Chapter 127: Countdown to the Buddha Land Trial Grounds

"In that case, can I understand that even a terrifying entity would be suppressed by the incomplete heavenly dao there, kept from exceeding a certain limit?"

Lu Fang said solemnly.

Zhou Yiyi frowned: "But the highest level in the Buddha Land Trial Grounds is Fourth Rank, Third Tier. Even if you break through to Sixth Rank, you'll still be only Sixth Rank, First Tier. Are you sure there's no life-threatening danger?"

"Moreover, the Buddha Land has many Buddhist sects—some are predation-focused. In a small upper realm like the Buddha Land Trial Grounds, killing others grants you their fortune."

"Little brother, you must think carefully."

Creak!

The door suddenly swung open.

Lu Ling walked over, her expression grave: "I heard everything Fourth Sister just said. Brother, don't go looking for that underground palace—it's too dangerous. Wait until you're stronger before entering."

Lu Fang sighed; he knew Zhou Yiyi had spoken deliberately, just to make Lu Ling hear.

He looked at Lu Ling: "I must go see it. But don't worry—if there's real danger, I won't risk it. But I promise you: at most three years, at least three months, I will rescue your parents."

"Wu…wu…wu…"

Lu Ling's eyes turned red; she flung herself into Lu Fang's arms, wiping away tears incessantly.

"Don't cry, don't cry."

Lu Fang comforted Lu Ling; something inside him stirred, and his resolve hardened further—he must protect this sister, and make her happy for the rest of her life.

In this world, he truly had only her.

…

Pop!

A faint sound echoed.

Lu Fang, seated cross-legged on the bed, was surrounded by a vast tide of righteous qi that did not disperse, faintly accompanied by the rustling of turning pages.

When all that righteous qi had flowed into his body,

Zhou Yiyi standing beside him said: "Congratulations, Little Brother. You've successfully entered the Confucian Scholar realm. Though still behind me, under heavenly dao restrictions, your rapid advancement is impressive—I'm genuinely surprised."

Lu Fang opened his eyes and exhaled deeply.

After a month of continuous consumption of book-scented qi, he had finally broken through into the Confucian Scholar realm. It sounded easy, but it was far harder than he imagined.

He had been consuming book-scented qi nonstop.

In just this month, despite his book-scented qi rapidly increasing, he had used up all but ten strands—imagine how much he'd consumed.

This was Lu Fang's determination: he would waste book-scented qi without hesitation, and break through at all costs.

Lu Fang smiled: "Fourth Sister, have you secured that special bloodline jade?"

Zhou Yiyi pulled out a square white jade and tossed it to Lu Fang: "Within six months, as long as you're within range of Lu Ling's bloodline resonance, it will guide you."

Lu Fang gripped the square white jade and sensed it—he faintly perceived a glowing orb nearby. He hesitated: "Is this because Ling'er is close by?"

Zhou Yiyi nodded.

Lu Fang smiled and tucked the square white jade into his storage pouch. Six months was enough. The Buddha Land Trial Grounds would open in less than a month; Fang Chun had already told him that most of the invited Zhou Dynasty Confucian Scholars had already arrived.

If nothing unexpected happened, it would open in about a month.

The timing could still be adjusted based on how fast he broke through.

After all, the duration one could stay inside the Buddha Land Trial Grounds depended on how long the anomalous fluctuations lasted—so the sooner he entered, the better.

As soon as Lu Fang stepped outside, Fang Chun in the adjacent room opened her door and stepped out. After glancing at him, she smiled: "Congratulations, Young Master Fang, on entering the Confucian Scholar realm."

Lu Fang asked: "Earlier you said you could open the Buddha Land Trial Grounds early—can it be opened in three days?"

Fang Chun thought for a moment, then nodded: "Young Master Fang, are you certain you want the Buddha Land Trial Grounds opened in three days? If you're sure, I can inquire. If nothing goes wrong, it should be possible."

Lu Fang confirmed: "Then let it be three days from now."

Saying this, he walked toward the door. Since Li Yu had arrived, and he'd been too occupied with cultivation to see her before, he now wanted to meet her.

He had already arranged it via a transmission talisman.

Fang Chun, meanwhile, pulled out a transmission talisman and informed them of the early opening of the Buddha Land Trial Grounds, then followed Lu Fang cautiously.

Lu Fang paid no mind. He stepped outside and headed straight for the Buddha Land guesthouse. After walking a stretch, he met Li Yu at a tavern near the guesthouse.

Alongside Li Yu was Song Ce.

Lu Fang frowned. When he had beaten Prince Ji Si, Song Ce had been there—and they'd even fought. He had no fondness for this man.

Li Yu knew of their history. Seeing Lu Fang approach with an unpleasant expression, she said to Song Ce: "Young Master Song, I've made plans with the Marquis of Wenguan."

Song Ce turned and glanced at Lu Fang, smiling: "In that case, we'll talk another time. Marquis, I'll take my leave."

Lu Fang bowed slightly. After Song Ce left, he frowned: "Why is he here? And he's entered the Confucian Scholar realm too?"

Li Yu sighed: "We just happened to meet. He came over to chat. I made plans with you to drink—I knew you two had a grudge. Why would I let him come? Little Uncle, you're something else—you've entered the Confucian Scholar realm?"

"Aren't you restricted by heavenly dao? How did you advance so fast?"

"I remember when you came out of the Seventh Rank small upper realm, you were only Seventh Rank, Second Tier. How long has it been? You're already Sixth Rank Confucian Scholar?"

Lu Fang sat down: "I'm just exceptionally gifted."

Li Yu rolled her eyes, then glanced curiously at Zhou Yiyi and Fang Chun, and sneered: "Little Uncle, you're something else—came to the Western Regions and picked up two beauties as company."

Lu Fang froze. Li Yu didn't recognize Zhou Yiyi?

Fortunately, Zhou Yiyi didn't mind Li Yu's teasing. She sat down and began eating and drinking heartily.

Otherwise, someone else might have scolded Li Yu.

Lu Fang smiled and introduced: "This is my Fourth Sister. I think you're itching for a beating, daring to tease your Fourth Auntie."

Li Yu was startled. She studied Zhou Yiyi carefully, but sensed no righteous qi or aura from her—she looked like an ordinary girl before her.

"Little Uncle… is she really your Fourth Auntie?"

Lu Fang nodded: "Why would I lie to you? And this is Fang Chun, from Wu Zhi Half-Buddha. You don't know how lucky I was—without Fourth Sister, I might have died here."

Seeing Lu Fang wasn't joking, Li Yu bowed deeply to Zhou Yiyi: "Fourth Auntie, I was impulsive just now."

Zhou Yiyi didn't look up, waved her hand, and gently lifted Li Yu back up: "Ignorance is no crime. No need for such formalities in the future."