Chapter 774: Yuan Ying Opportunity

Ancient scripture?

Jiang Fan rubbed his chin. He recalled the black Buddhist scripture he'd found in the place where the foreign tombs were enshrined. Could this be what Baima Temple was looking for?

"What? You have a lead?" Seeing Jiang Fan lost in thought, You Yunzi asked, surprised.

Jiang Fan shook his head. "No," he said. "I'm just curious what kind of ancient scripture Baima Temple would be searching for. They're a true great sect, with a Bodhisattva overseeing them. How could they lack scriptures? And why would they come to the Divine Secrets Pavilion to look for them?"

You Yunzi didn't seem to have any suspicions. After all, Jiang Fan was just a newcomer. How could someone find a Buddhist scripture that Baima Temple hadn't located in hundreds of years, on their very first day in the underground world? That would be far too extraordinary.

He stroked his beard and said, "The ones searching for the scripture are the Bodhisattvas from successive generations."

A Bodhisattva in Buddhism is equivalent to a Soul Transformation realm cultivator in spiritual cultivation. Moreover, it's not just the current Bodhisattva who's searching; it's been a quest for *all* generations! That scripture must be incredibly powerful.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

The spatial teleportation array suddenly began to vibrate. An invisible spatial force pushed everyone standing on the array away from it.

You Yunzi's eyes flashed. "The people from Baima Temple are coming out," he said.

Without thinking, Jiang Fan immediately activated his movement technique, leaving the Teleportation Hall and blending into the crowd gathered in front of it. After nearly being converted by the Buddhist chants, he wanted to be as far away from these monks as possible.

You Yunzi gazed at the teleportation array. Suddenly sensing a chilling aura of Yin energy, he whispered urgently, "Get out! These monks have captured another creature from hell!"

Hearing this, everyone fled the hall in fright. You Yunzi himself didn't dare to linger and vanished.

Boom!—

The Teleportation Hall immediately experienced violent tremors, as if mountains were collapsing and the earth was splitting. A terrifying, hundred-zhang tall behemoth instantly knocked the roof off the Teleportation Hall. Its two ferocious heads crashed left and right, causing the hall walls on both sides to collapse. The overwhelming Yin energy it exuded forced the surrounding disciples to retreat repeatedly.

However, before it could rush out and cause chaos, Fayin Vajra, along with the monks, stood on a lotus seat, suppressing the two-headed hellhound by pressing down on its back. Streaks of visible golden Sanskrit characters wove into chains, binding it. Vast amounts of Yin energy steamed off its body, making the two-headed hellhound howl in pain, yet it was powerless to break free.

The Divine Secrets Pavilion Master stood suspended in the air, frowning. "Do you have to make such a commotion every time you visit?"

Fayin Vajra, with his rosy lips and white teeth, pressed his palms together and bowed slightly. "We apologize for the disturbance to your esteemed pavilion. This is the Asura Karma Fire found on the tenth floor. Consider it compensation."

He produced a cluster of blood-red flames enveloped in Buddhist light. It was only as large as a candle flame, seemingly capable of being extinguished by a gust of wind. But the moment it was brought out, even through Fayin Vajra's Buddhist light, it emitted an intense heat that made the air scorching hot.

Jiang Fan was slightly surprised. This Karma Fire... wasn't it comparable to the mysterious black flame of that Deputy Master from the Jiangshan Yipin Pavilion?

The Divine Secrets Pavilion Master showed a satisfied expression. "Master Fayin, you are too kind," he said. He raised his hand and received the Asura Karma Fire. Then, he retrieved the spiritual artifact, a golden Buddha statue, that Fayin Vajra had borrowed, and tossed it over. "Master Fayin, have you found what you were looking for?"

Fayin retracted the golden Buddha, shook his head slightly, a serene expression on his face. "My Buddhist affinity is shallow; I was unable to locate that ancient scripture."

Then, his peaceful eyes scanned the surroundings. "Young benefactors," he said, "Has anyone ever discovered a black ancient scripture?"

Everyone remained expressionless, whispering among themselves. Jiang Fan also pretended to be nonchalant, asking the person next to him what a black ancient scripture was. Unbeknownst to them, his heart was pounding wildly. Baima Temple was indeed looking for *that* black Buddhist scripture!

Fayin Vajra scanned the crowd. His gaze lingered briefly on Jiang Fan, but seeing him also asking others with a puzzled look, he moved his eyes away. As no one answered for a long time, he could only sigh softly.

He said, "In the future, should anyone discover that ancient scripture, they can come to Baima Temple to find this monk. This monk guarantees their recommendation into any major sect and promises to help them break through to the Nascent Soul realm within ten years. This promise remains valid indefinitely."

Everyone present was moved, including Jiang Fan. A promise from Fayin Vajra would certainly not be false. Achieving Nascent Soul in ten years was a promise Baima Temple, with its power, was capable of fulfilling. Reaching the ninth stage of the Core Formation realm was the end point for almost all martial artists. Advancing even one step further was an insurmountable chasm. Only those with immense fortuitous encounters and great destiny could cross it. And now, such an opportunity lay before them. Who wouldn't be tempted?

But Jiang Fan understood that if he dared to reveal it, he would surely be forcibly converted to Buddhism. Moreover, the black Buddhist scripture, which prompted Fayin Vajra to offer such terms, must be worth far more than merely achieving the Nascent Soul realm. He wasn't in the business of making a loss.

The Divine Secrets Pavilion Master was slightly surprised. "It seems Baima Temple is starting to get anxious about this black Buddhist scripture."

Monks from Baima Temple who had visited here in previous generations had all tried to enlist the Divine Secrets Pavilion disciples to search for it. They had also offered generous terms. However, an astonishing reward like promising to achieve Nascent Soul in ten years, as they just did, was a first. Even for a powerful force like Baima Temple, cultivating a Nascent Soul realm expert was a challenging endeavor. Furthermore, Baima Temple's visits had become increasingly frequent in recent decades. The Divine Secrets Pavilion Master vaguely guessed something. Of course, he wouldn't expose it.

He said, "Master Fayin, I will also instruct my disciples to keep an eye out for you."

Fayin Vajra nodded in thanks. "Thank you, Pavilion Master," he said. "Then this monk shall not disturb you further. Farewell."

The lotus seat ascended, carrying the two-headed hellhound with it into the sky. As he was about to leave the Divine Secrets Pavilion's vicinity, Fayin Vajra suddenly looked down and saw Jiang Fan in the crowd, chuckling softly. "Benefactor Jiang," he said, "The doors of my Baima Temple are always open for you. You are welcome to come to Taicang Great State to find this monk anytime."

Jiang Fan's face darkened. "Thank you for your concern, Master," he said. "But please, keep the doors closed. Don't leave a gap. Thank you."

Fayin Vajra gave a carefree smile and departed on his lotus seat. He certainly left in style. However, the words he left behind made the senior disciples who were unaware of the matter uneasy.

"What?"

"This person is on Fayin Vajra's conversion list?"

"Who is it?"

"Which one is this Benefactor Jiang?"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Soon, the area around Jiang Fan cleared out. The senior disciples swarmed him, like old men who hadn't seen a woman in years suddenly encountering a beautiful young maiden. All of their eyes shone brightly.

Jiang Fan was annoyed. That bald donkey! Even after leaving, he still had to stir up trouble for Jiang Fan. Of course, Jiang Fan wasn't at a disadvantage either. That bald donkey Fayin would never get his hands on that black Buddhist scripture!

"What qualifications do you have to be on that list?"

"Show us."

An unchallengeable commanding voice came from behind the crowd. The disciples parted to make way. Seven individuals, dressed in robes of bright red, walked towards them. Regardless of gender, they all wore the same uniform. The women appeared vibrant and dignified, like peonies in bloom. The men exuded a bold and imposing aura.

Leading them was a burly, square-faced middle-aged disciple who strode forward with powerful steps. His eyes held a captivating power. This person was so overbearing, and he made many senior disciples wary. Jiang Fan could roughly guess who he was.