From a refugee to a martial artist

Chapter 328 The True Buddha
After calming his mind and carefully observing the changes within himself, Meng Yuan then began to regulate his own body.

Having undergone several tempering sessions with intense fire, Meng Yuan was already brimming with vitality. Now, with his cultivation level rising further, he felt an inexhaustible strength and a clear, unobstructed mind.

The two dantians that had been drained due to breaking through the realm were rapidly healing from the tears. Jade liquid gushed out like a spring, becoming even more resilient than when it was at the sixth rank realm, and there seemed to be a fiery intent as the jade liquid flowed.

From the inside out, within Meng Yuan's body, there was an inexhaustible flow of starlight, as if it would never be extinguished.

Once his body was full of liquid and he felt refreshed, Meng Yuan opened his eyes.

Having previously secluded himself from external noises, Meng Yuan now has his seven orifices open, and he has returned to the mortal world.

The thatched hut was dark and without light, but nothing inside escaped Meng Yuan's eyes.

The room was dilapidated, covered in dust. The low table and tea set looked as if they had been there for many years, now broken into pieces.

His clothes were gone, and his skin seemed to have been replaced with a new one. Upon closer inspection, one could see faint lines of fire surging within the skin.

Looking out the window, I saw that it was already night outside, the starlight was dim, and there were sounds of insects chirping and birds singing.

The mountain was exceptionally quiet late at night. It seemed that many people had been outside, and the lingering scents were mostly from women, especially nuns carrying sandalwood incense.

There was hardly anyone outside, only the soft crackling of a match, and two people chatting idly.

"Sigh." Someone sighed, and it was clearly Xiangling in the voice.

"Why are you sighing? Senior Brother Meng has succeeded and is just one step away from emerging from seclusion." Suwen had only known Xiangling for a day, but even though she was introverted, she had already been chatting with Xiangling non-stop.

"No, that's not it." Xiangling was still a little weak. "I was thinking about what Fellow Daoist in Black Robes said."

Suwen knew that Cangshan Jun was a pangolin demon, and she had also met Cangshan Jun and Xiangling and chatted for a long time, but she didn't know what they talked about.

"What did he say?" Suwen asked curiously.

"He asked me if I was used to living in the capital, if I enjoyed the food, and if I sang poetry well," Xiangling said.

"Isn't this just a normal greeting between friends?" Suwen asked, puzzled.

"Sigh, little nun, you've never been to the martial world, so you don't know what that black-robed Daoist is thinking." Xiangling spoke with an air of worldly experience, quite certain: "He's found out everything about my family. Don't you understand what he's up to?"

Suwen truly did not understand, hence he shook his head.

"He's trying to arrange a marriage for me! I wonder what kind of marriage he'll arrange!" Xiangling said very seriously and matter-of-factly.
"Do you want to get married soon?" Suwen asked softly.

"I just miss my godmother a little. If she were here, she'd be holding her grandson by now!" Xiangling sighed. "She said we should get married while we're still young and inexperienced. If we become too worldly, then we probably won't be able to!"

Xiangling blinked, looking puzzled, and asked, "What do you mean by that, godmother? Do I look knowledgeable now?"

Suwen understood what she meant and said, “Your godmother is a wise woman. She probably meant that after seeing the great mountains and the vast ocean, she can no longer appreciate ordinary things. Or, she meant that even if she met someone ten or a hundred times better than that person, she would still find it hard to be moved by them, once she had met someone she could not have.”

Xiangling, upon hearing this, asked blankly, "Why don't I understand?"

However, Xiangling quickly became old-fashioned again, saying, "You're not getting any younger, so hurry up and get married while you're still young and naive!"

“Amitabha, I am a monk,” Suwen explained.

"Get married secretly, chant sutras in the temple during the day, and go back to have the baby when it gets dark. It won't interfere with anything," Xiangling suggested matter-of-factly.

"Amitabha." Suwen didn't know what to say.

As the two chatted, Xiangling's ears twitched, and she said, "The little castrator is awake, let's go see him!"

Suwen also heard noises coming from the thatched hut, so he immediately stepped forward.

"Little castrator?" Xiangling called from outside the door.

"Has your godmother's lover returned yet?" Meng Yuan was afraid of missing Li Weizhen's breakthrough battle.

"No!" Xiangling sighed. "She probably has a lover outside!"

Meng Yuan looked outside the door and saw a bonfire burning not far away, with a pretty little nun standing in front of the door.

Although the young nun wore a wide robe and sleeves, she had a delicate and frail appearance, making her all the more pitiful.

Moreover, it seemed that the little nun was wearing a flower on her head.

Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that Xiangling was lying on Suwen's head, her belly pressed against Suwen's bald head, her small floral bundle on her back propped up, her soft body drooping, her little head pressed against Suwen's forehead, and her short limbs swaying gently.

"Oh dear!" Xiangling's eyes widened, and she immediately stretched out her two little front paws to cover Suwen's eyes, but she didn't expect Suwen to have already covered her eyes with his hands.

Meng Yuan was only then surprised to realize that after many days of seclusion and tempering by the starlight, his clothes had long since turned to dust.

"Little castrator, shame on you!" Xiangling jumped onto Suwen's shoulder and pulled a small bundle from his arms. "Your eldest and youngest wives made clothes for you!"

Xiangling stepped forward carrying the bundle, but Suwen had already turned and left.

"Little castrator, you don't like wearing clothes when you're practicing your skills. You need to change that old habit!" Xiangling looked up at Meng Yuan as she dressed and said earnestly, "Otherwise, people will laugh at you when you go out into the world!"

"I understand." Meng Yuan admitted his mistake and corrected it.

"It fits you perfectly!" Xiangling jumped up happily when she saw Meng Yuan was dressed. She quickly climbed onto Meng Yuan's shoulder, stretched her neck, and stared at Meng Yuan's face with her big eyes. She asked in surprise, "Little castrator, how come you've become even more handsome?"

Her eyes were wide open, very bright, and very serious.

Meng Yuan touched her small nose and said, "It's only been a few days since I last saw you, how come you've become even more beautiful?"

"It's true." Xiangling scratched Meng Yuan's face. "I've really missed you!"

"I miss you too." Meng Yuan smiled and pulled Xiang Ling into his arms, scratching her belly.

Stepping out of the thatched hut, Meng Yuan looked up and saw that the night was deep, the Milky Way was bright, and the moon was high in the sky.

With the embers of the fire still burning, Suwen remained standing there, facing the fire with her back to Meng Yuan and Xiang Ling.

"Little nun, he's changed." Xiangling said earnestly, "Take a look and see if it looks good!"

Suwen stammered and didn't turn around.

"Please forgive my rudeness," Meng Yuan said, bowing slightly.

Upon hearing this, Suwen finally turned around, returned the greeting, her face clearly flushed red, unable to utter a single word.

Meng Yuan stepped forward and sat down in front of the embers of the fire. Xiang Ling tugged at Su Wen's sleeve, and Su Wen finally sat down awkwardly, keeping her head down and not saying a word.

"Thank you so much, Junior Sister, for protecting me day and night. If you ever need my help in the future, just let me know." Meng Yuan was very grateful for the kindness shown to him after so many days of protection.

Suwen kept her head down and did not respond.

Xiangling, nestled in Meng Yuan's arms, glanced at his face and then craned her neck to look at Suwen's. "Little castrator, you've been flirting with women again!"

As she spoke, she took out a small bundle from behind her and pulled out several letters. "They're all for you!"

Meng Yuan took the letters and saw that there were four: one from Jiang Tang, one from Nie Qingqing, and one from Zhao Wannian. He was delighted to find that one of them had also sent a letter.

“I’ve read all the letters I wrote to you. You should write more poems!” Xiangling leaned over Meng Yuan’s back and braided his hair.

"In a few days, let's go boating and composing poems on the Qinglong River." Meng Yuan smiled and first opened Zhao Wannian's letter. There was nothing important in the letter, only that a disciple of the Tian family had accompanied the Third Miss to Ping'an Prefecture and asked Meng Yuan to help look after him.

Xiao Huanxi's letter didn't contain anything serious; she just asked Meng Yuan to bring back some local specialties.

Jiang Tang and Nie Qingqing didn't come this time, and their letter didn't mention anything important, only reminding Meng Yuan to be careful while he was away.

After quietly reading the letter, Xiangling finished tying Meng Yuan's hair up.

"Where did Master Xuanjizi go?" Meng Yuan pulled Xiangling into his arms again and gently scratched her soft belly.

“He said that his senior brother had achieved success and asked me to stay here with Benefactor Xiangling. He doesn’t know where he has gone,” Suwen replied.

"Who else has come?" Meng Yuan asked again.

Suwen clearly remembered it. "Your senior brother came before, and the four senior brothers from Chongxu Temple also asked Senior Sister Suqiu to send their greetings. When your senior brother was going through the trials during the day, the masters from my Yunshan Temple also came to witness the ceremony, and Miss Mingyue and Lord Cangshan also came."

"Third Grandma also wanted to come see you, but she was called away by a white-bearded man," Xiangling said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Meng Yuan realized that Yingmei in the red cloak hadn't come. The thought of the red cloak brought to mind the scenery beneath it, and then the two times they had fought together against the enemy.

Before going into seclusion, Meng Yuan received a letter from Jie Kaiping, but he still doesn't know how she is doing. If Jie Kaiping hasn't gone far, he should have seen the image of firelight by now.

"When did Mingyue leave? Did she leave any words behind?" Meng Yuan asked.

Suwen suddenly realized and hurriedly said, "Benefactor Mingyue said that once Senior Brother has finished his seclusion, please go to Lanruo Temple as soon as possible."

Meng Yuan, oblivious to the passage of time, asked, "Is the fighting over?"

"More than half a month has passed, and both sides have suffered heavy casualties. Now it's a debate on Zen and Tao." Suwen didn't know the details either; he only heard it from Suqiu.

Upon hearing this, Meng Yuan looked towards the direction of Lanruo Temple.

Although the stars and moon guided the way, the journey of nearly a hundred miles was still unclear, and no one knew what had happened.

"What happened at Lanruo Temple?" Meng Yuan asked.

"I heard that the Arhat Wusheng has appeared." Suwen looked quite worried. "The elders in my temple have all gone there and told us to guard the mountain gate carefully."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yuan immediately stood up. Xiang Ling, knowing that Meng Yuan was in a hurry, quickly burrowed into Meng Yuan's clothes.

"Junior Sister Suwen, I'm going to Lanruo Temple now. I'll come back to discuss the Dao with you after this matter is settled." Meng Yuan said and was about to leave.

"No need, no need." Su Wen also stood up, bowed her head and clasped her hands together, saying, "I appreciate your kindness, Senior Brother, but I will be going out in a few days, so in the future we..."

Suwen raised her head slightly at this point, and seeing Meng Yuan staring at her, she lowered her head again and said, "My senior uncle, the sect leader, told me to go and find my hometown."

"The Kingdom of Xiangji?" Meng Yuan asked in surprise, "Who will accompany you?"

“That’s right.” Suwen’s voice was soft. “Several senior brothers and sisters are accompanying us.”

"Where is the Kingdom of Xiangji?" Meng Yuan asked.

"The sect leader said it's in the south." Su Wen looked rather bewildered. "I'm not quite sure either."

South? The celestial being that Meng Yuan sensed was in the southwest, but he didn't know if it would overlap with Su Wen's path.

Meng Yuan has now reached the fifth rank of martial arts. Although he has made rapid progress, he is still far inferior to the world's masters.

For example, Meng Yuan knew that he was no match for the Arhat Wusheng in Lanruo Temple.

Therefore, Meng Yuan had long planned that once the matter at Lanruo Temple was settled, he would seek out the celestial creations and break through to the fourth rank as soon as possible.

Moreover, Meng Yuan vaguely sensed that after ascending the final heavenly staircase, he would settle a grudge.

The path of a martial artist, and the way of oneself, are inseparable from striving with swords and spears. Meng Yuan has already embarked on a path of no return. Moreover, his own way is profound and mysterious, requiring him to witness the world in the face of life and death. Therefore, he should strive even harder, even to the point of no regrets, and forge ahead without hesitation.

"Why don't we wait a bit before going?" Meng Yuan knew that Suwen was a family of healers, good at treating illnesses and saving lives, but not so good at fighting and risking their lives. Although they had the protection of their teachers, there was no way to know if the journey to Xiangji Kingdom would be dangerous with a bunch of nuns together.

“I have to go eventually.” Suwen knew that Meng Yuan meant well, so she put her hands together and said, “The world is full of troubles, so I should do what I can. Lanruo Temple is in a dangerous situation right now. The sect leader said that doctors cannot cure the disease, and the only thing to ask for is a sharp blade. That’s why he doesn’t want me to go.”

"Take care." Meng Yuan said no more and immediately started walking down the mountain.

Xiangling took out the small comb she had just used to comb Meng Yuan's hair from a small bundle inside Meng Yuan's clothes, climbed onto Meng Yuan's shoulder, and tossed it to Suwen.

Suwen took the comb blankly, then looked at Xiangling with a puzzled expression.

“My godmother said that it’s even more important to look presentable when you’re out traveling the world!” Xiangling had a point. She suddenly remembered that Suwen had already shaved his head and quickly said, “You can comb your hair once it grows back!”

"Thank you." Suwen held the small wooden comb and bowed gratefully.

"When you leave, send me a letter. Perhaps we can meet again in Xiangji Kingdom," Meng Yuan said, turning around with a smile.

"Yes." Suwen bowed and clasped her hands together again.

Meng Yuan said no more and strode forward. Xiang Ling stood on Meng Yuan's shoulder, her little paws gripping his temples to steady herself. She waved her little paws at Su Wen and called out, "Come find me if you want to get married, I'll find you a good match!"

After leaving Yunshan Temple, Meng Yuan immediately tucked Xiangling into his clothes, then transformed into a stream of light and headed towards Wulou Mountain.

The night was deep, and the flowing light surged and rushed, yet there was not a sound.

Not much of the jade liquid was used up, and Meng Yuan soon arrived at the foot of the Lanruo Temple gate.

When I first arrived here, I was struck by its majestic grandeur. But today, I see Lanruo Temple as nothing more than a low hill with a few temple gates.

At this moment, there were no guards from the Demon Suppression Bureau at the foot of the mountain, nor were there any guest monks or night watchmen from Lanruo Temple.

Looking up at Lanruo Temple, the outline of the mountain gate can be seen under the stars and moon, with faint Buddhist light emanating from it.

As you climb the steps, the weight of the weight increases with each ascent. It wasn't until you'd climbed about a hundred stone steps that you finally saw people.

These people, dressed in the attire of the Demon Suppression Bureau, or in monks' robes, or in Confucian or Taoist robes, both men and women, were all moving forward step by step.

Upon closer inspection, Meng Yuan noticed that these people were all covered in sweat, clearly indicating that they were exerting themselves greatly, as if they were not here to climb the mountain gate, but rather to ascend the ladder to heaven.

Step by step forward, a jumble of thoughts arose in Meng Yuan's mind, but before they could gain momentum, they were burned away by the sparks. He felt no fatigue, only a strong will to strive upwards.

“The Arhat of No Birth…” Meng Yuan knew that something must have happened in Lanruo Temple. And the only person who could make Lanruo Temple fall into chaos without a sound or the sound of Buddhist scriptures could be the Arhat of No Birth.

As Meng Yuan ascended the steps, he soon reached the mountain gate. Just ahead lay the meditation platform of Lanruo Temple, followed by the three courtyards of Lanruo Temple: the Precept Court, the Meditation Court, and the Wisdom Court.

Looking ahead, deep within the clouds and mist, there seemed to be great light, great compassion, and great terror, as if the true Buddha were preaching.

Looking back down the mountain, I saw many people climbing in the dark night, each sweating profusely.

Meng Yuan did not see Li Weizhen. This martial artist, praised by many as capable of slaying a third-rank Arhat to prove his Dao, had not yet appeared.

The road ahead is fraught with peril, and the one who will defeat the enemy has yet to arrive.

Meng Yuan stopped thinking about it, gripped the hilt of his sword, and stepped forward to find the true Buddha.

(End of this chapter)