472 The Three Venerable Ones

Hui Shiba hurriedly swept up the fallen leaves beside him, then ran over and whispered in a mysterious, ingratiating voice, "Shijiu, Shijiu, I'm done sweeping here. I'm going to rest for a bit and have some water. Do you want some? I can get you a bowl."

Upon hearing this, Hui Shijiu remained silent, carefully and slowly sweeping the fallen leaves, and whispered, "Shiba, don't go and peek at them practicing martial arts, otherwise you'll be punished by Uncle Wusong if you get caught."

Last time you almost got caught, and Uncle-Master Wusong also said that our cultivation is insufficient, and we cannot cultivate yet.

Hui Shiba's expression remained unchanged as he continued to flatter, "I know, I know. I don't cultivate either. I just want to take a look. I want to cultivate this in the future, so I'm just taking a look beforehand."

Okay, I'll be right back, it'll only take the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, okay?

If you don't say anything, that's considered a yes. If anyone asks, just say I'm going to get some water.

Seeing that Nineteen remained silent, Hui Shiba silently walked away, his eyes filled with urgency, clearly having his own thoughts. He thought to himself, 'My elders have all said that if I can't enter the temple and stay within three years, I'll be sent down the mountain. I won't be able to learn any more cultivation techniques or secret manuals.'

Three years is a long time, but three years is also a short time. If I don't secretly learn something, how can I surpass others? Besides, if I learn some skills in this temple and don't master anything after three years, I'll still be living a life of luxury when I go out.

Hui Shijiu remained silent for a moment, watching Hui Shiba leave, and sighed softly, thinking to himself, 'Here, I can eat my fill and do good work; this is good, this is good.'

I silently recited some unknown scriptures that I had occasionally heard, and continued cleaning.

The enthusiastic young monks were busy with the assigned tasks, working non-stop and barely having time to rest throughout the day.

Gradually, morning and evening classes also began.

In the backyard of the Repentance Temple, in a place blocked by an illusionary array, three old monks sat in meditation, oblivious to worldly affairs. Their robes were simple and dark in color, and they remained motionless, like the dead, just like ancient Buddhas in a deep mountain temple, silent and solemn.

The surroundings were deathly silent, as if no one had visited or inquired about it for a long time. Dust covered the ground, as if it were isolated from the world.

In the front courtyard of the Repentance Temple, in the main hall, there are many Buddha statues. The central Buddha statue is three zhang tall and shines with golden light. There are not many people guarding it. Devout people kneel down and pray for peace and health, and that they will not be lured away by evil spirits.

The gleaming Buddha statue appears to have been coated with a layer of brass or gold powder.

A plump, wealthy man from afar, with a mustache, delicate cheeks, and slender fingers, was not a local. He had come for no apparent reason, also on patrol. He knelt in devout worship, his eyes narrowed as he carefully examined the three-zhang-tall Buddha statue. The more he looked, the brighter his eyes became.

Then, he quietly took out a hundred-tael silver note and handed it to the young novice monk who was standing silently to the side. The young novice monk looked nervous, took the note, and quickly ran into the inner hall.

A moment later, a monk dressed in a long white robe quickened his pace, bowed, and softly chanted a Buddhist prayer, saying, "This humble monk is Wuneng. Greetings, layperson. Please come inside."

The portly man immediately returned the greeting with a slight bow, and said in a low, smiling voice, his eyes narrowing, "My name is Jin Wucai. I have come here because of your reputation. I have heard that your temple's incense is extremely effective, and I would like to request a portion, as I already have a family."

Wu Neng nodded slightly. It's good that they have a request. Such things are common. Every year, there are very generous people who come to ask for incense offerings.

This is also one of the sources of the temple's philosophy: if you have a request, I will provide an answer; it all depends on how much you ask for and how much I can give.

Gently leading the way, the two arrived at the reception hall. Along the way, Master Yin walked very slowly, praising every plant and tree in the temple. Even Wu Neng, who had met many high-ranking officials and wealthy people, nodded repeatedly as he listened.

My own temple of repentance is truly a blessed place, praised by everyone in the world.

Under the bright moonlight, within this blessed land, the dragon blood rice begins to ripen. Each grain is as big as a quail egg, and each dragon blood rice plant has four ears of rice, with about 20 grains on each ear.

The women all crowded around, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. Wei Lan, Fang Hua, Yun Yan, Lian Xiu Xiu, Qing Hui, Hui Fu, Qing Er, and others all looked on.

The time it takes to drink a cup of tea passes quickly, but the waiting time feels rather long as the dragon blood rice gradually reveals its unique transformation. Originally a pale red, it is now gradually becoming more vibrant, as if each grain of rice is bathed in fresh blood, absorbing the essence of life.

A bright, vibrant red, as if you could see the life force surging within the grain of rice.

Time flowed slowly. Bai Rong, Danru, Qingti, and the other girls watched with puzzled expressions, then asked in a low voice, "Wanqing, do you need our help later?"

Wan Qing nodded gently and said softly, "Okay, when the dragon blood rice is ripe, I'll have to trouble everyone to help harvest it."

Li'er, Qing'er, and Bai'er nodded excitedly. Nourished by the spiritual energy, the girls looked even more radiant.

The five bees couldn't contain themselves any longer and flew to Rou Rou and Wan Qing's side. Xiao Cong whispered ingratiatingly, "Sister Rou Rou, Sister Wan Qing, can we help out later?"

Rourou gently stroked Xiaocong and nodded in agreement, "Of course you can, but you have to be careful not to damage them."

After speaking, he took out several jade boxes and gently distributed them to everyone.

Unbeknownst to them, a Qilin quietly appeared beside them, its adorable appearance and its gaze fixed on Long Xuemi with a hint of anticipation and waiting.

Upon seeing the Qilin, the five spirit bees trembled under the suppression of their bloodlines, daring not to move. After a while, seeing that the Qilin ignored them, they gently circled around Wanqing and Rourou, and Xiao Cong also behaved himself.

Wanqing, Rourou, Weilan, Yunyan, and others smiled gently.

Lian Xiuxiu looked closely and found the Qilin in front of her extremely cute, like the one that would quietly listen while she and the others played the zither. She gently beckoned, and the Qilin slowly came to her side. Sure enough, it was the same one.

Wei Qinghui gently explained, and Lian Xiuxiu listened with great interest, regretting that she hadn't come sooner to witness such a strange event.

He gently reached out and stroked the Qilin, which floated obediently beside him without flinching or resisting.

As everyone paused to catch a whiff of enchanting aroma, a scent so potent it seemed to invigorate the body. On the Dragon Blood Rice, many husks began to crack open, resembling ripe chestnuts on a tree.

The chestnut pods split open, revealing plump fruits inside. The bright red flesh glittered in the sunlight, looking incredibly tempting.

Most of the dragon blood rice had cracked open, turning a grayish-brown color, while the flesh inside became increasingly bright red, as if it had absorbed all the nutrients.