Cixin

In the octagonal pavilion on the back of Golden Ao Mountain.

A mountain breeze swept through the corner of the pavilion, causing the hem of Su Yao's blue robe to flutter gently. He stood at the forefront with his hands behind his back, his gaze passing over the surface of Cibi Lake and landing in the direction of the Nanzhao Royal City, where the Buddha's light shone brightly and remained motionless for a long time.

Three people stood behind him. Yang Nan stood to the left with his hands at his sides, his eyes lowered, his fingertips unconsciously fiddling with his cuffs.

Lu Yuan on the right, his face calm, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his gaze serene as he watched Su Yao's back.

Further on, the white-robed Yunsong stood quietly, his face handsome, yet his brows held a composure beyond his years.

"The Buddha's light shines everywhere..." Su Yao gazed in the direction of the Nanzhao Royal City, his voice not loud, but clear enough to reach everyone's ears, "I never imagined that Buddhist School would settle down in Nanzhao, a place where Witchcraft Dao was so prevalent."

He paused, then said:

"Witchcraft Dao has a connection with Buddhist School. In the past, the branches of Witchcraft Dao flourished in Tubo, but eventually transformed into the Buddhist kingdom of the snowy land. Now, the Nanzhao is the same..."

Upon hearing this, Yang Nan felt a pang of shame.

When he was young, the king was still on the throne, and Great Qing treated Nanzhao well. Although the Witch Hall had declined, it still had a great influence in Nanzhao.

Now that Buddhist School has taken over, he, a native Purple Mansion Nanzhao, naturally feels uneasy.

His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't speak, only lowering his head even further.

Lu Yuan, on the other hand, remained calm. Although he was from Nanzhao, he didn't have deep feelings for Nanzhao. At this moment, he simply shook his head slightly and didn't reply.

Yunsong stepped forward half a step, cupped his hands, and said:

"The abbot has been back at Qixia Mountain for over a hundred years. In these hundred years, the monks down the mountain have become rampant, even daring to covet my Golden Ao."

He frowned slightly as he spoke, his tone carrying a hint of long-suppressed dissatisfaction.

Su Yao didn't turn around, but he raised an eyebrow slightly.

With that one challenge, the three people in the pavilion felt an invisible pressure emanating from the front, as deep and imposing as a mountain, making the air in the pavilion feel heavier.

Yang Nan unconsciously bent her waist slightly, Lu Yuan's shoulders slumped slightly, and Yunsong's breathing slowed down.

"Which temple is it?" Su Yao asked.

Yunsong steadied himself and replied, "I've heard it's one of the four great temples, but I don't know which one exactly. However..." He paused, seemingly considering his words.

"But what?" Su Yao's voice was still not loud, but it carried a hint of impatience.

Yunsong took a deep breath and said, "But each time, he was stopped by an old monk from the Central Plains."

Su Yao slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Yunsong's face.

That gaze was cold and indifferent; Yunsong felt a slight chill run down his spine and quickly lowered his head. He then heard Su Yao say, "What's your name?"

"Cixin." Yunsong's voice lowered slightly. "I've heard he's from the Chan School. To me, his cultivation level is only equivalent to Immortal Dao Foundation Establishment Chan Master, yet he has an A-Luohan equivalent to one of the Four Divine Abilities Great True Person of the Immortal Dao, two Luohan at the Purple Mansion Early Stage, and four Vajra protectors equivalent to those Holding the Profound Realm."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao's gaze shifted slightly.

He read the words "Cixin" aloud, then said, "Cixin... according to the seniority system at White Horse Temple, the 'Ci' generation belongs to White Horse Temple."

He paused, shifting his gaze from Yunsong's face to the clouds and sky outside the pavilion, a hint of something unreadable in his voice:

"It's not surprising that the Tubo Monk Mao and the Chan School in the Central Plains were always at odds. What you agree with, I will oppose, and we will accuse each other of going Evil Dao."

Lu Yuan frowned upon hearing this and said, "Master, both the Immortal Dao and the Demonic School cultivate Fruition Position, and the Confucian School also takes Fruition Position as its foundation, ultimately aiming for Fruition Position as well. Only the Buddhist School has never established Fruition Position, so in theory there should be no conflict with the Immortal Dao... But you said that the King originally intended to join the Immortal Dao, so why did he ultimately choose the Buddhist School as his ally?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yao shook his head and said, "Since the Buddha attained World-Honored One, Buddhist School has emphasized 'not seeking externally.' This path is very high and very powerful, but it is not something that ordinary people can cultivate." He paused, his gaze slightly lowered, as if recalling something from a very distant past, and then continued, "When the World-Honored One was alive, things were Fruition Position; there was no need to concern ourselves with attaining a higher level of enlightenment. But after the World-Honored One's departure, and after several wars between immortals and demons, Buddhist School saw that the Immortal Dao and Witchcraft Dao were not as powerful as before, so they entered from the Western Regions. But they didn't expect that the foundation of the Immortal Dao was still intact, and in the end, they had no choice but to compromise."

He took a slow step, his fingers tapping lightly against his palms behind his back:

"At first, things were alright. When Buddhist School spread to the Central Plains, it continued with its old practice of 'not seeking externally.' But later, a high-ranking monk came from Tianzhu and went to Tubo. In order to subdue the remnants of local Witchcraft Dao, the monk, unable to manage alone, invented a method of using one's destiny to cultivate and elevate one's Buddhist practice. At first, things were fine while the monk was still alive, but after his departure, the sect split into three paths. In the end, the one that 'consumes human lives, absorbs them into the World-Honored One's Buddhist Pure Land, and exchanges them for feedback from the Buddhist Pure Land to improve one's practice' prevailed." He stopped, his voice lowering, carrying an indescribable coldness. "From then on, Buddhist School became uncontrollable. More and more Buddhist School discovered that this method was feasible, so more and more temples adopted it, with only a few still adhering to the ancient practice of 'not seeking externally.'"

He turned back to look at Lu Yuan, his gaze deep and calm:

"This wouldn't have been a big deal in itself. At worst, we could just abandon some unconnected individuals with predetermined destinies, and our immortal Immortal Dao would naturally remain high and mighty. But then..."

His voice paused slightly:

"There was a great war between immortals and Buddhas before the establishment of the Great Qing Dynasty. The Buddhist School discovered that if they killed Immortal Dao immortal True Lord, they could absorb his position into the Buddhist Pure Land... After that, they became sworn enemies. It wasn't until the three sect leaders joined forces with the Qing Taizu, Confucian School sage, and a prominent figure from the Buddhist School path to kill all the Bodhisattva and Buddha of the new Buddhist School at that time, that the conflict was resolved."

He exhaled softly:

"But later, those ancient Buddhist masters ultimately chose the new method, which is why the new method is so prevalent today."

He looked at Yunsong: "The Cixin from White Horse Temple you just mentioned must be practicing the ancient methods, and he must have considerable talent. However, the ancient methods are too slow, which is why A-Luohan and others have come to protect him."

Yang Nan then raised her head, her voice tinged with urgency:

"Master, does the Immortal Dao intend to completely abandon Nanzhao?"

As he finished speaking, his hand unconsciously clenched in his sleeve.

Su Yao shook his head:

"I don't know either. The villas of Wisdom Light, Jieshi, and Jade Spring were moved back, while Golden Court was retained due to the special nature of its gate. As for my Qixia Temple..."

He paused, his gaze falling on Yang Nan's face as if considering something, before finally saying, "This Golden Ao Mountain, no rush. Let's settle things after I've obtained the gold."

Then he looked at Yunsong, his voice becoming more serious. "If you fail to obtain the gold, you should resign from your position as mountain god as soon as possible and return to Qixia with the many Spirit Treasure treasures and materials on the mountain. Someone will come to meet you then."

Yunsong nodded emphatically, his lips pressed into a thin line, and he remained silent.

Yang Nan asked again, her tone sorrowful:

"Will the beautiful scenery of Nanzhao eventually be illuminated by the Buddha's light?"

As he spoke, his gaze passed over the corner of the pavilion and landed on the shimmering waves of Cibi Lake in the distance, his eyes filled with reluctance and helplessness.

Su Yao sighed softly.

He thought to himself: Tubo monks have often thought of going south to Nanzhao. Yang Nan is a native of Nanzhao and is Purple Mansion. He must have been summoned to fight against the Monk Mao who went south. Many of his people probably died in this matter.

So he began:

"I am unaware of this matter either. However, after my Mysterious Gate helped the Witch Hall relocate from the Western West Mountain of the Southern Frontier, a True Lord established a lineage on the West Mountain. I imagine they wouldn't allow Buddhist School to have it entirely their way. Besides, my Golden Ao Mountain still exists."

Yang Nan nodded upon hearing this, and did not ask any further questions. She simply turned her gaze away from the lake and lowered her eyes.

Yunsong then said:

"Abbot, the Cixin Monk is here again."

Su Yao nodded:

"I understand. Do you know why you've come?"

Yunsong said:

"This monk had helped us many times before, but later he made a request: he only wanted a small temple to be built on the east bank of Cibi Lake, not for preaching, but simply for quiet cultivation..."

His voice trailed off as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Su Yao sneered and said:

"They've dared to bully my Qixia Temple!" He paused, suppressing his coldness, and said, "Go and bring that monk here."

Yunsong agreed, turned and left, his steps quickening slightly as he had come.

Lu Yuan:

"Master, I'll go check it out, just in case."

Su Yao nodded.

Seeing this, Lu Yuan turned and left with swift steps.

Only Yang Nan and Su Yao remained in the pavilion.

Su Yao turned around and looked at Cibi Lake.

The lake's surface was like a mirror, reflecting the sky and clouds. A mountain breeze swept across it, creating ripples in circles.

He remained silent for a long time before speaking softly:

"Azure waters reflect the sky, old waves and new ripples. How many times have my soul wandered around the vast waves? I remember the place where we held hands back then, in the cool mist and rain."

Memories of the past are hard to fathom; to whom can I confide my deepest feelings? The green hills remain, mocking our busy lives. Only the bright moon over the lake remains, once illuminating our parting cups.

As soon as he finished speaking, an aged voice came from outside the pavilion:

"Abbot Su is skilled in poetry. I heard some time ago that you suddenly achieved Five Laws Perfection, and slew several great demons and a few scoundrels of the immortal Immortal Dao on the shores of the South Sea. You truly deserve the title of Sword Immortal."

Su Yao smiled slightly upon hearing this and turned to look at the group of people who had just arrived.

Yunsong and Lu Yuan led the way, followed by an old monk in a gray robe with a withered face.

The old monk was thin, but his back was ramrod straight. He held a string of wooden beads in his hand and walked with great steadiness.

Su Yao could see clearly that this person was merely Chan Master, and it seemed that he was indeed Cixin.

Luohan Cixin were three A-Luohan dressed in red robes. Finally, there were four Vajra holding Buddhist School Law Artifact.

With a single glance, Su Yao could tell that these people were practicing Buddhist School methods, not new ones.

He did not answer immediately, but instead secretly observed the other side using the Prism.

Upon closer inspection, he was slightly startled. The other party was not just a Chan Master; he was at least equivalent to Great A-Luohan Five Laws Perfection.

However, the opponent is clearly not in good condition right now.

Through the perspective of the Prism, Su Yao saw that within Cixin's body, a golden body was half stuck inside him and half stuck in the Buddhist Pure Land, unable to move forward or backward, like a Buddha statue stuck in a half-open door, unable to go in or out.

After seeing it clearly, Su Yao finally spoke:

"I see that the master has achieved perfect enlightenment. I wonder why the master does not settle down at the White Horse Temple to cultivate and seek a Dharma Form or Bodhisattva? Why has he come to this poor and remote place of Nanzhao?"

Upon hearing Cixin, Cixin's already withered face turned even more bitter.

He stopped, put his hands together, and uttered a Buddhist chant in a hoarse voice.

Then he raised his head, looked at Su Yao, and said sadly:

"Ancient temples with green lamps reflect old scriptures, new banners replace the old courtyards."

Do not ask what the purpose of the journey from the West was; beneath the robe, half of it is scattered and broken.

He paused, shifting his gaze from Su Yao's face to the calm surface of Cibi Lake, his voice lowering even further:

"The ancestral temple of Chan School is now a place where new teachings give rise to old ones."

As he finished speaking, his cloudy old eyes, reflecting the shimmering light of the lake, seemed to be looking at the place he could never return to.

Upon hearing this, Su Yao remained silent for a moment.

Looking at Cixin's withered face, and then at the A-Luohan and Vajra behind him who practiced ancient methods, he understood. Only then did Su Yao speak:

"Master, you have traveled a long way and must be tired. Is the scenery of this Cibi Lake to your liking?"

Upon hearing this, Cixin clasped his hands together and bowed slightly. "This Cixin monk has traveled far and wide and found that the landscape of Nanzhao is quite different from that of the Central Plains. The mountains are majestic, the waters are shimmering, and the vegetation is lush; it is indeed a place of spiritual beauty."

As he spoke, his gaze swept across the lake, as if he were looking at it, or perhaps sighing.

Su Yao said:

"Nanzhao was a place where Witchcraft Dao was prevalent, but now that Buddhism is shining upon it, it has gained a new look."

Cixin Su Yao's tone was flat and devoid of emotion, Cixin remained silent for a moment before saying:

"Though the Buddha's light shines everywhere, it doesn't necessarily illuminate the same sky." He paused, turning his gaze from the lake to Su Yao. "Throughout my journey, I've seen various temples and monasteries, some bustling with incense offerings, others deserted. They are all Buddhist School, yet some guide others, while others only guide themselves."

Upon hearing this, Su Yao smiled slightly, "Master, you see things clearly."

Cixin said, "This humble monk has cultivated at White Horse Temple for many years. I have no other skills, but I do have some discernment in judging people and situations." As he spoke, his gaze met Su Yao's frankly, and there was a magnanimous calm in his cloudy old eyes.

Su Yao walked to the pavilion, looked at the surface of Cibi Lake, and suddenly said:

"Master, if you were to brew tea, which water from the Cibi Lake would be better, the water from the west bank or the water from the east bank?"

Cixin paused slightly, then said, "This humble monk has never tasted it and dares not speak presumptuously. However, when I was at White Horse Temple, I heard the Venerable One discuss tea with World-Honored One, and he said, 'For brewing tea, mountain spring water is the best, river water is second best, and well water is the worst.' The water of this Cibi Lake was miraculously created by the True Lord through the power of Subterranean Water, forming a lake from a spring. This humble monk finds it clear and cool, so it must be quite good."

Su Yao said:

"If you're not in a hurry to leave, Master, why not stay on my mountain for a few days and try the tea brewed with water from this lake?"

Upon hearing Cixin, Cixin remained silent for a moment.

He lowered his head, looking at the string of wooden beads in his hand, the beads slowly turning between his fingers. Seeing that Su Yao remained silent, he raised his head and said:

"The abbot's hospitality is too kind of me to refuse. However..."

"Just what?" Su Yao asked.

Cixin said, "This humble monk has come here with a request."

As he spoke, he clasped his hands together and straightened his back even more.

Su Yao turned around, his back to him:

"Please speak, Master."

Cixin Path:

"This humble monk has no other desires but a quiet place where I and my disciples can settle down. We will not preach or compete for incense offerings; we simply wish to cultivate ourselves in peace. I have noticed an open space on the eastern shore of this Cibi Lake. I wonder if the abbot could grant us this opportunity?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yao turned around again, looked at him for a while, and then slowly spoke:

"Master, do you know that the eastern shore of Cibi Lake is within the territory of my Qixia Temple?"

Cixin said, "This humble monk knows." His voice was calm, without any evasion or affectation.

"Has the master considered that if I agree to your request, other temples will also come seeking a quiet place in the future? Should Qixia Temple or not?"

Cixin silenced for a moment.

He lowered his head, looking at the string of beads in his hand. The beads slowly turned between his fingers, making a very soft clinking sound.

Then he raised his head and said:

"This humble monk only asks for this place. If the abbot agrees, this humble monk can swear that the lineage of White Horse Temple will never go to Nanzhao to spread its teachings, and will only accept two disciples to pass on the Buddha's teachings and continue the lineage..."

As he spoke, his gaze was fixed on Su Yao without the slightest hesitation; in his cloudy old eyes, there was a kind of upright and frank composure.