“This old man…”

Chen Tang was lost in thought.

This old man had a special aura, one that could also be felt from Emperor Wu.

It was a unique aura honed through countless encounters with life and death, forged only on the battlefield.

But after entering Xiping Temple, the old man’s aura of killing intent vanished without a trace.

“This is a master I’ve brought from outside, he’s one of us.”

Ming Yuan noticed Chen Tang’s attention on the old man and explained briefly.

Chen Tang nodded slightly and whispered, “Senior Brother, you have a good eye. Although he’s a bit advanced in age, his skills should be formidable.”

Ming Yuan smiled without saying a word.

Abbot Ben Guang was secretly amazed at Chen Tang’s understanding of Buddhist Teachings, but he still showed signs of worry and asked, “Master, can Ming Jing’s skills rival that Esoteric Monk?”

“He should have the strength for a fight.”

Master Le Kong replied.

Usually, Chen Tang cultivated in the temple, so Master Le Kong had some idea of his capabilities.

The power Chen Tang could currently unleash was probably at the level of thirteen stones.

If that Esoteric Monk was only over ten stones, he should not be a match for Chen Tang.

Feeling stirred, Chen Tang suddenly asked, “Abbot, are there any restrictions on this sparring?”

Abbot Ben Guang replied, “In the sacred grounds of the Buddhist Sect, it’s inappropriate to use weapons, so sparring is limited to fist and foot techniques, which is well within reason.”

Chen Tang asked further, “Is it okay to use fist techniques outside of the Buddhist Sect?”

Not being allowed to use weapons, he only understood one Buddhist Technique, the ‘Great Strength Vajra Hand.’

But this cultivation technique focused more on the technique of exertion, without fixed moves.

“That definitely won’t do.”

Abbot Ben Guang suddenly realized and quickly said, “Master Le Kong, Ming Jing has just joined the Buddhist Sect and doesn’t understand Buddhist Techniques, sparring with other martial arts, even if victorious, would lead to criticism.”

“Exactly!”

Chen Tang slapped his thigh and sighed, looking rather regretful.

Master Le Kong watched Chen Tang’s performance, his eye twitched a few times.

“This kid…”

Having lived this long, how could Master Le Kong not see through Chen Tang’s intentions?

However, the nature of the matter was somewhat deceitful, making it awkward for him to speak up.

Ming Yuan smiled slightly and suddenly said, “Why not let Junior Brother Ming Jing go to the Zen Temple Scripture Pavilion now to learn a cultivation technique?”

“This Senior Brother is not bad, he’s on point!”

Chen Tang glanced at Ming Yuan, subtly giving him a thumbs-up behind his back.

The two shared a knowing smile.

“There’s no time for that.”

Abbot Ben Guang frowned and said, “Right now, the Esoteric Monks are waiting in the Zen Temple, are we to wait for Ming Jing to cultivate for three to five months before sparring?”

The Seventy-Two Techniques of the Buddhist Sect.

Though many were lost during the chaos in the Divine Land,

the various cultivation techniques preserved in Xinping Zen Temple aren’t ones that can be picked up easily.

To say it would take three to five months of cultivation is an understatement.

Even for the most basic fist technique within the Buddhist Sect, the ‘Arhat Fist,’ mastering each move’s variations takes at least three years of cultivation to reach any level of proficiency!

And that’s just knowing the form.

To cultivate and master change, it requires years of dedicated practice.

“No need for that long!”

Chen Tang waved his big hand and said, “Just give me half a day!”

Abbot Ben Guang looked at Chen Tang with a doubtful expression.

Had Chen Tang not just recited four profound Buddhist verses, Abbot Ben Guang might not have paid him any mind.

“Will half a day be enough?”

Abbot Ben Guang questioned, half-believing and half-doubting.

“No problem!”

Chen Tang said with conviction.

This wasn’t an exaggeration.

Having already unlocked the Mud Pill and entered the Divine State, cultivating most Martial Arts posed no bottleneck to him; it was as easy as flipping a hand.

“Alright.”

Abbot Ben Guang could only agree for the time being.

Treating a dead horse as if it were alive, they might as well give it a try.

Since Master Le Kong had such confidence in this newly accepted lay disciple, there must be some talent there.

Abbot Ben Guang solemnly said, “There’s no time to lose, Ming Jing, you come with me to the Zen Temple now.”

Ming Yuan chuckled, “I have nothing else to do. I’ll come along to take a look, make some noise, and see Junior Brother’s skills.”

“Good.”

Chen Tang also laughed, “Senior Brother, back me up.”

The group left the main hall.

As they reached the entrance of Xiping Temple, Chen Tang couldn’t help but look back.

The old man from before, unbeknownst to him, had wandered over to Emperor Wu’s grave.

Half-crouching in front of the tomb, pondering something.

Seeing the group was about to leave, the old man slowly got up and followed after them.

Chen Tang, Ming Yuan, and Du Clan followed Abbot Ben Guang as they headed toward Xiping Zen Temple.

Soon enough, they arrived at the temple’s entrance and entered.

“Abbot, you’ve returned!”

Just as they stepped into the Zen Temple, a few monks from the temple approached, their faces full of worry.

Abbot Ben Guang hurriedly asked, “What’s the matter?”

“That Esoteric Monk is way too arrogant, constantly issuing challenges.”

“Some of our younger disciples, their qi and blood running strong, couldn’t bear to listen and stepped out to compete, but all ended in miserable defeat, not a single one could withstand three of his moves!”

“Yes, and those Esoteric Monks keep mocking our Buddhist inheritance, leaving our brothers unable to retort.”

Since the chaos in the Divine Land, the Buddhist Teachings had dwindled in the Northern Divine Continent.

In Nanxia, the Buddhist Sect thrived, allegedly with four hundred and eighty temples, the incense burning continuously, it was considered the true lineage of Buddhism.

Thus, in most people’s minds, Zen should be in Nanxia.

Master Ben Guang took a deep breath and said, “Don’t worry, I have brought a lay disciple from outside, let’s see if he can give it a try.”

Saying this, Master Ben Guang looked toward Chen Tang with anticipation.

“Greetings, masters.”

Chen Tang cupped his fists.

“This…”

The high monks present sized up Chen Tang, their gazes filled with a tinge of doubt.

Though this person stood tall, he better not be all bark and no bite.

That Esoteric Monk was not large, thin in frame, but each gesture could unleash astonishing Divine Power!

The strongest young monks in the temple couldn’t withstand him.

“Try to delay it for half a day if you can.”

Abbot Ben Guang said, “I’ll take him to the Scripture Pavilion to learn a fist technique…”

As he continued, Abbot Ben Guang’s voice grew quieter.

Since becoming abbot, never had he felt as uneasy as he did now.

“Learn it now?”

The high monks opposite were flabbergasted, momentarily thinking they had misheard.

“No rush, no rush.”

Chen Tang waved a hand and said, “I haven’t had my lunch yet, let me eat first, only with a full stomach can I practice martial arts well.”

Abbot Ben Guang: “…”

“Senior Brother, Sister-in-law, you haven’t eaten either, have you?”

Chen Tang pulled Ming Yuan along, very enthusiastically saying, “Let’s go, together! Let me tell you, the Zen Temple’s vegetarian meals are really good, you must try them.”

As he spoke, Chen Tang ignored everyone else and headed toward the dining hall, as if it were his own home.

“Junior Brother, are you sure about this?”

Du Clan, seeing the others with less than approving expressions, cautiously asked.

“No problem, I’ve got a card.”

Chen Tang casually replied.

Ming Yuan chuckled, took Du Clan’s hand, and followed Chen Tang.

The old man, his expression calm, also followed along.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep