Devour

Chapter 474 The Debate on Life and Death

After saying that, Chang Yufeng let out a long sigh of relief.

This answer was balanced and moderate, acknowledging both righteousness and the preciousness of life, and even citing classical texts. In his eyes, there was absolutely no reason for him to make a mistake.

Cheng Bai glanced around and saw that Ningxiang, Yunjuan, Jinlian, Chu Kangzhi, Chi Manman and other prodigies were either quietly nodding or looking approving, clearly agreeing with the idea of ​​"weighing the pros and cons".

Most people only glanced at Chang Yufeng briefly before turning their attention back to the treasures within the magic array, carefully examining them, and few cared about what happened next.

Others' challenges are secondary; the right thing to do right now is to focus on identifying the treasure!

Only Yong Yao gave Xian Gen a wink and whispered, "The Sword Master of Zhenyu Sect failed to decipher the question. In my opinion, seizing this opportunity to make amends is the key to winning the treasure!"

Xian Gen instantly understood and turned around, seemingly unintentionally strolling towards Master Li.

A brief silence fell over the hall.

Cheng Baijian frowned slightly as he pondered, "Chang Yufeng thought his answer was perfect, but in reality, he was playing both sides, committing a grave mistake and falling short completely. When the Master asked people 'what choice do you make,' he was looking for decisive and responsible judgment, not ambiguous 'weighing the pros and cons.' With the Master's wisdom, how could he not recognize such a calculated maneuver? There is absolutely no reason for him to agree with it."

As expected, Master Li shook his head. Although his sigh was soft, it made Chang Yufeng's heart sink and his smile froze on his face.

"Weighing the pros and cons?" Master Li repeated these four words, his calm yet heavy voice like a hammer blow, striking people's hearts. "Starving people stealing grain to survive, is that weighing the pros and cons in your eyes? Martyrs defending the city and sacrificing their lives, is that also weighing the pros and cons in your eyes? Does this mean that everything in the world can be weighed on a scale before it is done?"

Unable to conceal his deep disappointment, he repeatedly questioned, his voice echoing like the beating of war drums in the hall: "Who can guarantee that the scales of the human heart will not be mixed with personal selfishness? How do you know whether the standard for weighing things is righteousness and justice, or personal gain and loss?"

Upon realizing the conversation was going wrong, Chang Yufeng hurriedly retorted, "Master, life is the foundation of all things. If life is gone, where does morality come from? I have traveled the world and experienced life and death, and I know this principle well!"

“Yu Feng, you have misunderstood.” Master Li waved his hand, his eyes revealing a fleeting pity, but it was not directed at Chang Yu Feng, but rather at the hidden shadows of human nature in the world.

He spoke with conviction: “Cherishing life and being afraid of death are two completely different things. The former is to respect the creation of heaven and earth and to be grateful for the kindness of one’s parents; the latter is to fear pain and death and to be greedy for worldly pleasures. In dealing with people and things, one must not confuse the essentials.”

“Master, weighing the options is not cowardice, I…” Chang Yufeng still did not understand the deeper meaning of the Master’s words and wanted to argue.

"Chang Yufeng answered the first question incorrectly!"

Master Li interrupted him coldly, then looked around and announced, "The Brilliant Stone has been successfully identified. Now, who can answer this riddle and win this treasure?"

“This humble monk is willing to answer the question!” Xian Gen immediately took over the conversation, steadily walking forward and stopping exactly nine feet away from Master Li.

Master Li casually waved his hand, snatching away the question card offered by Xian Gen from afar, and said loudly, "Great Mighty King, just answer."

The assembled prodigies either turned to the side or looked over, their reactions varying: some looked expectant, some were expressionless, and some stamped their feet and sighed.

Cheng Bai pondered, "Master's question is simply a choice between two options; even guessing would give you a 50% chance of getting it right. Chang Yufeng, however, is being clever and has given an answer that touts 'moderation.' Sometimes, moderation can easily lead to mediocrity. And the debates on life and death, righteousness and profit, and attachments are precisely what the Buddha's teachings excel at—isn't that exactly what Xian Gen wanted?"

He glanced at the tightly closed palace doors, noticing the fine runes flowing across them, and thought, "The restrictions of the Treasure Hall isolate the inside from the outside, preventing Chang Yufeng from seeking help from Guo Xieke through means such as sound transmission, divine sense, or talismanic messages. The competition among the geniuses inside the hall is fierce; who would lend a hand to someone else? In the end, 'fate' depends on one's own abilities."

Xian Gen clasped his hands together, bowed to Master Li, and said calmly, “Benefactor Chang mistakenly regards ‘life’ and ‘righteousness’ as two separate things, as if one can take gold with one hand and spirit stones with one hand. He only cares about weighing gains and losses and makes arbitrary choices.”

He raised his head and spoke each word with force and conviction: "Therefore, 'life' is the boat that carries righteousness, and 'righteousness' is the oar that carries life. A boat without an oar will drift and sink, and an oar without a boat will fall into emptiness."

The words resonated, and several prodigies' eyes flashed with sudden enlightenment. Even Master Li was captivated by them.

Xian Gensheng's voice resonated like a Buddhist bell: "The topic is not about abandoning the boat to seek oars, but rather when the boat reaches a precipice and waterfall, with a bottomless abyss in front and vicious pursuers behind, the only way is to take the oars and leap into the world of morality. This leap is by no means abandoning life, but rather merging life into a more vast existence. Just as a drop of water enters the sea, only then can one know the vastness of the sea."

This holy son of the Buddha has begun to practice telepathy, and a faint white lotus flower image appears behind him, revealing his holy appearance.

"The sea will never run dry, and the boats will always remain! This 'righteousness' is not something external, but the true meaning of 'life'. When a person faces death to protect the sect and uphold the righteous path, his life will live on in the memories of his fellow disciples, be praised by future generations, and be imprinted in the laws of heaven and earth, thus gaining eternity."

Xian Gen's words were like a clear spring washing away the dust and grime, and the geniuses gradually showed signs of understanding, while Ji Dong, Cai Youling, Yong Yao and other imperial princes were each lost in thought.

Chang Yufeng's face turned from white to red, and he clenched his fists, retorting, "Does the King mean that everyone should die for righteousness? That's outdated! We cultivators pursue immortality; if we can't even protect our own lives, how can we talk about protecting the common people? It's out of touch with the times and impractical!"

"Immovable King".

Xian Gen softly proclaimed his Dharma name, and lotus blossoms bloomed in his eyes, his face radiating confidence: "Benefactor Chang, you are sorely mistaken. Only by experiencing the test of death can one know how precious life is! When cultivators face evil spirits and heretics, they shout, 'Such behavior must never be done.' These few words represent a responsibility that transcends the consideration of life and death."

"Do you know why the Sword-wielding Heavenly King has guarded the City of Good Harvest for thousands of reincarnations?" Although Xian Gen was speaking to Chang Yufeng, he was facing Master Li. Suddenly noticing a slight twitch at the corner of Master Li's eye, he quickly changed the subject. "Ha! This humble monk has said too much. These profound truths should not be discussed in public."

The tall and imposing Xian Gen now possessed an aura of majestic grandeur, almost like a mountain.

His gaze swept over Chang Yufeng's defiant face, and he said slowly, "Benefactor Chang has mistakenly placed 'life' right in front of him, like a leaf obscuring his vision, preventing him from seeing the vast world beyond 'righteousness'."

Xian Gen concluded: "The true solution to this problem lies in breaking free from the attachment to survival! In this way, 'taking righteousness' will no longer be a sacrifice, but will instead prove your supreme value to your sect, your parents, the common people, and even your own life."

After those words were spoken, the hall fell silent once more.

"Great Mighty King's answer is excellent!" Master Li nodded in approval, raised his hand and waved it lightly, signaling Lan Xinqi to open the restriction of the number eighteen magic array. "This magnificent stone weighing a thousand catties should rightfully belong to the World Honored One, the Great Mighty King Xiangen."

Lan Xinqi gracefully approached and led Xian Gen towards the magic circle, speaking softly, "Zen Master, please come with me to retrieve the treasure."

The magic array's restrictions silently dissipated, and the Brilliant Stone fell into the victor's hands.

With satisfaction, Xian Gen respectfully put his palms together and bowed again to Master Li: "The Brilliant Stone has great uses. Today, I am fortunate to have received this opportunity. On behalf of the World Honored One, I respectfully thank you, Master Li."

The first treasure of the Immortal Gathering has finally found its owner.

Exclamations of praise rose from the hall. The various prodigies displayed a range of expressions: some were filled with envy, some were eager to try, and some frowned, unable to make a decision.

Cheng Bai had to admit to himself, "Xian Gen is outstanding among his peers, and it is indeed well-deserved for him to become the Holy Son of the World Honored One Sect. But... the hidden dangers lurking in the Brilliant Stone can be dealt with by the many experts in the World Honored One Sect. It is not something I should worry about!"

Chang Yufeng wasted a Dao Asking Card for nothing and gained nothing. His face turned from red to green, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

After a brief moment of confusion, Chang Yufeng, unwilling to be at a disadvantage, suppressed his frustration and thought, "The Zhenwu Rock, which ranks fifth in value among all treasures, is easy for others to identify, but it is something I have dreamed of for many years. It is extremely difficult to encounter such a great treasure again."

Then he suddenly looked up and said loudly, "Master, I have another question to answer. May I answer the next one?"

Master Li stroked his beard and said, "Of course. Failure doesn't mean there's no chance, it just means you have to pay a price each time. What do you want?"

Chang Yufeng gritted his teeth, handed over another Inquiry Card, and said solemnly, "The 'True Martial Rock' of the second formation is a third-grade superior-quality magic stone, formed at the confluence of the most yang earth veins. This treasure can protect oneself and also assist in the cultivation of internal energy, achieving twice the result with half the effort. Its function in weapon refining varies depending on the diagram. This piece is rare in size and is enough to make a spirit bed. If given to a formation master, it can also be used to set up various mysterious formations."