By the time I stepped out of the ghost domain, daylight had fully broken. Elder Peach rubbed his dry eyes as the construction site was already bustling with activity. I decided to head to Universal Temple to see for myself.
According to Elder Peach, a high monk has been reincarnated, and Universal Temple is preparing for his arrival. Even Master Richard Ming himself will personally greet him.
Such a grand event—I've heard many from the Buddhist sect will attend the welcoming ceremony. My cousin is likely to go too, so I plan to head straight there and see for myself.
A quick search online revealed that Universal Temple is about to host a major Buddhist conference. For these days, the temple has turned away all worshippers, and even the nearby town is shut down.
Universal Temple wasn't far from here, so I flew eastward directly. The Buddhist conference would be held tomorrow, and by now the temple must be swarming with monks. I planned to find Master Richard Ming ahead of time and discuss some matters with him.
The moment I reached the highway, I sensed a force from afar that made my whole body uncomfortable. Even though I was still more than three hundred kilometers away, I could distinctly feel a pure, sacred power emanating from Universal Temple.
I kept flying, and the closer I got to Universal Temple, the stronger the power became. Blinding rays of light began to shine through—ordinary people couldn't see them, but to ghosts, these rays were like the sun itself.
It's said that the Sacred Child, the reincarnation of the high monk, is only five years old but possesses profound cultivation and deep understanding of Buddhist teachings. He can clearly speak of his past and even foretell future events. This has caused a huge stir in the Buddhist world, and Master Richard Ming has decided to personally welcome the Sacred Child at Universal Temple.
In just half an hour, I arrived. But outside Universal Temple, I saw a massive golden barrier I couldn't break through. Waves of overwhelming force surged at me, making my body crackle as the evil energy within me was relentlessly driven away.
"Looks like I'll have to use the main entrance."
As soon as I landed at the tightly shut gate of Universal Temple, chanting of Buddhist scriptures erupted around me. Giant 卐 symbols—used in Buddhism—appeared in the air, startling me. Suddenly, dozens of monks in robes seemed to materialize, and my head felt like it was about to explode. Clutching my head, I squatted down, unable to resist the force.
Letting out a roar, I unleashed streams of evil energy, but they were instantly dispersed. The 卐 symbols covered my body—something was very wrong.
With a thunderous roar, a streak of golden light rushed at me. I stared in shock—it was the Golden Howler. He opened his massive jaws and snatched me up. I sensed he'd broken through something, carrying me up into the air. Below, monks filled the temple grounds. I looked at the Golden Howler in astonishment.
Ethan Zhang, did you think you were the King of Hell? You dare barge into a place like this with such a spectacle? With so many monks, it's a miracle you weren't obliterated on the spot.
Amitabha. Everyone, please remain calm. It was my oversight—my fault, my fault. Benefactor Zhang, I hope you've been well.
It was Master Richard Ming. The gates of Universal Temple swung open as the monks performed Buddhist rites, showing deep respect for Master Richard Ming.
"Fellow Buddhists, please return. Leave this matter to me."
The monks formed an orderly line and entered Universal Temple. Only then did I hear Golden Howler explain that an abbot sensed a powerful ghostly aura approaching the temple. He immediately summoned eighty-one monks to set up a simple Diamond Bodhi Array. As soon as I landed, the formation activated, and the monks tried to send me straight to the Western Paradise.
I swallowed hard, half-sitting on the ground, watching Golden Howler's figure fade away. If not for him, I really might have been sent to the Western Paradise.
Benefactor Zhang, still so reckless. Chongsheng is inside the temple—I’ll have him come out to meet you shortly. But before the ceremony begins, I hope you’ll remain outside. Inside...
"Thank you, Master Mingde. If I go in now, it might cause another misunderstanding. The Buddhist temple is a place of purity, after all."
I stood up. Master Mingde bowed to me with a Buddhist gesture, and I returned the bow. He walked slowly into Putian Temple, the main doors creaking shut behind him. I walked over and sat beneath the statue of the Golden-Furred Hound. Though I felt uncomfortable, it was still much better than before.
"So, what are you here for this time, Ethan Zhang?"
The Golden-Furred Hound asked. I just chuckled and shook my head.
"I came to find my cousin, and I also heard Elder Peach mention that Holy Child—something doesn’t feel right."
The Golden-Furred Hound let out a puzzled sound.
"Now that you mention it, I feel the same way. That child who entered the temple a few days ago seemed familiar, but I can't quite place where I've seen him. He must be one of Putian Temple’s monks. As for famous monks here, there’s only Liaoyuan and Liaochan, but they're both dead. Liaochan, you ended him yourself, didn’t you?"
I nodded. The Ghost Worm Monk was indeed someone I had to use all my strength to kill, blasting him with the shotgun.
I didn’t understand what Elder Peach meant by ‘not right,’ but I still planned to take a look and ask Master Mingde about some things—about the Four Sacred Realms. Elder Peach said Master Mingde knows a lot about them.
I waited anxiously. Soon, the door creaked open again.