Emptying one's mind in an instant was no simple task.
Chen Kuang chose to directly activate "Descent from Tusita Heaven", entering a state of deep meditation.
Once calm, he looked at the blood mist rapidly dissipating into the swirling sandstorm, his expression turning grim.
Just now, within the crack that split open atop that barbarian's head, Chen Kuang had seen a blood-red eye.
That eye was like an illusion, but Chen Kuang had felt, with stark clarity, the bone-chilling sensation of being watched.
And earlier, when he had silently recited that foreign-sounding name in his heart, he had experienced the exact same kind of dread.
It was definitely not an illusion.
Because in that very instant, the reaction from his "Blood Premonition" passive had surged so violently that he'd felt nearly dizzy from it..
It was on par with the day when Wang Shu descended from the heavens with a single finger strike!
Yet when Chen Kuang cleared his mind completely, the "Blood Premonition" immediately ceased its warning.
In other words...
If he had continued silently chanting that name just now, he might have encountered danger equal to that of facing a Saint!
Just what kind of entity did that name represent?!
Chen Kuang frowned and looked toward the remaining two barbarians.
Xiuzhu and Duguan had already subdued them.
After all, the foremost of the Four Great Precepts of the Pure Land was the prohibition against killing. As orthodox monks of the Pure Land Sect, they would never violate that tenet on their own doorstep.
...Though that may well be exactly why these three barbarians had dared to make a move outside the gates of the Pure Land.
In a world where scheming and bloodshed between sects and nations were commonplace, the monks of the Pure Land, so bound to their austere precepts, indeed seemed like easy prey.
For those who sincerely pursued the Dao, joining such a sect would certainly be the most fitting choice.
Of course, if Xiuzhu hadn't unexpectedly revealed that bizarre "second personality" earlier, it would've been even better...
Duguan struck a "卍" seal with his palm, locking the lead barbarian in place. With palms pressed together, he turned to Chen Kuang and said:
"This humble monk will hand this barbarian over to the Grand Chan Masters. You will come with me."
"Xiuzhu, you as well."
Chen Kuang nodded and followed Duguan, with Xiuzhu beside him, walking deeper into the vast Pure Land complex behind the small temple.
The three of them flew high above the Pure Land.
Looking down, Chen Kuang saw that it was indeed filled with temples, both great and small.
Only the outermost perimeter held ordinary residences, but even there, Buddhist pagodas and scripture pillars were visible every few steps, adorned with fruits, flowers, and thick incense offerings.
Passersby on the streets, whether laypeople or monks, all wore calm smiles and had a ruddy glow to their faces, their eyes lit with a gentle light.
It truly seemed like a land where everyone reveres the Buddha, a Pure Land in every sense.
Before long, they arrived at the gate of the largest temple in the center.
Chen Kuang couldn't help but tilt his head up.
The front gate of this Garan Temple was several dozen zhang tall, comparable to a ten-plus story building in his past life.
Further ahead, the incense burner and sacred cauldron were each the size of a house, let alone the Grand Hall of Great Strength, whose peak was lost to the clouds, seemingly piercing the heavens.
No gate he'd ever seen, whether of any sect or even imperial palaces, had ever looked so awe-inspiring.
A doubt rose in his heart.
Though the Pure Land Sect did not advocate austerity, in fact, the incense offerings alone each year could fill several Garan Temples, this still seemed extravagant beyond reason...
Duguan seemed to notice his confusion and explained:
"In ancient times, the Garan Temple was already established. Among the disciples seated beneath the Buddha were Vajra protectors and divine warriors, their bodies towering several dozen zhang tall. Their very steps shook the earth, and ordinary temples could not contain them."
"With great compassion for all beings, the Buddha declared that all creatures were equal. When commissioning the temple, he instructed the artisans to keep that in mind. That's why the front facade was built on such a grand scale."
Chen Kuang nodded, feigning contemplation.
"It... does sound vaguely familiar."
Of course, there was no way he actually remembered any of that.
But he couldn't just walk in and reveal a flaw straight away...
Duguan nodded understandingly:
"If the Method of Past Wisdom was invoked in haste, memory loss is expected. It's normal to forget these minor details."
Xiuzhu chimed in from the side:
"Indeed."
He rubbed his bald head and chuckled:
"But I don't think anyone's ever forgotten as much as I have."
Chen Kuang simply smiled in silence.
It was precisely because of examples like Xiuzhu that he didn't bother hiding too carefully. Otherwise, he'd be far more guarded, never exposing even a hint of discrepancy.
Duguan led them around to the rear of the Grand Hall of Great Strength, arriving at the meditation quarters.
True enough, only the facade of Garan Temple was grand, the rear was much more modest, even austere.
They stopped outside a wooden door. Duguan placed his palms together and said:
"Grand Chan Masters, the guests have arrived. I will go interrogate the two Westerners now."
With that, he pushed the door slightly open, gesturing for the two to enter, then departed quickly with the two captured barbarians in tow.
Chen Kuang raised an eyebrow.
"Interrogate?"
Xiuzhu whispered:
"Uncle-Master Duguan has cultivated the Divine Eye of Mind Perception to the peak. As long as he wills it, he can not only discern what others are thinking, but even forcibly alter their spiritual thoughts."
"Even when he doesn't actively use it, he can vaguely perceive people's intentions."
Chen Kuang's heart tightened.
So it was essentially mind reading plus brainwashing!
No wonder he was the gatekeeper of the Pure Land, whether someone is good or evil, he could see it at a glance!
And no wonder, despite Chen Kuang possessing the "Composed Aura" passive that prevented emotional leakage, Duguan had still detected that flicker of doubt from him earlier.
That moment at the gate, when Duguan extended his hand, he must have been activating that mind-reading power.
Good thing Chen Kuang had instinctively pulled out the relic ahead of time...
Otherwise, he might've been exposed on the spot.
Chen Kuang drew a quiet breath.
He could not afford to underestimate anyone in this world.
Still, he wasn't too afraid.
Among the many passives he'd obtained from manipulating the River of Time, one could shield his thoughts from external interference:
[Steadfast as Stone: Your will is immovable and unshakable. Others find it nearly impossible to influence or read your thoughts.]
This passive allowed Chen Kuang to resist almost all divine sense attacks or mind-related techniques.
Still, even if he wasn't afraid, Duguan wasn't an enemy.
He had to give a plausible excuse for why he refused to lower his mental defenses.
If he couldn't justify it, he might be done for.
And next, he'd be facing the Grand Chan Masters themselves.
He had to be even more careful!
Creak-
Chen Kuang and Xiuzhu pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The meditation room was clean and tidy.
A faint scent of sandalwood hung in the air.
On the walls hung eight paintings, depictions of the Eight Appearances of Enlightenment, illustrating the Buddha's path to awakening.
Three meditation cushions were laid out in front, where three old monks sat cross-legged in deep meditation.
Chen Kuang's pupils contracted sharply in that instant.
Those three monks..
One had no ears, just two bloody holes on the sides of his head. Within the rotting flesh, Chen Kuang could see a squirming brain.
Gray brain matter, mingled with black blood, oozed out in sticky clumps onto the floor.
One had no eyes, just two pitch-black holes in his face. From within, countless pale, tiny arms reached outward, clutching the edges of the sockets as if trying to crawl out.
One had no mouth, where lips should be was a smooth, seamless stretch of skin. He looked the most serene and benevolent.
These were none other than the Three Grand Chan Masters of the Pure Land:
"Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil."
Every hair on Chen Kuang's body stood on end.
He instinctively turned his head, and at that moment, he saw a familiar sight:
Xiuzhu's face once again bore that strange, eerie smile.