This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 303 Trouble breaks out
Zhuang Lin is now extremely grateful that he and Hidden Immortal Valley had kept a low profile in the previous years and had not been in a hurry to get involved with the cultivation world.

Although I once longed to connect with various practitioners and seek out ancient texts or exchange experiences with them because of my cultivation path, I was fortunate to first encounter Xi Miao.

In addition, Zhuang Lin himself had many opportunities later on, and his cultivation path broke through one after another. This is why Zhuang Lin and Hidden Immortal Valley were not well-known. Even the radical Five-Colored Divine Peak plan was done cleanly enough, with nine small suns added to destroy the traces.

That's why we have the advantage of the enemy being in the open while we are in the dark.

Xi Miao seemed to have known all along that Zhuang Lin would make this choice, so she smiled and said.

"In that case, sir, please come with me to meet that esteemed disciple of the World-Honored One!"

In the past, Zhuang Lin wouldn't have been so confident, but things are different now. Not only has he broken through and consolidated his primordial spirit realm, but he has also learned from Master Mo Ke that the so-called mind-reading abilities of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas cannot fully know what you are thinking.

Especially now that Zhuang Lin has broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, he can actually achieve a similar "mind reading" and sense whether the other person's thoughts are good or bad. So even those who know how to conceal their Qi are no different from ordinary people in front of those pseudo-gods and Buddhas in front of Zhuang Lin; it's just a matter of cultivation ability.

At Little Sacred Mountain, the Buddha's disciple did not wait in the Immortal Fox Cave, but stood in the mountain, constantly gazing into the distance in various directions.

Although I usually strive for peace in my daily practice, I simply cannot remain peaceful in this situation. If there is not even a hint of news, the Buddha will most likely punish me.

But just then, a white cloud flew in from the distance, and standing on it was none other than Xi Miao. Of course, Zhuang Lin did not return with Xi Miao directly.

The monk subconsciously took a few steps forward, and before Xi Miao could land, he spoke first.

"Has the Fairy Fox Lady discovered the whereabouts of that Confucian Immortal?"

Xi Miao landed in the mountains and glanced at the monk with a hint of surprise.

Why isn't the master waiting in his cave?

"Alas, this humble monk has come on orders. The World-Honored One has only given me three days. Now that time is running out, how can I calm my mind?"

"Ha, then the master's cultivation is still insufficient!"

Xi Miao made a joke, then said seriously.

"However, please rest assured, Master. The Confucian Immortal may not go, but he would like to see you. Please forgive me, Master, for not being able to say it clearly before, nor could I bring the Confucian Immortal directly to see you!"

Upon hearing this, the monk was overjoyed. Although he knew that the fox demon might actually have connections, he did not expect her to be so powerful. Judging from her words, she had gone directly to see the Confucian Immortal.
"Ah, this is only right. How could this humble monk allow the Confucian Immortal to come to see me in person? I will personally go and invite him. I hope the Fairy Fox Lady will lead the way!"

"Alright, Master, please follow me!"

Xi Miao nodded, flicked her sleeves, and rose into the clouds, carrying her and the monk into the sky, heading directly north.

At the foot of the Taihang Mountains, in a relatively remote location, there are several thatched-roof buildings. Of course, these were not built immediately, but rather Zhuang Lin moved an empty courtyard from Hidden Immortal Valley using a teleportation technique.

By replacing the courtyard wall with a fence and the black tiles on the roof with thatched roofs, a rustic yet charming thatched cottage was born.

When Xi Miao arrived with the monks, she landed some distance from the thatched hut. She looked at the curious and apprehensive monks beside her and pointed to the distance.

"That is the place where the Confucian Immortal usually lives in seclusion. I was fortunate enough to meet him in Xiangyang. Although I am not a fox demon, I possess a noble spirit, which attracted your attention and thus formed a karmic bond. If it weren't for the World Honored One's invitation and the guidance of the Heavenly Sound Bodhisattva, I would never have revealed this place. Please be mindful of your words, Master!"

"Amitabha! Excellent, excellent! This humble monk naturally understands. Thank you, Fairy Fox!"

Xi Miao nodded and added a sentence.

"Master, you may address me as 'Sir,' just like I do. Please do not blindly call me 'Immortal Master.' Sirs do not actually have much interest in cultivators, and the same goes for immortal cultivators. As for gods and Buddhas, Master should understand!"

The monk nodded quickly, understanding immediately, and gave Xi Miao a grateful look.

The monk had heard of this fox spirit lady; she seemed to have a terrible reputation, enjoying the exploitation of men's vital energy, especially those who were handsome. Whenever someone was captured by her, they would become her furnace, sinking into pleasure and perishing.

Previously, when the Bodhisattva Tianyin guided the monks to Xiaosheng Mountain, the monks had some reservations, but now it seems that the rumors were not true.

With guidance from the Bodhisattva Tianyin and the knowledge that she could indeed catch the eye of the Confucian Immortal, it was impossible for such a demon cultivator to be as dissolute as rumored.

As for the last reminder, the monk understood that there are few Confucian immortals in the world. Even if they are called immortals, they are first and foremost Confucian scholars. They generally refer to those who take knowledge as their lifeblood and the common people as their priority, and who have a righteous spirit of heaven and earth in their hearts. They often dislike superstition and worship, and they can hardly be said to like gods and Buddhas.

As the two drew closer to the secluded place, Xi Miao's voice gradually softened, at most giving the monk a single glance.

Subtly, the monks had come to trust Xi Miao more, and were now becoming cautious and timid.

On the edge of the mountain valley appeared a rather simple courtyard, surrounded by a wooden fence, with a wooden frame above the door and thatched huts. The house was low with a chimney and mottled black and white walls, covered with moss, giving it a more lived-in feel. It didn't seem like the abode of immortals, but rather like an ordinary, peaceful family.

The monk was slightly taken aback, then realized that this sense of peace was clearly quite unique.

Xi Miao arrived at the courtyard first. The wall was low and fragile, yet it made people dare not cross it.

"Sir, is the master in good health? I, Xi Miao, have come to visit you, and I have also brought the master I mentioned earlier with me."

As a disciple of the Buddha, the monk usually maintained a superior demeanor in all places except in front of the Buddha. However, he dared not be negligent today. As soon as Xi Miao finished speaking, he immediately stepped forward and even subconsciously put his hands together in a gesture of respect.

"This humble monk, Adhara, has come to pay his respects, sir!"

He simply gave a title, without any prefixes or suffixes, and didn't mention that he was a disciple of the Buddha, which showed great propriety and demeanor. This made Xi Miao glance at the monk beside her again, who had expected the monk to immediately spout platitudes about the Buddha and Mount Ling.

Zhuang Lin, who was inside the house, was also moved by what he heard. A few moments later, he opened the door and came out, holding a scroll in his hand. He looked at the two people standing outside the gate through the fence.

The monk took the opportunity to look up at Zhuang Lin, and was slightly surprised, because when he went over, he only felt that the other party was an ordinary person with an ordinary fate and an ordinary appearance. He could only be described as having a refined demeanor, but he had no dazzling aura, no gods or ghosts attending or protecting him, and not even spiritual energy surrounding him.

But in this situation, seeing an ordinary person directly makes the other person seem even more extraordinary. The monk focused his mind and observed secretly, and then discovered some clues.

Although everything looked ordinary, the man exuded an extremely "clean" feeling. Despite his simple clothes, he seemed untouched by any impurities.

Zhuang Lin was also looking around outside. Then, without casting any spells, he shook his head and walked to the courtyard gate to open it himself.

"gentlemen!"

Xi Miao smiled and bowed, and the monk followed suit.

"Amitabha!"

"Master's Dharma name is Adoro? I am not very knowledgeable and do not know much about it. However, I have heard Xi Miao mention that there is also a disciple with this name under the Buddha of Mount Ling?"

"Sir, you are too modest. It is indeed I, a humble monk!"

Zhuang Lin nodded, his face showing little expression.

"Welcome, guests from afar! Please come in!"

After saying that, Zhuang Lin reached out and walked into the house first. Xi Miao nodded to the monk, who, although anxious, could not show it and could only try his best to restrain himself and go with him.

The interior was as simple as the exterior. Zhuang Lin personally brewed and served tea, which made the monk feel somewhat flattered.

After taking a symbolic sip of the tea, the monk immediately praised it.

“Good tea!”

"Ha ha ha ha."

Zhuang Lin smiled and put down his teacup.

"It's just wild tea from the mountains, neither a rare herb nor a fine product, how can it be considered good tea?"

Atala was startled. He had rushed to say nice things, but he had gone a bit too far. Quick-witted, he remained calm, smiled slightly, and put down his teacup.

"The good tea I speak of is not merely what's in the teacup, but rather this courtyard, these houses, this tranquility, this seclusion. Though it may be made from wild grasses and reeds, and be coarsely prepared, it is still good tea nonetheless!"

Xi Miao glanced sideways at Zhuang Lin, whose eyes lit up.

"Well said, well said!"

Zhuang Lin's words put Atuo Luo at ease. His past cultivation had not been in vain, and he had often been by the Buddha's side, so he had long since mastered it.

"I heard from Xi Miao that the master invited me to the Ullambana Festival, but isn't the festival about to start? Isn't that a bit rushed?"

As a Confucian immortal, he wouldn't usually address someone as a fellow Daoist. Also, since Xi Miao was no ordinary woman, Zhuang Lin called her by her given name, which made it seem more intimate and allowed the monk to take a second look at Xi Miao. However, the latter remained calm, probably because it wasn't convenient for her to chime in at this time.

"Due to my oversight, I failed to invite you to our Buddhist Ullambana Festival in advance. Now that the grand event is approaching, I have come here on the orders of the World-Honored One to invite you to attend. This is my fault!"

Zhuang Lin listened thoughtfully, then smiled slightly and suddenly said.

"I'm afraid it's not Master's fault. My whereabouts are elusive and I have no connection to the world. The World-Honored One's magical power is profound and he knows the affairs of the Three Realms, so he can naturally know. But Master, I'm afraid you have never heard of me before. Now that the time is approaching, you have been ordered to come and invite me. If this is not forcing someone to do something they can't do, then what is it?"

"Amitabha Buddha, sir, you have misunderstood. It was this humble monk who failed in his duties!"

Atala clasped his hands together, bowed his head, and chanted the Buddha's name, but his heart was somewhat unsettled.

Of course, Atala wouldn't dare say or even think those "outrageous" things, but what was the truth? Wasn't it just as the Confucian immortal had said? Hearing him point it out, he felt even more favorably toward him.

"Would you be willing to go, sir?"

Having met the Confucian immortal was enough to give an explanation. Even if he only brought back a message that he did not wish to attend the meeting, that would be sufficient. He would probably still be punished, but it couldn't be too severe. Adora could bear it, but he still asked a question.

I don't have much hope for this question, since most Confucian scholars don't like this kind of occasion.

Zhuang Lin smiled slightly.

"What harm is there in going? I, Zhuang, would like to see the gods and Buddhas of this world, and also meet the World Honored One of Mount Ling. It's just a small matter of an invitation. Knowing right from wrong in his heart, yet still doing this, I think this Buddha is nothing special! I want to go and argue with him about right and wrong! Let's see what he has to say!"

Atuo was startled and looked up at Zhuang Lin, who then added another sentence.

"This can be considered as getting justice for the master!"

what?
Atala suddenly remembered the various legendary tales that might be related to the Confucian immortals, and his face turned pale instantly, as if he had gotten himself into serious trouble.
(End of this chapter)