Western Capital, inner city, Jiexiu Hall.
It is said that this hall was built during the True King's Era, serving as the residence for the Top Scholar, Third-Place Graduate, and Second-Place Graduate while they awaited the True King's summons. It is also called the Top Scholar's Mansion, an exceptionally elegant and tranquil garden within the inner city. Later, as the True King's Era declined, it beca the Grand Preceptor's residence. When the imperial examinations were reinstated, it once again beca the Top Scholar's Mansion.
The na "Jiexiu" carries the aning of gathering the world's most gifted and outstanding talents. The Young Master resided within Jiexiu Hall.
Although the tropolitan examination had not yet begun, everyone knew the Young Master would undoubtedly rank among the top three. Therefore, his residence in Jiexiu Hall was considered perfectly natural.
Inside Jiexiu Hall, a middle-aged man wearing a tall hat and wide belt sat in a grand master chair. Behind his head, a Realm of Emptiness manifested, adorned with a resplendent sun and moon, and scattered with stars.
The Young Master sat beneath this sun and moon, surrounded by the constellations. The middle-aged man with the tall hat and wide belt used his own Realm of Emptiness to nourish and temper the Young Master's physical body and Primordial Spirit, assisting him in advancing his cultivation and condensing his vital energy and blood.
For others, encountering a Great Ascension Realm existence who had attained the Return to Emptiness realm would be a monuntal opportunity. But for the Young Master, having a Great Ascension Realm existence help temper his body and Primordial Spirit daily was already routine.
People's origins differ, their circumstances differ. Though they live under the sa sun and moon, they cannot be ntioned in the sa breath.
At this mont, an incense master from the Matchmaker House hurried over, only to be intercepted by the Registrar and Military Advisor, Cao Yunning. "What has happened?" he asked.
The ssenger hastily recounted the events outside Guangji Treasury. Cao Yunning's expression turned grave. He hurried into the Realm of Emptiness and stood silently by the Young Master's side, waiting respectfully.
The Young Master sensed his presence and opened his eyes. "Yunning, speak freely."
Cao Yunning promptly relayed the news of Shen Hongniang and others setting an ambush to assassinate Chen Shi. "Now, Shen Hongniang and the seven hall masters of the Matchmaker House have died at Chen Shi's hands. We await your decision, Young Master."
"Shen Hongniang was foolish."
The Young Master frowned slightly and ceased his cultivation, rising to his feet. "She actually took it upon herself to ambush and kill Chen Shi. Who gave her the nerve?"
He possessed a handso face and a rather tall stature. His attire was simple—a blue-green provincial graduate's robe—just like any ordinary provincial graduate coming to the capital for the examinations.
He sighed and shook his head. "With so many experts in the Western Capital, who could Shen Hongniang's petty sches possibly fool? They couldn't fool Chen Shi, nor could they fool Chen Tang, much less the Eastern Depot and the Thirteen Great Clans! Her every move was crystal clear to others. It seems soone wanted to use Chen Shi's hand to eliminate Shen Hongniang. She knew too much."
He paced thoughtfully. "Shen Hongniang's death is the result of the Thirteen Great Clans turning a blind eye. Otherwise, why could they hide it from until now? It appears they also don't want to have a handle held over them. Shen Hongniang's death is also a warning to ."
Cao Yunning bowed slightly. "Young Master, what of seeking vengeance for Shen Hongniang?"
The Young Master said, "Set aside the matter of vengeance for Shen Hongniang. Yunning, restrain our people. Tell them not to act on their own and ruin my grand plans."
Cao Yunning acknowledged the order. "I only fear that excessive restraint might dampen morale and hurt their loyalty."
"I know the limits. Chen Shi is not worth worrying about. Fighting him to the death would rely lower my own status and elevate his. Raising him to my own level would an all my previous efforts were rely preparing the bridal chamber for another."
The Young Master spoke unhurriedly. "Furthermore, Chen Tang is a capable minister for governing the realm. I need the support of the Thirteen Great Clans, but I also need such capable ministers to work for ."
Cao Yunning shook his head. "Chen Tang is Chen Shi's father. I'm afraid he won't easily submit."
The Young Master smiled. "I don't need him to submit. I only need him to continue serving the court after I achieve my long-cherished wish."
Cao Yunning praised sincerely, "Young Master possesses a magnanimous heart capable of accommodating others. Then how should we handle Chen Shi? He is ambitious and has repeatedly targeted you..."
The Young Master smiled faintly, leisurely saying, "I don't need to lift a finger. Soone will warn him, and he will naturally beco much more compliant."
Many people in the Western Capital also learned of Shen Hongniang's death and breathed sighs of relief.
Within Western Capital City, Little Golden Flower Temple.
This was the guildhall for Buddhist disciples. Any Buddhist disciple coming to participate in the tropolitan examination had to seek lodging here.
Saintess Xuan was also lodging here and had t many monks from other temples across the Western Ox New Continent.
As a disciple of Bodhi Monastery, one of the three great Buddhist holy lands, her status was quite high, and she resided in the Bodhi Garden. The abbess of Little Golden Flower Temple, Elder Chanyue, often ca to chat with her. Elder Chanyue was originally a nun from Bodhi Monastery, a junior sister of Elder Miaoyin, and thus Saintess Xuan's martial aunt. She later left the monastery and beca the abbess of Little Golden Flower Temple.
The two sat on the floor. Elder Chanyue watched the water droplets falling from the eaves outside and said, "Shen Hongniang held many secrets of the powerful and noble. If these matters were spread and exploited, they could lead to complete ruin. Many people desperately wished for Shen Hongniang's death. However, Shen Hongniang was the Young Master's person. To move against Shen Hongniang was to move against the Young Master's people. Therefore, many dared not touch her, allowing her to remain at large until now. But Shen Hongniang, presuming upon the Young Master's favor, grew arrogant, thinking she truly had an unshakable backer."
The teapot whistled, steam puffing from its spout.
Saintess Xuan covered the charcoal fire, picked up the teapot to rinse the tea set, and said, "The Western Capital harbors so many sordid affairs of illicit relations between n and won. It truly is the place with the heaviest worldly desires. Can one truly sever mundane attachnts and attain true Buddhist enlightennt while cultivating here?"
Elder Chanyue looked at her deeply. "Xuan'er, you must imrse yourself in emotion towards the Young Master, then detach from it; stir your heart, then extinguish desire. Only then can you achieve the emptiness of the four elents."
Saintess Xuan acknowledged the advice. Chen Shi's figure suddenly surfaced in her mind. Startled, and fearing Elder Chanyue might notice sothing amiss, she quickly asked, "Shen Hongniang knew these sordid affairs, and the Young Master also knows them. Why must they kill Shen Hongniang, yet remain subservient to the Young Master?"
She placed tea leaves into a cup, rinsed them with hot water, and filtered out the impurities. Every movent displayed a practiced grace and soft beauty.
Elder Chanyue said, "Before, they were restless. Now that Shen Hongniang is dead, the only person who knows these secrets is the Young Master alone. The Young Master is a man who does great things and will not lightly use these secrets. Even if he did, the others would not support him. What the Young Master needs is rely to hold their weaknesses, making them work for him."
Saintess Xuan poured the tea and divided it among the cups. "Shen Hongniang was different. Shen Hongniang was a madam who acted as a go-between for n and won. She lacked integrity and was difficult to trust."
Elder Chanyue nodded. "Comparing the two, the secrets must remain in the Young Master's hands, but Shen Hongniang had to die."
Saintess Xuan finished dividing the tea and respectfully presented a cup to Elder Chanyue. "Martial Aunt, do you think the Young Master knew about Shen Hongniang's ambush against Chen Shi?"
Elder Chanyue frowned slightly but did not answer.
Just then, a woman's laughter ca from outside the ditation room. "He knew. He must have known long ago."
Elder Chanyue and Saintess Xuan hurriedly stood up.
They saw a stunningly beautiful young woman walk in from outside. She possessed an ethereal, transcendent aura, as if Buddhist teachings had perated her very flesh and soul. Her every movent carried the dust-free purity and detachnt of a Bodhisattva.
She wore a grey monastic robe and a grey nun's cap. Despite having no adornnts whatsoever, she appeared radiant and sunny, giving off a feeling of youthful beauty.
A young monk followed behind the girl, extrely respectful. After paying his respects to Elder Chanyue and Saintess Xuan, he remained outside the ditation room and did not enter.
"Chan Master Rung," Elder Chanyue and Saintess Xuan both greeted her.
The young woman, Chan Master Rung, entered the ditation room. Saintess Xuan fetched a cushion, and Chan Master Rung took her seat.
Saintess Xuan also knew of this Chan Master Rung. She was a traveling nun seeking lodging, her origins unknown, but her mastery of Buddhist teachings was truly astonishing.
After arriving at Little Golden Flower Temple, she debated the Dharma with the resident monks. After a day and a night, the monks were left speechless. Even Elder Chanyue was utterly defeated in her presence, shocking both the court and the public.
Now, Chan Master Rung was highly renowned in the Western Capital, praised for her unimpeded eloquence, perfect wisdom, and considered a highly accomplished eminent monk rarely seen in Buddhism for nearly a century!
Saintess Xuan poured tea for Chan Master Rung. "Chan Master, why did you say earlier that the Young Master knew about Shen Hongniang's ambush against Chen Shi?"
Chan Master Rung's eyes sparkled with wisdom. She smiled and said, "Shen Hongniang was the Young Master's person. The Young Master needed her intelligence to control the high officials and noblewon of the Western Capital who were enslaved by desire. But once the intelligence was in the Young Master's hands, Shen Hongniang beca a redundant person instead. Everyone feared Shen Hongniang might lose control. Their fear of Shen Hongniang losing control also made them less confident in the Young Master. Therefore, the Young Master needed to reassure these people. Eliminating Shen Hongniang was the most urgent matter for the Young Master at present."
Elder Chanyue shook her head. "Chan Master, you portray the Young Master as too malicious. I do not believe the Young Master harbors such intentions."
Chan Master Rung drank her tea and smiled. "If the Young Master wanted Shen Hongniang to do this, he wouldn't say it outright. A slight hint would suffice. Shen Hongniang would believe she had grasped the Young Master's aning and go to ambush and kill Chen Shi. Little did she know, the Young Master was rely using Chen Shi's hand to remove this redundant person."
Saintess Xuan frowned slightly, sowhat indignant. "The Young Master is definitely not that kind of person!"
Chan Master Rung looked carefully into her eyes and chuckled. "The Saintess is a person whose words contradict her heart."
Saintess Xuan's heart pounded wildly.
Chan Master Rung continued, "Now, the Young Master has done sothing that satisfies everyone. The various factions should also reciprocate towards the Young Master. Junior Sister Chanyue, shouldn't our Bodhi Monastery also take so action?"
Saintess Xuan was quite puzzled, thinking, "Our Bodhi Monastery has no sordid secrets held by the Young Master. Why should we reciprocate?"
Elder Chanyue said calmly, "Bodhi Monastery and Little Golden Flower Temple are Buddhist holy lands, pure and dust-free. We have no sordid affairs for the Young Master to hold."
Chan Master Rung picked up the teapot to refill the cups, a faint, ambiguous smile on her lips. "Really? When I first arrived here, I saw the Western Capital shrouded in demonic aura, with rampant desires. Especially our Little Golden Flower Temple, it's a place where desires intertwine, and spirit and flesh churn. Junior Sister, as the abbess here, you practice the Wisdom Consort ditation, don't you?"
Saintess Xuan asked, confused, "Martial Aunt Rung, what is Wisdom Consort ditation?"
"During the climax of spirit and flesh, when the four elents are empty, one seizes that ditative state to advance one's cultivation."
Chan Master Rung said plainly. "This is an esoteric thod from the Divine Continent, a Buddhist dual cultivation sacred thod. Unfortunately, it often causes monks to fall into the sea of desire, tumbling and sinking within it. In our Golden Flower Temple, are there not many who practice the Wisdom Consort ditation thod? With whom do they dual cultivate?"
Elder Chanyue said sternly, "Bodhi Monastery does not have such thods."
Chan Master Rung stood up. "Since your heart is not sincere, there is no need to say more." With that, she simply left.
Elder Chanyue's expression darkened sowhat. "This Chan Master Rung seems sowhat dubious. I've never heard of such a figure in Buddhism before! Xuan'er, stay away from her!"
Saintess Xuan acknowledged the warning.
Elder Chanyue said, "However, so of what she said was not wrong. Since the Young Master has presented us with precious jade, we must repay him with a peach. Xuan'er, make a trip to see Chen Shi. Tell him not to compete for the Top Scholar position."
Saintess Xuan's heart skipped a beat. "Chen Shi's Dao Heart is resolute. I'm afraid he won't listen to persuasion."
Elder Chanyue said, "Explain the advantages and disadvantages clearly, and he will naturally listen. If he doesn't, use Buddhist thods for subduing demons and vanquishing evil to make him listen."
Saintess Xuan's expression remained unchanged, but her lower abdon and the back of her head throbbed faintly. She thought, "My cultivation has advanced these days, and with my martial aunt's guidance, I have stepped into the Spirit Transformation realm. He is still at the Nascent Soul stage. Surely, I won't be knocked down before I can even execute a single move."
Elder Chanyue said, "If subduing demon thods still cannot make him obey, tell him to co to my Little Golden Flower Temple. I will persuade him personally. Xuan'er, I entrust this matter to you."
Saintess Xuan acknowledged and left Little Golden Flower Temple.
From Guangji Treasury, intermittent muffled booms sounded, rumbling like thunder, rolling from the left side of the treasury to the right.
Saintess Xuan heard this sound from afar and was puzzled. "Could it be Chen Shi practicing thunder techniques?"
As she approached, the thunderous vibrations grew more intense.
"This thunderous roar isn't from a thunder technique! It's the thunderclap produced by fists, feet, and body movent!"
Saintess Xuan was astonished, discerning the profound mystery within.
The five great thunder techniques of the Daoist school—Heaven, Earth, Water, Dragon, and Shrine Decree—all involve borrowing the power of heaven, earth, nature, and deities to perform thunder arts. They belong to the category of borrowing power from heaven, earth, and ghost gods.
Only one type of thunder technique is not borrowed, but cos from one's own power.
This thunder technique is when the physical body moves so fast that the fist breaks the sound barrier, erupting with the sound of a thunderclap!
This sound can shatter a cultivator's Golden Core, kill a Nascent Soul, and injure a Primordial Spirit!
Buddhism has similar thods. In Bodhi Monastery, similar Buddhist techniques are called Vajra thods, such as the Fearlessness Mudra, the Great Skillful ans, the Vajra Raised Mudra, the Vajra Being, and other thods, with the ultimate goal of achieving Vajra Tathagata.
However, to cultivate such thods, one must first cultivate a Golden Body.
Could Chen Shi be secretly cultivating a Buddhist Golden Body?
Saintess Xuan drew closer. The thunder grew louder. The minor officials and deputy envoys of Guangji Treasury looked pale, each sitting in chairs, so squatting on the ground, or leaning against walls. Clearly, the thunderous roar shook their souls, making them extrely uncomfortable!
"Several brothers, where is Young Master Chen?" she inquired.
The deputy envoy recognized her and hurriedly paid his respects, leading her towards the back.
Saintess Xuan followed him through several storehouses in the front, arriving at the backyard of Guangji Treasury. This area was far from the gunpowder stores. It was a large courtyard, over thirty acres, leveled hard and paved with blue bricks.
"Saintess Xuan, my cultivation is shallow. I cannot go any further. My apologies." The deputy envoy left her there and hurried away.
Saintess Xuan thanked him and walked into the backyard.
The backyard was dazzlingly bright. The first thing that caught her eye was six layers of Nascent Soul Force Fields. Within the force fields were eight golden gate towers. Divine light gathered into spheres within the towers, floating in the air and radiating divine light.
The six layers of Nascent Soul Force Fields grew larger layer by layer. The topmost layer covered about one and four-tenths of a *mu*.
Divine power interwove within the six force fields. Within the fields, Imperial Seals were being cast and refined, injecting power into the youth below.
Chen Shi was currently bare-chested, wearing no upper garnt, only a pair of white straight-cut trousers. His upper body was lean and muscular, without a trace of excess fat. The fascia between his muscles was completely connected, with no superfluous muscle lines.
He wore no golden crown on his head, but a red silk ribbon tied his hair, convenient for movent.
As his body moved, the six force fields moved with him. In motion and stillness, he was as fast as a rolling thunderclap!
Not a Golden Body, yet surpassing a Golden Body!
Saintess Xuan's heart pounded wildly at the sight of his bare chest. Just then, Chen Shi noticed her and imdiately stopped.
Saintess Xuan grew alert, imdiately activating the Buddhist Great Vehicle Three Proofs Great Teaching King Heart Sutra, secretly forming the Lion Mudra to guard against being knocked down in a single move.
However, contrary to her expectations, Chen Shi did not attack. Instead, he walked towards her, dispersing the astonishing aura from monts before. The layers of force fields behind his head continuously descended, each refining into his body. With each layer's descent, a ring of divine light burst forth from within him.
By the ti the six force fields had descended, Chen Shi had already arrived before her.
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