They're trying to cause trouble.
The abbot's kind smile gradually faded, and he looked at the refined man in front of him with some surprise.
To be honest, this matter is an open secret among all the major powers, but no one has ever dared to say it out loud without any conflict of interest, let alone say something that would damage the foundation of the Buddhist Sect within the Buddhist Sect territory.
However, being a Buddhist Sect, he naturally possessed excellent self-control, and a kind smile returned to his face as he said, "Of course we won't force you. If you don't believe in Buddha, we won't force you either. Everyone has their own choice."
These words are impeccable.
Ning Chenxin didn't know where she found a breakthrough, but apart from a moment of surprise, she didn't reveal any major flaws when staring at the abbot.
However, it was this moment of astonishment that made Ning Chenxin completely certain of some of the problems that currently exist within the Buddhist Sect.
If it is truly as Ning Chenxin imagines, that Buddhist Sect uses some immoral method to harm ordinary mortals in order to gain their Power of Faith.
This was something Ning Chenxin could never accept.
"Perhaps you shouldn't accuse Buddhist Sect of such things. Buddhist Sect is upright and honest; we wouldn't do such despicable things." The abbot said with his hands clasped together, "If this is why you've come, I think you can go down the mountain now."
No clues found.
However, Ning Chenxin did not come here with any clues, but only to determine whether the Buddhist Sect had done anything against the natural order.
Now that I have a guess in my mind, there's no need to stay here any longer, since I can't find any clues anyway.
So he got up to say goodbye, "Sorry to bother you."
The abbot also got up and escorted Ning Chenxin to the door.
As Ning Chenxin stepped one foot across the threshold, she asked without turning her head, "If Buddha exists solely for the Power of Faith, and thus resorts to any means necessary... then Buddha has no reason to exist."
After saying these words, he lifted his foot again and stepped away from the Buddhist temple.
As the abbot watched Ning Chenxin walk further and further away, his benevolent smile vanished! All that remained was a cold indifference and murderous intent intent in his eyes.
"This person is a great threat."
After leaving the Buddhist temple, Ning Chenxin went straight down the mountain.
There's not much to investigate on the mountain.
Since most Buddhist Sect followers are ordinary people, we should start by investigating the villages surrounding Buddhist Sect communities.
With this in mind, Ning Chenxin deliberately found a village that was relatively far from the Buddhist Sect territory.
If we're too close, they're likely all believers, making it difficult to investigate anything.
Clues can only be found in those who still retain a sliver of self-awareness.
After passing through more than ten villages, I finally stopped at the entrance of one village, where three characters were engraved.
Cold Soil Village.
It's a village on the edge of the Buddhist Sect territory.
It's not large in scale, even smaller than Fortune Temple Village.
The people here don't have farmland; the soil is cold and unsuitable for planting, so they only raise livestock to make ends meet.
Ning Chenxin went inside.
The few villagers scattered among them were slightly taken aback when they saw Ning Chenxin dressed in white, their eyes filled with either wariness or curiosity.
Look around.
If you open your senses, you'll find that most of the villagers still have a small Buddha statue inside their houses.
At this moment, an old man, hunched over and leaning on a cane, walked up to Ning Chenxin and asked, "This... Immortal Master, may I ask what brings you to our Cold Soil Village?"
Ning Chenxin shook her head slightly and smiled, "I wanted to come in and ask about some things."
The village chief was slightly taken aback. "What does the immortal master wish to ask?"
Ning Chenxin looked around and saw a boy with bronze skin feeding chickens, then walked over to him on her own.
Seemingly sensing Ning Chenxin, the young man looked over, but after a single glance, he turned his head away again.
Seeing this, Ning Chenxin also noticed the disdainful looks the other villagers were giving the boy, and then asked, "What's your name?"
The boy did not answer.
"Then why do you have a bad relationship with the other villagers?"
The boy's expression tightened, but he continued scattering feed, remaining silent as he watched the chickens pecking at the food.
Ning Chenxin decided to take drastic measures, so he spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Is it because of the Buddhist Sect?"
The boy then looked at Ning Chenxin, his mouth slightly open, but he didn't speak, only nodding slightly.
Ning Chenxin smiled and said, "Then why don't the other villagers believe you?"
The boy spoke for the first time, his voice low and somber. "What's the use of believing in Buddhism? Can it improve this desolate land?"
Ning Chenxin shook her head. "No..."
"That's more like it, isn't it?"
"But I can." Ning Chenxin smiled, then flipped her hand, and the soil of the entire Cold Soil Village was enveloped in a layer of white light.
By pouring their own strength into it, they filled the once lifeless soil with vitality.
The other villagers were overjoyed to see this.
They all knelt down before Ning Chenxin.
"Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you, Immortal Master!"
"The immortal master must have been sent by the Buddhist Sect to save our Cold Soil Village."
"Praying every day really does work!"
The boy was also somewhat taken aback, then asked, "Are you Buddhist?"
"No." Ning Chenxin shook her head and said with a smile, "Now that I've helped you, you have to answer my question, okay?"
The boy hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Then come to my house."
After saying that, he led Ning Chenxin into a small house built of stones.
The boy moved a worn-out chair and placed it in front of Ning Chenxin. After Ning Chenxin sat down, she looked around and, seeing nothing related to Buddhism, asked, "It seems that everyone here is Buddhist Sect. What about you?"
"I'm not, but they often try to persuade us to become Buddhists."
"Then do you know why they are so obsessed with the Buddhist Sect?" Ning Chenxin asked doubtfully. "This kind of thing definitely didn't happen suddenly, did it?"
The boy nodded and said, "I don't know the specifics. I only know that my grandfather once told me that a bald monk came to Cold Soil Village and taught some things. At that time, most people in Cold Soil Village began to believe in Buddhism."
Teaching things?
Just as Ning Chenxin hadn't figured anything out...
A large bell was ringing outside.
Ning Chenxin was about to go out to check the situation when the boy stopped her, saying, "Don't go out. This is the time when the village collectively chants scriptures and prays to Buddha."
Collective chanting of scriptures and worship of Buddha?
Ning Chenxin frowned slightly.
Has even this remote area become this fanatical?
This situation is far too abnormal.
Ning Chenxin didn't go out, but instead observed the situation outside through her senses.
At the entrance of Cold Soil Village, there was a large Buddha statue as tall as a person. The village chief led the way, sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, chanting scriptures, and then kowtowing.
Strands of Power of Faith then flew from the tops of their heads and flowed into the Buddha sculpture...
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PS: This chapter is from yesterday. Today's chapter hasn't been updated yet (currently one chapter owed from the 1st, one chapter owed from the 2nd, a total of two chapters owed, to be made up on the 4th).