Chapter 1552: Wanfo Temple

At this moment, the Earth-Covering Fire Lizard Beast regained consciousness and tried to flee.

A golden light shot out from Master Jingkong's sleeve. After a moment of blur, it transformed into a massive golden ring, encircling the Earth-Covering Fire Lizard Beast's neck. The beast struggled fiercely, attempting to burrow into the ground.

Master Jingkong pressed his palms together, and a low Sanskrit chant resonated. Countless tiny, mysterious runes, no bigger than grains of rice, appeared on the golden ring. The Earth-Covering Fire Lizard Beast immediately ceased its struggles, lying docilely on the ground.

"I've long heard of Master Jingkong's extraordinary powers, and seeing them today, his reputation is certainly well-deserved," Wang Changsheng said with a smile. Over a decade ago, Wang Qingshan led his clansmen to the Northern Frontier to eradicate insects and there met Master Jingkong. The Wang family kept a portrait of Master Jingkong, so Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan recognized him instantly.

Jin Lisheng pressed his palms together and bowed to Monk Jingkong. "Disciple greets Master!" he said. "Master, these two seniors are the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple from the South Sea." Jin Lisheng was a registered lay disciple of Master Jingkong.

Master Jingkong nodded slightly. "Amitabha," he said, "so it is Fellow Daoist Wang and Madame Wang."

"Master, I don't know what happened, but a fourth-tier Blue-eyed Jackal Beast suddenly appeared. It led tens of thousands of other Blue-eyed Jackal Beasts and decimated several immortal cultivation families. If not for the timely assistance of the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple, my entire clan and a million mortals would have perished. Oh, and by the way, these two seniors are here to see you." Jin Lisheng briefly recounted the events. He emphasized that saving a life was a greater deed than building a seven-story pagoda, and as the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple had saved his entire Jin clan, he was immensely grateful.

Master Jingkong nodded slightly to Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan. "Thank you, two fellow daoists, for your assistance," he said. "Saving a life is a greater deed than building a seven-story pagoda. By saving the entire Jin clan, you have accumulated immeasurable merit. The Buddha will surely bless you."

"Master, you're too kind; it was merely a small effort on our part," Wang Changsheng replied. "However, Young Jin mentioned that high-tier demonic beasts are rarely seen in the wilderness. So how did a fourth-tier Blue-eyed Jackal Beast appear? And now we have another fourth-tier Earth-Covering Fire Lizard Beast. Could something be amiss with Ten Thousand Buddhas Lake? If you require our assistance, we won't hesitate." Wang Changsheng spoke enthusiastically, considering the Buddhist concept of karma. By helping to subdue these fourth-tier demonic beasts, they might be able to request specific cultivation resources from Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, which would likely not be refused.

"Indeed, Master," Wang Ruyan added, "my husband and I can certainly lend a hand with minor issues."

"Amitabha," Master Jingkong said, "I appreciate the good intentions of you two benefactors. Ten Thousand Buddhas Lake did encounter a minor issue, but it is already nearing resolution." Master Jingkong politely declined their offer.

"Master Jingkong, to be frank with you, my husband and I came to the Western Desert on important business. We wish to seek an audience with your temple's abbot. Would you be able to introduce us?" Wang Changsheng inquired, now getting to his primary objective.

"No problem. Both benefactors, please follow this old monk." Master Jingkong readily agreed, motioning for Wang Changsheng and the other three to alight onto the Earth-Covering Fire Lizard Beast.

After letting out a peculiar hiss, the Earth-Covering Fire Lizard Beast began moving swiftly across the desert, its speed nearly comparable to a flying magical artifact.

As they traveled, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan observed many Buddhist cultivators actively capturing demonic beasts. Fortunately, these beasts were not low-tier, so their assistance wasn't required. Both Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan found this astonishing. According to Jin Lisheng, Ten Thousand Buddhas Lake was supposed to contain a vast number of demonic beasts and insects, guarded by several Nascent Soul stage Buddhist grandmasters. How then could so many demonic beasts have escaped? Was it due to dereliction of duty by the grandmasters, or was there some other underlying cause? As this was not their concern, they did not press for more information and chose to overlook it.

Three days later, the Earth-Covering Fire Lizard Beast halted. Before them stood a majestic peak, tens of thousands of feet high, its upper half shrouded in yellow mist. Below the mountainside, numerous buildings dotted the landscape, with many Buddhist cultivators visible. At the peak's summit, a gleaming golden temple was faintly discernible, appearing and disappearing from view. At the foot of the mountain stood a yellow stone tablet over ten zhang tall, emblazoned with the three golden characters "Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple."

At the base of the mountain, a six-foot-tall man in a red robe knelt with his back to Wang Changsheng and the others, preventing them from seeing his face clearly. Master Jingkong led Wang Changsheng and the three others up the mountain. As they passed the red-robed youth, Wang Changsheng turned for a glance, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, what brings you here?" Wang Changsheng asked curiously, recognizing the red-robed young man as Zhou Yunxiao, the sole registered disciple of the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor. Zhou Yunxiao, who had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, knelt at the foot of the mountain with a resolute gaze.

"I'm here to find my master, Fellow Daoist Wang," Zhou Yunxiao replied. "Are you able to go inside? If you see my master, please convey a message for me: ask him to grant me an audience. I have something very important to tell him." Zhou Yunxiao spoke earnestly. Before the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor's disappearance, he was considered the most powerful figure below the Soul Transformation stage in the Central Plains cultivation world, leading the Seven Absolutes Sect to become the Great Yan Dynasty's foremost sect. However, after his disappearance, the sect appointed a new leader who failed to command respect, plunging the Seven Absolutes Sect into internal conflict. Wang Changsheng had heard from Wang Yingjie that the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor was currently residing at Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple, known by the dharma name Qingxu. He wondered what could have prompted the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor to willingly convert to Buddhism.

Just as Wang Changsheng was about to reply, Master Jingkong quickly interjected, "Fellow Daoist Wang, please pay him no mind. Fellow Daoist Zhou, in his desperation to see Senior Brother Qingxu, actually broke the restrictions of Ten Thousand Buddhas Lake, releasing a horde of demonic beasts. This act led to the tragic deaths of a million mortals and tens of thousands of cultivators. His sins are grave, and such a person can absolutely not set foot in this temple."

Both Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were slightly taken aback, astonished that Zhou Yunxiao had committed such an act.

"I've said it many times: I never intended to harm anyone," Zhou Yunxiao retorted. "You wouldn't allow me to see my master, so I was left with no other option. As for the deceased mortals and cultivators, I am prepared to offer substantial compensation." Zhou Yunxiao spoke dismissively. Born into the Great Yan Imperial family, he had been arrogant and exceptionally talented since childhood. Fortuitously, he received guidance from the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor, leading to a rapid advancement in his cultivation. He always considered himself the Blade Emperor's disciple. For years, he had sought out the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor to no avail. Upon learning that the Blade Emperor was in the Western Desert, he immediately traveled there, only to be denied an audience by Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. In a fit of pique, Zhou Yunxiao breached Ten Thousand Buddhas Lake's restrictions, releasing a swarm of demonic beasts. This act mobilized a large contingent of Buddhist cultivators. His intent was to force his way into Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple to confront the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor, but he was ultimately intercepted by high-ranking Buddhist monks. Although he had not intended to cause harm, a million mortals and tens of thousands of cultivators had tragically died because of his actions. Consequently, Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple was even more resolute in denying him an audience with the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor.

"Amitabha," Master Jingkong interjected, "All beings are equal; how can lives be measured by mere wealth? Fellow Daoist Zhou, I urge you to leave. Senior Brother Qingxu will not see you."

"I will not leave this place until I see my master," Zhou Yunxiao declared, his gaze unwavering.