Quinn Shepherd focused intently, memorizing the Overlord Three-Core Art’s Six Directions stage diagram carved on the pillar. He had previously obtained the Five Luminaries fragment of the same art in Calamity-Seal Palace. With the addition of the Six Directions diagram, the formerly obscure parts of the broken fragment gradually became clearer, though fully reconstructing it remained impossible.
Since the Young Heavenly Demon Patriarch had seen these diagrams before, it was possible he possessed more fragments of the Five Luminaries stage. Even if incomplete, perhaps they could be combined with what Quinn already knew to restore the full Five Luminaries method.
This concerned his cultivation, so Quinn had to be meticulous.
Suddenly, a monk walked in from the rear of the hall and said in a deep voice, “Which of you are scholars from Goldenridge City? Goldenridge scholars, step forward. You need not face this trial—proceed to the next gate and wait.”
Wes Young was stunned for a moment. He and the other two scholars stepped forward and entered the hall, glancing back as he called out, “Brother Quinn…”
“No talking!”
The monk said gravely, “Goldenridge scholars have suffered heavy casualties. They may skip the remaining trials. The rest of you, stay here for the examination.”
Quinn Shepherd was astonished—there were monks in the Imperial Academy!
He’d seen so many Daoists here that he’d assumed, despite its name, the Imperial Academy was really a Daoist institution. He never expected to encounter monks as well.
“Monks and Daoists both in the Imperial Academy… I wonder what Great Thunderclap Temple thinks of this?”
Just as this thought crossed his mind, another monk entered from the back—a yellow-robed monk with a pronounced brow ridge and long, flowing eyebrows, holding a roster. His piercing gaze swept the hall, silencing the scholars as he announced, “This trial will test your heart and mind.”
His voice thundered through the hall like a great bell, making everyone’s eardrums buzz and leaving their minds blank.
He sat cross-legged, eyes lowered, and said, “The scripture I will chant contains true words. If you cannot endure it, leave the hall. Those who withstand the entire recitation may proceed to the next gate.”
He pressed his palms together, fingers turning the prayer beads, and intoned slowly, “Thus have I heard. The Buddha said to Subhuti: All bodhisattvas, mahasattvas, should subdue their minds in this way: Whatever kinds of beings there are—born from eggs, wombs, moisture, or transformation; with or without form; with or without thought; neither with nor without thought—I shall lead them all to final Nirvana, leaving none behind. Though countless beings are thus liberated, in truth no being is liberated. Why is this so…?”*
The Buddha-sound reverberated, each true word crashing into the minds of all the scholars, into their bodies, their yuanqi, their Spirit Embryo Treasuries, and their Five Luminaries Treasuries!
Even in their thoughts, colossal Buddhas appeared, radiating light.
The vibration grew stronger and stronger, until it became unbearable. The sound made their blood surge, their yuanqi chaotic, and their inner treasuries impossible to stabilize!
Resisting the chanting was nearly impossible—their own thoughts could not hold out. It was as if every impulse was exposed, with not a single secret remaining.
Finally, one scholar couldn’t bear it and sprang up, bolting for the exit!
If he kept listening to the yellow-robed monk’s chanting, he feared his yuanqi would collapse, his treasuries seized by the Buddha-sound, and even his flesh, bones, and meridians torn apart by the vibrations!