Chapter 125

The half-Buddha covered entirely in Sanskrit script bowed his head and uttered a Buddhist chant: “Since Half-Buddha Wu Zhi has spoken thus, this old monk takes his leave.”

He had been the most restless just now, yet he was the fastest to flee.

After the other five half-Buddhas all expressed their respect, they departed one by one, and their respective factions swiftly withdrew as well.

Mo Fen’s eyes nearly bulged out—wasn’t Half-Buddha Wu Zhi in seclusion for a death-closure? Yet he emerged over just a single sentence, risking his last chance in this lifetime to become a living Buddha.

Just as he was furious and lost in confusion over the family’s impending ostracization.

Half-Buddha Wu Zhi’s voice sounded again: “Mo Fen, you have committed too many immoral acts in secret—your crimes deserve death.”

Mo Fen didn’t even have time to explain before he was blown into a mist of blood.

Lu Fang furrowed his brow slightly—damn, this is what the Buddhist realm is like? This Half-Buddha Wu Zhi should’ve just emerged from seclusion, yet he already possessed evidence of Mo Fen’s crimes?

It felt as though Half-Buddha Wu Zhi had killed Mo Fen to show him goodwill, to give him an explanation.

He was still quite curious about who exactly this Half-Buddha Wu Zhi was.

Unfortunately, Half-Buddha Wu Zhi never appeared.

Seeing the Lieyan family’s people flee, Zha Ximo let out a heavy sigh of relief—thank goodness, this clan-destroying disaster was finally over.

And they had even gained fortune from misfortune, attaching themselves to the fringes of Half-Buddha Wu Zhi’s influence; even if he claimed it meant nothing to others, they would surely think twice before acting.

Most importantly, Lu Ling was, by blood, one of their Xiongshi family, and Lu Fang was a disciple of some high-ranking figure from the Great Zhou Empire.

This was nothing short of heavenly aid to the Xiongshi family’s rise.

On the way back, Lu Fang asked curiously: “Fourth Master Sister, this Half-Buddha Wu Zhi seems to hold very high status in the Buddhist realm. All six of those half-Buddhas looked deeply respectful.”

He had read many books, but knew little about the Buddhist realm.

One reason was that detailed books on it were scarce; the other was that the Western Regions’ Buddhist realm often used it to propagate Buddhist faith, so it was banned in Great Zhou.

Zhou Yiyi shook her head: “I don’t know much either. When I left, my master only gave me a name and said that if I encountered any unsolvable problem in the Buddhist realm’s capital, I should call out that name.”

“I see.” Lu Fang turned to look at Zha Ximo, who was fawning over Lu Ling, and asked:

“You must know about Half-Buddha Wu Zhi—tell me about him.”

Zha Ximo nodded eagerly, smiling: “Half-Buddha Wu Zhi is a legendary figure—he’s not only a member of the current Buddhist realm’s imperial family, but also the former abbot of Foyou Temple.”

Lowering his voice, he added: “The current Buddhist emperor is his grandson, and he has disciples scattered throughout the realm. He once single-handedly pursued and killed three half-Buddhas—his name is renowned far and wide.”

“Oh—” Lu Fang chuckled softly. “No wonder those six half-Buddhas gave him such respect—he’s royalty and incredibly powerful.”

In the great hall, Lu Fang was discussing matters with Zha Ximo when a servant hurried in, bowed, and spoke something in Western Regions dialect.

Zha Ximo waved his hand; after the servant left, he said: “Young Master Fang, Half-Buddha Wu Zhi has sent someone to see you—I’ve already sent word to bring them.”

Lu Fang nodded. Regardless, Half-Buddha Wu Zhi had intervened on his behalf; even if he couldn’t thank him in person, he must at least thank his messenger.

Not long after.

The servant led in a woman dressed in imperial court attire. She appeared to be in her early thirties, wearing not Western Regions clothing, but Great Zhou court robes—and she was clearly from Great Zhou.

The court lady bowed gracefully and said: “I assume this is Young Master Fang? Half-Buddha Wu Zhi has asked me to apologize—he left briefly and immediately returned to seclusion, unable to meet you.”

“If you need any assistance while in the Buddhist realm, please tell me—I will remain here until you depart.”

Lu Fang clasped his fists: “You’re too formal—I should be the one thanking Half-Buddha Wu Zhi.”

The court lady smiled and asked: “Young Master Fang, you may call me Fang Chun. May I ask why you two have traveled such a great distance? Perhaps I can assist you.”

Lu Fang replied honestly: “We came here to enter the Buddhist realm’s trial grounds, but due to certain circumstances, we arrived earlier than expected.”

Fang Chun glanced at Lu Fang and smiled: “Young Master Fang, you appear to be only Seventh Rank, Third Stage. To enter the Buddhist realm’s trial grounds, one must be Sixth Rank.”

Lu Fang nodded with a wry smile: “Even if I were Sixth Rank now, it wouldn’t help—the trial grounds won’t open for another while. But after some time, I’m confident I’ll reach Sixth Rank.”

Fang Chun said softly: “It’s a pity, Young Master Fang—you’re not Sixth Rank yet. Otherwise, you could enter the Buddhist realm’s trial grounds right now.”

“Oh?” Lu Fang was surprised. “What do you mean?”

Fang Chun spoke calmly: “Young Master Fang, you may not know, but recently, unusual energy fluctuations have appeared at the trial grounds’ location, allowing entry now.”

“The Buddhist realm’s envoys have already notified us. In about half a month, those invited from Great Zhou will arrive to enter the trial grounds.”

Lu Fang frowned tightly: “You mean the Buddhist realm’s trial grounds will open early? Can I delay my entry? Or postpone it?”

Fang Chun thought for a moment, then shook her head: “No. The Buddhist realm’s trial grounds are unique—their opening requires abnormal energy fluctuations at the site.”

“These fluctuations were always fixed in timing, but this year they arrived earlier. Once they vanish, entry will be impossible again.”

“This window usually lasts two months.”

Lu Fang frowned. If it had followed the original schedule, he was certain he could break through to Sixth Rank easily—but now the time had been drastically shortened.

He wasn’t sure he could make it in time to enter the trial grounds as he wished.

If so, he might never uncover the whereabouts of Lu Ling’s parents.

The trial grounds opened only once every three years. Miss this chance, and you must wait three years.

He didn’t want to wait that long—if he did, Lu Ling would worry for three years, and that was something he couldn’t bear.

In the following days, feeling the pressure of imminent breakthrough, Lu Fang never left his room and began consuming the scent of ink to force his cultivation upward.

With time running short, he must break through within two months—or even sooner.

Zhou Yiyi wasn’t idle either—she sat beside him, studying books on demonic arrays. You couldn’t even call it study—she just flipped through them idly.

Because every time Lu Fang opened his eyes after training, he found her lying there, eating dried meat.