“Monastery of Jade Clouds”

“Are you sure we are at the right place?” Lu Shimming turned to look at the bald monk, Ren Shan. That was his title after turning to Buddhism it seems.

“Of course it is. We just didn’t have time for renovation. Besides, we follow the path of spirituality, and do not attach importance to materialistic stuff.

With that, the duo entered the Monastery.

The place wasn’t as deserted as Lu Shimming expected it to be. He saw quite a few bald monks around. Some were meditating on a pole on one leg, balancing a stick on their shoulders, a bucket of water on both ends. Some were refining their physique by carrying weights on their shoulders and working out.

It really didn’t seem to match the expectation that Lu Shimming had in his mind.

“Only a strong body can handle a strong spirit…”

As if sensing his doubt, Ren Shan answered as they reached the grand plaza.

There were quite a few people around this place, and Lu Shimming could see other monks in the same attire as Ren Shan seemed to have brought disciples here too.

And, all their gazes were on the structure ahead, it was a long staircase with jade carvings in it. It ascended all the way up to the back of the mountain at whose base, the Monastery was situated at.

“Oi..I thought you brought me to give you a tour of the place..” Lu Shimming asked as he gave the guy a side eye.

“Amitabha! It's a tour only. There is nothing wrong with participating in a thing or two here. No one’s forcing you to join the Monastery. It's your own decision.” He reminded him.

At this moment, an Elderly monk walked out to the center of the Plaza.

“Amitbaha!”

“I thank you all for deciding to be a part of our Monastery, and welcome you with a warm heart on this path of spirituality and Enlightenment.”

“What did I just hear..” Lu Shimming glanced at Ren Shan as his face slowly turned dark.

“Those are just formal words, don’t mind it..” Ren Shan shook it off as if it was no big deal.

“Now then, here is the entrance ceremony. I need you all to ascend the Staircase of Blessing and receive the blessings of our Ancestors.” The Elder monk stated as he looked at new recruits in the plaza.

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There were roughly seven of them including Lu Shimming.

“Remember, do not force yourself. Recognising one’s limits is talent too.” He further stated before taking his leave.

“Go ahead..” Ren Shan nudged Lu Shimming ahead, who begrudgingly took a step forward.

…

On a Pagoda situated to the east of the mountain, the Elders of the Monastery were gathered. They were here to watch the new recruits as the pagoda provided a great view of the grand plaza.

“Oh! Ren Shan seemed to have finally brought a disciple this time..” One of the monks revealed a surprised look on his face, and it attracted everyone’s attention.

“Hahaha..Of course, he had to. Didn’t you hear? The Monastery Master threatened him with solitary confinement for a year if he failed to get a single recruit this time.” Another chimed in shedding some light on the situation.

“Well, he should have failed then…” One of the monks sighed. And, the rest couldn’t help but somewhat agree.

After all, Ren Shan had another name beside his monk title.

The Drunken Monk.

Yup, he drank and gambled. Something not a monk would do. Initially a lot of people had protested as it was not only wrong but was getting them a bad image when they were already struggling with recruiting disciples.

But, the fact that Ren Shan, despite his ways never faced a barrier in his cultivation, proved that he had no hesitation in his path. And, Buddha was always in his heart. This really left people speechless at what kind of path he was walking on.

In the end,the Chief Monk had to come out, and put a reign on the guy when he got drunk and entered a brawl with local thugs. But, it was not entirely Ren Shan’s fault. Hence, a middle ground was found, if Ren Shan managed to recruit a disciple, he would be spared, if not, he would have to face the wall for a 100 days in introspection, followed by a year in confinement.

“They are starting…” Someone reminded everyone.

…

Lu Shimming walked up to the Staircase of Blessing. He could see the other disciples standing on both of his sides. They were a little nervous, and from their attire, it seemed they came from common and simple origins. It all made sense, since no one would be crazy enough to join a monastery and become a monk if they were blessed.

Shaking the random thoughts in his head, Lu Shimming took a step on the staircase along with all the other disciples.

“Hmmn?”

He suddenly felt a tingling feeling on his shoulders, and the Spiritual Qi in his Spirit Sea seemed to get stirred. It was just as he thought, something was really up with the staircases. He slowed down, to grasp hold the sensation, not paying attention to the disciple who had just passed.

Second step..

The feeling grew slightly stronger, and by the next step, Lu Shimming had confirmed his suspicion. The Staircase was testing him in a similar manner that the Dreamland did.

The people around appreciated the scene seeing the new disciples. Remembering how they had once gone through the same ceremony.

“Do you think anyone will reach the 50th step this time?”

“Don’t joke..it has been thirty years since someone crossed that mark in this small city.”

“Well, the previous year's best was measly 23 after all.”

“Hey, look at the disciple that Ren Shan brought.” Someone suddenly pointed out, grasping everyone’s attention.

“He has stopped at the third step.”

“Are we really going to accept someone like him in our ranks?”

“Don’t tell me he brought just any random guy up from the streets in order to avoid the punishment?”

The people around muttered as they shot glares at Ren Shan who didn’t seem to care at all.

‘Foolish people! You are exactly right, but what can you do..’ Ren Shan grinned inwardly. He was out there handing pamphlets to everyone he saw, in hopes of getting anyone.

Did they really think he would accept a 100 days to the wall?

Hell no!

This was the reason he was confident in sending Lu Shimming back. When he caught the guy’s hand, he sensed nothing from him. The guy is talentless. There was no way the Monastery would accept him.

But, that wouldn’t be his fault. He was asked to recruit and he did. It was their fault for rejecting him.

As for the promise of Spiritual Cultivation Technique, he lied.

But, would that matter if Lu Shimming wasn’t even accepted in the first place?

Everything was going according to his plan.

Ren Shan calmly folded his hand, and closed his eyes.

‘I am a genius!’ So he thought.

“Look!!”

Someone suddenly screamed, almost scaring Ren Shan for a moment, and he raised his head towards the staircase of Blessing, only to see a figure rapidly climbing up.

It was Lu Shimming.

He swiftly passed all the other disciples, and reached the twentieth step in the blink of an eye. The scene not only surprised the people on the ground, but even the Elder Monks watching from the Pagoda stood up from their seats.

‘That kid! How is this possible!’ Ren Shan’s eyes had widened in shock and disbelief, but he had yet to realize that Lu Shimming was far from done.