Universal

Time waits for no one.

After crossing the Pudu River, Wukong's first objective was naturally the nearest ZhengYin Dharma Temple.

Apart from being the Central Continent Buddhist sect's representative establishment in the Western Oxen Province, this temple also housed a Karma Buddha—Ruzhong Buddha.

The reason why a pure Buddhist Karma Buddha had fallen to the Western Oxen Province was not something Wukong could investigate clearly.

Although the ZhengYin Dharma Temple had been dismantled, there were no signs of a battle between Tribulation Transcension cultivators.

Ruzhong Buddha hadn't even sent a single message to the Great Thunderclap Monastery.

The Buddhas of the Central Continent naturally found this situation strange and wanted to investigate what exactly Ruzhong Buddha's current circumstances were.

The Buddhist order was deeply concerned about the Buddha's condition and situation.

Having simply passed the first trial—the Pudu River—Wukong felt no particular relief in his heart.

Because he understood deeply that the road ahead would be even more difficult.

Chu Xingchen would not abandon what he intended to do next just because he knew Wukong.

Everyone does what they believe is right and will not give up because of others.

However, upon witnessing the current state of the ZhengYin Dharma Temple with his own eyes, he instantly felt he had still underestimated the difficulty of this journey.

The dense, intricate array formations grandly enveloped the entire temple.

Some flowing formations, seemingly endless to the eye, emanated a heavy spiritual power...

Looking further inside, Wukong saw that at the very center, the ZhengYin Dharma Temple was nearly reduced to ruins.

Such a massive deployment, just to protect ruins?

Wukong let out a soft sigh, and then understood.

Wasn't he himself here now for these very ruins?

Wukong hesitated slightly but ultimately moved towards the ZhengYin Dharma Temple.

When he was still a hundred zhang away, a shout came:

"Who goes there? This area is now under the jurisdiction of the Taidao Sect. Unrelated persons, leave immediately! You have been warned only once."

As soon as the words fell,

several cultivators wearing Taidao Sect disciple attire, holding spiritual treasures, appeared in the air to block the way.

Simultaneously, several strands of divine sense rapidly swept towards Wukong to investigate.

Facing the leading Taidao Sect disciple, who was at the Nascent Soul stage, Wukong hesitated for a moment but still bowed and said:

"This humble monk is the Buddha's Child, Wukong, dispatched by the Venerable Buddha Runan to inquire about the current situation of the ZhengYin Dharma Temple."

The leading disciple lowered his gaze, pointed with two fingers together towards the ZhengYin Dharma Temple, which was almost entirely ruins:

"That is the ZhengYin Dharma Temple. You've seen it, that's the situation. You may leave."

Wukong looked up directly, took a light breath, and said:

"May this poor monk enter to take a look? After all, it is still a Buddhist temple..."

"Are you blind? Where is there a temple here? There's only a pile of ruins."

Before Wukong could finish, the leading disciple interrupted sharply, his tone turning somewhat cold:

"I know your cultivation is not shallow, but this is no place for you to cause trouble. The order I hold today is—no monks are permitted to enter!"

Listening to the leading disciple's extremely decisive words and seeing his unwavering expression,

Wukong knew the ZhengYin Dharma Temple now indeed belonged to the Taidao Sect. How many profound cultivators were hidden here was probably not few; among the divine senses sweeping towards him, there were many troublesome individuals.

If a fight broke out here, forget about winning, Wukong might not even be able to escape.

Wukong fell silent for a moment, and finally chose to resort to the "face method," though unsure if it would work, he lowered his voice slightly:

"I know Chu... Chu Xingchen."

Although Wukong's voice was somewhat low, the leading disciple, being at the Nascent Soul stage, could hear clearly.

His expression immediately changed, and his tone improved somewhat:

"You were recommended by Elder-Master Chu?"

Wukong fell slightly silent, neither confirming nor denying, as if tacitly agreeing.

He hadn't seen Chu Xingchen since parting at the Tianyan Sect; they hadn't spoken much last time, so how could he be "recommended"?

The leading disciple didn't press further but waited a moment. Then, as if receiving some message, he revealed a smile and said:

"Since you are recommended by Elder-Master Chu, you may enter. However, please proceed directly to the ZhengYin Dharma Temple along the way. Do not look too much at other places, so as not to put Elder-Master Chu in a difficult position."

Wukong breathed a sigh of relief: "Naturally."

The leading disciple slightly raised his hand, and the disciples standing behind him moved aside, while the array formation also opened a path.

Wukong bowed again and led his small team towards the ZhengYin Dharma Temple.

The array formations surrounding the temple were not just one layer but several, also using the formations to separate the refugees who had fled here.

Large, disorderly crowds easily lead to trouble; even immortals have reasons to keep things distinct.

The elderly, weak, sick, disabled, and families were placed closer to the inner circles for better protection.

Wukong naturally agreed with these arrangements.

However, every time he intended to enter the next array formation, a Taidao Sect cultivator would descend to question him.

Wukong wondered if it was intentional—they were from the same sect, how could there be no means of communication?

Fortunately, Wukong had discovered the benefit of the "face method."

Facing inquiries,

Wukong would simply say with a smile on his face:

"I know Chu Xingchen."

This sentence was like a passcode; once spoken, the other party would show an understanding expression and then let him pass.

Advancing all the way, having cashed in on Chu Xingchen's face countless times,

Wukong finally stepped onto the shattered grounds of the ZhengYin Dharma Temple. The Buddhist cultivators behind him looked at the temple full of broken tiles with varied expressions, mostly sorrowful.

Wukong, who should have offered a few words of comfort, truly didn't have the heart for it.

He looked up, his heart falling into silent speechlessness.

The grand plaque hanging high on the only remaining Main Hall of the ZhengYin Dharma Temple was still magnificent.

Only... the door was closed.

Wukong didn't understand, was there still a need to close this door?

Without even using divine sense, any ordinary mortal could simply peek their head left or right and see that half of this Main Hall was gone; the scene inside was utterly laid bare.

Closing this door was like covering one's ears to steal a bell.

In the end, Wukong lightly knocked on the door and then slowly pushed it open. Lifting his gaze slightly, he could see several layers of encircling ritual formations.

Only half of the Main Hall was destroyed, but fortunately, the faceless great Buddha on the main altar remained.

An old monk sat on a prayer mat below, lightly tapping a wooden fish and murmuring sutras in a low voice.

Other than that, there was no one else.

Only... Wukong caught a whiff of an extremely unique tea fragrance in the air.

Wukong walked into the hall and stood still. The Buddhist cultivators following him stood to his left and right and bowed together:

"Buddha's Child Wukong, pays his respects to Ruzhong Buddha."

The sound of the wooden fish stopped. The old monk slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the bowing Wukong, and said with a smile:

"That title... I haven't heard it in a long time. I didn't expect a Buddha's Child to still remember me."

Wukong smoothly replied:

"Having attained the fruit, entered the Mahayana stage, your title is naturally eternal and indestructible."

The old monk seemed quite pleased and nodded, standing up, his eyes on Wukong.

He spoke words that almost made Wukong lose his composure.

The old monk inquired:

"Do you know Chu Xingchen?"

Wukong raised his head, his expression both astonished and extremely perplexed.

He could accept that the Taidao Sect acknowledged Chu Xingchen's face.

But did his own sect's Karma Buddha also acknowledge Chu Xingchen's face?

What was happening with the world?

Can't anything be done without knowing Chu Xingchen?

Is Chu Xingchen's influence so universal that it even extends to the Buddhist sects?

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