Can a Nine-Life Virgin Become a Buddha?

The Hall of Yama, a place of imposing righteousness, yet also eerily sinister.

Before the altar, a figure sat upright and dignified. This was the Yama King, with a pale, clean face, a ceremonial crown adorned with pendants, and scented pouches dangling by his ears. He wore a wide-sleeved robe with a ruffled collar and boots on his feet.

Beside him stood a Judge, holding the Book of Life and Death in his left hand and a Soul-Reaping Brush in his right, his eyes closed in serene contemplation.

“Bang!”

The gavel struck, and silence descended upon the hall.

Yama, thoroughly pleased, surveyed his surroundings. He stroked his long, stiff black beard and roared, “Is the soul before me Wen Wugou, disciple of Pure Yang Ancestor Lu Dongbin?”

A dissipated soul, its gaze vacant, stood before him. At Yama’s roar, its three ethereal souls and seven corporeal spirits coalesced, instantly restoring its lucidity.

The soul looked around, recognizing the Hall of Yama once more, and let out a helpless sigh.

Yama observed Wen Wugou’s return to awareness, yet the soul still offered no reply. A flicker of annoyance crossed his face.

As Yama, entrusted by the Jade Emperor to preside over this Hall for countless years, he had never encountered a soul audacious enough to ignore him.

“Bang!”

Another strike of the gavel.

“Impudent wretch! I speak to you, yet you remain unresponsive!”

Wen Wugou, seeing Yama’s vexed expression before the altar, felt no fear. Instead, a peculiar sense of triumph swelled within him, and the corners of his lips curled into an unmistakably mocking arc.

He patted his familiar white soul-robe, feeling his ethereal form slowly solidify.

Only then did Wen Wugou leisurely take a step forward, cupping his hands in a bow. “Your Excellency truly has a short memory for such a distinguished personage. It has only been eighteen years since I last departed, merely the time it takes to brew a cup of tea in this gloomy Underworld.

“Moreover, this is not my first visit. How could Your Excellency forget me so quickly?”

After speaking, Wen Wugou dramatically flicked his sleeve. Yet, the soul-robe provided by the Underworld was of such poor quality that it lacked any semblance of elegance. Instead of flowing, it stiffly spun in a circle, its entire cuff engulfing his fist.

This annoyed Wen Wugou immensely. In his previous life, he had been exceedingly concerned with appearances, but in this Underworld, he wasn’t even allowed the pretense of being suave.

Yama was greatly incensed by Wen Wugou’s blatant disrespect. What did it matter if he was a celestial disciple or possessed exceptional talent? He had still fallen into reincarnation and was subject to Yama’s jurisdiction within this very hall!

‘Hmph, having offended the Jade Emperor, he’ll likely never be reinstated to a position of importance. Pure Yang Ancestor has never even visited the Underworld to speak a word on his behalf. He must be utterly disappointed in this unruly disciple.’

‘Hmph hmph, today, I shall certainly set you straight!’

“Bang!”

This particular gavel strike, Yama delivered with exceptional vigor.

“Judge, read the record of his past lives!” Yama commanded, sweeping his sleeve before closing his eyes.

The Judge bowed, then performed a spell on the Book of Life and Death. Its pages began to turn without a breeze, emitting a golden glow. Slowly, black small seal characters emerged on the previously blank pages, detailing Wen Wugou’s life story.

The Judge glanced at the text, furrowing his brow and muttering a soft ‘what a pity’ to himself, but quickly reverted to his usual impassive demeanor.

“The soul before the court, Wen Wugou, was originally a registered roaming immortal of the Heavenly Court. Possessing extraordinary talent, he achieved a golden immortal body after only a decade of cultivation.

“However, he refused the post of Bi Ma Wen, Keeper of Horses, offered by the Jade Emperor, thereby violating heavenly laws. He was subsequently demoted to the mortal realm to endure nine cycles of reincarnation.”

These few brief sentences already occupied an entire page.

When the Judge turned the page, a mere glance brought a look of surprise to his face.

He flipped another page, and his expression turned to outright dread!

Yama had waited for a long time without hearing anything further. Growing impatient, he snapped, “What is it? Continue reading. Do not waste time.”

The Judge, seeing Yama’s undisguised anger, dared not delay. He merely stole a quick glance at Wen Wugou.

Wen Wugou, too, was puzzled. During previous readings of his past lives, the Judge had always been straightforward. Why was he dawdling this time?

It was no wonder Wen Wugou felt a touch of urgency. This life was his last. After enduring this final cycle of reincarnation, he would reclaim his status as a Daluo Golden Immortal and live a life of carefree joy. He vowed never to step foot through the South Heavenly Gate again!

‘Hmph!’

“In his first life, he was the son of an imperial chef in the palace, possessing acute senses. He compiled recipes from across the land and, upon mastering them, became renowned throughout the world. He even gained the notice of the Human Emperor.

“On the day of his ennoblement, he slipped on a salted fish due to excitement, fell, and died at the age of eighteen.”

“In his second life, he was a scion of a noble family, though quite talented. He was caught discussing state affairs with a street vendor, a transgression seized upon by his father’s political enemies. Convicted, he was crushed to death in prison by five burly men at the age of eighteen.”

“In his third life, he was the young master of a wealthy family, possessing a photographic memory and unparalleled painting skills. He secretly painted his younger sister bathing, a discovery that led to his father beating him to death at the age of eighteen.”

…

“In his eighth life…”

The Judge in the hall read for quite some time, finally finishing the account of Wen Wugou’s past lives.

Yama, too, had detected a subtle oddity. He cast a questioning glance at the Judge.

Knowing Yama harbored some doubt, the Judge approached him and whispered, “Your Excellency, with your sagacious wisdom, you must have already discerned it. Wen Wugou, across eight cycles of reincarnation, has invariably met a sudden, violent death at the age of eighteen. It is truly peculiar.”

Yama thought to himself, ‘What did I discern?’ However, with his subordinate offering such flattery, he naturally wouldn’t expose himself. He merely nodded in a feigned knowing manner. “I am well aware. Continue to explain clearly, so I may see if your thoughts align with mine.”

The Judge assented and clarified, “Your Excellency, Wen Wugou has now undergone eight reincarnations, yet in every life, he has remained a virgin. Now, the Buddhist fruit has manifested. After just one more life, he will depart the celestial registry and enter the Western Paradise.

“This is a rule established long ago between the Buddhist and Daoist sects. Currently, Buddhism is flourishing in the mortal realm. If another Daluo Golden Immortal were to convert, it would be an unbearable loss for our Daoist sect!

“Should the Jade Emperor discover this, he would surely lay blame upon us.”

“Eight lives as a virgin…” Yama was somewhat speechless, stealing a glance at Wen Wugou.

Wen Wugou happened to catch Yama looking at him, but that gaze… why did he detect a hint of pity within it? ‘Is it because I die too quickly every time? Should I feign even more misery? Perhaps this bearded, pale-faced brute might, in a fit of sudden whimsy, just let me go. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?’

Wen Wugou’s mind worked quickly, but Yama’s mind, seated at the altar, worked even faster.

Yama pulled the Judge closer and whispered, “Here’s what we’ll do: alter his ninth life in the Book of Life and Death. Make him a breeding pig. Pigs grow quickly, so he’s bound to lose his virginity within eighteen years.

“That will sever his accumulated merit, and that settles it!”

“Ah!?”

Yama spoke with ease, but his words gave the Judge a fright. “Your Excellency, Wen Wugou is an immortal! How can he be cast into the animal realm? Perhaps we should inform the other nine Yama Kings to discuss this.”

“Discuss what nonsense! Are there any other good solutions? Previously, my Hall of Yama saw the rise of a ‘nine-life virtuous person.’ That fellow enjoyed immense wealth and glory as a prince in life, and upon death, he directly attained Buddhahood.

“How can such an absurd thing happen again within my Underworld! Furthermore, the Heavenly Dao has always maintained a balance of Yin and Yang in all things. Now, the Daoist sect is weakening while Buddhism grows stronger, which already violates the Heavenly Dao. Heaven will surely bring calamity!

“You need not say another word. Just carry out the order!”

Helpless, the Judge cupped his hands and bowed. “As you wish… I shall obey.”

Bridge of Helplessness.

“Lord Wuchang, you bind us so tightly, yet why does that soul cross the bridge so openly, all by himself?”

“Oh, that’s a regular. If you made eight trips to the Underworld and back in the time it takes an incense stick to burn, you’d receive the same treatment.”

“Huh?”

Wen Wugou bowed to Meng Po at the head of the bridge and respectfully handed over his reincarnation papers.

Meng Po’s expression grew somewhat peculiar after reading the document.

“Young man, are you sure you haven’t brought the wrong papers?”

“Personally issued by the Yama King, how could they be wrong! Please hurry, Granny. I can’t wait any longer!”

Wen Wugou spoke from the heart; he was thoroughly fed up with reincarnation. Eight times he had cycled through, and each time, just as he achieved mastery and was on the cusp of grand achievements, he would inexplicably perish.

If not for Meng Po’s soup making him lose his past memories, with his temperament, he would surely have stopped trying. What was the point of effort if it all ended at eighteen anyway?

The frustration was immense; he only wished this life would pass quickly.

Meng Po still harbored some doubts, but the papers bore the seal of the Yama King, and Wen Wugou’s name and life story were perfectly accurate. After a moment’s thought, she dismissed her suspicions. She specially filled a large bowl with Meng Po’s soup and handed it to Wen Wugou.

“Child, drink it all. After this bowl, I’ll pour you another.”

“Eh, Granny, isn’t Meng Po’s soup very precious? Why are you being so generous with me?”

“It will make your next life a little easier.”

“???”

Wen Wugou took the bowl of Meng Po’s soup, about to gulp it down, when a sudden, deafening crash erupted behind him.

Turning his head, he saw a monkey-headed figure burst into the Hall of Yama, forcing the grand doors wide open.

The Monkey King soared down before Yama and roared, “Hmph, shameless Yama! All my monkey children and grandchildren on that mountain were benevolent, yet you allowed the Wuchang guards to drag them away! If you don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll overturn this entire Underworld!”

Before Yama could even respond, the Monkey King had already smashed every single object within the hall.

The Monkey King let out a loud laugh, but hearing the incessant wailing of the numerous ghosts, his heart grew irritated. “Stop your incessant noise, it’s making my head ache! My children died unjustly, and today, I’ll make sure none of you enter reincarnation either!”

A burst of golden light erupted as the Monkey King charged straight towards the Bridge of Helplessness, causing another wave of ghostly wails along his path.

After venting his resentment, the Monkey King saw Yama and the Judge cowering behind the altar. He scoffed, then unleashed a flurry of staff strikes, instantly shattering all six entrances to the Paths of Reincarnation!

The entire Underworld shook violently like a mortal earthquake. All the souls, the solitary ghosts, screamed in terror, unable to calm down no matter how much the Wuchang guards whipped them. If they hadn’t been bound, they would have scattered and fled long ago!

The Monkey King’s power was truly terrifying!

Wen Wugou was also left dizzy and disoriented by the powerful gusts of wind stirred up by the Monkey King’s staff. The bowl of soup in his hand had been blown away to an unknown location.

‘This Monkey King’s cultivation is probably almost on par with my master’s!’ he thought, horrified. ‘I wonder where he came from, daring to cause such havoc in the Underworld. Truly remarkable. I wonder how long it will take me to reach such a level after I return to the ranks of immortals!’

As he mused, he noticed the previously shattered and chaotic entrances to the Six Paths slowly merging. Before long, a rift, profoundly dark and eerily strange, opened within them.

Wen Wugou instinctively felt the rift was dangerous. He was merely a soul now, utterly without magical power, so it was best to keep his distance.

Just as he was about to retreat, the Monkey King’s formidable power unleashed another surge of air. The mere aftershock pushed Wen Wugou into the rift, leaving him only enough time to cry out, “What the hell!”

Following this, a burst of radiant light erupted from the rift, pushing all the ghosts and specters in the Underworld a hundred zhang away.

At that exact moment, an invisible sword qi descended from the Heavenly Court, instantly reaching the Underworld and precisely cleaving into the rift. It then vanished just as quickly, unnoticed by anyone.

After a long while, the radiant light gradually faded.

Only the Monkey King’s furious roar echoed throughout the entire Nine Hells.

Above the Heavenly Court, in the Grotto of the Eight Immortals.

A sigh.

“Take care, my disciple!”

The speaker, with a face like polished jade, exuded an air of immortal grace and Daoist wisdom. This was Pure Yang Ancestor Lu Dongbin, Wen Wugou’s master.

After a brief moment, Pure Yang Ancestor’s emotions returned to normal. He then turned and bowed to a female immortal standing behind him.

“Thank you for your generosity, Immortal Maiden. These Five-Colored Lotus Seeds are indeed useful! The difficulty of refining these lotus seeds is known throughout the Heavenly Court; they are a miraculous treasure for reshaping an immortal body.

“To think you would offer them without hesitation upon seeing my disciple in trouble truly leaves me at a loss for how to thank you.” With that, Lu Dongbin bowed again.

The Immortal Maiden replied, “My current position as one of the Eight Immortals of the Heavenly Court is largely thanks to you. We are both teacher and friend; there is no need for thanks. A few lotus seeds, however precious, are ultimately external objects. We are both cultivators of the Dao; surely you understand this?

“Moreover… it is shameful to admit, I have been refining these lotus seeds for five hundred years, yet among the Five Elements, the Water Lotus Seed has still not reached perfection…”

Pure Yang Ancestor waved his hand. “The Heavenly Dao is unpredictable; how can everything be perfect? My disciple has profound karmic fortune and will naturally find a solution. Immortal Maiden, you need not be concerned.

“My sword strike today will surely be known to the Jade Emperor. Heavenly laws are strict, and punishment will certainly be unavoidable. To prevent implicating you, Immortal Maiden, I shall personally endure the punishment of reincarnation on my disciple’s behalf!”

Upon hearing this, the Immortal Maiden smiled charmingly. “Are you seeking refuge, fellow immortal?”

Pure Yang Ancestor laughed heartily. “You’ve divined it too, Immortal Maiden? Your cultivation has indeed caught up to mine. Hereafter, a calamity awaits the Heavenly Court. After I descend to the mortal realm, I will inform the other fellow immortals to enter seclusion.”

With that, Pure Yang Ancestor flicked his sleeve. His posture and demeanor were almost identical to his disciple, Wen Wugou. Amidst several bursts of laughter, his immortal body slowly transformed into a cloud of white mist…