Chapter 76
The sound of indulgence echoed.
Shen Qi was a true spirit—neither tired nor excessively pained. Of course, despite the Master’s initial awkwardness, he managed to be gentle and considerate, ensuring Shen Qi’s comfort.
However, it was the Master’s first time indulging in such pleasures. He seemed quite intrigued, repeatedly guiding Shen Qi through various experiences and even inventing new positions. Shen Qi couldn’t help but think that the Master was quite the fake monk.
After their playful antics, Shen Qi waved his hand once more, transforming the flower-filled space beneath them into a warm spring. Although he knew he didn’t need cleansing, there was a psychological comfort in bathing with water.
As Ru Deng meticulously adjusted his monk’s robe, he never fully removed it. Only Shen Qi remained unclothed, adding an intriguing twist to the situation.
“Is this your ability?” The Master surveyed their surroundings.
Lazily reclining by the pool’s edge, Shen Qi’s dark hair fanned out on the water’s surface like seaweed, lending an otherworldly air. He propped his head on his hand. “Indeed, it’s a self-created realm—one that changes according to my whims. And now,” he teased, lips curving, “it responds to yours as well.”
Shen Qi met his gaze and uttered two words: “Master.”
After their recent intimacy, this smile and address carried a different meaning altogether.
For some inexplicable reason, Ru Deng’s appearance made Shen Qi want to provoke him further.
Yet Ru Deng’s expression remained unchanged—calm, benevolent, and once again resembling the revered monk everyone knew. It was as if everything that had transpired earlier was mere illusion.
Shen Qi disdainfully pursed his lips.
“It’s getting late; we should leave,” said Ru Deng.
“Alright,” Shen Qi shrugged. “You’re the master, so your word is law.”
With a snap of his fingers, the surroundings vanished. Ru Deng now stood outside the pagoda. Shen Qi’s soft laughter reached his ears, warm breath unreservedly brushing against his earlobe—even a playful nip.
“I know what the master intends. For now, I’ll conceal my ability to traverse realms. I’ll become a bodhi bead, and you need only tell others that you possess this string of Buddhist beads.”
As he finished speaking, a cool sensation enveloped his wrist, and a new string of crimson bodhi beads appeared. Their hue reminded him of the youth who had collapsed in the blood-red flower sea.
Seemingly catching his momentary distraction, a light chuckle echoed in his ear: “Master, treat me like this bead. I won’t often appear in public. Don’t neglect me. When no one’s around, I’ll serve you well.”
Ru Deng hesitated, meeting the concerned gaze of his senior. With a wry smile, he admitted, “My spirit is a bit… mischievous.”
His senior nodded in understanding. Each spirit had its own personality. Establishing a good rapport during the initial contract was crucial. Otherwise, as their appearances lengthened and their distance from the master increased, various troubles could arise.
All ten righteous sect disciples had successfully acquired their true artifacts. Joyful and led by their respective elders, they returned to their sects to study their newfound treasures, striving for swift breakthroughs in their meditative states.
The Wanfo Sect stood in the northwest corner of Leizhou, perched atop a majestic mountain. Its summit pierced the clouds, perpetually cloaked in pristine white snow. For ordinary disciples, the mountain’s waist held grand temples with red-tiled roofs, winding their way toward the peak.
The elders exerted their full power, and within three days, the group returned to the sect aboard a flying boat.
Shen Qi remained discreet throughout the journey, refraining from revealing himself. After all, with esteemed monk elders on board, and for the safety of the disciples, every thought and action was monitored by the elders’ consciousness. As a conscientious spirit devoted to his master’s well-being, Shen Qi didn’t want to slip up right from the start.
As the flying boat descended, the elders hurriedly departed. Each disciple returned to their respective halls, seeking their masters. As the top-ranked disciple on the Yellow List, Ru Deng held a position of great importance. He doesn't have an ordinary master; he was the senior brother to the sect leader and the head of the Wanfo Sect’s eighteen elders.
Ru Deng followed the mountain path toward the summit. Along the way, the monks they encountered all bowed in reverence. He smiled in return, maintaining an affable demeanor regardless of who approached him.
“In the Wanfo Sect, how many monks are there?” A languid voice suddenly whispered in his ear, followed by a gentle weight pressing against his back—a cool presence.
Ru Deng tilted his head slightly, his cheek brushing against something delicate. He met a pair of curious eyes.
“One hundred and thirty three thousand, three hundred and forty two,” he replied. “That count doesn’t include the disciples spread across the various Wanfo temples throughout the Nine Continents.”
“Are there really that many people willing to become monks?” Shen Qi surveyed their surroundings, gazing at the majestic temples. “Can this place accommodate over a hundred thousand?”
Ru Deng seemed oblivious to the person on his back, maintaining his calm demeanor. “Among the hundred thousand disciples, more than sixty thousand lack a solid foundation, and over thirty thousand cannot cultivate elemental energy. Less than ten thousand qualify as official Wanfo Sect disciples. And among them, the ones who can go there are…” He looked toward the distant peak, “…just a few dozen."
“As for why people become monks…” He gently brushed aside Shen Qi’s hair that hung near his ear. “Poverty, hunger, illness, or a disillusionment with worldly affairs — those are the common reasons.”
His tone was matter-of-fact, yet Shen Qi detected an underlying detachment.
Without showing any particular reaction, Shen Qi playfully pinched a strand of hair and used it to sweep across Ru Deng’s chin. He grinned. "And what about your quest for revenge?"
Ru Deng smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. He restrained Shen Qi’s mischievous wrist and said in a warm tone, “Enough of your antics.”
Sensing the warning in his tone, Shen Qi released his grip, showing some tact.
Although Shen Qi had learned about Ru Deng’s past through the Thousand Layers Pagoda, he hadn’t scrutinized every inch of his memories. As they traveled, Ru Deng introduced various aspects of the Wanfo Sect.
The Wanfo Sect followed Buddhism, but it wasn’t the traditional Buddhism of ancient or modern societies. In this fantastical world, strength reigned supreme. Even in their pursuit of enlightenment, the emphasis was on cultivation rather than solely on Buddha.
They engaged in saving sentient beings and expounding Buddhist teachings, but all these activities took a back seat to martial prowess. The ultimate goal was to elevate one’s cultivation and achieve immortality. Only those who were already hopeless would slow down and immerse themselves deeply in Buddhist studies.
At the pinnacle of Wanfo Mountain, aside from the eighteen elders, there was Master Puzhi.
Ru Deng navigated familiar paths to the abode of Master Puzhi, an elder who resided in what could only be described as a cave dwelling. Unlike the grand temples below, this abode was entirely natural — a five-meter-wide cavern hewn into the mountainside. The surroundings featured ice, snow, and withered trees, with a sparse scattering of pine and cypress. Notably absent was a novice monk guarding the entrance.
Once inside, the space opened up unexpectedly. It was spacious, clearly consisting of more than one chamber. Despite its width, it remained a cave — nature’s own cave — with vines even clinging to the walls.
All the elders enjoyed similar accommodations, and Shen Qi couldn’t help but worry about what lay ahead for the disciples.
Master Puzhi sat on a stone platform that served as a makeshift living room. When Ru Deng entered, the master smiled slightly. “Welcome back. Have a seat.”
Taking advantage of Shen Qi’s invisibility to anyone but his master, Shen Qi made no move to dismount from Ru Deng’s back. Instead, he settled into Ru Deng’s lap, assuming his habitual cross-legged position. His chin lazily rested on Ru Deng’s shoulder, and his hands encircled Ru Deng’s waist.
Ru Deng glanced at him, a mix of helplessness and a subtle warning in his eyes.
Observing Ru Deng’s expression, Master Puzhi chuckled. “Is your spirit causing trouble?” His interpretation of “trouble” clearly differed from Shen Qi’s actions.
Ru Deng’s lips curved slightly, neither confirming nor denying. He pressed Shen Qi’s misbehaving wrist and said in a gentle tone, “Enough mischief.”
Sensing the warning in his tone, Shen Qi released his grip.
Ru Deng's lips curved slightly, and he clasped his hands together: "He is young and a little naughty."
"Your true spirit is a child?" Elder Puzhi was a little surprised, then smiled, "You have to take more care of him, and don't be too strict. Children are inevitably naughty. Think about it, didn't you also do some troublesome things when you were a child?"
Ru Deng responded with a smile.
"Child?" Shen Qi narrowed his eyes, raised his chin and licked his ears, "It turns out that the master likes this. It seems that you should not call you Master, but Daddy. Yes, since the Master woke me up, he can also be regarded as the father of my rebirth."
He breathed a sigh of relief and shouted in a wicked way, "Daddy..."
Ru Deng's expression remained unchanged and his muscles tensed.
Shen Qi grinned like a cat that had stolen cream, thoroughly amused. He had initially worried that this world might be dull, but now it seemed anything but. It was fascinating.
However, he also knew not to push things too far. He settled obediently in Ru Deng’s embrace, no longer teasing him, and listened as Ru Deng discussed their journey to the Central Plains with Master Puzhi.
Given Ru Deng’s temperament, he wouldn’t reveal the existence of the ability to traverse realms to anyone, even his own master. As previously agreed upon, he would only showcase the existence of the enlightenment beads. The monk obtaining the beads as a true artifact was a perfect match, and Master Puzhi was indeed pleased. He couldn’t stop marveling at how true disciples were truly disciples.
Then, with meticulous instructions, he explained how Ru Deng should utilize the true artifact to break through the next realm.
Shen Qi found the discussion somewhat bewildering, especially since he had little interest in such matters. His eyes narrowed as he fought off drowsiness.
In this world, he remained unaltered — both in appearance and personality. He was simply himself, with no desire to hide or pretend.
After observing Ru Deng for several days, Shen Qi had a good grasp of his character. He didn’t need pity or sympathy, nor did he appreciate the so-called simplicity and innocence. For him, only two things mattered: revenge and becoming stronger. So, Shen Qi’s sole purpose was to assist him.
Yes, help him.
If he seeks revenge, assist him in seeking revenge. If he desires strength, aid him in becoming stronger.
That’s what he needs. If you harbor romantic notions of forbidden love, it’s wishful thinking. In Ru Deng’s eyes, such sentiments border on passive negligence. Consider the fate of the Holy Mother spirit he orchestrated to be killed. To prove his worth, Shen Qi must demonstrate abilities that align with his ambitions. That’s the right path.
Of course, ahem, currently, this ability has a dual purpose.
Ru Deng tolerates Shen Qi now because he’s the sole true artifact and potentially Ru Deng’s future half. However, if Shen Qi fails to showcase abilities worthy of his ambitions, his fate might not differ much from that of the Holy Mother spirit.
After exchanging pleasantries, Ru Deng bid farewell and left the dwelling. Shen Qi floated lightly, still hanging on him without any intention of dismounting. Ru Deng glanced at him, neither stopping nor objecting. Thus, Shen Qi remained suspended as they returned to Ru Deng’s abode.
The Wanfo Sect occupied an entire mountain range. As an esteemed disciple and leader of his peers, Ru Deng had an independent peak. He built a simple dwelling halfway up the mountain.
Seeing the house, Shen Qi breathed a sigh of relief. Surely, they couldn’t both live in caves for two lifetimes.
The house wasn’t extravagant but had an elegant charm. A bamboo fence enclosed a courtyard paved with green stone. On one side stood a tall, flourishing Bodhi tree. Shen Qi finally let go of Ru Deng and circled the tree.
Two young novices stood outside the courtyard. Excitedly, they greeted Ru Deng, “Master Ru Deng.”
Ru Deng smiled and nodded. “No need for attendants here. You may go for now. I’ll call you if needed.”
“Understood.” The novices departed.
“Monks have attendants too?” Shen Qi teased.
Ru Deng withdrew his gaze, amused. “Monks are not saints either.”
With no outsiders around, Shen Qi felt unrestrained. He floated back and extended his hand toward Ru Deng, grinning mischievously. “Daddy, hug—”
Ru Deng paused, evident resignation in his eyes. But he didn’t refuse. Taking a step forward, he clasped Shen Qi’s waist and lifted him, cradling his hips — the familiar position.
Shen Qi clung to Ru Deng’s shoulders, the blush on his forehead turning vivid. He playfully tilted his head. “These days have been tough on you, Master. Now that there’s no one else, you can handle me.” He corrected himself, realizing his slip. “Ah, no, I mean, Daddy can handle me.”
He blinked innocently.
Ru Deng’s grip on his waist tightened.
Shen Qi played along, mist forming in his eyes. They looked dewy, like a cat seeking affection. “Daddy, it hurts…”
Ru Deng's lips formed a straight line. Unhurriedly, he walked to the bedroom, opened the door, and gently closed it. As the door shut, his eyes darkened. Swiftly, he pressed Shen Qi against it.
Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter
or purchase bulk advanced chapters here
No comments:
Post a Comment