Western Ox Continent, Orthodox Sound Monastery.
The setting sun hung low, with occasional wooden fish sounds drifting from within Orthodox Sound Monastery, while outside, continuous chanting sounds surged toward it in waves.
Along with the chanting came waves of wish power, flowing toward the small Orthodox Sound Monastery.
Yuan Kong's face remained calm as he watched the wish power being completely absorbed.
The wish power seemed endless, flowing toward the Mahavira Hall of Orthodox Sound Monastery.
The Mahavira Hall, like a bottomless pit, absorbed all the wish power without showing any signs of fulfillment.
Since stepping foot on Western Ox Continent, Yuan Kong had noticed that every temple with proper Buddhist cultivators seemed to be absorbing complex wish power, though to varying degrees.
Though puzzled, Yuan Kong felt such turbid wish power should be useless, as proper cultivators and Buddhist cultivators wouldn't use such impure wish power for cultivation.
It wasn't just about cultivation level, but bearing the chaotic thoughts of sentient beings meant bearing their scattered emotions.
One's likes and dislikes would be endlessly amplified, and one would no longer be oneself.
At first, Yuan Kong thought this might be a custom of Buddhist temples on Western Ox Continent, perhaps for some other purpose.
But it seemed that wasn't the case.
Although he was a Buddha Child, he couldn't expect novice monks to tell him the truth.
As for what Bai Xuanling said, Yuan Kong remained skeptical, but since she mentioned Chu Xingchen's name, he was willing to give it a try—at least when facing it directly, he would know whether he should do it.
After traveling for so many years, what Yuan Kong remembered most clearly was that he could only trust what he saw with his own eyes, not easily believe what others said.
In truth, his senior brother had taught him this principle, but Yuan Kong hadn't paid much attention at the time.
In Bai Xuanling's plan, Yuan Kong's responsibilities weren't many.
After all, Bai Xuanling's plan was nearly complete even without him, and would be carried out regardless; his presence would just add an element of surprise.
At least, with him here, the probability of investigating the chains and uncovering the truth was much higher.
All initial matters were handled by Bai Xuanling, and Yuan Kong only needed to go to the Mahavira Hall after receiving the talisman reminder from her.
He didn't necessarily need to unlock the chains, but at least he should see what was beneath them.
Essentially, the simplest task had been given to Yuan Kong.
For this, Bai Xuanling waved her hand dismissively, saying the matter was settled, and all the money Yuan Kong owed Chu Xingchen was canceled.
Her generosity was so great that Yuan Kong felt that if Chu Xingchen found out, he might angrily pound the table and call Bai Xuanling a wasteful spender—he had always been notoriously stingy in Yuan Kong's eyes.
He would rather split a spirit stone in two to use it.
Since he only needed to take a look, Yuan Kong agreed.
Yuan Kong was clear-headed: he was a Buddha Child, but not of the Buddhist sect—he was Yuan Jing, his senior brother's Buddha Child.
He didn't uphold Buddhist principles, but what his senior brother taught him.
His senior brother had always said he had little talent, but after walking this path, Yuan Kong had a realization—his senior brother's talent was far greater than his own, he just wasn't gifted.
Yuan Kong withdrew his gaze and silently closed the door.
Time seemed to flow extremely slowly now; Yuan Kong had lost count of how many times he had chanted scriptures, and darkness had fallen outside the window.
Yet the talisman in his embrace remained calm.
Suddenly, a bright light shot through the window, making it feel like daytime.
Yuan Kong's expression grew slightly serious; he knew things were about to begin.
Sure enough, followed by intense sounds that seemed as if they could overturn heaven and earth.
The battlefield seemed extremely distant, yet only faint fluctuations of spiritual energy came through, as if intentionally controlling the scope and intensity of the battle.
The commotion was huge, and moments later, Orthodox Sound Monastery struck its alarm bell, the great sound echoing throughout the temple.
Then, surging waves of powerful cultivators' spiritual energy fluctuations arose from Orthodox Sound Monastery, rapidly moving away.
Yuan Kong waited quietly but keenly observed the movements of the Mahavira Hall.
After all... the former Buddha should have been a top cultivator at least of the Mahayana Realm.
But before he could sense any movement from the Mahavira Hall, the talisman in Yuan Kong's embrace suddenly lit up, turning into fluorescent light that floated before him before slowly dissipating.
Yuan Kong was stunned... this... is this reliable?
The Mahavira Hall showed no signs of anything, so he could just leave?
What if some expert accidentally activated the talisman?!
When he went over, would he run into the abbot of Orthodox Sound Monastery again?
His thoughts flashed through his mind as Yuan Kong grew tense, but he resolutely stood up and pushed the door open.
Orthodox Sound Monastery was unusually quiet now, with doors of all buildings wide open.
Yuan Kong took a deep breath and resolutely began walking toward the Mahavira Hall.
The distance wasn't far, and Yuan Kong reached the Mahavira Hall in just a short while.
The old monk he had seen earlier was nowhere to be found; Yuan Kong's gaze swept across, and only the wooden fish remained beneath the Buddha statue.
Yuan Kong stepped back into the Mahavira Hall.
According to Bai Xuanling, the lock was indeed the old monk, but to see what was beneath, he didn't necessarily need to kill the monk—he could just use the suppressing Buddha statue.
That faceless Buddha statue—if one was a Buddha Child, they could merge with it and look down from above.
If Bai Xuanling were to handle it herself, she could only blast it open, which was the difference that made her choose to contact Yuan Kong.
Otherwise, Yuan Kong's presence was optional and couldn't provide convenience, so Bai Xuanling naturally wouldn't seek him out—she had no interest in reminiscing with someone unfamiliar.
As for how to merge... Bai Xuanling had only left one sentence—you'll know when the time comes.
Regarding this, Yuan Kong could only say that it was no surprise she could be friends with Chu Xingchen; her way of speaking was truly frightening.
Yuan Kong took a few steps forward, raised his head, and stared directly at the faceless Buddha statue, then slowly extended his hand.
"Don't touch it randomly."
Another voice came from behind Yuan Kong.
His heart jumped, and he turned around with a flustered expression, but then breathed a sigh of relief—the person wasn't a bald monk.
It was a handsome young man in an elegant long robe.
At this moment, Yuan Kong realized what Bai Xuanling meant by "you'll know when the time came"—it wasn't that he was exceptionally talented and would understand upon arrival, but that she had arranged for someone to teach him.
However, understanding was one thing, and Yuan Kong glared, unable to hide his dissatisfaction:
"You high-level cultivators, why do you all like to suddenly appear from behind? Can't you speak to my face?
I'm in an unfamiliar place doing something like this, don't you have any empathy? Do you have to scare me to death?"
Xu Jin's gaze didn't look at Yuan Kong but at the faceless Buddha statue as he explained:
"I just arrived myself. Do you think it's easy to get in here?"
Hearing this, Yuan Kong felt a chill and asked:
"What would have happened if I had touched it?"
The handsome young man spoke calmly: "Theoretically, nothing would have happened, but it's better to be cautious."
Yuan Kong: "...???"
So that meant if he had touched it, nothing would have happened anyway?
"Are you Chu Xingchen himself? Using some art to change your appearance to deceive me?"
"Why ask that?"
"Because your way of speaking is just as annoying as his."
Xu Jin was taken aback and showed a slight smile:
"I suppose I've learned bad habits from him too."
[
Dear Readers,
I am currently posting two chapters every day across two active fictions, along with bonus and extra chapters. The workload is steady, and I am putting in the effort to keep the schedule consistent for everyone. In total, that comes out to 56 chapters per month normally, plus random bonus and extra chapters on top of that.
Right now, the financial situation is not great. Patreon support is what keeps this translation work sustainable. If you have been following the stories and want to help, joining a tier makes a direct difference.
Here is what membership offers:
$6 per month
10 chapters in advance for all works
$8 per month
20 chapters in advance for all works, plus random bonus and extra chapters
$10 per month
30 chapters in advance for all works, plus access to character images and random bonus and extra chapters
Important note: Subscribing through the Apple App adds an extra 30 percent fee because of Apple and Patreon policy. Subscribe through your browser to avoid the extra charge. Apple also processes payments very late, around 2 to 3 months, which makes it much harder to receive money quickly after you subscribe.
If you can support, it would genuinely help continue the daily releases and early access content. If you cannot, reading and sharing the work is also appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
Patreon: patreon.com/Alex_Cruise
]