Master Richard Ming began to speak slowly.
Eight hundred years ago, the Renegade Monks sect did not yet exist. At that time, Leo Yuan and Master Lucian were raised together from childhood in Universal Temple as fellow disciples—more like brothers than friends. The abbot then, Abbot Jerome Farwell, was deeply fond of both, watching them grow up side by side, each developing unique insights into Buddhist teachings.
But Abbot Jerome Farwell was troubled by the issue of succession. He was nearing the end of his life, but could not decide on a successor.
One day, Abbot Jerome Farwell called his two disciples—Master Lucian and Leo Yuan, senior and junior brothers—to his room and asked them some questions. As expected, the brothers gave different answers.
Originally, Abbot Jerome Farwell hoped to use these questions to choose a suitable successor, but he found himself at a loss.
In the days that followed, Abbot Jerome Farwell grew closer to passing away. He could not wait any longer. At this time, a rift began to form between Master Lucian and Leo Yuan. Though invisible, it was already there. The root of this rift was Master Lucian’s desire to become the abbot.
Leo Yuan seemed to notice his senior brother’s strong desire for succession. He decided to speak with Abbot Jerome Farwell, and they talked at length.
At that moment, Abbot Jerome Farwell saw hope—the successor was right before him. He decided to choose Leo Yuan. However, Leo Yuan refused. He no longer wished to compete with his senior brother. Instead, he wanted to further his Buddhist practice and chose to leave Universal Temple to become a wandering monk, traveling the world.
No matter how Abbot Jerome Farwell tried to persuade him, Leo Yuan’s mind was made up. He left the mountain resolutely, and Master Lucian became the seventh abbot of Universal Temple.
But at that moment, Abbot Jerome Farwell noticed that the flames of karmic obstacles had rekindled in Master Lucian’s heart. Master Lucian had once overcome these obstacles, but Abbot Jerome Farwell’s indecision had caused them to reemerge.
Abbot Jerome Farwell called Master Lucian to his room and talked with him earnestly for three days and nights, hoping to help Master Lucian eliminate his karmic obstacles so that he could succeed him as abbot after his passing.
Master Lucian began to cultivate his mind and made some progress. Abbot Jerome Farwell repeatedly instructed him to focus on purifying his heart and removing his obstacles, and then passed away.
Abbot Jerome Farwell also handed down the Buddha Statue of Visions to Master Lucian as his successor.
Master Lucian continued to diligently cultivate his mind. Eventually, he gained complete control and successfully expelled his inner demons.
One year, a large-scale plague broke out at the foot of the mountain. Refugees flocked to Universal Temple seeking the protection of Buddhist teachings. Master Lucian decided to lead his followers down the mountain to provide medical aid.
After descending the mountain, Master Lucian investigated everywhere and finally discovered that the plague had been deliberately spread by a Blue Wraith. (Blue Wraith: Elite ghost enforcer skilled in surveillance and protection, known for spreading supernatural plagues.) In order to cut off the source, he kept searching and, after two or three years, found the Blue Wraith responsible for spreading the disease.
To completely eradicate the source, Master Lucian defeated the Blue Wraith, but it escaped. The Blue Wraith continued to use the plague to kill people, gathering souls and devouring them to crazily increase its ghostly power.
After hiding for a while, the Blue Wraith began causing trouble again. Master Lucian had no choice but to pursue it as it spread the plague, all the while helping the sick to rid themselves of the disease and continuing to chase the Blue Wraith.
But at that moment, something happened. The world descended into chaos—the emperor strangled former ministers with bowstrings, and barbarians invaded the borders.
The world was thrown into turmoil, and the Blue Wraith took advantage of the situation to continue its activities. At this time, the ghost path was rampant, and seven evil ghosts who had escaped from Abyssal Hell began to dominate their own territories.
Many in the occult world and Hades Circle were killed. Master Lucian, filled with sorrow, focused on dealing with the Blue Wraith and sought to unite the occult world against the seven evil ghosts who became Ghost Sovereigns.
Master Lucian chased the Blue Wraith alone, eventually tracking it to a forest. There, he sensed an overwhelming ghostly presence—not just one or two, but a multitude. The number of Blue Wraiths far exceeded what he had ever heard of.
The Blue Wraith responsible for the plague had already entered. Master Lucian resolved to follow it to the end. Deep in the forest, he saw a vast palace complex and realized he was inside a ghost domain. He decided to risk everything, using the Buddha Statue of Visions to unleash his greatest power against the Blue Wraiths.
At Timbercrest Hall, Master Lucian saw the plaque on the palace. This was the residence of Basil Bertram, an evil ghost. Surrounded by countless Blue Wraiths, Master Lucian was about to unleash the power of the Buddha Statue of Visions when Basil Bertram stopped him.
Master Lucian did not expect Basil Bertram, a Ghost Sovereign, to be so reasonable. He handed over the Blue Wraith responsible for the plague and let the two settle it themselves.
In front of everyone, Master Lucian defeated the Blue Wraith. The Blue Wraith pleaded for help from Basil Bertram, but Basil Bertram refused, saying he had no need for Blue Wraiths built on false power.
Master Lucian dealt with the Blue Wraith. Basil Bertram then allowed him to leave. At this moment, Master Lucian was conflicted; facing so many enemies, he did not want to leave. However, his chances of defeating them—even with the power of the Buddha Statue of Visions—were zero.
Though he longed to defeat these evil ghosts, Master Lucian was granted mercy and allowed to live. This was deeply painful for him. He left Timbercrest Hall and decided to return to Universal Temple.
On his way back, he heard news about Leo Yuan. When the Ghost Sovereigns appeared, Leo Yuan traveled everywhere, negotiating with them. He learned that the Ghost Sovereigns had no interest in absorbing yang energy or devouring souls, and he shared this with everyone in the occult world, easing tensions for the time being.
When Master Lucian returned to Universal Temple, he seemed like a changed man. The smile and kindness on his face were gone, and he began to lose his temper with his disciples.
Due to the turmoil in the world, the number of refugees grew. The Brahma Order decided to convene a grand assembly at Universal Temple, gathering the abbots of twelve Buddhist institutes. (Brahma Order: A powerful Buddhist sect known for spiritual discipline and supernatural prowess.) By this time, Master Lucian was suffering severe karmic obstacles and his behavior had become erratic.
On the day of the assembly, the other eleven abbots sensed something was wrong. Master Lucian seemed possessed, obsessively talking about fighting the Ghost Sovereigns.
However, the eleven abbots opposed him. They argued that if no one provoked them, they should not start trouble themselves.
Gradually, Master Lucian's arguments with the other monks intensified. In the end, he went mad and began slaughtering the monks within the temple.
I stared at Master Richard Ming in shock. Previously, Poison Dreadstar had told me about this through the mouth of a ghost. I never imagined that the crazed monk was the abbot of Universal Temple.
"Was it something the Ghost Syndicate did?"
"No, Mr. Zhang. When the Ghost Syndicate visited Universal Temple, their leader, Mr. Wraithshade, tried to persuade Master Lucian to step down as abbot and leave the Brahma Order. But Master Lucian refused to listen, grew furious, and drove away Mr. Wraithshade, with whom he had previously been on friendly terms."
"What a strange name."
I couldn't help but mutter. Mr. Wraithshade must be the leader of the Ghost Syndicate, the great benefactor who rescued Poison Dreadstar and taught her many things.
That day at Universal Temple, not only the monks, but even the refugees seeking shelter there fell victim to the massacre.
Master Lucian's power was immense. The eleven abbots fought him desperately for twelve days, but they were no match for him.
In the end, the eleven abbots, along with Master Richard Ming's teacher, made twelve monks in total. Though on the verge of death, they sat together chanting sutras and sending off the Buddha. Just as Master Lucian was about to kill them, a divine beast descended—the Bodhisattva's mount, Golden Howler (Golden Howler: Legendary golden-furred guardian beast stationed at Universal Temple, possessing immense spiritual power and resilience), appeared from the heavens.
With the speed of a falling autumn leaf, Golden Howler defeated Master Lucian and tried to devour him. The twelve monks intervened, and at the brink of death, Master Lucian's disciple—Vincent Swallow—carried his master down the mountain and cared for him for over ten years until Master Lucian recovered.
So Master Lucian became Brother Owen, the Ghostworm Monk? (Ghostworm Monk: A spectral monk who raised Vincent Swallow as an orphan, serving as both mentor and father figure. After his death, he transformed into a Blue Wraith and played a key role in rescuing Vincent from the dream realm created by Lord Dream.)
I looked at Master Richard Ming in astonishment, exclaiming in surprise. I never expected such a past.
Even after recovering, Master Lucian lived in constant agony, pierced by ten thousand arrows. The evil aura within him grew heavier, and he gradually faded away, dying little by little.
Although Vincent Swallow cared for him, it did not last. At that time, Leo Yuan arrived to help Master Lucian heal these wounds.
"Cause and effect is absolute, Mr. Zhang. All of this is the result of defying karma. Originally, Master Lucian was destined to die, but thanks to Master Leo Yuan, his life was saved, and the Renegade Monks sect was established as a result."
I swallowed, quietly watching Master Richard Ming, whose face was filled with sorrow and regret.