Dong—

As the bell of Chanlin Temple echoed through the monastery, this year's Water Grove Dharma Assembly officially began.

In the center of the temple, Yuankong, draped in a yellow kasaya and holding a Vajra Pestle, was the first to step out of the hall, followed by a group of monks.

Two white-bearded monks closely followed Yuankong on either side. The monk on Yuankong's left held a jade purification bottle, which was clearly not a magical artifact but merely a ceremonial prop.

The monk on the right held an Eight-Treasure Canopy—a large umbrella with golden edges, from which eight differently colored glass beads hung.

Yuankong walked steadily, chanting Buddhist scriptures, with the monks behind him echoing his chants.

The white-bearded monks on either side of Yuankong were at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and their chanting seemed to carry some peculiar spell technique.

The originally noisy atmosphere quickly quieted down.

Chu Xingchen frowned slightly and asked, "Does the Buddhist sect still go through all this?"

Yaoqin sneered, "Why else do you think the Central State doesn't favor the Buddhist sect?"

Seeing his Senior Sister's puzzled look, Li Xingtian explained, "Those two white-bearded monks used a Buddhist spell technique that has a calming effect on the mind."

Li Yingling nodded in sudden understanding.

The ceremony continued.

At this moment, Yuankong's small face was solemn as he walked towards the prepared meditation mat.

The mat was placed right in front of the spirit tablet. Yuankong was the first to sit down, then looked up to see his Master.

Standing amidst a pile of flowers and spirit tablets, with a kindly smile on his face, he looked as if he were hosting a funeral for Yuankong.

And the plaque he held high—"Don't Compete with the Old Monk for the Abbess."

No matter how many times he saw it, Yuankong always felt like he was about to break down whenever he saw it again.

Abbot! You've disgraced the face of Chanlin Temple!

Yuankong took a deep breath and decisively closed his eyes.

As Yuankong sat down, all the monks quieted, finding their positions to either sit or stand properly.

The two Foundation Establishment monks also sat on either side of Yuankong.

Everyone was waiting for Yuankong to speak.

Under the gaze of all, Yuankong did not rush to speak. He first calmed his mind.

After a long while, Yuankong finally opened his mouth and recited with his eyes closed:

"Thus have I heard!"

As Yuankong spoke, the other monks instantly followed, their voices resonating like a bell:

"Thus have I heard!"

In the side hall, upon hearing the content of the Buddhist scripture, Yaoqin suddenly stood up, her gaze fluctuating as she looked at Yuankong, who was chanting the scripture.

Seeing Yaoqin's intense reaction, Chu Xingchen quickly looked at Yuankong but still found nothing unusual, so he asked in confusion:

"What's wrong? Is something amiss?"

"Yuankong is not chanting the Scripture of Deliverance, but a Buddhist Secret Technique!"

"You understand Buddhist scriptures?"

"Of course, it's not like I've never heard the Rebirth Sutra of the Buddhist sect!"

After speaking, Yaoqin stepped out, her gaze heavy as she looked at Yuanjing standing among the wreaths.

The Buddhist sect has some methods that are somewhat similar to those of evil cultivators. Could this be an ambush?

Is the target us? Do they have another plan?

Seemingly sensing Yaoqin's gaze, the abbot of Chanlin Temple also looked at her, his smile unchanged, silently chanting "Amitabha."

At this moment, several figures also emerged from other side rooms, standing in the same corridor as Yaoqin. They were likely other distinguished guests invited by Chanlin Temple.

A middle-aged man in a Taoist robe suddenly spoke, "Does anyone know what these bald monks are up to?"

A young man in white, holding a scroll, casually speculated:

"I don't know... Are they just chanting a Buddhist Secret Technique like this? Are they planning to kill us to silence us?"

Chu Xingchen also stepped out, speaking in a serious tone, "Fellow Daoists, I have something to say."

The beautiful woman in yellow glanced over, her eyes lighting up with affection as she saw Chu Xingchen's outstanding figure, and she spoke tenderly:

"Please, go ahead."

Chu Xingchen clasped his hands to both sides and firmly suggested, "Strike first to gain the upper hand!"

The Taoist priest nodded in agreement, "I completely agree with this!"

Thus, everyone turned their gaze to the Taoist priest, seemingly expecting him to make a move.

But how could the Taoist priest actually make a move? Although he truly disliked the Buddhist sect, it was still a publicly recognized righteous sect.

He couldn't just go up and beat them because the monks chanted the wrong scripture, could he?

Yaoqin spoke to ease the Taoist priest's embarrassment, "No need for that, let's see what happens first."

The Taoist priest coughed lightly, "Very well, let's do as you say and give those bald monks a bit of face."

At this moment, Li Xingtian and Li Yingling also emerged from the side room.

Li Xingtian observed for a moment and then spoke, "It doesn't seem like a secret technique... It seems to be the Heart Sutra of the Buddhist Path?"

The young scholar in white looked over, "Brother, you know about this?"

Li Xingtian nodded slightly, "I've had some dealings with the Buddhist sect. If it were a secret technique, with so many people chanting together, there should be a Lotus of the Buddhist Path by now."

The young scholar in white nodded slightly, "If that's the case, let's see what tricks these bald monks have."

With that, the scholar turned and returned to his room.

The Taoist priest followed suit, and the others also returned to their rooms.

Only the beautiful woman in yellow gazed tenderly at Chu Xingchen and said:

"I have some fine wine here. Would you care to join me for a drink, young master?"

Upon hearing this, Yaoqin's gaze turned icy as she looked at the beautiful woman in yellow.

"Uh... perhaps another time, young master." Facing Yaoqin's cold gaze, the beautiful woman in yellow smiled awkwardly and also turned to leave.

Yaoqin snorted coldly and turned back to her room.

Chu Xingchen shrugged helplessly and followed Yaoqin.

Inside the room, everyone returned to their original positions, waiting to see what Chanlin Temple was planning.

It seemed there was still time.

Li Yingling looked at her junior brother and curiously asked:

"What dealings have you had with the Buddhist sect?"

Li Xingtian replied calmly, "The Way of Weapons and Martial Arts."

"...Weren't you just fighting with the monks?"

"Well, what else was I supposed to do, listen to them chant scriptures?"

Li Yingling nodded in satisfaction, "...As expected of my junior brother!"

Chu Xingchen ignored his first disciple's antics and instead used the system to check the traits of the abbot of Chanlin Temple.

[Target: Yuanjing]

[Cultivation Level: Late Foundation Establishment]

[Blue Trait: My Heart as His Heart]

[White Trait: Compassion]

[White Trait: Kind-hearted]

[Black Trait: Old and Frail]

Judging by the traits alone, this abbot seemed to be a good person.

And it seemed he didn't have much time left.

As the chanting continued, the sound grew louder.

Suddenly, the abbot standing in the center shouted, "Buddha's compassion!"

The white-bearded monks on either side of Yuankong seemed to receive a command. The two monks suddenly emitted a golden Buddhist light and reached out to grab Yuankong's arms.

Yuankong, being grabbed, felt a surge of warmth rushing through his arms, but it dissipated just as quickly.

It felt good, but not quite satisfying.

Yuankong continued to chant the Heart Sutra, planning to open his eyes to see what was happening when a familiar hand covered his eyes.

This hand had patted Yuankong's head countless times, and he had long memorized its texture and warmth.

"Haven't you always wanted to learn spell techniques? Today, Senior Brother will teach you."

Yuanjing's gentle voice sounded in Yuankong's ear.