As Meng Chuan entered, the scent of sandalwood enveloped him with a scholarly atmosphere.

Master Baibao truly has refined tastes!

As he surveyed the surroundings, a landscape painting in light ink hung on the wall, with ’Baibao’ inscribed in the margin on the right.

Following Master Baibao’s gesture, Meng Chuan sat on the cushion beside the desk.

On the desk lay two cups of hot tea and an open Buddhist scripture.

Baibao first inquired with concern:

"Xiaomeng, how is your mentor these days?"

"He’s much better. With the Heart Sutra you bestowed, my mentor has tirelessly studied day and night, benefiting greatly from it in overcoming his grievances at the Spirit Platform."

These were Luo Guanyun’s exact words, which he faithfully relayed.

Baibao nodded with a smile:

"That’s good to hear. Now, let’s discuss your situation.

I have already heard about the realization you had on Book Cliff.

There are many similar places within Shaolin; if you wish to seek enlightenment, I can offer you something to grant you access."

Meng Chuan expressed his gratitude and then produced a jade token, telling about Venerable Shi.

"Thank you, Master Baibao. I already have a jade token and will visit sometime soon."

Baibao was secretly surprised, not expecting Meng Chuan to possess such an item.

He originally prepared one for the youngster, but seeing that he already had one, he put it away.

Then, he got straight to the point:

"Xiaomeng, since you’ve entered Shaolin, do you have any particular martial arts you wish to learn?

Would you prefer to start with Arhat Fist to build your foundation, or practice Prajna Skill to comprehend the Zen principles?"

He initially intended to test Meng Chuan, but after the realization at Book Cliff, there was no need.

The ability to perceive the nature of Ancestor Master Kashyapa is proof of connection with Buddhist teachings.

As long as the martial principles are sufficient, all Shaolin arts can be learned.

Baibao’s words struck a chord with him.

The Eighteen Arhat series of martial arts were definitely on his list to learn.

Otherwise, how could he summon the "spirit" of the Arhat with martial fortunes?

As for Prajna Skill...

Meng Chuan was more interested in learning that, known as the first Divine Skill of Great Chu, the [Dragon Elephant Wisdom Skill]...

However, back to reality, this skill has terrifyingly high requirements for physical quality and related martial principles.

He estimated the requirements for entry into this method.

At the very least, it required several True Skill Level Buddhist horizontal practices to be perfected to build a foundation.

Additionally, breaking some limits would be beneficial to cultivate the traits of this skill.

Currently, he had three major True Skill Level Buddhist practices: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, one for each level.

Therefore, he wasn’t greedy to practice other Shaolin methods for the time being.

His focus still needed to remain on practicing Baxia Skill to soon break the limit [Transcendence (Core)].

He deliberated for a while, then said:

"Master Baibao, I wish to learn the Heart Sutra spell techniques that can temper spiritual power and the Eighteen Arhat series of martial arts.

If possible, gaining insight into the two classics of Muscle-Changing and Marrow-Cleansing would be even better..."

The final two methods are the most famous martial secret arts in the Zen Ancestor Land, known even by ordinary people who don’t practice martial arts.

The creator was none other than Ancestor Master Bodhidharma, whom Meng Chuan had just seen in the Mahavira Hall.

Bodhidharma meditated for nine years, leaving behind the [Muscle-Changing] and [Marrow-Cleansing] classics.

It is rumored that the two major schools of Xingyi and Elephant Form in Great Chu’s current era are derived from the foundation of these two methods.

Meng Chuan himself had been practicing the Taiyi Three Talents Posture.

He felt that even if the legends were embellished by the Buddhist sect, somewhat exaggerated,

the creation of Pile Skills must have extracted some of the essence from them.

Furthermore, the previous Shaolin Abbot, Xuanji, also created two Divine Skills based on these two classics:

One is the [Muscle Replacement and Soul Cleansing Method], the other is the [Spirit Cleansing Divine Fist].

This demonstrates the high historical regard for these two methods, undoubtedly ancestral-level.

Having arrived at Shaolin, Meng Chuan was naturally unwilling to leave without pursuing these roots.

Besides, he believed that comprehending the Xingyi and Elephant Forms, and dual cultivation, hinged on "traits."

However, the martial principles therein were subtly related to Muscle-Changing and Marrow-Cleansing techniques.

Concerns about the future meant he couldn’t afford to miss out.

Upon hearing Meng Chuan’s requests, Baibao pondered for a moment before slowly stating:

"The Heart Sutra your mentor studies is not well aligned with enhancing spiritual power.

I have another sutra here, the [Pharmacist’s Purification of the Six Roots and Perception Method], aimed at purifying the six senses and overcoming heart demons."

He nodded immediately and said:

"Master Baibao, I wish to learn it!"

Meng Chuan had previously understood that any method related to the "purification of the six senses" was a secret not traditionally shared outside the Buddhist sect.

Neither on the Martial Arts Association’s official website nor through other channels.

These were "true teachings" that money couldn’t buy.

Such methods held a similar status at Wudang as Qingming Dragon Lock and Qi Nourishing Armor.