Actually, Jian Chou wasn’t joking, and Xie Buchen was speaking quite seriously too.

Both of them clearly understood the truest meaning behind each other’s words, so at this moment, they just stared at each other like this, as if wanting to see through each other completely in this brief instant.

But neither of them said anything more about this topic.

She was the type who would never pick up what she had put down, and he was the type who would never regret what he had done.

Things like looking back or retreat routes had nothing to do with them.

Their choices were much more decisive and resolute than that.

The two didn’t speak for a while, and when they opened their mouths again, they had changed the topic.

Xie Buchen asked, “We’ll reach the Holy Temple before sunset tomorrow. Do you have any plans?”

Jian Chou asked back, “Don’t you have any plans?”

“The matter between our two sects is not clearly known even to people on the outskirts of the snowy region, or even to Huai Jie. But when I tested with words earlier, Mojia knew a thing or two. It seems the people in the Holy Temple will know even more clearly.”

Xie Buchen paused and glanced toward the monks at the cave entrance.

“But the Holy Temple is full of dangers. If we don’t want to take risks, the safest approach would be to search Mojia’s soul, which should reveal quite a bit of what we want to know.”

Search Mojia’s soul?

These words were really too hypocritical.

Xie Buchen clearly had ulterior motives. Their current journey to the Holy Temple was all because of his sudden “rescue” that day at the inn.

Mojia might know something, but Jian Chou’s purpose in coming here wasn’t solely for the truth.

In any case, the troubles that befell the disciples of Yashan and Kunwu were both caused by Xinmi’s evil deeds, differing only in the reasons and methods. What Fudao Shanren, or rather Yashan, feared most was still Xie Buchen, still Kunwu.

She had already thought it through very clearly when she set out.

Wherever Xie Buchen wanted to go, she would follow.

So what about the Holy Temple?

Perhaps Hengxu, perhaps Xie Buchen, had their own arrangements and purposes there, but Jian Chou wasn’t without resources there either.

Even…

Perhaps when they arrived there, that would be the true “battlefield.”

So she squinted her eyes and smiled, “Since we’ve already gone to the trouble of mixing in, searching Mojia’s soul at this point would really be a waste of our previous efforts. Having reached the snowy region, how could we not go see the Holy Temple? I’m still quite curious about that Holy Son Jiye of the snowy region.”

It seemed she was determined to follow him all the way.

For Xie Buchen, this was definitely not good news.

The more time they spent together, the more feelings would grow, and alongside that, his inner demons would also increase.

Master Hengxu had sent him to the snowy region, certainly giving him information about the Nine Doubts Cauldron, but at the same time, he had indirectly allowed Jian Chou to follow him, traveling together all the way.

This senior leader of the righteous path was clear about his inner demons.

It was just unknown whether the current situation was intentional or unintentional.

“Since Daoist Jian Chou has made her decision, then tomorrow we’ll infiltrate the Holy Temple together. But the snowy region has already severed the possibility of contact with the Left Three Thousand. When we arrive at the Holy Temple, it will be near dusk, and there probably won’t be time for you and me to investigate. We won’t be able to meet and discuss that night. Our next talk should be tomorrow evening, and I’ll ask Daoist Jian Chou to come find me then.”

Xie Buchen spoke slowly and also stood up.

“However, if the situation becomes difficult, you and I needn’t force it. The Upper Five Sects have already sent Young Master Ruhua, Lu Xiangleng, and others to investigate the Chan Sect, departing almost simultaneously with us. They’ve probably already reached the Chan Sect and may have gained something…”

Young Master Ruhua, Lu Xiangleng, and others…

Jian Chou was indifferent to everything Xie Buchen had said before. Her cultivation was higher, so even if she reached the Holy Temple, her movements would be more convenient than Xie Buchen’s, so there was nothing inappropriate about Xie Buchen saying she should go find him.

But when Young Master Ruhua and Lu Xiangleng were mentioned, her thoughts became somewhat dazed.

She and Xie Buchen went to the snowy region, while Young Master Ruhua, Lu Xiangleng, Xia Houshe, and others went to the Chan Sect.

She wondered what the situation was like on their side.

The snowstorm was raging in the snowy region, but in the same northern territory, the moon was bright and stars were sparse by the Western Sea.

On Cangtai Mountain not far from the sea stood a high mountain gate, with the two characters “Chan Sect” carved simply and plainly on it. Past the mountain gate was a spacious plaza and behind it, grand and magnificent halls.

Golden glazed tiles shone with a layer of clear, gentle light under the moonlight.

In the Chan courtyards behind, many monks had not yet gone to sleep, with lights still burning in their rooms.

There were also some figures walking through the darkness, perhaps holding scriptures in their hands, perhaps turning prayer beads, their steps carrying composure and tranquility—they must have just returned from evening prayers.

The surrounding trees were mostly bodhi trees, their small oval leaves casting dense shadows with gaps on the ground.

In the quite spacious Chan room, Young Master Ruhua stood by the window, having looked outside for quite a while.

Behind him, seated by the window, were Lu Xiangleng, Xia Houshe, and Zhou Chengjiang from Dragon Gate who had joined them temporarily.

The one making tea in the main seat, however, was a great monk.

He had already removed the red kasaya he wore during the day, wearing only ordinary deep yellow monk robes.

His round face was slightly plump, without a single wrinkle, fair with a rosy complexion and excellent color. His eyes were especially dark and spirited, giving a sense of profundity, but when combined with his other features, they revealed a childlike innocence.

He rinsed the tea once and poured in fresh tea water.

Without raising his head, as if he had already taken in all of Young Master Ruhua’s actions, he chuckled, “Amitabha, has the benefactor gained some insight from looking for so long?”

“Indeed, I have gained some insight.”

Young Master Ruhua turned around upon hearing this, watching the monk’s skilled movements while making tea, pondering in his heart what kind of treatment it was to be personally received by this person and have tea personally prepared for them. But he didn’t show this on his face, still casually making things up.

“I’ve long heard of the Chan Sect’s great reputation. Seeing it in person today, I didn’t notice much else, but I feel the feng shui is quite good.”

This was clearly joking.

But the tea-making monk didn’t mind at all, not even changing his facial expression. After two breaths, he slowly poured out the tea water, filling the tea bowls one by one and distributing them to everyone.

“When we calculated before the northern migration, the snowy region would have been the superior choice. Later, when the Chan and Tantric sects split, we changed to this location. Speaking of feng shui, well, it’s neither good nor bad.”

Truly worthy of being the first among the Three Masters of the Chan Sect.

Sitting before everyone was none other than the famous Monk Yichen of the Chan Sect, currently first on the Nineteenth Zhou’s Seventh Heaven Tablet, the foremost person in the Void Refining stage, respectfully called “Heart Master.”

However, whether it was Young Master Ruhua or the others, they all had some doubts about this.

Although Monk Yichen was formidable, he was neither the highest-ranking abbot in the Chan Sect nor the one with the highest cultivation among the “Three Masters”—

In terms of position, he was inferior to Abbot Wugou;

In terms of cultivation, he was no match for Chan Master Xuelang.

How could he be ranked first among the Three Masters?

Hearing him speak now, Young Master Ruhua’s confusion surfaced again. But he also knew he had business today, and being in the Chan Sect, he felt it wouldn’t be quite appropriate to be too frivolous, so he didn’t say much and instead returned to his seat.

Lu Xiangleng sat in the first position on the left, her posture elegant while tasting tea, clearly an expert in this area;

Xia Houshe’s young face showed no expression, unable to distinguish between tea tasting and tea drinking;

As for Zhou Chengjiang, he sat upright and proper, the most normal among the four of them, carefully savoring the tea, his demeanor showing respect for Monk Yichen.

After all, while Dragon Gate’s body refinement techniques were strong, they weren’t particularly significant in the Buddhist sect, especially the Chan Sect.

Coming here, he might well have the intention of seeking instruction.

Young Master Ruhua took in everyone’s attitudes at a glance, thanked Monk Yichen for the tea, and tasted it slightly.

After the third steeping, he put down his tea cup and spoke again.

“When we arrived, you had already prepared tea for us, so you must know our purpose.”

“Master Hengxu and Elder Fudao have already communicated with this poor monk about this matter.”

Monk Yichen didn’t deny it and also put down his tea cup.

He looked at these four excellent disciples from the Upper Five Sects of the Left Three Thousand in the central region, and thought of the two talented individuals from Yashan and Kunwu who didn’t come but were rumored to be very formidable, naturally thinking of those useless and mischievous ones in his own sect.

For a moment, he felt aggrieved and sour inside.

But regarding this matter they wanted to ask about, there was indeed something to say.

Yichen pondered for a moment and explained, “To be honest, before the disciples of Yashan and Kunwu had their incidents, our Chan Sect also sent some people out, but not purely to investigate the snowy region’s situation, but to intervene in the dispute between the old and new Tantric sects.”

Everyone was stunned, none having expected Monk Yichen to say such words!

It should be known that when the Buddhist sect migrated north and the Chan and Tantric sects split, the entire Chan Sect was in an absolutely disadvantageous position. For eleven jiazi, they appeared to ignore each other completely, with no one interfering in the other’s affairs!

Now they suddenly said they had already begun intervening in the dispute between the new and old factions of the Tantric sect?

But Monk Yichen acted as if he hadn’t said anything startling, his face still showing a kind and bashful smile: “The Buddhist sect has many branches. Although the Tantric sect left together initially without problems, after reaching the snowy region, they became self-contained. The contradictions from when they were under the Buddhist name emerged, and even within the same Tantric sect, their understanding of Buddhist principles differed. So they split into new and old factions. Among them, the old Tantric, in the Chan Sect’s view, is closer to orthodox Buddhism, as for the new Tantric…”

When he reached this point, Monk Yichen seemed to hesitate, searching for an appropriate description.

But in the end, he still shook his head.

“As for the new Tantric, they can’t even be considered heretical. They couldn’t be included in Buddhism from the time of the split, just keeping the name.”

These words were harsh enough, directly expelling the new Tantric from Buddhism.

Several people all looked up at Monk Yichen simultaneously, but they were juniors after all, unable to interject in matters of grievances and Buddhist debates among senior masters, only feeling…

They vaguely understood why this plump, white-faced monk was the first among the Chan Sect’s Three Masters.

However, being looked at by them like this, Monk Yichen showed an expression of being unworthy, waving his hands: “Aiya, I’ve said too much, too much. You looking at this poor monk like this makes me embarrassed. Let’s talk about serious matters.”

“…”

How come they couldn’t see any genuine “embarrassment” on his face?

But since he was a venerable great monk, everyone really didn’t dare say this, so they just listened attentively.

“In any case, our Chan Sect has already sent people out, and for some time now. We just haven’t encountered a particularly suitable opportunity.”

As Monk Yichen spoke, he shook his head somewhat regretfully.

“Our sect has special methods to communicate with the snowy region, but a few days ago, the new Tantric faction achieved a great victory over the old Tantric. Our little disciple Liao Kong mentioned earlier that he discovered something quite like demonic anomalies there, only…”

“Only?”

Stopping at the crucial moment could really make people anxious.

Young Master Ruhua was very curious about what Monk Yichen would say next, but this kind of pause in conversation usually didn’t indicate anything particularly good: “Did something happen?”

“Well, something did happen, but it’s rather difficult to speak of…”

When Monk Yichen reached this point, his tone became hesitant, and he even raised his hand to slowly bite his finger, as if truly having countless troubles.

Watching this, Young Master Ruhua’s eye twitched. With his unrestrained nature that feared nothing, at this moment he somehow felt a chill, almost making his mouth twitch as well.

But Monk Yichen seemed oblivious to this, and after a long while, he finally put down his hand, revealing a still bashful but sincere smile.

“Our little disciple Liao Kong who went to the snowy region seems to have… disappeared…”

Dis… disappeared?!

Young Master Ruhua was glad he wasn’t drinking tea, or he would have sprayed it out by now!

“…Are you referring to that ‘Little Wise Monk’ Liao Kong from your sect who was once first on the Third Heaven Tablet and has now broken through to Nascent Soul?”

“Hmm…”

Monk Yichen nodded awkwardly, but feeling that just admitting it like this might damage the Chan Sect’s reputation, he subconsciously fidgeted with his fingers and added a sentence.

“But we’re working hard to find him. Senior Brother Wugou and Senior Brother Xuelang should… have results soon… probably?”

“…”

It would have been better not to add that sentence.

The four people sitting before Monk Yichen all showed indescribable expressions at this moment, and while looking at this Chan Sect senior monk, they all felt boundless sympathy for that “Little Wise Monk” Liao Kong they had yet to meet…

What could Liao Kong do?

He was also helpless.

He had originally been with a group of monks from the Chan Sect going to support the old Tantric sect, and everything was fine along the way. But one day, while resting in a mountain range on the western side of the snowy region, they actually encountered a large mass of black fog emerging from the depths of the earth’s veins.

Considering the anomalies in the new Tantric sect during that period, everyone naturally found it strange.

So they pursued it, and then trouble arose from the pursuit.

Initially, Liao Kong was walking at the front, but they seemed to have been discovered by that mass of black fog. So this thing of unknown nature rolled toward them, their vision went dark, and they could no longer distinguish directions.

Even the most basic spiritual consciousness couldn’t be used!

In that instant, the whole person became extremely weak, becoming an ordinary person.

This was also why Liao Kong was so helpless now—

Without being able to use spiritual consciousness, he couldn’t open his storage ring, and except for a string of sandalwood prayer beads that automatically protected and concealed his aura, most of the magical artifacts on his body couldn’t be used…

Contact his sect? Pure fantasy!

At this moment, he had no idea what the situation was like at the Chan Sect, much less what happened to the fellow disciples who had come with him originally.

He only knew that his trouble might be big.

On the rather prosperous street, everywhere he looked were believers who had come to worship.

He wore somewhat dirty deep red Tantric robes, and because he wasn’t used to his exposed arms, he kept covering them, making his entire posture look awkward.

On his delicate face were a pair of clean eyes, but his facial expression looked very strange.

Because he had actually seen that mountain!

Even though he had never been to the depths of the snowy region before, he was extremely familiar with the appearance of this mountain and the Holy Temple on its peak.

In the Chan Sect’s records about the Tantric sect, he had seen them no less than a thousand times!

Buddha!

What kind of joke was this? He had only had a small frontal conflict with that black fog! His eyes closed and opened, he fainted; then closed and opened again, and he was actually at the sacred mountain?!

Even an idiot would know this was already the core area of the entire snowy region’s Tantric sect!

No good, no good…

How did he feel like he was doomed?

“Namo Amitabha, Namo Amitabha…”

Finding a wall corner to lean against, Liao Kong was so scared he clutched his prayer beads and trembled, muttering continuously.

“Now there’s only this little monk alone, but I’m already here. What should I do? What should I do? Continue pretending? Or knock someone out and ask about the situation? How can this little monk return to the Chan Sect… ah, and my cultivation…”

Fortunately, people were coming and going on this street, and no one noticed him.

After all, this was right at the foot of the sacred mountain, with many believers and monks coming and going daily, so people were used to seeing strange individuals standing by the wall.

Liao Kong didn’t really think he was very smart.

He didn’t understand many things, whether in cultivation, Buddhist teachings, or even the fact that others called him “Little Wise Monk.”

After cultivating for so many years, he still felt he was the little novice monk from back then.

Well…

A little novice monk with particularly good luck.

After muttering useless things for a long while, praying from Manjushri Bodhisattva to Shakyamuni Buddha, from Guanyin Bodhisattva to Amitabha Buddha, Liao Kong still couldn’t think of any solution.

“Sigh.” He looked up at the pure blue sky after the snow and sighed softly, muttering, “It would be great if I could meet someone I know here…”

Even an idiot here would know this was an absolutely impossible situation.

After all, Liao Kong had never been to the depths of the snowy region before, let alone this core area where almost only Tantric believers and monks with considerable cultivation came.

He was a Chan Sect cultivator who knew no one—where would he find acquaintances?

But…

Some things were quite inexplicable when it came to this “Little Wise Monk” Liao Kong.

For instance, just after he muttered this sentence, a group of people walked down the street in the distance—seven or eight monks leading more than ten women.

Then, one person among them immediately fixed Liao Kong’s gaze.

This person wasn’t really an acquaintance.

But it seemed…

Even more useful than an acquaintance!

But the problem was, how could this senior sister, who was now a famous figure in the central region, appear here?

Liao Kong blinked, staying in place for a moment without moving, just watching.

Many believers passed by, and when each person saw this group approaching, they knew it was monks from the Holy Temple bringing back newly selected Ming Fei.

Some devout believers immediately knelt and prostrated themselves.

Others were quite interested in those Ming Fei walking in the rear positions, their gazes wandering among them.

Jian Chou was naturally among these people.

Last night they had stopped to avoid the snow, and early the next morning the heavy snow had already stopped. Although the weather was very cold, they had to reach the Holy Temple before sunset, so Mojia had set off anyway.

Now with dusk approaching, they had finally reached this place.

—Mandala City.

This was the most prosperous city she had seen in the snowy region along the way, and also the true core city of the entire snowy region, which could be glimpsed from its name.

Originally, “mandala” was a earth altar built on the ground when Tantric sect practitioners cultivated secret methods, similar to an altar, which could summon past, present, and future Buddhas to witness cultivation while deterring external demons, ensuring practitioners could cultivate wholeheartedly.

Later, through evolution, some people regarded it as the dwelling place of gods and Buddhas.

But in Jian Chou’s understanding, the original mandala’s meaning should be very similar to a “sacred ground.” That this city was also called “Mandala City” was quite intriguing.

While thinking about this, she walked along, not paying much attention to the gazes of people around her.

But when passing a certain spot on the street, she suddenly felt something wasn’t quite right.

As if…

Someone was watching her.

After all, she already had late Nascent Soul cultivation, and even with her spiritual consciousness restrained, her perception of the surrounding world was still much more sensitive than before.

Jian Chou almost immediately became aware of that gaze.

So she turned her head and immediately saw that monk standing strangely by the stone wall corner, with a strange posture, strange expression, and an even stranger gaze looking at her!

In that instant, she quietly frowned.

Could it be that she had encountered a Tantric cultivator she had seen during the Extreme Region Cauldron competition? But she had no memory of this person at all, let alone fighting with him.

From her impression, the Tantric monks who participated in that cauldron competition had mostly died, leaving only Zongtu.

But since she didn’t think she knew him, who was this monk?

Her frown didn’t relax, but at this time she couldn’t stop in front of Mojia and others to run over and ask if the other party knew her.

Wouldn’t that be seeking death?

Jian Chou could only endure it, silently passing by this monk on the street, and soon the sacred mountain in the distance became clear.

The noisy crowd was quickly left behind.

What appeared before them was the mirage scene they had seen through the clouds and moonlight from the cliff when they first entered the snowy region.

But compared to the illusory vision floating in the clouds then, the reality before them had an even more soul-stirring power!

The majestic sacred mountain was covered with pristine white snow.

The setting sun cast a layer of slightly orange-red light upon it, adding some graceful charm to the stern coldness. The weather was excellent, with a pure blue sky free of clouds or mist, so standing at the foot of the mountain, they could see the extremely high peak at a glance.

The magnificent Holy Temple was like an ice carving or snow sculpture, built right on top of that steep cliff, overlooking the entire snowy region!

As if all living beings were prostrating at its feet!

For a moment, no one spoke.

Every girl who had come along, including Sang Yang, showed tremendous awe and infinite devotion in their eyes—a wholehearted sincerity that could offer everything.

Even Mojia and others lowered their proud heads before this sacred mountain and Holy Temple.

Only Jian Chou…

After the initial amazement in her eyes passed, only an indescribable sense of the unexpected and a strange sense of destiny that “they were meant to meet here” remained.

Because on the spire of the Holy Temple standing at the peak of the snowy region, a familiar figure stood steadfast.

As if he had been waiting for a long time.

—The great demon, Fu Chaosheng.