For ten years I practiced Gu poison in Southeast Asia; all living beings revered me as a deity.

The Kanchano Forest is located upstream of Wankao Village. It requires walking ten miles along the riverbank. The upper reaches of the river are narrow and steep, with many rocks and rapid currents. The riverbanks are lush with trees, providing ample shade and intertwined branches, blocking out the sunlight.

These trees are so large that sometimes, due to natural forces, their trunks collapse and become trapped in narrow river basins, deepening the riverbed and impacting the river's ecosystem.

Giant trees, repeatedly washed by the current, or adrift by the water, are trapped by waterfalls. In addition, various withered vines, broken bamboo pieces, and driftwood have nowhere to overflow, which will accumulate in the water and form natural dams.

After the torrential rain, the accumulated water volume and immense water pressure eventually formed a flood that rushed downstream, carrying giant trees and stubborn vines, transforming into a roaring torrent that caused the downstream water level to rise sharply, resulting in widespread devastation.

As the saying goes, "Those who live near the mountains live off the mountains, and those who live near the water live off the water." For the villagers of Wankao Village downstream, who make a living by fishing and freight transportation, the raging river upstream often leads to tragedies of boat destruction and loss of life.

So people built the Paramita Temple upstream, hoping to rely on Buddhism to ward off floods. This is the earliest origin of the Paramita Temple upstream.

Alichaya and Luofeng traveled along a rugged route for most of the day before finally arriving at a stupa outside the Prajnaparamita Temple.

The top of this stupa is shaped like a round tortoise, with a bell-shaped inverted bowl-shaped spire at the top.

The pagoda is made of multiple layers of stone. Behind this pagoda is an abandoned ancient temple, and the temple is set against a dark and gloomy primeval forest.

As the sun sets, the afterglow of the sunset paints the stone pagoda with a magnificent glow. Below the pagoda, a large crowd of people can be seen, having come from villages across the land. Among them, a few young people with red headbands stand out.

"Those are the young people selected by various villages to participate in the trials; their ages are about the same as yours..."

While chewing betel nut, Acharya explained to him, "The young people selected to participate in the trial are all outstanding talents recommended by the local temple elders and villages. They are all skilled in both literature and martial arts. Don't underestimate them, or you will be eliminated in this trial."

"I know."

Luo Feng naturally wouldn't underestimate these young people.

Northern Thailand has long been invaded by the Burmese, and thus has a strong martial spirit. Young people are expected to become monks or nuns at a certain age, and study literature and martial arts, learn Buddhist scriptures, and become literate in temples and monasteries.

Zheng Xin's classmate, Thongluang, who later became Rama I, was a classmate of the same Theravada Buddhist monastery, where they received traditional education in their youth.

At that time, temples and monasteries could be considered "educational centers." Since Buddhism in Thailand originated from Sri Lanka, its scriptures and precepts were recorded in Pali, and only a few highly learned monks could understand these foreign texts. They gradually became "teachers" responsible for transmitting knowledge throughout the region.

It can be said that folk education in ancient Thailand was popularized through temples and monasteries in various places.

On the other hand, Master Putaon is a grandmaster of Lanna witchcraft, and countless people want to learn advanced magic from him. Naturally, those who participate in this trial are not ordinary people.

However, since ten people are participating in this trial, but only five will be selected to become Master Putaoon's disciples, half of them will be eliminated... In other words, this trial is competitive!

"The trial will begin at midnight."

Acharya continued, "Ten people will be divided into five groups. Every hour, two people from the same group will start from the left and right doors of the temple, pass through three locations throughout the temple, ring the bell three times, and then head to the Great Buddha Hall to try to retrieve the tokens from the five bone jars."

"These five tokens are first-come, first-served, and those who come later will be eliminated. These five bone jars have been enchanted by a master. Once one person in the group receives a token, the five bone jars will become invisible and disappear until an hour later when the spell will be lifted."

"In other words, whoever arrives first to obtain the bone jar and the token wins, while the one who is a step behind will miss the opportunity and be eliminated... I've explained this rule several times already, so you shouldn't be mistaken, right?"

"Of course not."

Luo Feng immediately nodded.

There are three ancient bronze bells in the Prajnaparamita Temple, located in the east, west and north directions respectively. After entering the temple, the bells are moved clockwise and counterclockwise to ring.

Even outsiders can clearly hear the bell ringing from outside the temple.

After completing the task of ringing the bell, you can proceed to the main Buddha hall of the temple.

The rules of the trial are simple and easy to understand.

"You are in the first group out of five; this was a decision I made privately."

Acharya's gaze deepened, and she added, "I have also given you the internal layout blueprints of the Prajnaparamita Temple. You can say that you have a significant advantage in this trial."

Therefore, the young man competing with you is also the most outstanding among the surrounding villages. This time, I hope you won't disgrace your father, Nase.

"Uncle Acharya, you can rest assured."

Luo Feng was full of confidence, for a simple reason: if he failed, he could simply try again.

As the two were talking, a burst of flame suddenly shot up from under the stone tower, accompanied by a thick plume of smoke, and rushed towards them with a whooshing sound on the wind.

It turned out that it was a campfire platform built with wood and firewood located at the foot of the tower.

A raging fire broke out, spewing sparks and turning the last rays of the western sunset even more crimson.

dong dong dong dong!

A deep, melodious drumbeat rang out.

Luo Feng looked around the pagoda in surprise, and suddenly several villagers appeared out of nowhere, raising bone mallets and beating elephant-foot drums.

This drum sound is unique, booming and sometimes crisp, sometimes deep, seemingly able to penetrate one's heart.

Behind the elephant-foot drum stood dozens of villagers dressed as half-human, half-ghost. They all wore masks, some with ox-head and horse-face, others with one-horned monsters, or with one eye, long tongue, fangs, and red hair. They shouted menacingly while singing and dancing.

Luo Feng felt a blur before his eyes. On one side, ghostly figures darted about amidst the flickering flames in front of the campfire, while on the other side, the sound of the bronze drums nearly deafened him.

"Hey, this is a ritual to appease ghosts."

Acharya grinned.

"Everyone knows about the haunting of the Prajnaparamita Temple. To prevent these wandering ghosts from causing trouble, we first hold a ritual to appease them, so that they won't come here to cause trouble..."

Luo Feng nodded, his gaze falling on the campfire where a group of monks stood in a row, their hands clasped together, white prayer threads joined in their palms. Before the solemn and sacred campfire, the monks chanted in unison the Adanathias Protectorate Sutra.

"The ceremony will continue until midnight."

Acharya began to explain.

"Alright, now you can rest for a bit. It'll be your turn to go on stage tonight..."