Chapter 2292: Chapter 2291: Sanzang Sutras

Wuu Xianyun obtained a secret technique, laughed aloud like a madman, and then took his leave, hurriedly running off to the Buddhist Sect to find the prescription for Heart Fire.

He left the Immortal Patterned Cauldron on the table, allowing Long Fei to take a look, and then casually handed it over to Wang Xiaoya.

Wang Xiaoya, being a descendant of the Alchemy Cauldron Sect, coincidentally didn’t have a suitable cauldron.

Since Wuu Xianyun was willing to offer this item, Long Fei did not hesitate, taking it as a gift for his wife.

All the elders coughed twice, not wanting to trouble themselves further here, and left one after another.

Wang Xiaoya knew Long Fei had something to discuss with Li Chunfeng and did not disturb them, happily accepting the cauldron, and instructed Princess Taihua, "Taihua, take me for a visit to Chang’an Academy."

Princess Taihua nodded, and instructed Cheng Wanjing, who was standing nearby not knowing whether to leave, "Junior Brother, take us for a visit."

"Alright, alright!"

Cheng Wanjing chuckled dryly, realizing how formidable Long Fei was, he suddenly felt that becoming Long Fei’s disciple brought no disadvantages.

After they left, only Li Chunfeng and Long Fei remained in the courtyard.

Li Chunfeng stroked his beard, full of admiration as he said to Long Fei, "New talents emerge in each generation, leading the world for a millennium. For a Great Mage to have such talent at a young age is truly admirable. But I wonder, what business does the Great Mage have with a humble Taoist like me?"

Long Fei replied, "Sir, skilled in celestial mapping and divination, do you truly not know?"

Li Chunfeng laughed, "These are mere tricks, hardly worthy of the elegant halls."

Long Fei said, "The Academy Head is modest. If these are mere tricks, then how did the Academy Head predict that after the three dynasties of Tang, a woman would take over the world from King Wu?"

Li Chunfeng’s expression changed, immediately looking around nervously, and cautiously said, "Little Brother, don’t speak such words carelessly?"

Long Fei laughed, "Daoist Master, don’t be nervous. It’s just a casual comment from me."

Li Chunfeng stared at him, taking a deep breath, "Little Brother, if there’s anything you need, just ask. As long as I can do it, I won’t refuse."

His attitude quickly became humble, clearly afraid that Long Fei would spread this matter.

The prophecy back then caused a great uproar, leading the Martial Emperor to grandly purge those with the surname Wu.

A Great General was executed merely because his nickname and birthplace were related to the surname Wu.

This incident has always been a taboo in the Great Tang Empire.

When Empress Wu took power, she dispatched people to investigate for a long time, trying to find out from whose mouth the prophecy came.

At that time in the harem, she took great risks.

Lucky for her, if not for the Filial Emperor’s affection, she wouldn’t have escaped this calamity.

Long Fei learned of this matter from the memoirs of The Five Guards Families of the Capital back then. Each family had people involved in this incident.

Now seeing Li Chunfeng’s reaction, indeed the matter was true.

He told Li Chunfeng, "I want to enter Ci’en Pagoda, and I request Daoist Master to introduce me."

"Ah?"

Li Chunfeng was somewhat surprised, "What do you want to do there?"

Long Fei said, "It is rumored that Master Jin Chanzi once sought secret techniques from Tianzhu Country and obtained the Sanzang Mahayana scriptures. There are scriptures containing Dharma Treasury, speaking of heaven; Discourse Treasury, speaking of earth; and Sutra Treasury, saving spirits. A total of thirty-five sections, fifteen thousand and one hundred forty-four volumes. These scriptures are hidden in Ci’en Pagoda, and I want to take a look inside."

Li Chunfeng looked troubled, "Ci’en Pagoda, though within Chang’an Academy, is not a place I can enter at will! The pagoda, consecrated by the eminent monk Jin Chanzi, cannot be entered by anyone other than a realized monk of the Buddhist Sect. Any intruders, without exception, become mindless tower slaves inside. Little Friend, at your young age, why take such risks?"

Long Fei said, "These days, I’ve been seeking a way to break through. For those on the path of cultivation, the viable paths are physical body techniques, Daoist techniques, and Buddhist law. The physical body technique cultivates Qi, the Daoist technique cultivates spirit, and the Buddhist law cultivates the heart. The Buddhist scriptures I’ve seen before are all incomplete versions and Hinayana teachings. Only the Mahayana teachings of the Western Heavens are hidden in Ci’en Pagoda. I have a worldly heart that needs refining, and this risk, I must take."

Li Chunfeng nodded, couldn’t help but have a newfound respect for Long Fei.

It seemed that at Li Chunfeng’s age, he no longer desired to venture.

This is the Daoist saying of seeing through destiny, complying with it.

He stood up and said to Long Fei, "Since you insist, I won’t dissuade you. Follow me, and I will take you there!"

Long Fei nodded and went with him to Ci’en Pagoda.

This pagoda is located in Ci’en Temple, north of Chang’an Academy. The abbot of Ci’en Temple is the Head of the Buddhist Law Court at Chang’an Academy.

In this ancient temple, there are genuine Buddhist disciples.

They meditate daily, unconcerned with worldly affairs.

Usually, this place is off-limits to outsiders, as the entire temple is restricted by barriers set by Jin Chanzi and guarded by these monks.

As soon as Li Chunfeng arrived here, he had the novice monk at the entrance go inside to report.

He asked Long Fei with interest, "With your abilities, if I had not agreed to help you, what would you have done?"

Long Fei glanced at the barrier here, smiling softly, "I’ve come sincerely seeking Buddhist scriptures; if I forcibly intruded, the Buddha Lord would surely blame me, and what chance would remain? If the Academy Head hadn’t come to introduce me, I would have had to think of a way to plead bitterly here, but I wouldn’t resort to force."

"That makes sense!"

Li Chunfeng nodded with a smile, and after waiting a moment, a novice monk came out, beckoning, "Esteemed patrons, please come inside."

He and Long Fei each made a gesture of invitation and walked inside together.

Ci’en Temple is not large. In the front is the Daxiong Treasure Hall, enshrining the Buddha Tathagata of the Western Heavens, along with Bodhisattva and Arhat statues.

Behind it stands Ci’en Pagoda, where a group of monks sat around the tall tower, cross-legged, listening to the Sanskrit sounds emanating from the tower.

As long as one’s heart is inclined toward Buddhist law, they can receive its teachings here.

When Long Fei and Li Chunfeng arrived, they discovered that the monk Fajie, who had fought with Long Fei earlier, was also present.

There was another familiar face that surprised him a little.

This familiar face looked at him with equal surprise, standing up excitedly, exclaiming, "Patron Long, what are you doing here?"

A bunch of monks, unsure of their hearts, opened their eyes and turned back to glance at Long Fei.

The monk who spoke was none other than the Saint Heir Zhi’an from the Nine Domains Buddha Light Star.

Seeing an acquaintance in a foreign land, Long Fei felt a hint of joy.

Li Chunfeng went over to the old monk who had just assisted the monk Fajie and whispered a few words.

The old monk frowned and nodded, not obstructing the matter.

Li Chunfeng returned, cheerfully saying to Long Fei, "I’ve spoken with Zen Master Hui Neng, and he has agreed to let you in."

Long Fei nodded and said to Monk Zhi’an, "Brother Zhi’an, I want to enter this tower. I’ll find you for a drink when I come out."

Zhi’an coughed dryly, chuckling, "Amitabha, those who leave the household have long refrained from drinking and eating meat."

He lowered his voice, reminding Long Fei, "Patron Long, as a fellow countryman, I remind you: Although there are opportunities in this Buddha Pagoda, do not rashly intrude. The barriers inside are too formidable. I’ve been meditating here for half a year to enter and pursue the True Scripture but still dare not take a step inside."

Long Fei patted his shoulder and said, "You have half a year, but I don’t. The day after tomorrow, I must win a martial competition. So, I can only try my luck here."

Monk Zhi’an frowned, "Alright then, would you like me to accompany you inside? I have some insights into the techniques."

Long Fei shook his head, "No need, I understand the danger of this tower, no need for you to take risks with me. If I become a tower slave inside, I hope you will take good care of me in the future."

Zhi’an smiled wryly, not expecting Long Fei to have the mood for jokes at such a moment.

He pressed his palms together and said to Long Fei, "Alright then, I won’t dissuade you further. If you need anything inside, just pass the message. Whatever I know, I will help to my utmost."

Back on the Immortal King Star at Immortal King Mountain, Long Fei saved Monk Zhi’an’s life, preventing him from dying on the Heart-Refining Bridge.

This kindness, Zhi’an always remembered in his heart.

Long Fei nodded and said nothing more.

Under the invitation of the novice monk, he walked through the entrance of the Buddha Pagoda, watched by everyone.

His body passed through a golden light barrier, soon disappearing from sight.

Li Chunfeng, with one hand behind his back and gently stroking his beard, thought to himself, "I hope you’re lucky, the fate of the Great Tang now rests with you."