Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 148 Chapter 147 Ullambana Festival (Part )

The capital of Songzhou was built relying on the canal.

The Tongji Canal passes through the city, separating the north and the south.

When Governor Bai Xiangshan arrived at his post, the harvest was poor and refugees poured in.

So they used work instead of relief and dug a pond between the north and south cities as a move to benefit the people.

Lotus flowers are planted in the pond. Every summer, they turn red, white, pink and green. When you float on the pond, the fragrance is elegant and the beauty is breathtaking.

Over the past decade, the Lotus Pond has become a place for the city's wealthy to visit and play, and citizens who sell goods near the Lotus Pond can also make a living, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

The Ullambana Festival of Tiangu Temple is held right on this lotus pond.

Whether it is the Ullambana Festival or the Ghost Festival, mourning the deceased is a major event for every household and it is not something that can be taken care of by a single temple.

Starting from the morning at noon, the governor's office sent runners and soldiers to maintain order near the lotus pond.

At the same time, temporary wooden platforms had been built on the lotus pond, even covering half of the pond.

At 1:00 PM, the senior monks from Tiangu Temple would come here to chant scriptures and pray for blessings. It was not until after noon that the story of "Mulian saving his mother" would begin.

It can be said that Tiangu Temple's decision to select disciples on this day was a brilliant move.

Not only can they demonstrate their strength, but at the same time, warriors dressed as monks and ghosts can also put on a good show, entertain the public, and promote Buddhism in disguise.

"In this respect, Taoism is not as good as Buddhism."

Taiyi stood on a tall building, looking at the sea of ​​people below. After sighing, he subconsciously glanced at the fat monk beside him.

You stared at me like that, I'm a ghost that won't go away.
"Although there are good and bad people among the monks nowadays, when it comes to passing on the Dharma, the Taoist sect is far behind."

Monk Qieci patted his belly with a smile and chanted a poem:
"After swallowing a golden pill, I realized that my fate is not determined by heaven. The golden pill is too expensive. How can ordinary people afford it?"

"It's much more convenient to just chant Amitabha Buddha a few times and be reborn in the Pure Land."

Without waiting for Taiyi to mock him, he continued to talk to himself:
"As soon as the convenient Dharma door is opened, the descendants of Mara wearing cassocks will hide in it."

"Seducing pilgrims, plundering people's wealth, deceiving the people into sacrificing their bodies for Buddha, and lending usury to suck their blood and marrow out of them is truly the Dharma Ending Age."

"Sramana, you are filthy again."

Hearing the vague murderous intent in Qi's words, Taiyi couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, and began to understand why the former had so many enemies.

"If you don't know how to live in harmony with others, even your own people, it's strange that you can make friends."

"If Sanlang follows him, I'm afraid he'll be killed by his enemies in a few years."

While Qi Ci was sighing, he was also looking at the expression of the Taoist priest beside him and muttering to himself.

"The Daoist sect's external alchemy places great emphasis on wealth. Since the founding of this dynasty, it has been inextricably linked with the imperial Li family."

"Louguan Dao is located in the capital, and now the building is about to collapse. If Li Cunxiao follows him, he will most likely be affected."

The two men had different thoughts, but as the monks' chanting in the lotus pond stopped, the special smell of incense spread with the wind, and the sound of a bell drew their attention to the center of the lotus pond.

"Abbot Dezheng, thank you for your help."

Bai Xiangshan, the governor of Songzhou, had an elegant appearance and a long beard. He wore a dark red round-collared robe of a fourth-rank official, and a silver fish bag hung on his leather belt.

"Sir Bai, you have troubled me. Chanting sutras and praying for blessings can only bring some peace to this world. You are the one who can truly bring peace to the people and promote their prosperity."

De Zheng did not take advantage of his age and cultivation level to be arrogant, and was very respectful to Bai Xiangshan in front of him.

For the people of Songzhou City, the latter really deserves the saying that he loves the people like his own children.

Although there are many powerful people in the world today, Bai Xiangshan cannot guarantee that there will be no banditry in the country.

But at least in several counties nearby, they were able to refrain from imposing taxes arbitrarily, strictly ordered soldiers not to disturb the people, and at the same time, raised food for disaster relief when faced with disaster years, which was already commendable.

"The charcoal seller, he cuts firewood and burns charcoal in the southern mountains. His face is covered in dust and smoke, his temples are grey and his fingers are black."

Zheng Yanchang, the chief official of the provincial governor's office, chanted a poem and praised:
"The Governor made his name famous in the imperial capital with this poem, but unfortunately he was not tolerated by the treacherous officials. Otherwise, if he had stayed in the central government, he would have been able to show his talents."

"There's no need to talk about the past anymore," Bai Xiangshan said with a calm expression, inviting De Zheng to sit down.

This high platform, adjacent to the lotus pond, offers the best viewing spot. Further away, lies the seat of the city's dignitaries and the abbots of Tiangu Temple.

Originally, as a master of alchemy, Decong was qualified to attend the meeting with De Zheng.

But the former hated polite rules and had never come up for so many years, so Bai Xiangshan had to give up.

"Now that everyone is here, let's not keep you waiting any longer—Yuanguang, let's begin."

After hearing the eldest disciple whisper a few words, De Zheng nodded slightly.

The former came down from the platform and gave a few instructions, and the wooden boards with various pictures painted on them that had been prepared in advance were immediately set up.

On the one hand, the lotus platform is divided into several parts, and on the other hand, it creates a stage-like effect.

The more familiar people shouted with joy when they saw this, and the children even danced with joy:
"Mulianxi! Mulianxi!"

Yuan Can had quietly arrived nearby with a few disciples from the Medicine King Academy at some point in time. He threw down a few pills, which immediately created bursts of cold smoke.

It was a hot day in July, but for no reason I felt a chill.

Combined with the pictures of hell on the wooden boards, it really feels like the horror of the underworld.

"It's quite fancy," said Li Cunxiao, who was also in the guest seats. He saw the stage effects in the center of the lotus pond and found them quite interesting.

"This is what Senior Brother De Zheng asked me to make for him more than ten years ago. If it weren't for our brotherly love, this child's toy would be… huh."

Decong acted as if it was all childish. I wonder if he said this in front of Dezheng.

"To the Dao of Alchemy, these are but trivial matters. Boy, do you know the true merit of the Dao of Alchemy?"

Decong talked a lot, but he felt depressed when he saw that although the other party responded respectfully, there was no big reaction.

In the past, others always begged him to become their apprentice. Even if they could not learn the essence of alchemy, they were proud and happy to help.

He didn't know that Li Cunxiao appeared in his dreams every day to learn alchemy from Taiyi Zhenren, and he had long been accustomed to it.

Compared to the eccentric Decong, the King of the East Mugong in the dream is amiable, patient, meticulous, and teaches step by step.

As for his alchemy level, although Li Cunxiao couldn't explain it clearly, he could feel that Decong was more than one level lower than him.

Moreover, when De Zheng summoned him that day, he also realized that the abbot was basically arranging everything, and Decong didn't take care of anything else except sending a few bottles of pills.

It was only after he became a celestial being that his attitude became inexplicably friendly.

The latter couldn't guess the young man's thoughts, and seeing that hinting at them was useless, he simply said bluntly:
"Help me in the alchemy room from now on, and don't go to the slaughterhouse."

Li Cunxiao couldn't help himself, "Master, I am happy to kill the monsters."

Decong was stunned when he heard this, and then he was happy.

Although I don't know why the other party likes slaughtering so much, at least this is a breakthrough.

"Although it was arranged by Senior Brother Dezheng, you are from the Medicine King Academy after all, so I still have the final say."

"If you want to stay in the slaughterhouse, you have to meet several of my requirements."

"any request?"

Decong smiled slyly, "Let's talk about it when you reach the Huangting realm."

"Aren't you in charge of guarding the gate? Why don't you go down?"

Seeing that the old man started to drive people away, Li Cunxiao curled his lips, secretly looked at the gazes coming from all directions, and then bowed and said goodbye.

I must have been seen by many people just now because I was standing there for a while.

Now that Master has the reputation of Yaowangyuan, it will be easier for him to do things, right?
"Abbot Dezheng, who is that young man next to your abbess, Decong? He looks unfamiliar."

Zheng Yanchang stared at the young man's back with a flicker in his eyes, and the governor Bai Xiangshan beside him also showed a curious look.

"He's just an apprentice of Junior Brother Decong." De Zheng didn't say much, but as soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of the people around him changed.

The news that Decong had a new apprentice quickly spread among the dignitaries on the high platform, and everyone was talking about it.

The Yulan Festival had not yet ended, but the servants had already started running around to inquire, and the unfamiliar name "Flying Tiger Escort Agency" appeared in the mouths of many people.

This matter concerns the alchemy master of Tiangu Temple. Even a strange face can stir the hearts of many superiors.

But the common people below the platform cannot see or care about these things.

They just looked at the young talents outside the lotus pond, full of vigor and vitality, and shouted:
"Look, that's Hou Yichen! The son of Hou Chao, the leader of the Ghost Blade Sect. He's 24 years old and in perfect shape!"

"And You Jingfeng! The son of You Buping, the leader of the Eagle Claw Sect. He's 25 years old and as good as Hou Yichen."

"But why did I hear that they both lost to that foreigner named Shi Tianlong?"

"Are you from Songzhou? Don't encourage others and destroy your own prestige!"

"That's right, first knock down Shi Tianlong from Bianzhou!"

"Yes, knock him down!"

"."

The group of young talents listened to the encouragement from their fellow countrymen, enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention, and felt elated for a while.

However, Hou Yichen and You Jingfeng, who were the center of the topic, looked embarrassed and wished they could find a hole to crawl into.

Shi Tianlong arrived in the state capital a few days ago, and proposed a competition to the two of them that day.

They were all young and energetic, so there was no reason to refuse.

Who would have known that, although he was younger, Shi Tianlong was at the internal organs level. With one move, he overwhelmed the two of them, and in the end they even had to join forces.

Still lost.

At that time, the two of them were so disheartened that they wanted to rush back to their hometown overnight.

But thinking of his father's earnest expectations before leaving, he gritted his teeth and persevered.

"Brother You, don't worry about it. We are not here to compete for first place, but to worship at Tiangu Temple."

"Shi Tianlong is aiming for the abbot's true teachings, and our goal is to become the head of each academy. As long as we perform well, we still have a chance."

You Jingfeng's expression brightened a little, and he responded with a forced smile:
"Brother Hou is right."

After the two of them finished talking, they fell into silent silence. Wei Bin, who was standing next to them, wanted to interject a few words, but seeing this, he could only remain silent.

His attitude was much better, after all, his demands were not high, he just wanted to enter the temple.

As long as you cross this threshold, you will naturally have your uncle Yuanjue supporting you behind the scenes.

After ten or twenty years, you can reach the Huangting realm and become a deacon in the Luohan Hall.

Originally, his realm was not enough, but thanks to the elixir he obtained from the Medicine King Academy, he finally achieved perfection on the third day of the month.

This level is considered above average among the more than 100 people participating in the Ullambana Festival.

After all, apart from these "second-generation monks" who are in the muscle realm, the Qi and blood realm is the mainstream.

There are nine levels in total for the Ullambana Festival, and the first four levels are set up for these nearly one hundred young people.

For the next five levels, the monks guarding the levels will go from the third level of great success to the third level of perfection, and even to the final internal organs level.

"I used the elixir to break through, so my combat power is slightly weaker. I don't aim to make it to the end, but reaching the seventh level will be enough to achieve my goal."

Wei Bin was thinking about what to do next to ease his inner tension, but he couldn't help but look into the distance, where the monks of Tiangu Temple were watching the ceremony.

Yuanjue was among them, but he had no intention of paying attention to his nephew. Instead, he stared at Li Cunxiao who was leaving Decong, his eyes bloodshot.

"How is it possible! How could Zhang Lishi's disciple become the close associate of Master Decong?"

Since the last assassination attempt failed, he had to restrain his thoughts of revenge and was only concerned about ensuring that his brother's descendants could enter the temple safely.

But it was not until just now that he was shocked to discover that Zhang Lishi's apprentice had unknowingly secured a place in Yaowang Academy.

Now the offense and defense have changed. It is not a question of whether he will cause trouble for the other party, but whether the other party will use his status in the temple to suppress Wei Bin in the future.

But despite being extremely anxious, Yuanjue could do nothing but watch Li Cunxiao walk to the back of the lotus pond, where the disciples who were guarding the gate were changing clothes, feeling shocked and suspicious.

A moment later, all the gatekeepers had put on costumes made of monster leather. At a glance, only the last ninth gate was still empty. They were suddenly terrified.

Li Cunxiao, could he be the gatekeeper of the final level?!
"Didn't they say the gatekeeper of the final level was Yuan Huai from Yaowangyuan? Who is this person?"

Shi Tianlong was wearing a white round-necked robe with brocade edges. He looked from afar at the young men in the Qi and Blood Realm who had already started to break through the barriers in the lotus pond, frowning slightly.

The old servant beside him was tall and strong, and it was obvious that he was skilled in martial arts. After hearing what he said, he stared at him for a while.

"The previous intelligence is indeed correct. This person is dressed like a lay disciple. Could he be a junior of that Decong Master? A nephew?"

"Probably," Shi Tianlong's brows relaxed.

"Master Decong's alchemy skills are superb, and no one in the nearby states can match him."

"Since it's related to him, I'll be gentler this time, and the master will appreciate it."

"Once we enter Tiangu Temple, it will be more convenient to ask for elixirs."

"Young Master is very far-sighted," the old servant flattered him, his eyes subconsciously looking at Yuanguang who was watching the ceremony in the distance, and beside him were two monks from Huishan Temple.

"But Master, you defeated Hou Yichen and You Jingfeng before, and Masters Puxing and Puning didn't seem too happy."

Shi Tianlong frowned immediately, "Old Sun, you are a little short-sighted."

"Abbot Dezheng has been in seclusion for many years. If he wants to make a splash, he must step on the local heroes."

"Even if Abbot Dezheng doesn't like publicity, at least this way he can know me, which is better than being unknown."

"When I enter the temple in the future, I just need to be well-behaved and change his impression of me. Seeing my talent, I can't bear to give it to other abbots, right?"

"As long as I can become the abbot's direct disciple, then I will surrender and apologize. Given the character of Senior Brothers Puxing and Puning, this matter will be over."

Old Sun had some other opinions in his mind, but since the young master said so, he could only nod.

After being together for many years, how could Shi Tianlong not know what the other person was thinking, but he was helpless.

His father suffered a lot in the realm of true form and almost became a demon several times.

The bloody lesson taught him that only by using unique skills to cultivate a superior self can he safely pass through the dangerous period of "two hearts competing".

The more a martial art suits a warrior, the lower the risk of becoming a demon. That's why he gave up the "Acala Myo-o" of Huishan Temple and turned to the "Vajra Yaksha Myo-o" of Tiangu Temple.

"Look, someone has reached the seventh level!"

"It's You Jingfeng and Hou Yichen!"

Hearing the noise, Shi Tianlong glanced at the lotus pond.

The young men in the Qi and Blood Realm have basically been screened, and the muscle warriors appear on the stage.

You Jingfeng and Hou Yichen took the lead and gradually reached the last three levels.

"It's time for the finale."

Shi Tianlong's thoughts turned, and his left hand couldn't help but tightly grasp the broad-bladed sword wrapped in a leather sheath. This was the magic treasure his father gave him before leaving.

This time, we must achieve success in one fell swoop.
"Defeated so quickly?!"

"Who is that person in the ninth level?"

Ok?
The young man in brocade robes and the old servant raised their heads upon hearing this, and then, they were stunned—

Who is that person? ! ! ! !
(End of this chapter)