That Peacock King was unable to attain enlightenment and was too attached to worldly desires, which made it difficult for him to make any further progress in his cultivation. Seeing that his lifespan was about to end if he did not break through soon, he went to the mortal realm to undergo tribulation in order to break through.

When this was mentioned, Chu Nian was quite pleased and said, "The Buddhist teachings are indeed vast and profound. I have been studying these classics these past few days and feel that I have made great progress in the path of the ruthless path."

The Buddha said, "Sentient and insentient, sentient and insentient, all are part of the Way."

Chu Nian smiled wryly and said helplessly, "I just hope my master can understand this principle."

When Kong Yuan was mentioned, Tathagata's expression became somewhat grave. He said, "Her inner demon lies with you, and you are probably the only one who can dispel it."

This made Chu Nian feel a little heartbroken: the original owner felt guilty towards this master when she joined the demonic sect and attempted suicide, but because she had been disciplined by her since childhood, although she cared about her, she always had a cold face towards the original owner, so the original owner had less affection for her and more respect.

The original owner couldn't understand Kong Yuan, but Chu Nian, who had also been a master, understood Kong Yuan much better than the original owner.

She really didn't want Kong Yuan to continue being so persistent. Kong Yuan really seemed to be heading towards demonic possession, which could greatly affect his future path to immortality.

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Wu Si and the others who were waiting outside the hall had mocked Chu Nian for not being allowed to enter. But before they could finish their mockery, Chu Nian was summoned into the hall, which made them feel like they had been slapped in the face.

The women were all whispering among themselves, wondering whether Chu Nian would be questioned or interrogated after she went in!

When they concluded that Chu Nian, though inside the main hall, would surely be punished for trespassing on Mount Ling, they were all somewhat gleeful. But to their surprise, a short while later, all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the hall withdrew, and finally, even Abbess Kongyuan reluctantly emerged with a dark face, led by a young monk, which startled them all.

Seeing Kong Yuan's gloomy face, Wu Si pretended to be concerned and asked, "Master, why did you come out alone? Where is Junior Sister Wu Nian?"

She wanted to hear Kong Yuan say things like "Your junior sister angered Buddha," but Kong Yuan replied irritably, "Buddha said he has something to say to your junior sister alone and asked me to come out and wait."

Upon hearing this, the nuns recalled their earlier discussion and felt a little embarrassed, their faces burning with shame—as if they had been slapped in the face again.

After thinking for a moment, Wu thought for a moment and then said, "Junior Sister Wu Nian has always been exceptionally intelligent and knows how to please people. I imagine the Buddha is no exception."

Kong Yuan nodded and said, "You are absolutely right. Wu Nian has extremely high comprehension. It is possible that the Buddha discovered this and wanted to give her some guidance."

At this moment, a group of Buddhist friends who had been in the hall came over to exchange pleasantries with Kong Yuan, which puzzled her. These senior disciples of Mount Ling had always regarded her, a person from Emei, as an outsider, and were very wary and disdainful of her. What was going on now? Why were they all taking the initiative to greet her and be polite?

When she heard someone mention Wu Nian, she finally seemed to understand. The Buddha had kept Chu Nian alone in the hall for a private talk. It was either to impart secret skills or to discuss some secret. No matter what it was, it showed that Chu Nian and the Buddha had an extraordinary relationship.

Aside from her obsession with her disciple Wu Nian, Kong Yuan was quite insightful and didn't dwell on other matters. However, upon realizing that everyone's pleasantries were about Wu Nian, she felt a mix of emotions.

She felt that her disciple had brought her honor, but she was also worried that her disciple would become closer to Buddha than to her, so she felt conflicted.

Fortunately, Chu Nian and Tathagata only talked for a short while before Chu Nian opened the palace door and walked out leisurely.

Kong Yuan asked curiously, "Disciple, what did the Buddha say to you?"

Chu Nian said, "He just asked me if I had gained any insights from reading the scriptures on Mount Ling these past few days."

Wu Si asked in surprise, "You were reciting scriptures on Mount Ling?"

Chu Nian nodded lightly and hummed in agreement.

Wu Ning said, "It seems that the Buddha must have personally given you some pointers."

Chu Nian gave a sheepish "hmm". In fact, after exchanging a few words with her, Tathagata had already figured out what kind of person she was and what her state of mind was like. Even if he couldn't find out her past, future, and present, Tathagata was not so arrogant as to want to give Chu Nian pointers.

But when Wu Ning and the others heard her "hmm," a strong sense of jealousy immediately welled up in their hearts. They thought they were no less capable than Wu Nian, so why was it that she not only met the Buddha but also received his guidance?

It should be known that Buddha Tathagata is the universally acknowledged highest-ranking figure in the entire Buddhist community. Anyone who has the opportunity to meet him, regardless of who they are, will look upon him with greater respect in the future; moreover, Wunian received guidance from Tathagata!

Look at her now. Those Buddhists and Bodhisattvas who are returning to the main hall are all smiling and nodding to Chu Nian as they pass by. This is the most obvious sign that her status has been elevated several times over.

The Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats who appear here are all highly accomplished Buddhists personally converted by the Tathagata. Their status and position are incomparable to those of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats from other sects.

Just like Abbess Kongyuan, although she holds a prestigious position in Emei, even the lowest-ranking guest monk here occasionally shows her disdain.

But now, not to mention the monks who greet guests, even the highest-ranking Buddhists treat Chu Nian differently.

Wu Si and the other nuns stood to the side, feeling somewhat unsure of where to stand. They felt that if they stood there, they wouldn't be considered worthy of being called mere decorations, let alone being there to accompany someone on the list.

I feel so ashamed!

Chu Nian, however, was thinking to herself: Last time she transmigrated into Liu Nian and came to Mount Ling, it seemed like none of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were there. Come to think of it, she still couldn't seem to figure out Xiao Jin's lifespan…

She secretly asked Xiao Jin about her age, wanting to know how many years Liu Nian's era differed from the present, but Xiao Jin just ignored her with a dark face.

Kong Yuan's expression grew increasingly grim. She had a feeling that these monks might trick her disciple into coming to Mount Ling at any moment, just like that demon lord had done. So, after the monks returned to the main hall, she said to Chu Nian and the others, "You wait here. I'll go in and say goodbye to Buddha Tathagata. Let's go back to Mount Emei now!"

Wu Si hurriedly said, "Master, we naturally want to return to Emei with you as soon as possible, but won't Junior Sister Wu Nian be a little reluctant to leave Mount Ling after receiving guidance from the Buddha?"

Chu Nian: "Senior sister, what you said is too abstract and goes against the Buddhist path of cultivation. No wonder your cultivation has progressed so slowly despite years of hard work. You should calm down and study the Buddhist teachings properly in the future."

Wu Si's lips twitched with anger, and he demanded, "What attachment? Where are you attached?"

Chu Nian laughed out loud: "Senior sister, you still don't know where you're attached to appearances. It's clear that your understanding of the Buddhist teachings is far from sufficient. When you go back, you must study the Buddhist scriptures carefully. You will definitely improve."