"I did not know before, but now that the Buddha Emperor has spoken, I understand," Yin Shiren said.
Yin Shiren chose to answer honestly.
His response took the Nine Realms Buddha Emperor by surprise. The Buddha Emperor had not expected the man before him to speak so plainly.
"When one refines a martial art's attribute to its purest and most supreme form, it generates various Ultimate Origins within the body. These origins are categorized into Buddhist, Daoist, Heretical, Demonic, and other alignments. What you possess, Benefactor, is the Buddhist Origin," the Nine Realms Buddha Emperor explained.
The Nine Realms Buddha Emperor explained this to Yin Shiren, sensing from his reply that his understanding of Ultimate Origins was limited.
Yet this time, the Buddha Emperor was mistaken—Yin Shiren did have some knowledge of them.
"So that's how it is. Thank you for the explanation, Buddha Emperor," Yin Shiren said.
Even though he already knew, Yin Shiren still expressed his gratitude.
"Might I ask what Buddhist martial art the Benefactor has cultivated?" the Buddha Emperor asked.
The Buddha Emperor posed another question.
"Didn't the Buddha Emperor say earlier that was the last question?" Yin Shiren asked.
Instead of answering, Yin Shiren feigned confusion, throwing the Buddha Emperor off guard. The radiance surrounding the Buddha Emperor's protective aura flickered for a moment in surprise.
"My apologies for the abruptness," the Buddha Emperor said.
It was unclear whether the Buddha Emperor regretted asking the question or mentioning it was the "last one." Regardless, he did not press further.
"Though you have attained the Buddhist Origin, your foundation is lacking. There remains a gap between you and true masters of Ultimate Origins. Should you encounter one in the future, avoid confrontation if possible," the Buddha Emperor advised.
Despite Yin Shiren's earlier bluntness, the Buddha Emperor still offered him advice.
"Many thanks, Buddha Emperor. In truth, the art I cultivate is the Bodhisattva Seal," Yin Shiren said.
After expressing gratitude, Yin Shiren revealed his practice of the Bodhisattva Seal.
Earlier, he hadn't intended to be curt—he simply hadn't been certain why he possessed the Buddhist Origin. But after brief reflection, he concluded it must be due to the Bodhisattva Seal, the only Buddhist martial art among his abilities. Additionally, the medical knowledge of Medicine Tathāgata helped confirm his suspicion.
"The Bodhisattva Seal?" the Buddha Emperor murmured.
The Buddha Emperor murmured to himself before a beam of Buddhist light shot from his protective aura and landed on Yin Shiren.
Yin Shiren saw it clearly but did not evade. He trusted the Buddha Emperor's character and knew resistance would be futile against a true master of Ultimate Origins.
As the light entered his body, he felt only warmth and comfort.
"So this is the truth?!" the Buddha Emperor exclaimed.
The Buddha Emperor seemed to reach a conclusion based on Yin Shiren's reaction and the feedback from his own Buddhist power.
"Not only has the Benefactor mastered all ten forms of the Bodhisattva Seal without dying, but he has also attained the Buddhist Origin. Such boundless Buddhist affinity is rare," the Buddha Emperor said.
The Buddha Emperor was astonished. Though he had never seen the Bodhisattva Seal himself, he knew of its reputation—its immense power and its fatal cost.
The tenth form was so overwhelmingly fierce that it caused the practitioner's meridians to reverse, leading to death within seven days.
The "Fate of Seven Days" referred to those who mastered the tenth form and perished a week later.
It was said that Yin Shiren's unique Corpse Preservation Art allowed him to survive the meridian reversal. Yet, fearing death, he had only practiced the beginning and end of the tenth form, neglecting the middle.
When he attempted the incomplete technique, his body exploded, damaging both the Bodhisattva Seal and his Corpse Preservation Art.
"Buddha Emperor, are you saying the Bodhisattva Seal is a method to cultivate the Buddhist Origin?" Medicine Tathāgata asked.
Medicine Tathāgata, who had been observing, interjected in surprise. Unlike the secluded Buddha Emperor, Medicine Tathāgata was well-versed in martial world affairs. He knew the storms Bodhisattva Seal had stirred but never imagined it could lead to the Buddhist Origin.
"Might the Benefactor share the tenth form's cultivation method with this humble monk?" the Buddha Emperor asked.
Ignoring Medicine Tathāgata's question, the Buddha Emperor addressed Yin Shiren instead.
"Of course," Yin Shiren agreed.
Yin Shiren agreed without hesitation and recounted the method.
There was no need for secrecy—even the unconscious Su Huanzhen knew the Bodhisattva Seal, having mastered its first nine forms. Revealing it might earn him further insights from the Buddha Emperor.
"Now I understand!" the Buddha Emperor exclaimed.
After hearing Yin Shiren's explanation, the Buddha Emperor nodded.
"The creator of the Bodhisattva Seal was a remarkable individual," the Buddha Emperor said.
"What does the Buddha Emperor mean?" Yin Shiren asked.
Yin Shiren asked curiously.
"The Bodhisattva Seal is, in essence, a shortcut to the Buddhist Origin. Its creator must have encountered Ultimate Origins but had not attained them," the Buddha Emperor explained.
Both Yin Shiren and Medicine Tathāgata listened intently, unwilling to interrupt.
"The Bodhisattva Seal seeks to manifest the Buddhist Origin. This is why the gap between the ninth and tenth forms is greater than that between the first and ninth—as if they were two entirely different arts. Yet, the first nine forms are indeed the foundation for the tenth," the Buddha Emperor continued.
"However, the more powerful a martial art, the greater the physical, energetic, and foundational requirements. Though the tenth form grants the Buddhist Origin, it does not forge a body capable of withstanding it. Hence, practitioners perish within seven days. Even if one attains the Buddhist Origin, it is only a minuscule amount, requiring years of cultivation to expand. Yet, even this trace brings transformative power," the Buddha Emperor said.
"Buddha Emperor, are you saying that with sufficient foundation and physique, mastering the tenth form would grant one an Ultimate Origin?" Medicine Tathāgata asked.
Medicine Tathāgata ventured.
"If one possessed such a foundation, the presence of an Ultimate Origin would be irrelevant," the Buddha Emperor replied.
The Buddha Emperor corrected him, subtly discouraging any attempts to cultivate the Bodhisattva Seal.
"Thank you for your guidance, Buddha Emperor," Medicine Tathāgata said.
Medicine Tathāgata then glanced at Yin Shiren, skeptical that he matched the Buddha Emperor's description of a true master.
Yin Shiren met his gaze, guessing his thoughts.
I'm not that strong—but I have cheats!
Of course, he kept that to himself.
If what I possess is the Buddhist Origin… Yin Shiren mused.
His attention turned to Liu Zhu Yi. With Medicine Tathāgata's knowledge, he instantly assessed Liu Zhu Yi's condition.
"Hah—" Yin Shiren exhaled.
He stepped behind Liu Zhu Yi and channeled more internal energy into him. Now understanding Liu Zhu Yi's state, Yin Shiren knew preserving his martial foundation required additional power.
Only the Buddha Emperor could have done this, but Yin Shiren chose to act himself.
Having already infused fifty percent of his energy earlier, he added another twenty percent. With seventy percent of Yin Shiren's internal energy—now Buddhist Origin—Liu Zhu Yi's foundation was barely preserved. Full recovery would take a long, long time.
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