As the old monk and Huizhong entered Daliang Temple, one following the other, several other monks of varying ages and spiritual attainment also appeared hurriedly within the temple. Although their reactions were slow, and they didn't even know the source of the chanting that filled the temple, they instinctively made their way to the Buddha Seal Mingwang Hall.
Indeed, it wasn't long before Huizhong was seen slowly approaching, accompanying an old monk. The chanting echoing throughout the temple immediately found its source: it was coming from the old monk's recitation.
For some reason, simply seeing the old monk brought a sudden realization to the more spiritually cultivated monks of Daliang Temple. Without asking questions or speaking much, they merely performed a slight Buddhist salute.
Subsequently, monks with exceptional spiritual wisdom and clear minds also arrived in succession. Many began to gather in front of the Buddha Seal Mingwang Hall. Only those who merely performed their daily duties continued with their usual routines.
Daliang Temple remained unchanged. Pilgrims continued to flow in and out, yet none seemed to react unusually to the monks' activities.
Jiyuan followed a little farther back, entering the temple from about twenty to thirty paces away. He observed the surrounding pilgrims offering incense and paying their respects to the Buddha.
While people are often indifferent to matters beyond their immediate concerns, the current situation clearly suggested a unique state of "detachment."
The princess and the female official had followed Jiyuan and Huizhong to the temple gates from the outset. Realizing the old monk must be a highly accomplished one, they now followed discreetly from a distance.
However, they found it unsettling that the surrounding pilgrims were acting completely normally, especially after Master Huizhong appeared and many other senior monks from Daliang Temple emerged.
Instead of joining the monks at the front, the two women cautiously approached Jiyuan.
"Are you Mr. Ji?"
The princess politely asked. Jiyuan turned to look at the two women, nodded, and replied:
"Yes, that is I."
"Mr. Ji, don't you find it very strange around here? It's quite abnormal. These pilgrims..."
Jiyuan looked around and smiled.
"Daliang Temple has always been the national temple of Tingliang. As the princess and Official Lu, you naturally know that Master Huizhong possesses true Buddhist dharma. To be frank, the Buddhist elder being welcomed today has profound Buddhist wisdom. These pilgrims are not under a spell; rather, the monks are in a state of 'detachment' from them."
After a moment's thought, Jiyuan elaborated in terms easily understood by ordinary people.
"The accomplished monks of Daliang Temple haven't actually disappeared from view. Instead, they are subconsciously ignored by those who lack true Buddhist faith or sincere devotion. In the perception of such people, everything they see and know appears normal. They visit the temple not to seek enlightenment, but for personal gain – a transactional 'I worship you, you protect me' mindset. Naturally, they cannot perceive the true essence of Buddhism. In a sense, it's a form of cognitive obstruction."
The female official subconsciously asked again.
"Then why can the princess and I see them? Is our devotion to Buddhism more sincere than most?"
"Hahaha... No, that's not it at all. As I said, people aren't unable to see the monks; they simply overlook them. You two have been closely observing Master Huizhong from the very beginning, so how could you possibly ignore them? Just observe quietly here; for you, it can be considered a fortunate encounter."
Having said this, Jiyuan stood silently, gazing towards the front of the main hall, and spoke no further.
The princess and the female official exchanged glances. Finally, they took two steps closer to Jiyuan, standing beside him and also looking towards the main hall.
Standing near Jiyuan, their minds gradually quieted, and they could even faintly hear chanting echoing. The more intently they listened, the louder it became.
"Just as wood is straightened by a string and metal sharpened by a stone, this truly is a master of high Buddhist cultivation. In this way, all the monks of Daliang Temple with true Buddhist hearts will greatly benefit and be even more inclined towards Buddhist dharma."
Jiyuan spoke softly, but then noticed the old monk, who had been chanting in front of the hall and was suspected to be a Buddhist Mingwang, turn his head and glance at him.
Witnessing this, the princess lowered her voice and quietly spoke to the female official beside her.
"This master's ears are so sharp..."
However, they soon stopped jesting, and their eyes widened in astonishment.
The chanting at Daliang Temple grew increasingly loud. It was not only the old monk's resonant voice but also the combined voices of all the Daliang Temple monks chanting in unison.
At a certain moment, the old monk who had been standing outside the hall ceased his chanting. His clasped hands slowly lowered, and while his physical body remained still, a semi-transparent figure emerged from within him.
This figure was identical to the old monk, but after just two steps away from his body, it gradually turned golden. As it advanced step by step towards the main hall, its size steadily increased until it was as tall as the main hall's doorframe, growing even taller the moment it crossed the threshold.
The chanting of the Daliang Temple monks grew even louder as they watched this scene with excitement. The figure, resembling a colossal golden Buddha, moved without physically touching any pilgrim, yet pilgrims subconsciously moved out of its path.
The golden figure finally stood inside the Buddha Seal Mingwang Hall, directly facing the Buddha statue.
"The Buddha's form, my form, a golden form, a manifested form. Well done!"
The golden figure performed a slight Buddhist salute towards the large Buddha statue, then strode forward and finally merged into the statue.
At this moment, the vast amount of incense prayers and Buddhist scriptures seemed to be drawn in, converging simultaneously into the Buddha statue. This made the already gilded statue appear even more magnificent and resplendent.
All the monks of Daliang Temple bowed together towards the main hall. The numerous pilgrims coming and going also seemed to feel a profound sense, instinctively bowing towards the hall. Even the princess and the female official were moved, joining them with clasped hands.
Only Jiyuan remained standing. It wasn't out of concern for appearances, but rather that he genuinely dared not casually bow to a golden body. Thus, he remained calmly upright.
Dense Buddhist power and spiritual energy permeated the entire Daliang Temple. Although ordinary people couldn't perceive this energy directly, the clouds above the Buddha Seal Mingwang Hall were infused with vibrant, colorful hues.
"Look up, colorful clouds!" "Hey, look!"
"It's true! Colorful clouds are appearing over Daliang Temple!"
"Mommy, mommy, there are colorful clouds in the sky."
"This is the Mingwang Buddha of Daliang Temple manifesting!"
"The Great Buddha has manifested!" "Quick, bow! Bless me with great wealth this year!"
"Bless me with a good wife!"
After seeing the colorful clouds in the sky, the pilgrims were not only amazed and excited but also became more fervent in their prayers to the Buddha statues in all the halls of Daliang Temple. They felt incredibly lucky and believed their devotion would surely bring blessings.
After the princess finished bowing, she noticed that Jiyuan had remained standing still.
"Mr. doesn't bow?"
"No, it's not appropriate for me to bow."
Jiyuan did not elaborate on why it was inappropriate, and the princess did not press the matter.
Witnessing such a wondrous sight was truly rare. The Tingliang royal family had always known that Daliang Temple possessed true Buddhist dharma, and today they finally witnessed it firsthand.
After about fifteen minutes, the chanting throughout the temple gradually faded, and the clouds in the sky returned to normal.
The old monk, surrounded by the monks of Daliang Temple, descended the steps of the Buddha Seal Mingwang Hall. This signified the successful manifestation of the Mingwang's incarnation, indicating that Daliang Temple would henceforth be a true Buddhist sanctuary.
The abbot of Daliang Temple quickly took a few steps, exchanged glances with Huizhong, and then approached the old monk, extending an invitation with slight excitement.
"Venerable one, please come to the inner courtyard to rest!"
"Hmm, no rush!"
The old monk, with a kind expression, turned his gaze towards Jiyuan and began to walk in his direction.
Jiyuan watched the old monk clearly approach him, then turned to the princess and female official and said:
"You two should return. Master Huizhong will be quite occupied for a while. While it's understandable to pursue a loved one, he is, after all, a monk. Please give him some space."
The princess was not foolish; she knew the person before her was definitely a highly skilled individual. She had previously heard he was from Dazhen and wondered how a mere scholar could have come all this way, but now she understood.
And the distinguished guest at Daliang Temple today was clearly also a high-ranking Buddhist figure, akin to an immortal. While she might still act a bit haughtily towards Huizhong, she felt genuine awe towards these masters.
"Alright, Mr. Ji, please remember to tell Master Huizhong for me that Ruyan will come to see him again after some time."
"Yes, I will relay the message."
One of the women performed a graceful curtsey, while the other offered a cupped-hand salute. After glancing once more at the group of monks, they departed together.
The old monk did not look at the two departing women. He simply approached Jiyuan, his gaze piercing and sweeping over the Green Vine Sword truly suspended behind Jiyuan, before returning a Buddhist salute.
"Mr. Ji, how about we go to the backyard for a conversation?"
Jiyuan's gaze swept over Huizhong and the other senior monks of Daliang Temple. He then respectfully returned the salute with clasped hands.
"Master, please lead the way!"
The old monk in his faded yellow kasaya and Jiyuan in his white robe walked together in the lead. The abbot of Daliang Temple quickly glanced around at the other monks. Huizhong understood his unspoken question, leaned closer, and whispered:
"Abbot, this is an old friend of mine, a master of the immortal path."
"I see!"
Jiyuan and the old monk did not go to an ornate Buddhist hall. Instead, after walking for a while in the inner courtyard, they stopped under a lush green tree. A monk brought two prayer mats, and they both sat down there.
Most other monks were dismissed. Only the abbot of Daliang Temple, Huizhong, and three other elderly monks remained as companions, but they respectfully remained standing.
"My purpose in coming to Daliang Temple this time was merely to manifest the golden body of the Buddha statue as an incarnation. I didn't expect to encounter an immortal master like you, Mr. Ji. It seems Daliang Temple is even more remarkable than I imagined!"
"The feeling is mutual. I came to Daliang Temple to meet a friend, and I likewise did not expect to witness the direct manifestation of a Buddhist Mingwang's incarnation."
"Where is your spiritual abode, Mr. Ji?"
Jiyuan spread his hands.
"My hometown is Jizhou in Dazhen, and I have no fixed spiritual abode."
The old monk of Foyin fixed his gaze on Jiyuan, his ancient eyes meeting Jiyuan's from the side.
"I see. The world is indeed vast, filled with countless extraordinary individuals! Should you ever visit Lanzhou in the Western Regions, Mr. Ji, you are welcome to visit my Mahakala Buddha Seal Dharma site as a guest."
"Master, you are too kind. I will visit if I have the chance. By the way, speaking of Lanzhou in the Western Regions, I'd like to ask you something: do you know of the Jade Fox Grotto-Heaven?"
The old monk smiled.
"I know it. Many fox spirits and fox immortals cultivate there. The foxes of Jade Fox Grotto-Heaven can be malevolent or spiritual; their actions are often a mix of righteous and wicked, and some are quite unscrupulous. Since you ask, have you encountered them before, Mr. Ji?"
Jiyuan nodded.
"Indeed, a while ago, a fox tried to stealthily take my Green Vine Sword."
The immortal sword trembled slightly, a soft hum resonating.
The old monk was visibly stunned for a moment. *Which fox would be so audacious?* Then he quickly realized it: the fox must have only seen the immortal sword, failing to perceive Jiyuan's cultivation, which was almost constantly integrated with the very essence of heaven and earth.
13477 · 0 · 27
16952 · 0 · 45
