Chapter 497: Everyone is Mundane

Shi Lingyun was not initially very proficient in playing the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound. After three consecutive, transcendent performances where she became one with the instrument, Shi Lingyun had now completely mastered the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound. She could truly be said to have acquired the supreme inheritance of Fanyin Temple. Furthermore, her current attainments in soul cultivation were no longer inferior to those of even the continent's strongest cultivators, such as Xu Yang. Undoubtedly, on their upcoming journey, Shi Lingyun would play an indispensable role in Xu Yang's team.

After completing the three performances, Shi Lingyun ascended into the air, reverently holding the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound divine artifact, and approached the Abbot of Fanyin Temple.

"Thank you, Master Abbot, for this opportunity. For me, Shi Lingyun, to comprehend the profound wonders of the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound in this life means my journey through this world has not been in vain. Such divine music is truly an unparalleled treasure of our human heritage!"

The abbot smiled, clasped his hands, and chanted a Buddhist prayer. "There's no need to be so polite," he said. "Rather than burying this treasure of the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound deep within these mountains, it's better to let it descend upon this continent and create more miracles. This Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound divine artifact, which shares its name with the cultivation method, I now entrust to you."

Shi Lingyun seemed surprised by the abbot's generosity. After all, the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound was a treasured heirloom of the Fanyin Temple lineage. To bestow it upon someone so easily felt almost too smooth, as if it had been acquired without sufficient effort.

As if sensing the hesitation and confusion on Shi Lingyun's face, the abbot chuckled softly and looked at her.

"You don't need to overthink it," he said. "Receiving these blessings today is part of your destined fate. More importantly, now that you and Sir Xu Yang have forged such a profound bond, we too will surely embark on a path of mutual support in the future."

The abbot's calculations were truly ingenious. One had to admit, the old monk was indeed a farsighted individual. Among all Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects, he was the only one who had the foresight to immediately show favor to Xu Yang, the new leader of the Three Thousand Dao Provinces. Setting aside other considerations, simply by offering the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound inheritance and this divine artifact, the Fanyin Temple lineage had firmly secured Xu Yang's support. Regardless of future changes within the Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects, the Fanyin Temple lineage would have the formidable Tianlan Empire as its backing. How could such a profound favor compare to a divine artifact and a cultivation method that had been gathering dust for countless years? To describe the Fanyin Temple abbot's actions with a simple analogy, this move was akin to exchanging a single peach for an entire peach orchard in the future—all benefit and no harm!

"Master," a monk reported, "we have checked. The demonized monks within the formation have now fully recovered. The curse power hidden deep within their souls has been completely eradicated. However, the spiritual injuries remaining in their soul origins are irreparable, and their cultivation levels have weakened to varying degrees."

A monk approached and informed the abbot and Xu Yang about the condition of the senior monks from Jialan Temple who had been brought back.

"Amitābha," the abbot said. "Regardless, their lives have been saved. You may withdraw for now."

Unbeknownst to others, Xu Yang had observed all of this and naturally understood the abbot's calculations. Although the old monk presented a compassionate demeanor, he was not as benevolent as he appeared. At the very least, this incident involving Jialan had allowed the old monk to achieve his long-desired goal: the Fanyin Temple lineage had, without a doubt, become the undisputed foremost inheritance among the Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects.

"Since the general situation is settled, we shall take our leave," Xu Yang said. "This matter not only involves the Ciyun Monastery lineage, but my Xiaoyao Dao Sect within the Three Thousand Dao Provinces is also troubled by this Blood Demon Curse. They, too, require Miss Shi's assistance."

The Abbot of Fanyin Temple was a perceptive individual and naturally understood the implications of Xu Yang's words. He made no ill-timed attempts to retain them, merely lowering his head to chant a Buddhist prayer, respectfully seeing Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun off from the foot of the mountain gate.

As Xu Yang and Shi Lingyun made their way back to Ciyun Monastery, it was evident that Shi Lingyun's mind was filled with questions.

"Sir," she began, "I have two questions I'd like to ask..."

Before she could continue, Xu Yang revealed a knowing smile. "Even if you don't say it, I know," he stated. "Your two questions are, first, regarding the source of information about those three survivors, and second, your confusion about the attitude displayed by the Abbot of Fanyin Temple."

Shi Lingyun smiled wryly and glanced at Xu Yang. "Sir, you truly are clairvoyant; nothing escapes your keen eye."

"It's quite simple," Xu Yang explained. "First, it's not difficult to deduce that the Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects likely had prior knowledge of this Blood Demon Curse. The Fanyin Temple lineage, in particular, has hidden its strength deeply. Although outwardly, all Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects outwardly revere Jialan Temple as the leading inheritance, in reality, the foundation accumulated by Fanyin Temple over the years is no weaker than Jialan Temple's. They were merely awaiting an opportunity to replace Jialan Temple as the foremost inheritance among the Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects. Now that the Blood Demon Curse has afflicted Jialan Temple, and with Master Yunhui's nirvana, Jialan Temple no longer possesses any continent-level peak experts. Moreover, the group affected by the Blood Demon Curse consists of Jialan Temple's top chief monks. Therefore, the Fanyin Temple lineage's status is now beyond doubt. Continuing to retain the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound inheritance and the Sacred Dao Heavenly Sound divine artifact—two artifacts they cannot even control—is meaningless. Rather than doing so, it's better to seize this opportunity to present these two 'useless' treasures in exchange for a greater favor from you and me. Given the current situation, if the Eight Hundred Buddhist Sects truly encounter any future upheaval, my Tianlan Empire will certainly provide assistance. With the entire Three Thousand Dao Provinces as such a colossal backing, Fanyin Temple's future will be secure, allowing them to confidently lead the Buddhist sects. That is the old monk's entire calculation."

After Xu Yang's analysis, which clearly laid out the pros and cons, Shi Lingyun finally understood that the seemingly benevolent Master Abbot was not as compassionate as she had imagined; he too had his own calculations.

"So that's how it is!" Shi Lingyun exclaimed. "And here I was, incredibly grateful to him in my heart, believing he truly possessed such a vast and generous spirit, capable of transcending worldly views to genuinely dedicate his lineage's inheritance. It turns out he simply wanted to use me to secure the Tianlan Empire's backing..."

Xu Yang chuckled softly. "You don't need to think so negatively," he said. "The fact that you can be utilized simply means you possess value. We are all worldly beings; how many can truly transcend like Master Yunhui? As the Abbot of Fanyin Temple and the leader of a lineage, he must consider the future of his own inheritance. This is a reality that all major forces on the continent must confront, and it is perfectly understandable."