Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Beaver Learning the Dharma
Li Ye’s expression was slightly fatigued.
It wasn’t just because he wanted to hide the irregular speed of completing the task, but also because of comforting the Weichuan Beaver.
He hadn’t expected that after Hungry Bone weathered away, the beaver would be so distressed, not eating or drinking for the first few days, not even doing its favorite activity of hoarding food.
The weathering of Hungry Bone was a huge blow to it.
Symbiosis and coexistence, for the beaver, it’s like a friend completely disappearing and departing. Perhaps the emotions of this Spirit Beast are much more sincere than those of the Human Race?
He patiently comforted it, until today finally allowing it to slightly step out of the shadow of Hungry Bone’s sudden weathering, and indeed felt somewhat puzzled, wanting to ask Senior Teng Ling Ji for answers.
So after a brief pleasantry, he went straight to the point:
"Senior, is there a human soul inside Hungry Bone?"
Ling Ji Teng had been waiting for Li Ye for a few days and was somewhat annoyed, but seeing Li Ye’s fatigued expression today, it suddenly moved its heart.
"Indeed."
It replied, "Each Hungry Bone is transformed from the souls of mortals. It is the Four Seasons Sect’s Divinity Transformation Ancestor using great power along with the sect’s treasure, saving them from eternally falling into the suffering of the Hungry Ghost Path."
"I already guessed you probably used Beast Taming skills to wash away the hunger’s tribulation from the souls within Hungry Bone, dissolving their heart’s knot, finally weathering and transitioning to the next life."
"Your Spirit Beast... Sigh, indeed suffered."
"I guess, is it the Weichuan Beaver?"
As part of the Spirit Plant, Ling Ji Teng’s longevity is far more enduring than ordinary cultivators. For it, if its master fails to ascend thoroughly upwards, eventually, someday, it would also face the agony of parting.
Li Ye sighed softly.
Things turned out just as he had thought.
"You guessed correctly, Senior."
"Forgive the junior..."
He actually planned to refuse this task. He indeed felt compassion for the beaver, and its original delight in sharing food had astonishingly vanished.
The Weichuan Beaver inherently loves hoarding and sharing food, but unexpectedly like this, evidently, it was severely hurt.
But Ling Ji Teng interrupted him: "I know of your heart to protect them, but don’t be in a hurry. Listen, that Weichuan Beaver is nurtured by a sect ancestor, though small, but very wise.
A Buddhist sect master once said that though they hoard wealth, they’re happy to share, though hoarding food, they’re pleased with charity.
So I wish to point you to a future cultivation path for it. What do you think?"
"..."
Li Ye couldn’t help but understand.
The beaver surprisingly needs the Buddhist sect’s cultivation path, yet Four Seasons Sect shouldn’t be purely Taoist sect, how is there a Buddhist method involved?
His confusion was seen by Ling Ji Teng.
The latter explained: "Our Four Seasons Sect is considered extensive, with many cultivators, also many spirit beasts and spirit plants in the sect.
The paths naturally are numerous, besides being a Taoist disciple, why not take a Buddhist spirit beast?"
Pause, it supplemented: "Mainly because I also don’t have suitable Sutra of Salvation from our Taoist sect, take this first to learn."
"..."
"The junior wants to ask the little creature first." Li Ye felt this grievance clearly wasn’t a solution.
If the Buddhist method truly is useful, with attentive nurturing, it could also be a great aid for me.
However, he still took out a small half-bottle of around two units of Shining Gold.
"This is the beaver’s achievement."
"But also your achievement." Ling Ji Teng inspected the small bottle of Shining Gold, instantly rejoicing.
This Shining Gold’s purity was extremely high, although not as much as those of Golden Core junior brothers and sisters, but absolutely excellent below the Golden Core Period.
"I’ll first remember this; it’s two units of Shining Gold."
"If you want to exchange Spirit Stones, I can first give you two thousand now, although I suggest saving together; eventually, there will be surprises."
"There, this item is the Buddhist sect method."
Li Ye curiously took the book to see, written was "Heart Lotus Suffering Relief Method."
He couldn’t help but open it for a look.
This Dharma Method was extremely simple, essentially a unique mind cultivation method.
According to the description, one can cultivate a "Heart Lotus Seat," to bear suffering with the lotus seat, purifying the vengeful spirits’ anguish with oneself, transcending and ascending to heaven.
But the problem was that his beaver’s cultivation is just the second tier, at most within the tenth-layer of Qi Refining, could it genuinely cultivate such complex divine techniques?
It really took this seriously, employing such divine techniques for a beaver...
He awkwardly asked his doubts.
Ling Ji Teng dismissed: "Since you can communicate with it this way, you teach it Dharma; this method primarily emphasizes heart’s cultivation rather than enhancing mana with the cultivation technique."
"..."
I teach it Dharma!
I am only at Qi Refining and not yet Foundation Establishment!
Isn’t this too difficult for a mere cultivator like me!
Even though Li Ye’s heart had endless complaints, evidently Ling Ji Teng assumed he achieved this through a very special Beast Taming Skill, this beast-taming Dharma surely can communicate with the Spirit Beast.
He could only nod.
"The junior will go back and communicate well with it."
"Yes, take this item and go, if it’s willing, use the mechanism box to contact me, I will send more Hungry Bones to your side."
Li Ye nodded again, took the book "Heart Lotus Suffering Relief Method" back to his home, found the beaver sitting on the dam, back facing him, dazing towards the sun.
"Hoo."
"Let’s give it a try."
He carefully walked forward, reached out a hand to the beaver, which paused for a moment, climbed onto his hand, then circled onto his shoulder.
Then Li Ye began persuading it.
This guy seemed to drink a lot of Purple Oil Spring Rain, perhaps having eaten some Shining Gold, becoming increasingly intelligent.
Li Ye merely said this divine technique could better help it transcend those friends, and it immediately nodded in agreement.
Making Li Ye extremely astonished.
"You’re so smart? Did you understand my meaning?"
The beaver leisurely brushed his cheek, although frequently swimming in the water, digging mud and fallen leaves, it wasn’t dirty at all, somewhat soft, like a cool glutinous rice ball.
"Chirp chirp!"
Its general meaning was: You won’t harm me, I’m willing to learn.
That consciousness was tender yet vague, indeed meaning this, without the ability of the panel, certainly hard to discern.
Turns out this guy wants to learn for me.
It’s truly somewhat...
Li Ye instantly fell silent, shaking his head after a long time:
"You chirp twice, meaning something so complex, but being clever is good; I’ll read this Dharma with you now."
He took out the book, slowly opened it.
"Lotus flower transcends disaster, Heart Lotus saves suffering..."
Although Li Ye wasn’t sure if reading it this way it could comprehend, he tried to understand the wording as much as possible while reading and used the panel to transmit it to the beaver.
The latter listened very attentively.
The oily, smooth fur seemingly glowed with a hint of golden halo, unclear whether it was its own radiance or the shimmering light of the sunrise.