Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Abbot Fahui of Rooster Crow Temple_1
"An Excellent Level Soul Kind is quite ordinary. Perhaps it’s because my involvement was minimal, and its acquisition wasn’t settled concurrently with the resolution of the chaos in Black Rain City."
Wang Linchi looked at the Buddhist Soul Kind · Small Refuge Mantra in his hand.
[Buddhist Soul Kind · Small Refuge Mantra (Excellent Level)]
[Refuge: Control an enemy through a mantra. The duration depends on the power gap between both parties. Consumes 1,500 points of spiritual power and occupies 500 points of the spiritual power limit.]
[Benevolent Mass: During control, the controlled party’s all attributes increase by 5%.]
[Consecration: During control, the controlled party’s attacks carry the Slay Evil property.]
The effect of this Soul Kind was actually very ordinary. The upside was that the greater the power gap between the two sides, the longer the effect lasted. The downside was that controlling each person occupied 500 points of his spiritual power limit.
Powerful Awakened individuals neither needed nor valued it, while those with weaker abilities could only use it for control, and even then, the duration was short.
Still, for an Excellent Level item, it was quite decent. If it were the Great Refuge Mantra, Wang Linchi suspected it would be of Legendary Level or Mythology Level, which would mean permanent control over an enemy.
Seeing this, Wang Linchi was relieved he hadn’t exposed himself too much. There had to be Soul Kinds capable of controlling people beyond just the esoteric Buddhist mantras; other systems surely had them as well.
If he were to expose his technology for advancing Soul Kinds, he would undoubtedly end up being controlled.
Such immense benefits, coupled with his own meager strength, meant control was inevitable. It wasn’t as if they would enshrine him like a deity, would they?
Had it been his previous life, he truly believed he would have been treated as a national treasure. But in the Dajing Dynasty, with its imperial power, Great Families, Sects, and other structures dedicated solely to serving power, enslavement was the norm.
It’s called the law of the jungle, and the ’rules’ are just a flimsy fig leaf.
When you need to be subservient, don’t think about pretending to be weak to ambush the strong, unless you also possess an Intelligence Reduction Aura and the Protagonist’s Aura.
What if I had Soul Kinds of the Destiny, Luck, and Luck Contribution types? Could I also receive the protagonist’s treatment?
This thought flickered past. It was too late to change anything now. If another slot in his Potential opened up later, it wouldn’t be too late to reconsider then.
He turned to look at Murong Su, who was seated cross-legged in the center of Rooster Crow Temple. He had already shaved his head and donned a monk’s robe, devoutly offering prayers to the Buddha.
Naga, though still resembling a cobra, had shed its venomous nature and gained the ability to change its size at will. It was currently recuperating in the pond in the backyard of Rooster Crow Temple.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Layman." Murong Su rose, his face benevolent. Upon seeing Wang Linchi, he pressed his palms together and bowed, expressing sincerity. Gone was his former arrogance; instead, he projected an air of steadfast humility.
"Thank you, Layman, for repairing our temple and adding a Dharma protector. As a token of my sincerity, please listen to this recitation of the ’Vairocana Buddha Said Diamond Sutra of Luminous True Words.’"
Murong Su began to chant: "At that time, Vairocana Tathagata addressed all Bodhisattvas and the multitude of gods and humans, saying: ’For all practitioners of the Dharma in future ages...’"
The moment he began chanting, Wang Linchi instantly understood: this was a Soul Forging Method.
The content was translated and reconstructed by the Secret Realm, ultimately becoming the ’Great Sun Buddha Light Soul Forging Method.’ It was related to the ’Vairocana Buddha Said Diamond Sutra of Luminous True Words,’ but not extensively.
Moreover, its quality was exceptionally high; it could actually be cultivated directly to the Elite Gold Level. This was truly outrageous.
This must also be one of the rewards. However, this wasn’t a reward for Wang Linchi’s assistance, but rather for the renovation and reconstruction of Rooster Crow Temple.
True, he had obtained the Soul Kind: Liuli Pure Heart Fire, but that was granted by the Secret Realm and had nothing to do with Rooster Crow Temple.
Of course, this reward was contingent on him coming to the rescue; otherwise, it likely wouldn’t have materialized.
Speaking of meteoric rises, Murong Su was the prime example. His current strength was worlds apart from his former self. After his conversion, he could even capture Naga alive.
The only drawback was that his very being had changed; he had become a true monk—not the hypocritical kind who preach compassion while engaging in villainy, but one who genuinely observed the precepts, cultivated merit, and whose actions matched his words. This was a thorough transformation, from the inside out, not merely an external facade. It was almost as if he had been possessed by a different soul.
"Thank you, Master." Wang Linchi returned the gesture of respect. The gift he received was substantial; this ’Great Sun Buddha Light Soul Forging Method’ was the most powerful Soul Forging Method he had ever encountered.
He suspected that it was due to his own insufficient strength, or perhaps the limited extent of the reward, that it had only manifested at the Elite Gold Level. He suspected its true, complete form was likely at the Daylight Level.
Rooster Crow Temple had provided the complete text, but the Secret Realm had facilitated its translation. The exact nature of this gift was ultimately determined by the Secret Realm.
Wang Linchi hadn’t come away empty-handed either. He had memorized both the ’Unempty Snare Vairocana Buddha Great Consecration True Words’ and the ’Vairocana Buddha Said Diamond Sutra of Luminous True Words.’ He could perfectly inscribe them in Sanskrit and then forge them into Soul Devices to take out of this place.
Once he left this Secret Realm, the Sanskrit inscriptions themselves would lose their miraculous efficacy. However, by embodying them as Soul Devices, their effects could be preserved, allowing him to take them with him.
"I am unworthy of the title ’Master.’ If the Layman is willing, he may call this humble monk Fahui," Murong Su said modestly.
Wang Linchi didn’t know the system behind their Dharma names, but since Murong Su had introduced himself as Fahui, he would call him Fahui.
"Abbot Fahui," Wang Linchi began, then hesitated, "I’d like to ask, regarding your previous arrival in Black Rain City..."
"The past is ephemeral, Layman need not dwell on it." Fahui, on the other hand, seemed untroubled. "This matter began when I obtained that Wrathful Precept."
Fahui then briefly outlined the situation within the Divine Dynasty. He recounted his conflict with Yan Ming King, his gradual fall from power, and how he was eventually forced to retreat to the desolate region of Black Rain City to make offerings to the revered God of White Wind. Wang Linchi already knew the rest: Murong Su had come to demolish Rooster Crow Temple but had instead become its abbot.
So, besides demons, devils, and ghosts, there are also gods. Does that mean the God of White Wind was responsible for the Rooster Crow Temple tragedy back then? Wang Linchi mused.
"This humble monk does not know. After all, I arrived in Black Rain City even more recently than you, Layman," Fahui stated frankly.
As a monk, he certainly couldn’t lie.
"Then do you know where these gods come from?" Wang Linchi asked.
"They are all sacred beings born of heaven and earth; their origins are clear. It is the Divine Dynasty that seems peculiar, as if shrouded in secrets." Fahui felt that the gods themselves were not the issue; rather, it was the Divine Dynasty that was suspect.
"Never mind, I don’t intend to oppose the Divine Dynasty either. Now that you’re here, I won’t be leaving. I plan to clear out all the surrounding demons, devils, and ghosts," Wang Linchi stated honestly.
"This humble monk can lend his One-armed Strength to this endeavor. However, if the Layman intends to confront the God of White Wind, our current strength may be insufficient," Fahui replied immediately.
Wang Linchi looked puzzled. "Don’t you believe all beings are equal? Why are you helping me subdue demons and devils?"
"Layman, this humble monk is a monk, not a Buddha," Fahui stated his position plainly. "Besides, even Buddhas possess wrathful fire and can manifest as Wisdom Kings."
"Ah, I get it. Since these creatures dared to attack Rooster Crow Temple, we can chop them up and consider them ’thrice-pure meat,’ right?" Wang Linchi rephrased based on his understanding.
Monks are permitted to eat meat; the term often translated as ’meat and pungent vegetables’ primarily refers to the five pungent vegetables: onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and asafoetida. ’Thrice-pure meat’ refers to meat from an animal that one did not kill oneself, did not see being killed, and did not hear being killed.
Of course, this later evolved into concepts of five-pure, nine-pure, and eventually, complete abstinence from meat.
So, despite Fahui’s benevolent appearance, he also partook of meat.
"That is largely the case. When does the Layman plan to act? I can devise a plan to lure out the God of White Wind." Fahui held no sympathy for the God of White Wind, viewing it as an external path, an enemy of Buddhism—an entity to be suppressed or converted through deliverance.
"Well... I can’t defeat him," Wang Linchi said, spreading his hands helplessly, bluntly admitting his inadequacy.
With his meager strength, how could he possibly defeat the God of White Wind?
His Fanciful and Fickle was indeed potent against it, but the two White Wind manifestations he had slain before were merely clones of the true entity.
The main body would naturally not be so weak. Even with bonus damage, its life force would be immense; his attacks might only inflict superficial wounds.
"That is easily resolved. The Layman need only provide support from the periphery. With Naga and I attacking together, we can surely eliminate this deity," Fahui replied, essentially suggesting Wang Linchi could just observe and assist minimally.
... Wang Linchi wondered if this was a case of having maxed out his favorability with Rooster Crow Temple, leading them to now help him complete his objectives in return.
Otherwise, why would they involve him in everything? Was it reasonable? Actually, it seemed quite so. After all, reconsecrating the Buddha statues at Rooster Crow Temple wouldn’t have been easy without resorting to unconventional methods, especially with the God of White Wind looming. If the issue hadn’t been resolved before Murong Su’s arrival, the difficulty would have skyrocketed to an infernal level.
And now, Murong Su, Naga, the Headless Ghost, and other formidable combatants had effectively joined his side, becoming powerful allies.