The Buddhist Son received the jade slip and infused it with Buddhist power. A beam of light shot out from it, displaying a vivid, three-dimensional projection. Within the shifting images, the invasion of the Lingyun Continent by the insect tribe unfolded in striking detail, from the initial attack to their temporary retreat.
What impressed the Buddhist cultivators most was how the humans, beasts, and demons of Lingyun Continent had joined forces to fight back. It was a rare and powerful alliance.
Ji Shi was the first to react. The moment he saw the projected scene, he turned sharply toward the black severed insect leg that Jade had presented earlier.
Jade, standing confidently with Jian Dan behind her, had no fear of their suspicious stares. She planted her hands on her hips and said plainly, "I found this in the Fengyun Ridge and rushed back right away. Because I'm a beast in your eyes, I knew you wouldn't believe me if I said anything, so I returned to report to my master.
"You captured me, and now who knows what's happening at Fengyun Ridge?"
Jade, enough with the sass. Did you take any precautions before leaving?"
Jade turned back and returned to Jian Dan's side. "Before I left, I was worried something might happen. So I activated the compound killing array plate you gave me and placed it by the Cold Pool."
"Hm, clever of you."
"Amitabha. Fellow Daoist Shan arriving here—whether it's a blessing or a curse, who can say?"
Yun Yin's words carried a double meaning. Jian Dan smiled and accepted them calmly.
"I fell into this place. For me, it's neither a blessing nor a curse. Just another trial along my cultivation path.
But for the Empire and you Buddhist cultivators, it is a blessing.
My arrival here allowed you to learn of the insect tribe. And my spirit beast found a severed leg, proving they are not far from you now. In other words, you received a warning in advance.
So tell me, is that a blessing or a curse?"
None of the Buddhist cultivators could offer a direct reply. Only the Buddhist Son clasped his hands in a respectful chant, "Amitabha. It seems we have been like frogs at the bottom of a well."
"Buddhist Son, what comes next is for you all to decide amongst yourselves," Jian Dan said. "Tomorrow, I'll head to Fengyun Ridge to investigate. The insect leg my Jade found was near an identity token belonging to a disciple from my sect. So…"
"Amitabha. This old monk understands. Everything will be arranged. I shall accompany you to Fengyun Ridge."
"Good."
"Hui Ming, take Shan Daoyou to her guest room so she can rest."
Jian Dan could see that the group of monks still hadn't fully processed everything. She didn't interfere further and turned to leave the meditation hall.
As she walked away with unhurried grace, the room fell into silence.
"Amitabha. Buddhist Son, do you believe what that cultivator said?" Yun Yin asked, still skeptical.
"That female cultivator carries a killing aura, but she is also protected by the golden light of merit. Her words should be trustworthy."
"Amitabha. I was the one who captured her spirit beast, which delayed the message from reaching us in time. I will volunteer to go to Fengyun Ridge and investigate."
The Buddhist Son nodded. Since the mistake originated with Ji Shi, it was only right for him to be the one to verify it.
"Ji Shi, tend to your injuries first. Don't delay your departure tomorrow."
"Amitabha. Thank you for your concern."
Ji Shi gave a Buddhist salute and left the meditation hall.
The Buddhist Son rolled the prayer beads between his fingers and said to Yun Yin, "Yun Yin, you should go as well. If the situation proves true, spread word to all the monasteries."
"Buddhist Son this might cause widespread panic."
"Amitabha. The breaking of the Demon-Sealing Tower was already a sign. I once believed the blood moon we saw recently was a warning of the tower's collapse. I never imagined it was a prelude to an invasion from a foreign insect tribe."
"Amitabha."
"Has Qing Yong returned?"
"Yes, he's been back at the temple for a few days, repairing the Demon-Sealing Tower."
"And how is the progress?"
"Not very good. However…"
"Speak freely."
"Qing Yong said that Shan Daoyou knows the true reason why the tower was broken."
"Amitabha. This Shan Daoyou walks a different path from ours, yet she accepts other teachings and has her own insights. We have been too narrow-minded.
You don't need to blame yourself. Our traditions have been passed down this way for ten thousand years. With no contact from outside cultivators, it's natural that some knowledge was lost. It's not your fault.
Amitabha. Perhaps this is the Buddha's test for us."
Meanwhile, Jian Dan had been led to the guest room by Hui Ming. As soon as Jade set up the defensive array plate, she couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer.
"Master, is the Buddhist Son saying you can't return unless you reach the Mahayana realm?"
"Mm."
"But the spiritual energy here is pitifully thin. With the amount you need to advance your cultivation, how long will that even take?"
"Exactly. That's why we barely receive any news from this side. It's not that no one has tried, but that they simply couldn't make it back."
"Based on what the Buddhist Son said, Mahayana cultivators can travel across, right? Which means they could come here too. So how come no one from our side knows about this place?"
"Smart little one. The logic holds. Maybe some Mahayana cultivators have come here. But once they're here, what can they even do? This place isn't suitable for cultivation, whether you're human, demon, or beast."
"Oh, I get it. Luckily, Master has..."
Jade suddenly cut herself off, realizing she'd nearly let something slip. She quickly changed the subject and began talking about her experiences over the past year.
"Master, when I settled in Fengyun Ridge, I gathered some spiritual herbs. I kept them all stored properly. We can plant them when we go back."
"This is my gift to you."
She rummaged through her storage pouch and pulled out a gray bead.
"I bought this in the market at Fengyun Town. I wanted to carve your Dao name on it, but it's too hard. I couldn't even scratch the surface."
She held the bead out for Jian Dan to see.
Jian Dan took the bead. A thick, hardened glaze coated its surface, probably accumulated over many years, which explained why Jade couldn't make a mark on it.
Jian Dan rubbed it lightly, and the outer layer crumbled instantly under her fingers.
Jade's mouth fell open. Her master was amazing.
Beneath the shell was a smooth bead that released a faint aura of primordial chaos.
Jian Dan's eyes lit up with delight. She hadn't expected this—Jade had unknowingly brought her a Chaos Bead, a rare treasure that couldn't be sought out, only stumbled upon.
"Jade, I really like your gift."
"Heehee, I'm glad you do, Master."
This wasn't the right time or place to examine it further. Jian Dan stored the Chaos Bead in a jade box and tucked it into her spatial storage.
"Amitabha. Is Shan Daoyou present? Apologies for disturbing you, Qing Yong has come to visit."
Jian Dan waved her hand, opening the guest room door.
"Master Qing Yong, back already? What brings you to me?"
"Amitabha. Shan Daoyou is still as straightforward as ever."
Jian Dan rolled her eyes inwardly. "We don't even know each other that well. If you're here, of course it's for something. Why not just get to the point?"
"Please, speak freely."
"Did you give me a piece of artifact material?"
"I did."
"Can it be used to repair the Demon-Sealing Tower?"
"That depends on you, doesn't it?"
Qing Yong lowered his eyes for a moment, then looked up again.
"I can't refine the material. May I ask for your guidance?"
"You can't refine it?"
"No."
He brought out the box Jian Dan had given him. Inside lay a piece of black carapace.
Jian Dan took it and examined it. There were signs it had been smelted, but the refinement hadn't succeeded.
"You'll need a different flame. A unique one."
"A unique flame?"
Jian Dan nodded and suspended the carapace in her palm. Verdant Flame burst forth, instantly enveloping the material.
When she was at the Nascent Soul stage, she had spent an entire year refining a black-armored insect leg to craft the Mò Xī Jiàn.
Now that she was in the late stage of Void Refinement, this process was much easier. Still, it took a full hour to melt the carapace completely into liquid form.
She pushed the molten material toward Qing Yong with a smile.
"If you're delivering the Buddha to the west, you might as well go the whole way. I'll leave the rest to you."
"Amitabha. Thank you, Daoyou, for your help."
Qing Yong carefully resealed the molten substance, visibly satisfied, and returned to his task of repairing the Demon-Sealing Tower.
"Master, you're too kind. Why did you help him refine it yourself?"
"I snatched his alms bowl in a hurry earlier because I was worried about your safety. That embarrassed the Buddhist Son. This counts as my apology."