“Finally..” Lu Shimming muttered under his breath as he wiped the sweat off of his forehead. His legs sores from climbing up all the way to top, under the intense pressure. But, this was nothing when compared to his experience in the Dreamland.
“Is that a cave?” He suddenly noticed a small cave ahead. Further, his surroundings seemed not so natural. As if someone had purposefully cut out the portion of the mountain and leveled the area.
Curious, he walked towards the cave.
‘This..’
The cave was not a natural one just as he had expected. It was someone’s abode. And, from the looks of it, it had been abandoned for a while. There was a mat on the floor, and a dirt pot of water which seemed to have dried.
There was also a little Buddha statue placed at the end of the room, and some incense could be seen half burned there. At the foot of the statue, was a small chest, tied by a red knot.
‘It has to be for the person who climbed up..’ Lu Shimming convinced himself as he slowly untied the knot, and opened the chest.
The next instant, a blinding light erupted from the chest, and a translucent figure appeared from it.
It was a man with a strong build, and his bald head along with his get up, showed that he was indeed a monk too.
“Someone has finally reached here, I guess..” The figure spoke, his eyes directed towards Lu Shimming, who had started to get nervous now. Afraid that his identity would be exposed.
“I don’t know who you are, but this is just a reflection of mine. I have left my inheritance here, and since you manage to reach here. It means you are worthy of it, irrespective of your identity.” The figure smiled as if he could see right through Lu Shimming, whose face seemed to freeze upon hearing those words.
“Hahahah!! It's just a pre-recorded message. Do not get nervous..” The figure waved his hand off.
But, Lu Shimming was really doubtful of it now.
“With the times changing, the Monastery should have changed, but I doubt it happened. They are probably starting to fall behind the other sects.” The figure muttered to himself, he sure was a talkative one.
“Anyways, all I want is for you to help them out.” The translucent figure finally seemed to snap out his thought as he looked at Lu Shimming, his figure becoming more ethereal with each passing second.
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“My time should be up to.” He seemed to realize it as well, “Remember, it doesn’t matter what you are, it's your heart that you should believe in. That's the truth, the true path.”
“Do not get lost…”
With those words, the figure disappeared for good, while Lu Shimming still stood there unable to comprehend all of it. But, he had a feeling, he kind of understood what the monk meant.
Picking up the chest, Lu Shimming finally gave in a proper look at its content.
There was a thick book inside it, along with a water gourd.
“Prajna Gate.”
The book felt old, and carried a scent similar to old ones.
As Lu Shimming turned its pages, he was surprised.
The Book was a combination of two separated techniques, and aspects a monk needed to cultivate.
The Body, and the Spirit.
The Thousand Vajra Body, a technique to refine the physique, as only a strong body could harbor a strong spirit. On the other hand, the Thousand Leaf of Bodhi, a Spiritual Cultivation technique, allows one to refine their Spiritual QI, and manifest a Bodhi Tree in their Spirit Sea.
Thousand Leaf of Bodhi
Lu Shimming’s eyes shone with a brilliant glimmer. This was the exact reason he had come into the Sect for. A Spiritual Cultivation technique.
“Just what is the grade of this technique?”
He wondered to himself, as it really went beyond the scope of his imagination. It even talked about Nascent Spirit, a concept which would allow one to roam the continent without the slightest hint of fear.
Closing the book, Lu Shimming looked at the other item, it was a water gourd.
It really seemed normal, there was nothing odd about it.
But as soon as he touched it, the Spiritual Qi in his body stirred, rushed towards it. The next instant, Lu Shimming felt a connection with the gourd, and his eyes widened in surprise.
The Gourd was a Spatial tool!
And, looking at the size of its inner world, he knew it was the rarest of rare and would fetch a fortune of generations if sold.
Of course, he was not foolish enough to invite his death.
Lu Shimming took a look around, he didn’t want to miss any other opportunity.
“Let me just take it all. I can take my time inspecting them..” He smiled and with a thought, he opened the gourd, and sucked everything into it, wiping the abode clean as if he was a grave robber.
If that monk ever came to find out what Lu Shimming did, he would surely turn in his grave.
…
Spirit Star…
Somewhere far away, stood a giant pagoda breaking through layers of heavens. It was a symbol of strength and enlightenment for those, who were seeking the truth in their heart. Following the path of spirituality, and leaving the worldly attachments.
At the very top of the tower, a figure suddenly seemed to open his eyes.
“What an interesting kid, maybe he is just what we need…” He muttered to himself, wondering what the future held for them.
…
Monastery of Jade Cloud
“Why is he not coming down?” The Chief monk walked back and forth around the Staircase of Blessing, waiting for Lu Shimming.
“What is at the top?” Patriarch Wu suddenly asked, a bit curious. Others who heard it, suddenly put their ears out. They were all curious, but sadly no one had ever managed to reach the summit.
“Only the Abbot at the Martial City probably has a clue about it..” The Chief Monk shook his head. The staircase was actually an artifact, it would only allow people who had never cultivated their Spiritual energy to step onto it. This was the way to find talents, hence, only newcomers had the chance to discover the secret of the summit.
“He is coming!” Someone suddenly shouted, and everyone turned their heads towards the staircase to see Lu Shimmings figure coming down.
“Disciple!!” The Chief Monk shouted, almost scaring Lu Shimming who had no idea what had occurred.
“Come greet your Master!”
Lu Shimming looked at the senior looking monk, and then turned to look for Ren Shan who seemed to be slowly finding his way out of the place.
It was just as he thought.
“Umn..I was just brought here to take a tour of the Monastery. I really don’t understand whats going on.” Lu Shimming awkwardly replied, and the whole place turned silent.
The Chief Monk stood there for a whole minute, and people around suddenly felt a sense of suffocation.
“Ren Shan..” An eerily voice leaked out from the Chief Monk’s mouth as he slowly turned his head.