Jian Guo and his group looked at the towering mountains ahead, their expressions growing more serious. No wonder the Fu family had the map to this spirit stone vein but delayed action for so long. One reason was the long journey, another was the sect's increasingly strict surveillance on the Fu family, and most importantly, this was the border between the Dao and Demon realms.
Beyond the tallest peak in the center lay the territory governed by Heavenly Demon Palace. It was clear why the Fu family had not moved immediately.
Jian Guo cupped his hands and asked the Divine Soul stage captain of the "War" hall task team,
"Martial Uncle, the spirit stone vein location is sensitive, right where the Dao and Demon realms intersect. If there's any discovery, disputes could easily arise. Should we enter the mountains to investigate deeply?"
The Divine Soul cultivator leading the team pulled out a palm-sized compass from his sleeve. After carefully confirming the direction, he addressed Jian Guo and the cultivators behind him:
"We will enter the mountains under the guise of training to investigate. First, confirm whether the vein exists and if it can be mined. Most importantly, whether this vein extends into the Demon Sect's territory. Once these are clear, we will report to the Law Enforcement Hall for the hall master's decision."
"Yes, captain!"
The group confirmed the general direction, then changed clothes to conceal their Heavenly Sword Sect identities before entering the mountains to investigate.
Buddhist Sect Reception Hall
Jian Dan followed Master Jue Song into a grand hall. Just as they entered, Master Jue Zhan appeared seated at the main throne.
"Amitabha! This is my Senior Brother Jue Zhan Master, currently stationed at the Buddhist Sect."
Master Jue Song chanted a Buddhist phrase, introducing him to those present.
"Greetings, Master Jue Zhan. Jian Lu Daoyou from Heavenly Sword Sect comes to pay respects."
Jue Zhan stroked his beard and returned the greeting with a Buddhist salute. He then said to those below,
"You have traveled far. Please sit and let us talk."
After everyone settled, Jian Dan cupped his hands and said,
"Master Jue Zhan, I have come to the Buddhist Sect hoping your great cultivators would help to send away all the evil souls. May I ask if you are willing?"
"Heh heh! Jian Lu Daoyou, I have received your jade slip. This joint effort to deal with evil souls is a merit for our Buddhist Sect, so naturally, we are willing."
Hearing Master Jue Zhan's clear response, Jian Dan felt relieved.
Originally, Jian Dan had wanted to wipe out the evil souls completely. But since the Merit Light had helped her upgrade multiple times, it was a form of assistance. If there was a chance to earn merit, she would not pass it up.
"I heard from Liao Kong that Jian Lu Daoyou once worked with him to send mortal souls into reincarnation. Will you assist this time as well?"
Master Jue Zhan asked.
"Of course. I ask for your help, Master. How could Heavenly Sword Sect refuse to exert effort? I will support fully when the time comes."
"Good. This will be a merit for our Buddhist Sect. Once the disciples investigating Putuo Mountain return in the next few days and arrangements are made, I will have Liao Chen notify Jian Lu Daoyou."
"Yes, we will await Master Jue Zhan's summons."
With the matter settled, Jian Dan stayed peacefully at the Buddhist Sect for a few days, borrowing several Buddhist scriptures. Seeing this, Qi Hua nervously asked if Jian Dan planned to change cultivation methods.
Jian Dan glanced at Qi Hua, then sat at the desk flipping through the Vajra Sutra. She gently waved her round fan and said to Jian Wu and Qi Hua beside her,
"All paths are Dao! Why not learn from others' strengths? Reading scriptures from other sects is also part of cultivation. Who knows? Maybe this scripture will help me comprehend the Path to Ascension."
"Has Zūnshàng understood it?" Qi Hua asked with curiosity.
"I'm in the process of understanding it."
Jian Wu almost laughed out loud. Their Zūnshàng was clearly just passing time, but Qi Hua wanted a clear answer.
"Amitabha! It's rare to see Zūnshàng interested in our Buddhist scriptures. If you have time, you can come to the front hall for teachings."
Liao Chen chanted a Buddhist phrase and entered Jian Dan's meditation room.
"Liao Chen is here, sit down! I'm just passing time. Please excuse me."
Liao Chen sat on the meditation cushion by the desk and smiled at Jian Dan,
"Zūnshàng, the Putuo Mountain investigation has been completed. Preparations will finish within a day or two. Master Jue Zhan plans to host the Dharma ceremony at our Buddhist Sect's 'Wonderful Dharma Lotus Hall.'"
"Good. I'm ready. I can go anytime."
"Amitabha! I will inform Master Jue Zhan. Please adjust your state accordingly."
After finishing official business, they chatted briefly before Liao Chen took his leave.
Jian Dan closed the scripture and said to Jian Wu and Qi Hua,
"Let's check on the kids. I wonder if they've settled in well at the Buddhist Sect."
"Zūnshàng is concerned. I checked on their temporary residence yesterday. The juniors have adapted well."
Qi Hua replied as they followed Jian Dan out of the meditation room.
"They still have their initial enthusiasm," Jian Dan smiled.
When they entered the kids' meditation room, it was empty. The little novice monk at the door immediately greeted the senior Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators with a bow and told them where the kids had gone.
"You said they followed Fa Hua to see the lotus?"
"Yes, Senior. Uncle Fa Hua took them to the lotus pond in the back mountain today."
"Can we go there?"
"Of course. Please come this way."
The novice monk led the three to the back mountain lotus pond. From a distance, they saw a lively group of kids chattering by the pond, occasionally commenting on the flowers.
Jian Wu thanked the novice monk. The three walked toward the pond.
The lotus pond covered about one thousand square meters, filled with blooming golden lotuses competing in the water. Lotus leaves spread across the entire pond.
In the pond stood a six-sided pavilion seemingly floating on the water. The kids were inside, admiring the lotuses, with Fa Hua accompanying them.
Jian Dan smiled at the scene and stepped into the pavilion. Fa Hua noticed her arrival first and greeted her,
"Amitabha! Zūnshàng has come!"
The kids turned toward their honor and respectfully bowed.
"Greetings, Zūnshàng!"
"Hm! Have you gained anything these days at the Buddhist Sect?" Jian Dan asked after sitting.
"Yes! Zūnshàng, this place is different from Heavenly Sword Sect. The aura is peaceful, and it feels comfortable here."
Yu Jiajia was the first to respond. The others nodded in agreement.
"That's good. Although the Buddhist Sect was founded later than Heavenly Sword Sect, it has a long tradition. Even if you do not cultivate the Buddhist Dao, you should still understand some of it."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
"Our Heavenly Sword Sect excels in the sword Dao. The sword is the leader of all weapons, emphasizing killing. As sword cultivators, we must maintain a peaceful mindset to avoid letting too much killing affect our Dao heart."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Though the juniors were still naive, they noted Zūnshàng's words.
After Zhao Yunhai and others heard this, they shyly stepped forward and bowed to Jian Dan.
"Reporting to Zūnshàng, we have been eating vegetarian meals these days at the Buddhist Sect. Yunhai wants to eat the rice balls you gave us last time."
He even looked embarrassed while wiggling his fingers.
Jian Dan smiled, surprised that a rice ball had revealed a hidden little foodie. She teased Zhao Yunhai,
"Why, is the Buddhist Sect's vegetarian food not good?"
"No."
Zhao Yunhai hurriedly waved his hands. The companions teased him, making him blush deeply. He struggled to explain but couldn't find words.
"I prepared some rice balls for you, but it's a bit inappropriate to eat them in the Buddhist quiet grounds. Ask a few masters if you may eat them. If allowed, come to Qi Hua to get them. How about that?"