Primordial Era: Exceptional Comprehension, Destroying Buzhou Mountain at the Start

Chapter 322 The Tang Dynasty bestows titles upon the Dragon Clan; the Dragon Lord speaks of drought, a calamity for the human race; Fahai presides over the ceremony.

Jinshan Temple in Yuhang County.

When Di Xiao first met Xuanzang, he was quite curious. He wondered what kind of person this future protagonist of the Journey to the West would be. Secondly, Di Xiao had heard Xue Dingshan say long ago that the Journey to the West was about to begin, and that he had even taken the essence of the Five Elements Mountain. Yet, seeing that Xuanzang still had time to come to Jinshan Temple, he was somewhat puzzled.

Xuanzang appeared to be a highly accomplished monk well-versed in Buddhist scriptures, radiating pure Buddhist light, and smiled slightly: "Prefect of Dixiao County, Buddhism and Taoism are divided into two branches: the literary branch and the martial branch. The literary branch specializes in studying Buddhist scriptures, comprehending their meaning, and understanding their vastness, using compassion to guide all sentient beings. The martial branch, on the other hand, cultivates the methods of Buddhism and Taoism, wielding the wrathful Vajra, punishing those with heavy karma, and saving all sentient beings."

"I am ashamed to say that despite years of cultivation, I have gained very little in the martial arts path. On the contrary, I have a talent for the literary path and have gained insights into various Buddhist scriptures. Moreover, I believe that Buddhist scriptures are the core of Buddhism, and only the Dharma can save the world. Therefore, I have no cultivation whatsoever."

"Oh, you don't cultivate? I've heard that the eminent monk Xuanzang is preparing to travel west to the Great Thunderclap Temple to seek the true scriptures. The journey is long and arduous; without cultivation, wouldn't that be..." Di Xiao's deep gaze seemed to penetrate Xuanzang. He wanted to understand why Xuanzang couldn't cultivate, and also to know his Buddhist heart.

Xuanzang clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, this humble monk is willing to die for the true scriptures. Even if the Journey to the West takes my life, I will not hesitate."

That resolute voice, filled with an inexplicable obsession, subtly touched the Buddha's light, revealing that compassion and fearlessness.

From Xuanzang's sudden change in that instant, Di Xiao sensed the terrifying power of his obsession. He shook his head and smiled, "Then I wish the venerable monk Xuanzang a safe journey."

Having said that, Di Xiao no longer wanted to chat with Xuanzang. Compared to the pathetic Sun Wukong, the Xuanzang before him was equally pathetic. From Xuanzang's words, Di Xiao sensed that the current Xuanzang had no emotions, only an obsession with obtaining the scriptures. It was as if Xuanzang was the embodiment of Jin Chanzi's obsession, lacking any personality or thought of his own.

Of course, this was just Di Xiao's guess. At present, Di Xiao did not say anything as the ritual of Jinshan Temple began.

But then, the old abbot of Jinshan Temple was seen holding a special kasaya that exuded a rich aura and faintly carried a hint of dragon energy.

"Fahai, from this day forward, you will be the abbot of Jinshan Temple. May you diligently cultivate the Dharma and save the world."

The old host's slightly compassionate voice carried a strange reluctance and an indescribable charm.

Gently brushing across Fahai's head, the robe was tossed aside and instantly landed on Fahai, transforming him into a high monk draped in a robe, holding a staff, and carrying an alms bowl.

Fahai had delicate features, but his eyes were filled with a sharp, piercing light: "Disciple Fahai will remember."

"Good, good..." The old abbot exclaimed repeatedly, then clasped his hands together, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and then his whole body radiated golden light as he circled the crowd: "Fellow Daoists, this humble monk has achieved perfect merit today and is about to enter the Western Paradise. I hope that you will all take good care of Jinshan Temple in the future."

As soon as he finished speaking, the old abbot was enveloped in a special Buddhist light, then stepped onto a golden lotus and ascended to heaven, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Clearly, the old abbot had reached the Golden Immortal realm and was bound to leave the Nine Provinces of the Human Race in accordance with his previous agreement.

Fahai also chanted Buddhist prayers to respectfully see off the old abbot. The Di Xiao group, on the other hand, politely watched the old abbot depart.

Soon, the old abbot disappeared, leaving only Fahai, the new abbot.

Di Xiao was equally curious about Fahai. After all, Fahai was a central character in the Legend of the White Snake. Now that Fahai had appeared, he wondered if Bai Suzhen would also appear.

Di Xiao was very curious about this Bai Suzhen.

After a long while, Di Xiao got up and prepared to leave Jinshan Temple.

Having witnessed the change of host and having interacted with Xuanzang, Fahai, and other figures from various factions, he prepared to leave.

However, just as Di Xiao flew out of Jinshan Temple, a hurried figure chased after him: "Prefect Di Xiao, don't be in such a hurry, Xiao Long has something to tell you."

Upon hearing this, Di Xiao stopped in his tracks and saw that the newcomer was none other than the Dragon Lord of West Lake. Di Xiao had previously been puzzled by this Dragon Lord, wondering how a dragon could exist in the mortal realm.

However, after chatting with Wu Zetian, he learned that this so-called Dragon Lord was actually appointed by the Tang Dynasty. In fact, the Dragon Clan and the Human Clan have always been on good terms, especially since it is said that the predecessor of the Nine Provinces of the Human Clan was the coast of the East Sea. The East Sea itself was the land of the Dragon Clan, and even the coast of the East Sea was once the land of the Scaled Armor Clan.

However, with the destruction of the Scaled Armor Clan, the Dragon Clan gradually declined. Their former lands were divided up, and the Nine Provinces gradually became the land of humans.

However, humans ultimately occupy other people's land, and given that the dragons had protected humans after the demons massacred them, humans were grateful to the dragons and thus maintained a close relationship with them.

Furthermore, the human race entrusted the management of clouds and rain, as well as the human race's rivers, to the dragon race. However, the human race also made an agreement with the dragon race that any dragon that managed the rivers must be officially recognized by the human dynasty.

Therefore, the West Lake Dragon Lord before us, though a member of the dragon clan, was chosen and appointed by the Tang Dynasty. This West Lake Dragon Lord is responsible for dredging waterways, controlling clouds and rain, and so on. Of course, the West Lake Dragon Lord also receives the assistance of the Tang Dynasty's fortune in his cultivation.

Now that the West Lake Dragon Lord had come searching for him, Di Xiao stopped in his tracks: "What business does the West Lake Dragon Lord have with me?"

"Prefect Dixiao, the reason I've come to see you today is also about the matter of Yuhang County. As you know, Yuhang County is built around West Lake, so the entire Yuhang County and West Lake are closely related."

"Recently, I've noticed a significant drop in the water level of West Lake, and a strange sense of dryness has arisen. This has led me to speculate that Yuhang County may experience a drought in the next few years. That's why I've sought out Prefect Dixiao to discuss this matter!"

As he spoke, the West Lake Dragon Lord wiped away the invisible sweat from his forehead, his expression slightly grave and embarrassed. Although the West Lake Dragon Lord and Emperor Xiao were both at the Golden Immortal realm, he felt a deep-seated apprehension at the unconscious battle intent emanating from Emperor Xiao. Clearly, Emperor Xiao's strength far surpassed that of this Dragon Lord.

Especially as a chilling glint flashed in Di Xiao's eyes, his fighting spirit surged: "What? You're saying Yu Hang County will suffer a drought?"

"I'm just guessing, and I'm not sure if it's true. But if a drought really does come, it's not something that any supernatural powers or magic can change." The West Lake Dragon Lord took a slight step back, trying to escape the battle intent enveloped by Emperor Xiao.

Di Xiao clenched his fists, feeling a headache coming on at this inexplicable news: "Drought? This is less a drought and more a calamity. A calamity is coming from the heavens, which cannot be changed by supernatural powers or magic. If this is true, then we're in serious trouble."

(End of this chapter)