I will eventually become a divine being through accumulating constantly

This was the congratulatory gift from "Cease-Blades," which Xue Jing confirmed with Ning Yuantai over the phone after the banquet concluded, was personally ordered to be sent by the "Beautiful Commander of Cease-Blades" himself.

He didn't know the true value of this painting, so he asked Li Qi, who was utterly shocked and enraptured, and only then did he realize the worth of this gift.

This painting is a secret teaching within the Buddhist Sect; it is said to have been painted by Anan, one of Buddha Shakyamuni's Ten Great Disciples, from his likeness at the time of Buddha's Nirvana, nearly three thousand years ago.

At the time of his Nirvana, he took the posture of a lion lying down, facing north and west, with his right side down, his left leg lying over his right, his right hand arched underneath his head as a pillow, and his left hand gently stretched out to the side of his body, utterly serene and relaxed.

The lion, being the king of beasts, has no natural predators and sits at the apex of the animal kingdom; thus, its sleeping posture is extremely relaxed, fearing not the approach or sneaky attack of any creature. Such a sleeping posture contains deep natural mysteries.

The Buddha, a person of enlightenment, had a sleeping posture like that of a lion, the most natural and relaxed in the world. Falling asleep in the lion's pose, he would sleep with undispersed intention, maintain right mindfulness, and never have nightmares, but always have auspicious and pure dreams. Find more chapters on My Virtual Library Empire

By adopting this posture to welcome death, one could lessen suffering and pass away peacefully.

According to Li Qi, by contemplating this painting with focus, those with profound aptitude for enlightenment could gradually comprehend an extremely powerful Buddhist technique named "Nirvana Technique."

"The original true Lion Lying Nirvana Painting is enshrined in the Nirvana Holy Land, and this one must have been copied by a master profound in Buddhist Studies from the original," he explained.

"It's said that the original, despite appearing quite ordinary on the surface and open for the public from all over the world to visit at will, could only be sensed for its uniqueness by masters deeply versed in Buddhist Studies, who could then create paintings with the mystical "Nirvana Technique" hidden within."

"That's probably because the original's state is too profound, returning to simplicity and truth, making it incomprehensible to the average person."

Xue Jing gazed at the Nirvana Map, his eyes deep and shadowy.

The secret Buddhist Nirvana Technique, known as the world's foremost "sleep technique," had manifold effects, allowing, through the medium of "sleep," quick replenishment of physical strength and spirit, purification of consciousness, calming of the mind, enhancement of spirit, shedding of troubles, dissolution of inner demons, and longevity... its functions were extraordinarily numerous.

Practiced to an advanced level, one could even cultivate immense strength through the lion's resting posture.

It is said Buddha Shakyamuni had never practiced any martial arts, yet possessed a strength so fearsome he could easily lift a gigantic elephant into the sky where it remained for three days and nights before falling back to earth, creating a huge crater on impact.

In his later years, Shakyamuni, with a stature reaching six 'zhang' six feet, could single-handedly lift a massive square stone measuring one hundred and twenty paces in length and sixty paces in width, tossing it into the sky beyond sight, and then catch it with his hand as it fell back down.

Such divine power was nearly the stuff of legend.

In the modern-day Buddhist Sect, among those practicing martial arts, those Buddhists who managed to cultivate the Nirvana Technique to a high level possessed such overwhelming physical strength that they stood peerless among their contemporaries, with few other sects able to compete in this regard.

Xue Jing often came across videos of emaciated ascetic Buddhist disciples on the internet, with dry, chapped lips, appearing incredibly frail as if even holding a bowl was an effort, yet they could effortlessly lift huge stones or uproot large trees, creating an exaggerated visual effect.

Surely, it was because they were profound in Buddhist Studies and had achieved success in cultivating the Nirvana Technique.

"The effects are excellent, but the requirements are extraordinarily high, probably even higher than the Taoist Learning needed for cultivating the Yellow Grannie Skill," Li Qi commented.

"Not only does it require profound knowledge in Buddhist Studies, but also an aptitude for understanding Buddhist principles is important. Ordinary people, no matter how they view and imitate the map, could at best only improve their sleep and overall health a little."

Xue Jing rested his elbow on his knee, propping his chin in his palm.

"However... for me, no matter how high the requirements are, it doesn't matter," he mused.

"As long as you have even the slightest connection with 'martial arts,' no matter if it's a rare volume of Buddhist Sect teachings or a secret technique from Taoist Learning, in front of [True Martial]..."

Xue Jing concentrated, staring at the painting on the wall, his mind devoid of any other thoughts, wholly fixated on tracing the scene within the painting with his mind's eye.

Incredibly, without any difficulty or obstacle, he easily began to create a vivid scene in his mind just by looking at the painting.

Under the twin sala trees on the Great Awakening Lotus Platform, a giant Buddha, six meters and ten centimeters tall, lay on his side upon the Lotus Platform, a physique embodying the Thirty-two Forms and Eighty Minor Marks of beauty, devoid of any flaw, epitomizing worldly splendor.

In front of him, the Ten Great Disciples stood to the side, with a million followers worshiping, fragrant incense billowing, layers of exquisite chanting, as the Buddha's mouth slowly recited something, his dark blue compassionate eyes gradually closing.

In a trance, as the visions became clearer, a ceaseless stream of Buddhist teachings began to emerge within Xue Jing's heart. Together with the envisioned Buddha, his eyes slowly began to close, his face showing a trace of compassion.

At this moment, if there were a great Buddhist disciple present, seeing the compassionate demeanor gradually appearing on Xue Jing, they would find it incredibly incredible.

Having never touched upon Buddhist Studies, yet able to comprehend Buddhist principles out of thin air—he must either be a reincarnation of the Buddha or a figure of legendary aptitude for Innate Enlightenment like the Sixth Ancestor Hui Neng, capable of founding a significant branch of Buddhist Studies.

Xue Jing immersed himself in the endless Buddhist principles arising within him, naturally beginning to change his posture.

He drew in his legs, laying his body down on its side, head facing north and west, resting on his right side, with his left leg atop the right, his right hand curled beneath his pillow, his left arm stretching out along the left side of his body, much like the Lion King deeply slumbering on the savannah, like Buddha entering nirvana upon the lotus dais, serene and utterly tranquil.

Gradually, he entered a state of sleep, his body unconsciously starting to operate on its own.

Countless streams of Qi Force began to generate automatically, following an intricate and wondrous path throughout his body, his spirit extending outward, influencing the physical changes within him in some invisible form.

A faint golden glow started to radiate from his entire body, his already smooth skin grew tighter and tighter; on the microscopic level, something extra seemed to join the connections between cells, making them stick more closely together, narrowing the gaps between them.

Muscles, flesh, bones, internal organs, the brain... every single part of him was undergoing subtle changes.

"Master..."

The door to the cultivation room was slowly opened, and a small head peeked inside.

As soon as Zong Shichan entered, she saw Xue Jing lying on the ground in the pose of nirvana, breathing long and steady, his body radiating a golden light, as if in deep sleep.

She quickly covered her mouth, knowing Xue Jing was in the midst of training, and dared not disturb him.

Quietly closing the door, Zong Shichan kneeled down, her gaze fixed on Xue Jing, infatuated.

As she watched, for some reason, her thoughts transitioned from 'Master is so handsome,' to 'Master is truly great.'

Unconsciously, she brought her hands together in prayer, bowing her head slightly towards Xue Jing, as though she were a devotee paying homage to Buddha.

Time passed, unnoticed.

Xue Jing slowly opened his eyes, awakening from his slumber.

His eyes were crystal clear, showing a pure azure hue, like that of a newborn child, free from the slightest impurity or blemish.

A mysterious wave of energy gently spread from his body, immensely dignified yet also brimming with boundless compassion, enveloping the entire cultivation room.

After briefly sensing the changes within his body, Xue Jing blinked his eyes and opened the panel.

[Requirements met, skill activated: Sleep]

Sleep...

Xue Jing raised an eyebrow.

This skill, taken for granted, had not been activated until now?

Upon further thought, he understood.

The activation of panel skills required a certain level of proficiency, much like how every person naturally acts out a version of themselves in the eyes of others, yet it took a long time after receiving the panel for Xue Jing to activate [Acting].

It seemed that even though everyone sleeps, because it wasn't proficient enough sleep, Xue Jing had not met the requirements to activate [Sleep] until now...

"It's utterly speechless."

Xue Jing commented.

He was just about to check his attribute table to see the changes after cultivating the Nirvana Technique, when he noticed his little disciple kneeling by his side, devoutly in prayer with hands pressed together.

Xue Jing frowned, walked over, and placed his hand on Zong Shichan's head, releasing and then withdrawing his spiritual aura.

"Whoa!!"

Zong Shichan began to breathe rapidly, like someone who had finally reached the shore after nearly drowning.

"Master... Master..."

...