Chapter 996: Chapter 996 Master Kong Xian

    As Qin Hao and his group walked halfway, they heard the sound of a bell from the mountain top.

    The bell’s sound was so resonant that even within the royal city, it could still be heard clearly.

    Upon hearing the bell, a hint of surprise flashed in Qin Hao’s eyes because he felt a sense of ethereal clarity, almost as if some dust inside him had been cleansed, making the flow of spiritual energy inside him faster than usual.

    This feeling was perceived by Gao Linglong, Xian Yin, and Dong Mengqi as well, and they wore expressions of surprise: “This bell sound is so soothing.”

    Wu Yutong smiled and said, “That’s right, the bell sound here benefits one’s practice, but it usually rings only twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Why is it ringing now?” She was somewhat puzzled after speaking.

    Now, Gao Linglong, Dong Mengqi, and others were even more curious about Lanruo Temple: “Let’s go up and take a look.”

    As they walked, Wu Yutong said, “The spiritual artifact I use is actually something I sought after here. That morning, I came to Lanruo Temple to worship Buddha and got a fortune-telling. The monk told me to wait in the western part of the royal city for an afternoon, saying I’d be blessed.”

    Dong Mengqi asked curiously, “Is it really that effective?”

    Wu Yutong nodded affirmatively: “When you arrive, you can also seek a fortune-telling, but there’s a rule — only fated people can seek one and only once in a lifetime.”

    “Is it that powerful?” Gao Linglong was a little surprised.

    Hearing Wu Yutong’s description of such wonder, curiosity arose in everyone’s hearts.

    About ten minutes later, Qin Hao and his companions arrived at the mountain top.

    The first thing that caught their eye was a large plaza. At its center stood an ancient bodhi tree with nearly a thousand years of age, lush and vibrant, like a giant umbrella.

    There were also pools, ancient bronze tripods, and ancient bronze bells in the plaza. In the front was a cluster of palaces, with the Buddha Ancestor Hall at the center, flanked by the Bodhisattva Hall and others.

    Qin Hao and his companions looked around, then proceeded ahead. In the plaza, a group of monks was chanting and meditating. Many disciples of Lanruo Temple were present, along with numerous individuals burning incense and worshipping Buddha.

    When they reached the large bodhi tree in the square’s center, Wu Yutong said, “It was under this bodhi tree that I sought a fortune-telling.”

    Qin Hao and others curiously examined this ancient tree, sturdy and towering, like a coiled dragon rooted in the earth, evoking an indescribable feeling.

    “When you come out later, if you want to seek a fortune-telling, you can do so here,” Wu Yutong said.

    The group headed towards the Buddha Ancestor Hall in front.

    Wu Yutong said, “I heard this Lanruo Temple has existed here for so many years, perhaps even older than the Skyfire Dynasty.”

    Gao Linglong was surprised: “Really? The Skyfire Dynasty was established tens of thousands of years ago. Could Lanruo Temple be even older?”

    Wu Yutong: “I don’t know the specifics. I just heard it.”

    They quickly entered the Buddha Ancestor Hall, surrounded by smoky incense. A golden Buddha statue displayed the gesture of holding a lotus, watching compassionately into the distance.

    Many people were there, offering incense, kneeling, and praying for blessings and wishes.

    Wu Yutong asked them, “Would you like to offer incense and make a wish?”

    Gao Linglong, Dong Mengqi, Xian Yin, and Ling’er said, “Sure.”

    Subsequently, Wu Yutong went to purchase incense sticks and gave one to everyone. When handing one to Qin Hao, he smiled and said, “Miss Wu, thank you, but I don’t need one.”

    Wu Yutong paused, “Mr. Qin, are you upset with the Wu family? If that’s the case, I apologize on behalf of the Wu Family and my brother.”

    Qin Hao shook his head, “Miss Wu, don’t misunderstand. It’s such a trivial matter; I haven’t given any thought to it. I’m just not a believer in these things.”

    “Alright then.” Wu Yutong did not insist further.

    Qin Hao: “You go ahead and offer incense and make your wishes. I’ll wait for you by the side.”

    Wu Yutong, Gao Linglong, Dong Mengqi, Xian Yin, and Ling’er solemnly finished offering incense and returned to the nearby prayer mats, kneeling and lowering their heads, wishing and praying.

    Approximately two minutes later, they rose from the mats, with Ling’er returning to Qin Hao’s side beaming.

    Just as they planned to explore other palaces, a monk approached, “Honored guests, our abbot invites you.”

    Qin Hao and his companions were startled, the abbot invited? For what purpose?

    Wu Yutong asked curiously, “The abbot is inviting us?”

    “Yes, the abbot said there’s a distinguished guest today, which is why the bell rang three times in welcome of the noble guest’s arrival.”

    “A noble guest? We are noble guests?” Wu Yutong had visited before and never received such treatment.

    The bell welcomed them, and the abbot wished to see them! It was said that even the emperor couldn’t always secure an audience with the abbot, so shrouded in mystery he was.

    Wu Yutong glanced at Qin Hao and his companions. Who was the noble guest in the eyes of Lanruo Temple’s abbot? Was it Qin Hao? Xian Yin? Or perhaps Dong Mengqi or Gao Linglong?

    “Please, follow me.” The monk respectfully said to them.

    Ling’er smiled, “Let’s go, let’s have a look.”

    Wu Yutong and the others nodded slightly; they, too, wanted to know why Lanruo Temple’s abbot wished to see them.

    Led by the monk, they entered the back hall, then exited through the back door, arriving at small palaces and secluded courts behind.

    The monk did not lead them into these secluded courtyards or small palaces but instead bypassed them, reaching the back of the mountain top.

    At the mountain top’s rear stood a cliff. At the edge of the summit, a massive rock stood, upon which an elderly monk in robes sat cross-legged, facing the setting sun.

    The western sky was painted in shades of red, merging into a unique scenic beauty.

    “Abbot, the noble guests have arrived,” the monk announced.

    The elderly monk turned around, his face benevolent and kind, “The arrival of noble guests graces our humble place.”

    Qin Hao felt an unsettling sensation. His instincts told him this old monk was frightening. Even when facing the emperor of the Skyfire Dynasty, he never felt such dread — the monk was undoubtedly terrifying and powerful.

    “Master Kong Xian, you flatter us. We are merely young juniors; you are the true senior,” Wu Yutong humbly said.

    Dong Mengqi added, “I’ve long heard of Master Kong Xian’s renown in the royal city. It is a blessing three lifetimes over to meet you today.”

    Kong Xian looked at Dong Mengqi and said in a calm tone, “Young lady, your face reveals untold nobility, aided by helpful benefactors in life. However, peril lies ahead. If you let go of past matters, smooth sailing is assured.”

    Dong Mengqi’s expression changed slightly upon hearing the monk’s words, with her heart surging with immense waves, but she soon regained tranquility, “Thank you for your words, Master. I will remember them deeply in my heart.”