Chapter 264

"This place was originally a prince's mansion, but later it was killed for rebellion and turned into the largest temple in the capital. Later, it was slaughtered due to the Emperor's suppression of Buddhism, and finally, it became the government office of Ju Xian Fu."

Fan Tian Shi walked beside Lin Jue, introducing it to him.

Lin Jue could not help but glance at him—

Originally, he thought this person would not come to the Ju Xian Fu government office today. After all, many jianghu experts and eccentric people would be showing off their magical skills before the Crown Prince today. What if someone started a commotion, or if the Crown Prince wanted to see the legendary skills of Fan Tian Shi? What would he do then?

But he did not expect this person's courage to be even greater than he had imagined.

He even looked more composed than himself.

The three of them and the fox walked to the entrance of Ju Xian Fu.

Lin Jue was about to take out his wooden plate to inform the guards that the person behind him was his protector, but as soon as the guards at the door saw Fan Tian Shi, they immediately showed a respectful expression. Even toward him and the Luo Gong behind him, they only dared to look with respectful and curious eyes, not daring to come up and question them.

"Fan Tian Shi, please enter quickly."

"Has the Crown Prince arrived?"

"Just arrived, just arrived."

"Haha, I'll just come to take a look. During my quiet cultivation, I'll join in the fun."

Fan Tian Shi flicked his sleeves and walked toward the gate of Ju Xian Fu. Before stepping in, he turned to smile at Lin Jue and made a gesture of invitation:

"Fellow Daoist, please."

Lin Jue looked at him with surprise again—

Before leaving, this person had only told him that it was still early and that it wouldn't be too late to have breakfast before leaving, and that it wouldn't be too late to have a cup of tea after breakfast before leaving. He did not expect him to be bold enough to arrive later than the Crown Prince, yet the guards at the door did not find this strange.

Thinking about it carefully, he understood.

As expected of Fan Tian Shi...

Lin Jue laughed secretly in his heart but did not show it, only feeling that he had broadened his horizons in the mortal world.

Immediately, he entered Ju Xian Fu.

Passing through the ceremonial gate, the view before his eyes darkened, and what came into view was a spacious and lush courtyard, or perhaps it could be called a garden, but today it was very chaotic and lively.

He did not know how many jianghu experts, eccentric people, and famous Daoist monks were there. Some were sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, some were playing chess against each other, and some were gathered in groups of three or five, performing magical arts. However, more people were walking with a group in the distance, and he could vaguely see the figures of guards, which was probably the Crown Prince's entourage.

"Truly lively."

Lin Jue widened his eyes and looked carefully.

The white fox beside him also stretched its neck.

Luo Gong had said that Ju Xian Fu did not only have swindlers like Fan Tian Shi, nor only ordinary people who could see ghosts, associate with yaoguai, or were just bold and not afraid of ghosts for various reasons. There were also some people with real skills. Even if they were in the minority, Ju Xian Fu had gathered thousands of people, which was not a small number.

And for Lin Jue—

Magical arts are hard to distinguish in depth, and the level of skill depends on attainment. Everyone in the world has their strengths and weaknesses.

Was the middle-aged man in gray robes who brought him the curse control not a powerful character? He was still using the magical art he obtained from him to this day!

Scanning with his eyes, he first filtered out those who were idle, playing chess, chatting, or pretending to be immortals, and only looked at the lively places.

Soon, he heard a tiger's roar.

"Aowu~~"

Lin Jue, the fox, and Luo Gong all turned their heads instantly.

They saw a large crowd gathered on the left, which suddenly opened up a gap. A colorful fierce tiger jumped out from this gap, causing a burst of exclamation.

However, many people seemed to know that such an existence existed in Ju Xian Fu. Although surprised, they were only intimidated by the size and momentum of the colorful fierce tiger and exclaimed subconsciously, but they were not afraid.

A look of realization appeared in Luo Seng's eyes, but he did not speak.

Fan Tian Shi beside him said: "This is a person in Ju Xian Fu."

"A person..."

Lin Jue nodded.

When he was in the mountains, he had heard of this kind of magical art.

This kind of magical art is called a technique, which is practiced from childhood. It allows one to turn into a fierce tiger, with size and strength equivalent to a real fierce tiger, with only one difference—

A real fierce tiger has four toes on its feet, while a tiger turned into by the technique has five toes, so one can judge from the footprints whether it is a real fierce tiger or one turned into by the technique.

People who practice this kind of magical art are called people.

Lin Jue saw the fierce tiger jumping and wagging its tail on the rockery and among the flower beds. Before long, it crouched down and turned back into a human form, only taking off a tiger skin from its body, which made many people marvel, and Lin Jue was no exception.

Ju Xian Fu really has people with real skills!

Although this magical art cannot fight a yaoguai king, it can be considered a powerful skill.

A fierce tiger is the king of the mountains. How many people, yaoguai, ghosts, and monsters in this world can fight a fierce tiger? Moreover, he was turned into one by a person. If a person suddenly turns into a fierce tiger or rushes out from an alley, I am afraid most Daoist practitioners would not be able to react.

Practicing this method is at least enough to make a living or even become a high-level person.

However, this magical art did not suit his wishes.

Following Fan Tian Shi forward, many people automatically made way when they saw Fan Tian Shi. Those who were slightly more familiar came to pay their respects and greet him, while also keeping a distance, clearly showing great awe and respect for him.

Consequently, Lin Jue also received many curious gazes.

Walking forward along the long corridor in the garden.

Fan Tian Shi knew that Lin Jue had come to see the jianghu eccentric people and various magical arts, and he also knew that most of these people wanted to show them to the Crown Prince, so he took him directly toward the Crown Prince.

Soon, they caught up with the Crown Prince.

He saw that it was a middle-aged man in gorgeous clothes, not young, with many tall armored guards standing around him, and several officials following by his side, with many eccentric people from Ju Xian Fu following behind.

Suddenly, a yellow-robed monk came out to offer a technique:

"This poor monk has a magical art, which is a profound Buddhist dharma, and I am willing to perform it for Your Highness."

"Oh? Please!"

The Crown Prince immediately stopped his steps.

Many people were already following around, so naturally, they formed a circle with the yellow-robed monk as the center. Of course, the Crown Prince still stood in the best viewing position.

Lin Jue also stepped forward to watch.

He saw that the yellow-robed monk was quite old, holding a golden bowl in his hand. While talking to the Crown Prince, introducing and boasting about his magical art, he scooped a bowl of water from the nearby pond, muttering words as if casting a spell. Afterward, he took a sip of water and sprayed it toward the trees in the garden.

"Puff!"

Water mist permeated.

It was the middle of winter, and the trees were bare.

But with this spray, in a trance, the withered trees of winter actually slowly grew tender buds, the buds quickly grew into flower buds, and then flowers bloomed.

They were dots of plum blossoms, white as snow.

There were some exclamations around.

Everyone looked at the tree or the monk, only the fox raised its head and looked at Lin Jue with curiosity.

The meaning in those eyes was very simple—

This person is the same as you.

"Heh..."

Lin Jue also lowered his head to look at it, showing a smile.

"Don't be impatient, this is not enough. Superior Buddhist dharma can persuade people to be good, can persuade withered trees to bloom, but it can also bloom branches and leaves, and even bear fruit." The monk laughed, took another sip of water, and sprayed it out in one mouthful.

With a puff, water mist permeated.

He saw the plum blossoms on the withered tree quickly wither and fall to the ground, covering the ground. But the petals would not turn into mud in such a short time, and before they turned into mud, many buds grew on the tree again.

In the blink of an eye, the buds grew rapidly, becoming tender leaves. In another blink of an eye, the tender buds unfolded. By this time, they had turned from tender green to dark green, and the veins were clearly visible.

The fox raised its head to look at Lin Jue again.

The expression in its eyes was still very simple—

This person seems to know more than you.

Only at this time, Lin Jue was concentrating on looking ahead and did not pay attention to it, so it had to withdraw its gaze and continue looking ahead.

He did not know how many people noticed that fruit was hanging under the leaves.

At first, it was just a fruit as big as a bean, but the fruit bean quickly grew, became plump, and turned into many plums, hanging all over the branches.

"Amitabha..."

The yellow-robed monk turned to look at the crowd.

Although he was chanting the Buddha's name, how could the crowd not understand the meaning? They clapped and cheered, showing their support.

The Crown Prince also showed a smile, not too surprised, but gave a good evaluation:

"The Master's magical art is indeed profound."

After a slight pause, he pointed to the tree and asked:

"But these plums... can they be eaten?"

"Amitabha, since it is Buddhist dharma, naturally they can be eaten."

The yellow-robed monk put his hands together, lowered his head to chant, then took two steps forward, walked under the tree, grasped a plum, and pulled hard.

A slight sound, and the branches shook rustlingly.

A plum was presented before the Crown Prince.

Only then was the Crown Prince somewhat surprised.

He took the plum, felt the touch in his hand, looked at the fuzz on the surface, and even put it in front of his eyes to smell it; it was fragrant and pleasant.

"It's actually real!"

The Crown Prince said in surprise, handing the plum to the side.

An official immediately took it and put it to his mouth, taking a light bite.

"Eh~"

The official's facial features all wrinkled up.

It was visibly sour.

The crowd surrounding them was even more surprised.

Just at this moment, the Crown Prince scanned with his peripheral vision and suddenly saw Lin Jue and the other two, a look of surprise appearing in his eyes. He then stepped forward two steps and actually took the initiative to pay respects:

"Fan Tian Shi is here too? I heard that Fan Tian Shi has never liked such noisy occasions. Why are you in the mood to come today?"

"Greetings to the Crown Prince." Fan Tian Shi smiled and paid respects. Although he said this, his attitude was indifferent, "Another high-level person came to Ju Xian Fu today, and he lives in the same courtyard as me and Pan Gong. I respect his skills and know that this fellow Daoist has just arrived in the capital and is very curious about Ju Xian Fu, so I took advantage of today's liveliness to accompany him to take a look."

"Oh?"

The Crown Prince was somewhat surprised.

Everyone was also very surprised.

Who is this person who just arrived at Ju Xian Fu and can live in the same courtyard as Fan Tian Shi and Pan Gong? And can make Fan Tian Shi come here in person to accompany him for a stroll?

But they saw that he was just a young Daoist.

"This is..."

"This poor Daoist's surname is Lin, name Jue. Greetings to Your Highness."

"I also greet the Daoist."

The Crown Prince looked at him a few more times, remembered him, withdrew his gaze, looked at Fan Tian Shi again, and asked with a smile: "In Fan Tian Shi's opinion, how is this Master's magical art?"

Everyone then looked at Fan Tian Shi.

Especially the yellow-robed monk, who had long known Fan Tian Shi's great name, and his forehead was already sweating a little.

Lin Jue also turned his head.

He originally thought he might be more or less flustered, but he did not expect that he could not see any tension or awkwardness in him at all. Instead, he saw him smiling and looking at the yellow-robed monk, and only then did he say:

"This high-level monk naturally has good magical arts and profound Buddhist dharma. A wintersweet tree actually bloomed plum blossoms and bore plums."

Everyone present was stunned, and only then did they come to their senses.

Someone remembered that this tree bloomed last year, and it seemed it was indeed wintersweet flowers.

Wintersweet is also called wax plum. Although it is also called plum, it is not the same kind as plum blossoms. Not only are the flowers different, but the fruit it bears cannot be eaten and is instead poisonous.

But these that bloomed were indeed plum blossoms.

And what they bore were indeed plums.

Someone suddenly realized.

Someone else was annoyed, as they clearly lived in this courtyard but had forgotten for a moment that this was wintersweet, and they were not as clear-headed as Fan Tian Shi, who did not often come here.

And the Crown Prince was also thoughtful, raising his hand to pay respects:

"As expected of Fan Tian Shi..."

With one sentence, he neither exposed the yellow-robed monk's magical art, saving his face, nor answered the Crown Prince's question, telling him what was going on.

Even Lin Jue and Luo Seng could not help but look at Fan Tian Shi.

Is this person really a fake?