Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Jinshan Temple, located about twenty li outside of Chang'an City on a small mountain, looked somewhat dilapidated. Besides Senior Abbot Faming, who had two incense scars, the others—Xuankong, Xuanwu, and Xuanming—each only had one. As a result, Jinshan Temple was not flourishing, the monks lived in straitened circumstances, and it was almost at the point of closing down.

However, Jinshan Temple had changed now. With Jiang Liu having revealed twelve incense scars a few days ago during the Incense Offering Ceremony at the Great Buddha Temple, it seemed as if one man had found his path to enlightenment, and even the chickens and dogs ascended to heaven with him.

Two days ago, a monk from the Great Buddha Temple with six incense scars personally delivered a batch of supplies and silver coins, saying that from now on, Jiang Liu would stay at the Great Buddha Temple to cultivate beside the Saint Monk Longhai.

It was not just the monks from the Great Buddha Temple who personally delivered supplies; even in these recent few days, a continuous stream of worshippers came to offer incense and prayers at Jinshan Temple, naturally leaving behind much incense money, making the temple incredibly lively.

Some wealthy families, full of extravagance, waved their hands generously, ready to renovate every part of Jinshan Temple.

With the emergence of a monk with twelve incense scars, the entire Great Tang was shaken, and naturally, Jinshan Temple, where Jiang Liu had lived from childhood, also rose to fame.

In these recent days, Xuanming, the reception monk, was so busy receiving worshippers that he was more tired than an ox.

From being the most relaxed person in the temple, he became the busiest. Whether a psychological effect or not, Xuanming felt that he had lost a few pounds in these past few days.

Although it was Jiang Liu's newfound fame that led to Jinshan Temple's current unprecedented bustling scene, as time passed and the fervor diminished, Jinshan Temple's situation would inevitably decline significantly.

However, whatever the case, it was certain to be much better than before Jiang Liu had left, that was inevitable.

...

Leaving aside the changes at Jinshan Temple for a moment, these past few days, both Jiang Liu and Daoji had been in the Great Buddha Temple, cultivating the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound's Divine Skills under Saint Monk Longhai.

After several days of cultivation, Daoji had made progress in the art of cultivating the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound.

Watching Daoji seated in meditation, circulating his internal breath, it almost seemed like one could faintly hear the sound of a dragon's roar. Saint Monk Longhai, looking pleased, slightly nodded his head.

Daoji, having marked nine incense scars, seemed to be cultivating the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound even quicker than Longhai himself had in his younger years.

If all went well, it would take another ten days or half a month to master the first level of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound.

However, when Saint Monk Longhai's gaze shifted to Jiang Liu, who was sitting cross-legged without any reaction, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

In comparison to Daoji, Jiang Liu's cultivation was deplorably poor.

The reason was that when he was taught to cultivate, he did not even recognize the meridians and acupoints.

This made Longhai doubt how he had managed to cultivate the Arhat Fist.

It had taken two full days to make him remember the conditions of the meridians and acupoints throughout his body. Now, despite having been taught the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound for several days, he had gained nothing; he seemed just like an ordinary person, not at all like a disciple who had marked twelve incense scars.

After a long while, a somber bell rang, signaling that it was time for lunch.

Dalji, who had been cultivating, opened his eyes, halted his practice, and the faint sound of the dragon's roar also dissipated. He stood up, looking spirited.

"Master, I feel like I have begun to grasp the first layer of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound. With a bit more time, I should be able to master it," said Daoji cheerfully as he stood up and spoke to Longhai.

"Hmm, your progress in cultivation is slightly faster than what I achieved in my time, very good," said Saint Monk Longhai with a smile on his face as he nodded.

Pleased at heart, for a master, it was certainly a joyous matter to encounter a smart disciple who cultivated rapidly.

Receiving his master's praise, Daoji felt even more joyful, only glancing at Jiang Liu, who was still sitting quietly beside him, he hesitated slightly, "It's just that, my elder brother Xuanzang..."

"It seems that although Xuanzang is deeply destined with our Buddhist Sect, his aptitude for cultivation is poor," Longhai said in a low sigh, looking at Jiang Liu sitting in meditation with his eyes closed.

Hu... Hu...

However, as Longhai and Daoji approached, the faint sounds of snoring left Daoji dumbstruck.

Even Longhai's mouth twitched unbelievingly. He must have fallen asleep, right!?

Practicing the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound, he had actually fallen asleep?

"Brother! Brother!", following Longhai's hint, Daoji stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and woke Jiang Liu.

"Ah?", rubbing his eyes, Jiang Liu opened them and looked around in a groggy manner.

Seeing his lethargic appearance, Longhai's face turned angry, and he opened his mouth to scold him but paused briefly and then spoke earnestly, "Xuanzang, one must not be lax in cultivation. With your approach, when will you ever master the first level of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound?"

"Holy Monk, I was not actually sleeping; I have mastered the first level of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound in my dream...", seeing the Holy Monk Longhai wanting to scold but holding back, Jiang Liu felt somewhat ashamed, yet he defended himself.

The cultivation of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound required emptying the mind to contemplate the sound of the dragon's chant within it.

However, for Jiang Liu, sitting cross-legged, closing his eyes, and emptying his mind to imagine the sound of a dragon? He would fall asleep in just a moment.

Thus, having practiced for many days, there had been no progress in his cultivation of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound until now.

"Ah? You've mastered it?", hearing Jiang Liu's words, both Holy Monk Longhai and Daoji wore expressions of surprise.

Hadn't he made no progress at all? And yet he claimed to have mastered it?

"Xuanzang, monks do not lie. If you haven't mastered it, you should simply practice diligently," Longhai shook his head, clearly disbelieving Jiang Liu's words, as he had witnessed Jiang Liu's lack of progress over these days.

"Yes, brother, if you just diligently cultivate, with your twelve Scar of Precepts, I believe you can soon catch up to my progress, as long as you stop sleeping," Daoji, clearly disbelieving that Jiang Liu had already mastered it, chimed in.

Of course, given Jiang Liu's lack of progress while he had already started to grasp the principles, Daoji's expression was somewhat smug as he spoke.

What did twelve Scar of Precepts matter? Wasn't his progress in cultivating the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound still slower than his own?

"Junior brother, you are dangerously tempting fate here. How about we spar and see?", seeing Daoji's smug look, Jiang Liu's gaze fell on him, and he suggested.

"Sure, brother, you spar with other junior brothers every afternoon, I would also like to learn a few moves from you," nodding his head, Daoji appeared eager to try.

During the previous Incense Offering Ceremony, Daoji had challenged him, seeking to avenge that day's defeat.

Despite his identity as one with twelve Scar of Precepts causing awe, when it came to fighting, it depended on each person's cultivation and techniques, not the quantity of scars.

"Amitabha, let's have lunch first", regarding the sparring between Jiang Liu and Daoji, Holy Monk Longhai showed no intention of stopping it, just suggested everyone finish lunch first.

The trio then left the great hall.

However, Jiang Liu found an excuse, saying he needed to use the restroom, and told Holy Monk Longhai and Daoji to go ahead first.

He turned back to his Zen Room, sat down on the rosewood chair, and picked up the ivory brush beside him to write vigorously.

Although there had been no progress in cultivating the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound, having taught it for a few days, Jiang Liu had already memorized the first two levels of the technique.

After spending some time, Jiang Liu then wrote down the cultivation technique of the first level of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound from memory.

Notice: Would you like to spend 1 skill point to learn the first level of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound?

As Jiang Liu finished writing, the game system's prompt, as expected, appeared.

(PS: Please vote for recommendation, seeking lots and lots of votes...)