How come the celestial technique I stole is so powerful?!-Chapter 175: The Suddenly Disappearing Companion

The most unpredictable task was smoothly completed, and everyone was free.

They relaxed and searched for new discoveries among the temple ruins.

But there was too little to be found, just stone pillars with mysterious patterns. Li Sisi photographed each pillar from all sides, while Lin Xiaosu also observed them from every angle, but he didn’t take pictures.

His Human Tao Orchid Heart was so powerful that seeing was as good as photographing.

As for that Bodhi, two graduate students had some crooked ideas, asking their professor whether they should simply strip it clean.

Before the professor could answer, the little monk became upset and gave the two graduate students a lesson in Buddhist principles.

This lesson, taught in his master’s name, asserted that a place of Buddhism should not tolerate greed. His master also said that karma exists in this world. The words were very civilized, very logical, but the implication was undecipherable and very malicious: If you dare to uproot this Bodhi Tree, you surely won’t die a good death...

The two graduate students were disciplined in the name of his master and lost their temper.

Finally, after inspecting everything, they descended from the temple and crossed the Ice and Fire Twin Bridge as the sun was about to set, embarking on their return journey. They spent another night at the place where they had stayed the night before.

That night, Dawa was very sad.

Because Eternal Heaven hadn’t revealed itself, and the Buddha statue that appeared in the sky suddenly wasn’t miraculous, they simply couldn’t find the jietai fruit.

She really wanted to comfort Brother Su.

But Brother Su had already gone to rest in his tent early, he must be feeling bad right now, she didn’t know how to comfort him...

Another next day.

They passed through Wolf Valley again, then through Hudie Valley.

As the sun set, they safely returned to Wuxiang Temple.

Upon returning to Wuxiang Temple, it was already deep into the night. Master Hong Guang had prepared a vegetarian meal for them, surprisingly free of charge.

After dinner, Professor Yin suggested that it was late and they should rest in the quiet chambers for the night and return home the next day.

No one on his team objected.

Lin Xiaosu naturally had no objections either.

So they settled down.

Outside the mountain, the autumn wind grew colder; inside the temple, it was very quiet.

The four-day and four-night journey on Miyan Road came to an end, and everyone seemed to sleep very peacefully.

He was awakened by the morning bell of the temple.

Pushing open the Divine gate, he saw the little monk Liao Ran.

Liao Ran was holding a tray with porridge and steamed buns on it, a standard Han person’s breakfast.

Lin Xiaosu thanked his little companion who had accompanied him along the way and ate his breakfast. Casually, he asked, "Are they all up yet?"

Liao Ran answered him: "Your companions have already left the temple and gone home."

Lin Xiaosu suddenly looked up, somewhat incredulous.

Early in the morning, had all his companions gone home?

Was there a need to be so early?

Besides, he always felt that several of the companions would say goodbye to him, like Dawa.

After coming out of the mountain, he could tell that Dawa had something to say to him.

But they all quietly slipped away.

From the current time, it must have been still dark when they left.

Was it because they got hold of the legendary Bodhi Beyond and feared that waiting longer might bring trouble?

This didn’t quite match their personalities.

One needs to know that among them were several Superpower Level individuals; how many in the Mortal World could pose a threat to them?

Stepping out of the Divine gate, Lin Xiaosu silently activated Reverse Time.

Under Reverse Time, he saw an unimaginable scene...

Indeed, some people had left before dawn.

Professor Yin and his two graduate students.

Only the three of them.

Hu Fu, Li Sisi, and Dawa did not leave.

They followed the little monk in front of them to the side hall ahead and never came out again.

Lin Xiaosu strolled following their footsteps in the early morning, the side hall was even more secluded than the main temple, all within the mountain body. He made his way down the narrow cave to the end of the side hall.

At the end of this stone wall sat an old monk.

It was the same one who sat in the temple that day when they entered the mountain.

Throughout the entire process, his only job was to sit, never uttering a word.

Today, he sat at the end of this side hall, also just sitting, and seemed to have no intention of speaking either.

Because he hadn’t even opened his eyes.

Lin Xiaosu stared at the stone wall behind him, his eyes empty.

Three companions who had been together through trials and tribulations entered this side hall and vanished from this world.

To the normal eye, one could see to the end of this side hall where not even a mouse could hide.

But with Reverse Time, he saw something incredible, this natural stone wall was a portal, behind it was another world...

"Benefactor, the master is in retreat, and cannot be disturbed, please return," came the youthful voice of the little monk Liao Ran from behind.

Lin Xiaosu slowly turned around and gently raised his hand, touching the young monk’s head: "He is your master?"

"Yes!"

"Your master is not in retreat, he is just avoiding unnecessary disturbances." Lin Xiaosu said: "If he hears a topic that interests him, he will open his eyes."

"Benefactor, my master is detached from the four worldly concerns and has no topics of interest," replied the little monk.

"Is that so? How about we make a bet?" Lin Xiaosu said: "If I can get him interested, will you tell me your real age?"

Liao Ran stared at him blankly, his two bright eyes conveying a somewhat bewildered signal, as if to ask: Can Buddhists make bets? And the bet is... my age? freeweɓnovel~cѳm

Lin Xiaosu smiled faintly and turned around: "Master, you are Kun Cang, right?"

These eight words, if they were to fall into the ears of a Qianlong member, would absolutely be earth-shattering.

But in the master’s ears, they seemed to pass like a breeze, with no visible reaction on his part.

However, Lin Xiaosu sensitively observed that the master’s neck seemed to tense up slightly.

"This adventure is a test arranged by Kun Cang, isn’t it?"

Such a statement was even more incredible.

The master still didn’t move, but his eyebrows mysteriously fluttered in the wind...

Lin Xiaosu laughed: "Professor Yin’s role is similar to the ’World Traveler’ of Kun Cang. His duty is to select promising seeds for Kun Cang. If he brings suitable people, he can even receive a reward from Kun Cang. That Bodhi Beyond is his reward for this mission, right?"

The little monk stepped forward: "Benefactor, please do not disturb my master’s meditation, my master..."

His voice suddenly stopped abruptly because the master, facing him, opened his eyes and quietly watched Lin Xiaosu.

Lin Xiaosu also gazed back quietly.

Those eyes were extraordinary. Born on the face of a young man, they’d be considered an enhancement to his appearance; but on the face of an old monk nearing his end, it’s hard to know what that would be like.

Perhaps this is what it means when there’s Buddha in the heart, there’s light in the eyes.

"Master..." The little monk brought his hands together in salute.

The master waved his hand lightly, signaling for the little monk to leave.

The little monk bowed and retreated.

The side hall became quiet.

Only two pairs of eyes were locked in a gaze.

The master let out a light breath: "Benefactor, what exactly did you mean by what you just said?"

"If the master truly didn’t understand what I said, you probably wouldn’t have needed to open your eyes," said Lin Xiaosu. "Kun Cang is not a force that must hide from sight, and as a revered Buddhist master, you are certainly not one to lurk behind the scenes. Why not meet openly and honestly?"

The master let out a light breath and smiled slightly: "Benefactor, did Master Yin inform you of these three consecutive statements you’ve made?"

This statement was sufficiently candid.

This statement also entirely confirmed Lin Xiaosu’s guess. Yes, what he had said was a bold guess, but at this moment, it had been verified!

Waves of emotion surged in his heart, but his face remained as calm as an autumn breeze: "Master, the junior has earned Professor Yin’s trust; may I have earned yours as well?"

This was also an indirect admission.

But it was a skillfully phrased admission. He didn’t lock himself into a definite statement; he only said he had earned Professor Yin’s trust. Even if Professor Yin were to trouble him later, he could respond easily: I only said I had earned your trust. Isn’t the mere act of inviting me to join the team a sign of trust? I’m not spreading rumors, nor did I say you revealed any secrets...

The master said, "What kind of trust does the benefactor seek?"

"I would like to ask the master to open the portal to the realm behind him; this junior wishes to join Kun Cang."

"Behind him..."

These two words carried a hidden profundity.

Their meaning was broad.

Behind him could refer to the stone wall currently behind the master.

It could also refer to the Kun Cang behind Wuxiang Temple that the master represented.

No matter where this portal to the realm might be, the words "behind him" were sufficient to encompass it all.

The master smiled gently: "It seems the benefactor does not accept his elimination."

Elimination!

Acceptance!

These two words entered Lin Xiaosu’s ears and he immediately understood the answer. He, Lin Xiaosu, was also among those being considered for selection, but he had not passed.

The eminent Kun Cang individual was secretly observing everyone in their team, choosing Hu Fu, Li Sisi, and Dawa, but not him!

"Four traveled together, yet only I was excluded; naturally, I’m not convinced!" Lin Xiaosu said: "May I ask what the criteria for Kun Cang’s selection really are?"

That was what he truly wanted to know.

He wanted to understand what the people of Kun Cang really valued.

Hu Fu, Li Sisi, Dawa... they didn’t seem to have anything in common...

The master said: "There are many sects within the Kun Cang Sect, and each values different qualities. Some select disciples based on lineage, some select disciples for their unique Cultivation Techniques, and some even select disciples based on their beauty. The reasons are numerous. However, forgive me for being direct, in the eyes of Kun Cang’s masters, you, benefactor, do not possess a compelling reason to be chosen."

Lin Xiaosu’s eyes slowly widened with realization. Selection based on lineage must refer to Dawa; her lineage must be very special.

Selection based on Cultivation Techniques must be referring to Hu Fu. Could it be that the Ancient Martial arts he practices are so miraculous that even Kun Cang couldn’t afford to let him go?

And selection based on beauty...

Clearly, that was Li Sisi.

Lin Xiaosu admitted that this girl’s beauty was convincing. As long as one had normal aesthetics, she’d indeed be considered beautiful.

But to select disciples based on her beauty was rather... that’s some fucked up...

It seemed like the selection had an air of a boss choosing his secretary.

Do the masters within Kun Cang also have such low tastes?

Countless thoughts flowed through his mind, condensing into one sigh: "As a master of high esteem, surely your perspective should be unique. Do you truly believe that I, the junior, am utterly without merit?"

The master shook his head gently: "The old monk sees that the benefactor is indeed extraordinary. If the benefactor is willing to become a monk and join our Wuxiang Temple, naturally, I would welcome it with open arms. But as for joining Kun Cang, the old monk has no deciding authority."

"Who does have the authority?"

"There is indeed someone who has the authority. However, that person is not I. Your request, benefactor, is an unattainable wish. Why not let it go?"

He wasn’t unwilling to satisfy Lin Xiaosu’s request.

He simply didn’t have the power to do so.

The door to Kun Cang can only be opened from within.

The authority over Kun Cang rested in a pair of hands he couldn’t see.

The owner of these hands might be watching him in the shadows or searching through the bustling crowd for the exceptional individual he approved of. If you earned his recognition, you were qualified to enter Kun Cang; if you didn’t receive his approval, it was impossible for you to force your way in.

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freew𝒆(b)novel.c(o)m Only