Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 987 Special Breath

In the blink of an eye, several eminent monks arrived in front of Xu Xuan and stood still.

It cast a large shadow in front of Xu Xuan and the Crown Prince, blocking most of the afternoon sun, as if it had instantly turned from daylight into dusk.

Prince Liang had never seen such a spectacle before.
Several high monks who usually appeared to be "kind and benevolent" were now like wrathful Vajras, their oppressive aura almost tangible!

He was so frightened that his legs went weak and he almost collapsed to the ground. Fortunately, a quick-thinking servant caught him and dragged him aside, thus preventing an even more embarrassing scene from unfolding at his own doorstep.

After hiding to the side, the prince was still shaken and subconsciously took a few steps back, his face pale.

My mind raced: Could it be that those sharp-eared monks overheard my boasting and were displeased, and now they're here to lecture me?!

However, the expected confrontation did not occur. Instead, the muscular Abbot Huiren, who was leading the group, stood before Xu Xuan, and his originally serious and tense face actually managed to force a smile that could only be described as "amiable".

He clasped his hands together, his voice booming like a bell, yet carrying an unprecedented level of politeness.

"Amitabha! This humble monk is Huiren, and I have been appointed abbot of Linji Temple." He first introduced himself, then looked intently at Xu Xuan, his tone both probing and confirming.
"I wonder... if you are the abbot of Jinshan Temple, Zen Master Fahai of the Pure Land School?"

Since the earth-shattering calamity of the reappearance of Yunmeng and the change of Dongting Lake, the name "Zen Master Fahai," which was originally mainly limited to the Jiangnan region, has completely broken out of its circle and resounded throughout the entire cultivation world!
All factions knew that after producing that monstrous talent Ruoxu, the Pure Land Sect had actually cultivated another super-powerful monk who acted in a rather unconventional way!

The Buddhist community has its own communication network, using palm leaves to transmit messages and exchange information.

The story of Zen Master Fahai has long been circulating among various sects.

In particular, before he accomplished such a great feat as Yunmengze, he did something that caused quite a stir within the Buddhist community.

Despite being a member of the Pure Land School, he "borrowed" almost all the monks from Lingyin Temple, a Chan Buddhist temple, to establish a new Jinshan Temple.

Even Master Guangliang, who had reached the third realm of cultivation at Lingyin Temple, willingly took on the position of temple supervisor at the new temple.

It's said that they're just "borrowing" a place to stay for a while, but how long that "borrowing" will last, and whether they'll "return" it, only heaven knows.

This matter initially caused some discontent within the Zen sect, but given the strength and... methods demonstrated by Fahai, they could only temporarily acquiesce.

There are even rumors that the Jinshan Temple, founded by Zen Master Fahai, possesses an astonishingly profound cultural heritage. The temple reportedly contains three complete lineages of authentic Buddhist teachings:

Firstly, it is the true Dharma of Zen, passed down from Venerable Kasyapa, which emphasizes the mutual understanding between minds and directly points to one's true nature.

Secondly, there is the Pure Land Dharma Gate transmitted by the Dharma Protector Bodhisattva of the East, which involves reciting the Buddha's name to be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Thirdly, there is another school of thought, revered by all schools, yet few can grasp its essence: the Ksitigarbha Dharma, which makes a great vow to liberate all sentient beings in hell.

What makes many Buddhist disciples even more fascinated is that these three supreme Dharma gates can be freely studied and practiced by monks at Jinshan Temple without any restrictions!
This level of freedom is far more open than that of the Linji School; it can be said to be completely unrestricted.

In any case, if you look closely, it's hard to tell whether Jinshan Temple belongs to the Chan (Zen) school, the Pure Land school, or the Ksitigarbha school; it has become an unprecedented "three-in-one" innovative temple.

For this reason, the Zen community had rather complicated feelings about Master Fahai, who had a unique style of doing things but also held great treasures.

While some criticize its "unorthodox" approach, others are inevitably filled with great curiosity and interest.

Today, Master Huiren and others from the Linji School finished their sermons at the Liang Prince's Mansion and were about to leave when they caught a glimpse of a young man with an extraordinary bearing at the gate.

The group of people were highly skilled in cultivation, and at a glance they could tell that this young man possessed the rare "Bodhisattva" appearance, with a dignified and solemn appearance and an inner aura of Buddha.

Upon closer inspection, his appearance bore a striking resemblance to the person recently rumored to be about 70-80% similar!

A bold guess instantly arose in the minds of the several eminent monks.

Most importantly, when the group used their Buddhist wisdom eyes, they could not sense any obvious fluctuations in the other party's cultivation level at all, as if it were a deep pool or ancient well, with no bottom to be found!

Yet it evokes a natural sense of closeness and peace stemming from the very essence of Buddhism.

Although their cultivation levels weren't top-tier in the cultivation world, they were still considered pillars of the industry.

Who else could this young man, whose abilities are so profound that even when they join forces, cannot be fathomed, and whose aura is so extraordinary, but is the legendary, all-powerful Zen Master Fahai?
Xu Xuan was neither surprised nor denied that his identity had been exposed. He calmly returned a standard Buddhist single-palm salute, his demeanor serene and dignified, a stark contrast to his previous plain scholar appearance.

He replied in a calm tone, "Amitabha, this humble monk is indeed Fahai. It is a blessing to meet the eminent monks of the Linji school today, and I am overjoyed."

The two sides then held a brief but warm meeting between Buddhist comrades in front of the gate of the Liang Prince's Mansion.

When the conversation touched upon Buddhist doctrines, Xu Xuan was able to respond fluently, and even occasionally uttered a witty remark that drew admiration from the senior monks of Linji Temple, who became even more convinced that this person's Buddhist cultivation was unfathomable.

After Xu Xuan gradually gained fame under the alias "Fahai," he had already made ample preparations and defined his position.

A scholar who rose to fame through the imperial examinations, a benevolent and kind-hearted monk, and a divine physician who saves lives—these three identities combined make for a dazzling and righteous persona that needs no deliberate concealment.

Perfectly, this positive image of "three in one" can be used to make a complete distinction from the "White Lotus Saint Father" who stirs up trouble in the shadows.

Now, if anyone says Xu Xuan is a bad person, no normal person would believe it.

Do you really think the monks in the Pure Land ancestral temple are blind, and the heads of the three major academies are all fools?

The two sides chatted more and more congenially, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Meanwhile, Prince Liang, whose legs were still weak and who could only stand up with the help of his servants, looked extremely embarrassed and wished he could disappear into the ground.

I was just showing off a little in front of them, boasting that I could summon a high-ranking monk, implying that the other person was just a lowly doctor...

But reality slapped him in the face the moment he turned around!

Who would have thought that a promising scholar would turn out to be a monk? And why does this monk even have hair? What's worse, he's not friendly even after becoming a monk!
Fortunately, the main gate of the Prince's Mansion was not a suitable place for long discussions about Buddhism.

Although Abbot Huiren was engrossed in conversation, he knew it was not advisable to linger there, so he extended an invitation to Xu Xuan:
"If Zen Master Fahai has the time in Liang, we earnestly hope he can spare some time to visit Linji Temple outside the city, to preach the Dharma, and to enlighten us. We at Linji Temple have been eagerly awaiting your guidance for a long time!"

Xu Xuan's expression turned serious, and he replied sincerely:
"I am deeply honored by the invitation from Master Huiren. If I have the time, I will certainly visit your temple and visit you all to discuss the Dharma together."

After a friendly exchange, the two sides put their palms together and said goodbye.

The muscular monks, with heavy steps, left the gate of the Liang Prince's Mansion with a clattering sound.

Their imposing presence remained like a small herd of war elephants until they disappeared around the street corner, at which point the invisible pressure gradually dissipated.

Xu Xuan gazed at the backs of those bald men and couldn't help but secretly admire them: They truly are a lineage of Zen Buddhism.

His external martial arts skills were incredibly profound, his blood and qi were surging like a furnace, and he exuded a powerful aura in every movement. However, his cultivation level was slightly inferior, stuck at the peak of the second realm, unable to break through that crucial barrier.

If one can advance further and enter the third realm, one can, like Guangliang, gain initial control over one's own flesh and blood and begin to rebuild the golden body of Buddhism.

At that time, there will be a qualitative leap in physical strength, power control, and the use of supernatural powers, resulting in a significant increase in combat power.

However… Xu Xuan thought again, the path of cultivation is inherently difficult and arduous. A second-realm cultivation level is already a rare master in the mortal world, enough to establish a sect and dominate a region.

However, since I entered the Dao, I have been in contact with beings of the level of Dragon Lords, Emperors, Yu the Great, Wuzhiqi, and the Black Mountain Demon. My vision has been forcibly raised to an absurd level, and I think everyone else is "not of a high level".

I need to be more careful in the future, and not get too detached from reality, lest I lose my composure.

"Let's go." Xu Xuan withdrew his gaze and said to Liang Shizi, who was still in a daze.

"Go? Go where?" The young master Liang was still unsettled by what had just happened and didn't react for a moment, so he asked subconsciously.

His face twitched immediately, realizing he had asked a stupid question.

Where else can we go? Of course, we'll go into the mansion!

Having suffered repeated setbacks at Xu Xuan's hands and lost all face, he was too lazy to maintain any more of the pretense of politeness. He decided to throw caution to the wind, angrily flung his sleeves, and led the way straight to the back of the Prince's mansion.

Xu Xuan didn't mind and silently followed behind. He seemed to be looking straight ahead, but in reality, his spiritual senses were fully activated, like the most sophisticated scanning instrument, constantly recording the architectural structure and path layout inside the palace.

Led by Prince Liang, they passed through one magnificent ceremonial gate after another, and saw painted pavilions and vermilion towers inside the mansion, with flying eaves and brackets like a phoenix spreading its wings; the winding corridors seemed to have no end.

In the courtyard, beautiful trees and flowers from all over the country are planted, and flowing water is cleverly introduced to form a winding pool.

The Taihu stones adorning the pond are rugged and unique in shape, with translucent and ethereal textures, clearly treasures presented as tribute from Wu County.

Stepping inside the main hall is even more dazzling and mesmerizing.

The floor was covered with luxurious felt carpets from the Western Regions, and the walls were coated with expensive pepper paint.

Inside the hall, towering red coral trees and luminous jade discs that could glow on their own were displayed on rosewood shelves, creating a dazzling and radiant atmosphere.

The air is filled with the aroma of exotic spices from the Western Regions, rising gently from the exquisitely crafted gilded Boshan censer. The fragrance is rich yet not cloying, making one feel as if they are in a fairyland.

That's why everyone says the Central Plains region, especially vassal states close to the center of power, is wealthy.

Good things from all over the country, from north to south, are being sent here in all sorts of ways.

If the Liang Prince's mansion is in such a state, then what must the home of Shi Chong, the famous wealthy man in Luoyang, be like?

Upon entering this vast and mysterious palace, besides the dazzling jewels that almost smeared one's face, Xu Xuan's keen senses perceived other things even more clearly.

Secretly marking those areas that emit special spiritual fluctuations could indicate the location of a magic artifact enshrined at a node of the array, or some hidden chamber.

As they passed through several courtyards, they also keenly sensed several powerful auras, hidden in the shadows or residing in side halls.

Among them were the pure and righteous spirits, as well as the somewhat strange and unorthodox charms. There were even a few Taoist priests and monks who had officially entered the Tao, with a calm and composed demeanor, clearly not ordinary people.

These were all the true practitioners, guests, or retainers supported by the Liang Prince's Mansion.

Xu Xuan understood. It seemed that the princely residences in the core area of ​​the Central Plains were indeed quite prestigious, having gathered many extraordinary people.

However, thinking about this only deepened my doubts.

Since there are already so many cultivation masters in the manor, and Buddhist and Taoist experts frequently visit, and Prince Liang himself enjoys the protection of the royal family's fortune, his power is so immense...

Why would they need to travel all this way to find me, this "miracle doctor"?
This illness... is probably not something that can be cured by ordinary medicine or magic; the inside story must be extremely complicated.

After passing through layers of heavily guarded paths, the deeper one goes into the palace, the quieter the environment becomes, and even the figures of servants become scarce.

Finally, they arrived at a place located in a corner of the palace.

It still exudes an air of wealth and luxury, except that there are some talismans and Buddhist scriptures pasted on the outside of the house.

Is this a side room, a ward, or some kind of dark room?

With a subtle shift in his spiritual senses, he keenly perceived that behind the shadowy trees and artificial hill not far away, several hidden gazes were fixed on him, filled with scrutiny and inquiry.

He understood that these were probably spies sent from within the mansion to monitor him, but he didn't care and simply noted down the information.

Upon arriving here, Prince Liang's steps became noticeably hesitant, and a hint of barely concealed struggle even appeared on his face.

He took a few deep breaths before saying to Xu Xuan, "Dr. Xu, the patient is inside. Let's go in."

Although he was the heir apparent, his position was not secure, as he had several brothers who were eyeing him covetously.

The third and sixth princes recently made quite a splash with their connections and received a lot of praise from their father.

In order to consolidate his position, he had to leave an impression of being capable and filial in front of his father, so he had to take some risks and strive for some credits.

Xu Xuan sensed the struggles of those around him and had some new ideas.

Could it be that this young master invited me to come and treat him on his own initiative?
But then I thought it couldn't be that bad; who would be so stupid and unlucky at the same time?

Then my attention was drawn more to the seemingly ordinary courtyard, especially to the house with its door tightly closed.

Because he sensed an extremely unique atmosphere within it, one that was completely out of place in this solemn royal palace.

It has such a primitive feel.

Such a familiar smell.

Upon arriving here, the canopy covering the entire palace thinned considerably, as if the aura of fortune had bypassed this place and was unwilling to protect those below.

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(End of this chapter)