Chapter 411: Wukong

Yu Lin, under Feimeng's hospitality, leisurely spent half a month in Neihong, and finally felt a bit bored as the novelty faded, so he decided to return to Xia Guo.

Only the two of them—him and Feimeng—went there, but on the way back the party somehow gained a taffy‑like fellow—Dharma Master Xuanhai.

No matter how Yu Lin and Feimeng tried to "talk him out," the fellow was set on destiny, shamelessly insisting on following them to Xia Guo for "travel and study," under the noble pretext of "experiencing the source of Buddhist teachings in the Central Land and confirming what he has learned in his heart."

Feimeng several times almost couldn't hold back from throwing him back into Mount Fuji, but thinking that the monk had been possessed by the Buddha, he let it go.

Perhaps that's also the Buddha's will?

Silently, they finally set foot on Xia Guo's soil.

Standing beside a familiar street, he felt the atmosphere of the Neihong environment.

Yu Lin halted, thought for a moment, and turned his head toward Xuanhai beside him.

"Dharma Master Xuanhai," Yu Lin raised his hand and pointed toward a general direction in the southwest:

"Since you're traveling in Xia Guo, you could go over there and take a look."

"There is a Lingyin Temple there, with a long history and profound Zen atmosphere; perhaps it could aid your cultivation."

He indeed admired Xuanhai's clear mind and remarkable potential.

Since the other party came along, casually offering a chance or pointing a path isn't a big deal.

Xuanhai, hearing this, touched his smooth bald head, his face showing a hint of embarrassment and surprise:

"Ah? Lingyin Temple? Um… Benefactor Yu Lin, to be frank, three years ago when I was wandering the world, I already went to Lingyin Temple for a short study period."

"In fact, many famous ancient monasteries in Xia Guo—such as Shaolin Temple, Jinshan Temple, Hanshan Temple, Baima Temple, and so on—I have visited almost all, listening to many eminent monks' teachings."

He looked at Yu Lin curiously: "Could there be any connection, Benefactor Yu Lin, with Lingyin Temple? Or perhaps you want me to find someone?"

Yu Lin waved his hand, casually: "No particular connection, and I'm not asking you to look for anyone."

"Just a suggestion; go or not, it's up to you."

He glanced at the time and said, "Alright, I have some other matters to attend to, so I won't accompany you. Let's part here; we'll meet again someday."

As the words fell, without giving Xuanhai any time to react, Yu Lin's figure rippled like a water wave at the spot, then vanished completely, leaving no trace of breath or Spatial Fluctuation, as if he had never stood there.

Feimeng, watching Yu Lin leave, curled his lip and, too lazy to waste more words with the troublesome monk, jumped onto his "human‑powered" carriage and turned to the still‑standing, slightly stunned Xuanhai:

"Hey, monk."

"My uncle rarely offers advice proactively. My suggestion: you'd better listen to him."

"Otherwise, if you miss a huge opportunity or get into trouble you shouldn't, you'll regret it later."

He flicked his whip, made a 'bye‑bye' gesture, and said, "Fine, that's all the talk, take care of yourself. Bye!"

Snap!

The whip cracked sharply; the few 'coachmen' immediately hauled the carriage, which performed a sleek spin on the spot, then turned into a streak of light, racing toward Neihong and vanishing into the horizon in an instant.

In fact, the moment Yu Lin offered the suggestion, Xuanhai had already decided to go.

He had just met Yu Lin and already felt a trust in him, especially after witnessing the Mahayana Dao Method, that trust became unshakable.

It was merely a curious, habitual extra question.

Now that both had left, he no longer hesitated, steadied his mind, and set off toward the southwest direction Yu Lin had indicated.

As he walked, he sensed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within Xia Guo, far richer and more vibrant than Neihong's, and silently praised how his cultivation foundation had deepened greatly over the years.

Walking on, Xuanhai suddenly slapped his bald head hard, his face showing annoyance:

"Oops! Damn! I was so busy following that I forgot to exchange some Xia Guo coins!"

"Never mind, first I'll create some karma, see who needs help…"

He began working on the upcoming travel expenses.

On the other side, Yu Lin's figure had already appeared at the gate of the Heavenly Court.

He had intended to go straight to Tai Shang Lao Jun to ask about the book "Supreme Buddha Dharma" and what the Buddha was really scheming.

However, before he could enter, a familiar voice shouted urgently from beside him:

"Yu Lin! Yu Lin! Look, look! It's Lao Sun!"

Yu Lin turned his head and saw a golden figure perched on an auspicious cloud, enthusiastically waving its furry arms—if it's not the Great Sage Equal to Heaven Sun Wukong, then who could it be?

Yu Lin's face broke into a smile, his form flickered and he flew over, laughing:

"Yo, Great Sage! What do you want from me?"

"How about a dinner sometime?"

"Hey! No need to wait, today works perfectly!"

Sun Wukong grabbed Yu Lin's arm in one hand, his smile beaming:

"Earlier I, Lao Sun, was craving and bothered you a lot, leeching off your tasty food."

"Today it's my turn to be the host, treating you to a proper feast!"

Without further ado, he hauled Yu Lin and said, "Come, come, come, follow me! Today I'll take you to a great place."

"Taste the sacred fruit of Ling Shan, fine dishes, and brew a few jars of Yaochi's jade nectar, making your belly round and your drink flow blissfully!"

Yu Lin thought it over; after all, seeking Tai Shang Lao Jun wasn't urgent at the moment, and the Buddha's and Lao Jun's tangled 'chess game' could wait a meal.

He nodded, smiling, "Fine! Since the Great Sage extends such hospitality, I can't refuse!"

"Today I'll follow the Great Sage, walk well and eat well!"

Stepping onto the auspicious cloud beneath Sun Wukong's feet, after Sun Wukong muttered a mantra, the cloud turned into a streak of light, racing in one direction.

After about half a teacup's worth of time flying, the previously misty sea of clouds cleared, revealing a towering, majestic mountain slowly appearing before Yu Lin.

That was Ling Shan.

A thousand auspicious qi streams fell like divine dragons, and myriad auspicious clouds blossomed like lotus platforms.

Above the mountain's body, no ordinary earth was seen.

All that could be seen were treasure trees with glass trunks and agate branches; hanging among the leaves were not fruits but glowing Golden Cores and lingzhi, each exuding a vast spiritual brilliance.

Rare flowers and precious grasses spread across the fields; in a breath, they make one's mind instantly clear, and all bodily fatigue is swept away.

And at the mountain summit, naturally, is that 'Great Thunderclap Temple'.

Eastward a row, westward a row, all are jeweled palaces and pearl towers; southward a stretch, northward a stretch, the precious pavilions and jeweled buildings are out of sight.

Among the auspicious clouds, the Dharma Images of arhats and bodhisattvas appear and disappear faintly in the light.

And in the deepest part, there exists a vast being.

A glance was cast toward Yu Lin, harmless, merely a look then withdrawn.

Sun Wukong did not fly straight to the Great Thunderclap Temple on the mountain peak; instead, he landed his cloud at a relatively gentle and tranquil spot on the mid-slope of Ling Shan.

Not far away, there is an elegant enclosure surrounded by a bamboo fence; inside are a few simple meditation rooms, and in the courtyard stands a stone table with several stone stools.

Sun Wukong leapt down from the auspicious cloud, pointed ahead at the enclosure, and said to Yu Lin:

"We've arrived! Come on, come on, my master and my junior fellows are also here today!"

"That meal you had before... uh cough cough, today we won't rest until we're drunk!"