434 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

**Chapter 434: Strange Movements** Mount Baishan, despite being a branch of the esoteric sects, seldom extends its influence beyond its immediate surroundings where a handful of small Buddhist temples exist. It holds no sway over the ten major Nascent Soul sects or alliances like the Chu-Qin Alliance, which show no reverence for Buddhism. However, Nalin Temple is different. A super sect with an abundance of incense offerings, its land is filled with monastic temples, mostly following the Zen tradition, forming a true Buddhist domain. Although its scale is not as vast as the Qiyun Mountain Range, its spiritual land and the number of cultivators are no less impressive. The Disciplinary Hall of Nalin, akin to the Qiyun Enforcement Peak, resides on a mountain of its own. Buddhist customs here result in more lenient controls over the comings and goings of outsiders compared to Qiyun Mountain. One day, outside the Disciplinary Hall, a middle-aged scholar in a blue Confucian robe waited patiently. Soon, the heavy wooden doors creaked open and a figure slipped out. The scholar smiled broadly and stepped forward to greet him. "Gu Brother, have you found enlightenment after three years of worship?" "Hahaha, Brother Yao jests..." The person emerging from the hall, addressed as Brother Gu, was also a middle-aged man. He was gentle and refined, with an air of calm confidence, though topped with an awkwardly short inch-long hair, wearing a plain white monk's robe. This was Gu Tan, the Strategist of the Chu-Qin Alliance. The refined scholar was naturally Yao Qing. "Someone like me is likely not meant for Buddhism. But really, this fourth-tier spiritual land makes me reluctant to leave!" Gu Tan clasped his hands in mock respect towards the majestic plaque above the Disciplinary Hall's doors, jokingly. "Then shall I speak to them about letting you stay another three years? Best if you could form your Core here!" Yao Qing feigned pulling him back through the doors by his sleeve. "No, please!" Gu Tan protested, alarmed. "Brother Yao, don't put me through that. Three years of copying sutras while listening to endless chanting—it has done me no good." The two burst into hearty laughter and, throwing their arms around each other, left in camaraderie. As they caught up along the way, reminiscing fondly, Gu Tan's expression suddenly darkened, his gaze drifting towards a certain mountain peak of Nalin Temple. "Is Mingzhen detained there?" Yao Qing, understanding him well, inquired. "Indeed, she took on all the blame. For the next hundred years, her only company will be the ancient Buddha light; if she fails to form her Core, it will be for life..." Gu Tan replied with melancholy. "In the Outer Seas, this isn't truly a crime, is it? That monk from Nalin is simply out of touch with the world." Yao Qing expressed his skepticism. "True, but if not done this way, her master’s karma wouldn’t be resolved. It has to align with that monk's intentions." Gu Tan sighed, shaking his head as if trying to dispel his worries. "Heh, I've noticed our Chu-Qin clan, regardless of gender, carries such resolve, never hesitating to shoulder burdens." Yao Qing, sensing his frustration, attempted to steer the conversation towards a more positive note. "Hmph, aren't the younger generation of the Ming family also from Chu-Qin?" There was a tinge of resentment in Gu Tan's voice. As a local guiding the Ming family with good intentions, he was inexplicably accused of instigation and locked in the Buddhist Disciplinary Hall, copying sutras for three years. "Well..." Yao Qing hesitated, aware that Gu Tan wouldn’t let him embarrass himself. He seamlessly changed the subject, "How's everything at home these past three years?" "All well. Just recently, mourning attire has been shed, and life is normal again. Yet, Baishan's movements have been peculiar..." Yao Qing stopped mid-sentence, signaling to discuss this elsewhere. Gu Tan, understanding, followed. They summoned their flying swords and continued their journey in silence until they reached Jixia City, where they slipped into the familiar surroundings of Yao's Academy for a private discussion. "Since the news of Baishan’s deity-level cultivator’s demise spread, there’s been an odd occurrence. From all over, monks from several major Buddhist sects have been traveling in small groups to the foot of Baishan, conducting rituals over various sites, intentionally or otherwise, covering every spot around the small temples near Baishan. Look..." Yao Qing laid out a map, where he had marked numerous points around Baishan. Each point represented a location where these Buddhist monks had conducted rituals, with various colors covering the regions of the small temples. "This is certainly not coincidence, nor merely a respectful memorial." "What could these monks be up to?" Gu Tan pondered, eyes fixed on the dots, then pointed to the most prevalent color, "These are from Nalin Temple?" "Precisely!" Yao Qing sneered, "That nun, Miao Qing, so self-righteous towards the Ming family at sea, is likely up to something disreputable at Baishan as well." "Not necessarily." Gu Tan thought for a moment, cautious not to let personal biases cloud his judgment. "People like Miao Qing are numerous in Buddhism, pure of heart and may not be involved in any schemes. However..." Gesturing at the map points, he noted, "Most are probably unaware, but the leaders of these sects likely have a plan they wish to keep under wraps. Whether competing or collaborating, both are possibilities." Yao Qing nodded in agreement, praising, "Three years of sutra transcription have not dulled your sharp mind." "Speaking of sutra transcription, I did find it helpful for my mental state, and..." Gu Tan seemed to remember something and leaned back over the map, studying the points again. "You know, Buddhism believes in reincarnation, particularly prevalent in the esoteric sects. Perhaps they are searching for someone?" "Searching for someone?" Yao Qing grew serious, "Are you suggesting..." "The reincarnation of the deity!?" They exchanged glances, exclaiming simultaneously. …… "Is death truly the end of life?" In a certain area of the Waking Lion Valley, an old lion persisted in its quest for knowledge. "Honestly, I can't answer that." Huo Guan hesitated before responding slowly. "Why not?" "Because life takes many forms. By the mainstream narrow view of this realm, yes, death is the end. But..." "This realm?" The old lion keenly picked up on Huo Guan's slip. "Darn it! Let that slip!" Beset by endless questions, Huo Guan inadvertently revealed information he preferred to keep undisclosed. It wasn't intentional secrecy, but the old lion's relentless probing connected numerous issues. "What's wrong with saying this realm?" Playing dumb seemed the best approach. "You mentioned this realm, implying there are other realms, external ones?" The old lion, sharp as ever, wouldn't let Huo Guan off easily. "Uh, that topic is too complex, and I am not well-versed in it myself." Feeling his spiritual energy dangerously low, Huo Guan gathered his courage to plead, "Senior, I've taught you tirelessly for years. I'm utterly exhausted and can't hold on. May I rest for a while?" "Rest? No, no." The old lion replied, "You cannot rest; otherwise, you'll be assimilated into this spirit world, like those less resilient than you." Can't rest? Then if my spiritual energy is drained, wouldn't that be my life’s end? Huo Guan anguished inwardly, but forced himself to ask, "Who are those others?" "Some who entered with you," the lion answered straightforwardly, keeping nothing back. "Oh? I wonder if that Qi Xiu, who caused my brother Hu's demise, is among them…" Momentarily distracted, Huo Guan was quickly pressed back into service, answering the old lion’s relentless queries. (To be continued)