134: Spiritual Child

“Hmm, is this the closest kingdom? Jisai Kingdom?”

In the clouds, Tang Ku frowned slightly, looking down. The capital city of this kingdom seemed far more prosperous than the surrounding ones, and the reason for this was that the kingdom was subtly accompanied by Buddha Power, which enveloped the entire capital.

“I remember on the Journey to the West, I once vowed to burn incense when I met Buddha and sweep the pagoda when I saw one. I still remember that pagoda vividly!”

Tang Ku narrowed his eyes slightly, observing the auspicious clouds covering the pagoda's peak and the rising auspicious mist. It was just after dusk, and the pagoda was surrounded by myriad rays of light, soaring straight into the sky.

“At that time, I couldn't tell anything strange about this pagoda, but now it seems…”

Tang Ku frowned slightly, “This pagoda is ninety percent similar to the stone pagodas where eminent monks are interred after their nirvana, containing their sarira!”

After a great virtuous monk achieves nirvana, their mortal coil is shed, leaving behind Buddha bone sarira, which are usually enshrined in stone pagodas. However, now it seems this pagoda looks very ordinary from the outside, with no significant difference from a common stupa. But once the auspicious light from the pearl on its peak descends and envelops the pagoda, the outer layer of light combined with the pagoda's original shape clearly forms the appearance of a stone pagoda enshrining sarira.

“Who would believe there’s nothing fishy going on here!”

He descended from the clouds, his figure flashing, and he was already at the temple gate. Sensing the surrounding Qi, there wasn't even a single Divine-Grade aura. Although there were some ordinary cultivators in the city, they hadn't formed a significant force, so it shouldn't be the work of those from the Immortal Realm.

Actually, it's simple.

Although they belong to the same world and even have connections, the Buddhist Realm and the Immortal Realm are, after all, different forces. Since the Buddhist Realm used this pagoda to guard this place, it indicates that this is the Buddhist Realm's territory. Even if the Immortal Realm had intentions, they wouldn't easily interfere.

Of course, it's also possible that both sides had agreed that certain areas should be reserved for the Buddhist Realm, to be used in response to a major calamity in the future.

This temple, originally called Jinguang Temple, was later renamed Furlong Temple after the Nine-Headed Bug descended into Bibo Pool, Sun Wukong recovered the Buddhist treasure, and it was once again enshrined at the top of the pagoda. The name “Jinguang” (Golden Light) was deemed too materialistic. The incident of the stolen Buddhist treasure implicated all the monks in the temple. If Tang Seng and his disciples hadn't arrived, these monks might never have cleared their names.

“Speaking of which, I have quite a deep connection with this place!”

Tang Ku's figure flashed, and he had already entered the temple. He didn't head straight for the pagoda but instead drifted to the Old Monk's meditation room. At this moment, all the lights in the temple had been extinguished, except for the Old Monk's room, which was still lit.

Standing outside the door, Tang Ku pricked up his ears to listen. There was no longer the sound of chanting inside the meditation room, but rather two people conversing.

“Tanyu, tonight you should go stand guard at Master Zhang's house. The Spiritual Child will be born soon, and we need to prepare early!”

“Yes, Abbot!”

Another voice first agreed, then asked helplessly, “Abbot, what you said might not be accurate. That… that was just a dream. How can it count?”

“Silence!”

The usually kind-faced Old Monk got angry for the first time, “That was a manifestation of the True Buddha! How could it be false? Have the years of Zen cultivation you've done gone to the dogs?”

The Old Monk had never spoken so harshly before, scolding the monk named 'Tanyu' severely.

The monk smiled bitterly, “But, you make us guard those pregnant women every night. When they are truly born, how can you tell which one is the True Buddha?”

“When the True Buddha descends, there will be guidance. What are you worried about? Never mind, never mind. If you don't believe, I will go and see for myself… Alas, you all, being in the Buddhist gate, yet not believing in the True Buddha, what kind of Buddhism are you cultivating? If you are unwilling to believe, tomorrow I will return your ordination certificate, and you may go down the mountain and return to secular life!”

The Old Monk's voice was heavy, followed by rustling sounds, as if he was getting up from his meditation cushion, intending to put on his clothes and go guard himself.

“No, no, Abbot, Master, I… I'll go, alright? Alas, what's the point of this nightly ordeal!”

With that, the door of the meditation room opened, and a middle-aged monk pulled open the door and walked out, closing it behind him. He walked towards the temple gate, sighing helplessly, looking dejected and unwilling. However, it was clear that the temple's food was good, as he was well-fed and plump.

“He's reluctant to return to secular life because he's reluctant to leave the food here, isn't he!”

Tang Ku pouted, just about to follow, when he suddenly heard the Old Monk in the meditation room softly muttering, “Alas, foolish child, foolish child, what do you know… If the Spiritual Child doesn't appear, the Buddhist faith in this world… will be finished!”

His heart trembled, and Tang Ku suddenly realized that this Old Monk might know something. He couldn't help but feel an urge to rush in and find him, but he quickly calmed down and followed the plump monk out of the temple.

He had a strange premonition, perhaps the so-called Spiritual Child the Old Monk spoke of was about to be born, and…

The plump monk quickly arrived outside a grand residence and gently knocked on the courtyard gate.

It seemed someone inside the courtyard was already waiting, as the gate soon opened, and a richly dressed middle-aged man came out, putting his palms together in a respectful bow, saying, “Thank you, Great Master. I wonder if prayers are still needed tonight?”

Tanyu bowed, “Layman Zhang, there's no need for such formality. My Master said I am to guard tonight. I will chant scriptures and pray for the Young Master all night!”

The middle-aged man cupped his hands in greeting, repeatedly expressing his thanks, “Tea and refreshments have been prepared in the west wing. Please, Great Master, rest for a moment first.”

“No need, no need. Monks do not crave the pleasures of the palate. This humble monk can just wait in this courtyard…” The monk smiled and followed the middle-aged man into the courtyard.

However, as soon as the two stepped into the courtyard, an old maid rushed out from the back hall, saying urgently, “Master, Master, the Madam is giving birth, she's giving birth!”

The man was surprised with a hint of panic, then turned and said, “Thank you, Great Master, for your care. I will immediately send someone to fetch the midwife!”

The monk's face also showed surprise. Although he was of ordinary status, he had some Dao cultivation and could naturally see the faint, lotus-shaped golden light flickering on the roof of the back hall. He couldn't help but be secretly alarmed, “Could it be that the Spiritual Child my Master spoke of is to descend today?”

At this moment, Tang Ku, standing on the rooftop, saw even more clearly than him.

The light shining on the roof of the back hall was particularly dazzling under his Spiritual Awareness Eye. It was clearly Buddhist light infused with extremely strong Buddha Power.

“As expected, it's a Reincarnation from the Buddhist Realm?” Tang Ku sighed, “It's just a pity he's born at the wrong time…”

His eyes shifted. In mid-air, a golden battle armor with black patterns hovered there, its eyes fixed intently in this direction.