Liu Zixuan came to a decision in his mind.
That is, to set aside the things in front of him for now and continue moving forward.
These three treasures, each one was incredibly tempting to Liu Zixuan, but he couldn't afford to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Of course, it wasn't that he was being indecisive like a bear, but he felt that the treasures appearing on the staircase wouldn't be so easy to take, nor would it be so simple.
Once acquired, if he couldn't continue upward, it would be a loss.
Or, if he took these three treasures, it might put him into an even greater predicament, making it a losing proposition.
As the saying goes, only by being willing to let go can one obtain more.
If he truly brushes past them, it only means they weren't meant to be his in the first place.
Therefore, Liu Zixuan didn't look at those three treasures anymore but continued stepping forward to ascend.
Upon stepping on the fourth step, the box behind him subtly retracted back into the wall.
Moreover, the spiral staircase underwent changes, not seeming to rotate in place but extended upward somewhat.
Liu Zixuan smiled slightly; as he stepped onto the sixth step, a rumbling sound suddenly came from above.
He instinctively looked up, only to see the roof of the loft quickly twisting with bricks and tiles, then a painting slowly unfolded from top to bottom.
The content of this painting was quite complex.
Simply put, it was divided into two aspects: the left side depicted a scene akin to paradise, a peaceful setting with bridges and flowing water, whereas the right side was completely opposite, a hellish world with scattered bones and rivers of blood.
As Liu Zixuan was puzzled, a laughter came from behind.
"A thought of heaven, a thought of hell; who would have thought my Buddha's Compassion Map would appear here?"
Liu Zixuan turned to look and was not too unfamiliar; the speaking man was an elder from Tang Country's Spirit Institute. They had crossed paths deep within Yudu but had not interacted much.
The Spirit Institute elder clasped his hands together smiling faintly at Liu Zixuan: "Zixuan brother, could you tell me why you gave up the treasures on the third step?"
Being cordial, Liu Zixuan naturally couldn't ignore him, promptly replying with a smile: "I was told by my heart not to take them, so I didn't!"
"Letting things follow fate and feelings—Zixuan brother follows the same sentiment we uphold at the Spirit Institute." The elder smiled.
"No need, although I follow my heart, I don't plan to become a monk!" Liu Zixuan chuckled and pointed to the painting behind him, asking: "What did you say this Compassion Map was?"
"Indeed, when the Buddha achieved enlightenment during a war-torn era, he was originally a prince who could enjoy a lifetime of wealth but cared for all beings, willing to step into hell from paradise to save those in suffering, thus gaining immeasurable virtue and becoming Buddha. Thus, he painted 'a thought of heaven, a thought of hell' to warn future generations." The elder explained.
Liu Zixuan raised an eyebrow: "That story does have some intrigue."
"Ever since you stepped onto the fifth level, I've been observing, and after much scrutiny, I feel you are truly destined for our institute. Have you considered joining us?" The elder offered again.
Liu Zixuan laughed: "Can I take it that you want the Compassion Map behind me?"
The elder paused and suddenly chuckled, "Zixuan brother is quite straightforward!"
"We're all adults here, and so busy, why beat around the bush?"
While on the surface Liu Zixuan was smiling, inwardly he was cursing; such a simple matter since the elder's appearance constantly mentioning the connection of the map with their Spirit Institute, undoubtedly trying to claim it for himself.
What talk of Liu Zixuan being destined with Buddha was merely politeness.
If Buddha were to save people, then everyone would be connected to him.
Though Liu Zixuan agreed with many of their views, he never took those as beliefs.
Buddha or deities are just past eras; believing in others is less worthwhile than believing in oneself.
Reflecting after Liu Zixuan's words, the elder asked: "Zixuan brother doesn't wish to give it to me?"
Liu Zixuan replied with a smile: "Not exactly unwilling, but there's a question I'm curious about."
"What is it?"
"You just said you've been observing me for a long time, and you also came over from the third step; why didn't you take the treasure there?" Liu Zixuan asked.
The elder laughed: "The Buddha said, 'Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.' Zixuan brother saw treasures in the box, but I saw an empty box."
"An empty box?"
"Yes, every part of this loft holds both illusion and reality, truth and falsehood hard to distinguish. Fortunately, heaven bestowed me a Celestial Eye to see through false appearances; what was in the box was essentially nothing, all you saw was the projection of what you desperately wish to possess. Thus, I said you are destined with our institute wasn't just polite talk."
Regarding the Celestial Eye, Liu Zixuan indeed read about it in ancient texts. The Spirit Institute as a top faction practices unique cultivation techniques, most of which align with Buddha's teachings.
They often use the Five Eyes to denote higher realms.
It is rumored, Buddha possesses Five Eyes.
They are: Flesh Eye, equivalent to Martial Artist Realm; Celestial Eye aligning with Profound Realm; Dharma Eye with Imperial Realm; Wisdom Eye with Innate Emperor Realm; and the strongest being Buddha's Eye, representing the Life and Death Realm.
The elder mentioned he possesses Wisdom Eye, likely his strength is at least Innate Emperor Realm Third Heaven.
As Liu Zixuan reflected, the elder chuckled: "I know you're pondering about the treasures, the items appearing on these steps are actually tests for martial artists."
"Tests for what?" Liu Zixuan queried.
"Greed, anger, ignorance!" The elder raised three fingers: "The third step tests greed, appearing at least three things you deeply wish for. Choosing one is minor greed, taking all is major greed; that's the simple idea."
"And the second test, this painting tests anger!" The elder pointed to the Compassion Map.
Liu Zixuan squinted: "But it's just a painting!"
"Just a painting?" The elder approached Liu Zixuan: "This painting contains a micro-world, care to explore it with me?"
"Enter?" Liu Zixuan hesitated.
They weren't friends and were adversaries in a way; trusting the elder blindly seemed risky.
The elder smiled meaningfully: "Why? Afraid I'll harm you?"
"Provocation doesn't really work on me." Liu Zixuan shrugged.
"Then you could choose to bypass the painting and move on." The elder gestured forward.
Liu Zixuan raised an eyebrow: "What's there to be afraid of in taking a look?"