The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 298: Heaven Moves Forward, a Gentleman Strives for Self-improvement

There were still five people on the steps. Three remained where they were, while the other two were climbing, their foreheads covered in sweat.

Among the five, Kunlun and the demon monk were both present, but none of them had reached the halfway point; they were all within the lower half of the platform.

Duan Yu climbed the first step with ease, without any obstacles or constraints. He then steadied himself and began to step onto the second step.

Zhao Ti squinted from behind and observed carefully. He saw Duan Yu swiftly ascending thirty-six levels in a short time, barely pausing at each one.

At this moment, Duan Yu had already surpassed the two people who were struggling to climb the steps, and shouted loudly: "As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement; as earth's nature is receptive, a gentleman should cultivate virtue and bear all things. Our Confucian school will surely reach the summit this time."

The Kunlun and the demon monks below frowned upon seeing this, never expecting him to ascend to the thirty-sixth level in one go.

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "The gentleman strives for self-improvement without ceasing; this should be the first and most important motto of Confucianism!"

Duan Yu said from the steps, "Master, Brother Zhao, I wholeheartedly agree with this. May everyone in our Confucian school become a gentleman, and may everyone be a gentleman. As Heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so should a gentleman constantly strive for self-improvement!"

After saying that, he took a step forward, making a "boom" sound, and actually stepped onto the thirty-seventh level.

Then, with each step he took making a sound, he ascended to the sixtieth level in one go, becoming the number one ranked person on the level.

Zhao Ti nodded upon seeing this. He wasn't worried about Duan Yu's Buddhist mindset, but he was a latecomer to martial arts and didn't know if his skill could withstand the 108 levels. However, it seemed that there was still a chance.

The crowd in front of the steps were clearly skilled in martial arts, but their mental state was not, which is why they lingered. Some of them were even making strange expressions and shapes on the steps. They were trapped in their inner demons. Duan Yu, on the other hand, was the opposite.

At this moment, both Kunlun and the demon monk changed their expressions slightly, and someone said, "I didn't expect this kid to be able to climb so many levels."

Someone else said, "I see that his martial arts foundation is not very strong, but his mental cultivation is so amazing."

Some people scoffed, "What's so special about that? Didn't a senior brother have an easier time and already enter the Buddhist Kingdom? His martial arts are a bit weaker, so of course he's inferior."

Someone else said, "Don't be fooled by how high he's climbed. Even if his character is up to par, his martial arts skills are lacking, so he can't reach the top. How can he compare to his senior brothers who have already entered the Buddhist realm?"

Zhao Ti smiled slightly upon hearing this. Kunlun and the demon monk had been here for quite some time, so someone must have already entered the Buddhist Kingdom. However, this matter was not urgent. Inheritance was not something that could be accomplished overnight. Moreover, there must still be other tests for the lineages within the Buddhist Kingdom.

He glanced at Tong Guan and was about to call him up the steps when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him.

Zhao Ti turned his head and saw a young monk running towards him.

The monk was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. He had thick eyebrows, big eyes, upturned nostrils, protruding ears, and very thick lips. His appearance was quite ugly, and his monk's robe was covered with dust and dirt, making him look travel-worn.

Xu Zhu? Zhao Ti frowned, not expecting that Xu Zhu had also entered Shambhala.

But didn't the other party become a disciple of Xuanci at Shaolin Temple, learning martial arts and studying scriptures? Why would they travel thousands of miles to the Great Snow Mountain?

Everyone turned around and saw Xu Zhu. The demonic monks immediately showed joy, and one of them said, "This must be someone from our Buddhist sect, there's no mistake."

The people of Kunlun, seeing that Xu Zhu was a monk in appearance and attire, couldn't help but snort coldly.

As Xu Zhu ran closer, the demonic monks said, "Junior brother, come here quickly. We don't know where you came from in this world. Why have we never seen your face before?"

Xu Zhu glanced at the group of demonic monks, scratched his head in confusion, chanted a Buddhist prayer, and then came to Zhao Ti and bowed, saying, "Your Highness... Young Master is also here. Xu Zhu greets you."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "Xu Zhu, why have you come here? Was it on Xuan Ci's orders, or for some other reason?"

Xu Zhu looked distressed and said, "Young Master, no, this humble monk was kidnapped here by my master..."

"Master?" Zhao Ti asked upon hearing this, "Which master?"

Xu Zhu whispered, "It was Master Lingmen. I don't know why my master didn't pass away back then. Instead, he kidnapped me to this Buddhist kingdom and brought me here to obtain his inheritance."

“Lingmen!” Zhao Ti’s eyebrows rose involuntarily; he hadn’t expected Lingmen to still be alive.

The reason Xuan Ci trusted Murong Bo so easily during the Yanmen Pass incident was largely because Lingmen, on his deathbed, had entrusted Xuan Ci with taking care of him.

Lingmen was a monk who renounced his family and became a monk, which was not uncommon in the Buddhist community at that time. However, Lingmen's secular surname was Murong, and his given name was Qing. He was the biological father of Murong Bo.

Zhao Ti's lips curled up. What a Murong family! From the old to the young, they are all good at playing dead. I didn't expect that the Spirit Gate was also faking death. I wonder what kind of treacherous thoughts they are harboring.

"How did he kidnap you?" Zhao Ti asked Xu Zhu.

"Reporting to young master, the sweeping master left the temple that day and his whereabouts are unknown. My master is in a bad mood..."

"Hmm?" Zhao Ti interrupted Xu Zhu, frowning as he asked, "The Sweeping Master has left Shaolin?"

"Yes, young master," Xu Zhu said. "Moreover, we don't know where they went. Even Master's disciple, Uncle Xuanshan, doesn't know."

Zhao Ti nodded. Xuanshan was Xiao Yuanshan's Buddhist name, and he had become a disciple of the Sweeper Monk.

Xuanci ultimately failed to uncover the true origins of the Sweeper Monk. He sent him a message saying he would search the temple's monk records, only to find that the records of monks from the Ling generation upwards for five generations had been gnawed and damaged by rats at some point.

Finally, having no other choice, he had to respect the sweeping monk as his senior master, and Xiao Yuanshan adopted the Buddhist name of the Xuan generation.

“Xuanshan…” Zhao Ti thought for a moment, “Didn’t I tell you anything about your background?”

"About his background?" Xu Zhu was taken aback. "Uncle Xuanshan has never mentioned it. He spends all his time in the Sutra Repository and rarely goes out. I have hardly ever spoken to him."

Zhao Ti seemed to be deep in thought. Xiao Yuanshan was the only person besides himself who knew that Xu Zhu was Xuan Ci's son. Normally, he should have made this known, but for some reason, he hadn't.

He said, "Let's continue talking about the Spirit Gate."

Xu Zhu nodded and continued speaking. After a moment, Zhao Ti understood what he was saying.

The Spirit Gate appeared at night, abducted Xuzhu from Shaolin, and then headed straight for the Great Snow Mountain.

On the way, he told Xu Zhu that he had faked his death back then only for the purpose of cultivation. It was a Buddhist method called "escaping death and escaping life".

As for his emergence this time, it was because he learned of the arrival of the Buddhist Kingdom and the existence of its heritage, so he brought a disciple or younger generation to obtain it.

Zhao Ti asked, "Didn't Lingmen come in?"

Xu Zhu said, "My master said that he practiced a method to escape death and survive, which would make it difficult for him to enter the Buddhist kingdom. So he told me to find my way in myself, and he would wait for me at the foot of the mountain."

Zhao Ti smiled. The Spirit Gate was deceiving Xu Zhu. The lineage within Shambhala Buddha had age requirements, so he couldn't enter, much less obtain the lineage. The Spirit Gate had somehow learned of this, perhaps having dealings with the evil monk, and coveting the lineage, which was why they devised this scheme to trick someone into entering.

It is estimated that he had been hiding in Shaolin for a long time, secretly observing, and only after seeing that Xuzhu was honest and simple did he set his sights on him and kidnapped him. Once Xuzhu obtained the inheritance and went out, he might use some vicious methods to force him to reveal the contents of the inheritance.

"Young master, is this matter of inheritance true?" Xu Zhu said in a low voice, "This humble monk always feels that there is something wrong with my master, and there is no way to verify his identity."

Zhao Ti smiled and said, "The inheritance is real, but the intentions of the Spirit Sect are not so pure."

Xu Zhu asked, "Young Master, what do you mean by that?"

Zhao Ti said calmly, "The inheritance only restricts age, not other things. The Spirit Gate can't enter on its own, but it brought you here. If it really cares about its descendants, why would it lie? I'm just afraid that after you receive the inheritance, it will suddenly change its attitude and interrogate you."

Xu Zhu stammered, "If Master wants it, this humble monk..."

Zhao Ti shook his head: "Even if you want to give him the inheritance, I'm afraid he won't let you go. Besides... how could the inheritance of the Buddhist kingdom be easily transferred? If it were, it wouldn't be comparable to the divine power and status of the gods and bodhisattvas in Shambhala Pure Land. I'm afraid he'll use some mysterious and vicious method to seize it from you, and your life would be in danger."

Xu Zhu was shocked upon hearing this: "Young Master, if my master really does such a thing, his martial arts are unfathomable, and this humble monk will find it extremely difficult to resist."

Zhao Ti laughed and said, "It's alright, just follow me. If he really does anything wrong, I will suppress him."

Xu Zhu hurriedly bowed again: "This humble monk thanks you, young master."

Just then, one of the demonic monks shouted, "Junior brother, what are you saying to those Confucianists? Hurry up and come over here!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhu asked in confusion, "Young Master, what Confucianism?"

Zhao Ti smiled slightly: "At this moment, Taoism and Buddhism have gathered here, each forming a distinct sect. I am neither a Taoist nor a Buddhist, so I have adopted Confucianism as my leader. Thus, the Buddhist kingdom has become a place where the three religions coexist."

Xu Zhu paused for a moment, glanced at the group of demonic monks over there, and stammered, "I won't go. I... I am a Confucian."

Upon hearing this, the demonic monks were all indignant. The monk who had just argued with Duan Yu angrily said, "Your clothes, appearance, and demeanor clearly indicate that you are a monk. How can you be considered a Confucian?"

Xu Zhu scratched his bald head, looking embarrassed but unsure how to explain. He could only whisper, "I... I am indeed a monk, but... but I am now a Confucian."

"You..." The monk opposite him turned ashen with rage and looked at Zhao Ti: "How dare you snatch my Buddhist disciple right before my eyes?"

Zhao Ti said calmly, "The three religions were originally one family, so how can there be talk of taking over? I have heard that many disciples of the Taoist sect have also gone to the Buddhist sect, so why is that not considered taking over?"

The monk opened his mouth, and after a long while, he said angrily, "Even if you take my disciples, you still have to be able to go up to the trial stage, otherwise you are completely useless."

Zhao Ti looked ahead and saw that Duan Yu had already climbed to the eighty-first step, but he had stopped and was covered in sweat, his body was trembling, and his face looked very tired.

This is a sign of somewhat inadequate martial arts skills, not a lack of mental fortitude.

Xu Zhu said, "Young master, my master mentioned these steps before we came in. I wonder if this humble monk is able to go up them."

Zhao Ti looked at him and said, "Your mindset is fine. The only problem is your martial arts. But nothing is impossible if you are willing to try. How will you know if you don't try? Go and try it now."

Xu Zhu nodded vigorously and asked, "Young master, are there any Confucian scholars on the steps?"

Zhao Ti pointed at Duan Yu: "That's him, the one who just joined my Confucian sect, named Duan Yu."

Xu Zhu looked up and saw that Duan Yu was actually walking at the very front of the steps, and couldn't help but show a look of admiration: "Young Master, then I will go and catch up with this senior brother."

Zhao Ti nodded, and Xu Zhu took a few steps forward and stepped onto the stairs.

Tong Guan blinked rapidly, "Young Master, this humble servant..."

Zhao Ti looked at him and said, "You should go too. Your martial arts skills are sufficient, but your mental state..."

Tong Guan said, "This humble servant knows nothing about Buddhism, so his state of mind will probably be somewhat difficult."

Zhao Ti thought for a moment: "Give it a try, and remember to try your best to be calm, detached, and without desires."

"Without desires or wants..." Tong Guan's face twitched slightly upon hearing this, and he said in a low voice, "This humble servant understands..."

As he walked over and took a step onto the stairs, unlike Duan Yu and Xu Zhu who were so relaxed and ordinary, he seemed to have been struck by lightning and immediately cried out.

Both the Kunlun people and the demonic monk were stunned. To react like this before even seeing the first step—was his martial arts skill extremely poor? Or was his state of mind completely contrary to Buddhist teachings?

Seeing this, Zhao Ti snorted, "If you can't reach the top, don't even think about leaving. You can just stay here in the Buddhist Kingdom and cultivate from now on."

Upon hearing this, Tong Guan's expression changed drastically: "Young Master, this humble servant, this humble servant must not become a monk! This humble servant is already... if I were to become a monk again, wouldn't it be worse than death?"

The demonic monk below, upon hearing this, retorted angrily, "You fool, what are you dreaming about? With your aptitude and mindset, do you think our Buddhist sect would accept you?"

Upon hearing this, Tong Guan's sallow face turned red, and he gritted his teeth as he walked upstairs.

At that moment, he felt a series of colorful images flashing through his mind: dazzling lights, intoxicating pleasures, and decadent indulgences.

Especially after Zhao Ti ascended the throne, as the Chief of the Inner Palace Attendants and later the Chief of the Inner Palace Attendants, he wielded immense power in the palace, ruthlessly trampling Yang Jian, that dog of a servant, under his feet.

He then entered the court to lead troops, fighting in the south and north, blocking enemy lines in the east and killing enemy soldiers in the west, establishing countless meritorious achievements, expanding territory, recovering Yan and Yun, being granted the title of king, reaching the highest position among officials, and leaving a glorious mark on history. He truly held power over the world when awake, and slept soundly when drunk...

The thought of the words "drunk and asleep" suddenly sent a chill down his spine. He shivered violently, let out a shout, and felt a sudden clarity in his mind. He then took off running up the steps.

His mind was completely blank, whiter than a sheet of paper, whiter than winter snow. He actually leaped up to the eighty-one steps and stood shoulder to shoulder with Duan Yu.

Duan Yu stared at him, knowing Tong Guan's identity, and exclaimed, "Steward Tong, your martial arts are superb, and your state of mind is excellent. I admire you."

Upon hearing this, Tong Guan looked bewildered, remained silent, and seemed quite at a loss.

The Kunlun people and the demonic monk below were all dumbfounded. One of the monks said, "This, could this be enlightenment?"

Another person said, "It must be a sudden enlightenment. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to stabilize at the first level, but suddenly he was able to go straight to the eighty-first level. This is a major breakthrough in terms of mental state."

Zhao Ti looked at Tong Guan on the steps, a thoughtful expression on his face. Just then, a series of long howls came from behind.

(End of this chapter)