There really were such things as karma coming full circle in this world.
Chu Xingchen looked at Runan's sincere face without a trace of moved feeling in his heart—if anything, he felt a bit of distaste.
He really didn't know whether to say Runan truly lived up to being the Buddhist sect's chosen Honored Buddha. Besides being equally shameless, his learning ability was indeed exceptionally strong.
Bai Xuanling's gaze naturally fell on Chu Xingchen with amusement. This kid played the innocent act to perfection, and now someone was playing it on him—rather entertaining, in its own way.
"Since you're being so sincere, fellow Daoist, I'll speak plainly today too." Chu Xingchen put on an equally heart-baring expression. "Actually, I understand you. In your heart, the Mahayana Buddhist Teachings are the Buddhist sect's ultimate foundation for the future, aren't they?"
"If you really push Small Vehicle Buddhist teachings on a large scale now, it'll be even harder for you to promote Mahayana Buddhist Teachings in the future."
"After all, you cultivated from the Buddhist Son path all the way to Honored Buddha. When it comes to Buddhist doctrine, you certainly understand the gap between Small Vehicle and Mahayana."
"Your difficulties are definitely my difficulties—I'll absolutely help with this!"
"Li Junzi is also willing to walk the Sub-Sage path for this matter!"
Although Chu Xingchen had suspected it before, he couldn't be sure what Runan truly thought about the Mahayana Buddhist Teachings in his heart. Now with these words spoken, he understood.
After all, Chu Xingchen wouldn't believe Runan would truly harm the Buddhist sect's interests just to repay some favor.
If Runan really cared that much about feelings, he wouldn't have once harbored killing intent toward the Radiant Buddha.
This thick-browed, big-eyed Honored Buddha who had been suppressing the Karma Buddha and the Radiant Buddha actually favored the Mahayana Buddhist Teachings quite a lot in his heart.
Bai Xuanling suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, watching Chu Xingchen's "I'm doing this for your own good" expression, and showed an equally gentle smile.
She sighed inwardly—it really took something for those words to come out of Chu Xingchen's mouth. Turning black into white while looking like he genuinely cared.
Truly, a chosen Child of Heaven's Fortune was peak perfection in every sense.
Runan also clearly hadn't expected Chu Xingchen to say such things. The gentle expression on his face stiffened somewhat—perhaps he really hadn't expected someone to be this shameless.
Seeing Runan speechless, Chu Xingchen pressed his attack again:
"Could it be I misunderstood you, fellow Daoist? You don't actually plan to switch to the Mahayana Buddhist Teachings?"
"If that's really the case, tomorrow I'll personally escort the Radiant Buddha to the Great Thunder Temple."
Runan fell silent again. Although he'd said he wouldn't acknowledge these words after leaving Wanhua Ridge, some things couldn't be said even if he didn't acknowledge them.
"Enough." Bai Xuanling interrupted, cutting into their conversation. "Each of you is more shameless than the last, and each heart is blacker than the other. Since your goals align, that's enough."
"Go back to your respective homes. Seeing you two sitting together chatting like this—it's me who's being tortured."
Runan stood up and performed a Buddhist greeting:
"In that case, I won't disturb you further."
Chu Xingchen also stood up, returning the greeting with cupped hands:
"See you again."
"See you again." Runan nodded lightly, then turned and transformed into golden light, departing.
Chu Xingchen watched the golden light speed away, shaking his head helplessly:
"No wonder Runan is an Honored Buddha—truly an outstanding figure, comparable to Sect Master Lü with his bottomless flattery."
Bai Xuanling scoffed: "Compared to you two, Lü Xuan's thick skin is like San Dong compared to Cui Hao."
"I should be a bit better than San Dong, right?"
"You're Cui Hao!"
As Runan's golden light traveled, the gentleness in his eyes completely faded, leaving only a trace of helplessness, followed by a light sigh.
He had originally thought Chu Xingchen was truly a sincere person. Now it seemed that had just been his own wishful thinking.
When he first planned to seriously promote Small Vehicle Buddhist teachings, he had carefully selected his personnel.
At that time, he'd also believed Chu Xingchen was genuinely helping.
Now it seemed…
But it was fine. After all, even he wouldn't truly give selflessly to others now, let alone Chu Xingchen, who wasn't a Buddhist cultivator.
To truly save the world from collapse, being shameless and breaking promises might indeed be necessary conditions.
As for giving up on promoting Small Vehicle Buddhist teachings, Runan had his own calculations.
The Buddhist sect's turmoil hadn't settled. If Small Vehicle Buddhist teachings failed, it could also let the Buddhist sect temporarily step back from the most conspicuous position in the storm. Although their reputation would drop a level, what the Buddhist sect needed now was time to recover.
Second, this was also leaving a favor for Chu Xingchen.
I know, I understand you want to use me, but I'm willing.
Even with Chu Xingchen's smooth talking, he would inevitably feel indebted in his heart.
Just as Runan was now using this matter to repay Chu Xingchen for unconditionally helping stabilize the Buddhist sect.
Naturally, the most important reason driving Runan to do this was that he understood—if Chu Xingchen really wanted to use the Buddhist sect as a stepping stone to help Li Junzi, the Buddhist sect truly had no way to continue promoting Small Vehicle Buddhist teachings.
For something that was already impossible to accomplish, it wasn't necessary to further antagonize Chu Xingchen over it. Better to do a favor that cost nothing.
What if Li Junzi really became a Sub-Sage and later cursed—the Buddhist sect is a bunch of what?
The Buddhist sect's mortal foundation would definitely be absolutely shaken.
Runan was more willing to believe that as long as Chu Xingchen was willing, perhaps a Sub-Sage could truly reappear in the world.
Calculating interests was one reason. Perhaps it was also as Chu Xingchen had said.
In his heart, he had already accepted the Mahayana Buddhist Teachings.
As golden light flowed, the Great Thunder Temple was already within reach.
Runan's gaze also caught a figure who had stopped to perform a Buddhist greeting. His movements stopped as well:
"Wuwang…"
Wuwang performed the Buddhist greeting, his expression serious:
"Greetings, Honored Buddha. This disciple is personally preparing to go to the Southern Zhanbu Continent to supervise the promotion of Small Vehicle Buddhist teachings."
"Mm." Runan could only nod lightly. After a moment's thought, he still spoke. "Act within your capabilities. Promoting Small Vehicle Buddhist teachings is no easy task."
Wuwang's attitude was extremely proper, his tone assuring:
"Please rest assured, Honored Buddha. This disciple will definitely do his utmost."
Seeing this, Runan didn't say more. If he said too much, this Buddhist Son might die trying in the Southern Zhanbu Continent. He simply instructed:
"If you encounter difficulties, come to the Great Thunder Temple and find me."
With that, Runan's figure entered the Great Thunder Temple.
Wuwang slowly rose, glanced at Runan's retreating figure, then turned his gaze toward the Southern Zhanbu Continent.
Difficulties?
Right now, the Southern Zhanbu Continent was full of difficulties everywhere.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to depart alone for the Southern Zhanbu Continent.
Southern Zhanbu Continent, Xuanwu Kingdom imperial palace.
Cui Hao looked pleased with himself, his steps somewhat frivolous as he headed toward Li Junzi's study.
He pushed the door open with practiced ease, his mouth faster than his eyes as he spoke:
"Mr. Li, today I wrote another children's song for you… uh… ah…"
Cui Hao's eyes went wide, his tone stuttering:
"E… E… Eldest Senior Sister… why are you here?"
Inside the study,
Li Yingling held a book in her hands, her gaze slanting to size up Cui Hao. She didn't answer his question, instead speaking in a displeased tone:
"What kind of children's song did you write?"
[
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