Hu Xiaotian finally got his wish and entered the Buddhist Sutra Pavilion. Tongjing brought him to the courtyard gate but did not go inside. The monk who came to guide him was none other than Mingjing. Hu Xiaotian had always thought that a white lotus rising unsullied from the mud referred to women, but after meeting Mingjing, he realized men could be described that way too. Mingjing dressed no differently from the other monks of Heavenly Dragon Temple, yet the same robes gave him an immaculate, otherworldly bearing. In the end, presence determined everything. A man's qualities only truly stood out by comparison.
Especially when Mingjing stood among his fellow disciples, the contrast made him look like a crane among chickens.
For all his admiration, Hu Xiaotian also felt that Mingjing's cultivation had yet to reach perfection. The truly supreme realm should be a return to simple authenticity, with every sharp edge concealed. Take Master Yuanmu, whom he had met earlier: he looked like an utterly unremarkable old monk. Who could have known he held such an exalted position in Heavenly Dragon Temple? Or take Hu Xiaotian himself. Everyone thought he was a flippant scoundrel. Who would have guessed that he was now an expert with extraordinary skills?
Hu Xiaotian could hardly have felt better about himself. He walked cheerfully up to Mingjing. "Senior Brother Mingjing!"
Mingjing smiled faintly. "Greetings, Benefactor Hu!" That response was as good as telling Hu Xiaotian, I can't accept being called your senior brother. We aren't that close, so don't try to cozy up to me.
Hu Xiaotian took no offense. With his hands clasped behind his back, he leisurely surveyed his surroundings. In broad daylight, he could see the Buddhist Sutra Pavilion's courtyard particularly clearly. His first impression was that little had changed from