bookbashuk Chapter 25 First Encounter with the Abbot of Vajra Temple
Chapter 25 First Encounter with the Abbot of Vajra Temple
Ten minutes later, a clean white sedan pulled up on time. The driver checked the last four digits of the phone number and the destination, and then kindly helped Chen Anran put her luggage away.
As the car drove away from the town, the scenery outside the window gradually changed from familiar pastoral landscapes to open plains and increasingly dense towns.
Chen Anran leaned back in the comfortable back seat, watching the scenery rushing past the window, feeling a mix of emotions.
This was the first time in his life he had ever ridden in such a point-to-point private car, and also the first time he was going to a strange metropolis thousands of miles away.
During the journey, Chen Anran tried calling his second senior sister again, but there was still no answer. He sent her a text message, telling her that he was on his way to Guangzhou and included his new phone number, hoping she would reply when she saw it.
A few hours later, the car arrived smoothly at the provincial capital's airport. After saying goodbye to the driver, Chen Anran entered the terminal building. The huge glass curtain wall, the bustling crowds, and the constantly flashing flight information screens all made him feel somewhat dazed.
Following the signs, Chen Anran found the corresponding airline counter and successfully retrieved the business class ticket that Feng Xiaolu had booked for him using his ID card.
Chen Anran checked in her luggage, went through security, and found a relatively quiet corner in the waiting area to sit down.
Chen Anran closed his eyes for a short rest. It was already 10 p.m., and the takeoff time was 10:30 p.m.
Chen Anran wasn't in a hurry; he was mentally assessing the evolution of the items in the museum.
Display Case 1: A new batch of vegetable seeds has been added and is evolving, estimated time 8 hours.
Display Case 2: Spirit Gathering Stone (Small), 20 days remaining.
Display Case No. 3: Spirit Gathering Stone (Small), 20 days remaining.
Display Case No. 4: Soul-Nourishing Shrine, 20 days remaining.
The previous cabinets number two, three, and four were all dedicated to "crafting" equipment for Feng Xiaolu. After they were almost finished, Chen Anran placed pebbles and a soul-nourishing shrine on these three cabinets.
There was no other way; Feng Xiaolu was a restless fellow, and Chen Anran really wouldn't feel comfortable letting her venture out alone without replenishing her equipment, especially now that her spiritual energy was recovering.
Therefore, Chen Anran even postponed the evolution of the Soul Nourishing Shrine a bit, and for this reason, he asked Feng Xiaolu for a few more talismans.
The other two display cases contain pebbles so that everyone in the Cloud Hidden Sect can obtain a Spirit Gathering Stone as soon as possible, thus accelerating their cultivation!
It's May now, and with two more spirit-gathering stones in June, Chen Anran believes that the cultivation of his senior sister and third senior sister in the sect will become smoother.
By the time the New Year comes next year, their cultivation levels will have increased significantly. At that time, their voice at the Righteous Path Assembly will also carry more weight.
As Chen Anran was thinking, it was almost time to board. Just as he was about to get up, he heard an announcement that his flight would be delayed until midnight due to air traffic control.
Chen Anran wasn't in a hurry. He sat down again, closed his eyes to rest, and at the same time, observed the evolutionary progress of the various items in the Museum of Evolution.
Just as he was calming his mind, a gentle voice sounded beside him: "Amitabha, are you heading to Guangzhou, benefactor?"
Chen Anran opened his eyes and saw a young monk dressed in a bright yellow robe, holding prayer beads, standing to his side, smiling at him. The monk had delicate features, a calm demeanor, and an aura of peace emanating from him.
"That's right." Chen Anran stood up and returned the greeting with his palms together.
"I am Huiming, and I have come to invite you on the orders of my master, Abbot Shi Haisheng. My master sees that although your cultivation is just beginning, your aura is pure and upright, and you seem to have an affinity with Buddhism. Therefore, he would like to invite you to the VIP room for a chat. I wonder if you would do me the honor?" The young monk Huiming spoke sincerely.
Abbot Shi Haisheng? Chen Anran's heart stirred slightly. He seemed to have some impression of this name. He had seen him on television in his hometown before. He seemed to be a highly respected monk.
After a moment's thought, Chen Anran nodded and said, "It is an honor to be invited by the master. Please lead the way, senior brother."
"Please follow me, benefactor." Huiming smiled slightly and led the way.
After passing through the bustling waiting hall, we arrived at a quiet VIP lounge.
The room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood and was elegantly decorated. An elderly monk, dressed in a red robe, with a plump figure and a ruddy, kind face, sat cross-legged on a futon. When Chen Anran entered, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and deep, as if he could see through people's hearts.
"Amitabha, please have a seat, young benefactor."
"Junior Chen Anran greets Master Shi Haisheng." Chen Anran sensed the unfathomable yet harmonious and peaceful aura emanating from the other party, bowed respectfully, and sat down on the futon opposite him.
"Young friend Chen, there's no need for such formalities." Shi Haisheng smiled and sized up Chen Anran, his gaze sweeping over him as if observing something. "This old monk observes that although the spiritual energy around you is weak, it is extremely pure, indicating a solid foundation. May I ask which sect or family you come from?"
Knowing that such a high-ranking monk had extraordinary insight, and that there was no point in hiding it, Chen Anran frankly replied, "Master, I am from the Yunyin Sect."
"Yunyin Sect?" A hint of reminiscence flashed in Shi Haisheng's eyes. "Is it the Yunyin Sect, which resides in the deepest part of the clouds and has an ancient lineage? I never imagined that your sect still has descendants in the world. Well done, well done." His tone was somewhat sentimental, as if he knew something about the Yunyin Sect.
"Master, you know about our sect?" Chen Anran was somewhat surprised.
"I've heard a little about it, all from the elders. Your esteemed lineage's sages turned the tide and protected the region in the early days of the Dharma-ending Age, and I have long admired them." Shi Haisheng nodded slightly, then asked with concern, "Judging from your aura, young friend, you should have just entered the Qi Realm. What brings you to Guangzhou? If there is anything I can do to help, please feel free to speak."
Seeing the high monk's earnest words, Chen Anran briefly said, "Thank you for your concern, Master. I am on my way to Guangzhou to find my second senior sister. She is working there and we have not heard from her for almost two months. The entire sect is very worried."
"Looking for relatives..." Shi Haisheng nodded, his eyes showing more understanding and compassion. "Guangzhou is a prosperous place, but also a place where all sorts of people mingle. Young friend, you are new to the world and your cultivation is still shallow, so you must be careful in everything you do."
He paused, looked at Chen Anran, and gently advised, "Young friend, you have just entered the Qi Refining stage, and your Qi sensation is just beginning to emerge, like a seedling that needs careful nurturing. Remember not to be impatient or rash. The path of cultivation values perseverance. When the mind is calm, the Qi flows smoothly, and when the Qi flows smoothly, the meridians are unblocked. When meditating daily, you can try to focus your mind on the Dantian, guiding the Qi back to its origin, and proceed slowly."
Although the guidance was simple, it hit the nail on the head regarding Chen Anran's current cultivation needs. He quickly bowed and thanked him, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I will remember it."
Shi Haisheng waved his hand with a kind smile, then changed the subject, his expression becoming slightly serious: "Young friend, do you know why your flight was delayed until midnight?"
Chen Anran shook his head: "The broadcast said it was due to air traffic control."
Master Haisheng gently shook his head and murmured a Buddhist chant: "Amitabha. To be honest, that flight was not delayed in an ordinary way. This is why I brought my disciples here today. According to the investigation by my disciples, that flight has recently been haunted by an extremely strong resentment, and has become a 'mysterious flight.' It takes off at midnight when the yin energy is at its strongest, which may lead to unforeseen events."