Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 59 The decision is: you will be the abbot.

Chen Ye looked up at the sky, a posture he had maintained for a long time.

The once inky night sky seemed to have become an unwetted canvas, which was wiped away by a large hand, leaving behind a clear, flowing handprint.

Chen Ye stared at the palm print for a long time, lost in thought, until dawn broke and the palm print disappeared.

I once heard Mo Ci say that the great war between good and evil back then shattered the heavens, and the traces left behind can still be seen after a thousand years.

Chen Ye was skeptical at the time and found it hard to imagine what kind of scene it was.

It wasn't until he witnessed firsthand how a palm strike from a Void Returning Realm cultivator distorted the sky that Chen Ye understood the true meaning of the immense power to move mountains and fill seas.

"Sir, there's no need to be envious. With your talent, reaching the Void Returning Realm is only a matter of time."

Su Chunyi's voice came from behind, and Chen Ye then turned his gaze away.

Looking back, Su Chun's complexion was rosy, and she seemed to have recovered considerably.

Chen Ye asked, "Has Miss Su's injury recovered?"

Su Chun nodded and said, "Master Fang Yuan's pills are incredibly effective. I have fully recovered. This ordeal has actually helped me advance my cultivation even further."

With a flick of Su Chun's fingertip, a sharp sword aura appeared in the air. Chen Ye didn't understand swordsmanship, but he could tell that this sword aura was significantly more agile than before.

Chen Ye smiled and said, "Congratulations, Miss Su."

Su Chun stared into Chen Ye's eyes and asked suspiciously, "Sir, is something on your mind? Are you holding a grudge against Master Fang Yuan for his previous offense?"

Chen Ye looked at the monk Fang Yuan who was devoutly chanting sutras to the side.

The master was performing the morning prayers for his family, but he was no longer the disheveled man he had been yesterday.

After slapping out three stars in the sky, he shaved off his messy hair, put on a clean monk's robe, and transformed from a disheveled old beggar into a kind and benevolent virtuous monk.

The old monk said that he had never shaved his head or changed his clothes during the more than eighty years he had been following Ku'e. Now that Ku'e was dead, he could finally put down the burden in his heart and become a monk again.

Chen Ye said to Su Chunyi, "After yesterday, I've come to understand many things. As for Master Fangyuan, whether I, an ant, hold a grudge is actually meaningless. Mountains don't whisper with the flowing clouds, and we mortals will be nothing but a pile of bones in a few years. Compared to immortals who live forever, we are indeed not worth mentioning."

Before yesterday, Chen Ye thought he was exceptionally talented, a true dragon among men.

He had even managed to defeat a demon from the Xuan Realm without any real danger, which was truly impressive. This made Chen Ye unconsciously think that he was very powerful, like the protagonist in a story who could challenge opponents of a higher level.

Until Master Fangyuan extinguished the three stars in the sky with a single palm strike.

This is not a true immortal, but merely a Void Returning Realm cultivator, capable of leaving a mark on heaven and earth with a single palm strike.

In a daze, Chen Ye felt like an ant, an ant that had just grown teeth and was showing off its power.

What difference is there between a time traveler, a protagonist, or someone with exceptional talent if they don't survive to the end?

It takes hundreds or even thousands of years for a mortal to become an immortal, and any mistake during this period can lead to utter destruction.

Will I be able to reach the other side of this long and arduous journey, which feels like walking on thin ice?
Chen Ye had expected Su Chunyi to say something comforting, but she simply nodded in agreement, saying, "What you say is true, sir. In this vast world, we mortals are nothing but ants. If we want to break free from this cage, we must become immortals."

"I thought you, Miss Su, would advise me not to be so down."

Su Chunyi smiled gently and said to Chen Ye, "Sir, you are not a pessimistic person, so there is no need for me to say more."

Chen Ye smiled too, surprised that Su Chunyi understood him so well.

"Indeed, sentimentality is one thing, cultivation is another. Since you know you are as insignificant as an ant, you should cherish the present moment even more. Miss Su, are you going back to Qinghe soon?"

"Indeed, I should return to Qinghe for intensive cultivation." Su Chunyi didn't elaborate, but it was clear that this experience had brought her considerable gains. If she returned to seclusion for intensive cultivation, she would likely no longer be at the Tongxuan Realm when they met again. However, the thought of their impending separation filled Su Chunyi with a touch of reluctance.

Although they hadn't known each other for long, Su Chun felt that Chen Ye was a kindred spirit and really wanted to bring him back to Qinghe to introduce him to her sect elders. With this in mind, Su Chun couldn't help but say, "However, before we go back, I will go to the Incense Burning Sect with you to facilitate the exchange of the Heavenly Book Secret Technique."

Chen Ye shook his head and said, "I'm not going to the Incense Burning Sect. Wei Changsheng was taught a lesson by Master Fang Yuan, so he probably holds a grudge against us. Going there will only make us look foolish and cause us a lot of trouble."

Su Chun asked in confusion, "But it was Master Fang Yuan who taught Wei Changsheng a lesson, so why would he hold a grudge against us?"

"Hehe, well... it's complicated to explain. But I'm too lazy to go to the Incense Burning Sect. Right now, I just want to improve my cultivation as soon as possible. Once I find my master, I'll find a place to cultivate diligently."

Chen Ye didn't want to discuss these treacherous things about human nature with Su Chun.

Su Chunyi suggested, "Sir, you currently need a secret technique to accelerate the growth of your Qi Sea. Why don't you come back to Qinghe with me?"

Even though Chen Ye had already refused, Su Chunyi still wanted to ask again, just in case he changed his mind.
Looking into Su Chunyi's expectant eyes, Chen Ye felt a pang of reluctance but still shook his head and said, "The Qinghe River is too clear; a small fish like me, born in the mud, wouldn't be able to adapt."

Su Chunyi already knew that Chen Ye had a master who possessed the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, and this couldn't be kept secret from the Qinghe Sword Sect. A few casual questions would reveal all of Chen Ye's secrets.

Given the Qinghe Sword Sect's rules that allow righteousness to turn into evil, Su Chunyi's pleas would likely be useless.

Chen Ye feared that if he went, he would be imprisoned, and Mo Ci would be utterly destroyed. Having just experienced the feeling of being unable to control his own life and death, why gamble on the attitude of the Qinghe Sect Leader?

Seeing Chen Ye's firm tone, Su Chun stopped trying to persuade him and asked, "Where are you going to cultivate in asceticism, sir?"

Chen Ye did not answer immediately, but looked at the monk Fang Yuan who was meditating and chanting sutras.

Su Chun was taken aback and asked in a panic, "You're planning to become a monk?!"

Chen Ye looked at Su Chunyi in surprise. He had known her for a long time, but he had never seen this girl so out of control.

“I didn’t…it’s just…” Su Chun blushed and said softly, “Cixin Temple is, after all, a side sect.”

Before Chen Ye could speak, the monk Fang Yuan's voice came from the side: "Benefactor Su, this humble monk cannot pretend not to hear these words."

Su Chun quickly said, "Master Fang Yuan, I did not mean to offend you."

Monk Fangyuan laughed and said, "Hehehe, it's alright, it's alright. What Benefactor Su said is not wrong. Cixin Temple is ultimately a heretical sect. It's just that our Buddhist scriptures are incomplete, and there are demonic sects like Nirvana Sect that have tarnished the reputation of Buddhist disciples. It's not surprising that we are misunderstood by the world. However, Cixin Temple is wholeheartedly devoted to good. I hope that when Benefactor Su returns to Qinghe Sect, he can clarify things for Cixin Temple and not let your sect leader misunderstand."

After saying this, Monk Fangyuan said to Chen Ye, "Benefactor Chen, I don't think you want to become a monk. Since we have met, it is fate. Let's have a frank chat."

“Master, you have a discerning eye. I only wish to exchange the Heart Sutra for a secret technique from Cixin Temple. I have just reached the Qi Sea Realm and need a secret technique that can accelerate the growth of my Qi Sea. I think Cixin Temple should have one, but I don’t know if it is possible to exchange it.”

Monk Fangyuan laughed and said, "If it can be changed, why can't it? But there's no need to change it."

"No need?" Chen Ye didn't understand what Monk Fangyuan said.

Monk Fangyuan explained, “Of course not. As I said, I came to find you two to repay your kindness. If Benefactor Chen needs this, I will give it to you. However, the cultivation methods of Cixin Temple have many taboos and may not be suitable for you. Moreover, it is definitely not comparable to the secret techniques of Qinghe Sword Sect and Fenxiang Sect.”

Chen Ye quickly said, "Master, you're too kind. For a rogue cultivator like me, having anything at all is already a blessing; I can't be picky. However, does Master not want the complete Heart Sutra?"

Chen Ye no longer wanted to trade with the Incense Burning Sect. These so-called righteous sects might not be so reasonable; if he encountered a double-cross, a rogue cultivator like him would be utterly helpless. On the other hand, Monk Fang Yuan seemed like a highly virtuous monk, so trading with him would at least be safer.

Anyway, those Buddhist scriptures were useless to Chen Ye, so he wasn't greedy. He only exchanged them for things that could quickly improve his cultivation.

Although Master Fangyuan was kind, he was not stupid. He could see through Chen Ye's thoughts and said bluntly, "I can guess what Chen Ye is looking for. However, Cixin Temple is extremely poor and has few treasures to offer. As for what you said earlier, that you know many lost Buddhist scriptures, I'm afraid even if Cixin Temple were to empty its coffers, it would not be able to afford them."

"How about this, benefactor, you come back to Cixin Temple with me, and I will explain the situation to my senior brother, the abbot, and you can become the next abbot. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)