Translator: CinderTL
"This must be an illusionary formation," Song Wen mused to himself.
He realized that the scenes he was witnessing on Xidong Mountain might not be entirely real. The temple on the mountainside, the monks meditating before it, and the solemn Buddha Image behind it—all could be mere illusions.
Just then, a ripple spread across the barrier above the mountaintop. Two novice monks emerged, their bodies radiating a dazzling golden light. As the light intensified, it slowly coalesced into a hundred-zhang-tall Buddha Image in the sky.
The Buddha Image sat regally upon a lotus throne, bathed in radiant light that scattered the fragrance of lotus blossoms far and wide.
When the golden light touched the devotees, they erupted in fervent excitement, prostrating themselves and chanting, "Steady Light Buddha has manifested!"
Simultaneously, the crowd inhaled the delicate lotus fragrance. Their spirits lifted instantly, and the fatigue and aches from their earlier prostrations vanished without a trace. This deepened their faith, solidifying their belief that the Buddha had truly revealed himself.
Yet Song Wen saw through the deception clearly. The two "novice monks" in the sky were not real monks at all, but two young, beautiful female cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Stage, disguised as monks.
To avoid detection, the two women had shaved their heads completely bald. From a distance, mortals couldn't discern their gender, but Song Wen's keen eyes saw through their disguise immediately.
The intoxicating fragrance emanated from a powder secretly scattered by the two women. This powder was ground from Forget-Me-Not Mushrooms, a low-grade spirit herb known for its euphoric effects and temporary pain relief. It was a desperate remedy, a poison to quench thirst, used by the critically wounded when fighting for survival.
Song Wen couldn't fathom the purpose behind the Steady Light Buddha's elaborate charade. What benefit could he possibly derive from these mortals' fanatical worship? Could it truly be a case of "Buddhas vying for a single stick of incense"?
"Senior Sister," one of the "novice monks" murmured, his lips barely moving, "these mortals are so foolish. A mere pinch of Forget-Me-Not Mushroom has convinced them the Buddha has manifested."
"If they weren't foolish, how could we complete the mission entrusted to us by the Steady Light Buddha?" the other "novice monk" replied.
The "Senior Sister" cleared her throat, channeled spiritual energy into her vocal cords, and projected a serene voice that echoed through the air, reaching the assembled devotees below:
"The Steady Light Buddha, moved by compassion for all beings and unwilling to see them suffer, has issued a divine decree. He seeks to recruit three thousand devout men and women to receive profound Buddhist Dharma, so that they may bring salvation to the world."
"The Steady Light Buddha decrees," the Buddha Image proclaimed, "that three thousand devout men and women must be chosen. They must be young and handsome, possess exceptional intelligence, and be of pure virginity to receive this profound Buddhist Dharma."
"Choose wisely, and within ten days, deliver these three thousand chosen devotees to Xidong Mountain. There, the Steady Light Buddha will bestow boundless Buddhist Dharma upon you, liberating you from misfortune and calamity."
As the words faded, the golden light that had bathed the earth gradually dimmed, and the outline of the Buddha Image blurred until both it and the light vanished without a trace.
The two women retreated back behind the protective barrier.
"Three thousand devout men and women?" Song Wen murmured to himself.
He realized this might be the perfect opportunity to infiltrate Xidong Mountain.
Based on Song Wen's suspicions, the "Steady Light Buddha" was merely an alias for Xu Geng. Although Xu Geng, having seized Mi Hai's body, only possessed a Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivation, as the Vice Sect Leader of the Divine Blood Gate, his methods and power defied ordinary assessment.
Therefore, the best strategy was to secretly approach Xu Geng and seize an opportunity to ambush him.
Song Wen slowly withdrew, blending into the crowd of believers as he entered Guanling City.
By then, news of the Steady Light Buddha's recruitment of three thousand devout followers and his promise to widely propagate the Buddhist Dharma had spread like wildfire. The entire city buzzed with discussion.
"My daughter is exactly eighteen, meets all the requirements, and will surely be accepted into the Sun Moon Temple to study advanced Buddhist Dharma!" exclaimed an overweight woman.
"Your daughter looks exactly like you," someone sneered. "Even finding her a husband will be difficult, let alone getting her into the Sun Moon Temple! Stop deluding yourself."
"I'm exceptionally gifted and handsome," a scholar lamented, pounding his chest. "Alas, three days ago, I couldn't resist visiting the Joyful Red Pavilion..."
"My granddaughter possesses a heart as pure as jade and a beauty that eclipses the moon and shames the flowers," an elderly man declared, hurrying home, his face determined. "Though she's still unmarried, she's destined to become a disciple of the Steady Light Buddha!"
However, not everyone shared this fervor. Some avoided the topic entirely, even shunning the fanatical believers.
As Song Wen pondered how to secure a spot among the three thousand chosen devotees, he noticed a notice posted outside the City Lord's Manor.
The notice stated that the City Lord's Manor, as the region's governing authority, would take the lead in selecting the faithful to demonstrate its reverence for the Steady Light Buddha and support for the Sun Moon Temple. Preliminary selections would begin tomorrow on Upper Double Street, and all citizens were encouraged to register themselves or recommend suitable candidates.
Song Wen extended his Spirit Sense toward the City Lord's Manor, instantly surveying the entire complex.
In a study in the rear courtyard, three men huddled around a table, whispering intently.
"For the past decade, the Sun Moon Temple has been manifesting Buddha's Shadows and Images in different cities each year. Under the guise of propagating the Buddhist Dharma, they select three thousand devout young men and women. Those chosen never reappear in public, and it's feared their fates are far from auspicious. I never imagined it would be Guanling City's turn. Yet the citizens are scrambling to participate—utter folly!" General Wang exclaimed.
"General Wang, be careful what you say!" City Lord Miao, a scholar-official, cautioned. "The Sun Moon Temple is a cultivation sect, far beyond the reach of mortals like us. Based on past experiences in other cities, as long as we select three thousand qualified young men and women and hand them over, they will refrain from interfering in our mundane affairs."
"City Lord Miao speaks wisely," Patriarch Jiang, a wealthy merchant, chimed in. "Three thousand commoners are a small price to pay to safeguard our city's peace and preserve our wealth and status. It's a sound bargain. The Jiang Family will cover all expenses for this selection process."
City Lord Miao nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you for your generosity, Patriarch Jiang. However, this discussion must remain strictly confidential among the three of us. If a single word leaks out, our heads will surely roll."
General Wang snorted. "The Sun Moon Temple's selection of devout followers serves ulterior motives. Some well-informed citizens already suspect as much. There's no chance of keeping this entirely secret now."
City Lord Miao said, "We're all intelligent men here; none of us would carelessly spread this information. Moreover, many of our families are devout followers of the Sun Moon Temple. You two should be vigilant and ensure your closest relatives don't participate in the selection process. Once the three thousand chosen believers are finalized, it will be nearly impossible to substitute them."
Hearing their discussion, Song Wen immediately devised a plan to infiltrate the ranks of the three thousand chosen believers.
(End of the Chapter)
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