Chapter 454: Buddha's affinity and the incense-burning shrine
Qiong Niang lowered her head slightly, her golden hairpin swaying slowly as she softly said, "I last met the Immortal at the Great King's Dharma Assembly in Stone City. I thought you were very charming then, but I just had no chance to meet you. I never expected that when we met again, you would already be my Fourth Brother's guest of honor."
The Immortal Jin Ting laughed and said, "I am just serving as a lobbyist at the invitation of King Tonghui."
Qiong Niang pursed her lips and said, "Fourth Brother thinks highly of you. With your help, they will surely be one step closer to achieving their dreams."
It was a happy event, but the tone was not cheerful.
Immortal Jin Ting said with a hint of doubt, "The five kings want to become righteous gods, turning from evil to good, which is also a meritorious deed. Why doesn't Fairy Qiong seem very happy?"
Qiong Niang shook her head and said, "Of course I'm happy, but this road is difficult to walk on, and I feel a little uneasy."
The Immortal Jin Ting echoed, "It is indeed difficult to compete with the heavens for good fortune. However, the world is in chaos now, and the King of Wu is determined to seize the throne. Taking advantage of this favorable situation, he may be able to achieve his goal."
Qiong Niang said, "The world is in chaos...Alas, I hope so."
Qiong Niang obviously didn't want to continue with this topic, so she suggested taking Jin Ting Daxian for a walk.
The Immortal Jin Ting followed her off the demon ship and strolled on the Stone Lake.
Shihu Lake is located at the eastern foot of the mountain above. Its blue water waves reflect the sky and the green mountains.
Looking west from Shihu Lake, you can see Shangfang Mountain surrounded by winter clouds and mist, and you can vaguely see the golden pagoda on the mountain.
But the Great Immortal Jin Ting had no intention of enjoying the scenery. He stood on the water and was already observing the rampant god underwater.
The calm surface of the lake hides the turbulent undercurrent, and the rampant gods underwater are training their troops.
Beneath this stone lake, there are numerous rampant evil spirits. At a glance, they all seem to be of lower and lower levels of cultivation.
Obviously, the soldiers hidden under the Stone Lake are the elite among the water monsters, and King Tonghui wants to recruit soldiers and train water monsters, so more water monsters should be distributed in other waters.
Looking at the golden pagoda on Shangfang Mountain from afar, the Immortal Jin Ting asked, "It seems that the Holy Mother truly believes in Buddhism. Not only did she go to listen to the Shicheng King's lectures, but she also built a pagoda on Shangfang Mountain."
Qiong Niang said, "My family has a connection with Buddhism. My five brothers were born with a predestined connection to Buddhism. Although they aren't disciples of the Buddhist faith, they have cultivated Buddhist magical powers. They all have bad tempers. They have great ambitions, but their methods are... not very refined. Mother was worried about them, afraid that they would commit too much sin and fail to achieve enlightenment, so she built a golden pagoda and chanted sutras and prayed for blessings there every day."
The Immortal Jin Ting sighed softly and said, "How pitiful are the parents in the world."
Qiong Niang said, "My brothers are ambitious, and mother cannot stand in their way. All we can do is pray to Buddha and recite scriptures."
The Immortal Jin Ting asked, "Last time, the Holy Mother invited King Shicheng to come and preach to the other kings. I wonder if King Shicheng has arrived yet?"
Qiong Niang shook her head and said, "King Shicheng hasn't come yet, but I think it's better if he doesn't come. Even if he does, they won't listen. For mother's sake, they'll listen. Otherwise, we'll have to trouble King Shicheng later."
The Immortal Jin Ting smiled and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesties, you have a connection with Buddhism, so why do you dislike listening to the sutras?"
Qiong Niang said, "If you ask them to practice Buddhist magic, they can learn it quickly, but if you ask them to read scriptures, they don't have the patience."
The Immortal Jin Ting said, "I see Fairy Qiong has a pure aura, which doesn't seem like the magical power of Buddhism."
Qiong Niang said, "I have no affinity with Buddhism. When my brothers were born, a Zen master came to our house to beg for alms, saying that they possessed the appearance of Buddha. But when I was born, no monks came. The Taoism I practice is still the one passed down by my predecessors. I have inherited the mantle of my predecessors, and I have never considered practicing another method."
The Immortal Jin Ting said, "So that's how it is. Fairy Qiong has a pure and righteous spirit. I think she also has a legacy of true cultivation."
Qiong Niang said, "I am not as talented as my brothers. They are already thinking about how to become true gods, while I have only cultivated to the sixth level. Mother has also cultivated to the sixth level with their help."
The Immortal Jin Ting comforted him, "Even if you walk slowly, you won't be able to go far. A little accumulation will eventually lead to a sudden burst of energy. Fairy Qiong, don't be discouraged."
Qiong Niang laughed and said, "I'll borrow your good words."
The two of them strolled on the Stone Lake, looked at the scenery of the Stone Lake, and dived into the water to watch the God of War training his troops.
The general commanded the water monsters to attack and kill each other without mercy. After a fight, some were seriously injured, and some even lost their lives due to carelessness.
Qiong Niang did not like this scene. She took a look and left with Jin Ting Daxian.
When King Tonghui returned to the demon ship, Qiong Niang and Jin Ting Daxian had already returned and were serving tea.
King Tonghui laughed and said, "How about my spiritual tea?"
The Immortal Jin Ting said, "Great tea, thank you Fairy Qiong for your hospitality."
Qiong Niang stood up, made room for King Tonghui, sat on the side, and poured a cup of tea for King Tonghui.
King Tonghui drank his tea, praised Qiong Niang's craftsmanship, and then looked at the Immortal Jinting and said, "Immortal, please tell Old Dragon that the construction of the Divine Palace will begin soon. I hope he can make preparations early."
King Tonghui took out a bundle from his sleeve and opened it carefully, revealing two palm-sized Buddhist shrines.
These two palm-sized shrines are very exquisite. The image of Buddha is carved on them, and five wheel discs are painted with colorful lacquer, with mantras written on them to represent heaven, earth, wind, water and fire.
The shrine has doors, two vermilion-painted doors tightly closed, sealed with densely packed incantations. Even so, one can still smell the faint and very moving aroma of incense.
Incense in the human world is the manifestation of people's wishes and thoughts through the incense, which can be easily used by spirits. Whether it is used to transform into magic power through practice, to comprehend the myriad aspects of the human world, or to refine magical instruments, it is an excellent choice.
These incense sticks, especially those without owners, are treasures for anyone practicing the immortal and divine ways. One hundred thousand incense sticks represent one hundred thousand spiritual thoughts and vows, and it is impossible to collect them all overnight.
Even King Tonghui showed a look of pain at this moment.
He pushed the bundle in front of the Jinting Great Immortal and said, "This one is Lao Long's, and this one is yours. Please keep it safe."
The Immortal Jin Ting rolled up the bundle and carefully put it away, saying, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will bring it safely to the Taihu Water Palace."
King Tonghui took a sip of tea to calm himself down and said, "Since you have accepted my incense, there is no room for regret."
Jin Ting Daxian laughed and said, "For the sake of the 100,000 incense sticks, he won't regret it."
King Tonghui said, "I won't keep you here for long. If you keep this thing in front of me, I'm afraid I'll regret it."
He personally escorted the Immortal Jin Ting to the Black Dragon and said, "Thank you for your care, Immortal."
The Immortal Jin Ting said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I have a share in this."
King Tonghui watched the Immortal Jinting go away. Qiong Niang walked up to him and asked, "Are you heartbroken?"
King Tonghui sighed with relief and said, "So much hard work has been wasted just like that. I just hope it was all worth it."
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