Eternal Tale

In all the temples they had visited, the monks had always preached about their own Buddhas, each claiming that everything belonged to them. This was the first time Chen Xun and his companions had encountered such an objective viewpoint.

Xiao Chi, still tilting his head in confusion, didn’t fully understand. As far as he was concerned, doing what needed to be done was enough. If danger arose, he'd be the first to sound the alarm!

“The Five Great Ancient Sects of Da Li occupy Thunder Pool on Tianshan Mountain, primarily cultivating lightning techniques in an attempt to connect with the heavens and understand the mysteries of Dao,” the abbot said. His robe billowed slightly, though there was no wind, and yet it appeared completely natural. "Those who cultivate the Dao cultivate themselves, their hearts, and ultimately, their merit."

“Does the abbot also have some understanding of the Daoist path?” Chen Xun asked, intrigued.

“I know only a little,” the abbot replied with a soft smile. “But benefactor, as you are not a follower of Buddha, I won’t delve too deeply into Buddhist teachings.”

Chen Xun and the black ox sighed deeply, a hint of sorrow in their eyes. Perhaps it was only from such an objective perspective that they could believe a little more in the teachings they had heard.

“Abbot, would it be possible for us to stay at Chan Yin Temple for a while longer?” Chen Xun asked with newfound respect. “There are still many things that confuse me.”

“Moo~~” The black ox swished its tail and looked pleadingly at the abbot. They needed some time to process these teachings, hoping to gain some enlightenment from them.

In their journey, they had come to realize that the true teachers of those who sought longevity might be among the common people. Every individual had something worth learning, and that was the essence of the journey.

“Benefactors, please stay as long as you wish. There are no restrictions at Chan Yin Temple,” the abbot said with a gentle nod. Then, he turned slightly and called out, “Fan Wang.”

“Master,” came a voice from around the corner before the man appeared. Before anyone could see him, his voice filled the air.

A blue-robed monk soon emerged from a side hall. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his head shaven, and his expression somewhat wooden. He looked more like a martial monk than a regular one. The oddest thing about him, however, was the lantern he carried in broad daylight, its light illuminating nothing.

Xiao Chi crouched low to the ground, his fur bristling in unease. A mid-stage Golden Core monk addressing an early-stage Golden Core monk as “Master”? Something was definitely off.

“These three benefactors, Fan Wang, are my guests,” the abbot said serenely.

“Greetings to the three benefactors,” Fan Wang said, pressing one hand to his chest and bowing slightly.

“So, this is your eldest disciple, Abbot?” Chen Xun asked.

“Moo~~,” the black ox greeted in its own way.

Xiao Chi kicked up some dust as his form of greeting, looking around warily.

“If the three benefactors have any lingering questions, you are welcome to come to the main hall. Here, we believe in destiny,” the abbot said, a smile playing at his lips.

“We also believe in destiny,” Chen Xun replied, his words carrying deeper meaning. “We’ll try not to disturb your peace.”

“Please, follow me,” Fan Wang said, leading them further into the temple, still carrying his lantern. Though the temple was old and worn, it was large and spacious, clearly unused for some time. ⱤΑŊ𝐨ᛒÊ𝒮

As they walked, Chen Xun glanced around and asked, “Master Fan Wang, I noticed that other temples we’ve visited are full of incense and offerings. Why is Chan Yin Temple so desolate?”

“Moo?” The black ox shared the same curiosity, though he had refrained from asking earlier in front of the abbot.

Xiao Chi’s eyes were almost narrowed to slits as he imagined a thousand potential dangers, but for now, nothing seemed amiss.

“Benefactor, you can simply call me Fan Wang. I dare not accept the title of ‘Master,’” Fan Wang replied with his usual emotionless face. “My master does not believe that Buddha should be enshrined in temples, nor does he believe that Buddhists should confine themselves to chanting scriptures within temple walls, worshipping incense offerings.”

Fan Wang’s tone remained neutral as he continued, “Furthermore, my master finds it absurd that different Buddhist sects worship different Buddhas.”

What the—

Chen Xun and the black ox were both taken aback. Such a radical, out-of-the-box belief could have easily gotten someone executed in the mortal world!

“I see,” Chen Xun muttered with an awkward smile. “We’ll find a spot in the mountains. No need to prepare a room for us.”

Fan Wang nodded woodenly. “As you wish.”

Just then, a tall and elegant young man strode toward them, his flowing robe and sharp brows making him look like a nobleman from an influential family. He laughed heartily and greeted them with a bow. “Jiang Zhaocheng greets you, fellow Daoists!”

Jiang? Chen Xun’s brow arched slightly at the familiar surname. This man seemed very friendly and certainly didn’t have the air of a Buddhist monk.

“Chen Xun,” he replied, returning the bow. "A pleasure."

The black ox gave Jiang Zhaocheng a second glance. He was early Golden Core, but the confidence radiating from him suggested someone much more powerful, perhaps even a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Xiao Chi remained focused on scouting the surroundings, sticking close to the black ox, taking everything in with great caution.

“Brother Chen, to be accepted by my master means you’re no ordinary person!” Jiang Zhaocheng said cheerfully. “If my master accepts you as a disciple, you’ll be the sixth in our order—our Sixth Junior Brother!”

“Jiang, you may have misunderstood…” Chen Xun began.

“Ah?”

“We’re merely guests, staying for a time thanks to the abbot’s generosity. We are not here to study Buddhism,” Chen Xun explained with a smile. “We don’t have the right aptitude for it.”

“Many paths lead to the same destination, whether Buddhist or Daoist. We’re all seekers of immortality, and I—” Jiang Zhaocheng began again, but was cut off by Fan Wang.

“Second Senior Brother, these three benefactors are guests of our master. Please, do not bother them too much,” Fan Wang said, stepping in. “If it’s meant to be, the Buddha will see them. There’s no need to push.”

Jiang Zhaocheng rolled his eyes at Fan Wang, grumbling to himself. **Buddha? What Buddha? There is no Buddha in this temple!**

With a polite bow, Chen Xun and his companions took their leave and headed toward a nearby forest, choosing to camp under the shelter of some tall spirit trees.

As they departed, Jiang Zhaocheng craned his neck, watching them go with great interest.

“Second Senior Brother!” a large, rotund figure waddled over, panting heavily. “Fifth Junior Brother ate all of the spirit beasts we were raising!”

“What?! Say that again, Ma Xiao!”

Ma Xiao’s expression crumbled as he cried, “Second Senior Brother, all of our stock is gone—eaten!”

“This is outrageous!” Jiang Zhaocheng fumed. “Do you know how many spirit stones I spent on those beasts? They were supposed to give birth soon!”

Fan Wang allowed a small smile to tug at the corner of his mouth before disappearing with his lantern.

“Second Senior Brother, the whole temple is counting on you!” Ma Xiao wailed, collapsing onto the ground, his chubby face turning red as he wept.

“You didn’t eat them too, did you?”

“No! No, I tried to stop him!” Ma Xiao protested, his sweat now pouring down as his tears dried up.

“Good. Then neither you nor Fifth Junior Brother will be eating for the next month!” Jiang Zhaocheng declared.

“Second Senior Brother, please, no!”

Jiang Zhaocheng simply laughed, enjoying the game. **Without the support from my Jiang Clan, this temple would have fallen apart ages ago.**

Back in the nearby forest, the wind howled through the trees, their leaves rustling in the cool breeze. A merit ledger floated silently in the air, as Chen Xun and the black ox sat beneath the spirit trees, entering a deep meditative state.

Xiao Chi, meanwhile, dug himself a small burrow in the ground, still vigilantly monitoring the area.

In a small lakeside courtyard within the temple, a green-robed man sat playing Go by himself. There was no opponent on the other side of the board, yet his gaze grew deeper as he pondered each move.

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