Following the Attendant Monk, he arrived at the Sutra Academy Abbot's courtyard.
The Sutra Academy Abbot, Qiong Re Ganbu, fingered the Human-Bone Prayer Beads in his hand, his eyes closed and his breathing stilled, seated upright on an ornate bed.
Just as when they had first met, Qiong Re Ganbu's face was deathly ashen and his eyes hollow, making him look exceedingly uncanny.
In the windless meditation chamber, the Sutra Academy Abbot's robes rose and fell of their own accord, as though something alive were squirming beneath them.
"Gyatso, you have grown very quickly," the Sutra Academy Abbot said in a low voice.
Qu Zan pressed his palms together and bowed. "It is all thanks to the elders of the academy promoting and supporting me."
The Sutra Academy Abbot nodded and smiled. "You are a sensible child. I have great expectations for you. What plans do you have for the future? Would you like to become a Monastic Official, take a posting outside, or travel to spread the Dharma?"
Qu Zan understood. The Sutra Academy Abbot had summoned him this time to arrange his future.
After pondering for a moment, Qu Zan said, "I wish to remain in the monastery and serve it."
"To be a Monastic Official here?"
"But I feel my knowledge is limited and my abilities shallow. I wish to study more virtuous knowledge and go further along the path of a Geshe," Qu Zan said earnestly.
Qiong Re Ganbu nodded slightly, rubbing the prayer beads in his hand. "Very well. At present, none of the academies or halls lack people to fill their posts. You are far
too young, so it would not be appropriate to grant you too high a monastic office. But too low an office would slight your degree as a Whole-Monastery Geshe."