Miao Hua's sudden hatred stemmed from what Abbot Yan Song had said.
The inner demon that Yan Shouyi had stripped away was the same as the evil thought Abbot Yan Song had severed years ago. Now, with the inner demon needing a vessel, Miao Hua couldn't help but think of his past self.
Hadn't he, back then, become the "vessel" to store Abbot Yan Song's evil thought in such an inexplicable way?
Miao Hua's killing intent toward Yan Song reignited, but unfortunately, without the aid of the evil thought, Miao Hua's strength was greatly diminished, making it impossible for him to break free from the restraints imposed by Master Ben Heng.
After all, Ben Heng was Miao Hua's master, and in terms of both strength and cultivation, he completely overwhelmed Miao Hua.
"Vessel? Where is the vessel!"
Miao Ji looked around, feeling that things had happened too suddenly.
It wasn't as if they could just find anyone and stuff the inner demon into their bodies, right?
Old Jin suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Glacier Dharmakaya!"
The Glacier Dharmakaya was a natural vessel and it possessed no consciousness, only a trace of Yan Shouyi's soul. It would not reject the inner demon at all.
Now that the Glacier Dharmakaya was damaged and unusable for the time being, it seemed like the perfect, natural vessel for the inner demon!
"Yes, the Glacier Dharmakaya will work. I'll go get it!"
Miao Ji immediately rose, carrying the half-bodied Glacier Dharmakaya to Yan Shouyi's side.
The current Glacier Dharmakaya resembled a shattered statue. There was no blood at the wound, which looked more like a broken edge after a stone was smashed.
Due to the severe injuries, the Glacier Dharmakaya was in a "standby" state, temporarily having lost its self-awareness.
Abbot Yan Song glanced at it, confirmed the Glacier Dharmakaya was usable, and then lifted the golden bell, placing it over the Glacier Dharmakaya!
The semi-transparent dark shadow was initially very resistant to the Glacier Dharmakaya, constantly trying to break free from the bell's restraint.
But after struggling for a while, it seemed to realize it stood no chance, and the inner demon began to accept the Glacier Dharmakaya.
The shadow gradually merged with the Glacier Dharmakaya, slowly integrating into its damaged body...
This process was not easy for Abbot Yan Song.
He had already been nearing the end of his life due to the death of his evil thought, and now, every bit of strength he consumed was depleting his remaining time in this world.
The already aged Abbot Yan Song grew older during this process, his beard turning white at a visible rate, and eventually, like wilting flowers, falling off his face one by one.
"Abbot..."
Everyone watching felt unbearable, but they also knew that nothing could be undone.
Only when the inner demon had fully integrated into the Glacier Dharmakaya did Abbot Yan Song release his hands, the golden bell suddenly vanished, and he instantly fell from mid-air to the ground.
Thump!
Yan Shouyi, the Glacier Dharmakaya, and Abbot Yan Song all collapsed simultaneously.
The few people present rushed to check on Yan Shouyi and Abbot Yan Song, but no one paid any attention to the Glacier Dharmakaya.
Old Jin first checked on Yan Shouyi and found that he was merely unconscious and otherwise unharmed. Then, at Miao Ji's call, he went to attend to Abbot Yan Song.
Abbot Yan Song was in a very bad state. He hadn't had much time left anyway, and helping Yan Shouyi remove his inner demon had further drained a significant amount of his vital energy.
"Abbot Yan Song... his remaining time is likely less than a quarter of an hour," Old Jin said softly.
Although they had prepared themselves mentally, upon hearing this grim news, Ben Heng and Miao Ji both sighed deeply.
"Life and death, reincarnation – these are natural laws. It seems this old monk will not be able to achieve Buddhahood in this lifetime..."
Abbot Yan Song smiled and comforted them, "Buddhism cultivates for the next life; this old monk can only hope for the next."
As everyone fell silent, Abbot Yan Song gave a few more instructions:
"After I die, you must quickly suppress Yan Shouyi's inner demon beneath the Maha Tower, light the perpetual lamp, and ensure someone is always guarding it. Outsiders cannot kill the inner demon; only Yan Shouyi himself can kill his inner demon. Remember... have Yan Shouyi go to the Kingdom of Siam to find the Vajra Demon Subduing Pestle. Only that artifact can kill the inner demon... The inner demon has merged with the soul Yan Shouyi left in the Dharmakaya. It can be considered evil thought now. As Yan Shouyi grows stronger, the evil thought will also grow stronger... so you must resolve it as soon as possible!"
"Regarding the conflict between the two factions, it concerns the common people of the world. Hanshan Temple must not easily get involved, otherwise, Hanshan Temple's millennium foundation will be ruined in your hands... After everything that has happened today is concluded, you must find a way to ensure Yan Shouyi safely reaches the north!"
"Ben Heng, after this old monk dies, you will be the Abbot and Head Monk of Hanshan Temple. You must remember to protect Hanshan Temple well, consider everything carefully before acting, and do not be impulsive."
"Amitabha..."
After giving these three instructions, Abbot Yan Song slowly turned his head to look at Miao Hua, who was bound beside him.
Abbot Yan Song, in his life, had only failed Miao Hua, leading to all the events that had transpired.
When Miao Hua saw Yan Song looking at him, his heart filled with hatred, he couldn't help but laugh: "Yan Song, your death is near! You will go to hell. I curse you, may you never be reborn!"
"Silence!"
Master Ben Heng, unable to bear it, slapped Miao Hua twice. This was not a disciplinary action but the power of physical discipline.
Abbot Yan Song, with Miao Ji supporting him, went to Miao Hua's side. Then, he made a move that surprised everyone.
He knelt before Miao Hua and bowed deeply.
Miao Hua was stunned for a moment.
"Miao Hua, you must hate this old monk greatly," Abbot Yan Song said weakly. "This old monk was indeed wrong to seal the evil thought within your body, but it was a desperate measure."
As he spoke, Abbot Yan Song took out a string of prayer beads and gently crushed them.
The prayer beads turned into a golden light and slowly seeped into Miao Hua's brow.
These were memories.
Memories that once belonged to Miao Hua.
Miao Hua carefully absorbed these memories, a look of confusion appearing in his eyes.
"These, why these memories..."
These memories were very strange, and Miao Hua even suspected that Abbot Yan Song had fabricated them for the sole purpose of making him stop hating him.
But these memories felt so real, without a single flaw, filling many of Miao Hua's memory gaps.
At this moment, Miao Hua felt his memories become complete, realizing that there were blanks in his past memories.
Who were my parents?
Why am I a monk at Hanshan Temple?
When did Yan Song seal the evil thought within me?
These questions had tormented Miao Hua countless nights, and now, as his memories became complete, he finally recalled everything.
"Amitabha!"
Miao Ji looked at his misguided junior brother with loving eyes. He said,
"Miao Hua, you certainly have the right to hate the Abbot, but... back then, the Abbot sealed the evil thought within your body with your own consent!"