Chapter 1023: Ye Zijin

Various events unfolded within the ancient realm: someone consumed an ancient Foundation Establishment Grass, becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator, wielding immense influence, recruiting followers, and forming temporary factions to seize resources. An obscure Qi Refinement Completion cultivator surprisingly defeated a Foundation Establishment cultivator, gaining instant renown. A female cultivator was drugged by a Sacred Land cultivator, prompting a male cultivator to bravely defeat the assailant; they then shared an intimate moment. Afterward, the male cultivator felt remorse, while the female cultivator merely called it an accident, though she secretly harbored feelings for him. Additionally, Sacred Land cultivators engaged in a series of clandestine struggles to secure their positions as successors.

However, none of these happenings concerned Xinding or Yu Youlan. To avoid attracting attention by leaving the ancient realm prematurely, they both stayed in the inner hall for three days, not venturing anywhere. In truth, it was primarily Xinding who feared drawing attention; as a Saintess, Yu Youlan had no such concerns about being coveted, and she remained in the inner hall simply to accompany Xinding.

When the Scarlet Sky Ancient Realm closed, everyone was automatically transported out. "What did you all gain?" Zhikong asked, curious about their haul as he saw them emerge.

"I only found one ancient Foundation Establishment Grass," Xinchen said, taking out a grass he had discovered only near the end of the third day.

"Finding a Foundation Establishment Grass is already excellent. Put it away," Zhikong comforted him.

"I didn't find a Foundation Establishment Grass, but when I purified a phantom, a piece of Phantom Essence dropped."

"This Phantom Essence is of good quality; it could buy two Foundation Establishment Pills."

"I found one."

"I found two."

"I found six," a Qi Refinement Completion martial monk declared, casting a provocative glance at Xinding. He was the same person who had earlier suggested that it was tradition for older monks to teach new ones a lesson.

"Six plants?!"

"That's incredible."

Exclamations of awe rose from the martial monk faction. "Junior Brother Xinding, what about you?" the martial monk asked, seemingly casually. He hadn't seen Xinding in the ancient realm and had presumed the young monk had hidden in fear, not daring to search for Foundation Establishment Grass.

Xinding hesitated, feeling as though his senior brother was provoking him, yet not entirely certain. He slowly pulled out a handful of ancient Foundation Establishment Grass from his robe. "I found ten."

"Ten?!"

"How is that possible?"

Everyone was astonished, even Zhikong. Finding Foundation Establishment Grass wasn't just about luck; it surely involved competition. How could Xinding, merely at Qi Refinement Stage Seven, possibly compete with those at Qi Refinement Stage Nine or Great Completion?

Just as everyone was filled with surprise and envy, the crowd nearby stirred. Yu Youlan was running towards them. "Little monk Xinding, I'm leaving now! We'll meet again!" Yu Youlan winked at Xinding, a playful smile on her face.

This time, it wasn't just the martial monks; all the cultivators who had participated in the Scarlet Sky Ancient Realm were astonished. Yu Youlan had never shown such intimacy towards anyone before! What had happened between these two in the Scarlet Sky Ancient Realm?!

Xinding recited "Amitabha," perplexed by everyone's strong reaction. As renunciants, shouldn't they view feminine beauty as a mere fleeting illusion?

***

At Western Heaven Temple, in the Abbot's courtyard.

On a chessboard, black and white pieces were clearly arrayed. A tall elder, half-draped in a splendid kasaya, held the black pieces with an impassive face, while another elder, dressed in rough linen, held the white pieces with a smile. The elder in the splendid kasaya seemed frozen, unable to place his black piece. Finally, he sighed lightly and relented, "Junior Brother, you win."

The elder in rough linen was unsurprised by the game's outcome. "Senior Brother Mingyu, you play chess too hastily."

The elder in the splendid kasaya was indeed Master Mingyu, the Abbot of Western Heaven Temple. The other was Master Minghuai, a hidden expert of Western Heaven Temple who swept the Scripture Pavilion.

"You're right. Lately, I've been feeling restless, as if something significant is about to happen," Master Mingyu sighed, a sentiment he could only share with his junior brother Minghuai.

"Something significant?" Master Minghuai questioned, wondering what major event could possibly affect Western Heaven Temple.

"I can't say what it is, but I just have this feeling." Master Mingyu shook his head. Having practiced Zen his entire life, he possessed a certain premonition regarding unseen matters, especially those concerning Western Heaven Temple. "But it's also possible that my recent cultivation has been too rushed, and my state of mind is a bit unstable," Master Mingyu chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"Speaking of one's state of mind, it's not just me. Do you know of a person named Ye Zijin?" Master Mingyu remembered another matter.

"I've heard of him. I hear he causes trouble throughout the Buddhist nation, building temples, forging Buddha statues, and spreading false Buddhist teachings?" Master Minghuai didn't pay much attention to external affairs.

"Roughly, yes. But most importantly, his words are incredibly irritating, and the elders have many grievances against him; they've always wanted to capture him."

Master Minghuai smiled faintly, dismissing it as a minor issue. "How irritating can mere words be? It seems the younger generations haven't fully mastered their cultivation."

Master Mingyu nodded. "I thought so too, which is why I haven't interfered with Ye Zijin. I hope the elders can realize their shortcomings and cultivate their minds through this experience."

Master Minghuai picked up his broom, stood up, and bid farewell. "I must go. Someone has broken into the Scripture Pavilion. I need to return."

***

On the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion, a furtive figure was searching for something.

"Heh heh, you've got some nerve, young one, stealing even from this Scripture Pavilion."

The figure was startled, not expecting to be discovered. He turned to see an old man sweeping the floor at the end of the corridor, who had appeared there seemingly out of nowhere.

"Farewell!" The figure turned and fled.

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave, young man. How about a game of chess with this old man?"

The figure's expression flickered, and suddenly a chessboard appeared before him, with the sweeping elder seated opposite. "Are you Ye Zijin?" The sweeping elder's eyes were clouded, yet he saw through the figure's identity at a glance.

"Yes." Knowing he couldn't escape, Ye Zijin resigned himself to playing chess.

They played chess and chatted simultaneously. "To cultivate to the Mid-Integration stage at such a young age, with so many unable to capture you – you are indeed talented and promising."

"Do you know that playing chess is much like life? Whether you wield black or white pieces, each move requires careful consideration to be made without regret."

"This old man is getting on in years, so I'm inclined to nag a bit."

"Senior, what are you saying? It's my good fortune to receive guidance from you."

"There aren't many young people like you willing to listen to this old man talk. In Go, the opening determines the outcome; in life, planning determines the future. You've strayed onto the wrong path, entering the Dao-Seeking Sect. The sea of suffering is boundless, but turning back is salvation. It's still not too late to turn back..."

Seeing Ye Zijin's polite demeanor, unlike the annoying person he was rumored to be, the sweeping elder wanted to offer more advice.

Ye Zijin placed his last white piece, a touch awkwardly. "Uh, esteemed senior, I've won."

The sweeping elder was stunned. He loved playing chess and had never lost, yet today he had been defeated by a junior. It was just a game of chess, and the sweeping elder didn't take it to heart. Stroking his beard, he laughed heartily. "I'm old, I'm old, no longer as useful."

Ye Zijin quickly offered a conciliatory smile. "You're still quite young, senior."