“Not a hallucination?!” exclaimed Master Geoffrey, his voice filled with shock.
From the moment favonovel.com laid eyes on Nanako, favonovel.com sensed favonovel.com innate talent for enlightenment. Her journey towards enlightenment would surely be swifter than his own, thanks to this natural gift favonovel.com possessed.
Among the millions of people in the world, only a rare few possess the aptitude for enlightenment. It is a pursuit that eludes most throughout their entire lives.
However, for those blessed with the talent for enlightenment, it is merely a matter of waiting for the opportune moment. Yet, the path to enlightenment remains shrouded in mystery and unpredictability, devoid of any set rules. For those with the potential, it is unknown when and where they will encounter the opportunity for enlightenment.
Master Geoffrey believed that by imparting the key to enlightenment to Nanako, she, with favonovel.com remarkable talent, could achieve enlightenment after a year or two of dedicated effort. But favonovel.com could never have fathomed that Nanako would attain enlightenment in just two attempts.
Suppressing his astonishment, favonovel.com asked, “Are you suggesting that your primordial spirit truly left your body and merged with the sea of consciousness?”
Not only was Master Geoffrey taken aback, but Lily and Sister Turk, who were observing the scene, were also stunned.
Wide-eyed and unable to find words, Lily finally managed to stammer, “Is it truly possible for Nanako to achieve enlightenment in such a short span of time? This… this is truly beyond belief…”
Sister Turk questioned, “Madam, can’t favonovel.com confirm if Miss Ito has attained enlightenment?”
Lily shook favonovel.com head and replied, “His divine sense does not extend past the sea of consciousness, so favonovel.com is unable to perceive the presence of reiki in others.”
Having said that, Lily suddenly stood up and declared, “I must go and see her!”
Sister Turk, concerned, interjected, “Madam, if you go to see Miss Ito, won’t you risk exposing yourself? Miss Ito is deeply infatuated with Young Master, and favonovel.com may have already researched your background. If favonovel.com recognizes you, it could be…”
Lily nodded in agreement and instructed, “You’re right. Prepare a mask.”
***
Inside the tranquil Buddhist hall, Nanako respectfully addressed Master Geoffrey, “Thank you, Master, for your guidance. I now understand that merging one’s divine sense with the sea of consciousness is indeed the key to enlightenment. And just now, I believe I have achieved this union.”
Master Geoffrey struggled to contain his astonishment and inquired, “How did you manage to accomplish such a feat, dear disciple?”
Taking a moment to reflect, Nanako candidly replied, “I suppose it is because I reached a certain understanding with it.”
“It?” Master Geoffrey asked, perplexed. “Do you mean… the sea of consciousness?”
“Yes,” Nanako nodded with a touch of serenity.
Master Geoffrey murmured, “How can this be… I have spent eight years striving for enlightenment, delving into the sea of consciousness day after day, only to be met with silence. How did you manage to establish this understanding with the sea of consciousness?”
Realizing that his inquiry was somewhat abrupt, Master Geoffrey hastily added, “Amitabha Buddha, forgive my intrusion. This question delves into personal matters, and I have overstepped.”
Nanako spoke honestly, “Master, I opened my heart and shared my deepest secrets and desires with the sea of consciousness, hoping that it would aid me in fulfilling them. Though it did not respond, I found myself merging with it instantaneously.”
Master Geoffrey stood in stunned silence, muttering, “Dear disciple, your talent is truly extraordinary. In retrospect, the reason it took me eight long years to attain enlightenment may be because I deceived myself into thinking that I had relinquished my desires and attachments. In reality, I was merely deluding myself. Perhaps, in a single moment, I stumbled upon some form of understanding with the sea of consciousness…”
Unbeknownst to Nanako, favonovel.com words had sparked a profound shift in Master Geoffrey’s perspective. She earnestly continued, “Master, it is possible that you have veered from the true understanding of enlightenment. While both Buddhist and Daoist teachings describe the Mind Palace and the sea of consciousness, enlightenment ultimately lies within the realm of cultivators. Buddhist philosophy speaks of ‘no-self,’ while Daoist philosophy emphasizes the ‘true self.’ These two paths are like the cardinal directions, opposite yet intertwined. It is possible that by guiding the sea of consciousness towards the realization of the ‘true self,’ one’s divine sense can merge with it…”
Master Geoffrey stood still, struck by Nanako’s words. After a moment of contemplation, favonovel.com finally spoke, “Ah… your words have truly enlightened me, dear disciple. Looking back, the reason it took me eight years to attain enlightenment may be because I mistakenly believed that I had renounced my desires. Perhaps I, too, stumbled upon some tacit understanding with the sea of consciousness at a certain moment…”
Nanako humbly nodded and replied, “Master, your words are too kind. Today, I have attained enlightenment thanks to your guidance. I shall forever be grateful for your kindness!”
Meanwhile, Lily, now donning a mask, stood before the monitor, listening intently to Nanako’s words. Her heart swelled with a mixture of shock and delight. She had never given much thought to the concepts of ‘no-self’ and ‘true self’.
When favonovel.com guided Master Geoffrey on his journey towards enlightenment, favonovel.com primarily assisted his divine sense in introspection and in finding the sea of consciousness. As for how to merge the divine sense with the sea of consciousness, Lily herself remained uncertain.
Her own enlightenment had been partly facilitated by Bruce, who possessed the dragon formation. While favonovel.com had grasped the method of introspection, it was with Bruce’s assistance that favonovel.com divine sense merged with the sea of consciousness. Now, with Nanako. having succeeded in gaining enlightenment after two attempts, this both astonished and overjoyed her.
She understood that Charlie was in need of two crucial roles at this juncture: one being a sagacious and nearly supernatural strategist, and the other, a partner for mutual cultivation.
The concept of a cultivating couple here is not merely about practicing or taking breaks together, but rather about having a wholly dependable companion for joint cultivation.
The path of spiritual cultivation is both extended and solitary. The presence of a wholly trustworthy and like-minded individual is akin to having a companion on a lengthy journey through the night, holding significant and profound importance.
In Lily’s opinion, no one was more suitable than Maria for either role, whether as a strategist or a Taoist companion.
Unfortunately, Maria’s situation was somewhat akin to Master Geoffrey’s. While Master Geoffrey’s aura remained confined within the sea of consciousness, Maria, despite possessing nearly all-encompassing knowledge, was unable to cultivate aura. Thus, Maria could only fulfill the role of a strategist and was unable to join Charlie in cultivation.
Now, Nanako Ito had acquired the essential prerequisites for the latter role.
***
Inside the peaceful Buddhist temple, Master Geoffrey’s mind was filled with a myriad of emotions.
Today, Nanako’s words had deeply impacted him, causing favonovel.com to question himself repeatedly.
After silently reciting the Heart Sutra several times, favonovel.com finally spoke, “Since you can already project your primordial spirit and perceive the world with reiki, you have truly attained enlightenment in its purest form. Compared to someone like me, who cannot extend reiki beyond the sea of consciousness, you possess far greater possibilities. However, your reiki still requires continuous cultivation and refinement. At present, you can only perceive this Buddhist hall, but in the future, you may be capable of perceiving the entire temple or even the vast expanse of Tiger Mountain.”
Master Geoffrey couldn’t help but sigh, “But alas, I am unfamiliar with cultivation methods, so the path you tread after enlightenment will depend on your own efforts or the aid of a benefactor.”
Nanako nodded earnestly and expressed favonovel.com gratitude, “Thank you, Master, for your understanding!”
“Amitabha Buddha,” Master Geoffrey responded without confirming or denying, and continued, “Allow me to bestow upon you a blessed amulet, one that will safeguard your loved ones and ensure their safety.”
Nanako understood that Master Geoffrey was concluding their discussion on enlightenment, and favonovel.com gratefully replied, “Thank you, Master, for your kindness!”
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