200 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 200: Like a Child, Just Like Xiao Mo Five Years Later. Kongnian Temple. The break of dawn. The girl slowly opened her eyes. She was no longer a child, having reached the age of sixteen. Her slender figure had matured, clothed modestly, highlighting its graceful curves. Her skin was as delicate as freshly fallen snow, with a faint blush, akin to a warm jade reflecting March's peach blossoms. Her brows, slender like new moons, conveyed an innate elegance, needing no cosmetic enhancement. The most striking feature, however, was her eyes—like autumn waters, deep and dark as ink, yet as clear as a mountain spring. They embodied both the naïveté of youth and a subtle, elusive tenderness. Though her eyes were captivating, few dared meet her gaze, fearing their innermost thoughts might be revealed. The girl rose from her bed, donned her monk's robe, and after her morning ablutions, headed to the main hall for morning prayers. As the first woman to practice Buddhism in this world, she resided in a remote location to avoid suspicion, rarely disturbed by others. Walking through the mountain forest, her movements were as light as a swallow, imbued with a natural purity and grace, like the first lotus blossom, untouched by the dust of this world. The path beneath her feet she had traversed countless times, intimately familiar with every plant and tree. Upon entering the temple and stepping into the great hall of Kongnian Temple, most monks were already seated. At the very front sat an elder, aged yet upright in posture—the abbot of Kongnian Temple. The girl walked towards the front of the hall. Many monks were accustomed to the presence of this young practitioner. Finally, she settled on a cushion behind the elder. As the abbot's sole disciple, she was positioned before the monks, yet behind the abbot. "Now that everyone is here, let us begin the morning prayers," the abbot, Xu Jing, spoke gently. "Yes," the monks responded in unison. "Boom... Boom... Boom..." With three chimes from the temple bell, the monks closed their eyes, and the chanting echoed throughout Kongnian Temple. Amidst the chanting, the girl alone was shrouded in a faint aura of Buddhist light. This light grew stronger, as if Buddhist essence had draped a golden robe over her. Simultaneously, above Kongnian Temple, Buddhist light gathered, golden clouds drifted, and a gentle breeze seemed to erase all distractions. Previously, such auspicious phenomena rarely occurred, even with group chanting. Yet, since the girl's tonsure and her devotion to Buddhism, remarkable sights accompanied her prayers. In the years that followed, she earned renown for exorcising demons and performing blessings, increasing her reputation day by day. Over time. The people referred to her by a shared title—Lady Miao Lian. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" Half an hour passed unnoticed, heralded by three chimes, and the monks ceased chanting, opening their eyes. Before them, the girl continued chanting. She entered a state of deep, meditative enlightenment. "You may all go," Abbot Xu Jing said gently. "As you wish, Abbot." The monks bowed in reverence, departing to open the temple doors to visitors and resume their duties. After an incense stick's time, the girl slowly opened her eyes, blinking innocently at Abbot Xu Jing: "Grandfather Abbot, is the morning prayer over?" "Yes," Xu Jing nodded, smiling, "It concluded an incense stick ago, and you had just entered profound meditation." "Oh," the girl nodded. "Forgetful Heart, your affinity with the Buddhist way is due not just to your remarkable intellect, but to your pure soul and dedicated study," Xu Jing regarded her, both his disciple and like a granddaughter. "Since you took vows six years ago, you've achieved the level of Golden Core, surpassing most disciples in understanding Buddhism. According to temple tradition, once a disciple reaches the Golden Core stage, they must journey into the world for ten years. But before that, I have a question for you." Forgetful Heart tilted her head: "Please ask, Grandfather Abbot." "The question is simple." Xu Jing smiled gently. "For some, the Buddha is found in the pages of scripture." "For some, the Buddha is in the act of saving oneself and others." "For some, the Buddha is the golden statue before them." "Forgetful Heart, having read so many sutras, what is your Buddha in your heart?" "* * *" As Xu Jing's words faded, Forgetful Heart bowed her head, pondering. "Take your time," Xu Jing reassured, "Think deeply, and when you have an answer, there will be no rush." With that, Xu Jing stood and quietly left the hall. Only Forgetful Heart remained, kneeling alone. "What is my Buddha?" Forgetful Heart raised her head to the statue before her. The statue seemed to gaze back at her. A day. Two days. Three days. Visitors came and went, their prayers murmuring past her. The scriptures echoed in her mind, her thoughts deep. As the days slipped by, Forgetful Heart remained kneeling, eyes closed, still as a statue. At first, the visitors were surprised to see her in meditation, yet left undisturbed. Over time, they grew accustomed to the sight. "What is the Buddha in my heart?" She had never contemplated this. Throughout the years, she only chanted scriptures, studied diligently, practiced earnestly. Ten days passed, then eleven... twelve. Gradually, she forgot herself. No longer did she hear visitors' prayers or the chanting. Her world turned blank. Yet. In that blank space, a small figure quietly emerged. "Boom! Boom! Boom!" A month later, the temple bell rang unexplained, golden lotus flowers formed in the sky, creating a vast pool above. Xu Jing moved effortlessly to the main hall. Approaching the girl, her eyes slowly opened, the golden light fading back to normal. "Do you have an answer?" Xu Jing asked. "Yes," she nodded, "I just saw the Buddha in my heart." "Oh?" Xu Jing smiled slightly, "And what is He like?" "He's a child. Just like Xiao Mo."