Chapter 956: Ascending the Ancient Heavenly Path

The main hall fell silent for a long time.

Only after Abbot Puguang received the Buddha's decree did he nod. "The Bodhisattva has agreed," he said. "Please, Benefactor Jiang, be sure to keep your promise."

Jiang Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

The negotiations were finally over.

At least it would buy a year, preventing Baima Temple from holding hostility towards Tianji Pavilion.

As for a year from now...

He could only proceed one step at a time.

With the ancient giants descending, he believed there would be many significant changes. By then, with Taicang Prefecture's unknown future, Baima Temple might no longer be preoccupied with this grudge.

"Alright, then I'll give you the first clue."

"I found it on the continent."

Abbot Puguang's smile slightly froze.

Many eminent monks and demon-subduing guardians looked exasperated.

Isn't that stating the obvious?

You came from the continent, so that person must have passed away there.

You call *that* a clue?

However, considering this was only the first exchange of clues, Abbot Puguang tolerated it.

"Thank you, Benefactor Jiang."

Jiang Fan cupped his hands. "I have disturbed your esteemed temple today; I'll take my leave," he said.

Just as he was about to leave, Abbot Puguang said, "Wait."

Jiang Fan's heart tightened.

What, were they going to renege?

Abbot Puguang took a palm-sized golden Buddha statue from his sleeve.

It overflowed with Buddha light, emanating a faint, sacred radiance.

Upon seeing this object, everyone, including Vajra Fayin, showed a hint of surprise.

"Benefactor Jiang, this is a golden Buddha statue I carry with me; it has been with me for many years and contains a trace of my Buddha essence."

"When you encounter a danger you cannot overcome, you can take it out."

"Those who recognize this object will give this old monk some face, and for those who don't, the Buddha's essence will help you resolve difficulties and ward off disaster."

Jiang Fan was slightly surprised.

They're even giving me something?

He had seen the Sky Demon Emperor's wooden Buddha statue, which was truly bizarre and hard to deal with.

It could both block enemy attacks and miraculously heal injuries.

This abbot's golden Buddha statue surely had to be stronger than Vajra Fayin's wooden Buddha statue, right?

Abbot Puguang handed over the golden Buddha statue. "It can block any attack not exceeding my strength," he explained, "or save your life if you sustain a fatal injury."

"However, it can only be used a maximum of three times. Benefactor Jiang, please use it carefully."

It can save my life?

Jiang Fan nodded slightly. "Thank you, Abbot," he said.

He already understood why Abbot Puguang would present him with such a valuable defensive artifact.

He was afraid Jiang Fan might be killed, leaving no one to move the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar!

Baima Temple had been domineering for years, accumulating countless offended forces.

They dared not seek revenge against Baima Temple, but they could assassinate Jiang Fan, ensuring the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar remained at Baima Temple forever.

Jiang Fan said:

"I hope Baima Temple doesn't have too many enemies!"

"Otherwise, ten golden Buddha statues wouldn't be enough."

Many eminent monks looked embarrassed.

Baima Temple did have quite a few enemies.

Abbot Puguang smiled gently. "As long as what happened today isn't leaked, who would trouble Benefactor Jiang?" he said.

That's true.

Only Jiang Fan and the people from Baima Temple knew about their negotiations.

Outsiders would only assume Jiang Fan had left the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar at Baima Temple forever and would be gloating and watching the spectacle.

Only someone completely out of their mind would think of bothering Jiang Fan.

"Alright, then I'll take my leave."

"In a month, seek me out in the Monster Race territory on the continent for your second piece of information."

"Don't come early; I don't want to be disturbed."

He turned and left Baima Temple.

Consort Yunxia stood at the prow of the spirit boat, smiling sweetly. "Did your negotiations with Baima Temple go well?" she asked.

Jiang Fan nodded. "Within a year, there's no need to worry about Baima Temple retaliating," he said.

Consort Yunxia glanced at the Heaven-Connecting Black Pillar left at Baima Temple, somewhat surprised how Jiang Fan had managed to leave unscathed and even get Baima Temple to willingly keep the pillar.

But that wasn't what mattered at the moment.

It was Jiang Fan himself.

The Sky Demon Emperor was dead, and Lingshu's revenge was exacted.

Yet, Jiang Fan was even sadder.

He felt he had lost his purpose.

Consort Yunxia stepped forward, gently linked her arm through his, and softly said:

"Let's go back. You still have one thing to do."

Jiang Fan looked at her, showing a puzzled expression.

Consort Yunxia said, "Didn't you promise Lingshu you'd spend a month with him beyond the Great Wall?"

"You should fulfill that promise."

"Don't leave her there alone."

Jiang Fan's nose tingled with emotion. He nodded. "Okay, let's go back," he said.

The two boarded the spirit boat and departed.

Just as they were moving away from the shore, Jiang Fan seemed to sense something and looked up.

The sky rippled, and Master Qiyin appeared from his invisible state.

"His soul has also reached the Nascent Soul stage!"

Master Qiyin showed a hint of surprise. "His physique and soul have both reached it, and his power is so strong that I can barely comprehend it," he said.

"You're a Nascent Soul in all but name."

Jiang Fan cupped his hands. "Senior Qiyin, do you have any instructions?" he asked.

This person held no ill will; otherwise, he would have attacked already.

Master Qiyin glanced warily at Baima Temple in the distance behind him. "Are you just returning to the continent like this?" he asked.

"Aren't you going to check out the Ancient Path to Heaven?"

Jiang Fan had no interest, shaking his head slightly. "That's an opportunity for your Taicang Prefecture; outsiders aren't welcome," he said.

"Besides, I have matters to attend to and no time to spare."

Master Qiyin frowned:

"It would be a pity to miss it."

"Someone at the end of the ancient path saw a timeless ultimate technique, others saw a pill cauldron taller than the heavens, and some even saw venerables dead for a thousand years come back to life."

"We in the Nascent Soul stage are all eager to see it, but this path is only open to Core Formation cultivators."

"With your current strength, you'll surely be a step ahead of your peers."

Hearing about the timeless ultimate technique and the pill cauldron, Jiang Fan didn't feel anything yet.

The resurrection of dead venerables made his eyes light up for a moment, but the light quickly faded.

"How could there be resurrection in this world?"

"It must be some misunderstanding."

Consort Yunxia, standing beside him, gently shook his arm and said:

"My dear Jiang, before you obtained the Heaven-Deceiving Divine Pearl, did you believe that tribulation could be suspended?"

"Seeing is believing. How will you know if you don't try it?"

"What if there truly is a method to bring people back to life? Wouldn't you miss out if you didn't go?"

Jiang Fan's eyes brightened once more.

Although he knew it would most likely be a false alarm.

Regardless, he ought to go and confirm it.

He perked up, cupping his hands. "Senior Qiyin," he said, "with my wife and I being disciples from the continent, it won't be easy to get in, will it?"

Seeing Jiang Fan's interest, Master Qiyin smiled. "What's so difficult about that?" he asked.

"I can recommend you. I still have some influence."

"However, I also hope you can find my disciples Yu Peiyuan and Wei Chaoran."

"On the Ancient Path to Heaven, please lend them a hand."

Jiang Fan quickly said, "I can't speak for Senior Brother Wei; he might not appreciate my help."

"But for Senior Sister Yu, if I can help her, I will do my best."

Master Qiyin nodded and smiled. "Good, come with me then," he said.

It would be worth the small price he paid to recommend them, so long as Jiang Fan genuinely helped at least one.

Baima Temple.

Deep within, the towering main hall.

Abbot Puguang stood bowing before the hall entrance. "Puguang has received the Buddha's decree," he said, "and will immediately dispatch monks to Taicang Prefecture to search for the ancient temple."

After a pause, Abbot Puguang asked again, "Bodhisattva, why didn't you erase Jiang Fan's memories at the same time?"

In his opinion, Jiang Fan had made such exorbitant demands only because he knew the true value of the Bodhi Tree.

If the Bodhisattva had also erased his memories, things wouldn't have become so passive and troublesome.

The hall fell silent for a moment before a magnetic voice echoed.

"I tried to erase them. It failed."

Abbot Puguang's aged eyes gradually widened.

His pupils slowly constricted.