"Depend on!"
As the sword energy approached, Shen Zhao realized his whereabouts had been exposed. He immediately smashed the boulder with a palm strike, which instantly transformed into thousands of rain stones that collided with the sword energy, thus averting the crisis.
"Um?"
The sword monk asked in confusion, then raised one hand to the sky, and a swastika symbol appeared.
"Saṃgraha, go!"
Shen Zhao's eyes narrowed, and he immediately struck back with a palm.
"Dense clouds and deep, tangled spaces."
Instantly, a swirling cloud of mist appeared counterclockwise in front of Shen Zhao, allowing him to return to a defensive stance and directly block this powerful attack.
"Your cultivation is truly admirable!"
Knowing that his opponent was highly skilled, the sword monk temporarily abandoned his offensive and gradually lowered his stance to seek another opportunity.
"This humble monk Jianhui, may I ask why you two have come to this place?"
Shen Zhao stepped forward: "We have mistakenly entered the Buddhist kingdom; please forgive us."
"Stumbled into a Buddhist kingdom?"
Jian Hui stared intently, and after his gaze swept over Mu Qiuyao, he lingered for a moment longer, immediately realizing that this was probably the Buddhist woman his subordinate had mentioned.
Mu Qiuyao was annoyed by Jian Hui's gaze and whispered to Shen Zhao, "Boy, before my cultivation is unsealed, you'll have to work hard as my protector."
At the same time, he secretly vowed that as long as he could return to the Immortal Dynasty, he would definitely go to war with the Buddhist Kingdom.
For daring to insult an Emperor-level expert, this realm must pay the price.
"Hey, you bald monk, where are your eyes looking?"
Shen Zhao's voice interrupted Jian Hui's thoughts.
Jian Hui said calmly, "Benefactor, someone reported yesterday that outsiders had intruded into our Buddhist Kingdom, and due to some misunderstandings, unnecessary killings occurred. You must be the two of you?"
Shen Zhao sneered: "Indeed, a sacred Buddhist site, yet they engage in the same illicit activities as evil cultivators. They are truly shameless. Wouldn't it be perfect if I personally sent them to explain to Buddha?"
Jian Hui's expression changed: "Benefactor, it seems you do have some misunderstandings about my Buddhist Kingdom. This is a sacred Buddhist land, how could it be as filthy as you say?"
Before you say that, shouldn't you explain where you intend to take these women behind you?
Jian Hui remained unfazed: "They were all chosen as offerings to serve the Buddha. They should feel honored to be able to be liberated from the cycle of reincarnation."
Shen Zhao gave a mocking smile: "Honor? You call it honor to pierce their hands and feet with a bamboo sword and endure extreme pain?"
Jianhui: "They have committed many sins in this life. Only by experiencing physical suffering can they have the chance to be reborn in the Pure Land in the next life."
"Absurd!" Shen Zhao said solemnly. "Who said they were sinful in this life, and who can control their next life?"
Jianhui: "From the day we are born, everyone is divided into noble and lowly. Those who are noble are those who have accumulated merit in their past lives."
Those who are base and have committed many evil deeds in their past lives must repay them in this life in order to be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
The causes of the past life lead to the effects of this life; this is the cycle of reincarnation. Only by eliminating karmic obstacles can one attain enlightenment.
Shen Zhao countered, "Since it's a cause from a past life, why not settle it all there in the past?"
But to make those who are reincarnated in this life continue to suffer the sins committed in their previous life? Don't you think that's absurd?
Jianhui clasped his hands together and said, "This is the profound meaning of Buddhism; there is a predetermined destiny in the dark."
"What a wonderful idea that everything is preordained! It's a pity that this kind of Buddhism is nothing but a lie used to promote imperial power and wealth!"
"Sir, are you questioning Buddhism?"
"All Buddhist teachings are illusory!"
The compassionate expression on Jian Hui's face vanished completely, replaced by a murderous aura.
"Then please tell me, what is your understanding of Buddhism?"
Shen Zhao continued, "What you call Buddhism is nothing more than a means to fool the masses."
You have made the people distrust themselves, yet you entrust their lives to the ethereal Buddha for decision.
You have made the people stop believing in this life and start believing in an afterlife, making them numbly endure your exploitation and oppression.
With each sentence Shen Zhao spoke, Jian Hui's expression grew increasingly gloomy.
Mu Qiuyao, standing behind him, also looked at Shen Zhao with a meaningful expression.
"You want the people to willingly swallow all the suffering in this life, and then you deceive them by saying that it is a blessing in the next life."
"You ask the people to rid themselves of greed, anger, and ignorance in order to eliminate their desires, because if people have desires..."
They will not accept their fate willingly, which will inevitably breed resentment, leading to anger and ultimately, resistance.
"Ultimately, your goal is to make those who suffer oppression accept their fate of being oppressed for the rest of their lives, so that they cannot muster any will to resist you."
"Therefore, if people do not fight against Heaven, and the poor do not contend with the rich, then the so-called Buddhas will never be exposed by anyone, and will never fall from their pedestals."
"This is my Dharma!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a thunderclap suddenly resounded from the heavens, shaking the earth and the sky.
"Shut up!"
Unable to bear it any longer, Jian Hui roared and finally tore off the facade of hypocrisy.
"How dare you slander the Buddha! Do you know what crime you have committed?"
Shen Zhao straightened his chest calmly and said, "The Buddha said that all sentient beings are Buddhas, so how can you say that you are slandering the Buddha!"
"Are you Buddha?"
"Buddha is also me."
"Then may I ask your Dharma name, Master?"
Shen Zhao closed his eyes, concentrated his energy, took a deep breath, and then slowly put his hands together in prayer position.
In an instant, his aura changed, and he resembled a compassionate Buddha, with a solemn and dignified appearance.
"Little monk's Dharma name, Ranxiu."
The moment the words "burning the fire" were uttered, the first person to be shocked was Mu Qiuyao behind him.
"You...you are Master Ranxiu? That..."
Ignoring Mu Qiuyao's shock, Shen Zhao arrogantly said to Jian Hui, "Illusions and dreams are upside down, leaving endless calamities. What this humble monk cultivates is retribution in this life."
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