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Chen Qingyuan gazed at the unfamiliar landscape before him, knowing he had left the Dao Yi Academy far behind. His spirits sank as he muttered under his breath, "The old man is really stingy, not even giving his disciple a single treasure for the journey."
With a sigh, Chen Qingyuan followed the route given by his master and quickened his pace.
After arriving in the Eastern Land, it was said that someone would come to meet him; this was not something Chen Qingyuan needed to worry about.
Dao Yi Academy, Baiyan Hall.
The place became tranquil the moment Chen Qingyuan left.
Yu Chenran's smile at the corner of his mouth gradually faded, his expression solemn as he murmured to himself, "Child, this journey to the Eastern Land will greatly benefit both you and the Qing Sect."
Having taken Chen Qingyuan as his disciple, Yu Chenran naturally wanted to pave the way for him.
Although Yu Chenran did not give Chen Qingyuan any protective treasures on the surface, he secretly left a primordial imprint on him.
Should Chen Qingyuan encounter a life-threatening danger, the primordial imprint would activate to protect him.
Yu Chenran did not tell Chen Qingyuan this because he wanted him to rely on his own abilities to solve problems as much as possible, which would strengthen him and hone his skills.
A flower grown in a greenhouse, no matter how beautiful, cannot withstand the ravages of the outside world.
"Child, if you can gain the support of those old monks in the Eastern Land, even if your identity is exposed in the future, your life will not be under great threat."
Yu Chenran intended to drag the Buddhist temples of the Eastern Land into the fray, so the Qing Sect would no longer bear the responsibility of suppressing the Demon Abyss alone.
Those old monks prided themselves on compassion but never seemed to perform great deeds of merit, content in their corner, lacking ambition.
Taking this opportunity of the Eastern Land Buddhist temples seeking help through sound transmission, Yu Chenran wanted to involve them in this karma, making it impossible for them to shirk responsibility.
Monks place great importance on karma, which is why the old monks of the Eastern Land Buddhist temples never set foot in Imperial Province, avoiding the need to deal with matters of other domains and simply guarding their own territory.
"Old Monk, although I have my own motives, this will also benefit the temple. If the temple can seize this opportunity, they might just cultivate a true Buddha of the flesh."
Yu Chenran, fully aware of the responsibilities and karma Chen Qingyuan bore, still took him as a disciple. This was out of reverence for the Qing Sect and an unwillingness to let its lineage die out, hoping to use his modest power to change the situation.
Along the way, Chen Qingyuan hurried without a moment's rest.
He encountered some minor troubles, such as being stopped by bandits of the Star Domain, but resolved them all.
After nearly a month and using more than twenty grand teleportation arrays, Chen Qingyuan finally crossed the chaotic sea of worlds and arrived in the Eastern Land.
Upon entering the Eastern Land, he was greeted by endless yellow sand and an inexplicable sense of suffocation.
"The old man didn't specify where to go in the Eastern Land, how frustrating."
Chen Qingyuan had no choice but to stand and wait.
With nothing better to do, he found a high mound of yellow earth, laid out some wine and precious fruits, and savored them slowly.
Having given all his belongings to the black python before leaving, Chen Qingyuan had stored some food to satisfy his cravings.
After all, constantly assimilating spirit stones meant he didn't feel hunger and could abstain from grain, but that also took away some of life's pleasures.
To live well in this world, one must eat and drink well; this was one of Chen Qingyuan's life principles.
Half an hour later, Chen Qingyuan sensed a presence approaching and looked up.
A young monk in a pale yellow robe approached, tall with scars of discipline on his head and a handsome face. If dressed as a woman, he would be stunning.
"Are you from the Dao Yi Academy?" the young monk asked, hands clasped in greeting and bowing slightly to Chen Qingyuan.
The monk had set out from the temple early and had been waiting nearby for someone from the Dao Yi Academy to arrive.
"Yes," Chen Qingyuan nodded, producing a jade token given by Yu Chenran.
The young monk glanced at the token and confirmed Chen Qingyuan's identity.
However, there was no joy on the monk's face, only a deep skepticism as he thought, "Why would the Dao Yi Academy send a disciple in the Golden Elixir Realm?"
Chen Qingyuan had merely used a jade bracelet to conceal the aura of his holy-grade Golden Elixir and Dao Bone, revealing his cultivation level to the outside.
Anyone whose strength far surpassed his own could see through his cultivation level.
Being too mysterious could instead invite unnecessary trouble.
"I am Monk Daochen. May I inquire as to your name?"
Monk Daochen asked.
"Chen Qingyuan, my master is Yu Chenran."
Chen Qingyuan introduced himself.
"So, you are the esteemed disciple of Vice Dean Yu of the Dao Yi Academy." Monk Daochen had heard from his elders that Yu Chenran had taken a disciple, and here he was, "Did the academy only send you?"
"Yes," Chen Qingyuan replied.
"This…"
Hearing a definite answer, Monk Daochen was taken aback.
A cultivator in the Golden Elixir Realm, that seemed rather dismissive!
The relationship between the Eastern Land Buddhist temples and the Dao Yi Academy was decent; there was no need to make things so awkward. Rather than sending a Golden Elixir disciple to make up the numbers, it would have been better to refuse outright.
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.
Chen Qingyuan glanced at Monk Daochen, guessing what he was thinking. After all, even Chen Qingyuan himself was puzzled; if there was a serious matter, a Golden Elixir cultivator would certainly be of little help.
Despite feeling disgruntled, Chen Qingyuan continued to eat and drink.
If the Eastern Land Buddhist temples wanted to send him away, it would actually be a relief for Chen Qingyuan, and he could simply make his way home.
"Monk, care to join me for a cup of tea?"
Chen Qingyuan looked at Monk Daochen, unable to discern his level of cultivation but noting that he seemed to be about the same age as himself.
"No, thank you." Monk Daochen declined and used a secret Buddhist art to contact his elders, reporting the situation truthfully.
After discussion among the high-ranking members of the Buddhist sect, they decided to invite Chen Qingyuan back for further discussion.
Based on what the Buddhist sect knew of Yu Chenran, it was unlikely he would do something so distasteful; there must be a deeper meaning.
"Disciple Chen, please follow me to the Tianxu Treasure Temple."
The strongest force in the Eastern Land was the Buddhist temples, with the Tianxu Treasure Temple at the core, housing many top-tier powerful figures, any of whom could shake multiple regions.
"Alright."
Chen Qingyuan packed up his table and food and followed Monk Daochen.
Pressed for time, Monk Daochen used a Buddhist seal to hasten their journey, quickly heading towards the Tianxu Temple.
In just two hours, they crossed many star seas and arrived at a plain.
Ahead stood a massive, pale golden temple, majestic as a mountain.
Above the temple gate in the void hung a plaque with three characters – Tianxu Temple.
Hundreds of palaces flanked the mountain gate on both sides, with the Tianxu Treasure Hall in the central position.
"We're here, let's go in."
Monk Daochen lifted the prohibition at the gate and stepped forward.
Chen Qingyuan felt a twinge of nervousness, unsure of what he would face next.