56: Chapter 56 Hetian Jade Pebble Eight Treasures Pattern Bracelet

"This poor monk has no ill intentions. I truly wish to exchange knowledge with you, especially regarding Consecration. I heard from He Dingkun that the items you consecrate even have the power to bring the dead back to life."

"Do you believe that?"

"I didn't, but I have no choice but to believe. Although using the phrase 'bringing the dead back to life' is a bit of an exaggeration, those two cases were indeed world-shaking."

"Did you confirm them with your own eyes?"

"No, but He Dingkun would not deceive this poor monk in this regard."

"Why?"

"He Dingkun is still counting on me to help extend his life," Monk Kongyun smiled. "People fear death. Rich people fear it even more. Someone like He Dingkun fears it most of all."

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow.

The monk's words had a hidden meaning.

It sounded like he looked down on He Dingkun quite a bit.

If that was the case, the relationship between this monk and He Dingkun wasn't particularly close.

This discovery made him breathe a quiet sigh of relief, and he followed up: "He Dingkun asked you to come down the mountain to approach me for my secret arts as well?"

"Yes," Monk Kongyun nodded. "If it weren't for the fact that he desperately needs your Life-extending Technique, you would have been in a lot of trouble already. He Dingkun has never been one to let a grudge last overnight."

"So, what are your thoughts, Great Monk? Are you going to continue helping a villain?"

"This poor monk has never helped a villain."

"Is that so?"

"Fine," Monk Kongyun sighed. "It's all because of money, but I have indeed never directly participated in any of He Dingkun's affairs, and this time is no exception. I truly want to have a proper exchange with you. Nowadays, metaphysics has declined, and scammers rule the day. It's rare to encounter a fellow practitioner with genuine talent and learning; of course I must treasure it."

Han Jingyang smiled again.

This monk was indeed interesting; he seemed like a normal person, unlike the pretentious, hypocritical, and sanctimonious monks in his memory. Although he couldn't be considered a pure monk, he was at least honest and down-to-earth, saying whatever was on his mind.

To the point where, even knowing the monk wasn't exactly a good person, he was still willing to chat with him a bit longer.

However, his secret arts certainly couldn't be revealed.

Even if he wanted to reveal them, he couldn't explain them clearly.

Could he say that everything he has today is thanks to a Grandmaster-level Appraisal Technique from a certain game?

He couldn't.

He could only say it was the result of extraordinary natural talent, diligent practice, and good teaching from his master.

Monk Kongyun was a bit disappointed. "Benefactor Han, can we exchange a dharma instrument? I'd like to use one as a reference."

"Fine."

"I have the most amulets in my possession."

"I have a bit of everything. What kind are you looking for?"

"What kinds do you have?"

Han Jingyang thought for a moment. "There's a small Maitreya Buddha Pendant that can slightly increase one's Buddha-nature."

"Is that true?" Monk Kongyun suddenly stood up, staring at Han Jingyang with bright eyes.

Han Jingyang nodded. "It's in my shop."

"Let's go, we'll go get it now."

"These things..."

"This poor monk will take the liberty of giving them to you. They were originally bait anyway. Why should the fish have to pay for the bait?"

"Hahaha, you're an interesting monk."

Han Jingyang got four identifiable items for free and led Monk Kongyun back to Yingxiong Mountain.

Jiguang Zhai.

Monk Kongyun stood at the door with his palms pressed together, eyes closed in a meditative state. After a moment, he nodded with a solemn expression. "Truly extraordinary. Even before entering, one can feel a powerful aura. It's strong, rich, yet harmonious, and entirely positive. I am impressed."

"You even know about auras, monk?"

"We aren't stubborn, old-fashioned fools. I spend several hours online every day, and I personally have a bachelor's degree in a STEM field. I keep up with the times."

Han Jingyang could only give him a thumbs up.

This Monk Kongyun was indeed different from the monks in his memory.

And he had real ability.

He just didn't know how great the monk's capabilities were.

Thinking this, he invited the monk inside. Without wasting words, he took the Maitreya Buddha Pendant he mentioned directly from the counter.

The pendant was carved from Xiuyan Jade. It had a greenish tint, average quality, and average craftsmanship, but it was an antique.

After appraisal, its attributes were also very average and almost useless, so he had just tossed it into the counter.

"Name: Qing Dynasty Qianlong Xiuyan Jade Maitreya Buddha Pendant."

"Grade: Rank 7."

"Attribute: Buddha-nature +2."

"Skill: None."

Rank 7.

No skills.

The attribute was something as useless as 'Buddha-nature +2'; he hadn't even expected to be able to sell it.

Han Jingyang checked the attributes again, confirming the pendant was indeed trash, before handing it to Monk Kongyun.

Monk Kongyun pressed his palms together in a bow first, then took the pendant with both hands.

The moment the pendant touched his hands, Monk Kongyun's expression changed.

Then he closed his eyes tightly as if entering deep meditation. It took several minutes before he slowly let out a breath and bowed solemnly to Han Jingyang. "Benefactor Han, the kindness of gifting this treasure is as heavy as a mountain. This poor monk cannot repay it fully, but I will do my best to show a small token of my gratitude."

Saying this, he pulled a white jade bracelet from his cloth bag and held it out to Han Jingyang. "Benefactor Han, this is a bracelet consecrated and blessed by my master. It has been ten full years. Of course, that is far from enough. I will also transfer an additional five million to your account. What do you think?"

Han Jingyang took the bracelet noncommittally.

"Ding: Identifiable item discovered. Appraise?"

"Yes/No."

He calmly performed the appraisal.

"Name: Hetian White Jade Seed Material Eight Treasures Pattern Bracelet."

"Grade: Rank 6."

"Attribute: Serenity +3."

"Skill: Like a Spring Breeze."

Not bad, not bad at all.

Trading a Rank 7 for a Rank 6.

And it had an extra skill.

A massive profit.

Han Jingyang casually slipped the bracelet onto his wrist but shook his head. "I don't want your money."

"Then you..."

"He Dingkun. He Dingkun must die. Is there anything you can do?"

Monk Kongyun shook his head. "This poor monk does not participate in worldly struggles and disputes, so I am powerless in that regard. However..."

"Speak plainly."

"He Dingkun's physical condition is very poor. He is holding on entirely through secret arts. He is like a dilapidated building that could collapse at any moment, with only a few pillars supporting the frame."

This news...

Seemed somewhat useful?

Han Jingyang nodded slightly. He hadn't truly expected Monk Kongyun to provide much help anyway. This monk had status, strength, and even significant financial resources; no one could force him to do anything.

So he said to the monk, "Then let's not talk about He Dingkun. Let's talk about the current state of the metaphysical world. Great Monk, what level is your strength compared to others in the country?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"I don't know," Monk Kongyun shook his head. "From the time I was ordained until now, I have spent almost all my time practicing diligently on the mountain. I rarely interact with fellow practitioners. Even if we meet occasionally, we seldom compete, and there's no way to truly compare anyway."

"Then when you have gatherings, who is respected as the leader?"

"Position, reputation, seniority, and age."

Wasn't that just ranking by seniority?

Han Jingyang was a bit disappointed.

But on second thought, it seemed normal. Metaphysics was truly difficult to compare because there were too many factors, the situations were too complex, and there was uncertainty everywhere.

Take Feng Shui Arts for example. Breaking each other's formations was common. If the client was powerful and had deep pockets, the Feng Shui Master would have the upper hand, but that didn't necessarily mean the opponent's skill was inferior.

In such circumstances, reputation really was a decent standard of measurement.

Thinking of this, he asked Monk Kongyun, "Great Monk, is your reputation in the circle large?"