Chapter 1258: Chapter 1259: Master Wuhu Also Fancies This? Chapter 1258: Chapter 1259: Master Wuhu Also Fancies This? Ergouzi sauntered along with a group of people, blabbering nonsense wherever he went and scolding any monks they passed by. Despite his ludicrous words, the surrounding monks began to look at him with increasing reverence and even admiration in their eyes.
Li Xiaobai could only conclude that these bald donkeys had a real talent for filling in the blanks with their imagination. Yet, as they proceeded, he noticed something different: the atmosphere of spiritual cultivation in Heavenly Dragon Temple was worlds apart from the few cities around it. The monks here were earnestly devoted to practicing the Buddhist Law, with few distracting thoughts.
“The cultivators in this temple have been trained from childhood, passed down through generations, with few becoming monks halfway through their lives. That's why there are far fewer monks here than in Bodhi Temple and Great Thunderclap Temple,” said Xiao Lao Di, which explained why this temple was somewhat behind the other two great temples in terms of overall strength and influence, almost as if it deliberately kept a low profile.
“If they're all homegrown, then this task of Reverse Enlightenment is going to be tough,” murmured Li Xiaobai to himself.
A golden light flickered in the void, and an elderly monk with a rich and dignified look–wide forehead and large ears–slowly emerged.
“Amitabha, well said, well said. I am Ling Jue, one of the overseeing monks of Heavenly Dragon Temple. I have seen the esteemed visitors. Master Wuhu's sudden visit caught us unprepared; we apologize for not greeting you further from the temple,” greeted the old monk with a benevolent smile.
“The Abbot was delighted to learn of Master Wuhu's visit and has asked me to invite you to dine with us!” he said warmly.
Ergouzi looked askance with a distorted neck and indifferent tone, the very image of a villain in triumph. If not for the 1.5 million Sin Value floating above his head, who would have guessed that he was actually from the Buddhist Sect?
A few breaths later.
The group arrived at the true entrance of Heavenly Dragon Temple, a quadrangle courtyard with entwining heart-shaped dragons on the gate and the imposing air of tigers roaring and dragons howling.
The temple courtyard was rather deserted, with just a few old monks and some young novices sweeping the grounds.
“Amitabha, it was an oversight not to welcome Master Wuhu sooner. Please, come take your seat!” The leading monk in a red kasaya greeted Ergouzi with joined palms, graciously inviting him in.
His gaze swept over Li Xiaobai and Xiao Lao Di behind him, his pupils contracting slightly. As fellow denizens of the Saint Realm, they naturally recognized each other. Even with no direct interactions, they had seen each other a few times. With just a glance, he recognized that the old man was none other than Xiao Lao Di, one of the peak figures in the Central Origin Realm, as well as Xueyuan, the core elder of the Blood Demon Sect. The disciples had reported accurately; Master Wuhu had indeed brought two Saint Realm powerhouses into their Heavenly Dragon Temple.
The little yellow chicken, though never seen before, must not be any kind-hearted individual, considering it was accompanying the three mighty ones–its cultivation level was undoubtedly not low.
“Master Bobozi has gone to quite some trouble,” Ergouzi said casually as he walked into the main hall, nonchalantly taking a seat at the head of the table, causing the monks on both sides to tremble with their plump faces quivering.
“Amitabha, Master Wuhu, the guest is like a god, and as hosts of Heavenly Dragon Temple, we ought to offer the best hospitality,” said Master Pipizi, the overseeing monk. He was displeased seeing the visitors being so disrespectful to the Abbot.
“Is Master Pipizi asking this humble monk to stand up?” Ergouzi glanced over with an indifferent remark.
“The Buddhist scriptures say that when the distinguished are seated, there is no distinction between high and low, noble and humble. Today, I have indeed tested and found out that it is a false scripture!”
“Pipizi, are you deceiving Buddha?” Ergouzi teased.
“You…”
Pipizi was about to say something more when Abbot Bobozi waved his hand to silence him.
“Amitabha, Pipizi must not be disrespectful. Within the Buddhist Sect, it is true that there is no distinction of high or low, noble or humble; it is all distinguished by the heart alone. For Master Wuhu to visit Heavenly Dragon Temple graces us greatly. With a non-human body, to have cultivated one and a half million merits, this old monk is very eager to hear any profound insights Master Wuhu has regarding the Buddhist scriptures!”
“Moreover, this old monk did not expect to encounter an old friend here. Xiao Lao Di, I trust you've been well.”
Abbot Bobozi gestured for everyone to sit down and not to fuss over anything.
Outside the hall, a young novice monk brought dishes on a tray, indicating that Heavenly Dragon Temple indeed intended to host them.
“Hehe, meeting old friends today, a powerful alliance, striving to make Heavenly Dragon Temple the strongest temple in the Buddhist Sect–how delightful!”
Xiao Lao Di laughed heartily.
“Well said! The Buddha himself has come here to explain his understanding of the Buddhist Law to the people, and has already crafted a Magic Treasure that can help the common folk break free from their shackles. Whoever receives it can benefit from it endlessly!”
“As long as Abbot Bobozi nods, the Magic Treasure can be sold throughout the city tomorrow!”
Ergouzi spoke with an air of taking everything upon himself, here for the purpose of conducting business.
“No rush on that, let's eat first. All these are delicacies.”
Master Bobozi smiled faintly, not responding to the offer, but gestured with his hand for everyone to start sampling the food.
Li Xiaobai casually lifted the cover of the nearest dish, revealing a stack of vegetable leaves. He picked up a leaf and swallowed it. No attributes flickered on the System panel, leading him to mutter with some disappointment, “Why isn't it poisoned?”
Xiao Lao Di didn't touch his chopsticks, and while Ji Wuqing and Ergouzi uncovered their dishes and rifled through them, all they found were wilted vegetable leaves.
“Where's the meat?”
The other monks inside the hall were silently exasperated. What kind of bizarre guests were these? Wanting to eat meat at a Buddhist monastery–outrageous! How could their Pure Land possibly serve meat to guests, wouldn't that ruin their reputation? If they wanted meat, they'd have to hide it and eat it in secret!
Another one even more outrageous–this demon head from the Blood Demon Sect actually wanted to eat poison. Are you eager to die that quickly?
Indeed, these people were beyond all normal reasoning!
“Cough cough, Amitabha, a sin, a sin. In the purity of the Buddhist Sect, monks seek cleansing of the six senses and do not eat meat. These dishes are not common fare; they are all cultivated with the Power of Faith of the Buddhist Sect. Eating them can bring endless benefits!”
Master Bobozi introduced with a hearty laugh.
“Ptooey ptooey ptooey!”
Upon hearing this, Ergouzi immediately spat out the mouthful of wilted vegetable leaves. He didn't dare eat Spirit Grass cultivated with the Power of Faith carelessly, even with Huazi present. If he accidentally underwent Reverse Enlightenment, their cover would be blown.
“It's too bitter, too harsh, the Buddha himself wants to eat roast chicken!”
“As the saying goes, wine and meat pass through the guts, but the Buddha sits in the heart. We are true to ourselves, and what we eat is but a superficial matter!” Ergouzi said.
Ji Wuqing, sitting next to him, showed his dissatisfaction and was about to say something when Ergouzi slapped him down to the ground and pinned him there.
“This…”
The many monks in the hall hesitated for a moment, glancing at each other and noticing the doubt in their eyes. At last, the Master of Discipline Pipizi tentatively asked, “Does Master Wuhu also fancy this taste?”
Chapter end
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