Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 77 Return to the Sect
Xu Xuan felt the name sounded somewhat familiar.

It seems that he used the same words when he enlightened that evil monk.

Is this how Buddhism is, or do we two monks who became monks later in life prefer this way?
After Ruoxu finished telling his own story, he also symbolically inquired whether his junior brother had encountered any trouble.

In his view, nothing major should happen in just over a month.

However, some things are inherently unconventional.

"That's a good question, senior brother."

He spoke candidly about what happened to him without holding back.

"That day, the relics of the Tibetan demon monk..."

Ruoxu's feelings were complicated; something really had happened.

"There is no need to worry about Tibet. How dare they launch a large-scale invasion of the Central Plains when the Tao is declining and the demons are rising?"

"In the ever-changing world, the more cause and effect converge in a place, the more dangerous and calamities it is."

"It seems that the young monk from the Western Regions is ignorant of destiny, which is why he dares to come here so presumptuously."

According to the understanding of the cultivation world, the Central Plains is a huge monster house.

Those who fall into it will inevitably be afflicted by calamities, be caught in a battlefield of gossip and in a sea of ​​evil.

Moreover, this place is blessed with good fortune, has orthodox Taoist traditions, and has various legends of gods and immortals descending to earth to undergo tribulations and reincarnate.

Any demon who dares to cause trouble here will surely become famous in one battle, as long as they don't die.

Therefore, the term "demon monk of Tibet" has been unheard of for a long time.

"I didn't expect you to encounter another calamity, junior brother. It seems that the trip to the ancestral temple can no longer be postponed. We should set off immediately during the next ten-day break."

"Don't worry, senior brother, I still have more."

Then Xu Xuan calmly recounted the second half of the story, which concerned Teacher Bai's visit.

And the fundamental problem of improper practice.

After listening, Ruoxu pondered for a moment and suddenly realized that it made sense.

It makes sense. My junior brother was able to enter the Pure Land path in just a few days, and then directly comprehend the "Mahayana Mahasamnipata Ksitigarbha Ten Wheels Sutra," and even transform the concept of life and death into his practice. His talent is naturally exceptional.

"That Senior Bai is a great demon from the human world, and he is very knowledgeable, so he must be right."

"Sigh... It's all my fault, senior brother, for wasting so much of my time."

They hadn't even considered that spiritual practice should be people-oriented; they thought it was about doing one thing first, then another.

The constant chattering was incredibly annoying to listeners.

Talented people always talk like that. Who can resist when you can't win? Just bear with it.

Unexpectedly, my senior brother then changed the subject.

"Both matters of spiritual practice and matters of cause and effect are very troublesome."

"Junior brother, go ask Madam Yin for leave."

"Going to the ancestral temple is now of utmost urgency."

Ruoxu had had enough of the complicated karma surrounding Xu Xuan; how could he sit in the academy while the big shot came every day?

Last time it was a god from the underworld, this time it's a great demon from the human realm, what about next time?
This junior brother has seen more top-tier cultivators than I have, yet he's so unreasonable.

Of course, after Teacher Xu argued earnestly, adhering to the principle of loving what one does, it was decided to go during the ten-day break.

Since I started practicing cultivation, time has flown by extremely quickly.

Xu Xuan spends his days attending classes, reading books, practicing meditation, and thinking about his thoughts.

My senior brother asked me to think of a suitable Dharma name, but I couldn't come up with one.

Adding anything after it doesn't make it very powerful.

He wanted someone imposing and intimidating, like the Monkey King or Zhenwu who could terrify demons with just their words.

After all, when you're out in the world, you give yourself your own identity.

You can't always show up with golden special effects and reveal your muscular physique.

In fact, the word "若" can be omitted.

At this time, there were few rules in Buddhism, and Dharma names were usually for personal use to promote individual spiritual practices.

There have even been cases where eminent monks felt they had attained some enlightenment and made changes on their own.

Xu Xuan was even more conflicted after learning about this.

He has a fatal flaw: he's terrible at naming things.

He even immersed himself in the library for this purpose, hoping to draw upon the wisdom of the ancients.

But it's useless; there isn't a book that teaches people how to name their children yet.

Ruoxu did not understand his junior brother's attachment to his Dharma name.

He used the name Ruoxu simply because his master hoped he could understand "emptiness without self" and achieve inner peace and liberation.

It can be considered a blessing and a prayer.

"If you can't think of one, don't think about it anymore. The Patriarch can bestow a Dharma name upon you." "Bestowed by the Patriarch?"

“Indeed, the image of the patriarch can reflect the essence, and the patriarch is given a Dharma name based on his understanding of Buddhist concepts, his wishes, or his goal of practice.”

"If you don't like it later, you can change it yourself."

The problem is solved, so I'll leave this matter to the patriarch.

Time flies, and it feels like just a few days have passed before the holiday is here.

"Don't worry, Instructor Xu, we will not go to that place of pleasure."

"I naturally declined Ji's invitation; my mind is only on learning."

Standing at the mountain gate, I watched as the few disciples from humble backgrounds who were in charge went home in twos and threes, while those who lived far away stayed behind.

So far, none of the key targets have caused any trouble, and it's good that things are calm.

In that case, it's time to go.

I suddenly felt a little nervous when I arrived at the back of the mountain.

The place we are about to visit is the first sect of Chinese Buddhism, and also the first and greatest victim of the White Lotus Holy Mother.

Before he could even prepare himself mentally, Ruoxu said, "Calm down."

"Having a spiritual sense that is different from ordinary people may cause some discomfort."

Grab his shoulder and take a step forward.

In my spiritual perception, everything folds and folds in an instant; mountains, rivers, the sun, moon, and stars are all compressed into thin sheets of paper.

It seems like you could break through it with one step, but actually stepping into it is like jumping into a great river and being constantly washed by an invisible force.

The immense twisting force caused the soul to suffer immense pain.

Is this a bit uncomfortable?

My senior brother has suffered so much.

Fortunately, it was only for a moment, and the world has changed.

The air is filled with the subtle fragrance of sandalwood, which brings peace to the mind and helps one forget worldly troubles.

It quickly calmed Xu Xuan's pain caused by the spatial teleportation.

Looking around, I finally understood what a blessed land and a sect truly meant.

It is situated north of the heavy hills and in front of the twin streams.

This mountain is no ordinary mountain; the mountain behind it has a dragon-shaped feature on the left and a base cut off on the right.

This water is no ordinary water; below it lies a sweet spring that changes in temperature and humidity, originating from the dragon's head.

To the southeast stands Incense Burner Peak, a solitary and towering peak. When the mist envelops it, it resembles incense smoke. When white clouds reflect its exterior, it stands out distinctly from the other peaks, with a golden light contained within.

Xu Xuan's arrival also triggered something.

In the Pure Land, time seems to stand still, and the realms of purity, freedom from defilement, equality, and perfection seem eternal.

until
Clang~~~ Clang~~~ Clang~~~
Each strike unleashed a burst of golden light that pierced through the clouds, its halo echoing across the sky and covering an immeasurable distance.

The bronze bell in the ancestral temple rings 108 times, symbolizing the passage of time and the beginning of a new cycle of nature.

Clear water flows from under the Golden Water Bridge, lotus flowers bloom in the Seven Treasures Lotus Pond, blue smoke rises in front of the Ancestral Hall, and Buddha bows his head on the Vajra Platform.

Strange phenomena were observed at the Tranquil Pool, the Five Contemplations Hall, the Blissful Palace, the Kathok Courtyard, the Ksitigarbha Hall, the Guanyin Hall, the Guangyan Pagoda, and the Stele Forest.

In a corner of the courtyard, an elderly monk was carefully sweeping fallen leaves under a six-dynasty pine tree.

His movements were unhurried and deliberate, each sweep revealing exceptional focus, as if he were engaging in a profound dialogue with the world through these simple actions.

When the 108th chime broke his conversation, he looked at the young man at the foot of the mountain with some surprise.

This is the lay disciple whom Ruoxu introduced to the mountain gate.

My eyes are blurred; I cannot see my fortune, luck, or calamities clearly.

The fact that it caused such a commotion must be due to a past life connection with Buddha.

Even if not a reincarnation of the Buddha, he should still be considered a disciple of the Buddha.

The last time this happened was 300 years ago, and the old monk looked somewhat somber.

"Amitabha Buddha, what has been done will not be lost, what has not been done will not be obtained, it is ultimately cause and effect."

Xu Xuan, at the foot of the mountain, was numb.

The Pure Land School is not some pretentious sect, so is it too grand?

She looked helplessly at Ruoxu beside her.

I don't know how many times this silence has occurred.

Even my senior brother doesn't know.

　I still haven't decided on a Dharma name, so fellow practitioners in the comments section, please help me with my cultivation.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)