Chapter 421: Observers See Clearly

When the mist first appeared, several eminent monks at Daliang Temple found it highly unusual. However, neither their spiritual senses nor the various arrangements within the temple showed any reaction. This led them to believe the mist was just ordinary, natural fog. Moreover, it wasn't confined to Daliang Temple but covered the entire area around Tongqiu Prefecture City.

However, some eminent monks soon observed strange phenomena within the mist. To their surprise, they quickly noticed that pilgrims inside and outside the temple remained orderly and showed no signs of distress or abnormality. Furthermore, the strange phenomena in the mist appeared to be mere illusions, causing no dizziness or disorientation. This brought a slight sigh of relief to the monks, who, after some deliberation, decided against closing the temple.

The most significantly affected individuals were, in fact, the three monks meditating beneath the tree. Due to their unique position and state of deep meditation, they were already beyond their own control. The three had fallen into meditative illusions, as if reliving the original discussion. They found themselves unable to break free for some time. However, this was by no means a negative experience; the extent of the benefits they would gain depended entirely on their individual cultivation and mental fortitude.

Approximately fifteen minutes after the mist appeared, the Abbot of Daliang Temple and another elderly monk hurried to the temple's forbidden grounds. Upon entering the courtyard, they saw Huitong and the other two monks still seated in meditation beneath the tree. Occasionally, the three would frown or break into a sweat.

"Abbot, should we rouse them?"

The Abbot of Daliang Temple waved his hand and addressed the accompanying monk. "Do not wake them. This may not be a disadvantage for them. Illusions are abundant right now, and it's too late for us to enter meditation. It is good that they are able to seize this opportunity!"

The two monks simply observed the three meditators, silently guarding them from the edge of the courtyard. They also took the opportunity to once again witness the marvelous spectacle of the original discussion, aided by the current phenomena. Previously, due to limitations in their spiritual cultivation and temperament, they had not dared to linger in the core area; this time, however, they could truly feast their eyes.

The mist began appearing in the morning, transforming the originally sunny day over Tongqiu Prefecture City into an overcast one. It persisted until nightfall, growing increasingly dense. Perhaps due to the weakening of the sun's power at night, or simply the increased density of the mist, the monks of Daliang Temple distinctly perceived the nocturnal phenomena to be more mystical. Some monks even became uncontrollably immersed in the illusions. Many were relieved there were no pilgrims at night, as it would surely have led to a period of chaos.

The next morning, the elderly monk responsible for ringing the temple bell awoke, dressed, and opened his door to find a vast expanse of white outside.

"By the Buddha Mingwang! Has this mist still not cleared?"

Despite his surprise, he knew the bell still needed to be rung. Soon after, the customary tolling of the bell resonated from the temple's bell tower.

"Dong... Dong... Dong..."

Many monks rose at the sound, only to discover upon stepping outside that the mist had not dispersed. Fortunately, as dawn broke, the mist thinned considerably, yet it persisted throughout the entire day.

On the seventh day, the Abbot of Daliang Temple and several other monks hurried into the forbidden area. They each transferred their spiritual energy into the backs of Huitong and the two other meditating monks, rousing them. This was the designated time for them to awaken; any later, and their bodies might not have been able to withstand the strain.

Huitong shook his head, clearing his mind, then rubbed his temples, which felt heavy and sore. Opening his eyes and looking around, he indeed noticed the extraordinary situation.

"Abbot, what is the cause of this mist?"

The old abbot, like the other monks, handed Huitong a bowl of warm water and shook his head. "This old monk does not know either. Approximately seven days ago, this mist suddenly appeared, enveloping the area around Tongqiu Prefecture City, and it has not yet dispersed."

Huitong drank the water, stood up, and turned to look at the large tree behind him.

"I fear a powerful practitioner is at work!"

"Indeed, this old monk agrees, but their cultivation is far profounder than mine; I cannot discern it. Huitong, can you sense anything?"

Since waking up, Monk Huitong had been channeling spiritual energy into his eyes, attempting to see through the enigma behind the mist. Yet, no matter how he probed, the mist still appeared to be nothing more than ordinary fog.

"No, I cannot see through it either."

If even Monk Huitong could not discern its nature, then it was unlikely anyone else in Daliang Temple could. The Abbot temporarily abandoned his desire to uncover the truth and could only offer words of comfort to the other monks.

"Regardless, this mist currently appears to be beneficial and harmless, causing no harm to pilgrims. Some pilgrims even seem to have witnessed strange phenomena without being frightened or causing excessive commotion, which bodes well for Daliang Temple's reputation."

Daliang Temple was a worldly institution, reliant on the offerings of the common people, requiring a degree of renown, and benefiting from generous benefactors. The substantial gold inlays on the statues within the various Mingwang Halls represented significant expenses.

"Come, go and have something to eat first. If anything truly detrimental to our temple or the pilgrims were to occur, the Mingwang statue in the Foyin Mingwang Hall would surely provide a warning."

"Exactly. If this mist is indeed man-made, can its creator truly rival the Buddha Dharma of our Buddha Mingwang?"

"Indeed! Hmm."

"Praise be to the Great Mingwang Buddha!"

The monks exited the forbidden area together, none of them noticing the old dragon who still stood beneath the tree. At that moment, the old dragon gazed contemplatively at a section of the sky, his expression shifting from doubt to indifference, and occasionally to a faint smile.

"Alas, what a shame that one party was so restricted by Buddhist principles. And what a pity I wasn't present at the time. Still, even this brief glimpse has lifted my spirits considerably!"

The misty conditions in Tongqiu Prefecture City persisted for a full half-month during the New Year period. On the morning of the nineteenth day of the first lunar month, after the Daliang Temple's morning bell had sounded, a group of monks, including Huitong and the Abbot, were having breakfast in the refectory.

Suddenly,

"Aaoou!"

A clear, distant, yet not particularly loud, strange sound reverberated throughout the temple grounds, causing many monks to instinctively pause, then look around for the source. The sound lasted for approximately two or three breaths, then gradually faded into the distance with a faint echo. Even after it had completely vanished, a sensory echo seemed to linger in the minds and ears of all present.

"What was that sound just now? I don't know."

"Did it sound like some kind of chant?"

"No, not at all!"

"Was it from within the temple?"

"No, I don't think so. It felt like it came from outside, and it didn't sound like any animal."

The surrounding monks began to whisper amongst themselves. The old abbot, still holding his bowl with pickled vegetables gripped by his chopsticks, turned his head and looked at Monk Huitong, whose face had suddenly registered a profound realization.

"Huitong, do you know the origin of that sound, and what caused it?"

Monk Huitong set down his bowl and chopsticks and addressed the Abbot. "This humble monk has heard similar sounds before. That sound was undoubtedly a dragon's roar!"

"So, that means..."

"Precisely. This humble monk believes that the mist which appeared half a month ago was certainly the work of the sound's originator. It appears he has achieved his purpose and has now departed. I predict the mist will soon clear!"

As he spoke, Huitong stood up, brought his palms together, and offered a slight Buddhist bow in the direction of the forbidden area. Sure enough, the sky cleared that day, and as sunlight bathed the area, the mist both within and outside Tongqiu Prefecture City gradually dissipated.

The old dragon had watched for a considerable time, not only enjoying the spectacle but also discovering specific points in the discussion between Ji Yuan and the elderly monk Foyin where neither party could proceed. His detached observation, however, gave him much to ponder, greatly lifting his spirits.

"Heh, next time I see Ji Yuan, I can certainly discuss this with him. After all, a bystander often sees more clearly!"

In Dazhen, the Imperial Capital.

Morning court had resumed at the imperial palace. Yin Zhaoxian and Yin Qing attended daily to manage state affairs. Although Hu Yun wished to sneak in and observe, a single word from Ji Yuan prevented him from accompanying Yin Qing to the palace. After all, this was different from their past visits to the private school. The current era was a critical period for Dazhen's prosperity, and the imperial family was protected by the aura of Ziwei. A demon like Hu Yun entering the palace could potentially disturb this aura, leading to unforeseen minor incidents. Since it concerned the Yin family's official careers and the governance of the realm, Hu Yun, understanding the gravity of Ji Yuan's words, no longer pestered Yin Qing about it. Instead, he dedicated himself entirely to tinkering with the mask.

That afternoon, Ji Yuan was in the guest house courtyard, playing chess against himself, when he suddenly heard a shriek.

"Ah, hahaha! I finally did it!"

Needless to say, it was Hu Yun's voice. Fortunately, Yin Zhaoxian had previously instructed that no servants, apart from Chen A-yuan, were permitted to freely enter or exit these guest quarters. Otherwise, the shriek might have startled people or even led to the discovery of a fox residing on the premises.

"Hahahaha... Mr. Ji, Mr. Ji, quickly, look at what I've created! This mask!"

Hu Yun, holding the mask with his front paws, ran on his hind tiptoes, scurrying excitedly towards Ji Yuan. The sight made Ji Yuan chuckle inwardly.

"Mr. Ji, look at what I've made! I did this all by myself, isn't it amazing!"

Ji Yuan took the fiery red fox mask Hu Yun offered. Compared to its original purchased form, it was now more slender and resembled a fox's face even more closely, with only two holes for the eyes. If a human were to wear it in dimly lit areas, it would undoubtedly startle anyone who saw them.

"Hmm, well done. What is its function?"

Ji Yuan deliberately prompted him, and Hu Yun, feeling elated, immediately began to explain.

"Hehe, this mask of mine is incredible! It carries traces of my divine abilities. Once worn, it allows the wearer to mimic another person based on their imagined appearance, and it can also deceive the sight of ordinary people. In essence, it's akin to a form of transformation art!"

Ji Yuan turned the mask over in his hands, nodding.

"Indeed, very good. Many foxes excel in the art of spiritual illusion, but yours is exceptionally vivid and agile. It's truly a fine creation!"

The mask reminded Ji Yuan of a painted human skin he possessed. Of course, Hu Yun's creation wasn't as exquisitely detailed or as potent in concealment as the painted skin, but its practical functionality was certainly comparable. At least from Ji Yuan's perspective, Hu Yun had indeed crafted a valuable treasure, perhaps without even realizing its true potential.