## Crimson Heaven Chapter 73: There Will Be Successors

Fueled by the resonating power of the Zhìwén Bell, the Buddhist chants of the Great Bodhisattva Chán Fǎyuán echoed from Cloudy Tower City, reaching even the lands of Divine Firmament.

Suddenly, Chái Hé Sì’s body reacted, radiating brilliant treasure light. The demons present all turned their attention to him, curious about the depths of his hidden power. Chái Ā Sì himself was startled. “Could it be that my Ancient God Mirror is about to be exposed? Will my identity as a fated demon be revealed?”

But upon closer inspection, he realized the golden light was not emanating from his own body, nor was it related to the Ancient God Mirror. The Ancient God Mirror remained hidden, its treasure light contained, appearing utterly unremarkable, without a single glimmer. He reached into his embrace and withdrew the source of the golden light – an old book. The very same old book he had unearthed from a used bookstore, the one translated into the canine language: *The Collection of Root and Fruit of Supreme Wisdom and Divine Insight*.

Was it merely the classic left behind by the Luminous King Tathagata? Was it simply a translated book? Chái Ā Sì had meticulously studied this book, yet he recognized precious few characters. The Great Ancient God had even transcribed the characters, pondering them repeatedly within the *Like a Dream Token*, yet found nothing extraordinary. Only now, with the Zhìwén Bell ringing and the Bodhisattva Chán Fǎyuán chanting Buddhist verses – intoning “The Buddha Speaks” and “The缘 has arrived” – did the truth hidden within this book reveal itself, reappearing in the world. This was it – *The Fifty-Eight Chapters of the Buddha Speaks*!

The Black Lotus Temple sought these fragmented scriptures, and the Ancient Sorrow Mountain was also in pursuit. As a Great Bodhisattva of Ancient Sorrow Mountain, a foremost orthodox sect, and wielding the Zhìwén Bell, a supreme treasure of Ancient Sorrow Mountain, how could Chán Fǎyuán venture forth and return empty-handed?

The Divine Firmament lands possessed their own unique significance. He not only needed to utilize the Zhìwén Bell’s power to help Yáng Yù sweep aside his competitors and win the Divine Firmament struggle; he not only needed to eliminate the Black Lotus Temple’s Heavenly Demon Seed. He also had to collect *The Fifty-Eight Chapters of the Buddha Speaks*, revealed in this land as shown by Buddhist enlightenment… to devour everything!

Thus, while suppressing the attack of Jǐ Xìngkōng, he chanted “The Buddha Speaks” and “The 缘 has arrived,” lending his aid to Yáng Yù from afar. The blood patterns spreading across Yáng Yù’s face were resolutely dispelled by the Buddhist light. The Descending Blood Lotus, which sought to extinguish all sentient beings’ dharma, withered petal by petal.

Rats Jiālán, spitting blood, was still roaring with laughter: “Searching for it a thousand times in the crowd, yet turning back, it’s right before my eyes! This is truly a great fortune, hahahaha…呃!” The sudden burst of golden Buddhist light pressed him down into the dust. Layers upon layers of卍 (wan) characters, like connected mountain ranges, repeatedly shattered Rats Jiālán’s resistance, battering him until his Buddhist light was scattered and his life force plummeted.

In front of the withering blood lotus petals, Yáng Yù turned to look at Chái Ā Sì and smiled faintly: “*The Fifty-Eight Chapters of the Buddha Speaks* is actually with you, Benefactor. It seems we are bound by 缘!” Under the resplendent golden light, Chái Ā Sì’s mouth was already grinning from ear to ear, stretching to the back of his head. He had finally understood. “No wonder the Supreme One instructed me, someone who can barely read, to study Buddhist scriptures back then! There was true meaning here! Even a random old scripture is a good treasure!”

Although he had no idea what *The Fifty-Eight Chapters of the Buddha Speaks* was, being able to elicit a reaction from the Zhìwén Bell and cause a true disciple of Ancient Sorrow Mountain to turn back, it must be a treasure of the world! “It’s a pity I, Chái Ā Sì, was blind and unaware, leaving this treasure lonely for so many days.” Now, this Yáng Yù fellow was actually looking over, his eyes darting towards this precious book.

Chái Ā Sì had already re-established contact with the Supreme One, so he cared little about Ancient Sorrow Mountain or New Sorrow Mountain. Before the Great Ancient God, no true disciple was of any account! Therefore, he grinned fiercely, ready to unleash a torrent of abuse. But he still held a semblance of respect in his heart and asked the Great Ancient God one more question: “Supreme One! Should I deal with him?”

“Give it to him!” the Supreme One replied simply and directly. Chái Ā Sì didn’t quite understand why the Supreme One was so good-natured, but the Supreme One had his reasons. Past experiences had proven time and again that the Supreme One was always correct. Hence, his fierce grin instantly transformed into a fawning smile: “To inform the Dharma Master! I was just about to respectfully offer you this scripture!”

In the mirror world, Jiāng Wàng felt particularly weary. He had just helped Chái Ā Sì and Pig Dàlì resolve a crisis, and finally, he could rest a little, preparing to sit back and watch the fire from the other side. Unexpectedly, the fire had now burned back to himself. A random scripture he had Chái Ā Sì buy actually contained the legendary lost *Fifty-Eight Chapters of the Buddha Speaks*.

How turbulent were the events in the demon world! He had always felt that destiny was likely an unseen arrow. Without any prior warning, it might fly at any moment, impossible to guard against. However, with caution and prudence, it might not be insurmountable. But now it seemed, destiny was a spiderweb, and he was a mosquito, already in the center of the web. In those seemingly calm days, traps of fate were already hidden. Unbeknownst to him, lines of karma were everywhere around him, each line pulling towards a path of death.

Only now did he deeply understand the feelings of Yú Běidǒu, the foremost calculation expert of his time, who had burst into laughter in the Disembodied Soul Ravine, saying, “Calculating, he is powerless!” If he had been able to clearly see all this earlier, how could he have had the courage to challenge destiny? A mere Jiāng Wàng stirred such a tempest. He truly didn’t know how the World Honored One managed to escape unscathed back then!

Chái Ā Sì extended his hand to offer the scripture. Although Yáng Yù had already sensed that there was something amiss with this fellow, he was also concerned about damaging the classic, so he still intended to accept it first.

But at this moment, more brilliant golden lights lit up in succession. One lit up on the body of Zhū Zhēng, and another on the body of Lù Qīláng. Again, *The Fifty-Eight Chapters of the Buddha Speaks* appeared!

Yáng Yù looked at one, then the other, the smile on his face growing ever more warm and genial. With the ethereal image of the Zhìwén Bell present and the support of the Great Bodhisattva Chán Fǎyuán, he was confident he could subdue any demon king present.

The original copy of *The Fifty-Eight Chapters of the Buddha Speaks* had always been stored within the Primordial Imperial City, enshrined in the Heavenly Demon Pavilion. However, over the long course of history, for various reasons, thirteen chapters had been lost. Who would have thought that in the suddenly opened Divine Firmament lands, three chapters could be gathered! It truly was a convergence of wind and clouds, a serendipitous encounter beyond words. The move made by Dharma Affinity Bodhisattva in this situation could be described as a stroke of genius.

Zhū Zhēng took out the scripture with its barely containable brilliance from his storage ring and explained to Zhū Lánruò: “I truly don’t know how this got here.” Zhū Lánruò, of course, knew why! It was either Canine Yìnyáng or Fox Bóqǐ. How the scheme precisely unfolded, and why the mastermind placed one of *The Fifty-Eight Chapters of the Buddha Speaks* on Zhū Zhēng, having him bring it into the Divine Firmament lands, she didn’t yet know. However, watching the tigers fight from the mountain was something she excelled at.

She merely said gently: “I naturally believe you. But this precious book is a Buddhist classic, not of my Spider clan’s possession, so it’s better to hand it over. I just don’t know…” Her beautiful eyes sparkled: “Should we hand it over to Dharma Master Yáng, or to Monk Rats?” At this point, the situation was clear; how could Rats Jiālán still have any chance of competing? Her question was indeed interesting.

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Yáng Yù simply smiled warmly: “This humble monk thanks all the virtuous benefactors in advance for establishing this good缘 today. There will undoubtedly be good fruit in the future.” His eyes, however, were looking at Lù Qīláng. Chái Ā Sì and Zhū Lánruò were both sensible; among the three chapters of *The Fifty-Eight Chapters of the Buddha Speaks* gathered here, only the last chapter remained. Could it also be easily obtained?

Sensing the gaze of this true disciple of the Buddhist sect, Lù Qīláng smiled dashingly. Unlike Chái Ā Sì’s unwitting ignorance and Zhū Zhēng’s helplessness, he was very clear about what he was carrying, and he had diligently tried to conceal it, but failed to do so. The Zhìwén Bell had forcefully awakened the classics left behind by Elephant Mí, the Fifth Dharma King of Ancient Sorrow Mountain from back then. Now, Yáng Yù had thanked them in advance.

Ordinary demons might have gone along with the flow, at least establishing a good 缘 with Ancient Sorrow Mountain. But he simply smiled handsomely, smiling brilliantly, without the slightest intention of taking out the scripture.

He smiled and said: “Brother Chái’s magnanimity is vast, and Miss Zhū’s understanding of the dusty heart is good. I, Deer, am far inferior. My vision is shallow, and I cannot wait for the future. If the Dharma Master desires this good 缘, then give me good fruit today!” This was a treasure he had painstakingly sought with his innate spiritual intuition, why should he easily hand it over? Was being the fifth ranked in the New Kings on the Heavenly Ranking so great? Was the Zhìwén Bell so great?

Yáng Yù smiled faintly. If he were to speak of good fruit, of benefits that would make Lù Qīláng’s heart stir, he could indeed offer them today. But he would not seek what was not fated. At this moment, with the ethereal image of the Zhìwén Bell suspended in the air and the means of the Great Bodhisattva Chán Fǎyuán active outside. If Lù Qīláng did not wish to form a 缘, then there was no need to form one.

He flipped out a wooden mallet from his palm and gently tapped, actually smashing the head of Rats Jiālán, who had been suppressed by the 万 (wan) character Buddhist seals! Red, white, and black all blurred within the Buddhist light. Without a glance towards that side, he looked at Lù Qīláng with compassion and said: “Benefactor’s words are indeed impolite. Returning things to their original owner is the correct notion. I advise you not to be stubborn, otherwise…”

Rats Jiālán, who possessed the strength of a New King on the Heavenly Ranking, was killed like a dog. It was not that he didn’t resist, not that he didn’t display his power, but it was all in vain. Lù Qīláng, who had come with him and engaged in constant overt and covert struggles, should have known Rats Jiālán’s strength, and should have particularly understood the terror of this Yáng Yù at this moment. But in the face of this situation, this Young Master Deer still maintained his graceful demeanor, only smiling: “Otherwise, what?”

Yáng Yù simply smiled, raised the wooden mallet, and pointed it at him with an air of understatement, saying: “Let me tell you. My ranking of seventh is not because I can only be seventh. It is because I like the number seven, and intentionally controlled my battle results! What if I were to be fifth today, looking towards third, second, and then first!?”

Zhū Zhēng silently glanced at Zhū Lánruò’s back, burying his thoughts deep within. It was one thing for Lù Qīláng to contend for fifth place, but he even wanted to “look towards first.” Zhū Lánruò’s active participation in the Divine Firmament lands this time, showcasing her strength, was precisely to “remain silent until she strikes, and when she strikes, she will be first.” Did this first place seem so simple, with everyone so confident they could attain it?

Two individuals ranked among the top ten of the New Kings on the Heavenly Ranking were at swords’ point, a bloody battle on the verge of breaking out. But at this moment, another change occurred!

The Rats Jiālán who had fallen to the ground, his head smashed, let out a mournful sound from the red and white mixed pulp: “Hehehe, hehehe, we haven’t finished fighting yet, Yáng Yù, how dare you find another opponent?” Yáng Yù frowned and looked back. It was strange how Rats Jiālán had not died, and how he had already concealed himself but didn’t continue to feign death.

He saw that from the red and white mixed pulp, a flower bud emerged. The flower bud bloomed into another black lotus. Below it was a base, and above it were fragrant patterns. This black lotus was not the previous blood lotus or black lotus; it was unrelated to dharma or divine abilities. It was the black lotus sacrificial altar that had first led him to find Chái Ā Sì. The reason he had not died even after his head was smashed was because his soul was hidden within the black lotus sacrificial altar. He used the black lotus sacrificial altar as his skull, instantly erupting with a powerful aura.

All the 万 (wan) character Buddhist seals pressing down on him were shattered, and his body stood up just like that. Lù Qīláng seized the opportunity to join forces: “Master Rats, Ancient Sorrow Mountain is arrogant and unreasonable, bullying you too much! As fellow travelers, I shall lend you a hand!” Zhū Lánruò’s eyes flickered, and she was also somewhat moved. Perhaps it was time to unite and first deal with this Zhìwén Bell…

But Rats Jiālán, with the black lotus as his skull, displayed an entirely different aura at this moment, merely saying: “Black Lotus Temple is handling matters, idlers should clear the way!” All the demons present felt it, and were forced to feel it. The bell chimes covering the divine mountain were, at this moment, completely overshadowed by another sound. Its voice: “堕矣! 堕矣! 堕矣!”

The sky above the Divine Firmament lands and Cloudy Tower City became so strangely intertwined. The blood patterns on Yáng Yù’s face had just faded, and black patterns rose again. But the place where these black Buddhist patterns truly ran rampant was not his Buddhist body. It was the ethereal image of the Zhìwén Bell suspended in the sky!

The Black Lotus Temple’s scheme finally surfaced completely at this point. Jǐ Xìngkōng’s earlier curse at Chán Fǎyuán for cheating outside the arena was precisely what he sought. He repeatedly hinted that Chán Fǎyuán could not leave, and repeatedly harassed the Zhìwén Bell in a way that seemed insignificant – insignificant was equivalent to paralyzing himself.

Rats Jiālán’s body was responding to a powerful force. At this moment, the black Buddhist light completely countered the golden Buddhist light. The fifty-eight chapters of the Buddha Speaks, still radiant, were all nearby, three chapters at his side. But Rats Jiālán, who had long sought them, did not even look at them at this moment.

Buddhism has three levels of seeking: high, middle, and low. The lowest is killing Yáng Yù, the middle is the fifty-eight chapters of the Buddha Speaks, and the highest is the Zhìwén Bell! If one obtains the highest, why seek anything else?!

He looked at the ethereal image of the Zhìwén Bell, opening his embrace with unparalleled piety and fervor. He used all that he had to embrace what he sought. As he moved, a giant ethereal image of a dharma appeared in the sky, already attaching itself to the Zhìwén Bell. One could see a monk tightly embracing the bell! Yáng Yù was naturally unwilling, struggling to contend, and boundless golden light grew madly. However, Rats Jiālán’s body, from which black lotus petals grew from flesh and blood, withered petal by petal. As he withered, the golden light around Yáng Yù also withered!

At this moment, Rats Jiālán completely sacrificed himself, his soul and life force declining. He only murmured within the black lotus, and that murmur transformed into a resounding voice: “If I do not become a Buddha, there will be successors!”

*Dong!*

The Zhìwén Bell vibrated! Chán Fǎyuán in the sky above Cloudy Tower City spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes splitting with fury at this moment. Rats Jiālán’s sacrifice was applied to the black lotus sacrificial altar, providing support to Jǐ Xìngkōng and building a power channel. Using the uniqueness of the Divine Firmament lands, he directly severed the connection between the Zhìwén Bell and Ancient Sorrow Mountain!

Chán Fǎyuán had schemed for everything, wanting to seize and possess it all. Yáng Yù wanted to win, Chán Fǎyuán wanted to win, and Ancient Sorrow Mountain also wanted to win. But Jǐ Xìngkōng only sought one thing, only that Zhìwén Bell! Seeking the true 缘 of the supreme spiritual mountain, the orthodox Buddhist gate of ancient times.

From the moment he entered Cloudy Tower City, Rats Jiālán, a Heavenly Demon Seed, was already destined to be sacrificed. All the waiting, enduring, and pain were for this moment. In this scheme of the Black Lotus Temple, they had sacrificed pawns, knights, and rooks, only to capture the king!