Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 887 Becoming Bigger and Stronger
"Amitabha! What's going on?" Guangliang often frowned at the prayer hall.

It was originally agreed that we would only stay at Jinshan Temple temporarily and return to Lingyin Temple in the future. But the abbot, on the contrary, brazenly put Pure Land Buddhist scriptures into the library.

Now, the monks in the temple recite the Diamond Sutra during morning prayers and chant Amitabha Buddha's name during evening prayers, truly embodying the practice of "dual cultivation of Chan and Pure Land Buddhism".

"Three years later, then another three years..." Guangliang sighed, stroking his bald head. "If this continues, will we ever be able to go back to Lingyin Temple?"

But whenever I see Zen Master Fahai tirelessly working for the people, I can't help but admit: this abbot truly has immeasurable merits. From slaying demons to suppressing floods, which of his deeds wasn't a display of great compassion?
"Alright, alright!" Guangliang finally slapped his thigh. "Take Qingyou and Baizhu with us, and pick a dozen or so capable people. We'll 'stock up' at last year's meeting!"

It has to be said that after spending a long time at Baoan Temple, even monks inevitably pick up some of the pragmatic style.

So, on the day of the annual meeting, the Jinshan Temple delegation marched in a grand procession through Qingbo Gate. And there they were:
Monk Qingyou held a purple-gold alms bowl, carefully selecting spiritual fruits to fill it; Zen Master Baizhu held a Qiankun bag, frantically collecting elixirs and talismans.

Guangliang went straight to the main table, first giving Xu Xuan a Buddhist salute, then lowering his voice: "Abbot, I heard there's a 'treasure distribution' this year? That..."

Xu Xuan suppressed a laugh: "Everything was prepared a long time ago, just waiting for you. Go and relax first. There shouldn't be any problem with each person having three or four Buddhist treasures."

Within the mansion, heroes gathered. The swordsman's sharpness, the doctor's benevolence, the Taoist's carefree spirit, the monk's compassion, the aquatic creature's agility, and the scholar's elegance all blended and shone brightly in this world.

After several rounds of drinks, Yu Bai suddenly approached Xiao Qing, ready to offer his treasure—the solution to the king's dilemma.

He lowered his voice and said, "Lord Water Lord, I have something important to report."

It turns out that with Xiaoqing holding the positions of both the Taihu Lake and Dongting Lake water lords, the aquatic creatures under her command have indeed benefited a great deal.

The number of awakened demons doubled, and their cultivation speed increased by 30%. But strangely, the benefits of connecting the two lakes were far lower than expected.

“Logically speaking, with over 20 million mu of interconnected waterways, the results shouldn’t be limited to this.” Yu Bai unfolded a map of the waterways. “The problem probably lies with Poyang Lake in the middle.”

Xiaoqing glanced at the map through her blurry, drunken eyes, then suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "That's simple, just take Poyang Lake!" Her voice was so loud that it drew the attention of several guests at the next table.

Gui Da spat out the tea he had just taken a sip of. Li Yingqi excitedly leaned over: "Who's Master going to beat up? Count me in!"

"Who cares if the Dragon King or the Flood Dragon Saint lives in Poyang Lake," Xiao Qing said, shaking her wine jug, her golden eyes blazing with fighting spirit. "We'll take care of them at the start of the year!"

She understood perfectly well that once the three major freshwater lakes along the Yangtze River were connected, the growth rate of aquatic life would definitely reach a new level.

By then, my strength will have greatly increased, and I might be able to follow Xu Xuan north to Luoyang.

Yu Bai continued to flatter him with a smile, though he had actually thought of this long ago.

What does it mean to present a treasure? This is what it means to present a treasure.

Xu Xuan, who was not far away, heard it clearly, shook his head and chuckled.

This little green girl has truly mastered his "taking an inch and wanting a mile" tactic. But then she thought about it again, Poyang Lake is indeed a strategic location. If the three lakes could be connected, not only would the aquatic creatures benefit, but it would also be more convenient to deploy troops in the future.

"War..." Xu Xuan stroked his wine cup, recalling the vow Xiao Qing made on the day she embarked on the path of the Water Lord.

This green snake had long understood that from the moment she took over Taihu Lake, the conquest would never cease.

It's either grow stronger through battle or perish through compromise. The path of Suicune has always been paved with blood and fire.

Let's leave here and go west to see what the young people are doing.

Hmm... the young man is just bragging.

The Three Wonders were surrounded by the young cultivators of the New Shu Mountain. Ji, dressed in a brocade robe and jade belt, held a folding fan and acted like a "senior master".

"You guys are just getting started in life," Ji Rui said, taking a sip of his spirit wine and feigning seriousness. "Unlike us, we've already been through countless battles. Let me tell you, back in Guo Bei County..."

Since passing the provincial examination, the eldest son of the Ji family has risen in status, and he has been bragging for three months straight without repeating himself.

Now that they've finally got this opportunity at the annual meeting, they naturally want to show off in front of these novice cultivators.

"You know the Blood Demon, right?" Ji Rui slapped his thigh. "Back then, it was the three of us who joined forces to defeat him..."

After discussing the battles, let's talk about the emotions.

After all, he wasn't even ranked among the best in the An'an Hall when it came to combat, but as for other things... the young masters of wealthy families had plenty of life experience.

Just as he was speaking eloquently, sword energy suddenly shot into the sky from the training ground.

"Brother Yan! Please enlighten me!"

Xiahou the swordsman drew his longsword, its blade wreathed in wisps of worldly dust. After six months of studying swordsmanship in Dugu Garden, he had finally grasped the true meaning of "the sword of sentient beings."

Yan Chixia laughed loudly and accepted the challenge: "Well done!"

The two longswords crossed in the air, one like a surging river, the other like a gentle drizzle. In the blink of an eye, they had switched between dozens of techniques.

Without using magic, relying solely on swordsmanship, Xiahou the swordsman is not afraid at all.

The crowd grew larger and larger; listening to boasting was nothing compared to the thrill of a real clash. Today's annual meeting performance was truly spectacular. A passerby surnamed Xu even joined in, recounting the feud between the two, and the origins of the rivalry between the first and second swordsmen in the martial arts world.

Not only were the people outside the arena listening, but the two people inside also heard it, making the sword fight even more exciting.

"Zheng——"

Just when the outcome was still undecided, a purple-blue sword aura suddenly pierced the battle!

"Me too!" Li Yingqi leaped in, unleashing the Yue Maiden Sword Technique, which, like a fleeting shadow, instantly shattered the swordplay of the two seniors.

After hundreds of rounds of swordplay, Xiahou the swordsman was the first to abandon his sword and admit defeat: "Miss Li's swordsmanship is divine, I admire it." He had long been used to being humiliated at Baoan Hall these days, and he was completely convinced of his defeat.

Yan Chixia stroked his sword and sighed, "Alas, a hero grows old..." Although he knew this day would come, it's happening so soon... I really don't understand.

"Hahaha! Good disciple!" Xiaoqing had sobered up at some point. "This proves who is truly the best in the world for our Yue Maiden Swordplay!"

Then he pulled his apprentice aside and started a poetry contest, and others joined in as well.

I'm no match for swordsmanship, and you're no match for poetry.

It's no joke that everyone in Baoantang is a poet; even the monk Guangliang can compose two Buddhist verses.

A passerby surnamed Xu leaned against a pillar, gazing at the bustling courtyard, a hint of contentment in his eyes.

These prominent figures present—swordsmen who slay demons, doctors who heal the sick, Taoist priests who transcend worldly affairs, monks who save all living beings, agile and mysterious aquatic creatures, scholars who practice worldly knowledge, and Arhats who are neither alive nor dead—aren't they all the number one or number two characters in the stories?
Today, we can all gather together, drink and chat, it truly feels like those legendary stories have been brought into reality.

He wanted to copy a poem to suit the occasion, but after racking his brains for a long time, he couldn't find one that could fully express the grand occasion.

Fine, I might as well abandon my scholarly airs and live the life of an ordinary person.

"Everyone!" Xu Xuan suddenly raised his glass and shouted, "The most exciting part has arrived: the distribution of treasures in the Pure Land!"

"Roar--!"

The crowd cheered and surged toward the boundless pure land. In a flash of golden light, hundreds of figures found themselves in a Buddhist paradise.

Where celestial maidens scatter flowers, the fragrance of medicinal herbs wafts; beneath the Bodhi tree, ritual implements gleam.

Mountains of spiritual materials are piled up beside the lotus pond; various secret scriptures hang from the clouds...

"The same rules!" Xu Xuan's voice echoed in the Pure Land, "Each person relies on their own destiny; no fighting or grabbing is allowed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the scene became incredibly lively.

Even Song Youde went treasure hunting inside, and actually found a few suitable treasures, making him so happy he was completely overjoyed.

Unfortunately, the destined owners of the Heavenly Thunder Twin Swords and several other precious treasures have not yet been found.

Xu Xuan held his wine cup, gazing at the bizarre and magnificent scene in the Pure Land, and suddenly remembered the dilapidated little pharmacy from three years ago.

Who would have thought that one day a "treasure distribution conference" could be held in the Pure Land of Buddha?
Today, Baoan Hall has finally become a significant force.

In the distance, towards West Lake, a white figure quietly stopped. Bai Suzhen gazed at the soaring light, a slight smile playing on her lips, before turning and disappearing into the night.

In his thatched cottage on Nanshan Mountain, Ruoxu was chanting sutras under the moonlight. Sensing the fluctuations of the Pure Land, he looked up and gazed into the distance, his eyes filled with joy.

Although my junior brother is surrounded by worldly affairs, his Buddhist heart remains undiminished, and he has instead created a unique and wonderful life in this world.

The game of "Fenbao" (a game involving prizes) continued until midnight.

With the last treasure having found its rightful owner, Xu Xuan stood on the lotus platform, raised his cup in closing:

"Gentlemen! I hope you will manage the Jiangnan region well next year, and some of the brothers will follow me north."

"Our Bao'an Hall—"

"Make it bigger and stronger!" Xiaoqing suddenly jumped up and interrupted.

"Let's create new glories!" Li Yingqi joined in the clamor.

"Roar--!!!"

Amidst the laughter and cheers of the crowd, Xu Xuan tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp. The starlight that night was exceptionally bright, as if witnessing the birth of a legend.

Meanwhile, in Luoyang, a thousand miles away, the Jin Emperor suddenly shivered.

He felt a sense of unease; was there a treacherous subject plotting against him?
　He has a low-grade fever, is unable to speak, and his supernatural powers have been sealed.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)