Chapter 1632: Chapter 118: Faith, Aspiration, Action, Testament! _3

“Constant cleaning avoids dust accumulation.”

“Cultivation should not be proud; achieving Dao should not be arrogant.”

Kong Zen, however, said nonchalantly:

“Your path is one of gradual progression through arduous cultivation, while I practice Zen enlightenment, the method of sudden realization. Originally, there is nothing, so where can dust alight?”

Wang Ba was momentarily taken aback.

He then came to his senses and chuckled silently.

Unintentionally, he had become the stepping stone for Kong Zen.

However, he still shook his head, feeling less helpless towards Kong Zen and more calmly resolute in his Dao-heart, saying peacefully:

“In this world, there are geniuses like you, but I am a mortal, progressing step by step, feeling most at ease. Whether it be arduous cultivation or sudden enlightenment, the ways and fates of individuals differ. Though you and I are one, our paths need not be identical; otherwise, why distinguish between you and me?”

Kong Zen was momentarily stunned, then clapped his hands in praise, saying:

“Wonderful! With this understanding, Tan Yue has attained the Hinayana method!”

Wang Ba was a bit curious:

“I attain Hinayana, and you?”

Kong Zen replied with pride:

“I have naturally attained Mahayana!”

Seeing this, Wang Ba slightly shook his head, unwilling to say more.

Kong Zen was quite different from the Ice Daoist and Daoist Yuanci, with a lively and extravagant personality, yet seemingly deeper meaning. Even though the two of them had a mutual understanding, Wang Ba still could not quite grasp his thoughts.

He was also curious about what kind of achievements Kong Zen would have in the future.

In his heart, he gradually realized some things:

“The Dao of ‘Kong’ seems far from simple as I imagined.”

“Master Xinyuan specifically had me use his relic as material to forge an incarnation; there must be other purposes as well.”

But for the moment, he could not fathom the intention behind it.

Nonetheless, he was immediately curious and asked:

“What do you plan to do next in your cultivation?”

Kong Zen casually pointed towards the distant Xituo Continent and said:

“Just wander around.”

“Just wander around?”

Even though Wang Ba was accustomed to Kong Zen’s unreliability, he couldn’t help but frown.

“What else then?”

Kong Zen rolled his eyes and said:

“Do I have to stay guarding this old monk’s corpse like you?”

“I’ve told you, I’m cultivating the Mahayana! Do you know what Mahayana is? That is…”

He thought for a moment, clumsily spreading his short hands wide to draw a big circle before him:

“To let everyone in this world have a better life, at least, not to lose their lives inexplicably.”

Wang Ba looked at Kong Zen in shock and then couldn’t help but laugh:

“You?”

Kong Zen didn’t laugh, slightly shook his head, and looked seriously at Wang Ba:

“No… it’s you.”

Wang Ba suddenly paused.

Then, slightly flustered, he squeezed out a smile:

“Then you must have mistaken… I was asking about how you cultivate, why are you diverting?”

Kong Zen then returned to his earlier cheerful demeanor, turned his head, and looked at the distant silhouette of the continent.

Leisurely, he said:

“My cultivation is called faith, vow, practice, realization. Believe in its existence, wish for its achievement, walk the true path, realize the Buddha Fruit!”

“Among these, I already believe in its existence, and wish for its achievement. What I said earlier is my grand vow; when all beings in this world are unharmed, my merit will be complete, and I will be reborn in bliss!”

“Faith, vow, practice, realization…”

Wang Ba muttered these words, vaguely thinking of another four words.

Unity of knowledge and action.

Although the various methods in the world differ, they ultimately lead to the same destination, nothing more.

Just as an indescribable feeling arose in his heart, Kong Zen turned his head and said:

“This place is difficult to traverse, please, Tan Yue, give me a ride.”

Feeling the immense pull outside the Dao Domain, Wang Ba nodded slightly, then directly expelled him from the area with the Yellow Dao Domain.

Kong Zen then leisurely set out, singing as he walked towards the distant Xituo Continent.

The song said:

“Gladly pluck the colors of spring from the branches, unaware that spring is in the basket.”

“Originally complete, why seek externally?”

Watching that figure casually leave, a hint of complexity involuntarily emerged in Wang Ba’s eyes.

Then he saw a Golden Core Tribulation mixed with a Nascent Soul Tribulation crash down.

Then came a distant wail:

“My true self, save me!”