Chapter 725

After finishing lunch, Xiang Fangyang and Li Zhou walked out of the food stall together.

Sunlight spilled onto the two of them through the gaps in the leaves, bringing them a touch of warmth.

After finishing their meal, Xiang Fangyang and Li Zhou decided to return to the Shaolin Temple.

Li Zhou drove the car along the mountain road toward their destination.

Xiang Fangyang sat in the passenger seat, gazing at the scenery flying past outside the window, his heart filled with anticipation.

850. Why break the precepts? Time to climb the mountain! (Seeking full subscription)

Finally, their car drove into the main gate of the Shaolin Temple.

A profound sense of solemnity rushed toward them.

The tall stone lions on both sides of the gate came into view, standing there as if declaring the sanctity of this place to all who passed by.

After getting out of the car, Xiang Fangyang took a deep breath. He looked up; the pagoda towered into the clouds, majestic and spectacular.

The halls within the temple were resplendent, giving one a feeling of solemnity and gravity.

But the Abbot waiting for them made their smiles vanish instantly.

"Little friend Xiang Fangyang, why did you break the precepts during your period of cultivation?"

The Abbot watches the livestream too!

Xiang Fangyang and Li Zhou stood before the Abbot, feeling an invisible pressure.

The Abbot sternly accused them of failing to follow the cultivation rules, daring to eat meat during their study period, and committing a grave error.

Xiang Fangyang lowered his head, feeling a sense of guilt.

"Master, I am sorry," he said in a low voice. "I know I did not do well."

Li Zhou also followed Xiang Fangyang in expressing his apologies: "Master, please forgive us."

The Abbot remained silent for a moment, his gaze like lightning coiling around the two of them, and then he nodded slowly.

"Since you have already recognized your mistake and shown feelings of guilt, this is a good start." His voice was solemn and somewhat stern.

"But remember, cultivating in the Shaolin Temple is equivalent to accepting the teachings of the Dharma for your own life."

Xiang Fangyang and Li Zhou simultaneously felt the deep meaning contained in the Master's words.

Although this transgression seemed minor, in a place like the Shaolin Temple that values discipline, it was unacceptable.

The Abbot continued: "As disciples of the Shaolin Temple, your primary task should be to refine yourselves. There are no shortcuts on the path of cultivation; only by strictly following the rules and through day-after-day effort can you achieve progress."

Xiang Fangyang gritted his teeth, feeling anxious inside.

He knew that every word the Master said was the truth, and he understood that he needed to take action to prove his determination.

"Master, please teach us how to remedy this error," he asked in a low voice.

The Abbot nodded.

"Eating meat is already a grave error, but it is not beyond redemption. You need to make up for this transgression through extra cultivation and reflection," he said with a serious expression.

"Go run a lap around the mountain; you may only sleep after you finish."

After the Master's stern instruction, Xiang Fangyang and Li Zhou put on their cultivation robes and began their arduous mountain-climbing journey.

The entire foot of the mountain was shrouded in an atmosphere of silence.

Xiang Fangyang and Li Zhou moved forward in silence.

At the beginning, the two of them could still grit their teeth and persist.

But soon, their legs and feet ached, they were panting, and their bodies were sore in many places.

Even so, they did not stop, but instead ran forward unremittingly.

The surrounding scenery flashed by rapidly, as if telling them that a long time had already passed.

Li Zhou took the lead, but soon he ran out of strength.

Xiang Fangyang caught up to Li Zhou's pace and shouted: "Don't give up! We have already come such a long way! Persist a little longer!"

Hearing Xiang Fangyang's words of encouragement, a surge of strength welled up in Li Zhou's heart.

He took a deep breath and took larger strides forward.

Sweat dripped from their foreheads, and their bodies swayed continuously during the difficult run.

As they continued to climb upward, the mountain terrain gradually became steeper.

Every step increased their burden, but they did not give up.

Finally, when the sun had begun to set in the west, Xiang Fangyang and Li Zhou reached the summit.

851. Standing high, seeing far! Showing respect with etiquette! (Seeking full subscription)

Standing at this high vantage point, they overlooked the beautiful scenery of the entire mountain range.

Although exhausted, their hearts were filled with joy.

Xiang Fangyang and Li Zhou finally finished running the mountain path; they had climbed with all their might, and sweat had soaked through their clothes.

Now, they arrived at the washroom.

There was only one sink and a few faucets in the washroom.

Xiang Fangyang turned on a faucet, and clear water flowed down from it.

He quickly took off his top, revealing his sturdy muscles.

He leaned over the sink and began to wash his face.

Li Zhou also joined in the washing; he soaked his head and stared at himself in the mirror.

The two used the clear water to wash away the sweat from their bodies; that refreshing feeling made them feel brand new.

Xiang Fangyang quickly put on new clothes, neatly adjusting his collar and cuffs.

Just then, Xiang Fangyang turned around and saw the Abbot, who had been waiting in the courtyard at the entrance for a long time.

His heart tightened, and he immediately performed a bow to show respect.

Li Zhou followed closely behind, bowing to the Abbot.

The Abbot looked at them expressionlessly, a hint of satisfaction revealing itself in his eyes.

He walked to Xiang Fangyang's side and gently patted his shoulder: "Not bad, you two have had it quite tough."

Xiang Fangyang nodded; he knew the Master was praising their perseverance.

The Abbot turned around and gazed into the distance.

After taking a deep breath, he spoke slowly: "You have successfully completed this key training. Next, we have more tests waiting for you."

Li Zhou's heart tightened upon hearing this, but he had no thoughts of backing down.

Every test was an opportunity for growth, which was also the purpose of their coming to the Shaolin Temple to cultivate.

Xiang Fangyang looked up at the Abbot: "Master, please rest assured, no matter what difficulties and challenges lie ahead, I will give it my all."

Li Zhou also followed suit and stated: "I am the same, Master."

The Abbot nodded slightly, looking at the two of them with satisfaction: "Very good, I believe you can do it."

The Abbot smiled as he looked at Xiang Fangyang, his tone carrying encouragement: "You are a martial arts genius with a kind heart. I want to keep you in the temple to cultivate and become a true monk."

Xiang Fangyang shook his head quickly: "I dare not."

He stood before the Abbot, his expression respectful.

His eyes flickered constantly, as if he were thinking about something.

The Abbot watched his disciple quietly until Xiang Fangyang looked up to meet his gaze.

The Abbot felt the firm determination in the young man's eyes.

"Why so resolute?" the Abbot asked.

Xiang Fangyang took a deep breath and answered in a steady and firm voice: "Master, learning martial arts at the Shaolin Temple was my original intention. Although cultivating and refining one's character is also important, I hope to use what I have learned to create a better future."

Hearing these words, the Abbot smiled and nodded: "You have the courage to pursue your dreams, and you also possess a kind heart. These are rare and precious qualities, but you must remember that cultivation is not just for yourself, but even more so for others."

Xiang Fangyang nodded silently; he understood his Master's teachings.

The Abbot continued: "You have already mastered the essence of Shaolin martial arts and are also very outstanding in technique. If you stay in the temple to cultivate, you will surely become a grandmaster of a generation in the future."

Xiang Fangyang felt an inexplicable pressure from the Abbot's praise. "Master, I..."

The Abbot interrupted him: "Sorry to interrupt you, but because you are a martial arts genius, I think staying in the temple might be better. However, if you insist on leaving to realize your ideals, I cannot stop you."

852. Not just pursuing! It is about creating! (Seeking full subscription)

Xiang Fangyang stood before the Abbot and said firmly: "Master, I... I do not want to stay in the temple to cultivate."

The Abbot was slightly taken aback, then chuckled: "You really still want to pursue your own ideals."

Xiang Fangyang nodded and looked at his Master again: "It is not just pursuing ideals; there is also a sense of responsibility. I believe I can use what I have learned to create a better future."

At this moment, netizens watching the livestream online saw the scene where Xiang Fangyang refused to become a monk and began commenting one after another.

Someone joked: "Xiang Fangyang, you might as well be a monk; that way you can continue to practice martial arts." ===== CHAPTER 726 =====