Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
Tianxu Temple was solemn and dignified, filled with monks everywhere.
Guided by Daochen Monk, Chen Qingyuan arrived at the grand hall of the Buddhist Sect without any hindrance.
Standing at the entrance, he could see the hall was packed with high-ranking monks, easily numbering over a hundred.
Steadying his mind, Chen Qingyuan followed Daochen Monk inside.
All the monks turned their heads to look at Chen Qingyuan, their faces expressionless, their thoughts inscrutable.
At the deepest part of the hall, an Old Monk dressed in simple robes sat cross-legged, chanting scriptures with his eyes closed, his demeanor solemn.
"The Abbot, he has arrived."
Daochen Monk bowed with his hands pressed together and spoke softly to the Old Monk.
"Greetings to all the venerable monks."
Chen Qingyuan bowed solemnly towards the front, his face serious and slightly nervous.
The monks exchanged glances and communicated through Sound Transmission, discussing Chen Qingyuan. They were puzzled about the significance of the Academy sending a Golden Elixir Realm Cultivator.
If a Golden Elixir Cultivator could resolve the issue, there would be no need for the temple to seek outside help.
A few monks showed disdain and displeasure, thinking that the Academy was insulting the Buddhist Sect of the Eastern Land.
However, with the Abbot of Tianxu Temple yet to speak, no monk dared to voice any criticism and maintained their silence.
"A distinguished guest graces our door, no need for such formalities."
The Old Monk opened his eyes, stopped rotating his prayer beads, and shakily stood up, his voice hoarse.
Feeling the Old Monk's gaze, Chen Qingyuan felt uncomfortable all over.
"This Donor is named Chen Qingyuan, a disciple of Vice Principal Yu of the Academy."
Daochen Monk was the Abbot's personal Disciple, holding a very high status. As long as he made no mistakes, he was likely to be the future Abbot of Tianxu Temple.
The monks took a few more glances upon learning Chen Qingyuan's identity.
They had assumed that Yu Chenran would personally make the trip or at least send a top Elder proficient in the Academy's mystical arts. Chen Qingyuan's arrival left them feeling puzzled and somewhat brushed off.
"Vice Principal Yu is very measured in his actions; there must be a deeper meaning to this, monks should not harbor idle thoughts."
The Old Monk's Dharma name was Xuankong, his Buddhist teachings profound, overshadowing the Eastern Land.
"Yes."
The monks dared not let their thoughts wander and immediately ceased their idle musings.
In truth, even the Old Monk Xuankong couldn't see through Chen Qingyuan and was unclear about Yu Chenran's intentions. However, he believed that Yu Chenran would not take this matter lightly.
Thus, Old Monk Xuankong dismissed the other monks and, with a faltering gait, approached Chen Qingyuan, smiling kindly: "Donor Chen, please step this way."
In a quiet side hall of Tianxu Temple, undisturbed by others.
Old Monk Xuankong and Chen Qingyuan sat close to each other, with fragrant tea on the table, its aroma wafting to Chen Qingyuan's nose, slowly easing his tense mind.
This tea had a calming effect on the mind and was no ordinary item.
The Old Monk before him was the leader of the Buddhist Sect in the Eastern Land, and even without knowing his exact level, one could guess he was a great Mahayana period master. Facing such an existence, Chen Qingyuan was somewhat uneasy.
"Did your master send any message for you to convey?"
Old Monk Xuankong appeared simple and ordinary, his kindly face radiating benevolence.
"There is something."
On his way here, Yu Chenran had handed a jade slip to Chen Qingyuan, instructing him to personally deliver it to the Abbot of Tianxu Temple.
The jade slip was sealed with a special talisman that Chen Qingyuan couldn't unlock; only a highly powerful Cultivator could access its contents.
Chen Qingyuan took out the jade slip and handed it to Old Monk Xuankong.
Old Monk Xuankong looked at the jade slip in his hand and sent a thread of Buddhist thought into it.
Hum!
The jade slip trembled slightly, and Yu Chenran, far away in the Northern Wilderness, sensed that the seal had been broken.
"Old Monk, whether you dare to take on this karma is up to you. It's both a tribulation and a chance for Fortune."
Yu Chenran was sitting cross-legged on the surface of a lake, fishing in tranquility.
In the side hall of Tianxu Temple.
Chen Qingyuan sat upright, maintaining silence.
After a while, Old Monk Xuankong opened his eyes, understanding the message Yu Chenran wanted to convey.
Looking at Chen Qingyuan again, the Old Monk's eyes held a different kind of complexity. For a moment, he considered sending Chen Qingyuan away directly.
But as soon as this thought arose, Old Monk Xuankong immediately cut it off, steadying his mind and murmured to himself, "Sinful, sinful."
Had he not known Chen Qingyuan's identity, sending him away would have been inconsequential even if he learned of it later.
However, now that he was aware, sending him away could slightly affect his Dao Heart.
As the leader of the Buddhist Sect in the Eastern Land, Old Monk Xuankong was well aware of the karma associated with Qingzong and the contributions made for the sake of all beings. To expel a successor of Qingzong, who carried great merit, would not incur karma, but it would inevitably damage his Dao Heart.
After all, the Buddhist Sect's purpose was to save the world; how could they turn away someone who carried such great merit?
Sigh!
Old Yu, your open strategy is truly vicious!
Old Monk Xuankong continued to watch Chen Qingyuan, lost in thought.
"Why does the Old Monk keep staring at me?"
Chen Qingyuan muttered to himself, feeling uncomfortable all over.
For the future of Qingzong and for Chen Qingyuan's safety, Yu Chenran pondered for a long time before deciding to reveal Chen Qingyuan's identity to Old Monk Xuankong.
With Old Monk Xuankong's character and their relationship, he would surely not harm Chen Qingyuan or spread the news.
That's why Yu Chenran chose to do this.
Qingzong had suppressed the demonic abyss for three hundred thousand years, accumulating merit that was unimaginable. It was only because some force had blinded the Heavenly Dao that the merit could not descend upon the world, leading to the decline of Qingzong with each generation.
If the Buddhist Sect of the Eastern Land helped Qingzong, they might be able to partake in this karma and possibly receive great Fortune in the future. However, Fortune was not easy to come by and came with great risks.
"Master, why… do you keep looking at this junior?"
Chen Qingyuan asked softly, feeling uncomfortable.
"The poor monk feels that Donor Chen has a connection with Buddhism, hence the extra glances."
Old Monk Xuankong smiled.
Hearing this, Chen Qingyuan gave an awkward laugh and did not respond.
"Donor Chen, please stay in the guest room and rest for a couple of days."
Old Monk Xuankong planned to think things over more carefully.
"Alright."
Chen Qingyuan couldn't discern Old Monk Xuankong's thoughts.
Following that, Old Monk Xuankong had Daochen Monk arrange accommodations for Chen Qingyuan.
In a secluded part of the temple, Old Monk Xuankong sat alone under a Buddha statue, tapping a wooden fish, contemplating the matter at hand.
Previously, the Buddhist Sect feared the terrifying karma of the demonic abyss, and the monks were forbidden from entering the Imperial Province to avoid bringing disaster to the Sect. Now, with Chen Qingyuan's arrival, Old Monk Xuankong could no longer avoid the issue and had to confront it head-on.
"Has the Buddhist Sect erred?"
Old Monk Xuankong looked up at the golden Buddha statue and spoke to himself.
If the Buddhist Sect had made the same choice as Qingzong back then, their current situation would surely not be much better.