Chapter 290: The True Buddha

Watching Zhou Qing shamelessly extend his palm, Jue Ming spoke.

“As long as Master Zhou is willing to accompany this humble monk to Jiyuan Temple, you may learn all the Buddhist spiritual arts within the temple’s pagoda.”

“Even the inscription-level spiritual art left behind by the abbot is not excluded!”

Zhou Qing’s eyes widened instantly. After mistaking him for Abbot Ku’e, Shen Hanyi had once said the abbot cultivated only one inscription-level spiritual art.

But no one had ever seen him use it—or rather, those who had were already sent to the Pure Land.

Yet greed leads to indigestion; the Hundred Tribulations Blood Curtain he currently wielded bore three thousand Phoenix Dao patterns, rivaling a Dao-trace-level spiritual art.

Just mastering this one, he didn’t know how many years or how many wood-element spirit stones it would take.

Even if he were the Buddha’s child, he wouldn’t become a monk.

So facing Jue Ming’s temptation and the tense gazes of Mo Xingjian and others, Zhou Qing slightly bowed his hands.

“Thank you, Venerable, for your kindness, but I am a disciple of Taiqingmen. I wish only to cultivate within my sect for life. As for the claim that I am the Buddha’s child, it is merely a misunderstanding.”

Jue Ming was about to plead further when Kong Chan suddenly remembered something and hurriedly reminded: “Master, the Bodhi prayer beads!”

Jue Ming immediately snapped to attention and swiftly pulled out a simple string of prayer beads from his sleeve.

The beads numbered one hundred and eight, each a deep brown, carved with tiny Buddhist sutras.

They emitted a peculiar fragrance, calming the spirit and steadying the mind—clearly no ordinary object.

Jue Ming clasped his hands together and gently pushed the beads toward Zhou Qing: “Please, Master Zhou, test them. If you truly are the Buddha’s child, the beads will manifest signs. If not, I shall never trouble you again.”

Seeing Jue Ming and Kong Chan’s confident expressions, Zhou Qing exhaled deeply.

Another verification method was fine—he knew better than anyone whether he was the Buddha’s child.

The instant Zhou Qing took the beads, Jue Ming and Kong Chan held their breath, and Mo Xingjian involuntarily clenched his fists tightly.

Shen Yunzhou looked intensely curious.

If Brother Zhou truly were the Buddha’s child, things would get interesting.

Even if he refused, Venerable Jue Ming would surely drag him back to Jiyuan Temple by force.

Then, when he had nothing better to do, he could go play with Zhou Qing.

Besides, Jiyuan Temple did have many female bodhisattvas.

As for Lu Yaoyao, her face glowed with anticipation and excitement.

After all, both the imagined awkward situations and Third Mama were in a Level-Five cultivation nation.

Thus, the master and disciple, two monks, stared unblinkingly at Zhou Qing’s fingertips.

The moment Zhou Qing took the beads, he felt a chilling coolness in his palm, and his previously restless spiritual power gradually calmed.

This made him brighten instantly.

A fine item!

Yet ten breaths passed, and the beads remained utterly still.

Kong Chan stood frozen in shock; Jue Ming’s arm trembled slightly.

He muttered in disbelief: “Impossible… such celestial signs cannot be unrelated to the Buddha’s child!”

Seeing this, Mo Xingjian exhaled long and slow, a relieved smile spreading across his face.

Lu Yaoyao and Shen Yunzhou looked somewhat disappointed.

“Venerable, shall we continue?” Zhou Qing shook the lifeless beads in his hand, a faint, elusive smile curling at his lips.

Jue Ming frowned, unwilling to yield: “Try infusing your spiritual power again!”

Zhou Qing complied, but the beads showed no change whatsoever.

“I really am not the Buddha’s child you seek—why won’t you believe me?” Zhou Qing spread his hands helplessly.

“How could this be… it shouldn’t be. Your understanding of Buddhist spiritual arts is astonishing; you must have deep karmic ties to the Buddha.”

Jue Ming frowned deeply, his eyes filled with confusion.

Zhou Qing, however, stared at the beads in his hand, a flicker of mischief in his eyes. After hesitation, he said: “Could there be a possibility… that my Buddhist nature hasn’t fully awakened yet?”

“Why not leave these beads with me? I’ll test them daily. If any sign appears, I’ll rush to Jiyuan Temple immediately. What do you think?”

Before he finished, Lu Yaoyao nearly burst out laughing and quickly covered her mouth, stealing glances at the two monks.

Even Mo Xingjian looked utterly speechless.

Jue Ming’s eyebrows twitched violently; his hopeful gaze instantly dimmed.

He sighed deeply, reached out, and without hesitation reclaimed the Bodhi prayer beads.

He had thought he’d finally found something valuable—only to end up with nothing.

Zhou Qing: “...”

But soon, Jue Ming regained his composure, turned to Zhou Qing, and his eyes gleamed anew.

“Master Zhou, we have some karmic connection. The first time we met, we watched you kill from afar, and afterward, we performed rites for his soul. Now, this is the second time.”

“Even if you are not the Buddha’s child, you must have karmic ties to the Buddha. Without mentioning anything else, if you come with me to Jiyuan Temple, you will be the foremost cultivator to have fully mastered the Subduing Demon Golden Bones.”

Zhou Qing waved his hands rapidly: “No, thank you. I’m used to freedom, and my six senses are far from pure—I’m unsuited for your temple’s quiet cultivation. I deeply appreciate your kindness, Venerable.”

Jue Ming’s eyes flickered with regret, yet he did not give up. He clasped his hands together solemnly.

“Master Zhou, Buddhist karmic ties are not solely through quiet cultivation. Though Jiyuan Temple enforces strict precepts, it is not an unreasonable place. The Subduing Demon Golden Bones has karmic affinity with you; entering the temple merely gives this opportunity its fulfillment.”

Kong Chan muttered softly beside him: “You just said you’d take the beads and come if any sign appeared—now you’re refusing again?”

Zhou Qing scratched his head awkwardly.

Jue Ming continued to entice: “Master Zhou, you are still young, your blood is hot. I know what you’re worried about.”

“W-what?” Zhou Qing asked, puzzled.

Jue Ming smiled faintly: “Our temple is not as rigid as the world believes. If you have physical needs, our female bodhisattvas will assist you—they all volunteer, for this too is a form of cultivation.”

At this moment, everyone’s eyes widened, including Shen Yunzhou.

Sensing Zhou Qing’s confusion, Jue Ming clasped his hands together, his expression solemn.

“Master, you are unaware. The Buddhist path emphasizes transcending the seven emotions and six desires. The female bodhisattvas use their own bodies to guide others—helping others is also helping themselves.”

“Mutual fulfillment with you is itself a karmic opportunity.”

Yan Xiao’s eyes sparkled as he blurted out: “Your temple’s cultivation method is shockingly unconventional! Venerable, may I try the beads too?”

Everyone: “...”

Zhou Qing still found it hard to believe. He stared at Jue Ming, voice trembling: “Don’t Buddhist sects emphasize purity and restraint? How could there be… this kind of cultivation?”

Jue Ming sighed, his tone filled with compassion: “The world says Buddhism is cold-hearted, yet true compassion lies in embracing human nature.”

“Suppressing it forcibly only invites qi deviation. The female bodhisattvas embrace with great love, precisely to help cultivators better comprehend the true essence of the Dharma.”

At this, Shen Yunzhou couldn’t help interjecting: “Can non-monks of your temple seek out these women to contemplate the Dharma?”

Jue Ming glanced at him coolly: “Jiyuan Temple is a monastery, not a brothel!”

Shen Yunzhou stepped back, embarrassed.

Zhou Qing still couldn’t accept it—he felt his worldview had shattered.

Meanwhile, outside the mountain gate!

A beautiful woman, pale-faced and brimming with deep exhaustion, walked slowly up the mountain path, her left hand tightly gripping a child of five or six.

Her gaze was vacant, her face devoid of color, her spirit seeming to drift.

The child, however, had rosy lips and white teeth; his shaved scalp glowed softly in the sunlight.

A vermilion mole at his brow, like a bleeding lotus bud, radiated mystery and solemnity.

His pale moon-colored tunic was spotlessly clean, and around his neck hung a simple string of prayer beads, swaying gently with each step, each bead glowing with a faint golden light.

“Mother, I can feel he’s inside!”

At that moment, the child pointed toward the mountain gate, his face alight with delight.

The child’s voice pulled the woman from her daze; her scattered gaze refocused.

She knelt down, gently stroking the child’s cheeks, and whispered: “Are you certain you wish to do this?”

The child nodded slightly: “I have karmic ties with him. When I first awakened, I saw you holding his hand, gently caressing me through your belly, calling him husband.”

“The second time, I saw you being chased; he appeared again and slaughtered all your pursuers—you called him husband again.”

“The third time, you were chased again; though he fled and you couldn’t catch him, the man beside him helped you escape.”

“And this time, when you gave birth to me, the supreme wood-element spirit stone brought by Aunt Tao was because of him—it saved my life.”

“Even now, as we come here, I sense a great opportunity has fallen upon me because of him!”

Hearing this, the woman nodded slowly and sighed: “You know I am bound by obsession—I mistook someone else for him.”

“I know, but when Aunt Tao brought the wood-element spirit stone, she didn’t say I must call him Great Father? This visit is to repay my vow!”

The child smiled faintly.

The woman sighed deeply: “Very well. We were lucky to find an ancient temple to give birth to you—the spirit stone helped immensely. I just didn’t expect you…”

The child asked: “Does my ability to speak at birth frighten you, Mother?”

The woman shook her head rapidly, tears suddenly welling in her eyes: “No, no—it’s just that I’ve failed you these past years.”

“Mother, don’t say that,” the child gently took her hand. “All beings of the Southern Jambudvīpa, in every action and thought, are bound by karma, are steeped in sin.”

“Your fear and torment for me have already transcended cause and effect.”

As he spoke, he gently wiped away the tears at her eyes.

“Karmic ties from past and present are but dewdrops on a lotus before the Buddha. You chose to remain in this world for me—this obsession is itself a bodhisattva’s heart.”

Listening to the child’s words, the woman laughed through her tears and pulled him into her arms, sobbing: “With a child as wise as you, Mother would gladly close her eyes now.”

Jue Ming truly wanted to take Zhou Qing to Jiyuan Temple; such a talent, even in the ten-thousand-year history of the Buddhist sect, could not be found a second time!

Neither cultivation techniques, scriptures, vision, background, nor even dual-cultivation could sway him—he truly didn’t know what could move this man.

But a forcibly twisted melon is never sweet; dragging him back would only become a shackle.

After a brief hesitation, he pulled out a sheet of gold foil, inscribed with countless Sanskrit characters: “Zhou Shizhu, this is Jiyuan Temple’s ‘Infinite Guiding Token.’”

“If one day you decide clearly, simply crush this token, and one hundred thousand Buddha lights will guide your path.”

Kong Chan added: “No matter where you are, if any high monk of Jiyuan Temple is nearby, they will come to fetch you—and in certain ways, it can even save your life!”

Jue Ming clasped his hands together and said: “The Buddhist path values karmic connections. This day, I shall not force you. I only hope that someday, we may still share the study of the Dharma.”

Looking at the gold foil and listening to their words, Zhou Qing felt a touch of embarrassment.

He hadn’t expected Jue Hui, like Shen Hanyi, never forced others.

This was quite admirable!

Coupled with the “Subduing Demon Golden Bones” he had looted from the deceased Kudì Chánshī, at this moment, he felt a faint fondness for Jiyuan Temple.

If the chance arises, why not pay them a visit?

“Master’s kindness, this disciple will remember,” Zhou Qing carefully and solemnly tucked the gold foil into his robe, his face filled with gratitude.

At that moment, a streak of light suddenly arrived.

It was Elder Wu Zhu, the guardian of the boundary gate; he opened his mouth to speak, but upon seeing the two monks suddenly present, he froze.

When did these two enter?

How did I not notice?

“What’s wrong?” Mo Xingjian asked, noticing Wu Zhu’s strange expression.

Elder Wu Zhu bowed deeply: “Report, Elder Mo, outside the mountain gate, a mother and child have come, specifically requesting to see Zhou Qing.”

All eyes instantly turned to Zhou Qing; the air grew thick with subtle tension.

Zhou Qing’s face twitched—why are you all staring at me? This has nothing to do with me.

He turned to Elder Wu Zhu and pressed: “Elder, did they give their names? What exactly do they want from me?”

“The woman calls herself Li Niang; the child… appears to be a little monk,” Wu Zhu said, glancing subtly at Jue Ming and his disciple, his brow slightly furrowed.

He had been stationed at the gate the entire time—he truly hadn’t seen how they entered. Had he failed his duty so gravely?

“A monk?” At this, everyone turned to Jue Ming and Kong Chan.

How many of you came?

Jue Ming and Kong Chan were also puzzled—could another Venerable have come to Lingyun Prefecture?

Weren’t we supposed to split up and search?

Zhou Qing was startled, even glancing at Shen Yunzhou.

After all, only months ago, when he and Shen Yunzhou returned from the border, they had encountered Li Niang in Haomiao Prefecture.

But Li Niang’s mind was often clear, often hazy—she had never once come seeking someone out on her own.

Mo Xingjian also frowned.

The battle at Canglan Mountain had been triggered by her stealing the Fusan Spirit Sunflower from the Demon King Hou Shan.

His Sect Master had met her years ago, but Mo Xingjian had never seen her himself.

“Let them in,” Mo Xingjian said after a brief pause, glancing at Jue Ming and Kong Chan.

Since they’re all monks, might as well resolve everything while they’re here.

“Yes!” Wu Zhu bowed and departed.

Not long after, he returned with Li Niang and a child of five or six years old.

Upon seeing the child, everyone’s eyes lit up.

What a fair-skinned, rosy-lipped child—his features radiated a natural, ethereal spiritual energy.

In the next instant, the bodhi beads still clutched in Jue Ming’s hand suddenly flew up, heading straight for the child.

Jue Ming was stunned.

The child, following Li Niang, instinctively reached out his small hand and caught the approaching beads.

Instantly, the entire string of beads blazed with brilliant light, and the surrounding spiritual energy surged wildly.

In mere moments, a massive golden halo formed behind him, faint Sanskrit chants echoing from within.

The child’s body stirred without wind, his pale moon-white tunic fluttering; the beads around his neck resonated with the flying bodhi beads, radiating even stronger Buddhist light.

Simultaneously, golden lotus flowers burst forth from the ground.

Each petal was formed from countless miniature Buddha forms, slowly rotating with the Sanskrit chants.

“This… this is…” Kong Chan’s True-Seeing Pupil on his forehead trembled violently; his vision filled with a sky of Buddha light.

Jue Ming trembled with excitement, his eyes filled with disbelief.

“The Thousand Buddha Lotus Throne has manifested! This is the ancient sacred omen recorded in the ‘Buddha Treasury Canon!’”

Jue Ming’s brows quivered violently; tears streamed down his wrinkled face as he suddenly fell to his knees with a thud.

Clasping his hands: “Amitabha! Blessed by the Buddha’s mercy, the Buddha Child has been found! Jiyuan Temple Venerable Jue Ming humbly welcomes the Buddha!”

Kong Chan also excitedly dropped to his knees.

This feeling was right!

Zhou Qing and the others stared, mouths agape.

Wait, the Buddha Child you’re searching for just… showed up like this?

And he’s a cute little toddler!

Li Niang stared fixedly at her son, wreathed in Buddha light, her eyes filled with shock.

So this was the “great fortune” the child spoke of?

At this moment, the child lowered his gaze, gently stroking the beads; the red mole on his brow transformed into a swirling golden wheel.

“This feeling is so comfortable!”

His voice was soft and childlike; then, naturally, he hung the beads around his neck.

He glanced briefly at the kneeling Jue Ming and Kong Chan, then locked his gaze firmly on Zhou Qing.

His face broke into a smile, and in the next instant, he dashed forward three steps and dropped to his knees before Zhou Qing with a thud: “Child bows to Great Father!”

The air froze. Everyone stared in disbelief.

Zhou Qing stood rigid, his mind utterly blank.

Wait, what? I’m a father now?

Lu Yaoyao’s eyes sparkled.

Should I call him brother or younger brother?

Father, how many secrets are you still hiding? You used to be so tight-lipped.

“The Buddha Child… recognize him as father?!” Jue Ming snapped his head up, equally stunned.

Zhou Qing immediately turned to Li Niang, only then noticing her terrifying belly had returned to normal—her figure now merely slightly plump.

In that instant, he understood who knelt before him.

You didn’t bear a child in a thousand years—and now you give birth to one this big?

“You’re mistaken—I’m not your father!” Zhou Qing hurriedly said.

The child looked up, smiling: “We’ve met many times before. Though you’re not my biological father, you share karmic ties with my mother—and with me.”

“And because of your wood-element spirit stone, my mother was spared the pain of childbirth.”

Shen Huangmao suddenly slapped his thigh and cried out excitedly: “Wasn’t that when Li Shitao and Xiao Can Can gave birth? I even said then—if the child was born, he could make you Great Father and me Second Father!”

Shen Yunzhou paused, then looked at the child with eager anticipation.

“I’m your father too! What’s your name? Father already prepared a gift—this box holds the very thing I treasure most… wait, wrong box! Don’t misunderstand, this isn’t feces!”

Shen Yunzhou excitedly pulled out a beautifully wrapped box from his storage pouch—being the father of a Jiyuan Temple Buddha Child? Now who dares look down on him?

Even in the Shen family, he’d gain three points of backbone!

But as soon as he opened the box, a powerful stench erupted.

Shen Yunzhou froze—he realized he’d grabbed the wrong box.

Instantly, a terrifying spiritual sense locked onto him, freezing him in place.

Even Jue Ming, with his ironclad composure, now watched his Buddha Child being claimed as a son and insulted by such foulness—his temple veins bulged.

The tears he’d just calmed turned to icy glares, piercing straight at Shen Yunzhou.

Facing Shen Yunzhou’s enthusiasm, the child shook his head repeatedly; his clear gaze remained fixed on Zhou Qing: “I have only one Great Father—that is Zhou Father.”

Zhou Qing stared at the small, clear voice before him, then turned to Li Niang.

She stepped forward gracefully and bowed deeply: “I remember everything. Sometimes I cannot control myself, but every kindness I received remains etched in my heart. Thank you.”

Before her words ended, she bowed low.

Zhou Qing panicked, reaching out to help her up—but didn’t know where to touch.

He glanced at his Master—Mo Xingjian blinked rapidly, signaling him.

He looked at Lu Yaoyao—her face glowed with glee.

Yan Xiao’s face was filled with envy.

Only Shen Huangmao stood frozen, struck by lightning—his promised Second Father status vanished, still clutching the stinking box.

Helpless, Zhou Qing turned to the kneeling Jue Ming and Kong Chan.

Meeting Zhou Qing’s gaze, Jue Ming sighed softly, sending a mental message: “Since it’s karmic fate… then accept it.”

Hearing this, Zhou Qing felt a flicker of willingness.

Leaving aside other matters, if you want to unlock new ignore points in the future, you can only go to a level-five cultivation country to find a Severing Spirit cultivator.

The nearest level-five cultivation country is only the Tianyun Holy Dynasty, and Second Uncle is also there.

If a foster son goes ahead to pave the way for him, your own future endeavors will surely become much easier.

After thinking it through, Zhou Qing’s face immediately broke into a smile.

He then stepped forward, gently stroked the child’s shaved head, and helped him to his feet.

His eyes filled with emotion: “Good… good son, Father is proud of you!”

This sudden feeling of becoming a father was both strange and surreal to him.

He still had no cultivation partner, yet here stood a well-behaved son before him.

The child beamed up at him: “Thank you, Big Dad!”

“What’s your name?” Zhou Qing asked.

“I don’t have a name yet,” the child tilted his head. “Mother said Father left in a hurry to find the spiritual herbs to cleanse my meridians and purify my bones, and never got around to naming me.”

Zhou Qing nodded in understanding.

Though he was now this Buddha-child’s Big Dad, he couldn’t arbitrarily overstep and name him.

Besides, once the child enters the Jiyuan Temple, he will receive a new Dharma name.

Then, Zhou Qing had a thought and crouched down with interest: “Big Dad will ask you three questions. If you answer them correctly, Big Dad will grant you a divine opportunity.”

The child’s eyes lit up and he chirped brightly: “Big Dad, ask away!”

(End of Chapter)