Wizards begin with Occlumency.

Guanglin Prefecture.

As the date for the Guanglin Prince's beloved daughter, whose reputation is divided, to choose a husband approaches, the prefectural city and its surrounding areas become extremely lively.

However, this kind of liveliness belongs to nobles, aristocratic families, Buddhist temples, monks, and all the "nobles" who stand above people.

The common people have nothing.

On the contrary, they have to pay an extremely high price for this kind of excitement.

The roads around Guanglin Prefecture need to be repaired, the city gates and walls need to be cleaned, the roads inside the city need to be spotless, and the city needs to be decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and filled with joy.

The nobles don't need to do these things themselves; they only need to give an order.

Those who do these things are always the peasants.

These peasants, who usually yearn for the favors of the wealthy and powerful, just to get a few bites of food to feed themselves and their families, should dedicate everything to these people!

So, do the common folk get paid for repairing roads, cleaning city gates, walls, and roads inside the city for the nobles?

Wages?

Being given a few meals is already considered a great favor by these noble people.

"Has it always been like this?"

A carriage bearing the sign of the Prince's Mansion drove along the spotless, brightly lit road. Jasmine sat inside the carriage and softly asked the maid, Guo'er, who had once run to the top of the mountain.

"It has always been this way, Princess."

The maid, Guo'er, knew that the princess she served was once again feeling compassion and chivalry, so she quickly advised, "It's always been like this, Princess. There's nothing wrong with it."

"How so? Why is there nothing wrong with it?"

Jasmine stared intently at the maid, Guo'er, and asked seriously, "If you do work, you should get paid. Why is it that not getting paid isn't a bad thing?"

The maid, Guo'er, bit her lip, took a deep breath, and mustered her courage before saying, "Money, you have to be alive to spend it!"

Jasmine fell silent upon hearing this.

It's been almost two months since I "possessed" this body.

Following the original princess's style of doing things, Jasmine did a lot of things, went to many places, and saw many people and things, gaining a deeper understanding of this world and the remaining Buddhist civilization.

At first, she couldn't quite understand why Buddhist civilization, already so dilapidated and barely surviving, would maintain such a high-pressure and oppressive rule internally.

It should be understood that although the wizarding civilization conquered the heavens and subjugated one civilized world after another with force or gentleness, it never engaged in such cruel internal exploitation as the Buddhist civilization.

Those civilized worlds that have been conquered by the wizard civilization have valuable aspects that the wizard civilization will actively absorb and then develop on a large scale.

In a resource-based world, the primary focus is on producing resources, and exchanging them for higher-level knowledge of civilization from the wizard civilization.

Resources may be scarce, but biodiversity and occupational diversity can lead to the creation of servant corps, which in turn provide opportunities for advancement towards higher levels of civilization.

Although the wizarding civilization is not exactly a pristine white lotus, it would never engage in such blatant exploitation and oppression as the remnants of Buddhism.

Judging from the fundamental nature of their respective civilizations, wizards should be the cold-blooded and cruel ones, while Buddhists should be the compassionate and merciful ones!

Having integrated the original princess's memories, and after this period of practical investigation and reflection, coupled with today's experience, Jasmine finally understood.

Without exploitation and oppression, without letting the people at the bottom live in misery, how can we inspire their yearning for salvation and transcendence, and how can we help them rediscover the Buddha?

If we don't engage in exploitation and oppression, but instead feed a group of so-called nobles and let these nobles confront the exploited and oppressed lower classes, how can we demonstrate the Buddha's lofty status and great compassion?

The Buddha, out of compassion, could not bear to see the filth in the world.

Then you can simply not watch it, right?

Thinking of this, Jasmine grinned, her eyes full of mockery.

She lifted a sliver of the curtain and peeked through the gap at the three suns in the sky, but had nothing to say.

However, the more Jasmine acted this way, the more terrified the maid, Guo'er, became.

She was really afraid that the princess would run away from home on the eve of the marriage selection, causing the prince to lose face in front of all the nobles.

Fortunately, the carriage drove smoothly into the Prince's mansion, and the princess remained seated calmly, seemingly not opposed to the idea of ​​taking a son-in-law.

This made the maid, Guo'er, feel strange and even more frightened.

Princess, are you perhaps planning something big?

Under the complicated gaze of her maid, Guo'er, Jasmine gracefully dismounted from the carriage and returned to her own residence to live a secluded life.

On the way from Baima Temple to Guanglin Prince's Mansion.

Lin Ke and Monk Liaochen traveled side by side, accompanied by representatives from several other academies of Baima Zen Temple, who were also heading to Guanglin Prefecture.

These monks, regardless of their weight or height, all shared one common characteristic: they were young and childless.

Yes, no offspring.

Many eminent monks at Baima Temple have their own descendants.

"Junior brother, are you confident?"

As they walked, Monk Liaochen nudged Link's shoulder, raised an eyebrow, and asked mischievously, "I heard the princess is a great beauty, and she's cultivated since childhood, so her body is very flexible and supple, hehe..."

Link walked calmly, eyes downcast, then calmly asked, "Senior brother, you also practice Joyful Meditation?"

Whether it's Baima Temple or other Buddhist temples, regardless of which school of Buddhism they practice, the vast majority of monks practice the Joyful Meditation.

It's not because monks like to practice joyful meditation, but because practicing joyful meditation makes it easier to understand the true meaning of Buddhism.

However, Abbot Yuanzhi of Baima Temple was an exception. Although he had children, he did not practice the Joyful Meditation, yet he was equally proficient in Buddhism.

The original incarnation of the monk Liaofan was influenced by his master and did not practice the Joyful Zen, so his cultivation level was always ranked in the lower middle range of Baima Zen Temple.

It wasn't until Link "possessed" him that he finally had his moment in the spotlight.

Upon hearing this, Monk Liaochen's eyebrows and eyes drooped instantly, and he muttered, "I would like to cultivate, but Master won't allow it."

As he spoke, Monk Liaochen looked at Link and asked in a low voice, "Junior brother, do you know why Master doesn't allow us to practice the Joyful Meditation? All the other brothers in the monastery are practicing it."

Following Monk Chen's gaze, Link looked into his eyes to confirm that Monk Chen was genuinely seeking guidance and not testing him, before asking in return, "Senior brother, are we practicing Buddhism, or are we simply worshipping Buddha?"

"Practicing Buddhism? Worshipping Buddha?"

The monk Liaochen repeated the two words, then frowned and pondered deeply.

What does it mean to practice Buddhism?

What does "worshiping Buddha" refer to?

What's the difference between the two?

If there is a difference, what does that difference have to do with whether or not one practices Joyful Meditation?

One question after another arose in the mind of the monk Liaochen.

Lin Ke ignored the monk Liao Chen, who was lost in thought, and continued on his way calmly.

However, a few representatives from other departments nearby let out a few sneers.

"Just because you've mastered a few supernatural powers, do you really think you're a master of Buddhist teachings?"

"All the abbots practice joyful meditation, but you and your disciples don't. What are you trying to show off?"

"Ignorant of one's own limitations."

"Let's hurry up and not walk with these kinds of people, lest we defile the Dharma."

The murmurs were followed by snickers.

Link ignored him completely, as if he hadn't heard him.

Iris completely ignored the complaints and grievances of the girls and women, as if she hadn't heard them at all.

Things in this world are always simple to think about and easy to say, but difficult to do.

Before descending the mountain, the women thought that with the skills they had honed in the brothel to read people and charm hearts, they could easily recruit as many people as they wanted.

result……

It's not that we gained nothing, but rather that we hit a brick wall.

Forget about going up the mountain with them, they don't even give us a chance to hear them preach their ideas.

They could either take a long detour, keep the gates tightly shut, report it to the authorities, or complain to nearby Buddhist temples...

If it weren't for the fact that during the two weeks of clearing and working, Iris had used some methods to instill some magical power and spell seeds into the girls and women, so that they could activate spells at any time and escape.

I fear that more than half of the sixteen girls and twenty-three women will perish.

Instead of coming back looking disheveled and dejected.

Seeing that Iris remained unmoved, the girls and women gradually lowered their voices of complaint and lamentation, and then disappeared.

"Have you finished speaking?"

Iris stood up, looking down at the girls and women, and said indifferently, "Change your clothes, take off your jewelry, remove your makeup, and put on the clothes you wore while working recently before going down the mountain. Remember, do good deeds first to lower their guard, then engage in casual conversation to draw out their inner suffering, let them recount the hardships they have endured over the years, and then steer the conversation towards Buddhist temples, monks, and Buddhism. Understand?"

The girls were a little confused.

The women understood immediately.

This is similar to the way they used to get their patrons to spend money; they first stir up the other person's emotions.

"Understood."

With that thought, the women instantly reverted to their usual charming and coquettish manner, and agreed in unison.

After a short rest, the experienced women led the girls down the mountain once again.

Along the way, the women shared their experiences with the girls.

Having spent some time in brothels, even though he didn't serve customers himself, he was so influenced by what he saw and heard that the girls no longer found the affairs between men and women strange.

After listening to the women's sharing, the sixteen girls showed no unusual expression, not even blushing, and each of them seriously considered how to apply this method.

Nothing is unachievable.

Having set a goal, experienced setbacks, and found effective methods, this time, the girls and women no longer encountered obstacles at every turn like before.

Although no one was willing to give up everything and go to Liangshan with them, many people were willing to listen to them preach their ideals.

Within a few days, seven or eight lotus societies were established in various villages.

The Lotus Society's mission is extremely simple: to help and support each other.

First, each household that joins the Lotus Society contributes five dou of rice as a membership fee.

Secondly, after joining the Lotus Society, you can seek help from other members for anything that happens.

Finally, after joining the Lotus Society, you can seek help from the Lotus Society for anything that comes up.

Many people have doubts about the first point.

After all, these days, everyone is short of food. Taking out five bushels of rice is no different from taking out most of one's life savings.

When girls and women encounter this situation, they will patiently explain.

These five bushels of rice are not something that, once taken out, cannot be returned to one's own home, nor will they be squandered or wasted by the Lotus Society.

The reason why joining the society requires donating five dou of rice is that the Lotus Society wants to establish a safety net of reserves.

If any member's family encounters trouble, such as a fire or illness, and urgently needs food or money, the Lotus Society can provide timely assistance.

Rough words are not rough.

Humans eat grains and cereals; who can guarantee they'll never have a headache or fever in their entire life?

Is it worth exchanging five pecks of rice for a guarantee of security?

Some people think it's worth it, while others don't.

Those who felt it was worthwhile joined the Lotus Society, while those who felt it wasn't worthwhile either observed from the sidelines or watched coldly.

Until one day, a member of the Lotus Society found that his ox had died of illness and he was unable to plow the fields in time. He sought help from the Lotus Society, and without hesitation, the society mobilized its members who were not busy to come and lend a helping hand.

Many people's perspective on the Lotus Society changed instantly.

This is truly a helpful assistance when needed.

Those who have joined the Lotus Society walk outside with their backs ramrod straight, feeling a great sense of pride and honor.

Some of those who hadn't joined the Lotus Society were eager to join, some had quietly changed their minds, and others had other ideas.

For example, reporting...

Iris stood atop Liangshan Mountain, overlooking everything that was happening below.

As the Lotus Society was established and expanded, as more and more people joined, and as the concept of "unborn parents, a pure homeland" was promoted and accepted on a larger scale, Iris's power was rapidly expanding.

Even with the core of a sixth-level sage, it is somewhat difficult to control and can only be forcibly restrained.

Human emotions are like springs; if suppressed for too long, they will rebound.

Once it rebounds, it can easily get out of control.

Iris doesn't want to lose control, so she needs an outlet for her emotions.

Therefore, when she discovered that someone wanted to report the Lotus Society, Iris did not stop them, but instead hoped that the report would be successful.

Firstly, she needed a battle to vent her emotions;

Secondly, without going through blood and fire, the girls and women cannot be tempered, and the Lotus Society cannot stand firm.

Thirdly, the numbness of ordinary people will not be easily broken if they are not harmed once or several times.

"No biological parents, a hometown without a home?"

When the monks in charge of the guest at Ciren Temple received a report that an organization promoting evil ideas—the Lotus Society—had sprung up in more than twenty nearby villages, they did not ignore it but promptly reported the matter to the abbot.

If the same organization emerges in one or two townships, it can be understood as a spontaneous action by the people.

When the same organization emerges simultaneously in more than twenty townships, it cannot be taken lightly.

The abbot of Ciren Temple was a white-bearded monk. Upon hearing the concept of "unborn parents, a true homeland," his expression changed instantly.

Ignoring the guest monk's surprise, he went straight back to the abbot's meditation room and began searching through a pile of old books.

Half an incense stick later, the abbot finally pulled out a yellowed scripture from under a wooden box.

The lettering on the cover is worn away, but the three characters "Five Classics" can still be barely made out.

The abbot's hands trembled slightly as he held the yellowed scripture, his lips moving as he murmured, "Buddha's sins! Buddha's sins! Buddha's sins!"

After a long while, the abbot calmed himself down and prepared to report the sighting of the evil spirits in the Ciren Temple area to other temples.

Just then, a clear, cold voice rang out from behind the abbot.

"What do you want to do?"

Before the abbot could reply, a dark flame of karmic fire, mixed with countless resentments, ignited from the soles of his feet.

In an instant, the abbot of Ciren Temple was burned to ashes, and the "Five Sutras" in his hand disappeared without a trace.

At the summit of Liangshan Mountain, Iris held a yellowed scripture scroll, her gaze wistful. (End of Chapter)