Chapter 1553: Cause and Effect

Wang Changsheng was somewhat surprised. He could understand spiritual cultivation forces in the South Sea realm battling for cultivation resources, but for Zhou Yunxiao to break the restriction of Wanling Lake just to meet the Seven Absolute Blade Emperor, causing millions of mortals and tens of thousands of cultivators to be killed by demonic beasts – Wang Changsheng found this incomprehensible. With entire clans annihilated, whom exactly was Zhou Yunxiao going to compensate?

On second thought, Zhou Yunxiao was born into the imperial family of Great Yan, raised with no material worries, and doted on by his elders. How could he possibly understand the hardships faced by smaller clans? The Wang family's development was steadily improving, and their clansmen's living standards were getting better. Some family members, having grown up without any material concerns, simply couldn't appreciate the difficulties experienced by cultivators from minor clans.

It was baffling what Zhou Yunxiao was thinking, to actually attempt to attack Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. If he hadn't been defeated by the Buddhist masters, he probably would have already met Master Qingxu. Are cultivators who practice blade techniques all so extreme? Do they resort to violence at the slightest disagreement? Do they only concede when they're thoroughly defeated? Wang Changsheng was also curious why the Seven Absolute Blade Emperor had converted to Buddhism.

Buddhist cultivators were strange too. When demonic beasts caused trouble, why not just kill them? Why go through all the trouble of capturing them to convert them with Buddhist teachings? Beasts are beasts; before they transform, they lack sentience. How could they be easily enlightened?

"Never mind, let's not worry about him," Monk Jingkong said, shaking his head. "Fellow Daoist Wang, please follow me."

Monk Jingkong shook his head and began walking up the mountain, with Wang Changsheng and his three companions quickly following. Along the way, they saw many monks. Some were cultivators, mostly at the Qi Condensation stage, while others were mortals. Some monks were tending vegetables, some were discussing Buddhist doctrines, and others were exchanging cultivation insights.

After a while, they reached the mid-slope, where a yellow mist blocked their path. Monk Jingkong pressed his palms together, and a golden Buddhist light enveloped his body. He walked into the yellow mist, with Wang Changsheng and his three companions close behind.

Wang Changsheng felt a blur before his eyes and suddenly found himself standing before a majestic golden temple. The temple gates were wide open, and the plaque hanging above the entrance bore three large golden characters: "Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple."

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, please wait outside for a moment. This humble monk will go inform Martial Uncle Huikong." Master Jingkong instructed them, then stepped forward into Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple.

"No need, Master Huikong is coming out." Wang Changsheng narrowed his eyes, looking towards the entrance of Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple.

A soft series of footsteps sounded, and a monk in yellow robes emerged. He was seven feet tall, plump, with kind eyes and a benevolent face, exuding an approachable aura. The yellow-robed monk showed no signs of spiritual power fluctuations, appearing like an ordinary mortal.

Monk Jingkong pressed his palms together, bowed slightly, and said, "Disciple greets Martial Uncle Huikong. The restriction at Wanling Lake has been repaired, and most of the high-level demonic beasts that escaped have been recaptured. Junior Brother Jingxin and the others are still hunting beasts. Unfortunately, millions of mortals and tens of thousands of cultivators tragically perished. This disciple has already chanted scriptures for their salvation. Fellow Daoist Wang and his companions rescued the entire Jin family, and saved millions of mortals and thousands of cultivators."

"Jingkong, return to Wanling Lake. Do not let similar incidents happen again. Organize people to perform rites for the deceased cultivators and mortals." Master Huikong instructed.

"This disciple obeys." Master Jingkong acknowledged, then turned and walked down the mountain.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, please follow this old monk inside. Nephew Jin, you and your companions may wait outside."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan followed Master Huikong into Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple. They saw numerous Buddhist statues on the buildings, and encountered several monks along the way, all bearing solemn expressions. Inside the temple, they could hear the chanting of scriptures. At first, it seemed close by, but upon closer listening, it felt distant and ethereal, fading in and out.

Before long, they entered a magnificent golden hall, adorned with ornate carvings and paintings. A golden plaque above the entrance shimmered with golden light, bearing three large silver characters: "Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas." The intertwining gold and silver light was remarkably striking. The hall was spacious and bright. Its stone walls were engraved with depictions of vanquishing demons. At the front stood a golden Buddha statue over a hundred *zhang* tall, flanked on both sides by hundreds of other Buddha statues, each over ten *zhang* tall. These statues varied in appearance, some laughing heartily, some with solemn expressions, and some with wide, furious eyes. The ceiling of the hall was perfectly smooth, adorned with an image of Sakyamuni preaching.

"Master Huikong, to be frank, we came to Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple this time hoping to exchange for some cultivation resources with your esteemed sect. Here is a list; we are willing to offer items in return." Wang Changsheng stated his purpose directly, took out a blue jade slip, and handed it to Master Huikong.

Master Huikong took the jade slip, swept his divine sense over it, then took out a round magic disk, cast a spell, and made some gestures. A moment later, a skinny monk in green robes quickly entered. He too was a Nascent Soul stage Buddhist cultivator. The green-robed monk handed a string of golden storage beads to Master Huikong, bowed, and withdrew.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, these are the items you requested. They are a gift to you; no exchange is necessary. Your act of saving the entire Jin family was the cause, and these items are the effect. As you sow, so shall you reap."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were stunned. Before this, they had worried that Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple would be unwilling to trade, and had prepared multiple contingency plans, all of which turned out to be unnecessary. Master Huikong simply gave them the items? What they had requested would fetch at least four million spirit stones if sold. With these resources, Wang Xin would have no trouble cultivating to the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

"Master Huikong, I have a question that I cannot understand. Could you please enlighten me?"

Master Huikong nodded slightly and said, "I am listening."

"What is good? What is evil? If I kill someone, is that evil? But what if I also save someone? Do good people always receive good karma, and evil people always receive retribution?" Wang Changsheng asked candidly.

"Killing one person does not mean one is evil, nor does saving one person necessarily make one good. Good and evil inherently coexist; there are no absolutely good people and no absolutely evil people. The process of cultivation is a continuous one of suppressing negative thoughts and strengthening positive ones. It's not that retribution doesn't come, but rather that the time may not yet be ripe. Perform evil deeds, and you will face retribution; perform good deeds, and you will certainly receive good karma. As the saying goes, 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' Sometimes, the cause planted in this life will only bear fruit in the next." Master Huikong explained slowly, his tone gentle.

"The next life? Is there truly reincarnation in this world?" Wang Changsheng asked with a frown. According to Master Huikong's words, many things could be explained.

In its early days, the Wang family annihilated several small clans during battles to rise to prominence—this could be interpreted as a cause. Later, the Nine Nether Sect attacked three of the family's strongholds—this could be interpreted as an effect. The Wang family's relocation to the Red Moon Sea and its development, protecting a certain number of mortals and attracting rogue cultivators and small clans, could be considered a cause. Then, the Azure Lotus Immortals forming their Nascent Souls could be understood as an effect.

The Azure Lotus Immortals participating in the fight against the demon race, indirectly saving many cultivators, was a cause. Wang Qingshan's participation in fighting the demon race in the Eastern Barrens was also a cause. The continuous increase in the number of Nascent Soul cultivators in the Wang family was the effect.

"Believe, and it exists; do not believe, and it does not."