Legend of the Great Sage (Chapter 201-Chapter 300)

The One Thought master took out a golden pearl from his hundred treasures pouch. As it glimmered with light, a glaring guardian king was vaguely visible. From how impressively it shone, it was a true supreme grade spiritual artifact. He erased his imprint casually and passed it to Xiao An.

Everyone was thrown into an uproar. Everyone knew what a supreme grade spiritual artifact was worth. When they saw how the school leaders competed against one another with supreme grade spiritual artifacts up for offer, they had already been extremely shocked. Now that the One Thought master had actually taken out a supreme grade spiritual artifact, they had no idea how to respond. They could not even develop any jealousy. Most Qi Practitioners would never obtain supreme grade spiritual artifacts in their entire lives.

Li Qingshan sighed with amazement too. Choosing to come to the Academy of the Hundred Schools truly was the correct decision. They had obtained a supreme grade spiritual artifact for free from just showing up. It had to be mentioned that right now, only the Cursive Sword Calligraphy in his possession barely counted as a supreme grade spiritual artifact. Although he could expect it to grow stronger in the future, it was probably not as effective as this Guardian King’s pearl right now.

Xiao An accepted the Guardian King’s pearl, and her mind shuddered. The set of white bones condensed from the Path of White Bone and Great Beauty that hovered within her flesh jolted slightly. She reacted mysteriously to this uncommon buddhist spiritual artifact.

The Guardian King’s pearl flashed, and a six meter tall guardian king immediately appeared around her. Whether it be the crown on its head or the vajra in its hand, they were both extremely detailed. Its expression was filled with fury, and it seemed life-like, enough to frighten anyone.

TL: A vajra is a ritual weapon in Buddhism, which symbolises both indestructibility and unstoppability. You can read about it on wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajra), or you can refer to the image below:

Li Qingshan thought, The power of supreme grade spiritual artifacts truly is startling.

The One Thought master was astounded too. Supreme grade spiritual artifacts needed to be refined before use. Never could anyone use it the moment it entered their hands, and it was all the more impossible with Xiao An’s third layer cultivation.

And, while he did erase his imprint, it was not cleanly removed—a faint connection still remained. Xiao An needed to remove this completely if she wanted to use the Guardian King pearl as she wished.

But earlier, he clearly sensed that the residual imprint had immediately vanished the moment the Guardian King pearl entered Xiao An’s hands; it was like a capable scholar meeting a wise lord, like a beauty meating a romantic, immediately discarding everything and throwing themselves into their embrace, casting aside their old master like an old shoe.

Xiao An stowed the Guardian King pearl away and bowed slightly, expressing her thanks.

The One Thought master smiled bitterly. Despite his cultivation, he actually felt worried that he would not be able to guide or control this child. He said, “Sir Li, if you’re interested, you’re welcome to cultivate in my school of Buddhism too.” With the One Thought master’s status, this was a gesture of great courtesy.

Li Qingshan smiled. “Thank you master, but in my life, I never cultivated goodness, relishing only murder and arson. If I join buddhism, I’ll probably just disturb the peace of buddhism. I’d better find a different path!” His oath was to travel the world with fine alcohol in his hands and beauty in his arms. He was unable to learn buddhist methods of how to eliminate his desires and cleanse his heart, nor did he want to learn.

“In your life, you never cultivated goodness, relishing only murder and arson.” The One Thought master frowned and repeated that before glancing at Li Qingshan deeply again. “This sounds extremely vulgar at first, but if you think about it closely, it also seems to be allegorical. You have a destiny with the buddha. You might not achieve instantaneous enlightenment today, but it may come to you in the days that lie ahead. Xiao An, let’s go!”

Li Qingshan was secretly filled with admiration. Originally, this had been uttered by the Flowery Monk, Lu Zhishen, as he passed away in meditation. “In my life, I never cultivated goodness, relishing only murder and arson. Suddenly, my golden shackles have been opened; here, my jade locks have been pulled asunder. Alas! Hereby the river tide cometh, now I finally realise that I am what I am!”



TL: Lu Zhishen is a character from Water Margin, who became a buddhist monk throughout the story, but never actually bothered with any buddhist practises. He attains instantaneous enlightenment right before death. The translation of the ode originates from wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lu_Zhishen)

He had replied with this absentmindedly, as if something was at work. As for whether destiny actually existed or not, that would be up to destiny!

Xiao An tugged Li Qingshan’s sleeve, looking at him, reluctant to part with him. Originally, she wanted to cultivate with him, which was why she did all of that to come here, so why were they separating again?

Li Qingshan’s heart softened. He crouched down and promised her. “Just go with the One Thought master and cultivate well. Once I’m done here, I’ll come find you.”

Only then did Xiao An nod, releasing his sleeve.

The One Thought master watched all of this unfold as he sighed inside. For those who studied buddhism, a rudimentary grasp was monkhood, renouncing all worldly ties and pursuits. Being so attached to a certain person was not good. However, there was no need for him to worry either. At the end of the day, she was still just a child. It would all be resolved once she grew a little older.

The young man was rather talented, but he lacked the strength to stand beside her. Before long, their cultivations, identities, and statuses would completely pull them apart into two different worlds; this could not be changed by anyone’s willpower. In the future, he would just be an acquaintance of hers at most.

The One Thought master said, “This monk bids farewell.” He placed his hand on Xiao An’s shoulder and took a step forward, disappearing promptly.

Li Qingshan turned around and returned to the crowd. They all looked at him in respect, and it was not because of who he was. Even idiots could tell that the child called Xiao An had a limitless future ahead of her. With how close he was to her, he achieved glory too.

Hua Chengzan had sunken into his thoughts too. She had made him take good care of Li Qingshan, but he had never imagined the child would be even more surprising. Foundation Establishment was just a matter of time for her, so he had to establish a good relationship with Xiao An. Probably even she had failed to see this!

He glanced at Yu Zijian nearby before glancing at Chu Tian in the crowd. These geniuses rarely ever appeared even across several generations, but this time, there were three of them, each more impressive than the last.

As it seemed, the Clear River prefecture’s Academy of the Hundred Thoughts would be welcoming a period of great glory among the academies of the nine prefectures in the Ruyi commandery. He, a former prodigy, would dim in their brilliance. He could not help but feel very pressured.

Han Qiongzhi had the least self-control. She rushed over to Li Qingshan. “Just who is the child to you?”

Li Qingshan said proudly, “My only family!” Regardless of what other people were thinking, her glory was also his glory.