Chapter 362: Water and Land Dharma Assembly
Night fell over Baoxiang's royal city, inside Jinlun Manor.
This would one day be the Baoxiang royal palace. Guards filled the grounds, and masters stood watch everywhere.
In a lavish courtyard, Jin Guang's face was dark as he turned to the old monk beside him. "Master Kongwen, have your men uncovered the origins of those three women?"
"Amitabha."
Master Kongwen said, "My monks have already investigated. They and several other cultivators of unknown origin came to Baoxiang's capital. No one knows their true identities, nor the strength hidden among them. But…"
Seeing the monk pause, Jin Guang frowned. "Master, speak plainly. You are my father's appointed protector. You are like an uncle to me."
Kongwen continued. "What I found most troubling today was not the eldest of those women, but the man standing quietly behind them.
He concealed his aura deliberately, yet in my eyes I saw a sword—sharp, unstoppable. Such a sword I have never seen before. With one glance, I dared not peer beneath his hat to glimpse his true face."
"You are a half-step Nirvana expert," Jin Guang said in shock. "If he unsettled you so, could he be a titled king-level cultivator?"
Kongwen shook his head. "I do not know. But the fear he gave me was no less than your father… perhaps even greater."
Jin Guang's reaction was sharp. "Impossible! In all Baoxiang, only my Buddhist uncle could suppress my father in Nirvana Realm. Without that, my father could never have claimed the right to vie for the throne from a collateral branch."
Kongwen said calmly, "Jin Guang, there is always someone stronger. The heavens are vast. You hide your talent behind the mask of a wastrel, but that does not mean you are unrivaled in your realm."
Jin Guang bowed his head slightly. "I am taught. Still, I will not let today's humiliation go unpunished. After the Water and Land Dharma Assembly, when my father ascends as king of Baoxiang, I will settle accounts with those girls. I don't believe a few outsiders can outweigh Baoxiang Kingdom itself."
Venom flashed in his eyes.
"Good."
Master Kongwen smiled. "If you think of the bigger picture, Lord Jinlun will be pleased."
"Have your men keep watch on them," Jin Guang ordered coldly. "I'll let them live a few days longer."
Kongwen bowed. "Yes."
…
Seven days passed quickly. The royal city of Baoxiang grew lively, incense smoke rising in every street and alley. Smiles lit every face.
On the appointed morning, the people flocked toward Baoxiang Temple outside the city.
To avoid chaos, the kingdom permitted cultivators to fly openly.
When Xiao Chen's group reached the temple's foot, it was already packed with countless people, not even a place to stand.
Nie Xiuyuan swept the entrances with his divine sense. Monks guarded every gate, and only those with invitations could ascend. His brows furrowed.
For him, slipping past as a Nirvana cultivator was trivial. But for his junior brothers and sisters, it was not. Acting now would only alert the enemy.
At that moment, Cao Youqian spoke. "Everyone, follow me."
Nie Xiuyuan glanced at him in surprise. "Junior brother, you have invitations?"
Cao Youqian grinned. "Of course. I've not been idle these days. Spent a little money and secured several adjoining ones—just enough for us."
With a flourish, he produced a stack of invitations.
Chen Qianqian's eyes widened in admiration. "Second senior brother, you're amazing. Unlike me, who only knows how to play."
Song Zhaoyi laughed. "Don't praise him too much. He's only returned to his old ways."
After marrying Cao Youqian, she had learned much of his past escapades. Each tale convinced her further that her husband was a man favored by fate.
"What old ways?"
Chen Qianqian asked curiously.
Cao Youqian shrugged. "We'll talk on the way up."
"Alright."
With invitations in hand, they passed inspection smoothly and began the ascent.
As they climbed, Cao Youqian recounted stories of his past to his junior brothers and sisters.
When his story ended, the group had already reached the mountaintop.
The invitations Cao Youqian acquired only allowed seating at the farthest corner of the Dharma Assembly. Apart from a few meditation cushions, there was nothing else.
Compared with the high platform where rare fruits and treasures were set out, their spot was like drinking watered-down tea from the bottom of the pot.
But no one cared. They had come to disrupt the event, not to enjoy comfort.
After sitting, they remained silent, quietly waiting for the Water and Land Dharma Assembly to begin.
As time passed, the venue filled completely. There were cultivators from afar like Nie Xiuyuan's group, lay disciples of Buddhism, and even more monks.
Before the scheduled hour, several figures descended from the sky. Even before they landed, startled cries rose from the assembly.
"The three great lords of Baoxiang have arrived!"
No sooner had those words fallen than three bald monks appeared.
"Even the lords of Foyin Temple came. Clearly, the temple values this assembly greatly. I wonder if a Great Sage will appear?"
"There must be. They say Foyin Temple's Buddha Child will attend, and if he comes, the Great Sage will follow."
…
While the crowd murmured, a golden light drew all eyes to the heavens.
"Look, it's King Jinlun!"
"King Wuxia is here too!"
…
Hearing those names, Nie Xiuyuan and his companions looked up.
A dignified man of extraordinary bearing stepped forward, clothed in plain robes, treading upon a golden wheel.
At his side, a stunning woman radiated holiness with every gesture, her steps supported by multicolored clouds.
The two descended closely together, smiling enchantingly at the crowd's cheers.
They landed directly on the high platform, no one paying attention to the young man trailing behind them.
"They've finally come."
A flash of killing intent flickered in Nie Xiuyuan's eyes, but vanished quickly.
Before the cheers died, a voice like a great bell echoed from the sky.
"The Buddha Child arrives!"
All present immediately rose to their feet and cried in unison, "We greet the Buddha Child!"
Only Nie Xiuyuan's group remained seated, motionless in their corner.
"Everyone, be at ease."
A compassionate voice resounded. Buddhist light filled the sky as a middle-aged monk holding prayer beads descended slowly, standing upon a three-colored lotus.
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