441: Chapter 36: No Affinity, No Guest_2 441: Chapter 36: No Affinity, No Guest_2 “Damn!”
Duan Zhao’s eyes immediately reddened with fury as he cursed, “Is Fan Yin Temple playing us for fools?
Have we really been walking in circles this whole time?”
“This…”
Deng Baiyi felt somewhat bewildered.
Was this an Enchantment Array?
She had not sensed the aura of any Array Formation Talismans at all!
She glanced over at Xie Zhen subconsciously.
The black-clothed young man looked as calm as ever, his expression unfathomable and his eyes as cold and serene as before.
No, this wasn’t right.
This was not an Enchantment Array.
If it were just an Enchantment Array…
Xie Zhen, with his superior knowledge of formations, would not be fooled by such a simple trick; he would have noticed it much sooner.
“We’ve been delayed a bit…
but for just a small part of the incense stick, not too long.”
Golden light seeped from Xie Xuanyi’s fingertips as he inserted the bamboo strip back into the broken branch.
With a rub of golden light, the two miraculously fused together.
He smiled and asked again, “Do you remember the words that Fa Yan said when we passed by him upon entering the temple?”
“Huh?”
Duan Zhao looked completely lost, having no recollection of such an event.
Deng Baiyi was different.
Her eyes lit up as she solemnly said, “After entering the temple, walk a little slower.”
If someone were to observe carefully, they would realize that Fa Yan left the same reminder for all who were fated to enter the temple.
Unfortunately,
not many took it to heart.
“Correct.”
Xie Xuanyi felt slightly reassured, “The reminder was well-intentioned…
Although you have almost reached the end of your journey, it’s still best to walk slowly from here on out.”
Duan Zhao was utterly confused, “Young Master, what do you mean?”
The next moment,
Xie Xuanyi took a voluntary step backward, coming out from the protection of his paper umbrella.
“The reason why we have been going in circles…
is because you were walking with me.”
With his hands clasped behind his back, Xie Xuanyi gazed at the drizzly sky and softly spoke, “From the moment we entered the temple, it was destined that our paths would be different.
Now, we must part ways.”
Looking at the two who were silently perplexed.
“To break through the Golden Light Array, one needs at least the power of the Fifth Realm of Cave Heaven.”
Xie Xuanyi continued, “The fact that I shattered the Golden Light Array means I can enter the temple…
But why didn’t Fa Yan stop you?
Why is that?”
“Fate.”
Deng Baiyi was quick to catch on.
From beginning to end,
Great Pudu Temple never demanded a specific cultivation level or power for those entering!
The only requirement was one’s karmic bond with the Buddhist order!
“Yes…
fate, ineffable and wonderful.”
Xie Xuanyi sighed, patting Duan Zhao on the shoulder as he earnestly said, “Even if you know nothing of these things, even if you scorn Buddhism…
as long as you have fate, you can step into the temple.
After all, today Buddha’s Son Miao Zhen calls upon the heroes to gather and absorb as much fortune as possible.
Those with Perfect Cave Heaven may not necessarily have deep fortunes, so the most important thing for entering the temple is not your realm, but your karmic bond.”
“So even if I come by myself, I can enter the temple?”
Duan Zhao scratched his head, filled with incredulity, “Am I also considered a person of deep fortunes?”
“…?”
What kind of nonsensical question was that?
Xie Xuanyi fell silent for a moment, his expression complex as he replied, “Of course…
of course you are.”
How many could compare with this young man when it comes to deep fortunes?
Not to mention the small Great Pudu Temple.
Even Fan Yin Temple wouldn’t obstruct Duan Zhao’s entry.
Duan Zhao was somewhat at a loss for words.
On the other hand, Deng Baiyi fell into contemplation.
She was from an ordinary household in Yuzhu Town.
Was she now also considered a person of deep fortunes?
Of course…
She was now the disciple of World Pavilion Master Tang Fengshu, her status elevated, far from what it once was.
“So, for people like us to enter the temple…
we really pose no threat to Buddha’s Son.”
Deng Baiyi said, “Whether it’s the Golden Light Array or the upcoming challenges, none will stop us.”
“Yes.”
Xie Xuanyi spoke calmly, “You are invited guests of the Great Pudu Temple, and as guests, you should naturally be treated with hospitality.”
He lifted his chin,
signaling Deng Baiyi and Duan Zhao that they could continue forward.
“You go first.
I will follow.”
Xie Xuanyi said indifferently, “Don’t worry about me; who knows who might be faster.”
Deng Baiyi, holding a paper umbrella, wanted to say something more.
“The little mountain master is right, no need to worry about him.”
Duan Zhao, who had witnessed Xie Zhen of Xuanshui Cave Heaven break rivers with his Sword Control, promptly ducked under the umbrella and hurriedly pulled Deng Baiyi forward, “Let’s walk faster; what if he reaches the summit before we do!”
“…”
Xie Xuanyi smiled and watched the two leave.
The wind blew and the rain fell; bamboo shadows swayed.
This mountain path had once again become desolate.
Xie Xuanyi stood silently for a moment, just as he had anticipated…
Deng Baiyi and Duan Zhao were guests of the Great Pudu Temple, and for them, this mountain road had long reached its “end.” As soon as they left his company, this uninvited guest, they could quickly reach the summit.
So now the situation had simplified significantly.
He himself had been trapped on this mountain path for nearly half an incense stick.
Quite an odd occurrence.
But even stranger…
there were no array patterns on the mountain.
Xie Xuanyi released his Divine Thought, not sensing any aura of Array Formation Talismans…
nor was there a fourth climber.
It was certainly interesting now.
The elder brother of the Martial Sect, Wu Yue, had waited outside the Great Pudu Temple for a full half-day, waiting for his own entrance.
So after he had broken through the Golden Light Array, Wu Yue would definitely have entered this place; however, in this half incense stick duration, Xie Xuanyi had not seen Wu Yue.
This suggested that the three of them, including himself, were “trapped” in an isolated world.
“A Pocket World, a realm unto itself.”
Xie Xuanyi gazed at the golden tower spire, where the grey rain clouds converged, and murmured softly.
Only “rules” could accomplish all this.
Today’s Great Pudu Temple was not just an ordinary temple; within the Golden Light Array was a Pocket World with complete rules.
Guests, with the rules for guests.
Challengers, with the rules for challengers.
The constant “Reincarnation” was due to his violation of rules; but now, Deng Baiyi and Duan Zhao had both left…
Xie Xuanyi looked up.
Faint silhouettes suddenly appeared in the distance on the mountain path, and gentle chanting from the Fan Yin Temple echoed from both sides of the bamboo forest.
…
…
The Great Pudu Temple, located in the Eastern Suburb of the Imperial City, was built around “Red Mountain.”
Now, although it was springtime, the summit of Red Mountain was covered with dense, reddish leaves, appearing desolate as in autumn—out of sync.
After leaving Xie Xuanyi, Deng Baiyi and Duan Zhao reached the mountain’s summit in just a few steps.
“It turns out the little mountain master was right…”
Duan Zhao couldn’t help but complain, “These people from Fan Yin Temple are really unfair, just leaving people trapped on the mountain path, claiming to walk slower.
If it weren’t for the little mountain master’s wit, how long would we have walked?
Don’t you agree, Master’s wife?”
“That’s quite unfair…
wait, what did you call me?”
Deng Baiyi’s face flushed instantly.
“Though the little mountain master is only a year or two older than I am, his swordsmanship is superb, and his skill is extraordinary.
He taught me almost all I know about swordsmanship.”
Loyalty filled Duan Zhao’s eyes, “Calling him ‘Master’ should not be too much, right?”
“Pah!”
Deng Baiyi rebuked, displeased, “Who taught you to call me Master’s wife!
That Xie is improper!”
“It wasn’t him, Miss Deng, don’t falsely accuse the little mountain master; he didn’t teach me…”
Scratching his head, Duan Zhao expressed regret, “I learned it from Guard Sang in the Book Tower.
Guard Sang said that if the little mountain master ever brought a lady back to Chen Mansion, this title would be definitely correct.”
“Ah…”
After holding back for a long time, Deng Baiyi managed to articulate, “From now on…
you are not allowed to call me that.”
Although it was a reprimand.
It was somewhat weak.
“Is that so?
Did I say something wrong again?”
The young man scratched his head as he subconsciously observed Deng Baiyi’s reaction, realizing that although not very clever, he could tell there was joy in Deng Baiyi’s eyes after the first call of Master’s wife.
But afterwards.
That joy turned into disappointment, into regret.
…
…
(The next update is tomorrow noon.)