Chapter 824 : Journey to the Tranquil Spirit Temple

"I thought as much."

Qingyan Yu [a cultivator from the Yu Clan] nodded, then inquired, "By the way, what brings you to the Western Pole Eternal Sands Domain [a vast, desolate desert region at the western edge of the continent] this time?"

Eldrin Chen offered a faint smile and replied, "We intend to pay a visit to the Western Pole Tranquil Spirit Temple [a renowned temple of spiritual cultivation located in the Western Pole region]."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Qingyan Yu's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of hesitation lingering on her lips as if she wished to speak but held back.

Noticing her expression, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "What is it?"

"It is nothing."

Qingyan Yu shook her head, ultimately choosing to keep her thoughts to herself.

Seeing that Qingyan Yu would not elaborate, Eldrin Chen did not press further. He simply continued with a gentle smile, "After my visit to the Tranquil Spirit Temple, I shall be returning to the Eastern Wastelands [a vast, untamed frontier region in the east]."

"You have been away from your homeland for many years. Would you care to journey back to the Ji Continent [a major continent in this world] with us?" Read, share, and discuss at site: audio-novel.com.

"Back to the Ji Continent..."

Qingyan Yu felt a flicker of nostalgia, but her gaze dimmed slightly, and she quickly shook her head, saying, "I am well in the Western Pole Eternal Sands Domain. There is no need to return to the Ji Continent."

"I see. That is good."

Eldrin Chen nodded and then spoke, "Since that is the case, I shall not impose further."

Departing from Qingyan Yu's Cultivation Cave, the group arrived at the central Grand Hall within the Buddha's Affinity Market.

The master of this Buddha's Affinity Market was a great cultivator at the Nascent Soul Late Stage, his Dharma name being 'Puxuan the True Lord'. Upon meeting Eldrin Chen, he received them with exceptional courtesy.

After understanding their purpose, Puxuan the True Lord said with a smile, "The Teleportation Formation connecting the Buddha's Affinity Market to the Western Pole Tranquil Spirit Temple activates once every thirty years. The next activation is still twenty years away."

"However, since you Fellow Daoist have journeyed all the way from the Central Ancestral Domain, I am naturally willing to make an exception. Please wait a few days while we gather the necessary personnel to activate the Teleportation Formation for your passage."

"For that, you have our sincere gratitude."

Eldrin Chen nodded, a genuine smile finally gracing his features.

With this matter concluded, Eldrin Chen recalled Qingyan Yu once more, vaguely sensing that she seemed to be entangled in some affairs. He then inquired of the master of the Buddha's Affinity Market, "Might I ask, Fellow Daoist, do you know of Qingyan Yu?"

"Qingyan Yu? You mean Immortal Maiden Qingyan?"

The master of the Buddha's Affinity Market paused briefly, then replied with a smile, "Immortal Maiden Qingyan has resided on the Buddha Affinity Continent for several years now and is a renowned figure in these lands."

"Yet, her fortune has turned ill. She has caught the eye of 'Kumarajiva the Divine Monk' from the Vajra Temple. He intends to select an auspicious day to take her under his wing as a 'Vajra Maiden'."

"'Vajra Maiden'?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of confusion crossing his features.

Having long resided in the Eastern Wilderness Lands, he had little contact with the Buddhist sects of the Purple Realm and possessed scant knowledge of the demonic paths within this realm.

Understanding Eldrin Chen's perplexity, the master of the Buddha's Affinity Market continued his explanation, "The so-called 'Vajra Maiden' is akin to a concubine, or even..."

"How dare he!"

As the master of the Buddha's Affinity Market elaborated, Eldrin Chen's countenance swiftly darkened, a storm of righteous fury blazing in his eyes.

It turns out that the Vajra Temple [a major Buddhist sect], despite its status as a Buddhist Sacred Land, does not abstain from meat, wine, or sensual pleasures. They even practice the Blissful Meditation Dharma [a cultivation method focused on sensual bliss]. What is euphemistically called the Vajra Maiden is, in truth, merely their term for the Furnace Cauldron [a living being used as a cultivation resource] in their practice.

At this moment, Eldrin Chen finally understood. His previous life's impressions of the Buddhist sects were vastly different from the reality of this world.

Upon reflection, this was to be expected. Even the monks of the peaceful, prosperous era from his past life did not originally have such strict ascetic precepts.

Eldrin Chen vaguely recalled an article he had once read. It mentioned that during the Han, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, monks were not only permitted to marry, have children, eat meat, and drink wine, but it was also common for them to keep slaves.

In those times, monastic orders seized lands, concealed populations, and some even raised armies to rebel and contend for the throne, seeking to forge a Buddhist kingdom upon the mortal earth.

Only after centuries, following multiple imperial campaigns to suppress Buddhism, did these monks gradually become subdued by the Ming Dynasty, evolving into the more familiar, restrained figures of later generations. Discover more cultivation stories at audio-novel . com.

The Buddhist sects here are the overlords of the Western Pole Eternal Sands Domain. The Vajra Temple, in particular, is a supreme Dao Lord Sacred Land [a sacred site associated with a Dao Lord] within the Buddhist tradition. Practicing the Blissful Meditation Dharma lineage, it is only natural they act with such brazen lawlessness.

At least within the vast expanse of the Western Pole Eternal Sands Domain, few possess the power to defy them.

With this realization, Eldrin Chen drew a deep breath, his gaze turning grave. "Within the Western Pole Eternal Sands Domain," he asked, his voice low, "are all Buddhist sects like this?"

"Not all of them," came the reply.

The master of the Buddha's Affinity Market shook his head and then spoke, "The Tranquil Spirit Temple is a legacy of the Zen Sect, cultivating the Buddha Heart Path [a path focused on achieving a pure, unwavering heart of enlightenment]. Their Dao-hearts [the core of a cultivator's will and spiritual foundation] cannot be disturbed by external temptations such as beauty, so it is not merely that."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen nodded slightly, letting out a faint sigh of relief.

The Tranquil Spirit Temple is the Purple Realm Buddhist Ancestral Court [the supreme ancestral temple of Buddhism in the Purple Realm]. Its abbot, the 'Tribulation Transcending Divine Monk' [a monk who has transcended heavenly tribulations], is said to be a Buddha born to face a great calamity, a mighty figure of the Half-Immortal Realm [a realm just one step below true immortality].

If even this lineage had rotted to the core, then Eldrin Chen would have had no choice but to turn and leave immediately.

Thinking this, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Thank you for informing me, Market Master. I have pressing matters today and shall not linger."

"Then I beg your pardon for not seeing you out."

The master of the Buddha's Affinity Market nodded, watching as Eldrin Chen departed.

Once he left the Buddha's Affinity Market, Eldrin Chen's expression turned cold. Without a word, he proceeded to Qingyan Yu's Cultivation Cave [a secluded cave or chamber used for meditation and cultivation].

Upon seeing Qingyan Yu, he stated bluntly, "I went to see the master of the Buddha's Affinity Market. I now understand the whole story."

Qingyan Yu's face paled slightly, and she hurriedly said, "That Vajra Temple is a Dao Lord Sacred Land [a holy land protected by a Dao Lord, a supreme cultivator]. It is not an enemy to be confronted lightly."

"You are not far from a breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a major advancement]. Why provoke a powerful foe at this time?"

Eldrin Chen did not elaborate, his gaze calm and detached as he spoke. "I ask you, are you willing to become that Vajra Maiden [a specific, likely restrictive, Buddhist cultivation path or title]?"

"This..." Qingyan Yu's brow trembled slightly. She took a deep breath and finally said, "Naturally, I am not willing."

"Then it is settled."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod, his eyes turning cool. "I will take you back to the Eastern Wastelands. For this period, stay by my side. Let us see if that Vajra Temple dares to come and claim you."

Several days passed in a blur. The Teleportation Formation [a magical array for instantaneous travel over vast distances] at the Buddha's Affinity Market finally activated after those few days.

Eldrin Chen led his companions and directly used the Teleportation Formation to travel to the Western Pole Tranquil Spirit Temple [the Western Pole Tranquil Spirit Temple, a major Buddhist ancestral temple], arriving at this Buddhist ancestral court within the Purple Realm.

Upon hearing of their arrival, the Tranquil Spirit Temple did not neglect its duties, dispatching a newly ascended Dao Lord [a title for a powerful cultivator who has comprehended a profound Dao] to receive them.

This person was the Zen Heart Divine Monk [the Zen Heart Divine Monk, a title for a monk of profound spiritual attainment]. It was said he was merely two thousand five hundred and some years old, having broken through to the Primordial Spirit Realm less than two hundred years prior, yet his mastery of Buddhist doctrines was already astonishingly profound.

The Zen Heart Divine Monk saw them and offered a gentle smile. "I have long heard of the esteemed donors' renowned names, wondering when I might have the chance to meet. I did not expect you to visit our Tranquil Spirit Temple today. It is truly an honor for this humble monk."

"Greetings, Divine Monk."

Eldrin Chen gave a nod and exchanged pleasantries with the Zen Heart Divine Monk.

After a brief exchange of courtesies, the Zen Heart Divine Monk spoke, "Have you come, honored guests, for the Merit Golden Lotus [a legendary lotus said to bloom from accumulated virtuous deeds]?"

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback, then smiled. "Your foresight is truly divine, Venerable Monk."

"Not at all. It was merely foretold by our Founding Patriarch."

The Zen Heart Divine Monk offered a gentle smile and continued, "Please, follow me."

The group followed the Zen Heart Divine Monk into the depths of the Tranquil Spirit Temple, eventually arriving within a vast Grand Hall. This chapter appears courtesy of audio_novel.com.