Xu Taiping could not help bursting into laughter at that.
"Actually, Brother Xu, there is something you don't know. The Ascetic Monk lineage of our Cloud-Hidden Temple differs from the other lineages of the Chan School. Our lineage holds that we must first treat ourselves with compassion, then treat others with compassion; first deliver ourselves, then deliver others."
The Little Monk suddenly grew serious again.
"You have a point, young Master Xuanzhi."
Xu Taiping nodded at his words.
He grew increasingly curious about this Little Monk, who appeared timid on the surface but was actually unafraid of trouble and even a little devious.
"By the way, Master Xuanzhi, how much of the millet you obtained through alms begging did you use when you cast the spell on Shi Kai?"
Xu Taiping asked the Little Monk another question.
"Not much. Just a small handful, about thirty grains."
Little Monk Xuanzhi opened his hand and found only a few scattered grains of millet left in his palm, then immediately looked up and answered Xu Taiping.
"That's all right, then."
Xu Taiping nodded.
"Brother Xu, this spell of yours resembles the Six Paths of Reincarnation Spell mentioned in our Cloud-Hidden Temple's Buddhist Scripture Slips. But that spell was lost long ago during that Great Calamity of Buddhism. Could your master's legacy date back to before that Great Calamity of Buddhism?"
Little Monk Xuanzhi asked Xu Taiping with great curiosity.
Xu Taiping was somewhat surprised. He had not expected this Little Monk to know more about creation power than he had imagined.
"Amitabha. This humble monk was presumptuous."
Seeing Xu Taiping hesitate, Little Monk Xuanzhi immediately apologized, his face full of contrition.
"Master Xuanzhi, I cannot disclose this master's identity, but barring anything unexpected, this Buddhist spell was indeed passed down from that time."