[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou":3,"chapter-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-125":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Ink Saint of Great Zhou",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2292088,4481,"Chapter 125","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-125",125,"\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been the most restless just now, yet he was the fastest to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the other five half-Buddhas all expressed their respect, they departed one by one, and their respective factions swiftly withdrew as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was furious and lost in confusion over the family’s impending ostracization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half-Buddha Wu Zhi’s voice sounded again: “Mo Fen, you have committed too many immoral acts in secret—your crimes deserve death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Fen didn’t even have time to explain before he was blown into a mist of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as though Half-Buddha Wu Zhi had killed Mo Fen to show him goodwill, to give him an explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still quite curious about who exactly this Half-Buddha Wu Zhi was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Half-Buddha Wu Zhi never appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was nothing short of heavenly aid to the Xiongshi family’s rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had read many books, but knew little about the Buddhist realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.” Lu Fang turned to look at Zha Ximo, who was fawning over Lu Ling, and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must know about Half-Buddha Wu Zhi—tell me about him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh—” Lu Fang chuckled softly. “No wonder those six half-Buddhas gave him such respect—he’s royalty and incredibly powerful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you need any assistance while in the Buddhist realm, please tell me—I will remain here until you depart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang clasped his fists: “You’re too formal—I should be the one thanking Half-Buddha Wu Zhi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Lu Fang was surprised. “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang frowned tightly: “You mean the Buddhist realm’s trial grounds will open early? Can I delay my entry? Or postpone it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These fluctuations were always fixed in timing, but this year they arrived earlier. Once they vanish, entry will be impossible again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This window usually lasts two months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t sure he could make it in time to enter the trial grounds as he wished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, he might never uncover the whereabouts of Lu Ling’s parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trial grounds opened only once every three years. Miss this chance, and you must wait three years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With time running short, he must break through within two months—or even sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because every time Lu Fang opened his eyes after training, he found her lying there, eating dried meat.\u003C\u002Fp>",1195,"2026-06-20T03:56:21.568Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8679f3ed7ba3e0080e776060669517ff3b0f394d985354d7ca4d8a9f097726b3","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-126","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-124",289,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-cover.jpg"]