Chapter 190

"Saving all living beings, saving others and saving oneself." Su Chen recited softly, "From today on, I am the host of this Pudu Temple, Liaochen."

Following Su Chen's voice, he shook his body and turned into a middle-aged monk.

Afterward, he walked into Pudu Temple and closed the temple gate.

Next, Su Chen prepared to wait for that scripture-taker here while cultivating.

Besides this, he spent most of his time immersed in his own cultivation.

On one hand, he continued to comprehend the last few forms of the "Thirty-Six Axes of Heavenly Gang."

This supreme physical cultivation method became more obscure and difficult the further one went.

He practiced axe techniques every day; although the progress was slow, it was a steady improvement.

On the other hand, he was also constantly sorting out and comprehending what he had learned.

His Hunyuan Jin Dan Wood, Fire, Earth, Yin, and Yang, five kinds of Daos were already perfect; he comprehended the five kinds of Daos every day, making his comprehension of the Dao constantly deepen.

Although his immortal cultivation base was still stuck at the Mystic Immortal Perfection, because the Metal and Water elements were not yet perfect, he could not break through to the Golden Immortal.

But his comprehension of the Dao had long exceeded the Mystic Immortal realm.

Time passed quietly in this day-after-day plain cultivation.

The existence of Pudu Temple was also gradually known by some people nearby.

Everyone knew that a temple had been newly built on that small mountain by the Liushahe.

That temple was called Pudu Temple, and there was a monk in the temple called Master Liaochen.

Later, people found that this temple was a bit strange; this temple did not worship Buddha, the main hall was empty, there was not a single Buddha statue, and it did not accept any incense offerings or money alms.

It was said that Master Liaochen was self-sufficient, and his food, clothing, and daily expenses all depended on himself.

People nearby heard this and felt strange; it was the first time they had seen a temple that didn't want incense money.

"Hey, have you heard? By the Liushahe, a temple has been newly built, called Pudu Temple."

"Heard it, heard it! That temple is very strange, there is not a single Buddha statue inside, just a monk who only knows how to farm and chop wood every day."

"Isn't that so. I passed by last time, was thirsty and wanted to ask for a bowl of water, and by the way wanted to donate some incense oil money. Guess what? The monk gave me water, but absolutely refused the money. He even said something like, 'The temple's expenses are self-sufficient, and we don't take external things.' Isn't that strange?"

Various rumors about Pudu Temple and Master Liaochen spread slowly among these people's mouths.

Some said he was a liar, playing tricks.

Others said he was an ascetic, polishing his Dao heart in this way.

Still others guessed that he might be a high-level expert, playing in the human world.

As people passed it on, the name of Pudu Temple was known by more people.

Many people came to visit with a glimmer of hope; these people had serious illnesses and sought medical treatment, had encountered misfortune and prayed for protection, or were confused and sought enlightenment; for these people, Liaochen never refused.

But he never showed any miracles.

When a patient came, he used the herbs he planted to regulate them. If it was cured, he said it was the credit of the herbs; if it couldn't be cured, he also frankly said his medical skills were limited.

When someone seeking help came, he listened to their suffering and then guided them to rely on their own strength to solve the problem.

"The Buddhist Dharma is not in the scriptures, but in life. When you can realize the preciousness of life from a bowl of porridge and a meal; when you can feel the grace of heaven and earth from a grain of rice, you are not far from Buddha."

As these deeds spread from ten to a hundred.

Master Liaochen's reputation began to spread in some mortal kingdoms of the Western Continent of Cattle Joy.

People had all heard that by the distant Liushahe, there was a Pudu Temple, and a high monk lived in the temple.

He told the world that eating and dressing, carrying water and chopping wood, were all cultivation, and the true Buddha was not in the temple, but in everyone's heart.

This kind of statement was undoubtedly novel, or even subversive, to believers who were used to "giving alms for merit" and "offering to the Three Treasures."

Gradually, some people began to come from thousands of miles away, attracted by his reputation, wanting to see this legendary Master Liaochen.

But many people came with full hope and left disappointed.

Because this Master Liaochen was really too ordinary, and didn't know any profound Buddhist Dharma at all.

But there were also a few who were convinced by his words and deeds and became lay disciples of Pudu Temple.

Spring went and autumn came, winter passed and summer arrived.

Twenty years of time passed in a flash.

Master Liaochen's appearance grew old with the passage of time, and at the same time, his eyes became more and more deep and peaceful, like an ancient well, without waves.

Of course, the change in appearance was the result of Su Chen's deliberate control, because his identity as Master Liaochen was just a mortal.

But he didn't waste these twenty years; his Dao heart was polished to be more and more pure and transparent in this day-after-day plain life.

Although his immortal cultivation base was still stuck at the Mystic Immortal Perfection, he had successfully comprehended the thirty-third and thirty-fourth forms of the "Thirty-Six Axes of Heavenly Gang."

On this day, Liaochen was weeding in the vegetable plot in the back courtyard.

Suddenly he heard a voice ringing in his ear: "Advisor, the monk you mentioned who wants to go to the west to take the scriptures, I finally got news! He came from the east and is almost here!"

Hearing Egg Second Sister's voice, Su Chen stopped the movements in his hands and looked up toward the eastern horizon.

The sunset was setting, and the golden afterglow cast a long shadow of Pudu Temple's outline.

In the temple's kitchen, curling smoke rose.

Su Chen, or "Liaochen," was preparing a simple dinner.

Just then, a knock on the door broke the temple's tranquility.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Su Chen put down his work, walked to the main gate, and pulled open the temple gate.

Outside the gate stood a young monk.

He looked to be in his early twenties, with a handsome face, wearing a washed-white gray monk robe, stepping on a pair of straw sandals, carrying a simple travel bag on his back, dusty, and his face was full of exhaustion.

But his eyes were exceptionally bright.

"Amitabha." The young monk saw Su Chen, put his hands together, and bowed respectfully, "Little monk Fane, came from the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa, wanting to go to the Western Heaven Lingshan to worship Buddha and seek the true scriptures. Passing by this place, the sky is late, seeing a temple, I want to borrow a stay for the night, and hope the Master can provide convenience."

Su Chen stepped aside, cleared a path, and said faintly: "Please come in."

"Thank you, Master." Fane revealed a look of joy, thanked him hurriedly, and followed Su Chen into Pudu Temple.

As soon as he entered the temple, Fane was stunned.

The temple he imagined should be filled with incense smoke and solemn Buddha statues.

But this Pudu Temple in front of him was empty to an excessive degree.

In the main hall of the front courtyard, there wasn't even a Buddha statue, only a meditation cushion placed alone in the center.

The entire temple was completely different from the Buddhist Sect he knew; there was no golden splendor, no chanting, only a simplicity and tranquility that was close to the Dao.

"Master, why doesn't your temple worship the golden body of the Buddha?" Fane asked the doubt in his heart.

"Buddha is in the heart, why seek externally?" Su Chen led him toward the back courtyard while answering casually.