Chapter Thirty-Six: The Secret of the Supreme Treasure

“Master, I can’t break the seal on this jade box. Please, would you do the honors?” On the way, Zhang Xiao could not resist his curiosity to see what the treasure looked like, but the seal proved unbreakable. With no other choice, he asked Master Kongxuan for help. Kongxuan took the jade box, brushed his palm over it, and instantly, the spiritual light flared—the seal was forcibly erased.

“Haha, I wonder what on earth Wanmozi has given you. He wouldn’t let go until I promised him a favor. Whatever’s inside must be extraordinary. Let me take a look.”

But as soon as Kongxuan opened just a corner of the jade box, his expression changed drastically. He hurriedly closed the box and slapped a new seal upon it. Handing the box back to Zhang Xiao, he said, “You truly have a stroke of luck—who would have thought this item would end up in your hands? Keep it safe, and only refine it into yourself after returning to the mountain.”

Seeing Kongxuan’s grave expression, Zhang Xiao couldn’t help but ask, “Master, did Wanmozi really give me a superior treasure?”

Kongxuan nodded, his face solemn. “Indeed. Not only is it a superior treasure, it is among the finest of such artifacts. Its power is beyond mortal comprehension. But its entanglements are equally extraordinary. Otherwise, even if Wanmozi couldn’t use it himself, he’d never have handed it to you. Remember well—refine it into yourself after you return. Do not use it except in a life-or-death situation, and not unless you have the power of the Tribulation Stage. Otherwise, never use it lightly.”

Seeing Kongxuan’s seriousness, Zhang Xiao committed his words to heart and replied, “Disciple will remember.”

Kongxuan, knowing Zhang Xiao was intelligent and self-controlled, said no more, and guided the carriage swiftly toward Mount Mao Sect.

On the way, Zhang Xiao asked Kongxuan what favor Wanmozi had extracted from him, but Kongxuan merely said, “You’ll know when the time comes.” Since Kongxuan was silent, Zhang Xiao asked no further, and sat cross-legged in the carriage, closing his eyes to cultivate. He had already reached the fourth layer of the Prajna Zen Sutra and perfected the Vajra Immovable Body, equivalent to the Golden Core stage. However, he had not found the purple-green flower, the key ingredient for Life Pill, while in the Bat Cave. Without it, he could not refine the Life Pill, and so his Supreme Yin Profound Sutra remained at the Foundation Establishment stage. With no other option, Zhang Xiao focused on diligent cultivation. After all, he was a disciple of Mount Mao, not Shaolin—he could not neglect the Supreme Yin Profound Sutra.

He didn’t know how long he had been meditating, but when he opened his eyes again, the sect’s mountain gate was already in sight. Kongxuan, seeing him awake, said, “Well done. Your Supreme Yin Profound Sutra is now highly refined. The Supreme Yin method cultivates yin energy, which is inherently cold. Our Mount Mao arts are mysterious; whether corpse god arts or curse techniques, they possess a cold, yin quality. When you reach higher levels, you must bring forth yang from within yin—otherwise, your progress will stall. Buddhist arts, on the other hand, are vigorous and grand, perfectly complementing your practice. In future, cultivate the Buddhist arts outwardly and the Daoist arts inwardly. With this dual approach, you’ll soon break through the Foundation Establishment stage.”

Zhang Xiao pondered and realized this made perfect sense—he had simply never thought of it. With Kongxuan’s guidance, a light dawned in his mind. He rose and bowed deeply. “Thank you for your guidance, Master.”

As they spoke, the scenery around them suddenly changed—wails and howls filled the air, the world turning into a vision of hell. Kongxuan smiled, “This is our Mount Mao’s Defensive Formation, the Supreme Yin Annihilation Array. Our formations aren’t as powerful as Dragon Tiger Mountain’s, but our artifact crafting is unique. Don’t be afraid—the formation is anchored by a supreme treasure, assisted by several ninth-grade artifacts. Though our formation is not the strongest, and perhaps not even as intricate as the Wanmo Sect’s Sea of Flowers Pavilion, we use three supreme treasures as the core. Even if the other eight sects joined forces, they could not easily break through.”

Zhang Xiao was both shocked and delighted. Though their formation was weak, Mount Mao’s artifact-crafting was the best among the nine sects—wealthier and better equipped than any peer.

After passing through the defensive array, Kongxuan drove the carriage straight to the Profound Mystery Pavilion, where Zhang Xiao’s master, Kongling, seemed to have anticipated their arrival and was quietly waiting outside. Kongxuan dismissed the carriage, his demeanor shifting from the easy-going manner he showed outside the sect to one of strict and dignified authority.

Striding toward Kongling, Kongxuan’s bearing was severe and intimidating—a stark contrast to his usual self. Zhang Xiao could only smile wryly, thinking, “Being sect master is no easy task.”

“Senior brother, while I was away, has anything gone amiss in the sect?” Kongling did not answer, but fixed his gaze on Zhang Xiao, making Kongxuan feel awkward. After a moment, Kongxuan coughed and repeated his question.

Kongling finally smiled, “All is well in the sect. Thank you for your concern. Come in.”

With that, Kongling strode into the pavilion, Zhang Xiao following at his side. Only Kongxuan felt uneasy, as if some ill fortune lay ahead.

The Profound Mystery Pavilion was Kongling’s private residence; few disciples ever entered. Yet at this moment, two figures stood before the great bronze cauldron, tracing intricate seals in the air. Both, at the peak of artifact-crafting, were on the verge of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. Zhang Xiao, though seldom practicing the craft, could tell the seals they used and their effects. Within the cauldron, a flying sword gradually took form through their perfect cooperation. Seeing their skill, superior to his own, Zhang Xiao could not help but watch with admiration.

Suddenly, Kongling’s expression hardened and he turned to Kongxuan, barking, “Hand over half of what you gained!”

Kongxuan was perplexed. “What do you mean, half of what?”

“Hmph! You think that after leaving the sect you can do as you please? I’ll overlook your drinking, but you gambled and won two taels of Demon Crystal Silver. Half of it is mine.” As he spoke, Kongling gestured, and a conch shell flew out from Kongxuan’s robes into his hand.

Kongxuan exclaimed, “Senior brother, you cheat! When did you slip a transmission shell onto me?”

Kongling ignored him with a glance. Kongxuan could only chuckle, “Ha, you outwitted me this time, senior brother. I have nothing to say. Half the Demon Crystal Silver is yours.” With a pained heart, he broke the thumb-sized lump of silver in two and handed half over.

With his share in hand, Kongling’s expression softened. He noticed Zhang Xiao watching the two disciples at work and said, “Those two are your junior brothers, Di Miao and Shi An, my last disciples.”

“Last disciples?” Zhang Xiao was surprised. He had joined Kongling early, but was not considered a last disciple, which meant either a direct inheritance or that no further disciples would be accepted. He couldn’t help but envy the two, though he knew his own talent in artifact-crafting, while not poor, was nothing exceptional, so he didn’t dwell on it. Watching their masterful techniques, Zhang Xiao admitted he could not match them with the same materials. He smiled and said, “Congratulations, Master.”

Seeing Zhang Xiao’s sincerity, Kongling was pleased and smiled. “You are fortunate this time. I know you obtained a supreme treasure, but I do not yet know what it is. Let me see it and help you refine it.”

Zhang Xiao had long awaited this moment. Now that he was back at the sect, there was nothing to fear. He took out the jade box and handed it to Kongling.

“Senior brother, this treasure is no ordinary thing. We should use a secret chamber,” Kongxuan quickly transmitted a message to Kongling as he saw him about to open the box.

Kongling paused, noting Kongxuan’s grave expression, and said, “Follow me to the rear hall.” The group followed him, passing through layer upon layer of mechanisms and formations. Without Kongling to guide them, even Kongxuan, the sect master, would have found it difficult to enter.

In the rear hall, Kongling finally opened the jade box. Buddhist light radiated forth, and Kongling drew a sharp breath. “The Buddha’s Golden Wheel!”

Within the glow lay a golden circular ring, upon which dozens of Arhats and Bodhisattvas were carved on either side. Eight heavenly dragons coiled around the ring, and golden rays poured forth. As the light swept over him, Zhang Xiao felt the Buddhist power within him grow stronger.

Holding the jade box, Kongling addressed Zhang Xiao with gravity. “Be extremely careful with this treasure. Its ties are vast and perilous. I cannot say whether it will bring you fortune or disaster.”

Having been warned repeatedly by both Kongxuan and Kongling, Zhang Xiao could not help but ask, “Master, what exactly is this treasure entangled with?”

Stroking his beard, Kongling’s gaze turned westward. “This supreme treasure is called the Buddha’s Golden Wheel, crafted by a Buddha in ancient times. In Buddhism, there are the Great Vehicle and Lesser Vehicle traditions. This treasure is linked to a secret of the Great Vehicle. I do not know the details, but for its sake, dozens of great Buddhist sects fought bitterly, staining the western lands with blood. The struggle only ended when the treasure vanished, bringing a hundred years of sectarian warfare to a close.

“Don’t underestimate those sects—at their peak, they were stronger than Mount Mao. Countless masters fell in the conflict. Unless absolutely necessary, never use this treasure, and never before Buddhist disciples. If it is exposed, you will face the pursuit of the entire Buddhist world.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiao felt a chill run down his spine. No wonder the Wanmo Sect handed it over so easily—it was a hot potato. If the Wanmo Sect ever revealed that he possessed it, wouldn’t he be in grave danger?

“Heh, but don’t worry. The Wanmo Sect won’t spread the news. If they did, just hiding this treasure and then gifting it to you would be enough to provoke Buddhist fury—then they, too, would be in trouble.” Kongxuan, seeing Zhang Xiao’s furrowed brow, guessed his thoughts and spoke to reassure him.