HBWnovel Chapter 284 Invitation
Chapter 284 Invitation
Chapter 284 Invitation
Lin Fei believed that the reason this monk stayed here instead of leaving like the other sect members must be because he had something to ask him.
After all, he possessed the Buddhist divine skill—the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill. The Thunderclap Temple had been eyeing him for quite some time.
The monk Xuanli first wiped the grease from his mouth, then put his hands together and said to Lin Fei, "Amitabha, wine and meat pass through the intestines, but Buddha remains in the heart. As long as you have Buddha in your heart, what does it matter whether you drink wine or eat meat? If you don't have Buddha in your heart, even if you are in the Western Paradise, you will probably find it difficult to see the true Buddha. What do you think, benefactor?"
These monks were masters of witty banter, and Lin Fei had no intention of wasting time arguing with this senior monk, so he asked directly, "Master, is there something you wish to say while you remain here?"
“You are indeed wise, benefactor.” Monk Xuanli nodded and smiled, “I have stayed here because I have something to discuss with you.”
Even without the monk saying it, Lin Fei knew it must be about the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill.
Leiyin Temple initially defined itself as an "enemy of Buddhism," and all Buddhists in the world were free to kill it. But now, he is not only the emperor of the Southern Tang Kingdom, but also has the support of the world's number one master, the Hidden Sword Elder. Even Leiyin Temple would have to think twice before trying to deal with him.
It seems that these senior monks, realizing they couldn't openly attack Lin Fei, were resorting to a softer approach.
"If you have something to say, Master, please speak frankly," Lin Fei said directly to Xuan Li.
"Amitabha!" Xuanli shouted the Buddhist chant, stood up, and looked around. "There are too many people here. Please find a quiet place so I can speak with you alone."
This Xuanli was a high-ranking monk of the Xuan generation, on par with the abbots of the various monasteries of Leiyin Temple, and of the same generation as his master, Daoist Yuanyi. Although Lin Fei had never heard of this monk before, he absolutely dared not underestimate him.
As Lin Fei hesitated about whether to spend time alone with the monk, Xuan Li and Shang Yang laughed and said, "This is the capital of the Southern Tang Dynasty, where many experts gather. Are you worried that this humble monk might harm you?"
Just as the monk Xuanli said, this place is the capital of the Southern Tang Dynasty, a gathering place for many experts. With a Grandmaster like Du Qingmu, who is at the Celestial Realm, in charge, even if this great monk really wanted to harm him, he probably wouldn't be able to leave the capital of the Southern Tang Dynasty alive. Unless he's gone mad, he wouldn't do anything drastic. And if he really were a madman, Leiyin Temple wouldn't have sent him down the mountain.
Lin Fei thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, Master, please follow me."
"Xu Xin, pack some wine and food for your master. We'll return to Leiyin Temple when he comes back!" Xuan Li instructed the little monk Xu Xin beside him, and then followed Lin Fei out of Tongtian Pavilion.
The two walked one after the other to a secluded and deserted place. Lin Fei stopped and said to the monk Xuanli, "Master, it's just the two of us here now. If you have anything to say, let's say it here!"
The monk Xuanli nodded, clasped his hands together, and said to Lin Fei, "Amitabha, this humble monk has come to the capital of Southern Tang for two reasons. First, I received an invitation from you, benefactor, to represent Leiyin Temple and attend the enthronement ceremony. Second, well..."
Xuan Li paused slightly, then smiled and said, "I suppose you've already guessed it without me having to say more?"
"But for the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill?" Lin Fei naturally knew the answer and had no need to pretend to be ignorant.
“Indeed, the Vajra Divine Skill is one of the five great divine skills of our temple. From the abbot to the head monks of each academy, no one is allowed to allow the divine skill to be lost.” Monk Xuanli nodded and said, “This time, I came down the mountain because the abbot asked me to ask you to retrieve the lost manual of the divine skill.”
Before Lin Fei could speak, the monk Xuanli changed the subject and continued, "However, after witnessing your extraordinary talent, I have an idea. You don't need to return the divine skill manual; moreover, I can even arrange for you to receive an immense benefit!"
Upon hearing Xuanli's words, Lin Fei frowned slightly—what exactly was this monk up to?
The Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill is one of the five great divine skills of Buddhism, a peerless technique that directly leads to the realm of celestial beings. It is only natural that Leiyin Temple would send someone to ask Lin Fei for it.
However, this monk seemed uninterested in reclaiming the divine power; rather, he appeared to have other plans. This left Lin Fei somewhat puzzled.
Lin Fei believed that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. The great benefits that the monk Xuanli mentioned must come with a corresponding price to pay. So he asked directly, "What benefits are you talking about, Master? And what do I need to give up if I want to receive them?"
The monk Xuanli smiled and said, "My Leiyin Temple is an orthodox sect of ancient Buddhism. There are many minor secret realms left behind by ancient Buddhas in the temple. If you are willing, I can make the decision to open up the minor secret realms of my temple to you. I can even open up the minor secret realms left behind by ancient Buddhas."
Xuanli smiled slightly and said, "As for you, benefactor, you don't need to pay anything. Just come up the mountain with me and I'll put your name on the list of disciples of my Leiyin Temple."
"What? You want me to become a monk with you?" Lin Fei was shocked to hear this. This monk's thinking was truly unpredictable and whimsical. He actually wanted him, the emperor of Southern Tang, to go to Leiyin Temple with him to become a monk!
To be honest, Lin Fei was quite tempted by the Lesser Thousand Secret Realms that Xuan Li had mentioned. In particular, those Lesser Thousand Secret Realms left behind by ancient Buddhas would definitely be of great help to Lin Fei's cultivation.
However, it was absolutely impossible for him to go to Leiyin Temple with Xuanli and become a monk.
"Master is too kind." Lin Fei shook his head, then took out a manual: "This is the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill manual that I copied. I will return it to Leiyin Temple. As for the matter of becoming a monk with you, Master, let's forget about it!"
Lin Fei had just become the emperor of Southern Tang. How could he possibly become a monk with this great monk? Although the Lesser Thousand Secret Realm of Leiyin Temple was tempting, Lin Fei would never let greed cloud his judgment and abandon the country he had just taken over to become a monk at Leiyin Temple.
Seeing that Lin Fei refused, Xuan Li was unwilling to give up and continued to persuade him, "If you are unwilling to go up the mountain to become a monk, that is fine too. You can become a nominal disciple. After you have met the abbot and received your ordination, you can still go down the mountain. You don't have to stay on the mountain with only a lamp and ancient Buddha. What do you think?"
It has to be said that Xuanli's actions were quite sincere. Even Lin Fei hadn't expected that this monk would offer such terms.