Mortal: Starting with the Seven Mysterious Sects, I proved my Dao through sacrifice.

The Ting Lei Bie Yuan was eerily quiet.

Murong Fan sat cross-legged on the spirit couch, lost in thought. He toyed with the jade slip inscribed with the four characters "Patience, Wait, Scheme, Break Through," recalling everything that had happened since arriving at the Thunder Sound Sect…

"That old bald monk Yuanzhi, and that old monster with white eyebrows..." Murong Fan sneered, "You think this Thunder Sound Listening Array can trap me? You think you can use the 'Ancient Buddha Karma' to trick me and trap me here?"

With a thought, Murong Fan's consciousness sank into the Altar of All Things in his mind.

The once ancient and obscure altar has undergone a dramatic transformation. Because it is situated in the rich Buddhist energy environment of the Great Jin Thunder Sound Sect, the altar is now shrouded in a faint golden light, and the runes that were originally filled with killing and plundering energy are now covered and neutralized by layers of golden Sanskrit.

【Altar of All Things (Buddhist Realm - Initial Awakening)】

Current Status: A Hidden Dragon in the Abyss

[Function Update: Sacrifice function is restricted (due to the suppression of the Great Jin Heavenly Dao Law, high-level sacrifices are prone to triggering heavenly punishment).

1. Added "Merit Pool": Merit can be obtained by doing good deeds, reciting scriptures, and suppressing evil spirits. Merit can be exchanged for Buddhist supernatural powers and to cleanse the physical body.

2. Added "Visualization Diagram": Consumes divine sense to deduce cultivation techniques and simulate a powerful master's sermon.

"Playing this game!" A hint of disdain flashed in Murong Fan's eyes. "In this godforsaken place, killing and robbing are no longer shortcuts; on the contrary, they easily backfire. If you want to become stronger, you have to learn to 'pretend'!"

Murong Fan looked towards the center of the altar, where a golden drawing radiating boundless pressure floated—it was the "Mahavairocana Visualization Diagram." He had exchanged it for the "merit points" he had just refined in the spiritual spring.

"Since I can't openly rob you now, I'll use your influence to improve my cultivation!"

Murong Fan took a deep breath, swallowed the "Vajra Bodhi Pill," then closed his eyes and touched the visualization diagram with his divine sense.

boom!

In an instant, a golden light seemed to explode in Murong Fan's sea of ​​consciousness.

He felt as if he were in a dazzling, boundless golden Buddhist kingdom, where a towering Buddha sat cross-legged in the void, his eyes slightly lowered, serenely observing the world and showing compassion for all beings. Although the Buddha did not speak, a vast and boundless aura of thought directly washed over his soul.

This is not ordinary cultivation; it seems to be simulating the "enlightenment" process of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator!

In the Yue Kingdom, it was as difficult as ascending to heaven for a Core Formation cultivator to comprehend the laws of heaven and earth. But here, with the assistance of the Altar of All Things, Murong Fan actually "borrowed" the Buddhist conception from this visualization diagram.

Time slips away, bit by bit.

Outside the courtyard, the monk in charge of surveillance felt that the atmosphere inside had become unusually peaceful, as if it had merged with heaven and earth. He couldn't help but relax his vigilance and even yawned.

What they didn't know was that the young man who appeared to be meditating in the courtyard was undergoing a transformative spiritual cleansing.

The Great Sun Tathagata visualization was gradually transforming the domineering "Asura Qi" within Murong Fan's body into a balanced and peaceful "Buddhist vow power." This transformation did not eliminate his killing intent, but rather disguised it, giving his spiritual power a layer of Buddhist "protective coloration."

Time passed by little by little.

Several days later, as the first rays of dawn shone on the bluestone slabs of Tinglei Courtyard, Murong Fan slowly opened his eyes.

The instant he opened his eyes, a golden glint seemed to flash before disappearing.

"Core Formation complete, successful!"

Murong Fan got up and stretched his limbs, feeling the surging power within his body. In just a few nights, with the help of the visualization diagram and the medicinal power of the spiritual spring, he actually broke through the bottleneck! Moreover, this breakthrough was completely natural, without the slightest sign of an unstable foundation.

To his delight, his spiritual power was not only abundant and strong, but also possessed a touch of "Buddha-nature" stability and purity. Although this touch of Buddha-nature was still in a weak stage, it allowed him to perfectly integrate into the spiritual environment of the Thunder Sound Sect, no longer appearing out of place as before.

"Is this the cultivation method of the Thunder Sound Sect of the Great Jin Dynasty? It is indeed much more advanced than the brute force of the Yue Kingdom in the south." Murong Fan stretched his muscles and bones again, making a series of crackling sounds.

Just then, the barrier outside the courtyard gate rippled slightly, and a sound transmission talisman flew in as a stream of light.

"Elder Murong, the host invites you to discuss the grand ceremony for the return of the 'Ancient Buddha Relics'."

Murong Fan took the communication talisman, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

"Isn't this my chance? I want to see how this play is performed."

……

The main hall of the Leiyin Sect. It was even more solemn and dignified than yesterday. Hundreds of high-ranking monks in brocade robes stood on both sides, each exuding a profound aura. In the very center of the hall, Abbot Yuan Xiang of the Leiyin Sect remained seated cross-legged on his prayer mat, seemingly unmoved. Murong Fan entered the hall and bowed respectfully, saying, "Junior Murong Fan greets the Abbot and all the masters."

The abbot of Leiyin Sect, Yuan Xiang, slowly opened his eyes. His gaze lingered on Murong Fan for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Fellow Daoist Murong, your aura has improved considerably in just a few nights. It seems that the spiritual spring of my Thunder Sound Sect has been of great benefit to you." Yuan Xiang's voice was gentle and calm, yet it carried an irresistible pressure.

"I'm basking in the glory of your esteemed temple and its abbot!" Murong Fan replied calmly.

Yuan Xiang nodded slightly and then said, "Now that the relic has returned to the sect, the cause and effect should be settled. I invited you here today for two reasons: first, to confirm whether the remnant soul within the relic is well, and second... to show you the sincerity of my Leiyin Sect."

After saying that, Yuan Xiang waved his hand, and the "Ancient Buddha Relic" slowly flew out from the depths of the hall and hovered in front of Murong Fan.

At this moment, the relic's radiance was much dimmer than before.

However, Murong Fan could clearly feel an extremely faint connection within the relic, leading towards his brow.

"Fellow Daoist Murong," Yuan Xiang said slowly, staring into his eyes, "this relic contains an 'Ancient Buddha Mantra.' If you can comprehend even a fraction of it, not only will your karma be settled, but my Leiyin Sect will also honor you as an 'Honorary Elder' and grant you the qualification to enter the 'Ninth Floor of the Scripture Pavilion.'"

"The ninth floor of the Sutra Repository?!" Upon hearing this, all the monks in the hall were startled.

"Master! The ninth floor is a place that only Nascent Soul stage elders can enter! It contains all the supreme techniques of the Thunder Sound Sect! How can a low-level cultivator from a small country in the south be worthy of such treatment?" a mid-Nascent Soul stage elder said indignantly.

"Yes! Abbot, you've been in seclusion for many years, and we rarely get to see you. You summoned him personally as soon as you emerged! After all, he's still a foreign cultivator of unknown origin, so our Thunder Sound Sect must be extra cautious!"

"Master, isn't this ninth floor of the Scripture Pavilion a bit too fast? I hope you'll reconsider..."

……

Yuan Xiang did not interrupt the elders' speeches. After they had all finished expressing their opinions, he spoke calmly, "Amitabha, the Buddha is compassionate, and everything is predestined. Young friend Murong is destined to be with the Buddha, which is why he has received this treatment."

After Yuan Xiang finished speaking, the elders said no more and could only acquiesce to the matter.

Murong Fan was secretly delighted, but on the surface he remained calm, only slightly frowning as he said, "I am deeply grateful for the Master's kindness. However, I am rather inexperienced and lack knowledge, and I'm afraid..."

"It's alright," Yuan Xiang interrupted him. "Comprehension depends entirely on fate. Even if you can't comprehend it, as long as you cultivate diligently in my sect, once you form your Nascent Soul, the qualification to cultivate the ninth level will naturally be yours."

Murong Fan sneered inwardly.

This old bald monk was indeed testing him! His so-called "comprehension of the ancient Buddha's true words" was nothing more than a way to see if he had any ambition to seize the relics, or if he wanted to use the relics to monitor his soul.

"Thank you, Master!" Murong Fan feigned being blinded by greed, gritting his teeth as he said, "Since the Sect Master trusts me so much, this junior is willing to give it a try!"

Yuan Xiang smiled slightly: "Very good. Then please, Fellow Daoist Murong, step forward, touch the relic, and calm your mind to comprehend it."

Murong Fan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and gently placed his palm on the cold relic.

The instant they made contact, a massive flow of information surged into his mind through the relic.

[High concentration of Buddhist essence detected... The Altar of All Things is analyzing...]

[Analysis progress: 1%...5%...]

Murong Fan felt as if a great bell had been struck in his mind, shaking his very soul. Despite the excruciating pain, he used the altar's analytical function to quickly filter and transform the chaotic information. In the eyes of everyone in the hall, Murong Fan appeared solemn, with a faint golden light flowing around him, as if he were truly communicating with the ancient Buddha.

"This child... can actually resonate with the relics?" Master Yuanzhi watched in astonishment.

A glint flashed in Yuan Xiang's eyes as he thought to himself, "It seems the relic's choice of him was no accident. This boy is destined for great fortune. Keeping him in the sect will be a great asset to our Thunder Sound Sect. As for that secret... Hmph, everyone has secrets. We don't need to care. What trouble can he cause in the Great Jin?"

Half an hour later, Murong Fan slowly withdrew his hand, his forehead covered with fine beads of sweat.

"How is it?" Yuan Xiang asked.

Murong Fan took a deep breath to calm his racing heart and respectfully said, "Reporting to the Sect Master, this junior... seems to have seen a Buddha preaching. However, the content was too profound, and this junior only understood a few words."

"Oh? Just a few words?" A hint of surprise flashed in Yuan Xiang's eyes. "Why don't you tell me?"

After pondering for a moment, Murong Fan recited a passage about "Void Body Refinement" that had been deciphered from the altar, in a tone that suggested he only half understood it.

This is exactly what he needs! The body-refining techniques of the Thunder Sound Sect can make up for his weakness of having a strong physique but lacking skills.

After listening, Yuan Xiang remained silent for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! I never expected you to understand the general principles of the 'Immovable King Body'! It seems the ancient Buddha's choice of you was indeed for a profound reason!"

With a wave of his sleeve, Yuan Xiang sent a beam of golden light into Murong Fan's brow.

"This is a pass to the ninth level of the Scripture Pavilion, valid for one year. Elder Murong, cultivate diligently and do not waste this opportunity!"

Murong Fan was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Sect Master! I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"

However, just as Murong Fan turned to leave, Yuan Xiang's aged voice rang in his ears again, carrying a faint warning:

"Elder Murong, although the Great Jin Dynasty is vast, the net of Heaven is inescapable. Some paths, once taken, cannot be turned back. The 'Immovable King Body' is indeed powerful, but without the guidance of a Buddha's heart, it can lead to demonic possession..."

Murong Fan paused, then said humbly, "This junior will remember the sect leader's teachings."

Murong Fan stepped out of the main hall, the sunlight dazzling, like the all-encompassing Buddha's light. In a cheerful mood, Murong Fan touched the invisible token between his brows, thinking to himself, "Old bald monk, trying to intimidate me with your Buddha's heart again? You underestimate me! Once I master this 'Immovable King Body,' and combine it with my Altar of All Things, I'll make you look at me in a completely different light!"

Murong Fan looked up at the towering scripture pavilion in the distance, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. The path of cultivation.

It's like rowing against the current; if you don't move forward, you fall behind. The more difficult the situation, the more you must push forward. Neither the Great Jin's Heavenly Net nor the Buddhist shackles can stop Murong Fan's path to becoming the Supreme Daoist! Murong Fan straightened his robes, turned, and headed towards the Listening Thunder Courtyard, intending to rest briefly before heading to the ninth floor of the Scripture Pavilion in three days. His thoughts were: "I must quickly acquire all of the Thunder Sound Sect's most treasured techniques to improve my cultivation and reunite with Wan'er as soon as possible!"