Bodhisattva Relocation

The old monk, dressed in gray robes with a gleaming bald head, drifted away.

Wang Xuan and Old Chen's faces twitched slightly. They stared at the shining back of his head, both holding their tongues.

"Little Wang, I've traveled to deep space for you. How will you repay me?" Old Chen finally couldn't hold back and spoke first.

Wang Xuan quickly patted himself all over and said, "Old Chen, act normal. You're so old, you're giving me goosebumps."

"Tell me, wasn't I shielding you from disaster?" Old Chen glared at him, looking like he wanted an explanation.

Wang Xuan did feel a bit guilty about this. But at the time, he had only said a few casual words, never expecting the Female Daoist practitioner would actually go looking for Old Chen.

"Old Chen, you can't say it like that. A few days ago, Qing Mu and I were discussing it. We both agreed that with great power comes great responsibility. You are one of the leaders of the organization, and you've truly demonstrated your ability and responsibility. Qing Mu also expressed his full agreement."

Seeing Wang Xuan's serious expression and the respectful look he gave him, Old Chen really wanted to hit him!

Old Chen finally sighed, gazing into the distance with a hint of melancholy. "You don't understand how deep this water is. You can't imagine how terrifying the truth of Ascension from the Pre-Qin period was. I truly paid a great price this time."

Wang Xuan was surprised. He had also felt a chill last night and became wary, developing different views on Ascension. Now, Old Chen was speaking with such a tone, as if he had already seen through something?

Wang Xuan quickly understood. The exploration organization cooperated with the country, making it semi-official. Naturally, they understood many secrets that ordinary people couldn't imagine, even the truth of history.

After all, who could investigate everything more thoroughly than the country? The documents, rare manuscripts, and secret texts of past dynasties must have recorded and left something behind.

"That era was truly ancient and profound. It wasn't just history; it was a brilliant poem that moved the heavens and shook the moon and stars," Old Chen said heavily, his sighs sounding desolate and powerless.

"The appearance of the Female Daoist practitioner is a very bad omen. Her return signifies… forget it, I can't say." Old Chen rubbed his temples, looking very tired. "You're still young; you don't know how serious this matter is."

Seeing Old Chen so dejected, Wang Xuan felt a bit unaccustomed to it. The usual Old Chen was calm and composed, but now he was completely different, exhausted.

"Don't think this is a small matter. If handled poorly, it could lead to great chaos. That's why I took her to deep space to visit some places, hoping to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, I failed. I was guided back here against my will."

Speaking of this, Old Chen felt a bit sad. He patted Wang Xuan's shoulder. "Little Wang, the future belongs to you young people. If after some time… I'm no longer around, your generation must find a way to uncover certain secrets of the Old Arts and find the true path that disappeared into the long river of history. Perhaps it can also be called a shortcut!"

Wang Xuan's hair stood on end. Was Old Chen dying? Was his time running out?!

"Life is full of ups and downs. No one knows how their story will end!" Old Chen sighed, looking towards the horizon. In the morning glow, a faint golden light emanated from him.

Wang Xuan hadn't paid much attention before, but now he noticed that although Old Chen looked haggard, he stood remarkably straight, possessing an indescribable aura.

"Master, don't push yourself too hard. It's fine if you couldn't get the Female Daoist practitioner's Ascension Immortal Method. Wang Xuan's strength has advanced by leaps and bounds, perhaps…"

Qing Mu arrived. Before he even reached the courtyard gate, he heard Old Chen's lament and called out from over the courtyard wall, advising Old Chen not to be too stubborn. He then strode in.

The moment he saw Wang Xuan, he wanted to cover his mouth and disappear immediately, not daring to look at Old Chen.

Damn, Old Chen was really holding back a big move! Wang Xuan was dumbfounded.

He was speechless. In his eyes, the faint golden light on Old Chen instantly vanished. All the talk of him standing straight and exuding righteousness disappeared.

Actually, Wang Xuan hadn't bought into it at all and didn't really believe it. Now that he had witnessed it firsthand and caught him red-handed, it was his turn to want to hit Old Chen.

"Old Chen, you're something else," Wang Xuan sighed.

Old Chen didn't feel embarrassed at all. The so-called sadness and melancholy vanished in an instant, and he returned to his calm and composed demeanor. He shook his head and sighed, "These are the ups and downs of life; the trajectory changes at any moment."

He looked at his disciple. "Qing Mu, how can you still be so impetuous? You've made Little Wang laugh."

What could Qing Mu say? After Old Chen returned, he had a deep discussion with him and understood what Old Chen was planning.

Wang Xuan glanced at Old Chen. Seeing how haggard he looked, he felt no sympathy. His old colleague was a ruthless man. To obtain the Female Daoist practitioner's immortal method, he had stubbornly held on for so many days, refusing to hand over the responsibility to anyone else. He was truly dedicated!

He leaned in and whispered, "Is there really an Ascension Immortal Method?"

Qing Mu couldn't stand it. "Alright, Little Wang, be a decent person. Don't provoke Old Chen anymore."

Wang Xuan looked at him. "Qing Mu, if I were you, I'd turn around and leave. You're really taking over from your master. I feel like it's your turn next."

"Shut up!" Qing Mu's hair stood on end, and he took a few steps back.

Then, he felt a palpitation, and his whole body felt unwell. His mental domain was under some kind of pressure, and cold sweat broke out.

At the same time, Old Chen let out a long breath, sensing something. "I feel that Celestial Maiden has left. She's no longer exerting mental pressure on me."

It had to be said that Old Chen was truly powerful. Even during the day, he could sense whether the Female Daoist practitioner had left.

But he was also startled and couldn't help but look at Wang Xuan. The moment this kid spoke, it came true? It seemed there was some kind of bridge connecting him to the Female Daoist practitioner!

"This is real… it's my turn?!" Qing Mu wanted to cry. His unlucky mouth, which seemed to have divine foresight, had predicted everything, and he had told him this days ago.

Wang Xuan also became serious. Did the Female Daoist practitioner no longer need to enter dreams? Did she have such methods during the day? It truly put pressure on people.

Old Chen's expression was complex now, a mix of relief and regret. First, he felt a burden lifted, and then he sighed. He had persisted until now, been tormented, and yet it was all for nothing.

Wang Xuan spoke, "Old Qing, hurry to the Greater Khingan Range. Don't mess around like Old Chen. I think it's best if you bring Jin Chuan and Qian Lei with you. There's strength in numbers, and you can share the burden if something happens."

Qing Mu glared at him, wanting to say that Jin Chuan had intercepted him once, and Qian Lei had asked him for stones?

However, he inwardly agreed. He definitely needed people to share the burden and go to the Greater Khingan Range together. Otherwise, he probably couldn't handle it alone.

Old Chen spoke, "These past few days, I have respectfully and devoutly conversed with that Celestial Maiden, staying up all night for it. I believe she is reasonable. Qing Mu, you should go."

What else could Qing Mu say? He couldn't exactly argue with his master. This old man had suffered for nothing, and now he was trying to save face, ultimately passing on the "inheritance" to his disciple.

Only Old Chen and Wang Xuan remained in the courtyard. They looked at each other, and finally, Old Chen smiled first.

"Little Wang, speak. You have quite a few secrets yourself. Even the Female Daoist practitioner looks at you differently. But she has finally left and will return underground."

Old Chen had regained his usual calm and composure. Although his words were still peaceful, an invisible pressure emanated from him.

Wang Xuan remained silent, calm and quiet.

"Don't deny it. I know exactly how strong you were when you graduated. And when you easily defeated two killers who had mastered the Iron Sand Palm that night, you had just returned from the Greater Khingan Range. That's when I knew you were shrouded in mystery," Old Chen said, his voice devoid of emotion.

He continued, "Your strength has improved drastically. This time, you even defeated Sun Chengkun and startled Qing Mu. Don't let his silence fool you; he's a bit bewildered by your growth rate, feeling a sense of unease. If this continues, even I will be on edge."

Clearly, Old Chen's ability to remain composed indicated that his strength was exceptionally profound; he was a rare super expert!

Wang Xuan sighed. He knew this situation was bound to happen sooner or later. His strength had indeed improved too rapidly, and anyone close to him who paid attention would eventually notice.

Old Chen clearly intended to pry into his secrets!

"Old Chen, if I told you that I truly don't have the Ascension Immortal Method, would you believe me?" Wang Xuan asked with a serious expression.

"Then what is this mystery surrounding you?" Old Chen inquired.

"There are secrets, but they aren't universal. Even if I told you, others couldn't replicate it, and it would only lead to bigger problems," Wang Xuan sighed, remaining calm and unafraid.

Old Chen shook his head and patted his shoulder. "Don't overthink it. I won't force you, but you might want to consider whether to reveal it. You don't need to answer me now. I'll ask you to go fishing tomorrow, and we can talk then."

Then, he spoke again, with a hint of caution, "Don't cause trouble. Don't get any wild ideas. The female Daoist practitioner has definitely returned underground and won't come out again, especially since her physical body is there."

Wang Xuan paid no mind and even smiled. "Old Chen, you're overthinking it. Get a good night's sleep tonight; you've been through a lot these past few days."

At this moment, Old Chen's eyelids twitched. Why was he getting a bad feeling?

He quickly called Qing Mu, asking where he was. Had he returned to the vicinity again?

Wang Xuan said, "Where are you getting that idea? Am I that kind of person? The female Daoist practitioner has already left. Could I possibly call her back? I'm afraid she'll cause trouble for me too."

Old Chen nodded. It made sense; he also felt it was unlikely Wang Xuan could handle the female Daoist practitioner.

Next, Wang Xuan and Old Chen started talking about Pufa Temple.

"Old Chen, do you know the history of this temple? What major events have happened here? Why do I feel that although this place is sacred and solemn, it lacks a certain Buddhist aura?"

Old Chen shook his head, yawning, and said he really didn't know. He needed to catch up on sleep and could finally have some peace.

Shortly after, Wang Xuan sought out an old monk in the temple to inquire about the history of the ancient temple, its legends, and any major events that had occurred.

The old monk recounted many stories, mentioning numerous near-mythical legends. In the past, Pufa Temple had a saintly monk with profound Daoist attainments who eventually achieved the Bodhisattva fruit status!

Wang Xuan carefully sifted through the information, selecting valuable details. Finally, he heard about a historical event that sent a jolt through his mind.

Three hundred years ago, an earthquake struck the area where Pufa Temple was located, causing the ancient temple, pagoda, and other structures to collapse.

"So, you're saying that although this so-called thousand-year-old temple has a long lineage, these buildings are actually at most three hundred years old?"

The old monk sighed, looking a bit dejected, and shook his head. "These buildings are actually only a few decades old."

"What?" Wang Xuan was surprised.

"Decades ago, people from the New Star region excavated various ruins underground. They were also very interested in ancient temples and Daoist monasteries. Some elders in the zaibatsu believed in Buddhism and Daoism, and for this reason, they were willing to pay a huge price to 'take away' entire temple complexes and Daoist monasteries."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xuan suddenly understood what was going on.

Thanks to: Old Fan of Covering the Sky, National Father-in-law, Old Xu Who Wants a Wife, thank you both for your support as Alliance Leaders!