NOVPUBHe had just returned to his room when he saw someone sitting on the slanted window of his room.
The blood-red robe fluttered slightly in the wind.
King Qinyou, wearing a ghostly mask, watched Xu Zimei in silence.
"I’ve been waiting for you for a long time," he said with a hoarse voice.
"I didn’t expect you to be so fast," Xu Zimei also smiled.
"When do we depart?" King Qinyou asked.
"We’ll leave tomorrow, there’s no rush; reaching there within three days is fine," Xu Zimei answered.
"How many strong warriors has Ancient Nether prepared for this trip to Burial Buddha Temple?"
"Three Immortal Kings, plus myself," King Qinyou replied calmly.
"Three Immortal Kings at your disposal; it seems that Ancient Nether’s strength has recovered quickly," Xu Zimei commented with a laugh.
"This is the strongest force I can muster; don’t think otherwise," King Qinyou quickly explained.
...
Dawn was gradually breaking.
The formerly silent streets were also gradually coming to life.
From a few meters below the window, the aroma of steamed buns had already wafted in through the window.
Having packed up, Xu Zimei, accompanied by King Qinyou, set off towards the south.
From Flying Cloud City, they traveled southward, passing through the Dan Family’s territory, all the way to the domain managed by the Baili Family.
That was where the Burial Buddha Temple was located.
In fact, to most people, Burial Buddha Temple was rather unfamiliar.
It was hidden in the shadows, and only a handful of people had truly entered the Burial Buddha Temple.
And only a few knew the entrance to the Burial Buddha Temple.
In recent days, the area around the Dan Family’s territory had been particularly bustling.
This was probably because the new grand event, the Pill Concoction Conference, was about to be held at the Pill Tower.
The Pill Concoction Conference was reputed to be the most flourishing event in the core region of the Eastern Continent.
During that time, pill masters from the Eastern Continent and even from many other continents would come to observe and even participate in the competition.
This event was initiated by the Pill Emperor after he was entrusted with Destiny.
It had been tens of thousands of years since then.
Also, because each Pill Concoction Conference would reveal several promising talents who would eventually be acquired by the Dan Family,
the Dan Family’s development relied on the Pill Concoction Conference, which was the most stable among the several Imperial Rule Immortal Sects of the Eastern Continent.
Xu Zimei had no interest in this grand event, as pill concoction didn’t have much to do with him.
He and King Qinyou were both headed for the Burial Buddha Temple.
Xu Zimei rode the Dark Heaven Tiger, while King Qinyou strode through the air.
Two days later, they arrived at a city called Buddhist Rites City.
This city was located at the base of Wuhua Mountain and was the most famous city there.
Standing in front of the city, no matter from which angle one looked,
the whole city resembled a large Buddha with hands clasped in prayer.
...
To be precise, this was a Buddha city.
A city composed of believers, built by the believers.
It was said that as long as one was a devout believer, one would receive Buddha Ancestor’s protection within Buddhist Rites City.
Xu Zimei and King Qinyou walked into the city.
Bald monks dressed in robes were everywhere here.
On both sides of the city’s busiest main street, there were shops selling Buddhist trinkets and daily necessities.
"Amitabha" was the most common greeting among the people here.
There were no inns in the city, only a series of Buddhist hostels.
For those in need, as long as they were sincere, the hostels would even offer accommodation for free.
The entire city seemed harmonious and joyful, with everyone discussing Buddhist Law,
the benefits of promoting the Buddhist way, and recruiting new followers.
King Qinyou explained from the side, "This Buddhist Rites City has no other powers.
Only devout believers.
Only two different schools of thought."
"Two different schools of thought?" Xu Zimei asked curiously. 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism," King Qinyou explained plainly.
"One emphasizes on saving oneself before others,
while the other emphasizes on saving others before oneself.
Conflicts here arise only when there is a clash of ideologies."
"Such a narrow view of thinking," Xu Zimei shook his head as he spoke.
"Why not go beyond Buddhism and see what else is there."
"In the end, it’s all about selflessness," King Qinyou responded.
"Buddhism encompasses everything."
"Then which do you believe in?" Xu Zimei asked with interest.
"I only acknowledge the strong as supreme," King Qinyou replied indifferently.
"Buddhism cannot enlighten me."
"Let’s rest here for the night and climb the mountain tomorrow," Xu Zimei said.
King Qinyou nodded his head, offering no objection.
The two found an inn serving Buddhist vegetarian meals and opened two rooms.
They also ordered some dinner downstairs.
The food here was mostly light and vegetarian.
While the two were dining, they saw the little acolyte who served them tiptoeing over.
He was dressed in a gray monk’s robe, his head cleanly shaven, with eight precept scars on his crown.
At the moment, looking at Xu Zimei and his companion, the little acolyte asked in a gentle tone,
"You two must be from outside, right?"
"Something like that," Xu Zimei nodded his head.
"Then, how much do you know about our Buddhist Rites City?" the little acolyte asked with a smile.
"Are you interested in understanding our Mahayana Buddhism?"
Xu Zimei and his companion exchanged a glance; they were clearly trying to attract followers.
"I wonder if Mahayana Buddhism can help me ascend to the Great Emperor?" Xu Zimei asked with a smile.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Without the accumulation of small streams, there can be no rivers or seas," the little acolyte said calmly with his hands pressed together.
"Buddhism is merely a way that teaches you a direction in life.
It is not invincible.
But if you are willing to strive towards your goal,
I believe that when your thoughts are clear, you will naturally succeed."
"You sure can speak well for a little acolyte," Xu Zimei replied with a smile.
"Thank you for the compliment, sir," the little acolyte replied with a modest smile.
He asked, "I wonder if you would like to become a lay disciple of our Mahayana Buddhism?"
"What’s so good about Mahayana Buddhism?" At that moment, a voice came from the entrance of the inn.
An older man wearing a light-yellow monk’s robe walked in slowly.
He glanced at Xu Zimei and his companion, greeted them with a slight bow, and said, "Amitabha."
Then, with a smile, he turned to the little acolyte and said, "Junior brother, here you are misleading others again."
"Misleading? How could you say that?" the little acolyte shook his head and replied softly.
"Everything is voluntary after all.
Could it be that senior brother is envious of the flourishing state of our Mahayana Buddhism? Perhaps wishing to learn its essence?"
"Junior brother is too attached to form," the monk in the robe shook his head and replied.
"In this world, one must enlighten oneself before enlightening others.
If one cannot even understand selflessness, how can one enlighten others?
Therefore, our Theravada Buddhism is the correct path.
Junior brother should not remain deluded."
Watching the two argue, Xu Zimei shook his head helplessly.
"Esteemed guest, would you care to judge the merits of our two Buddhist schools?" the monk in the robe beside him asked, his eyes lighting up when he saw Xu Zimei.
The little acolyte fell silent for a moment, also looking expectantly at Xu Zimei.
"You are like the teacup in my hand," Xu Zimei said while picking up a cup and pouring hot water into it.
He kept pouring even after the cup was full and the water spilled out, continuing without any intention of stopping.
