As the only Buddhist force within the Jing Kingdom.
The Great Buddha Temple is actually quite unpopular.
The specific reasons can be traced back to countless years, but in short, it's simply a matter of different paths leading to different goals.
Shi Yubai's hatred for Great Buddha Temple stemmed from an old incident from his childhood.
Because of this grudge, he looked down on all monks.
Therefore, after taking charge of the Jade Guarding Hall, the Jade Spring Sect's attitude towards Great Buddha Temple was often cold, indifferent, and even vaguely hostile.
The Great Buddha Temple was aware of this, but there was nothing they could do about it.
Shi Yubai was about to speak, a disciple suddenly walked in from outside the hall, presenting a Jade Slip in his hand. He bowed to the two Foundation Establishment cultivators before speaking.
"Master, they're from the Great Buddha Temple."
Upon Shi Yubai Yubai's mockery became even more pronounced. He didn't rush to accept it, but instead turned to Yi Chongyue and said...
"Junior brother, look at that! Your disciple, who hasn't even entered the sect yet, actually predicted it correctly."
"The person hasn't even arrived yet, but the accusation post has already been sent."
Yi Chongyue was also somewhat surprised.
This Great Buddha Temple is truly capable of such a treacherous act of falsely accusing others.
He then asked, "How does Senior Brother plan to reply?"
Shi Yubai disdainfully spread it out with his Law Power, glanced at it, and then told the disciple to take it and burn it. Hearing this, he sneered.
"Reply?"
"Why should I go back?"
"My disciples from the Jade Spring Sect exposed the dirty deeds of a branch temple under the Great Buddha Temple within the territory and influence of my Jade Spring Sect. Not only is the Great Buddha Temple not grateful to my Jade Spring Sect, but it also dares to come and question me?"
At this point, the head of the Jade Guarding Hall sneered repeatedly, made a hand Method Formula, and called out.
" Bikong, come to your master."
After a few breaths.
A clear, melodious cry of a crane came from outside the hall, and then a Daoist priest in white robes walked in. His steps were light and graceful, carrying a misty feeling that gave people a refreshing feeling, like green bamboo after the rain, rustling and tinkling.
Yuan Bikong, a disciple of the Inner Sect's Dew-Drinking Peak, Great Perfection of Qi Refining and is also Shi Yubai's second disciple.
As the Jade Guarding Hall, Shi Yubai was busy with countless affairs, and also had to study the mysteries of Daoism and cultivate himself. Therefore, he needed someone to speak on his behalf both inside and outside the sect.
Yuan Bikong represents him within the Jade Spring Sect.
"Master, is there anything I can do for you?"
Shi Yubai nodded slightly, took out his own talisman, placed it in his second disciple's hand, and said.
"Take my talisman to the Expenditure Hall and increase the price of the elixirs, Law Artifact, and spiritual materials that entered the Great Buddha Temple this year by 30%."
"Furthermore, send a message to the Jing Kingdom's royal family, ordering the halt of the half-finished construction of the Great Buddha Temple in the capital, and instructing them to come to me if they have any problems."
"Finally, let's give a heads-up to our fellow members of the Evil Hunting Hall, and ask them to keep a close eye on those temples when they go out on patrol..."
Shi Yubai's voice was cold as he gave his instructions methodically.
Yuan Bikong accepted the talisman and left without question.
Yi Chongyue came to ask Shi Yubai for help, but he never expected that Shi Yubai would be so decisive and would pressure Great Buddha Temple to such an extent.
"Senior brother, isn't this a bit too much pressure...?"
"Aren't they here to hold someone accountable?"
A cold glint flashed in Shi Yubai's eyes. "Then I'll settle things with them properly and see who is truly guilty."
"Over the years, out of respect for my Jade Spring Sect and the Jing Kingdom's court, they have turned a blind eye to the expansion of the Great Buddha Temple in the Southwest Commandery."
"I never expected them to extend their reach so far. Now they even dare to expose Compassionate Light Temple, a den of iniquity, and dare to question us? Do they really think my Jade Spring Sect is made of clay?"
What was said with good intentions was taken seriously by the listener.
Yi Chongyue gradually came to his senses, and a smile returned to his face.
"In that case, you've given my sect a perfectly legitimate excuse."
Shi Yubai tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound. His gaze was fixed on a certain spot, and his tone was low and languid. "In recent years, the reputation of my Jade Spring Sect has grown increasingly prominent. To outsiders, it appears as a flourishing garden, but little do they know that it's also like cooking oil over a hot fire."
"Those demonic brats at Heart-Eroding Stronghold may seem to be plotting against the Empty Sword Sect, but in reality, they are testing our sect."
"These monks, too, seem to be getting restless and want to get moving."
Yi Chongyue frowned slightly. "What does Senior Brother mean?"
Shi Yubai flashed even colder. "What I mean is... what I mean is that our sect must use force to knock away their outstretched claws and make them understand one thing—"
"The territory of my Jade Spring Sect is not open to others' interference! And the disciples of the Jade Spring Sect are not to be trifled with at will!"
The two discussed some more details, and then Yi Chongyue got up to take his leave.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Senior Brother."
Chen Shuangbai received the reply from the sect half a month later.
It was that cultivator from the Fan Household, Fan Qi, who came to the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy to collect this month's worth of pills and also to deliver a message for the sect.
In front of Fan Qi, Chen Shuangbai opened the Jade Slip with her spiritual sense, examined it carefully, and felt somewhat at ease.
"Please thank Senior Brother Fan for me."
Fan Qi was very tactful; after taking all the pills, he promptly took his leave.
Chen Shuangbai returned to the Listening to the Waves Pavilion, took out the Jade Slip again, and a cold smile appeared on her face.
"I was right. They really went directly to the Xin Sect to seek revenge and question my crimes... What a pity."
The replies from the Jade Spring Sect generally praised Chen Shuangbai for doing nothing wrong, but advised her to be more careful with her methods in the future.
However Chen Shuangbai interpreted the phrase "be careful with your methods" as a reminder to be more decisive in the future and to avoid leaving any eyewitnesses.
"Hmm... Master Yi is indeed amazing."
Chen Shuangbai silently praised him.
He began his daily cultivation, alchemy, and magical practice.
While he remained carefree, some people became uneasy.
Jing Kingdom, Sha Province, is the territory of Great Buddha Temple.
Unlike the three states of Feng, Yu, and Qing occupied by the Jade Spring Sect, Sha Province is, as its name suggests, a semi-desert area that stretches continuously and borders the Sha Kingdom to the southwest.
The Sha Province is desolate, with yellow sand everywhere, scattered oases, scarce resources, and the local customs are also affected by the environment.
Because of material poverty, they need spiritual sustenance even more.
Buddhism spread exceptionally deeply in this area, with believers being devout and fervent. As a result, the Great Buddha Temple took root firmly and became the leading Buddhist temple in Sha Province and even several surrounding prefectures and counties, wielding a far-reaching influence.
In the southwest of the Sha Province, in a large oasis, stands a Great Buddha Temple, its golden splendor and constant chanting of sutras.
Even from a great distance, merchants, villagers, and even monks traveling through the Sha Province could see the Great Buddha Temple, where a golden Buddha statue, seemingly reaching to the heavens and the earth, stood tall.
The golden Buddha statue is tens of feet tall, its surface covered with gold leaf. Under the blazing sun, it reflects a dazzling light, like the sun falling to earth, so magnificent that it is impossible to look directly at it.
This is the origin of the Great Buddha Temple.
The supreme spiritual totem in the hearts of countless believers in Sha Province is the Great Sun Golden-Body Buddha.