Chapter 4350: Meeting Master Mingren

The painting depicted a monk with a benevolent face, whom Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan recognized immediately as Wang Mingren.

The Dark Hall had always collected portraits of high-level cultivators, but Grand Luo Golden Immortals rarely showed themselves, making it difficult to acquire their images. Wang Changsheng had only seen portraits of some Grand Unity Golden Immortals from the Myriad Buddhas Sect, but never those of Grand Luo Golden Immortals.

"Is this Zen Master Mingren?" Wang Changsheng asked.

He had previously thought it was merely a coincidence of names. Now, it seemed that Wang Mingren was indeed Zen Master Mingren, or, more accurately, merely an avatar.

"Yes, our family has been searching for this person in the lower realm," Wang Qiulin said, puzzled. "I was conversing with a few Grand Unity Golden Immortals when I unexpectedly saw this portrait. Is Zen Master Mingren the one we've been looking for?"

Before ascending to the Immortal Realm, Wang Changsheng had encountered many cultivators identical to Wang Mingren. He had dispatched clan members to search, and Wang Qiulin had also searched, yet they had never found him. It was unexpected to find him here in the Immortal Realm.

"Perhaps!" Wang Changsheng cautioned. "Do not spread this information, nor tell anyone else. It's enough for the three of us to know. If this news gets out, it will not be good for us."

Grandmaster Miaode had not initially planned a celebration, but then suddenly decided to host one, which the Myriad Buddhas Sect made very grand. This might be Zen Master Mingren's doing. Wang Changsheng was certain that Zen Master Mingren cultivated by utilizing these avatars. Putting himself in Mingren's position, Wang Changsheng understood that he, too, would not want the outside world to know about his cultivation method. If the news spread, it would undoubtedly affect Zen Master Mingren.

"Yes, Grandfather, your grandson understands," Wang Qiulin agreed.

Wang Ruyan gave a few instructions, then dismissed Wang Qiulin.

"It seems we will be able to meet this senior this time," Wang Ruyan said.

"I suppose so!" Wang Changsheng said.

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Qiulin walked in and said, "Grandfather and Grandmother, Zen Master Yuanzhi, Zen Master Mingren's youngest disciple, is visiting. He says he has important matters to discuss with you."

"Quickly, invite him in," Wang Changsheng instructed.

Wang Qiulin agreed and turned to leave.

Not long after, Wang Qiulin returned with a fair-faced monk in yellow robes.

"This humble monk is Yuanzhi. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wang and Madam Wang. My master has requested your presence," the yellow-robed monk introduced himself, directly stating his purpose.

"Zen Master Yuanzhi, please lead the way," Wang Changsheng said politely.

Zen Master Yuanzhi nodded and led them to the entrance of a resplendent, golden palace. The plaque above the tightly shut main doors bore three large silver characters: "Hall of Mingren."

The main doors swung open, and a majestic male voice echoed from within the hall: "Enter. Yuanzhi, you may withdraw."

Yuanzhi acknowledged and turned to leave.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan exchanged glances, then strode inside as the hall doors automatically closed behind them.

Zen Master Mingren sat on the main seat, enveloped in Buddhist light.

"Junior Wang Changsheng (and Wang Ruyan) pays respects to Senior," Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan said in unison, bowing respectfully.

"You should have guessed the purpose of my summoning you here."

"Junior does not know; please enlighten us, Senior," Wang Changsheng said cautiously.

"You must know Wang Mingren, right? That was one of my spiritual sense avatars. All those cultivators identical to me whom you encountered in the lower realm were also my spiritual sense avatars."

"Spiritual sense avatars!" Wang Changsheng's expression tightened.

"The moment you ascended to the Immortal Realm, I sensed your presence," Zen Master Mingren said. "I had originally intended to sever the karmic ties between us, but then I realized your cultivation speed was comparable to that of our Myriad Buddhas Sect's elite disciples, so I abandoned the idea. Now, ask whatever you wish."

"Did Senior summon us here for any instructions?" Wang Changsheng asked, not daring to inquire further, as knowing a Grand Luo Golden Immortal's secrets was hardly beneficial.

"My cultivation method is quite unique, which is why I need to project my spiritual sense onto cultivators in the lower realm," Zen Master Mingren explained. "Through their experiences, their loves, hates, and emotions, I cultivate the Law of Karma. I do not wish for too many people to know about this. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Junior understands," Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan readily agreed, naturally understanding they should not speak carelessly.

"We also share a certain karmic affinity," Zen Master Mingren continued. "These two Sarira Pills, refined with the crystal cores of an eight-colored Chaos Beast at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal stage, will be of some help in your cultivation towards an Immortal Body. Whether you achieve it, however, depends entirely on yourselves."

Zen Master Mingren flicked his sleeve, and a golden jade box flew out towards Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan repeatedly expressed their thanks and accepted the Sarira Pills.

"Does Senior require any service from us?" Wang Changsheng pressed, unconvinced that Zen Master Mingren would simply gift them elixirs for no reason.

"My spiritual sense avatar was born into your Wang family, and you assisted him greatly," Zen Master Mingren explained. "Consider it my debt to you; from now on, we are even."

While in the Dongli Realm, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had greatly assisted Wang Mingren, thereby indirectly helping Zen Master Mingren. He did not wish to owe them, so bestowing the pills served to settle the karmic debt.

"Junior presumes to ask," Wang Changsheng queried out of curiosity, "why didn't Senior directly sever the karmic threads between us and make us forget your existence?"

Karmic threads exist between master and disciple, relatives, and friends. To sever karma, one must master the Law of Karma. If their karmic threads had been severed, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan would no longer remember Wang Mingren.

"Do you think severing karmic threads is easy?" Zen Master Mingren retorted. "When I considered severing them, you had already advanced to the Grand Unity stage. Severing karmic threads at that point would also affect me. Furthermore, many members of your clan know of my existence, not just you, and I would also need to sever my karmic threads with them. The impact would be too significant."

Zen Master Mingren explained, then shifted his tone. "Of course, I could still sever the karmic threads now. However, you were summoned by the Kunlun Dao Ancestor, so I abandoned the idea. Besides, it's also a way to forge a good connection."

The Azure Lotus Immortal Couple possessed immense potential; they might even advance to the Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm in the future. Zen Master Mingren saw no need to sever this connection. However, he also wished not to overly entangle himself in the affairs of the Wang family and the Azure Lotus Immortal Couple, hence using the two Sarira Pills to settle their karmic ties.

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan suddenly understood, realizing the truth of the matter. It seemed the Kunlun Dao Ancestor summoning them also held a certain deterrent effect on Grand Luo Golden Immortals. Previously, he hadn't severed the karmic threads because it would affect him. Now, he abandoned the idea out of apprehension for the Kunlun Dao Ancestor's existence. These two situations were entirely different.

"It is not easy for two Supremes to emerge among Immortals," Zen Master Mingren said earnestly. "I hope you can progress further and further on your Dao. Chaos Beasts are our mortal enemies; I hope you can contribute your strength for the sake of the Immortals."

"Yes, we will respectfully follow Senior's teachings," Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan readily agreed, their expressions deferential.

"Alright, there's nothing else," Zen Master Mingren instructed. "You may return. Do not speak of today's matters to anyone."