Chapter 407: The World Trembled

Grandmaster Yuan Tong became an Overseer, while Chen Ming’s status grew higher and higher in the Buddhist Sect Golden Zenith. Overseer Yuan Tong took his new duties today and came to pay his grat.i.tude to Chen Ming, “Sage, impart to us the Dao. Will it possible to hold sermons for us in the Golden Zenith?”

“There are so many Buddhist teachings here that I would like to consult.”

“That goes without saying. As long as Sage stays, you have the right to consult all parchments!”

“You’re considerate.”

“Can I dare be shameless and confer Sage the t.i.tle of Head Sage of the Buddhist Sect Golden Zenith?”

Such status was too high, second only to Overseer.

This won’t do!

Don’t just go to riding the tiger ’til you can’t get off.

Chen Ming recalled, I put off Thousand-faced Fox mission again and again so let’s just do it now. He held his hands in prayer, “I am a traveler, not belonging to any temple. I am not worthy of such a t.i.tle.”

Yuan Tong understood and didn’t press, “I have wronged Sage, so I will prepare for you to consult our scriptures. Sage can view any his heart desires.”

That’s what I was waiting for. Chen Ming prayed, “Good deeds.”

He followed Overseer Yuan Tong to the Buddhist Sect’s shrine and dug into reading. One day, Yuan Tong came to visit and saw him buried in parchments, “Sage, we are heart monks and magical arts do us no help.”

In Chen Ming’s heart, Why so busybody? I’m just playing my part here for the much sought after scriptures. “That isn’t so. Life and death are in the heart, yin and yang are in the heart, everything between heaven and heart lies in the heart. Just like bitterness and happiness. For the sake of holding happiness in your heart, one would even endure bitterness. It is the same with these scriptures. My heart believes these are heart manuals, precisely because they are.”

Yuan Tong was enlightened, “Old monk will cherish Sage’s teaching forever!”

Yuan Tong continued, “Then I will guide Sage to gaze upon our Buddhist Sect’s stele. It must also be a heart manual to Sage!”

Chen Ming was jumping in joy inside, “Excellent!”

Under Yuan Tong’s guidance, they reached the top of the shrine where 20 steles towered. Yuan Tong said, “I shall not keep you from studying, Sage.”

He left and Chen Ming’s eyes flickered over each stele and formed 20 Dao Seeds, coming one step closer to the three thousand Dao Seeds mark.

The presiding monk from before felt like standing on pins and needles. G.o.d knew what plans Chen Ming had and wanted to spill the truth to Yuan Tong only to find out, I can’t say it. Even if I do, Overseer Yuan Tong won’t believe me.

This monk sprouting from nowhere was incredible and unwavering. Only Chen Ming was able to predict the last number and it was all because of him.

Chen Ming finished with the scriptures, Overseer Yuan Tong often came by for words of wisdom. I can play him for a while longer, but I can’t keep this up all day. What the h.e.l.l is that d.a.m.n prince doing? Why isn’t he here to ask for help by now?

I just come and go as I please or there’ll be h.e.l.l to pay!

As Chen Ming was all thoughts on Second Crown Prince’s visit over the next three days, he found the said person before him.

The prince spoke in deference, “Sage, I have thought long and hard while waiting at the gates. With Sage’s character, unmoved by fame or wealth, and ephemeral nature, I came to the conclusion it is best to convey to you my sincere thoughts and ask for help.”

Chen Ming’s little heart skipped, Did I just lose a fortune?

Heavenly Court Second Crown Prince, I will let this slide and, in turn, you will feed Yan Mountain for hundreds of years to come!

Remorse hit his heart like a ton of bricks but didn’t show it as he beat around the bush, “Does Second Crown Prince has a request?”

“If this matter stemmed from my selfish desire, I would’ve never troubled Sage. When it concerns the myriad creatures what does it amount to?”

In Chen Ming’s heart, This kid is quite the fast learner. “What happened?”

“A priest from the Headless a.s.sembly challenged the four Immortal Domains with divination. If we lose, we are forced to cede a great deal of stars. Great misfortune will befall the people on those stars, to fall in the hands of Headless a.s.sembly’s torment!”

In Chen Ming’s ming, Aren’t they already in anguish in your hands? Seven Deadly Sins. Bu Liuhen’s violated Heavenly Court’s l.u.s.t, Yang Hun earned Jade Lake’s envy, and Duan Shou its pride.

Bu Liuhen just didn’t want for his daughter to suffer and you wanted to kill his whole family. You’ve done well, Heavenly Court!

Chen Ming said, “Is this true?”

Seeing his doubt, the prince replied with more conviction, “Correct, if the priest succeeds, Headless a.s.sembly will demand the stars over and the Great Immortal Domains are bound to refuse, becoming the prelude to war.”

In Chen Ming’s mind, Aren’t you going back on your deal? If you lost, you still won’t admit it? Where’s the logic in that?

Chen Ming prayed, “As people are in peril, I shall follow you.”

“Sage is a.s.sured of victory?”

“Random and heretical paths are no match for Dharma!(1)”

Second Crown Prince was overjoyed. I’m bound to win with his help!

“Please be at ease, Sage. My carriage awaits us!”

Chen Ming gave him a scrutinizing glance, Is this your sincerity? Yet he still walked alongside in silence. Monks started streaming alongside and sent him off. Yuan Tong stood in front, “Sage, go with Buddha!”

The monks echoed, “Sage, go with Buddha!”

This only worked to spur the glee in the prince’s heart. Sage Ran Zui is without fault the greatest. He even got the monks to submit to him!

Headless a.s.sembly’s priest waited for months now in Heavenly Court, and had yet to meet a worthy opponent. He even wiped the floor with the Great Immortal Domains’ High Priests.

Headless a.s.sembly’s conceit came from the triumph in the late century war and the priest’s skill in divination left the Great Immortal Domains complacent.

News came to the cultivators in the Great Immortal Domains of a Sage Ran Zui who made even the well-distinguished Grandmasters of the Buddhist Sect Golden Zenith prostrate at his feet. He was so erudite that he could pry into Heaven’s Will!

Who then was qualified to request such a man’s help?

He might even accomplish the impossible, and drive out Headless a.s.sembly’s priest!

One man caught wind that Second Crown Prince of Heavenly Court braved a month of patience at Sage Ran Zui’s door, and his sincerity moved him.

Today Sage Ran Zui descended the mountain.

Today, the world trembled!

(1) Buddhist doctrine, Buddha’s teaching