Fairy, you call this repaying a debt of gratitude?

Ye Qingci gently shook her head. "It's unlikely. I've cultivated in the Shangqing Sect for many years, and I've never heard of any sect colluding with the demonic sects."

"Is that so...? Then how do you explain it?"

"But maybe not... because there are some things that I've been kept from for many years too."

She sighed and continued:

"We currently have far too little and too fragmented information to piece together the complete truth."

Shen Weishen agreed. With so little information, they were constantly in a passive position, and bringing Ji Lingyuan back safely would be an impossible task.

He must quickly ascertain the true nature of the various forces in Qingyun City and clarify their intertwined interests in order to increase his chances of victory.

.......

The following morning, a misty fog gently enveloped Qingyun City.

Ye Qingci was meditating as usual, a faint aura of spiritual energy surrounding him. He was focusing on regulating his breathing and doing his best to recover from his injuries.

After tidying himself up briefly, Shen Weize pushed open the door and went out.

As soon as I stepped out of the pavilion, a constant stream of noise reached my ears.

"Have you heard? Master Chengxuan has come to Qingyun City!"

"Really? That's a Buddhist disciple who comes along only once in a hundred years!"

"Absolutely true! They're currently reciting scriptures at Qingxuan Temple in the north of the city! If you're late, you won't even be able to get into the temple, let alone see the Master!"

Shen Wei was very perceptive, and he could hear similar discussions all around him.

Master Chengxuan?

A thought struck him; the name seemed to evoke certain memories.

Previously, his parents took him to Xuanzhen Temple to pray for blessings, and he had seen the monk once from afar in the temple.

At that time, his family had not yet suffered the calamity of being wiped out.

Speaking of Master Chengxuan's life, it can be described as legendary. Back in Xuanzhen Temple, a young novice monk recounted his life story with great enthusiasm:

He was born into a scholarly family in Cangyingzhou. From a young age, he was handsome with refined features and a gentle temperament.

When I was three years old, I was passing through an ancient temple with my family. Upon hearing the sounds of Buddhist chants and bells, I immediately stopped crying, lowered my eyes, and clasped my hands in prayer. It seemed that I had a natural Buddhist nature, which amazed the old monks in the temple.

At the age of seven, he took the initiative to leave his parents, willing to abandon the worldly prosperity, and enter a remote mountain temple to be ordained and cultivate himself. From then on, he devoted himself to the Tao with only the dim light of the lamp and the ancient Buddha.

After entering the temple, his comprehension became even more astonishing. He could memorize all kinds of Buddhist scriptures after just one glance, and he could understand profound Zen principles without the elders having to say much. He often grasped them immediately upon hearing them.

Before he was sixteen, he had already broken through several Zen barriers in succession. His understanding of Buddhist doctrines far surpassed that of his peers, and even made many old monks who had practiced for hundreds of years feel inferior. For a time, he was the best in the entire temple and was regarded by the sect as a Buddhist prodigy who was only seen once in a hundred years.

Despite being granted the title of Buddhist disciple at a young age, he remained humble, calm, and unassuming.

At that time, his cultivation level had reached the Mind Lamp Realm, roughly equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage, making him the most renowned among the younger generation of Buddhists.

Just as he was reminiscing, a clear female voice rang out from behind him.

Good morning, Master Shen!

Shen Wei turned around and saw Wen Yutang standing gracefully in the morning mist, wearing a light pink dress.

"Good morning." Shen Wei nodded slightly, his tone softening. "No need to call me 'Hero,' just call me by my name."

"Isn't 'hero' a good title?" Wen Yutang blinked. "I think you deserve that title; you're both capable and reliable."

Shen Wei didn't argue. "Hmm... whatever makes you happy." Then, he changed the subject, his gaze sharpening slightly, and asked,

"You came so early, you probably didn't just come to brag about me, did you?"

Wen Yutang nodded, then pointed to the north of the city, where countless people were already gathering. "Have you heard? Master Chengxuan has come to our Qingyun City."

"Yes, I've heard about it." Shen Wei followed up on her words, wanting to know her opinion, "What's wrong?"

"I received the news as soon as I got up this morning, but Master Chengxuan came uninvited, it seems he only came to spread the scriptures and chant the Dao."

"Master Chengxuan is renowned, and his strength is unfathomable!" A glimmer of hope flashed in Wen Yutang's eyes. If she could get his help, with his influence and strength, they might be able to overcome this crisis.

"But..." she paused, then continued.

"Actually, my father received the news last night and sent someone to inquire about it. However, it seems that Master Chengxuan's visit is only for the purpose of spreading scriptures and chanting sutras."

Uninvited?

But at this crucial juncture, he came to Qingyun City... was it merely to preach and chant scriptures?

"Why don't you come with me and take a look? You're knowledgeable and experienced; perhaps you can persuade Master Chengxuan."

Hearing Wen Yutang say this, Shen Wei became curious and agreed after thinking for a moment.

The two walked all the way to the north of the city, but were blocked by too many people.

However, the Wen family wields immense power in Qingyun City and naturally possesses special methods.

The abbot then led the two to a secluded guest hall within the temple to wait, informing them that they could speak with Master Chengxuan in person after he finished chanting the sutras.

Not long after, Master Chengxuan finished reciting the scriptures in the lecture hall and slowly walked into the guest hall.

Shen Wei looked up and was somewhat surprised.

The appearance of Master Chengxuan was almost identical to that of the one he had seen from afar ten years ago. His features were still gentle, and his temperament was still serene, as if he were a young man who had never experienced the world.

Master Chengxuan raised his eyes and glanced at the two men, his expression calm. Presumably, someone had already informed him of their purpose and identities.

However, his gaze lingered on Shen Wei for a long time before he slowly spoke:

"I have met Miss Wen and Young Master Shen."

"I have met Master Chengxuan."

Shen Wei and Wen Yutang bowed respectfully in unison.

Master Chengxuan sat cross-legged on the futon, his eyes slightly closed, hands clasped together, and spoke in a deep voice, "What brings you two here?"

"That's how it is..."

Wen Yutang gave Chengxuan a general overview of the crisis facing Qingyun City.

"With your help, Master, and with your influence and strength, I believe Qingyun City will be able to escape this crisis."

After a long while, Chengxuan opened his eyes, looked calmly at Wen Yutang, and said in a detached tone, "This matter is beyond my control. Besides, fortune and misfortune are intertwined, and everything is predestined. Just let nature take its course."

After clearly expressing his refusal, Chengxuan slowly closed his eyes again.

Wen Yutang felt a surge of anxiety and was about to plead again, trying to persuade Chengxuan, when Shen Wei spoke first:

"Master, you are mistaken."

Upon hearing this, Master Chengxuan slowly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Shen Wei. His expression remained calm, and he did not speak, only gesturing for him to continue.

"Buddhism has always advocated compassion."

Shen Wei looked directly at Cheng Xuan, his gaze undisguised, yet revealing a hint of undisguised confusion.

"Now that the demonic sect in Qingyun City is causing trouble, the people are in grave danger and could face annihilation at any moment. As a leading figure in the Buddhist world, revered by all, Master, you stand idly by, citing reasons such as 'it's beyond my power' and 'let nature take its course.' Is this what Buddhism calls saving the world and helping people?"

He paused slightly, looked directly at Chengxuan, and spoke earnestly.

"The master claims that misfortune and fortune are interdependent and that everything is predetermined, but if he just stands by and watches innocent people perish at the hands of demons, such a predetermined fate seems far too cold-hearted. Buddhism emphasizes universal salvation, but if one is unwilling to lend a helping hand even to those suffering in front of them, how can one talk about universal salvation?"

"Does the benefactor know that everything in the world has a cause and effect? ​​The crisis in Qingyun City is caused by the entanglement of interests among various forces, and it cannot be resolved by one person alone. If I were to forcibly intervene, it might cause even greater disaster and harm more innocent people. Letting things take their natural course is not about standing idly by, but about following one's own heart and following one's destiny."

He then slowly added.

"Your obsession is too deep. Life is unpredictable, and forcing things will be futile. My mind is made up; I will not interfere in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wei said no more. He had only tried to persuade Wen Yutang, but since she had already made up her mind, forcing her would be moral blackmail and would be inappropriate.

Just as he was about to give up, Master Chengxuan suddenly spoke, his gaze still fixed on him, with a hint of inquiry: "Have I seen you somewhere before, benefactor?"

Shen Wei was a little confused when he heard this. He had indeed seen Cheng Xuan, but it was only from a distance. The two had never met formally, so it could not be considered that they had met.

"I'm afraid not. The master must have misremembered."

"Is that so..." Master Chengxuan nodded slightly, then closed his eyes again, put his hands together, and sat down to meditate. His body was surrounded by Buddhist light, and he completely ignored the two people.

Seeing this, the abbot of Seigenji Temple quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, his tone tinged with apology:

"Master Chengxuan has been traveling for several days, arriving in Qingyun City and reciting scriptures. He must be quite tired. Perhaps Miss Wen and Young Master Wen could come another day?"

The intention to decline guests is quite obvious.

Shen Wei and Wen Yutang exchanged a glance, and with no other choice, they bowed and left the guest hall. The abbot hurriedly saw them off.

After the two figures completely disappeared outside the temple gate, Master Chengxuan slowly opened his eyes in the guest hall.

"So he's that person's son."

His tone was light, as if he were talking to himself, or as if he were responding to something.

He gently stroked the prayer beads with his fingertips, then began to speak to himself.

"So the reason is the evil dragon... If that's the case, then everything makes sense."