Let me explain, it's not what you think.

Unfortunately, before Lu Chen could consolidate his strength for even two days, news of his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage spread like wildfire.

Outside the Ziyao Palace, a large number of male lions roared, demanding that Lu Chen come out and meet them.

Seeing that he could no longer hide, Lu Chen had no choice but to step out and face the lions.

The lions sensed that Lu Chen was indeed a Nascent Soul cultivator, and one of the golden-haired lions was extremely excited.

He was a lion who had already successfully passed the Nascent Soul stage selection. Now that Lu Chen was also at the Nascent Soul stage, it was time for him to challenge Lu Chen.

It's in the late stage, while Lu Chen is only in the early stage. If he can't even beat Lu Chen, then he might as well not live!

Thinking of this, he glanced greedily at Zi Yao and Jiang Yu.

They'll be his soon!

Seeing this, Lu Chen frowned and stepped forward, blocking his view.

"Since you've made your decision, let's begin. Let me see the level of this lion clan genius!"

As Lu Chen finished speaking, the golden-haired male lion slowly walked out from the pride.

"I thought you'd at least take some time to consolidate your position, but I didn't expect you to be in such a hurry to die."

Lu Chen didn't reply, but instead assumed a fighting stance.

Just as the two were about to clash, a white light descended from the horizon, landing precisely between them.

"Wait a moment, gentlemen!"

After the white light dissipated, a human figure was revealed.

He was a young man with a gentle face, shorter than Lu Chen, and dressed in a white monk's robe.

Buddhist disciple.

No one introduced him, no one reminded him, but when everyone present saw him, those two words simultaneously came to mind.

"A Buddhist disciple?" The blond lion's tone carried a hint of surprise.

"This is an internal matter for my lion clan. What does it have to do with your Buddhist sect?"

The Buddhist disciple did not answer.

He merely turned his head slightly to look at Zi Yao, then at Jiang Yu, his gaze lingering on each of their faces for a moment.

Finally, he looked at Lu Chen.

"Mid-stage Nascent Soul. However, your foundation is unstable, your realm is unstable, and your spiritual energy circulation is still sluggish. In your current state, you can't withstand thirty of his moves."

Lu Chen frowned.

His words were unpleasant to hear, but every single one hit the nail on the head, and that was certainly true even without using any glossary entries.

The golden-haired lion's smile widened even more upon hearing this. He couldn't wait any longer.

"Since even the Buddhist disciple thinks he's no good, then you should step aside."

He strode forward and reached out to push aside the Buddhist disciple who was blocking the way.

But as soon as his fingers touched the Buddha, it was as if he had been burned by something, and his entire arm snapped back.

"What do you mean? You want to interfere?"

The Buddhist disciple shook his head, then nodded.

"Actually, I am also a lion."

The Buddha's figure flickered and transformed into a pure white male lion.

It is indeed the Crimson Heart Jade Lion!

However, deep within his pupils, golden scriptures flowed slowly. There was no aggression about them; in fact, there was a gentle warmth that made one want to get close to him.

"Crimson Heart Jade Lion...you are the Crimson Heart Jade Lion?!"

The white lion transformed back into human form.

The Buddhist disciple stood still, his expression unchanged.

"Now, am I qualified?"

The blond lion gritted his teeth.

According to the rules of the Lion Clan, he is indeed qualified to challenge Lu Chen.

"Fine, if you can defeat me, then you can challenge that human. However, for a mere Nascent Soul Stage Seven cultivator like you to challenge me is nothing but humiliation!"

The Buddhist disciple nodded.

Seeing this, the golden-haired lion gave him no time to prepare. His figure vanished from the spot, his claws tearing through the air with a piercing shriek as he aimed straight for the Buddha's throat.

This attack was not a probing move; it was his full-force attack, aimed at tearing this competitor who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere to shreds in a single strike.

The Buddhist disciple did not dodge, but instead met the golden-haired lion's attack head-on, pointing a finger deep into its chest, the fingertip striking the heart.

"Knock!"

It sounded like the sound of a wooden fish.

The golden-haired lion's pupils suddenly dilated, its gaze shifting from ferocity to bewilderment, from bewilderment to emptiness, and from emptiness to a strange, almost pious calm.

He retracted his claws.

Take a step back and kneel down.

"This disciple knows his mistake."

The Buddhist disciple withdrew his finger, and his entire body shone with Buddhist light.

"Let's go back."

The golden-haired lion rose, turned around, and walked back to the pride step by step.

His steps remained steady and powerful, no different from when he arrived.

But every lion saw into his eyes, and there was a kind of docility that came after being reprimanded.

The pride of lions was completely silent.

The Buddhist disciple turned around and looked at Lu Chen.

"My Buddhist name is Mingjue. I have long admired your esteemed name, benefactor."

"Oh? You've heard my story?"

No, but your face tells a story.

Lu Chen: "???"

Oh no, have I become Zhuge Liang?

"Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk has come to offer his guidance; please make the necessary preparations, benefactor!"

"Aren't you a Buddhist? Why are you thinking about coveting someone else's wife?" Lu Chen said, giving Jiang Yu a meaningful look.

He had some doubts in his mind before, but now he basically understands them.

"Amitabha! This humble monk has long admired the name of Fairy Jiangyu within the Buddhist community, and since our Buddhist community has a concept of Joyful Meditation, I would be willing to become her Buddhist companion!"

"I see..." Lu Chen smiled slightly and then looked at Jiang Yu.

"Jiangyu, come here for a second!"

Upon hearing this, the latter had a bad feeling, but in front of so many people, she could not disobey Lu Chen's order, so she slowly walked over.

She walked slowly, barefoot, with white jade prayer beads on her ankles. Her feet were spotless, and her plain white Buddhist robes fluttered gently in the wind.

Exquisite face, perfect figure, every line is just right, any more would be vulgar, any less would be bland.

In addition, there's her overwhelming cultivation level!

unattainable.

Elegant and luxurious.

These two words simultaneously came to mind for all the lions present.

They had seen Jiang Yu countless times, but never before had she seemed so distant, inspiring an urge to kneel in worship.

Lu Chen did not kneel.

In full view of everyone, especially in front of the Buddhist disciple, he reached out and put his arm around Jiang Yu's waist, pressing her body against his.

Jiang Yu was taken aback.

She looked down at Lu Chen's hand around her waist, so brazenly resting on her side, his fingertips touching her thin fabric, the warmth of his palm spreading to her skin.

She glanced at the Buddhist monk again, a flicker of panic in her eyes.

But bound by the rules, she dared not disobey Lu Chen, and simply stood there, like a white jade Guanyin being forcibly embraced.

She was the unattainable Nascent Soul stage cultivator, and she was also the one being embraced by a cultivator who had just entered the Nascent Soul stage, right in front of the Buddha's disciple.

The eyes of the Buddhist disciple Mingjue turned red.

It was a crimson color surging outwards from the depths of the pupils.

His gaze was fixed on the hand at Jiang Yu's waist, as if he wanted to tear that hand off Lu Chen's body.

But he didn't move. He stood there, his monk's robes unchanged, his face still gentle, yet every lion felt a palpable chill emanating from him.