Jian Dan watched the sun rise over the lake, its golden light rippling across the water's surface. Only then did she speak to the young monk standing behind her, who had been staring in a daze.
"Little Master, how should I address you?"
The young monk snapped out of his stupor and quickly pressed his palms together in a respectful gesture.
"Amitabha. This humble monk is Jie Kong."
"My surname is Shan. You may call me Senior Shan. Tell your abbot that I am waiting for him here."
"Yes, this monk will inform him at once."
Though a year older than before, Jie Kong had clearly matured. Even in his urgency, he still performed the proper Buddhist rites before hurrying away from the lakeshore.
Jian Dan sipped her tea, then took out a formation disk to locate her current position. She was indeed still on Lingyun Continent, but the nearly nonexistent spiritual and demonic energy in the air confirmed that this was a mundane realm. Yet that young monk had a cultivation base at the ninth layer of the Innate Stage. With one more step, he could break into the Postnatal Realm. So there were still cultivators here, after all.
As Jian Dan waited, someone arrived before the abbot. Despite attempts to stop him, he insisted on approaching the lotus pond under the protection of the royal monastery.
It was the Second Prince of the royal family. He had been keeping tabs on this place for some time. The moment he learned that the monk Jie Kong, who had not left the lotus pond in an entire year, had finally gone to the monastery, he rushed over in person to investigate.
From a distance, he caught only a glimpse of her back, but it was enough to leave him breathless. She was a beauty unlike any other. He immediately approached, determined to meet this woman who dared appear here. Her status must be extraordinary.
Jian Dan had already noticed him but could not be bothered. With a flick of her fingers, she activated the "Zhi Chi Tian Ya" technique, warping the space around her so no one could get close. She calmly continued drinking her tea.
The Second Prince and his entourage approached with formal ceremony, but after walking for half an hour, they still had not reached her side. By all logic, the distance should have taken only a quarter of that time. His guards and attendants began to grow uneasy. None dared press forward.
Even the Second Prince began to feel uneasy, unsure what to do next. Just then, Abbot Hui Ming arrived with eight protectors, quickly stepping to the prince's side.
"Amitabha. Your Highness, please return. Do not anger this honored one, or even I will not be able to protect you."
As the abbot of the royal monastery, Hui Ming possessed considerable cultivation. Though he officially held the title of abbot, he was merely fulfilling a mission and did not treat the royal family with the usual deference.
With that, Hui Ming and his group walked past the Second Prince with steady steps and, moments later, arrived behind Jian Dan.
The prince could only watch helplessly as they reached her side while he remained standing in place. He had no choice but to turn back, his heart burning with frustration. But against true power, he could only retreat. He would return to the palace and report to the emperor.
"Amitabha. This humble monk is Hui Ming, paying respects to Senior."
"Sit. My surname is Shan."
"Many thanks, Senior Shan."
The monks behind Hui Ming all offered Jian Dan a respectful salute before silently withdrawing, careful not to interrupt the conversation.
"I fell into this lake due to an accident and have only recently recovered. I noticed you have been maintaining this place well, keeping it quiet so I could heal. If you have any requests, speak them. So long as it is within my power, I will help."
"Amitabha. This monk is aware of his lacking cultivation. A former Buddha Child once divined that the Buddhist path in this realm would face a tribulation. I humbly ask Senior to lend a hand and help our disciples survive the coming disaster."
Jian Dan frowned slightly.
"What is your mission?"
Hui Ming immediately bowed deeply.
"My task is to find the current Buddha Child and bring them back to our sacred land, Yunzhong Temple."
"You should know that cultivators are forbidden from interfering in mundane affairs."
"This monk understands. But you are not bound by that rule, Senior."
"Hmph. That will cost me a great deal of merit."
Hui Ming's heart tightened. He immediately bowed again.
"This monk lacks the strength to avert the disaster. If Senior would save our Buddhist disciples, the Buddhist sect will present a worthy offering."
At his words, one of the protectors stepped forward and presented a sandalwood box. Inside was a prayer bead bracelet made of bodhi seeds, and a golden relic the size of a fingernail.
Jian Dan's brows drew together. The Buddhist sect had spared no expense. Never mind the bodhi bracelet; that golden relic was already a sacred object, one of their holiest treasures. For them to offer it so easily, this matter was clearly more serious than she had imagined.
She tapped the table with her finger, deep in thought. Hui Ming waited silently, not daring to speak out of turn.
The prayer beads floated from the box and into Jian Dan's hand. They were made of eighteen star-and-moon bodhi seeds, a miniature version of the full 108-bead strand, symbolizing peace and auspiciousness. After being placed before the Buddha for years, they had absorbed spiritual incense and emitted a faint golden glow.
"I will take on the task. I will accept the bodhi bracelet. As for the relic, return it to your temple. I have no interest in carrying a dead monk's bones with me."
"Senior is merciful. This humble monk offers his deepest thanks."
With that, all the monks stood before her, hands pressed together, chanting as one.
"Amitabha. Thank you, Senior, for your aid."
Jian Dan accepted their bow with calm composure.
"Enough. You may rise. Ever since I fell into this lotus lake, karma has already been set into motion."
At that moment, the lotus blossoms at the center of the lake swayed gently in the breeze, sending a faint fragrance through the air.
"Senior, may I invite you to the royal monastery? A quiet cultivation chamber has been prepared for you."
"No need. I will remain by this lotus lake. Carry on as usual."
Just as Hui Ming was about to reply, a squad of imperial guards approached from a distance. Their leader wore a purple robe embroidered with serpents and rode a tall red horse. But as they drew near, the horse refused to move forward, growing restless and pawing the ground nervously.
It was the first time this had happened. Commander Le Mu had no choice but to dismount and approach Hui Ming on foot. With his saber at his waist, he clasped his hands and said,
"By imperial decree, His Majesty requests that Abbot Hui Ming come to the palace at once."
Hui Ming nodded.
"I understand."
Le Mu glanced toward the empty space behind Hui Ming and hesitated. Then he lowered his voice.
"Master, the Second Prince reported seeing a remarkable woman here. Would it be possible to invite her to the palace as well?"
Only then did Hui Ming look up and glance at Le Mu. The commander immediately felt a chill run down his spine. He rested one hand on his saber and coughed awkwardly into the other before continuing.
"This is His Majesty's wish. Please consider it, but there is no need to force anything."
He bowed again with official etiquette, then quickly led his horse away.
"Let me enjoy a few quiet days. I will remain here at the lake. Tell the emperor that when the time is right, we will meet."
As Jian Dan spoke, a mountain peak slowly descended into the lake, surrounded by blooming lotus flowers.
She formed a seal, raising a barrier that enclosed the entire lake in a thick white mist. Within moments, the mountain, the lotuses, and everything else vanished without a trace.
"Amitabha. This monk understands."
Hui Ming brought only Jie Kong with him to the palace. Along the way, Jie Kong asked in a whisper,
"Abbot, do we still need to maintain and guard the lotus pond?"
"No need. With that Senior present, no one will find it unless she wishes to be found."
"Not even you?"
"Not even me."
"Amitabha. Jie Kong understands."
At the palace, the emperor Xuande met with Abbot Hui Ming in a side hall.
"Abbot, thank you for coming. There is something I must ask you."
"Amitabha. As abbot of the royal monastery, it is only right that I assist His Majesty."
Xuande brushed his fingers through his short beard and asked,
"The Second Prince said he saw an immortal by the lotus lake you oversee. Is this true?"